The emperor rubbed his lips with his fingers, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
Zhou Yunshen and Prince Huai both knew this was the emperor's little tell when he had decided to kill someone-and not in any ordinary way.
He meant to leave them dead without even a place to be buried.
Zhou Yunshen had watched Chaohua grow up. She was one of the few younger members of the family who wasn't afraid of him.
Consort Xian had dared to bully his niece. She had no one but herself to blame.
Jiang Shuyue stamped her feet in fury. [Fuck! I thought my father was a beast in human skin, but I never imagined there was someone even more beastly. She's downright monstrous!]
Suddenly, her fingers itched to peel off that woman's outer skin and let everyone see how filthy she was inside.
System: [You don't need to be so angry. Things have already diverged from the original plot. The princess is going to marry Shen Zhiyi, so everything that follows will change.]
Chaohua and Shen Zhiyi gazed into each other's eyes. Thank goodness Jiang Shuyue was here. Otherwise, her imperial father would surely have betrothed her to the Qi family's nephew again.
Chaohua leaned against Shen Zhiyi's shoulder, completely unaware that her father was crying like a little child.
"Boohoo, Second Brother! Thank goodness your wife is here!"
Zhou Yunshen shook his shoulder in distaste and edged away.
But he didn't dare move too far, afraid he would go beyond three hundred meters and lose the ability to hear Jiang Shuyue's thoughts.
He didn't want to miss a single juicy morsel.
Jiang Shuyue's expression relaxed a little. [True. I noticed earlier that the plot had gone off course and worried something might happen, but now I'm actually pretty grateful.]
[Such a beautiful girl. She mustn't be poisoned by all this.]
[That Consort Xian had better settle down, too, or this old ancestor will show her what I'm made of!]
System: [She probably won't settle down. She's giving birth today.]
Chaohua froze.
Consort Xian was giving birth today? But she was only eight months pregnant!
Was it a premature birth?
As Chaohua pondered this, one of Consort Xian's palace maids approached. "Greetings, Your Highness. To congratulate you on finding a worthy husband, Her Highness Consort Xian has prepared a gift. She asks that you pay her a visit."
Jiang Shuyue thought, [I remember now! This was when Consort Xian framed Chaohua for causing her miscarriage. In a rage, the emperor placed Chaohua under house arrest, then packed her off to that scumbag's family. This was the first step in her fall from favor. I can't let Chaohua go!]
System: [Go. You absolutely have to go. There's earth-shattering gossip waiting there!]
Jiang Shuyue glanced at Chaohua.
Gossip or sisterhood, choose one... Of course she chose gossip!
Jiang Shuyue said, "Thank Her Highness for her kindness. We'll be there shortly."
Chaohua thought, ...Sisters made of paper. One poke and we fall apart...
The palace maid looked displeased. "Madam, Her Highness Consort Xian invited the princess. Perhaps you..."
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Trying to keep me from the gossip, are you? Not a chance!]
Jiang Shuyue put on an innocent face. "This is my first time in the palace, and I don't understand the rules. Please forgive me, little sister."
"But I thought, since the princess has been so good to me, and His Majesty said I could go wherever I pleased, it would only be proper to pay my respects to Her Highness Consort Xian while she's with child."
"If you think it's inappropriate, little sister, then I simply won't go."
"Princess."
Jiang Shuyue looped her arm through Chaohua's and let out a series of little whimpers like a puppy.
"Did I do something wrong and embarrass you and my husband? It's all my fault. Perhaps I should just find the marquis and leave the palace."
Cold sweat had already begun to bead on the palace maid's back.
Any normal person would take the hint and get lost. Why wasn't this woman following the script?
And she even wanted to go find the Marquis of Zhennan.
Word of the couple's affairs had spread everywhere lately. Who didn't know the Marquis of Zhennan doted on his wife? If she angered him, even Consort Xian wouldn't be able to save her head.
The maid immediately smiled. "You misunderstand me, madam. I was merely worried that, with my mistress being pregnant, a visit might be inconvenient."
"So it's convenient for Chaohua to visit, but inconvenient for me."
"Ah, so I'm simply unworthy."
Chaohua knew perfectly well that she was acting, but-but she made people want to protect her so badly.
Chaohua snorted at the maid. "Since it's inconvenient, let Consort Xian rest and tend to her pregnancy. We won't disturb her."
The maid said, "I spoke out of turn! Please forgive me, Your Highness! Please forgive me, madam!"
The maid knocked her forehead against the floor with a rapid series of thuds.
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Enough already. You'll smash the floor at this rate. Do repairs cost nothing? Hurry up and take me to the gossip.]
Chaohua said, "Enough. Lead the way."
The emperor watched them leave and let out a deep sigh.
Zhou Yunshen asked, "Your Majesty, are we still following?"
"Yes. It's gossip from my own family. How could I possibly miss it?"
Let everyone else enjoy it while he missed out? Absolutely not!
Jiang Shuyue reached Consort Xian's palace first, while Shen Zhiyi was stopped outside.
"Wait for me out here. With Shuyue beside me, I'll be fine."
Chaohua gave his hand a little tug. Had they not been under so many watchful eyes, she would have leaned in and kissed him.
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Watching them get all lovey-dovey makes me miss the big villain a little. Honestly, my big villain is better-looking than the top scholar, has a better figure, and is richer, too. And...]
Shen Zhiyi smiled wryly. He could hardly bear to listen anymore...
Neither could Chaohua. Fine, fine, your husband is the best. Happy now?
She pulled Jiang Shuyue inside.
The emperor's large hand silently settled on Shen Zhiyi's shoulder.
The emperor said, "Top scholar, did you enjoy holding my daughter's hand?"
The languid voice drifted into his ear, and Shen Zhiyi shuddered.
He felt that if he said yes, he would die a terrible death.
If he said no, he would die an even worse death...
A faint fragrance lingered inside. It wasn't unpleasant, but it made one feel distinctly uncomfortable.
Jiang Shuyue thought, [This is... a miscarriage-inducing blend!]
System: [I haven't even spilled the gossip yet. How did you know?]
Jiang Shuyue thought, [Medicinal herbs are plants. We belong to the same broad race, more or less. I can identify them by smell.]
Chaohua was so frightened that she drew back the foot she had extended and remained by the doorway. "Greetings, Your Highness Consort Xian."
"Chaohua, you're here? I'm feeling unwell and cannot rise. Come closer so I can have a look at you."
Consort Xian lazily extended a hand from behind the curtain, beckoning Chaohua over.
Jiang Shuyue said, "Oh my, what a huge jade cabochon you have on your hand, Your Highness! Anyone can tell His Majesty treats you wonderfully. How enviable."
Consort Xian paused, then lifted the curtain and sat up. A vicious gleam flashed through her eyes when she saw Jiang Shuyue.
"I don't recall inviting anyone else."
"I am Lady Jiang, wife of the Marquis of Zhennan. I've long heard how graceful and splendid Your Highness is, and I've always wanted to meet you. So I begged the princess to bring me along for a look."
One did not strike a smiling face. For a moment, Consort Xian found herself cornered.
She could neither hit her nor scold her, much less throw her out.
The incense was already burning. What was she supposed to do now?
Jiang Shuyue thought, [System, what are you standing around for? Time to serve up the gossip!]
Before you continue