Since Yuzhen could cooperate, the next steps involved the Empress Dowager and the Fourth Prince. The Empress Dowager also needed to be “dealt with,” but biting off more than one can chew was unwise. She would only act after the Lin family was weakened, and then it would be her turn. But getting her consent wasn’t simple. And the Fourth Prince was not simple either, though he had his weaknesses. Because Qingqing had noticed that morning when he called Li Qin “the second,” there was a hidden defiance in his eyes. If she approached him directly, he might not be so easily cooperative. He was a proud man, and Qingqing knew it. Why do proud people act superior? Isn’t it because they somewhat despise themselves deep down, so they put on airs to armor themselves? Indeed, the Fourth Prince’s mother was once a maid of the Empress Dowager, who used some unsavory methods to rise to her position and bore him. Why did the late Emperor, who always respected the Empress Dowager, issue an edict before his death to posthumously honor the Fourth Prince’s mother as the Empress Xiaoxian? Was there some kind of agreement between them, or was it to compensate for the Fourth Prince not being able to ascend the throne? Whatever the reason, it wasn’t the point. The point was that Qingqing had thought of a good plan. “Miss, the Fourth Prince has arrived.” Qingqing quickly hid her smile, dismissed the maids, and as expected, the Fourth Prince had indeed come. She had only mentioned his mother’s name through a messenger, and this name was a gift from the abbot. “Fourth Prince, Empress Dowager Xiaoxian…” Qingqing wanted to say something good about his mother but stopped under his cold gaze, which seemed to say “keep your distance.” He clearly respected his mother deeply and did not want others to speak of her, not even in praise. The Fourth Prince coldly said, “You didn’t invite me here just for this idle talk, did you?” Qingqing immediately dismissed the attendants and clapped her hands in laughter. This was the partner she was looking for. If he wasn’t willing, he wouldn’t have come, nor would he be so direct. “The Fourth Prince is indeed clever.” Qingqing carefully observed his expression, unable to discern anything, so she decided to be straightforward. Sometimes, hiding and testing weren’t the best methods. “The Fourth Prince, for his mother, is indeed willing to sacrifice.” The Fourth Prince did not show the expected surprise but calmly looked at her. “What are your conditions?”
Chapter 121: No Double Blessings from Heaven
News came from the Qingci Palace where the Empress Dowager resides, stating that she had fallen gravely ill and could not even get out of bed. This illness came too suddenly and mysteriously, as if even the heavens were giving Qingqing an opportunity, but this opportunity was certainly not so straightforward. Qingqing did not have time to ponder over whose conspiracy this might be; she had no time for such thoughts. Since someone had given her an opportunity, she could not let others seize it first. She must make good use of it; even if it were a trap, she would turn it around and make the trap setter fall into it themselves. Her already fatigued mind and body suddenly tensed up again; this was the most crucial step, the first true step towards success, and she must be in the best state for combat.
