Chapter 117: Drugging

Su Liluo ran for some distance before looking back. Seeing that Yun Yanyi was not in pursuit, she finally slowed down, gasping for breath and clutching her chest. It took a long while for her heart rate to settle.

Once her mind cleared, Su Liluo felt a wave of regret for having fled in such a panic. It was clearly Yun Yanyi who had behaved so disgracefully toward her; instead of reprimanding him severely, she had run away like a coward. She tapped her own head, frustrated, wondering why she had acted that way.

Regrets were useless now. Yun Yanyi’s flirtations had unsettled her, and she could only warn herself inwardly, "Next time, I must remain cold toward him. I must not let him affect me."

Having made up her mind, she prepared to leave the garden. While still ruminating on what had just occurred, she suddenly stopped, struck by a realization.

Su Liluo frowned at the blooming flowers in the garden, muttering to herself, "Could it be that he only treated me that way because of the military tally?"

She shook her head immediately. "No, that can't be... surely not." Yet, she could not be certain. She had only just learned of the existence of the military tally; if Yun Yanyi harbored ulterior motives, then she…

Su Liluo dared not conclude. Her mind was in turmoil, for deep down, she was unwilling to believe that Yun Yanyi would treat her this way solely for the sake of the tally.

Su Liluo arrived at the Crown Princess’s residence. Lady Huo was surprised to hear from her servants that Su Liluo had come to visit, and she ordered her to be shown in. Seeing the exhaustion on Su Liluo’s face, she suppressed her fatigue and curtsied, saying, "This daughter greets the Crown Princess."

Lady Huo had her maid help her up and smiled gently. "Miss Su, what brings you to my quarters today? Your sister has just entered the Eastern Palace; shouldn't you be keeping her company instead of coming here? Are you not afraid she might resent you for it?"

Because Su Liluo had once gifted her a set of high-end Xuexiu products, Lady Huo held her in somewhat higher regard. However, with Su Baizhi entering the Eastern Palace today, even a magnanimous person like Lady Huo felt a measure of discomfort, though she was unwilling to vent it on Su Liluo.

Su Liluo lowered her gaze and replied, "The Crown Princess is well aware that my second sister and I have never been close at home. Although today is my second sister's happy occasion, I do not feel any joy."

Sensing that Su Liluo would not take Su Baizhi’s side, Lady Huo’s face softened with a smile. "Sit down, Miss Su. I was just feeling a bit troubled. With the wedding in the Eastern Palace today, it is unusually quiet here, and I have no one to talk to. Your arrival is quite timely."

Su Liluo immediately demurred, "Not at all. The Crown Prince dotes on you so much, how could it be quiet here? It is I who am being intrusive; I hope the Crown Princess will not take offense."

As she sat in the chair, her weary body finally found some relief. People outside were constantly plotting against her—even her own sister was no exception. Here, in the Crown Princess’s quarters, she finally felt a sense of security.

Seeing that Su Liluo was humble and nothing like the rumors suggested, and possessing a knack for conversation, Lady Huo soon found herself enjoying the chat. Su Liluo admired Lady Huo, who spoke with depth and possessed a keen sense of what should and should not be said. They found each other’s company quite agreeable.

Meanwhile, Su Shan’er had searched everywhere but could not find Su Liluo. Frowning, she muttered to herself, "Where on earth did she go? And the Crown Prince is also missing. They couldn't still be together, could they? Perhaps they just went somewhere else."

Su Shan’er crept toward the front courtyard, hiding behind a doorway, and saw Yun Fengxiao busy attending to guests. She scanned the area but did not spot Su Liluo.

"It seems the Crown Prince sneaked away to leave Su Liluo behind and attend to the guests. Hmph, she managed to escape again." Irritated, Su Shan’er turned back, intending to return and teach Su Baizhi a lesson.

When she arrived at Su Baizhi’s quarters, she found her sitting on the bridal bed in her peach-red robes. Su Shan’er eyed the room’s decorations with envy, wishing she could carry off the coral and southern pearls to her own chambers.

Seeing Su Baizhi sitting so primly on the bed, Su Shan’er coaxed, "Second Sister, why must you be so formal? The Crown Prince isn't here right now, and no one is watching. It pains me to see you like this; you should really use your usual tactics."

Su Baizhi looked at her with suspicion and asked gently, "What is my third sister talking about? I don't understand a word. Do you have nothing better to do with your time? Wasn't losing face earlier enough for you?"

Su Baizhi felt a sense of satisfaction seeing Jinling return alone; she knew Su Shan’er was unhappy seeing her succeed and had tried to stir up trouble, but fortunately, she hadn't fallen for it.

"Second Sister, let’s stop attacking each other. I truly have your best interests at heart. Eldest Sister and the Crown Prince are truly intimate; if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have come to tell you." Su Shan’er sat by the red-covered table, picked up a teacup, and poured herself two cups of water. "You must be thirsty, Sister. Come, have some water. The Crown Prince won't be back for a while; I just saw him toasting guests in the front courtyard."

Su Baizhi was half-convinced. Hearing the refreshing sound of Su Shan’er drinking, she licked her dry lips and walked over to her side.

As Su Shan’er heard the movement behind her, a triumphant smile curled at the corners of her lips. She rubbed some powder from a paper packet hidden in her sleeve, used that hand to pick up a wine cup, and tapped it twice so the powder fell into the cup. With her other hand, she lifted the wine carafe and filled the glass.

She picked up another cup for herself and placed the drugged one before Su Baizhi. "Sister, I was in the wrong previously. Now that you are the Crown Prince’s secondary consort, I will need your care in the future. Please forgive me. If you agree, drink this cup, and let us put our past grievances behind us."

Su Shan’er raised her cup and waited. When Su Baizhi did not move, she covered her face with one hand, raised the cup with the other, and downed the wine in one gulp, turning the cup upside down. "Sister, I have finished mine. Are you really not even going to give me this much face?"

Su Baizhi looked hesitantly at the sincere smile on Su Shan’er’s face, unsure if she was truly seeking reconciliation or setting a trap.

Upon reflection, she reasoned that this was the Eastern Palace, and Su Shan’er would not dare to do anything reckless. Reassured, she drained the cup.

Watching Su Baizhi finish the drink, Su Shan’er’s triumphant smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared. She clapped her hands in praise, "As expected of you, Sister. The Crown Prince will be here soon, so I won't disturb you. I wish you a wonderful wedding night."

Su Baizhi blushed and nodded shyly, "I thank you for your kind words, Sister."

Su Shan’er left the room. Looking back at the brightly lit chamber, she sneered, "You will certainly have a night to remember."

She hurried toward the stables, muttering viciously, "Su Baizhi, today is the day you will lose everything."

Seeing Su Liluo flee in a panic, Yun Yanyi feared she might encounter trouble, so he ordered Leng Feng to follow her quietly while he headed toward the front courtyard. Leng Feng returned midway to report, "Your Highness, Miss Su has gone to the Crown Princess’s residence. Does Your Highness wish for me to continue following?"

"She went to the Crown Princess? She truly has no sense of awkwardness. Is it safe there?" Yun Yanyi chuckled, then turned solemn.

"I believe it is safe. The Crown Princess and Miss Su have been talking at length, and they appear quite at ease," Leng Feng replied with a straight face.

"That is good. Keep watching her, and report back if anything happens." Yun Yanyi waved his hand, and Leng Feng retreated into the shadows. Just as he turned a corner, he bumped into Su Shan’er.

Su Shan’er trembled in fright and said with a quivering voice, "This daughter greets His Highness, Prince Yi."

"Hmm." Yun Yanyi had no interest in acknowledging her. As he walked past, Su Shan’er suddenly thought of a brilliant idea.