Commoner Queen: Falling in Love with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince - Chapter 22

“What about our Yingshui, then?” Princess Li’s expression darkened as she demanded an answer.

Yi Han cast a cold glance at Li Yingshui. “She may enter the Eastern Palace whenever she pleases. I won’t force her.”

“You—!” Furious, Princess Li turned to the emperor. “Your Majesty, look at the crown prince’s attitude! If my niece enters the Eastern Palace, I fear she’ll suffer greatly.” Her voice was laced with deliberate sweetness, but the complaint was unmistakable.

“If she’s so afraid of suffering, then perhaps she shouldn’t enter my palace at all,” Yi Han said indifferently. In truth, this was exactly what he wanted.

“You…! Hmph, mark my words, one day you’ll realize that Yingshui is a thousand times better than that witch!” she snapped, too enraged to choose her words wisely.

“What did you just say?” This time, Yi Han was truly furious. She had dared to call Ziying a witch! His veins bulged as his anger surged.

Seeing the fury in his expression, Princess Li shuddered involuntarily and instinctively moved to hide behind the emperor. “Your Majesty…” she called out weakly. Failing to win over the crown prince was one thing, but his growing hostility toward her is terrifying. He always made her feel powerless—like she had no standing as his elder. No matter how much she schemed, she remained restrained at every turn, unable to advance her influence further.

“Yi Han, mind your manners. No matter what, she is still a consort,” the emperor said tiredly. The constant discord between his son and his favored consort was wearing him down.

“Father, if she dares to speak ill of Ziying again, I will not stand idly by. I ask for your understanding,” Yi Han declared firmly. This woman had long relied on his father’s favor, colluding with court officials to the point of lawlessness. If she were allowed to continue unchecked, the empire would surely fall into chaos.

The emperor sighed. “Consort Li, Murong Ziying is now one of the crown prince’s concubines, which means she is part of the royal family. From now on, you must not speak of her in such a manner.”

How infuriating! Even the emperor was siding with Yi Han now.

“I understand, Your Majesty,” she replied, putting on a pitiful expression.

The emperor’s heart softened at the sight. “Enough, enough. The matter is settled. Come with me back to the palace,” he said, intent on comforting her. Perhaps bestowing upon her a set of precious Liao pearls would be enough to brighten her mood.

Princess Li followed him triumphantly, casting a smug glance at Yi Han on her way out.

“Your Highness…” Li Yingshui hesitated before chasing after her aunt, unsure of what to do.

Just before leaving, Princess Li leaned in and whispered in her niece’s ear. “Hurry back to the Eastern Palace with the crown prince. Don’t give him any opportunity to be alone with that witch. I’ll visit in a few days—don’t worry, the position of crown princess will be yours. Our family’s future rests on you.”

With that, she turned and left.

Li Yingshui hurriedly returned to the hall, only to find it completely empty. The crown prince and everyone else were long gone.

He hadn’t waited for her.

He hadn’t even looked back.

The vast, empty hall echoed with the weight of her resentment.

“Just you wait, Your Highness. One day, I will have you kneeling at my feet,” she muttered darkly before making her way toward the Eastern Palace, her heart filled with bitter determination.