Chapter 194: Lianyue's Plan

Qiao Zhi could be said to have reluctantly agreed to a series of demands under Lianyue's intimidation. In his heart, he felt the utmost sympathy for his brother, Yuwen Lingxi—not only was his fiancée intent on calling off the engagement, but she was also actively plotting to marry him off to someone else.

Qiao Zhi could almost vividly imagine the expression on Yuwen Lingxi's face once he learned of Lianyue's intentions; he would surely lose his composure.

Yet, any sense of grievance instantly vanished the moment he looked at Lianyue's radiant, glowing face as she schemed against Yuwen Lingxi. Aside from Lianyue's cheerful voice, the entire palace was quiet and still. At some unknown moment, Qiao Zhi had grown deeply attached to this present feeling. The suppressed, extravagant hopes in his heart began to sprout quietly once more. *If things could just stay like this for a lifetime, this life would be without regrets.*

Lianyue was entirely oblivious to his distraction and absent-mindedness. As time went on, it became completely a one-sided conversation—Lianyue spoke while Qiao Zhi listened, occasionally refilling her teacup. The atmosphere was exceptionally pleasant.

Whenever an atmosphere reached the absolute peak of perfection, there were bound to be one or two people who showed up specifically to ruin the mood.

And this person truly appeared at the most inopportune time.

Especially when she saw the scene of Qiao Zhi and Lianyue conversing so happily, the jealousy in her heart tangled together densely like weeds after a spring rain, distorting her entire face.

This person, naturally, was Qiao Yu, who had just recovered from a serious illness and was only now able to get out of bed and walk. Standing beside her was Qiao Ling, who had been forcibly dragged along.

Thinking of her own plans, Qiao Yu's contorted facial features gradually returned to normal, though the malice in her heart did not diminish in the slightest. *Yue Lianyue, enjoy your smile while you can. Once my plan succeeds, you'll be the one crying.*

*And that odious person who caused my injuries—I heard from the Empress that he is already dead. Truly, he got what he deserved. Just wait, Yue Lianyue, I will make you understand that anyone who offends me, Qiao Yu, never meets a good end.*

*Zhen Bizhu's today will be your tomorrow, Yue Lianyue. And as for that Han Liuyan, does she even rank high enough to be worthy of the Sixth Uncle?*

No matter how distorted her heart might be, Qiao Yu still needed to maintain a pristine image in front of Qiao Zhi. Suppressing the disgust within, she called out pitifully to Qiao Zhi, who was still attentively listening to Lianyue's fluent discourse: "Sixth Uncle..."

This honey-sweet, cloying voice finally caught the attention of the two people inside. Qiao Zhi didn't miss the look of nausea that flashed across Lianyue's face upon first hearing that voice.

Looking at Qiao Yu, who still retained her pale complexion, Qiao Zhi felt not a shred of the pity he once might have had. Instead, influenced by Lianyue, a trace of disgust and impatience surfaced on his own face. "Why aren't you properly resting in bed? What are you doing here?"

Qiao Yu caught the disgust in Qiao Zhi's eyes, and her complexion turned a shade paler. Had Qiao Ling not been supporting her, she likely would have staggered right then and there. At the same time, her hatred for Lianyue deepened, attributing every single one of Qiao Zhi's uncharacteristic reactions entirely to Lianyue's fault.

***

No one noticed how tightly Qiao Yu's fists were clenched beneath her lavish robes. Lying in bed over the past few days had given her time to think things through. She certainly hadn't forgotten the annoyance and aloofness Qiao Zhi had displayed when she questioned him hysterically in the Imperial Garden. Therefore, no matter how much she wanted to throw a tantrum right now, she had no choice but to endure it.

"Sixth Uncle, I have something I'd like to discuss with you in private." The pitiful, delicate voice was a complete stranger to the impression Lianyue previously held of Qiao Yu. Only then did Lianyue remember Qiao Ke; she turned slightly and raised an eyebrow at the boy, and when she turned back, her expression was that of a spectator ready for a good show. She showed not the slightest intention of leaving.

As for Qiao Zhi, in his heart he was hoping Lianyue wouldn't leave, that she would stay with him a little longer—even if it was just like before, that would be enough. The most urgent task right now, however, was to dismiss the eyesore standing before them.

"If you have something to say to me, out with it!" Qiao Zhi adopted an air of complete ignorance regarding the underlying meaning of Qiao Yu's words.

Hatred surged fiercely in Qiao Yu's heart, making it difficult to keep her expression serene, and even her voice grew considerably stiff. "What Yu'er wishes to say concerns the Tenth Sister."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she sensed Qiao Ling's panic beside her and mentally cursed her for being utterly useless.

Following Qiao Yu's cue, Lianyue shifted her gaze to Qiao Ling, who had always left a favorable impression on her. Seeing Qiao Ling's bloodless face and the slight evasion in her eyes as she looked at her, Lianyue couldn't help a spark of suspicion. It hadn't been like this the last time they met—what on earth was the girl hiding from?

As she was thinking this, her hand hanging by her side was caught by a small hand, and Qiao Ke's voice sounded beside her ear: "Sister Ling, is there something troubling you? Can you tell Ke'er? Ke'er wants to help too."

Lianyue felt an exceptional warmth in her heart; this nephew of hers was simply far too endearing. Besides, Lianyue also wanted to hear the explanation. She certainly didn't believe that the Eleventh Princess had suddenly grown a kind heart to help the Tenth Princess.

Qiao Yu glared fiercely at Qiao Ke. Originally, she had planned to use this matter to strike a blow at Lianyue only after the affair was accomplished; she hadn't expected Qiao Ke and Qiao Zhi to meddle so thoroughly to help this woman. Still, speaking of it now just to disgust Lianyue wouldn't be a bad outcome either.

"Tenth Sister..."

"Ling'er is fine!"

Qiao Yu was cut off in a panic by Qiao Ling before she could finish. At that moment, Qiao Ling felt a profound sense of regret. Why on earth had she let her abnormality show in front of Qiao Yu? Why had she ever listened to her instigation and come to beg the Sixth Uncle?

Seeing Lianyue, Qiao Ling even began to suspect if Qiao Yu had done this entirely on purpose.

The mere thought of her deepest secrets being stripped bare and exposed to the open air filled Qiao Ling with an inexplicable panic. She gripped Qiao Yu's clothes tightly, desperately hoping she would say nothing more.

Yet, while Qiao Ling regarded Qiao Yu as a younger sister, Qiao Yu by no means viewed Qiao Ling as an older sister.

***

Qiao Yu forcefully yanked her robes free. Looking at the spineless Qiao Ling, a tone of undisguised contempt crept into her voice as she began to lecture her: "Why are you so lacking in ambition? If you like someone, why can't you just say it? As long as they aren't married yet, you still have a chance. You're utterly useless."

Qiao Yu's words made the situation crystal clear to Lianyue, and she finally understood why Qiao Ling's gaze had been so evasive. The betrothal in question should be the one between herself and Yuwen Lingxi; since Qiao Ling certainly couldn't be harboring feelings for her, the object of her affection could only be Yuwen Lingxi.

She hadn't expected Yuwen Lingxi to be so popular. Just as she had begun planning to arrange a beauty for him, an admirer conveniently appeared. Lianyue couldn't help but begin sizing up Qiao Ling with renewed interest.

A girl of thirteen or fourteen, precisely at the age of a blossoming flowerbud. Moreover, Qiao Ling was naturally blessed with good looks—a textbook beauty in the making, especially now, with her secrets exposed on the spot and a shy flush staining her cheeks, giving her a unique and striking allure.

The only flaw was that Qiao Ling's temperament was somewhat too soft. Yuwen Lingxi was destined to be the future head of the Yuwen family; hence, the match she picked should ideally be a future matriarch of the Yuwen clan. Such a weak disposition seemed somewhat unsuitable.

Then again, Qiao Ling was still young. Perhaps Yuwen Lingxi happened to prefer this exact type? Lianyue's mind had already begun calculating how to play matchmaker between Qiao Ling and Yuwen Lingxi.

However, when Lianyue cast this kind of appraisal look, it took on a completely different meaning in the eyes of both Qiao Yu and Qiao Ling.

Qiao Ling felt her entire body crawl with discomfort. Under Lianyue's scrutiny, she felt as though she were standing entirely stripped of her clothes, exceptionally awkward, with cold sweat already beading on her fair brow.

Everyone in the Niyang Empire knew that Yue Lianyue was Yuwen Lingxi's betrothed; this was an absolute certainty, carved in stone. When Qiao Ling had first discovered her own feelings, she already knew that she and Yuwen Lingxi could never be, ruthlessly snuffing out any unrealistic fantasies in her heart.

Yet, she had happened to hear from Qiao Yu that the Yue family miss had experienced a change of heart. The spark she had just extinguished reignited, and before she knew it, she had let her feelings be discovered by Qiao Yu.

With her soft-hearted nature, she never expected to be pushed into such an embarrassing predicament. Witnessing Qiao Yu's recent injury had given Qiao Ling a sobering understanding of the vast gap between princesses like herself and Lianyue. Right now, it was merely based on hearsay, yet her secret had already been exposed. If she were to truly provoke Lianyue and have this brought before the Emperor, what would become of her... How could Qiao Ling not be terrified?

Qiao Yu, on the other hand, was entirely different. Ever since she spoke those words, she hadn't missed a single expression on Lianyue's face. Seeing Lianyue furrow her brow brought her a supreme sense of gratification, while internally she taunted: *Why aren't you flying into a rage? Why aren't you exploding? Once Sixth Uncle sees you throwing a tantrum, he's bound to see your true colors.*

As Lianyue sized up Qiao Ling, she naturally saw right through Qiao Yu's petty schemes. She hadn't originally intended to strike a blow at Qiao Yu today, but since the girl had delivered herself right to her doorstep, it would be terribly ungracious of her not to do something in return.