113. The War Prince Comes to Raise Hell

The inner palace was strictly off-limits to ministers, but Zhan Lianjing had never cared for such regulations.

His expression was indifferent. Le Qianxue had only just left; the tea and pastries from their meeting had not yet been cleared away. He glanced at them briefly before speaking: "Empress, your plot was not very meticulous."

Empress Yang saw him get straight to the point and realized he was already aware of everything. She also knew that Zhan Lianjing and Le Qianxue had suffered a falling out, and she wondered what his true intentions were for coming here. She feigned ignorance, saying, "What is Prince Zhan talking about? I do not understand."

Zhan Lianjing turned his head, his piercing gaze fixing on her. Empress Yang felt a jolt of alarm. Truthfully, there were few in this world who could withstand Zhan Lianjing’s gaze; it was so sharp, as if he could see through everything.

Zhan Lianjing let out a soft, mocking laugh, tinged with a hint of allure. Empress Yang struggled to maintain her composure as she heard him say, "Where is the Second Prince? Why does he not come out to meet me? I have prepared a grand gift for him."

Empress Yang replied, "What are you saying, Prince Zhan? How could he be here?"

Before her voice had even faded, Haoyue struck out with a palm, shattering the screen. Yu Hanxiang tumbled out from his hiding place behind it. Never before had the prince been so disheveled; he coughed twice, frantically trying to scramble to his feet. But no sooner had he risen than someone seized his jaw and forced the tea down his throat.

"What are you doing!" Empress Yang cried out in shock. "Guards! Seize Haoyue!"

Haoyue had just finished force-feeding the tea to Yu Hanxiang—the very tea that had been intended for Le Qianxue. Now, ironically, Yu Hanxiang had consumed it himself. Several Imperial Guards rushed in, attempting to apprehend Haoyue, but his expression remained unchanged, betraying no fear.

Zhan Lianjing merely flicked his sleeve, his formidable internal energy knocking the guards aside. "To have such filth in the Phoenix Palace—are you not afraid of it being discovered, Empress? Or perhaps, do you want the Emperor to know?"

Empress Yang’s body trembled. She had kept this affair well hidden, and she could not fathom why Zhan Lianjing was interfering now. He rarely confronted her, as it served no purpose, but today, he seemed to be venting his fury.

"Prince Zhan," she asked tentatively, "are you doing this to vent your anger on Le Qianxue’s behalf?"

Zhan Lianjing remained aloof, simply replying, "Empress, you know the answer; why ask?"

Empress Yang was stunned. "A few days ago, Le Qianxue left your residence, and even her master was severely injured. The two of you have fallen out. What is the meaning of this?"

Yu Hanxiang, having swallowed the tea, had not yet felt the potion take effect. He coughed, glaring at Zhan Lianjing with hatred. Had he known Zhan Lianjing would still be so protective of Le Qianxue, he never would have dared to target her. Now, he was tasting the bitter fruit of his own actions.

Zhan Lianjing lowered his gaze slightly. "Though we have fallen out, she is still mine. If you wish to touch her, you must answer to me first."

Empress Yang felt a chill run through her. She did not know what to say. Zhan Lianjing had marked this grudge, and she had no idea how to explain it away. If he were to target them in the future, their lives would be miserable.

Her voice trembled. "Prince Zhan, but Le Qianxue has not..."

"She hasn't, but Empress, you must know that even harboring such intentions toward her is impermissible. Do you understand?" As he spoke, he looked at Yu Hanxiang, noting that his cheeks were flushed; the effects of the drug were beginning to take hold.

He signaled to Haoyue, who immediately understood what to do. He stepped outside and called for Zhuixing. Moments later, Zhuixing arrived, clapping his hands. "It has been arranged, my Lord."

Zhan Lianjing gave a nod and gestured toward Yu Hanxiang. Not knowing what Zhan Lianjing intended, Yu Hanxiang couldn't help but retreat a step. Zhuixing did not give him a chance to flee; he grabbed him and dragged him away.

Empress Yang rushed forward, shouting, "Audacious! Where are you dragging the Prince? Release him at once!"

Zhuixing ignored her, and Yu Hanxiang soon vanished from sight. Haoyue blocked Empress Yang from following, leaving her trapped.

Zhan Lianjing then remarked, "I told you I had prepared a grand gift for the Second Prince. Empress, you should go tidy up the aftermath tonight."

Empress Yang’s legs went weak. Her face turned deathly pale. With the drug taking effect, could it be that Zhan Lianjing had sent someone to "relieve" him? That was impossible. Zhan Lianjing was no saint.

Nanny Zhang hurried to support the Empress, whispering words of comfort, but it was in vain. Once Zhan Lianjing and Haoyue left, the Empress tried to find her son, but Zhuixing was guarding the door.

"Empress," Zhuixing said, blocking her path, "I advise you not to enter. The Second Prince has taken the medicine, and he needs someone to help him find relief."

Empress Yang knew her son’s weakness for women. If there were any attractive palace maids, Yu Hanxiang would always try to have his way with them, and she was the one who always cleaned up the mess. Thus, Yu Hanxiang had high standards—he wanted only those who were beautiful and well-proportioned.

"What kind of woman did you prepare for him?" she demanded, furious.

From inside, sounds of heavy breathing could be heard. Empress Yang found it impossible to go in and see.

"A chaste woman, Empress; you may rest assured," Zhuixing replied.

Only then did Empress Yang feel slightly relieved.

Inside the room, however, Yu Hanxiang was on the verge of tears. There were four women in total, but each was hideously ugly with a grotesque figure, including one massive woman who wouldn't stop clinging to him. Yu Hanxiang wanted to escape, but he was trapped. Oh heaven, he was about to—he felt like vomiting.

But the drug's effects were overwhelming and had no antidote. He had no choice but to bite the bullet. He hated Zhan Lianjing to the core, vowing that he never wanted to see such ugly women for the rest of his life.

Le Qianxue was unaware of all this. After prescribing medicine for Yu Nanfeng, she left the palace. With the selection ceremony approaching, she felt a sense of gloom.

Yu Nanfeng had been nagging her earlier: "It’s a pity I’m the fourth in line; if I were the first, I would have chosen you immediately. Qianxue, why don't you speak to the Emperor? Then we could be together."

Le Qianxue had ignored him. As she walked out of the palace gates, she felt a strange heaviness. As she wondered why, she saw Zhan Lianjing standing ahead.

Haoyue was not with him, and it seemed he was waiting for his carriage. She pretended not to see him, but noticed a sachet fall from his person. He made no move to pick it up, leaving it on the ground. She walked around him to avoid a confrontation.

After a few steps, she heard Zhan Lianjing’s voice: "Pick it up."

She looked around. Besides her carriage and her driver, there was no one else. Who was he speaking to?

Le Qianxue ignored him. She did not want to deal with Zhan Lianjing; she still held a grudge regarding the matter with Yuan Tianci. Furthermore, the wound on her wrist was still there; how could she forget what she had said that day? Their bond had long since been severed.

She continued walking. Zhan Lianjing then fired a hidden projectile, blocking her path. "I told you to pick it up."

Le Qianxue paused. "What are you doing? I’m not picking it up."

One had to have some self-respect. She wouldn't forget what she had decided. She didn't know what kind of madness had taken hold of him to harass her like this.

Zhan Lianjing turned to look at her, his gaze cold. "I have difficulty moving. You won't even help with this?"

"Then wait for Haoyue or Zhuixing to pick it up for you," Le Qianxue said. "I’m leaving."

Besides, it wasn't the yin month; his legs were perfectly fine. To claim he had difficulty moving was a blatant lie.

Zhan Lianjing said, "They are not here. This sachet was made for me by Yunge; it is very important. Le Qianxue, even if our bond is broken, you don't have to be this heartless."

Le Qianxue felt a tightness in her chest and couldn't help but retort, "Speaking of heartless, who could compare to Prince Zhan? You even tried to kill the doctor who healed your own sister."

Despite her words, she walked over and picked up the sachet. She tossed it to him without a word, her expression unmoving, though her heart was rippling with agitation. What was he playing at? It was detestable.

Seeing that he said nothing else, she did not linger, climbed into her carriage, and told the driver to leave immediately.

Zhan Lianjing remained standing before the palace gate, his face cold and stern in the setting sun. Le Qianxue felt something was off—why had he suddenly spoken to her? That wasn't his style. But it was just picking up a sachet; she shouldn't be so self-indulgent to read into it. She steadied her heart, telling herself not to think about it anymore.

After she left, Zhan Lianjing used a gust of palm wind to open the sachet, causing it to fall to the ground again.

At that moment, Haoyue emerged and looked at the sachet. "My Lord, will this work?"

"It will. Even for her, it will surely take some time to recover," Zhan Lianjing said. "Let’s go."

Haoyue sighed. Though Zhan Lianjing didn't say it, she understood. He couldn't get past that hurdle in his heart. The day Le Qianxue left, Zhan Lianjing had nearly collapsed, repeatedly asking himself why he had treated her that way.

To love someone was a curse; who could escape it? Though Zhan Lianjing hated that Le Qianxue had not told him the truth, he had already forgiven her in his heart.