Wen Shuyu asked innocently, “Sister, why didn’t you attend the birthday banquet in the front hall? Why come all the way to the rear courtyard to see me? Did you come specifically to check on me?”
Yun Wan-shuang’s expression stiffened ever so slightly, then she forced a smile. “Of course. Your Highness, you weren’t feeling well, so I came to pay my respects.”
“Thank you for thinking of me, Sister Wan-shuang,” Wen Shuyu said weakly, letting out a small cough. She glanced toward Fuling, signaling her. “Fuling, please receive the gift Sister Wan-shuang has brought for me.”
Fuling blinked: “Gift? What gift?”
Having served her lady for many years, she quickly understood the situation. She stepped forward and extended her hands toward Yun Wan-shuang. “On behalf of the Princess, this humble maid thanks Miss Yun.”
Yun Wan-shuang’s face darkened like spilled ink. That fool—where was any gift prepared? Was she blind?
But seeing the dozen or so eunuchs and palace maids surrounding them, Yun Wan-shuang gritted her teeth. From her storage pouch, she produced a rare, high-priced elixir, clutching it tightly before handing it over. She had no choice but to release it, letting it fall into Fuling’s hands.
Her body trembled slightly—probably from anger.
She forced another strained smile, her gaze sweeping over the eunuchs and maids around the pavilion. Her eyes flickered, then she turned to Wen Shuyu. “Your Highness, may we speak privately for a moment?”
Wen Shuyu’s eyes curved into a gentle smile. “Of course.”
She slowly rose from the couch, coughing twice, appearing fragile and delicate.
“Since Sister Wan-shuang has something she wishes to discuss with me alone, I will go to the lotus pond and speak with her for a moment. Fuling, you and Sister Wan-shuang’s maid, as well as the others, can wait here. I’ll return shortly.”
Fuling lowered her head. “Yes, Your Highness.”
By the lotus pond,
The clear, icy water rippled softly in the dim light. Budding lotuses, wet yet still radiant, had droplets rolling across their petals, refracting shards of sunlight.
Wen Shuyu still had the leisure to appreciate the scenery, but Yun Wan-shuang grabbed her arm with a fierce grip, forcing her to turn toward her.
She spoke bluntly, her voice cold: “How long do you intend to stay in the Eastern Palace?”
“Wen Shuyu, you’re an unmarried girl, yet you shamelessly linger in the Eastern Palace. Truly disgraceful.”
“I’ll tell you this: I’ve grown up alongside the Crown Prince, and I will become his future Crown Princess. Stop shamelessly trailing behind him every day! Look at yourself—a useless girl who hasn’t even built the Foundation. Do you think you deserve to be with His Highness?”
“His Highness is kind, which is why he hasn’t chased you away. But I’m certain he despises you! I advise you to return to your family residence and save yourself the humiliation!”
Earlier, Yun Wan-shuang had maintained a facade in front of the palace servants, but now, with only the two of them present, she could discard all pretense.
Adding to her fury, Wen Shuyu had almost taken her precious elixir, and Yun Wan-shuang could barely contain her rage, itching to slap her.
Wen Shuyu blinked innocently, then smiled suddenly. “Sister Wan-shuang, you’re really angry—you hurt my arm.”
Her beauty was striking, like ink against snow. That smile was like spring wind melting winter snow, making the surrounding scenery seem dimmer by comparison.
Yun Wan-shuang despised that face the most. Were it not for the Empress backing Wen Shuyu, she would have torn it apart long ago—saving herself the embarrassment of seeing Wen Shuyu flirt with the Crown Prince daily.
She yanked Wen Shuyu’s arm away, her eyes dark with malice, her voice trembling with fury. “Shameless wretch! Stay away from the Crown Prince, do you hear me?”
Wen Shuyu stumbled back weakly, her gaze innocent, but the words she spoke nearly drove Yun Wan-shuang insane.
“Sister Wan-shuang, why are you angry for no reason? You hurt my arm. Tonight, if His Highness sees it when I accompany him for his bath, what will he think?”
She paused, her tone gentle, almost kind. “Don’t worry, Sister Wan-shuang. I’ll make sure he knows it was my own carelessness—nothing to do with you.”
“What did you just say?”
A murderous glint flashed in Yun Wan-shuang’s eyes. Her voice was sharp as a blade. “Say that again! Wretch! Shameless! You’re seducing the Crown Prince again!”
She could no longer hold back, raising her hand to slap Wen Shuyu—but thinking of her family’s status, she stopped. Instead, she shoved her hands forcefully against Wen Shuyu.
Yet, in an instant, Wen Shuyu didn’t fall backward. She seemed to collapse “without effort,” toppling sideways into the lotus pond.
With a loud splash, the previously calm water erupted, petals shattered and scattered, water droplets flying everywhere.
Wen Shuyu fell into the pond.
The moment she hit the water, she deliberately disheveled her hair and injured her ankle, the wound startlingly visible.
Then, her gaze met the terrified Yun Wan-shuang on the shore. For a fleeting instant, she gave a cold, enigmatic smile.
Closing her eyes, she let the icy water engulf her…