Chapter 283 - 279: Maniac Couple 43

Chapter 283: Chapter 279: Maniac Couple 43

When Wu Wanqing learned that Wu Chufeng had ascended the throne as Emperor, her jealousy and resentment grew ever stronger.

She had always looked down on Ji Xiaosong’s origins, believing her to be nothing more than a village girl, utterly unworthy of being the Empress.

Now that Wu Chufeng was the Emperor, Wu Wanqing felt this was the perfect opportunity for her to "clean house" for the Wu Family.

First, she secretly sent people to inquire about Ji Xiaosong’s daily life and diet, trying to find an opportunity to poison her food, specifically targeting the child in Ji Xiaosong’s womb.

However, with Spiritual Objects like Rongrong protecting her and with her own high cultivation, Ji Xiaosong ensured Wu Wanqing’s schemes never succeeded.

After several failures, Wu Wanqing changed her strategy.

She decided to target Wu Chufeng, planning to send women to him in an attempt to divert his affection away from Ji Xiaosong.

She believed that as long as Wu Chufeng’s feelings for Ji Xiaosong faded, Ji Xiaosong’s position would naturally become unstable.

Ji Xiaosong watched Wu Wanqing’s antics. Wu Chufeng was so busy establishing the new dynasty that he didn’t even have time to share a meal with her. So, when Wu Wanqing held another extravagant flower-viewing banquet, Ji Xiaosong attended, pregnant belly and all.

As the legitimate Empress and Wu Chufeng’s first wife, her arrival piqued the interest of many who were eager to watch a good show.

In a suburban courtyard villa, Wu Wanqing’s meticulously arranged flower-viewing banquet was a scene of splendid beauty.

A hundred-zhang-long corridor of mottled bamboo was adorned with Glazed Palace Lanterns. Tables of golden-thread nanmu wood were laden with fruits and melons from the Western Regions, and twelve musicians played the "Feathered Robe Dance" beneath a wisteria trellis.

The invited young ladies from noble families wore new clothes tailored from cloud brocade, their jeweled hairpins tinkling with every deliberately light step. Everyone knew the true purpose of this banquet.

"Her Majesty, the Empress, arrives—"

The eunuch’s shrill announcement startled the blossoms from a crabapple tree, and the fragrant air of the garden suddenly froze.

Wu Wanqing’s fingers tightened around her jade cup as she watched Ji Xiaosong walk across the Nine Bends Bridge, one hand supporting her back.

The Hundred Sons and Thousand Grandsons Painting embroidered with golden thread on her crimson phoenix robe was dazzling in the sunlight, but even more dazzling was her swollen belly, which stood like an unshakeable mountain.

"Your banquet is quite lively, sister."

As Ji Xiaosong took her seat on the Phoenix Throne, Ji Dan, acting as her Chief Lady-in-waiting, swept a cold gaze across the entire crowd.

"I hear Your Majesty comes from the countryside. I wonder if you are skilled with the zither?"

The daughter of the Minister of Revenue suddenly spoke, her slender fingers brushing over the Jiaowei Zither before her. "This piece, ’Crane Soaring,’ is a true test of finger technique. I am willing to make a humble attempt."

The seven strings had just begun to vibrate when a sliver of silver light suddenly shot out from Ji Xiaosong’s sleeve.

Before anyone could see clearly, the zither strings began to tremble on their own, playing a melody a hundred times more exquisite than the original score.

All the birds in the garden flocked to the sound, circling above the Empress’s head like a seven-colored auspicious cloud.

"I am indeed not skilled at playing the zither."

Ji Xiaosong chuckled softly, stroking her belly. "But all things have a spirit, and they are willing to harmonize with me."

Wu Wanqing’s face turned pale. Just as she was about to signal for the prepared Dancing Girls to take the stage, she saw Ji Xiaosong suddenly pick up the cup of rose dew before her.

The glazed cup spun thrice on her fingertips. The crimson liquid inside suddenly boiled, and within the rising steam, several grains of vermillion appeared—the very Soul Separation Powder Wu Wanqing had ordered someone to add last night.

"Sister, are you aware that in the Western Regions, there is a type of Red-tailed Scorpion that loves to hide its venom in flower nectar?"

Ji Xiaosong condensed the poison into blood beads that hovered at her fingertips. The garden’s armed guards suddenly turned in unison toward Wu Wanqing. "Just like some people, who love to hide daggers amongst the brocade."

The noble ladies retreated in panic, while Wu Wanqing trembled in fear.

"I am only a few months pregnant, and I cannot stand the smell of blood."

As Ji Xiaosong rose, the koi in the pond beneath the Nine Bends Bridge suddenly leaped from the water, transforming into a streak of golden-red light in mid-air. "But since you enjoy viewing flowers so much, sister, then you can stay here and keep watching. After all, the Eldest Princess should act like an Eldest Princess. She can’t be a pale imitation of others every day, making a fool of herself."

「That night」

Wu Wanqing knelt on the cold golden bricks of Weiyang Palace.

Her meticulously painted nails were now chipped and faded, and Ji Xiaosong’s last words echoed in her ears: "Sister, did you know? If I could come from a remote mountain region to the Wu Family to demand justice, I can certainly hold my position as Empress. The next time you add something to my fetus-preserving medicine..."

A branch from the silk tree outside the window suddenly extended, wrapping gently around her throat.

"Don’t blame me for being merciless!"

「Three days later」

Wu Wanqing "voluntarily" petitioned the new Emperor, requesting to go to their ancestral home to pray for the Wu Family.

Wu Chufeng sat in the Imperial Study Room, a slight frown on his face as he held a memorial in his hand.

The memorial contained Wu Wanqing’s "voluntary" request to go to their ancestral home to pray for the Wu Family.

He put down the memorial and looked up at the Chief Eunuch, Li Fu, who was standing nearby. He asked in a placid tone, "Has the Eldest Princess been acting unusually these past few days?"

Li Fu bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess seemed to have received a fright at the flower-viewing banquet a few days ago. She has remained behind closed doors since returning to the palace. This morning, she submitted this memorial, saying she wishes to pray for the Wu Family."

Hearing this, a flash of understanding crossed Wu Chufeng’s eyes.

He set down the memorial, rose, and walked to the window. Gazing at the distant palace walls, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "A flower-viewing banquet? I did hear about it. The Empress went as well."

Li Fu nodded. "Indeed. Her Majesty the Empress was also present that day. I heard she even exchanged a few words with the Eldest Princess."

Wu Chufeng chuckled, his tone tinged with amusement. "This sister of mine has always been proud and arrogant. Now she’s learned to ’voluntarily’ submit a petition. It seems the Empress taught her a lesson."

Li Fu didn’t dare say more, merely bowing his head and replying, "Your Majesty is wise."

Wu Chufeng turned around, his gaze profound. "How has the Empress been these past few days?"

Li Fu replied, "Her Majesty the Empress is well, but her morning sickness has been rather severe lately. The Imperial Physician says she needs more rest and care."

Wu Chufeng nodded, a hint of tenderness in his eyes. "Pass on my decree. Tell the Imperial Hospital to pay more attention to her. Also, there’s no need to mention the matter of the flower-viewing banquet again."

Li Fu bowed in acknowledgement and then withdrew.

「That evening」

After finishing his state affairs, Wu Chufeng went to Weiyang Palace.

Ji Xiaosong was reclining on a chaise lounge, a book in her hands. Seeing him enter, she set down the scroll and smiled slightly. "What brings Your Majesty here today?"

Wu Chufeng walked over and sat down beside her, gently placing a hand on her swollen belly. His voice was gentle. "I heard your morning sickness has been severe lately, so I came to see you."

Ji Xiaosong smiled, her tone light. "It’s nothing. The Imperial Physician said it’s normal and will get better with a few days of rest."

Wu Chufeng looked at her, a hint of inquiry in his eyes. "I heard that at the flower-viewing banquet a few days ago, you and my sister had some... unpleasantness?"

Ji Xiaosong’s expression remained unchanged as she said calmly, "It was just a small matter. My sister has a fiery temper and said some harsh words, so I simply advised her a little."

Wu Chufeng chuckled, his tone teasing. "This sister of mine is always proud and arrogant. Getting her to ’voluntarily’ request to go pray at our ancestral home is not something that can be achieved with just a little advice."

Ji Xiaosong looked up at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Is Your Majesty blaming me for being nosy?"

Wu Chufeng shook his head and took her hand, his tone gentle. "How could I blame you? My sister has been far too domineering these past few years. If you can make her restrain herself, it saves me a lot of trouble."

Ji Xiaosong smiled faintly, her tone carrying a deeper meaning. "Your Majesty can rest assured, I know my limits. As long as she doesn’t cause any more trouble, I won’t make things difficult for her."

Wu Chufeng nodded, his eyes full of trust. "I trust you."

「A few days later」

Wu Wanqing set off for her ancestral home.

Before leaving, she stood at the palace gate and looked back at the towering Imperial Palace, her eyes filled with a complicated mix of emotions.

She knew that after this departure, it would likely be impossible for her to ever return to this center of power.

Meanwhile, in Weiyang Palace, Ji Xiaosong was reclining on the chaise lounge, toying with a jade hairpin in her hand.

Rongrong landed on her lap.

"Song, aren’t you afraid of Wu Chufeng finding out what you did to Wu Wanqing?" Rongrong asked.

Ji Xiaosong chuckled, her tone indifferent. "So what if he knows? He’s more aware than anyone of the things Wu Wanqing has done over the years. I was just cleaning house for him."

Rongrong wagged its tail, its tone teasing. "You’re certainly confident."

Ji Xiaosong caressed her belly, a trace of tenderness in her eyes. "He’s not the type of person to be blinded by family ties. Besides, what he cares about most right now is me and our child."

Wu Chufeng stood at the window of the Imperial Study Room, gazing at the distant palace walls, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

He knew that while Ji Xiaosong’s way of dealing with Wu Wanqing had been harsh, it was also the most effective.

Wu Wanqing had relied on Wu Daniu’s status to commit many outrageous acts over the years. Getting her to settle down now was actually a good thing.

"Your Majesty, the Eldest Princess has departed," Li Fu’s voice sounded from behind him.

Wu Chufeng nodded and said indifferently, "I know. Pass on my decree: send people to keep an eye on her secretly. Don’t let her cause any more trouble."

Li Fu bowed in acknowledgement and then withdrew.

Wu Chufeng turned back to his desk, picked up a memorial, and a flash of determination crossed his eyes.

He knew the burden on his shoulders was heavy, but with Ji Xiaosong by his side, he believed everything would be alright.

"Xiaosong, I won’t let you down," he murmured to himself, then picked up his brush to write his comments on the memorial.

The next day, Ji Xiaohua came to Ji Xiaosong’s Weiyang Palace.

"Sister, the village chief from our hometown sent me a letter. He wants to know what we should do with our old house and fields."