Chapter 92

Meng Guxue had just stolen the spotlight and hadn’t fully enjoyed the admiration of the crowd when Consort Yu Zhao gracefully arrived, immediately attracting everyone’s attention.

Meng Guxue secretly sneered, “Even a short-lived concubine wants to join in the fun!”

She had seen Consort Yu Zhao in her dreams, precisely at this palace banquet, but shortly after, Consort Yu Zhao was executed.

In the dream, by this time, her relationship with Shen Lang had been very good, and she had even inquired about the cause of Consort Yu Zhao’s death from Shen Lang.

Shen Lang’s expression was calm at the time, only saying, “Consort Yu Zhao was arrogant due to favoritism, crossed the line, and was ordered to be executed by the emperor. I don’t know the details.”

Thinking of this, Meng Guxue couldn’t help but look up at the Second Prince.

Unexpectedly, as soon as she looked up, she met the Second Prince’s eyes!

Meng Guxue’s heart suddenly raced, and a blush appeared on her face.

This stunning man, she had once owned him in her dreams. Upon waking, her desire for the Second Prince had reached its peak!

This man would be the ultimate winner. Only with him could she become a figure above all in this era!

Moreover, in her dreams, he had deep feelings for her. They were such a happy couple, admired by everyone!

Although there were many discrepancies between reality and dreams, today, the red thread of fate had still brought them together!

Shen Lang must have been attracted by her talent and appearance, so he couldn’t move his gaze away!

Thinking of this, Meng Guxue shyly looked at the Second Prince, feeling extremely excited.

The Second Prince’s expression moved slightly, then he nodded gently at Meng Guxue and looked away.

This small gesture of acknowledgment gave Meng Guxue great encouragement, making her even more confident in her plan for later.

However, in reality, the Second Prince’s heart was calm.

He was confident in his appearance. Any woman he deliberately approached could easily be won over.

He used to think that this method was crude and beneath him.

But after experiencing isolation and ridicule, he suddenly understood.

In this ruthless palace, to achieve ambitions, to change one’s situation, one must use all means available to increase one’s bargaining chips!

Women were just tools for his rise to power.

As for Meng Guxue, although she had some talent, she seemed flashy and frivolous.

Moreover, just now, hearing her words through the wall, it was clear that this woman was ambitious and sought a lot.

Such women were best to get close to, and… easiest to manipulate.

Consort Yu Zhao’s dance was graceful and dazzling. Compared to the restrained movements of the dancers before, her waist was supple, her movements bold, and she danced with vitality, dazzling the eyes!

The Emperor of Yong became greatly interested, tapping his fingers lightly on the long table, following the rhythm.

The courtiers dared not look too much, feeling that a graceful figure was dancing before them, so they lowered their heads even more.

Qiao Jiaojiao watched with delight.

[“Consort Yu Zhao really has some skills, but I wonder if her dance is better than Consort Yu’s Jade Dance?”]

The drumbeats were intense, making hearts pound, and the Third Prince, who was close by, soon felt his blood surging, feeling slightly dizzy.

The Second Princess was always observing the Third Prince’s condition. Seeing his complexion pale, she became worried.

The Crown Prince was very kind to his siblings. He knew the Third Prince was not in good health, so he was particularly concerned.

At this moment, with Consort Yu Zhao offering her dance, he hadn’t even lifted his eyes.

But he immediately noticed the Third Prince’s abnormality, so he lowered his voice and called out, “Third Brother?”

The Third Prince turned his head at the sound, with a hint of bitterness at the corner of his mouth.

His body was really not holding up well, and now he was starting to feel a bit overwhelmed.

The Crown Prince understood tacitly and waved to the palace attendants behind him, whispering, “Third Brother, go back and rest first. I’ll explain to Father later.”

The Third Prince nodded gratefully at the words and, with the help of the palace attendants, managed to stand up.

The Emperor of Yong noticed the commotion over here and glanced over, immediately feeling a bit better.

This Third Prince was utterly useless; his presence was like a stain on the occasion, irritating to see.

Consort Yu Zhao saw this and bit her lip tightly, disappointment evident on her face.

He was so unreliable; he couldn’t even sit through a banquet!

The Third Prince dared not raise his head. He didn’t want to see the Emperor’s disgusted gaze, nor did he want to see the disappointed look on his mother’s face. So, supported by the palace attendants, he hurriedly left.

The Empress noticed this scene and felt a pang of softness in her heart.

This child had been weak and sickly since childhood. It was truly difficult for him to attend the banquet today.

He seemed sensible, but unfortunately, Consort Yu couldn’t see it. She always suppressed and despised him, thinking that because of him, she was disliked by the Emperor.

Even if the Third Prince’s body was weak, he was still a prince. If he was carefully nurtured, he could have been quite remarkable.

Forget it, if she said too much as the Empress, Consort Yu would suspect her intentions.

After leaving the Hall of Blessings, the Third Prince suddenly felt relieved, realizing that his body was starting to feel weak.

The two young eunuchs by his side had served the Third Prince since childhood and were extremely loyal.

They looked worried. “Your Highness, can you still hold on?”

The Third Prince weakly waved his hand. “It’s fine. Help me back to the palace.”

One of the eunuchs suggested, “Your Highness, when we came here, we followed His Majesty through the Xuande Gate. Now, if we want to go back to Xinghua Palace, it’s closer to go through the Chunhua Garden.”

With faltering steps, the Third Prince nodded weakly. “Then let’s go through the Chunhua Garden.”

There weren’t many people in Chunhua Garden at this time. If he lost control halfway, it wouldn’t be so embarrassing.

As they reached Yuhua Lake and approached a secluded artificial mountain, they suddenly heard a faint moaning sound.

The eunuch’s steps abruptly halted, looking puzzled.

The Third Prince gestured for the eunuch to put him down and listened intently, confirming the sound.

“Your Highness, wait here. Let me go and check.”

The Third Prince nodded cautiously and instructed, “Be careful.”

The eunuch respectfully obeyed and headed over. His heart was slightly apprehensive.

This was a small path leading back to Xinghua Palace, and normally, there shouldn’t be anyone here.

The eunuch tiptoed around the artificial mountain and suddenly let out a low cry.

The Third Prince furrowed his brows upon hearing this. He had also mustered some strength along the way and, with the support of the other eunuch, walked over.

As they rounded the artificial mountain, they saw that the eunuch who had gone ahead was already standing there.

The Third Prince stepped forward, and upon seeing the scene inside the artificial mountain, he was momentarily stunned.

A young girl with disheveled hair and dirty clothes, her mouth stuffed with a cloth strip, her hands and feet tied, lay among the rocks in the artificial mountain.

At this moment, she was tearfully looking at them, her face full of pleading and fear, whimpering through the cloth in her mouth.