Chapter 105: Long-Premeditated

Shen Ruolan closed her fan, sat back down next to Yu Yuanchao, a smile playing on her lips, and occasionally fanned him with the fan handle.

As Yu Yuanchao smelled the fragrance emanating from her, he inexplicably felt thirsty. He kept sipping cup after cup of Tusu wine, but it did not relieve his thirst.

The Empress glanced at Shen Ruolan, seemingly unintentionally. Shen Ruolan nodded slightly to her, and then the Empress leaned in and whispered something to the Emperor. Afterward, Yu Yuanchao also got up and left.

The banquet lasted a long time, and there were many palace staff and relatives coming and going. If it weren't for his status as the crown prince, probably no one would have noticed.

Just as Si Fangming sensed something was wrong, he saw a grape roll to his feet.

Yu Shiyan was twirling a grape between his fingers. When he saw Yu Shiyan turn around, he put the grape back into the fruit plate.

"You stay."

"You stay."

The two spoke in unison.

In the end, Si Fangming gave in because someone came over to toast him, but no one paid any attention to Yu Shiyan.

——

Yuan Siyin was so dizzy that she bumped into a palace maid who had her head down as soon as she went out.

Ordinary palace maids would have been terrified long ago. Although the palace servant in front of them was somewhat nervous, he was clearly prepared. He grabbed Yuan Siyin and dragged her away.

Yuan Siyin remained silent, her fingers twitching slightly. After much deliberation, she still decided not to knock her unconscious.

She wanted to see what Shen Ruolan was still scheming about now that she had already gotten the man she wanted most.

The young palace maid led her, stumbling and shuffling, into some unknown room, locked the door from the outside, and then ran away.

Yuan Siyin took a breath, took two steps while supporting herself against the wall, and looked around the room with her back against a pillar.

It was indeed just an ordinary side hall. The only unusual thing was that there was incense burning in the incense burner, and the scent was exactly the same as the scent on Chen Ruolan's body.

She held her breath, went to the table, poured herself a cup of tea, lifted the carved lid of the stove and poured it out, then tried to push open the window to let in some fresh air, but she couldn't budge it at all; it was clear that the stove wasn't going to give her a chance to struggle.

It seems this was premeditated.

"Is Yuan Siyin inside?"

"Yes, this is the key. Your Highness will know whether what I said is true or false once you go in and take a look."

That voice... is it Yu Yuanchao, and also that little palace maid from before?

Yuan Siyin shook her head, trying to clear her mind.

It seems that Shen Ruolan has learned of Yu Yuanchao's true nature and intends to drag her down with her.

A muffled groan came from outside, and she quickly pressed herself back against the pillar, peering through the beaded curtain to watch for any movement at the doorway.

The budding medicinal effects were aroused by the faint fragrance, and Yuan Siyin's legs went weak. She almost couldn't stand up if she hadn't been holding onto the pillar.

With a determined look, she bit her upper and lower lips until a metallic taste filled her mouth, which brought her back to her senses.

It's impossible for Shen Ruolan to have accomplished this alone, which means she colluded with others. If she is forced to marry the Crown Prince, the only ones who will benefit in the end are the Crown Prince and those who support him.

Empress.

Within moments, Yuan Siyin had figured out the whole story.

That's a clever tactic, but they actually dared to scheme against her.

Yuan Siyin closed her eyes and laughed in anger.

Get her.

Once she's dealt with Yu Yuanchao, she'll see how she handles her!

The door creaked open, and the person who entered walked very lightly, as if afraid of disturbing her.

Yuan Siyin snorted coldly, drew her golden whip from her waist, and lashed it out at the figure.

"I didn't expect you to actually dare to come here looking for death. You're unlucky to have fallen into my hands today, Yu Yuanchao..."