Chapter 216: Conspiracy and Transaction

She had previously heard Jun Ziqin talk about how to calculate the days; by her count, these few days were her most fertile.

A smug smile curled the corners of Jun Yiyi’s mouth, and her heart—well, it was like she had a little rabbit inside, thumping away with such joy.

She felt as if she could already see a future where she relied on her child to gain status and established a firm foothold in the Wang Fu.

She prepared everything, waiting and waiting; the food was heated again and again until it was scorched, yet she did not see Quan Tianyi return.

Just as Jun Yiyi was so angry she wanted to curse, the steward hurried over to deliver a message.

The moment he caught sight of Jun Yiyi’s bright red attire, his gaze sank in a flash.

He bowed slightly, speaking in a respectful yet unquestionable tone:

"Side Consort Jun, why are you still wearing red? The Imperial Consort has passed away. The Princess has ordered everyone in the residence to change into mourning clothes."

Jun Yiyi’s smile froze on her face instantly.

"What did you say? Say it again!"

The steward, helpless, had no choice but to repeat it.

In an instant, Jun Yiyi felt the world spinning, and the surrounding bustle was suddenly cut off from her.

Her body swayed as if struck by a heavy hammer; she instinctively grabbed the door frame to barely steady herself.

The news of Imperial Consort Gao’s death was like a thunderclap, shattering all the joy in her heart into dust. Her mind went blank, and her first thought was:

Damn it, my whole plan is ruined.

Since marrying, she had racked her brains to please Prince Yi, all to conceive an heir early and secure her position in the Wang Fu.

Now, this one-year mourning period was like an uncrossable chasm, lying between her and her dream.

Jun Yiyi instinctively clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white from the force and her nails digging deep into her palms, yet she felt no pain at all.

The steward shot her a strange, sidelong glance and turned to leave, a flicker of disdain in his eyes.

Although Jun Yiyi’s eyes were filled with disbelief, there was not a trace of sorrow on her face. Which of the nannies and stewards in the Wang Fu wasn't a shrewd person? They all saw it clearly:

This Side Consort Jun really had all her ambition written plainly on her face; it was a wonder why the Prince had taken a fancy to her.

Outside the carved window lattice, the night was like ink, with only a few palace lanterns emitting faint halos of light, outlining the courtyards of the Wang Fu in shadows.

Jun Yiyi sat before the vanity, the bronze mirror reflecting her beautiful yet sorrowful face.

Since marrying, she had been like a tireless dancer, circling around Quan Tianyi.

Every smile carried a seductive meaning; she meticulously prepared for every encounter with Quan Tianyi, smiling charmingly, all to truly consummate the marriage with him.

But now, Quan Tianyi hadn't even stepped foot in her room once, and this had to happen.

With this incident, he would surely be even less likely to visit her room; what was she to do?

Why did heaven have to play such a joke on her? Jun Yiyi bit her lower lip, tears welling in her eyes. How could she be willing to wait a year in vain? Of course, she wasn't!

A year was enough for too many variables to occur, enough for the glimmer of hope she had finally grasped to be extinguished completely.

She rose abruptly, her skirt catching a hairpin on the table.

A crisp "ding" sounded, piercingly sharp in the silent night.

She pulled her dowry maid, Yan'er, toward her, her movements urgent, as if fearing she would miss some fleeting opportunity.

Yan'er looked at her mistress with a blank, confused expression.

Jun Yiyi took out a pouch of silver, stuffed it into Yan'er’s hand, and pulled her close, whispering a few words into her ear.

Yan'er’s eyes widened instantly, her face filled with shock; her body trembled uncontrollably, and her voice carried an undisguisable tremor:

"Young Lady..."

Before Yan'er could finish, she was sharply interrupted by Jun Yiyi.

"How many times have I told you,"

Jun Yiyi turned abruptly, her voice sharp and tinged with urgency:

"I am now a Side Consort of the Wang Fu; my status is not what it used to be. When others are around, call me Side Consort; when no one is around... call me Princess."

The already trembling Yan'er was so frightened by this sudden reprimand that her knees went weak, and she dropped to the floor with a thud.

She stammered:

"Yes, Side Consort, this servant was momentarily confused; I will never dare do it again."

Jun Yiyi walked slowly to Yan'er, looking down at her, the smugness in her eyes deepening.

She reached out, gently lifted Yan'er’s chin, and softened her voice, yet it still carried an unquestionable tone:

"Yan'er, you have been with me for so many years; naturally, I trust you. You must always remember that my current status might... become even higher in the future."

As she spoke, she let go, turned, and walked to the window, gazing at the palace lanterns outside, her eyes full of longing.

The position of Primary Princess would be hers sooner or later. Once she gave birth to an heir, no one in this Wang Fu would be able to contend with her. And when Prince Yi sat on that Emperor’s dragon throne... hmph!

After a long while, Yan'er finally found her voice and whispered:

"But Side Consort, if the matter is exposed..."

"There is no 'if'!"

Jun Yiyi interrupted her again, her eyes filled with determination and madness; the gentle facade she usually wore in front of Quan Tianyi was completely gone.

At this moment, her face was ferocious. Every word seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth.

"You just do as I say. If it succeeds, the rewards will naturally be yours; if something goes wrong, I will never implicate you. Also, this must be done quickly."

Yan'er bit her lip, looking at the heavy silver in her hand, her heart full of struggle.

In the end, she nodded, her expression filled with fear and unease.

Late at night, thick as ink, the darkness wrapped the entire Wang Fu tightly.

The high walls and large courtyards of the Wang Fu were shadowy in the night, like crouching giant beasts.

A secluded side gate of the Wang Fu opened quietly.

Yan'er looked panicked, constantly glancing left and right; only after confirming no one was around did she pull a tall, strange man inside.

Moonlight like water spilled onto the man; he was blindfolded and his steps were somewhat unsteady.

His shadow was stretched long, like a ghost, appearing even more eerie in the night.

Jun Yiyi had been waiting in the room; hearing footsteps, her heart tightened, and she gripped her hem unconsciously.

The man walked into the room, the dim candlelight flickering, revealing his slightly nervous face.

Seeing the man’s handsome features, Jun Yiyi felt a bit more pleased.

She signaled for Yan'er to guard the door and walked slowly toward the man.

"You..."

The man had just opened his mouth when he was interrupted by Jun Yiyi.

"Say no more. Once this is over, I do not know you, and you do not know me."

Her voice trembled slightly, but it was filled with a desperate, all-or-nothing resolve.

Jun Yiyi blew out the candle in the room before letting the man remove the black cloth from his face.

Yan'er stood guard at the door, leaning against it, her eyes vigilantly watching the surroundings.