Chapter Twenty-Seven: Using Force Against Force

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“Go on.”

Long Xiaoyan spoke coldly, his expressionless face giving no sign that he had noticed the deep affection in Consort Yu’s eyes.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Consort Yu’s gaze as she continued, “The cook’s family name is Fang, and he is a distant cousin of the Princess’s senior maid, Violet. It is said that Cook Fang has long wished to marry Violet, but she has never agreed. Because of this, he has always been melancholy. Last night, Violet suddenly went to see him, and the two of them spoke for quite some time. When Cook Fang returned to his room, his face was radiant with delight. He bought wine and drank heavily. After he became drunk, he kept repeating that Violet should wait for him, because he would surely fulfill whatever the Princess had instructed him to do. The reason I dared not tell Your Highness was that there is no evidence. If the kitchen servant was lying and the Princess were wrongly accused, then…”

She had shifted the blame for everything onto Violet, insinuating that Yan Ziyu had ordered it all. This concerned the Prince’s bloodline—she refused to believe he could remain unmoved.

Since she could not win his heart, she would, as Noble Consort Rou had advised, become his only wife. Consumed by jealousy, she had already forgotten Noble Consort Rou’s warning not to provoke Yan Ziyu.

“Someone, go and summon the Princess.”

Cutting off Consort Yu’s hesitation, Long Xiaoyan issued the order coldly.

As she watched the guard leave, the corners of Consort Yu’s eyes lifted slightly, and a vicious glint flashed through them. When a maid helped her to her feet, she discreetly slipped a small paper packet into the girl’s hand. The maid understood and gave her a slight nod.

Everything happened right under Long Xiaoyan’s nose, yet he noticed nothing. It would be much later that he regretted it bitterly.

“My sister is still weak. Would Your Highness like to go and see her?”

Consort Yu sat down beside the Prince and gracefully poured him a cup of tea, asking in a gentle and composed voice.

“No need. Let her rest.”

Now that he knew the child in her womb was safe, Long Xiaoyan had no desire to enter the room and visit her. His thoughts were occupied instead by that lovely face he yearned for day and night…

…

“Princess, His Highness has sent someone to invite you to Madam Qian’s courtyard. He says he has something important to discuss with you.”

The voice outside interrupted Yan Ziyu’s contemplation. She carefully placed the brocade box in a hidden compartment of the cabinet, then curved her lips in a mocking smile.

“Tell the messenger to inform His Highness that I am unwell and have already gone to sleep. Anything he wishes to discuss can wait until tomorrow.”

“Yes, Your Highness. This servant obeys.”

There was a brief silence outside. Not long afterward, someone knocked again.

Knock, knock—

As the knocking sounded, the person outside began to speak. “Princess, His Highness sent word that if you are feeling unwell, you should lie properly in bed. He says they can carry you over together with the bed. Princess, what do you think…”

Green Willow was deeply uneasy. Could His Highness have discovered that the Princess had sent someone to steal the painting from the study and now intend to summon her for punishment?

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Yan Ziyu stretched lazily, already having a general idea of what was happening. It was surely about the child in Madam Qian’s womb. Someone had tampered with something and was attempting to pin the blame on her. She did not need to think hard to know who that someone was, and she shook her head helplessly.

“Have them wait outside while I change.”

Since someone was so eager to leap into a pit, how could she possibly refuse to grant that person’s wish?

Noble Consort Rou was so calculating and remarkably intelligent. How had she ended up with such a shortsighted and foolish younger sister?

Yan Ziyu was eager to see the furious expression on Noble Consort Rou’s face once she learned what had happened. It would surely be entertaining.

…

“This concubine pays her respects to Your Highness. May Your Highness enjoy boundless health and peace.”

Seeing Long Xiaoyan seated in the chair like a statue, Yan Ziyu gave an inward sneer. She walked over and bowed slightly in greeting, her manner calm and indifferent.

The longer she stayed in this place, the thicker the mask on her face seemed to become. In the past, even when her master had tormented her half to death, she had never learned to conceal her emotions. Yet within a few short days, she had mastered the art to perfection.

Long Xiaoyan slowly opened his eyes and looked at her coldly. Only after a long moment did he speak.

“What punishment is deserved for poisoning a member of the imperial family?”

“Poisoning an imperial heir warrants the death penalty, the extermination of one’s entire household, and the execution of the whole clan.”

Yan Ziyu met his gaze without the slightest fear. Compared with his icy severity, she wore a tranquil and elegant smile. Her red lips parted, releasing words that made the heart tremble.

“Since you know that, do you admit your guilt?”

Long Xiaoyan’s brows drew together. He disliked seeing Yan Ziyu so radiant and self-possessed. She ought to have been as timid and submissive as before, cowering at every word. He disliked this feeling of being unable to control her.

Seeing how impatiently Long Xiaoyan was trying to place the blame on her, Yan Ziyu smiled even more brightly. Yet the smile did not reach her eyes; beneath it lay a chilling menace.

“This concubine is foolish and does not know what crime she has committed. I beg Your Highness to enlighten me.”

Her calm words were laden with biting sarcasm, and she made no attempt to conceal the mockery in her eyes.

For a man as despicable as Long Xiaoyan, Yan Ziyu could find no words harsh enough to describe him. He was ruthless even toward his own wife and child—less than a beast.

“Hmph! You had someone put a large quantity of saffron into Qian’er’s meals in an attempt to harm the child in her womb. I never imagined you could be so vicious, yet even now you still try to argue. Do you truly think I dare not punish you severely?”

Long Xiaoyan let out a cold snort and shouted angrily.

“Your Highness, please calm down. This may truly have nothing to do with Elder Sister. Perhaps it was done by some audacious servant. Elder Sister, please do not quarrel with His Highness. He is merely enraged because he is worried about Younger Sister Qian. You should show some understanding.”

Consort Yu’s words did nothing to ease the tension between Long Xiaoyan and Yan Ziyu. Instead, they pushed the two even further into opposition.

Sensing the anger radiating from Long Xiaoyan growing more intense, Yan Ziyu turned toward Consort Yu, whose face was filled with feigned innocence. She regarded her meaningfully and said, “One truly sees a person’s heart in times of hardship. Until today, this Princess had no idea that Consort Yu and I shared such profound sisterly affection. What does Consort Yu think I should do? What ought I to do? I have long heard that you are clever and wise. Perhaps you would be kind enough to offer me some advice.”

“Elder Sister is being too formal. I have many household matters to attend to and have been unable to pay my respects to you every day. I hope you will forgive me.”

Consort Yu secretly cursed herself for speaking too much and giving Yan Ziyu an opening to retaliate.

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With only a few words, Yan Ziyu had shifted the flames onto Consort Yu. Upon hearing this, Long Xiaoyan seemed to think of something. A sharp light flashed in his eyes as he gave Consort Yu a long, searching look before turning back to Yan Ziyu, who remained perfectly composed.

The two women before him were both from distinguished families and were close in age, yet their personalities were worlds apart.

One was intelligent, graceful, beautiful, and generous, with a gentle and tactful nature—the ideal support for a man.

The other was foolish and ignorant, possessing only beauty without substance, arrogant and spoiled, a useless empty vessel whom everyone found detestable.

Yet today, as he looked at them, Long Xiaoyan felt as though their roles had suddenly been reversed.

“Consort Yu, there is no need to be so polite. We can discuss forgiveness another day.”

Yan Ziyu gave Consort Yu a faint smile. Then she took two graceful steps forward and looked at Long Xiaoyan.

“Have Your Highness ever heard of Soul-Eroding Powder?”

At those words, Long Xiaoyan’s expression changed. Shock flashed through the depths of his eyes.

Soul-Eroding Powder…

How did she know about Soul-Eroding Powder? Could it be that she had already discovered…

Seeing the sudden change in Long Xiaoyan’s expression, Yan Ziyu knew she had guessed correctly. She pressed her advantage and continued, “Last night, I stayed at the palace. Noble Consort Rou came to visit me and said several things I found very difficult to understand. If Your Highness has the time, perhaps you could come to my courtyard another day and explain them to me.”

Yan Ziyu’s confident and composed manner left Long Xiaoyan unable to read her. She always seemed to wear that same serene smile, making it impossible to tell what she was thinking.

“I have no idea what nonsense you are talking about. Whether this matter was caused by an accidental ingestion or by someone manipulating things from behind the scenes, I have decided not to pursue it any further. But I hope this is the last time. If it happens again, do not blame me for showing no mercy.”

When he finished speaking, he cast Yan Ziyu a cold look, as though he had already decided that she was responsible.

“My health is poor. If Your Highness has nothing else to say, this concubine shall take her leave. I await Your Highness’s answer.”

Long Xiaoyan’s reaction told Yan Ziyu that he knew of Soul-Eroding Powder. But how could a prince of his station know about such a harmful poison?

The question flashed through her mind, yet she understood that she absolutely could not voice it. Otherwise, disaster would descend upon her.

The only reason Long Xiaoyan was wary of her now was that he believed she knew something. If he discovered that she actually knew nothing, she would lose the leverage that made him hesitate. When that happened, Rui’er and she would become nothing more than fish on a chopping board, helpless beneath the butcher’s knife.

For Rui’er, and for herself, this desperate gamble with her life as the stake was one she could neither lose nor afford to lose.