“Wan Shi…” Yin Shi slowly recited these two characters, her smile becoming incredibly sinister as she gradually clenched her right hand. “Let her be proud for a while longer. Soon… I’ll make her regret it!”

Unlike Zhang Shi, she was more trusted by Li Jiancheng. Not only had she arranged spies around Li Yuan, but she also had an unknown relationship with Li Jiancheng. Li Jiancheng had promised her that after ascending the throne, he wouldn’t make her shave her head and enter a temple with the other consorts, but would maintain the status quo – she would still be his First Rank Virtue Consort. The only difference would be… the sovereign she served would become Li Jiancheng.

Speaking of Wan Shi, as soon as she stepped into the side hall, Wang Xianyue, who had been waiting for a long time, hurried forward anxiously, hastily performed a salute, and said urgently: “Your Ladyship, you must save the Prince of Qin this time!”

“What happened to the Prince of Qin?” Although Wan Shi guessed that her early visit to Shangyang Palace and her urgent request for the palace servants to specifically report to the imperial study wasn’t truly about delivering rouge and powder, she hadn’t expected her to open with these words.

Xianyue quickly repeated everything Liu Hongji had told her word for word. Wan Shi was shocked and finally understood why Li Yuan had fainted from anger last night.

Wan Shi said worriedly: “How did things become like this? Wasn’t it said that it had been successfully concealed?”

“Master Liu didn’t tell me the specifics, only asked me to tell Your Ladyship these words and begged Your Ladyship to find a way to save the Prince of Qin. If something happens to him, given the Crown Prince’s nature, he will certainly settle accounts after autumn and won’t spare anyone who was once close to the Prince of Qin.”

“Don’t panic first. Let me think of a solution!” After calming Xianyue, Wan Shi paced back and forth continuously. In the past when troubles arose, Li Shimin could at least stay out of it, but this time, he couldn’t avoid it no matter what – truly troublesome.

After walking back and forth several times, Wan Shi said: “When you return, immediately send someone to notify His Highness not to plead for Xia Houduan and the other – absolutely not!”

“Master Liu thought of this too. He said he would definitely stop His Highness, but what we fear most is that even if His Highness doesn’t interfere, His Majesty won’t let it go.”

“I’ll find a way regarding His Majesty. In any case, the Prince of Qin absolutely cannot interfere in this matter. Even if His Majesty asks, he must distance himself as much as possible. The imperial throne is most sensitive – even the slightest involvement brings fatal disaster, not to mention now with the Crown Prince and Prince of Qi watching from outside, and Virtue Consort Yin and Consort Zhao eyeing hungrily from within.” After pausing, Wan Shi sighed: “Honestly, I really have no confidence in this matter!”

Xianyue said nervously: “But Master Liu said that besides Your Ladyship, no one else can save the Prince of Qin.”

Wan Shi sighed and said solemnly: “I’ll do my best, but whether it succeeds depends on Heaven’s will. I hope Heaven protects the Prince of Qin.”

“Then I’ll go tell the Prince of Qin.” Saying this, Xianyue was about to leave when Wan Shi called her back. Biting her lip hard, she leaned close to Xianyue’s ear and said in a voice only they could hear: “Tell the Prince of Qin that if it truly comes to desperate times, use extraordinary means. Once the opportunity is missed, there will be no redemption!”

Xianyue looked at Wan Shi in shock: “Your Ladyship, you…”

Wan Shi interrupted: “If you don’t want to see the Prince of Qin die, you must deliver my words. Also, have Master Liu advise the Prince of Qin more – he absolutely cannot be soft-hearted at this time!”

From her words, Xianyue realized this was an extraordinary time. She forced down her shock and nodded solemnly: “I understand. I will personally deliver these words to the Prince of Qin and Master Liu!”

“Go quickly.” At Wan Shi’s words, Xianyue left Shangyang Palace with her maid in quick steps. Midway through their journey, they unexpectedly encountered Yin Shi and Zhang Shi. She had to stop and bow: “This subject-consort greets Virtue Consort Your Ladyship and Consort Zhao Your Ladyship.”

“No need for ceremony.” Yin Shi looked her over and smiled: “Isn’t this Young Madam Du? What a coincidence. You’re leaving Shangyang Palace so soon? Why not stay a bit longer?”

Xianyue smiled apologetically: “This subject-consort just delivered some rouge and powder to Noble Consort Your Ladyship. Since it’s delivered, how dare I disturb her further?”

Zhang Shi stepped forward: “I was just planning to sit at Virtue Consort sister’s place. Since we’ve met, Young Madam Du should come along too. Speaking of the palace, where are the most treasures? None other than Virtue Consort sister’s place.”

“You always speak so carelessly, never seriously.” Yin Shi laughingly scolded her, then said to Xianyue: “But I do have a new batch of brocades. Young Madam Du should come pick some to make a few new outfits.”

Xianyue was anxious to leave the palace and quickly declined: “Thank you for your kind intentions, Your Ladyships, but I just had many clothes made recently and really shouldn’t add more.”

Yin Shi smiled: “The more clothes the better – only then can we show off women’s graceful figures. Young Madam Du has such fair skin – red would look best on you. I’ll pick some for you later.”

“Really, there’s no need.” Saying this, Xianyue continued: “I have matters at home and must take my leave first. I’ll come pay respects to both Your Ladyships another day.” She was about to leave when she had barely taken a step before Zhang Shi grabbed her, saying disapprovingly: “Young Madam Du, what’s so urgent that you won’t even accept our sisters’ invitation?”

“I…” Xianyue certainly couldn’t tell the truth and could only reluctantly find an excuse: “I promised my mother-in-law I’d accompany her to the temple to offer incense. If I don’t go, she’ll be unhappy.”

Yin Shi laughed mockingly: “I wondered what it was – so that’s all. I’ll have someone tell Madam Du. I’m sure she’ll give me this face.”

“Exactly. Young Madam Du should stay in the palace peacefully. I wanted to ask what rouge and powder you gave Noble Consort Wan. If it’s good, bring some for Virtue Consort and me next time.”

Seeing they kept pestering her and wouldn’t let go, Xianyue was burning with anxiety. But these two had noble status and weren’t people she could offend. She had to say: “Not to hide from Your Ladyships, but my mother-in-law has always been strict – I’m afraid she’ll be unhappy.”

Before Xianyue finished speaking, Zhang Shi had already snorted lightly: “She wouldn’t dare! Isn’t she afraid of Virtue Consort sister’s displeasure?”

“Yes, I guarantee you’ll be fine.” Saying this, Yin Shi took Xianyue’s cold hand: “Alright, don’t stand here anymore. Let’s go quickly.”

“But…” Xianyue was so anxious she was sweating. Unfortunately, she had said everything she could and didn’t know what else to say. She couldn’t offend them either. Just as she was in difficulty, a voice came from behind: “Xianyue, why are you still here?”

Hearing this voice, Xianyue felt like a drowning person meeting a savior. She quickly turned and bowed: “In response to Noble Consort Your Ladyship, Virtue Consort said she has a new batch of fabrics in her palace and asked me to look, but I remembered I had previously promised my mother-in-law I’d accompany her to the temple to offer incense.”