Chapter 28: Self-Indulgent Affection-Irmã Louca Rouba o Casamento? Após Trocar de Lugar com Ela e Casar com o Príncipe Herdeiro de Vida Curta, Eu Subi ao Trono como Imperatriz(Estrela e Pintura de Primavera)

"Look, Your Highness, they are staring so intently at our pleasure boat that they look as if they would scramble aboard right this instant just to force their company upon you."

Ji Hua, sitting inside the vessel, had a clear view of Dong Yufeng and his companions on the bank. She offered this mocking remark to the Crown Prince. At Ling Yuzhao's command, the guards had already set the boat adrift, and it was now bobbing gently in the middle of the lake.

Ling Yuzhao fixed his gaze on Ji Hua and asked, "Miss Ji is truly formidable. However, I must ask: how did you come to know of the Xuan Prince's plans?"

Ji Hua had long known that Ling Yuzhao would not trust anyone easily. After a moment's thought, she provided a concise explanation.

"Your Highness, playing games like this is tiresome. You need only know that this banquet the Xuan Prince has staged today is intended to target you and cost you the Emperor's trust. Once you lose the imperial favor, you should understand the consequences that will follow. I do not know much, but it should be enough to serve as a warning."

Ling Yuzhao raised an eyebrow. "Elaborate."

Ji Hua lowered her eyes slightly and spoke with crystalline clarity. "The Xuan Prince intends to strike through Gu Zirui. Gu Zirui is your cousin, and the Gu family are your maternal relatives. If Gu Zirui commits an offense, it might not directly implicate you. But what if the Gu family were to commit an offense—a grave one, such as forming a clique for personal gain? In that case, you could not possibly remain untainted; you would inevitably be dragged into the mire."

Ji Hua looked up at Ling Yuzhao, her tone earnest. "My suggestion, Your Highness, is that you act early. It is best to turn passive into active; otherwise, if the Xuan Prince fails this time, he will surely strike again. After all, the Xuan Prince is ruthless and will stop at nothing to achieve his ends. If you are not more ruthless than he, I fear you will not be able to defeat him."

As Ji Hua spoke, her words were tinged with a deep-seated hatred for Ling Moxuan. This hatred was born of memories from her past life, and she failed to notice the renewed sense of scrutiny in Ling Yuzhao’s eyes.

Ling Yuzhao suddenly spoke. "Miss Ji seems quite well-acquainted with my imperial brother. Tell me, do you hold a grudge against the Xuan Prince?"

Realizing she had said too much, Ji Hua also felt a flicker of annoyance at Ling Yuzhao’s probing. She reined in her emotions, her expression turning colder as she prepared to retreat in order to advance.

"Your Highness is truly suspicious. It seems being a good person is indeed a thankless task. Since you doubt me, I shall no longer meddle in your affairs."

With that, she turned her head away and began pouring tea for herself, her profile radiating icy indifference.

Ling Yuzhao’s thin lips curled slightly. Watching Ji Hua—like a little wildcat unable to handle being teased, baring her claws in a show of feigned ferocity—he found it rather amusing.

This woman certainly possessed many secrets. He had plenty of time to unravel them, though now was not the moment. At present, he was more interested in knowing the extent of her knowledge regarding Ling Moxuan’s plot. He softened his tone.

"It was my error to ask. Let us return to the matter at hand. You mentioned turning passive into active; what suggestions do you have?"

Ji Hua’s eyes brightened slightly as she glanced at him. Judging by his tone, had the Crown Prince compromised and decided not to press further? Ji Hua let out a sigh of relief; as long as he stopped questioning her, she was not one to hold a grudge. Besides, there were priorities to consider; now was not the time for temper tantrums. She had to help him bypass the trap Ling Moxuan had set.

Since the Prince had asked, she would simply tell him. If she were right and he believed her, then bit by bit, she would naturally earn his trust.

Countless thoughts raced through her mind. Meeting Ling Yuzhao’s cool, dark eyes, she suddenly recalled Ling Moxuan’s claim from her previous life that the Crown Prince was in love with her. *What utter nonsense!* If he truly cared for her, how could he be so distrustful? At the very least, she would never be so guarded against someone she cherished.

Then again, the Prince was born into the highest nobility, with the Xuan Prince as a fierce rival eyeing his throne. Ling Yuzhao would have to be out of his mind to have the leisure for romantic entanglements. The struggle for the throne was a matter of life and death; one misstep, and one would fall into a bottomless abyss. The Prince appeared to be a sharp and cautious man; he was hardly the fool Ling Moxuan had described—someone who would repeatedly ruin things for the sake of passion. Therefore, what Ling Moxuan had said in her past life was surely meant only to disgust both her and the Prince. *And I almost believed him!*

At this thought, Ji Hua’s ears burned. She had been far too self-important before.

Looking at the probing gaze of the Prince across from her, Ji Hua adjusted her attitude. From this day forward, she must not view the Prince merely as a man, but as her liege lord. She possessed knowledge of her past life and must use it well. She could not forget that she had been reborn with hatred in her heart, nor could she be led astray by messy emotions.

She had returned for revenge. She was here to tear the Xuan Prince limb from limb. But before that, she had to help the Crown Prince secure the throne. Only then, by asking the Prince to hand Ling Moxuan over to her for disposal, would she achieve her true purpose.

Thus, she could be Ling Yuzhao’s future Crown Princess, but more importantly, she would become the strategist he could not do without. Having clarified the relationship they should maintain, Ji Hua’s expression grew calm. The confusion in her eyes vanished, replaced only by stillness and resolve.

"Your Highness," Ji Hua said respectfully, "I do have a plan. We can seize the initiative."

"The lake banquet today was hosted by the Xuan Prince, and this entire venue was arranged by him. Dong Yufeng and his group are the 'grand gift' he has prepared for you. You are currently within his trap and appear to have no way out, but as long as we refuse to be led by the nose, we need not remain in this position of being framed."

Ji Hua gave a cold laugh. "Who says that just because the stage is set, one must perform according to the script? We can turn the tables on them!"

She met Ling Yuzhao’s inquisitive gaze with clear, bright eyes. "Dong Yufeng and his group are from Qingzhou. Their purpose in coming here is to feign gratitude for Magistrate Gu’s care in your presence, but in reality, they intend to pin a charge of bribery on him—to act as the vicious hounds that will bite the Gu family and the Magistrate."

"However, among this group, only one will be left to serve as the scapegoat. I know who this person is, and he may well be the key piece in our plan to turn the tables."

*She knows quite a lot...*

Ling Yuzhao picked up the teapot and poured a cup for Ji Hua, his eyes deep and unfathomable. "Miss Ji truly surprises me. Not only do you know the Xuan Prince’s plans in advance, but you even know who the person is that will break the deadlock."

Ling Yuzhao stopped there, then placed the teacup in front of Ji Hua. "I am merely expressing my admiration; do not take it to heart, Miss Ji. Please, continue."

Ji Hua ignored the probing nature of his words. "Your Highness, there is a man in that group named Feng Yueyang who is the designated scapegoat. He holds the lowest status among them."