Chapter 27: Wanqing Wishes You a Swift Death and Rebirth! (Second Update)

After the Emperor Qianqing saw the river stone in Feng Xiaoli's hand, he was momentarily lost in thought. Then his eyes brightened, and he said with a cheerful smile, “Since this is Ali’s token of sincerity, how could I refuse? Eunuch Lian, quickly take it for me and place it in the Imperial Study. I wish to see it every day. And furthermore, Eunuch Lian, bestow upon Ali the jade bracelet I had the craftsmen of the Treasure Pavilion make!”

Everyone was puzzled upon hearing this. What virtue or merit did she possess to deserve the Emperor’s praise? It was nothing but an ordinary river stone, after all. Could it be—

The Emperor favored Feng Xiaoli?

Impossible, she was the future Crown Princess, wasn’t she? The mind of the ruler is inscrutable, and all could only speculate inwardly, not daring to voice their thoughts. Yet anyone who looked closely would notice that the ever-smiling Empress Yuanmin’s expression had fractured; her lips no longer curved into a graceful arc.

Feng Xiaoli herself had not expected such an outcome. Only after hearing Yue Wanqing mention the harsh rumors outside did she devise this scheme. Royal families would never wed a woman notorious for scandal. Mu Xinqi was right: in terms of wealth and status, the Prince Chun’s residence could never compare with the Duke Liao’s. In the end, Prince Chun was but a prince of foreign lineage.

There was no reason for the royal family to have Yuwen Hao marry her. In a way, Feng Xiaoli was grateful to Mu Xinqi. Though she seldom stepped out of Prince Chun’s residence, she was not unaware of who was behind these schemes. Yuwen Hao disdained such trivial matters; Mu Xinmi was shrewd and deep, unlikely to orchestrate something that could not shake Feng Xiaoli’s position as the future Crown Princess—her aim was always precise. Thus, only Mu Xinqi remained.

With the Emperor’s permission, Feng Xiaoli returned to her seat, and was met with Yue Wanqing’s half-smiling gaze. She sighed, “Forget it, Wanqing, I knew you’d laugh!”

“As long as you know why I’m laughing. I never thought you, usually so scatterbrained, would show such nerve today. Others may not know where you got that stone, but I certainly do. The moment you displayed it, I knew!” Yue Wanqing poured a glass of water for Feng Xiaoli.

Feng Xiaoli took the water and drank, her tone cool. “Were you not worried about me up there?”

“Worried about what?” Yue Wanqing looked up. “If I worried about you, I wouldn’t be Yue Wanqing. If you can’t even look after yourself, don’t claim to be my senior. If your head really did roll, don’t say you’re Old Xuewu’s disciple—I’d die of shame!”

Feng Xiaoli was long accustomed to Yue Wanqing’s mockery, used to her indifference. She laughed, “Wanqing, you can rest easy. Five years ago, Master cast my fortune and said I, Feng Xiaoli, was blessed and destined to live, not die. As for you, Wanqing, perhaps you’ll pass before I do!”

“You jinx!” Yue Wanqing feigned a slap, but Feng Xiaoli dodged easily.

“Wanqing!” Feng Xiaoli said, her voice lazy yet serious, “If one day you’re about to die before me, I won’t lift a finger to help. I’ll watch you slowly draw your last breath, erase you from my memory, never mourn or recall you again. I wish you an early death and swift reincarnation!”

Hearing this, Yue Wanqing’s smile faded a little. “Are you serious?”

Feng Xiaoli burst out laughing, “I’m teasing you! If you really died, I’d be heartbroken. So Wanqing, don’t die, at least not before me. Then I won’t have to go through that sadness!”

“Get lost!” Yue Wanqing splashed a glass of water at her. “You talk about death so much—do you actually want to die?”

“Miss Li, Miss Wanqing, I think my presence is spoiling your mood, so I’ll take my leave.” Shen Yuchen nodded to both Feng Xiaoli and Yue Wanqing, then strode away.

The conversation ended there, interrupted by Shen Yuchen. Seeing his retreating figure, Feng Xiaoli’s longtime friend could not help but warn, “Ali, this man is not simple; best avoid him when you can.”

“I know without you telling me!”

A palace maid brought an array of exquisite dishes, but Feng Xiaoli was uninterested. After sampling a few, she set down her chopsticks and poured herself a cup of Daughter’s Red. The wine was mellow and fragrant—truly fine. She was known for her love of wine, unlike Yue Wanqing, who never touched a drop. As she often said, if Ali got drunk, who would carry her home? Thus, Feng Xiaoli had never seen Yue Wanqing inebriated.

After drinking for a while, Feng Xiaoli felt a bit dizzy. She told Yue Wanqing she wanted to take a walk outside. Yue Wanqing, still hungry, declined to accompany her. After all, this was the palace; none would dare harm Feng Xiaoli.

Unconsciously, Feng Xiaoli wandered far from the banquet, and spotting a small pavilion ahead, she went to sit. The aftereffects of the Daughter’s Red were stronger than expected; she hadn’t even finished a pot, yet her head was already spinning. In the haze, she saw Mu Xinmi approaching alone.

“May I sit here?” Mu Xinmi asked with a smile.

“This palace isn’t mine. Sit wherever you like,” Feng Xiaoli replied, holding her forehead, annoyed.

At her words, Mu Xinmi sat down slowly, then spoke after some deliberation, “Miss Li, I apologize for Xinqi’s rudeness tonight. She’s still a child, speaks her mind and acts impulsively. Please don’t hold it against her—you’re broad-minded.”

Upon hearing this, Feng Xiaoli, who had been holding her head, immediately sobered. What nonsense was this? Wasn’t she saying that Mu Xinqi was right, only too blunt and accidentally let slip, and as her elder sister, Mu Xinmi was apologizing not for the content, but for the manner of delivery.

Mu Xinmi truly was a different class from her sister.

“So you agree with what Mu Xinqi said?” Feng Xiaoli raised her brows.

Mu Xinmi chuckled, as if she had anticipated Feng Xiaoli’s words, and responded instantly, “Miss Li, what are you saying? I genuinely came to apologize.”

“Enough!” Feng Xiaoli had no desire to speak further. “Mu Xinmi, stop pretending. I really don’t want to see you act all virtuous in front of me. You know, the moment you show up with that fake smile and ask for forgiveness, I know you’re just spouting nonsense. If you love pretending so much, do it in front of Yuwen Hao. He likes you—if you criticize me, he’ll defend you without hesitation, won’t he?”

Mu Xinmi hadn’t expected Feng Xiaoli to be so blunt. She had thought that by showing sincerity, Feng Xiaoli would forgive her sister and she herself would earn a good reputation. She hadn’t anticipated Feng Xiaoli’s sharp eye, seeing through her intentions at once.

Yet she, gentle and soft-spoken, had never been so coldly rebuked before. The feeling of grievance surged, and tears welled up in her autumn eyes.

—Author’s Note—

Sorry, something came up and caused a delay!