Offered as a Lucky Bride to the Mad Princess to Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 12

12: “Yu Nanqing, What Madness Are You Up To?”

“I absolutely did not mean that, Your Highness! This is a wrongful accusation!” Yu Bingru suddenly knelt on the ground, followed by the rest of the Duke’s household.

In an instant, the lively banquet table was left with only Xiao Qiling, Yu Nanqing, and Xiao Qijun.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Even Xiao Qijun was at a loss for how to plead for the Duke’s household.

If he pleaded, it would imply that the assassins who attacked the Prince of Ning were sent by Emperor Wenjing.

If he didn’t plead, the charge of conspiring against a royal prince would be enough to doom the entire Duke’s household.

Xiao Qijun had always been close to the Duke’s household. Lady Li was his aunt, making the Duke’s household practically half of his maternal relatives. Yu Bingru was also about to ascend to the position of Minister of Rites, so he couldn’t afford any mishaps at this critical juncture.

Looking at the kneeling crowd, it was clear that Yu Nanqing’s dowry was indeed missing, giving his imperial brother an excuse to stir trouble. Xiao Qijun couldn’t help but curse inwardly—what idiots.

To absolve the Duke’s household of blame was actually quite simple. If Yu Nanqing vouched for the dowry, Xiao Qiling wouldn’t actually confront Emperor Wenjing and would have to concede that the Ning residence’s security was lax.

He turned his gaze to Yu Nanqing beside Xiao Qiling and smiled gently. “The Emperor set the wedding date quite abruptly. Could it be that the Duke’s household wasn’t fully prepared? Did the Princess Consort truly bring all her dowry that day?”

Yu Nanqing, sitting beside Xiao Qiling and watching the drama unfold, had assumed Xiao Qijun would exchange a few more words with Xiao Qiling. She hadn’t expected him to redirect the issue to her.

She froze for a moment, then curled her lips into a knowing smile, feigning confusion. “Prince Chen, your words are mistaken. The dowry wasn’t prepared by me—how would I know?”

Xiao Qijun’s smile faded. He hadn’t expected Yu Nanqing to care so little about the Duke’s household for the sake of her dowry. If he had known she would side so completely with her husband’s family after marriage, he should have…

“Your Highness, Princess Consort, it is all this concubine’s incompetence.” Lady Li suddenly kowtowed toward Xiao Qiling and declared loudly, “Even with all the clever maids in the household, it was impossible to fully account for the Princess Consort’s dowry in just a few days. Thus, the dowry sent that day didn’t match the dowry list. I had planned to have the Princess Consort bring the remaining items on her return visit. Who could have imagined it would be tied to the assassination attempt? Your Highness, please investigate!”

“It is precisely because I want to investigate that I submitted a memorial to the Emperor. How does the Duchess make it sound as though I’m wronging an innocent party?”

Xiao Qiling still wore a smile, but her gaze swept coldly over the faces of those present, mercilessly rejecting Lady Li’s proposed compromise.

“This concubine absolutely did not mean that.” Lady Li pressed her head even lower.

Yu Nanbo, seeing his mother in such a state, couldn’t help but speak up in her defense. “If Your Highness truly wishes to investigate the assassination, why not report it directly to His Majesty and have the Dali Temple or the Three Judicial Offices handle it? But in your memorial, you directly linked the missing dowry to the incident. Isn’t that unfair?”

“Unfair.” Xiao Qiling loved to smile, but her smile now was different from the lazy, teasing ones in the Ning residence—it carried a chilling edge.

She studied Yu Nanbo for a moment, as if struggling to remember who he was, then asked mockingly, “And who are you in the Duke’s household? Who gave you the courage to speak to me like this? Even if I killed you right now, do you believe anyone would dare accuse me of being unfair?”

Yu Nanbo’s face turned deathly pale. The people he usually associated with were refined scholars from noble families, and even princes treated him with courtesy. He had grown accustomed to speaking freely, always expecting agreement.

But Xiao Qiling’s words were like a bucket of cold water dumped over his head, shocking him into clarity.

Who was Xiao Qiling?

She was the most esteemed Crown Prince of Da Qi just a few years ago.

Why had she been deposed?

Because of the madness caused by her poisoning.

Even her removal from the Crown Prince’s position wasn’t due to the many lives she had taken, but because her illness made it impossible for her to fulfill her duties. Emperor Wenjing, out of compassion, had deposed her and immediately bestowed upon her the title of “Prince of Ning.” She hadn’t even been required to move out of the former Crown Prince’s residence—only the plaque had been changed, and all privileges remained the same.

He had only seen Xiao Qiling accompanying Yu Nanqing back to the Duke’s residence but hadn’t considered that Xiao Qiling’s awakening didn’t mean her illness was cured.

Xiao Qiling was a complete madwoman. How could he possibly reason with a madwoman?

Yu Nanbo’s throat tightened. He swallowed with difficulty and rasped, “This commoner wouldn’t dare.”

“Imperial Brother!” Xiao Qijun forcibly suppressed his emotions and spoke soothingly, “Today is the Princess Consort’s return visit—a joyous occasion. Must we shed bl00d?”

Hearing this, Xiao Qiling suddenly turned her gaze to Yu Nanqing, who had been watching the drama unfold with wide, gleaming eyes.

In her past life, Yu Nanqing had lived in constant fear under imperial authority, never having personally experienced the taste of power. She had been thoroughly engrossed in the spectacle when she unexpectedly met Xiao Qiling’s eyes. Her lashes fluttered slowly, and her previously relaxed posture instinctively straightened.

“What’s wrong?” she mouthed silently.

“Had enough to eat?” Xiao Qiling asked kindly.

With everyone kneeling like this, how could she have the leisure to eat?

Yu Nanqing nodded. “I’m full.”

“My health has only recently improved, so it’s indeed not the time for bloodshed. Since Fourth Brother has brought it up, I’ll grant you this favor. There’s no need for you to deliver my memorial to the Emperor. It’s been a while since I’ve seen Father—I’ll visit the Hall of Mental Cultivation myself another day.”

Xiao Qiling seemed weary. She stood and summoned the servants waiting behind her. “Take me to the Princess Consort’s courtyard.”

Yu Nanqing hurriedly rose to support Xiao Qiling, but Xiao Qiling spoke again: “The Princess Consort has missed her family dearly since her marriage. There’s no need for her to accompany me.”

Yu Nanqing: ?

Yu Nanqing was caught off guard by Xiao Qiling’s words. When she looked up, she caught a fleeting, encouraging smile on Xiao Qiling’s lips.

Gritting her teeth, she forced a docile smile. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Xiao Qiling was escorted to Bilang Pavilion. Among Emperor Wenjing’s sons, she was the frailest in stature, always carrying an air of chronic illness.

Yet no one paid much attention to Xiao Qiling’s madness now. Once she left, the kneeling crowd rose with Yu Bingru, and all eyes turned to Yu Nanqing as if she were a three-year-old child carrying gold through the streets.

Yu Nanqing knew Xiao Qiling wouldn’t stand up for her without a price. She took a deep breath and looked at Yu Bingru. “It’s only been two days since we last saw each other. Father, even if you miss me, there’s no need to stare so intently, is there?”

“Yu Nanqing, I knew your return would bring nothing good! Did you incite the Prince of Ning to do this today?”

Xiao Qiling’s presence had forced them to kneel twice, each time pushing someone like Yu Nanrou—a young lady of the inner courtyard—to her limits. Now that Xiao Qiling was gone, Yu Nanrou couldn’t hold back her anger and lashed out at Yu Nanqing.

“Indeed,” Yu Nanqing sat back down, resting one hand on the table and lifting her eyelids to look at Yu Nanrou. The noble attire of the Princess Consort, combined with Xiao Qiling’s earlier intimidation, made her appear even more dignified now.

She curved her lips into a smile. “Since I’ve entered the Prince of Ning’s household, my dowry naturally belongs to the Prince of Ning. When His Highness asked about it, did you expect me to take the blame alone? I couldn’t possibly shoulder that, so I had to bring His Highness here to investigate personally.”

“Then why didn’t you warn us beforehand?” Yu Nanrou, as if seizing Yu Nanqing’s weakness, retorted sharply. “Father, if she had told us earlier, the Prince of Ning wouldn’t have come to accuse us. She clearly did this on purpose!”

Yu Bingru’s mind was in turmoil. Hearing this, he scrutinized Yu Nanqing.

Yu Nanqing met his gaze calmly, neither avoiding nor yielding. “Father thinks I have the ability to send you a warning? You overestimate me.”

Yu Bingru seemed hesitant, but Yu Nanrou called out again, “Father!”

“Enough! Go and account for the missing dowry. Make sure everything is accounted for before the Prince of Ning leaves.” Yu Bingru waved at Yu Nanqing. “You, come with me to the study.”

As he passed Xiao Qijun, Yu Bingru cupped his hands in salute. “Prince Chen, today this humble official is preoccupied with family matters and cannot entertain you properly. I hope you won’t take offense.”

Xiao Qijun, still simmering from Xiao Qiling’s earlier dismissal, waved impatiently. “Duke, attend to your matters. Let Nanbo accompany me.”

Outside the study, as Yu Nanqing was about to enter, she turned to Chenxiang and instructed, “Go to Bilang Pavilion and see if His Highness needs anything. Don’t neglect him.”

Chenxiang tugged at her sleeve, worried. “But, Miss…”

Yu Nanqing found it somewhat amusing and didn’t lower her voice, knowing Yu Bingru could hear. “His Highness is still in the residence. Do you think my father would dare do anything to me? Go on.”

Yu Bingru, who had just entered the study, stiffened slightly.

Yu Nanqing pretended not to notice. Once inside, she stood respectfully before the desk, just as she had before her marriage. “Father, what did you wish to discuss?”

Yu Bingru, seeing how she had wielded Xiao Qiling’s authority one moment and now acted so deferential, grew wary, suspecting she was up to something. He pointed to a chair. “Sit first.”

Yu Nanqing feigned surprise. “In all these years, this is the first time I’ve been allowed to sit in Father’s study. The treatment of a Princess Consort truly is different.”

Of course it was different. After witnessing Xiao Qiling’s indulgence toward Yu Nanqing, Yu Bingru was practically sick with regret.

Originally, he had assumed that given Xiao Qiling’s madness, his daughter wouldn’t survive long after marriage. A bride dying shortly after the wedding would cement Xiao Qiling’s reputation for cruelty, and he could use his grief to reclaim Yu Nanqing’s dowry.

But Xiao Qiling had not only survived—she had also taken such a keen interest in Yu Nanqing, forcing Yu Bingru to reconsider.

“Tell me, how is the Prince of Ning’s health now?”

“Didn’t Father see for yourself earlier?” Yu Nanqing countered.

Yu Bingru suppressed his temper and rephrased his question. “I’m asking about his poison. How is it?”

Yu Nanqing raised an eyebrow. “Father is being too superstitious. If imperial physicians can’t cure his illness, how could a mere bride like me, brought in for a symbolic marriage, possibly heal him?”

Yu Bingru found this reasonable. Emperor Wenjing had consulted countless physicians, both inside and outside the palace, for Xiao Qiling’s condition, all to no avail. Even if Xiao Qiling had the means to bribe the entire Imperial Medical Bureau, she couldn’t silence all the physicians beyond the palace.

With this in mind, Yu Bingru’s wavering resolve steadied.

“Regarding your dowry, it was indeed my oversight. What I promised you then still stands. You won’t be wronged today.”

Yu Nanqing nodded indifferently. “Thank you, Father.”

With the dowry matter brushed aside, the real issue remained.

Yu Bingru said to her, “I called you here not just for the dowry but also to advise you on another matter.”

Yu Nanqing arched an eyebrow.

Yu Bingru’s expression turned stern. “Your sister’s words may have been rash, but she wasn’t wrong. You come from the Duke’s household—what good would its downfall do you? The Prince of Ning treats you well now only because of your status as the Duke’s daughter. She wants to use you against the Duke’s household and Prince Chen. I’ve never discussed court politics with you before, but now I must.”

Yu Nanqing blinked innocently. “What do you mean? The court forbids factionalism. The current Emperor is in his prime—is the Duke’s household so eager to support Prince Chen’s ascension?”

She patted her chest in mock horror. “Thank goodness I’ve already married out. If the nine familial exterminations come, perhaps I’ll be spared as the Princess Consort of Ning?”

Yu Bingru was momentarily speechless. When he recovered, he slammed the table, causing the teacup to rattle.

“Good, good. I underestimated you. The Noble Consort and your mother were sisters—what’s wrong with Prince Chen being close to the Duke’s household? You’ve barely read a few books, yet you dare accuse the Duke’s household of factionalism? Fine, Yu Nanqing, you’re doing just fine!”

“My mother?” A flicker of confusion crossed Yu Nanqing’s face before her smile faded entirely.

She surveyed the study, finding no trace of her mother’s presence. Everything had been replaced, as if to cover up the past.

“My mother has long since passed. Are you referring to Lady Li, the concubine you elevated to the position of principal wife, earning the Duke’s household the scorn of the entire capital?”

“You have no right to question your elders’ affairs.” Yu Bingru’s tone weakened slightly at this.

Yu Nanqing, tired of pretense, cut to the chase. “Fine. As a daughter, I have no right to question. But as the Princess Consort of Ning, surely you didn’t summon me here just to scold me? What do you want me to do?”

“Before the Prince of Ning submits her memorial to the Emperor, persuade her to exonerate the Duke’s household.” Yu Bingru glanced at the closed door and lowered his voice. “The Prince of Ning won’t live much longer. Once she’s gone, you’ll be a widow reliant on the Duke’s household. You’re still so young—why throw away your future over a momentary grudge?”

Yu Nanqing’s expression darkened instantly. Her once-smiling eyes now churned with gloom and malice.

She looked up at Yu Bingru and parted her crimson lips. “Father, are you threatening me?”

“You’re too young. It’s only natural for me to guide you and keep you from straying.” Yu Bingru spoke like a doting father offering sage advice.

He walked over and patted Yu Nanqing’s shoulder encouragingly. “Go on. Don’t disappoint me.”

When Yu Nanqing stepped out of Yu Bingru’s study, a wind had picked up. The women of the Duke’s household were busy accounting for her missing dowry, leaving her to walk alone through the estate. The wind made her slender frame seem even frailer.

Beneath her cloak, her hands had lost all warmth, remaining icy even when clasped together. The sensation of Yu Bingru’s touch lingered on her shoulder. Yu Nanqing tore off her cloak and flung it to the ground, her entire being radiating cold fury.

The biting spring chill seeped into her bones. Yu Nanqing closed her eyes, her eyelids trembling with rage, her gaze dark and stormy.

When she had first been reborn, she had hoped the imperial decree for a symbolic marriage would spare her the fate of her past life. Perhaps she would be bitten to death by the mad Xiao Qiling, or perhaps she would outlive her and gain her freedom.

But Yu Bingru’s words had torn open the harsh truth—if Xiao Qiling died, she would never be free.

She would be trapped under the Duke’s household’s shadow for the rest of her life, bound to Prince Chen’s faction.

Yu Nanqing stared hatefully at her hands—the same hands that had once penned the case of the top scholar and drawn battle formations for desperate situations.

To think that in this second life, it had taken Yu Bingru’s words for her to see such a simple truth.

The words “powerless” loomed large, relentlessly reminding Yu Nanqing:

Once Xiao Qiling died, she would still be trapped under imperial authority, confined within four walls.

A deep weariness settled in Yu Nanqing’s eyes. Her stunning features, even without makeup, seemed to wither like a flower on the verge of decay.

She gazed at the lake where she had nearly drowned half a month ago and took a step forward, slowly closing her eyes.

As her foot hovered over emptiness, a powerful force yanked her back by the shoulder, slamming her against the rough bark of a tree.

“Yu Nanqing, what madness are you up to?”