Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 392: Quietly Making a Fortune

Tang Wanzhuang, who had just criticized Zhao Changhe for his sneaky behavior and had even made a mention of punishing him, was now climbing over the wall herself.

When she made her way over, she did not exhibit the impatient and angry mood that she had displayed before. Her elegant, flowing robes revealed that, after some time to cool off, she had distanced herself from the heady, romantic state she had been in a few days ago, regaining her calm demeanor.

The reason she gave for coming over was serious and justified. “As the imperial noble consort, how can you carry out such a shameless act?!”

“So what?” Huangfu Qing had not come over because she could not bear the longing any further. She knew perfectly well that if she came here for a tryst, Tang Wanzhuang would inevitably try to stop her, so she could not truly get intimate with Zhao Changhe. Yet she was here anyway, just to see Tang Wanzhuang’s furious expression. Unfortunately, seeing how calm the latter was now, she was the one to be annoyed instead.

Feeling a bit disappointed, she sneered, “When I entered the palace, which woman was it that secretly stopped me and seriously questioned my intentions?”

Tang Wanzhuang replied calmly, “That would be me. I’ve known you for many years, Huangfu Qing. I understand your pride and ambition better than anyone. You would not willingly enter the palace as an imperial noble consort without some ulterior motive.”

“Thank you very much for your recognition,” said Huangfu Qing leisurely, crossing her arms. “At that time, you already began to suspect that I might be a member of the Four Idols Cult, didn’t you? You even suspected that I was Venerable Vermillion Bird. It was not until Venerable Vermillion Bird killed Fiery Fiend in Lingnan[1] and reached the fourth ranking in the Ranking of Earth, and His Majesty personally vouched that I was in the palace at the time, that you gave up on that suspicion.”

She had entered the palace based on an agreement with the fake Xia Longyuan, who naturally covered for her. She was obviously not in the palace at that time and was instead in Lingnan, fighting a thrilling battle. When the fake emperor himself provided her with an alibi, even the astute and wise bureau chief of the Demon Suppression Bureau was forced to abandon suspicion of her.

However, whether she truly gave up that suspicion was difficult to say. After all, a powerful figure such as Vermillion Bird would not just appear out of nowhere. Thus, she most likely just kept her suspicions to herself and would not bring it up without new, solid evidence.

The most troublesome part of entering the palace for Huangfu Qing was how to hide it from Tang Wanzhuang. The wisdom that Tang Wanzhuang displayed in the past and the foolish appearance she was displaying lately made it seem as though she was a completely different person.

Tang Wanzhuang said flatly, “Even if you aren’t Vermillion Bird, there is now solid evidence that you belong to the Four Idols Cult.”

“Exactly, I am the Fire Serpent of Yi of the Four Idols Cult, and I did enter the palace with an agenda, my dear bureau chief. You guessed correctly.” Huangfu Qing smiled sweetly. “Since you know that I entered the palace with ulterior motived and did not truly intend to become the imperial noble consort, what’s so strange about me sneaking out to get together with other men? Do you think you can hold this over me? Ha...”

The Fire Serpent of Yi alias, which had been a spontaneous idea, turned out to be unexpectedly useful.

I should have done this from the start!

Huangfu Qing felt elated. As for being bullied by Xia Chichi, that was nothing. After all, she could simply change identities and turn the tables on her, teaching her a lesson until she was in tears.

Tang Wanzhuang said, “Are you not afraid that I’ll report you to His Majesty?”

“Even though the Demon Suppression Bureau is highly trusted, it’s still an external department. It would be best for you to not interfere in the matters of the palace... Of course, if you insist on reporting me, feel free to do so. I’d like to see whether His Majesty would even care... Well, he might even be a cuckold and likes seeing the imperial noble consort find other men. Do you really intend to find out?”

Tang Wanzhuang was stunned silent.

Huangfu Qing continued to smile sweetly. “By the way, I’d really suggest that you not use ethics to stop me. First, my identity has another purpose; I’m not really the imperial noble consort. Second, whether Zhao Changhe is a prince or not is still up for debate. Even if he is, he does not want to acknowledge it because he resents being abandoned by His Majesty back then, right? Having an affair with a nominal concubine such as myself is just a minor form of revenge. What reason do you have to stop it?”

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Zhao Changhe: “...”

Tang Wanzhuang glanced at him but said nothing.

She knew better than anyone that Zhao Changhe was very likely not a prince, since she had orchestrated the situation herself. Since he was not a prince, there was no ethical issue to use against him. She was personally disappointed, as it proved that Zhao Changhe truly did not want to be a prince; otherwise, he would have avoided such situations.

She sighed and said, “This woman has ulterior motives for entering the palace. Why can’t she have ulterior motives for getting close to you? Why are you so blinded by beauty that you can’t see this?”

Zhao Changhe was about to speak, but was interrupted by Huangfu Qing, “Why would I have ulterior motives for getting close to him?”

Tang Wanzhuang said lightly, “As I’ve said, you’re not someone who would fawn over a man. I know you too well.”

“You’re wrong this time, Tang Wanzhuang.” Huangfu Qing dropped her smile and continued firmly, “I like him.”

Tang Wanzhuang’s eyes widened in shock.

Even Zhao Changhe was a little surprised, not expecting Huangfu Qing to speak so directly.

“Entering the palace was merely a duty for the cult. As for my personal feelings, I like him, so why can’t I acknowledge it? Why shouldn’t I approach him?” Huangfu Qing said calmly, “I, Huangfu Qing, was born into a military family and learned under a demonic cult. I’m capable of loving and hating freely. How could I be bound by mere status? Unlike some noble ladies who are coy and pretentious, filled with jealousy yet hiding behind the guise of official duties—so dull and hypocritical.”

Tang Wanzhuang began to stutter again, “Who, who says I’m jealous...”

“If you openly competed with me, I’d respect you as an opponent. Since you’re not doing so... what does the reunion of two lovers have to do with you? The wall isn’t tall; go back from wherever you came from. I won’t see you off!”

Huangfu Qing was still somewhat restrained by her status. For example, she absolutely did not dare reveal her identity as Vermillion Bird. There was a hint of insecurity when she spoke these words. But once she finished, even fooling herself, she felt utterly invigorated. In the ten-plus years of rivalry with Tang Wanzhuang, she had never felt such a satisfying victory. It was as refreshing as drinking fine wine.

Tang Wanzhuang was indeed at a loss now. She was not being pretentious or coy. Zhao Changhe’s earlier analysis was correct: she had simply not sorted out her feelings yet, so she was unsure as to how to respond to such direct words.

At this moment, a little head peeked over the opposite wall.

Cui Yuanyang had been eavesdropping for a long time...

Initially, she really wanted to sneak over the wall to go to Zhao Changhe, but then before she could do so, Huangu Qing had already gone over.

Oh, imperial noble consort you were just lecturing me, threatening me using His Majesty’s name, all to steal a man?

Outrageous, do you think you can bully me because I’m young?

Seeing that Tang Wanzhuang was struggling to respond, Cui Yuanyang, who once viewed her as a formidable enemy, now felt relieved.

It seems that First Seat Tang has nothing to do with Big Brother Zhao. Maybe I was just overthinking things before. This imperial noble consort, however, is the real vixen!

Cui Yuanyang immediately regarded Tang Wanzhuang as a friend and intervened, “Oh, Your Highness, what are you doing here...”

Huangfu Qing’s expression stiffened.

She was so caught up in her enjoyment that she forgot there was someone else on the other side of the other wall.

Cui Yuanyang propped her elbows on the wall and rested her chin on her hands. “Someone was just lecturing me about not casually clinging to a man and considering the reputation of the Cui Clan... It seems that the Huagfu Clan isn’t much better, seeing as you’re sneaking around with men even after getting married.”

Huangfu Qing: “...”

I was careless.

“It seems that neither of our family’s reputation is all that great. Regardless, I should still be better than some, at least I don’t mind Big Brother Zhao having a few concubines.” Cui Yuanyang continued to prop her chin on her hands. “Whether bound by parental orders or matchmaker’s words, people can’t deceive others in the long run, even if they manage to do so temporarily...”

Huangfu Qing gritted her teeth: “Do you have a matchmaker?”

Tang Wanzhuang slowly said, “Yes, it’s me.”

Huangfu Qing suddenly recalled her previous analogy of relating herself to Cao Wei, and realized just how ominous it was.

It was at the height of its power that Cao Wei encountered Chibi.

Are these two really joining forces against me?

Actually, she had words she could use to fight back... such as, “If anyone should be the main wife, it should be our saintess; why would it be you?” But she absolutely did not want to be the one to say such things; just thinking of Xia Chichi’s smug face infuriated her.

I’ve offended too many people. I’m now surrounded by enemies.

Zhao Changhe, who had never known how to handle such chaotic situations, was at a loss for a long time before finally finding a way to break the tension, “Uh... Venerable Vermillion Bird should have sent you here to ask about the Night Emperor’s token, right? Shall we talk about that?”

Serious matters truly are the best way to change the subject. Huangfu Qing sighed in relief. “Yes, I have serious business with you, unlike some people who have nothing better to do.”

Seeing her feigned nonchalance and weakness, Tang Wanzhuang, who had been on the defensive, finally smiled and said casually, “Yangyang.”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to come to my courtyard for some tea? Let’s give them some space and not be too stingy.” Tang Wanzhuang headed toward the gate, sighing to herself, “Some people are actually quite pitiable, being sent on long journeys for trivial questions and perhaps having to warm the bed afterward. They may appear to be the imperial noble consort, but they’re no different from maids. Next time, I should have Baoqin talk to her...”

Huangfu Qing was livid.

This identity isn’t that great, after all! This isn’t fair!

“Alright... Wanzhuang was just provoking you to see if there was a chance you actually are Venerable Vermillion Bird.” Zhao Changhe sighed. “Besides, being sent around by the venerable isn’t so bad. What’s the point of being in the palace? You always preferred being carefree in the jianghu. Moreover...”

Huangfu Qing asked with a straight face, “Moreover what?”

“Moreover, I wanted to see you.”

“Now that she’s gone, you start saying sweet things. Why didn’t you speak up earlier?”

“First, I really don’t know how to speak in such situations. Second... I felt like none of you wanted me to speak.”

Huangfu Qing was taken aback, realizing that there was some truth to what he said. At least earlier, when he tried to speak, she had cut him off. At that moment, she indeed did not want him to speak up for anyone, even herself, as it would have been pointless.

In essence, they had not really been fighting over a man.

Though there was possessive desire, it had mainly been two proud women, who had been rivals their entire lives, choosing a different battlefield. Rather than competing for a man, it was more about trying to infuriate the other.

Otherwise, she should have tried everything to make Tang Wanzhuang give up on Zhao Changhe, instead of saying, “If you openly competed with me, I’d respect you as an opponent,” which was practically encouraging her.

Looking at Tang Wanzhuang’s final performance, it seemed like she might be ready to join the game. It looks like she really might be interested in him...

Huangfu Qing looked at Zhao Changhe with her mind filled with unspoken words.

After all this fighting with her, isn’t it you who stands to benefit in the end? He seems to be silent, but he’s actually making a fortune in that silence. Just look at how he used serious matters to defuse the situation so accurately.

“Ahem.” Zhao Changhe said seriously, “Shall we go inside to talk? About the token, I need to explain things to you in detail... Ow~ Why’d you hit me?”

“For flirting around, for being a playboy, for making a fortune quietly, you feel proud, don’t you? Go to hell! Is explaining the token even any important? Who cares if you’re the Night Emperor’s successor? Even if the Night Emperor comes in person, I’ll still beat you up”

In the night, the sound of a man’s suppressed cries echoed. As two heads peeked over the wall, they looked at each other for a while before one of them said, “It seems that this was what was supposed to happen all along. We may have misunderstood her.”

1. This is a geographic area referring to the lands south of the Nanling Mountains. ☜