Chapter 105: None of Them Are Good People

Yuan Zaichun had originally been completely entangled by Bu Shenglian, yet for some reason, the thought of the woman before him caused a sharp, stinging pain in his heart. Even when he had attempted to ask for her hand in marriage again before the Emperor, he was refused—perhaps because the Emperor, having only just recovered his daughter, the Princess, was unwilling to let her go so soon?

As he pondered this, the man’s expression softened slightly. Born a Crown Prince, he had never known anyone to defy him; yet for this woman, he had broken his own principles time and again.

"Does Your Highness have something to say to my sister? If so, I shall take my leave. Sister, if you have time, do come visit me at the Sewu Palace."

"Very well."

Qiao Qingyun did not say much, merely nodding at Yuan Rou. Once Yuan Rou had moved away, it was as if Qiao Qingyun had become a different person. The smile on her face vanished in an instant, and the faint gentleness in her eyes was extinguished by a cold, ruthless glare.

"If the Crown Prince has something to say, speak quickly. If not, I am returning."

The woman reached up to touch her hair bun and the cold tassels hanging from it—precious ornaments she had never even been allowed to touch when she was still the Crown Princess. Of course, she had never cared for them either. Now that the truth had been laid bare, there was no need to act coy; in fact, she felt a sense of relief. Recalling how Zhong Shi had been covered in blood, taking several blades for her sake, a surge of fury rose in Qiao Qingyun’s chest. She wished she could tear the man before her to pieces. He and his mother were both vile creatures.

"Qingyun, it was my fault for laying a hand on you back then, but I have turned over a new leaf. I hope you will return to the Crown Prince’s mansion. Why are you so unwilling?"

This was the one thing Yuan Zaichun could not fathom. Any other woman would have been overjoyed, but Qiao Qingyun seemed to hold no value for any of it. She acted as if she couldn't even be bothered to glance at what he offered.

Hearing his request for her to return to the mansion, a flash of mockery crossed her eyes, followed by a light, tinkling laugh. Under the moonlight, Qiao Qingyun looked like an innocent angel—that is, if one ignored the intense murderous aura that made her seem even more purely chilling.

"Your mother tried to kill me time and again, and she murdered my father. That alone is enough, but I will also uncover the truth of how my mother died. You are all cut from the same cloth, and none of you will fare well."

"If you have ruined Qiao Qingyun, I will make sure to tear a piece of flesh from you even as I die. Tell your mother to wait—tell her to wait patiently."

With that, Qiao Qingyun placed her hand in the steady palm Zhong Shi extended. Supported by him, the four of them returned to the carriage. Sitting alone inside, feeling the sway of the vehicle, Qiao Qingyun felt a strange ache in her heart. Although the Zijin Palace was not far, the Emperor was deeply concerned for her, and she had no choice but to follow his wishes.

"My Lady, are you alright?"

Hongying, sitting beside her, had been watching Qiao Qingyun’s expression through the window. Startled by the sound of her name, Qiao Qingyun turned back in a hurry, forcing a smile. "Hm? What is it?"

"Nothing, I just felt that you seemed unhappy."

Hongying stuck out her tongue and lowered her head, feeling guilty. In truth, she wanted to ask why she wouldn't go back, or perhaps, if she had truly developed feelings for his brother.

Outside the banquet hall, Yuan Zaichun stood frozen. The harsh, icy demeanor Qiao Qingyun had just displayed seemed to have transformed her entirely. And then there was the matter of… he was not unaware that the Empress had sent assassins after Qiao Qingyun. Had Zhong Shi not risked his life to protect her, Qiao Qingyun would likely not be alive today.

"Your Highness? Shall we return?"

Liufu asked tentatively, his heart filled with regret. He had gone from initially welcoming Qiao Qingyun’s arrival to wishing, as time went on, that he could call her the Crown Princess every day. He had witnessed her capabilities and seen how much she had done to handle affairs for Yuan Zaichun. Whether it was a case of poisoning or some other secret that could not be spoken of, it was always Qiao Qingyun who had to resolve it.

"Liufu, should I go and ask for the truth?"

The man let out a long sigh. His hawk-like eyes revealed a profound sense of loss and sorrow, with a pang of heartache he had not even begun to recognize. Watching the carriage carrying Qiao Qingyun fade into the distance, he felt a sudden void in his heart. He had lost this woman.

"Your Highness, it is not my place to decide, but this concerns the former Crown Princess. You saw the intent in the eyes of Princess Qingjun—I fear she will not rest until this is finished."

Liufu felt a lingering fear; Qiao Qingyun’s manic state had nearly made him draw his blade in defense. Had he not sensed that her murderous intent was not directed at him, they might have already come to blows.

As the last of the pedestrians hurried away and the street fell silent, Yuan Zaichun, who had been staring up at the starry sky, finally regained his senses. He nodded. "You are right. At the very least, I must go and ask why she was harmed."

With that, he headed straight for the Fengqi Palace with Liufu. This was the Empress’s residence, a place few visited except to pay their respects. But this time, her own son was coming to confront her.

He quickened his pace, his robes billowing in the wind as he walked. With every step, he was haunted by the image of a woman dancing drunkenly under the moonlight. She had worn a white gown, and even though the moonlight was dim, she had held a candle aloft just so others could watch her a little longer. Her graceful, supple dance was the envy of many women, yet it was precisely for this that the Empress had made things difficult for her. And, of course, he had been one of the accomplices.

Inside the Empress’s palace, a noble lady sat on a chaise longue. The smoke from a beast-shaped incense burner curled upward, filling the room with the heavy scent of cloves.

"Zhuyue, has the banquet ended?"

The Empress toyed with the sandalwood beads in her hand, one by one. Her nails, long and elegant, and her fair fingers made the beads shine with oil. She recited Buddhist scriptures from time to time, appearing to be a devout believer.

Zhuyue, dressed in the red attire of a high-ranking palace maid, held a teacup. She bowed her head, respectfully offering the tea to the Empress. Seeing the Empress take it, she replied softly, "Yes, it has ended."

"Hmph. The Emperor’s regard for me grows less with each passing day. He has even placed me under house arrest—truly a laughingstock to the world."

As she spoke, the woman’s brow was filled with disappointment. The gentleness that once resided in her eyes seemed to have been extinguished by the events of these past days.

"My Lady, the Emperor is merely confused for a moment. When he comes to his senses, he will surely think of you."

Zhuyue hurried to offer comfort, though she did not believe the words herself; she only hoped to put her mistress’s mind at ease. Hearing this, the Empress let out a cold, disdainful snort and tossed the prayer beads aside. "Think of me? I fear the only thing he thinks of is that worthless sister of hers."