Chapter 53 Male Protagonist’s Scheme

“Qiu Daren…” Qin Zhengya murmured her name, staggering half a step back: “It can’t be, Qiu Daren is innocent.”

Seeing the hesitation in Qin Zhengya’s eyes, Cai Er pressed on: “Even if you say Qiu Daren is innocent, will Her Majesty believe it? If you don’t stand up for yourself, if you can’t make Her Majesty respect you, whatever you say will be in vain. She will only be more convinced that you are covering for Qiu Daren.”

“No…” Qin Zhengya frantically grabbed Cai Er’s sleeve: “Cai Er, tell me, what should I do? I can’t just watch Qiu Daren fall into misfortune.”

Cai Er smiled with satisfaction: “Others find it as difficult as climbing to heaven to gain a foothold in the palace, but the young master can do it effortlessly. You just need to carry yourself with the dignity of an Empress. Whoever displeases you, you can deal with them according to the laws of the inner palace. In a few days, even Rong Fei will have to bow and pay respects to you obediently when she sees you.”

The handkerchief in Qin Zhengya’s hand was almost wrinkled to pieces. Listening to the sounds of Yue Shen and Lan Xuezhao’s intimacy constantly coming from the tent, he instinctively resisted and shrank back, but… as soon as he thought of Qiu Shuzhi, he suddenly became fearless.

“Alright!” He clenched his fists, his eyes casting aside all softness and becoming determined: “I will definitely protect Qiu Daren.”

“Is that really what he said?” Yue Guanyi stood with his hands behind his back, the long wind making his official robes flutter noisily, his forehead hair disheveled, his phoenix eyes cold and dangerous.

“Yes. This subordinate heard it very clearly,” Chang’an replied respectfully.

The delicate young master of the Qin family had finally come to his senses. With his maternal family’s status and the Empress Dowager’s support, it seemed the inner palace would soon return to his control.

But… Chang’an didn’t dare to look at Yue Guanyi’s expression. He himself never expected that Qin Zhengya’s awakening was because of Qiu Shuzhi.

Though Yue Guanyi appeared calm on the surface, his heart must be a sea of jealousy right now.

This Qiu Shuzhi really had good fortune with romance. One Crown Prince, one Empress Dowager weren’t enough to satisfy her, now even the Empress was in the palm of her hand.

If the little Emperor knew that her brother, her stepfather, and even her Empress had all become Qiu Shuzhi’s subjects under her skirt, she would surely be furious enough to jump. Perhaps the desire to flay Qiu Shuzhi alive would be in her heart.

No, if the Empress Dowager knew that her own nephew had gotten involved with her lover, the consequences would likely be unimaginable.

In any case, it was all Qiu Shuzhi’s fault. The relationships in the inner palace had all become a mess.

“Heh—” Yue Guanyi’s barely audible laugh came on the wind, but it was so cold that one couldn’t discern joy or anger, only making people feel that the fierce beasts on his official robes were even more intimidating.

“Protect Qiu Niang, he’s not worthy,” his eyes were as dark and deep as a swamp, rotting and swallowing the souls of all living things.

This morning at the horse grounds, he had already noticed the unusual dependence and trust in Qiu Shuzhi’s eyes when looking at Qin Zhengya. After the small horse was startled, that tearful look on his face was blatantly seducing her. If there hadn’t been so many people around, he probably would have thrown himself into her arms.

Chang’an felt waves of bone-chilling cold on his head and quickly said: “Of course the Empress is not worthy, he’s just daydreaming. However, if the Empress’s power rises, it would be beneficial. At least there would be someone in the palace who could contend with Rong Fei.”

“Yes, he is the Empress.” Yue Guanyi’s expression was so gloomy it could drip black water. A man whose body had been taken by the Emperor, who had just finished serving in bed, whose body still bore traces left after pleasure with another woman, actually dared to have filthy thoughts about Qiu Niang, and still had the face to cry and declare his love.

Even in a brothel, one couldn’t find such a lowly man.

It was really unlucky for Qiu Niang to be liked by him.

“Let’s go!” Yue Guanyi clenched his fist and headed towards the main tent.

“Your Highness, it’s late, just when Her Majesty and her favored consorts are having dinner. Where are we going?” Chang’an looked at the direction Yue Guanyi was walking, so scared he didn’t dare to breathe, fearing he would lose his head in jealousy and argue with the Empress.

“Since it’s dinner time, why not join the fun.” Yue Guanyi’s face was gloomy.

When they reached the main tent, without waiting for the palace servants to announce them, he directly lifted the curtain and entered. The tent was warm and steamy inside. Yue Shen sat high in the main seat, embracing the soft and boneless Rong Fei. Musicians played seductive silk and bamboo music, dancers displayed alluring charms, a scene of decadent and licentious pleasure.

As for Qin Zhengya, he was sitting upright beside Yue Shen. Lan Xuezhao’s robe occasionally brushed against his hand, but he ate his food in small, cultured bites, calm as if they were two completely unrelated worlds.

He saw Yue Guanyi enter and was somewhat surprised: “Why has elder brother come?”

Yue Guanyi’s face was as cold as ice: “What? Am I not allowed to come?”

“Of course you’re allowed, of course you’re allowed. Elder brother, please take a seat,” Qin Zhengya hurriedly said.

Lan Xuezhao nestled in Yue Shen’s arms, his slender fingers resting on her chest drawing circles, his eyes full of charm: “It’s so rare for Crown Prince to come.”

Yue Guanyi’s expression was already unfriendly, and he couldn’t even be bothered to give a glance to Lan Xuezhao, a pawn of the King of Dian.

Lan Xuezhao felt slighted and sat to the side, saying displeased: “Elder brother really puts on such airs.”

Yue Guanyi’s already cold expression became even more gloomy. Qin Zhengya hurriedly tried to mediate: “It’s rare for elder brother to come. It’s livelier for the family to eat together, don’t you think so, Your Majesty?”

It was meant as a kind gesture, but unexpectedly seemed to touch Yue Shen’s sore spot.

Perhaps because she was still angry about earlier in the day, her words came with barbs, determined to put Qin Zhengya down: “Elder brother hasn’t even spoken, what right does the Empress have to interject?”

Qin Zhengya’s smile instantly vanished, his face turning pale.

Lan Xuezhao gave a light, mocking laugh. Though not loud, it was particularly grating.

The dignified Empress, just for saying one sentence, was publicly rebuked by the Emperor in front of the dancers and musicians. It was laughable, pitiful, and tragic.