Chengying: “The lights in Plum Garden have been extinguished; she must have already retired for the night.”
Xiao Jingchen hesitated for a moment, then halted his steps: “Forget it, tomorrow then.”
“Have the hidden guards relay the order: from today onward, within the Eastern Palace, Wen Shuyu is to be treated as if she were me. All her food, clothing, and daily necessities must be of the same standard as mine. She is physically weak, so the palace maids and eunuchs must attend to her with utmost care. If anyone neglects her, I will not show leniency.”
Chengying nodded: “Understood.”
Xiao Jingchen added another instruction: “Tomorrow is the Longevity Banquet. Keep a close watch. In previous years, with many guests, it wasn’t a concern, but this year is different. Wen Shuyu is staying in Plum Garden. Station guards to keep watch. If she is accidentally bumped, jostled, or injured, I will have their lives.”
Chengying: “Understood.”
But inwardly, he was already numb. With the princess’s temperament, it was a wonder she didn’t bully others—how could she possibly be bullied?
He couldn’t help but speak out of turn: “Your Highness, His Majesty has sent banquet invitations to many official daughters this time. Rumors are circulating that tomorrow, during your birthday Longevity Banquet, a consort selection will be held for you.”
Xiao Jingchen frowned slightly: “Wen Shuyu alone is already enough to give me a headache. What consort selection? Absurd!”
Chengying understood.
That made things easier. He would have the hidden guards pass down the order: tomorrow’s arrangements should follow the usual birthday banquet protocol. There was no need to give special treatment to those official daughters, as none of them would become the mistress of the Eastern Palace. The mistress of the Eastern Palace was currently lying in Plum Garden.
…
Eastern Palace, Plum Garden.
Wen Shuyu, who had long extinguished the candles, had not yet fallen asleep when an excited Xiao Liu pulled her up.
“Master, you were truly remarkable today! Master, that Xiao Jingchen must be deeply moved right now.”
Wen Shuyu waved her hand dismissively: “Oh, not necessarily. He probably sent someone to verify whether that Blood Talisman is genuine or fake.”
Xiao Liu was startled: “What? Then wouldn’t it be over? Master, you used one talisman, and then the Empress took away two. If he discovers they’re fake, wouldn’t all your efforts be in vain?”
“Is that so?”
Wen Shuyu suddenly curved her lips into a smile, her already stunning and exquisite features growing even more radiant, dazzling Xiao Liu.
She extended a finger and tapped Xiao Liu’s little head: “But those two talismans are real.”
Xiao Liu was shocked: “What?”
Wen Shuyu: “The one I used was fake, but the two that Empress Auntie took away were genuine ones I had Fuling buy from the Black Market overnight.”
“The key is to create a preconception, to make him mistakenly believe they are fake. That way, when he later discovers they are real, he will no longer doubt but instead become utterly convinced. Because he has already questioned their authenticity once, his focus will shift to remorse over doubting my sincerity. No one will investigate the origin of these talismans—that they came from the Black Market.”
Xiao Liu’s eyes widened, listening in stunned silence.
Wen Shuyu’s smile deepened, a faint glimmer flashing in her eyes: “Tomorrow is Xiao Jingchen’s birthday, the Eastern Palace’s Longevity Banquet. The second stratagem.”
“I have moved into the Eastern Palace. Someone should be growing restless. I hope the one from the General’s Manor does not disappoint me.”
…
The Crown Prince’s birthday was celebrated with a grand Longevity Banquet held at the Eastern Palace, attended by numerous court officials and the children of official families.
Just after the hour of Yin, with the morning light still dim, the vermilion-lacquered palace gates of the Eastern Palace slowly opened to the deep, resonant tolling of bells.
By the hour of Chen, many court officials and sons of noble families, dressed in deep purple and indigo court robes, walked with steady steps and gradually entered, taking their seats with smiles as they exchanged quiet greetings.
Afterward, came the legitimate daughters of court officials, each adorned in splendid attire, gracefully arriving under the guidance of palace maids. They all subtly searched for the figure of the Crown Prince seated at the front.
Who didn’t know that the Crown Prince was exceptionally talented, handsome in appearance, and gentle in demeanor? He was the dream match for every young woman in the capital. Their elders had already mentioned this morning that the Emperor intended to select a consort for the Crown Prince today. If they could win His Highness’s favor at the Thousand Autumn Banquet and become the Crown Princess in one fell swoop, it would be a glorious honor for their families.
Among the many young women, the one most determined to secure the position of Crown Princess was Yun Wan Shuang, the legitimate daughter of the General’s Manor.
Her gaze swept across the hall, and she signaled to her personal maid behind her with a glance.
The maid understood, nodded, and quietly withdrew from the hall.
Yun Wan Shuang glanced at the other legitimate daughters of the ministers around her and sneered.
A bunch of ordinary, gaudy women—how dare they sit alongside her?
Due to her exceptional talent, she had been sent to the Immortal Alliance at the age of five and grew up alongside the Crown Prince. In terms of cultivation, she was undoubtedly among the best among women, a celebrated genius within the Immortal Alliance. In terms of appearance, she was breathtakingly beautiful, and she was also proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Three years ago, when the Crown Prince returned to the capital, she, who had admired him since childhood, followed him back, going wherever he went.
Over these three years, what she despised the most was that useless Wen Shuyu.
That clueless fool shamelessly pestered His Highness day after day. If not for His Highness’s kind and gentle nature, he would have likely struck her dead long ago.
Yet, that wretched Wen Shuyu had the advantage of a good family background and the Empress’s protection in the capital.
Now, she had even schemed her way into the Eastern Palace using some Blood Talisman. How improper it was for an unmarried woman to shamelessly reside in the Eastern Palace! Truly disgraceful!
The Crown Prince was too gentle to drive her away, and this fool truly treated the Eastern Palace as her own home. How dare she!
That wretched Wen Shuyu—today, she would teach her a proper lesson!