Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 30

30: Experiencing Life

If it weren’t for meeting that person, Xi Lingxue would never have known that her mother’s death had hidden secrets, and she wouldn’t have realized the importance of power so early.

Without power, even as a princess, she couldn’t escape the fate of being manipulated.

That person told her that what she wanted, she had to fight for herself.

She wanted to protect those around her, she wanted the Empress and Consort Yao to pay the price, she wanted to take control of her own destiny…

Therefore, she had to rise to the highest position.

She wanted to compete for the throne.

“What you desire is what I am plotting.”

At first, Xi Lingxue almost laughed. How could Gao Yi know what she was thinking? But soon, she couldn’t laugh anymore. A strong premonition told her that Gao Yi actually knew everything.

Just as the other party had said, she had dug a pit, and she had jumped into it.

…

Jiang Ci woke up Jin Yu and quickly gathered the other guards.

To avoid alerting anyone, Jiang Ci didn’t dare to use a carriage, only leading a group of people in the dark.

Jin Yu followed groggily, awake but her mind still foggy.

Weren’t we here for a spring outing? What’s going on now…

Xi Lingxue’s expression was serious, closely following Jiang Ci, “You delayed time for this?”

On the way, Jiang Ci tried to be brief, “Prince Duan brought a small group of people disguised, secretly escorting a spy back to the capital. Now they’ve encountered assassins who want to kidnap the spy.”

Jin Yu: “?!”

…What did I just hear? Am I dreaming? How did Prince Duan suddenly appear?

Xi Lingxue was stunned for a moment, unable to hide her surprise, she frowned and asked, “How did you know?”

Prince Duan had just won a major victory, and the news had been spreading like wildfire these past few days. But they were supposed to return from the west, and by calculation, it would take at least three more days to reach the capital.

Jiang Ci thought to herself, because I have the plot cheat, I know the storyline.

“…Ahem, that, I am, after all, the Marquis of Dingyuan, of course, I have my own informants.”

Xi Lingxue raised an eyebrow, squinting at her, “I’ve been with you day and night, how come I didn’t know you had informants?”

Even though Gao Yi’s movements were closely monitored, she had no idea. There were no hidden rooms in the Marquis’s residence, the study was completely open to her, and Gao Yi never avoided her when writing any letters.

Apart from court sessions, Gao Yi mostly went to Huang Runfa when she went out, and whatever she said or did, Huang Fu would report to her.

So, when exactly did this happen?

Xi Lingxue was confused. Since Gao Yi changed, the more she got to know her, the more secrets she discovered.

But… it seemed that she never intended to harm her.

Jiang Ci thought for a long time about an excuse, but in the end, she could only awkwardly blurt out, “You can’t be with me when I go to the toilet, can you?”

Xi Lingxue: “…”

Speechless.

The group moved through the forest and soon reached the place reported by the guards.

As they got closer, they could hear the sounds of fighting ahead. Jiang Ci and Xi Lingxue hid behind a tree, and Jiang Ci focused her gaze, indeed seeing many moving figures.

One group was dressed as ordinary civilians, only seven or eight people. The other group was slightly larger, all dressed in black and masked, presumably the assassins sent by the Crown Prince.

Seeing this scene, Jin Yu was instantly awake.

“Those assassins are here for the spy.” Jiang Ci looked at Xi Lingxue, “Take these guards and rescue them in your name. They are all experts I personally selected, protecting one spy shouldn’t be a problem.”

Xi Lingxue’s expression was complicated, in her name…?

Securing the spy, letting her take the credit?

Was Gao Yi plotting all this just to pave the way for her?

Xi Lingxue asked, “What about you?”

Jiang Ci took off her dark blue outer garment, revealing clothes identical to the guards, “I will protect you in the shadows.”

On the surface, there was also Little King Kong, those assassins were not to be feared.

“You…” Xi Lingxue’s eyelashes fluttered, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up in her chest.

She had many questions for Gao Yi, but now was not the time.

The number of assassins was overwhelming, Prince Duan’s people wouldn’t last long. The enemy spy was crucial, he must not be kidnapped.

After a few moments of silence, Xi Lingxue gave Jiang Ci a deep look, then immediately led the guards out of the forest.

Jiang Ci followed her, casually taking a guard’s hat and putting it on her own head. In the deep night, as long as she kept her head down, it was hard to be noticed for a while.

The spy was a tall, thin man, also dressed in ordinary civilian clothes, not conspicuous at first glance. He had already been sealed off, with guards watching him at all times, making escape impossible.

At this moment, he and Prince Duan were retreating to the rear, with guards fighting the assassins in front.

Although Prince Duan was dressed in coarse clothes, she still couldn’t hide the noble air of a royal, her well-maintained skin was not something ordinary people could have.

Looking at the fighting assassins, Prince Duan’s face was full of panic. She had ignored the general’s advice and insisted on secretly bringing the spy back to the capital, hoping to avoid attention, fearing someone would come to kidnap him on the way. After all, moving with the army was too conspicuous.

But now, at the gates of the capital, something still happened?

“These bandits are so arrogant! They dare to ambush me outside the capital?!”

After fighting for so many years, she didn’t need to guess, these assassins must have been sent by the Crown Prince!

Prince Duan was furious, if such an important spy was lost, forget about any credit for quelling the rebellion, not being punished would be a miracle!

Two more guards fell, and they were about to be overwhelmed. Just as Prince Duan was anxious, she suddenly heard a cold female voice from the side of the forest, “Who dares to cause trouble here!”

Hearing this familiar voice, Prince Duan was shocked for two seconds, then excitedly shouted, “Sister! It’s me, Xi Lanhua! Help me!”

Pfft—

Jiang Ci couldn’t help but laugh, quickly covering her mouth again.

Xi Lingxue had learned a lot from Jiang Ci these days, her acting skills had improved significantly. She pretended to be surprised and immediately gave the order.

Jiang Ci, Jin Yu, and a few guards stayed by her side, while the rest rushed to support.

With reinforcements, the situation turned around. Any assassins who got close were dealt with by Jiang Ci and Jin Yu.

Prince Duan calmed down a bit, turned her head and asked suspiciously, “Sister, why are you here?”

Xi Lingxue paused, thought for a moment, and decided to continue using Gao Yi’s excuse, saying lightly, “Spring outing.”

Spring outing? In the middle of the night? You?

Prince Duan didn’t understand, but she was greatly shocked.

…This sounds so weird.

I’ve asked you so many times before, when did you ever go?

Prince Duan quickly scanned the area, but didn’t see Gao Yi.

Could it be that the couple had a fight…?

When she left the capital, Xi Lingxue wasn’t married yet, and only found out two months later that this sister had married Gao Yi.

She still knew Gao Yi’s temper, crude and lustful, it wouldn’t be surprising if she had angered Xi Lingxue.

The battle situation quickly became clear, and soon the assassins were defeated, the spy naturally saved.

These people were all assassins, once the mission failed, they committed suicide on the spot, leaving no evidence.

Although Prince Duan guessed who was behind it, without evidence, she could only swallow her anger and secretly remember the Crown Prince’s debt.

An exciting night was about to pass, the city gates would open at the hour of the ox, and by the hour of the tiger, it was time to prepare for court, time was tight.

Xi Lingxue exchanged a few polite words with Prince Duan and then hurriedly said goodbye.

Prince Duan was already used to it, after all, this sister of hers was cold to everyone, never saying much.

…

Jiang Ci scrambled onto the carriage, only now taking off her hat.

The wheels turned quickly, heading straight for the palace as soon as they entered the city.

The carriage had court clothes prepared in advance, Jiang Ci took off the guard’s outer garment and quickly changed.

She had been changing clothes all night.

Xi Lingxue watched, and actively helped her tie her hair.

There was no one else around, Jin Yu was also sitting outside the carriage, so she finally asked the question she had been holding back, “…You’re not planning to support Prince Duan anymore?”

This question was very direct, at this point, she felt there was no need to beat around the bush with Gao Yi.

Jiang Ci smiled, “Who cares about her, of course I support my wife.”

Xi Lingxue’s face turned red, “We only agreed to be wives for a year—”

“Can we renew the contract?”

After Jiang Ci asked, Xi Lingxue was quiet for a long time, not responding.

The carriage had already reached the palace gates, Jiang Ci’s eyes showed a hint of disappointment, but she still perked up and prepared to go to court.

She lifted the curtain and jumped out of the carriage, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, she suddenly heard a low voice from behind, “I’ll consider it.”

Jiang Ci: Huh?

The black lotus said consider…

Doesn’t that mean there’s a chance?

She turned around, but the curtain had already been quickly pulled down by the person inside, as if afraid to be seen.

Jiang Ci was stunned for a while, automatically imagining the black lotus’s ears turning red.

So tsundere!

The fatigue of not sleeping all night instantly disappeared, she felt like she had been injected with chicken bl00d.

Excited, this was really a big step forward!

Jiang Ci happily went to court.

…

In the court, seeing the Crown Prince again, his expression was indeed not good, his gaze swept over Jiang Ci several times, as if blaming her for ruining his plans.

In contrast, Prince Duan was much more direct, whenever the Crown Prince spoke, she would sarcastically taunt him.

Jiang Ci felt like she was in a market, listening to people argue.

If the Crown Prince still had some cunning, then Prince Duan was simply… the silly daughter of a landlord.

Of course, the person with the worst expression at the moment was the Emperor.

He also had many informants, and the incident outside the capital had already reached his ears.

The second prince secretly escorted the spy back to the capital, the first prince sent assassins to kidnap him, and the third prince “coincidentally” went for a spring outing there.

…Look at all this nonsense, he woke up with a headache!

Why was Xi Lingxue also involved?

These were all royal scandals, he couldn’t make a scene in court, so as soon as court was over, he summoned the Crown Prince, Prince Duan, and Gao Yi to the imperial study.

Jiang Ci followed with her head down, she was the only outsider in this family, she guessed she might be representing Xi Lingxue.

As soon as they entered the imperial study, the Emperor first scolded Prince Duan.

“Such an important spy, and you only brought so few people?!”

Xi Lanhua was aggrieved, “Your child just wanted to sneak through, fewer people are less conspicuous…”

“Stupid!” The Emperor coughed several times, angrily saying, “With Pei Yun guarding, wouldn’t it be safer to follow the army?!”

Xi Lanhua gloomily lowered her head.

The Emperor then glared at the Crown Prince, “Don’t think I don’t know your little tricks! You dare to kidnap an enemy spy, what if something goes wrong and he escapes, can you bear the responsibility?!”

Xi Chenfeng’s face turned pale, and he immediately knelt down, “Your child knows his mistake…”

“Knows his mistake? You’ve disappointed me too much!” The Emperor’s hair was trembling with anger, and he couldn’t help but cough again.

The eunuch beside him hurriedly advised, “Your Majesty, take care of your health~~”

The Crown Prince didn’t dare to speak anymore, his head on the ground didn’t rise, wishing he could bury himself underground.

Prince Duan finally felt relieved, while the Emperor wasn’t looking, she rolled her eyes and pouted: Serves you right!

Jiang Ci silently watched her, tightly pursing her lips to avoid laughing out loud.

Who did Xi Lanhua’s brain take after… Could it be that Consort Yao ate something wrong when she was pregnant with her?

“Fortunately, we met Lingxue this time.” the Emperor calmed down, then suddenly turned his gaze to Jiang Ci, his voice low, “I heard you weren’t there at the time? Lingxue went for a spring outing by herself?”

In his impression, this daughter didn’t like to go out for fun, didn’t like to interact with people, and was silent.

That time Gao Yi offended him, he later thought about it from time to time, and suddenly realized he didn’t pay much attention to this daughter.

“Your Majesty,” Jiang Ci said without changing her expression, “Your subject was still sleeping at the time.”

The Emperor: “…”

Xi Lanhua raised her hand, “I can testify! She really wasn’t there, it was my sister who saved me!”

The Emperor glared at her, “Did I ask you?”

Xi Lanhua covered her mouth and shut up.

The Emperor was very tired, he supported the second prince, on one hand to train the Crown Prince, on the other hand to balance power.

Over the years, the Crown Prince’s performance had not satisfied him.

He had long planned to change the crown prince, but his children were too few, the second prince was clueless, the fourth prince was too young… Only the third prince was left, although she was a Kunjun, this time her performance really surprised him.

He didn’t think Xi Lingxue’s appearance there was a coincidence.

She was quite capable, not showing off, he had really overlooked her before.

“Spring outing?” The Emperor snorted, looking at Jiang Ci, “Why didn’t you return to the city at night, a princess actually spent the night outside the city?”

Jiang Ci moistened her lips, saying seriously, “The princess said she wanted to experience life, and told your subject not to follow.”

The Emperor: “…”

The Crown Prince: “…”

Prince Duan: “Experience what?”

…

The Crown Prince was punished with house arrest, to reflect on his mistakes.

After leaving the imperial study, Prince Duan happily put her arm around Jiang Ci’s shoulder, “Thanks to my sister, otherwise today it would have been me being punished! I never noticed before, my sister actually has such a special hobby—spring outing at night!”

Jiang Ci’s mouth twitched, probably only Prince Duan believed that.

Consort Yao had so many tricks, but didn’t pass any to her.

After this incident, Prince Duan’s impression of Xi Lingxue changed a lot, and since Xi Lingxue had married Gao Yi, she naturally thought they were supporting her.

Before, Consort Yao insisted that Gao Yi marry Yao Qin, Prince Duan thought it was unnecessary.

Gao Yi’s birth mother was from the Yao family, could she jump to someone else’s camp?

Xi Lanhua looked up and sighed, “The Crown Prince still wants to scheme against me? Hmph, see, my luck, chosen by heaven!”

“…” Jiang Ci looked at her deeply, clasped her fists, “Respect.”

“What defeat?”

“Nothing, just expressing respect.”

…

On the other side, at the Marquis of Dingyuan’s residence, Xi Lingxue sat in the room for a long time. She kept recalling Gao Yi’s actions over the past few months, connecting all the events, and suddenly felt a bit shocked.

It turned out that what she wanted, Gao Yi was really helping her achieve step by step.

When Jiang Ci returned, she saw Xi Lingxue still deep in thought, her brows slightly furrowed, her long eyelashes lowered, not noticing her arrival. From the side, Xi Lingxue’s nose bridge was very straight, her lips thin and red, her skin like ice and jade, always giving a cold, ethereal feeling.

Although still a young girl, her aura was gradually revealing, like a black lotus quietly blooming.

Jiang Ci really wanted to see her become the empress with her own eyes, she would definitely be the most dazzling existence.

Before entering the room, Jiang Ci had already dismissed the people in the residence, she knew Xi Lingxue must be very confused at this time.

Jiang Ci said, “Do you have a lot of questions to ask me?”

Suddenly hearing the sound, Xi Lingxue was slightly startled, and when she came back to her senses, she saw Gao Yi already standing in front of her.

After calming down, she looked up, thought for a moment, and decided to be straightforward, “When did you start planning?”

Jiang Ci sat down, poured herself a cup of water, “Hmm… let me think, from Huang Runfa?”

Xi Lingxue wasn’t surprised, she had suspected this last time.

At that time, Gao Yi had mentioned cultivating talents, she only thought Gao Yi had her own plans, but didn’t know it was really for her.

Without the spy incident, Xi Lingxue would have found it hard to believe, “For you, supporting Prince Duan would have a greater chance of success. Moreover, your relationship with the Yao family is closer, isn’t it?”

“No, no, no.” Jiang Ci shook her index finger, getting cocky, “It should be said that whoever I help has a greater chance of success. I am like the Sleeping Dragon and the Young Phoenix, whoever gets me gets the world~”

“…”

“You should feel lucky, my feelings for you are sincere, heaven and earth can testify, even if the Crown Prince visited me three times, I wouldn’t pay attention to her.”

Xi Lingxue pursed her lips, paused for a few moments, “What does that have to do with the thatched cottage?”

Jiang Ci: “I’m just making a comparison.”

The room fell silent for a while.

Xi Lingxue silently observed her, although it was still the same face, this person had changed from the inside out. She couldn’t tell if Gao Yi was crazy or not, many things she said were hard to understand.

After a while, she asked, “What’s next, what are you planning?”

Jiang Ci’s mouth curled up, smiling.

Indeed, the internet didn’t lie! Those medicines weren’t drunk in vain, the black lotus finally started to believe her!

“Next, we will be of one heart as wives.” As she spoke, Jiang Ci clenched her fist, full of momentum, “I will help you get ninety-nine percent of the Yu Kingdom’s world!”

“…” Xi Lingxue: “What about the remaining one?”

“Afraid you’ll get proud.”

“…”

“Hahahaha, I’m just kidding.” Jiang Ci put away her smile, said seriously, “Next, we will open several more Huang Runfa in the Yu Kingdom, using each branch as a base, secretly cultivating spies, building a huge intelligence network. This is the necessary foundation.”

Xi Lingxue was moved, in the past, she wouldn’t have dared to think about such things. That small general store was something she managed to open by herself, but as soon as it opened, it attracted trouble.

Jin Yu, Nanny Zhang, and Huang Fu, their strength was too weak. She had no foundation, on the path to competing for the throne, no one helped her, no one could strategize for her.

Only Gao Yi, she was really helping her.

Xi Lingxue didn’t show it on her face, but her heart was surging, she hadn’t felt the desire to rely on someone for a long time. The last time was four years ago, this time it was Gao Yi.

She resisted, but couldn’t help being attracted…

Jiang Ci said, “I will fight for opportunities for you in front of the old emperor, letting him allow you to attend court.”

Thinking about it, she suddenly realized, wouldn’t she be able to “work” with the black lotus in the future?

Wives returning home together, wonderful!

Xi Lingxue frowned, hesitated, “But after all, I am a Kunjun, my father probably wouldn’t—”

“Ah, he has no choice.” Jiang Ci said, “The Crown Prince is crazy, Prince Duan is dumb, the fourth prince is still playing with mud, doesn’t that highlight you?”

“…”

Xi Lingxue was silent, although the situation was good, why did these words make her unhappy.

She grabbed Jiang Ci’s collar, pulling her closer, smiling but not smiling, “Are you mocking me? Do you think I’m stupid?”

The sudden closeness made Jiang Ci’s heart race.

Having tasted the sweetness, after last night’s intimate contact, such a “threat” meant nothing to her now.

The more, the better.

“No.” Jiang Ci curled her lips, “At your age, you’re doing very well.”

Noticing her mischievous smile, Xi Lingxue somehow instantly lost her momentum, “You, you’re only a few years older than me?”

“Not many years.” Jiang Ci didn’t retreat but advanced, her gaze boldly falling on Xi Lingxue’s red lips, gradually getting closer, “But I have cheats.”

Xi Lingxue’s eyes trembled, her nerves tightened, she had no time to think about what “cheats” meant.

The hand grabbing the collar immediately let go, pressing on her shoulder, her cheeks quickly turned red, “…What do you want to do?”

“Want to kiss you.” Jiang Ci held Xi Lingxue’s waist, the curve and soft touch made her even more restless, “Can I ask for a favor?”

Jiang Ci leaned forward, Xi Lingxue instinctively wanted to dodge but couldn’t, her breathing also became rapid.

Just as they were about to kiss, Xi Lingxue suddenly raised her hand, and Jiang Ci’s kiss landed on her palm.

“Wait,” Xi Lingxue’s voice carried a barely noticeable tremble, her eyes a bit panicked, “I…”

“Too fast?” Jiang Ci saw she was very nervous, so she let go of her, “It’s okay, I’ll wait for you.”

That contract actually didn’t mean much, she could accompany her for a long time, she was willing to wait.

…

East Palace

The Crown Prince was punished with house arrest, she returned with a gloomy face, locking herself in her room all afternoon, not seeing anyone.

The dark night, a light rain started outside the window. The room wasn’t lit, Xi Chenfeng was completely hidden in the darkness, closing her eyes in thought.

Over the years, Consort Yao had been deeply favored by the Emperor, as the saying goes, when one person achieves enlightenment, even the chickens and dogs rise to heaven, the Yao family had also benefited. Now Prince Duan’s power had surpassed hers as the Crown Prince, not only backed by the Yao family, but also supported by Gao Yi, the military marquis.

Xi Chenfeng’s brows were tightly knit, the situation was already very unfavorable, and now Xi Lingxue appeared?

A Kunjun, how dare she ruin her plans?!

Xi Chenfeng suddenly opened her eyes, looking at the note on the desk, in three days the quelling rebellion army would return to the capital, the palace would hold a banquet to welcome the general.

At that time, all royal relatives and officials above the fourth rank in the capital would attend.

So Xi Lingxue would also enter the palace…

Previously, it was said that Gao Yi doted on her greatly, not only publicly scolding Yao Qin, but also personally going to the south of the city to queue, just to buy a box of pineapple pastries.

Xi Chenfeng sneered, what if Xi Lingxue lost her virtue and was marked by someone else?

What if this person happened to be Yao Zhi?

Would Gao Yi turn against the Yao family because of this…

Xi Chenfeng sinisterly smiled, feeling this plan was wonderful.

“Come here.”

As soon as she spoke, a black-clothed person pushed the door open, bowing, “Your Highness.”

Xi Chenfeng threw her a bottle of medicine, “On the day of the palace banquet, find a chance to put this in Yao Zhi’s wine…”

note:

All the emperor’s descendants are women, with two being Qianjuns, one kunjun and the other still undifferentiated. I don’t know why Xi Lanhua is called ‘Prince Duan’ with her name being different but what I know is that they are being called ‘Prince’ in a neutral way in Chinese and possibly using the ‘he/his/him’ because of them being Qianjun. I am very confused.(⁠╥⁠﹏⁠╥⁠)
Sorry guys.