Chapter 121: It Should Be Time to Close the Net

"Qingyun!"

Yuan Zaichun suddenly rose to his feet, grabbing hold of Qiao Qingyun as she prepared to leave. The woman feigned a cough, her complexion growing even paler. "It is fine. Please, let Miss Bu keep you company. My health is truly not up to it. I shall take my leave."

With a wave of her hand, Qingluo immediately stepped forward to support Qiao Qingyun. Together with Yuanbao, they led her away, ignoring every attempt by Yuan Zaichun to make her stay; she refused to look back even once.

This time, Yuan Zaichun’s resentment toward Bu Shenglian grew even deeper.

"Why did you leave the residence when I told you not to?"

Bu Shenglian froze. Sensing Yuan Zaichun’s anger, tears welled up in her eyes instantly. Her voice dropped to a low murmur. "I did not see you return yesterday, my lord. I feared you had encountered danger. It was only after much inquiry that I learned you were at the palace. I was so anxious that I rushed over, never imagining I would disrupt your time with the Princess..."

Having said this, she wept with intense self-reproach, constantly berating herself. "It is all Lian'er's fault. If only I had not come, none of this would have happened. You and the Princess could have enjoyed your time together. It is all my fault."

In the past, Yuan Zaichun might have felt a pang of pity, but unfortunately... now, the coldness in his eyes was enough to freeze her solid. Perhaps what Bu Shenglian said was true, but whether Yuan Zaichun believed it or not was for him to decide, not for him to be led by the nose by others.

"I understand. Someone, escort Miss Bu back to the residence. I will not be returning to the Crown Prince’s mansion for the next few days; you are to stay there."

With a wave of his hand, he hurried off in the direction Qiao Qingyun had left, hoping to catch a glimpse of her, leaving Bu Shenglian standing there, neglected. She had never imagined that her situation could become so dire.

As she thought of this, her fingernails dug deep into her palms, leaving crescent-shaped indentations. She bit her lower lip, trembling with fury, barely managing to suppress a scream. She hated her! She hated Qiao Qingyun! She, who had never known failure, had now become the loser in Qiao Qingyun’s hands!

Bu Shenglian’s rage surged. *Qiao Qingyun, I could make Yuan Zaichun strike you once, and I can do it a second time. Just you wait!*

In the Zijing Palace, Qiao Qingyun was leisurely sipping fruit tea prepared by Qingluo, while Yuanbao followed behind, diligently learning the craft.

"Oh, Sister Qingluo, don't be so stingy. We both serve the Princess. If you teach me, I can make it for her when you aren't around."

With Qiao Qingyun present, the two began to bicker. Qingluo was clearly displeased by the suggestion. "I would never leave the Princess! You don't need to make it! I'll do it myself!"

"Oh, Sister Qingluo, you are so beautiful, surely you wouldn't hold a grudge against me. Let me try, let me try."

The sight of the two squabbling made Qiao Qingyun burst into laughter. She had never expected her two treasures to be so competitive in her own palace. "I say, it isn't that difficult. Just teach Yuanbao."

Just as Qingluo was about to relent, an announcement came from outside: "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

Having served Qiao Qingyun for about a week, the woman’s health had finally begun to improve. The imperial physician had determined that her recovery was slow because she had not properly observed her postpartum confinement, had caught a chill, and had suffered from extreme emotional distress. Thinking of the reasons for her frailty, Yuan Zaichun felt endless heartache. He shamelessly lingered for several more days, and during this time, Qiao Qingyun relaxed her guard, occasionally offering him a smile. It was much like when she had first married into the Crown Prince’s mansion.

"Qingyun... if I were to marry you again, would you be willing?"

As they sat face-to-face drinking tea, Yuan Zaichun asked once more. The woman’s movements stiffened. She forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, pray do not speak of such impossible things. Surely, one cannot remarry after a divorce? Let it be."

"But..."

"Princess! Your Highness, the Emperor has ordered a banquet for this evening to host the Young Master and Princess of the Lu Kingdom."

"The Young Master of the Lu Kingdom?"

Qiao Qingyun frowned, suddenly recalling that Zhong Shi and Hong Ying had been gone for over half a month. It was about time for them to return, wasn't it? If that were the case... it was time to close the net. *Empress, if you make me unhappy, I will ensure your son is just as miserable.*

Yet, as this thought surfaced, Qiao Qingyun felt a sudden, sharp pain in her heart. She didn't know if it was for herself, or perhaps for Yuan Zaichun? No, that couldn't be. They had been using each other from the very beginning; how could it be...

"Qingyun?"

Noticing Qiao Qingyun’s distraction, Yuan Zaichun called out softly, pulling her from her thoughts. She gave an awkward smile. "Very well, I understand. You may leave."

"As you wish."

After the servant departed, Qiao Qingyun continued to sip her tea, offering no response to his question, choosing instead to evade it.

"Qingyun..."

The man called out again, but Qiao Qingyun immediately changed the subject. "There is a banquet tonight. Perhaps you should return to the Crown Prince’s mansion to change your attire first?"

"Very well." Yuan Zaichun gave a bitter smile. He did not press her further, unwilling to force her into a choice, and rose to leave. Little did he know, a moment of profound agony was about to unfold.

"Princess, this must be Zhong Shi and the others returning. Should we...?" Qingluo and Yuanbao approached, looking for instructions, but the woman’s mind had already drifted far away. How could she have the energy to plan such things?

When night fell, Qiao Qingyun arrived early at the banquet, sitting at the Emperor's side. Across from her sat Yuan Zaichun. The Empress was in rare attendance, seated beside the Emperor as the music and dance began.

"The Young Master and Princess of the Lu Kingdom have arrived!"

As the announcement echoed, everyone turned their eyes toward the entrance. The music stopped abruptly; the air grew so still one could hear a pin drop. Indeed, under the gaze of all, a man in a python-patterned robe and black attire stood before them. His stern, unsmiling face exuded an aura of severity, and the coldness in his eyes made people instinctively retreat. Only when his gaze rested on Qiao Qingyun did a glimmer of tenderness appear.

Standing beside him, Hong Ying, draped in a crimson gown, radiated an arrogant and domineering presence that left an indelible impression on everyone present.

"Lu Zhong Shi of the Lu Kingdom, along with my sister Lu Hong Ying, pays respects to His Majesty."

*Lu Zhong Shi... Lu Hong Ying...*

Qiao Qingyun wanted to find a hole to crawl into. Why were their names so incredibly mundane? Ordinarily, she wouldn't have thought much of it, but with their surnames attached, it sounded like something out of a rural comedy!

When Yuan Zaichun caught sight of Zhong Shi and Hong Ying’s faces, alarm bells rang loudly in his heart.