Chapter Fifty: The Crime Imposed Without Cause

“Since you’ve come, come inside. If I were to hide and keep secrets outside, people might think I’m terribly strict! I wouldn’t want a single visit to the Prince Xiao’s residence to earn me a reputation for being overbearing and tyrannical,” the Consort Rou said lightly, setting down her teacup and gently wiping the corner of her mouth with an embroidered handkerchief as she glanced toward the gate.

Outside stood Yan Ziyu, dressed in a pure white lotus gown embroidered with budding lotuses along the collar and hem, exquisitely lifelike. A wide belt adorned with intricate patterns accentuated her slender waist as delicate as a handful, while her jet-black hair flowed freely behind her. Her attire was simple compared to the lavish garments of Consort Rou and the others, yet it carried an air of grandeur, matched by her graceful and composed demeanor.

“I pay my respects to Consort Rou. May you enjoy great blessings and peace!” Yan Ziyu entered with poise, her face free of any embarrassment from being overheard, wearing a faint, elegant smile.

“The Princess of Xiao... such an attitude! No one has ever made me wait this long before. It’s a novel feeling, indeed,” Consort Rou sneered coldly at Yan Ziyu’s nonchalant appearance.

Yan Ziyu said nothing and gracefully took the first chair on Consort Rou’s left. Alì followed closely behind, and noticing no seat beside Yan Ziyu, he darted his eyes around shrewdly before beckoning to the wooden concubine seated nearby.

“Me?” The wooden concubine pointed to herself, puzzled.

Alì nodded vigorously, smiling warmly. “Yes, you. Come, I have a secret to tell you!”

A secret? The wooden concubine hesitated, glancing from Consort Rou to Yan Ziyu before slowly standing.

Yan Ziyu shook her head slightly, silently resigned—Alì was up to mischief again!

Alì’s cunning was growing by the day, and even Ruier had become livelier and more mischievous, often causing her to smile wryly at his antics. She knew by the sly look on his face that he was scheming once more.

But she did not intend to stop him; after all, his mischief caused little real trouble, so she let him be.

No one else spoke, all curious about the secret Alì was about to reveal.

“What do you want to tell me?” the wooden concubine asked cautiously, stepping closer to Alì.

“I’m going to tell you...” Alì’s eyes twinkled as he suddenly leapt forward, pushing the wooden concubine aside with a mischievous grin. “I want to sit here, to accompany Little Yu.”

His declaration was as firm as a vow; his stubborn gaze nearly brought the wooden concubine to tears.

“Princess, you see...” The wooden concubine cast a pleading look at Yan Ziyu, caught between offending both sides. She wished she could be invisible, but this fool had forced her into the spotlight, leaving her deeply frustrated.

“Alì, no nonsense!” Yan Ziyu scolded him gently, then smiled apologetically at the wooden concubine. “Alì is playful; I ask for your understanding. If you don’t mind, please take that seat.” She pointed smoothly to the chair formerly occupied by Concubine Qian.

“Um...” The wooden concubine was at a loss, her face full of bitterness.

“That seat is taken. Princess, it would be better if you changed places. I think the seat you just vacated suits you perfectly. With Consort Rou’s esteemed presence, it is only proper for us sisters to serve. But what’s with this fool? If anyone didn’t know better, they’d think our residence had neglected Consort Rou and sent a fool to entertain her!” Concubine Qian’s anger found no outlet, and she refused to concede her position, clearly targeting Yan Ziyu’s maid who stood nearby. Since it was deliberate, she saw no reason to hold back.

Hearing Concubine Qian call Alì a fool repeatedly, Yan Ziyu remained unruffled, sipping her tea calmly before looking up at Concubine Qian with measured words. “You are quite clever, sister. I’m sure the child you carry is clever too. Not only does the prince eagerly anticipate the child, but I also look forward to it. To bless your unborn child, I have arranged for you to stay at Lingyun Temple for a while. This will bring blessings to the prince and your baby. Surely the Buddha will see your sincerity and protect both the prince’s health and the safety of you and your child.”

“No, I can’t leave the residence!” Concubine Qian was desperate.

“Rest assured, sister. I will arrange for your meals and daily needs to be well taken care of. The prince is currently attended by Sister Suqing, so you have no cause for concern. The most important thing now is your safe delivery. Leave the rest to me and Consort Yu. We will handle it properly.” Yan Ziyu’s tone grew firm, dragging Suqing and Consort Yu into the fray—if there was blame to be shared, it would not fall on her alone.

While speaking with Concubine Qian, Yan Ziyu’s mind remained fixed on Consort Rou, fully aware of who held the leading role and who was merely a pawn.

She had lingered outside earlier to observe Consort Rou’s intentions. Seeing how effortlessly she stirred conflict between Concubine Qian and Suqing, Yan Ziyu gleaned a message: these two must not remain.

“Clap, clap, clap—”

A lazy applause sounded, drawing everyone’s attention.

Consort Rou’s red lips curled into a faint smile as she lazily clapped her hands. “Who says the Princess of Xiao is weak, incompetent, or foolish? I find her handling of this matter quite admirable. Who among you can compare to such resolve and courage?”

Her words were ambiguous—neither clearly praise nor ridicule—but they sounded strange nonetheless.

“You flatter me too much, Consort. I am unworthy of such praise!” Yan Ziyu replied evenly, as if she had not caught the sarcasm in Consort Rou’s tone.

She understood perfectly.

“To send a concubine bearing royal offspring to a temple—what if something happens? Or does the Princess of Xiao have another plot in mind?” The royal heir was of utmost importance; the baby’s gender and survival were uncertain. Even if known to be a boy, whether he would be born safely and grow up well was another matter entirely. Many complexities lay beneath the surface, understood silently by all. Now Consort Rou deliberately voiced these concerns openly, her intent as obvious as the noonday sun.

Concubine Qian, no longer caring about her quarrel with Suqing, glared furiously at Yan Ziyu as if she were an implacable enemy.

“What? Sister, could it be that you really...” Consort Yu exclaimed in shock, “You’re so confused! How could you commit such a grievous, unfilial act? Luckily, the mistake has not been made yet. Sister, you must quickly confess to the prince and beg for his forgiveness...”

“So much for knowing someone’s face but not their heart. Such cruelty rivals that of vipers and scorpions...”

...

Consort Yu and Suqing seemed to be in concert, one playing the stern role, the other the gentle one, speaking in turn to deny Yan Ziyu any chance to respond. Their sole purpose was to pin the crime of plotting against the prince’s heir squarely on her shoulders.

Yan Ziyu remained unperturbed, leisurely sipping tea as she listened to their accusations. If they did not speak, she might have forgotten herself. She had committed acts so cruel and unforgivable that even she felt she deserved death for the sake of justice and the common people...