WBSGVS Chapter 202 V2

They were all imperial loyalists. Although the Emperor was weak, the throne was the throne, especially for the Fu family, which was tied by marriage to the imperial clan.

If they teamed up with Zhou Xing, and Zhou’s power grew, when the dust settled, he might use it against the throne itself.

“Rebellion is a dramatic word, but every dynasty has gone through upheavals.” Yi Han sneered, then turned back toward Sima Chang. “Besides, we were able to assassinate him once; we can do it again. Once we resolve this and expose his ambitions, we can team up with Prince Duan to destroy him. It’s a risk… but the odds of success are high!”

Sima Chang tightened his grip on his folding fan, knuckles growing white, battling himself. To align with Zhou Xing was a dangerous move. If it backfired, the Sima dynasty might collapse, and then he — Sima Chang — would become a sinner of the dynasty.

But after a moment of deep thought, Fu Cheng nodded slowly. “It’s worth trying.”

Sima Qinghe slowly opened her tightly clenched hand and broke into a small smile. “All right.”

The political climate at court shifted once again.

The Fu family and the Yi family were now openly aligning themselves with the Prince Regent!

The staunch Royalist Party had turned to him as well, sending shockwaves through the court.

Sima Heng looked at the nearly unanimous support for the Prince Regent and flew into a rage — he dismissed the court in a huff. But the next day, under pressure from the Prince Regent, he was forced to appear in court again with a dark expression.

He couldn’t understand — why would even the Fu family abandon him?

The Fu family’s matriarch was his sister!

But Yi Han and Fu Cheng were the designated heirs of their respective houses. Even without the full support of their clans, their actions were enough to undermine the throne, especially at a time when imperial power was weak.

Some courtiers suggested swapping marriage candidates — after all, Princess Leyi was proficient in divination; sending someone with such an ability to Chu seemed a waste. But this proposal was immediately dismissed by the majority of ministers. Some supported it, but their voice was weak and easily ignored.

Sima Heng remained indifferent. He wasn’t about to undermine his power for the marriage of a single daughter. So the proposal fell through quickly.

The marriage remained as previously decided.

The marriage agreement had already been in place for two months. According to diplomatic custom, the Chu delegation would come to fetch the bride in four more months.

Sima Yan, who had always been sheltered, heard the rumors that his sister was going to be married off to another country. He rushed over in all seriousness and whispered to Qingli, “Sister, let’s run away!”

Qingli nearly laughed aloud. She ruffled her little brother’s hair and said warmly, “Don’t worry — they wouldn’t dare to send me away.”

Sima Yan remained worried, but having grown up under Qingli’s protection, her confidence put him at ease. He nodded and went back to his studies, although from then on, he trained harder in martial arts.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager’s birthday banquet was upon them.

As the Empress Dowager of a country — especially now, when Sima Heng was under pressure — the birthday celebration was a grand affair. All fifth-rank and above officials were allowed to bring their spouses.

The preparations were extensive, and the actual celebration fell on June 12.

Qingli, the center of much gossip recently, was, of course, in attendance.

This was a day when the ruler and ministers celebrated together, and the venue was a sprawling palace hall. Sima Qinghe — the most outstanding of the imperial children — arrived early with Sima Chang.

As always, a crowd of young men surrounded her.

Princess Leqin was well known as the greatest beauty of the Jin dynasty. Although she had voluntarily given up the title, many remained devoted admirers. They filled her glass, poured her tea, and kept up charming conversation.

Yi Han’s face grew colder by the moment. He glared at the men fawning over her, wishing he could physically toss them all outside. But this was the Empress Dowager’s birthday; there was nothing he could do.

The others, emboldened by his inaction, pressed forward even more eagerly.

Sima Qinghe thoroughly enjoyed this scene — it represented the power and prestige she had painstakingly cultivated.

She raised her glass to toast someone and was about to drink when a clear voice called from across the room, “Princess!”

For a moment, she thought it was meant for her. But when she looked up, she saw Sima Qingli entering, surrounded by palace servants.

Dressed in resplendent court attire, her appearance was stunning — a perfect match for her charming face — a dramatic contrast to the simple, elegant young woman she had first been.

Whether in the Cold Palace or surrounded by power, she remained the same, smiling faintly, unfazed by her rise in fortune.

Sima Qinghe felt a rush of envy.
Before, she hadn’t understood where Qingli’s confidence came from. Now, she knew.

Yi Han, thinking she was worried about the marriage, came forward to console her. “Don’t mind her. Even if she wins over those ministers, it’s not enough.”

Sima Qinghe forced a small smile and nodded, then dismissed him and returned to her seat, unable to help herself from casting glances downward toward Qingli.

Qingli arrived just a quarter of an hour before the feast was due to start. The moment she appeared, the ministers who had been deep in conversation rushed forward to greet her. “Princess Leyi!”

Sima Qinghe’s eyes narrowed. She turned to Yi Han and said quietly, “Isn’t that the Minister of War? I thought he was a supporter of Zhou Xing.”

The Minister of War, who previously had invited Qingli to help his son conquer his nightmares, nodded respectfully. “Your Highness, it’s thanks to you that my son no longer wakes up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night.”

Yi Han felt a rush of shame and disbelief. “I underestimated her… even the Minister of War is on her side.”

Sima Qinghe was about to console him, to say it wasn’t worth worrying over. But then the Minister of Revenue — normally worn down by financial worries — walked up and addressed Qingli warmly: “Princess, you said I should report back to you. Ever since you performed the exorcism, I’ve felt more energetic every day. I no longer doze off in court, and my hair has gotten thick again!”

Sima Qinghe fell silent. The Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue… now members of the imperial clan were approaching her, eager to pay their respects.

“Princess…”

Usually, Qingli avoided banquets and ceremonies. Few ministers or their families were able to meet her in person. So now, seeing her here, many rushed forward to win her favor.

Who knew when something might come up again? It was hard to find someone with the ability — securing a powerful ally was worth it.

Suddenly, Qingli was surrounded by well-wishers. She listened carefully and responded to each person in kind.

Sima Yan and Yi Han fell into silence, exchanging glances and then turning away. There was nothing more humiliating than watching someone you dismissed as a tool become a master, eclipsing you in power and prestige.

At that moment, Fu Cheng noticed their discomfort and slipped away from a group of young women to come over. Quietly, he asked, “What should we do? I hadn’t expected her to move this quickly. If she makes a move at the banquet, we may be powerless to stop it.”

Sima Qinghe and Yi Han fell silent.

Yi Han’s face tightened. “What’s there to be afraid of? The Prince is here. Whatever influence she pulls together, it’s nothing without the Prince’s approval.”

Suddenly, a commotion rose from nearby. The people surrounding Sima Qingli were all turning toward the entrance.

Sima Qinghe hadn’t meant to look, but the commotion was so large she turned anyway — and saw a group of people making their way toward the main doors.

At the center was a white-haired but vigorous elderly man. His hearty laughter filled the hall. At his appearance, all — from elderly members of the imperial clan to ministers — stood up to show their respect.

In that moment, all the confidence and luck that Sima Qinghe, Yi Han, and Fu Cheng had been clinging to fell away.

Sima Chang remained uninvolved, but even he glanced over in sympathy at his favorite Fifth Royal Sister and sighed.

Sima Qinghe, normally careful to maintain her demeanor, cried in disbelief, “She… she even invited the imperial grand-uncle?”