How soon is soon?
The live stream audience was quietly anticipating.
[Driver No Brakes: Haha, finally reached the side quest. Can’t wait to see the legendary Consort Mei.]
[Pacifier Adventurer: The number one noble lady of Zhongdu? The emperor’s favorite consort must be incredibly beautiful. Dying to know what Consort Mei actually looks like.]
[February Red: Why so curious upstairs? Someone critically ill can’t possibly be that beautiful. I’m more curious whether Consort Mei would mistake her own son.]
Only Lu Zhao felt neither anticipation nor curiosity.
She wanted to ask Qiao Chi more about the situation in Zhongdu, especially regarding the six older brothers above her.
Qiao Chi wore an inscrutable expression, saying resentfully: “Since I’ve left Zhongdu, I don’t wish to mention those irrelevant people anymore. Seventh Highness should ask my father instead.”
Lu Zhao looked at him thoughtfully: This person seems to have suffered great grievances in Zhongdu.
She suddenly asked: “The Qiao family were former subordinates of General Zhenguo. Were you implicated in General Zhenguo’s case?Qiao Chi immediately fell silent, pursed his lips and rode away from her sight, leaving only an aloof silhouette.
Lu Zhao: “…”
Seems her guess was correct.
The Qiao family must have been cold-shouldered in Zhongdu for years because of this connection.
So, when they first met, Qiao Chi’s unfriendliness wasn’t entirely because she had fractured his hand?
The Old Emperor had issued a secret decree sending the Qiao family to find her, which showed he valued them, yet couldn’t promote them.
It seemed the Old Emperor didn’t have enough authority in court either.
Lu Zhao considered asking Qiao Bing, but after the weather cleared, Qiao Bing was in such a hurry to travel that he had no time to speak with her. Traveling day and night like this, the group reached Xuanping City within two days.
Upon entering the city, the carriage team headed straight without pause to the residence where Consort Mei was staying.
The Qiao father and son were deeply worried: A full month had passed since they left Xuanping City. They didn’t know if Consort Mei’s body could hold on.
In the carriage, Lu Zhao was also anxious: They had delayed several days on the road. She wondered how the critically ill Consort Mei was faring.
The carriage arrived at an ordinary residence in the west city. Qiao Chi dismounted, lifted the carriage curtain and said to Lu Zhao: “Seventh Highness, we’ve arrived.”
Lu Zhao ignored Qiao Chi’s outstretched hand meant to assist her and directly jumped down from the carriage.
Qiao Bing led her toward the entrance.
Qiao Chi’s hand remained suspended mid-air as he turned to watch her agile figure, momentarily surprised.
He quickly caught up with the two.
The live stream audience was amused by Qiao Chi’s expression.
[Trash Talk King: Hahaha, was Qiao Xiaogege trying to help the streamer just now? Did he think the streamer was too weak to get off the carriage?]
[Shuaidebumingxian: His expression says it all. Why does he seem kinda silly-cute?]
[Driver No Brakes: Probably still thinks the streamer forgot about being physically weak due to filial piety and eagerness to see Consort Mei.]
Qiao Chi’s surprise lasted only a moment before he proactively reached out to knock on the door.
Knock knock knock.
Soon, hurried footsteps came from within the courtyard. The door latch sounded as the wooden door opened a crack, revealing a guard peering out. When he saw the Qiao father and son, his eyes instantly lit up. He fully opened the door and said urgently: “My lord, young master, you’ve finally returned!”
When he saw Lu Zhao behind the father and son, he froze momentarily before asking with delight, “And who might this be?”
Qiao Bing gave him a slight nod, and he immediately understood, ushering the three inside.
Once they entered the courtyard, Qiao Bing asked, “How is Consort Mei?”
The guard glanced at Lu Zhao before replying, “Not well. She coughed up blood this morning. Song Yue went to fetch a physician, and Old Lady Lin is currently attending to her inside.”
Qiao Bing breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as she’s still alive.”
No sooner had he spoken than he realized his blunder and hurriedly explained to Lu Zhao, “This humble official meant no disrespect. I merely thought it would be good for the Seventh Highness to see Consort Mei one more time…” The more he spoke, the worse it became, so he simply fell silent.
Lu Zhao thought to herself: Actually, it wouldn’t matter if we never saw each other again.
Creak—the tightly shut door opened, and a peasant woman emerged carrying a medicine bowl, bowing to the three of them.
A heavy scent of medicine and the aura of death wafted from the room.
Qiao Bing extended his hand toward Lu Zhao. “Seventh Highness, please go in quickly. Consort Mei is waiting for you.”
The system kept urging in her mind: 【Host, hurry inside! For this Side Quest, gain Consort Mei’s acknowledgment. As long as Consort Mei can confirm your identity, your substitution for the Child of Destiny will be temporarily successful. You’ll also receive generous rewards.】
The live-stream audience held their breath, filled with anticipation.
Lu Zhao took a deep breath and stepped into the room. Her eyes fell upon simple tables, chairs, and furniture, with a plain pearwood bed against the far wall. On it lay an emaciated woman, her complexion ashen and weary, traces of blood still visible at the corners of her pale lips. Hearing the noise at the door, her tightly shut eyes slowly opened, gazing directly toward the entrance.
With that single glance, what had been a stagnant pool of lifelessness suddenly stirred to life.
It inexplicably called to mind a plum branch abruptly broken in the snow—helpless and evoking pity.
Though gravely ill, her astonishing former beauty was still discernible.
Lu Zhao froze: This Consort Mei actually bore some resemblance to her deceased mother.
Especially the small mole at the corner of her lips—her mother had said that a mole there signified good fortune, ensuring a lifetime free from want.
Unconsciously, Lu Zhao softened her footsteps. Consort Mei propped herself up on the edge of the bed, her gaze falling upon the Seven-Colored Gemstone Jade at Lu Zhao’s waist. In a trembling, hoarse voice choked with emotion, she cried out, “Little Seven…”
Then her eyes lifted, urgently scanning Lu Zhao’s face. The moment she clearly saw her features, the light in her eyes instantly died.
Her frail body trembled, her lips quivering…
Seeing her prolonged silence, Qiao Bing grew puzzled and reminded her, “Consort Mei, the Seventh Highness has returned.”
Consort Mei suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. The Qiao father and son were startled and moved to step forward, but Lu Zhao was quicker. She grasped Consort Mei’s faltering hand and cried out anxiously, “Mother!”
Consort Mei leaned weakly against her, murmuring once more, “Little Seven…” As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.
Lu Zhao quickly turned to Qiao Bing. “Commandant Qiao, please leave us for now. I need to speak with Mother alone.”
Qiao Bing’s eyes shifted between the two, sensing a lack of closeness between mother and son. Consort Mei didn’t seem particularly happy to see the Seventh Highness.
Hesitantly, he looked at Consort Mei. Lu Zhao tightened her grip on the consort’s hand and said sorrowfully, “Mother, Little Seven has something to tell you.”
Consort Mei’s eyes brimmed with tears as she looked up at Qiao Bing and softly instructed, “Captain Qiao, please guard the door. I have some words to share with Little Seven.”
Qiao Bing nodded and withdrew with Qiao Chi.
Once the door closed, Consort Mei’s expression shifted abruptly. She gripped Lu Zhao’s wrist tightly and demanded, “Was it you who killed Little Seven and took his jade pendant?”
This sudden change startled everyone in the live stream.
Lu Zhao’s eyes filled with disbelief. “What are you saying? Eldest Brother Shen and I went through hardships together—he was my benefactor. Why would I kill him?”
Consort Mei’s voice turned shrill. “You’re lying! Last night, I dreamed of my Little Seven. He said it was you—you killed him!”
Her once gentle features now bore the piercing gaze of someone in authority, like the last flicker of sharpness from a dying person.
The live chat erupted in excitement.
【February Red: Oh my god, that scared me! I thought Consort Mei was a delicate beauty, but that sudden shift was terrifying.】
【Jianmengtianxia: Did that black-hearted lotus really send a dream message?】
【Shuaidebumingxian: Impossible, right? Even in death, he’d set up the streamer? Besides, didn’t he bring it on himself? How did it become the streamer killing him?】
【King of Banter: Consort Mei is the legitimate daughter of General Zhenguo and has been hunted for ten years—what kind of gentle temperament did you expect? Whether the black-hearted lotus sent a dream or not, she’s probably bluffing the streamer.】
【Driver No Brakes: I think she’s bluffing too. If she really had a dream, why would Consort Mei question the streamer alone instead of having the Qiao father and son stab the streamer on the spot?】
As the Scrolling Subtitles buzzed with discussion, the system’s heart leaped to its throat, fearing any misstep from Lu Zhao.
Lu Zhao’s face was full of disappointment as she said sorrowfully, “Consort Mei, even if you suspect me, you shouldn’t bluff me like this, nor should you exploit Eldest Brother Shen this way. Eldest Brother Shen told me his mother was the kindest and gentlest soul. He saved my life and asked me to protect you with mine. It seems you don’t need it.” With that, she yanked the jade pendant from her waist and tossed it to Consort Mei, her clear eyes resolute with the pain of misunderstanding. “Since that’s the case, I return the pendant to you. I must abandon Eldest Brother Shen’s request, and when I reach the underworld, I’ll apologize to him myself!”
Consort Mei stared blankly at the jade pendant on the thin quilt for a moment.
Lu Zhao broke free from her grip, stood up, and bowed deeply to her. “Consort Mei, take care.” She straightened up and turned to leave.
Panic finally seized Consort Mei. She reached out, trying to stop her, but leaned too far and nearly toppled off the bed.
Startled, Lu Zhao quickly reached out to steady her. Seeing blood trickle from the corner of her mouth again, Lu Zhao opened her mouth to call for help.
Consort Mei stopped her in time. “Don’t call them. I still have questions for you.”
Lu Zhao frowned deeply. “What else do you want to ask? I’ve already said I didn’t kill Eldest Brother Shen.”
Consort Mei looked at her and asked again, “How did Little Seven die?”
Lu Zhao was taken aback. “You… just now?” Her expression turned puzzled, then suddenly understanding dawned. “You believe me now?”
Consort Mei nodded, her voice as soft as a willow branch, and apologized, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t disbelieving you earlier—it’s just that the world is treacherous…”
【Jianmengtianxia: Damn, so treachery justifies shifting blame?】
【IQ Offline: That was close! Consort Mei really was bluffing the streamer! The streamer stayed so calm—her acting was flawless throughout!】
[Nation’s Little Cutie: I was wondering, how innocent could someone be if they gave birth to a black-hearted lotus? Probably an old black-hearted lotus themselves.]
[No Thunder on Rainy Days: That’s harsh. Consort Mei’s reaction is perfectly normal. If your son was kidnapped and someone showed up claiming to be him—especially when your son is heir to the throne—wouldn’t you be suspicious too?]
[Ji Ji Fu Ji Ji: Exactly. Even a naive beauty would develop some shrewdness after being hunted for ten years.]
[Super Cool: Why do I feel like the streamer has even more tricks up her sleeve than Consort Mei? Every one of Consort Mei’s reactions seems to have been anticipated by her. While she didn’t kill the black-hearted lotus herself, it feels like every step of the impersonation has been part of her scheme.]
[Bajiaolian: Glad I’m not the only one who thinks so. After following this stream, I’m convinced the streamer is the most cunning of them all.]
[Weilai Shouxi Zhudao: Haha, a battle between black-hearted lotuses is far more entertaining. I can’t wait to see how this man-eating flower of a streamer will make the fake white lotus, Consort Mei, acknowledge her.]
Lu Zhao wasn’t the least bit concerned: If Consort Mei were truly an innocent little flower, it would be harder to manipulate her. But if she was clever and calculating, she would inevitably weigh the pros and cons and understand what choices to make.
The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting, and the best approach is to attack the mind.
As long as she targeted what Consort Mei cared about most, the other party would beg to acknowledge her identity willingly.