The Flirtatious Beauty Decides to Steal the Princess - Chapter 12

The gentle spring sunlight made for the finest weather. Despite the long rain the night before, the resilient flowers and grass remained unbroken.

Now, they were budding, with dewdrops hanging from their leaves like tears.

Wen Ying took a few bites of pastry before setting it aside, crouching in the courtyard to observe the plants. The glistening droplets shimmered under the sunlight, resembling the beaded tassels on the Empress’s embroidered slippers.

As for the Empress, Wen Ying had only seen her during banquets. Back then, she had no idea about the covert rivalry between the Noble Consort and the Empress she had simply observed everyone’s expressions and obediently addressed them as expected.

Noticing what seemed to be a butterfly alighting at the gates of the Ninglu Palace, Wen Ying had just taken a step forward when a disciplined set of footsteps from outside made her freeze.

This place was remote, the very edge of the palace, where few ever passed by. Wen Ying doubted anyone was merely passing through these people were surely heading to the Hanguang Hall. She crouched behind the palace gates, tucking her small frame tightly out of sight.

Pricking her ears, she listened to the sounds outside, peering through the crack in the gate as the chief eunuch, flanked by several attendants, led the way toward Hanguang Hall.

Wen Ying’s heart pounded nervously. She still didn’t know whether the Eighth Prince had managed to persuade the Emperor. These eunuchs’ arrival could mean either that Fu Qingyin was to be released or that the Emperor had heeded the Noble Consort’s words and was here to punish her.

Her heart felt lodged in her throat. No matter how lovely the sunlight was, it offered no comfort now.

“By the testimony of the Eighth Prince, it has been proven that Princess Fu Qingyin was falsely accused of pushing Bai Zhi into the water. By His Majesty’s decree, all guards are to be withdrawn immediately. Furthermore, no other consorts or concubines are permitted to confine Princess Qingyin without authorization.” The chief eunuch’s shrill voice, usually grating, now sounded like heavenly music to Wen Ying’s ears.

Fu Qingyin, standing there in a flowing cyan dress, her dark hair loosely tied, regarded the chief eunuch’s obsequious demeanor with deep disgust. She lifted her eyes indifferently, muttering a perfunctory word of thanks.

The chief eunuch concealed his disdain behind a smile, retreating with the guards and other attendants in tow.

The farce that had lasted all of yesterday finally quieted down. Sang Zhi stood beside Fu Qingyin, watching her mistress with concern. “Your Highness, please don’t be angry. Lately, your temper has been increasingly unstable.”

That was putting it mildly. Though Fu Qingyin was trained in martial arts, she rarely resorted to killing with her own hands. Yet last night, Sang Zhi had witnessed her nearly slaughter a guard.

Even then, Sang Zhi had sensed something was wrong deeply wrong.

But she could understand. How could someone with ambition, pride, and unyielding spirit ever resign herself to bowing before the enemies of her homeland? Still, it comforted Sang Zhi that at least Princess Wen Ying was willing to coax her mistress. Otherwise…

A shiver ran down her spine. She didn’t dare finish the thought.

Fu Qingyin turned her gaze to Sang Zhi, her lazy yet dangerous aura undiminished, as though it were an intrinsic part of her. Just as she was about to speak.

In the next moment, something soft and fragrant crashed into her arms.

Fu Qingyin lowered her head, the ferocity in her eyes not yet receding. Her gaze fell upon Wen Ying’s soft crown of hair.

“Little Wen Ying,” Fu Qingyin’s voice, unbeknownst even to herself, had softened as if melting into water. She reached out carefully, wrapping an arm around Wen Ying’s slender waist.

Wen Ying was exhilarated. For the first time in her eighteen years of life, she felt that she was actually useful capable of rescuing Fu Qingyin from distress.

Sensing Wen Ying’s excitement, Fu Qingyin smiled gratefully. “Thank you, little Wen Ying. Otherwise, I don’t know how much longer I would have been trapped here.”

Wen Ying pulled away from Fu Qingyin’s embrace, her nose still filled with the woman’s cool, elegant fragrance. Shyly, she lowered her head, her small hands fidgeting with her sleeves, her eyes and brows brimming with innocence.

“Little Wen Ying, have you had breakfast yet?” Fu Qingyin took Wen Ying’s hand and led her into the hall. The sunlight now brightened the dim main chamber, casting their elongated shadows on the floor, making them look like lifelong companions who had supported each other for years.

The pure-hearted Wen Ying was still searching for a cushion for Fu Qingyin to sit on, but Fu Qingyin didn’t want her straying too far. She tugged at Wen Ying’s hand, following wherever the girl went.

Seeing this, Wen Ying obediently sat with Fu Qingyin at the redwood table. Sang Zhi quickly brought over the still-warm dishes. Wen Ying eyed the familiar spread and rubbed her belly, already full from the pastries she had eaten earlier.

“Beautiful sister, you eat. I’ll just keep you company.”

Wen Ying truly wasn’t hungry, but Fu Qingyin, despite agreeing to eat alone, still fetched a bowl and chopsticks for her, insisting on serving her dishes.

Watching Wen Ying’s cheeks puff up as she ate filled Fu Qingyin with satisfaction. She resolved to fatten the girl up a little she was far too thin now, enough to make one’s heart ache.

The grand palace was indeed much better than Wen Ying’s modest Ninglu Palace. Though sparsely decorated, it was still a proper residence. The sight of it only fueled Fu Qingyin’s anger.

If even she was treated like this, little Wen Ying must be living worse than a maid.

After breakfast, Fu Qingyin sat by the bed reading a storybook while Wen Ying fidgeted nearby, tugging at the bed curtains and nudging the folding screen.

When the screen nearly toppled from Wen Ying’s touch, Fu Qingyin finally lowered her book and looked at her. “Wen Ying, hold out your hand. Sister is going to spank your palm.”

Wen Ying immediately backed away, her eyes wide with alarm. “Beautiful sister, the weather is so nice today. Can we go out and play?”

Previously confined to Ninglu Palace, Wen Ying had rarely been allowed outside. Now that Yun Chu had finally permitted her to wander, she didn’t want to stay cooped up indoors. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “Behind the Imperial Garden, there’s a small lake and some rockeries. Hardly anyone goes there. Can we go play there?”

The place Wen Ying mentioned was indeed secluded. Though new to Emperor Wen’s harem, Fu Qingyin had some knowledge of these areas. She set the book down on the pearwood cabinet by the bed, stood up, and smoothed her skirts.

“If my little savior Wen Ying wishes to go, how could I refuse?”

Fu Qingyin always wore a smile when speaking to Wen Ying, patiently answering the many seemingly meaningless questions Wen Ying asked along the way. Wen Ying was always delighted whenever she received a response.

Though it was already spring, perhaps due to the rain the night before, the wind carried a biting chill as they walked. Wen Ying tightened her outer robe, her cheeks flushed pink from the cold, yet her smile remained innocent and bright.

Fu Qingyin reached out to warm Wen Ying’s cheeks, caring for her like a doting mother tending to a child fascinated by everything new. Caught off guard by the touch, Wen Ying froze for a moment before her lips curled into a smile as radiant as the spring sunshine.

It was a breathtaking beauty, one that could startle even the spring scenery itself. Fu Qingyin had always thought Wen Ying was adorable and pure-hearted, but now, against the backdrop of lush towering trees lining the palace path and the clear lake in the distance, her beauty seemed to outshine everything around her.

Fu Qingyin couldn’t tear her gaze away. Wen Ying, unaware of what had captured her attention, waved a pale little hand in front of her face. “Beautiful sister, what are you thinking about?”

Snapping out of her daze, Fu Qingyin shook her head blankly and followed Wen Ying’s lead as they continued walking.

“Why did you go to your father and say those things?!” A familiar, sharp voice rang out from behind a rockery. Wen Ying and Fu Qingyin halted, crouching down and peeking cautiously around the rocks.

To their surprise, it was the Eighth Prince, Wen Yuan, kneeling behind the rockery, with Consort Xin standing beside him. Strangely, neither had any palace maids accompanying them.

Wen Ying’s eyes widened. Had the loving mother-and-son act all been a performance by Consort Xin? Did she scold Wen Yuan like this whenever he disobeyed her wishes?

Wen Ying glanced at Fu Qingyin. They couldn’t just leave now, but neither could they risk being seen by Consort Xin. Fu Qingyin gave her a meaningful look, then wrapped an arm around Wen Ying’s waist and leaped effortlessly to the top of the rockery. Unless someone looked up, they would remain unseen.

Wen Ying was stunned. She clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle a gasp, hardly believing the height they were at. Fu Qingyin could actually fly!

Amused by Wen Ying’s expression, Fu Qingyin guided her to hide behind a large rock. Even if Consort Xin suddenly looked up, they could quickly duck out of sight.

Once they were safely concealed, Wen Ying dared to peek down again. Consort Xin merely berated Wen Yuan a few more times before ordering him to stay kneeling there. Then, with a flick of her sleeve, she stormed off.

A cold breeze swept across the lake behind Wen Yuan, rippling the water’s surface. Wen Ying’s eyes filled with worry.

After all, it was she who had persuaded Wen Yuan to speak to the emperor. But if she hadn’t, how could she have saved Fu Qingyin?

“Little Wen Ying, are you regretting it now? Wishing you hadn’t saved me?” The darkness in Fu Qingyin’s eyes was unmistakable, her tone icy and devoid of its usual warmth.

A shiver ran down Wen Ying’s spine. Softly, she coaxed, “You’re my friend. How could I ever regret saving you?”

But Fu Qingyin’s mood didn’t improve. She remained silent, her face cold, ignoring Wen Ying’s whispered pleas to be taken back down.

“Good sister!” Wen Ying’s apricot eyes were filled with pleading. Even if Fu Qingyin was still angry, he couldn’t bear to ignore her for long. With a sigh, he wrapped his arm around her slender waist and leaped down once more, landing steadily on the ground.

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