After returning to the palace that day, everything was calm for a few days. Then, Mu Liuyin heard the news that the emperor’s birthday banquet would be held in three days.
She raised an eyebrow, remembering that in the plot, this was the moment when the original owner, Yin Xiu, started to develop feelings for Su Biyan. Since Su Biyan arrived in this world, her reputation as a talented woman had quickly spread throughout the capital, and she was currently in the spotlight. She was even compared to Lin Xi, who was predicted to have a fate of being the “phoenix” of the empire, with both of them being referred to as the capital’s “two beauties.”
The emperor’s birthday banquet allowed ministers to bring their families, so Su Biyan, as the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s family, also attended. During the emperor’s entertainment, where young people were asked to compose poems, Su Biyan won first place. Compared to her brilliant performance, Lin Xi’s originally good performance now seemed rather mediocre.
It was unclear whether the emperor intended to suppress Lin Xi or the General’s family, but he tacitly accepted the label of the “two beauties” of the capital.
Mu Liuyin smiled, thinking it was the perfect opportunity to take revenge, especially since she had yet to punish Su Biyan for causing her little pitiful one to fall into the water and fall ill. The birthday banquet three days later would be an excellent time to do so.
Over the past few days, based on the information she had gathered, it seemed highly likely that Su Biyan came from the same world as herself. After all, the ancient poems she often recited were familiar to her. Mu Liuyin thought for a moment, then asked Xiao Jiu, [Xiao Jiu, can you create an anthology of ancient poems?]
Xiao Jiu replied, [Of course! I can finish it in half a day!]
Pleased with the answer, Mu Liuyin smirked. [Make sure to include all the ancient poems Su Biyan has composed in this world, and also add some poems from our world.]
This was the first time Mu Liuyin had asked Xiao Jiu for help, and Xiao Jiu was extremely excited, replying immediately, [Got it! Leave it to me!]
In less than half an hour, Mu Liuyin was holding a beautifully crafted ancient poetry book. She thought to herself, “Looks like this whiny system is still somewhat useful.”
Next, she summoned her hidden guards. Within three days, she instructed them to ensure that this ancient poetry book “accidentally” ended up in the hands of the former Imperial Master, Mr. Ji, known for his wisdom and revered status in the literary circle.
It was said that due to her outstanding talents, Su Biyan had not only attracted many admirers but also caught the attention of Mr. Ji, the Imperial Master who was also the emperor’s tutor.
Mu Liuyin was curious to see whether Su Biyan’s upcoming display of talent would be a success or a laughingstock, especially if the book Xiao Jiu had created ended up in Mr. Ji’s hands. After all, Mr. Ji would also attend the emperor’s birthday banquet.
Mu Liuyin wasn’t concerned that anyone would doubt the authenticity of the poetry book. Aside from the poems Su Biyan had plagiarized, there were many other exceptional works included. Furthermore, as a young woman in a boudoir, how could Su Biyan possibly write such a wide variety of brilliant poems? It was likely that suspicions had already been raised.
As she thought about this, Mu Liuyin smiled and became more and more appreciative of the benefits of the original owner’s identity. Solving the Su Biyan problem was a major step forward. After that, as long as she followed the plot and ascended to the throne, avoiding the madness of the original owner, she could easily protect the General’s family.
What truly troubled Mu Liuyin, however, was the engagement with Lin Xi. Even though she deeply cared for the girl, her soul was that of a woman, and she couldn’t help but dread the idea of a marital relationship. Even the thought of married life was uncomfortable!
With a mental image of Lin Xi’s delicate features, Mu Liuyin slowly looked down at her own body.
Oh, of course, there was no arousal. Mu Liuyin thought, expressionless.
Let’s not discuss Mu Liuyin’s discomforting thoughts. Meanwhile, Lin Xi, who had been recalling the events of her previous life with a cold expression, softened when her mother entered the room.
“Xi’er.” Yin Jinxi looked at her daughter with concern. Ever since the day Lin Xi woke up, she had noticed her daughter’s emotions seemed off, though she wasn’t sure why.
Meeting her mother’s worried gaze, Lin Xi softly called, “Mother,” and then said, “I don’t want to marry Cousin anymore.”
Yin Jinxi stared at her daughter in shock. She had seen how much Lin Xi liked Yin Xiu, and it was clear that Yin Xiu also treated Lin Xi well. That’s why they hadn’t raised any objections after both children had grown up. With Yin Xiu around, Lin Xi would still have protection after their departure.
However, Lin Xi quickly changed the subject, and Yin Jinxi couldn’t help but smile, thinking that Lin Xi might have been upset by something Yin Xiu had done, which was why she was acting out a little. She didn’t think much of it.
The next day, the hidden guards worked quickly, and by noon, the ancient poetry book created by Xiao Jiu “accidentally” ended up in the hands of Mr. Ji, the former Imperial Master.
Mu Liuyin was pleased and went to find her pitiful little one. However, before she entered the house, she saw Su Biyan, who had also come to the General’s residence.
When Su Biyan saw Yin Xiu, she was a little surprised, but recalling the faint affection Yin Xiu had shown her before, she smiled and approached him, bowing respectfully. “Greetings, Crown Prince.”
Su Biyan’s appearance was innocent, but her voice was the opposite—always carrying an alluring, captivating charm when speaking to others.
Mu Liuyin, who knew the plot, had no good feelings toward her. Though she didn’t want to interact with Su Biyan, standing there in the General’s residence obviously wouldn’t be good for either of them.
“No need to bow,” Mu Liuyin said coldly, then immediately walked inside the residence.
Su Biyan was puzzled by his sudden coldness, but she followed him inside.
Lin Xi, who was in the garden admiring the flowers, saw the servant announce their arrival. However, she was not just greeted by Yin Xiu but also by a woman she deeply hated.
Watching the two figures walking in tandem, Lin Xi suppressed the hatred in her eyes, her hand clenched into a fist beneath her sleeve.
When Mu Liuyin approached, she softly called, “Cousin.”
Mu Liuyin looked at the still-pale face of the girl and patted her head. “Why are you out here in the breeze so soon after your illness?”
“It’s too stuffy inside,” Lin Xi said. “Su Miss is here too?”
Su Biyan smiled slyly. “I heard that Miss Lin was ill, so I came to pay a visit. I happened to run into the Crown Prince.”
Lin Xi blinked her eyes, and in the depths of her black pupils, there was only coldness.
Mu Liuyin’s expression stiffened as she shot a warning glance at Su Biyan. Fearing that Lin Xi might fall ill again, she coaxed Lin Xi back inside.
Fortunately, Su Biyan didn’t stay long. It seemed that she had indeed come to check on Lin Xi’s recovery, and soon she left.
However, Mu Liuyin couldn’t stay long either because Lin Xi was feeling tired.
As soon as she left the General’s Manor, Mu Liuyin saw Su Biyan, who had already left.
“Your Highness,” Su Biyan called, walking up beside her.
The alley was empty, and that’s why Su Biyan felt bold enough to approach.
Mu Liuyin, who didn’t want to engage with her, stopped and looked at her coldly. “Miss Su, please mind your behavior.”
Su Biyan furrowed her brows, confused by Mu Liuyin’s sudden coldness. She gritted her teeth and said, “Didn’t His Highness approach me first?”
Recalling the actions of her original self, Mu Liuyin nearly wanted to drag her predecessor out and beat her up. She looked coldly at Su Biyan. “Perhaps it’s you who are overestimating yourself. I only admire your talent. Furthermore…” She leaned closer to Su Biyan’s ear, “I believe the incident with Xi’er falling into the water has something to do with you, doesn’t it?”
Upon hearing this, Su Biyan’s heart froze, and her face turned pale. She forced herself to calm down. “Your Highness is joking.”
“Heh!” Mu Liuyin let out a cold laugh and turned to leave.
As she walked away, she didn’t notice that the entire scene, resembling a kiss, had been reflected in a pair of dark, beautiful eyes—those of Lin Xi.
“Miss, are you alright?” The little maid trailing behind Lin Xi asked, both worried and angry. “I can’t believe the Crown Prince is such a person!”
She was so furious that she didn’t even bother to address him as “Your Highness.”
The little maid, named Zi Han, had always been loyal. She couldn’t understand why her mistress, who had just woken up from a nap, suddenly got up and followed the Crown Prince. Then, to her shock, she saw the Crown Prince, who always treated her mistress gently, actually kissing the daughter of the Duke’s household outside.
It was truly outrageous! And that girl from the Duke’s household wasn’t innocent either! As a woman, to do such a thing in broad daylight—she had no shame at all.
Of course, Zi Han was mostly concerned for her mistress.
Lin Xi turned her gaze away and gently patted her head. With a calm tone, she said, “Zi Han, let’s return to the manor.”
Seeing Lin Xi’s pale face from her recent illness and hearing her calm voice, Zi Han felt even more sympathy.
Determined to tell Madam about this when they returned, so she could reprimand the Crown Prince, Zi Han had just made up her mind when she heard her mistress’s calm voice again, “Do not tell mother.”
It wasn’t the right time yet.
Lin Xi’s eyes darkened, her gaze hiding a deep hatred that no one could see.
Meanwhile, Su Biyan, still standing in the alley, reflected on the words Mu Liuyin had said to her. Her face turned pale, unable to understand how the Crown Prince knew that she was behind Lin Xi’s fall into the water.
But remembering that he hadn’t exposed her yet, she figured it was because there was no evidence. After all, she had been so careful. Moreover, her good reputation had spread throughout the capital, and even the Crown Prince wouldn’t dare to accuse her without proof.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt that Mu Liuyin couldn’t do anything to her. Su Biyan then recalled the humiliation she had just endured from Mu Liuyin. Her beautiful eyes flashed with a hint of malice. She knew the plot well, and now she had the favor of the Imperial Teacher, Master Ji, and her family background was no less impressive than Lin Xi’s.
Even if Mu Liuyin was the male lead, so what? Knowing the plot, Su Biyan could make sure he never became emperor. After all, there was only one emperor’s throne, but many princes who wanted it.
Su Biyan sneered, “Since you’ve humiliated me like this, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
At this moment, Su Biyan was plotting the downfall of the Crown Prince, but little did she know that, without taking any actual action, her reputation would already be ruined at the Emperor’s birthday banquet three days later.
Loveguy On CFRFGC Chapter 1