"Congratulations, Princess Consort Zhan." Shen Lixue stepped out from the crowd, her gentle smile warm and bright.
"Thank you, Princess Consort." Li Youlan knew that Shen Lixue was cunning and scheming. As soon as she appeared, Li Youlan was on high alert. She did not openly mock or ridicule her or retort. She was very polite and careful, not seeking merit, but hoping that things would not cause any further trouble.
“Shen Yelei has committed an insubordination, Princess Consort Zhan has been frightened!” Shen Lixue said with gentle concern. She knew long ago that Shen Yelei was a servant of the Zhan Prince’s mansion, and she also knew that Li Youlan would be fine once Dongfang Zhan arrived. The result she wanted was never for Li Youlan to go to jail.
The corners of everyone's mouths twitched slightly. Shen Yelei cursed loudly, but at most he got the upper hand verbally. Li Youlan, however, showed no mercy and beat him to death. How could such a strong woman be frightened?
It's wrong for a servant to disobey their master, but as the noble Princess Consort of Zhan, she could have had the guards of the Zhan Prince's mansion teach Shen Yelei a lesson. Instead, she rushed out herself and slapped Shen Yelei repeatedly. The sound was so loud that even the passersby felt the pain.
She's supposed to be the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's family, yet her manners and character are truly formidable, so fierce that it's hard to compliment her!
As her husband, Prince Zhan doesn't seem to care about her fiery temper at all, letting her run wild like this. She has completely disgraced the Zhan Prince's Mansion. If Prince Zhan doesn't take care of her, one day she will turn the Zhan Prince's Mansion upside down.
Li Youlan's face instantly turned as black as ink, her gaze towards Shen Lixue was so angry it was almost spitting fire, and she gritted her teeth and said, "Shen Lixue!"
"Did I say something wrong?" Shen Lixue blinked, her clear eyes looking as innocent as could be.
Seeing this, Li Youlan gritted her teeth even more. "You bitch, all you do is pretend to be innocent and deceive passersby!"
The crowd looked at Li Youlan with more mockery. The dignified Princess Consort of Zhan was actually so shrewish; it was a disgrace to her refined manners! It was Zhan Prince's misfortune to marry such a shrew. If he didn't discipline her and let her do whatever she wanted, it would be a misfortune for the entire Qingyan!
The crowd looked at Li Youlan with more mockery. The dignified Princess Consort of Zhan was actually so shrewish; it was a disgrace to her refined manners! It was Zhan Wangye's misfortune to marry such a shrew. If he didn't discipline her and let her do whatever she wanted, it would be the misfortune of the entire Qingyan!
Chapter 205: Discovering the Secret Affair
After properly disposing of Shen Yelei's body, Dongfang Zhan returned to the Zhanwang Mansion. Li Youlan followed closely behind him with quick, graceful steps.
Walking along the cobblestone paths and through the corridors, Dongfang Zhan remained silent, creating a somber atmosphere. His tall, steady figure seemed to exude an invisible pressure. Even though Li Youlan had grown up with him and knew him very well, she felt suffocated by this pressure. Wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, she called out in a low voice with a sense of despair, "Cousin...cousin!"
He went to great lengths to clear the Zhan Prince's name and establish his own power above that of the Crown Prince. His rising influence was just beginning to take off when she ruined it all. He must hate her to death. No matter what she says or does, punishment is inevitable.
With each step Dongfang Zhan took, the air seemed to tighten. Unable to bear this invisible cold war, she spoke first.
Dongfang Zhan stopped and turned to look at Li Youlan. In his memory, she was a clever and quick-witted girl who could handle any unexpected situation properly. When did she become so impulsive?
Li Youlan lowered her head, not daring to look Dongfang Zhan in the eye. The silk handkerchief in her hand was crumpled into a twisted rope. It was her impulsiveness that caused him to fail at the last moment. She accepted the punishment of facing the wall, copying scriptures, and being beaten with a cane.
"Reflect on your actions behind closed doors for three days." Dongfang Zhan's voice was calm, gentle, polite, and exceptional.
Li Youlan was startled, then suddenly looked up at Dongfang Zhan, stammering, "Cousin...cousin...is this your punishment for me?" He let her off so easily?
"What's wrong?" Dongfang Zhan's eyes narrowed slightly, his expression serious.
Li Youlan hurriedly shook her head: "It's not that it's wrong, it's just... I'm a little shocked..."
She ruined everything Dongfang Zhan had painstakingly built. She thought he would want to skin her alive and tear her apart, or at least give her a good beating so that she wouldn't be able to get out of bed for half a month to learn her lesson. She never expected that his punishment would be so simple and easy that it shocked her.
"My prestige has been ruined. Whether you receive fifty lashes or a hundred lashes, it won't make up for it..."
Dongfang Zhan's light words struck Li Youlan like a heavy hammer, making her tremble and look full of regret: "Cousin, I'm sorry." She was so enraged by Shen Yelei's unrestrained cursing that she didn't care about the consequences and beat him up. She didn't mean to ruin his reputation.
"What happened today was orchestrated by someone else. You just happened to fall into their trap. You can't be entirely blamed."
Li Youlan was shocked by Dongfang Zhan's calm words: "What? Someone deliberately framed me?" Who was so audacious as to plot against her?
Suddenly, a beautiful figure appeared before her eyes. Her gaze turned cold. It was Shen Lixue. No wonder she appeared in the crowd so conveniently when she was being taken to Shuntian Prefecture, and called her name affectionately, letting the onlookers know that it was Princess Zhan who had killed someone. Under the guise of caring for her, she pushed her into an even deeper trap. Shen Lixue, what a clever mind, what a vicious heart.
"Cousin, have you thought of a plan to deal with Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue?" Li Youlan's beautiful eyes burned with anger. As long as Dongfang Zhan came up with a way, she would cooperate fully to beat them into a sorry state and make them beg for mercy on their knees, so as to avenge the humiliation she had suffered for days.
A hint of displeasure flashed in Dongfang Zhan's eyes as he looked at the woman before him: "I have decided to temporarily abandon my plans to deal with Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue."
Li Youlan was startled: "Why?" They had fought against Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue for several rounds, with each side winning and losing. They had gained a certain understanding of their enemies. If they increased their efforts in setting up strategies and traps, they would definitely be able to defeat them. Why did her cousin suddenly back down?
A deep look appeared in Dongfang Zhan's eyes: "Dongfang Heng is just the Prince of Anjun of the Holy King's Mansion. It is not his place to be the emperor of Qingyan. After several encounters, I have found that his schemes are on par with mine, and his power is also similar. If I concentrate my efforts on competing with him, I will end up losing to both of us. In that case, it will only benefit the crown prince."
The biggest obstacle to his ascension to the throne is the Crown Prince. Once he becomes emperor, he will have an absolute advantage over Dongfang Heng and can easily deal with him without having to be so restrained as he is now.
Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue had caused Li Youlan to suffer humiliation, and she wanted to teach them a lesson immediately. However, Dongfang Zhan's words made a lot of sense. They were of similar strength and would not gain any advantage by fighting against Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue. It would be a battle in which they would lose a thousand to the enemy and eight hundred to themselves. Even if they won, it would be a miserable victory and not worth celebrating.
The best course of action now is to first enhance their power and strength, so as to overwhelm Dongfang Heng and Shen Lixue with an absolute advantage. Then dealing with them will be much easier.
Li Youlan bit her lip: "What can I do for my cousin?" The Crown Prince's mother is the Empress, and his maternal grandfather is the Duke. Their power is not to be underestimated, and it is not easy to deal with him. She wants to do her part for Dongfang Zhan and make amends for her mistakes.
Dongfang Zhan pondered for a moment: "Three days later, go to the palace to see the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the favored concubines in the harem."
Li Youlan paused for a moment, then tentatively asked, "Cousin, is it appropriate for me to enter the palace in three days?"
On her way back to the mansion, news of her killing Shen Yelei had already spread throughout the streets and alleys. By tomorrow at the latest, the emperor and his concubines would receive the news.
Shen Yelei deserved to die for her insubordination, but the cruel methods she used to kill her servants would surely draw criticism. As her husband, Dongfang Zhan should have kept her confined to the mansion to reflect on her actions. Letting her wander into the palace would only lead to more gossip about him.
A deep smile appeared on Dongfang Zhan's lips: "Treating people with the same gentle and kind manner as before is absolutely appropriate!"
Shen Yelei's death has turned Li Youlan into a fierce and cruel shrew. If Dongfang Zhan locks her in the mansion to reflect on her mistakes, it will confirm the rumors outside. Her character will be endlessly vilified, and Dongfang Zhan, as her husband, will also be implicated.
The imperial palace is the most important place in the capital, and news from the inner palace is what the people of Qingyan talk about most.
When Li Youlan entered the palace, she appeared gentle, virtuous, and understanding in front of the concubines. People would then think that Shen Yelei had committed an unforgivable crime, which led the kind and gentle Li Youlan to kill him in a fit of anger.
Not only would people not reject her, but they would also feel more sympathy for her. The dignified Princess Consort of Zhan was implicated by a lowly servant and had no way to express her suffering. The people of the capital would also turn their opinion toward the Zhan Prince's Mansion.
"What do I need to do to enter the palace?" Dongfang Zhan was the smartest among the younger generation of the Li family. He always had his reasons for doing things. If he said it was appropriate for Li Youlan to enter the palace, then it must be appropriate. He didn't give any reasons, and she wouldn't ask any questions. She just had to do as he said.
"Get closer to the Empress Dowager and the favored concubines, and it would be best to find some dirt on the favored concubines!" The Empress Dowager is the emperor's mother, and the emperor will listen to her to some extent, regardless of whether she is right or wrong.
Favored concubines see the emperor the most, and if they whisper sweet nothings in his ear, the emperor's opinion of the Prince Zhan's residence and the Crown Prince's residence might change.
It can be said that Dongfang Zhan was making plans for his path to the throne.