Prince Jin felt frustrated. This so-called collaboration meant that all his secrets were in Gu Lianchang’s hands, while he knew nothing about Gu Lianchang’s secrets, making it feel like an unequal transaction.
He said indignantly, “My mother only misunderstood momentarily. Yu Fei hasn’t encountered any problems, so the price you’re asking is too high.”
“If Prince Jin feels it’s not worthwhile, he can choose not to make this deal. I don’t mind whether I have Your Highness’s support or not,” Gu Lianchang said indifferently.
Prince Jin was speechless, realizing he had to bow under another’s roof. After a while, he said awkwardly, “Supervisor is right. This prince will follow your arrangements.”
“This matter is also beneficial to Prince Jin,” Gu Lianchang said. “When His Majesty awakens, he will commend Prince Jin. Moreover, Yu Fei will be grateful to Prince Jin, and gaining the support of the Empress will be advantageous to you.”
Yu Fei…
Prince Jin asked, “Supervisor, can you introduce me to Yu Fei? I want to express my regards to her in person.”
“Mother and son have their positions; it is not appropriate to meet,” Gu Lianchang flatly refused.
Feeling disappointed, Prince Jin was interrupted by Zhang Jing outside the door, stating, “Supervisor, the Crown Prince has forcibly entered Yikun Palace and is having a dispute with Yu Fei.”
Gu Lianchang instantly left. Prince Jin, shocked, looked around the simple, sparsely furnished room, realizing there was no sign of a woman having been there—did she not follow him that night?
Before he could ponder further, Zhang Jing appeared at the door, saying softly, “Your Highness, please come this way.”
Prince Jin reluctantly followed, ordering, “Take me to see the situation with the Crown Prince.”
In the rear hall of Yikun Palace, Wei Shu shouted angrily at the palace maids, “All of you, retreat!”
“No retreat!” Ruan Ning shouted back.
The palace maids and eunuchs exchanged uncertain glances. A few timid ones hesitated, prompting Ruan Ning to declare, “Stop! I’d like to see who dares to leave!”
These people had served Ruan Ning for several days and always thought she was easy-going.
They had never seen her so fierce and were frightened, standing still and not daring to move.
Wei Shu was furious. He hadn’t seen Ruan Ning for several days, especially after the imperial decree about establishing the Empress. Her lack of intention to meet with him made him uneasy. Did she really want to go against him? Today, the officials urging the establishment of the Empress were at odds with his people. Who had she allied with to mobilize so much power?
He thought of what Qin Zhi had said and felt there was some truth to it, but he was unwilling to admit it. If Ruan Ning allied with Gu Lianchang and overlooked him, wouldn’t that imply he was inferior to a eunuch? This speculation drove him to impulsively confront Ruan Ning in Yikun Palace.
Who would have thought she would completely ignore his rage and directly challenge his orders? Was this the same Yu Fei from days ago who wouldn’t dare to resist him? If she became Empress, would he still have a chance with her?
Wei Shu stated grimly, “Yu Fei, the Empress title is not yet confirmed. Don’t think you can show off in front of me with a dubious decree.”
Ruan Ning wasn’t afraid of the decree. She had realized that as long as Gu Lianchang was willing to help her, Wei Shu was powerless against her.
Otherwise, why would Wei Shu break into Yikun Palace in the middle of the night in a rage? He had clearly lost all sense of etiquette.
She cheerfully remarked, “Your Highness, even if the Empress title isn’t confirmed, I am still a concubine of your father the Emperor and your elder. Is it proper for you to burst in here and shout at me?”
Wei Shu felt an urge to explode with anger. She was becoming increasingly bold, daring to talk back to him. He stepped forward to grab her, but another figure rushed in front of him to take Ruan Ning away, coldly saying, “Your Highness, why have you broken into Yikun Palace in the middle of the night?”
“Move aside!” Wei Shu roared.
Gu Lianchang’s voice was not loud but carried more authority than Wei Shu’s. “Zhang Jing, go invite the Crown Prince’s tutor to bring him back to the Eastern Palace and explain the ‘Classic of Filial Piety’ carefully.”
“Gu Lianchang, since when is it your place to manage my affairs!” Wei Shu exploded.
“Why is Your Highness so furious?” Jin Wang, hearing the Crown Prince’s angry roar from afar, was secretly amused, and the neglect he felt from Gu Lianchang diminished. “Your Highness should be careful; it’s getting late now.”
If you continue to linger here with the Imperial Consort, the censors may advise against it tomorrow.”
Wei Shu didn’t expect to see him and retorted, “If you know it’s late, why are you still here? I came to discuss important matters with the Imperial Consort. What are you doing?”
“I heard you were angry, so I came to mediate,” Jin Wang smiled. “What has made you so angry? Tell me, and I’ll help resolve it.”
Wei Shu snorted disdainfully, “If you’re bored, you might as well discipline the Virtuous Consort and prevent her from causing trouble.”
Gu Lianzhang refused to let go. During the stalemate, Ruan Ning bit his tongue tip.
With a hiss, Gu Lianzhang was surprised and let her go: “You dare bite me?”
“You hurt me,” Ruan Ning said guiltily. Seeing his ugly expression, she quickly leaned in and rubbed her red lips against his, “I didn’t mean to. Don’t be angry. I’ll find you later, okay?”
Gu Lianzhang coldly snorted, “No need!” He turned and walked away, his face stern. Ruan Ning followed, feeling uneasy. She had bitten him hard, and he might be angry. It seemed she would need to work hard to coax him later.
The Eastern Palace was silent. The bedroom door was tightly closed, and the serving staff stood far away, while Qin Zhi’s trusted female official guarded the door with a solemn expression.
Inside, Qin Zhi said, “Your Highness, to succeed, the Imperial Concubine must be killed.”
Wei Shu replied, “What nonsense? She’s a powerless woman. When has she offended you?”
Ruan Ning turned angrily to the window, knocking on the pane. Still silent inside, she tore the window paper to peek. It was pitch black, so she quietly called, “Supervisor, it’s me.”
In the darkness, Gu Lianchang’s heart skipped a beat, but he remained silent. After several calls, silence fell, and light footsteps moved away, indicating the person was in a good mood.
Gu Lianchang sat up, realizing she was in a good mood and didn’t care about him at all. He hurried outside but found the courtyard empty. Had she already left? He gritted his teeth, frustrated that she just abandoned him.
At that moment, he noticed a slight breathing sound behind the goldfish tank. His actions were faster than his thoughts as he rushed over, pulling her out from behind the tank. She blinked at him with a half-smile and said, “Didn’t you lock the door to keep me out? Why are you chasing after me now?”
Gu Lianchang realized that the more he tried to appear indifferent, the more clearly she saw through him, which made him furious with embarrassment. He pressed her against the edge of the fish tank, tearing open her light outer garment to reveal the peony-red waist underneath. She looked at him with seductive eyes and softly said, “Supervisor, look, it’s a peony.”
That day he had drawn a peony on her hand, and she had deliberately worn that color to seduce him. Gu Lianchang let out a low gasp, realizing he had completely lost.
“Is the Supervisor calling?” Ruan Ning laughed lightly, “I didn’t know men would also make sounds when aroused.” She pressed her red lips close, “Shall we go inside? I don’t want others to hear your voice.”
