Chapter 4: Playing Him
Guan Xiao’s efficiency was indeed worthy of trust.
In less than two shichen, not only had the news of County Princess Mingzhu’s head being split open at Princess Qing’an’s Mansion spread, but several different versions were circulating.
A shichen is a 2 hour division, two shichen is 4 hours.
Some said Princess Qing’an had actually broken Mingzhu’s head herself and found a scapegoat; some said Mingzhu only had one breath left and the Third Young Master was searching the city for physicians just to keep her alive; others claimed that when Mingzhu left the Princess’s Mansion, her head was covered in blood.
Along the way, the incidents of Princess Qing’an repeatedly making trouble for Yu Lingzhao over the past half-month also spread throughout the capital.
Someone was fishing in troubled waters, claiming that Princess Qing’an was targeting the daughters of military officers, dragging others into the fray, including Chu Yulan.
*To take advantage of a crisis for personal gain.
In an instant, Princess Qing’an’s notorious reputation for being domineering, cunning, and a bully spread across the capital.
Guan Xiao reported that shortly after the Imperial Censors entered the palace, Princess Qing’an also rushed in.
While drinking the Apricot Dew Honey personally prepared by Huaping, Yu Lingzhao listened to the news from outside and nodded with satisfaction.
Imperial Censors were speech officials in charge of supervision; from the Son of Heaven above to the commoners below, there was no one they couldn't scold, rather, no one they couldn't regulate.
On the surface, this matter was just between her and Princess Qing’an, but behind them stood the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion and the old Emperor.
If things escalated, where would the old Emperor put his face?
The Emperor’s daughter abusing the daughter of a meritorious official, if this got out, how could the Son of Heaven maintain his dignity?
How would the common people view the Emperor?
For someone like the Prince of Zhennan, who held such illustrious military merit and a noble title, if even his daughter could be wantonly insulted by a princess, what did other officials amount to?
The capital was full of second, third, and fourth-rank officials. Empathizing with the situation, who could guarantee that if it were their turn to be bullied next time, the Emperor would give them any face?
With rumors rampant today, if the Censors dared to feign ignorance, the memorials impeaching them at tomorrow’s morning court would surely be enough to cost them their positions.
Guan Xiao was truly a multi-functional composite talent personally selected by the Prince of Zhennan for his daughter; he precisely understood her intentions and helped her achieve the goal of "striking the mountain to shake the tiger."
*To lure an enemy away from his territory
In such a short time, the Censors were alarmed and rushed into the palace to offer admonishments as if their backsides were on fire.
This chain of reactions was quite interesting.
This was a job well done.
After hearing Guan Xiao’s explanation, Yu Xunyang’s eyes sparkled with admiration for his sister: "Zhaozhao is truly amazing! So, what do we do next?"
"Next?" Yu Lingzhao took a satisfying sip of her Apricot Dew Honey and gave a small, confident smile.
"Next, we close the doors to recover from injuries. We simply wait for the Sage to issue a decree to appease me, manifesting Imperial Grace to keep me happy and plug the mouths of the public."
Since the city was already in an uproar and the matter had reached the old Emperor, there had to be an explanation.
As an Emperor, he was a natural at weighing pros and cons. If this matter hadn't blown up, Princess Qing’an’s actions might have actually aligned with the old Emperor’s hidden thoughts.
The Zhennan Prince’s Mansion had great military merit and enjoyed popular support; while the old Emperor valued them, he certainly harbored some wariness.
Using the opportunity to give Yu Lingzhao a small lesson would also serve to remind the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion that both thunder and rain are the Emperor’s grace.
But it had blown up. The whole capital was talking.
For the sake of his own face, the old Emperor would surely punish Princess Qing’an severely to show that he harbored a heart of protection for meritorious officials.
See, this is the benefit of seizing the preemptive strike.
However, these were only small beginnings. To change the fate of the entire Zhennan Prince’s Mansion, it was still far from enough.
"County Princess, the gatekeeper reports that the Fifth Highness has come to visit you."
Caiji pushed open the door and entered, looking at Yu Lingzhao for instructions.
Yu Lingzhao’s eyes darkened slightly. As expected, he had come, the Fifth Highness, Xiao Ning’an, the original male lead.
Yu Lingzhao’s evaluation of Xiao Ning’an was: conceited, calculating, and heartless.
He was like a leech that had smelled blood; once he latched on, he wanted nothing more than to drain the other party's blood for his own use.
Yu Xunyang noticed a flash of ferocity in his sister’s eyes, but when he looked again, it seemed it was just his imagination.
"I won't see him. Everyone knows I am currently unconscious and my Third Brother is sick with worry; how could he have time to see some Fifth Highness?" Yu Lingzhao refused flatly.
Just as the words left her mouth, she felt that Xiao Ning'an would not give up so easily, so she told Guan Xiao to go with Caiji.
In case Xiao Ning'an failed at diplomacy and resorted to force, how could a young girl like Caiji possibly defeat him?
Before the two of them left, Yu Lingzhao specifically instructed Guan Xiao: if the other party made a move, there was no need to be polite.
Yu Xunyang didn't quite understand his sister's meaning yet and was somewhat confused: "Zhaozhao, didn't you have a fairly good impression of the Fifth Highness before?"
Yu Lingzhao glanced at Yu Xunyang and said faintly, "His sister nearly took my life. He is nothing more than a man with a slightly better-than-average face; besides, he is far inferior to you, Third Brother."
Caught off guard by the compliment on his looks, the Third Young Master began to feel shy.
Yu Lingzhao took the opportunity to send him off to back up Guan Xiao and Caiji, after all, a prince and a guard were still somewhat mismatched in status.
Yu Xunyang agreed to everything and floated out on air.
Feiwu silently glanced at her County Princess; the County Princess had become much more decisive.
Mhm, even when it came to coaxing the Third Young Master.
"Have someone keep an eye on Xiao Ning'an's movements. Be careful, don't let anyone notice," Yu Lingzhao looked at Feiwu and issued a new directive.
"Yes, County Princess, this servant understands," Feiwu curtsied in response.
Yu Lingzhao curled her finger and tapped lightly on the table; Huaping, catching the hint, refilled her Apricot Dew Honey.
She took another satisfied sip, narrowed her eyes, and said, "Comfortable."
Yu Lingzhao was comfortable, but Xiao Ning'an was not.
From the moment he knew that the members of the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion entering the capital were the siblings Yu Xunyang and Yu Lingzhao, Xiao Ning'an had been planning how to get close to Yu Lingzhao.
From the current situation, Yu Lingzhao did indeed treat him with special regard.
The "Beauty Trap" has been effective since ancient times, regardless of gender.
*A stratagem using a beautiful woman (or man) to lure an adversary into a compromising situation, often leading to their downfall. Famously used in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms and listed as one of the Thirty-Six Stratagems.
Xiao Ning'an took pride in his clever strategy; if Yu Lingzhao proactively asked to marry him, his Imperial Father likely wouldn't offer much resistance.
After all, for a military family like the Zhennan Prince’s Mansion, a lineage of loyal martyrs with illustrious military merits, the military power behind them was simply too precious.
He just hadn't expected Qing'an to be so brainless as to injure Yu Lingzhao, and he certainly hadn't expected Yu Lingzhao to avoid seeing him because of it!?
Looking at Caiji before him, whose expression was respectful yet distant and cold, and then glancing at the dark-faced Guan Xiao by her side, Xiao Ning'an suppressed his inner displeasure for the sake of his future plans.
He maintained a smile on his face:
"Since that is the case, let Zhaozhao recover well. This Highness will come to see her again in a few days. Leave these tonics here for Zhaozhao to nourish her body."
"No need, no need! Do you take our Zhennan Prince's Mansion for beggars! Giving a slap and then a sweet date, take your things and get lost!"
*To deal harshly with sb, then offer sth by way of consolation.
Seeing Xiao Ning'an call his sister "Zhaozhao" so intimately, Yu Xunyang felt a surge of rage for some reason and started cursing right there at the gate.
Xiao Ning'an had been treated as royalty since childhood, surrounded by people catering to his every whim; when had he ever been subjected to such a face-to-face scolding?
He was completely stunned.
In the next instant, just as he was about to lash out, Yu Xunyang didn't yield an inch.
His temper was flaring, and the more he cursed, the more energized he became, saying that he and Princess Qing'an were birds of a feather, that neither sibling was any good, and that coming with gifts now was simply "the weasel paying a New Year's visit to the hen," harboring ill intentions...
*Like draws like
**Beware of suspicious folk bearing gifts, they are sure to be ill-intentioned.
Getting carried away with his cursing, Yu Xunyang rolled up his sleeves, ready to beat him.
Had Guan Xiao not been quick-witted enough to hold him back firmly, his fist would have landed directly on Xiao Ning'an's face.
Xiao Ning'an was both furious and annoyed, but since Yu Xunyang appeared to have gone mad with rage, he could only take his people and gifts and leave in a hurry.
Guan Xiao and Caiji pretended to struggle as they escorted Yu Xunyang, who was flailing his limbs as if wishing he could kick Xiao Ning'an to death, back into the Mansion.
The moment the gates closed, Yu Xunyang stopped immediately, his eyes shining as he looked at the two: "How was it? My acting just now was pretty good, right!"
Caiji paused. "Exaggerated."
Yu Xunyang's face fell.
Guan Xiao added, "But effective."
Yu Xunyang's eyes lit up again; he knew he was impressive!
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