3 – The Fourth Prince’s Consort is Truly Alluring
Yin Zhen: “…”
Yin Zhen sized her up, unable to help but wonder why she seemed like a completely different person compared to just a few days ago.
Yin Zhen looked at her displeased, his gaze gradually deepening, “Fu Qingzi, are you ignoring me?”
Hearing this, Fu Qingzi cast another indifferent glance at him with her eyes before withdrawing her gaze. Was it that obvious?
Fu Qingzi simply closed her eyes, even silently thinking to herself, Please don’t speak again. Ever since she became the CEO of the company, she hadn’t dealt with people like this—these matters were always handled by Qiao An.
Yin Zhen’s expression grew even darker. Fu Qingzi had been forced upon him by Consort De, and he couldn’t even refuse her.
Fu Qingzi clearly sensed Yin Zhen’s unfriendly gaze. She lifted her eyelids to look at him. Since she was currently eating his food and using his resources, it would be best to rein in her temper.
After a long while, Yin Zhen finally heard Fu Qingzi speak unhurriedly, “I am not ignoring you.”
Yin Zhen’s brow twitched slightly. Was this woman an idiot?
Fu Qingzi was already somewhat drowsy. Seeing that Yin Zhen remained silent, she simply drifted off to sleep until the carriage came to a stop.
Yin Zhen paid her no mind at all. After alighting from the carriage, he strode forward without looking back.
Fu Qingzi was dressed in ceremonial robes, making it slightly difficult for her to move her legs freely.
She pinched the hem of her robes with her slender fingers, lifting them slightly, and slowly extended her foot to test the ground a few times.
With a somewhat helpless glance at Yin Zhen’s resolute back, she lightly pursed her lips and said, “Could you at least give me a hand?”
Only then did Yin Zhen pause in his steps. He turned to look at her, his handsome brow slightly raised, a faint, ambiguous smile curling at the corner of his mouth. “Beg me.”
Fu Qingzi gave him a cool, fleeting glance before lowering her eyes again. Then, without hesitation, she lifted her robes and jumped down. Though she nearly twisted her ankle, she had salvaged her dignity.
Qiao An hurried over from behind, quickly steadying her.
Fu Qingzi brushed past him, raising her eyes to meet his gaze, her voice clear and cold. “I won’t beg.”
Yin Zhen’s large hand immediately clamped around Fu Qingzi’s slender wrist, reminding her, “Fu Qingzi, in the palace, you cannot address me as ‘you’ and yourself as ‘I.’ The same applies in the manor.”
Fu Qingzi halted her steps, placed her delicate hands at her waist, and curtsied slightly, pursing her lips as she said, “Thank you for the reminder, Fourth Master.”
Indeed, she still hadn’t fully adjusted. She needed to be more cautious and careful.
The two entered the palace side by side. Just as Yin Zhen was about to step toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation, a force from beside him tugged him back.
Fu Qingzi extended her slender fingers to lightly pull at his sleeve, asking in a low, earnest voice, “Where is the Palace of Eternal Harmony?”
Yin Zhen’s mouth twitched violently, a few dark lines seeming to slide down his forehead. With a stern face, he said, “Are you an idiot, Fu Qingzi? You were just in the palace a few days ago.”
Fu Qingzi lightly raised her phoenix eyes to meet his gaze. In Yin Zhen’s eyes, she could see the reflection of her own face. Her lips moved slightly, but no words came out.
She had been insulted. She had actually been insulted. For the first time in her life, she had been insulted. This was unbearable.
Forget it. She would endure it.
Meanwhile, Qiao An stood behind them with an auntie-like smile. Her Azi had been so busy with work in the modern era that she never had the chance to interact with men. Now, things were looking up. Hehehe.
Su Peisheng cast a suspicious glance at Qiao An, who was inexplicably laughing.
Qiao An, noticing the gaze, awkwardly smiled before quickly composing her expression.
Seeing that there was still time, Yin Zhen escorted Fu Qingzi to the entrance of the Palace of Eternal Harmony before turning around to head to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Qiao An leaned close to Fu Qingzi’s ear and said meaningfully, “Our Fourth Master may seem cold on the outside, but he’s warm-hearted.”
Outside the Palace of Eternal Harmony, Fu Qingzi happened to run into Crown Princess Guargiya and Crown Prince’s consort Lady Li, who were passing by.
Fu Qingzi couldn’t help but frown. Though she didn’t recognize the woman, judging by her attire, she could at least guess she was either a primary consort or a secondary consort. She still curtsied slightly, offering a polite greeting of equal standing.
The Crown Princess didn’t say anything. This wasn’t her first time seeing Fu Qingzi, but it was likely Fu Qingzi’s first time seeing her, so it was normal not to recognize her.
The Crown Prince’s secondary consort placed her fair, slender fingers by her lips, her eyes curving into crescents as she said, “The Fourth Prince truly dotes on you.”
Fu Qingzi glanced up at her, her lips twitching with difficulty, but she remained silent. There was no way she could respond to that remark.
Seeing Fu Qingzi’s silence, Lady Guargiya gave an awkward smile before taking her leave.
Inside Yonghe Palace.
“Your Highness, the Fourth Prince’s consort has arrived and is waiting in the main hall.”
Only then did Consort De slowly rise, casually resting her arm in the hand of her attendant matron, appearing rather languid.
Fu Qingzi discreetly observed Consort De. Though faint lines were visible at the corners of her eyes, if one didn’t look too closely, she could still be considered a beauty.
To remain favored until now and maintain her position without wavering—her cunning was beyond ordinary.
Fu Qingzi performed a slight bow before taking her seat.
She sat quietly, listening to Consort De and the matron engage in their daily conversation, occasionally taking a sip of tea. She was hardly surprised by this, as Yin Zhen and Consort De had never been close, and Consort De had always favored the Fourteenth Prince, Yin Ti.
After what felt like a long time, Fu Qingzi’s teacup had been refilled twice before Consort De seemed to finally notice her presence. “Look at me, I nearly forgot the Fourth Prince’s consort was here.”
She hadn’t expected Fu Qingzi to remain so composed, which was somewhat different from her demeanor in previous days.
But when it came to composure, who could compare to Fu Qingzi? Thinking back to her days in the Fu family’s ancestral home, this was a common occurrence.
Fu Qingzi’s lips curved slightly, her expression calm and unruffled. Her innate nobility and uncommon allure made Consort De feel a twinge of envy.
Fu Qingzi narrowed her eyes slightly, the corners lifting with a faint curve. “What are you saying, Mother? We were merely discussing everyday matters.”
Consort De rested a hand against her temple, her faint smile fading as her tone turned serious. “The Fourth Prince’s household is rather sparse. In a few days, I will carefully select some women to send to his residence.”
Fu Qingzi slowly raised her beautiful eyes, responding softly, “As you wish, Mother.”
By nature, Fu Qingzi was not one for much conversation. She simply listened as Consort De spoke, occasionally offering a few words in response. Finding her dull, Consort De used a headache as an excuse to dismiss her.
After Fu Qingzi had left, the matron whispered into Consort De’s ear, “The Fourth Prince’s consort truly has a captivating allure.”
Consort De gently massaged her temple with a finger, her eyes dark and profound, her voice carrying a bone-chilling coldness. “Why else do you think I allowed her to become the Fourth Prince’s consort? Though her father is the Grand Tutor, the Ulanara family is immensely influential. By placing her in the Fourth Prince’s household as his consort, the gap between my Yin Ti and him grows even wider.”
The matron shook her head with a sigh, but seeing Consort De’s expression, she held back her words. The Fourth Prince is also your son, and besides, the Fourteenth Prince is still just a young child. Isn’t it too early to be thinking this way?
No matter what, the Fourth Prince would protect his younger brother. Why couldn’t Consort De understand… They are both her children—how could there be any distinction between them? This would only sow discord between them in the future.
Perhaps Consort De felt she had been too harsh. After a long sigh, she added, “Fine. If he truly likes Ulanara, let her enter the mansion as a secondary consort.”
…