Chapter 128: Consort Lan's Palace Is Not for Just Anyone

Chu Liuchen, however, offered a faint smile. "Actually, it is nothing complicated. I simply wish to ask for a few people from your hands, Eldest Brother. If you agree, consider the score between us settled today!"

"What kind of people?" Chu Liuyue felt a sudden jolt in his heart, a wave of ominous foreboding washing over him.

"The eldest daughter of the Duke of Xingguo’s manor, Miss Shao Yanru," Chu Liuchen replied, gazing intently at Chu Liuyue with a leisurely air.

Qin Wanru gripped the paper so hard her knuckles turned white. She closed her eyes tightly, as blurred images flickered before her—each one casting the elegant shadow of a woman who seemed to follow her like a phantom. A chill, cold and bloodthirsty, seemed to seep from the depths of her heart.

The noble eldest daughter of the Duke of Xingguo, the very same Concubine Shao who had conspired with Chu Liuyue to frame her, the vicious woman who had strangled the Sixth Prince—so, their connection had been forged long ago.

They had hidden their relationship remarkably well. In her previous life, she had died without ever understanding their connection or why they had joined forces against her. Chu Liueyue had not even granted her a chance to explain before disposing of her, claiming he was "avenging" the unjustly murdered Sixth Prince.

She narrowed her eyes, a hint of crimson flashing within them. In her past life, her death had been shrouded in mystery. Why had this Concubine Ning harbored such profound malice toward her?

Or perhaps, it was not just her; the Duchess of Xingguo, too, had been involved. If they truly held such malice, they should have disliked Qin Yuru, given that the Old Duchess of Xingguo favored her and even kept her at the manor for a time. Yet, inexplicably, Qin Wanru felt that this Concubine Ning also favored Qin Yuru. Was the close relationship between the Duchess of Xingguo and Lady Di simply because both women disliked her and sought to frame her? If so, it would explain why, while in the palace, Concubine Ning had repeatedly set traps for her, finally pinning the death of the Sixth Prince upon her.

"So, this is the new artist for the palace maidens? Such shifty eyes—truly unlikable, as if she has something shameful to hide!" The woman’s coquettish voice rang out. Back then, she had been leaning against the Emperor, delicate and charming, while Qin Wanru had been nothing but a weak girl kneeling by the roadside, having chanced upon the imperial palanquin.

"You are the one who stole my hairpin, aren't you? How base. Look at your station—someone, slap her mouth!" The lazy, arrogant voice of the woman...

"Someone, throw her into the river! How dare she pluck the lotus flowers I favor!" The cold, sharp voice...

The red in her eyes deepened into a bloodthirsty, malevolent intensity. She took a deep breath, gathering the icy coldness that had scattered throughout her body, and pressed it deep into the recesses of her heart.

She suddenly found herself looking forward to visiting the Duke of Xingguo’s manor.

That noble family, whose history was so intertwined with the tragedies of her past life—the sight of their name alone tore open her bleeding wounds, fueled by raw, lingering hatred.

Qin Yuru had been the beginning of her tragedy, and Shao Yanru had been its end. No one would ever suspect that this eldest daughter, who appeared the very model of propriety and the epitome of a noble lady, was in fact a woman of monstrous, sickening cruelty.

She would uncover the truth. She would find out exactly what grievance that woman held against her!

***

"What do you mean?" Chu Liuyue’s voice came from outside. It sounded even calmer than before, yet Qin Wanru could detect a shadow of gloom beneath his forced composure.

"I mean nothing much. I simply think Miss Shao is quite exceptional. I saw you two engaged in such a pleasant conversation last time, Brother. Might it be that you have taken a fancy to her? What a coincidence—so have I!" Chu Liuchen said lazily, his long, pale fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair.

His wicked, charming demeanor made it seem as though he were discussing a common street woman rather than a noble lady.

Chu Liuyue’s face flushed with anger, but he forced himself to suppress his seething rage. "Third Brother, mind your words. Miss Shao is of noble standing. If Father were to hear you speaking so frivolously of such matters, he would surely punish you severely."

He was using the Emperor to intimidate him.

"Is Eldest Brother angry? Are you perhaps taking her too seriously? If she dares to act, why should I not dare to speak? If she feels wronged, she can come to me personally to argue her case instead of hiding away to whisper with you. I am always a man of reason and evidence!" Chu Liuchen, far from being intimidated, cast a careless, mocking glance at Chu Liuyue.

"Last time, I originally intended to speak with the Duke of Xingguo, but he was unavailable, which is why I had Miss Shao relay a message," Chu Liuyue said, forced to restrain his temper.

"Brother, I truly have no desire to know the nature of your relationship with this young lady. However, please advise her to mind her behavior and stop frequenting Concubine Lan's palace without cause."

Chu Liuchen’s expression suddenly turned icy. "Concubine Lan’s palace is not a place just anyone can enter. What is she plotting by trying to befriend those within it?"

Behind the screen, Qin Wanru frowned. She had heard of Concubine Lan but had never met her. In her previous life, she had not seen this woman when she entered the palace; she had only heard that she was once a favorite of the Emperor but had since fallen from grace and been placed under house arrest.

It was not merely a verbal restriction; guards were stationed at the gates, forbidding anyone from entering. Only the servants could come and go. As such, even until her death, Qin Wanru had never seen Concubine Lan, nor had she ever heard of any connection between Chu Liuchen and her. Even after Chu Liuchen became Crown Prince, Concubine Lan remained confined, never appearing in public.

"Does Concubine Lan have something to do with you?" Chu Liuyue countered.

"I simply find Shao Yanru an eyesore. Is she planning to enter the palace to serve our Uncle, or has she set her sights on you, Brother? Regardless, she is still an unmarried young lady with no ties to the palace concubines. To continuously curry favor with a former favorite and seek ways to regain the Emperor's attention—that Miss Shao's ambitions are truly not small!"

Chu Liuchen mocked her without reservation. Seeing Chu Liuyue’s face turn pale, he clapped his hands, feigning a sudden realization. "Ah! Eldest Brother, surely you didn't send her to pry into Uncle’s preferences, did you?"

"Nonsense! I did no such thing!" Chu Liuyue’s face turned not just white, but a sickly shade of green, and the veins on his neck began to bulge.

If such treacherous words were to reach the Emperor's ears, he would certainly believe such thoughts were behind his actions. How could he not be anxious?

"Whether you did or not is of no consequence. I only hope you advise Miss Shao to stop wandering into Concubine Lan’s palace. There are many eyes watching that place. If others begin to think she has ulterior motives, the Emperor's concubines will not spare her, no matter how strong the backing of the Duke of Xingguo’s manor may be."

Chu Liuchen said slowly, "In truth, this has nothing to do with me. Someone simply asked me to deliver a warning to Miss Shao!"

***

"Who?" Chu Liuyue’s hand, hidden within his sleeve, trembled slightly. But, always one to maintain his composure, he suppressed his palpitations and asked with a dark, cold expression.

"You need not ask, Brother. Since you are close to the Duke of Xingguo, delivering a message shouldn't be too difficult, should it? Of course, if Miss Shao refuses to heed this, I shall ask our Uncle for her hand myself. My palace is currently lacking a woman!" Chu Liuchen said nonchalantly.

"You wish to marry her?" Chu Liuyue suddenly understood the intent behind Chu Liuchen’s words. He looked at him gloomily. The previous remarks were merely excuses; this final sentence was the truth!

After all, Shao Yanru was a renowned beauty of talent and grace in the capital; even a sickly wretch like Chu Liuchen could not escape such worldly desires.

"The woman by my side need not necessarily be a Princess," Chu Liuchen said, a hint of bewitching charm in his eyes. He flicked his robes with impatience. "I was only joking about asking for her, but if she proves to be ignorant of the situation... I would not mind speaking to our Uncle directly..."

With that, he slumped further into his chair and closed his eyes, pretending to rest. His attitude was infuriating, yet because of his status, no one could say a word, let alone touch him. He was like a delicate piece of porcelain; if he were to be damaged, no one could bear the consequences.

Chu Liuyue was stifled with rage, yet he was helpless. He could not even complain that Chu Liuchen had slaughtered his men; he had to quietly ensure Shao Yanru would never again approach Concubine Lan’s palace, lest he arouse his father’s suspicion.

Though he was the eldest son, he was not born of the Empress. He possessed the seniority but not the legitimacy, and seizing the throne was a task of immense difficulty. He had to be cautious in everything.

"Third Brother, get some rest. I shall not disturb you further." Chu Liuyue was forced to stand, offering this perfunctory remark with a dark face before taking his leave.

Once Chu Liuyue was gone, Qin Wanru finally let out a long breath. Hearing no sound from outside, she wondered what Chu Liuchen was doing. She held her breath and leaned her ear against the screen, wanting to detect any movement. The silence was unnerving—it didn't seem like Chu Liuchen at all.

There was no sound, not even the rhythm of breathing. Qin Wanru felt a sudden, inexplicable panic. Could something truly have happened to him?

Ordinary people would not simply collapse without a sound, but with him, one could never be certain. Thinking of the elderly woman she had encountered on the road earlier who had suffered a relapse of an old illness, Qin Wanru grew anxious.

Had Chu Liuyue’s provocation been enough to cause him harm?

Although she had heard clearly that it was Chu Liuchen who had been provoking Chu Liuyue, his health was unpredictable. What if he had ended up hurting himself while trying to anger another?

Thinking this, she stood up urgently and turned toward the front of the screen. If something had truly happened, she could perhaps offer medical aid. Yet, fearing she might disturb him, she decided it would be better to peek through the gap in the screen first.

She stopped at the edge of the screen, reaching out to peek, when she suddenly heard a cold grunt from outside, followed by the sound of something collapsing. She peered out, and her face changed instantly...