Chapter 48: The Plot for the Lantern Festival

Recently, the atmosphere in the harem had become increasingly lively.

Ever since that Jieyu entered the palace, the Emperor had hardly summoned any other imperial concubines to his chambers.

Who would have thought that, in this recent period, the Jieyu, who had always been able to break the Emperor’s many principles, suddenly seemed to have lost favor?

It had been a full half-month since the Emperor had set foot in Yaohua Palace.

As a result, Consort Wang had become even more arrogant and overbearing in the harem.

When Shen Jieyu was favored, she remained shut up in Yaohua Palace, and others said it was the Emperor’s way of keeping her hidden away, showing his great affection for her.

Now that Shen Jieyu had lost favor, still remaining in Yaohua Palace, she had become perceived as being under house arrest after losing the Emperor’s affection.

Consort Wang had increasingly disregarded Shen Jieyu.

She had been in the palace for two years without ever incurring the Emperor’s disdain.

Yet this Shen Jieyu had only been in the palace for a month, and the Emperor was already indifferent to her—it truly was pathetic.

Consort Wang had initially thought about visiting the now unfavored Shen Jieyu, but the Emperor’s defenses around Yaohua Palace remained unyielding, which infuriated her.

Meanwhile, the many happenings in the harem had not reached Shen Yuling’s ears.

She was leisurely plotting her own plans in the Residence of Prince Lingyang.

In the past half-month, Quan Minghe had not sent anyone to bring her into the palace.

Shen Yuling was not heartbroken; instead, she felt increasingly happy.

If Quan Minghe had kissed her and still remained indifferent, secretly allowing her to serve him in the palace, it would have made her feel like she was just a beautiful pet meant for his amusement.

But now, Quan Minghe seemed to care, deliberately distancing himself and neglecting her.

Of course, there was also the possibility that Quan Minghe had grown to dislike her.

Regarding that third possibility, Shen Yuling felt helpless.

She had not yet entered the palace, and maintaining her current relationship with Quan Minghe relied entirely on his initiative.

However, a man who couldn’t resist kissing her didn’t seem to be the type to have grown weary of her.

Since Quan Minghe had developed a somewhat different feeling for her, it was time to start executing certain plans.

She had to stir some ripples in Quan Minghe’s otherwise calm heart.

Shen Yuling then stopped thinking about Quan Minghe and began analyzing Liu Jingyi’s situation in her mind.

During this past half-month, Liu Jingyi had been under house arrest in Sujin Courtyard.

She must have already communicated with Liu Zhaoyi and learned about the events in the palace that day.

Liu Jingyi would understand that the trouble she had sought in Sujin Courtyard that day was merely a ruse on Shen Yuling’s part.

She must have felt a bitter loss, unable to voice her frustrations.

With such a situation, Liu Jingyi’s anger had likely accumulated to the extreme.

Shen Yuling couldn’t help but smile in anticipation of what clever scheme Liu Jingyi might devise to take revenge.

However, the original protagonist had attempted to have Shen Yuling assassinated on the occasion of the Chinese Valentine’s Day.

Currently, the Chinese Valentine’s Day was still far off.

Moreover, according to Quan Minghe’s arrangement for Shen Yuling, she should have already entered the palace by then.

She had married Feng Moheng in early April.

However, Shen Yuling had created a splendid opportunity for Liu Jingyi.

That was the Lantern Festival, which was just five days away.

At this moment, Xi Tong, who was gently pushing Shen Yuling on the swing, couldn’t help but reveal a hint of worry.

“Master, if you go through with your plan, won’t that put you at risk? What if the balance isn’t maintained…”

“Don’t worry; I know how to handle it.”

Shen Yuling continued to swing, her expression calm.

Upon hearing her assurance, Xi Tong didn’t press further.

Her master was indeed too clever; such matters were not easily managed.

But since her master chose not to speak, she would refrain from asking more.

After all, her master had set her up with attributes like loyalty, few words, and liveliness.

If her master didn’t take the initiative to mention something, she wouldn’t pry.

Xi Tong was an exceptionally diligent system!

Five days from now, at the Lantern Festival, Feng Moheng would surely take Shen Yuling out with him.

If Liu Jingyi had her own means to join them, that would be fine, but if she couldn’t get out herself, Shen Yuling would lend her a hand.

After all, the Lantern Festival required all three of them to be present.

They would then wait for Liu Jingyi’s assassin to make a move.

Since Liu Jingyi wanted to kill her, Liu Jingyi would naturally want to distract Feng Moheng, which worked in Shen Yuling’s favor.

With Feng Moheng and Liu Jingyi absent, she and the Shen family army could operate as they pleased.

—

Meanwhile, Liu Jingyi had been under house arrest for half a month.

Since learning the truth from her sister, it had taken her several days to barely calm the anger boiling within her.

Indeed, this female protagonist was vastly different from before!

The Shen Yuling in the book was clearly a naive and sweet character.

But now, whether it was due to her arrival causing Shen Yuling to change or if Shen Yuling had also been transmigrated like herself was unclear.

Liu Jingyi couldn’t make sense of it.

However, regardless of whether Shen Yuling was the original book’s protagonist or someone else, in this life, she could only be her enemy.

Her sister had operated in the harem almost flawlessly.

Yet this time, Shen Yuling had dug a huge pit for her sister.

Fortunately, her sister was skilled enough to find a scapegoat early on, barely managing to cope.

However, the Emperor was known for his suspicion.

According to her sister’s letter, he was likely harboring some doubts about her now.

Because of this, her sister had become increasingly cautious in her actions in the harem.

Liu Jingyi hoped this troublesome matter would pass quickly.

Thus, there was no need for her to actively seek her sister’s help against Shen Yuling; her sister wouldn’t be able to swallow the humiliation of being plotted against by Shen Yuling.

Hmph.

Shen Yuling, since you dared to offend my sister, you are digging your own grave. It won’t be easy for you to escape unscathed.

Liu Jingyi turned to her maid, Yin Zhi, and coldly instructed, “Today, I want to bathe in cold water.”

“Your Highness, how can your body withstand such torment?!”

“Exactly because I can’t withstand it, that’s why I’ll bathe in cold water.”

Liu Jingyi’s expression was frigid.

If she didn’t put herself through some hardship, how could she make Feng Moheng feel pity for her?

“Tomorrow, when I fall ill, there’s no need to call the physician; just go find the Prince directly.”

“Tell him that I’ve been reflecting on myself these days, not eating well or sleeping well. I’ve caught a chill at night, and now I have a high fever that won’t go down.”

“Your Highness, if you want to see the Prince, I can make arrangements; you should still be able to meet him.”

“If the Prince knows you want to see him, he will certainly come,” Yin Zhi quickly said.

She had been in the Residence of Prince Lingyang for a long time and had witnessed the Prince’s boundless affection for her mistress many times.

How could the Prince possibly not come to see her?

However, Liu Jingyi no longer believed in Feng Moheng’s feelings for her.

To ensure her sister’s plan for the Lantern Festival would go smoothly, she needed to prepare thoroughly.

If she directly summoned Feng Moheng and he resolutely refused to see her, it would be too obvious when she pretended to fall ill afterward.

It was better to make herself sick, prompting Feng Moheng to come on his own.

Since Feng Moheng still had some feelings for her, she must ensure they went out on the Lantern Festival together.

Liu Jingyi’s expression remained impassive.

Coldly, she said, “Don’t say more; just do as I say.”