Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 68

68: Gu Poison Enters the Throat, the Princess Falls…

The personal guards of Princess Rongxi were indeed stationed outside Fengyi Palace. Xiao Qiling and Xiao Qimin had brought only a small number of men, clearly outnumbered by the guards outside Fengyi Palace. However, after escaping from the Golden Throne Hall, those guards already showed signs of retreat.

Seeing this, the nanny hurriedly rushed into Fengyi Palace to find Princess Rongxi.

At that moment, Princess Rongxi was holding a candlestick, lighting lamps in Fengyi Palace. The flames flickered high, gradually illuminating the palace and casting light on half of her exquisitely made-up face, while the other half remained shrouded in darkness, giving her an air of lifelessness.

It was unclear whether she was searching for something or planning to set another scheme in Fengyi Palace.

Princess Rongxi concealed her thoughts too deeply. Even the nanny, who had served her day and night, had believed until this very night that the princess’s actions over the years stemmed from jealousy of the empress’s power, which drove her relentless pursuit of authority and her deep hatred for the empress’s son, Prince Ning.

Even now, the nanny couldn’t comprehend it, nor did she want to. She hurriedly found Princess Rongxi and reported the situation outside Fengyi Palace.

“…Your Highness, if there’s anything left for you to do, let this servant handle it. You must escape now!” The nanny, who had served Princess Rongxi her entire life, was willing to die for her at this moment.

However, Princess Rongxi showed no reaction upon hearing this. She continued lighting the candlestick in her hand and murmured, “He found me this quickly?”

There was no surprise or panic in her voice, only a trace of regret. She had thought the vast imperial palace, combined with Emperor Wenjing being held hostage, would grant her at least one night in Fengyi Palace.

Xiao Qiling, true to being the empress’s son, had acted far faster than she anticipated, leaving many of her plans unfinished.

Princess Rongxi lowered her eyes, raising her sleeve to block the cool breeze coming through the window, and resumed adjusting the glass lampshade.

Seeing her lack of urgency, the nanny grew increasingly anxious, her voice rising uncharacteristically. “Commander Si hasn’t sent any word for so long—things likely don’t bode well for him. Your Highness, stop waiting for him and find a way out for yourself!”

“Wait for Si Zonghe?” Princess Rongxi turned her head to look at her, her phoenix-like eyes reflecting the candlelight, calm in a way that unnerved the nanny. “Si Zonghe wants to live, but he’s doomed to die. Why would I wait for him?”

“Then why aren’t you leaving?” The nanny’s unease grew stronger. “The Noble Consort has a good relationship with Your Highness. Why not seek her help? If something happens to His Majesty, Prince Chen is the most likely to inherit the throne!”

“Tonight, if even a single prince harbored selfish ambitions, I wouldn’t feel such regret. But look, do Prince Chen or Prince Xuan dare to act?” Princess Rongxi sighed calmly. “Prince Ning’s ambitions are far greater than I imagined. Unfortunately, I won’t live to see Xiao Jingyu’s downfall.”

To ascend the throne, one needed both the submission of the court officials and the support of the people—neither could be lacking. Emperor Wenjing had sat on the throne for over twenty years, yet when she revealed those past events, no one had questioned or refuted her, had they?

What is false will always remain false, no matter how much it is cloaked in imperial robes.

Seeing the mockery in her tone, the nanny finally realized that everything Princess Rongxi had said in the Golden Throne Hall was true. Princess Rongxi, however, looked at her with a hint of doubt. “Surely you didn’t truly believe I wanted to become emperor, did you?”

Ever since she initiated the palace coup, everyone had assumed she was vying for the throne against Emperor Wenjing. But even if she succeeded in the coup, would the court officials ever accept her?

What precedent was there for a woman to become emperor?

If the empress had given birth to a daughter, perhaps there might have been.

“Look at how nervous Imperial Brother is about Imperial Sister-in-law. If this child is a princess, wouldn’t our Great Qi’s throne lack a successor?”

“What’s wrong with a princess? The empire is mine—who would dare object?”

Recalling the past, Princess Rongxi gave a mocking smile. She placed the candlestick on the table and walked toward the palace’s exit.

The long train of her skirt left a luxurious trail on the floor, her wide sleeves billowing in the wind, causing a translucent jade porcelain bottle to slip out.

The nanny bent to pick it up, about to call out to Princess Rongxi, when the intricate Sanskrit inscriptions on the bottle became visible under the candlelight. Her eyes widened as she realized what the bottle contained. Like a madwoman, she chased after Princess Rongxi.

Hearing the commotion, Princess Rongxi didn’t look back. She walked to the window, pushed it open, and gazed outside.

Prince Ning and Prince Xuan were entering through the main gate of Fengyi Palace. The night was deep, making it impossible to see how many people they had brought, only the dull clinking of armor as they moved.

Princess Rongxi glanced back into the palace. The candlelight illuminated Fengyi Palace, its furnishings identical to when the empress was alive. The flickering light seemed to transform into the empress’s silhouette, turning to smile radiantly.

The smile on Princess Rongxi’s face finally faded completely. A pain rising from her chest made it hard for her to stand, and she stumbled against a low table, causing a vase to shatter as she fell to the ground.

The nanny’s voice finally reached her ears again. “Your Highness! Your Highness! Don’t scare this servant! How could you swallow that deadly gu poison?!”

A surge of bl00d rose in her throat, sharp as a knife slicing through her inch by inch. Even the pain from the cuts of the broken porcelain paled in comparison.

When she looked up again, the empress’s illusion dissipated, leaving only a swaying beaded curtain. As Princess Rongxi tried to crawl forward, the palace doors were suddenly pushed open from the outside. Her movements froze, and she slowly turned her gaze.

“All those outside Fengyi Palace have been subdued.” Xiao Qimin said, not daring to approach despite Princess Rongxi being on the ground. “Aunt, surrender yourself.”

Princess Rongxi’s expression remained unchanged as she pointed at Xiao Qiling. “I have something to say to Prince Ning alone.”

Xiao Qimin had come to Fengyi Palace to claim credit and was unwilling to comply. “Aunt, don’t delude yourself into thinking you can resist.”

Princess Rongxi’s lips curled into a contemptuous smile. “Since Prince Xuan is here, I assume Xiao Jingyu is unharmed? Why not seize this opportunity to claim credit before him? Aren’t you afraid the Noble Consort and Prince Chen will twist the truth?”

Her words, though unintended, struck at Xiao Qimin’s concerns. Not to mention claiming credit before Emperor Wenjing, who was now unconscious, if the Noble Consort had ulterior motives, Xiao Qimin would have no chance of success.

Xiao Qimin clenched his fist, his gaze lingering on Princess Rongxi’s resolute face for a few moments before he turned and left without hesitation.

Princess Rongxi wasn’t surprised. She turned to the nanny. “You leave too.”

The nanny quietly obeyed.

Only Xiao Qiling and Princess Rongxi remained in the palace. Princess Rongxi’s gaze fell on Xiao Qiling’s face, and in the candlelight’s glow, it seemed to resemble another face she had longed for day and night.

She reached out longingly to touch Xiao Qiling but was stopped by a cold voice. “The lives of over a thousand in West Garden, plus the wronged souls of loyal court officials—do you ever regret them in your midnight dreams?”

Princess Rongxi took a deep breath to find her voice amidst the poison ravaging her body. “Why should I regret? They simply couldn’t resist me. If they had the same power, they would have done the same.”

She met Xiao Qiling’s gaze, as if mocking her naivety. “No one is an exception.”

Xiao Qiling’s expression didn’t waver as she quietly watched her.

Before Xiao Qiling could respond, Princess Rongxi contradicted herself. “No, there was one. Your mother, from the moment she entered the palace as my companion to her death here thirty years later, never changed. Even when Xiao Jingyu forced her into marriage, she never thought of revenge. She managed everything in the palace perfectly, from the court to the harem. Apart from her remarriage, who could find fault with her?”

“Even when Minister Cui petitioned for her to guard the imperial mausoleum, it was out of pity for her loneliness in the palace. She was truly a remarkable woman, but unfortunately…”

“Unfortunately, you never confessed your feelings to her?” Xiao Qiling’s eyes showed no trace of emotion. “Are you truly regretting not expressing your heart? No, it’s not that you didn’t have the chance—you didn’t dare! Do you dare let my mother know everything you’ve done?”

“What do you have to compare with my father? My father began governing the state before he came of age, caring for the people’s worries and concerns. Even in the end, he died fighting for the country. Everything you have now was stolen from him. You accuse the emperor, but how noble are you? You and the emperor are indeed siblings—ruthless, yet not ruthless enough, which is why you’ve lost everything.”

Princess Rongxi’s face darkened, as if a deep pain had finally been struck. Had she truly never had the chance to confess to the empress all these years?

She had. In fact, she had known the empress longer than either of her two imperial brothers. She always thought she feared rejection, but at this moment, she realized the truth: she didn’t dare.

She didn’t dare let the empress discover everything she had done.

“No! We cherished each other for so many years. If it weren’t for the imperial authority of Xiao Jinghuan and Xiao Jingyu, she would have stayed by my side!” Princess Rongxi’s hair ornaments tangled in her locks as she shook her head, her voice hoarse. “She was forced! She must have been forced! Otherwise, she would surely…”

“Surely be with you?” Xiao Qiling’s suppressed voice softened, returning to her gentle tone.

“Minister Wei, Minister Cui, the Chief Justice of the Dali Temple…” Xiao Qiling listed them one by one, with endless patience, meeting Princess Rongxi’s horrified gaze and shattering her illusions. “So many people knew, yet my mother never told you. She knew all the filthy things you tried to hide, so she was always wary of you. Where is this bond you speak of?”

“You! You’re actually—”

The gu poison in Princess Rongxi’s body surged with her emotions, destroying her from within. Bl00d spurted from her mouth.

Xiao Qiling’s expression remained unmoved, watching coldly from the side. Before entering Fengyi Palace, Yin Er had informed her that Princess Rongxi had swallowed the gu poison.

The nature of this gu poison was obvious.

Princess Rongxi intended to end her life with this poison as a form of repentance to the empress. Bl00d poured from her orifices, soaking the carpet.

Xiao Qiling didn’t respond. She turned to leave, the hysterical screams of the poison’s effects echoing behind her.

Yin Er, waiting outside the palace, was worried for Xiao Qiling. As the doors opened, she hurried forward. “Your Highness, shall we take Princess Rongxi away?”

Xiao Qiling glanced back into the palace, seeing only a blurred figure on the ground.

“Station guards here. Collect her body after she’s gone.”

This poison doesn’t kill immediately. Common antidotes could temporarily suppress its effects and prolong life, but without them, the victim would suffer for hours before finding release.

Hearing the screams from within, Yin Er was reminded of the night she investigated West Garden. She replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”

When Xiao Qiling returned to the Ning Prince’s Mansion, it was already midnight. Shedding her palace facade, her face showed traces of exhaustion.

“Where’s the mansion physician? Has he checked on the princess consort?” Xiao Qiling asked a maid as she headed toward Lanshi Courtyard.

The maid respectfully replied, “The physician has already visited. He prepared a prescription and said there’s no serious issue. The princess consort is currently bathing in the warm pavilion and specifically asked Your Highness to join her upon your return.”

Xiao Qiling paused, initially wanting to ask why Yu Nanqing wasn’t resting at this hour. But recalling the worry in Yu Nanqing’s eyes as they left the palace, she changed her words. “I’ll go to her now.”

In early summer, the warm pavilion no longer heated the entire room with underfloor heating, only maintaining the temperature of the central pool. Adding medicinal herbs to the water was perfect for relaxation.

Xiao Qiling dismissed the maids to wait outside the pavilion. As she walked past the screen, she saw Yu Nanqing, who had removed her outer robe and loosened her hair, wearing only a white undergarment as she stepped into the water.

She sat on the higher steps of the pool, the water barely covering her waist, accentuating her slender figure. The ripples of the water lifted her undergarment before it settled again. Unaware, Yu Nanqing slowly lowered herself further into the water.

She had clearly just entered, her fair skin gradually turning pink under the steam.

A steaming bowl of soup sat on a nearby table. As Xiao Qiling approached, Yu Nanqing noticed her. She turned to assess Xiao Qiling, and seeing no injuries, spoke lazily. “That soup has been simmering in the kitchen for a while. Could Your Highness bring it to me?”

“Alright.” Xiao Qiling picked up the tray and placed it by the poolside.

Yu Nanqing glanced at her, noting Xiao Qiling’s impeccable appearance. A mischievous thought crossed her mind. She raised her hand from the water, splashing droplets, but before reaching the spoon, she withdrew. “It’s a bit cold after soaking. Your Highness, come down and feed me.”

Xiao Qiling froze for a moment, her peach-blossom eyes darkening. Silently, she began to undo her belt and remove her robes.

Yu Nanqing watched as the noble prince’s attire fell layer by layer. When only the undergarment remained, Xiao Qiling hesitated.

The thin undergarment posed no issue in water, but unlike Yu Nanqing, Xiao Qiling wore layers of binding cloth to conceal her female form. Soaking in water would constrict her chest.

Yu Nanqing clearly realized this, her eyes lingering on Xiao Qiling’s chest, curious to see what she would do.

Xiao Qiling met Yu Nanqing’s gaze silently for a moment before conceding. She turned, removed her undergarment, and began unwrapping the binding cloth.

As the first layer fell to her ankles, carrying the warmth of her body, the mere sight of her back was enough to stir the imagination, making the humid air in the pavilion feel charged.

Yu Nanqing’s fingers curled slightly beneath the water.

After removing the binding cloth, Xiao Qiling retied her undergarment. Freed from the constraints but still bound for so long, when she turned, the vivid red of her skin showed faintly through the white fabric, tightening Yu Nanqing’s breath.

Yu Nanqing had occasionally touched her and knew their textures differed. Perhaps due to Xiao Qiling’s martial training, hers wasn’t as soft but was exceptionally well-formed.

Yu Nanqing bit her tongue hard, her voice hoarse. “Come down, don’t catch a cold.”

Hearing the invitation, Xiao Qiling was surprised but mindful of Yu Nanqing’s need for gradual progression. She didn’t dare overstep, sitting properly beside her, opening the soup bowl, and feeding her spoonful by spoonful.

Yu Nanqing had just taken bitter medicine from the physician, so she could barely taste the soup. Her attention was entirely on Xiao Qiling’s gaze resting on her face.

Yu Nanqing’s face grew redder, but she hadn’t forgotten Xiao Qiling’s deception about General Zhenyuan at the banquet, causing her needless worry.

Normally, she trusted Xiao Qiling’s plans, but hearing Princess Rongxi’s intentions at the banquet and recalling the chaos of Great Qi in her past life—rivers of bl00d and fields of bones—how could she remain calm?

In her past life, Prince Ning had died early. Back then, he was merely a former betrothed to Yu Nanqing, and upon hearing of his death, she hadn’t even inquired about the cause or place.

But if she had to endure that now, she feared she’d lose her mind.

Perhaps even more than Princess Rongxi.

Yu Nanqing had been teetering on the edge of losing control all night. Though Xiao Qiling had informed her of General Zhenyuan’s return, Yu Nanqing, having experienced troop deployments in her past life, knew the general likely returned with few soldiers.

Xiao Qiling was gambling on General Zhenyuan’s prestige.

It was too risky.

Now, looking at the unharmed Xiao Qiling, Yu Nanqing was determined to teach her a lesson.

When Xiao Qiling offered another spoonful of soup, Yu Nanqing stopped her, asking her to set the bowl aside. “I rushed out of the Golden Throne Hall and twisted my shoulder. Massage it for me.”

Xiao Qiling set down the spoon and moved behind Yu Nanqing, gently massaging her shoulders.

The gentle, measured pressure felt soothing, relaxing Yu Nanqing’s tense muscles. When she turned her head slightly, she caught Xiao Qiling’s lowered, gentle eyes.

Xiao Qiling’s striking appearance inherited the empress’s beauty and Emperor Wuxuan’s commanding presence. In her prince’s robes, her softness was concealed, exuding an unapproachable nobility. Only in the mansion, before Yu Nanqing, did Xiao Qiling shed that facade, like a beast retracting its claws—gentle, yet not fragile.

Yu Nanqing gazed at her for a long moment before reaching out to pull the jade hairpin from Xiao Qiling’s hair. The crown, no longer secured, slid down with her loose hair, falling into the water with a splash, rippling the pool.

Water splashed onto Xiao Qiling’s long lashes. She blinked, pausing her movements. When she opened her eyes, Yu Nanqing had turned to face her.

Yu Nanqing’s fingertip pressed lightly against the corner of Xiao Qiling’s eye, her gaze tracing the clear, cold peach-blossom eyes as they deepened, reddened, and filled with worldly desire.

Leaning closer with the water’s flow, Yu Nanqing’s hand slid to hook around Xiao Qiling’s neck. The pavilion grew warmer, the air thick with heat. The water, barely covering their chests, trembled with their heartbeats.

Her nimble fingers tangled in Xiao Qiling’s dark hair, brushing lightly against her nape, adding an air of intimacy.

Xiao Qiling’s gaze deepened. Yu Nanqing pressed closer, resting on her shoulder, whispering, “I can’t stand steady. Massage me like this.”

Each breath grazed Xiao Qiling’s neck, teasingly. Xiao Qiling pursed her lips and replied, “Alright.”

Her fingers returned to Yu Nanqing’s shoulders, about to apply pressure, when Yu Nanqing complained, “Did Your Highness perform acupuncture through clothing?”

Xiao Qiling’s breath hitched. “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“If Your Highness doesn’t know how, I’ll call Chenxiang to massage me.” Yu Nanqing’s tone was light, as if she truly only wanted a shoulder massage and would call Chenxiang if Xiao Qiling refused.

Xiao Qiling was silent for a moment before saying, “…I know how.”

When her cool palm touched Yu Nanqing’s bare shoulder, Yu Nanqing bit Xiao Qiling’s shoulder to stifle a gasp.

Thankfully, Xiao Qiling didn’t overstep, focusing solely on massaging as requested, gently kneading along Yu Nanqing’s meridians.

But her tense muscles didn’t relax as usual. They loosened only to tighten again, making it impossible to continue. Sensing Yu Nanqing’s reaction, Xiao Qiling lightly pinched her nape, whispering, “Relax.”

Yu Nanqing’s shoulders trembled, and her half-kneeling legs gave way, causing her to sit fully.

Xiao Qiling’s other hand swiftly caught her waist. Feeling a warmth different from the pool water, she tightened her grip briefly before loosening it.

Xiao Qiling chuckled softly. “Why so clingy tonight?”

The one intent on seduction had become the seduced. Yu Nanqing took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm and pretend nothing happened. Glaring, she said, “You’re not massaging properly. If you can’t, I’ll really call Chenxiang.”

Xiao Qiling suppressed a smile, respectfully saying, “Yes, Princess Consort.”

When Yu Nanqing first entered the mansion, Xiao Qiling had called her “Princess Consort” countless times, and she thought she was used to it. But hearing it now, whispered breathily against her ear, sent a surge of heat through her.

Soon, she noticed she wasn’t the only one affected. Xiao Qiling’s temples glistened with sweat, her expression restrained. Yu Nanqing smiled, her fingertips brushing Xiao Qiling’s temple. “Your Highness, focus on the massage. Don’t get distracted.”

Xiao Qiling’s throat moved, water droplets sliding down her smooth neck, her emotions laid bare in her eyes. “Sit closer so I can massage properly.”

“Closer?” Yu Nanqing hadn’t consummated with Xiao Qiling but had seen erotic booklets. Those for men and women weren’t applicable, so she had Chenxiang find ones depicting women together.

From those, she learned that women didn’t need to mimic men with tools—mutual closeness was enough, hence the term “mirror grinding.”

If she moved closer, wouldn’t that play right into Xiao Qiling’s hands?

Yu Nanqing smirked, kissing up Xiao Qiling’s neck until she reached her lower lip, meeting her gaze.

Xiao Qiling’s eyes seemed to hold a thousand words. Yu Nanqing was thoroughly enchanted. When Xiao Qiling kissed her, she didn’t pull away, sinking into the intimate entanglement, tears of pleasure clouding her vision.

She tried not to press against Xiao Qiling, but as the kiss deepened, her legs weakened, and she sat fully on Xiao Qiling’s lap. When Xiao Qiling pressed her shoulders to steady her, Yu Nanqing froze, a strange, tingling sensation blanking her mind. Seconds later, she collapsed against Xiao Qiling’s chest, panting, her wide eyes refusing to accept what had just happened.

She didn’t dare meet Xiao Qiling’s gaze, fearing she’d notice her reaction.

“Shall I wash your undergarments again?” Xiao Qiling’s teasing voice came from above, her chest’s vibrations tickling Yu Nanqing’s face.

Since Xiao Qiling only thought she was aroused, Yu Nanqing could pretend nothing happened. Her flushed eyes tilted upward. “You really washed them before?”

Xiao Qiling leaned lazily against the pool wall. “Would I give them to the maids?”

Yu Nanqing glared, splashing water on her face. “I’ll wash them myself this time!”

Xiao Qiling seemed regretful. “If you insist.”

Another splash soaked Xiao Qiling’s hair, softening her features. Her gaze on Yu Nanqing remained as intense as ever.

Yu Nanqing felt she might melt under that look.

She kissed Xiao Qiling again, biting her tongue lightly to shift focus. “Next time, I’ll really call Chenxiang to massage me.”

Xiao Qiling kissed back. “Fine. Starting tomorrow, I’ll learn from Chenxiang and serve you better, Princess Consort.”

Learn from Chenxiang? Was she mad?

The entire mansion would know she was ordering Prince Ning to serve her! What would become of her reputation as the “gentle, virtuous, and refined” princess consort?

“No learning!” Yu Nanqing pulled back, dodging the kiss.

Xiao Qiling asked, “Why not?”

Yu Nanqing repeated without explanation, “Just no.”

Her ears turned even redder. Xiao Qiling saw it all, teasing, “You said my massaging was poor, but now you won’t let me learn. Are you trying to torment your prince?”

Yu Nanqing snapped, “What do you want, then?”

Xiao Qiling just looked at her, silent.

The emotions in her eyes threatened to drown Yu Nanqing. Her skin flushed a beautiful scarlet, her body pressing closer to Xiao Qiling. Hoarsely, she asked, “Like this?”

Xiao Qiling tensed as they pressed together, barely holding back. Biting her lip to avoid startling Yu Nanqing, she whispered, “Want to try?”