"Now that these three months of reflection in Chaoren Hall have passed, I have considered everything clearly. Consort Lin, you should not come to see me again in the future."
"My sister will surely take you back sooner or later. In the future, if you need anything or find yourself lacking something, just go directly to Ruyue. I will have her arrange everything for you."
Having said all that was necessary, Li Qinghe was unwilling to continue speaking with Lin Yue. She turned and walked away, Ruyue in tow.
Lin Yue, by contrast, had turned deathly pale. He trembled incessantly, like a withered leaf caught in a gale. Did Princess Qinghe mean to blame him with those words? How could that be? The relationship between him and the eldest princess was something Princess Qinghe understood better than anyone. They were never meant to be together. Why, then, would she speak such chilling words to him?
"Your Highness, wouldn't it be a bit excessive to treat Consort Lin this way?" Ruyue asked, unable to bear it any longer.
After all, Consort Lin had previously helped them gather quite a bit of intelligence from the eldest princess’s side. To cast him aside simply because he was no longer of any use—it felt dishonorable, no matter how one looked at it.
Li Qinghe halted her steps and glanced sideways at Ruyue.
"Are you reprimanding me?"
Her voice was ambiguous, yet it carried an indescribable, sharp chill. It was evident that Li Qinghe was deeply displeased with what Ruyue had just said.
Ruyue shuddered from head to toe under Li Qinghe's icy gaze. She realized she had spoken out of turn in front of her mistress, and in a state of trepidation, she hurriedly lowered her head and knelt at Li Qinghe's side.
"This servant would not dare."
Li Qinghe did not speak immediately; she stared at her intently for a few seconds. Those few seconds were enough to make Ruyue feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles, wishing she could simply drop dead on the spot.
After a long while, Li Qinghe finally spoke slowly. "Ruyue, you are my person now. I do not wish to hear such things from you again. Do you understand?"
She was not a benevolent soul; when she was pushed to be ruthless, she could strike even at herself, let alone a mere maid. Ruyue naturally sensed the murderous intent radiating from Li Qinghe and nodded obediently.
"Yes, this servant will remember it well."
She had been far too careless today, assuming Li Qinghe was still the same person she once was, which had led her to speak without restraint.
***
Elsewhere, Lang Hua, feeling bored in his palace, had brought his guard to the Imperial Garden. As they strolled to the lotus pond, they happened to see Ruyue kneeling before Li Qinghe.
"It seems Princess Qinghe is disciplining her personal maid?"
The one speaking was Feng Yi, Lang Hua’s confidant. Standing at the same height as Lang Hua, he wore a guard's uniform; though he lacked Lang Hua’s refined and dashing looks, his sturdy physique provided a sense of security.
"Master, shall we go over and greet the Princess?" Feng Yi asked, carefully observing Lang Hua’s expression. He knew that if he saw even a hint of resistance, they would take another path.
"No need." Lang Hua looked toward Li Qinghe in the distance and raised his hand to dismiss the suggestion.
In any case, Li Qinghe was already walking in their direction. It was too late to avoid her.
"Consort Lang."
That Consort Lang would be in the Imperial Garden was truly unexpected for Li Qinghe. However, since they had crossed paths, she naturally had to step forward and greet him to avoid losing her composure.
"Princess Qinghe." Lang Hua arched a brow and returned the greeting with a slight bow.
Truth be told, he disliked this Princess Qinghe. The way she looked at people made him feel deeply uncomfortable, as if a poisonous snake were watching from behind, leaving one feeling cold and numb all over.
"Consort Lang, have you just arrived at the Imperial Garden?" Li Qinghe took the initiative to invite him. "Would you like to join me in going to Fenghe Hall to see my sister?"
It had been three months, and she had heard that her "good sister's" health was failing by the day. Since she was already out, she might as well stop by to see if she was as deathly ill as Ruyue had gathered.
"The Princess is very kind." Lang Hua refused without a second thought. "The Princess is likely still resting, so I shan't go and disturb her."
The implication was clear: *You go if you want; don't drag me into it.* He had no desire to stand before Princess Xuanyue. It was awkward!
Li Qinghe had not expected to be refused so bluntly. The smile on her face stiffened, and she spoke slowly, "In that case, has Consort Lang just returned from my sister's place?"
If not, how would he know that Li Xuanyue was resting at this hour? Since when had she become so fond of sleep?
"No!" Lang Hua was well aware of what Li Qinghe was thinking, so he answered quite readily. "I simply inferred it based on the Princess's usual resting schedule."
"As for whether she is truly resting, Princess Qinghe might as well go and see for yourself."
*Why are you dragging me along? Are we that close?*
Li Qinghe’s forced smile almost cracked. Suppressing her irritation, she said softly, "Since that is the case, I shall visit my sister later. I’ll accompany Consort Lang for a stroll in the garden instead..." She had a few things she wanted to discuss with this Consort Lang.
"No, really..." Before Li Qinghe could finish, Lang Hua spoke first.
"The rear garden is quite large. Since Princess Qinghe is in such high spirits, I shall not disturb your leisure. I intend to sit in the pavilion ahead. If you'll excuse me."
Without waiting for her reply, Lang Hua headed straight for the pavilion with his confidant.
Li Qinghe's deep, dark eyes were filled with venom; Lang Hua’s attitude had enraged her to the point where her face turned ashen. This feeling of being unwelcome made her feel as if she had been thrust back three years, to the days spent with her father at the Taihe Palace.
At the time, she hadn't understood why her father would go mad and smash things in the Taihe Palace. It wasn't until the day she peered over the wall and saw the Empress Consort, dressed in magnificent crimson robes, walking toward the Emperor amidst the adulation of thousands, that she finally understood. One was the high-and-mighty Empress Consort, worshipped by the Hundred Clans; the other was a favored consort cast into the cold palace, reviled by everyone.
Such a stark contrast would drive anyone to madness. And just now, this Consort Lang had successfully made her experience that feeling all over again.
"Princess, where shall we go next?" Ruyue asked cautiously.
If the eldest princess was indeed still resting, they would likely be ignored if they went there. Yet, Li Qinghe was unlikely to be satisfied with returning empty-handed.
"Is Consort Wen still at Fenghua Hall?" Li Qinghe asked, her anger simmering but not forgotten. "Send someone to summon him to me secretly; tell him I have business with him."
Since Li Xuanyue was resting, she would start with the people around her. Consort Wen was a fine choice. Hadn't he once been infatuated with her? That being the case, she would give him a chance to prove his worth.