Pei Liang looked at the scene before her and felt that something was amiss.
To be honest, ever since she had come to this world, the reversal of social norms had given her a natural advantage, allowing her to thrive with ease.
It was only inevitable that she would become increasingly uninhibited.
She had been flirting with people everywhere lately, but the situation with Young Master Su before her was clearly not comparable.
Making a move on him was out of the question—not easily, at least. According to the customs of this world, if she truly did that, they would become husband and wife in the most literal sense.
And she would genuinely have to fulfill her marital responsibilities.
Even though marriage here placed very few restrictions on women, she still had to consider the man’s position.
What if she ended up having to give birth to a child before she could extricate herself?
A scoundrel feared nothing—except that.
Pei Liang would never leave behind anyone connected to her by blood in any of the dungeon worlds.
Thus, no matter how delectable Young Master Su looked, no matter how flawless and jade-like his body was, Pei Liang remained as unmoved as an old monk in meditation—
Well, perhaps she was not quite that serene. She still enjoyed looking.
But at this moment, her opponent’s nervous state clearly meant that the more she said, the more mistakes she would make.
Pei Liang merely smiled, looking utterly composed.
She beckoned to Young Master Su. “Come here.”
Young Master Su clenched his fists, but still walked over slowly until he stood before Pei Liang.
Pei Liang was nearly dazzled by the sight of that alluring body. She pointed at the bed. “Get up there.”
The humiliation in Young Master Su’s expression deepened. Crystal tears began to gather in his eyes, suspended at the rims of his lower eyelids, threatening to fall.
They adorned his long lashes like tiny, scattered diamonds.
Young Master Su lifted one long leg and climbed onto the bed, his movements stiff and awkward.
Naturally, he could not compare with Master Fang, who had instinctively struck seductive poses. Yet somehow, his awkward appearance only made people want to bully him even more.
Pei Liang gave him another command. “Why are you just lying there? Turn over and lie on your stomach.”
Young Master Su felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He stood there in a daze.
Could this woman really be planning to humiliate him by treating him like a male dog?
But Little Sheng’s life was in danger. Now that he had married into Prince Liang’s residence, even if he escaped tonight, he would not escape tomorrow.
Perhaps it was better to let this evil spirit have her way with him and grow bored as soon as possible. Then he could at least enjoy some peace.
With no other choice, he slowly turned over, changing from lying on his back to lying face down.
Then that person’s hand reached toward him, drawing closer and closer.
Young Master Su closed his eyes. Yet after a long while, the skin-crawling touch he dreaded never came.
Instead, a warm quilt was pulled over him.
Young Master Su opened his eyes and saw Prince Liang lifting the outer quilt and covering him with it. Then she pushed his entire body into a roll.
In the blink of an eye, he had become a tightly wrapped bundle. After rolling once, he was lying on his back again.
Prince Liang tucked a pillow beneath his head, then ignored him and went into the inner room.
Washing supplies, hot water, and clean sleeping clothes had already been prepared there.
Pei Liang usually had servants attend to such things, but knowing that Young Master Su and his attendant were both nervous today, she had not allowed any unnecessary people to come and disturb them.
Young Master Su had assumed that she was a clean freak and wanted to wash herself before—
Listening to the sound of water from behind the screen, he felt as though he were enduring an execution where the blade could never quite fall. Every moment dragged on endlessly.
After an unknown length of time, Prince Liang returned to his view.
She had changed out of her bright red wedding robes and let down her hair. She now wore a black sleeping robe.
The robe was worn loosely and carelessly, and the intense feminine aura radiating from her made him momentarily dazed.
She took out another quilt, climbed into bed, spread it over herself, and lay down.
Then she promptly fell asleep.
Su Yue was a little stunned.
That was it?
Was she perhaps too drunk tonight to do anything?
Su Yue’s heart remained uneasy, though he could not deny feeling somewhat relieved.
The wedding bed was enormous. He slept on the inside, while Prince Liang slept on the outside, leaving more than an arm’s length between them.
With two thick quilts separating them, they seemed to have reached an arrangement in which neither would interfere with the other.
Su Yue had originally thought he would be unable to sleep. But perhaps he had been tense all day, or perhaps Prince Liang simply slept too soundly, and her calmness had rubbed off on him.
Before long, his eyelids grew heavier and heavier, and he sank into a deep sleep.
Su Yue had always been a light sleeper, yet when he woke the next morning, the sky was already bright.
Prince Liang had risen long ago and finished washing and dressing. She was now examining her own face in the mirror with an expression that seemed to say, “As expected of me.”
Su Yue jolted awake.
Prince Liang?
Only then did he remember that he and Prince Liang had been married the day before—and that he had slept beside her for an entire night.
The realization made his whole face flush.
How could he have let his guard down so completely in front of this woman?
Prince Liang, however, acted as though nothing unusual had happened.
“You’re awake? Go wash up. Come out for breakfast when you’re done.”
With that, she walked straight out the door.
Su Yue slowly unfolded the quilt in which he had wrapped himself so tightly, only then able to move his body and sit up.
He put on the clothes that had been prepared at the head of the bed. The washing supplies and hot water had also already been set out.
This meant that servants from the prince’s residence must have entered the room earlier, yet he had slept through it all. The thought left Young Master Su feeling especially awkward.
After washing up, he left the bridal chamber and finally had the chance to see the main courtyard of Prince Liang’s residence clearly.
As expected of a prince who had been favored and held power for many years, every corner of Prince Liang’s residence exuded luxury and refined elegance. Yet the political situation at court had become complicated.
Overnight, the Empress had grown tired of Prince Liang. Not only had she appointed a new heir to the throne, she had also bestowed upon Prince Liang a title laden with hidden meaning.
Su Yue had never thought highly of Prince Liang to begin with. No matter how accomplished the woman was said to be in both civil and military affairs, in Su Yue’s eyes, she had long displayed the makings of a foolish ruler.
The Su family had always been loyal only to the sovereign, carefully avoiding political entanglements and protecting themselves with prudence. They had never expected that, because of his own momentary carelessness, he would be forced to become embroiled in this struggle.
Su Yue’s thoughts were in turmoil as a servant led him to the dining hall.
Several people were already seated at the table.
Naturally, the Crown Princess and the Second Princess and her consort were among them. Had they really not returned to the palace yesterday?
The Crown Princess was still in good condition. She had not drunk much the previous day and was refreshed after a night’s sleep.
The Second Princess, however, looked far worse. She appeared to be suffering from a splitting headache, while Consort Zhou attended to her at her side.
Among the servants waiting nearby, Su Yue spotted Little Sheng.
Seeing that he was unharmed, Su Yue breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Prince Liang had merely frightened him the previous day.
When Little Sheng saw his master, his face lit up with surprise and urgency. He anxiously looked Young Master Su up and down, as though trying to determine whether that lecherous thief had mistreated him the night before.
Fortunately, the boy had clearly been taken aside and lectured after being dragged away yesterday. He did not dare disgrace himself in front of so many people now.
Su Yue’s heart settled somewhat, and he greeted the Crown Princess and the Second Princess.
Although he was the newlywed husband, he now held the senior position in Prince Liang’s household by virtue of being married to Prince Liang. Thus, even the Crown Princess and the Second Princess hurriedly rose and respectfully addressed him as “brother-in-law.” Neither dared accept his full formal bow.
After a man married, he was no longer as mysterious and precious as he had been while unmarried.
Su Yue’s beauty had long been renowned. Yet apart from the fleeting glimpse people had caught of him the previous evening, when he had still been wearing heavy makeup, it was his current daytime appearance—dressed simply and without cosmetics—that truly suited his temperament.
His beauty was also displayed more directly and unmistakably.
The Crown Princess was all right. Though her eyes kept lingering on him, they were clear and guileless—the pure admiration of a child.
The Second Princess, however, made Su Yue uncomfortable. Although she wore a gentle, reserved smile, Su Yue’s sensitive instincts told him that the smile was nothing more than a mask.
It was fake in a way he couldn’t quite put into words.
Consort Zhou, who was pouring her hangover soup, noticed her expression. He pressed his lips together and lowered his head.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he raised it again.
Su Yue sneered inwardly. Of these three princesses, aside from the Crown Princess, the other two truly couldn’t withstand scrutiny.
In a sense, the Empress’s decision had indeed been a wise one.
The moment he sat down, Prince Liang spoke.
“Second, how was the wine at my wedding banquet?”
The Second Princess froze and withdrew her gaze, turning toward the eldest. The Boss was eating breakfast with an air of indifference, as though she were merely making casual conversation.
She was probably planning to mock the Second Princess for getting drunk yesterday.
The Second Princess cursed inwardly—she had gotten drunk for whose sake, anyway?—but replied smoothly, “Naturally, the wine was worthy of Your Highness’s status and the grandeur of the occasion. It was fit for immortals.”
Pei Liang nodded. “I see. I thought the fine tribute wine brought out from the palace might have been fake.”
“How could that be?” the Second Princess said with a smile. “Mother’s gift was made with the utmost sincerity. If you keep making jokes like that, Elder Sister, don’t blame your younger sister for reporting you later.”
Pei Liang looked at her with a half-smile. “You can’t blame me for being suspicious.”
“If there was nothing wrong with the wine, why were you just grinning foolishly at your brother-in-law as if you’d drunk a whole jug of counterfeit liquor? You nearly frightened him to death.”
The Second Princess reacted as though she had been scorched by a tongue of flame. She had thought she had concealed everything perfectly, yet the Boss had launched such a blatant attack without warning.
It was simply outrageous.
With an expression of wounded innocence and humiliation, the Second Princess said, “Elder Sister, it’s one thing for sisters to speak without restraint among themselves, but this concerns my brother-in-law’s reputation. How do you expect him to conduct himself after hearing such words?”
Su Yue’s hand paused around his chopsticks. He turned to look at Prince Liang, his expression unreadable.
But Pei Liang only looked baffled.
“You’re the one grinning like a sinister idiot. What does that have to do with your brother-in-law?”
“Are you suggesting that if you stripped naked and ran through the marketplace, every man within a hundred meters would have to kill himself to atone for your frivolity?”
What the hell? Did this woman have no idea how she had managed to marry Su Yue in the first place?
Now that she had a beauty in her hands, she was putting on airs?
The Second Princess was furious and was about to argue back when the Third Princess, a professional bootlicker of the Boss, refused to let things rest either.
Blinking her eyes, she said, “Exactly. Elder Sister was clearly talking about Second Elder Sister just now. Why did Second Elder Sister suddenly drag Big Brother-in-law into it?”
“Is Big Brother-in-law the important part here? We still have to return to the palace to pay our respects to Mother and Father later. If Second Elder Sister is still looking at Mother or Father with that frivolous, foolish smile on her face, she’ll probably be scolded even more severely.”
“Elder Sister merely mentioned it tactfully. You should just do as she says, Second Elder Sister. Would Elder Sister really harm her own sister? Why do you have so many excuses?”
“Didn’t you tell me earlier not to make excuses for my mistakes, Second Elder Sister?”
The Second Princess was so enraged that her vision darkened and her throat tasted of blood.
Perhaps it was only her imagination, but ever since the Crown Princess had been appointed—over the course of these short few days—Third had become increasingly poisonous after mixing with the Boss.
Whenever that little wretch spoke, the Second Princess could never tell whether she was genuinely stupid or deliberately pretending to be stupid in order to stir things up.
And she wouldn’t harm her own sister? Bah!
But one pair of fists could not defeat four hands, especially when the Boss had a history of beating up an angel who had fallen from heaven just yesterday.
At present, she was acting crazy and doing whatever she pleased, yet Mother indulged her. If the Second Princess continued arguing, she would likely be beaten—and lose both her dignity and her standing.
Thus, the Second Princess could only swallow her anger, apologize to Su Yue, and explain that she was not yet completely sober. Her mind had been muddled, and she had not meant any disrespect toward her brother-in-law.
She did not dare let her eyes drift in this direction again.
The little incident at the breakfast table was hardly worth mentioning, but the relationships, atmosphere, differences in status, and distribution of authority among the three princesses were all laid bare.
It was obvious that Prince Liang still held the absolute upper hand.
That had not changed simply because she had lost the position of Crown Princess. In fact, judging from the Crown Princess’s behavior—
Su Yue took a sip of soybean milk and casually glanced at the Crown Princess.
She had food smeared all over her mouth. After Prince Liang helplessly pointed it out, she grinned and leaned over, asking her elder sister to wipe her face.
Her expression was filled with dependence and childish affection. From what she had said earlier, she also seemed to harbor a slight dislike for the Second Princess, though she herself might not even have realized it.
It was almost as if she were emphasizing that her bond with Prince Liang was deeper than the Second Princess’s.
Why?
Su Yue did not know much about the Crown Princess. In the past, this princess had never stood out, but she was old enough now that—
If everything she was doing at present was an act, then it was terrifyingly convincing, and hardly seemed reasonable.
The more likely possibility was that, in this short span of time, Prince Liang had swiftly changed her strategy and successfully won the Crown Princess over.
As long as she controlled the Crown Princess, she could slowly pursue whatever ambitions she harbored. It was indeed the most brilliant course of action.
But it did not fit Su Yue’s previous assessment of Prince Liang.
Could someone as arrogant and conceited as her—as foolishly blind to the situation as she had always been—truly cast off all her ingrained faults overnight?
Su Yue did not believe anyone could accomplish such a transformation in a single night. Even if a brilliant advisor had managed to persuade Prince Liang, the condescending attitude she had maintained for so long would be difficult to change.
The discrepancy would seep into every word and action.
The Crown Princess did not seem stupid. She had merely gotten a late start and was still somewhat naïve.
Yet judging from what she had said, she was also extremely perceptive and skilled at striking directly at the heart of an issue.
A person like that would be highly sensitive to the false affection of those around her.
Su Yue was a man, but he was exceptionally skilled at analyzing political schemes. Whenever the Su family held discussions, his grandmother and mother would often ask for his opinion.
He might be awkward when it came to matters between men and women, but when it involved a field he excelled in, his mind moved quickly.
Just then, Prince Liang’s lowered voice reached his ears.
“Have you reached a conclusion?”
Su Yue’s pupils contracted. He slowly turned his head to look at Prince Liang.
His detached observation and meticulous analysis—she had noticed all of it?
But Pei Liang merely raised the cup in her hand toward him.
After pondering for a moment, Pei Liang had more or less understood. This man was far too perceptive, and the original host had left him with an extremely comprehensive impression of her.
A person like him trusted what he personally saw and thought more than what others said. He was highly independent-minded.
Since that was the case, Pei Liang could not be bothered to waste her breath on a thankless explanation. She would simply let him draw his own conclusions.
Besides, Pei Liang had complete faith in Su Yue’s talent in this area.
After all, in the original story, he had ultimately risen to the highest ranks of the imperial court despite being a widowed man who had entered religious life—and despite being a man.
After breakfast, the group set off for the palace.
Along the way, the Crown Princess chattered incessantly to Prince Liang, complaining about how arduous her studies had become since moving into the Eastern Palace, and how strict the new tutors were.
She then complained that her tutors only knew how to cram information into her head, unlike Elder Sister, who could explain things thoroughly and make lessons interesting.
In the end, every word she said was an indirect plea to be allowed out to play again.
Pei Liang laughed. “If you do well in your studies, you can start taking on assignments sooner. Then you’ll be able to leave the palace whenever you wish. Wouldn’t that be even more convenient?”
The Crown Princess thought about it. “That’s true! Hehe!”
The Second Princess found the exchange unbearable and turned her head away, choosing not to look.
Once they arrived at the palace, Pei Liang guessed that the Empress had probably learned about what she and Consort Yan had done behind the rockery the day before.
And what the Empress had assumed was merely a massage had likely gone much further. She must have been furious.
Perhaps she was afraid that seeing Pei Liang would tempt her to have Pei Liang executed on the spot, so she did not meet with them.
Still, given that the Empress’s illness had been fluctuating, her absence did not seem particularly unusual.
Instead, Consort Yan received them.
Su Yue followed the proper etiquette and served Consort Yan tea. In return, Consort Yan presented him with a generous meeting gift.
He did not make things difficult for Su Yue. He merely remarked with an ambiguous smile, “Prince Liang’s husband seems to be in excellent spirits today. I imagine you were quite satisfied with the wedding gift this Prince gave you and your wife yesterday.”
Consort Yan was truly vicious. After saying this, he wanted nothing more than to see the shock, horror, and disbelief on Prince Liang’s husband’s face.
The Emperor’s husband had been having an affair with an imperial daughter, and her newlywed husband had discovered it. The ambiguous bite marks left behind when their passion had been at its height had exposed the truth, yet no one could lose their temper in public.
With all four people in the two marriages knowing exactly what had happened, Consort Yan found the situation immensely satisfying.
Unexpectedly, Su Yue only looked confused for a moment, as though he had no idea what Consort Yan was talking about. He still thanked him for the favor in a muddled, perfunctory way.
Consort Yan narrowed his eyes and cast Pei Liang a meaningful glance.
So, after the wedding night, your husband was still a virgin?
Pei Liang merely shrugged helplessly, wearing an expression that said, What a pity—you didn’t get to enjoy the spectacle.
Consort Yan withdrew his gaze resentfully. After chatting with them for a few more moments, he dismissed the group.
The Crown Princess immediately invited everyone to sit in the Eastern Palace.
“Come to think of it, we were so busy with your wedding today that we never held a housewarming banquet for you.”
“Make some preparations over the next few days and invite plenty of people over for a lively celebration.”
The Crown Princess readily agreed. The group soon arrived at the Eastern Palace, where Pei Le’s retinue and surroundings had already undergone a complete transformation.
It was clear that, even while ill, the Empress had not neglected the Eastern Palace. Its grandeur and dignity were such that if the original Pei Liang had seen it, she would probably have been green with envy.
No matter how comfortable and imposing Prince Liang’s residence was, it could never reproduce the magnificence brought by power and status.
When the Crown Princess had first moved in, she had also invited the Second Princess and her husband, along with several unmarried princes from the palace, to come and sit for a while.
But she had never shown such excitement then.
The Second Princess watched sourly as Third led the Boss around the Eastern Palace.
“Eldest Sister, this is where I study every day. This is where I’ll handle official business in the future. This is the martial arts yard. There’s also a bathing pool here—and this, and this…”
After explaining everything, she continued, “Eldest Sister can do this here, and that there…”
“Eldest Sister seems to enjoy bathing. I’ve already told them to keep the incense and medicinal bathwater you like prepared. When you bathe, you can…”
She looked as though she wished the Boss would move into the Eastern Palace and live with her.
Not only the Second Princess—even the people of the Eastern Palace were trembling with fear.
They belonged to the Crown Princess’s faction, and they were naturally wary of Prince Liang, their Crown Princess’s greatest rival.
Besides, when had Prince Liang ever concealed her ambitions? She had always acted as though the throne were already hers. Naturally, she was their number one threat.
One of the Crown Princess’s tutors, relying on her status, sternly corrected her from the side. “Your Highness, you ought to refer to yourself as ‘this solitary one.’”
“In all under Heaven, only the Emperor ranks above Your Highness. As a ruler, you must observe proper etiquette at all times and set an example for others.”
“Your Highness is being far too casual. I’m sure Prince Liang and Prince You must find it troubling as well.”
The Crown Princess hated nothing more than being reminded that her status had changed. Yet no matter how deliberately she ignored it, her elder sisters might not be quite so unconcerned.
The tutor looked rather pleased at this, but in the very next moment, she heard Prince Liang say, “I have no trouble with it.”
“Third can do whatever makes her happy.”
The Crown Princess’s face lit up with a smile.
The tutor, however, was truly alarmed.
This wolf’s ambitions weren’t even being concealed anymore! How could the Crown Princess still be so innocent?
And yet the two sisters were getting along so happily that, apart from the people directly involved—and perhaps the broad-minded Consort Zhou—everyone present felt that the Crown Princess had already been thoroughly won over and firmly controlled by Prince Liang.
For a moment, the sharp-minded people of the Eastern Palace looked as though they had suffered a bereavement.
Pei Liang and the others had lunch at the Eastern Palace and remained there for quite some time. It was already mid-afternoon when they finally left under the Crown Princess’s reluctant gaze.
On the way back to Prince Liang’s residence, Pei Liang chose not to take a carriage. She guessed that Su Yue would feel uncomfortable being alone with her in such a confined space.
Instead, she mounted a horse and rode at the front, leisurely leading the way.
As it happened, they ran into the same person they had encountered only yesterday: General Liu.
The original novel had introduced some details about General Liu’s life.
It was said that he had joined the army in place of his elder sister. The Liu family was a military household, but in their generation, the sister who should have gone to war was frail and delicate, almost like a man.
The man who was General Liu, however, was exceptionally brave and martial, looking down on an entire host of women.
He had disguised himself as a woman and infiltrated the army. By the time his true sex was exposed, he had already earned countless military merits and risen to a considerable rank. His military talent had even won praise from the Empress herself.
What else could they do? The northern border had already grown restless in recent years because of the Empress’s serious illness, and military talent was in short supply. They had no choice but to make an exception.
Fortunately, General Liu had “a face like a rakshasa,” so ordinarily no one entertained the sort of thoughts people might have had toward a male beauty. He therefore encountered relatively few obstacles.
While making small talk in the Eastern Palace earlier, Pei Liang had heard that General Liu had returned victorious from the latest campaign and had been showered with honors and rewards. For a time, he was the talk of the capital.
Yet the celebrated General Liu was not in a very good mood.
He had been happy to return. The northern border had suffered a major defeat, and its strength had been weakened. At least for the next five years, they would not dare to invade.
He could also take this opportunity to return home and reunite with his family.
But after the family had expressed their longing for him, they had brought up the matter of marriage.
He was no longer young. If an ordinary man reached his age without marrying, the whole family would probably become the subject of gossip.
And with a face like his, finding a spouse was naturally difficult.
General Liu himself did not care. His heart belonged to the battlefield and the court; he had no intention of starting a family.
It was enough that he himself was free-spirited. His family, however, were frantic with worry, and over the course of a single evening they had presented him with countless candidates.
General Liu had listened to them all. Either the candidates’ character and conduct were beneath consideration, or they were interested only in his authority and position.
Their private morals were appalling. Some already had a courtyard full of male attendants before marriage, along with countless illegitimate children. Others even frequented brothels.
Simply because he was ugly, each of them seemed to think that anyone willing to propose to him would be doing him a favor.
General Liu did not want to deal with any of it. His heart was filled with irritation. If there were no woman in this world who could truly appreciate him, why should he force himself to settle?
Just then, he heard a voice say, “General Liu? What a coincidence.”
General Liu looked up and saw Prince Liang seated on horseback, smiling brightly. Her face was filled with undisguised delight at her good fortune—and with unmistakable appreciation as she looked at him.
