Chapter 11

Topics that set the imagination racing, hints left tantalizingly unfinished, caused the entire populace of the Beihe Dynasty to explode with speculation. Never underestimate the power of gossip. Everyone was guessing that this new Princess Consort was truly the Prince's beloved; not only had she obtained the Phoenix Spreading Wings—a treasure that made women across the land green with envy—but she had also received the unique favor of Prince Xian, who broke his rule of never missing the morning court session "since his recovery" for her sake. It seemed this woman was truly blessed with great fortune.

Meanwhile, the three factions in the Beihe Dynasty most keenly monitoring the movements of Prince Xian's Manor received reports from their spies on the morning of the second day. The intelligence was consistent, yet it left the three factions with vastly different expressions.

Beitang Yun still sat elegantly in his study sipping tea, treating the spy's report as if he hadn't heard it. Only the corner of his mouth, hidden behind the teacup, curled into a faint, cold, shallow smile unknown to anyone. *Beitang Xian, you really were faking your disability. What deep scheming!*

The Prime Minister's Manor was a mix of complex expressions, especially An Chuyi. Those bewitching eyes widened the instant she heard the news, making her look like a vengeful ghost. She screamed trembling, "Impossible! This is impossible!"

*How could he be cured? Wasn't he supposed to be a living dead man confined to bed for life? Why can he move? Why would he favor that fool?* An Chuyi's heart seethed with resentment, a sea of jealousy churning within. Even if she didn't want Beitang Xian anymore, he was still *her* man! He could only love her!

"Father! Didn't you say he would never wake up again?" An Chuyi shrieked hysterically, driven mad with regret. Thinking of how the Emperor had bestowed the supremely precious Phoenix Spreading Wings on that fool An Qixi at the wedding yesterday, she felt a thorn lodged in her heart. *That was originally supposed to be mine! It's all that damn An Qixi's fault!*

"My daughter, don't be impatient. Given Prince Xian's cunning, it wouldn't be hard for him to guess the truth. If he really has recovered, he will certainly discover An Qixi isn't you. No matter how angry or furious he is, if he truly loves you, he will definitely come find you to demand the truth. Or are you afraid he'll fall in love with an idiot? If things don't turn out that way, then your father would have simply helped you escape this sea of suffering! Everything... we just wait until tomorrow for the truth to come to light. We need only wait!" An Fang soothed gently, doting on his eldest daughter.

Only then did An Chuyi quiet down. *Right. If Beitang Xian is cured, he will definitely come find me. I believe Beitang Xian loves me.* Confidence instantly returned; she truly didn't put that idiot sister in her eyes.

As for the Imperial Palace—solemn, gilded, magnificent, every corner exuding killing intent and opportunity. That supreme throne carried an unmatched, chilling sharpness. Clad in dragon robes, wise light flowing in his eyes, the majestic old Emperor fell silent for a long moment after reading the spy's report, a coldness touching his brow. Finally, he actually laughed softly, his voice full of wisdom: "A fool has a fool's luck..."

Obviously, the old Emperor already knew the bride was An Qixi standing in as a substitute. Yet his ambiguous attitude was truly unfathomable. The old Emperor set down his brush, clasped his hands behind his back. The scent of ink drifted over the desk; the clear, still-wet ink traces left three vigorous, powerful characters on the rice paper: **An Qixi**...

*A fool has a fool's luck? She has luck? My ass!* An Qixi currently wanted to cry but had no tears! Dark circles hung beneath her lazy cat-like eyes as she secretly, resentfully glared at the three stinking men who had drunk all night before her!

"Hey, don't stop. You dance beautifully, sing beautifully too. I haven't slept all night and don't feel tired at all. Keep going." Beitang Lie's phoenix eyes held a teasing glint, his melodious voice carrying a low, unrestrained huskiness from the alcohol, deep and pleasant.

"Forget it. You've tormented her all night. Look, she was lively and cute last night, now she's wilted like a little wildcat abandoned in the cold." Huang Ziyuan actually felt a pang of pity, but this pity came inexplicably, so his words came out wrong, sounding incredibly grating to An Qixi's ears!

She sprang up in a flash, hair disheveled, the fiery red wedding robes hanging messily on her body. Wearing a look of dissatisfaction, pouting her lips, she angrily lunged to twist Huang Ziyuan's ear. Her originally slightly childish voice was now hoarse enough to break hearts: "Bad man, don't wanna play anymore, no more playing. I wanna sleepy-sleep, eat meat-meat, kiss kiss pretty man!"

*Pfft!*

Beitang Lie had just taken a sip of wine. Startled by An Qixi's ill-intentioned words, he sprayed it all out. Seeing An Qixi freeze, staring blankly at him, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine. Sensing danger, he wanted to flee, but An Qixi wouldn't let him go. Her face suddenly split into a beaming smile, radiant as a hundred flowers blooming, dazzling and pure. Yet her next action gave the three men a massive headache.

Picking up a jar of wine, An Qixi giggled foolishly: "Spray spray, fun, Little Seven want want!"

Ignoring the three faces that instantly changed color, she tilted her head back and gulped down several mouthfuls, heedless of the burning spice of the strong liquor. Right now, she only wanted revenge! These three men had absolutely zero grace, forcing a delicate little girl like her to 'play' all night.

And the worst part? Once they confirmed she was a 'harmless spy,' they demanded she sing and dance. Who didn't know she was an idiot? What could she possibly sing? God knows what they fed her, but she actually hummed and ah-ed and oh-ed all night long. Her throat hurt like hell.

Thinking of this, a night's worth of pent-up anger could no longer be contained. She would use her 'mad idiot' advantage to launch a fierce counterattack!

Narrowing her cat eyes, her fair little cheeks puffed out. She moved the wine jar away, and in the instant she was about to play her prank, Huang Ziyuan distinctly saw a flash of cunning and malicious glee in those soul-stealing eyes! But looking closely again, she was still that same foolish, silly self.

*Pfft...*

Continuous *pfft-pfft* sounds rang out amidst Huang Ziyuan and Beitang Lie's curses and roars, until a whole mouthful of wine was sprayed clean. Only then did An Qixi discover Beitang Xian already standing in a safe zone, coldly watching her, his person utterly spotless. Her little neck shrank in fright, eyeballs rolling wildly. Hugging the wine jar, she jumped up: "Oh oh, fun fun, Little Seven want more want more!"

Saying this, she raised the wine jar to her mouth again. Beitang Lie and Huang Ziyuan, drenched in her saliva and liquor, faces twisting drastically, instantly leaped away. Huang Ziyuan roared: "An Qixi! You little idiot, little fool! This Young Master helped you all night, and you repay kindness with ingratitude, spraying wine on this Young Master! Let's see if this Young Master doesn't strip you naked and torture you!"