A flicker of sinister gloom flashed through Li Xuanyue’s eyes. In this lifetime, how could she possibly let her succeed?
"Is there something in this hall that has caught your attention, sister?" Li Xuanyue asked, feigning curiosity.
A trace of stiffness crossed Li Qinghe’s face. Noticing Li Xuanyue looking at her, she quickly averted her gaze to avoid suspicion. "Sister has misunderstood," she said with a smile.
She then gestured for her maid to bring over the "Hundred Years of Harmony" lotus seed porridge she had prepared in advance. "Sister, you’ve been busy all day; you must be hungry now." Li Qinghe stepped forward, fussing over her with a show of concern—anyone unaware of the truth would have thought she cared deeply for her elder sister.
But Li Xuanyue knew better. She knew Li Qinghe was desperate for her to drink this bowl of lotus seed porridge so that she would descend into a murderous madness—a clean and permanent solution to her problems.
"This is the 'Hundred Years of Harmony' lotus seed porridge that I had specially prepared for you," Li Qinghe said, appearing incredibly thoughtful. "Sister, you should eat some to regain your strength. You wouldn’t want to feel inadequate during your wedding night later, would you?"
It sounded like a playful jab, but this time, Li Xuanyue heard the calculated malice beneath the words. How could she have been so blind to this bowl of porridge in her previous life? She had genuinely believed in their sisterly bond, consuming the porridge without a hint of caution. It was exactly that bowl of porridge that had caused her to fly into a crazed frenzy on her wedding night, leading to the torture and death of three Imperial Consorts.
Reborn into this life, Li Xuanyue would naturally not let her "dear sister" get her way.
"Just leave it there," Li Xuanyue said, lifting her eyelids slightly and gesturing for a maid to take the bowl and place it on a nearby table.
She couldn’t be too hasty in drinking it. She had to make the other woman press her.
Li Qinghe’s eyes flickered. "Sister, this 'Hundred Years of Harmony' lotus seed porridge is best eaten while hot. If it cools down, it will lose that delicate fragrance." This was the most critical move in her plan for tonight. How could Li Xuanyue not eat it? If she didn't, how would the rest of her scheme proceed? She *had* to consume it. A flicker of calculation passed through Li Qinghe’s eyes, betraying the immense effort she had put into this scheme.
"Oh?" Li Xuanyue raised an eyebrow.
Since the goal had been reached, there was no need for further pretense. She knew exactly what Li Qinghe was thinking—she was just waiting for her to drink the porridge and succumb to madness. Very well, she would grant her that wish.
A sharp, calculating glint flashed in Li Xuanyue’s eyes, though her face remained calm and unreadable. With a natural motion, she reached out and took the bowl from the maid. "In that case, sister, I shall not refuse your kindness."
She put on a display of being unable to resist such hospitality, raising the bowl to her lips while using her sleeve to mask her swallowing. Seeing this, Li Qinghe immediately let out a breath of relief. Watching Li Xuanyue drink the bowl of porridge as if it were mere soup, a strange smile bloomed in her eyes. Li Xuanyue’s cooperation had saved her from having to waste any more words.
"Why is sister in such a hurry?" Li Qinghe stepped forward with a handkerchief to wipe away some rice grains lingering at the corner of Li Xuanyue’s mouth. Her maid, quick-witted, stepped forward to take the empty bowl from Li Xuanyue’s hand.
Li Qinghe then quipped with a smile, "I have more of this 'Hundred Years of Harmony' lotus seed porridge back with me. If you’d like some more, sister, I shall have someone bring you another bowl."
"Don't let the five Imperial Consorts see you making a fool of yourself," Li Xuanyue said, glancing at the five men still kneeling on the floor. In her previous life, she hadn't even had the chance to look at their faces before she lost her mind on their wedding night. Thinking about it now, she felt a genuine sense of guilt and regret toward them.
With her plan seemingly successful, Li Qinghe certainly didn't intend to stay in Fenghe Hall any longer than necessary—she didn't want to get caught up in the madness when the drug took effect.
"Sister, I shall not disturb you and the five Imperial Consorts any longer," Li Qinghe said. Seeing Li Xuanyue staring vacantly at the five men, she shot her a look of derision before turning and walking out of the grand hall with her maid.
"Second Princess, is it really okay for us to do this?" her maid asked, trembling with anxiety. "The Eldest Princess has always treated you like a sister and never embarrassed you. Perhaps we should stop!"
"Are you afraid, Ruyue?" Li Qinghe glared at the maid beside her. "You are the person I trust most, but the kindness she shows me now is nothing but charity. I have no need for it." She would use her own strength to take back everything that was rightfully hers. "Tell them to keep a close watch. As soon as the Eldest Princess goes mad, report it to me immediately."
She wanted to see just how long her holier-than-thou sister could maintain her status and favor.
Li Qinghe’s departure restored the quiet in Fenghe Hall, leaving only the sound of red candles crackling and burning down.
Li Xuanyue stood up. "All of you, withdraw." She dismissed all the maids in the hall, including the personal attendants of the five Imperial Consorts.
Once they had all exited the hall and she was left alone with the five men, Li Xuanyue began to slowly remove her red wedding robes. A closer look revealed that the inside of her left sleeve had been thoroughly soaked with liquid.
That was correct. Every drop of the "Hundred Years of Harmony" porridge Li Qinghe had given her had been poured into the sleeve of her robe. Once she took it off, she tossed the garment onto the floor without a second thought.
The five Imperial Consorts were still kneeling silently on the ground. Li Xuanyue hadn't told them to rise yet. It was only after she had shed her outer robe that she finally spoke.
"Rise."
Li Xuanyue looked down at the five men from her height. They were still veiled by their red bridal covers, but from their frames alone, she knew their posture and appearance were likely exceptional.
"Can you act?"
As Li Xuanyue’s voice trailed off, she swept her hand, knocking the veils from the men's heads. Their true faces were revealed to her: gentle as jade, refined, and dashing—each possessed a unique charm. But Li Xuanyue had no intention of admiring them now.
The five men were startled, looking at one another in confusion before returning to their calm composure, unsure of what game Li Xuanyue was playing.