Chapter 9: The Empress Dowager and Her Substitute Paramour
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Indeed.
In the past, the original owner had always been considerate of the Prime Minister’s residence, never openly clashing with Consort Lü. Her intelligence was somewhat lacking, and she had often been bullied by this Consort Lü.
But when it came to Hua Yue...
In the face of absolute force, words were meaningless.
Consort Lü did not expect that Qing Li, a mere maid, would actually dare to force medicine down her throat. She immediately panicked, dodging and weaving; most of the medicine spilled, but some still entered her mouth.
In an instant, she could no longer maintain her delicate and elegant demeanor.
“Someone! Help!”
“Someone! Help!”
Consort Lü usually maintained an image of being modest and frugal, so only Ji Qin was attending to her in the hall.
At this moment, there wasn’t a single person to come to her aid.
Hua Yue didn’t know where she found the courage to face two people alone.
Thus...
By the time Ji Qin entered, Qing Li had already finished administering the medicine and calmly returned to Hua Yue’s side.
Ji Qin’s eyes widened at the scene.
She hurried to Consort Lü’s side, vigorously shaking her arm. “Your Highness! Your Highness! Are you alright?”
Consort Lü was shaken until her eyes rolled back. Struggling, she said, “Go... go summon the imperial physician.”
Before the words had even fallen, Hua Yue laughed again, “Such a timid heart—how could you have taught your son to be so bold? Convey this to Prince Jiu: if there’s a next time, what’s fed to her mother will be...”
Hua Yue raised a slender brow, smiling faintly. Her words made it impossible for Consort Lü to maintain her composure any longer.
“It will be the deadly crane’s poison that causes instant death.”
Consort Lü’s eyes widened, and she turned to glare fiercely at Hua Yue. “You are far too arrogant!”
“So what?”
Hua Yue was utterly indifferent.
She turned and left.
Her skirt fluttered as she strode away with undeniable momentum.
The two of them exited the Reed Palace.
The sky had darkened; a cold breeze swept over them. Qing Li’s eyes sparkled brightly, feeling no chill—only a burning fervor.
“Your Highness, this was truly satisfying this time.”
“Happy?”
“Mm, very happy!”
Hua Yue smiled indulgently.
Qing Li blinked: somehow, the lady seemed a bit different now.
A little like before.
Only sharper and more venomous—hehe.
One must understand that Xiao Su had been pampered since childhood, and since entering the palace, it had been a long time since they had felt this exhilarated together.
It was utterly refreshing!
...
...
On the second day of the holiday,
Hua Yue slept all day.
The court was calm and peaceful.
...
...
On the third day,
News spread that the emperor was gravely ill, stirring unrest everywhere.
The seventh prince, Wei He, most likely to ascend the throne, was far away in Qingzhou.
The crown prince had yet to be appointed. For a time, the people were anxious, and even the common folk showed signs of unrest.
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At the Qin residence.
“Are you really going to do nothing?”
“What can I do?”
Wei Yan wore a black brocade robe today, outlining his strong and well-defined figure. His black hair was neatly pinned up, making him look steadier than before.
In his hand was the hairpin Hua Yue had ‘lost’ that day. His thin lips curled slightly.
“You—”
Qin Ziyan glared at him.
Leaning in, he whispered cautiously, “Don’t you realize why you came? Now is the perfect opportunity. With no crown prince appointed, anything is possible.”
“And then?”
Wei Yan lifted his eyes indifferently.
Qin Ziyan was momentarily at a loss for words. “And then? Isn’t that what you want?”
It was he who desired the throne, not Wei Yan.
Wei Yan was merely a supporter.
He snorted laughter and spread his hands. “I can’t think of anything.”
“...I think you’re just thinking about your imperial grandmother, huh.”
Wei Yan gave no reply.
These past few days,
He had indeed tried to enter the palace.
Security was tighter than usual.
And his imperial grandmother...
Ah, spit.
Wei Yan shot Qin Ziyan a glare.
Xiao Su had shut herself behind palace doors. If she stayed any longer, she might not be able to leave the palace. He had no choice but to go out.
“Let’s go.”
“Where? The capital is in chaos. Don’t run off.”
“Don’t worry.”
Wei Yan waved his hand.
Qin Ziyan: “...”
So unreliable.
Maybe it’s not too late to switch allegiance to Wei He now?
He sighed deeply.
Despite his sigh, Qin Ziyan hurried after him.
He hoped this ancestor wouldn’t truly get into trouble.
“Wait for me!”
...
...
On the street.
It was not as bustling as before. Only a few scattered merchants still had their stalls up, and few pedestrians passed by.
Most households kept their doors shut.
The shift of imperial power, even if passing to a blood heir, was always a bloody and turbulent affair. The people feared the fierce battles among nobles would bring disaster to innocent bystanders.
“Where exactly are we going?”
“Just wandering.”
“...”
Qin Ziyan dared not voice his anger and followed closely behind Wei Yan, lifting his foot to lightly kick his rear.
Wei Yan spun around sharply.
Qin Ziyan stumbled and muttered curses. “Why did you turn around like that?”
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Wei Yan’s gloomy face of the morning now blossomed with a radiant smile.
“You head back first. I have matters to attend to.”
Qin Ziyan looked confused. “Huh?”
Not far away was the capital’s most famous Wangjing Lake. Usually filled with many boats, now only a few scattered vessels remained, giving a desolate feeling.
Among them, the largest ship gleamed with gold and jewels, extraordinarily splendid.
By the boat stood a slender figure in a black dress, outlining a graceful silhouette. Spring rain began to fall. Her pale hand held the umbrella’s handle, shading her face, revealing only a sharp, fair chin.
Red umbrella, black dress—a beauty seemingly risen from hell.
This was daytime.
On ordinary days, if Qin Ziyan encountered her, he’d think he’d met a ghost and run away.
And what about his lord who was chasing after her?
Like a fool.
He dashed straight for the ship.
Look at that.
Don’t think he didn’t notice; he even used lightness skill.
Such a short distance, ha.
One on the ship.
One on the shore.
Both dressed in black, they looked remarkably harmonious.
Wei Yan tilted his head, his gaze burning toward Hua Yue.
His expression resembled that of a dog raised by Qin Ziyan’s mother when looking at her.
A pitiful little dog doting on its master.
Tsk tsk.
In the pitifulness, there was also a hint of... adorableness?
Qin Ziyan stroked his chin. “How to put it... they actually make quite a good match? But I wonder what Consort would truly intend?”
“Worry, of course.”
...
...
Hua Yue gazed at her reflection in the lake.
A delicate beauty, her figure slender and graceful. Black was slimming after all, and she was quite pleased.
Hua Yue yawned.
During the apocalypse, she had always slept poorly for various reasons. Now, to sleep soundly was a true blessing.
If it weren’t for her new dress being finished, Hua Yue might have slept for two more days.
“Madam, isn’t that the young lord from that day?”
Qing Li spotted Wei Yan by the shore, surprised.
Hua Yue lifted her eyes and smiled.
Could this be fate?
“Go, invite our lifesaver for a chat.”
A visitor brought to her doorstep—why waste such a chance?
Besides, she was still in need of an ally.
She always believed the enemy of her enemy was a friend.
That way, she would always have friends—hehe.
And the greatest enemy of the male and female leads was Wei Yan, the main villain.
In the original story, Wei Yan was only one move short of victory. Now that she knew the entire story, she could just help him complete that final move.