Chapter 5: Schemes

Chapter Five: Schemes

"You!" Jin Xue bit her lip hard, only speaking after a long silence. "That letter is a forgery. Even if you present it to Imperial Father, it will be useless."

"Whether the letter is a forgery or not, Imperial Father will call Xiao Yi out to confront the matter himself. Xiao Yi is so clever; if he realizes I was framed because of him, do you think he will let this go? And if he finds out it was you, what do you think he will do?"

Watching Jin Xue's face turn pale bit by bit, Mu Lan knew she had gambled correctly. It seemed this Xiao Yi did indeed harbor some genuine feelings for the original owner of this body.

But thinking of how the original Princess Jin Ning had actually died during such an appointment, her heart couldn't help but feel a sense of desolation. When she looked back at Jin Xue, her tone grew a few degrees colder. "Jin Xue, the moment you used Xiao Yi to set this trap, you personally pushed him into the line of fire. Is this what you call 'liking' him?"

Jin Xue was speechless. She had originally come to flaunt her victory to Jin Ning, so how had she been backed into a corner? She knew Jin Ning was clever, but she had always been gentle and simple. She might have known that she was the cause of Jin Ning's troubles, but she certainly didn't seem like the type of person who could devise such a method to turn the tables.

It seemed she had underestimated her too much. This younger sister, whom she thought she knew best, was actually quite extraordinary.

As Jin Xue plotted in her mind, she suddenly knelt down. "Seventh Sister, I admit, I did this because of Xiao Yi. I truly have wronged you. But my feelings for Xiao Yi are sincere, just as you previously feigned illness to avoid the political marriage—I don't want to marry into Western Chu either."

In truth, objectively speaking, love is inherently selfish; Jin Xue wasn't wrong to think this way. However, using such methods against her own biological sister was truly a level of ruthlessness that was appalling.

Grabbing Mu Lan's hand, Jin Xue said mournfully, "Seventh Sister, I know I am selfish and that I love Xiao Yi too much. I am kneeling to apologize to you. Please forgive me this once and do not hurt Xiao Yi, alright?"

"Since you are begging me like this..." Mu Lan looked down at her with a mischievous smile. She deliberately paused for a long while before saying, "Then, show me some sincerity."

"What?" Jin Xue was stunned. She had already knelt; was that not enough sincerity?

Seeing that she wasn't catching on, Mu Lan simply laid it bare: "The die is cast; I have no choice but to marry the Emperor of Dongling. However, I cannot suffer this loss for nothing. You must give me some practical compensation, right?"

Jin Xue was completely dumbfounded.

Ignoring her reaction, Mu Lan continued, "The jewelry you sent via messenger today looked quite decent. I assume you have plenty more? You must have heard about the number of concubines the Emperor of Dongling has. Since I am being married far away, I will need to grease many palms; those few pieces of jewelry won't be enough. How about this: I'll pick a few more from you, Sixth Sister?"

"You... you'll drop the matter just by asking for some jewelry?" Jin Xue could hardly believe her ears.

"If the jewelry Sixth Sister provides can ensure I live a good life in Western Chu and won't be mocked for being shabby, why would I make things difficult for you?" Mu Lan's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. It looked like she was going to make a small fortune today.

Hearing this, Jin Xue knew she was about to be heavily extorted. But thinking that from now on, no one would be able to snatch Xiao Yi away from her, she felt relieved. "Fine, it's a deal. No backing out."

"I will never back out," Mu Lan replied curtly, though she added a thought to herself: She would certainly not cause trouble for Xiao Yi, but she made no promises about pulling a few strings behind the scenes. Otherwise, she would be doing a disservice to her predecessor who died unjustly, and to her own miserable experiences over the past two days.

*Princess Jin Xue, just wait to lose both your person and your wealth.*

The two left together, each harboring their own thoughts. Once their figures disappeared at the end of the grove, a blue figure darted out from behind the rockery near the pavilion and quickly walked in another direction.

The "Langhuan Hall" was the temporary residence arranged by Jin Yuanfu for Dongling Jue. After the guard in blue, Yan Feng, returned from the "Yixin Garden," he headed straight for the innermost chamber.

Dongling Jue sat on a soft couch. Though he was not wearing his dragon robes, his black scholar's robe could not hide his noble aura in the slightest. Yan Feng bowed respectfully and reported, "Your Majesty, there is news regarding the matter."

Dongling Jue was focused on a classic in his hands. Without lifting his head, he said indifferently, "Speak."

Yan Feng did not hold back and recounted everything he had just overheard in the "Yixin Garden" in detail.

At first, Dongling Jue did not pay much attention, but as he heard the latter half, he frowned slightly and closed the book in his hands.

Seeing a flash of cold sharpness in Dongling Jue's eyes, Yan Feng added, "Your Majesty, do you require your subordinate to go and retrieve that evidence?"

Having followed him for many years, Yan Feng knew his master hated being coerced more than anything. Over the years, countless envoys from various countries had come for political marriages, only to be rejected. The only reason Xia Liang had received such an honor was because the Empress Dowager happened to need the "Soul-Sustaining Grass."

Now that the "Soul-Sustaining Grass" was in hand, and this Princess of Xia Liang was being so ungrateful, it would be best if this marriage were simply canceled.

*Xiao Yi?* Dongling Jue pursed his lips, his mind involuntarily recalling that somewhat strange woman. So, there was already someone in her heart?

While Yan Feng waited for his answer, Dongling Jue had already made his decision. "No need. Go prepare the arrangements for our departure."

Yan Feng was somewhat surprised, but he knew there were things he shouldn't pry into. He simply replied, "Yes," and withdrew.

*Jin Ning.* Dongling Jue whispered the name to himself, a trace of icy coldness flashing through his dark eyes. Perhaps, in his plan, this woman would provide an unexpected performance.

Mu Lan, of course, had no idea she was already caught in someone else's conspiracy. The gold and silver she had extorted from Jin Xue put her in high spirits. Upon returning to her palace, she turned out all of Jin Ning's belongings to organize them. She gathered everything valuable and easy to carry in one place and began to meticulously plan her escape.

The next day was Mu Lan's last day in the Xia Liang Imperial Palace. Jin Yuanfu held a grand banquet, attended by civil and military officials as well as nobles and high-ranking ladies, serving as a farewell to her.

Inevitably, Mu Lan saw Dongling Jue again.

The disheveled, wicked man from her memory was now wearing a golden crown. Simple patterns outlined in gold thread adorned his black long robes, complementing his handsome face that exuded a cold, wicked charm, as well as the majesty and dominance in his eyes. He was exceptionally dazzling.

Mu Lan couldn't help but praise him in her heart: *Once he puts on proper clothes, this guy actually possesses quite the imperial aura.* It was just a pity that despite his fine appearance, he was nothing more than a beast in human clothing.