Chapter 118: The Commandery Princess Should Throw It Herself

Finally, she struggled to look at Qiao Qingyun, her voice trembling, "Are you saying... you..."

"That's right. Qingyun was indeed pregnant at the time. Although I was cast aside, I had intended to keep the child. However, the Empress was too impatient and nearly cost the Crown Prince his position. I shall say no more. Excuse me."

With those words, Qiao Qingyun smiled triumphantly and waved her hand. Qingluo and Yuanbao immediately escorted her away from the Empress’s palace. Before they had gone more than a few steps, they could already hear the sound of the Empress wailing inside.

She must be filled with regret now, mustn't she? As the Empress herself had admitted, if the Emperor were to find out that Yuan Zaichun had a son, his position as Crown Prince would be even more secure. But all of that had been wiped out by her own hand.

"Princess..."

The smile had long since vanished from Yuanbao’s eyes. From the moment Qiao Qingyun spoke of losing her child, his heart had ached for her. It went without saying how painful it was for a woman to lose a child, yet Qiao Qingyun had used that very pain to pierce the Empress, which was, in its own way, a form of self-torture.

"It is alright, do not worry. I have long since anticipated this day. Since we are already at war, then let us ensure that no one finds peace."

Qiao Qingyun’s indifferent tone chilled Yuanbao’s heart. From the first day he had entered the palace, others had treated him poorly, but Qiao Qingyun had saved his life, and her brother’s as well. From that moment on, he had vowed that he would die for Qiao Qingyun if necessary.

"Yes, this servant understands."

Qingluo remained silent, only offering quiet comfort. She feared that saying the wrong thing might wound Qiao Qingyun further; at a time like this, silence was the best medicine.

"Come now, if you both keep looking so glum, it makes me feel quite uncomfortable. Why don't we..." Qiao Qingyun trailed off, a spark of mischief lighting up her eyes. She laughed, "Shall we play a game?"

"A game? What kind?" Qingluo stared at Yuanbao, both of them wary, sensing that something was about to happen but unable to pin it down.

As expected, Qiao Qingyun immediately returned to the palace, plucked a few feathers from a chicken, and crafted a shuttlecock right before their eyes. They began passing it around the Zijin Palace; all three had to kick it, and whoever missed would be punished.

"Ouch! Master! Master! Yuanbao really can't do this! Oh!" Yuanbao chased after the shuttlecock, getting pelted in the head repeatedly. Though he didn't manage to kick it with his feet, Qiao Qingyun saw he was truly inept and let him pass.

"You must use your feet. If you keep getting hit in the head, you'll have to ask the Princess to treat you."

"Hahaha!"

The two girls were naturally not afraid of such a challenge. Sure enough, after a few rounds, Yuanbao was panting like a dog, sprawled on the ground with his head looking like a boiled egg, gasping for air.

"I can't, I can't anymore. Master, this servant really can't do it."

"Very well, then I shall punish you... I shall punish you with needlework!"

At the mention of needlework, Yuanbao rolled his eyes and feigned a fainting spell, making Qingluo and Qiao Qingyun laugh until they were nearly rolling on the floor.

"Alright, alright, I won't punish you. Now that the Empress’s confinement has been lifted, there will surely be more trouble ahead. Who knows, she will likely try every trick in the book to scheme against me."

As Qiao Qingyun spoke, her gaze gradually turned cold. At these words, Yuanbao jolted upright from the ground and dusted himself off. At her signal, he sat on a stone chair beside Qingluo and looked into her eyes. "What does the Master wish to do? Or what outcome do you desire? I will do whatever is needed."

"Huh? What outcome?"

This had her momentarily stumped. But when she saw the ruthless glint in Yuanbao’s eyes, she quickly understood his intentions and shook her head. "In the palace, death is the easiest way out. She holds a high position and, as the Empress, her influence is immense. We must find another way."

"Oh?" Hearing her analysis, Yuanbao calmed down.

Indeed. He had been so blinded by rage that he had wanted to cut the weeds by the roots, forgetting the complications that would follow.

"No matter. We can deliberate on the rest later. For now, the most important thing is to ensure that Yuan Zaichun and the Empress are no longer of one mind."

Qiao Qingyun’s eyes grew colder as she spoke. Since their union had been based on mutual ulterior motives from the start, she could not be blamed for what was to come.

"Yes."

Yuanbao understood immediately. As time ticked by, the hour approached when Yuan Zaichun usually brought pastries to the Zijin Palace. As expected, since Yuan Zaichun did not have to attend court today, he arrived in person.

"Princess! The Crown Prince is here with pastries." Qingluo called out toward the room upon seeing Yuan Zaichun. She stepped forward to perform the formal greeting, her eyes drifting toward Liufu with a cold snort. Truly, none of them were any good.

"Is Qingyun willing to come out?" Yuan Zaichun’s heart tightened at Qingluo’s call, and the excitement on his face made it seem as though he were about to announce something to the world.

"Since the Crown Prince brought them himself, if they are to be thrown away, the Princess should do it personally."

"You!" Liufu began to scold, but Qingluo rolled her eyes, forcing him to swallow his words.

At that moment, Qiao Qingyun appeared before them, dressed in white, her robes fluttering. Seeing Yuan Zaichun, she gave a cold laugh. "What is this? Is the Crown Prince here to mock me today?"

"Mock you?" Yuan Zaichun was stunned. He exchanged a glance with Liufu, who shook his head in shock, having heard nothing of any incident.

"The Crown Prince should take these back and give them to Bu Shengli. Furthermore, if you have the time, do go and visit the Empress. Tell her to stop dragging me into conversations. I have no affection for her—none at all. Do you understand?"

This was the first time Qiao Qingyun had spoken so harshly to him without regard for decorum. Yuan Zaichun immediately sensed the gravity of the situation and began to coax her softly, as if afraid of startling her.

"Qingyun, if something has happened, tell me. If it is my mother’s fault, I will certainly set things straight with her."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Qingyun’s eyes turned red in an instant. She wiped away a tear and turned to leave. Framed by her white attire, she looked all the more fragile and pitiful.

"Qingyun!"

The man called out in distress. Qingluo’s expression remained stony as she stood her ground. Watching Yuan Zaichun fail to catch up to her, she waited just as Qiao Qingyun had predicted.

"Tell me, what happened to the Princess today?" Yuan Zaichun asked, filled with anxiety.