Waking Up to an Imperial Marriage with My Archenemy - Chapter 12

“This way, we can eliminate Zheng Wei, reclaim control over the Imperial Guard, and prompt the Empress Dowager to suggest your departure from the capital herself.” Qiao Wan laid out her entire plan without reservation.

Luo Fengxin pondered for a moment, a hint of hesitation in her voice. “The plan is sound, but using my brother as bait is somewhat perilous. Does he know about this?”

“He knows that I am determined to remove Zheng Wei.”

This was the first step Qiao Wan had discussed with Luo Jinhe regarding reclaiming his authority.

Control of the Imperial Guard directly affected Luo Jinhe’s safety within the palace; the commander had to be his own man. It was an urgent matter. Removing Zheng Wei wasn’t just a blow to the Chen family’s influence; it was a way to give Luo Jinhe more freedom to act within the palace. Only after this was settled could Luo Fengxin leave the capital.

As for the specific details of how to eliminate Zheng Wei, Qiao Wan cleared her throat awkwardly. “There are too many eyes and ears in the palace. I haven’t found an opportunity to tell His Majesty yet.”

Qiao Wan expected Luo Fengxin to question her, but to her surprise, the Princess nodded in agreement, a trace of pleasure crossing her face. “Indeed, one must be cautious. We cannot risk a leak. To achieve great things, risks must be taken. If my brother blames you later, I will speak up on your behalf.”

When did Luo Fengxin become so kind-hearted? Qiao Wan wondered, baffled. She couldn’t tell which of her words had pleased the woman—much like how she often didn’t know which words would offend her. Ever since Luo Fengxin returned from the Northern Border, she had become increasingly difficult to read.

Well, whatever. The danger doesn’t really fall on Luo Jinhe; the most critical step depends on Luo Fengxin. As long as she doesn’t slip up, we’re solid. As for Luo Jinhe, I’ll find a chance to tell him later.

“It’s getting late. I’ll take you to rest.” Luo Fengxin picked up the lamp she’d brought and tilted her head toward Qiao Wan.

She isn’t actually going to personally escort me to my room, is she? Qiao Wan felt like clawing at a tree. After reading those “smutty novels,” she was feeling a bit skittish about being alone with Luo Fengxin. Talking business was fine, but the thought of heading toward a bedroom together made her feel like something monumental was about to happen!

“It seems that is exactly what she means,” Xiao Bai, her system, ruthlessly shattered her last illusion. Then again, Luo Fengxin was already standing at the door looking back at her; what else could it mean?

Qiao Wan shuffled over and followed silently. The atmosphere was stiff. A gust of wind blew by, and Qiao Wan inhaled something that made her nose itch fiercely. She couldn’t help but let out a sneeze.

“Why didn’t you wear more layers?” Luo Fengxin stopped abruptly. Qiao Wan stopped just as fast. She rubbed her nose, wanting to argue that it was summer and she was wearing plenty, but her nose remained irritated. Her voice came out sounding nasal and muffled, exactly like someone who had caught a cold. It wasn’t very convincing.

“Look at you, all skin and bones, yet you’re out here gallivanting all day.” As expected, Luo Fengxin took Qiao Wan’s silence as stubbornness.

Qiao Wan expected the disbelief, but she took issue with the description. Who was the one saying I got fat this morning? Now you’re saying I’m thin? Hah, fickle woman.

As Qiao Wan grumbled internally, she felt a sudden warmth. She looked up to find that Luo Fengxin had untied her own cloak and draped it over her shoulders.

Qiao Wan froze completely. She didn’t dare move a muscle. Her face was a mask of shock while her mind shrieked: “Xiao Bai! Check if Luo Fengxin has been possessed! Is this still her?”

Xiao Bai was also stunned. After a quick scan, it replied: “It’s her.”

This doesn’t feel like her at all! Luo Fengxin had been acting strange since entering the study tonight. She hadn’t punished her for being angry, and now she was giving her a cloak. Was this some magical “nighttime personality reversal” spell?

After tossing the cloak over Qiao Wan, Luo Fengxin picked up the lamp and walked away. She didn’t even bother to tie the strings, walking so fast it was as if a ghost were chasing her.

Qiao Wan was still dazed; by the time she snapped out of it, Luo Fengxin was nowhere to be seen.

What’s the deal? Leaving just like that.

It was pitch black, and there wasn’t a soul around. Qiao Wan decided to just sit on the nearby corridor bench and wait for Luo Fengxin to realize she was missing and come back for her.

Sure enough, a moment later, Luo Fengxin came rushing back.

“How old are you? You can’t even walk without getting lost? You actually made me come back for you. Do I look like I have nothing better to do?”

Ah, okay. Now I can confirm it’s definitely her.

Qiao Wan stood up lazily. “You can’t blame me; you were walking too fast. Besides, with your martial arts skills, how did you not notice a whole person went missing?”

Seeing Luo Fengxin take a sharp breath, Qiao Wan quickly surrendered before she could explode. “Fine, fine, it’s all my fault. Please forgive me this once, Your Highness.”

Wait a minute, I wasn’t wrong. With Luo Fengxin’s skills, how could she have walked that far without noticing her companion wasn’t following?

Qiao Wan stole a glance at Luo Fengxin. The light was too dim to see her expression clearly, but that “exasperated yet flustered” vibe was exactly the same as when the Princess had supported her in the carriage that morning.

Qiao Wan realized the truth instantly.

Why didn’t she notice? She must have been distracted. Distracted by what? By her own act of kindness in giving me the cloak.

Having figured out Luo Fengxin’s logic, Qiao Wan wasn’t afraid anymore.

She gets embarrassed whenever she’s nice to someone, so she puts on a fierce act to hide it. That’s actually a bit cute.

Qiao Wan felt a sudden urge to tease her, but then she remembered the dark plot of the novels she’d just read and decided to save it for next time.

Dead of night, two women alone, not a good time to court death. If I push it, I might actually end up dead.

This little interlude brightened Qiao Wan’s mood. She caught up to Luo Fengxin and asked, “When you went to the palace just now, did something else happen?”

“Some ministers heard that my brother granted our marriage and went to cause a scene. I went to check the situation.” Noticing Qiao Wan was struggling to keep up, Luo Fengxin slowed her pace.

“So, what happened? Honestly, the marriage isn’t strictly necessary. If he strips me of my rank, as long as the Chen family stops bothering me, I can still get the job done for him.” Qiao Wan took the opportunity to try and talk Luo Fengxin out of it again.

Luo Fengxin saw right through her. She gave a cold laugh. “Forget it. He’s counting on you to go to the Minzhou region with me. He already announced the decree over the ministers’ objections. The date is set: the eighth day of the ninth month.”

The eighth day of the ninth month, barely three months away.

Generally, for commoners, a wedding happened a month after the engagement; for officials, a season; for lords, half a year; and for the Emperor, a year. Though Luo Fengxin was a Princess, she held a ” Guardian of the Realm” title, so she should be treated as a lord. A three-month window was incredibly rushed. It was clear Luo Jinhe was in a desperate hurry.

The situation was indeed grim. According to the news Qiao Wan got from Yue Xiu this afternoon, Han Zhao had recently purchased over a hundred horses from the Western Regions, smuggling them into his territory disguised as merchant caravans. With no ongoing war, Han Zhao’s continuous expansion of his cavalry made his ambitions crystal clear.

If Qiao Wan knew this, Luo Jinhe—who was constantly on guard against Han Zhao certainly knew it too. That was why he was so determined to ignore all protocols.

“You’ll stay here tonight.” Luo Fengxin led Qiao Wan to her quarters. A maid had already prepared the room and stood waiting by the door.

Qiao Wan entered, but seeing Luo Fengxin still standing there, she grew nervous again.

The room was silent. Luo Fengxin stared at Qiao Wan for a long time before finally opening her mouth. “I.”

Qiao Wan heard the first word, but her nose, which had been bothering her all way, itched again. She turned her head and let out another sneeze. Finally, she felt relieved.

“What were you going to say?” Qiao Wan turned back. Luo Fengxin gave her a look that was beyond words.

“Go to sleep,” Luo Fengxin said flatly. “I’ve stationed someone outside. If you feel unwell during the night, call her. Don’t just hold it in.”

Qiao Wan was confused, but it was better that Luo Fengxin wasn’t picking a fight in the middle of the night. she nodded obediently and watched as the Princess walked away.