Chapter 124 The Show Begins
Wanqing stared wide-eyed in astonishment, almost thinking she had misheard: "Aphrodisiac...aphrodisiac? Miss, what do you need that for?"
Isn't that... the kind of filthy stuff you only find in brothels and brothels?
Looking at her own eyes in the bronze mirror, which appeared even more unfathomable due to the steam rising from them, Shen Qingci curled her lips into a cold and resolute smile: "Wanqing, remember this: there are no filthy things in this world, only filthy hearts."
She slowly turned around, her voice calm and even, yet carrying a chilling undertone: "That tyrant Emperor Yongming, and that beast Huo Yunzhan, they always try to use matters between men and women to scheme against me, control me, and destroy me."
"Since they enjoy using such underhanded tactics so much, wouldn't it be disrespectful of them if I didn't play along to the end?"
A crazed and dangerous glint flashed in Shen Qingci's eyes: "They want to sabotage me in the shadows, to make me lose my innocence without my knowledge, to ruin my reputation, and to leave me at their mercy. Well then, I'll defy their wishes!"
"I will thoroughly muddy this cesspool! I will expose all their dirty schemes and let the entire court and the whole world see just how foolish and absurd their high and mighty monarch truly is!"
"I want this fire to burn not only on myself, but I want this calamity to flow... to everyone!"
Wanqing was terrified. Although she didn't quite understand what her mistress meant, she could clearly feel the ruthless determination in her words.
She asked no more questions, only nodded heavily, her eyes filled with determination: "Yes! This servant understands! This servant will go and do it right away!"
...
The next morning, just after Shen Qingci had finished breakfast, the steward led several of the best embroiderers in the mansion into the courtyard, followed by maids carrying various silks and satins.
“Your Highness,” the steward bowed and said with a smile, “a banquet will be held in the palace in a couple of days. His Highness has specially asked me to invite an embroiderer to take your measurements and make you a few new clothes.”
"I heard that this palace banquet was held by Consort Shu to celebrate her birthday. Consort Shu specially sent down a message saying that in order to make it lively, on the day of the banquet, the ladies do not need to be bound by the court dress etiquette and can wear whatever they think is the most beautiful casual clothes to the banquet."
Shen Qingci frowned slightly, a cold smile playing on her lips.
This request is really strange.
How can a palace banquet disregard rules and instead encourage vying for attention and showing off?
This doesn't look like a birthday celebration at all.
This is clearly a disguised beauty pageant for that incompetent Emperor Yongming!
She remembered that Chu Jichen had ordered so many clothes for her at the Ni Chang Pavilion just the other day, and couldn't help but ask, "Have those clothes that Your Highness ordered at the Ni Chang Pavilion the other day been delivered yet?"
The steward hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, the clothes were delivered to the manor yesterday. However... His Highness did not allow you to see them."
Seeing the doubt on Shen Qingci's face, the steward lowered his voice and explained, "His Highness said that we had given prior notice when we went to the Ni Chang Pavilion that day. Huo Yunzhan and His Majesty's men must have known about it beforehand. Every piece of clothing that came out of the Ni Chang Pavilion was now at risk."
"Just in case, His Highness has ordered all the clothes to be sent to Physician Li for examination, and at the same time, he has instructed the embroiderers to make new ones for you using the exact same pattern and color, and the new fabric we have found."
"The prince also instructed that once the new clothes are finished, the princess must wear them to the palace banquet, so that some people will think... their conspiracy has succeeded."
Shen Qingci felt a warmth in her heart. She hadn't expected that Chu Jichen's thoughts were so meticulous.
She nodded: "Okay, I understand. Thank you for your help, housekeeper."
As evening fell, Chu Jichen returned to his bedroom after finishing his official duties, his expression even more solemn than during the day.
"Imperial Physician Li has examined them," he said in a low voice. "The lining of every garment sent from the Ni Chang Pavilion has been scented with a very unique and wonderful fragrance. This fragrance is colorless and odorless, and when smelled alone, it even has a calming effect."
“But,” he changed the subject, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes, “if it encounters a specific trigger, such as the Drunken Immortal Inducing in wine, or the Albizia in incense, it will quickly activate its medicinal properties, causing people to become confused and unable to control their emotions, resulting in hallucinations in a short period of time.”
Shen Qingci felt a wave of fear. If Chu Jichen hadn't been so meticulous, the consequences would have been unimaginable if she had actually entered the palace wearing these clothes!
"Don't worry," Chu Jichen said, holding her cold hand. "Imperial Physician Li has already mixed a similar but non-toxic fragrance. The embroiderers are also working hard to make identical garments. Then, we can... turn the tables on them."
He paused, then said, "Just in case, I can't let you be accompanied by only ordinary maids on the day of the palace banquet."
"Huo Yunzhan knows a lot about the maids around you. He must know that besides Wanqing, Qinyun and Yunlan were both assigned by me. They will definitely suspect Qinyun and Yunlan."
"Therefore, I will have Yunlan disguise herself as Wanqing and switch identities with her to stay by your side in order to deal with any traps they might set."
Shen Qingci nodded; this was indeed the safest arrangement at the moment.
"Alright, Your Highness, I will do as you say."
She agreed, and unconsciously touched the small porcelain bottle hidden deep in her sleeve pocket.
There, in the container, was the finest aphrodisiac that Wanqing had just retrieved from Zhuque that very day.
Since the enemy has meticulously arranged everything for her, wouldn't it be a waste of their good intentions if she didn't put on a good show?
A bloodthirsty and excited smile slowly curved Shen Qingci's lips.
She was actually... kind of looking forward to the palace banquet the day after tomorrow.
On the day of the palace banquet, dusk fell and the lanterns were lit.
The Vermilion Bird Avenue leading to the palace was already under martial law. The Regent's carriage, escorted by the Imperial Guards, traveled smoothly all the way and slowly entered the palace gate.
Shen Qingci wore the new dress that the embroiderers of the Prince's Mansion had carefully made. The light purple gauze made her skin look as white as snow, and the phoenix pattern on her waist was lifelike. As she walked, she was radiant and elegant.
As she pushed Chu Jichen's wheelchair to the fork in the road leading from the Imperial Garden to the Golden Hall, she happened to run into Emperor Yongming.
"Oh, Imperial Uncle and Imperial Aunt have arrived." Emperor Yongming wore a warm smile, but his narrow eyes, like those of a venomous snake, subtly scanned Shen Qingci, his eyes flashing with undisguised greed and scheming.
Chu Jichen maneuvered the wheelchair, subtly shielding Shen Qingci behind him, his expression indifferent: "Your Majesty is in high spirits today."
"That's natural." Emperor Yongming laughed heartily, his gaze passing over Chu Jichen and landing on Shen Qingci again. "Today is Consort Shu's birthday, so I will naturally give her some face."
He changed the subject abruptly, feigning intimacy as he said to Chu Jichen, "Speaking of which, I happen to have some important matters concerning border defense that I'd like to discuss with you, my uncle. How about... Uncle, come with me to the Imperial Study first, and we, uncle and nephew, have a good chat?"
"As for my imperial aunt," he smiled more meaningfully, "it's still early. I'll have the palace servants take her to Consort Shu's Jingren Palace for a while. When it's almost time, Consort Shu will lead her to the Golden Hall for the banquet."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingci's heart sank!
A diversionary tactic!
The contents of Huo Yunzhan's secret letter flashed through her mind instantly—"A banquet will be held in the palace in three days. You should take the opportunity to visit Consort Shu's Jingren Palace then..."
It seems she didn't need to find an opportunity herself; they had already arranged everything.
Emperor Yongming sent Chu Jichen away, and then, under a legitimate pretext, sent her alone to Consort Shu's palace...
Shen Qingci sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm, quietly lowering her eyes as if she were completely unaware of the danger lurking within.
She and Chu Jichen exchanged a silent glance.
Chu Jichen slowly withdrew his gaze, a perfectly measured hint of helplessness on his face, and said to Emperor Yongming, "Since Your Majesty has important matters to discuss, then I... will naturally accompany you."
He turned to look at Shen Qingci, his voice so gentle it was almost dripping with tenderness, yet his eyes held a barely perceptible hint of reassurance: "Qingqing, then you should go to Jingren Palace first. Don't wait for me; I'll come to the Golden Hall to find you after I've finished dealing with official business."
Shen Qingci curtsied and said in a gentle and melodious voice, "Yes, Your Highness."
She nodded slightly, and led by the palace servants, she turned and walked towards Jingren Palace with Yunlan and Wanqing, whose identities had been switched.
Emperor Yongming gazed at her swaying figure, his eyes practically overflowing with smugness.
"The show... is about to begin."
This was almost the shared thought of Emperor Yongming, Shen Qingci, and Chu Jichen at that moment.
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