Xiao Yinxue finished applying medicine for Di Shengyue, and the two left the Empress’s residence together.
Youtao and Luoxiang had been waiting at the entrance.
“Youtao, Luoxiang, you’ve been in the palace for a long time. Do you have any palace staff you are close with?” Di Shengyue asked the two of them.
“Replying to the Princess Consort, yes, we do.” The two nodded.
“Then there is something I need you to do now,” Di Shengyue said. “Find those close palace staff and tell them about the ‘Lotus Pond Play’ incident today. Also, make sure to subtly mention that whenever such things happened in the past, the Fifth Princess was always seen near the Eldest Princess.”
The people in the palace are all clever; give them a few clues and they will be able to figure out a lot.
With this round of rumors, Xiao Yunfu’s good reputation would be practically ruined.
“Yes.” Youtao and Luoxiang nodded and were about to leave.
“Wait,” Xiao Yinxue called out to them and said, “Remember to also have someone remind the Fifth Princess that the Autumn Hunt is coming soon.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Youtao and Luoxiang acknowledged her and quickly departed.
Di Shengyue pondered the matter of the Autumn Hunt, a slight arch in her brow.
The Autumn Hunt was an extremely important event for the Xiao Kingdom.
Every autumn, the Xiao Kingdom would hold an Autumn Hunt, inviting the various princes, princesses, and talented young elites to participate.
Everyone would pour their efforts into the Autumn Hunt; if they came out on top, they would not only make an impression on the Emperor but also become famous in front of the public.
The Xiao Kingdom’s military was strong, and both men and women studied the Six Arts and were skilled in horsemanship and archery.
In the past, quite a few women had claimed the top prize.
The former Empress had once won the top prize in the Autumn Hunt; her gallant and vigorous display of hundred-paces-piercing archery instantly captivated the Emperor, leading her to enter the palace and be crowned Empress, rising to power ever since.
Since the former Empress, no woman of such grace had appeared at the Autumn Hunt.
If one were to appear, she would certainly achieve instant fame.
Xiao Yinxue’s hint now—did she want Xiao Yunfu to find a way to show off at the Autumn Hunt?
“Why would the Princess help the Fifth Princess?” Di Shengyue asked with a hint of confusion.
Xiao Yinxue had won today’s battle. In the future, by slowly and subtly guiding public opinion, she could surely reverse the perception of the two of them.
Xiao Yinxue suddenly helping Xiao Yunfu left Di Shengyue somewhat puzzled.
“Silly.” Xiao Yinxue extended her index finger and lightly flicked Di Shengyue’s smooth forehead, saying, “How could I be so foolish?”
“Please enlighten me, Princess,” Di Shengyue said.
Seeing Di Shengyue’s appearance of sincerely seeking guidance, a sense of pride couldn’t help but rise in Xiao Yinxue’s heart.
With the corner of her mouth slightly lifted, she said, “Do you know that Xiao Yunfu has reached the age to discuss marriage?”
“Princess, my heart only holds you, how could I pay attention to the age of others?” Di Shengyue wrapped her arm around Xiao Yinxue’s shoulder and said.
A flush quickly passed over Xiao Yinxue’s cheek: “Saying such things in the palace, aren’t you embarrassed?”
“Princess, it’s just the two of us here,” Di Shengyue chuckled softly, pulling Xiao Yinxue closer into her embrace.
The palace staff responsible for sweeping the Fengxi Palace left after their daily cleaning, and she had sent Youtao and Luoxiang away. At this moment, the enormous palace only held the two of them.
“Furthermore, if I speak sweet nothings to my wife, what can others say?” Di Shengyue lowered her head, stole a kiss on Xiao Yinxue’s cheek, and laughed, “Even kissing you in the palace is perfectly reasonable.”
Two flushes, like two clusters of tender flowers, bloomed on Xiao Yinxue’s cheeks.
Xiao Yinxue glared at Di Shengyue, feeling both shy and irritated, and said, “We’re talking serious business!”
“Tell me, Princess, I’m listening,” Di Shengyue said, staring at Xiao Yinxue with a smile in her eyes.
Xiao Yinxue became uncomfortable under the scrutiny and instinctively averted Di Shengyue’s gaze, returning to the subject of Xiao Yunfu: “Although Xiao Yunfu is a princess, her birth mother’s rank is too low. Having reached the age for marriage discussions, she will either be married off as part of a peace treaty or married to the legitimate son of a mid-level official, living an ordinary life. I understand Xiao Yunfu; like Consort Yu, she is a person who is not satisfied with the status quo. Xiao Yunfu has always been striving for a good reputation. As long as she has a reputation that is well-known throughout the capital, her status will naturally rise, and she will be able to choose a higher-ranking family for marriage discussions.”
“No wonder she kept trying to frame you,” a realization dawned in Di Shengyue’s eyes.
She had never quite understood the animosity between Xiao Yunfu and Xiao Yinxue, but now she did. Though both were princesses, Xiao Yinxue’s status, despite losing her birth mother, was far above hers. It was no surprise that Xiao Yunfu felt unbalanced and was bent on stepping on Xiao Yinxue.
Xiao Yinxue nodded, a hint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes, and said, “However, Xiao Yunfu has a flaw. She is too eager for quick success, and the more she is like this, the easier it is for things to go wrong. When that happens, all we need to do is utilize it well. Before, she had Consort Yu guiding her, but now, with Consort Yu confined, Xiao Yunfu alone won’t be able to achieve much.”
Di Shengyue truly adored this aspect of Xiao Yinxue’s intelligence.
She lowered her head, intending to kiss those crimson lips.
But her path was blocked by Xiao Yinxue’s palm.
“Did this Princess grant permission?” Xiao Yinxue lightly snorted and said.
“Then what must I do for the Princess to grant permission?” Di Shengyue kissed Xiao Yinxue’s palm, the tip of her tongue gently peeking out for a light lick.
A moist, tingling sensation was transmitted from her palm, and Xiao Yinxue’s face instantly flushed.
She hurriedly pulled her hand back and said, “Wait, wait until this Princess figures it out!”
“Alright, I’ll wait,” Di Shengyue laughed, no longer teasing Xiao Yinxue.
“Princess, since you knew all this, why were you always taken advantage of by Xiao Yunfu?” As soon as Di Shengyue finished asking the question, she wanted to slap herself.
It was naturally because she was isolated and alone!
No matter how clever or astute Xiao Yinxue was, being all by herself in this deep palace—even when she knew the truth, what could she do in many situations?
Di Shengyue looked at Xiao Yinxue, who had lowered her head and appeared slightly downcast in her arms, and ached inside.
She forcefully embraced Xiao Yinxue, her arms holding her tightly.
“Princess, from now on, I will always be with you, serving as your support,” she solemnly promised Xiao Yinxue.
“Mhm,” Xiao Yinxue gently hummed.
“Will the Princess participate in this year’s Autumn Hunt?” Di Shengyue asked.
Xiao Yinxue shook her head and said, “My body is frail, and I lack strength; I can’t even draw a bowstring. Participating in the Autumn Hunt would simply invite ridicule. Moreover…”
Xiao Yinxue didn’t continue.
But Di Shengyue felt a hint of fear from the faint trembling of her body.
She suddenly recalled that in her previous life, Xiao Yinxue had once mentioned being pushed at the Autumn Hunt and almost dying, and that she had saved her.
Reflecting on this, Di Shengyue’s eyes darkened slightly.
Perhaps this Autumn Hunt was not only an opportunity for Xiao Yunfu, but also an opportunity for her.
“Don’t be afraid, Princess. With me here, no one will dare to harm you.” She held the slightly trembling body tightly in her arms. “I will always stay with you and protect you.”
Feeling the warmth emanating from Di Shengyue, Xiao Yinxue’s heart also calmed down.
“Good,” she said.