The outcome had long been clear.
Even without Rong Zhou’s inquiry, the superiority in the qin performance competition was evident. Though Ning Xin’er was once the capital’s top performer, she should now gracefully yield her position to Yun Li!
Rong Zhou’s voice was deep and cold, “Sister-in-law?”
His pupils were dark as ink, exuding an overwhelming pressure even without any movement.
Wei Chunxi’s hand unconsciously tightened on the armrest of the phoenix throne.
Her painted nails scraped against the lacquered surface, her face greener than leaves setting off a hundred flowers, “Indeed.”.. the Princess Consort performed better in the qin competition.”
Eunuch Jiang stood beside Rong Zhou.
He immediately raised his voice, “The Princess Consort wins—”
“Congratulations, Princess Consort.” The crowd bowed.
Eunuch Jiang walked directly to Wei Chunxi’s side and took the prize the Empress Dowager had prepared for the winner.
It was a gilded seven-tailed phoenix hairpin.
Among phoenix hairpins, nine-tailed ones were for the Empress, while seven-tailed ones could only be worn by Imperial Noble Consorts or those of the Princess Consort’s rank…
Wei Chunxi had specifically prepared this for Ning Xin’er, intending to mock Yun Li for being unworthy of her position – that even as Princess Consort, she would have to yield the phoenix hairpin to another.
Yet unexpectedly, Yun Li ended up taking it!
Eunuch Jiang knelt before Yun Li holding the seven-tailed phoenix hairpin, “Congratulations to the Princess Consort for winning the crown.”
Yun Li looked down at the golden phoenix hairpin.
She didn’t care for things prepared by the Empress Dowager, but she understood Wei Chunxi and Ning Xin’er’s intentions, and knew the significance of the seven-tailed phoenix hairpin. Therefore, she would rather destroy it than let it fall into others’ hands!
“Thank you, Eunuch Jiang.” Yun Li reached out her hand.
But before she could even touch it, the seven-tailed phoenix hairpin was suddenly snatched away!
The gilded hairpin twirled between pale, slender fingers.
Rong Zhou’s hands were beautiful, with distinct knuckles like jade bamboo, looking particularly pleasing when handling feminine objects.
“Seven-tailed phoenix hairpin.” He chuckled softly.
The Empress Dowager’s intentions were too obvious, causing displeasure and gloom to swirl in Rong Zhou’s eyes.
“Crack—”
A crisp sound suddenly rang out.
Rong Zhou applied pressure with his fingers, breaking the expensive phoenix hairpin right before everyone’s eyes!
Ning Xin’er’s pupils constricted sharply, “My hairpin!”
But she immediately realized her slip and quickly silenced herself, pretending to be delicate – this hairpin had been specially prepared for her by her mother, symbolizing that she was the one worthy of the Princess Consort position!
Now not only had it fallen into that wretched woman Yun Li’s hands, but it had been broken by the Regent Prince himself!
“Rong Zhou!” Wei Chunxi flew into a rage again.
But the man just lazily raised his hand and casually tossed the broken hairpin into the flower bushes, “Since it wasn’t prepared for Little A’Li, why dirty her hands.”
“You…” Wei Chunxi clutched her chest, so angry she nearly vomited blood.
Rong Zhou spread his sleeve and pulled Yun Li beside him into his embrace.
He slightly bowed, the gloom in his eyes instantly replaced with tender affection and indulgence, “Let’s return to the palace. This prince will give Little A’Li something better.”
“Alright.” Yun Li curved her eyes.
She never wanted other people’s things anyway!
Rong Zhou slightly lifted his eyelids, giving the Empress Dowager a meaningful and chilly look, “What does Sister-in-law think… about having someone make a nine-phoenix hairpin instead?”
Hearing this, Wei Chunxi’s heart suddenly jumped with fear.If the Empress’s nine-tailed phoenix hairpin merely featured a single phoenix with nine tails, then the nine-luan phoenix hairpin boasted nine luan phoenixes carved upon a single golden hairpin… Such a hairpin could not only be worn exclusively by the Empress, but it must be an Empress of exceptional prestige!
Throughout the dynasties…
Only Emperor Heng had once commissioned a nine-luan phoenix hairpin for Empress Xiyun!
What did Rong Zhou mean by this?
Did he truly intend to usurp the throne and install Yun Li as Empress?
“Return to the residence,” Rong Zhou commanded coldly.
Jiang Shenghai raised his voice, “Prepare the carriage for the return to the residence—”
Before Wei Chunxi could even react, Rong Zhou had already gathered Yun Li and turned to leave, leaving a crowd kneeling behind them. They all understood one thing clearly…
The wife cherished by the Regent Prince was not to be provoked!
…
The spring scenery in April was just right.
Fluffy white willow catkins drifted against the vermilion walls of the princely residence, while delicate pear blossoms swayed on the branches in the breeze.
The courtyard was filled with fragrance.
Yun Li had attempted to bake egg tarts and, after taking them out of the oven, eagerly hurried to the Hall of Radiance. Memorials were piled high on the desk, but there was no sign of Rong Zhou…
“Where is he?” she murmured softly.
Yun Li set the egg tarts she was carrying on the desk and was about to look around when her attention was suddenly diverted.
In the center of the desk in the grand hall, aside from the memorials, were two flawless, translucent jade bells…
Yun Li stepped closer.
She saw that the two jade bells were exquisitely carved, strung together by a delicate braided red cord. Lifting them toward the sunlight made them appear even more transparent.
A hint of laughter shimmered in Yun Li’s eyes.
Without much thought, she could guess that Ah Zhou must have carved these little bells for her himself.
Yun Li couldn’t wait to put them on.
But after fiddling with them for a while, she frowned in confusion, “Where exactly are they supposed to be worn…?”
If worn on the wrist, the loop seemed a bit too large.
“Your Highness.”
Just then, faint rustling sounds came from outside.
Yun Li’s eyelashes fluttered. Guiltily, she immediately turned her back, hurriedly removing the bells from her wrist. She intended to return them to their original place, but it was too late…
“Ah Li?” A deep, pleasant voice sounded.
Rong Zhou strode confidently into the hall, immediately noticing the guilty posture of his delicate, soft Princess Consort.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed the empty space in the center of the desk.
He surmised that the two jade bells he had carved for his little Ah Li—meant to be worn around the ankles—had been discovered.
Rong Zhou lowered his eyes and chuckled softly, “Let this prince see, which little thief is stealing my jade bells?”
Yun Li quickly turned around.
Her face flushed red, “I… I am no thief!”
As she spoke, the little Princess Consort stealthily placed the jade bells she had hidden behind her back onto the desk.
Then, puffing out her chest with false bravado, she declared, “What do you mean, your jade bells? Clearly, they were meant for me!”
A faint smile glimmered in Rong Zhou’s eyes.
He walked to the desk, his long, elegant fingers hooking the red cord, “Mm, indeed, they are for Ah Li.”
Yun Li couldn’t help but curve her eyes charmingly.
Proudly lifting her face, she reached out her hand to him, “Then why not hurry and put them on for this Princess Consort?”
Seeing this, Rong Zhou raised the corner of his eye slightly.
Noticing the slender wrist Yun Li had extended, the laughter in his dark pupils deepened. Instead of fastening the red cord for her, he suddenly reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Ah!” Yun Li exclaimed in surprise.
She quickly wrapped her arms around Rong Zhou’s neck, and in the next moment, he effortlessly carried her to the soft couch.
His voice was low, “They’re not for the wrist.”
“Hmm?” Yun Li blinked lightly.Rong Zhou bent down, his fingertips pinching the hem of her skirt, then suddenly glanced sideways with a cold glare toward the outside as if remembering something.
Wen Nan, guarding the door, immediately understood his master’s command and hurriedly closed the palace doors tightly, turning his back to them.
Only then did Rong Zhou sit by the couch, bending to remove her shoes and socks. His large, warm hand enveloped her delicate jade-like foot, the heat instantly searing into Yun Li’s heart.
She curled her toes, tingling with sensation, and murmured, “What are you doing…”
Rong Zhou chuckled softly, his thumb stroking her skin, “Didn’t I say I would fasten the jade bells for you, my lady?”