WBSGVS Chapter 199 V3

Then all eyes turned to Sima Qinghe.

She had originally been chosen for the task. After all, they lived in the same Chaoyang Palace, which made things easier.

But Sima Qinghe immediately shook her head. “You go!”

She didn’t dare. She had been afraid of Qingli even before all this, let alone now that she knew Qingli possessed such strange abilities. The other two were men and couldn’t freely enter the inner palace.

So, in the end, Sima Chang had to go himself.

After they settled on a plan, they sent someone to carry it out.

The plan was set for noon.

Occasionally, Sima Yan would finish his lessons early and come to the rear palace to have lunch with Qingli. He was only ten and still had the freedom to come and go. Sima Chang was sixteen—not yet of age—so he couldn’t stay overnight in the harem, but it was fine for him to spend an hour or two there.

But today, just as Sima Yan left the Imperial Academy, a eunuch blocked his path.

“Fourth Prince, my Lord has summoned you.”

Sima Yan pressed his lips together. He didn’t want to go.

The eunuch immediately smiled. “It’s an important matter, Your Highness. If you don’t come now and I report back, the Prince will come get you himself—and that would cause a scene. That wouldn’t be good for Princess Leyi either, would it?”

Sima Yan recognized the eunuch—he often served at Sima Chang’s side.

He didn’t want to drag his sister into this. In his short time at the palace, he’d already learned how hard life could be for a child without their mother’s protection. His sister had always shielded him. He couldn’t keep making her clean up his messes.

If Sima Chang wanted to harm him, he wouldn’t do it in broad daylight by sending his own man.

After thinking it over, Sima Yan nodded.

The eunuch gestured, “This way, please.”

But when Sima Yan followed him to a secluded pavilion, there was no sign of Sima Chang. Only Sima Qinghe sat waiting.

When she saw him, she stood and greeted him with a smile. “Fourth Brother, come have a seat.”

Sima Yan frowned. He greeted her politely, then immediately turned to the eunuch. “Where is Third Brother?”

The eunuch bowed. “His Highness was delayed by some affairs. Please enjoy your meal here first.” Then he called out loudly, “Serve the food!”

Palace maids filed in, placing dishes on the table—lavish and aromatic. Though it was summer, the pavilion sat by a pond, and the air was pleasantly cool—a perfect dining spot.

Sima Yan silently stared at the eunuch. The eunuch lowered his head and avoided his gaze.

Sima Qinghe bit her lip and looked at the boy, who had barely acknowledged her. Her expression darkened slightly.
“You’re growing. You shouldn’t skip meals. Come eat.”

“Thank you, Royal Sister,” Sima Yan replied politely, sitting down and picking up his chopsticks.

Sima Qinghe smiled as she served him food. “This is West Lake vinegar fish. The palace chefs even traveled to the region to learn how to make it. It’s very authentic. See if you like it?”

“Thank you,” Sima Yan said again, civil but distant.

“You’re my sister, there is no need to be so formal,” she said teasingly, reaching out to pat his head.

Sima Yan leaned away. “I’m all sweaty. I’d hate to dirty your hand.”

Her smile froze. She drew her hand back, trying to sound gentle again.
“It’s okay. It makes sense for you to be distant. Life must’ve been hard for you in the Cold Palace. I should’ve noticed earlier—it was my failure. From now on, if you need anything, just come to me. I’ll protect you.”

“Thank you,” Sima Yan replied once more, even more formal. “Life in the Cold Palace wasn’t bad. The clothes and food were simple, but I was never cold or hungry.”

As he kept politely turning her away, the smile faded from Sima Qinghe’s face, and her delicate features took on a trace of coldness.

Sima Yan looked down at his bowl and ate slowly. If not for the fact that his sister had told him his childhood hunger had weakened his stomach and he had to eat slowly, he would’ve finished in three bites and walked out.

Still, the vinegar fish was good. He’d tell his sister about it tomorrow so she could try it too.

At the Chaoyang Palace, Qingli was waiting for Sima Yan. If he wasn’t coming, someone usually sent word.

But instead of a eunuch, it was Sima Chang who arrived.

The sixteen-year-old youth strolled in confidently, smiling. “Sister, forgive me for showing up uninvited.”

Qingli smiled. “It’s alright. Does Brother need something?”

Sima Chang rubbed his stomach playfully. “I’m a bit hungry. Mind if I join you for lunch?”

Qingli smiled politely. “Apologies, but I’m afraid this food may not suit your taste…”

She had no intention of dining with someone she disliked. No point in compromising over such a trivial thing.

But Sima Chang had already sat down, cheerful as ever.
“I know you’re waiting for Fourth Brother, but he won’t be coming today. Wouldn’t want the food to go to waste—might as well let me help.”

Qingli replied with a smile, “It’s fine. If I can’t finish, the palace staff can have the rest.”

Sima Chang’s expression darkened slightly. He waved for the palace maids to leave.

Baizhu and the others looked to Qingli for confirmation. When she nodded, they withdrew.

Once alone, Sima Chang turned to face Qingli, tapping his fingers on the table in a rhythmic, suggestive way.

“Sister,” he said in a low voice, “are you unaware, or just pretending? I know this marriage proposal was unfair to you. But the inner palace is a treacherous place. Life here is cheap. Who knows if the person smiling today will be alive tomorrow? Are you not going to find your only brother a strong ally?”

He stressed the word “only.”

It was a reminder—Sima Yan was her only family now. Her mother was gone. Their father was useless. They had only each other. If she didn’t protect Sima Yan, and something happened to him, she’d be all alone.

Qingli chuckled softly, idly twirling a chopstick in her fingers.

Sima Chang frowned slightly and tapped the table again. “Sister—”

Suddenly, Qingli looked up and met his gaze. Sima Chang froze.

And in that instant, Qingli thrust the chopstick straight at the back of his hand resting on the table.

“AHHH!!”

Sima Chang shrieked. But his hand couldn’t move—his wrist locked like a string had been yanked tight.

She was fast.

And yet, there was no pain.

When he snapped back to reality, he quickly pulled his hand back. Embedded in the table before him was a chopstick stabbed straight through, standing upright.

Qingli smiled at him, eyes gleaming with unmistakable threat.
“I may not be able to protect my brother completely, but I can avenge him. Don’t you think so, Brother?”

Sima Chang: “……………”

Silence fell like a death shroud.

Just moments ago, he had felt smug, thinking he had the upper hand. Now the color had drained from his face, lips pressed tight, eyes wide with lingering fear and disbelief.

That move—

If she had meant to kill him…

He would already be dead.