You Yuji sat in a carriage with the Princess of Jinnan and her daughter. She sat alone on one side while the mother and daughter sat opposite her.
Chen Lingyan glanced at You Yuji, recalling the veiled dancers You Yuji intended to bring into the palace today. She asked, “Why did you suddenly decide to perform again? While showing filial piety is a good thing, you should be careful not to dance indecently. Don’t bring shame to our royal mansion.”
“Lingyan,” the princess frowned, casting a reproachful look.
Chen Lingyan pouted and lowered her head, starting to eat candied fruit. She had always been unwilling to defy her mother, but she still felt indignant. From the beginning, she and her brother were unwelcoming of this woman who behaved improperly.
She and her brother had once seen this woman and Zhao Sheng, a man and a woman alone, enter a room together. Her brother, being magnanimous, didn’t want to speak out and ruin the woman’s reputation, fearing she might end her life. After all, a life was at stake. But every time she thought of how her brother had to swallow his anger, she felt truly annoyed.
The carriage stopped in front of the palace gate.
Outside the palace gate, many carriages of royal relatives were already parked. Some high-ranking officials were also invited today. There were many people at the palace gate.
As soon as You Yuji got off the carriage, she vaguely heard a commotion ahead. Even though today wasn’t the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, making noise at the palace gate wasn’t something anyone dared to do.
Chen Lingyan complained beside her, “Such rudeness should be thrown into the dungeon. What nonsense…”
The Princess of Jinnan ordered someone to check, and the person quickly returned with a report.
“It is Princess Huarong reprimanding the guards at the palace gate. The specifics are still unknown.”
Hearing it was Princess Huarong, Chen Lingyan immediately fell silent.
The princess turned to You Yuji and whispered, “On a day like today, everyone attending will be upright, cautious, polite, and kind. Only Princess Huarong doesn’t care about such things. If you encounter her, be careful with your words and try to go along with her.”
“Yes,” You Yuji lowered her eyes and nodded.
Actually, without the princess’s reminder, You Yuji already knew about Princess Huarong’s way of handling things. Not only her, but everyone in the world knew about Princess Huarong’s temperament.
The Emperor of Chen had four sons and one daughter, with Princess Huarong being the youngest. She was spoiled and willful from a young age. Even after marriage and childbirth, her temper didn’t improve. The pain of losing her daughter years ago had made her even more irritable and harsh.
Before the banquet began, the princess first took her daughter and You Yuji to visit the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager’s palace was already filled with many ladies, standing or sitting, with laughter and chatter filling the room. You Yuji silently followed behind the princess, greeted everyone according to protocol, and then quietly sat beside the princess.
You Yuji looked at Princess Huarong. Unlike others who wore smiles, Princess Huarong’s expression was indifferent as she sat alone, cracking pumpkin seeds. Probably due to her poor temperament, the harshness was evident in her brows and eyes.
You Yuji withdrew her gaze.
She didn’t come to the palace today to join the festivities.
She came for Qi Mingcheng’s life.
“Songwen,” Princess Huarong called out to her chief maid with displeasure, “it’s too noisy, open the windows.”
The laughter in the room paused for a moment.
Princess Huarong was truly tired of seeing their fake smiles. She stood up and bowed, saying, “Grandmother, I am weary and will go to the side hall to rest.”
The Empress Dowager, sitting at the head, nodded slowly. At her advanced age, every movement had become very slow. It was uncertain how much of the laughter she could even understand.
The people in the room chatted and laughed for a while longer, gauging that it was about time. An old eunuch from the palace came in, bowed, and cheerfully invited everyone to move to the Golden Hall, where today’s banquet was set.
Since entering winter, the Princess of Jinnan’s health had not been good, and she attended the banquet today only out of necessity. Due to her discomfort, she spoke little and walked at the back when leaving.
You Yuji followed the princess, casually glancing back to see the nanny heading to the side hall, probably to fetch Princess Huarong.
You Yuji looked away.
Upon arriving at the Golden Hall, You Yuji took her seat properly and observed the hall. For the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet, the hall had been newly decorated.
Opposite the entrance, at the highest position, were the seats for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and the Empress. The tables for the royal family and courtiers were arranged on either side, with a slightly elevated platform in the center for the performances and gift presentations. The platform, facing the main seats, was adorned with longevity peaches, stacked high.
You Yuji’s gaze swept lightly and she saw Qi Mingcheng, who was smiling broadly, conversing with two young noblemen beside him.
Other than Chen Xun, the other heirs entered the hall together.
Seeing the arrival of the heirs, those seated guessed that the Emperor, having finished his affairs, would soon arrive to start the banquet.
Chen Yinian was speaking with Chen Qi. After finishing his words and receiving no response, he turned to look at Chen Qi. Placing a hand on Chen Qi’s shoulder, he called, “Third Brother?”
Chen Qi came back to his senses, turned to him, and asked, “What?”
Chen Yinian didn’t say anything. He looked around the hall, roughly finding the spot where Chen Qi’s gaze had fallen earlier, and saw You Yuji. Chen Yinian understood. He smiled and said, “I’ve heard that Third Brother’s marriage is approaching?”
Chen Qi frowned slightly.
“Third Brother, there are so many women in the world, why bother?” Chen Yinian could only hint gently.
“What are you two whispering about?” Chen Lian asked with a smile.
Chen Anzhi also looked over.
Chen Yinian said, “I was just telling Third Brother that I wonder if Old Six has taken a liking to any young lady.”
Chen Lian was taken aback and then laughed, “Fifth Brother, you should worry about yourself first.”
Chen Anzhi chimed in with a smile, “Old Six is only fourteen, it’s Fifth Brother who should be more anxious.”
Chen Yinian listened to the two of them teasing him and didn’t respond much. He was shifting the topic to himself to spare Chen Qi any trouble. He truly disliked seeing discord among brothers, especially over a woman. In his eyes, that woman was already destined to be Fourth Sister-in-law, and it was wrong for Third Brother to keep thinking about her. If it were another man’s wife, taking her might be feasible. But to covet the wife of a brother was utterly unacceptable.
Chen Qi remained silent as they took their seats.
Naturally, he no longer let his gaze fall on You Yuji. He knew it wasn’t appropriate; it would cause trouble for both of them.
Chen Qi took the wine handed to him by a palace maid, gently swirled the cup, and then drank the spicy wine in one gulp. The heat of the wine slid down his throat, bringing a certain fervor.
Listening to the voices of Chen Anzhi and Chen Lian nearby, Chen Qi raised his head and drank another cup, feeling a deep-seated frustration. He couldn’t understand why Chen Anzhi treated You Yuji this way, disregarding her dignity. He even worried that in such a grand setting, someone might mock You Yuji in their words.
This was not how a man should behave.
Since he last saw You Yuji and made up his mind, Chen Qi had silently made many preparations.
He wouldn’t look at You Yuji now, avoiding unnecessary trouble for both of them. But that didn’t mean he had given up on rescuing her.
On the contrary, he was almost ready.
He didn’t want to possess this woman; he just wanted her to be happy. He knew You Yuji had no feelings for him, and he wouldn’t force her.
But he had to save her, take her away from the capital that had caused her so much pain.
Soon, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor arrived. Everyone in the hall stood and knelt to pay their respects.
The Emperor, smiling broadly, ordered that formalities be set aside for the day. He personally helped the aged Empress Dowager to her seat at the head of the table.
After lengthy praises, the birthday performances began. The Emperor’s daughters were mostly gentle and reserved, with few opting for song and dance performances. Instead, many chose to present calligraphy, paintings, and embroidery, and some personally transcribed birthday greetings for the Empress Dowager.
You Yuji sat in her seat, watching a pipa performance on stage. Her gaze drifted past the performer to the tall stack of longevity peaches behind the stage.
You Yuji’s performance was a late addition to the program. From a distance, Qi Mingcheng squinted and spotted You Yuji in the crowd. He signaled for a guard to inquire about You Yuji’s newly added performance.
The guard went to ask, and You Yuji slightly turned her head towards the princess and said, “Princess, King Kangjing inquires about the gift presentation. I will go explain the details.”
“Mm.” The princess nodded absentmindedly.
She had just eaten a piece of cake and was feeling inexplicably nauseous, paying little attention to You Yuji’s words.
You Yuji walked past the banquet tables towards Qi Mingcheng.
The people who were enjoying the pipa performance by the Prime Minister’s daughter couldn’t help but shift their gaze, following You Yuji. She walked gracefully past the tables, her face expressionless, captivating everyone’s attention. As she drew closer, her beauty became even more striking. Once she passed by, those seated couldn’t turn to look back and their gazes gradually fell on her long dress.
Her soft, light purple gown trailed on the floor, creating a picturesque scene with each step.
Chen Anzhi, sitting with several young nobles, also noticed the change in the atmosphere. Surprised, he looked over. He was momentarily stunned by the striking purple figure, and when he realized it was You Yuji, his expression turned cold. His hand on his knee slowly clenched, anger and reprimand filling his mind—she was flaunting herself even in such a setting, utterly unbecoming!
Long accustomed to such stares, You Yuji paid little mind to the attention she garnered. She approached Qi Mingcheng and softly said, “I happen to have a suitable dance for the birthday celebration, so I added it at the last minute.”
Qi Mingcheng, already aware that You Yuji had brought many veiled dancers, asked, “Will those dancers perform, or will you personally present the dance?”
“I will dance myself.” You Yuji’s red lips curved into a smile, and she lowered her voice, “As for those dancers, they are not merely for accompaniment.”
Qi Mingcheng stared at the smile on You Yuji’s lips and slowly frowned.
You Yuji’s voice dropped even lower, “Didn’t you say you wished for an opportunity at the right time?”
Qi Mingcheng was stunned, then dazed. He quickly recalled the veiled women he had glanced at. Could Princess Que be hidden among them?
Qi Mingcheng’s eyes widened in disbelief, staring at You Yuji. She planned to hide Princess Que among those dancers and create an opportunity today in the palace?
Was she mad?
You Yuji looked at him with a gentle smile, her usual soft expression now appearing as a challenge to Qi Mingcheng.
“After the dance, my dancers will go to the side room to change. I will have my maid come for you then. If it’s inconvenient for you, never mind.”
You Yuji smiled warmly. After speaking, she turned and walked back gracefully.
When You Yuji returned to her seat, the Prime Minister’s daughter had just finished her pipa performance. She stood, and the guests applauded enthusiastically.
“She played the pipa beautifully,” You Yuji nodded in praise.
A faint smile hung on You Yuji’s face.
She was a magnanimous person; even if someone annoyed her over trivial matters, she paid little attention to it. Just like when she first entered the royal mansion, the mockery from the two concubines—knowing their backgrounds and living conditions—she understood and didn’t take it to heart.
She rarely harbored thoughts of murder.
No matter how much she loathed Chen Anzhi, she never thought of killing him. Didn’t she know that without Chen Anzhi, life would be easier for herself and the concubines?
Of course she did.
But it wasn’t necessary.
As much as Chen Anzhi was detestable, he had never intended to kill her. Thus, she never thought of killing him—not because it was difficult, but because it wasn’t necessary.
Qi Mingcheng, however, had kindled in her a rare murderous intent.
Once the intent to kill arises, it cannot be extinguished.
He had it coming tbh