Chapter 1: Making an Entrance

Making an Entrance

It had been over two months since the diplomatic mission to the neighbouring kingdom, and today was the day Prince Chen Yin Fengzhan was to return to the capital.

So, early that morning, the servants in the Wangfu began bustling about — some sweeping, some tidying. And the women of the Houyuaner likewise rose early one after another to wash and dress, then came to the front hall in full bloom, each more dazzling than the last.

"Oh~ what lovely weather we're having today~!"

The woman in red who had just entered raised her voice and spoke; that coquettish tone instantly drew the attention of Bai Meilan, who had arrived at the hall a moment earlier. Bai Meilan instinctively looked up, glanced at the dazzling figure in fiery red framed in the doorway, bedecked with ornaments, and smiled faintly.

"Hehe~ good morning, Sister Yuaner~!"

"Not at all — no matter how early I come, it's never as early as Sister Meilan~!"

Bai Meilan's tone was mild, but the woman called Yuaner was not so polite. Having spoken, she cast a covert glance over Bai Meilan in the room: fair skin, exquisite makeup, set off by her pink palace gown — refined yet brimming with vitality, strikingly eye-catching.

Seeing this, Qiao Yuaner pressed her lips together, and a flash of contempt crossed her eyes.

Hmph! So the Prince is coming home, and even that scheming little vixen Bai Meilan has dressed up! And she has the nerve to play the virtuous lady every day — puh! Putting on airs of purity in public while acting the whore in private — what a shameless wretch!

Qiao Yuaner's face showed open mockery. But to her unfriendliness, Bai Meilan paid no heed; her smile unchanged, she went on.

"Still, Sister Yuaner, that red you're wearing today really suits you~! I daresay when the Prince returns and sees you, he won't know how to contain his delight~!"

"Hehe, Sister Meilan, you flatter me. I just thought the weather was fine today, and with the Prince coming home, I put on something red to mark the occasion~!"

Qiao Yuaner answered with a smile. Though her words were modest, a flash of smugness instantly crossed her strikingly beautiful features. Then, lightly lifting her hem, smoothing her hair at the temples, she radiated an air of utter arrogance!

But before Qiao Yuaner had finished preening, she was suddenly interrupted by a voice from behind her.

"Oh~ would you look at this — and who might this be? Bright and early too, and dazzling as ever~! But Sister Meilan is right — Sister Yuaner does look rather fine in that outfit today~!"

At the sound, Qiao Yuaner turned her head at once, and saw Qin Yuxia walk in wearing a deep purple gown with piped embroidered borders. Taking in Qin Yuxia's elegant features, her sumptuous attire, her proud bearing… Qiao Yuaner could not help a cold laugh within. Hmph~! So that little strumpet has put in the effort today too!

Qiao Yuaner took an instant dislike to Qin Yuxia. But once her words trailed off, Qin Yuxia said no more; she raised a brow, glanced at Qiao Yuaner, then looked past her at Bai Meilan inside, and stepped into the hall… yet as she passed Qiao Yuaner standing in the doorway, a flash of contempt crossed her eyes.

……

A few brief exchanges, and the three women had finished their greetings. Afterwards, Qiao Yuaner and Qin Yuxia each took their seats. A strange air then settled over the spacious front hall.

An uncanny silence, an indescribable oppression… and after such a long hush, someone had to speak. So, after quite a while, Qiao Yuaner — the most unable to hold her tongue — could not help glancing up at the sky outside.

"At this hour, the Prince should be back — why is there still no word from the gatehouse?"

"Presumably something held him up — he should be here soon enough…"

Bai Meilan took a light sip of the tea in her hand and answered casually. But at this point she paused briefly, then shifted the subject.

"Still, it's odd — at this hour, why haven't the Princess Consort and the Side Consort come over yet?"

Bai Meilan frowned slightly. At these words, Qin Yuxia, seated beside her, gave a sudden cold snort.

"Indeed~ — the three of us are all here, so why haven't those two above shown up? The Side Consort, well, never mind — she's probably busy arranging things in the Houyuaner. Ah, can't be helped — in our Prince Zhan's residence, she's the one who runs the household~! But what's the Princess Consort's excuse? Day after day she does nothing, and now even on the day the Prince returns, she won't come out?"

"Who knows — but if you ask me, the later she comes the better! Saves us from watching her throw a tantrum like a mad dog, snapping at anyone who crosses her whenever something doesn't please her! A perfect shrew!"

"Er… Sister Yuaner, perhaps we shouldn't put it that way — but I suppose it would be better if the Princess Consort didn't show up today…"

The three women gossiped back and forth, and then, just as they were in full swing, a shriek suddenly rang out from the Houyuaner.

"Ahhh — someone, come quickly! The Princess Consort… the Princess Consort is killing someone!"