The crescent moon hung like a hook, and the entire night sky appeared tranquil and peaceful. Imperial Consort Hui stood upon the steps, silently gazing at the cold moonlight. Her face carried a trace of sorrow, her hair not pinned up but loosely hanging down. A slightly cool night breeze blew, and with only thin clothing, she felt coldness seeping even into her bones.

Lady Official Liang beside her brought a cloak and pleaded, “Your Ladyship, why must you torment yourself like this? If you catch a chill, Prince Jing will blame this servant for not caring for you properly.” Lady Official Liang had accompanied Imperial Consort Hui since she entered the palace. She could be called her confidante—always loyal and very clever.

Imperial Consort Hui glanced at her and sighed, “You’re the only one who knows about today’s matter. What do you think of it?”

Seeing this situation, Lady Official Liang gathered her courage and said, “Your Ladyship, please don’t blame this servant for speaking out of turn. In this servant’s view, Lady of Marquis Qingping is extremely vicious! If you follow her wishes, once Lady Guo learns of it in the future, this family relationship will be finished. But if Your Ladyship refuses, and she reveals this matter, not only you but the entire Guo family will be affected. Who knows what will happen then? Moreover, this weight must also include Prince Jing. No matter how hardhearted Your Ladyship is, you cannot bear to implicate Prince Jing. Whatever you do, it’s a dilemma. Lady of Marquis Qingping saw exactly this point and pressed Your Ladyship this way.”

Imperial Consort Hui nodded, “Ordinarily, I only knew she hated the Guo estate, hated Mother, hated my elder brother. I didn’t know she was also so full of hatred toward me, insisting on forcing me to do such a thing before she’d be satisfied.”

Lady Official Liang thought for a moment and said, “Previously, Miss Guo once said that Lady of Marquis Qingping and Princess Lin’an—one in the open and one in the shadows—have likely already colluded. Though Lady of Marquis Qingping is arrogant and domineering, her feud is with the Guo estate, with the Duke of Qi. Why would she risk everything to kill Miss Guo? Princess Lin’an must be behind this.”

Imperial Consort Hui clearly agreed with this assessment. She sighed faintly and slowly said, “Yes, without complete certainty, she wouldn’t make such a demand. What should I do now?”

Lady Official Liang thought carefully for a moment, then raised her head, “Your Ladyship, in this servant’s view, there’s still room to maneuver in this matter.”

Imperial Consort Hui glanced at her, “Tell me.”

Lady Official Liang said earnestly, “Since Lady of Marquis Qingping can use this matter to threaten Your Ladyship, why don’t we do the same? Doesn’t she treasure her daughter Wen Ge? Why don’t we detain her? Won’t we fear she won’t comply?”

Imperial Consort Hui smiled and shook her head, her face showing a trace of elusive cold light: “You still don’t understand my sister. Though she’s somewhat arrogant and domineering, she’s not brainless. In my view, that day she came to make a scene, she clearly wanted to leave Jia’er with the impression of being foolish and domineering… Now that she’s using this matter to threaten me, she certainly wouldn’t be unprepared. Before our people could even capture Wen Ge, this matter would already be known to everyone. I truly wouldn’t know how to face Elder Brother, face Mother, face the Guo family’s ancestors. If my past caused the entire Guo family’s downfall, even death couldn’t atone for my sins.”

Hearing this, Lady Official Liang understood that Imperial Consort Hui had already thought this matter through thoroughly—she just couldn’t bring herself to make the decision. She lowered her head, thinking inwardly that if Her Ladyship truly killed the real Guo Jia this time, Lady Guo would definitely turn against Her Ladyship completely in the future. Prince Jing would also completely lose the Guo family’s support. No matter how you looked at it, those benefiting would be Lady of Marquis Qingping and Princess Lin’an. The one truly suffering disaster, finding herself betrayed by all, would be Imperial Consort Hui! Having always been loyal, thinking of this, she suddenly knelt down: “Your Ladyship, if you cannot bring yourself to decide! Let this servant do this deed!”

Imperial Consort Hui was startled and quickly said, “What nonsense are you speaking?!”

Lady Official Liang bit her teeth, “Your Ladyship is kind-hearted, but you should understand the principle that hesitation brings chaos! If Lady Guo learns of this matter in the future, Your Ladyship can push it all onto this servant, saying this servant was bought off by Lady of Marquis Qingping and did such a thing, harming Miss Guo. When Lady Guo learns of it, she surely won’t blame Your Ladyship too much, and Prince Jing won’t be implicated. Let this servant handle this matter!”

Hearing these words, Imperial Consort Hui’s expression couldn’t help but change. She scolded, “I have my own judgment on this matter. You needn’t interfere.”

Hearing this, Lady Official Liang frowned, “Your Ladyship!”

At this moment, Imperial Consort Hui didn’t want to continue. She made a gesture indicating the other party needn’t say more, saying coolly, “Go back first. I still want to stay outside a while longer. Not a single word of what we discussed may be revealed to anyone.”

Lady Official Liang couldn’t help but shed tears, saying in a low voice, “Yes!” She rose to leave, but couldn’t help turning back to look at Imperial Consort Hui’s figure. Tears couldn’t help rolling down from her eyes. Just at this moment, she suddenly heard someone say, “Lady Official Liang, what’s wrong? Do you have some sorrow?”

Lady Official Liang was startled and turned sharply to find Lady Guo standing before her with a smiling face. Frightened, she quickly wiped her tears, “So it’s Lady Guo. This servant is fine—just a small insect flew into my eyes. This servant will go report to Imperial Consort Hui that you’ve arrived.”

Lady Guo raised her hand, “No need. I’ll go find her myself.” Saying this, she already walked toward Imperial Consort Hui.

Watching Lady Guo’s retreating figure, for some reason, Lady Official Liang felt a chill throughout her body. If Her Ladyship ultimately decided to kill that Miss Guo, who knew what Lady Guo would do? She loved her daughter so dearly. Lady Official Liang dared not think further. Lifting her skirt, she tiptoed away.

Before Lady Guo drew near, she heard Imperial Consort Hui’s sighing voice carried on the night wind. She couldn’t help frowning slightly, “Does Imperial Consort have something troubling her?”

Imperial Consort Hui was slightly stunned. Seeing it was her, she forced a smile, “So it’s Sister-in-law. Why visit me at this late hour?”

Lady Guo smiled, “Today I saw the Marquis of Xiangyang’s adopted son’s name on the banquet guest list.”

Hearing her say this, Imperial Consort Hui said coolly, “Indeed so. He came on behalf of his father. Sister-in-law should have seen him too.”

Lady Guo smiled, “Yes, I saw him. Moreover, I heard from Jia’er that the young man seemed to have deep hostility toward you.”

Imperial Consort Hui’s brow furrowed slightly. She hadn’t expected Li Weiyang to be so perceptive, noticing that person’s anger toward her. In fact, sitting there, she had also felt that gaze. But that Li Weiyang knew so quickly also surprised her greatly.

Lady Guo glanced at Imperial Consort Hui, “Your Ladyship has been in the palace so many years. Have you ever blamed the Princess?” In fact, back then, Imperial Consort Hui’s entry into the palace was orchestrated entirely by Princess Chenliu—though her starting point was entirely for the Guo family.

Hearing this, Imperial Consort Hui said coolly, “Since childhood, I loved swords and martial arts. My temperament wasn’t so gentle, and unlike other women, I didn’t enjoy music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. If not for my parents’ loving indulgence, I probably couldn’t have lived so freely. I grew up in the Guo family—how could I not sacrifice for them? Therefore, though I married into the palace, destined never to be with the one I loved, even having to personally push that person into despair, I’ve never resented the Guo family or Mother in my heart. Now I’m also a mother. I know that as a mother, one naturally hopes children can be happy. If not absolutely necessary, Mother wouldn’t have had me enter the palace to balance various powers. Moreover, after many years in the palace, having experienced hardships, I’ve long become disillusioned with love. I only hope Mother stays healthy, the Guo family remains safe and prosperous, and my son can enjoy peace his entire life. I have no other wishes—this life is enough.”

A trace of melancholy appeared in Lady Guo’s beautiful eyes as she slowly said, “But does Your Ladyship’s heart still long for the Marquis of Xiangyang?”

Seeing that sorrowful gaze, Imperial Consort Hui’s tone was very cold: “No such thing. So many years have passed—I no longer remember this person.”

Lady Guo looked at her, “Your Ladyship, before you married, our relationship was very close. I remember back then you once said you’d marry no one but the Marquis of Xiangyang. After all these years, have you truly forgotten that vow? Moreover, I heard the Marquis of Xiangyang doesn’t have much time left. If Your Ladyship wants to visit him, I can arrange it for you!”

Imperial Consort Hui hadn’t expected her to say this. She looked at her deeply, more despair in her eyes, though her tone grew even colder: “Sister-in-law! I’ve been in the deep palace for many years and received the Emperor’s favor. Those matters—what should be forgotten, I’ve already forgotten! Whether he’s sick or dying, it has nothing more to do with me. You needn’t use these words to test me!”

Lady Guo’s expression changed dramatically, “I never meant to test you. I just can’t bear to see you with furrowed brows. If anything I said today caused you misunderstanding, I apologize.”

How could Imperial Consort Hui not know Lady Guo’s good intentions? But having reached this point, she absolutely couldn’t turn back. Since meeting would only bring more despair, better not to meet at all—just as she said when entering the palace: no fate in this life, meet again in the next. So she only said coldly, “I’m tired. Sister-in-law, please return. The night is deep and heavy with dew—take care.” Saying this, she turned and left directly.

Lady Guo watched her retreating figure, a flash of doubt in her eyes. She hadn’t expected that Imperial Consort Hui, who usually had such a good relationship with her, would have such a cold and indifferent side. Her original good intentions received such rebuff—she couldn’t help but find it strange. Thinking left and right, she found this matter increasingly odd. Even Imperial Consort Hui’s attitude today made her unable to understand. While walking slowly, she wandered through the garden. Just then, she saw Li Weiyang coming toward her: “Mother, why haven’t you rested so late?”

Seeing Li Weiyang, Lady Guo couldn’t help but smile, “They say you have a habit of going out for evening walks. Now it seems it’s truly so.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. Wasn’t it all because of that Yuan Lie fellow? If not for his habit of climbing walls in the middle of the night, why would she need to go through such trouble to cover for him? However, though she thought this, she said coolly, “The moonlight is so beautiful tonight—your daughter just came out to admire it. Where has Mother just come from?”

Lady Guo smiled, “I just came from Imperial Consort’s place. Seeing her in a bad mood, I said a few words.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang’s smile faded as she slowly said, “Speaking of this, Jia’er has some puzzlement. Would Mother be willing to clarify it for me?”

Lady Guo glanced at Li Weiyang and couldn’t help saying, “What does Jia’er find strange?”

Li Weiyang dismissed the maids around them both and intimately took Lady Guo’s arm, “Mother, today I saw the Marquis of Xiangyang’s adopted son speak rudely, so I paid him more attention. Later I learned that years ago, the Marquis of Xiangyang and Father studied under the same master. Is this true?”

A flash of surprise crossed Lady Guo’s face. Not expecting Li Weiyang to suddenly bring this up, she nodded, “Yes, that Marquis of Xiangyang was actually your father’s junior fellow disciple. They studied and practiced martial arts together and had a very close relationship.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang’s smile became very warm, appearing somewhat ethereal in the beautiful moonlight: “If so, I’ve been here so long—why have I never seen this Marquis of Xiangyang?”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Lady Guo’s eyes. She didn’t know how to answer Li Weiyang’s question. No matter what she said, it seemed impossible to avoid involving Imperial Consort Hui. She thought for a moment and slowly said, “That Marquis of Xiangyang has always been in poor health, constantly bedridden and not going out. Your father occasionally visits him, but these past two years, the two families have had less contact. It’s not strange you haven’t seen him. Even that Marquis of Xiangyang’s adopted son—I’ve only seen him two or three times these past years.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang smiled noncommittally. She could see Lady Guo was concealing something. In fact, from learning that the Marquis of Xiangyang was once the Duke of Qi’s junior fellow disciple, a vague notion had formed in her mind. Even if she didn’t enjoy reading those romantic novels, she could imagine that Imperial Consort Hui and the Marquis of Xiangyang were simply young men and women who were compatible and had grown very close, when an imperial edict from the palace tore apart a pair of lovers.

All these years, the Marquis of Xiangyang had distanced himself from the Duke of Qi’s estate—the purpose was simply to conceal that past romance. Thinking of this, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but show a trace of smile. If they merely had mutual affection, why would Lady Guo be so evasive? Most likely, the feelings between Imperial Consort Hui and that Marquis of Xiangyang had already deepened to the point of being inseparable. Only this way did the Marquis of Xiangyang’s lifelong bachelorhood seem to find reason, and even that adopted son You Qingfeng’s hatred toward Imperial Consort Hui could be completely explained. Thinking of this, Li Weiyang no longer pressed the matter, only saying gently, “It’s late. Mother should rest early. I’ll see you back.”

Lady Guo patted her arm, comforted, “Alright.”

After seeing Lady Guo off, Li Weiyang returned to her own courtyard.

Zhao Yue said in a low voice, “Miss, Prince Xu sent word that You Qingfeng secretly met with Lady of Marquis Qingping.”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang paused with her teacup, a flash of cold light in her beautiful eyes: “What did you say?”

Zhao Yue repeated it in a low voice. Li Weiyang’s expression slowly grew cold as she murmured, “Why would Lady of Marquis Qingping seek out You Qingfeng for no reason? Could they want to unite against the Guo family?”

Seeing her easily connect these matters, Zhao Yue couldn’t help saying in a low voice, “But Lady of Marquis Qingping is so arrogant and domineering—she probably wouldn’t have any remarkable methods to deal with the Guo family.”

Li Weiyang gave a cold laugh, “You’re wrong. That day, everything Lady of Marquis Qingping did before me was merely to disguise her cunning, making me think her a reckless person and losing vigilance toward her. Indeed, she and Guo Ping and the others are birds of a feather—full of wicked schemes.”

Zhao Yue sighed, “This servant keeps feeling this matter is truly difficult to resolve. If Imperial Consort Hui has some leverage fallen into Lady of Marquis Qingping’s hands, it’s truly unthinkable!”

Thinking of this, Li Weiyang laughed softly, “In this world, everyone has secrets. Didn’t Yuan Lie say he could dig out others’ secrets and weaknesses? His secret forces should be put to use. Have him investigate whether Lady of Marquis Qingping has done anything disgraceful these years. If evidence can’t be obtained, even gossip and rumors will do.”

Li Weiyang had long known that Yuan Lie trained a special force, many skilled at investigation, and they were thoroughly familiar with street rumors and the private affairs of various ladies and young misses. In the martial world, these people would be the all-knowing. Since this was so, why not search the marketplace for Lady of Marquis Qingping’s private affairs and gather them together—they might soon prove useful.

Hearing this, joy flashed across Zhao Yue’s face: “Yes, this servant will attend to it immediately.”

On the afternoon of the third day, Imperial Consort Hui proactively invited Li Weiyang to drink tea together. Li Weiyang tidied herself and arrived at the small building where Imperial Consort Hui resided at the appointed time. Imperial Consort Hui raised her head and glanced at Li Weiyang. The colors she wore were very simple, making Li Weiyang appear very refined. Combined with that faint yet undeniable air of grace and dignity, she truly wasn’t an ordinary young lady from a noble family.

A flash of complexity crossed Imperial Consort Hui’s eyes. Her gaze fell on Li Weiyang’s face as she smiled, “Tomorrow, I must return to the palace. I still have some matters to entrust to you, so I specially invited you here.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly, “Imperial Consort, whatever you have, you may instruct Guo Jia. Whatever I’m able to do, I absolutely won’t refuse.”

Hearing these words, Imperial Consort Hui’s face showed a trace of elusive sorrow. She turned to glance at Lady Official Liang and said, “Bring out the fine tea I brought from the palace and let Jia’er taste it.” When she said this, her voice seemed slightly tense. Li Weiyang keenly noticed this point. She focused her gaze on Imperial Consort Hui, doubt seeming to appear in her eyes.

Imperial Consort Hui noticed her momentary loss of composure just now and quickly smiled, covering over that performance: “I didn’t rest well last night—my spirits are poor.”

Li Weiyang nodded, “Your Ladyship should take care of your health.”

Just then, Lady Official Liang brought out a red lacquered wooden tray. On the tray sat an extremely exquisite jade teapot. Li Weiyang glanced at that jade teapot and saw extremely delicate lotus flower carvings on it. On the lotus flowers, there even seemed to be dew—this carving skill was truly masterful. However, when Li Weiyang looked at this pot, her gaze froze. She sharply raised her head and looked at Imperial Consort Hui, “Your Ladyship, this teapot does look quite unique.”

Imperial Consort Hui smiled, “Yes, I brought this teapot from the palace. It’s a treasure His Majesty personally bestowed on me years ago. I heard that the master who made the pot spent a full twenty-one years grinding out this jade teapot. Look—isn’t the appearance very exquisite?”

In Li Weiyang’s smile, for some reason, appeared a trace of coldness. She said coolly, “Yes, this jade teapot is indeed very beautiful.” Her gaze, in this instant, fell on Imperial Consort Hui’s face.

Being looked at with those eyes, Imperial Consort Hui felt only coldness in her heart. She hadn’t expected Li Weiyang would look at her with such eyes. That gaze held not a trace of warmth—only probing. Imperial Consort Hui’s heart jumped, almost thinking the other party had seen through her actions. She couldn’t help but smile, proactively reaching out to pour herself a cup of tea. Then lifting the teapot in her hand, she also poured Li Weiyang a cup, “Taste it. This is tea brewed with mountain spring water—the flavor must be quite unique.”

Li Weiyang looked at the blue-green tea in the cup and smiled faintly, “Your Ladyship’s tea is naturally all treasures. Without tasting, Guo Jia already knows.”

Doubt flashed in Imperial Consort Hui’s eyes as she looked at Li Weiyang. For a moment, she almost couldn’t speak. For some reason, though she had lived to this age, she still felt some trepidation before this young woman. Perhaps it was those clear black-and-white eyes that gave her a feeling that nothing could escape detection.

Li Weiyang’s gaze turned to that jade teapot and remained there for a long time without movement. Imperial Consort Hui didn’t know that Li Weiyang had also spent several years in the palace. She had seen such jade teapots before. From the outside, this jade teapot looked no different from ordinary teapots. The mechanism was that the pot had two layers—the bottom layer held poisoned tea, the upper layer held good tea, with a hole between them, normally blocked. The top of the pot could rotate. When pouring tea, after the first kind poured out, you only needed to gently rotate the pot’s neck, the small hole in the middle opened, and the second cup of tea would pour out. If the first cup was good tea, then what followed would be poisoned tea. She had heard that the master who made the pot created two similar pots total—one was a wine pot, the other for drinking tea. Later, both were bought at high prices and disappeared without trace. Li Weiyang would never forget that Tuoba Zhen had one of these in his hands—it was a wine pot. He had once used such a wine pot to grant death to countless ministers. Of course, he didn’t want others to know their deaths were connected to him. So the poison he used only took effect several days later.

However, seeing the wine pot from years ago now changed in appearance, pouring clear tea, once again placed before her, Li Weiyang couldn’t help but sneer coldly. She never would have imagined seeing such a pot again under these circumstances.

Imperial Consort Hui lifted her own teacup and forced a smile, “Come, taste it and see how this tea leaf tastes. If it’s good, I’ll leave more for you.”

No matter how foolish Li Weiyang was, she understood everything. Thinking of Lady of Marquis Qingping, thinking of the Marquis of Xiangyang’s adopted son, then thinking of Imperial Consort Hui’s unusual behavior, in her heart, she had already connected everything together. She accepted that cup of poisoned tea, thinking: Though I can’t say I’ve devoted my heart and soul to the Guo family, I’ve certainly been dedicated. Yet I never imagined Imperial Consort Hui would use such methods against me. We had no grievances in the past, no enmity recently, and have always been allies. I vaguely, like Lady Guo, had already come to regard Imperial Consort Hui as family. Yet it was precisely such family who sent poisoned tea before me, still wearing such a smile—did they truly think I, Li Weiyang, was a fool?! She hadn’t thought of this before because Lady of Marquis Qingping had no reason to come after her. Then the one truly manipulating everything behind the scenes was Princess Lin’an, who remained shut away even now.

Her hand couldn’t help but tremble slightly. If an enemy did this, she wouldn’t care—she could even mercilessly eliminate them. But why, why did it have to be Imperial Consort Hui? Raising her eyes to look at the other party, Li Weiyang’s smile had faded until it was almost invisible. However, she saw a trace of sorrow in Imperial Consort Hui’s eyes. Those beautiful eyes, once full of warmth, were now also very pained.

No matter who it was, once they betrayed her, they were unforgivable. Li Weiyang sighed, “Your Ladyship, since I entered the Guo family, everyone has been very caring toward me. Even with a heart of stone, Guo Jia couldn’t help but be moved and delighted. In the past, they respected you so much, liked you so much—I was the same. But I never expected you would do this today.” Saying this, she raised her brows and mercilessly knocked over the teacup, “Lady of Marquis Qingping, won’t you come out? How long will you keep hiding?!” Without watching her die with their own eyes, how could they be assured?!

Imperial Consort Hui’s complexion turned pale at once, her heart in complete chaos. She hadn’t expected Li Weiyang to see through everything. At this moment, she also turned her head to watch Lady of Marquis Qingping slowly emerge from behind the screen.

Lady of Marquis Qingping gave a cold laugh, “Imperial Consort, you still weren’t ruthless enough. If you hadn’t shown the slightest flaw just now, this cunning girl wouldn’t have discovered it. However, since there are no outsiders now, you still have an opportunity.” But Li Weiyang gave a cold laugh, “Zhao Yue, why aren’t you moving? What are you waiting for!”

Lady of Marquis Qingping’s expression changed. She saw a maid fly forward and seize her. Lady of Marquis Qingping said angrily, “Imperial Consort Hui, have you gone mad? You’ll just let your niece humiliate me like this! Aren’t you afraid I… that the people I arranged in secret will reveal everything!”

Imperial Consort Hui sighed, “What must come will always come, no matter what I do—it’s all the same.” Saying this, she placed the teacup on the table and looked at Li Weiyang, “Jia’er, do you blame me?”

Li Weiyang looked at her and shook her head, “I don’t blame you. It’s just that from now on, I can no longer trust you. Imperial Consort, if you had told me about this matter earlier, it wouldn’t have come to this.”

Imperial Consort Hui laughed lowly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Lady Official Liang beside her couldn’t stand it and quickly said, “Miss Guo, you’ve misunderstood our Lady! There’s absolutely no poison in this wine cup!”

Imperial Consort Hui couldn’t help but frown, saying loudly, “Enough! You needn’t explain for me!”

But Lady Official Liang knelt on the ground, “Miss Guo, Her Ladyship was forced by villains and had no choice but to act this way. But she absolutely couldn’t bear to take Miss Guo’s life, so she ordered Prince Jing to send this false-death medicine. After consuming it, there’s only about an hour of unconsciousness. To outsiders, all breath ceases as if dead, but she absolutely had no intention of harming your life! You must not misunderstand!”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang was stunned. She looked toward Imperial Consort Hui for a long time without speaking. She knew Lady Official Liang was probably telling the truth, but she was more puzzled—people in this world were all selfish. For Imperial Consort Hui, for the sake of Prince Jing and the Guo family, killing her would be the safest strategy. Why use such a risky move? If the false death was discovered by Lady of Marquis Qingping and the matter revealed, wouldn’t it still cause huge trouble?

Imperial Consort Hui looked at Li Weiyang, “You’re Sister-in-law’s beloved daughter. If I killed you, she would never forgive me. How could the Guo family support my son in the future?”

Saying this, Li Weiyang smiled. In this instant, she understood Imperial Consort Hui’s true meaning. Imperial Consort Hui didn’t use this method for so-called interests—her fundamental purpose was still to protect her, to protect the Guo family. Li Weiyang sighed, “Your Ladyship, though I know you were forced to act this way, I still say the same thing—if you had told me earlier, so many misunderstandings wouldn’t have arisen.” Saying this, she instructed Zhao Yue, “Bring that Lady of Marquis Qingping over here.”

Lady of Marquis Qingping was still desperately struggling, but how could Zhao Yue’s iron grip be broken free? Zhao Yue forcibly pressed her to kneel before Imperial Consort Hui. Lady of Marquis Qingping gave a cold laugh, “Imperial Consort, I’ve already arranged people. If I don’t return within half an hour, that person will spread everything. By then, your Imperial Consort’s reputation and the Guo family’s century-old honor will be lost. For one niece, you actually deceived me like this—truly remarkable!”

Imperial Consort Hui smiled, “Since I’ve already done this, I’ll naturally bear the consequences. I just didn’t expect Jia’er would see through my actions so quickly. In the end, I was too nervous—otherwise she wouldn’t have noticed.” Saying this, she glanced at Li Weiyang, her gaze holding no blame. In her view, if Li Weiyang hadn’t discovered this just now and everything had proceeded according to plan, Lady of Marquis Qingping would have long believed she truly poisoned and harmed Guo Jia. After witnessing Guo Jia’s corpse with her own eyes, she would naturally hand over that so-called evidence.

Li Weiyang gave a cold laugh, as if seeing through Imperial Consort Hui’s thoughts, saying coldly, “Your Ladyship, you trust this person far too much. Do you think she’ll keep her word? If you truly killed me, first, she would publicize the old affair between you and the Marquis of Xiangyang. Second, she would tell Lady Guo that you poisoned and killed me to cover up your crimes. This way, the Guo family and Prince Jing Yuan Ying would turn against each other. The true beneficiaries would be Crown Prince Yongwen and Empress Pei. Princess Lin’an would clap her hands in delight seeing me dead. Lady of Marquis Qingping could also watch those who took her brothers’ titles utterly defeated. Wouldn’t this kill three birds with one stone?”

Imperial Consort Hui sighed deeply. How could she not know the other party was treacherous? But if she didn’t do this, there wouldn’t even be a thread of hope. Li Weiyang looked toward Lady of Marquis Qingping and smiled, “In another half hour, the old affair between Imperial Consort Hui and the Marquis of Xiangyang will be known to everyone. But within half an hour, news of Lady of Marquis Qingping’s illicit affair with an actor will also reach the Marquis of Qingping’s ears. Who knows what he’ll think then? Oh yes, back when the Lady was involved with that actor, it was during the period when Second Miss and Third Miss were born. Who knows if the Marquis of Qingping will think that among the three daughters his wife bore, two aren’t his biological children?”

Hearing this, Lady of Marquis Qingping’s expression suddenly changed. She said sharply, “Guo Jia! What exactly are you saying?!”

Li Weiyang said gently, “What I’m saying, the Lady naturally knows in her heart.”

Lady of Marquis Qingping couldn’t help but fly into a rage, her voice becoming shrill: “Guo Jia! You’re speaking complete nonsense! Where did I have any illicit affair with any actor?! If you dare spout more nonsense! I’ll…”

Li Weiyang smiled warmly, “You’ll what? Lady, it’s not me saying this—since you dared to do it, you should dare to acknowledge it. Over ten years ago, that popular male actor Qiu Guan at Tianxiang Garden was indeed a handsome gentleman. It’s not strange you’d like him. Without your help, how could he so quickly become a first-rate star performer? Later, when his voice failed, he should have fallen into poverty, yet somehow he came into wealth and opened his own theater, becoming a theater troupe owner. I know he had many admirers, but I didn’t expect even the Lady couldn’t resist his charms. Though this matter passed many years ago, if one wants to search, traces can surely be found.”

Lady of Marquis Qingping’s face turned alternately green and white. She hadn’t expected Li Weiyang would investigate this matter. That’s right—back then she truly had been involved with an actor for a period. But so what? This was all because the Marquis of Qingping was infatuated with a courtesan during that time, refusing to come home day or night. In momentary anger and loneliness, she kept an actor. Moreover, among upper society ladies, such things weren’t unheard of—just romantic affairs. How could it compare to the sensation of the old story between Imperial Consort Hui and the Marquis of Xiangyang? Thinking of this, she couldn’t help gritting her teeth, “Say what you will! I’m upright and don’t fear crooked shadows!” Acting as if she completely disregarded it.

Li Weiyang laughed softly. She saw through Lady of Marquis Qingping’s fierce appearance but cowardly nature. However, she only said coolly, “Why is the Lady so anxious? Wait until the matter reaches the Marquis of Qingping’s ears and he flies into a rage—then you can make your decision. No rush. In another quarter hour, someone will bring that Boss Qiu to the Marquis of Qingping’s estate.”

Lady of Marquis Qingping’s face had already turned deathly pale. Of course she wasn’t as unconcerned as she claimed. Now the Guo estate no longer had a place for her to stand. Both Guo Ping and Guo Teng were gone. Without her natal family’s support, she still relied on her husband’s family to live. If even the Marquis of Qingping came to detest her, she truly would have no place to stand.

Thinking of this, she couldn’t help gritting her teeth, “Guo Jia! What exactly do you want?!”

A barely perceptible cold smile appeared on Li Weiyang’s face. In fact, what she obtained were merely marketplace rumors—she couldn’t confirm that Lady of Marquis Qingping truly had an affair with that actor. What Yuan Lie provided were only fragments. Li Weiyang just used these words to bluff her—she hadn’t expected that one bluff would hit the mark. It seemed the other party’s romantic affair truly existed. Thinking of this, her smile deepened, “The Lady needn’t worry. If the person you arranged can keep quiet and hand over your so-called evidence, I naturally won’t do anything to damage the Lady’s reputation.”

Lady of Marquis Qingping lowered her head but remained silent for a long time. That’s right—she had indeed obtained some old items from that You Qingfeng, which could precisely prove the feelings between Imperial Consort Hui and the Marquis of Xiangyang. She had originally prepared to make a big fuss with these old items after Imperial Consort Hui killed Guo Jia, writing a good article to shame the entire Guo clan. Then she would reveal that Imperial Consort Hui murdered her own niece to cover up the old affair. Wouldn’t that make the Guo family and Imperial Consort Hui turn against each other?

By then, she could reap the fisherman’s profit, watching these two groups fight to the death. But she hadn’t expected to be noticed midway by Li Weiyang, and the other party even seized her own leverage. However, she herself was now riding a tiger and couldn’t dismount. Princess Lin’an pressed her to act quickly. If she gave up now, the other party absolutely wouldn’t easily forgive her. For a long time, she said nothing about her decision—neither agreeing nor refusing.

Li Weiyang smiled faintly, adding another straw to the camel about to be crushed to death: “Lady of Marquis Qingping probably doesn’t know yet—your Miss Wen also has some romantic affairs.” She glanced at Lady of Marquis Qingping’s shocked face, her smile becoming very cold and clear.

Lady of Marquis Qingping’s face was also iron-blue, her whole body trembling: “You! You! What are you saying? Without evidence for such matters, you mustn’t speak recklessly!”

Li Weiyang’s voice was very light, but the coldness within made one’s heart turn cold: “I’m saying that Miss Wen, like you, also associates very closely with actors. Every seven days she goes to Qingchun Tower once—who knows who exactly she’s looking for? Lady, what do you say?”

Lady of Marquis Qingping turned pale as death in an instant. She couldn’t help deeply resenting—it was all because she kept running to theaters that she set a bad example for Wen Ge. But she knew that though Wen Ge enjoyed listening to opera, she would absolutely never dare do anything improper. Clearly, the other party was using these groundless rumors to force her to submit. Yet what could she do? Her so-called evidence was real—the other party could also forge evidence… By then, it would be a situation of mutual destruction. She herself didn’t matter, but if Wen Ge was also implicated, that would truly be complete ruin. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help gritting her teeth, “Fine. I agree.”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly. Did you think agreeing would end it? Princess Lin’an, I want to see what other tricks you can pull!