The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 31.2

When Han Shui nodded, Qi Yu turned her gaze back to the Eldest Princess, who also nodded.

Qi Yu was floored. “Is the makeup—no, I mean, is the disguise technology of this era really that advanced?”

The Eldest Princess shook her head slightly. “To my eyes, it did not look like a disguise. It seemed as though that person naturally looked identical to the Prince Consort. Did the National Teacher ever mention if you had a sister? Or perhaps a brother?” That person yesterday hadn’t spoken a single word; it was impossible to tell if they were male or female.

If they were twins, and Qi Yu was a descendant of the former royal family, then what was the truth behind everything? Perhaps what Censor Ma said at the wedding wasn’t entirely nonsense.

The Eldest Princess fell into deep thought. If Qi Yu truly was royal blood from the previous dynasty, then what role did her father play in this? The former National Teacher, Qi Xiaosong, was known to care for the world and was loyal to the Empress—why would he adopt a royal from the fallen dynasty, effectively nurturing a tiger that would one day bite back?

Could it be that her father didn’t know, and even the great Qi Xiaosong had been meticulously schemed against by these people?

Qi Yu interrupted her thoughts. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. According to Nanny Li, my mother died during a difficult labor giving birth to me. There were no twins.”

Unless Nanny Li was lying. And what about her father? Was he an accomplice or completely innocent?

“We return to the capital first. Even if they know my legs aren’t broken, it’s too late. I have already ‘had them set’ by a divine physician. Without solid proof, they won’t dare speak out—otherwise, they would be confessing to the assassination attempt.”

The Eldest Princess decided to leave Pingman Province immediately. Now that they knew the rebels’ nest, they only had one last thing to settle before this trip could be considered a success.

Qi Yu watched the Princess and Han Shui leave. As she dressed, a realization hit her. So what exactly did that villain do to me last night? Did some unspeakable scenario really happen?

Before leaving, the Eldest Princess had a private meeting with the Governor for an hour. Qi Yu could only sigh. The “divine physician” and the “leg treatment” were all just a smokescreen.

This secret meeting with Governor Wei was the real purpose of the trip. She wondered what kind of deal the Princess had struck with him.

The return journey was much faster than the arrival, as the Spring Banquet was fast approaching—the selection of a consort for the Second Prince was a major event.

Near the capital, the Eldest Princess even took to riding a horse for a while, much to the shock of the guards. Her legs were truly healed; the balance of power in the capital was about to shift.

Qi Yu watched their shocked faces and thought, How uncultured. She had known all along the woman’s legs were never broken.

The news of the Princess’s recovery caused a significant stir, even overshadowing the upcoming banquet. On the day they entered the city, many officials sent people to scout the situation. When they saw the Eldest Princess step gracefully down from the carriage, the rumors were confirmed.

In the Second Prince’s manor, the sounds of crashing porcelain echoed through the study. Ornaments and vases were once again reduced to rubble.

“My dear Imperial Sister is indeed deep and calculating! To pretend for so long—even I was fooled. I cannot swallow this insult!”

Li Chuanlian looked at the mess. He hadn’t realized the Prince had such a habit, but he understood the rage. Anyone would be furious after being deceived for years. He gave a light cough. “Your Highness, is the news from Pingman Province reliable?”

The Second Prince composed himself, his eyes flashing uncomfortably. “Seeing her deliberately dismount upon entering the city tells me the news is true. She is doing this for the fence-sitters, telling them that I am not the only choice for the throne—that the Princess’s Manor still has the strength to fight.”

“If the news is true, the fact that she faked her injury could be used against her. If the Emperor knows the truth, his impression of her will surely plummet,” Li Chuanlian mused. Their best bet was to seize the initiative.

The Second Prince sat down dejectedly. “I know that, but we have no proof. It’s too late for words.”

Li Chuanlian let out a low laugh. “Your Highness, you forget we have this.” He pointed to his own face, a dark glint in his eyes.

The Second Prince froze for a moment before realizing what he meant. He stood up and laughed loudly. “How did I not think of that! If Father knows her legs and face were never an issue, he will surely be disappointed in her. Chuanlian, you truly are my strategist!”

While the Second Prince was busy planning his move for the next day’s court session, the Eldest Princess returned to her manor to bathe and change. She even personally selected a set of clothes to be sent to Qi Yu.