The Fake Legend of Princess Mei Mei - Episode 5.2

Princess Yueka was humming a tune, and Bifeng smiled at her.

“You seem to be in a good mood, Your Highness.”

Hearing the lady-in-waiting’s words, Yueka returned a smile.

“Did something good happen?”

As Bifeng wondered about the reason for her high spirits, Yueka let out a cheerful laugh.

“For me, it’s something really wonderful. I feel like I could dance and jump all around the garden!”

“Oh my… I don’t know what it is, but I’m glad to hear that.”

“Yes, isn’t it wonderful?”

With a bright smile, Yueka continued to hum happily.

The concern about the Crown Prince’s love interest had been taken care of by Minister Cao.

Yesterday, Yueka received a message from a lady who taught etiquette classes.

She had left the matter to Minister Cao. All she did was inform him that the person the Crown Prince loved was likely someone she knew and provided the household they belonged to. Rather than giving unnecessary instructions, she figured it would be easier for the minister to act freely.

The result was perfect. Now, Yueka had nothing to worry about.

All she had to do next was behave in a way that would win over the still-skeptical Queen and secure her position within the palace.

But first—
“When will my brother return?”

Tilting her head adorably, Yueka asked Bifeng.

“Well… I’m not entirely sure, but if he’s coming back on horseback from Harin, the journey should take about two days one way. If he left early, he could return today, but at the latest, he should be back by tomorrow.”

“I see,” Yueka nodded. Then, with a smile, she added, “I can’t wait.”

Bifeng found it curious. After all, Yueka had been strongly against this before. But since she now seemed genuinely happy about it, Bifeng concluded that the princess had decided to accept the presence of the commoner consort.

“What a kind and generous princess she is,” Bifeng thought, growing even fonder of her.

Of course, Yueka’s true feelings were quite different.

(Poor brother…!)

She knew that thanks to Minister Cao’s intervention, Keigetsu had disappeared. There was no way Enshou and Keigetsu could ever meet.

Imagining her brother returning disappointed and empty-handed, Yueka smirked. She planned to gently comfort him and earn his favor. She had to play her role well.

But what if—what if the person Enshou loved wasn’t Keigetsu?

He had mentioned meeting her in the mountains while injured. If she was from the city of Harin, that would be fine. While Yueka was well-known there, she wasn’t familiar with every single resident, and many people traveled in and out of the city.

But if she was from Baso Village, that would be a problem. In that small village, there were only about seven girls of that age, including Keigetsu and Yueka. And among them, only Keigetsu and Yueka were known to frequently walk in the mountains. The other girls either worked in the village doing handicrafts or traveled to the city for work.

No matter how she thought about it, the person Enshou loved was most likely Keigetsu. And if it wasn’t, it had to be someone insignificant, someone whose presence could be easily ignored or manipulated.

Her worries were finally gone. Yueka smiled in satisfaction.

As if to confirm her thoughts, Enshou returned to the palace alone that evening.

Upon receiving this report from a lady-in-waiting she had sent to observe, Yueka immediately prepared to visit Enshou. She had to offer him gentle, heartfelt words of comfort.

She hurried to the Eastern Palace, where the Crown Prince resided. However, when she arrived, Enshou was not there.

“It seems he’s not here,” Bifeng whispered, disappointed after speaking with an attendant.

“I see,” Yueka nodded. She was about to instruct her maids to return to her chambers when she spotted Enshou walking quickly toward them.

He was still dressed in his travel clothes, meaning he had likely gone straight to report to the King upon returning. (How busy he must be…) Yueka thought coldly as she ran toward him.

“Brother, welcome back.”

At the sight of Yueka approaching, Enshou’s eyes widened slightly.

“Ah, Princess.”

“Yes, Brother. I’m so glad you returned safely.”

Nodding, Enshou glanced behind him for a moment. Yueka tilted her head slightly in curiosity.

“Brother, where is your bride?”

She looked around, pretending to search for a woman among the guards following Enshou.

“Ah,” Enshou sighed lightly and gently moved Yueka aside, as if she were blocking his way.

“Forgive me, Princess. I must go to the Queen immediately. If this isn’t urgent, let’s talk later…”

Though his tone was gentle, his meaning was clear—she was in the way. He really was in a hurry.

There was no helping it, Yueka thought, stepping back. She could offer him comforting words once he had settled down.

As she watched him hurry inside, she decided to return to her chambers. She left instructions with a maid to inform Enshou that she would visit another time if their schedules aligned.

Enshou looked completely exhausted.

It was no surprise. For the past month since returning from his recovery, he had been running around pleading with the King and Queen to accept the commoner girl as his wife, explaining his feelings to influential nobles, and doing everything he could. And yet, when he finally went to bring her back, she was gone.

(How pitiful…)

While she felt amused inside, she carefully maintained an outward expression of sympathy.

But just four days later, something happened that instantly ruined Yueka’s good mood.

The palace was unusually noisy, even during breakfast. Curious, Yueka asked the servants clearing her dishes.

They looked at each other in surprise, then turned to confirm with the princess’s personal attendants.

“Have you not heard?”

“Heard what?”

One of the maids hesitated, her tone carrying a hint of disbelief. Yueka felt irritated.

She didn’t like being spoken down to by a lowly servant.

She sharpened her voice slightly. “Tell me.”

The maids flinched.

“The Crown Princess is entering the palace today.”

“The ladies-in-waiting are busy making final preparations.”

Hearing this, Yueka frowned as if she had heard something unbelievable.

“The Crown Princess?”

The maids nodded.

“Yes, His Highness went to bring her back himself.”

“I already know that.”

Snapping at them, she waved them away impatiently.

Startled by her sudden change in demeanor, the maids quickly left the room.

(The Crown Princess? What does this mean?)

Had Minister Cao failed to eliminate her? Or was the person Enshou loved someone other than Keigetsu?

“Bifeng, did you know about this?”

Irritated, Yueka asked. Bifeng looked genuinely surprised and shook her head.

“No, Your Highness. We were not informed at all. Shall I investigate immediately?”

“Of course!”

She raised her voice in frustration, then caught herself.

This wasn’t like her. The “kind and gentle Princess Houbai” wouldn’t act this way.

Seeing Bifeng’s startled expression, Yueka quickly put on her usual sweet smile.

“If my future sister-in-law is arriving, I mustn’t be disrespectful. Please find out the details for me?”

Reassured by Yueka’s usual kindness, Bifeng nodded and hurried away.

Soon, Bifeng returned with news.

“She is scheduled to enter the palace at around eleven this morning. A room has been prepared in the Queen’s residence, and once she settles in, she will be given proper accommodations.”

Smiling, Yueka clenched her fists.

“If my mother is handling the arrangements, I can’t interfere, can I?”

She remained calm outwardly, but inside, she was desperately thinking of a plan.

As the appointed time arrived, Yueka, disguised and hidden in the shadows, watched the grand procession.

As the palanquin door slowly opened, she saw something that made her narrow her eyes.

The person assisting the new Crown Princess was none other than Kouji, now dressed as a palace maid.

(What is the meaning of this?)

And then—the woman stepped out of the palanquin.