123. A Web of Schemes

"How generous," Le Qianxue murmured. "Although you don't seem particularly generous toward me..."

Zhan Lianjing calmly removed the ring from his finger and, taking Le Qianxue's hand, placed it into her palm.

She was slightly stunned, looking up to ask, "What is the meaning of this?"

Zhan Lianjing replied, "To be a bit more generous with you. Silver isn't much, after all, and you have plenty of your own. I was pondering what kind of gift to give you, but since you asked for silver, here it is."

Le Qianxue paused. "This ring doesn't look very valuable."

The ring was of a very simple design, though upon closer inspection, it was slightly more refined than an ordinary one. It was not set with any gemstones, but the intricate patterns covering the band were quite striking.

Zhan Lianjing explained, "This ring functions just like the Yan family's signet; it can be used to command silver and funds."

Le Qianxue understood immediately. This was clearly a token of Zhan Lianjing's authority, and he had given it to her so generously. She touched it, and it seemed to still hold the warmth of his skin. However, with a light smile, she placed it back into his hand.

Zhan Lianjing frowned and asked, "What are you doing?"

"You should keep it. Although I need silver to buy medicinal herbs, I have enough money to get by. Besides, you have so many matters that require funding; you should keep it yourself," Le Qianxue said.

Zhan Lianjing was about to retort that he wasn't lacking in funds, but Le Qianxue let out a yawn. Without waiting for him to speak, she said, "Alright, I need to get some sleep. You should go attend to your own business."

Zhan Lianjing nodded. He still had many official documents to review. Knowing he wouldn't listen to her advice to rest, she didn't press the matter. However, she was curious about what method he would use to help her annul her engagement.

She asked, "What exactly is your plan to help me break off the marriage? Don't be so mysterious."

Zhan Lianjing said softly, "It's only a matter of two or three hours. You can't even wait that long? You will understand my method soon enough."

Le Qianxue had no choice but to leave it to him. As long as the engagement could be broken, that was all that mattered—she had no desire to marry Yu Guohan.

Her sleep was peaceful. Zhan Lianjing had never really looked at her sleeping so closely before. He had snuck into her room to watch her in the past, but the feeling was different now. She knew he was here, yet she could still sleep with complete ease.

After watching her for a while, Zhan Lianjing felt he didn't want to leave. He set aside his documents, lay down on the daybed, and carefully held Le Qianxue. Her body was incredibly soft, and she let out a soft murmur in her sleep. Le Qianxue was obedient, allowing him to hold her.

Zhan Lianjing’s lips curled into a smile, feeling a sense of satisfaction, and he drifted off to sleep holding her.

When Le Qianxue woke up, the sun was already high in the sky. Even with the curtains drawn, light filtered through. She rubbed her eyes and saw that Zhan Lianjing was gone, but several maidservants were waiting nearby.

What was going on? Wasn't this the Qianjin Pavilion? These maids looked like they belonged to Prince Zhan’s manor. Seeing that she was awake, the maids knelt in unison. "Greetings, Miss Le."

Le Qianxue was stunned, unable to react immediately. The maids remained kneeling until she finally gathered her wits and said, "Everyone, please rise."

The maids stood up, holding trays in their hands. Through the sheer curtains, she could see what looked like clothing. Confused, she asked, "Where is Prince Zhan?"

At that moment, Haoyue entered and said, "The Prince has gone to court. The matter you were waiting for will surely be resolved today. Please, Miss Le, change into these clothes before returning to the General's residence."

Le Qianxue thought about it; she hadn't bathed or changed since yesterday, and she felt quite uncomfortable. Furthermore, her clothes were stained with blood; it wouldn't be appropriate to return to the General's mansion like that. She nodded in agreement.

However, she hadn't expected the clothes Haoyue had prepared to be so elaborate. The garment looked like the formal attire of a palace consort—layered and intricate, dyed in blue with gold trim. The craftsmanship on the sleeves was exquisite. Sensing something was wrong, she said, "Haoyue, did you bring the wrong clothes? I don't need anything this grand. Just bring me something casual."

Haoyue shook her head gently. "Miss Le, please wear this. It is the Prince's order."

Le Qianxue frowned. In such hot weather, wearing this would be a torture. She had no idea what Zhan Lianjing was planning, as he hadn't told her a thing. But Zhan Lianjing was crafty; even if she tried to guess, she would never figure it out.

By the time her hair was styled, Haoyue took a hairpin from a brocade box and placed it in her hair. Haoyue looked at her carefully; after the styling, Le Qianxue looked even more stunning.

"I..." Le Qianxue walked a few steps. "I don't want to have to dress like this a second time."

Haoyue couldn't help but laugh. "What are you saying, Miss Le? When you marry, it will likely be even grander than this."

Le Qianxue pursed her lips, speechless. Marriage was troublesome, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime event. Even if she was reluctant, she would have to grit her teeth and go through with it.

The Qianjin Pavilion was just preparing to open, but when the shopkeeper saw Le Qianxue descend, he immediately knelt. Le Qianxue was surprised; although she was the eldest daughter of the General's residence, the commoners didn't usually kneel to her. She was bewildered, but Haoyue urged her forward, where a carriage was already waiting.

Once outside, she noticed many commoners watching her, their eyes fixed on her. Le Qianxue paused. What was going on? The way they looked at her seemed... terrifying.

Le Qianxue was big-hearted and decided not to dwell on it. After all, Zhan Lianjing had said he would help her annul the marriage; perhaps the whole capital now knew about it, hence the intense reaction. It made sense—to have the chance to be the Crown Princess and yet choose to annul the engagement; she might be the only person in the world to do such a thing.

Upon returning to the General's residence, Le Qianxue was exhausted; the clothes were too heavy, and the hairstyle was too complex. If any other woman had stayed out all night, she would have been accused of being unchaste. However, Le Yongcheng rarely interfered with her affairs, and Uncle Zeng had already ordered everyone to keep their mouths shut, so Le Qianxue heard no gossip.

In the past, even when she stayed out, she would sneak back at dawn. It wasn't like today, where she had returned with such fanfare. She felt a bit awkward, wondering what game Zhan Lianjing was playing.

Huatao helped Le Qianxue change, but when she saw the hairpin Le Qianxue had removed, she froze. Seeing her staring, Le Qianxue asked, "What’s wrong? Do you like the hairpin? You can have it."

Huatao waved her hands frantically. "No, no! I cannot accept this, Miss."

Le Qianxue looked at it carefully. The hairpin was indeed heavy and substantial. The Empress Dowager had previously gifted her a hairpin that belonged to her mother, and the necklace the old Emperor had given her had been put away—she never wanted to wear that again. She wondered why Zhan Lianjing was giving her such expensive items; she didn't particularly care for them. She set it aside casually and didn't give it another thought.

Huatao looked strange and asked, "Miss, you're just leaving it there? Won't you put it away properly?"

Le Qianxue asked, "What's wrong with this hairpin? If you have something to say, just say it."

Huatao knew Le Qianxue's current disposition and said quickly, "This hairpin... it is a token of a Princess Consort. Did you not know, Miss? When I followed you to the palace, I saw Princess Mu and Princess Zhuang wearing them."

Le Qianxue was stunned, unable to react for a moment. A token of a Princess Consort?

Huatao continued, "And the clothes you wore today... those are the official robes of a Princess Consort as well."

Le Qianxue’s mind went blank. What? She had never been interested in women's jewelry or clothing and had never paid much attention to such things; she only cared about medicinal herbs. Because of this, she had made a miscalculation and fallen into Zhan Lianjing’s trap.

She clenched her fists, grinding her teeth. "That damn Zhan Lianjing, he actually played such a trick on me!"

Huatao, having realized the situation, went to inquire about the rumors. Shortly after, she returned and said, "Miss, it's bad. Everyone is saying that you and the Prince spent the night together at the Qianjin Pavilion, and that the Prince is determined to take you for himself, regardless of whether you are the future Crown Princess."

Le Qianxue’s expression darkened, veins bulging on her forehead. This was definitely Zhan Lianjing’s doing. If he hadn't wanted this to spread, he had the power to stop it, yet now it was the talk of the town.

So this was his "method." He had ruined her reputation.

Le Qianxue was furious and asked Huatao, "This will severely damage my reputation. What else are they saying?"

Huatao shook her head gently. "It's not like that. People outside are saying that when you saved Prince Zhan, it was a fated encounter, and that the Crown Prince was the one who interfered—that it was the Crown Prince who was in the wrong. They also say that you are a noble woman for not minding the Prince’s physical disability."

Le Qianxue’s mouth twitched. A fated encounter? That time she saved Zhan Lianjing, he had accused her of molesting him, and that rumor had also spread throughout the capital. It seemed as if fate had ordained this. Le Qianxue steadied her breathing, not wanting to think about it anymore.

She had been used by Zhan Lianjing. The news would surely reach the palace soon. Now, it remained to be seen what the old Emperor and Yu Guohan would do.