Inside Qingyin Pavilion, the candlelight glowed warmly.
The Empress sat at the head of the hall, holding a teacup, her gaze fixed on Su Yaoyao below.
Today, her niece had given her far too many surprises.
At the palace banquet, Su Yaoyao’s act of retreating gracefully yet appearing fragile had already impressed her.
And just now, the maid had reported that the Crown Prince had personally gone to the side hall and handled the trouble there…
A glint of meaning passed through the Empress’s eyes.
She dismissed the attendants, leaving only Su Yaoyao.
“How do you see what happened today?” the Empress asked, her voice neutral, betraying no emotion.
Su Yaoyao lowered her gaze. “Your Majesty, someone intended to harm this humble servant.”
“Do you know who it is?”
“I have an idea,” Su Yaoyao lifted her eyes toward the Empress. “But there is no proof.”
The Empress smiled.
Her smile carried both approval and calculation.
She reached for Su Yaoyao’s hand, drawing her to sit beside her.
“I’m sorry you were wronged,” the Empress said softly, patting her hand with concern. “Those despicable schemes—daring to use them at a palace banquet. Rest assured, your aunt will see justice done.”
“Thank you for your care, Aunt,” Su Yaoyao replied gently, her eyes lowered. “I am not wronged, only… causing you trouble.”
“Foolish child, what trouble? Don’t speak nonsense.” The Empress regarded her obedient demeanor with satisfaction. “You are the only bloodline left from your sister. If I don’t care for you, who else will?”
She paused, shifting her tone. “But Yaoyao, you see this palace… it is never peaceful. Today it is a poisoned dance, tomorrow, who knows what else. You are a young girl, without support—you will inevitably suffer.”
Su Yaoyao raised her clear eyes. “Your meaning is…”
The Empress’s gaze sharpened as she shifted focus. “The Crown Prince… what do you think of him?”
Finally, it had come.
Su Yaoyao understood, but she showed a hint of shyness. “His Highness… is aloof and otherworldly. I dare not speak presumptuously.”
“Aloof, yes, but he is still a man.”
The Empress pressed her hand, voice lowering. “Yaoyao, you are a clever child. You must understand why I am having you approach the Crown Prince.”
“The Crown Prince, though raised under my care, is not my own blood. These years, he has immersed himself in Buddhism, avoiding women. The Eastern Palace remains vacant. Though the Emperor hasn’t said, there are murmurs in court—a Crown Prince who refuses marriage or heirs… how can he inherit the throne?”
Su Yaoyao listened quietly, comprehension dawning in her heart.
“But you are different,” the Empress continued, her eyes piercing.
“You are the granddaughter of the Grand Tutor, my own niece. Your status is sufficient. More importantly… today, the Crown Prince seems to regard you differently.”
Su Yaoyao lowered her head in timely shyness. “His Highness… only pitied me for being wronged.”
“Pity or otherwise,” the Empress tapped her hand, “Yaoyao, once you enter the Crown Prince’s favor and bear his child, the position of Crown Princess… and the future… will be yours.”
She caressed Su Yaoyao’s hand gently.
“As long as the Crown Prince’s position is secure, my own and Yier’s positions will be safe. Yier is young and weak… and many eyes watch the palace and court.” The Empress sighed, fatigue in her gaze.
“Recently, Consort Chen has been active, and your father wavers like grass. If the Second Prince gains influence, none of us will fare well.”
Su Yaoyao met her eyes, noting the undisguised calculation and anxiety, a cold smile forming in her heart.
Indeed, in the face of power, all familial affection was false.
Her aunt only remembered her because she had value.
But… that suited her perfectly.
Mutual use, nothing more.
“Rest assured, Aunt,” Su Yaoyao offered a compliant smile. “I know what to do.”
The Empress nodded, pleased. “Good child. However…”
Her brow furrowed. “The Second Prince remains troublesome. Your betrothal was granted by the Emperor. To dissolve it, only…”
Before she could finish, urgent footsteps sounded outside the hall.
Then came the panicked voice of a chief maid:
“Your Majesty! Something’s wrong! The side hall… something happened!”
The Empress’s face darkened. “What is it? Explain clearly!”
“It’s… the Second Prince… and the Su family’s second miss…” the maid trembled. “…they were discovered… in a… compromising situation…”
“What?!” The Empress sprang to her feet.
Su Yaoyao also stood, a fleeting expression of shock and pain on her face.
Yet in her lowered gaze, a glimmer of knowing amusement appeared.
The Empress hurried outside, but paused, looking back. “Yaoyao, you…”
“Aunt, go quickly,” Su Yaoyao said softly. “I… I will follow shortly.”
The Empress, seeming to understand, cast her a glance filled with approval before leaving in haste.
Silence returned to the hall.
Su Yaoyao walked to the window and opened it halfway.
The night wind stirred the strands of hair at her cheek.
She gazed toward the side hall, where faint commotion was now audible.
A cold smile slowly curved her lips.
“Aunt need not worry…”
She murmured to herself, fingers brushing the trembling prayer beads at her ear.
“Look, the ‘show’ has begun.”
“As for the betrothal…”
Turning to the mirror, she saw her own eyes sparkling, a playful smile curling her lips.
“It will soon… no longer be a problem.”