But before the Crown Prince could speak, Nanzheng suddenly coldly rebuked Madam Liu:
“How dare you! How dare you insult the Regent King’s mother-in-law! Who gave you the nerve! You shrew, who do you think you are to punish anyone? Did you not learn your lesson last time?”
Only then did Madam Liu remember that the Regent’s Mansion people were still present. Her legs went weak with fear, and she immediately shut her mouth.
The Empress and the Crown Prince both paused, exchanging a glance, ultimately holding back their words.
After all, now was not yet the time to break with the Regent King.
“Your Majesty,” the State Preceptor reminded in a low voice, “Only with the true assistance of the Heavenly Phoenix can the True Dragon achieve his destiny.”
The Empress finally remembered the most important matter and immediately regained her composure, speaking with a kindly expression:
“Alright, everyone, listen to what I have to say.”
“Yun Zhiping’s actions are indeed unacceptable, but no matter what, we are all family. He should be given a chance to reform. How about having him return what he took and pay a fine as an apology? For any portion he cannot pay, I will cover it entirely. Let this matter be settled then.”
“After all, the Crown Prince is to marry Bai Lian as his principal consort. If her family were driven out of the estate, it would also bring shame upon the Crown Prince. Let this matter be considered as giving face to the imperial family, what do you say?”
With the Empress speaking so graciously to this extent, Yan Jinghua and Old Master Yun exchanged a look and nodded.
They had originally known that Yun Zhiping was extravagant and lacked business sense. His current personal assets could never cover the embezzled deficit. They hadn’t expected the Empress to be willing to pay on his behalf, which was actually beneficial for their own family.
The family of three—Yun Zhiping, his wife, and daughter—heaved a huge sigh of relief, overwhelmed with gratitude as they thanked the Empress, their hearts swelling with pride once more.
Yun Bai Lian glanced at Yun Qingqing, sneering inwardly, Just you wait!
The Crown Prince will ascend the throne in the future! By then, I, as the Crown Princess, will leap to become the Empress, the mother of the nation!
What are you, a mere Princess Consort so ugly you can’t even show your face, compared to that!
…
The next day, the Emperor indeed issued another marriage decree.
The entire city learned that the Crown Prince would marry the Yun Estate’s Second Miss as his principal consort, while the capital’s number one talented lady, the Prime Minister’s legitimate daughter, had become a concubine!
Yun Qingqing accompanied her mother drinking medicinal tea, grabbed a handful of melon seeds for herself, and listened with a smile as she cracked them while Qiao’er reported.
“…I heard Su Yurou went mad with rage! She blocked the entrance of the Crown Prince’s Residence demanding an explanation but didn’t even get to see the Crown Prince’s face!”
Qiao’er vividly described up to this point, then suddenly pulled a long face and pouted.
“The Crown Prince’s Residence guards said the Crown Prince took Yun Bai Lian boating on the lake! Who knows what kind of dog’s luck she’s had, suddenly being chosen as Crown Princess… Qiao’er really feels it’s unfair for you, Miss!”
Yun Qingqing spat out a seed shell without a care, scoffing:
“Don’t bother. That’s not good luck for her; it’s more like Bad Luck has come home to roost.”
That scumbag has committed countless sins, his body laden with Misfortune, his life nearly gone, yet he specifically came to drag Yun Bai Lian down with him. How perfect.
Qiao’er was utterly confused, but Yun Qingqing didn’t explain further, grabbing another handful of seeds:
“Go on, Miss Su is no pushover. Isn’t there more excitement to watch this time?”
Qiao’er shook her head in puzzlement:
“Miss Su did indeed try to go find them by the lake again, but Prime Minister Su suddenly rushed over and stopped her. Strangely enough, the Prime Minister said something to her, and she obediently went back without making any more fuss.”
Yun Qingqing exchanged a glance with her mother.
“Hmph, Prime Minister Su may appear to dote on his only daughter, but in the end, he’s merely using her as a tool in his power struggles.” Yan Jinghua curled her lips in a mocking smile.
Yun Qingqing wholeheartedly agreed. Prime Minister Su and the Crown Prince were birds of a feather—what did sacrificing a daughter’s position as principal consort matter when weighed against the rewards of supporting the future emperor?
Yet at the same time, her intuition told her there was more to the story behind the Crown Prince changing his mind to marry Yun Bai Lian as his principal consort.
But so be it. The scumbag and the bitch were best locked together—keeping them from harming others would be their greatest contribution to the world.
“Speaking of which, the medicinal herbs sent by the Regent King are truly effective. Mother’s body feels much lighter now, and I see your face has also improved compared to yesterday,” Yan Jinghua said with relief.
Yun Qingqing smiled without replying.
Naturally, the things that fellow sent were all of high quality, but without her intervention, even ten Divine Doctor Tangs couldn’t have achieved such results.
The following days passed peacefully.
Apart from tinkering with various medicinal herbs, Yun Qingqing spent most of her time drawing talismans.
She explained to her grandfather and mother that she had studied these from an ancient book she stumbled upon during her years of seclusion. Unexpectedly, her remarkable talent allowed her to put them to practical use.
Though they found it hard to believe, they didn’t press further and let her be.
The second branch of the family appeared much more subdued these days, but every night, Yun Bai Lian would ingratiatingly bring over an exquisite late-night snack to “apologize” to Yun Qingqing.
Yun Qingqing accepted them all, eating every bite in front of Yun Bai Lian while pretending not to notice the malice in her eyes.
Until the seventh day of the “daily dose of poison.”
When Yun Bai Lian brought the late-night snack, she suddenly noticed Yun Qingqing was wearing a veil.
“…Sister, why have you suddenly covered your face?” Yun Bai Lian feigned surprise, though inwardly she was overjoyed.
“It’s nothing, just a slight chill—I shouldn’t be exposed to the wind. Leave the food and go,” Yun Qingqing replied, her voice tinged with irritation.
Suppressing a smile, Yun Bai Lian set down the tray and pretended to show concern:
“If you’re unwell, Sister, should I call a physician to examine you?”
“No need! Leave now!” Yun Qingqing’s voice turned colder.
“…Very well. Please take care of yourself, Sister.” Satisfied, Yun Bai Lian departed.
Hmph, that damned Yun Qingqing was not only ugly but utterly foolish!
This poison would not only prevent her face from ever healing but, after half a month of continuous ingestion, would become incurable!
Her face would gradually rot, spreading little by little across her entire body!
Even that blind Regent King couldn’t possibly endure a Princess Consort who was both foul and decaying!
Go die in the disgust of everyone!
…
Yun Qingqing watched Yun Bai Lian leave with keen interest, a cold smile playing on her lips.
She had taken the “Feasting in the Jade Capital” talisman for seven consecutive days. Today marked the beginning of her rebirth—much of the scabbed skin on her face had already peeled off. She couldn’t let Yun Bai Lian see it, or there would be no surprise later.
As the other woman walked away, Yun Qingqing was about to remove her veil and eat when she suddenly frowned and demanded sharply:
“Who’s there?”
“Princess Consort, it’s your subordinate!” Nanzheng appeared quietly, speaking in a low voice.
“Hmm?” Yun Qingqing was taken aback. “What are you doing here?”
Nanzheng hesitated for a moment:
“This subordinate wishes to ask first—on the day you stopped His Highness’s carriage, what did you mean by ‘the first, the fifteenth, at the hour of you’?”
Yun Qingqing raised an eyebrow, understanding dawning on her. Leaning lazily against the back of her chair, she smiled:
“No wonder you came to me. Today is the first of the month—that fellow is having an episode, isn’t he?”
Nanzheng’s eyelids twitched. How could the Princess Consort refer to the prince in such a way… But never mind, now was not the time to dwell on such things!
He immediately dropped to one knee and pleaded:
“It seems the Princess Consort truly knows the truth of the matter! I beg you to hurry to the prince’s residence and help His Highness!”