Upon arrival at Huafu, we saw two individuals dressed in elegant costumes with slightly graying hair waiting for us at the entrance. The man was dapper and the woman was dignified and elegant. Upon seeing that I alone had disembarked from the carriage, both of them furrowed their brows. These must be Minister Hua and Lady Hua. By their appearance, they certainly did not seem like villains.
"The Prince has urgent official duties to attend to and will join us later," I explained.
Minister Hua's expression immediately soured, and he turned and strode into the house without waiting for me.
...You old geezer, I hope you're even worse to me. That way, I can take the moral high ground and eliminate the traitors in my family before the heroine even has to lift a finger.
Lady Hua, on the other hand, took my hand and spoke incessantly, "Qian'er, don't let your guard down just because you've married into the royal family. The affairs of the inner chambers are exceedingly complex. The conditions of the Prince of Jin are so favorable that even after you've married, there will still be many scheming women eyeing the position of concubine. I say, you should strive to give birth to the heir as soon as possible. That way, your position will be secure, and you can also lend a helping hand to the Hua family..."
Alas, our values do not align, so I can only listen silently.
Upon arriving at the courtyard where Lady Hua resided, I did not see Minister Hua. I inquired, "Where is Father?"
Lady Hua took my hand and led me inside, saying, "Your father has been eagerly anticipating your return since early morning, but only you have come back. Now that his expectations have been dashed, he's probably sulking in his study."
I hesitated for a moment and then let go of Lady Hua's hand, saying, "Then I'll go find him. I have something to say to Father."
Declining Lady Hua's offer to accompany me, I exited the courtyard. At this point, I awkwardly realized that I didn't know the way. So, putting on the airs of a well-bred young lady, I calmly said to a maidservant standing at the door, "I need to go to my father's study. You will show me the way."
Although the maidservant looked somewhat perplexed, she obediently led the way.
Upon arriving at the study, I walked in and saw Minister Hua sitting alone at his desk. When he saw me, he raised his eyes but did not speak.
So, I took a seat in a chair and began, "The day before yesterday, I accompanied the Prince into the palace and encountered my cousin. I discovered something interesting. Would Father like to know what it is?"
Upon hearing about my cousin, Minister Hua's expression softened somewhat. Presumably, he thought I had come to pass on information. He asked, "What did she say?"
I smiled and looked directly at Minister Hua, saying, "She...arranged for someone to push me into the royal pond."
Minister Hua's brow furrowed immediately, and he unconsciously said, "How could that be?"
"Because now I am the Princess of Jin. Technically, my status is higher than hers. She was displeased and took it out on me, wanting to make me suffer." I fabricated the story with a straight face.
Minister Hua was obviously skeptical, asking, "She is the one I nurtured. How could she turn against you?"
"So, Father is really getting old and can't see people clearly anymore," I said with a smile, my words unsparing, "A woman like that, who only cares about her own interests and has a narrow mindset, and yet Father nurtured her so diligently."
Minister Hua's expression was a mix of anger and confusion as I spoke. Seizing the opportunity, I added fuel to the fire, saying, "And she said she wanted to talk to me, but her words were all traps. If I hadn't been vigilant, I probably wouldn't have noticed...that someone from the royal family was eavesdropping."
"What?" Minister Hua could no longer sit calmly, asking, "You mean Hua...she's sided with the emperor and is trying to trap you with her words?"
"Father has many informants. You can investigate this matter further. But it would be best to minimize contact with my cousin in the future," I replied without any guilt.
I naturally don't worry about him snooping around, as my words were half-truths. The fact that the Hua beauty plotted to make me fall into the water and the royal family eavesdropping on our conversation are genuine.
As long as the overall direction is correct, I don't care about the embellishments I added. As a major antagonist, Minister Hua is naturally suspicious, so I'll use this trait to gradually eliminate his supporters, at least to minimize the accusations against him when he falls from power.
After remaining silent for a while, Minister Hua looked at me again with a probing gaze and asked, "What do you think I should do next?"
I didn't back down and spoke up, meeting his gaze firmly. "The Emperor has taken notice of our father. Therefore, in my opinion, father should conceal his sharpness and act with discretion at this moment."
Minister Hua's eyes, resembling an old fox, shifted, but he didn't speak.
I continued, "Also, I overheard the Emperor mentioning the imprisoned Martial family a few days ago. It seems that the Emperor still holds them in high esteem and might find an excuse to reduce their sentence soon. So, if Father takes the initiative to propose it, it would give the Emperor an out."
This time, Minister Hua's face was expressionless, and he spoke calmly, "Didn't Qianer always despise them? I finally got rid of them as you wished, so why are you now pleading for them?"
Dealing with this cunning old fox, I couldn't afford to slacken my guard. My hand clenched inside my sleeve, but my face showed a helpless and resentful expression. "The Emperor has already suspected Father of forming cliques and seeking private interests, so my suggestion is also for Father's benefit. If Father proposes to reduce their sentence, it might dispel some of the Emperor's doubts and make him believe that you didn't target the Martial family out of personal grudges."
Minister Hua didn't look at me, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table as if calculating. "Qianer, do you know the principle of cutting the grass at its roots?"
I continued sincerely, "Father knows how much I despise the Martial family. If it weren't for the situation, how could I ask Father to plead for them? Our fates are intertwined; if one falls, the other suffers. After all, the Martial family has no chance of recovery, so sparing their lives won't matter much."
Minister Hua fell silent, and I also stopped speaking, waiting for him to make a decision.
Thanks to Qianer's previous deep hatred for the Martial family, my pleading made Minister Hua believe that I was truly forced to act for the sake of the Hua family. If the Martial family hadn't been executed due to Minister Hua's framing, my grudge against Martial Yao wouldn't be so intense.
"Qianer has really grown up," Minister Hua finally spoke with a smile, looking at me with approval in his eyes.
I felt a sense of relief. This meant he had agreed. I suppressed my jubilation and knew that with Minister Hua's power, sparing the Martial family would be easy.
I released the fist I had been clenching under my sleeve and discovered that my palm was sweaty. This confrontation made me want to flee every minute, but my survival instincts kept me facing Minister Hua.
After leaving the study, I followed the maid to my former boudoir, feeling as if I were walking on cotton with unsteady steps. The aura of a major antagonist was truly formidable.
"Sister, sister…" Suddenly, I heard a panting male voice.
I looked towards the direction of the voice and saw a fat man dressed in a dark green robe running towards me. From a distance, he looked like a spiritually awakened zongzi (a traditional Chinese food wrapped in bamboo leaves) charging towards me.
Upon hearing how he addressed me, I realized that this was Hua Qian's fellow brother, Hua Shen. Just by looking at their names, one could sense how little importance the author placed on the female second lead and her brother, as if their names were casually made up.
In the novel, Hua Shen was not a very likable character. He was arrogant, licentious, and committed all sorts of evils, such as forcibly seizing women and committing every vice imaginable. Normally, I quite like friends who are on the heavier side as they often have a certain charm, but Hua Shen's character was really not something I could appreciate.
He panted as he ran up to me, handed me a piece of fabric, and said, "This is the cloud-patterned brocade I found a few days ago. It's the white color your sister loves so much. There's only one like it in the world, and I spent a fortune to get it. If your sister uses it to make a dress, she'll surely captivate the King of Jin."
In the novel, Hua Shen seemed to lack intelligence, which was why he always tried to please his scheming sister. Now, it was evident that he had already offended me twice with just one sentence. Firstly, I didn't like the color white, and secondly, I didn't like the King of Jin, Zhong Yelan.
I didn't take the fabric and continued walking with my maid, leaving behind the words, "I don't like white anymore. You can give it to those concubines in your backyard." This official's second son, Hua Shen, had taken in dozens of concubines in his backyard, which was why no noblewoman was willing to marry him. Hua Xiang and his wife indulged him because of his lack of intelligence.
As expected, Hua Shen chased after me again without any sense of discretion. His fat face squashed his eyes into a mere slit, yet he persisted in leaning towards me and saying, "Those women are not worthy of using such a thing. Only my sister, with her natural beauty, deserves this precious fabric that is hard to come by."
In the past, these two siblings loved to indulge in mutual flattery, but I despised such one-upmanship. Immediately, my face hardened, and I said coldly, "Didn't I say I don't like white? Don't follow me anymore."
Hua Shen stopped in his tracks and dared not follow me anymore.
The third step in the survival guide for the villainous female second lead: Keep away from villains and rescue worthy ministers.
Eventually, Zhong Yelan arrived at the Hua mansion for dinner, but I chose to return to the Prince of Jin's mansion after the meal.
Facing the cunning Hua Xiang, Hua Furen who constantly taught me tricks to secure my position as the legitimate wife and suppress concubines, and the licentious and decadent Hua Shen, I felt uncomfortable. It was better for me to stay in the solitude of the Prince of Jin's mansion.
Judging from this, none of the relatives of the female second lead, Hua Qian, were positive characters. How could she possibly remain unsullied amidst the mud?
On the way back in the carriage, after a day of contemplation, I decided to cut to the chase and said, "Prince, I would like to see Muyao."
Zhong Yelan stiffened as I said "I want to see her" instead of asking where she was. This proved that I knew about his relationship with Muyao.
"You...know?" Zhong Yelan looked nervous. "A Qian, trust me. I just..."
"Prince, there's no need to explain. It's just that Muyao and I were sisters once, and there are some things I want to talk to her about. It's not to question or doubt you," I explained, trying to smile without any trace of suspicion.
Seeing my demeanor, Zhong Yelan relaxed and agreed to take me to see her when we returned to the mansion. At the end, he even gave me a reassurance: "A Qian, I saved Muyao without any ulterior motives. Since the time you accompanied me to guard the tomb, I've sworn to have only you in my life."
...Thank you for the comfort, but the person who accompanied you back then wasn't Hua Qian. It was the female lead, who came to the capital for the first time with her family to visit relatives.
Perhaps feeling guilty, he didn't ask me how I got the information, saving me the trouble of explaining.
When we arrived at the Prince of Jin's mansion, Zhong Yelan took me directly to a secluded courtyard within the mansion. He waited outside, giving us some privacy to talk.
Entering the room, I found a person slumped over the table, seemingly asleep.
As I approached, I could see her face. This should be the first time I've seen the female lead since I came here.
The woman slumped over the desk had furrowed eyebrows. Unlike Hua Qian, who had a delicate and fair complexion, Muyao had grown up in the border town and had a healthy wheat-colored skin. The recent blows had left her face slightly haggard, but it couldn't hide the resilience in her eyebrows.
So this was the female lead. Suddenly, I understood the difference between her and Hua Qian. Hua Qian was like a delicate and pitiful bulrush, while Muyao was a vibrant cypress. One depended on others for survival, while the other could stand beside you.
Looking at her tightly pursed lips and furrowed eyebrows, I suddenly thought...
If she died, perhaps the Hua mansion wouldn't collapse. If she died, as long as I didn't say anything, Zhong Yelan wouldn't know the truth about our childhood. If she died, wouldn't I be able to completely avoid the fate of being pierced by a thousand arrows?
It seemed like all my schemes and worries would disappear if she vanished.
After silently watching her for a moment, I slapped myself hard. Had I become evil just by being in Hua Qian's body? The Hua family had committed countless sins. How could I let an innocent person pay the price just to save my own life?
To condemn myself, I hit myself particularly hard, causing my face to contort in pain.
And it was because I hit myself so hard that the sound woke Muyao.
When she opened her eyes, she saw me covering my face and gasping for air.
Her bright eyes were indeed full of vitality, and she glared at me angrily, saying, "Hua Qian!"
Her voice was biting, indeed showing how much she hated me now.
"I heard you were at the Prince of Jin's mansion, so I came to see you," I said with an awkward smile.
Muyao sneered and mocked, "Are you here to show off your victory now?"
Well, in the novel, Hua Qian did come to show off, but I wasn't.
"I was blind before, mistaking a venomous snake for a sister, and now my entire family is suffering as a result. But Hua Qian, listen to me carefully. I will expose your venomous true nature and the hypocritical facade of your Hua mansion to the world. Good and evil will be repaid. Your Hua mansion will not enjoy perpetual peace." Muyao stood by the table, her tone icy.
Yes, I know you can reveal the truth and bring justice to the Hua mansion. But that's not why I'm here today.
I didn't get angry and looked at her sincerely, saying, "I promise you that your family will be safe."
Muyao was stunned for a moment, then her eyes showed mockery. "What are you up to now? Is there anything else you can use from me? Don't you think I'll believe you anymore?"
I sat down and poured myself a cup of tea. "Muyao, there are many things in this world that we cannot choose, and many things are not out of my own will. Just as I cannot shake a big tree overnight, I can only plan it slowly. It's normal for you not to believe me, but I promise that everything I say to you in the future will be the truth."
"My family will be executed in seven days. What do you want me to believe you with?" She swept the teacup off the table with a slap, shattering it on the ground. I sighed and was about to speak, but was interrupted by a voice outside the door.
"Did I hear something break?" Zhong Yelan frowned as he walked in and saw me, his expression suddenly changing. "Your face...did she hit you?"
Face?
Suddenly remembering that I had slapped myself earlier, I quickly spoke up, "No, no, no..."
Before I could stop him, Zhong Yelan angrily scolded Muyao, "I took you in out of kindness. Who gave you the audacity to harm A Qian?"
I...
Seeing the increasingly mocking look in Muyao's eyes, I almost wanted to cry out in innocence. I slapped myself, not to frame you!
Zhong Yelan was about to speak again, but I quickly covered his mouth with my hand. "Prince, there's a misunderstanding. This has nothing to do with Muyao. I did it to myself because...because there was a bug on my face earlier."
Seeing the obvious disbelief in Zhong Yelan's eyes, I looked at him sincerely and said, "Prince, you really misunderstood Muyao. She didn't touch me at all. Putting myself in her shoes, girls fear being wrongly accused the most. So...Prince, please apologize to her."
After that, I left with good eyesight, leaving them some space to cultivate their feelings.
I was unsure of their subsequent development. Their emotional journey would be explored slowly by themselves.
Within two days, I heard the news that the emperor, remembering the previous achievements of Muyao's family, had changed the sentence from execution to exile.
Upon hearing this news, I was almost jumping for joy. Good, I have already changed the fate of Muyao's family. Now there is no blood feud between Muyao and me. So the next biggest conflict is...
Competing for a man.
That's easy. I'll find an opportunity to step down voluntarily. So now I should plan an escape route for myself.
Minister Hua, as the main antagonist, is unlikely to have a favorable outcome in the end, so I must do what I can to arrange a way out for myself that allows me to withdraw safely. With this in mind, I immediately prepared to leave the mansion to inspect my dowry shops. The fourth step in the survival guide for the scheming second female lead: save money in preparation for escape.
For several consecutive days, I've been devoting myself to the financial records of my dowry shops. After a thorough investigation, I suddenly realized that Hua Qian was actually quite wealthy. Even if I leave the Prince of Jin's mansion in the future, my livelihood should not be a problem.
Therefore, my current task is to transfer the profits of these shops from the open to the covert. The Prince of Jin's mansion is vast and wealthy, so they won't care about my small amount of money. As a result, handling this matter is not particularly difficult.
So, dressing up and going to the bank to deposit money has become my greatest joy.
To prevent my identity from being exposed, I even dressed up as a man and gave myself the alias of "Mingyue Gongzi" at the bank. Watching the money under the name of Mingyue Gongzi grow steadily, I can honestly say that I even dream of waking up laughing.
After a month of such ease, one day while I was having breakfast in my room, Zhong Yelan walked in with Mu Yao.
Mu Yao has probably been busy settling her exiled family members during this time, so we haven't seen each other. Now, it seems that her family issues have been properly settled, so she's come to put on a show of love and torment in front of me again.
Unsurprisingly, Zhong Yelan sat down beside me and deliberately took my hand, saying, "The Prince of Jin's mansion does not keep idle hands. A Qian, I've sent a maidservant to you."
Mu Yao's face paled significantly when she saw Zhong Yelan holding my hand.
I really... With so many people in this room, does it look like we're lacking maids?
What did I do to deserve this? As a single person, I have to watch you put on a show of love in front of me.
And it didn't end there. I saw Mu Yao with tears in her eyes say to Zhong Yelan, "If you feel that my presence here is offensive, you can let me go. Why insult me like this?"
Zhong Yelan withdrew his hand from mine and stubbornly said, "The Prince of Jin's mansion is not a place where you can come and go as you please."
Although I couldn't see it, I felt like my expression must have resembled that of the old man on the subway looking at his phone. This was really... unbearable to watch.
If this were the real Hua Qian, wouldn't she be furious? Even as an outsider, I couldn't bear to watch.
Seeing that they were about to continue their show, I quickly spoke up: "My courtyard is not lacking in maids. Last time I went to the prince's study, it seemed quite desolate. Why don't you have Mu Yao serve there instead?"
So you two, go as far away from me as possible and stop giving me a headache with your melodramatic soap opera in front of me.
Upon hearing my suggestion, the two of them stopped arguing. One felt like they had retained the other, and the other felt like their dignity hadn't been completely trampled on. They immediately agreed and left.
Meanwhile, the nurse and Qianzhi in my room were practically begging me to open my head or slap me awake.
"Why is the princess so foolish? That Mu Yao obviously has ulterior motives towards the prince. Even I can't stand to watch."
"Exactly, why doesn't the princess follow the prince's wishes, take her as a maid, and let me teach her a lesson?"
"Princess..."
I ignored their complaints, as if listening to a turtle chanting sutras.
I definitely don't want Mu Yao in my room, watching them put on their melodramatic soap opera every day.
Despite Nurse Li and Qianzhi's earnest pleas and threats, I maintained an unperturbed and enigmatic expression. Finally, after talking until their mouths were dry, they gave up.
More than two months passed in this manner. My days were spent saving thread and listening to the gossip of the servants and maids.
Perhaps love makes a woman's intelligence dim. Without my interference, the main characters' relationship warmed rapidly. Mu Yao also stopped focusing on overthrowing the Hua family, temporarily sparing me from danger.
I hope they remember my kindness in the future, after all, I created so many opportunities for them.
Currently, my biggest problem is resolving the childhood misunderstandings and fully supporting them. To minimize Zhong Yelan's anger when he learns the truth, all I can do is leave him with a good impression now.
Recalling the plot of the novel, I suddenly had a revelation. Counting the time, it should be around three months when that incident occurs. I can make good use of it to untangle my connection with Zhong Yelan.
So, in three months, I won't have to pretend to be a virtuous wife and loving mother in the Jin王府 every day.
However, my happiness didn't last long before I heard a distressing news.
"Lady, the eldest son has gotten into a fight in a tavern," Nurse Li hurriedly came in to tell me.
The eldest son? That fat guy?
"What happened?" I asked with a furrowed brow.
"Just now, we received a message from the Hua family saying that the eldest son got into a dispute with someone over a woman in the tavern. Please, Lady, go and have a look," she said.
My brow furrowed deeper with confusion. "Why did the servants come to the Prince Jin's mansion to look for me instead of going to my father and mother?" I asked.
Nurse Li looked embarrassed and said, "The chancellor and madam took a leave yesterday and went back to their ancestral home. They can't come back for a while, so the servants had to come looking for Lady."
I suddenly felt chest tightness and shortness of breath. I thought, with no one to rein him in, he's gone wild again. I had just relaxed for a few days, and that wasteful brother is already causing trouble for me again.
While I'm here trying to establish a positive image to survive, he's ruining my reputation on the other side.
But if he continues to make a scene, it will still be a disgrace for the Hua family - after all, I also bear the surname Hua.
"Prepare the carriage, I'm going out," I snapped at Qianzhi.
When we arrived, I got off the carriage and saw a crowd of people gathered outside the tavern, apparently this had already caused a commotion.
On the way here, I heard from the messenger about the general situation. That lecherous Hua Shen was eating in the tavern and had his eyes on a girl playing the pipa. The girl had a strong personality and refused him vehemently. Then some passerby from the martial arts world couldn't stand it and saved the girl.
As a result, that wasteful Hua Shen wouldn't let it go and bullied them, causing a standoff between them.
Someone with sharp eyes saw me and silently made way for me.
As soon as I entered the tavern, I saw Hua Shen hiding behind his servants, still cursing and threatening to make them sorry.
Opposite him were two men dressed simply but obviously skilled martial artists, and a beautiful-faced woman holding a pipa and hiding behind them.
"Brother, have you had enough of this?" Without hesitation, I entered the tavern and scolded loudly.
Hua Shen's eyes lit up when he saw me. He ran towards me, grasped my arm, and said excitedly, "Sister, are you here to help me? These two scum don't know any better and just assaulted me. Sister, you have to teach them a lesson for me."
This person... his mind is really messed up. I looked at him angrily, and he still thought excitedly that I had come to help him.
Just as I was about to berate him, suddenly I heard one of the two men, a gray-clothed one, speak up: "The Hua family really bullies people with their power. Is the status of the Prime Minister of Hua not enough? They even brought in the Prince of Jin as a rescue party. Are they trying to control the capital with one hand?"
The gray-clothed man's eyes were sharp. My eyebrows furrowed. This is a really big accusation.
"Where did you see that I came here to help him?" I asked back.
The gray-clothed man sneered and replied, "The Hua young master keeps calling you his sister, and we heard it clearly. What kind of person is the Prince of Jin? Now he can't even manage his own backyard, and he's sullying his reputation for nothing."
Why does this person have such a big grudge against me? I've only spoken two sentences since I came here, but he's insulting me with every sentence.
"This... warrior, do you have any misunderstandings about me?" I asked.
"No misunderstandings to speak of. I've always been clear about who I like and dislike. It's a pity that the Prince of Jin, such a talented and outstanding figure, would mistake a fish eye for a pearl and even fall for such underhanded tricks of a woman..."
Hmm? This person seems to be a martial artist from his clothing, but why does his speech seem to suggest that he knows the reason why I married Zhong Yelan? He's almost accusing me of shamelessly clinging to him.
Before I could figure out the reason behind this, suddenly I saw a figure lunging at the gray-clothed man and punching him hard.
The gray-clothed man was startled and immediately kicked the figure far away. He still wasn't satisfied and went up to hit him twice more, cursing as he did so, "Where did this dog servant come from? Thinking of seeking favor has driven you crazy? There are so many guards around the Princess of Jin. Who would have thought that a tavern waiter like you would step in?"
As the scene became increasingly chaotic, I quickly ordered my men to pull the gray-clothed man away. The figure who had been hit was indeed a servant from this tavern, based on his attire.
"Come here, tie him up for me," I pointed at the gray-clothed man.
The gray-clothed man was startled and immediately shouted angrily, "Why are you arresting me?"
"Because you've spoken insolently and smeared the royal family."
"I didn't..."
Before he could retort, I pointed at Hua Shen and said, "Tie him up too and take them both to the magistrate's office."
The atmosphere in the tavern stagnated. If we continued to stir up trouble, it would really become a joke. So I needed to make a decisive move.
"Elder brother--sister, are you pointing at the wrong person?" Hua Shen, with a greasy smile on his fat face, asked me.
"I'm pointing at you. Since you can't change your ways, you'll have to spend a few days in the jail at the magistrate's office. And you..." I turned to look at the gray-clothed man and continued, "I'm not the magistrate, so I can't judge who's right and who's wrong. But you've repeatedly insulted me, and I'm not someone with a good temper. So you'll both go to the magistrate's office to explain yourselves."
After saying that, I gestured for the guards of the Prince of Jin's mansion to take action, and walked over to the tavern servant who had been beaten.
He was already bruised and swollen, with his face barely recognizable. From his thin build, he seemed to be a teenager.
Whether he was good at reading people's minds or just wanted to gain some fame in front of me, he had ultimately stood up for me. Even if I didn't like this kind of person, I wouldn't forget his kindness.
"What's your name?" I asked.
His mouth seemed to be broken, and he spoke with blood-stained saliva, mumbling something unintelligible.
I only caught the words "Yong" and "Zhou," so I said, "Zhou Yong, is it? Thank you for your kindness earlier. But remember next time when you want to stand up for someone, consider whether you can protect yourself first. Nothing is more important than your own safety."
The servant was startled and looked at me with his brown eyes fixed on me.
I reached out and straightened his collar, which had been rumpled during the altercation, and continued, "The Prince of Jin's mansion will cover your medical expenses. Just remember not to act so impulsively in the future. Not everyone is willing to accept your help."
The servant's mouth moved as if he wanted to say something.
At that moment, my brother Hua Shen suddenly lunged forward and hugged my leg, crying out, "Sister, I know I was wrong. I won't do it again. Please don't send me to the magistrate's office."
Although Hua Shen was somewhat spoiled, he still had a sense of fear. However, I was determined to take advantage of the absence of his parents, the Prime Minister and Lady Hua, to teach him a lesson, so that he wouldn't continue to hinder my plans in the future.
Shaking off his grip, I ignored him and walked out. Suddenly, a figure dressed in blue appeared in front of me. It was the other person who had been silently standing beside the gray-clothed man earlier. He wore a blue robe and blocked my path, bowing and saying, "Princess of Jin, please wait."
I raised my eyes to look at him as he continued, "My younger brother spoke out of turn earlier, and I apologize to you on his behalf. He has always been straightforward and simple-minded, easily misled and believing whatever he hears. I hope you won't hold it against him."
The two brothers seemed to be playing good cop, bad cop quite well, but I wasn't impressed. "There's no need to apologize to me. I'm not getting involved in this matter. You can go to the magistrate's office and explain yourselves."
"Then perhaps we can resolve this in a different way. My brother and I will apologize to the Princess again and let go of Hua Shen's offense. After all, it was just a verbal dispute. Let's not make a scene at the magistrate's office." The man in blue suggested.
Hua Shen quickly agreed beside him, and all three of them were waiting for my response. I smiled and said, "I can let it go, but what happens between you isn't up to you to decide. It depends on how the parties involved want to handle it."
They were startled and began to look at the tavern maid, who had been ignored the whole time. Only the man in blue continued to look at me with a mysterious expression.
Pi Han, with a reluctant nod, spoke softly, "If… if Master Hua ceases his pursuit, I shall not hold him accountable." "Cease, I will cease," Hua Shen quickly interjected, his appearance both greasy and sleazy.
With the victim speaking out, it wasn't my place to send them forcibly to the authorities, though it was a pity to miss this chance to teach Hua Shen a lesson.
Watching Hua Shen's smug relief, I couldn't help but feel a sense of irony. I turned to the guards of Prince Jin's residence and commanded, "Escort my brother home. Until our parents return, guard the Hua residence and ensure he does not step outside."
"Little sister…" Hua Shen began, but a stern look from me silenced him, and he left meekly with the guards.
The two wanderers, witnessing this, bowed to me and departed. Watching their retreating figures, I remained vigilant. Their arrival had been peculiar, and just as I was about to instruct the guards to follow them discreetly, a familiar voice reached my ears.
"Truly, the Princess Consort of Prince Jin is a sight to behold."
My heart skipped a beat, and turning around, I saw a figure clad in moonlight hues—Emperor Zhong Xi Wu.
"Your Majes…" "Shh…" Before I could address him, he gestured for silence, whispering, "I'm incognito. Don't reveal my identity, Princess Consort."
As the tavern's crowd thinned, I maintained a strained smile.
Why was the Emperor here, in this tavern?
Zhong Xi Wu stood there, as serene as a clear moonlit night, his laughter pure and devoid of any imperial pretense—far gentler than when I first met him in the palace.
But for someone like me, who has always feared authority, relaxing in the presence of such a 'big boss' was out of the question.
"Seeing the Princess Consort handle matters so decisively is a stark change from before," Zhong Xi Wu remarked with a smile, his eyes clear of any deceit, as if he was merely making casual conversation.
I opened my mouth but found myself at a loss for words.
He quickly offered an understanding response, "As the Princess Consort, you are my sister-in-law. Just call me by my name."
Was he jesting? How could I dare? Weighing my options, I replied, "You jest, Master Zhong. The duties of a wife and daughter are indeed different."
Zhong Xi Wu didn't dwell on the topic, instead asking, "How come your brother, the Prince, did not accompany you today?"
"This is ultimately a matter for the Hua family, so it's best if the Prince does not intervene," I replied cautiously after a moment's thought.
Zhong Xi Wu's smile remained unchanged. Looking at his face was like basking in the spring breeze, the two brothers indeed being polar opposites—one as cold as ice, the other as warm as the sun, fitting their names—Ye Lan and Xi Wu.
However, in romance novels, Zhong Xi Wu's kind and courteous demeanor is often unappreciated, usually reserved for the second male lead. People seem to prefer watching the ice melt rather than the constant warmth of the sun.
Despite my musings, I wished to avoid further entanglement and was about to bid farewell when he spoke first, "I've been out for quite some time; I should return. My journey was simple, and I wonder if the Princess Consort could guide me?"
Could I refuse?
"If Master Zhong does not mind the simplicity of my carriage, then please, this way."
I maintained a calm exterior, but my heart was pounding. What was the Emperor's intention? Sharing a carriage seemed somewhat improper—could it be that he…
The thought terrified me. He was the Emperor, after all, with a harem of three thousand beauties. I would rather risk my life competing with Mu Yao for Ye Lan's affection than be conscripted into the harem.
Once aboard the carriage, I realized my folly. For Zhong Xi Wu remained silent throughout the journey, only to offer a word of thanks upon alighting, seemingly just hitching a ride.
I blushed at my own wild musings—after all, he's the devoted second male lead destined for the heroine. What was I, the supposed villainess, even daydreaming about?