Chapter 200: He Was Envious

Song Junzhan didn’t find it strange that the Princess knew a few things, but her level of detailed knowledge was truly unexpected.

She spoke of these so-called Imperial Family secrets as if they were nothing more than a casual story.

"How could you know all this so clearly, Princess?"

Xiao Li chuckled. "I did grow up by the Empress Dowager’s side, after all. They wouldn’t be on guard around an insignificant child. Isn’t it perfectly normal to overhear a thing or two?"

’Of course, that wasn’t it at all. It was just part of the plot that I already knew.’

’The plot required Prince Chen to take the throne, but it also needed him to be completely unblemished. The only way to do that was to pin all the blemishes on the Emperor.’

’This information was supposed to be revealed right before Prince Chen officially seized power. Emperor Xiao Jingyun would become a public pariah because of his parentage, and when Xiao Jingyu stepped up to overthrow him, it would be seen as the will of the people.’

’That wasn’t easy to explain, though. So, I’ll just let him think I overheard it.’

Song Junzhan wasn’t sure if he believed her. "Even though it’s about Your Majesty’s parentage, if it were to be exposed, I fear it would affect you as well, Princess."

Xiao Li looked up. "You’re overthinking things. Whatever happens with His Majesty and the Empress Dowager, my own parentage is clear. I’ll always be a princess born to a low-ranking concubine. These days, I no longer need that title to give myself value. Even if the Emperor hadn’t been assassinated, this revelation wouldn’t harm me."

Whether the Emperor was the Empress Dowager’s biological son or not, it was all the same to her.

With that said, Song Junzhan didn’t press the topic any further.

"The Nanqi King and Prince Yanping have established opposing factions. However, among the great aristocratic families, all but the Qin Family are united in their desire to support the Eldest Prince."

Xiao Li nodded. "A young puppet emperor is much easier to control than a grown prince."

Song Junzhan continued, "Prince Chen has already chosen to join the Nanqi King’s camp. Prince Wei, however, has remained in the palace this whole time. He appears to be staying out of it, and I haven’t heard of anyone backing him."

Xiao Li tilted her head back slightly. "There’s a saying: ’Until the dust settles, we are all dark horses.’ You can’t judge a person by appearances."

’That Xiao Jingyi is a clever one.’

The two spoke for a little while longer. Soon, Feng Yin returned, freshly washed and in a change of clothes, his wound neatly bandaged.

Watching Feng Yin approach with a light step and a joyful expression, Song Junzhan pursed his lips, a flicker of gloom crossing his eyes.

’He’s Grand Tutor Feng’s grandson. The Princess treats him so differently.’

"Princess."

Feng Yin quickly reached Xiao Li and greeted her happily. Only after calling out did he notice Song Junzhan sitting to the side. He immediately reined in his open emotions and adopted his usual formal demeanor. "Mr. Song."

Song Junzhan rose and nodded. "Mr. Feng."

After the greeting, he immediately turned back to Xiao Li. "I shall take my leave now."

Seeing Feng Yin staring at Song Junzhan’s retreating back, Xiao Li raised an eyebrow. "What are you looking at him for?"

Feng Yin pulled his gaze back, his eyes still filled with lingering envy. "Mr. Song is able to serve you, Princess. He even lives in the Princess Mansion..."

He was envious.

Xiao Li scoffed. "Is that the extent of your ambition?"

Feng Yin retorted earnestly, "It’s not a matter of ambition, but rather..."

He trailed off, unable to finish, his face suddenly flushing red.

Xiao Li couldn’t help but smile. ’Even after his awakening, this little stick-in-the-mud is still so thin-skinned.’

Not wanting to discuss Song Junzhan with him, Xiao Li said, "Instead of figuring out how to stay here, you should first think about how you’re going to deal with Grand Tutor Feng."

Feng Yin didn’t understand at first. He looked at Xiao Li in confusion, then froze.

"My grandfather..."

He had an idea of what she meant, but he couldn’t believe it.

Xiao Li just chuckled. A moment later, a guard arrived. "Princess, people from the Taifu Mansion are knocking. They say they’re looking for their missing young master. I haven’t responded."

The color drained from Feng Yin’s face.

Though his only thought had been to sneak out and see the Princess, he knew he couldn’t cause her trouble. He was sure he had carefully avoided the guards...

’Even if Grandfather guessed I would come looking for the Princess, how could he have been so certain? And how did he find me so quickly?’

"Princess, I can’t go out."

Feng Yin wasn’t stupid. He understood what was happening and immediately made a decision.

’Grandfather only sent people to ask. The Princess Mansion can simply turn them away by saying I’m not here. But if I go out, it’s as good as a confession.’

Xiao Li teased, "Well, now you have an excuse to stay."

Seeing Feng Yin’s tightly pressed lips, Xiao Li reached out and pinched his cheek. "It’s not a big deal. It’s just a test. Let him guess all he wants."

’If it wasn’t Grand Tutor Feng, it would be someone else. Still, I’m curious. What exactly is Grand Tutor Feng testing me for?’

The men from the Feng Family lingered at the gate for a while before the guards coldly drove them off without a word.

Feng Yin could have stayed, but knowing Grand Tutor Feng was testing the waters, he insisted on leaving. He just needed to see that the Princess was all right; he couldn’t possibly stay and cause her trouble.

Not long after Feng Yin left, a scream suddenly echoed through the mansion. Lu Ling’s Corpse Puppet had appeared in the Princess Mansion.

It was unclear how it was being controlled, but the Corpse Puppet charged directly for Xiao Li’s quarters. It moved so fast that the guards couldn’t block it in time.

"CLANG!"

Yang Jun drew his sword, stepping in front of Xiao Li. He glared at the Corpse Puppet, which was relentlessly taunting them yet incredibly difficult to kill, and ground his teeth in frustration.

Yang Jun was locked in a fierce battle with the Corpse Puppet. The other guards rushed to help. Fortunately, it seemed there were no other puppets for now.

Just as their combined efforts brought the Corpse Puppet under control, it suddenly lifted its head and ’looked’ at Xiao Li with eyes completely devoid of life.

"Xuan... Yang..."

A broken, hoarse sound rasped from its throat, sounding utterly terrifying.

Xiao Li was stunned. ’A corpse can talk?’

"Xuan... Yang... Princess..."

Goosebumps crawled all over Xiao Li’s skin. ’What the hell is this thing? It’s so damn creepy.’

"Cut it to pieces," she ordered. ’Dismember it, grind its bones to dust. I refuse to believe it can put itself back together after that.’

But before Yang Jun could act, the puppet suddenly broke free with a burst of strength. This time, it didn’t attack; it tried to escape.

Xiao Li sneered. ’There won’t be a third time.’

’Corpse Puppet or whatever the hell this thing is, it’s not going to attack me again and again and get away unscathed.’

"Subdue it!"

Xiao Li dashed towards the loft, returning moments later with an earthenware jar.

The moment Yang Jun pinned the Corpse Puppet down, she quickly unsealed the jar and poured its entire contents over the puppet.

The liquid began to smoke and corrode the puppet the instant it made contact. The Corpse Puppet seemed to feel nothing and tried to get up, but half of its body had already been eaten away. The rest of it quickly followed, dissolving into nothing.

In moments, only a few severed limbs remained, emitting a ghastly white smoke.

Everyone stared in shock at the jar in Xiao Li’s hand. The Corpse Puppet had been impervious to blades, yet this liquid had dissolved it completely. ’What in the world was that?’

Xiao Li didn’t explain. She capped the jar and said, "Don’t touch the remains with your bare hands. Cover them with dirt, then shovel them away."

As she turned away, Xiao Li felt a pang of regret. ’It’s a shame today’s visitor wasn’t the white-haired Corpse Puppet. I just wasted a whole jar of my secret weapon, and that stuff isn’t easy to come by.’