Infiltrating the Princess’s residence to investigate this man would not be difficult, but Jiang Yunqiao had openly declared that we would compete for the heir’s position by our own means. This could be considered fair and aboveboard. However, if I secretly sent people to investigate her secrets and she discovered this, it might push our already delicate relationship to an irreparable extreme.
So I asked Anjin to temporarily halt his actions, and I once again invited Jiang Yunqiao to meet. She readily agreed, suggesting we go to her brother’s tavern to listen to music, just like last time.
It was the same private room, the same musician Bai Chen was called, and once again, the song “Chang Xiangsi” was played.
Jiang Yunqiao listened very intently this time, her eyes focused on Bai Chen’s fingers moving swiftly across the strings. After the song ended, she turned to me with a smile, “Ah Yao, I didn’t expect you to invite me. I hope you weren’t offended by what I said last time.”
I returned her an understanding smile. “Not just sisters, but friends. Yunqiao, I want to ask you something.”
“You want to know why I suddenly changed my mind?” She laughed, looking at Bai Chen, her gaze lingering on him. “Ah Yao, what do you think of Master Bai’s performance?”
“Very good,” I replied.
She stood up, slowly walking to Bai Chen’s side, and unexpectedly bent down, holding his hand.
In a country like Nanrui, her noble birth meant that having another consort was not a big deal. However, I always felt uneasy and sensed something was amiss.
“Alright, you’ve fulfilled your wish to be with him; you want the position of heir and to become empress. But if you still consider me a sister, at least tell me who his enemies are? What is it that you want to reclaim for him?”
Her expression stiffened slightly, and she turned away: “Sorry, I cannot say.”
I was choked up, wanting to grab her shoulders and shake her to make her speak. I suppressed this impulse.
“Fine, if you won’t tell me, so be it.” I forced myself to calm down. “Before the truth is revealed, I won’t give up the heir’s position either. As you said, let’s each rely on our own abilities.”
