Volume One, Chapter 12: Song San Resembles Xie Wanqing

The side chamber fell into an indescribable silence, leaving Song Yaozhu utterly speechless.

Had she truly become a substitute for herself?

No, no—when did Xie Liwei become so twisted?!

Wait, no, Xie Liwei was merely testing her.

Her identity was supposedly that of an uneducated village girl from the countryside. But ever since she was reborn into Song Yaozhu’s body, she had no intention of hiding this fact. Naturally, her behavior did not fit the image of a “village girl.” It was only reasonable for Xie Liwei to suspect her.

Was he suspecting that she was deliberately imitating Xie Wanqing to get close to him?

Song Yaozhu lifted her hand to adjust the jade hairpin in her bun, smiling brightly as she looked at Xie Liwei. “Your Highness, I heard that when a man pins a woman’s hair, it is a declaration of love. Your Highness...”

Before she could finish, her hairpin was suddenly snatched out and tossed back onto the table.

“I’m returning to the mansion. If you don’t want to walk back alone, you’d better get ready quickly!” With that, he swept his ponytail behind him and strode out.

Song Yaozhu watched his retreating figure, shaking her head with amusement.

Though he had grown up, he was still quite sensitive to teasing.

In the carriage, Xie Liwei rubbed the pearl pendant at the end of his hair as he replayed every detail of his interactions with Song Yaozhu in his mind.

Who had been instructing her? It must be someone very familiar with my sister. Who was this person, and what was their purpose?

Judging by Yuwen Wuji’s reaction, he was definitely unaware.

Was the person behind this targeting him or Yuwen Wuji? If it was Yuwen Wuji, wouldn’t that suggest that my sister’s death years ago was indeed suspicious?

He needed to find a way to pry something out of Song Yaozhu, but she was fearless in his presence.

Over the years, he had worked hard to cultivate his notorious reputation. Even Song Wenyue was so frightened upon hearing she was to marry him that she immediately sought Song Yaozhu to stand in her place. Yet Song Yaozhu remained unafraid.

This indirectly showed that the person behind the scenes knew him well, and the version of himself that Song Yaozhu had heard from that person was not frightening at all.

Perhaps Song Yaozhu shared his goal—they both wanted Yuwen Wuji dead!

If that were true, things would become most interesting.

Lost in thought, Song Yaozhu lifted the curtain and climbed into the carriage.

Once seated, she asked, “Your Highness, is there anything special about today’s poetry collection?”

Why else would Yuwen Wuji personally come to a small teahouse?

Xie Liwei glanced at her sharply. She was straightforward in seeking information.

“Why should I tell you?” he sneered coldly. This woman had just dared to tease him and now came asking for intelligence. Did he look like a fool?

Unexpectedly, Song Yaozhu suddenly leaned closer, her enlarged face before his eyes making his heart skip a beat—purely from fright.

“Your Highness, are you more likely to yield to softness than force? Then let me pucker up and coax you~ Please tell me~”

Xie Liwei shivered from the chill her words sent through him, pushing her aside before speaking solemnly, “Today’s poetry collection is hosted by the heir of the Marquis of Wuding.”

He left it at that. If she was clever, she would understand the implication.

Song Yaozhu pondered for a moment. Though ten years had passed and she was not well-versed in court affairs, the Marquis of Wuding was stationed at the border and rarely left. Yet his heir mingled so closely with literati, inevitably involving factional alignments.

Yuwen Wuji was not yet forty, in his prime. How could he allow his son to harbor disloyalty now?

So the visit today was an inspection.

Song Yaozhu smiled, “I see. Otherwise, I would have wondered what kind of poetry collection was worth Your Highness’s personal attendance.”

Xie Liwei lowered his eyelids slightly and looked at her. Was she testing his ties to the Marquis of Wuding?

“I am by nature fond of festivities. No matter who hosts poetry or wine gatherings, as long as I receive an invitation, I shall not fail to attend.”

Song Yaozhu responded with a simple “Oh,” and fell silent.

Meanwhile, Li Wei returned to the palace and personally went to Weiyang Palace.

The Imperial Noble Consort was idly listening to music in the courtyard when Li Wei entered. She lazily lifted her eyelids.

“Does His Majesty have any instructions?”

Li Wei broke out in a cold sweat at the sight of her.

“Yes, His Majesty said that when the Imperial Noble Consort has time, she may hold a banquet in the palace and invite the wives and young ladies to admire the newly bloomed flowers. It just so happens that the Third Prince has reached the age for marriage talks, so he asked you to oversee things, to find a bride for the Third Prince and ensure his lineage continues!”

The Imperial Noble Consort responded without changing expression, “I understand. Once I select a date, I will send invitations to the ladies.”

Having received her promise, Li Wei immediately withdrew from Weiyang Palace. As soon as he left, the servants inside dared not utter a word. Even the actors on stage discreetly stepped down.

The Imperial Noble Consort rose and entered the main hall. Once inside, she grabbed a vase from the cabinet and smashed it forcefully onto the floor. All the palace maids and eunuchs hurried out, leaving only her confidante, Mo Yu.

“Your Highness, please don’t let anger harm your health!”

“How can I not be angry? Xie Wanqing has been dead for so many years! Even if she reincarnated now, she’d be running and jumping, yet he still thinks of her!”

When the emperor had asked her to poison Xie Wanqing, no one knew how elated she had been. She thought that once Xie Wanqing died, she would become Empress. But in the end?

She was still the Imperial Noble Consort—unchanged for ten years.

Meanwhile, he had become a devoted and faithful emperor.

“Your Highness, she is just a young girl. She won’t affect your position!”

“But she disgusts me!”

How could the Imperial Noble Consort not be furious? When she was young, she wanted Yuwen Wuji’s undivided love, but he gave it all to Xie Wanqing; later, she no longer asked for love, only supreme status, yet he still reserved it for the dead woman.

“He is so devoted to her that my son and I have suffered countless grievances!”

“Your Highness, please watch your words!” Mo Yu soothed her by rubbing her back. “Even if you don’t show your face, His Majesty has other ways to satisfy his desires. Why not comply with his wishes and let him remember your kindness?”

“Remember my kindness? He should have given me and my son something by now! The previous dynasty allowed him to appoint the Crown Prince, yet he has delayed it until now!”

“Your Highness!” Mo Yu hastily covered her mouth. “Do not speak recklessly of state affairs! You must understand that winning the emperor’s favor now will benefit both the Eldest and Third Princes in the future. Besides, the Third Prince is indeed of marriageable age. Just consider this banquet as a chance to choose his bride.”

The Imperial Noble Consort sneered coldly, pacing the room and drinking several cups of cold tea before calming her anger.

Yet she could not help but care about the emperor’s intentions. “I’ve heard that it’s because this Song girl looks like Xie Wanqing that His Majesty has taken an interest in the Fourth Prince. Make a note of her name and send her an invitation. I want to see just how alike she is!”

Mo Yu sighed silently upon hearing this. “Yes, Your Highness.”