Jun Qingnian made no effort to hide the malice in her heart. Jun Rongpei shrank back, glancing hesitantly in Jun Ning’s direction.
Jun Ning scanned the crowd but did not see her elder brother, so she looked away. She would meet him eventually. She only hoped that when he learned she intended to marry Prince Xuan, he would not be angry.
The Emperor greatly valued this summer banquet and ordered several eunuchs to stand guard at the palace gates.
The palace gates stood imposing; stepping through them filled one with awe.
Since it was not yet time, the women were led by the eunuchs to rest in the Imperial Garden.
Jun Ning sat calmly in a lakeside pavilion, meeting the curious stares of the young ladies who kept glancing her way. They were all daughters of noble households—she knew exactly what they were thinking.
Xiao Yunjie had always been close to her. These girls feared she would seize the position of Princess Consort Jing. But they did not realize that such a position was nothing but a pit of fire.
When the time seemed right, Jun Ning gestured to Yu Zhu, beckoning her closer.
“Go see how Qing Tao’s preparations are coming along.”
“But Miss, leaving you alone worries me.” Yu Zhu’s heart was uneasy. Miss Qingnian bore a grudge—who knew what she might do? Yu Zhu might be clumsy, but staying by her lady’s side at least allowed her to shield her from harm.
“This is the imperial palace. Jun Qingnian cannot eat me alive. Go, help Qing Tao, and make sure nothing goes wrong.”
After Jun Ning’s firm instructions, Yu Zhu finally departed.
With Yu Zhu gone, Jun Ning remained seated in the pavilion, waiting quietly.
After a moment, a graceful young woman, accompanied by her maid, slowly sat down across from Jun Ning.
“May I sit here, Sister?”
“Of course.” Jun Ning’s eyes held a smile, as though she liked the girl before her. But if one looked closely, that smile carried a hidden chill.
This was Shen Qingtang, the legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor’s household—and the central figure in today’s scheme.
“Elder Sister Jun, this is our second meeting. I remember the first was on the day Brother Yunjie opened his residence.”
Shen Qingtang was delicate and lovely, like a lotus emerging from water. Her voice was soft and gentle, her large eyes full of innocence and purity.
This was exactly the kind of dignified, steady empress Xiao Yunjie desired.
Jun Ning studied Shen Qingtang quietly, waiting for her to speak first. She knew this routine well. In her previous life, Shen Qingtang had spoken the same way. But back then, Jun Ning hadn’t realized Shen Qingtang and Jun Qingnian were already in secret collusion. In the end, Jun Qingnian reaped the benefits, while Jun Ning became a laughingstock before everyone, displeasing the Emperor.
Seeing Jun Ning’s disinterest, Shen Qingtang finally couldn’t hold back.
“Elder Sister Jun, you look so beautiful today. When Brother Yunjie sees you, he won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”
She laughed playfully. Though younger by half a month, she kept calling Jun Ning “elder sister,” which to outsiders made them seem close.
Jun Ning lowered her head slightly, the corners of her lips curving into a smile. Shen Qingtang couldn’t see her expression clearly and assumed she was shy and pleased by the compliment.
But in truth, Jun Ning’s eyes burned with suppressed hatred.
When she raised her gaze again, her emotions were perfectly hidden. “You do know how to tease me. But you don’t understand the bitterness in my heart.”
Shen Qingtang’s smile faltered. “Elder Sister Jun, what do you mean by that?”
Jun Ning pretended to hesitate, as though troubled. Only when Shen Qingtang grew impatient did she finally speak, her face bitter.
“You call me elder sister, so I cannot keep silent. Have you met my concubine-born elder sister, Qingnian?”
At the mention of Jun Qingnian, Shen Qingtang’s expression flickered with unease. “Of course I have.”
“My mother passed away early. Qingnian and I grew up together. Over time, she too began to admire Prince Jing, saying that even if she could only be his concubine, it would be enough.”
Jun Ning spoke as though embarrassed, her eyes even reddening at the corners.
“You know, my mother died when I was very young. Madam Lou has managed the household ever since. Though I am the legitimate daughter, unlike you, I have little say in anything.”
Her words were veiled, but Shen Qingtang was quick to imagine the rest. She needed no further explanation to fill in the gaps.
“But Jun Qingnian…!” That wasn’t how it was supposed to be.
Shen Qingtang covered her mouth in alarm, her eyes darting nervously, nearly letting something slip.
“Could it be that Sister Shen also has secrets she cannot speak of?” Jun Ning asked with concern, then reassured her: “We are like kindred spirits at first meeting. I would never tell anyone of such matters. If you are willing to hear my troubles, that is already kindness enough. But you mustn’t let this spread.”
“Rest assured, Elder Sister Jun. I will not tell anyone.” Shen Qingtang promised earnestly, believing Jun Ning completely. At the same time, she began to feel a trace of dislike toward Jun Qingnian.
So Jun Qingnian dared to scheme against her! If she hadn’t come to test Jun Ning, she might truly have been deceived by Jun Qingnian and set against Jun Ning.
“With your word, I am at ease.” Jun Ning smiled faintly, then shifted the topic. “Enough about me. What was it you wanted to say just now?”
Shen Qingtang, still unsettled, forced a laugh. “Ah, my memory! Hearing your troubles made me feel for you, and I forgot what I meant to say.”
Jun Ning saw through her but did not expose it. Shen Qingtang’s growing dissatisfaction with Jun Qingnian was enough.
Just then, footsteps approached. Both women looked up to see Jun Rongpei, her face pale.
“Third Sister, what’s the matter?” Jun Ning hadn’t expected her to appear here. In her previous life, this had never happened.
“Elder Sister, I…” Jun Rongpei tried to speak, her eyes flicking toward Shen Qingtang, hesitating.
Shen Qingtang rose gracefully. “Your sisters are waiting over there. I’ll take my leave.”
Once Shen Qingtang’s figure disappeared into the crowd, Jun Ning turned back. “Third Sister, weren’t you with Jun Qingnian? Why have you come to me?”
“Elder Sister, our concubine-born sister… she intends to harm you. Please, you must be careful!” Jun Rongpei spoke urgently, glancing around as though facing a great enemy.
Jun Ning raised her brows, surprised that Jun Rongpei had come to warn her of such a thing.
“Third Sister, one may speak carelessly over a meal, but words like these cannot be spoken recklessly.” Jun Ning did not believe that someone who always followed Jun Qingnian would suddenly be so kindhearted.
Either she had an ulterior motive, or Jun Qingnian had sent her to set a trap.
“Elder Sister, it’s absolutely true!” Jun Rongpei was so anxious she nearly cried. At last, she raised three fingers without hesitation and declared: “Every word I’ve said is true. If not, may heaven strike me with thunder!”
Jun Ning had been about to reply, but then her gaze fell upon something that made her eyes suddenly turn cold.