The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 35

Hearing the accusation, the Second Prince instinctively looked at the Eldest Princess. Her face, hidden behind the veil, revealed no expression, but her eyes held a calm composure—as if everything happening before her was of no consequence.

Why? Why was it that despite his meticulous planning and desperate maneuvering, this woman remained unruffled, while he felt like a mere jumping clown?

The Second Prince loosened his clenched fist, his thumb digging hard into his index finger until the sharp pain forced him back to a state of forced calm. He knew their Father detested conflict between them; thus, the goal was simply to expose the truth. He only needed to make Father realize this woman’s wolf-like ambitions.

He paused and put on a pained expression. “This younger brother believes that if things are truly as Minister Liu says, Imperial Sister’s actions are indeed improper. However, she is a member of the Imperial family after all. A moment of confusion warrants a few words of reprimand, but it shouldn’t go so far as to strip her of her right to attend court.”

“The Second Prince is magnanimous, but the Eldest Princess absolutely cannot be dealt with lightly! To deceive everyone like this—how is that a ‘moment of confusion’? It is clearly a calculated scheme!” Minister Liu countered urgently. Having received the Second Prince’s signal earlier, he had to pursue this to the end to prove his loyalty.

The Emperor, however, did not look at him. He looked instead at the Second Prince. The second boy says if it’s true, just give her a reprimand… Was it really as he suspected?

This Censorate truly has nothing better to do.

Minister Liu, seeing the Emperor’s hesitation, knew he had already offended the Eldest Princess today. Ever since joining the Second Prince’s camp, he had no retreat. He decided to add fuel to the fire: “Your Majesty, I implore you to punish the Eldest Princess for her crimes!”

The Emperor’s eyes darkened, and he turned to the Eldest Princess. “My child, do you have anything to say?”

The Eldest Princess stepped forward and knelt, her eyes calm as she spoke: “In these past years, I have caused Father much worry. This child has indeed been unfilial. I ask for Father’s punishment.”

Regardless of the political maneuvering, these words came from the bottom of her heart. For once, her emotions wavered; her eyes welled up with tears, yet she forced them back, refusing to let a single drop fall.

The Emperor was stunned. He hadn’t expected her to admit it so cleanly, nor had he expected his usually resilient daughter to have such reddened eyes.

Seeing this, Minister Liu tried to strike while the iron was hot: “Your Majesty, since the Eldest Princess has confessed—”

“Bastard! Drag this old scoundrel out! If anyone dares to plead for him, drag them out as well!” The Emperor’s roar interrupted Minister Liu and stopped several other ministers who were about to speak.

As the Emperor calmed down, he looked at the ministers who were still eager to offer “death-defying” advice. Among them were opportunists, but there were also truly loyal, stubborn officials.

His tiger-like eyes swept over the room. “The moment the Princess returned from Pingman, she entered the palace and informed me of this matter. Therefore, I have known for a long time that her appearance was restored. How can you speak of deception? As for you all, the Princess’s face still needs a few more days to fully heal. It seems I was the one who was muddled; I should have informed you all immediately, shouldn’t I?”

This was a killing blow. Who would dare demand an “information briefing” from the Emperor? Furthermore, the Eldest Princess was imperial blood. How many heads did they have to challenge the Royal family?

“May Your Majesty appease your anger!” Following the loud cries, the officials—regardless of what they actually thought—could only kneel and beg for forgiveness. The furious Emperor did not tell them to rise; he simply flicked his sleeve and stormed out.

Manager Lin looked at the sea of kneeling ministers and whispered, “My lords, stay a while and then disperse. His Majesty is truly enraged.”

These blind fools, the eunuch thought. Trying to scheme against the Princess… if they don’t kneel a while longer, how will the Emperor’s anger dissipate?

Once Manager Lin left, the ministers looked at each other. Seeing both the Eldest Princess and the Second Prince kneeling there, no one dared to get up.

Having survived the officialdom for years, they were all “human spirits.” Manager Lin’s hint was obvious enough. Everyone knelt obediently, blaming the Censorate in their hearts. Why did those fools have to stir up trouble following the Second Prince?

Look at the Eldest Princess—she never engaged in factionalism. Even when people tried to defect to her, she turned them away. This was the grace and demeanor a Royal should have. Without comparison, there is no harm; but with a comparison, the winner was clear.

As the unaligned ministers were pondering, the Eldest Princess silently stood up and left. They looked at each other and stayed a bit longer until the Second Prince also left in a huff. Only then did the rest of the officials slowly depart.

By the time the officials reached their respective bureaus, news arrived: the Censorate had been demoted. Every rank from top to bottom was dropped by one level. The three who had led the impeachment that morning were stripped of their status as commoners, never to be employed again.

It was clear the Emperor understood exactly what was happening. This was both a warning to the Censors to stop being idle and a reminder to those who chose sides early: factionalism has no good end.

Han Shui had heard of her mistress’s victory early on and was now bragging to Qi Yu with much embellishment.

“That ‘Garlic-Head’ Second Prince doesn’t know his own weight. He thinks a few old fogeys following him can challenge our Princess? He forgets the Emperor’s favor for her. And look at the Princess’s tutor—the current head of the Li family! What kind of family is the Li family? They are either Imperial Preceptors or Chancellors. No one can compare!”

Qi Yu nodded while listening. Ever since the Li family produced the Imperial Teacher Li Zi, they had twice served as Preceptors to the heirs, eventually becoming Prime Ministers. Even if the current head was “only” the Minister of Personnel, they were no ordinary clan.

As the saying goes: The Ministry of War is dangerous, Justice is strict, Revenue is rich, Rites is poor, Works is lowly—but the Ministry of Personnel is “Noble.”

Personnel has always been the head of the Six Ministries, controlling the appointments, evaluations, and transfers of all civil officials. Historically, seven out of ten Ministers of Personnel became Chancellors.

Furthermore, the Li family never took sides, remaining loyal only to the court—this deeply pleased the Emperor. This was likely why the Princess was more favored; no Emperor likes his ministers ganging up with a Prince. In this regard, the “villainous” Princess was doing a much better job than the “Male Lead” Second Prince; she was far more transparent when it came to deciphering the Emperor’s intentions.

The more Qi Yu thought, the more confused she became. So why did the book say the Princess loses in the end? Could it really be that she, the Prince Consort, dragged her down? Pah, it’s not my fault! It’s the original villain host’s fault!

“Speaking of which, our Mistress considered all this. She wanted someone with an ordinary background, and just happened to find the Prince Consort pleasing to the eye…” Han Shui said, curling her lip. She just hadn’t expected the background to be this ordinary—the National Teacher didn’t even have the right to attend court until recently receiving a substantive post in the Imperial Observatory.

Han Shui spoke casually, and since they were alone waiting for the Princess, Qi Yu didn’t think the words were too bold. Yet, her heart skipped a beat. Something flashed across her mind.

When the Eldest Princess finally entered the room, Qi Yu looked at the woman who had removed her veil, her beautiful eyes brimming with grace. Her heart skipped again, and a realization finally surfaced.

The Eldest Princess had such high chances of winning… What if she was deceived by the villainous Prince Consort? Could such a brilliant woman be easily fooled? But what if she was blinded by feelings?

The more Qi Yu thought, the more terrified she became. The problems she couldn’t solve before suddenly had an answer. No wonder one was drawn and quartered and the other executed by lingering death. This was the reason.

So, am I the one sent by the heavens to ruin everything?

To make the Male Lead succeed—to let that “Garlic-Head” Second Prince win—the heavens sent her to seduce the Eldest Princess!

Qi Yu felt a lump in her throat. I am definitely not that person.

The Eldest Princess noticed the changing expressions on Qi Yu’s face and smiled lightly. “What is the Prince Consort thinking? Have you already divined your relationship with that thief?”

She recalled that person’s features and compared them to Qi Yu’s, remembering those strange, eerie eyes she had seen. She suspected the assassin was a man—perhaps this person’s brother.

Qi Yu didn’t know what the Princess was thinking, but having just realized that terrifying possibility, being stared at by this woman made her skin crawl.

No way. Is there something wrong with this villain’s eyes?

She went quiet, no longer in the mood to dodge the “divination” topic. Instead, she raised her voice: “I was thinking about the new dishes at Lou Shang Lou. Who cares what my relationship is with that person? Speaking of which, Chanyi returned to the capital two days ago. I’ve invited her to Lou Shang Lou for dinner to try the new menu.”

So, to hell with conspiracies and “pleasing to the eye.” She was just a glutton. Princess, open your eyes and look at the world! Don’t just stare at one tree!

Qi Yu prayed fervently in her heart, but fate loved to play jokes on her.

The Eldest Princess smiled at her. “Oh? Miss Chu is back? In that case, I shall be the host. Let us go to Lou Shang Lou together. What does the Prince Consort think?”

I think it’s a terrible idea!!!

Qi Yu’s eyes widened. This woman was definitely here to ruin her life. You’re the Eldest Princess—can’t you go do something important? Is it really okay for a villain to be this idle?

The scenery in the manor’s rear garden was lovely, and the spring breeze was warm, but Qi Yu’s heart was ice-cold. What could she do? Say no? She didn’t dare.

“If the Princess graces us with her presence, we would be honored.”

Seeing her agree, the Princess ordered Han Shui to prepare the carriage and sent someone to invite Chu Chanyi.

Because of her “outrageous” theory, Qi Yu was terrified the whole way. Fortunately, the Princess seemed a bit tired and kept her eyes closed to rest.

At Lou Shang Lou, Han Shui had already booked a private room. Chu Chanyi had arrived ahead of them and was waiting inside.

Having not seen each other for days, they should have missed each other, but Qi Yu immediately shot a resentful look at her friend. This girl has a crow’s beak (jinx). Back then, she said the Princess liked her… and look, she was right.

If it were just a collaboration, fine. But if love and hatred got involved, how was she supposed to run away?

Chu Chanyi finished her greetings and saw Qi Yu’s look. Her breath hitched. What’s wrong with my friend? She looks like she’s been bullied. But who could bully the current Prince Consort?

She stole a glance at the gentle-looking Eldest Princess, then at the “ready-to-die” expression on Qi Yu’s face.

Forget it, Chanyi thought. This sister is just living in a blessing and not realizing it.