Di Daughter's Strategy - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Everyone in the hall was startled and looked towards the entrance. They saw a pair of dark-colored brocade boots step into the palace gate, followed by a man wearing dark-colored brocade robes and a long cloak, his expression indifferent. He stood with his hands behind his back, walking into the hall against the light. His sharp facial features were partially illuminated and partially shrouded in shadows, and his deep eyes scanned the crowd before finally landing on the elegant woman standing tall.

She wore a smoke-blue long dress, her fair cheeks bearing a gentle smile. Beneath her warmth was a hint of coldness, with a slight air of detachment that made her seem like a lotus flower in a pool, untouched by worldly dust. The man’s hand behind his back involuntarily clenched slightly.

He took another step into the hall, and everyone suddenly came back to their senses. The servants knelt all over the hall: “Your servants greet the Prince, wishing the Prince good health!”

The people holding down Luo Fu immediately let go, placing their hands together in front of them and deeply bowing their heads.

Madam Chu slightly furrowed her brow, hiding the emotions in her eyes, and stepped forward to pay her respects. “This humble wife greets Prince Jing.”

Luo Yi’er and Luo Qian followed Madam Chu, bending their waists in greeting. Only Luo Fu looked at him, seemingly stunned, until Baizhi nudged her from behind, and she finally reacted. She lagged a step behind the others and spoke, “This subject… this concubine daughter wishes Prince Jing good health.”

Fang Jinling walked into the hall and approached Luo Yi’er. His footsteps halted, and his gaze fell on the jade pendant at her waist, which was swaying slightly. His eyes seemed to flicker with emotion, and he stopped moving.

Luo Yi’er lowered her head, only seeing the brocade boots in front of her. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and her lips pressed together.

Fang Jinling’s expression turned slightly colder, and he eventually looked at Madam Chu, saying indifferently, “Madam, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Madam Chu straightened her body and replied respectfully, “Thank you, Prince Jing.”

Fang Jinling nodded almost imperceptibly. While everyone was still kneeling, he reached out to help Luo Yi’er up, his eyes focusing on her fingertips. He noticed that her pale fingers seemed to curl slightly before she spoke softly, “Thank you, Prince Jing.”

Her voice was extremely soft, with a gentle tone at the end, like a soft tremble. Fang Jinling’s eyes flashed with a hint of deep darkness, like a fog that was hard to see through, very deep and dark.

He didn’t pay attention to others, but instead looked up silently at the Empress on the steps. Without orders, everyone kept their heads down, kneeling in silence, not daring to make a sound.

The Empress had already sat down, her expression not looking good. She pinched her palm and thought to herself that she hadn’t seen him come to pay his respects before. She knew exactly who he had come for today.

She coldly glanced over Luo Yi’er, thinking that she was just like her mother, a seductive fox spirit who could charm men!

Fang Jinling’s eyes were deep, and after paying his respects, he sat down on a chair brought by the palace servants. His fingers tapped on the armrest, and after a moment, he asked indifferently. “What happened?”

The Empress’s nail guards were about to break, but she managed to steady her expression and smiled. “The Marquis Mansion’s daughter just now was a bit rude, but fortunately, Yi’er has already explained it. It was just a misunderstanding, Mother Empress.”

The matter was settled, and Luo Fu was naturally overjoyed. She couldn’t help but steal a glance at Fang Jinling, who was standing silently, and thought about how he had just ordered people to let her go. Her ears quietly turned red.

Fang Jinling’s expression remained unchanged, and he looked at Madam Chu.
“Since that’s the case, Madam, you may go to the Taihe Hall first. The madams from the noble families have already arrived.”

The Empress coldly looked away, not commenting on Fang Jinling’s decision, which implied her consent. Madam Chu subtly raised her eyebrows and bowed. “This humble wife takes her leave.”

After she left with Luo Yi’er and the others, the temperature in the hall seemed to drop suddenly. The many servants bowed their heads, silent as cicadas in winter. The Empress’s expression changed, and she said, “Why did the Prince take the time to pay his respects today?”

Fang Jinling stood up, and when the Empress met his indifferent gaze, her eyes faltered slightly. He turned around, his voice containing an endless chill. “I’m here to tell Mother Empress something.”

Before the Empress could ask, she couldn’t help but turn pale after hearing his next words. “The servant Mother Empress sent to the Prince’s mansion made a mistake and was dealt with. In the future, Mother doesn’t need to bother.”

He left a bone-chilling sentence and turned to leave. The Empress, after he left, was furious, smashing a set of teacups, her voice trembling with anger. “Does he even consider me his mother!”

However, she bit her lip, not daring to say anything more. The Emperor’s occasional kindness towards her was all because of this adopted son.

Madam Chu and her party walked to the outside of the Kunning Palace, near the Imperial Garden. Madam Chu stopped and looked at Luo Fu, who seemed distracted.
Her voice was cool, “Second Miss is impatient. When we return home, copy the Buddhist scriptures a hundred times and send them to the Buddhist hall.”

Luo Fu’s face turned pale, and she lost all her romantic thoughts.
A hundred times?
She wouldn’t be able to go out before her coming-of-age ceremony!

She looked at Madam Chu’s cool expression and couldn’t say a word of plea. Her eyes turned slightly red as she replied, “I’ll remember.”

Madam Chu showed no mercy and added, “Let Concubine Qiu accompany you.” Then she turned around coldly.

Luo Fu was scared and didn’t even dare to cry. She never thought that today’s incident would implicate her stepmother. At this moment, she was no longer excited about leaving the mansion.

Luo Yi’er looked on with a faint smile, not saying a word of plea. Even her eyes seemed to contain a hint of coldness.

Luo Qian was like a transparent person, lowering her head and not saying a word, no matter what happened.

As the sky darkened, the banquet in the Taihe Hall was about to begin. The group finally arrived at the Taihe Hall. Whether they were late due to the delay on the way or Fang Jinling took a shortcut, when they entered, Fang Jinling was already seated.

Many people surrounded him, toasting him. He held the wine cup with two fingers, the jade-white cup contrasting with his slender fingers. He lowered his dark eyes, and the atmosphere around him seemed to be slightly oppressive, exuding a hint of coldness. The officials toasting him mostly wore serious expressions, hiding a hint of respect.

Luo Yi’er’s gaze swept across the scene and spotted her older brother, Luo Qiheng, among the group of officials. He was holding a wine cup and toasting Fang Jinling. Unlike his indifference to others, Fang Jinling took a sip of the wine, giving Luo Qiheng enough face.

He seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up, his gaze meeting Luo Yi’er’s. Luo Yi’er was slightly startled, and his eyes seemed deeper, with a hint of darkness, making him seem shrouded in mist, hard to see through. Even from a distance, one could feel the coldness and sternness around him.

Luo Yi’er slightly pursed her lips, her fine eyebrows curving into a gentle smile. Her eyes seemed to take on a rosy hue due to her smile. She picked up the fruit wine from the table and raised it in a toast, then drank it in one gulp. Her slender, fair neck was exposed, and the hairpin on her bun swayed gently with her movements. Under the bright candlelight, her fair cheeks seemed to glow with a jade-like radiance.

She didn’t notice that as she drank, a dark flash appeared in Fang Jinling’s eyes. His fingers, hidden under the table, lightly tapped against each other. After she put down her cup, he raised his own and drained it in one go. The cool wine slid down his throat, and his eyes deepened as he swallowed.

Luo Yi’er trembled slightly with her eyelashes and then shifted her gaze away.

At this moment, the Emperor finally arrived, followed by the Empress. The Emperor was now nearly fifty, but due to his years of battle, he still had a tall and imposing figure. His facial features still showed traces of his youthful handsomeness, and his eyes were deep, exuding the majesty of an emperor.

With his arrival, the banquet finally began. In the center of the hall, music and dance filled the air. Some officials’ gazes subtly drifted to the dancing women. Amidst the noise, Luo Yi’er could sense several gazes falling on her.

She raised her head subtly, only to meet the gaze of Prince Wen, Fang Jinyu. He didn’t seem flustered when she looked over; instead, he smiled warmly and raised his wine cup, exuding elegance and refinement.

Luo Yi’er nodded slightly, took a sip of her rice wine, and smiled as she looked away. Just now, she had sensed that one of the gazes on her seemed to darken slightly.

Fang Jinling, who had observed the interactions between the two, narrowed his eyes slightly. He recalled the assassination attempt at the border and the gifts sent on the way back to the capital. Suddenly, he thought it was time to reciprocate, and returning the favor was the right thing to do.

Fang Jinling met Fang Jinyu’s gaze, and Fang Jinyu raised his wine cup in a toast, smiling warmly. However, his eyes seemed to hold an unknown meaning. Fang Jinling glanced at him indifferently and turned away.

The atmosphere in the hall was suffocating.

Luo Yi’er told Madam Chu she needed some fresh air and quietly left the hall with Linglong. The night had fallen, bringing a cool breeze. She took a deep breath of the fresh air, and her eyes instantly cleared.

She was familiar with the palace architecture, having visited often in her early years. She leaned on Linglong’s arm and whispered, “Let’s go to Taiyou Lake for some fresh air.”

Linglong had no objections, and they slowly walked towards Taiyou Lake. Although Taiyou Lake was crowded during the day, it was less visited at night, making it serene. Luo Yi’er entered the pavilion and sat down by the railing. Lanterns were lit in the distance, so it wasn’t completely dark. She could vaguely see the lotus leaves floating on the lake.

After a while, Luo Yi’er decided to head back. However, she heard steady footsteps approaching from outside the pavilion. She turned her head to see who it was and felt a mix of expectation and surprise, her heart skipping a beat.

Linglong had already quietly knelt down. Luo Yi’er noticed that the person was alone, without any attendants. She pursed her lips slightly and was about to stand up to pay her respects when he interrupted her. “No need to bow.”

His voice seemed even colder than it was in the Kunning Palace during the day. Perhaps the darkness brought out some emotions. Luo Yi’er felt like she detected some suppressed emotions in his voice, making it sound rich and low.

Fang Jinling’s gaze fell on Linglong, and he ordered in a low voice, “You may leave first.”

Linglong was taken aback but didn’t move. Instead, she looked at Luo Yi’er, waiting for her command. Fang Jinling’s eyes darkened slightly, but he didn’t seem displeased.
Luo Yi’er nodded gently and whispered, “Go stand outside.”

Only then did Linglong bite her lip, glance at her with concern, and silently retreat.

After she left, only Fang Jinling and Luo Yi’er remained in the pavilion. The surroundings were quiet, with only the occasional sound of cicadas breaking the silence. The atmosphere in the pavilion made one’s heart tremble slightly. Luo Yi’er’s eyes flickered, and she didn’t wait for Fang Jinling to speak.

Instead, she stood up, smoothing out the wrinkles on her sleeve, and asked with a gentle smile, “Today is the Prince’s welcome banquet, why did the Prince come out?”

Fang Jinling’s gaze was fixed on her. Her smile was soft, making it hard to discern her true intentions. However, it stirred something in Fang Jinling’s heart. It had been three years since he last saw her. Back then, he was inexplicably timid and fled, not returning to the capital for three years. He couldn’t say if he regretted it. If he hadn’t left the capital three years ago, perhaps they wouldn’t be so estranged.

But he knew one thing he never regretted: before leaving the capital, he had asked the Emperor for an imperial decree. From that day on, he and she were destined to be together.

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the lotus leaves in the distance, without answering her question. Instead, he asked, “Why did Yi’er come out?”

The term of endearment, unused for three years, suddenly appeared. Even Fang Jinling couldn’t help but darken his eyes in a place where no one could see.

Luo Yi’er’s fingertips trembled slightly, not expecting him to address her in such a way. She recalled the day he returned to the capital and stopped her carriage, calling her “Miss Luo.”

She composed herself and replied with a gentle smile. “This subject daughter felt a bit suffocated in the hall, so I slipped out for some fresh air.”

He suddenly spoke up, “No need to address yourself as ‘subject daughter’.”

Luo Yi’er was slightly taken aback, then realized what he meant, hesitating.
“… Your Highness?”

She furrowed her brow slightly, her eyes filled with confusion and puzzlement, quietly falling on Fang Jinling.
The bewildered look was pitiful.
Fang Jinling glanced at her briefly, knowing she was intelligent and would understand his meaning.

He shifted his gaze away indifferently. “I also came out.”

Luo Yi’er thought for a moment before understanding that he was answering her first question. She noticed his self-reference and felt a slight flutter in her heart. This was the second time he had referred to himself as “I” in front of her. The first time was when he returned to the capital and asked if she would marry him.

Just as Yi’er’s eyes flickered slightly, she heard his low, mellow voice.
“No need to be restrained.”

Luo Yi’er nodded gently, her eyes shining with a hint of brightness. She sat down again, resting one hand on the railing and leaning her chin on the back of her hand. The breeze caressed her cheeks, still warm from the day. Luo Yi’er felt comfortable and closed her eyes slightly.

Fang Jinling stood behind her, watching her quietly. He didn’t move, looking down at her from his height, taking in every detail. The jade-white hairpin on her head was noticeable even in the darkness, swaying gently in the breeze.

His eyes moved slightly, and he spoke, “Do you like this hairpin?” He recalled whether there were other precious jade hairpins or jade bracelets in the mansion, feeling that only beautiful jade could match someone like her.

Luo Yi’er heard his voice and turned her head, looking up at him with her fair face. She reached out to touch the hairpin, her eyes filled with a soft smile.
“I haven’t thanked the Prince for the gift yet.”

As she met Fang Jinling’s gaze, she felt like she was looking into two dark pools of water, deep and unfathomable, with hidden lights that made her feel a sense of pressure.

Fang Jinling noticed that the hairpin on her head was slightly askew. His eyes flashed, and he took a couple of steps closer, their toes almost touching. Luo Yi’er looked up at him, her lips parted slightly in surprise. Fang Jinling lowered his eyes, seemingly unaffected, and raised his hand.

Luo Yi’er didn’t know what he was going to do. As she saw his movement, her long eyelashes trembled. Just as Fang Jinling was about to touch her hair, she suddenly turned her head away in panic, her hair brushing against his fingertips and leaving a faint coolness.

Fang Jinling’s action paused, and his eyes darkened instantly. He heard her slightly bewildered and panicked voice, “Prince?”

He shifted his gaze away, withdrew his hand, and said calmly. “The hairpin was askew.”

He caught a glimpse of her seeming to breathe a sigh of relief as she reached up to adjust the hairpin. His heart sank, and a chill seemed to emanate from him. She stood up, her mouth curving into a gentle smile, and bowed slightly, embodying the elegance and propriety of a noble lady.

Her eyes were warm and courteous, neither too close nor too distant. “Prince, we should head back.”
They naturally couldn’t be away from the seat for too long, especially since both of them were absent. Moreover, they were bound by a marriage contract, and if it fell into the eyes of someone with intentions, who knew what kind of rumors would be fabricated.

Fang Jinling noticed that she seemed to be implicitly avoiding him, and the faint emotions in his eyes disappeared completely. He responded indifferently and looked back at the lotus leaves in the distance.

Luo Yi’er stood up straight, puzzled, and looked at him, biting her lip. “Prince?”

Fang Jinling lowered his eyes slightly and glanced at her. “You go back first.”
If they went back together, it wouldn’t be good for her reputation.

Luo Yi’er wasn’t sure if she understood his meaning. She pursed her lips slightly, bowed to him, and when she walked out of the pavilion, she paused for a moment.
A soft voice came, “Prince, my mother told me that you are willing to this marriage.”

Her voice seemed to carry some unclear meaning. After her words fell, she walked away gracefully. Linglong, who was waiting not far away, saw her come out and quickly stepped forward to support her.

Fang Jinling, who was in the pavilion, watched her walk away without looking back. Only then did he turn his head to look at the lake’s surface. His eyes gradually deepened, like the dark undercurrent at the bottom of the lake. He rubbed the fingertips that had touched her hair, feeling a lingering tingling sensation. He also thought about her unclear words, causing him to tighten his thin lips unintentionally.

Did she think… he was unwilling?

Luo Yi’er, who had walked far away, thought about his actions in the pavilion and slowly smiled, the smile deepening. Her beautiful eyebrows and eyes curved gently.

She returned to the hall, chatted with Madam Chu, and was led by Madam Chu to greet her aunt. Only then did she see Fang Jinling arrive late. At this moment, his expression had returned to its cold and distant demeanor, as if keeping people at a distance. He seemed to radiate the coldness from outside the hall, and even when the Emperor praised him, he responded flatly.

Just then, a figure in red suddenly stepped forward in the center of the hall. She had two strings of bells tied to her ankles, making a pleasant sound as she walked. The crowd’s attention gradually focused on her, and the hall fell silent.

She had a mole at the corner of her eye, which added a seductive charm to her appearance. The red dress couldn’t hide her voluptuous figure, revealing a slender waist that seemed fragile.

She swayed to the center of the hall, bowed gracefully, and her voice was filled with a smile and charm. “Yu’er wants to perform a dance, please grant permission, Your Majesty.”
As soon as she finished speaking, there were some low whispers in the hall. Luo Yi’er tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, watching the woman with a smile in her eyes.

In terms of charm and allure, Concubine Su from the Marquis’ mansion was also considered someone, but compared to the person in front of her, Concubine Su had charm but lacked allure.

Madam Chu spoke up at this moment. “This person is Princess Heyi from the Western Liang Kingdom, born to the Empress. She is deeply loved by the Emperor of Western Liang, and her beauty has been renowned across four countries and six regions.”

Madam Chu glanced at her before adding, “She came to the Great Ming Dynasty for a marriage alliance. After Western Liang’s defeat in the war, Princess Heyi was one of the sincerities they offered for peace.”

Luo Yi’er nodded, understanding in her heart. No wonder, as a princess of a country, she would perform in front of everyone. Her eyes scanned the royal family members starting from the Emperor on the high platform, curious about which prince or perhaps the Emperor himself had caught Princess Heyi’s eye.

While Madam Chu was speaking, the Emperor had already granted Princess Heyi’s request. At this moment, she held a pipa, her red dress swirling as she performed a dance filled with charm. When the dance ended, Luo Yi’er saw Luo Fu’s expression had turned admiring, and even Luo Qian’s face showed surprise.

Madam Chu’s voice came. “What do you think?”

Luo Yi’er slightly curved her lips, took a sip of fruit wine, and replied gently with a hint of indifference. “It’s passable.” The Princess Heyi’s dance was indeed remarkable, but her voice was flat and casual.

Madam Chu heard this and smiled slightly in her eyes.

The Emperor on the high platform nodded, his low voice carrying a hint of a smile.
“Princess Heyi’s dance is excellent.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Princess Heyi smiled, raising her lips. “I have come to the Great Ming Dynasty and have been curious about the capital. I wonder if Your Majesty could allow someone to take me to see the prosperity of the capital?”

The Emperor naturally knew the purpose of her visit to the Great Ming Dynasty. What she said now was likely to find out who she would marry. Emperor Jing narrowed his eyes slightly. “Does Princess Heyi have someone in mind?”

The hall fell silent, listening to the conversation between the two. Everyone knew that Princess Heyi’s next words would likely determine who she would marry. The officials supporting different princes couldn’t help but furrow their brows slightly.

After all, Western Liang was a defeated country, and after being suppressed by Prince Jing, it wouldn’t be of much use in the struggle for the throne. Moreover, these officials had already supported their own princes, and naturally, they hoped their daughters would marry into the royal family.

Therefore, Princess Heyi was like a hot potato to them. Once she married into the royal family, she would inevitably be the principal consort. For princes with grand ambitions, marrying a woman without influence would be a waste of the principal consort’s position.

Luo Yi’er and Madam Chu exchanged a glance, the smile in their eyes fading slightly. After the marriage of Luo Yi’er, the eldest daughter of the Marquis Qi Mansion, was settled, they had almost taken sides. Now, the Marquis Qi Mansion naturally supported Prince Jing. Moreover, the eldest son of the Marquis Qi Mansion served under Prince Jing.

If Princess Heyi chose Prince Jing, she would not be the principal consort, but at least a lateral consort, and due to her special status, she would be more noble than ordinary lateral consorts. The Marquis Qi Mansion naturally didn’t want her to choose Prince Jing.

Luo Yi’er instinctively looked at Fang Jinling, but saw that his expression was indifferent, as if he was unaware of what was happening in the hall. He seemed to know everything, and Luo Yi’er’s eyes flickered as she wondered if this matter was related to him.
Just as she was guessing, Princess Heyi’s voice fell. “Heyi has long admired Prince Wen of your dynasty. Could Prince Wen lead Heyi to see the prosperity of the capital?”

This statement naturally caused a commotion in the hall. The most dissatisfied person was naturally Consort Li, Prince Wen’s mother. There was some displeasure in her eyes, but it wasn’t shown on her face.
Prince Wen had a reputation for being gentle in the court, and many people supported him. Consort Li had already chosen a suitable daughter-in-law in her heart and naturally didn’t want Princess Heyi to marry into Prince Wen’s mansion.

At the same time, Prince Wen’s face still smiled, but he looked straight at Fang Jinling above, their eyes meeting. Prince Fang’s eyes seemed to flash with a hint of gloom, but it disappeared in an instant. Fang Jinling’s expression remained indifferent and cold, looking at him for a moment before withdrawing his gaze.

Some officials had already expressed to the Emperor that this was not appropriate, stating that Prince Wen was busy with his duties and couldn’t lead Princess Heyi around. They even recommended other candidates.

The Emperor remained silent for a long time, allowing the hall to become noisy. Until the officials noticed that the Emperor’s expression didn’t look good, they gradually fell silent. Then he turned to Prince Fang, who had not expressed his opinion, and asked in a low voice. “Yu’er, what do you think?”

Prince Fang wore a white brocade robe, and when he stood up, he was as gentle as jade, with elegant demeanor. He bowed to the Emperor and smiled warmly.
“Your Majesty’s order is my duty.”

It was just leading someone around, and he smiled warmly. The final marriage candidate might not be so simple. After hearing his words, the Emperor’s dark expression eased slightly.
“Since that’s the case, let you take Princess Heyi to see the capital.”

“Your son obeys the decree.” He received the decree with a calm expression and sat down. Princess Heyi, who was below, had been sizing him up and was relieved to see that he was indeed gentle and refined as rumored. She had received the order on her way to the marriage alliance that her target was Prince Wen of the Great Ming Dynasty.
She could see that many officials in the hall were dissatisfied with this decree, but what could she do?

She glanced unnoticeably at the man who was silently drinking wine with his eyes lowered. He seemed to sense her gaze and cast a cold glance, making her quickly avert her eyes. Even after she regained her composure, the chill remained in her heart.

Although the officials below were dissatisfied, seeing Prince Wen’s calm demeanor, they felt somewhat relieved. Since things had come to this, they could only plan further.

They didn’t know that the Prince Wen, who seemed to be smiling unchanged in their eyes, had a hint of coldness rising in his eyes in a place invisible to others. His servant, An Chong, seemed to sense it and had already turned cold-faced.

In a place unseen by others, Luo Qian’s face was pale, filled with suspicion in her eyes. In her past life, did Western Liang and the Great Ming Dynasty have a marriage alliance?

It was impossible. If Princess Heyi really married Prince Wen, how could she become Prince Wen’s principal consort?

Was it that Princess Heyi didn’t come, or was it that she herself didn’t know in her past life?

A reception banquet had many twists and turns, and people like Madam Chu also felt tired.

When they entered the mansion and stepped over the threshold, Madam Chu stopped and looked at Luo Fu, saying coldly, “From today on, you will copy Buddhist scriptures in the courtyard. Don’t forget to notify Concubine Qiu.”

Even if Luo Fu was used to hearing such words, her face still turned pale.

Madam Chu was about to leave when she caught a glimpse of Luo Qian, who was looking down without speaking. She frowned slightly and then looked at Luo Fu, saying indifferently, “As the eldest daughter, you should learn from her more in the future. If you can be half as sensible as her, Concubine Qiu will be much relieved.”

Luo Qian’s body stiffened, not expecting Madam Chu to mention her.
Her eyes turned cold.

Luo Fu felt uncomfortable being scolded and felt annoyed when she heard that she was not as good as Luo Qian. However, she didn’t dare to direct her anger at Madam Chu and could only glare at Luo Qian fiercely.

Madam Chu, who was in a bad mood today, coldly said, “Everyone, disperse.” Then she walked towards Fang Yun Hall with the support of Zhang momo.

Luo Yi’er looked at her back for a moment, her eyes filled with a hint of a smile. She said gently: “After being tossed around for several days, my sister must be tired. You two elder sisters should head back early too.”

After saying that, she turned around and left with Linglong’s support, leaving the two standing at the door.

When Luo Yu’an returned and heard from Rong De that Madam had gone to the palace and been summoned by the Empress, he stopped in his tracks, originally heading towards the front yard. Instead, he turned towards Fang Yun Hall.

As expected, Fang Yun Hall was quiet, with an extremely tense atmosphere.

Luo Yu’an’s eyes darkened, and he raised his hand to stop Rong De from following. He stepped into the main house alone.

Madam Chu was sitting in front of a bronze mirror, with only Zhang momo attending to her. After Luo Yu’an entered, Zhang momo seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, bowed slightly, and retreated.

Madam Chu also saw him and lowered her eyebrows slightly, asking softly, “Why has the Marquis come?”

Luo Yu’an folded his robe and sat on the jade inlaid bed frame, looking at her seemingly calm expression. He said in a deep voice, “I heard you went to the Empress’s palace today.”

The movement of Madam Chu’s hands paused, and the calm expression in her eyes seemed to crack, just like when Wang momo spoke in the Kunning Palace, and she got so angry that her eyes turned red. She clenched her fists tightly, her fingertips digging painfully into her palms.

She managed to keep a thread of clarity and her voice was hoarse and unlike her usual self.
“Has the Marquis come because of this?”

Seeing her like this, Luo Yu’an frowned heavily, took two steps forward, and grasped her hands forcefully. He gently pulled her into his arms, letting out a soft sigh.
He comforted her softly.
“It’s alright, it’s all over.”

His voice carried a tenderness not often seen, and it was now evident as he comforted the woman in his arms. He knew her methods were often ruthless, yet he couldn’t help but feel a pang of pity.

Madam Chu grasped his lapels, her eyes tightly closed, and tears overflowed from the corners of her eyes. She trembled as she spoke, “It won’t be over. I’ll never forget. Every time I see her, I’ll think of that incident!”

“My dear sister, how could she! How could she treat me like that!”

Her body seemed to go limp, sliding down from the stool, but Luo Yu’an caught her in his arms. She opened her red-rimmed eyes, and the tears wouldn’t stop flowing. The hatred in her voice was impossible to conceal.

When he heard her mention the Empress, Luo Yu’an’s eyes also slid over with a hint of coldness. He held Madam Chu tighter, comforting her softly until she calmed down. After that incident, Madam Chu and the Empress had a falling out. If it weren’t for Chu Feng’s support for Madam Chu in words and actions, the relationship between the Marquis Qi Mansion and the Chu family might have deteriorated long ago.

Four years ago, when Madam Chu and the Empress’s relationship wasn’t as bad as it was now, even Luo Yi’er had spent nearly half a year in the Kunning Palace. During the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet that year, Madam Chu and Luo Yi’er entered the palace together, going to the Kunning Palace to pay their respects as usual.

However, Luo Yi’er was stopped by Prince Jing halfway, leaving Madam Chu to proceed to the Kunning Palace alone.

That day, as Madam Chu followed the palace staff into the Kunning Palace, she noticed that the atmosphere seemed different from usual. Even Wang momo avoided her gaze, except for the Empress, who still wore a smile on her face. Madam Chu knew the tension between her and the Empress stemmed from the Empress’s suspicions. The oppressive atmosphere in the Kunning Palace was not new, so she didn’t think much of it.

After a few cups of tea, the Empress’s smile deepened, while Wang momo lowered her head almost to her chest. Madam Chu started feeling a bit uncomfortable and couldn’t help but support her forehead, feeling dizzy.

The Empress seemed to notice her discomfort and showed concern: “Ah Nian, what’s wrong?”

At that time, Madam Chu hadn’t realized how much the Empress hated her. After all, she had married off early to eliminate the Empress’s suspicions, thinking she had done enough for the Empress.

She waved her hand, feeling a bit apologetic for her reaction. “It’s nothing, Your Majesty, don’t worry.”

The Empress raised her eyebrows slightly but didn’t press the issue, continuing to chat with her with a smile. However, Madam Chu felt increasingly uncomfortable, her face changing color. Being cautious by nature, she couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

Soon, she found it hard to sit up straight. The Empress stood up worriedly. “Ah Nian, what’s wrong? Your complexion is terrible. Go lie down in the inner hall.”

Before she could refuse, the Empress turned to one of her confidantes and ordered quickly, “Fetch the imperial physician!”

Zhang momo was supporting her, equally worried without noticing anything amiss. As they were led into the inner hall, Madam Chu smelled the sweet fragrance and frowned, her sense of unease growing stronger.

The hall was in a flurry as it seemed another imperial consort came to pay respects, and the Empress couldn’t attend to the inner hall. Zhang momo was also called out to help. By this time, Madam Chu had sensed something was off. Everything seemed proper, except for the Empress’s attitude towards her.

As she grew older, when had the Empress ever shown such concern for her?
Especially not to this extent recently…

For some reason, a sense of unease suddenly arose in her heart. She lay on the jade-inlaid bed in the inner hall, with the curtains on both sides drawn. There wasn’t a single servant attending to her, which was already against protocol. Even the maid she brought was called out, and there were too many unusual aspects. The feeling of unease made her dazed mind slightly clearer.

Suddenly, there was the voice of a palace maid outside. “Madam, the imperial physician is here.” The voice seemed to be deliberately lowered.

Madam Chu recognized the voice as belonging to the Empress’s senior maid. Her right eyelid twitched violently. She suddenly pulled out the silver hairpin from her head and slid it harshly across her arm. The pain made her mind instantly clearer. She bit her lip tightly, not daring to be distracted, listening intently to the movements inside the hall. When she heard footsteps, she closed her eyes, and her heart sank.

No matter how busy the hall was, there was no rule that would allow the imperial physician to enter the inner hall alone. A man and woman being alone in a room, especially when the person might not even be a real physician!

At this moment, Madam Chu knew that her elder sister couldn’t tolerate her anymore, even if she truly had no thoughts about that person.

A fierce glint flashed in her eyes. If her elder sister was ruthless, she wouldn’t be merciful either!

The Empress’s bedchamber was naturally very large. She looked through the bed curtains at the incense burner emitting wisps of fragrance and then slid the silver hairpin across her arm again, ensuring she was still lucid. Holding the silver hairpin, she gritted her teeth and waited for the person.

The footsteps drew closer, and she became more focused. The footsteps were light, and she was certain that the person wasn’t the imperial physician. Fresh red blood flowed from her arm, soaking the bedding on the bed, just like it was flowing into her heart, extinguishing the last bit of sisterly affection she had for the Empress.

The person carefully lifted the bed curtain, and Madam Chu lay on the bed with her eyes closed. Since she was covered with a quilt, the person hadn’t noticed anything wrong yet. He seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and carefully lifted the quilt. When he saw the scene under the quilt, his eyes hadn’t had time to show surprise before he felt a pain in his neck. His hands were already stained with the blood from the bedding, and he tightly covered the spot where the hairpin had pierced his neck, looking at Madam Chu, who hadn’t fainted, with terror.

He tried to make a sound, but Madam Chu wouldn’t give him the chance. She viciously covered his mouth with her hand and stabbed him forcefully with the other hand. She didn’t know where she stabbed him, but the person gradually lost strength, his eyes rolling back as if he was about to collapse.

Madam Chu suddenly pulled out the hairpin, and the blood that followed splattered all over her face. Her eyes were already filled with a red hue, but she still stabbed the person’s neck repeatedly without daring to let her guard down.

After an unknown amount of time, Madam Chu couldn’t see anything clearly anymore, only a sea of red before her eyes. Despite the slight movements coming from inside the room, no one outside came in to check. Madam Chu felt desolate in her heart, and tears fell unconsciously from the corners of her eyes. Only when she was sure the person was dead did she seem to suddenly snap back to reality, her entire body collapsing limply onto the bed.

After another unknown period, she vaguely heard the sound of people bowing to the Emperor outside, seemingly a large group of people suddenly pouring into the hall. She even heard her elder sister’s hypocritical voice filled with concern. Madam Chu didn’t move until she was enveloped in a familiar embrace.

The Empress’s face had turned deathly pale as soon as she saw the scene on the bed, and she closed her mouth, standing beside the Emperor, whose face was as black as coal. He was not a foolish person and couldn’t help but guess the Empress’s intentions with what he saw.

Luo Yu’an tightly held Madam Chu, not even glancing at the man lying beside them. His face was dark, and his words were like icy shards. “Madam…”
“I’ll take you home!” Given the expression of his trusted minister, the Emperor knew how furious he was, but due to the imperial dignity, he had to restrain himself. The Emperor had never felt as angry as he did at this moment.

Suddenly, the woman in Luo Yu’an’s arms raised her head. Even with her pale complexion, it couldn’t hide her stunning beauty. Time seemed to have left no marks on her face.

Everyone in the hall looked at her as she slowly raised her gaze to the Empress. Her eyes seemed calm, but the Empress couldn’t help but take a step back.
They only heard her hoarse voice, “Chu Yijun, I will never forget what happened today.”

After saying that, she leaned towards Luo Yu’an, her eyes gently closing, and tears rolling down. She whispered, “Marquis, take me away from here…”

This sentence seemed to have exhausted her. As soon as she finished speaking, she fainted, her arm hanging limply.

Only then did everyone notice the blood dripping from her arm and the large patch of red on the embroidered quilt.
Many felt a pang in their eyes from the scene.

Luo Yu’an stood up, holding her, his eyes dark. For the first time, he forgot the hierarchy between monarch and subject. Holding Madam Chu, he walked step by step towards the exit.

He stopped only when passing by the Emperor, his deep voice leaving behind a sentence, “Your subject has never asked the Emperor for anything, but today, I beg the Emperor to give your subject an explanation.”

He held Madam Chu and left the palace directly. Luo Yi’er was notified to return home on her way to the Kunning Palace and would no longer attend classes in the palace. The incident that day was sealed by the Emperor’s decree.

After that, the Empress’s power to manage the six palaces was taken away. On that day, all her trusted aides who had been in the palace for many years were purged, leaving only one, Wang momo.

Madam Chu lay in Luo Yu’an’s arms with her eyes closed, her body still trembling uncontrollably. Luo Yu’an buried her in his chest, his deep voice carrying a hint of coldness.
“Madam, there’s plenty of time ahead. She will pay the price.”