Everyone in the palace knew that the faction of the second prince from the previous dynasty had been imprisoned for fratricide and died in prison, leaving only a lone girl, Yun Jingshan. The late emperor, out of sentiment, raised Yun Jingshan in the palace.
The current emperor, benevolent and virtuous, continued to raise Yun Jingshan in the palace after ascending the throne and even granted her the title of a princess. However, the title was somewhat casually bestowed, lacking an official designation.
Although the Imperial Household Department never shorted her allocated provisions, and her seasonal clothing and jewelry were never withheld, Yun Jingshan always appeared in a simple and unadorned manner in public, even more low-key than princesses outside the palace.
Imperial Consort Li took the tea and calmed down a bit: “Shan’er, you are still the sensible one. It was worth doting on you all this time.”
Yun Jingshan shyly lowered her head: “It is all thanks to Your Highness’s daily teachings.”
Imperial Consort Li glanced at the poor-quality jade hairpin on Yun Jingshan’s head and suddenly said: “You should also add a set of headwear.”
“Liu Ye, go pack that lotus vine headwear set and give it to the princess.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” Liu Ye hurried with small, quick steps to the bedchamber.
“This headwear is too precious. Shan’er dare not accept it,” Yun Jingshan quickly said.
Imperial Consort Li took the young girl’s hand: “What is there to fear? This style is just right for young girls like you.”
This headwear set was something she had obtained from Yun Chaorong.
Today, she was angered and, seeing Yun Jingshan’s plain appearance, casually gave it away.
After all, there were too many good things she could take from Yun Chaorong—effortlessly and without caring about one or two pieces.
Liu Ye quickly brought the headwear set, placed in a brocade box, with small, delicate golden lotuses shining brightly.
Just as Imperial Consort Li and Yun Jingshan were pushing the brocade box back and forth, the announcement “Her Highness the Princess has arrived!” echoed through the hall.
“She still has the face to come?” Imperial Consort Li clenched her handkerchief tightly.
Yun Jingshan said softly: “Perhaps Sister knows she went too far and has come to apologize.”
Imperial Consort Li snorted lightly and said nothing more.
A series of footsteps sounded as Yun Chaorong strode in with high-profile flamboyance.
“Ah, Imperial Consort Li, though it has only been two or three days, you seem to have aged several years.”
“Is this the legendary ‘a day apart feels like three autumns’?”
Xiao Fengzi, who had walked ahead to clear the way for the princess, immediately lowered his head, shoulders trembling, afraid he might burst out laughing.
The other palace servants also wore expressions of suppressed laughter.
Imperial Consort Li could not laugh: “Your Highness, please watch your words.”
Women in the palace feared aging and losing their beauty the most.
“Shan’er pays respects to Sister.”
Yun Jingshan stepped forward, bowing respectfully, her voice sounding obedient and gentle.
Yun Chaorong turned to look and was astonished! She felt a surge of excitement!
Wasn’t this Yun Jingshan, the number one malicious female antagonist? Her original transmigration target.
In the original book, she created numerous misunderstandings between the male and female leads, even married the male lead at one point, becoming the empress and enjoying a time of glory.
Although her ending was unfortunate, without Yun Jingshan, the book would fall apart!
Yun Chaorong had always loved playing the role of an arrogant and evil female antagonist. Now, seeing a fellow practitioner, she felt a passionate desire to exchange insights and spar.
Bullying innocent, delicate flowers was boring; playing with a malicious female antagonist was far more thrilling!
Yun Chaorong’s eyes gleamed with excitement, as if staring at a plump sheep ready for slaughter.
“Why is Sister looking at Shan’er like this?” Yun Jingshan took a step back, feeling a chill run down her spine.
The aura of Yun Chaorong before her seemed somewhat different from before.
Could it be that Yun Chaorong knew she had incited Imperial Consort Li to persuade her about the marriage alliance?
No, impossible. She had acted discreetly and subtly, so much so that even Imperial Consort Li might not have realized she was being used.
Imperial Consort Li asked irritably, “Princess, what brings you to my Linhua Palace today?”
“Sister Shan, I have important matters to attend to today and cannot play with you. I’ll find you another time. Please return for now.”
Yun Chaorong regretfully sent Yun Jingshan away first, as her target this time was Imperial Consort Li.
Yun Jingshan was even more bewildered. When had Yun Chaorong ever been so affectionate toward her?
Nevertheless, she obediently withdrew, leaving the lotus hair ornaments on the table untouched.
“Shan takes her leave.”
As she walked out with her maid Bi He, she faintly overheard half of Yun Chaorong’s sentence.
“How did my lotus vine hair ornaments end up here…”
Yun Jingshan did not pause her steps, continuing outward until she had left Linhua Palace, only then slowing her pace.
Bi He whispered softly beside her:
“Princess Rongyang seemed so close to you today, and she has so many possessions. Why couldn’t she spare even one set of hair ornaments?”
Yun Jingshan chided softly, “Bi He! Do not speak recklessly. If others overhear, it could cost you your head.”
Bi He pouted, not daring to say more.
Yun Jingshan crumpled the handkerchief in her hand forcefully, suppressing the jealousy in her heart.
Yun Chaorong’s, always Yun Chaorong’s!
It was only because that incompetent dog emperor had the luck to ascend the throne that Yun Chaorong gained such wealth and glory.
If her own father had become emperor back then…
Yun Jingshan’s gaze grew distant.
What right did Yun Chaorong have?
Why did all the good things belong to her!
…………
“Of course all these fine things belong to this princess!”
Yun Chaorong declared righteously inside Linhua Palace, facing Imperial Consort Li’s nearly contorted expression.
“His Majesty is the chosen son of heaven, and I am his treasured pearl, which is why I received these precious items. How dare you covet what belongs to me?”
After Yun Chaorong’s outburst, Imperial Consort Li understood—this girl had not come to apologize but to cause trouble.
“Princess, do not slander me. When have I ever coveted your things?”
“Then return everything you took.”
“You—”
The items she had taken from Yun Chaorong were all of the highest quality. Having held onto them for so long, how could she bear to part with them? Moreover, some pieces had already been gifted to her family. Even if she wanted to return them now, she could not produce them.
Imperial Consort Li adopted a tender expression:
“Rong’er, I know you’ve been troubled lately. But you cannot act so recklessly. All these years, I have treated you as my own daughter, cherishing you dearly. Must you truly break my heart like this?”
Imperial Consort Li covered her heart with one hand and dabbed the corner of her eye with a handkerchief in the other, her face filled with sorrow and disappointment.
The original host had always fallen for this act. Perhaps because she had grown up without a mother, Imperial Consort Li’s usual attentiveness had moved the original host deeply, making her believe this was what having a mother felt like.
After finishing her tearful plea, Imperial Consort Li glanced sideways to gauge Yun Chaorong’s reaction.
Even Michun and Yingxia watched nervously for any change in her expression.
Then they heard Yun Chaorong’s cold reply: “Who gave you the right to call me ‘Rong’er’?”
“I am the princess born of the late empress, the legitimate daughter of the imperial family, noble by birth. You, a mere consort who relies on beauty to serve others, dare speak to me of being a ‘mother’? Let me ask you: Are you worthy of such a fate?”