After Being Marked by the Eldest Princess, I Got Pregnant with Her Child [Transmigration into a Novel] - Chapter 18

“Who are you?”

Finally, she managed to ask the complete question.

Xie Mingyou’s eyes froze momentarily before curling into a mocking sneer. “I’d forgotten – Your Majesty’s status is too noble to remember past affairs.”

Yan Yue frowned. What was this person talking about? Had they known each other before?

But why couldn’t she recall anything?

Yan Yue’s shimmering eyes appeared particularly pale and fragile amidst the steam rising from the hot spring. Xie Mingyou’s grip on her shoulder involuntarily loosened slightly. This pitiful appearance – was she trying to gain sympathy?

“You’re still as hypocritical as ever.”

After a long pause, Xie Mingyou averted her gaze from the exposed upper body and delicate collarbones, her eyes filled with disdain.

Yan Yue’s headache returned. Whenever she tried to think deeply, the pain would flare up.

“Should I remember you?”

The murmuring water blended with the roaring in her mind. The face before her was so close – if they had known each other, she wouldn’t have absolutely no memory of it. Half-leaning against the pool’s edge, her thoughts already growing chaotic, her words came out hesitant and timid, devoid of the dignified authority she displayed in court.

“You shouldn’t remember me, because—”

Xie Mingyou’s dark green eyes pierced straight into her soul as she uttered coldly: “You’re unworthy.”

Three simple words, neither loud nor soft, yet they pressed down on Yan Yue until she could barely breathe.

She’d pretended before her in the past. But times had changed – she wouldn’t be fooled again.

“Mmmph…”

Yan Yue struggled to breathe, her face tilted upward as her chin was cruelly gripped. The emotions in the other woman’s eyes were unfathomable. Immersed in water, she dared not move recklessly. The pool’s surface floated with petals, her body completely exposed. This woman radiated intense aggression. Clutching the pool’s edge, Yan Yue’s expression was one of extreme discomfort.

“Seeing you like this now only disgusts me.”

Xie Mingyou watched the trembling rise and fall of her chest in the water, surprised to see unfamiliar fear in those eyes regarding her, as if she were some monstrous beast. How times had changed – she’d been completely forgotten.

With a sudden motion, Xie Mingyou shoved her face aside in frustration. “Yan Yue, you will remember me.”

Like a passing gust of wind, by the time Yan Yue regained her breath, the woman had vanished as silently as she’d arrived.

Yan Yue touched her chin, where the shadow of that grip remained. She had come specifically for her.

The palace walls were high, yet she’d come and gone with such ease.

Leaning against the pool’s edge, Yan Yue’s mind was in turmoil.

—— ——

“The Poison Master escaped.”

Seventeen reported to Yan Chen, having pursued the cunning woman over ten miles only to lose her when she threw some powder. Fortunately, Seventeen had been prepared, or she would have fallen victim.

Failing to kill her filled Seventeen with guilt. Her grip on the sword hilt tightened repeatedly.

Yan Chen, reviewing memorials, responded calmly: “No matter. Poison masters excel at using toxins. At least we’ve obtained her information.”

The Poison Master was Xiao Yunli’s right-hand woman, responsible for many of Li Kingdom’s underhanded tactics – creating any poison that served their interests. A veteran of Li Kingdom.

That Xiao Yunli had sent her to Zhao Kingdom to suppress them through poison showed their restless ambitions clearly enough – they wanted nothing less than mutual destruction.

Though the Kingdom of Li had grown powerful in recent years, its geographical location remained remote and bitterly cold, far from the vast and prosperous lands of Zhao. Xiao Yunli’s conquest of several small neighboring city-states ultimately aimed to provide her people with the same mild and sunny living conditions enjoyed in Zhao.

“The patients outside the city have been contained. The imperial physicians are working diligently to address the aftereffects caused by Dream Incense.”

No poison is truly unsolvable. If it could be created, then a cure must exist—though it might require considerable time, effort, manpower, resources, and wealth.

“This plague outbreak has also shown the people that the royal family has never abandoned them. Since Yue’er has just ascended the throne, this incident serves as an opportunity to strengthen trust between the populace and the monarchy.”

What could be more stable than the unwavering support of a nation’s people for their ruler?

However, with the Grand Tutor gone and Xiao Yunli’s schemes not fully realized, her vengeful nature would surely not let matters rest easily.

“Have our people keep watch. There’s another urgent matter at hand.”

The envoys from the Kingdom of Yue had already entered the capital. According to intelligence, Xie Mingyou had entered the city with a group of officials while sixty thousand troops remained stationed ten miles outside, ready to act on command.

Yan Chen observed the potted plant on the table. Until the enemy’s true intentions were clear, they could not afford to lower their guard.

At the Envoy Residence.

Xie Mingyou wore a black robe with silver-threaded patterns, a golden belt adorned with pearl motifs at her waist, from which hung a green tasseled jade pendant. The lightweight fabric draped elegantly over her slender, upright frame, her demeanor as poised as jade beneath clear moonlight. Her calm, jade-green eyes concealed turbulent undercurrents.

A maid handed her the scepter—a symbol of her status and authority.

“Grand Preceptor.”

Song Lan studied her. The Grand Preceptor of Yue was already a legendary figure in her kingdom by the time her name became known. Yet her origins remained shrouded in mystery. No one knew where she came from or how she had risen to such power, only that the ruler of Yue held her in high esteem, and the entire nation revered her.

Xie Mingyou gave a slight nod. “Chancellor.”

A mere gesture of acknowledgment—fitting for Yue’s aloof Grand Preceptor. Song Lan paid no mind to formalities; her purpose was simply to escort her.

“His Majesty awaits you in the Council Hall. This way.”

Xie Mingyou glanced toward the doorway ahead, her lips curling into an imperceptible smile.

Song Lan felt a chill down her spine. There was something unsettling about Xie Mingyou, especially those heterochromatic eyes—a rarity in any kingdom. Her dark green pupils seemed to pull one into an abyss, where unseen forces quietly fractured the darkness, leaving the outcome of the fall unknown.

Council Hall.

“Your Majesty, Xie Mingyou, Grand Preceptor of Yue, requests an audience.”

“Granted.”

Hua Ling stepped forward, her voice resonant.

Yan Yue watched as the figure entered with composed grace. Across the red carpet, the woman approached, her silhouette haloed by light.

Yan Yue’s blood ran cold. It was her.

She was Yue’s Grand Preceptor.

Beneath her dragon robes, Yan Yue trembled slightly, her grip on the throne betraying her shock.

“Xie Mingyou greets Your Majesty.”

She smiled—a smile that never reached her eyes.

Her courtesy was impeccable, yet it sent an inexplicable chill through Yan Yue’s veins.

“Rise. The Grand Preceptor’s journey has been long. You must be weary.”

Xie Mingyou smiled faintly at the words. “No trouble at all. My king has long wished to meet with the ruler of Zhao Kingdom in person, but unfortunately fell ill and had to send me in his stead.”

Yan Yue struggled to steady her mind as she watched those perfectly shaped red lips part and close.

“In that case, I hope the State Preceptor enjoys her journey,” came Yan Chen’s cool voice.

Xie Mingyou turned her gaze to the speaker, neither servile nor overbearing. “I certainly hope so.”

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