Chapter 24: Ink Splashed Across the Face

It was six years before the former emperor returned to the imperial retreat.

Seeing that Emperor Chengping was mediocre, lacked ambition, and had been raised by the Empress Dowager to be indecisive, the former emperor didn't even have the desire to bring him back to the palace.

And so, while the other nine princes fought tooth and nail, Emperor Chengping lived a life of peace and quiet.

It was only when the former emperor realized his capable sons were either dead or crippled—and those who remained only wanted to kill him to seize the throne—that he remembered he had one incompetent son left at the imperial retreat.

Thus, Emperor Chengping stumbled into the position of Crown Prince by default.

However, it was true that he was mediocre and lacked ambition. He managed to outlive the former emperor, who still had five years of life left, by dragging him into an early grave just three years after he began his tutelage.

"Rise," Emperor Chengping commanded.

Yun Zhaozhao stood up efficiently, already thinking that she must tie a cushion to her knees before entering the palace next time.

"The spring scenery is perfect today, and the garden is in full bloom. I have specially arranged this banquet to invite you all to appreciate the peach blossoms..."

Emperor Chengping spoke only a few brief sentences before beginning the banquet.

Next came the time for the young ladies to display their talents.

The first to take the stage was Song Meijing of the Anyuan Marquis's estate.

Her water-sleeve dance was elegant and fluid, and as her eyes darted about, they kept glancing shyly and timidly toward the Third Prince.

Yun Zhaozhao glanced at the nobles on the high platform.

Emperor Chengping’s eyes were unfocused, clearly lost in his own thoughts.

The Empress Dowager nodded frequently with satisfaction; after all, the Anyuan Marquis's estate was her family.

In contrast, Consort Hui, who also hailed from the Anyuan Marquis's estate, wore a smile, but it did not reach her eyes.

It seemed that Emperor Chengping did not care much about the selection of a consort for the princes.

The Empress Dowager intended to continue supporting her family, but Consort Hui clearly had a longer-term view, wanting to select a more powerful family for her son.

Next were Bai Wan'er from the Grand Secretary's estate and Fang Xuewei from Minister Fang's family.

Both were strong candidates for the princes' consorts.

Bai Wan'er wrote a piece of calligraphy, and Fang Xuewei played a musical piece.

Both received affirmation and praise from Consort Hui and Consort Shu.

Yun Zhaozhao watched with great interest.

Soon, it was Kong Yuling's turn.

Yun Zhaozhao was very curious about what kind of talent this woman, who didn't look very bright, could possibly have.

Unexpectedly, she chose to recite a poem.

"The flowers of the human world fade in the fourth month, yet the peach blossoms of the mountain temple are just beginning to bloom. I have long regretted that spring had returned and could not be found, never knowing it had turned into this place instead."

Once the poem was finished, it won thunderous applause.

Kong Yuling was so smug her tail was practically wagging in the air.

Consort Shu glanced toward the Duke of Qing’s estate before nodding with satisfaction.

"As expected of the young lady of the Duke of Qing’s estate. This poem could rival the famous poem by the Second Miss of the Yun family from last year, could it not?"

"Indeed. The Second Miss of the Yun family became the top talented woman in the capital overnight thanks to a single poem."

"If you ask me, the position of top talented woman should still belong to Miss Bai. She is proficient in everything—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

"But why haven't we heard before that the eldest Miss of the Kong family could write poetry?"

"Who knows..."

Hearing the whispers around her, Yun Zhaozhao looked toward Yun Chuchu.

She happened to see a flicker of surprise and suspicion on her face, as if something had suddenly flashed through her mind.

Glancing at the smug expression on Sheng Hongfei’s face beside her, she realized she understood.

The poem Kong Yuling had just recited must have been written by Yun Chuchu in her previous life.

However, she hadn't noticed that, besides Yun Chuchu, the expressions of Bai Wan'er and Fang Xuewei had also changed after hearing the poem.

In fact, they had also received this poem.

But because they couldn't confirm the source, and because they had their own talents to rely on, they hadn't used it.

Soon, it was Yun Chuchu's turn.

She had originally intended to recite a poem, but it was clear that was no longer an option.

According to the experience her sister had taught her, if she chose the zither, someone might cut the strings.

If she chose dancing, someone might hide needles in her dance shoes.

Since she couldn't choose either, she had no choice but to choose calligraphy and painting.

She now believed her sister’s words implicitly.

After all, she had already avoided having wine spilled on her once and soup twice.

Choosing calligraphy and painting was safe and controllable.

Yun Zhaozhao thought the same.

But when the palace maid brought out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, they realized they had let their guard down too soon.

The palace maid carrying the ink stumbled on flat ground, and a full bowl of ink splattered out.

Perhaps it was a conditioned reflex, but Yun Chuchu immediately leaned backward, performing a perfect backbend to avoid having the ink splashed on her face.

Consequently, the splashing ink landed squarely on the Fourth Prince across from her.

"This servant deserves to die. Please, Your Majesty, spare me."

The palace maid knelt and kowtowed, begging for mercy.

Yun Chuchu also hurriedly knelt to admit her fault: "This subject's daughter has behaved inappropriately before the throne. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"It is of no consequence."

Emperor Chengping waved his hand.

The Empress Dowager immediately ordered the maid to be dragged away and given forty heavy strokes.

With such a punishment, it was up to fate whether the maid would survive.

"Father, my attire is ruined. Please allow me to change..."

Before the Fourth Prince could finish, he was interrupted by the Empress Dowager: "If you know your appearance is ruined, then go quickly. Do not lose face for our imperial family!"

"...Yes."

Tsk, could this Fourth Prince be a character with a "tragic but handsome" trope?

Look at that lonely gaze and that stubborn back—who would have thought this person would eventually rise to become the Emperor?

Wait, Yun Chuchu, what are you apologizing for?

Seeing Yun Chuchu give an apologetic bow to the Fourth Prince, Yun Zhaozhao felt terrible.

Just as unhappy was Sheng Hongfei.

*You little slut, Yun Chuchu, you’re already so good at seducing men at such a young age. No wonder you were able to become the Empress in your past life.*

Because of this interruption, Yun Chuchu's calligraphy lost its chance to be showcased.

Soon, the banquet drew to a close.

Emperor Chengping left first, followed by the Empress Dowager and the ladies of the inner palace.

Yun Zhaozhao felt that something was not quite right about it ending like this.

Suddenly, there was a commotion from the direction of the General's estate.

"...That hairpin was a memento left by my mother. Miss Xiang, please, could you return it to me?"

"I already told you, I didn't steal it! I don't steal things!"

Xiang Zhu'er shouted in protest.

"Since you say you didn't steal it, do you dare let someone search you?"

"Exactly. If it wasn't you, it must be her. You two were the only ones sitting next to Miss Mei just now."

The speaker pointed at Xiang Lian'er.

"Stop framing us! What good things does our General's estate lack? Who would covet your cheap hairpin?"

Xiang Lian'er said angrily.

"Oh, 'your General's estate,' huh? Look, does the Second Miss of the Yun family even acknowledge you?"

Yun Chuchu's expression darkened.

It was clear that this whole situation was aimed directly at their General's estate.

"Acknowledge what?"

As soon as Yun Zhaozhao appeared, the surroundings went quiet for a moment.

Everyone instinctively made enough space for her.

Miss Mei was so nervous she didn't dare meet Yun Zhaozhao's eyes, turning instead to look at Kong Yuling for help.

Then, upon meeting Kong Yuling’s fierce gaze, she hardened her heart and said loudly: "Acknowledge that someone from your General's estate stole my hairpin!"

"Do you have proof?"

"No, but..."

"If you don't have any, why are you spouting nonsense? Slander and defamation are crimes, you know?"

"But..."

"But what? You slander others without any evidence—even the Ministry of Justice isn't as reckless as you!"