121. Let Me Die

The following day, the sun shone brilliantly. Clear skies after a heavy rain always seemed especially radiant.

Of course, that did not include those whose spirits had been forcibly subdued.

Mingde Hall in the Eastern Palace.

No matter how much Fuan felt that her new mistress was utterly ill-mannered for still sleeping soundly in bed when the sun was already shining on her backside, she would never dare show the slightest trace of resentment.

The Crown Prince had said that this lady was the future Empress. Whatever she said or did was right, and all Fuan had to do was obey.

She understood, and she would obey. After all, she had been the stewardess of Mingde Hall for more than a decade. But understanding was one thing, and carrying it out was another. No one could stop her from thinking, could they? If this woman was the future Empress, then what was the Crown Princess, who had been married to the Crown Prince for more than ten years and lived in Lifang Studio next door under the title of Crown Princess?

The Crown Prince had been here yesterday, and the Crown Princess had made no disturbance. Now that the Crown Prince had gone to court first thing in the morning, would the Crown Princess, who lived so close by, perhaps...

“Your Ladyship? Your Ladyship?” Fuan approached the bed and called softly, “The sky is clear today, and the flowers in the Imperial Garden look even more beautiful! Would Your Ladyship like to go admire them?”

First, she had to get the new mistress out of this hall. There were too many people outside with too many loose tongues. Even if they happened to encounter the Crown Princess, surely the situation would not become too ugly.

Fang Rulai turned over, and her bald head poked out from beneath the covers. “There are still flowers blooming in the Imperial Garden? Didn’t it rain heavily yesterday? If we go now, won’t we only see fallen flowers and broken branches strewn everywhere?”

She uttered the response she ought to give, but what she was really thinking was: She could leave this room?

She had kept lying there because she had seen the layers upon layers of guards surrounding the place. She had assumed she was confined to this room. She had never expected that she was actually allowed to go outside. That was wonderful.

Fuan still could not get used to seeing such an obviously feminine body crowned with a bald head. To keep her expression from betraying her thoughts, she kept her eyes fixed as much as possible on her own toes.

“Before yesterday’s rain, the stewards of the Imperial Garden had already built shelters over the precious flowers as a precaution, so they were not damaged by the wind and rain. On the contrary, after their roots were nourished by the rain, the flowers have bloomed even more beautifully today! Your Ladyship will certainly feel much better after seeing them.”

So please, let us go. Let us get out of here. Anywhere would do, so long as they did not encounter the Crown Princess in Mingde Hall, where she was certain to come.

Fang Rulai had already decided that she wanted to go outside, but on the surface she still acted indifferent, displaying a languid air.

“Very well. Lying here has become tiring too. Let’s go for a walk.”

She sat up, and Fuan hurried forward to help her dress.

Fang Rulai watched her deft movements, which could even be described as frantic, and suddenly said, “Are you in such a hurry to drive me out?”

She wanted to leave because she hoped to find an opportunity to send news to the outside world. But why was this maid so eager to get her out?

Fuan’s hands froze as she was tying the sash. She immediately dropped to her knees.

“Your Ladyship, please forgive me! Fuan truly only suggested the Imperial Garden because the flowers are blooming so beautifully. I absolutely had no other intentions!”

“It doesn’t matter.” Fang Rulai tied the sash herself and climbed out of bed. “Some things lose their meaning once they are explained. Fine, we’ll do as you say. Let’s go through the obligatory flower-viewing episode that every transmigrated or reincarnated heroine must experience.”

There was no need to think about it. Things certainly would not remain peaceful. But so what? The more chaotic, the better. As theory had proven, opportunities and trouble were inseparable best friends.

Fuan, following close behind, did not understand a word of that. It did not matter. As long as the new mistress did not encounter the Crown Princess in Mingde Hall, she could say or do whatever she pleased.

“Your Ladyship, why don’t you put on these thick-soled shoes? You are unwell, so you must not let the cold seep in through your feet. Your Ladyship, would you like a light cloak as well? The sky has only just cleared after the rain, so there is still a chill in the air. Your Ladyship, Fuan has prepared some fine pastries for you in the Imperial Garden. You can enjoy them while admiring the—”

The word “flowers” caught in Fuan’s throat.

She stopped at the doorway connecting the inner and outer rooms.

The Crown Princess, Cheng Yurong, had arrived.

When Fuan looked over, she met Cheng Yurong’s wide, furious eyes without the slightest attempt at concealment.

“Aunt Fuan,” Cheng Yurong said, “I have been married to the Crown Prince for more than ten years, haven’t I? How is it that I have never once heard you express concern over whether my shoes were too thin or my clothes too light?”

Fuan sighed inwardly. Of course, what she feared had come to pass. Yet her expression did not falter for even an instant. She bent her knees and knelt.

“Fuan pays her respects to the Crown Princess.”

Fang Rulai found a cushioned couch and settled herself against it. She casually glanced at the woman who had just entered, surrounded by attendants—the Crown Princess mentioned by Fuan.

She was dressed in magnificent finery, her face wearing the lofty, disdainful expression of someone thinking, “The grand lady has arrived. Why are you still not kneeling?”

One glance was enough. Fang Rulai turned her head toward the window.

It seemed she would first have to find a way to make physical contact with this woman.

“How audacious! You dare not kneel upon seeing the Crown Princess? Guards, drag this insolent wretch out and beat her to death!”

The furious shout exploded beside Fang Rulai’s ears. She whipped her head around with a whoosh.

When she saw that the speaker was, just as in every conventional drama, the maid standing beside the troublemaking woman, Fang Rulai suddenly brightened.

At last, she had encountered someone who knew how to follow the script! If she did not cooperate, would that not make her seem completely lacking in refinement?

Let her think. How was the innocent little flower who had just been attacked supposed to react?

Shock? Fine. Widen her eyes.

Grievance? Fine. Dig her fingers viciously into her thigh until tears instantly welled in her eyes.

Wait. She ought to say something too, shouldn’t she?

Ah, she had it.

“What? You’re the Crown Princess? Then the handsome, dashing, peerless martial artist who promised yesterday to make me Empress and shower me with his exclusive love for the rest of my life was really the Crown Prince? He’s already married? How could he treat me like this?”

Fang Rulai covered her face with both hands, leaped off the couch, and rushed toward the door.

“I don’t want to live anymore! I refuse to become a shameless mistress who destroys someone else’s relationship! Don’t stop me! I’m going to die!”

Naturally, she was not going to die.

Fuan darted forward and blocked her path.

“Your Ladyship, you...”

She felt that her mistress seemed somewhat different from the woman she had been moments ago, but she could not say exactly how.

While Fuan was still slightly bewildered, Fang Rulai struck. She lowered the hands covering her face and shoved forward with all her strength.

“I told you not to stop me!”

She had been rushing toward the door, where Cheng Yurong was standing. Now that Fuan had blocked her, Fuan stood directly between Fang Rulai and the Crown Princess.

Caught completely off guard, Fuan was pushed squarely in the chest. Her body tilted backward and collided with Cheng Yurong behind her.

Cheng Yurong had just begun to feel delighted, having realized from the bald woman’s words that she had not come here willingly. Then a dark, bald head came crashing toward her.

She was somewhat shorter than Fuan. If the collision landed squarely, she would certainly be crushed beneath her.

“Shan'er, save me!” Cheng Yurong called to the maid beside her—the same maid who had just shouted at Fang Rulai.

At her mistress’s command, Shan'er immediately grabbed Cheng Yurong by the arm and pulled her into her embrace.

“Fuan, how dare you!”

The shout jolted Fuan back to her senses. She exerted strength through her waist and steadied her center of gravity.

She did not fall any farther.

Cheng Yurong, who had thrown herself to one side of Shan'er, let out a small sigh of relief. Fortunately, there had been no danger—

“I’m going to die!”

Fang Rulai shouted again. But if one listened carefully, there was a hint of delight in her voice.

She slipped around Fuan and sprang forward once more. Shan'er stood directly ahead.

Fang Rulai’s heart leaped with joy, though she closed her eyes. Tucking in her chin and hunching her neck, she charged forward headfirst.

“Life is full of deceit! I might as well bash myself to death!”

Bang!

She struck her target perfectly.

Blood sprayed from Shan’er’s nose as she fell backward. Cheng Yurong, whom she had been holding with one arm, was dragged down with her.

Her shriek of “Ah!” pierced the heavens.

Fang Rulai fell forward as well, but secretly opened one eye to gauge Cheng Yurong’s position. Then she pushed off with her toes, slightly twisted her body, and landed solidly on top of the Crown Princess.

“Ah, Crown Princess! Are you all right? I didn’t mean to!”

Fang Rulai wore an expression of disbelieving horror. She raised an arm—but instead of helping, she drove her elbow viciously into Cheng Yurong’s prominent chest.

Cheng Yurong closed her eyes with a pained groan.

At the same time, Fang Rulai crooked a finger and caught the edge of Cheng Yurong’s collar.

Brother Ping, you’ve come back! Why did you only return now? Do you know that I was even willing to marry beneath my station just to see you—

“Shi’an, hurry and help the future Empress up!”

The voice of the Sixth Princess, Li Yurou, rang out, interrupting Fang Rulai’s sensing ability.

Fang Rulai’s heart jolted. She wanted to concentrate and sense the rest of the message, but it was already too late. Shi’an moved swiftly. With one pull, one sweep, and one lift, Fang Rulai’s vision blurred. When it cleared, she was already sitting safely on the cushioned couch again.

The Sixth Princess wore a smile at the corner of her lips, as though she had long since seen through Fang Rulai’s little performance. After casting her a glance, she instructed Shi’an, “Send the Crown Princess back to her quarters. Then summon several imperial physicians to examine her. After that, come find me in the Imperial Garden.”

“Yes.”

Shi’an accepted the order and departed.

The Sixth Princess elegantly inclined herself toward Fang Rulai.

“Future Crown Sister-in-Law, shall I accompany you for a stroll through the Imperial Garden?”

Author’s Note:

Many thanks to Haha for the encouragement and flowers. I am truly grateful. Muah!

Also, the second update will be posted at eight tonight.