Lu Yan brought Zhang Ke'er to the imperial garden not to cultivate any feelings or to leisurely stroll, but simply to toy with her to death.
Given Lu Yan's previous "hide-and-seek" style of play, Zhang Ke'er would certainly not live to see tomorrow's sun.
Because Lu Mingtang was still running a fever, the temperature of her palm was higher than usual. The moment it pressed against the back of Lu Yan's hand, it brought him a long-lost warmth.
"What, do you have a more interesting way to play than slaughtering pigs?"
Lu Yan detested being touched by others the most, but at this moment, with Lu Mingtang holding his hand, he wasn't annoyed at all. Instead, he felt a surge of intense curiosity.
He thought, this little rabbit might bring him even more surprises. How amusing.
"This time, we'll play the game of 'the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind'—killing two birds with one stone. I guarantee it's more fun than slaughtering pigs. But from now on, Your Majesty, you must listen to me."
Lu Yan chuckled softly, his pale fingertips hooking a strand of Lu Mingtang's hair that had fallen before his eyes, winding it around and around.
His posture was both ambiguous and dangerous. "What an interesting little rabbit. I'm starting to like you a bit."
Whether she could make him like her even more depended on how this little rabbit performed next.
"Your Majesty, these wintersweet branches are blooming the most beautifully. Do you think they look nice?"
Zhang Ke'er returned happily, holding the wintersweet branches, showing off in front of Lu Yan. Lu Mingtang smiled and said, "Lady Zhang truly has excellent taste. It would be even better if His Majesty invited Lady Zhang to Qin Zheng Dian to personally arrange the vase."
Hearing this, Zhang Ke'er was overjoyed and looked shyly at Lu Yan. "This is a great honor for your humble servant."
Lu Yan glanced at Lu Mingtang but did not refute her words. He stood up and began walking back.
He couldn't wait to see what tricks this little white rabbit had up her sleeve. He hoped it wouldn't be too dull. After all, a little rabbit that could make him like her and indulge her boldness in front of him was a rare find.
At the palace gate, Jiang Chaosheng helped Chancellor Wei into a luxurious carriage.
"Godfather, the Empress Dowager summoning her own niece into the palace at this time is clearly aiming for the position of Empress. If the Zhang family produces a second Empress, it could be detrimental to you."
Chancellor Wei closed his eyes to rest but chuckled upon hearing this. "She certainly has a clever plan. However, her precious niece probably won't last even a day in the Young Emperor's hands. We don't need to intervene. Once she's toyed to death and the Empress Dowager is severely weakened, who will decide the Empress's position if not me?"
Clever people are best at reaping the benefits without lifting a finger. Empress Dowager Zhang still doesn't understand the Young Emperor's cruel nature. Sending a woman to him at this time is no different from throwing a lamb to the wolves.
"Godfather is truly far-sighted."
Chancellor Wei suddenly opened his eyes and stared at Jiang Chaosheng. "Was today's assassination attempt orchestrated by Prince Yong? Have you been in contact with him privately?"
Lu Yan's birth mother was merely a lowly palace maid who had long since died. With no maternal family support and no allies, since ascending the throne, he had shown interest only in tormenting others, completely neglecting state affairs. He was even more incompetent than his father, who died in a concubine's bed.
Chancellor Wei was quite satisfied with this young, foolish Emperor who had nothing but his looks. The Young Emperor cared only for amusement and ignored governance. Aside from the Empress Dowager's faction, which often caused trouble for him, Chancellor Wei already held sway over half the court.
If Lu Yan were to die, the Empress Dowager's faction would surely seize the opportunity to install their own candidate, leading to inevitable strife and covert struggles.
It was still safest to control the foolish Young Emperor. Chancellor Wei did not want any mishaps from Lu Yan's side.
"How would I dare? Following Father's orders, I have just discovered that today's assassins were remnants of the Second Prince's faction, seeking to kill the Young Emperor to avenge the Second Prince. Prince Yong is broad-minded and corpulent, mediocre and incompetent. If he had such ambition, he would have acted during the struggle for succession. How could he still be alive today?"
Chancellor Wei only harbored some suspicion, but what Jiang Chaosheng said made sense. With Prince Yong's pig-like brain, how could he possibly summon assassins? It seemed he had overthought it.
"Tell Lin Zhao to keep a close watch. The little emperor's life is still quite valuable."
Jiang Chaosheng concealed the sharpness in his eyes, presenting the freshly brewed tea with apparent respect. "Yes, Father."
Qin Zheng Dian was kept warm day and night by the underfloor heating system, with the lingering scent of woody incense enveloping the cozy space. A small red-clay stove brewed the precious Dragon-Phoenix Orb Tea, worth a thousand taels per ounce.
Zhang Ke'er knelt on a cushion, having just arranged wintersweet branches in a crescent-moon vase adorned with lotus patterns. Lu Mingtang handed her the freshly brewed tea.
"Lady Zhang's hands are truly skillful. This floral arrangement outshines all the vases in the hall."
Zhang Ke'er took the teacup and sipped a few times, constantly glancing toward the inner chamber. "Is my flower arrangement not beautiful enough? His Majesty hasn't even come to take a look."
"His Majesty still has memorials to review. Lady Zhang is the only young lady His Majesty has brought to Qin Zheng Dian. There will be plenty of time in the future to accompany and attend to His Majesty."
Zhang Ke'er shyly covered her lips with a handkerchief. "You palace maid, your words are quite sweet. I will put in a good word for you before Empress Dowager and seek a reward on your behalf."
Lu Mingtang's smile faded, her phoenix eyes sharpening with a hint of edge. "I am not a palace maid. I am His Majesty's elder sister, the Seventh Princess, Lu Mingtang."
What? This disheveled, plainly dressed young lady before her was actually a princess?
Zhang Ke'er looked Lu Mingtang up and down, her eyes filled with undisguised disdain. What Seventh Princess Lu Mingtang? She had never even heard of her.
When Emperor Chengde was alive, he sowed his seed everywhere. In the harem, the least valuable things were princes and princesses.
Clearly, this Lu Mingtang must have been born to some lowly consort, without even an official title.
The only princess recognized by Da Wei could only be the legitimate Princess Changle, born to her aunt, Empress Dowager Zhang.
"So it's the Seventh Princess. It seems my eyes were dull. Please forgive me, Princess."
Though Zhang Ke'er spoke of forgiveness, her attitude remained haughty. In the court today, apart from Chancellor Wei's faction, Empress Dowager Zhang held the greatest power.
As Empress Dowager Zhang's own niece, she considered herself far nobler than Lu Mingtang, a princess born to some unknown lowly consort.
"Lady Zhang rarely enters the palace, so it's normal not to recognize people."
Lu Mingtang showed neither anger nor irritation. Instead, she refilled Zhang Ke'er's teacup. Zhang Ke'er was quite satisfied with her humble attitude and drank the tea without any suspicion.
Before long, the effects of the sedative took hold. Zhang Ke'er yawned and slumped over the table, fast asleep.
Lu Mingtang withdrew her smile. "Lady Zhang?"
There was no response from the person on the table. Lu Mingtang picked up the steaming purple clay jade pot and, expressionlessly, poured it over the unconscious Zhang Ke'er.
The scalding tea instantly reddened Zhang Ke'er's delicate hand, raising dense blisters. Yet Zhang Ke'er remained deeply asleep, showing no reaction.
Just a noblewoman, yet she dares to strut like a phoenix adorned with chicken feathers before her—utterly laughable.
Lu Mingtang strolled leisurely into the inner chamber, where Lu Yan had indulged her every action from start to finish.
The young emperor reclined against a cushion, his robes loosely draped, exuding an aura of decadent luxury tinged with a dangerous allure, watching her with keen interest.
"I thought you would have cut out her tongue first. The little rabbit still isn't fierce enough."
Lu Mingtang suddenly leaned in, closing the distance between them. Her scorching breath enveloped him, carrying the oppressive weight of authority.
Her delicate fingers boldly lifted Lu Yan's chin. "Your Majesty should not call me a little rabbit. Rabbits do not kill or spill blood. I am a venomous scorpion—the kind that can take your life if you disobey."