WBSGVS Chapter 208 V1

No matter how much they resented him, the Fu parents still had to make plans for their son. He was their flesh and blood—until there was no hope left, who could truly bear to give up?

The very next day, they brought Fu Cheng along to the Grand Preceptor’s manor to offer an apology.

They came bearing lavish gifts and didn’t say much else—only that Fu Cheng had been immature and had followed Sima Chang in causing trouble. They asked Qingli to let it go, since they were, after all, cousins.

As for the fact that Qingli had nearly become a marriage pawn to the Emperor of Chu—an old man—because of Fu Cheng’s suggestion, they said nothing. Back then, as long as Sima Qinghe and the others kept quiet, Qingli might never have known Fu Cheng was the one behind it.

The one who spoke up to apologize was Fu Cheng’s mother, Princess Jiarong, the late emperor’s seventh daughter.

After her apology, Princess Jiarong smacked Fu Cheng hard on the back and urged him, “Hurry up and apologize to your cousin!”

Fu Cheng’s expression was awkward. He reluctantly stepped forward and said respectfully, “Cousin, I was in the wrong. Please don’t hold it against me.”

Qingli smiled and replied graciously, “Whatever are you saying, Cousin? It was the Third Prince who made the formal request, not you. Of course, I wouldn’t blame you for it.”

But what she blamed him for had nothing to do with the arranged marriage.

Her easygoing response made Fu Cheng breathe a huge sigh of relief. It was the first time he looked at her—she was quite beautiful. Even dressed so simply, her face was unforgettable. His resistance softened, and he said more warmly, trying to please her, “Thank you for your understanding, Cousin. Do you like cuju? There’s a match coming up in a few days. If people hear you’re attending, they’ll be thrilled.”

Qingli replied apologetically, “I’m swamped with work—I won’t have time.”

“No worries, no worries,” Fu Cheng waved it off casually.

The conversation went smoothly, and the Fu parents relaxed. By the time they left, they were smiling.

Baizhu refilled Qingli’s fruit tea and asked in a low voice, “Your Highness, did you forgive him?” Her thinking was simple, and she was still upset. “Back when we had no power or backing, they messed with us like that. If it weren’t for you, Your Highness, we’d have ended up married off to the Emperor of Chu!”

She didn’t know it was Fu Cheng who had originally suggested the match, but she knew those four were all in on it together. Now Fu Cheng comes out, says sorry, and they expect her mistress to let it go? That was just too much to swallow.

Qingli raised a brow. “Do I look like such a good person?”

Baizhu stared blankly and shook her head. Back when the two maids bullied Qingli and the Fourth Prince, they were punished, but not by Qingli directly—she had simply chosen not to save them.

Seeing Baizhu’s conflicted face, Qingli blinked and said meaningfully, “I said before: everyone in the palace is a hypocrite. And now… I’m in the palace too, aren’t I?”

Let alone the fact that she was only in the palace because of Fu Cheng.

Everything the original Qingli suffered was thanks to him—how could she possibly forgive him?

But if she reacted the same way she had to Sima Chang, and went head-to-head with the Fu family and Princess Jiarong, they could still cause her a fair bit of trouble. So naturally, she had to play nice.

She also knew the Fu family hadn’t truly let down their guard. They were putting on a good front, but behind the scenes, they were still looking for another way forward. That said, the outcome had already been set the moment Qingli secured the military token. For now, keeping up the appearance of peace was enough. She had other things to take care of.

She took a sip of the fruit tea—sour at first, but sweet on the finish.

With a cheerful smile, Qingli asked, “What’s A-Yan up to?”

“His Highness is practicing martial arts—he got tired of reading,” Baizhu replied.

Qingli nodded with satisfaction. Eleven years old. Still a bit young. Would Sima Chang and the others have the patience to wait?

—

Fu Cheng never returned. Sima Chang sent people to check on him, but all they were told was that he had fallen ill.

A flimsy excuse, and silence followed.

Fu Cheng had been perfectly healthy when he left.

When Sima Chang said he wanted to visit Fu Cheng, he was refused. The excuse was that the illness might be contagious and that the boys couldn’t risk being exposed to the wind. No outsiders allowed.

Everyone knew what that kind of brush-off meant.

Shut out, Sima Chang returned to the Qilin Hall and smashed a pile of porcelain before he finally calmed down.

Taking a deep breath, he started thinking about his next move.

The people he placed around the Second Prince were meant to stir his ambition, but to force a coup, he’d need the Prince Regent’s involvement. The Second Prince didn’t have the guts to go through with it on his own.

He’d hoped someone with real influence would bring up the matter of naming the Crown Prince. Everyone with eyes could see who that candidate would be—but the Prince Regent wouldn’t agree, and neither would Sima Qingli.

That’s when things would fall into place.

But now the first step had already failed, and Sima Chang was coming undone.

Nothing was going right. Was he going to give up now and let Sima Qingli walk all over him?

No way.

Just then, Sima Qinghe spoke up. “Third Brother… let’s just give up…”

He looked over at her. Her beautiful eyes were filled with worry for him. Normally, that would soften his heart, but right now, he had no time for sentiment. He was just about to lash out.

Give up? After everything? All of this had started because of her. Did she think Qingli would just let them walk away unscathed? Not a chance.

But before he could speak, a flash of insight hit him.

The Minister of War’s son, Luo Liang, was quite taken with his younger sister. He’d tried to court her several times but had been blocked by Yi Han. He had even asked Sima Chang to put in a word for him.

Sima Chang had refused. Luo Liang was too much of a playboy, and Qinghe—who normally loved basking in male attention—had lost interest in him once she learned what kind of man he was.