Chapter Four: Waiting for Xiao Yuanchi to Kick the Bucket

“This is something we should be saying,” the Princess of Lu glanced at her. “In all the realm, the Red Rain has fallen, yet here we see the Princess of Qin arriving so early to pay her respects.”

“Indeed,” the Princess of Qi chimed in. “In the past, even with the Empress’s repeated summons, the younger sisters-in-law wouldn’t make the effort to attend. But today, showing up this early—surely His Highness the Prince of Qin must have entered the palace, and you came after him?”

The two princesses exchanged knowing smiles in perfect harmony.

The Princes of Lu and Qi—one third and the other fourth in line—though older, had neither the strength of their mothers nor the ambition to assert themselves. They held little favor with the Emperor and paled in comparison to the ambitious Prince of Qin. Their wives, too, were no match in status compared to the flourishing Prime Minister’s family, yet they dared to jeer without restraint.

To put it bluntly, the common folk outside might be ignorant, but these noble ladies were well aware: the Princess of Qin was universally disliked and scorned, yet no matter how much offense she caused, the Prince of Qin did not mind, and the Prime Minister’s household certainly never spoke up.

In the face of such treatment, in the past, Yin Jiaojiao had always endured silently. To avoid angering Xiao Yuanchi, she painstakingly emulated Gu Xuezhi’s manner of conduct.

Gu Xuezhi was well-liked among the royal aristocracy, not only for her background but also for her praised gentleness, kindness, and understanding. After much observation, Yin Jiaojiao adopted a principle: to neither strike back nor retaliate with words—one word summed it up: endurance.

In her previous life, such forbearance brought her no good outcome.

So now, should she continue to endure?

“The two elder sisters-in-law do have a way with words.”

Lowering her gaze, Yin Jiaojiao resolved to endure once more.

If she were to quarrel with these gossiping women before even meeting the Consort Shu, and something went wrong, causing her to miss out on the favor of a beauty, then her entire journey to the palace would have been in vain.

“Joking?” The Princess of Lu snorted indifferently. “If the younger sister-in-law believes so, then so be it.”

The Princess of Qi also snorted before turning her gaze toward the last seat. “Xuezhi, I’ve been eyeing that bracelet of yours for a while. Care to explain?”

Indeed, among those who came early to pay respects was Gu Xuezhi, who had just finished causing a headache-inducing disturbance.

Yin Jiaojiao had assumed Xiao Yuanchi would accompany her all night, but he actually left earlier than her. In a room full of princesses, Gu Xuezhi, as the widow of General Sun, could only take the lowest seat by status. Yet, as the adopted daughter of Consort Shu and the county lord personally bestowed by His Majesty, her demeanor was far from humble.

Sitting gracefully, she shyly drew back her wrist when questioned.

“Your Highness, this bracelet was casually given to me by someone; I’m not sure about its origins.”

“Casually given?”

The Princess of Lu, well-traveled and knowledgeable, took a brief look and recognized it immediately.

“Xuezhi, this bracelet is a rare tribute from the Prince of Nanhai. His envoy is close with my brother, the Prince of Lu, and once mentioned that the bracelet was both labor-intensive and made from exquisite Red Dragon Jade—a material extremely difficult to find. It took ten years to craft just one like this.”

The Princess of Lu raised a finger, casting a sidelong glance at the highest seat.

“This...” Gu Xuezhi appeared somewhat apologetic but also glanced at the highest seat. “Since Sister has seen through it, I’ll confess—it was just the other day that I saw this beautiful bracelet and threw a tantrum to the Prince to get it.”

The Princess of Lu chuckled aloud.

“There are plenty here who throw tantrums, but you, Xuezhi, are not one of them. My seventh brother has always cherished you; I suppose you only needed to glance, and he eagerly gave it to you.”

Gu Xuezhi blushed and stammered denial.

“Enough, no need to be shy. Let me take a closer look.” The Princess of Lu lifted Gu Xuezhi’s fair wrist and examined it carefully. “Tsk, it truly is a fine piece, likely a reward the Emperor granted the Prince of Qin a few days ago for his wise counsel.”

“Such a reward... already in Xuezhi’s hands,” the Princess of Qi whispered, covering the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief. “Some might not even know of its existence.”

The side chamber was small, and the stories were deliberately shared for Yin Jiaojiao to overhear, causing her heart to ache.

She truly did not know what rewards Xiao Yuanchi had received. Their household was managed by a steward, Mr. Zhang, who earned Xiao Yuanchi’s deep trust and kept everything in perfect order, leaving no room for the neglected princess to take charge.

So there was such a beautiful bracelet? Xiao Yuanchi had never willingly given her anything. The only item she had...

Yin Jiaojiao turned her gaze to the window.

That one item was something she had actually snatched through tantrums—not the rare Red Dragon Jade, but a common Dongshan white jade, small and ordinary. Even that, Xiao Yuanchi had looked reluctant to give.

Enough. She was about to kill her husband anyway; why bother with these trifles? Once that bastard was dead, Gu Xuezhi could weep over that useless bracelet all she wanted!

The women gathered around Gu Xuezhi, sharing sisterly affection and occasionally casting sarcastic remarks. Yin Jiaojiao, like a meditating monk, paid no heed, focusing solely on waiting for the summons.

Thankfully, Consort Shu did not keep her waiting too long.

Led in by the eunuchs, they entered in single file. Yin Jiaojiao should have taken the seat of honor at the head, but unexpectedly, a woman of higher status than she already occupied it—Gu Jieyu, Gu Xuezhi’s aunt, forced Yin Jiaojiao to take the second seat.

Gu Jieyu ranked among the top five favored consorts in the palace, though her rank was limited due to her lack of offspring. When General Gu fell in battle years ago, leaving behind a young daughter and a younger sister, the Emperor took pity. He welcomed the daughter into the palace to be raised by Consort Shu, and years later brought in the younger sister, granting her the title of consort to preserve the glory of the Gu family.

It was through this that Xiao Yuanchi and Gu Xuezhi became acquainted, genuine childhood sweethearts.

Yin Jiaojiao had later heard that many in the palace assumed the two would become a couple. They likely assumed the same, but the Emperor’s heart was inscrutable. He personally tore the pair apart, betrothing Xiao Yuanchi shortly after and arranging Gu Xuezhi’s marriage to the brightest rising star among the generals, General Sun.

“Waking early to see the peach blossoms flourish outside the window reminded me that the palace has the best peach blossoms on your side, sister. One must come here to truly appreciate them. It so happened that Xuezhi was coming to visit me, so I invited her over,” Gu Jieyu smiled warmly, breaking Yin Jiaojiao’s reverie. “It’s been quite some time since you last saw Xuezhi, hasn’t it?”

“You’re the only one who understands me, little sister. Come closer, Xuezhi, let me have a good look at you.”

Consort Ji showed no hesitation in her affection for Gu Xuezhi, glancing her over. “You’ve lost weight—are you ill again? Oh, I shouldn’t have sent you to Yuanchi. He’s so busy, unable to care properly for you. I truly worry.”

“Your Highness, Xuezhi is fine, neither ill nor harmed. The Prince treats me very well,” Gu Xuezhi coughed weakly. “The Princess is truly kind!”

“You’re too kind-hearted, seeing good in everyone.” Consort Ji examined her tenderly and, noticing the lotus embroidery on her sleeve, suddenly smiled. “Is that the new pouch Yuanchi wears at his waist? Did you embroider it?”

Gu Xuezhi stiffened, shyly replying, “Just small trinkets embroidered for fun in the boudoir. How could the Prince take them out?”

“If those are ‘small trinkets,’ then what do you call the ‘Spring Waters Painting’ you were asked to embroider?” Consort Ji glanced at Yin Jiaojiao.

Yin Jiaojiao, lost in thought, was startled by the question and quickly answered, “Still... embroidering.”

“Still embroidering?” Consort Ji sighed heavily. “I hope to see your ‘Spring Waters Painting’ by this winter.”

She emphasized “winter” and “spring,” causing the group to burst into laughter. Yin Jiaojiao pressed her lips together, recalling that troublesome embroidery.

The “Spring Waters Painting” had been commissioned by Consort Ji half a month ago.

At that time, Yin Jiaojiao had just burned her hand preparing tonic soup for Xiao Yuanchi. Consort Ji had made matters difficult for her, but she dared not refuse. Enduring the pain, she stitched desperately. Just as the piece was nearly complete—missing only a pavilion—she was abducted by bandits. The unfinished embroidery, which she had taken everywhere, was taken to the bandit camp and trampled into ruin during the chaos.

Clenching her handkerchief, Yin Jiaojiao told herself it was nothing, no grievance. Once Xiao Yuanchi was dead, she would let Consort Ji weep over the ruined painting!

So why was she still withholding the favor of a beauty?!

Desperate, Yin Jiaojiao grew more anxious, but Consort Ji remained unhurried—now fussing over Gu Xuezhi, now showing affection for Gu Jieyu, then advising the Princess of Lu not to quarrel with her husband—until Yin Jiaojiao was nearly asleep.

“Your Highness, the most important duty of the royal family is to bear children and continue the lineage!”