Chapter 18: Arrogant and Overbearing
The news that Zhao Jiao had stayed overnight at Fengxiang Palace spread to Caiwei Palace, instantly causing an uproar. Everyone gathered to gossip, praising her cleverness and skill. Of course, some speculated that something had happened, and the Empress had detained her. The discussions were lively and varied.
“We have time to gather here and chatter like this; it would be better if each of us went back to figure out how to please the Empress Dowager tomorrow, or perhaps start packing early to avoid last-minute chaos when leaving the palace,” Song Lanzhi tossed out these words and turned to leave.
The others dared not speak out, watching Song Lanzhi’s arrogant departure with clenched teeth and simmering anger.
“Miss, there’s no need to stoop to their level. You will surely stay; even the Noble Consort said so…” Rainbow, the maid, cautiously advised. She was assigned by the Imperial Noble Consort to serve Song Lanzhi, different from Yinkou and the others, though no one else knew this.
“There’s nothing good about this palace. If it weren’t for Father and Aunt forcing me here, I wouldn’t bother joining this mess! Ever since Feng Zhaozhao left, life has been utterly dull!”
“Miss, please be careful!” Rainbow glanced nervously around; fortunately, no one was nearby.
“Look at you, scared stiff. Now her name can’t even be mentioned? She wasn’t executed due to her father’s guilt; it was an accident… why can’t we mention her?”
“Oh my, dear Miss, please don’t say such things. This is the palace; you can’t speak recklessly…”
Rainbow hurriedly pulled Song Lanzhi inside and shut the door. Song Lanzhi wore a displeased expression but held back.
As the daughter of a fifth-rank official, Feng Yuer had never been taken seriously. Song Lanzhi assumed the other would no longer dare show her face.
In the Grand Princess’s mansion, Feng Yuer was selecting the clothes she would wear to enter the palace the next day. The room was luxuriously furnished, several braziers filling the space with warmth.
“Princess, should we send someone to spy inside the palace?” Qiaoxiu was uneasy, knowing something had been tampered with inside.
Feng Yuer’s expression changed. She turned and shot Qiaoxiu a disdainful glance. “Her? Is there anything to worry about? What can she do? Could she dare cause trouble for me? Does she have the ability or courage?”
Qiaoxiu quickly reminded her, “She knows Prince Su…”
“That’s even less reason to worry. Even if she went to Prince Su, what then? Prince Su was sent away to his fiefdom from childhood and was only recently recalled. He should be submissive, with no power or influence at court. He’s just a prince in name but nothing in reality. Would he risk offending me for that little vixen?”
Feng Yuer was utterly unconcerned, her tone arrogant.
“As you say, Princess!” Qiaoxiu’s worries dissipated.
“Just this outfit then. Paired with the ruby hair crown Mother gave me last time, it should be perfect!” Feng Yuer pointed to a silver gown.
“Tomorrow, Princess will surely outshine all others. Perhaps the Empress Dowager will even arrange a marriage between you and Prince Li. I congratulate you in advance!”
Qiaoxiu knew her mistress’s thoughts and flattered accordingly.
Pleased by the words, Feng Yuer’s eyes shone with joy and anticipation, a hint of shyness coloring her cheeks. “Don’t talk nonsense…”
Qiaoxiu cleverly helped Feng Yuer sit down. “I wouldn’t dare. Everyone knows you and Prince Li are a match made in heaven!”
“Truly, a woman grows beyond keeping. You said you’d always stay by my side,” Feng Yuer murmured.
Suddenly, a voice startled Feng Yuer, causing her to stand at once and bow respectfully.
“Nian Zhao pays respects to Mother!”
Grand Princess Yin Ling entered expressionless, clad in a black-purple robe wrapped in a fiery red fox fur. Her hair was meticulously done, adorned simply with a jade hairpin, yet even this simple adornment radiated regal authority.
After sitting, she glanced around the room and slowly spoke, “Preparing your attire for entering the palace tomorrow?”
“Yes!” Feng Yuer replied obediently, tinged with caution.
“Let me see.”
As Yin Ling spoke, the maids brought forward the clothes and jewelry that were ready to be put away.
Yin Ling’s gaze settled on a red dress. “This one. Zhao’er looks best in red.”
“Yes, whatever you choose, Mother, must be best.”
“You’re such a good girl. As long as you obey, I will care for you. Since you like that boy, Chang Li, as you wish, I will have the Empress Dowager arrange your marriage at tomorrow’s palace banquet.”
Yin Ling smiled at Feng Yuer, her question carrying an unmistakable pressure that allowed no refusal.
Feng Yuer was overjoyed, her cheeks flushed. “I leave it all to Mother!”
“Tomorrow is a good day. Dress well. It’s late; I will rest too. You needn’t see me out.”
“Farewell, Mother!” Feng Yuer dared not be negligent.
Yin Ling glanced at her suddenly, reaching out to lift her chin, brow furrowing. “I believe I said before, Zhao’er doesn’t like lipstick and doesn’t need to wear it. Her natural beauty suffices… Who applied your makeup today?”
Feng Yuer clenched her teeth, fighting not to tremble.
“Who?” Yin Ling repeated, the room growing cold.
“Your Highness, it was… it was the maid!” a trembling servant knelt.
“Take her away and give her twenty lashes. Serve me well. If it happens again, I will not be so lenient!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
Yin Ling released Feng Yuer’s chin and smiled again. “Zhao’er doesn’t put on makeup; Mother loves you most.”
Feng Yuer nodded repeatedly, eyes darting away until Yin Ling left. The sounds of pleading and lashes echoed, making her shudder.
“Too noisy! Shut their mouths. If they die, throw them to the mass graves!” Feng Yuer’s face darkened as she ordered.
The maids trembled inside, terrified. The lipstick—Feng Yuer had applied it herself. Juan’er had tried to advise her, but the princess slapped her!
“Out! All of you, get out!”
Zhao’er! Nian Zhao! Dead so long yet still haunting like a restless spirit. The one who liked red wasn’t her, nor was she fond of lipstick! She was just a substitute, a replacement for Feng Zhaozhao!
But what of that? Everything Feng Zhaozhao had now belonged to her—the princess’s title and Prince Li. Feng Zhaozhao was a failure! Feng Yuer was the true victor!
Tomorrow, she would finally have her wish fulfilled!
Meanwhile, at the palace, Zhao Jiao had not slept all night. The needle marks were deep and painful to the slightest touch; she could not lie down and spent the night sitting by the bed.
“Miss, please try to rest a little!” Yinkou, who had also stayed awake, tended her carefully.
“It’s almost dawn. Enough. Apply the medicine.”
“Yes!” Yinkou ceased her urging and applied the ointment with extra care and gentle movements.
“You are smart. Remember what I told you yesterday. No matter who asks today, your answer must be that you saw nothing. Understand?”
Zhao Jiao lay on her pillow, exposing her arm and gritting her teeth against the pain as Yinkou applied the medicine.
Yinkou hesitated briefly, then nodded. “I remember, Mistress!”
The bruises on Miss Xu’s face were from her own hand, but the rest of the injuries were Princess Nian Zhao’s doing.
The room was quiet and chilly; the brazier had long gone out, and no one came to add fire. This was Fengxiang Palace. Zhao Jiao was neither mistress nor guest here. Yinkou could not command the palace staff and could only silently accompany her.
Once the medicine was applied, Zhao Jiao rose to tidy herself. The swelling on her face had lessened, but the purple handprints were more prominent.
“Miss, let me help cover it with makeup…”
“No need. It’s fine like this. Let’s go pay respects to the Empress!”
She felt the marks looked even worse yesterday, though adding more would seem too fake. It was enough for today’s performance. She wondered if Feng Yuer was prepared for the show.
Judging by yesterday’s display at Fengxiang Hall, the official young ladies entering the palace to serve the Empress Dowager were a pretense. Most likely, her grandmother, who liked meddling in marriage arrangements, intended to arrange a grand match for the royal family.
In that case, the Empress would surely assist her. Prince Li’s marriage was imminent. Her move was perfectly timed.
If she guessed right, today’s palace banquet was to arrange marriages for several princes. Sorry, but those weddings would have to be delayed a little longer...