Chapter 27 Conspiracy: I'll Make You Die a Wretched Death
Since Cuizhu entered the Eastern Palace with Bailian, she has been in charge of supervising and managing all the big and small matters, including the three meals a day. Having the imperial chef was not enough; she was even very picky about the selection and placement of the bowls and chopsticks.
A few days ago, a cook accidentally broke the lotus bowl that the Crown Princess always used.
Cuizhu knew these were a gift from the Empress. Although she always felt a sense of loss and wished for them to break as soon as possible, the exquisite nature of the tableware still made her feel a pang of regret.
After dismissing the cook, Cuizhu went to great lengths to find tableware with lotus patterns, and she actually found some that were roughly the same. Although Bailian noticed it afterward, she didn't care and even praised Cuizhu for her thoughtfulness.
Actually, only one bowl was broken, and there were still cups, chopsticks, and plates that could be used. However, Cuizhu's perfectionism made her insist on a complete set of tableware. Bailian was used to indulging her in this regard, so she let her have her way.
During dinner, Shuli noticed the lotus-shaped tableware that Bailian was using alone. She was clearly very interested and praised Cuizhu for her discerning eye.
Cuizhu, who was serving nearby, was completely pleased with herself, but she heard a little palace maid beside her unconsciously mutter, "Nothing is as good as what Her Majesty the Empress sent."
Cuizhu found it jarring. Although she was young, she had gained a lot of experience from what she had seen and heard. She took the palace maid's unintentional words to heart and decided to investigate them afterward.
After dinner was cleared away, Cuizhu took a break and leaned against the door frame, pondering whether to tell her mistress about it. Although it was just a single sentence, it made her sense something different, no, she sensed a conspiracy.
Hmm, Cuizhu noticed her improvement in word choice and was clearly quite pleased with herself.
Not far away, the green willows, also taking in the scenery during their leisure time, happened to observe the series of expressions on the bamboo's face—from furrowed brows to beaming smiles to grinning smugly—and couldn't help but sigh with surprise.
Women are indeed fickle creatures...
-
Inside Wangyun Palace, the place was in complete disarray. News sent back by Shangguan Yun's spies planted in the East Palace infuriated her.
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. She hasn't been using it for very long, and it has already had some effect. It also shows that she has no suspicion of you. She will definitely succeed next time!"
The plan failed, and Shangguan Yaohua was also affected by Shangguan Yun's anger, so she was extra careful in her speech.
"Heh, you really think she's completely unguarded? Let me tell you, since I sent such tableware, I naturally went to great lengths to reinforce it to prevent damage. How could it be so easily broken by a mere cook's carelessness?! It would be impossible for this to happen unless someone had deliberately done it!"
"Your Majesty, do you mean she has a powerful patron?"
"That's not necessarily true. It just means that she doesn't seem as simple as we thought."
"Your Majesty, that..."
"She doesn't want to die peacefully, so we'll have to hurry and send her on her way. Go and make preparations, and when the time is right, act according to what we agreed on!"
Shangguan Yun casually uttered this order as if it were nothing serious.
But for Shangguan Yaohua, it was like a bolt from the blue, leaving her numb all over.
The once high-ranking noblewoman has now been reduced to a existence that cannot be seen in the light of day.
Shangguan Yaohua had no choice but to bite the bullet and accept the order.
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
The path you choose, you have to walk it yourself, no matter how utterly wicked you are.
Shangguan Yaohua left Wangyun Palace and returned to a side hall, where she usually lived in a separate room.
Firstly, it would make it easier to contact Shangguan Yun, and secondly, it would prevent others from discovering her existence and thus arousing suspicion.
Such a former crown princess, in the eyes of others, her intimate behavior with the former crown prince was no different from that of a real crown princess, and in retrospect, people always felt that this woman was too frivolous.
So when the crown prince died, she became like a widow, and coupled with her previous bad reputation, few powerful families were willing to come and propose marriage to her.
In this way, she lost all value to her clan, and her family no longer cared whether she existed or not.
This time, she went into hiding and disappeared without a trace, and people just thought she was ashamed to face others and didn't care much.
Shangguan Yaohua smiled bitterly as she removed her mask in front of the bronze mirror. It was early spring outside the window, and her face in the mirror was about to bloom. But how long had it been since she had properly applied makeup in front of the mirror?
Shangguan Yaohua became increasingly annoyed. Why was that woman allowed to become the Crown Princess so glamorously?!
If her aunt hadn't forbade her to reveal this secret, she would have told everyone long ago! This is a fake prime minister's daughter!
"You wait! I'll make sure you suffer a terrible death!"
The wooden hairpin in her hand snapped with a crack. Her face in the bronze mirror, filled with hysterical rage, was twisted beyond recognition, no longer resembling the radiant young woman of sixteen.
-
Han Mansion in Luoyang
"Minister Han, I'm counting on you for this matter."
"Your Highness, there is no need for such formalities. It is a blessing that our Han family has accumulated over many lifetimes to be able to assist you. It is my son who is unworthy, and I hope Your Highness can forgive him."
"Not at all, Green Willow has always performed very well." Galo Lin flicked his sleeve slightly, his demeanor elegant and charming as he spoke.
Han Liuyue, the third young lady of the Han family, who was peeking out from a distance while leaning against the wall, immediately blushed.
"Ru Hua, he's so handsome."
"Miss, let's go back inside, so the master doesn't find out..."
"Let me take a few more looks, or you can go back now!"
"Miss......"
"Yue'er, come out, don't hide anymore." Minister Han had already noticed his daughter's presence, but since the official business had been concluded, there was no need to avoid suspicion.
"Your Highness, this is my youngest daughter, Yue'er. She hasn't yet greeted you!"
"This humble girl, Han Liuyue, greets Your Highness." Liuyue blushed and bowed slightly, too shy to even lift her head in front of the person she admired.
Galo Lin merely glanced up and looked directly at him, only thinking that Minister Han was indeed stubborn when it came to naming his son and daughter, since both names contained homophones. She didn't have many other thoughts.
Minister Han, who was on one side, had long since realized his daughter's feelings and thought that if he could marry his daughter into the palace, even if she was only taken as a concubine, he would accept it.
He had long believed that the crown prince would eventually seize power, and there was no reason for him not to facilitate such a win-win situation.
He then bowed to Galorin and said, "It is getting late, so I have prepared some simple food in my residence. If Your Highness does not mind, would you like to stay for a meal?"
The first image that popped into Galorin's mind was Bai Lian's face. She seemed to have missed having dinner with her yesterday, but Bai Lian didn't seem to care much...
"good."
"Miss, the food is getting cold. The Crown Prince probably won't be coming back. You shouldn't wait any longer."
Cuizhu stood by, offering worried words of comfort, and casually glared at Lvliu as if blaming him for failing to accompany the prince and bring him back on time.
Green Willow shrugged helplessly. He also hoped that the Crown Prince would return soon, but the Crown Prince going to see his father was a top secret.
Bai Lian glanced at the two men across the table and took in their expressions, which only fueled her irritation and anger.
What's wrong with her? She just didn't come back for dinner. When did I become so petty?
After much deliberation, I lost my appetite.
"Alright, alright, pack everything up. I'm tired, Cuizhu."
Cuizhu understood and followed closely behind. Before leaving, she turned back and pretended to be fierce, clenching her fist at Lvliu. Lvliu was stunned at first, then leaned against the wall and laughed uncontrollably, almost choking on her own breath.
That brat...
When Galorin returned, Byakuren was already fast asleep.
Minister Han's unexpected enthusiasm left him somewhat puzzled. Lin was always very sensitive to other people's schemes, but Minister Han didn't seem to have any ill intentions, so he let him toast him a few more times.
But... he sniffed himself and found he still smelled of alcohol, so he started to take off his coat.
The lamp beside the bed was not blown out; it was a symbol of the warmth that home had left for him.
Galo Lin knelt at the head of the bed, gazing at Bai Lian's beautiful face in the dim light, her slightly parted red lips alluring and tempting.
As he looked at it, he suddenly felt an urge and kissed it...
But at the crucial moment, he stopped, simply reaching out to brush away the stray hairs from Bai Lian's face.
If he could have half the love he had for his wife, he would be content.
Galorin tilted her head, taking the rare opportunity to gaze at Byakuren's sleeping face for an extended period under the lamplight.
In the past, he would often wake up in the middle of the night and see her curled up in a ball sleeping beside him, looking insecure. Even with the moonlight shining on her, he still couldn't see her clearly.
When did she become so infatuated with her? It's still puzzling... Galorin always felt that she would never find the answer to this question.
The high-pitched voice of the night watchman in Phoenix Dance City swept past the Eastern Palace.
Galo Lin lay on the bed, looking at Bai Lian beside her. After thinking for a moment, she pulled Bai Lian into her arms.
Although she seems to be inexplicably resisting him lately, well... even if she wakes up and finds out, he'll have already hugged her all night, so it's worth it.
But... with such fragrant, jade-like skin in my arms, it's truly hard to resist.
He sighed helplessly, desperately trying to suppress the turmoil in his heart.
That night, in her half-awake state, Galo Lin felt that Bai Lian would struggle from time to time and utter soft murmurs like "Let me go."
He was probably having another nightmare, but how could he possibly let her go?
Galo Lin was lost in thought when, without realizing it, she moved a little closer to the place that held her heart.
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