Chapter 21: Consort Rou's Scheme

Where am I?
My head... it’s spinning...

Yan Ziyu slowly opened her eyes. Before her lay a completely unfamiliar scene: a bed draped with golden silk, a carved rosewood frame, every piece of furniture in the room exquisitely arranged, exuding lavish wealth and splendor... Compared to this luxurious setting, her own room in the Xiao Prince’s mansion was nothing but a slum, utterly incomparable.

She tried to sit up but was immediately overwhelmed by dizziness and weakness, as though she might faint again at any moment.

“Cough... cough... someone... cough...”

She attempted to call out, only to realize her throat was so dry that no words could come out clearly; her voice was barely audible, even to herself.

What on earth had happened? How did she end up here when everything had been fine?

Yan Ziyu closed her eyes and tried to recall her last memories. She thought hard, but her memories stopped at the moment when Rui’er and Ali stood up in the main hall to protect her. Beyond that point, everything was a blank.

Where were Rui’er and Ali? How did she faint when everything had seemed fine? What happened after she lost consciousness? And where exactly was this place?...

Her mind was filled with questions, but no one was there to answer them.

After resting for a while, she regained some strength. Struggling to her feet, she went to the table and drank two cups of tea. Her throat began to ease, and she could speak again. Just as she was about to leave the room, voices came from outside the door...

“Everyone, wait outside. No one is permitted to enter without my command.”

Outside the door stood Consort Rou, resplendently dressed, graceful and unparalleled in beauty. She cast a cold glance at the servants following her and spoke sharply before leading a woman dressed in a goose-yellow gown toward the room where Yan Ziyu was.

“Your Highness, we came here without permission. If His Majesty or the Prince were to find out, it might be...” The woman in the yellow dress spoke hesitantly, worry creasing her brow as she addressed Consort Rou.

“It doesn’t matter. Do you truly believe Yan Ziyu is the real Xiao Princess? Today, she holds that title only because of luck. Perhaps tomorrow she will be nothing. Ziyun, you’ve served by my side for years—have you ever seen me take on a task without full confidence? Huan’er’s message was very clear: Yan Ziyu is different now. I want to see if she really is that cat with nine lives.” Consort Rou’s stunning face curled into a cold sneer as she spoke without restraint to the maid named Ziyun.

Consort Rou had long enjoyed the emperor’s favor in the harem through her own cunning. She knew, to some extent, why Yan Ziyu had become the Xiao Princess, which was why she was so determined to have her own sister marry the Xiao Prince as a side consort. She understood that Yan Ziyu’s tenure as Xiao Princess would be short-lived. As long as Huan’er was pregnant, she had a way to ensure her sister could become the Xiao Princess.

The letter Huan’er sent this time said that Yan Ziyu had changed completely, as if she were a different person. Coupled with her performance at the palace banquet that evening, it confirmed Huan’er’s words, forcing Consort Rou to take the matter seriously.

“Your Highness speaks wisely.” Ziyun lowered her head and responded, relieved because her mistress’s words made sense.

“If not for the debt that woman owed me, I would never have intervened to save her. It all comes back to a debt from the past...” Consort Rou’s eyes clouded with a distant haze as she murmured softly, recalling those old memories.

Her voice was so low that even Ziyun at her side couldn’t hear clearly—but sharp-eared Yan Ziyu caught every word.

Inside the room, Yan Ziyu furrowed her brow in deep thought.

—From Consort Rou’s words, she could sense the disdain toward herself. For someone of such high status to set aside pride and personal feelings to save someone she disliked, it was only to make that person owe her a favor...

Who was this “woman” that Consort Rou spoke of? What did she have to do with Yan Ziyu?

Yan Ziyu felt herself sinking into a bottomless swamp. Each time she found a stone to step on, buying herself a moment’s respite, some invisible force pulled her deeper. The sensation was unbearable, as if she were trapped in a circle set by others, completely losing control of her own fate.

“Why has Consort Rou come to see me? Could it be...” Yan Ziyu frowned, pondering until the door suddenly creaked open...

*Creak—*

The door was pushed open!

The first thing to meet Yan Ziyu’s eyes was Consort Rou, adorned in splendid attire. Her flawless makeup and proud demeanor gave her an aura of untouchable majesty. Yet, at this moment, Yan Ziyu felt a chill run down her spine. The look in Consort Rou’s eyes was that of a hunter eyeing her prey—deeply unsettling.

“I pay respects to Consort Rou. May you enjoy abundant blessings.” Yan Ziyu bowed slightly while subtly stepping back two paces.

Consort Rou was the elder sister of Consort Yu, a fact well known in the Da Yun court, so Yan Ziyu was fully aware of who she was dealing with. Having previously exposed Consort Rou’s attempt to poison her before the officials in the main hall, Yan Ziyu knew she would not let the matter rest quietly. Consort Rou had come to settle the score.

“Spare me the ceremony. There’s no one else here anyway. I have no time to accept the courtesies of the Xiao Princess.” Consort Rou’s phoenix eyes glanced coldly at Yan Ziyu, and she snorted dismissively.

Watching Consort Rou sitting on the stool, Yan Ziyu felt a rising unease. No one dared to move against her yet—but what of Rui’er? Ali? Qiu He?

Where were they now? Were they safe?

“Your Highness, you jest. I am but a humble servant and would never show disrespect. I beg your pardon for not greeting you sooner. I will personally report this to His Majesty and ask for your forgiveness. Please do not take offense.” Yan Ziyu deliberately mentioned the emperor while quietly studying Consort Rou’s expression for any sign of weakness. Alas, the woman’s face betrayed nothing.

“What? Threatening me by invoking the emperor? I am not arrogant, but if I wished to harm you, do you think you’d still be sitting here safely?” Consort Rou’s exquisite face twisted into a cold smile, shaking her head in disdain. “As for your concerns, I know exactly why you’re worried. I won’t beat around the bush: I do have a purpose for this visit.”

At those words, a flicker of unusual color flashed through Yan Ziyu’s eyes. Finally, it was coming!

“I am simple-minded. Please, Your Highness, enlighten me.” Yan Ziyu looked up at Consort Rou, feigning confusion.

Consort Rou stared deeply into Yan Ziyu’s eyes. The more she looked, the stronger the fire burning inside her grew, and her gaze sharpened. Yan Ziyu truly resembled that woman, especially with that innocent act—it made her want to tear the mask from her face with her own hands.

“I am a mother, too, and understand a mother’s feelings. I want to propose a bargain with the Xiao Princess. To show sincerity, I guarantee the safety of the little heir. If not... well, the inner palace is a dangerous place. It would be unsurprising if a child so young met with misfortune. Tell me, if the heir were harmed, would the Xiao Prince not unleash fury and hunt down the culprit?” Consort Rou smiled faintly, her tone even, but her words sent shockwaves through Yan Ziyu’s heart.

At these words, Yan Ziyu’s expression hardened, her face unreadable as she met Consort Rou’s gaze. “What kind of bargain?”

This involved Rui’er. She had to be cautious. She could lose everything, but not Rui’er. Rui’er was her spiritual anchor in this strange era. If anything happened to him, she would surely collapse.

“You truly are the Xiao Princess—intelligent beyond measure. I grow ever more curious about what has made you endure so long in silence, only now revealing this brilliance.”

“No need for your concern, Consort Rou. Where is Rui’er? Tell me the terms of your bargain. Do not harm Rui’er, or else... the price you pay will be more than you can bear. You should know, if I am desperate enough to drag you down with me, what are the odds of success?” Yan Ziyu’s eyes were sharp blades, brimming with pride and defiance, as if she had become a different person altogether.

What were the odds of success?

Consort Rou knew well: if Yan Ziyu truly went all in and tried to take her down, the odds of success would be more than ninety percent.

“I won’t waste words. I don’t believe a single one you say. Ziyun...” Consort Rou called to her maid, who immediately handed her a white jade porcelain bottle. With delicate hands adorned in rouge, Consort Rou accepted the bottle, then looked at Yan Ziyu.

“Take what is inside. Tomorrow, you will see the little heir.”