Nonsense! She’s Not a Bad Woman! - Chapter 101

A gentle breeze brushed past. Qiao Yihuan turned her head slightly, her eyes as dark and unfathomable as the abyss. No one could guess what was going through her mind at that moment.

He Baozhu led the two of them toward the palace where the original Qiao Yihuan used to live. Qiao Yihuan stared at their departing backs for a long time. Only when their figures disappeared from sight did she finally withdraw her gaze.

Her clenched fists dug crescent marks into her palms. Without a flicker of expression, she turned and walked toward Tai’an Hall.

“Can I call you Wanyan?”

Qiao Wanyan tilted her head slightly, studying the Tenth Princess, who was blushing furiously and avoiding her eyes. Blushing? For what reason?

The palace wasn’t particularly cold, but it wasn’t warm either. It wasn’t hot enough to explain such a crimson face.

A hint of amusement glimmered in Qiao Wanyan’s eyes as though she had suddenly realized something. Her lips curved into a smile, as bright and intoxicating as the spring sun, her eyes arched into crescents full of irresistible tenderness.

“Of course, you may.”

The sound of her voice made He Baozhu’s heart skip a beat.

So gentle, so sweet—like the softest cotton candy in an amusement park. Fluffy, sweet, cloying in theory, yet in truth, never too much.

“Wanyan.”

Qiao Wanyan leaned closer with a teasing smile. “The way Princess calls my name sounds so lovely.”

As expected, He Baozhu’s face burned an even deeper shade of red.

Qiao Wanyan gave a silent hum of satisfaction. Look at that—this princess who had grown up cloistered in the palace and the quiet Yunxi City, unexposed to the world, was far too easy to tease.

Just then, a palace maid entered and bowed.
“Your Highness, Second Miss Qiao. This servant is from Kunning Palace. Her Majesty the Empress heard that Second Miss Qiao’s dress was dirtied and specially ordered me to bring you a fresh set of garments. The careless maid has already been punished. Her Majesty asks that Second Miss be at ease.”

Qiao Wanyan stepped forward. She recognized this maid—last time she had visited Kunning Palace, the same woman had been serving there. A senior maid, no doubt.

As expected, the Empress’s news traveled fastest within the harem.

“Thank you, elder sister. That maid surely did not mean it. To trouble Her Majesty to take charge on my behalf—I am truly grateful.”

The maid smiled warmly. “Her Majesty has always held Second Miss in high regard. Her care is but a sign of her affection.”

Qiao Wanyan lowered her lashes and smiled modestly, as though a little embarrassed.

The maid placed the folded garments neatly on the tray and then withdrew with respect.

He Baozhu stood to the side, clicking her tongue inwardly. This was exactly like those high-born noblewomen from the television dramas—now manifested right in front of her.

How to describe it… Qiao Wanyan was just like the classic second female lead from those old dramas: stunning beauty, impeccable background, gifted in talent and ability. The kind of woman blind male leads and side characters somehow ignored, yet every audience member knew was unattainable in reality.

As a true and devoted face-con, He Baozhu thought: Just looking at her is enough to make me eat three extra bowls of rice.

Beauty like this surely added years to one’s life.

“Princess, I need to change clothes. Would you mind waiting outside the screen?”

But He Baozhu immediately shook her head, eyes bright as she picked up the folded dress with a grin.
“Let me help you dress! I’ll undress you myself.”

Qiao Wanyan’s smile stiffened ever so slightly. Why… why did the princess’s gaze look so much like those shameless rascals?

In the end, He Baozhu was shooed to the other side of the screen. She paced anxiously back and forth, glancing over every so often as if wishing her eyes could see through the panel.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Qiao Wanyan finally stepped out.

He Baozhu’s eyes widened, going completely blank.

“Waaah~”

The gown sent over by the Empress was none other than a Celestial Feathered Dress. Light as mist, it shimmered with a dreamlike glow, as if woven from moonlight itself. Whoever wore it seemed no longer mortal, but a divine goddess descending from the Ninth Heaven.

The pure admiration that welled up—even between women—was enough to make Qiao Wanyan, who usually found He Baozhu a little annoying, feel a touch of shyness herself.

A faint blush colored her cheeks as her lips curved into a shy smile. She looked as delicate and breathtaking as a peony in first bloom.

“Wow…” He Baozhu clasped her hands to her chest, unable to suppress her gasp of wonder.

The smile tugging at Qiao Wanyan’s lips couldn’t be held back even if she tried. Truth be told, the Tenth Princess wasn’t some sheltered girl who had never seen the world. She simply had taste, and an eye for beauty.

It seemed she had been too hasty in judging her earlier.

Jiang Qiyun had just left Shou’an Palace on his way to Tai’an Hall when he caught sight of a hurried figure darting down one of the palace paths.

His brows furrowed slightly. That was… Situ Yue.

And if Jiang Qiyun wasn’t mistaken, that path led toward Changping Hall. Why on earth was Situ Yue sneaking over there at this time? The banquet was about to start.

Suspicion flickered in Jiang Qiyun’s eyes, and he quickened his pace to follow.

Situ Yue’s footsteps were rapid and furtive. Every few steps, he glanced back nervously, as though terrified someone might have seen him. He looked exactly like a thief sneaking about.

Changping Hall had once belonged to the Tenth Princess, He Baozhu. After her marriage years ago, she had moved to Yunxi City, leaving the palace vacant. These days, no one lived there, and the place had taken on an air of quiet desolation.

Inside the hall, however, were Qiao Wanyan, her maid, and Princess He Baozhu. Outside, the courtyard was empty, the silence almost eerie.

Situ Yue glanced around, but instead of entering through the main doors, he slunk to the side like a rat and crept up to the inner windows, peeking inside.

From the doorway, Jiang Qiyun watched him with narrowed eyes.

No one was supposed to live here. Who could he possibly be spying on? Someone inside?

And from the way Situ Yue’s eyes gleamed… it had to be a woman.

Jiang Qiyun’s lips curled in disgust. Of course. This scoundrel never could restrain his lust. He wasn’t even married yet, and already his residence was overflowing with concubines. To sneak around like this—clearly, he was peeping at some woman.

But who could it be?

A pretty palace maid cleaning the place?

Situ Yue, though, didn’t see anyone. Instead, faint voices drifted out from inside. Impatience sparked in his eyes, and he crept toward the door. Just as his hand hovered to push it open, a sudden clap landed on his shoulder.

Already nervous, Situ Yue nearly jumped out of his skin and cried out in fright.

Whipping around, he stammered, “Young Marquis? Wh-what are you doing here?”

His voice trembled, still shaken.

Inside, someone must have heard. A maid’s voice, Zi Yuan’s, floated out:

“Miss, I think there’s someone outside. Shall I go check?”

Jiang Qiyun stiffened. That voice… wasn’t that Qiao Wanyan’s maid?

Then the one inside was Qiao Wanyan herself?

His gaze toward Situ Yue grew cold with disdain.

He might not like Qiao Wanyan, but seeing Situ Yue behave so vilely made his blood boil.

If it was only Qiao Wanyan and her maid inside, what was Situ Yue plotting to do? Wouldn’t this ruin her reputation entirely?

The door creaked open from within. In the very next instant, Situ Yue’s voice boomed loudly:

“Young Marquis! What are you doing here? Sneaking about outside Changping Hall, peeping through the windows—what exactly were you spying on?”

Jiang Qiyun: ?

Damn you!