Chapter Forty-Eight: So What If That’s the Case?

Yan Ziyu laughed!

Unlike her usual feigned smile, nor a cold sneer, and certainly not an exaggerated laugh…

She suddenly smiled, the corners of her lips lifting with a trace of light mockery and scorn, radiating confidence and pride. It was as if she had been reborn; her entire aura transformed completely!

“So what if that’s the case?” she said lightly… so lightly, yet unexpectedly, Yan Ziyu smiled as she spoke.

Long Xiaoyan narrowed his cold eyes, his aura instantly turning sharp and chilling. With an icy tone he said, “Do not test my patience. The price you would pay is beyond your means.” Not being able to kill her didn’t mean he could tolerate her provocations. He had countless ways to torment her.

“The illustrious Prince Xiao, renowned across the three kingdoms, is it true that his only skill is threatening women and children? Such bravery indeed commands a new level of respect,” Yan Ziyu declared, determined today to probe Long Xiaoyan’s limits, win or lose.

Long Xiaoyan had never been challenged like this before. His fury surged, and a murderous intent arose in his heart toward Yan Ziyu.

“You’re digging your own grave!” he sneered coldly.

“With Your Highness to collect my remains, and countless others to accompany me, I shall die without regret!” Yan Ziyu pressed her lips into a faint smile, but her eyes were ice-cold, piercing as winter’s chill.

They both knew well that Long Xiaoyan would not kill her, nor dared to.

Her fate was no longer in the hands of Long Xiaoyan. Even if he wished to control it, he could not. This was a truth they all understood, though none dared to speak it openly.

“Your Highness, please calm your anger! Today’s matter is entirely my fault. I apologize to Sister and Rui’er on behalf of myself. Please, Sister and Rui’er, be magnanimous and do not lower yourselves to my level,” Su Qing, worried as the situation spiraled out of control, quickly stepped forward to smooth things over, attempting to defuse the tension.

Su Qing’s conciliatory words eased the atmosphere somewhat. Long Xiaoyan’s murderous intent waned instantly upon seeing her face clearly.

Hiss—

Long Xiaoyan inhaled sharply, a chill creeping through him.

He thought to himself, thank heavens Su Qing spoke up in time. Had he truly lost control and done something to Yan Ziyu in anger, all his long-laid plans would have been utterly ruined, and his future with Qingya would have been shattered by his own hand. The thought sent a shiver of dread through his heart.

“Hmph, Su Qing is sensible after all. Go to your room and play a piece for me to listen to. As for apologies, they are unnecessary,” Long Xiaoyan said coldly, shooting Yan Ziyu a sharp glance before turning away with Su Qing.

---

Watching Long Xiaoyan’s angry retreat, Yan Ziyu pressed her lips into a cold smile.

Long Xiaoyan, this is just the beginning. Our game is far from over!

“Your Highness, the Prince just…” Lǜliǔ approached with a worried expression, hesitating to speak.

Yan Ziyu understood what she meant and raised a hand to stop her. “It doesn’t matter. Rui’er, Ali, let’s go back.”

She no longer cared about Long Xiaoyan’s attitude toward her. She was no longer the same Yan Ziyu; all she felt for Long Xiaoyan now was nothing but disgust.

Meanwhile, servants had reported the events of the kitchen to Consort Yu.

“So, despite her provocation, the Prince didn’t lose his temper but endured it all. In the end, it was Seventh Consort who softened and apologized, thus resolving today’s incident?” Consort Yu repeated the servants’ words in disbelief.

“That’s what the messenger said, Miss. I must say, the Princess consort’s tactics are truly formidable. Even the Prince was intimidated by her. If things continue like this, it will be very disadvantageous for you, Miss!” Cui’er said anxiously.

A cold glint flashed in Consort Yu’s eyes. If even Cui’er understood, how could she not? Yan Ziyu’s methods were indeed impressive. She had no power to stop the taking of concubines this time, so she intended to leverage the newcomer Seventh Consort to curb the rising influence of Consort Qian, and also to use her against Yan Ziyu. But she never expected Yan Ziyu’s tactics to be so strong that even the Prince was at a loss.

“I won’t let her succeed!” Consort Yu narrowed her eyes, her face dark with cold malice. She immediately began writing a letter. Gritting her teeth, she pricked her finger with a hairpin, letting the blood drip onto the black paper, making the white characters stand out even more vividly.

“Cui’er, take this letter immediately to the palace and give it to Consort Rou. She’s clever and resourceful; she’ll know what to do.” At critical moments, Consort Yu still relied on her cunning elder sister — Consort Rou.

She recalled Consort Rou saying she understood why Yan Ziyu had become the Princess consort of Prince Xiao. She had urged patience, promising that one day she would ascend to the highest rank as Princess consort. For five years, she had endured, secretly suppressing and monitoring Yan Ziyu. This sudden change unsettled her deeply, a bad omen lingering in her heart.

“Yes, mistress. I will deliver your words and the letter to Consort Rou without fail,” Cui’er said, understanding immediately.

Consort Yu nodded. “Good, go now.”

After Cui’er left, Consort Yu pondered deeper, feeling the matter suspicious. Since Yan Ziyu had returned safely from the palace banquet, she grew wary of Consort Rou and no longer followed her instructions blindly.

After hesitating, she pushed open the door and went alone to Seventh Consort Su Qing’s courtyard…

---

The next morning, not long after breakfast, Yan Ziyu sat by the window lost in thought.

After a long while with no new insights, she shook her head and told herself — perhaps she was overthinking it.

“Knock, knock…”

The sound of knocking interrupted her. Yan Ziyu turned and gestured for Ziyi to open the door.

“Your Highness, Consort Rou has arrived. The Prince sent someone to invite you to receive Consort Rou,” Qiu He said with a slightly flustered expression.

Consort Rou’s arrival—

Yan Ziyu frowned. Why come now?

Though she wondered, she kept her doubts to herself and nodded, saying to Qiu He, “I understand. Tell the Prince I will change clothes and come at once.”

“Yes, mistress,” Qiu He replied, turning to leave, but Yan Ziyu called her back.

“Qiu He, inform the other consorts and concubines individually. Consort Rou’s visit is rare, and all the ladies of the residence should come out to greet her. We must not let Consort Rou think we lack manners. If she were angered over this, it would be most unpleasant. Do you understand?”

“I will convey every word exactly as you say to the ladies, mistress,” Qiu He said, perceptive as ever.

Yan Ziyu nodded. “Good, go now.”

After Qiu He left, Yan Ziyu rubbed her forehead, feeling quite troubled.

As the saying goes, no one visits the imperial palace without reason. Consort Rou’s arrival surely heralded ill tidings. She recalled that night in the palace when Consort Rou spoke to her. Yan Ziyu despised being threatened above all else, yet now she was forced to accept the so-called deal Consort Rou proposed. Only days had passed since then, and now Consort Rou appeared again. Could there be another unexpected development?