Li Chengxiang looked at the woman in front of him, her body ice cold.
Li Chengyuan seed very pleased with her current state, laughing softly, "So, dear sister, behave, and I will spare your life."
As she spoke, she patted Li Chengxiang’s face, her eyes filled with ferocity.
"Now these female regulations can no longer be viewed. Poor sister has to copy them again and submit them to father."
With that, she walked out triumphantly.
Leaving Li Chengxiang standing there alone.
Though it was the noon sun, at that mont she felt as if she was in an ice cellar, with no one able to drag her out of the abyss.
As Li Chengyuan walked out of the room, her mind was calculating the situation with Yan Wanqing.
Yesterday, she had poisoned the drink to gain Yan Wanqing’s trust, and had drunk a large amount herself.
But Princess Anping, wise as she always was, would never expect that drinking alone was useless; it also required a specific incense. When combined, it would trigger the intense effects of the drug.
So, as Yan Wanqing drank the wine, she had the maid go and rearrange the incense in her room.
Although the man she had sent was dead, how would she deal with her dicine?
Without an antidote, it was lethal.
Li Chengyuan’s lips curled into a sinister smile.
The Young Marquis engaged to Yan Wanqing from the Northern Border had not yet returned to the capital.
So far, no news had erged about any mishap to Princess Anping, and no one from the Imperial dical Bureau had been seen there last night, which only ant one thing.
Yan Wanqing spent last night with a man.
Tsk tsk tsk...
The pure and chaste Princess Anping, who had neutralized the poison with the help of a man.
The more Li Chengyuan thought about it, the more exhilarated she beca. This knowledge gave her direct control over Yan Wanqing’s very lifeline.
With this leverage, could not she manipulate the peerless female Zhuge Liang at will?
"Princess Anping is close to the Empress, so neither His Majesty nor the Empress would trouble in the future," murmured Li Chengyuan, stretching her hand in the sunlight, pale and delicate, her eyes aglow with triumph: "Since Princess Anping is still of use, I shall spare your life for now."
Manipulating Yan Wanqing was more thrilling than killing her.
After all, chastity, in the eyes of ancient won, was more important than life itself.
Elsewhere,
Yan Wanqing was examining a map of the northern territories when Cong Ge knocked from outside, "Miss, Princess Yaochi has sent soone to invite you over."
"Co in," she put away the map, allowing Cong Ge to enter and speak, "Did she say why?"
"She only ntioned that she had made a batch of chilled desserts and had also invited other noble ladies to try them," relayed Cong Ge from what the maid had told her.
Yan Wanqing looked at the wavering shadows of the trees outside, supporting her cheek with her hand.
"Interesting,"
A hint of murderous intent flashed in her eyes.
Was it to taste desserts, to check on her condition, or to seize the opportunity to threaten her?
Cong Ge, recalling Princess Yaochi’s behavior the day before, felt displeasure: "Shall we not go then?"
Yan Wanqing shook her head, "We must go."
Cong Ge, puzzled, "She’s just a county princess, Miss, you can choose not to attend."
"She received the Emperor’s personal decree yesterday. Now is different from then. If I don’t go today, do you believe she wouldn’t complain to the Emperor tonight?"
"Indeed, that’s sothing the county princess could do," conceded Cong Ge, "Clearly targeting Miss, everyone knows she overshadowed you yesterday, and today she will surely mock again."
"Mockery is of little concern," what she feared was Li Chengyuan’s ulterior motives not being the drink itself.
Yan Wanqing stood and stretched out her hands, "Change clothes, Cong Ge, accompany your mistress to et this Princess Yaochi."
It must be said that a rising tide lifts all boats.
The usually cold mansion had, following yesterday, beco bustling with activity.
Cong Ge handed over the prepared gifts to the palace maid, and Yan Wanqing led her inside.
By now, the room was crowded with ladies, all of whom Yan Wanqing recognized as the noblewon who had participated in Prince Seven’s selection of a consort.
Li Chengyuan had invited all these won over.
Although smiles adorned their faces, it was clear that they were sowhat discomforted.
They sneered at Li Chengyuan’s opportunistic behavior.
"Greetings to the Commandery Princess," the noblewon stood to pay their respects, and Yan Wanqing returned the gesture.
She then saw Li Chengyuan, surrounded by several girls, approaching her with a spring in her step.
"At last, the Commandery Princess has arrived," Li Chengyuan asured Yan Wanqing up and down with profound aning, "You’ve grown even more beautiful since yesterday."
Yan Wanqing knew what she was implying and slightly curved her lips, "Princess Yaochi is in high spirits due to good fortune, incomparable to this princess."
"The Commandery Princess has co, sister, quickly serve the desserts for the Commandery Princess to taste," Li Chengyuan called out loudly.
Soon, Li Chengxiang ca over carrying a tray.
In such a setting, Li Chengxiang, as the direct eldest daughter of the Li Family, ought to be sitting with the other noblewon, yet at this mont, she was serving Li Chengyuan, carrying a tray like a palace maid.
"Please enjoy, Commandery Princess," Li Chengxiang said softly.
On the tray was a small white porcelain bowl beneath which lay crystal-clear soup sprinkled with bits of fruit, multi-colored and sweet-slling with a refreshing chill, very appetizing in the blazing sumr heat.
Yan Wanqing shifted her gaze away from the desserts, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of a red mark on Li Chengxiang’s sleeve before she discreetly looked away.
"The Commandery Princess is on her period and should avoid chilled desserts," Cong Ge whispered from the side.
Li Chengyuan recognized her as the maid who had slapped her before.
With a forced smile, she said, "That’s truly a pity. Since the princess is unable to enjoy it, you might as well have it. Surely not both master and servant are on their periods."
As she spoke, she and the won around her burst into giggling.
Cong Ge had never seen a noblewoman as petty as Li Chengyuan. Not wanting her own young mistress to be embarrassed, Yan Wanqing hadn’t yet spoken when Cong Ge picked up the bowl of desserts and took a bite.
The taste was indeed delightful, refreshing the palate and leaving a fruity fragrance.
However, Cong Ge still felt uneasy about this bowl of food.
Li Chengxiang, by her side, quietly shook her head at her, and only then did Cong Ge feel reassured.
She might not trust Li Chengyuan, but she could trust the elder Miss Li of the Li Family.
Cong Ge’s mind settled slightly.
Li Chengyuan noticed Li Chengxiang’s gesture and inwardly scoffed, thinking today’s warning was still insufficient.
But that didn’t matter.
Ti was on her side.
Today, she had specifically gathered everyone to remind these won of ancient tis not to set their sights on Prince Seven. She, Li Chengyuan, did not want so short-sighted won throwing themselves at him, eventually making her own situation embarrassing.
Since Prince Xiao Hongshen was to be her fiancé, she had not cared before, but starting today, he would only have her by his side.
Another reason was to observe Yan Wanqing’s condition.
Seeing so signs of fatigue between her brows and her personal maid ntioning her period, Li Chengyuan didn’t quite believe it.
But that didn’t matter either, there was plenty of ti to test her.
With that, Li Chengyuan wore a gentle smile, "Commandery Princess, please take a seat. Today, I have invited you here to serve as a witness."
"A witness to what?" Yan Wanqing followed Li Chengyuan to her seat.
All she heard her say was,
"Princess Yaochi is fortunate to have caught the emperor’s favor, being granted marriage to Prince Seven. Today, by gathering all the sisters, I also wish to pass this fortune to everyone, hoping all can find good matches. Thus, I took the liberty of inviting so young talents; they’re probably all in the front hall by now. If any sisters find soone suitable, just speak to , and I will help you ask the emperor for a marriage grant. With the Commandery Princess here to witness, no one will fear that I might go back on my word..."
Reviews
All reviews (0)