The Fourth Prince’s Residence.
The Fourth Prince stood beside his table, looking at the crape myrtle flower on the rice paper.
This was the third painting he had done recently. The outlines were all drawn with fine brushstrokes in the plain-line technique, yet it was only a rough draft—he had not completed the full painting.
He had always been fond of crape myrtle flowers, but every time he saw them, he was inevitably reminded of events from many years past.
Back then, the Fourth Prince had just passed his twelfth birthday and was playing in the Imperial Garden, accompanied by a eunuch.
Seeing clusters of crape myrtle blossoms blooming beautifully among the branches, he climbed onto the eunuch’s shoulders, wanting to pick a sprig.
But before he could reach the flowers, an icy voice barked at him: “Get down.”
The Fourth Prince knew immediately who was scolding him.
Climbing down from the eunuch’s shoulders, he looked at that face, even more beautiful than the crape myrtle blooms, and swallowed his anger. “Greetings, Third Brother.”
Outwardly offering greetings, inwardly he gnashed his teeth with hatred.
He had been young and foolish once. He had unintentionally offended Xiao Jin in words. And this grudge-bearing man had never let it go, constantly picking on him afterward, finding all sorts of ways to torment him.
Prince Yan looked at the crape myrtle tree, then back at the Fourth Prince. “Blooming flowers are meant to be picked—who taught you that?”
The Fourth Prince couldn’t help talking back: “If blooming flowers aren’t meant to be picked, should we wait until they wither?”
Prince Yan gave a cold snort. “Whether they bloom or wither, it has nothing to do with you. Everything in the Imperial Palace belongs to Father Emperor. If anyone else plucks a flower from the Imperial Garden, it is a grave offense of disrespect.”
“I am Father Emperor’s son. Can I not even pick a flower?” The Fourth Prince remained stubborn.
“Even the Son of Heaven is equally subject to the law when he breaks it. Do you think being a prince makes you above others? When the time comes, Father Emperor will punish you just the same.”
The Fourth Prince recalled how, when he had played in the Imperial Garden before, he had clearly seen the Crown Prince also pick flowers there.
So he stubbornly retorted, “Imperial Brother has also picked flowers in this place. Third Brother was present at the time too. Why didn’t you say anything about him?”
Prince Yan froze for a moment, then narrowed his eyes and actually smiled.
“Not to mention that what the Crown Prince picked back then was merely a stalk of mint—a weed that should have been cleared out in the first place. Even if he hadn’t, so what? You also know he’s the Crown Prince, the Heir Apparent. And you… what are you?”
…
What are you?
Xiao Jin had said those words to him twice.
He was clearly the Qi Emperor’s son, the son of Noble Consort Mu. Xiao Jin’s Imperial Consort Mother was of low birth, nowhere near as noble as the Mu Clan.
Yet, relying on Eldest Princess Zhaoyang’s support, Xiao Jin had always lorded over him since childhood, constantly seeking fault and picking quarrels.
Although the Fourth Prince knew that Eldest Princess Zhaoyang’s power was vast and that the Qi Emperor could never pass the throne to Xiao Jin,
Xiao Jin was utterly hateful. Knowing full well he had no chance at the throne, he had instead aligned himself with the Crown Prince, finding all sorts of ways to disgust him.
A corner of the rice paper was lifted by the wind.
The Fourth Prince looked at that gently folded crape myrtle flower. Xiao Jin was truly hateful, utterly, despicably hateful.
Now that Xiao Jin’s legs were completely crippled, thoroughly eliminating him from the line of succession, he needed to think of a way to exact revenge.
The Fourth Prince hadn’t yet figured out exactly what method to use when Manager Wang, standing beside him, reported the day’s events: “Your Highness, today Eldest Princess Zhaoyang summoned Prince Yan to the palace but issued a verbal decree, declaring she would not see the Princess Consort.”
“The Princess Consort?” The Fourth Prince laughed. “What Princess Consort? She’s merely a chess piece Father Emperor is using to pacify the Yao people.”
“The Crown Prince doesn’t care for her, and I have no intention of marrying her either. If Xiao Jin hadn’t gone mad and staged that bride-snatching spectacle, taking this hot potato off my hands, I wouldn’t even know how to deal with Chu Shao.”
Manager Wang was somewhat puzzled. “Your Highness, if you feel Chu Shao is a hot potato, then why did you inform His Majesty about Prince Yan’s bride-snatching earlier?”
The Fourth Prince glanced at Manager Wang. “What do you know? Being grateful to Xiao Jin for snatching the bride is one thing. Seizing the leverage to report him is another.”
“This matter is utterly disgraceful. When Father Emperor learns of it, he will surely be furious. That will draw Eldest Princess Zhaohua out to intervene, making Father Emperor detest Xiao Jin even more. Isn’t that killing two birds with one stone?”
Manager Wang suddenly saw the light. “Your Highness is brilliant!”
The Fourth Prince laughed. He thought of the Princess Consort in Prince Yan Manor, and suddenly, an amusing notion sprouted in his mind.
Xiao Jin had indeed helped him deal with a huge problem. But even something he deemed a problem could only be picked up by someone else after he had discarded it.
In front of so many people, to seize what rightfully belonged to him—even if Xiao Jin had helped him, he felt not the slightest gratitude or appreciation.
Thinking of that phrase “what are you,” the Fourth Prince felt deeply humiliated.
Since he couldn’t exact this humiliation upon Xiao Jin for the time being, he could only find a way to humiliate someone else.
The Fourth Prince thought of that fallen kingdom’s princess, whom he had never met.
He picked up his brush, wrote out an invitation, and smiled as he handed it to Manager Wang. “Take this. Invite the Princess Consort to my residence for a chat.”
…
Manager Wang led Chu Shao into the main hall.
He respectfully invited her to sit, then entered another room and said to the Fourth Prince, “Your Highness, the Princess Consort is seated in the main hall. What would you like to do next?”
The Fourth Prince was frowning, adjusting his collar in front of the mirror. Seeing Manager Wang arrive, he hummed casually, “Didn’t you say before that there’s a fine incense you procured in the storehouse?”
Manager Wang froze, then leaned close to the Fourth Prince’s ear and whispered, “Your Highness, that incense is still there. But Prince Yan Manor knows it was Your Highness who invited the Princess Consort here. If they later raise accusations…”
The Fourth Prince cut Manager Wang off. “Even if something happens to the Princess Consort, it will only occur after she leaves this residence. What does that have to do with me? Besides, do you really think Xiao Jin would fall in love at first sight with Chu Shao?”
Manager Wang froze again, not understanding what the Fourth Prince meant.
The Fourth Prince sneered: “Chu Shao is nothing but a puppet that even Aunt Zhaoyang disdains. Xiao Jin is no fool. Right now, it’s just novelty-seeking. Someone like Xiao Jin falling in love at first sight? No one would believe that if you said it.”
“Th-this…” Manager Wang hesitated. “But if Prince Yan truly dotes on the Princess Consort and comes looking for her later, it won’t be easy to handle.”
“Coming to find her is exactly what I want.”
The Fourth Prince lowered the hand adjusting his collar and smiled. “If Xiao Jin views Chu Shao as a plaything, he certainly won’t come. If he finds her somewhat interesting, he will come. When the medicine takes effect, I can just go with the flow and do Xiao Jin a favor. Shouldn’t he be thanking me then?”
Thanking him?
Manager Wang clicked his tongue inwardly. His Highness’s move was truly vicious.
In the first scenario, Chu Shao’s existence would make His Highness uncomfortable. Once that incense was burned, Chu Shao’s purity would be ruined, and Prince Yan would inevitably be unable to tolerate her.
In the second scenario, if Prince Yan really came, dragging his crippled body, he still couldn’t perform any acts of intimacy. Either way, it would be a face-slapping humiliation.
Besides, Princess Zhaoyang’s various actions clearly showed she disapproved of Chu Shao. She certainly wouldn’t back her up.
That incense, when smelled, was an ordinary scent. Absolutely no fault could be found with it. Once it burned out, all one had to do was dispose of the ash. Even if Prince Yan wanted to raise accusations, he wouldn’t find a shred of evidence.
A smile bloomed across Manager Wang’s face as he flattered the Fourth Prince: “Your Highness is truly brilliant beyond compare. This old slave prostrates himself in admiration!”
The Fourth Prince fastened his belt. “Remember to bring the antidote as well. Take it before entering the main hall.”
“Yes.”
…
The Fourth Prince stepped out from the room.
Walking into the main hall, even though he had seen Chu Shao once before, he still paused momentarily.
The last time he had seen Chu Shao was in the Imperial Study and he hadn’t looked closely.
Now, seeing her dressed in white robes, sitting upright and elegant in her chair, she resembled a graceful orchid shoot. Her posture was tall and upright, her fragrance delicate and soothing—truly a peerless flower.
But when Chu Shao lifted her head and the Fourth Prince met her gaze, he frowned slightly.
Her eyes were extremely gentle, and her smile was flawless, but for some inexplicable reason, he felt something was off.
The Fourth Prince thought to himself: He had no reason to fear a princess of a fallen kingdom. So he curved his lips into a smile and spoke words of greeting.
“The last time I saw you in the Imperial Study, your subject brother felt that Third Sister-in-Law was truly stunning beyond mortal comprehension. Now, seeing you clearly in person, I finally understand why they say, ‘From then on, the king never attended morning court.’ It’s not an empty saying.”
These words were indeed praising Chu Shao. However, by comparing her to a kingdom-toppling temptress, it was clear he didn’t hold her in much regard.
Strangely, Chu Shao didn’t seem to mind. The faint smile remained on her lips. She even asked, “Does the Fourth Prince also think this humble wife possesses a city-toppling beauty?”
The Fourth Prince hadn’t expected Chu Shao to be so blunt and was momentarily stunned.
Although Chu Shao was indeed exceptionally beautiful, he had never heard of any woman asking such a question.
After a moment, the Fourth Prince laughed. “Third Sister-in-Law’s beauty rivals the immortals. Your subject brother speaks nothing but the truth, of course.”
Chu Shao also smiled.
Now she finally understood why Xiao Jin had fallen in love with her at first sight.
So Xiao Jin was captivated by her appearance. In that case, she hadn’t lied to her; everything she said was true. It was clear that Xiao Jin was indeed honest—far more interesting than those who said one thing and meant another.
During their exchange, Manager Wang had already retrieved the incense from the storehouse and added a few scoops of fragrant powder to the burner.
A rich, sweet scent permeated the air, like the cloying aroma of rouge powder drifting through a brothel.
The incense spread through the air, brushing against the face with the fine, smooth touch of silk fabric.
The Fourth Prince and Old Wang had already taken the antidote beforehand, so they were not ensnared by this alluring fragrance.
He chatted idly with Chu Shao, smiling, while inwardly eagerly anticipating what would happen once the incense took effect.
Yet, even after the Fourth Prince had talked until his mouth was parched, feeling he had almost nothing left to say, Chu Shao remained seated composedly in her chair, sipping the cup of tea that had nearly gone cold.
She was even evaluating the tea leaves: “Dongting Biluochun. Fine tea indeed.”
The Fourth Prince could only take a sip of tea himself and force a laugh. “Third Sister-in-Law has sharp eyes. This tea was just transported from Dongting Mountain. The color is silver-green—naturally, it’s a fine tea.”
Then he proceeded to speak at length about Biluochun.
Chu Shao listened while letting her mind wander. Aside from the smile on her lips fading a touch, she showed no other abnormality.
Not only did Chu Shao repeatedly zone out, but the Fourth Prince, after talking for so long, was also growing annoyed inwardly: When will this incense take effect? Old Wang couldn’t have bought a counterfeit, could he?
In reality, Chu Shao was immersed in her own world and had long since stopped listening to what the Fourth Prince was saying.
Before entering the main hall, she had been pondering how to put this dagger to use without anyone realizing she was the one who had wielded it.
But Chu Shao hadn’t expected that such a grand hall wouldn’t even have a single servant in attendance.
She could only lament that the Fourth Prince and Old Zhang were so thoughtful, having taken care of everything for her.
To repay the Fourth Prince, Chu Shao decided she would wait until he had finished all his nonsense before engaging in a little… recreation.
Who knew the Fourth Prince would be so long-winded, chattering endlessly without finishing?
Chu Shao was growing impatient.
Seeing the Fourth Prince steer the topic toward Xinyang Maojian, Chu Shao’s smile vanished completely. Her fingers had already moved to the sash at her waist.
Rather than repay the Fourth Prince, she was even less willing to tolerate wasting her time in this prince’s residence.
Chu Shao’s fingers were just about to touch the dagger’s hilt when, from beyond the door, the sound of wheels rolling suddenly reached them.
She paused momentarily, watching as the purple bamboo wheelchair rolled across the floorboards, slowly entering the hall, and finally coming to a stop in the very center.
The Fourth Prince’s voice also halted at that moment.
The visitor’s shoulders were draped in a thick, heavy cloak. At the fox fur’s edge, a few scattered snowflakes still drifted.
Snow clung to her lashes. She furrowed her brow and coughed twice.
When she finished coughing, a hoarse voice echoed through the hall: “Xiao Yi, you have some nerve.”
This voice was extremely cold. Even Manager Wang, standing at the side, couldn’t help but shiver.
The Fourth Prince, looking at Chu Shao sitting perfectly safe and sound in her chair, felt that even though his logic wasn’t exactly sound, his confidence was quite robust: “Third Brother, what are you saying? Your subject brother doesn’t quite understand.”
Xiao Jin laughed coldly. “I ask you, how big is your nerve? To invite my Princess Consort to your residence to discuss tea leaves—you’re the first fool in history to be this mind-bogglingly stupid.”
She looked at the Fourth Prince as if he were an idiot and asked, quite genuinely, “Do you have a death wish?”
…
The question “Do you have a death wish?” was asked with utmost sincerity.
After all, when she had arrived at the gates and was about to have Old Zhang push her inside, she had harbored a moment of hesitation.
Xiao Jin thought: What if Chu Shao is already on a killing spree and can’t distinguish friend from foe? If I make Old Zhang come in with me, wouldn’t that be walking him straight to his death?
She felt she might still have a small sliver of a chance to survive by luck, but Old Zhang—not so much. So she had simply chosen to wheel herself in alone.
It was only after she had entered and finished speaking those words that the System’s notification tone rang in her ear.
“Now issuing a new quest to the Player.”
Xiao Jin was taken aback. Issuing a quest at a time like this—had the System gone mad?
The System’s mechanical voice paid no heed to Xiao Jin’s internal grumbling and said, very amiably: “Please note, Host: This quest will reward one month of lifespan.”
Hearing the reward of one month of lifespan, Xiao Jin was completely stunned.
Restrained by the presence of others around her, she didn’t dare show it on her face. She still wore a cold expression, but the corner of her mouth couldn’t help twitching upward slightly.
This time, the System was finally acting human.
However, the System’s next words were utterly inhumane.
“Quest Event: Aphrodisiac Powder. Quest Difficulty: Unpredictable. Estimated trigger time: within five minutes.”
“Please prepare yourself, Host!”
The upward curve of Xiao Jin’s lips instantly froze.
Aphrodisiac… Powder?
