Chengying replied, “The lights in Plum Garden have already been extinguished. She should be asleep.”
Xiao Jingchen hesitated for a moment, then stopped in his tracks. “Forget it. Tomorrow, then.”
“Pass the order to the shadow guards—from today onward, seeing Wen Shuyu in the Eastern Palace is the same as seeing me. Everything she eats, wears, and uses must match my own standards. Her health is weak—have the palace maids and eunuchs serve her carefully. If there is any negligence, I will not forgive it.”
Chengying nodded. “Yes.”
Xiao Jingchen added, “Tomorrow’s grand birthday banquet—keep an eye on things. In previous years, there were many guests, but nothing special. This year is different. Wen Shuyu is staying in Plum Garden. Assign people to guard the area. If she is accidentally bumped, hurt, or even slightly injured… I will take their lives.”
Chengying: “Yes.”
But inwardly, he was numb. With the Princess Consort’s temperament, it would already be a blessing if she didn’t bully others—how could anyone possibly bully her?
He couldn’t help but add, “Your Highness, the Emperor has sent invitations to many daughters of noble families this time. Rumor has it that at tomorrow’s birthday banquet, a consort will be chosen for you.”
Xiao Jingchen frowned slightly. “One Wen Shuyu is already enough to give me a headache. Choose what consort? Absurd.”
Chengying understood.
That made things simple. He would pass the order—tomorrow’s banquet should be arranged as usual. There was no need to give special attention to those noble daughters.
After all, none of them would become the mistress of the Eastern Palace.
The true mistress… was already lying in Plum Garden.
Eastern Palace, Plum Garden.
Wen Shuyu had barely had time to fall asleep before Little Six, brimming with excitement, shook her awake.
“My lord, you were amazing today! My lord, that Xiao Jingchen must be deeply moved right now!”
Wen Shuyu waved her hand. “Oh, not necessarily. He’s probably already sent someone to investigate whether that blood talisman was real or fake.”
Little Six froze. “What? Then isn’t it over? My lord, you used one talisman, and the Empress took the other two. If he finds out they’re fake, wouldn’t all your efforts be wasted?”
“Really?”
Wen Shuyu suddenly curled her lips into a smile. Her already striking features grew even more radiant, dazzling Little Six.
She tapped its head lightly with a finger. “But those two talismans are real.”
Little Six was shocked. “What?”
Wen Shuyu said, “The one I used was fake. But the two that Aunt Empress took? I had Fuling buy real ones from the black market overnight.”
“It’s all about planting the idea first—letting him assume they’re fake. That way, when he later discovers they’re real, he won’t doubt anymore. Instead, he’ll believe it completely.”
“Because he’s already questioned it once, his focus will shift to feeling guilty for doubting my sincerity. No one will bother investigating where the talismans came from—the black market.”
Little Six’s eyes widened, completely stunned.
Wen Shuyu’s smile deepened, a faint glint flashing in her eyes. “Tomorrow is Xiao Jingchen’s birthday—the grand banquet at the Eastern Palace. Strategy Two.”
“I’ve already moved into the Eastern Palace. Someone should be getting restless by now.”
“I just hope the young lady from the General’s residence… doesn’t disappoint me.”
The Crown Prince’s birthday banquet was held at the Eastern Palace, grand and imposing. Officials and noble families were all invited.
Before dawn had fully broken, the vermilion gates of the Eastern Palace slowly opened to the deep tolling of bells.
By mid-morning, officials in crimson and indigo court robes arrived one after another, taking their seats and exchanging polite conversation with smiles.
Soon after came the daughters of noble families, each dressed in their finest, radiant and elegant. Guided by palace maids, they entered gracefully, their eyes subtly searching toward the front for the figure of the Crown Prince.
Who didn’t know that the Crown Prince was extraordinarily talented, strikingly handsome, and gentle in demeanor? He was the dream of every young woman in the capital.
Their families had already told them this morning—the Emperor intended to select a consort for the Crown Prince today. If they could gain his favor at the banquet and become Crown Princess, it would bring immense honor to their families.
Among all the noble ladies present, the one most determined to claim the position was the General’s daughter, Yun Wanshuang.
Her gaze swept across the hall before she signaled subtly to her personal maid behind her.
The maid understood, nodded, and quietly withdrew from the hall.
Yun Wanshuang glanced again at the other noble daughters and let out a cold laugh.
A group of mediocre beauties—how could they possibly be worthy of sitting alongside her?
Gifted since childhood, she had been sent to the Immortal Alliance at the age of five, where she grew up alongside the Crown Prince. In terms of cultivation, she was among the best of women—an outstanding prodigy even within the Immortal Alliance. As for beauty, she was breathtaking, and she excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Three years ago, when the Crown Prince returned to the capital, she followed him back, having admired him since childhood.
And for these past three years, the person she despised the most—
Was that useless Wen Shuyu.
That shameless fool, lacking all self-awareness, clung to the Crown Prince day after day. If not for his kind temperament, he would have struck her dead long ago.
And yet, that wretched woman had a powerful family background and the Empress’s protection within the capital.
Now, she had even schemed her way into the Eastern Palace using some so-called blood talisman, brazenly staying there as an unmarried woman. What utter shamelessness!
The Crown Prince was gentle and couldn’t bring himself to drive her away—but that foolish woman really thought the Eastern Palace was her home.
Was she worthy?
Wen Shuyu… today, she would make sure to teach her a proper lesson.