Chapter 4: Petty Schemes
“Not what you meant? Then why was a maid shouting outside that I was murdering people?” Li Xuanyue had no intention of letting this go. “Guards! Seize the maid who was screaming outside and bring her to me.”
Having been prepared for this, Li Xuanyue was not about to let Li Qinghe’s pawn escape so easily. The moment the maid had cried out, Xuanyue’s own secret guards had marked her. So, no sooner had the order left her lips than her men had captured the maid who was trying to slip away in the confusion. Not only that, but the maid who had spoken up so boldly before the Empress was also brought forward.
Li Qinghe’s brow furrowed in clear displeasure. But under Li Feng’s stern gaze, she couldn’t act out and had to force herself to remain calm.
“Speak. Who ordered you to do this?” Li Xuanyue asked with impunity, knowing full well that her sister was trapped. Since Li Qinghe loved to play the part of the obedient, sensible daughter in front of their mother, Xuanyue was happy to oblige her performance.
The two maids knelt trembling on the floor, their faces pale. They couldn’t help but cast furtive, pleading glances at Li Qinghe.
Of course, Li Qinghe couldn’t let them speak. She stepped forward. “Sister, these two maids must have been overly concerned for you, which led to a misunderstanding. Why not just send them to the laundry house? A small punishment to teach them a lesson.”
They were her people, after all. As a princess, she had to step in. If she didn’t, there was no telling what they might say.
Li Xuanyue saw right through her petty scheme. How could she possibly agree?
“Hmph! For slandering and framing me, a death sentence would not be too harsh,” Li Xuanyue said sharply. “When did you become so soft-hearted, little sister? Or could it be that this was all your arrangement?”
A jolt of fear went through Li Qinghe, and she quickly fell to her knees. “I would not dare! Mother Empress, please see the truth!”
Qinghe couldn’t understand it. The usually straightforward and easygoing Li Xuanyue had suddenly turned her suspicions on her. Had she discovered something?
A cold sweat broke out on her back. But thinking it over, it seemed impossible. She had been so careful with every step, every action. There was no way Xuanyue could have found out. But if she hadn’t, why would she suspect her? Could someone have betrayed her? The more she thought, the more likely it seemed. She shot a sharp, piercing glare at the two maids kneeling before her.
“Guards! Drag these two worthless things out and beat them to death!” Li Feng commanded in a loud voice. “Second Princess Li Qinghe has shown a devious nature. She is to be confined to Chaoren Hall for three months of self-reflection.”
“Mother Empress!” Li Qinghe looked up, her face ashen. She didn’t understand why her mother was being so biased. There was no concrete evidence that she was behind any of this, yet she was being punished in front of everyone. In her mother’s heart, was she truly so disposable?
Li Feng heard her cry but chose to ignore it, turning her attention to Li Xuanyue instead. “Alright, now that this is settled, you and your consorts should rest. No more trouble. I’m going to see your Royal Father now, so he doesn’t worry.”
Li Xuanyue bowed her head respectfully. “This child humbly sees the Mother Empress off.”
Humiliated, Li Qinghe felt the burning stares of everyone present. A wave of hatred washed over her, and she wanted nothing more than to tear apart everyone who had witnessed her disgrace. But to maintain her image of a loving sister in front of Xuanyue, she clenched her fists and forced the rage down.
“Sister, I’m so sorry. This was all my fault,” she said after a long pause, her eyes filled with apology. “It’s all because of those two maids, shouting nonsense outside. I was just so worried about you… that’s why I sent someone to notify the Mother Empress. You’re not angry with me, are you?”
In truth, from the moment she had set her plan in motion and sent for Li Feng, she had been ready to see Li Xuanyue dragged down from her position as Great Princess. But now… the entire plan had failed. Worse, it had made Xuanyue suspicious of her. It would be a lie to say she had no regrets. If she had known, she would never have shown up herself. Sending someone in her place would have been just as effective.
“It’s fine,” Li Xuanyue said, waving her hand with her usual carefree air. “It’s not your fault. We’re sisters, after all. It was those two maids who overreacted.”
Hearing Xuanyue’s thoughtless words, the anxiety that had gripped Li Qinghe finally subsided. She couldn’t believe her sister was still as foolish as ever. A faint, almost invisible smile touched her lips. “I’m so glad you feel that way, sister.”
Having suffered such a major setback, Li Qinghe was in no mood to stay any longer. “Well then, I won’t disturb you and your consorts any further. I’ll be on my way.”
After watching Li Qinghe leave, only Li Xuanyue and the five consorts remained in the Hall of Phoenix Harmony. They exchanged glances, and then all five turned their eyes to Li Xuanyue.
“I know what you want to ask.” Meeting their gazes, Li Xuanyue couldn’t pretend she hadn’t noticed. She smoothed her sleeves and sat down on the edge of the bed as they watched her. “Thank you for your help tonight. When there is time, I will explain everything. It’s getting late now. Have Yin Xin show you to your quarters to rest. I’ll need your help again tomorrow morning to explain things to the five envoys.”
Li Xuanyue knew that even though the rumor of her murdering her consorts had been exposed as a lie, the matter was far from over. The envoys from the five clans who had escorted the consorts were still in the Phoenix Clan’s territory. When they heard the news, they would surely be furious and wouldn’t leave so easily.
Sure enough, before dawn the next day, the envoys from the five clans came one after another to request a farewell audience with the five consorts. But everyone knew their true intention was not to say goodbye, but to confirm whether the events of last night were fact or fiction.
Li Feng did not expose their pretense.
“Your Majesty’s silence… does it mean you intend to protect Princess Xuanyue?”
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