Chapter Twenty-Two: Hehe

"This way, Miss." The lead palace maid guided Song Qingcheng inward. Familiar with the palace layout, Song Qingcheng noticed they were clearly heading toward the Crown Prince’s bedchamber. She cast a sidelong glance at Qingmei, signaling Taohong with her eyes.

Taohong caught the message and asked, "Elder sister, are we going to the Princess's bedchamber? How should we pay our respects, and what does the Princess like?"

The maid shook her head. "The Princess is currently with the Crown Prince. She instructed me to bring Miss Song to the Crown Prince’s quarters."

Taohong replied with an "Oh, I see. Thank you, sister."

As she stepped back to support Song Qingcheng, she exchanged a look with her. Song Qingcheng nodded secretly; she had heard everything. It seemed the Crown Prince’s obsession ran deep. What exactly did she possess that made him so fixated on her? She understood Shen Runzhi—he simply desired her—but the Crown Prince… If only she hadn't died so early in her previous life; she should have held on a few days longer to know the truth.

At the Crown Prince's bedchamber, Song Qingcheng looked up and followed the maid inside. As they entered, silver, bell-like laughter rang out. "Higher, pull it higher!"

A young girl in fine silk robes was beaming, clutching a kite string and racing a palace maid. "Linglong, my kite is higher! Don't forget the warm rice cakes for tonight!"

Linglong pulled her kite. "Of course, Your Highness, this servant will have the rice cakes ready by tonight."

The Princess turned her head, noticing the approaching figure through her peripheral vision. She handed her kite over and asked, "So you are the Miss Song who just returned to the capital? You are quite beautiful; no wonder my imperial brother insists on marrying you."

Song Qingcheng frowned in displeasure. The remark made it sound as if she had used her looks to seduce the Crown Prince. In her past life, she had little interaction with the Princess, only hearing rumors that she was arrogant and willful—if anyone displeased her, she would slap them once, or twice if once wasn't enough.

"Those are merely rumors from the outside; I am unworthy of the Crown Prince," Song Qingcheng replied, curtsying.

The Princess nodded. "Indeed. With your family background, marrying my brother would be difficult. I don't know what he's thinking; he's practically ruining your life."

Song Qingcheng widened her eyes. *Hmm... she doesn't seem as bad as the rumors suggested.*

Seeing her standing there, the Princess pulled her along. Song Qingcheng quickly followed. "It's cold outside. My hands are swollen from flying the kite; let's get inside to warm up."

The room was lavishly decorated, with gold inlay on the corners of the tables and precious fabrics used for bed curtains, a testament to how pampered she was.

"Sit, I have questions for you," the Princess said, brimming with curiosity as she pulled Song Qingcheng down. "How did you and my imperial brother meet?"

"I have never seen him want someone this badly. Father and Mother have reprimanded him several times to restrain himself, yet he insists on taking you as his wife."

Song Qingcheng offered a bitter smile. There were things she didn't know after all; no wonder the whole capital was buzzing—it had all started here. "It was just during my last visit to the palace. I wanted the Crown Prince to help me exchange something; there was nothing else."

The Princess rested her chin on her hand, staring at her. "Then, are you willing to marry him? He is the Crown Prince. Although you are an orphan, you have the Shen family as your backing. You could even become Empress once he ascends the throne."

Song Qingcheng twisted her fingers. "Can you help me, Your Highness?" The Princess was favored; perhaps through her, she could obtain the medicinal ingredients.

The Princess looked puzzled. "My brother is determined to marry you based on his own merit; he doesn't need my help." She recalled how her father had been so angry he nearly vomited blood, unable to comprehend why he wanted such a woman as his Crown Princess—he would have even turned a blind eye to her being a concubine.

Song Qingcheng shook her head. "I do not wish to marry him. My request to the Crown Prince last time was for the 'Winter Plum Grass' in the palace. I have the antidote for a serious illness to offer in exchange." She had been too careless last time, revealing her trump card too easily; she needed to be more cautious this time so she wouldn't lose her leverage without achieving her goal.

"Wow," the Princess covered her mouth, pleasantly surprised. "You really don't like him? That's great! You’d be suffering if you married someone like him."

The Princess excitedly pulled Song Qingcheng to a side chamber. "I’ve been prepared for a while. Let’s drug him, toss him into someone else’s bed, and then... hehe."

With a mysterious smile, the Princess pulled out a powder packet and dumped it into a teapot. Song Qingcheng sniffed the air—it was an aphrodisiac.

"Your Highness, this isn't appropriate. It wouldn't be good if it harmed the Crown Prince's precious health," Song Qingcheng advised, not knowing how to stop her.

The Princess blocked Song Qingcheng with her hip. "Don't you want to get rid of him? Don't forget, he's planning to force this marriage. Once the imperial edict is issued, you won't be able to run."

The Princess pushed Song Qingcheng aside, emptied the entire packet into the pot, stirred it with her finger, and instinctively licked it. Song Qingcheng, having just turned around to see the action, stepped forward and grabbed the Princess's hand. "Your Highness, you..." She wasn't just drugging the Crown Prince; she had tasted it herself.

The Princess’s eyes went unfocused. "I... I'm a bit hot..." She clutched at her clothes, wanting to strip them off. Song Qingcheng held her hands down. "Logically, the effects shouldn't have kicked in yet. You can hold on for a moment, Your Highness."

The Princess came to her senses, let out a few "ohs," released her hands, and straightened her clothes, speaking a bit sluggishly. "So, should I find a man to relieve this, or a beautiful sister?"

Song Qingcheng was shocked by the Princess's words. Instead of looking for an antidote, the Princess was... Song Qingcheng pulled out a pill. "I have a medicine here that eases the effects. Take this, Your Highness, and wait for the imperial physician to prepare a proper cure."

The Princess swallowed it in one gulp and picked up a discarded spoon to stir the pot. "You're truly impressive. I want him to marry you even less now. Don't worry, once he drinks this, he’ll never harass you again," the Princess said with a mysterious smile.

A chill ran down Song Qingcheng's neck. She felt as if something was staring at her. She turned around and met a pair of deep, dark eyes filled with hidden meaning.

"C-Cousin!" Song Qingcheng’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest. When had Shen Runzhi arrived?

Shen Runzhi glanced at the teapot and stepped forward, looming over Song Qingcheng. "I heard the Crown Prince summoned Yaoyao today, so I thought I'd drop by after finishing my official duties."

The Princess shook the teapot, curiously observing Song Qingcheng and Shen Runzhi. "Oh, the Young Master of the Court of Judicial Review is a rare guest indeed. I invite you all the time and you never come, yet today you arrive uninvited."

"Since Yaoyao is here, I, as her family, naturally couldn't stay away. It just so happens that I arrived to see this scene," Shen Runzhi said, pointing his gaze toward the teapot.

The Princess clutched the pot like a treasure, tilting her chin up defiantly. "So what? I do as I please. If the Young Master has nothing to do, he should leave. I want Miss Song to keep me company while I change."

Shen Runzhi didn't move; they remained in a standoff. Song Qingcheng poked Shen Runzhi’s waist to signal him. "Cousin, go out first. I'll come find you in a moment."

Shen Runzhi’s abdomen tightened; he looked at her, his breathing deepening. "Fine. Yaoyao, I’ll be waiting outside for you."

He left, fanning himself. The Princess hugged the teapot and rolled her eyes in disdain. "Fanning himself in this cold weather? Hopefully, he catches his death." She wouldn't let him interfere—if he liked Song Qingcheng, she would make sure to cause trouble for him.

The Princess wrapped an arm around Song Qingcheng. "Come on, Qingqing. While the Crown Prince is tied up with affairs, I'll let you pick first."

The Princess hugged Song Qingcheng, rubbing her cheek against her, thinking she was so fragrant and soft that she really didn't want to deal with the stinking men inside. The curtain was drawn back, revealing various handsome men posing and casting seductive glances. Song Qingcheng stared in shock—the Princess was planning to send the Crown Prince to...