The Flirtatious Beauty Decides to Steal the Princess - Chapter 23

The rain outside had actually lightened by now, the pitter-patter sounding crisp and clear.

Wen Yunrou had only asked Fu Qingyin a single question before hastily pushing past her to look inside.

Wen Ying lay on the bed, utterly stunned that Wen Yunrou had come to visit her.

Forcing a faint smile, her little dimples making her look utterly adorable, she said, “Third Imperial Sister, what brings you here?”

The moment Wen Yunrou saw Wen Ying’s pallid face and the blood-stained cloth soaking in the basin beside her, she knew Wen Ying’s injuries must be severe.

Wen Yunrou had always been hot-tempered, and now, seeing her most well-behaved little sister reduced to this state, she trembled with rage. She strode to Wen Ying’s bedside in a few steps. “I heard Her Majesty the Empress is already investigating this matter. She will surely avenge you. When the time comes, I’ll personally pay a visit to the Punishment Bureau to give that woman a proper ‘greeting.'”

As she spoke, Wen Yunrou failed to notice the sudden glint in Fu Qingyin’s eyes especially when she mentioned going to the Punishment Bureau to “greet” that person.

Wen Ying had always been gentle and accommodating. Worried that Wen Yunrou might land herself in trouble while seeking vengeance for her, she quickly interjected. Wen Yunrou already walked on thin ice in the palace, with many eager to harm her.

“Third Imperial Sister, it’s alright. We can trust that Her Majesty the Empress will deliver justice for me.” Wen Ying coughed a few times as she spoke. Wen Yunrou nodded superficially, but inwardly, she had no intention of letting the matter rest.

Wen Yunrou grinned and sat down, tucking Wen Ying in like an elder sister before gazing fondly into her almond-shaped eyes.

“You’re such a fool. Don’t go telling people you’re my sister, it’s too embarrassing.” Though her words were sharp, Wen Yunrou’s heart ached with concern.

Fu Qingyin, seemingly neglected for too long, coughed awkwardly, finally drawing the attention of both sisters.

“Beautiful Sister! Are you feeling unwell?” Wen Ying was still deeply concerned about Fu Qingyin, fearing she might be ill, completely unaware that it was because she had ignored her earlier.

Fu Qingyin was secretly pleased by Wen Ying’s worry but didn’t show it. She merely nodded along, her usually alluring eyes now brimming with grievance.

For a moment, Wen Ying felt that both of her sisters needed comforting. Amused yet exasperated, she humored Fu Qingyin. “Beautiful Sister, drink more tea. It’ll warm you up. Maybe you caught a chill from the rain earlier.”

The thought of Fu Qingyin getting drenched while fetching firewood for her weighed heavily on Wen Ying’s heart, filling her with guilt.

If only she had been stronger, perhaps that matron wouldn’t have bullied her so cruelly.

Like a little rose deprived of sunlight, Wen Ying wilted rapidly under her darkening mood something both Fu Qingyin and Wen Yunrou noticed.

Almost simultaneously, they reached out to steady Wen Ying’s shoulders, only to freeze mid-air when they realized the other had done the same.

Their eyes met, a hint of hostility flashing between them.

“Little Wen Ying, rest well. I need to discuss some matters about the embroidery pavilion with Princess Yunrou.” Fu Qingyin’s voice was cool and detached. When she straightened up, she stood a full head taller than Wen Yunrou.

Wen Yunrou reluctantly followed Fu Qingyin outside, frequently glancing back at Wen Ying.

Only when the two stood beneath the corridor did Wen Yunrou realize why she had obeyed Fu Qingyin’s words. Her gaze sharpened. “I wonder what exactly the esteemed Miss Fu wishes to discuss with me. You spend every day with little Wen Ying, yet you can’t even protect her properly. What right do you have to show hostility toward me?”

Wen Yunrou might not have been this furious initially, but once she started speaking, her words easily ignited anger in others. Her fiery temper had left her with few close friends in the palace.

Fu Qingyin simply stood beneath the corridor, gazing outward as raindrops dripped from the eaves, serene as a painting.

Wen Yunrou pressed closer, standing behind Fu Qingyin and raising her voice sharply.

The next moment, Fu Qingyin turned and clamped a hand over Wen Yunrou’s mouth. A surge of killing intent flashed in her eyes, but at the last moment, she released her grip.

Wen Yunrou was startled into silence. The two stood in a tense standoff beneath the corridor for a long while.

Finally, Fu Qingyin spoke slowly, recounting what she had overheard the two palace maids saying inside the embroidery tower.

“You think you’re a lofty princess, but in truth you’re just a pawn in someone else’s scheme.” Fu Qingyin let out a cold laugh. She despised the palace’s culture of looking down on her. What did it matter if someone was a high-and-mighty princess? They were still living under another’s blade.

Wen Yunrou’s mind raced. She had never imagined that the sisters she had grown up with even if their relationship wasn’t the best would resort to such underhanded tactics.

But Fu Qingyin had no connections in the palace. How could she have known such details unless she had truly overheard them?

“So you and little Wen Ying saved me.” Wen Yunrou was indeed haughty, a proud and arrogant person.

Yet, upon realizing that she had been rescued by two people she barely knew, a stark contrast struck her.

Wen Yunrou reached out to steady herself against a pillar, still processing the revelation. Fear crept in, softening her tone. “You and Wen Ying are my benefactors. What do you want?”

This was one of Wen Yunrou’s redeeming qualities though excessively proud, she was also exceedingly generous.

Mainly because the kingdom was prosperous and wealthy. Despite Emperor Wen’s constant military campaigns, the treasury remained full, ensuring the princesses received ample allowances.

But Fu Qingyin shook her head. She didn’t want silver. Instead, she pulled out a blank letter from her sleeve. “Then may I ask Your Highness to help me send letters home from time to time?”

“That’s it? No problem.” Wen Yunrou didn’t think twice and agreed immediately. “Just let me know when you need it, and I’ll have someone deliver it.”

Fu Qingyin’s lips curled faintly before she quickly schooled her expression. Tucking the blank letter away, she began discussing with Wen Yunrou how to counterattack the next day.

–

Early the next morning, Wen Ying was in too much pain to sleep, so she sat up and counted the days on her fingers. Suddenly, she realized today was the Spring Banquet. Though the feast was set for noon, noble ladies from prominent families were already beginning to arrive at the palace.

Wen Ying pulled open the bedside curtain to find a figure in cyan slumped over the edge of the bed. Her heart ached for a moment this beautiful sister had been keeping vigil all night, staying right here.

“Silly sister,” Wen Ying sighed as she draped a slightly worn cloak over Fu Qingyin’s shoulders.

But even this slight movement startled Fu Qingyin awake. Instinctively, she reached out and gripped Wen Ying’s wrist.

“Ow!” Wen Ying cried out in pain. Finally shaking off her drowsiness, Fu Qingyin realized what she had done and immediately released her grip.

“Apologies, I shouldn’t have done that.” Fu Qingyin’s words always carried a tone of rationality, yet Wen Ying’s thoughts would inevitably wander whenever she heard such ambiguous phrases.

Blushing, Wen Ying shook her head. She wanted to lie back down for a little more sleep, but Fu Qingyin checked the time, rubbed her temples, and smoothed the wrinkles from her cyan dress.

“Little Wen Ying, no more sleeping. Are you still going to the Spring Banquet today?”

At the first half of the sentence, Wen Ying showed no intention of getting up. But upon hearing “Spring Banquet,” she immediately sat up with effort and nodded with a smile.

It was the most genuine smile Wen Ying had shown in days. Seeing her happy, Fu Qingyin felt joy as well, as if infected by her mood.

She took it upon herself to do the things Yun Chu would usually handle preparing warm water for Wen Ying to wash her face, laying out the simple yet pretty hairpins, though they were few in number.

These were the trinkets Yun Chu had painstakingly gathered over the years for Wen Ying. Though not exquisite, they were at least enough to adorn her flowing black hair.

Wen Ying rose slowly, careful not to aggravate the wounds on her back. As she looked at the prepared items, she couldn’t help but think Fu Qingyin had once been a princess. How had she fallen to this, preparing such things for her?

Fu Qingyin bustled about inside and out. When she returned carrying a bowl of medicine and porridge, Wen Ying’s eyes welled up with tears.

“Beautiful sister, do you feel wronged by this? I could prepare these things for you too.” Wen Ying’s voice grew quieter as she spoke. In her current state, needing support just to move, how could she possibly do such things for someone else?

Fu Qingyin faltered. She was never quite sure how to comfort Wen Ying, especially when she started shedding “little pearls.” It left her utterly flustered.

Setting the medicine and porridge on the table, she stepped closer, raising a hand only to pause mid-air.

“Why would I feel wronged?” Fu Qingyin was puzzled. What had little Wen Ying been thinking to suddenly burst into tears like this, like some crybaby?

Between sniffles, Wen Ying explained the tangled thoughts that had overwhelmed her. In response, Fu Qingyin simply gazed at her with gentle eyes.

“So, little Wen Ying was afraid that one day I’d feel wronged and never speak to you again?” The explanation struck Fu Qingyin as unbearably adorable. Watching Wen Ying nod emphatically, she couldn’t help but laugh.

“Silly Wen Ying, this beautiful sister is grateful to have you by my side. If possible, could you stay with me always?” Fu Qingyin’s crimson lips trembled slightly. She longed for Wen Ying to remain like the moon in her life ever-present, never fading.

This longing gradually twisted into obsession. If Wen Ying were to shake her head now, Fu Qingyin couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t rush forward, crush her in an embrace, and meld her into her very being.

Fortunately, Wen Ying nodded in a dazed manner, like a child making a promise. Fu Qingyin couldn’t help but chuckle. As long as little Wen Ying nodded, whether she actually followed through didn’t really matter.

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