She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 84: Let Go, or Face the Consequences

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: Let Go, or Face the Consequences

Yan Wanqing had just finished greeting the daughter of Grand Tutor Li, when she turned her head and saw Xiao Hongshen leaning against a pillar, staring intently at her.

Her originally good mood suddenly turned frosty.

"It seems the teacher is quite happy, unfortunately, I have not been very happy lately," Xiao Hongshen straightened up and walked towards Yan Wanqing.

Yan Wanqing scoffed indifferently, glanced at him, and turned to walk away.

Of course, he wasn’t happy.

Hong Wu had already delivered Cong Huan’s body to his bed, and if that could make anyone happy, it would be a marvel.

"Teacher... does the Commandery Princess not wish to say anything to me?" Xiao Hongshen’s eyes narrowed slightly, full of displeasure, as he stepped forward and grabbed her arm.

Yan Wanqing stopped, looked at her grabbed arm, and felt the icy stares of the passing crowd. This time no face was given, she immediately frowned, "Let go!"

Xiao Hongshen’s brooding gaze swept inch by inch across her face. Noticing her recently blushed cheeks and slightly fuller figure, which all the more captivated him, and he blurted out in light of her engagement to the Young Marquis from the Northern Border, "I will not let go, what can you do to me?"

"Just a few days ago was merely an appetizer, His Highness Prince Seven should be well aware that the Commandery Princess always retaliates," Yan Wanqing forcefully pulled his gripping hand away, even if it pained her, she didn’t even blink.

Seeing her so ruthless, Xiao Hongshen tightened his grip, "I am merely worried about you, do you really need to be so merciless? Don’t our bond as mentor and disciple mean anything, should it really vanish into thin air?"

"Xiao Hongshen, there has never been any bond between us, you know very well the kind of person you are. Since you allowed Cong Huan to attack me, do you not find it laughable to speak of such things now!" Yan Wanqing’s beautiful eyes grew colder as she stressed again, "Let go! Or face the consequences!"

Xiao Hongshen pressed his lips together, about to speak, when he heard a voice behind him gentle as a spring breeze, almost melitfluously masculine. "Seventh brother, it’s not polite to hold a lady’s hand like this, women should be cherished, not harmed."

As the man approached, he tapped Xiao Hongshen’s hand with a fan, and with just that touch, Xiao Hongshen felt his whole arm go numb, allowing Yan Wanqing a moment to break free and stand aside, rubbing her wrist.

Looking at the deep red mark on her hand, the frost in Yan Wanqing’s eyes intensified.

"Bastard!"

Her lips moved slightly, cursing under her breath.

The voice was so soft, nearly inaudible, but the Crown Prince beside her slightly raised his eyebrows, casting her an unexpected glance.

This girl’s temper, how increasingly unruly it was becoming.

Unaware that her curse had been overheard, Yan Wanqing rubbed her wrist, her gaze fixed intently on Xiao Hongshen. "I’ve heard that the management of Dali Temple by His Highness Prince Seven is exemplary, and even the Imperial Forest Army in the Imperial Palace is to be handled by you. It seems you have gained great favor from His Majesty. However, Your Highness should restrain your temperament, many women in the harem are of noble status and not as tough-skinned as this Commandery Princess. If you miscalculate and hurt someone, that would truly be disgraceful."

"You!" Xiao Hongshen was furious.

Yan Wanqing raised an eyebrow, "If the Commandery Princess is wrong, I hope His Highness Prince Seven will be patient, after all, it’s just a woman’s clumsy opinion, not suitable for refined gatherings."

Commandery Princess Anping, recognized by the Six Kingdoms as a female Zhuge Liang, claiming her long hair hid a short insight, not fit for refined gatherings – that was truly a blatant provocation. Xiao Hongshen’s face immediately turned as black as ink.

That night, after he emerged from the Martial Training Ground and had just finished bathing and climbed into bed, he saw a cold body, which infuriated him to the point of burning clean his bed and bedding. After much thought, he knew it was her warning. Today, on the day of her housewarming, he came to check on the situation, only to find her squarely confronting him.

But Yan Wanqing was right, he indeed was thriving, deeply favored by the Emperor, yet not for the proper management of the Dali Temple, but because he had offered a life-extending elixir from a certain tribe.

The moment the Imperial Forest Army was handed over to him was essentially a silent permission for him to confront the Crown Prince head-on and ignite the struggle for succession!

"Yan Wanqing, I can let bygones be bygones regarding the previous incidents, but you and the Yan Family still have a long path ahead. As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yan Family, you must consider each step carefully!"

Xiao Pingfeng took a deep breath, refraining from losing his temper on the spot, considering the existence of the Township Manor, he decided to give Yan Wanqing another chance.

However, before Yan Wanqing could speak, the Crown Prince, who had been silent at his side, suddenly spoke up.

The fan opened with a swish in front of him, and the person tilted his head, his previously pleasant demeanor now shadowed with gloom.

Xiao Pingfeng glared and swept a sidelong glance, "If I remain silent, do you presume me dead? The Eastern Palace is still my residence, as long as I am not overthrown, you are but a subject!"

Xiao Hongshen’s pupils suddenly constricted!

He ground his teeth and said, "That day is not far off."

"You just wait and see how far off that day is." Xiao Pingfeng hooked a smile on his lips, his eyes filled with mockery, as if challenging him to kill him right then and there.

Xiao Hongshen laughed bitterly in extreme anger, as if something dawned on him, his tense body suddenly relaxed, "Big brother is still as confident as ever, I truly hope you can still laugh after the Imperial Examination."

"Whether I can laugh or not I do not know, but I will definitely have the last laugh."

The tension between the two was palpable, and for a moment the room fell dead silent, everyone holding their breath.

Only Yan Wanqing, standing closest, enjoying the spectacle direct-hand, felt so amused she even considered asking Cong Ge to pass her some sunflower seeds.

Since the seventh prince has recently been favored, he even dared to directly confront the experienced Crown Prince. It seems he has gained considerable support among the court officials, plus the backing from the Emperor, mentioning the Imperial Examination means he must be planning something big.

But Crown Prince Xiao Pingfeng is not to be underestimated either, especially since he holds real power, with the entire military might of the northwest in his grasp, the Imperial Forest Army is nothing in his eyes.

After all, being born from a palace maid, Xiao Hongshen’s vision is still so limited after all these years.

Yan Wanqing really didn’t know what Xiao Hongshen had learned during those years tagging along with her, was it only scheming and plotting?

Just then, a figure in fiery red lazily entered the room, her voice alluring enough to ensnare souls, "Oh, what a lively scene, it seems I’ve come at just the right time."

Zhang Lanyi, in her unique phoenix-heavy Empress attire, casually strolled in from the door, her left hand resting on the back of a eunuch’s hand, her bewitching body swaying as she walked in. Her gaze swept across Yan Wanqing’s face, a spark of interest flickering in her eyes before disappearing. Finally, she looked meaningfully at the two princes.

"The Crown Prince and the Seventh Prince are quite early, even earlier than I am." As Zhang Lanyi entered, everyone in the room immediately bowed, she swept her gaze around and then lifted her hand, "Dispense with the formality."

She beckoned Yan Wanqing with a crook of her finger, "Come here, let me have a good look at you. You seem to have gained quite a bit since I last saw you,"

Yan Wanqing: "..." Her heart skipped a beat, she bowed her head submissively and walked over, afraid that Zhang Lanyi might notice something unusual about her, she smiled and said, "Replying to your Majesty, perhaps it’s due to the tonics I’ve been taking lately."

Zhang Lanyi held her hand, examining her closely, "I’ve always disliked those scholar-officials’ belief that thin is beautiful. To me, women are beautiful regardless of their weight, there is no need to obsess over being slender. You look just fine as you are, don’t you dare lose any of it,"

Yan Wanqing nodded, "Yes."

Zhang Lanyi lazily spoke again, "Were the two princes quarreling just now?"

Everyone: "..."

The Empress loves to stir up trouble, and she had not lost the knack of bringing up the most inconvenient topics.