Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The Hundred Flowers Banquet came to an end, and I didn’t choose a single person.

My mother, the Empress, was growing anxious. She said these were all fine young men she had personally scouted. After today’s banquet, every noble family was watching like hawks, just waiting for me to select a Prince Consort so they could divide the remaining bachelors among themselves.

“Is Grand Secretary Wang’s Second Young Master Wang not to your liking? His family background is excellent, his looks are striking, and he is highly cultured. Did he not catch your eye?”

“Second Young Master Wang is naturally a fine choice…” I hesitated, pricking up my ears to hear what Hongxiao had to say.

[Ugh, that guy is just a flashy, useless show-off. He’s kept on such a tight leash by his father and older brother that he’ll be spineless his whole life. In the future, when the Princess and his older brother both fall into the water, he jumps into the lake to save his brother. In his heart, his big brother is his true love, and the Princess is just an accident. Boohoo, my poor Princess, she can’t even compete with a man.]

I was speechless.

To think that I, Xiao Shuyu, as beautiful as a flower, would actually rank lower than an older brother in Second Young Master Wang’s eyes?

There is definitely something wrong between him and his brother.

I must investigate this!

I immediately changed my tune. “Second Young Master Wang has decent looks, but unfortunately, he lacks masculinity.”

The Empress replied, “Then what about Commander Lu? He is a military officer; he certainly won’t lack masculinity.”

[Is this really the Princess’s biological mother? Why does she keep pushing the Princess into fire pits? Commander Lu is going to collaborate with Prince Zhao to usurp the throne later! The Princess will be decapitated as a tribute to Prince Zhao. The blood will spray so high… tsk tsk, it’s terrifying…]

My heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

Commander Lu leads the Imperial Guard. If he were to collaborate with Prince Zhao from the inside, my father’s empire would indeed be difficult to protect.

But why?

Investigate. I have to investigate this.

I smiled and said, “I am willing to spend some time with Commander Lu. However, he seems a bit too formidable and intimidating.”

The Empress laughed. “Military men practice martial arts year-round and lead troops in battle, so they naturally carry an aura of slaughter. But you are my daughter. No matter how bold Lu Bingcheng is, he wouldn’t dare mistreat you. If you are truly worried, just take your hidden guards with you.”

[Not a chance! He’s not just bold-to get the Princess to marry him, he’ll send assassins to attack her just so he can play the hero and save the beauty. It’s only because he marries the Princess that the old Emperor trusts him so much. Sigh, the old Emperor has no idea that he’s actually Prince Zhao’s illegitimate son. Between a biological father and a father-in-law, he’ll obviously side with his own flesh and blood.]

Hongxiao’s inner thoughts continued to grumble.

I clenched my fists.

I, Xiao Shuyu, have been brilliant my entire life. How could I be plotted against to such an extent?

This couldn’t possibly be my fate.

And Lu Bingcheng is actually Prince Zhao’s illegitimate son?

Investigate. I must investigate this.

I immediately ordered someone to send word to Lu Bingcheng, stating that I wished to visit the night market with him this evening. The response from his side was almost instantaneous-he couldn’t wait to agree.