Masquerade in Bridal Attire and Marry the Prince

189. Rivalry

Translator: Bryan

The courses of the meal were what the two of them usually had for lunch, and there was nothing out of the ordinary about them. However, hardly had the lunch been served than a stagily coquettish voice came from outside the door. “Are you having lunch, Your Highness? Would you mind if I join you?” The visitor was none other than Zhao Ling’er. Surprisingly, beside her stood the taciturn Fang Rui.

At the sight of the two of them, Du Chuxuan teasingly flicked a glance at Yuxing Tianrui, but he said nothing. It struck him that with these two women in the East Palace, he would have to be more careful, or else they might get the goods on him, and if that happened, he would end up becoming the one who suffered.

Yuxing Tianrui had a faintly sullen look on his face. Fang Rui appeared fine, but he wondered where Zhao Ling’er had bought the perfume she was wearing, for it smelled rather pungent. Still, this was these two people’s first time coming to the East Palace, so he felt obliged to show them some hospitality.

“It surprises me that Your Highness also likes this kind of glutinous rice balls. Back at the time when I was at home, cooking this course for my father was my favorite thing to do. I’ll cook some for you when I get the chance, Your Highness,” said Zhao Ling’er as she caught sight of the glutinous rice ball which Du Chuxuan had just put into Yuxing Tianrui’s plate.

Fang Rui bowed to the two of them in turn to pay her respects, and then sat into her seat in a ladylike manner. Yuxing Tianrui was not inclined to say anything, but Du Chuxuan gave his shin a kick under the table. Du Chuxuan tossed him an encouraging glance and then spoke with a smile.

“Your family’s reputation is well-earned, Rui. Your every word and action is natural and elegant. On the day for the election, you struck me as a quite likable person.”

All the servant girls present stood with their heads down, wordless, pretending not to exist. Everybody who had been allowed to serve in Yuxing Tianrui’s palace was absolutely trustworthy. Even if the two of them let the servants go outside, none of them would betray them, so this palace was a perfect place for putting on an act.

After hearing his words, Zhao Ling’er cast a faintly sulky look at Fang Rui. She knew that this woman was just as good at pretending as her big sister. This woman looked harmless and seemed to have done nothing, but she always got everybody’s attention and praise.

Fang Rui smiled. “You flattered me, sis. There are strick rules to follow in my family. I’m just doing what I’ve been taught to do.” Her smile was very amiable. Nobody with normal eyesight would think her unapproachable. Yuxing Tianrui, naturally, lifted his head to glance at her, playing along.

“Good.” He made a remark in a confusing way, but the two women sitting there were no fools and instantly caught on to what he meant. Delight promptly registered on Zhao Ling’er’s face and she threw a slightly contemptuous glance at Fang Rui. “You’ll see, Your Highness. I promise you won’t be disappointed by my performance.”

“But the way I see it, it’s not very good.” Du Chuxuan gave a little cough, the look in his eyes a tad hesitant. “It is the cooks of the imperial kitchen who have been preparing your meals with great care. If by any chance something goes wrong…” Before he could finish his sentence, Zhao Ling’er interrupted him.

“You worry too much, sis. I’m very cautious about food as well. I’ll make sure His Highness has the best food, even if I myself have to suffer from hunger and cold,” she said, looking at Yuxing Tianrui with a hurt expression on her face. “Don’t concern yourself, Your Highness. If I make any mistakes, you may mete out punishment to me.”

“Darling, I think you’re being unduly interfering. Since when did I have to ask you for permission before eating something?” Yuxing Tianrui snorted to Du Chuxuan, appearing somewhat disgruntled, but he could not bring himself to toss his chopsticks away or have Du Chuxuan drop to his knees with the two pretentious women and apologize to him, so he had to put an end to the act.

Du Chuxuan, naturally, knew what Yuxing Tianrui was thinking of. Though somewhat anxious, he found Yuxing Tianrui’s mind filled with petty ideas. This was what the man he had developed feelings for was like. Yuxing Tianrui always made sure Du Chuxuan had everything he needed, whatever the circumstances. He always did his best, so Du Chuxuan had nothing to complain about.

They were only a few steps away from going the whole hog. He could handle these two women by himself. There was no need to put his jealous sweetheart to any more trouble. If Yuxing Tianrui tired himself out, he, Du Chuxuan, would be the only one whose heart ached for him.

Zhao Ling’er was overjoyed to see Yuxing Tianrui lose his temper with Du Chuxuan on her account. She immediately jumped to the conclusion that Yuxing Tianrui would spend the night in her room. She was very complacent, and her eyes were rather provocative when she looked at Du Chuxuan, as if to say that there was no telling who would be the Crown Princess in the end.

If Yuxing Tianrui and Du Chuxuan found out about what she was thinking, they would probably laugh themselves stupid. Thus, the four of them finished the meal in a neither awkward nor enjoyable mood. Du Chuxuan did not know what the two women thought of the meal, but he himself had had his fill.

Eventually, because of the two women’s amusing actions, he found the lunch quite enjoyable. After stroking his full belly, he followed Yuxing Tianrui back to the house to have a break.

Arm wrapped around Yuxing Tianrui, fanning him with his other hand, Du Chuxuan was not inclined to have a nap. Also, someone was standing on the side watching his jealous sweetheart. He was the only one who got to see this pleasant scene, wasn’t he?

“It strikes me that Zhao Ling’er is no threat to us. By having her stay, we’ll be able to find out what the Zhao Family is up to, but if we’re to use her, we’ll at least trick the Zhao Family into believing that she can be of use to them.”

Yuxing Tianrui nodded. As he was lying in Du Chuxuan’s embrace, his voice was a tad muffled. “All right. I’ve arranged for someone to handle it.”

At least the East Palace was not absolutely safe. Now that the two concubines had entered the palace, if Yuxing Tianrui did not share a bed with either of them, the Zhao Family and the Fang Family, naturally, would not offer Yuxing Tianrui any help. Moreover, the Emperor and the Empress might suspect that there was something fishy going on in the East Palace. Still, the candidate must be someone bearing a striking resemblance to Yuxing Tianrui lest there be any flaws in his disguise.

In these circumstances, the one who had impersonated Yuxing Tianrui before proved helpful once again. As long as he got into the room, the potion would take care of the rest. Yuxing Tianrui’s plans had always been watertight when it came to this kind of situation.

“But that potion of yours,” Du Chuxuan said, sounding a trifle uncertain. “I remember that your whole body ached from soreness every time you used it. Also, the two of them both have Virginity Marks on them, I suppose? And that is a tricky issue as well.”