The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

"Why haven't they come back yet?"

Ning Nishang went out early in the morning and hadn't returned by dusk.

The Qi family members went from a relaxed discussion at the beginning to glancing around frequently, saying, "Butler, go check at the door, why haven't they returned yet?"

"Yes."

Qi Wenyuan frowned. "Why didn't you go with your cousin? What if something happens when a young lady goes out alone?"

The eldest brother was stationed in the northern frontier, the second brother was with his pregnant wife, and the third brother was drinking tea. Qi Jiyun glanced at his old father and found that he was indeed glaring at him, so he couldn't help but feel aggrieved.

He just got home yesterday. There are so many people at home, why is it his business again?

"Father, other people are in love and looking at each other, what am I, an inexperienced virgin, doing standing there? Wouldn't I just be an eyesore?"

"..." Everyone was speechless for a moment.

You have no experience, yet you spend your days in brothels and red-light districts. You can't find anyone in the entire capital with more experience than you.

Qi Shubai frowned slightly. "Something's not right. It's so late and we haven't heard anything. Could something have happened?"

His worry wasn't about encountering a thief in broad daylight, but rather...

Although it was a meeting for acquaintances, there was no formal ceremony or formal marriage ceremony, so the two were not yet officially husband and wife. They simply met and talked casually.

If things get too compatible, and one forgets the proper boundaries and goes further...

Qi Wenyuan shook his head, "Probably not, the prince isn't that kind of person."

Besides, Prince Anning is of high status and can have any woman he wants. It's impossible that he would become aroused as soon as he saw Xuan Niang, right?

The two were on Suzaku Main Street, not in some remote, dilapidated temple, so it shouldn't be that bad.

Even so, Ning Wanrong still said, "Have people search, search all the places where men and women frequent—"

"Alright, I'll lead the search myself." When it comes to finding people, Qi Jiyun is the most experienced.

To everyone's surprise, as soon as they arrived at the door, they saw Ning Nishang being helped down from the carriage by Cui Liu. Her hair was wet from the rain and clung to her pale cheeks. She was thin and swayed, as if a gust of wind could blow her over.

"Xuan Niang..." Ning Wanrong exclaimed in surprise, quickly stepping forward to support her. "Where have you been? Why are you only coming back now?"

"aunt……"

Ning Nishang didn't want them to worry, but seeing everyone asking questions all at once, she couldn't help but let her guard down. Her nose stung, and her voice trembled as she said, "He didn't come..."

Everyone was stunned. He didn't come?

What has she been doing these past few hours?

Before anyone could ask any further questions, Ning Nishang's eyes were half-closed, and she collapsed softly into Ning Wanrong's arms as if all her strength had left her.

"Xuan Niang! Ouch—why is your forehead so hot?"

"Someone, quickly fetch a doctor!"

……

"Madam, this is Miss Ning's portrait."

At the Prince Anning's residence, a nanny presented a scroll painting.

Shaoqian's eyes lit up. "Quick, let me see it."

Before coming to Shengjing, Shaoqian wanted to meet Ning Nishang and give her some clothes and jewelry.

Unfortunately, she wasn't her legitimate daughter-in-law yet, and probably not many girls would be willing to meet their mother-in-law right away.

There's no way around it; there are too many useless men in this world who are always trying to smooth things over in the inner quarters, which has led to the historically antagonistic relationship between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law.

But Shaoqian still didn't give up. As soon as she arrived in Shengjing, she secretly asked someone to get her a portrait.

It's a bit underhanded, but as long as it achieves its purpose and works, that's fine.

After waiting for so many days, I finally got it.

The portrait was unfolded, and Shaoqian leaned closer to look at it.

The woman in the painting has exquisite features, is graceful and elegant, wears a light blue dress, has black hair like clouds, and is adorned with a white jade hairpin. She stands smiling among the flowers, like a fairy in a painting.

A hint of amazement flashed in the old woman's eyes. "Miss Ning is so beautiful! Not to mention in Chezhou, I'm afraid there are few comparable women in the entire capital."

However, as Shaoqian watched, she slowly frowned.

The old woman asked cautiously, "What's wrong, Madam? Are you dissatisfied?"

It shouldn't be that bad. Before he even saw the portrait, he kept talking about it every day, and he even figured out how many gemstones, colored jade and pearls to adorn his wedding dress.

Now that you've seen the real portrait, you're not satisfied?

Shaoqian clicked her tongue lightly, "Such a good girl, it's such a waste to pair her with that bastard."

"..." That's definitely her biological mother.

The old woman chuckled, "Madam, aside from... cough, a bit sharp-tongued, our Prince is actually quite good. Once he marries Miss Ning, you can treat her like your own daughter. Wouldn't that fulfill your long-held wish for a devoted daughter?"

Shaoqian has a son and a daughter. Her son has a sharp tongue, and her daughter has some quirks.

The two had absolutely no connection with her, which made her wonder if the Lu family's ancestral graves were buried in the wrong direction.

Now, my long-cherished wish has finally come true, and I'm just one step away from achieving it.

"That's true." Shaoqian rolled up the portrait. "I just don't know if she likes Chezhou. If she doesn't like it, we can ask His Majesty for permission to stay in Shengjing for a few more months each year."

Hopefully, her son will live up to expectations and win the girl's heart soon.

Even though Shaoqian repeatedly reminded Lu Linbai when he left in the morning, she was still worried.

She knew how foul-mouthed her son was; most people couldn't stand it, and she worried he might scare the girl away.

As dusk settled outside the window, Shaoqian asked, "What time is it?"

"Reporting to Madam, it is approximately 3:45 PM."

Shaoqian found it rather strange; her unfilial son had left home at 8:00 AM, and now it was almost three or four hours past 3:40 PM, and he still hadn't returned…

Could it be that they've really hit it off?

Otherwise, he wouldn't have that much patience.

Shaoqian scoffed. She knew that someone was being hypocritical. Maybe he just had lust after her because she was good-looking.

After all, he had only met his legendary "sweetheart" once. There was some gratitude involved, but as for love...

Shaoqian thinks, not necessarily.

Just as she was thinking, she suddenly noticed that the butler standing next to her had a hesitant expression, as if he had something to say.

"What's wrong?"

The steward hesitated, unusually, and stammered, "Madam, the Prince actually returned to the manor a long time ago."

"When did you get back?" Shaoqian's expression shifted slightly, and she immediately intended to ask about the outcome of the matchmaking.

However, the butler's expression was even more indescribable.

Shaoqian frowned slightly. "Is there something you're hiding from me? Tell me!"

The steward closed his eyes, as if he were going all out, "Actually, the prince went to the chess hall this morning and returned to the mansion before noon. He didn't go to Tianxiang Tower at all."

Shao Qian's expression changed drastically. "What did you say?!"

……

"Your Highness, isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to deliberately stand me up today?" Gan Si hesitated as the rain poured down outside the window.

"We saw it yesterday, didn't we?"

Inside the Floating Cloud Pavilion, Lu Linbai played chess alone. Black and white pieces crisscrossed on the chessboard, and he placed his white pieces slowly and deliberately.

"Besides, I won't marry her, so there's no need for me to go."

Gan Si rubbed his hands together in a dilemma. "But you've already promised His Majesty, it wouldn't be right not to go..."

Although it was a verbal agreement and no imperial decree was issued, their prince was indeed His Majesty's cousin, but ultimately there was the word "cousin" between them. The emperor was the emperor, and the subject was the subject.

Everyone knows how much His Majesty dotes on Consort Qi. To treat her cousin so disrespectfully is tantamount to pulling the tiger's hair out of its head.

If they were to be blamed later, none of the Prince Anning's mansions could afford to suffer the consequences.

Lu Linbai rested his chin on one hand and placed the last piece on the chessboard. "It's alright, I will take care of His Majesty's situation."

Let's wander around.

"Lu Linbai—!" Suddenly, a lion-like roar came from the doorway.

Gan Si's face turned pale; the sword of Damocles that had been hanging over his heart finally fell.

It’s over.