Chapter 216: Conspiracy, Transaction

She had previously heard Jun Jun Zijin explain how to calculate the days; calculating the days, these few days were the ones when she was most likely to conceive.

Jun Jun Yiyi's lips curled into a proud smile, her heart, as if cradling a little rabbit, was leaping about with joy.

It was as if she had already seen her future, securing her position in the Wang Fu by bearing a son.

She had prepared everything, waiting left and right; the dishes were reheated again and again until they burned, yet Quan Quan Tianyi still had not returned.

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

Upon seeing Jun Jun Yiyi's bright red clothes, his eyes instantly darkened.

He bowed slightly, speaking respectfully yet with an air of unquestionable authority:

"Concubine Jun, why are you still wearing red robes? The Noble Consort has passed away. The Wang Fei has ordered that everyone in the Wang Fu change into plain mourning clothes."

Jun Jun Yiyi's smile instantly froze on her face.

"What did you say? Say it again!"

The steward, helpless, could only repeat it once more.

In that instant, Jun Jun Yiyi felt the world spin; the surrounding liveliness was instantly cut off from her.

Her body swayed as if struck by a heavy hammer; her hands instinctively grabbed the doorframe to barely steady herself.

The news of the Noble Consort's death, like a thunderclap, shattered her heart's joy into dust. Her mind went blank, and her first thought was:

"It's all over; my entire plan has gone up in smoke."

During these days of marriage, she had exhausted her efforts to please the Prince of Yi, all to conceive a child as soon as possible and secure her position in the Wang Fu.

Now, this one-year Mourning period stood like an uncrossable chasm between her and her dream.

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

The steward glanced at her sideways with a strange look, then turned and left, a flicker of disdain flashing in his eyes.

Though Jun Jun Yiyi's eyes were full of disbelief, there was not a trace of sorrow on her face. Every nanny and steward in the Wang Fu knew perfectly well in their hearts:

"This Concubine Jun truly has her little ambitions written clearly on her face; one wonders how the Prince ever took a fancy to her."

Outside the carved lattice windows, the night was as dark as ink; only a few palace lanterns emitted a faint glow, outlining the Wang Fu's courtyard in shadowy silhouettes.

Jun Jun Yiyi sat before her dressing table; the bronze mirror reflected her beautiful face, now filled with sorrow.

During these days of marriage, she had been like an tireless dancer, maneuvering around Quan Quan Tianyi.

Every smile carried a seductive meaning; she carefully prepared for every meeting with Quan Quan Tianyi, smiling charmingly, all to truly consummate her marriage with Quan Quan Tianyi.

Yet now, Quan Quan Tianyi had not once visited her room, and this incident had occurred.

With this incident, he certainly would not go to her room anymore; what should she do?

Why did Heaven play such a joke on her? Jun Jun Yiyi bit her lower lip, tears swirling in her eyes; how could she be willing to wait a year in vain? Of course she would not be willing!

A year was enough time for too many variables to arise, enough to extinguish the faint light of hope she had so barely grasped.

She suddenly rose, her skirt brushing a hairpin on the table.

A crisp "Ding!" rang out, especially grating in the silent night.

She pulled her dowry maid, Yan'er, close with urgent movements, as if afraid to miss a fleeting opportunity.

Yan'er looked at her mistress with a bewildered face, her eyes full of confusion.

Jun Jun Yiyi took out a packet of silver, stuffed it into Yan'er's hand, then pulled her close to whisper a few words in her ear.

Yan'er's eyes instantly widened, her face filled with shock; her body trembled uncontrollably, and her voice carried a barely concealed tremor:

"Young Lady..."

Before Yan'er could finish speaking, Jun Jun Yiyi abruptly cut her off.

"How many times have I told you,"

Jun Jun Yiyi suddenly turned, her voice sharp, carrying a hint of urgency:

"I am now the Concubine of the Wang Fu; my status is unlike before. When people are around, call me Concubine; when no one is around... call me Wang Fei."

Yan'er, already trembling, was so frightened by this sudden scolding that her knees gave way, and she "thumped" to the ground in a kneeling position.

Stammering:

"Yes, Noble Concubine; this servant was momentarily confused and will never dare such a thing again."

Jun Jun Yiyi walked slowly to Yan'er's side, looking down at her, her eyes filled with even greater pride.

She reached out, gently lifting Yan'er's chin; her voice softened, yet still carried an unquestionable tone:

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

Saying this, she released her hand, turned, and walked to the window, gazing at the rows of palace lanterns outside, her eyes full of longing.

The position of Principal Consort would sooner or later be hers. Once she bore a son, no one in the Wang Fu would be able to rival her; and when the Prince of Yi ascended the Emperor's dragon throne... hmph!

After a long moment, Yan'er finally found her voice and spoke softly:

"But Noble Concubine, what if the matter is exposed..."

"There is no 'what if'!"

Jun Jun Yiyi cut her off once more; her eyes revealed determination and madness, and the gentle demeanor she had pretended before Quan Quan Tianyi was completely gone.

At this moment, her face was grotesque; every word seemed squeezed out between her teeth.

"Just do as I say. If it succeeds, the benefits will naturally not be lacking for you; if there is a mistake, I will not implicate you. Also, this matter must be done quickly."

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

Finally, she nodded, her expression carrying a hint of fear and unease.

Deep night, thick as ink, wrapped the entire Wang Fu tightly.

The high walls and courtyards of the Wang Fu stood shadowy in the night, like giant beasts lying in ambush.

A remote side gate of the Wang Fu quietly opened.

Yan'er, looking panicked, kept glancing left and right; after confirming no one was around, she quietly pulled a tall, strange man inside.

Moonlight poured like water over the man; his eyes were bound, and his steps were a little unsteady.

【2】 His shadow stretched long behind him, like a ghostly wraith, growing all the more eerie in the night.

The figure was stretched long, like a phantom, appearing all the more eerie in the night.

Jun Jun Yiyi had long been waiting inside the room. Hearing the footsteps, her heart clenched tight, and her hand unconsciously gripped the hem of her clothes.

The man stepped into the room. The dim candlelight flickered, casting his faintly tense features into relief.

Seeing Jun Jun Yiyi, the man found her face fair and handsome, and his heart lightened a few degrees.

She signaled Yan'er to stand guard at the door, then walked slowly toward the man.

"You…"

The man had only just begun to speak when Jun Jun Yiyi cut him off.

"Say no more. Once this is done, I won't know you, and you won't know me."

Her voice carried a faint tremor, but far more of it was the desperate resolve of one staking everything on a single throw.

Jun Jun Yiyi blew out the candle in the room before letting the man remove the black cloth that had been covering his face.

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