Chapter 124: The Prince Consort and the Substitute Lover
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Under Yu Zhi Yi’s gaze, filled with questioning bewilderment, the flamboyant man shot her a flirtatious wink before quickening his steps.
With his movement, a wave of overpowering fragrance wafted over, nearly making Yu Zhi Yi gag.
Though she maintained an everyday protective shield around her, it was designed to block physical harm, not pungent odors like this. Unless she had anticipated such an occurrence and prepared accordingly, there was no way to stop it. She hadn’t foreseen today’s events and thus hadn’t held her breath in advance.
As the man lunged towards her, she nimbly leapt aside, distancing herself by several meters.
“Who are you?” she asked.
The flamboyant man, having missed his target, threw her another seductive glance. “With your prowess, can’t you guess?”
Veins bulged on Yu Zhi Yi’s forehead. “I never waste my time or energy on insignificant individuals.”
The man’s expression shifted drastically. Suddenly, his eyes turned sharp as he bellowed, “How dare you! Do you know who I am? How dare you plot against me?”
“?!” Yu Zhi Yi was utterly baffled.
Noticing the man’s gaze shift in a specific direction, she turned her head and understood. Princess Feng Xiang was storming toward them, her face livid.
In an instant, the man’s earlier frivolity disappeared. His demeanor turned submissive as he quickly approached Princess Feng Xiang, pointing angrily at Yu Zhi Yi.
“Princess, this woman is trying to seduce me!”
Yu Zhi Yi: “…”
From afar, Princess Feng Xiang had already seen Yu Zhi Yi and her male concubine together. Even before approaching, she heard his accusatory outburst and hurriedly quickened her pace.
The moment she arrived, she was met with his complaints.
Already holding a grudge against Yu Zhi Yi, Princess Feng Xiang’s anger flared. “Yu Zhi Yi, how dare you! Even my man is fair game to you?”
Yu Zhi Yi replied with exasperation, “Princess, you witnessed the entire event just now. You saw clearly whether I touched him. Moreover, it wasn’t me making a move; it was he who lunged at me.”
Princess Feng Xiang faltered, her words stuck in her throat.
Ah, that did seem to be the case.
Seeing her man entangled with another woman had enraged her, clouding her logic. But Yu Zhi Yi’s words brought her back to her senses. Narrowing her eyes dangerously, she turned to glare at the male concubine.
“You dare deceive me? Have you fallen for her?”
The concubine’s face filled with panic. “Princess, I wouldn’t dare! I was simply outraged!”
“Outraged about what?” she asked, puzzled.
Glaring at Yu Zhi Yi, he replied with a self-righteous air, “I heard this Young Madam Du publicly humiliated the Princess today. Hearing of it left me furious. When I saw her approaching from a distance, I intended to teach her a lesson on your behalf.”
His head hung low, his delicate features tinged with grievance. He looked pitiful, almost evoking sympathy.
Princess Feng Xiang gasped, her face softening. “Fool, don’t ever do that again. She’s a fifth-rank official appointed by Father Emperor. Offending her is tantamount to offending him. If Father Emperor becomes angry, even I cannot protect you.”
Having come of age, Princess Feng Xiang had married and taken on a Prince Consort, as well as kept a few male concubines.
Among her concubines, Liu Zhao Bai was her most favored.
Though a man, his sensitivity surpassed that of many women, always discerning her true desires. Unlike the Prince Consort, who criticized her extravagant spending and spoke harshly, Liu Zhao Bai never compared her unfavorably to Princess Lai Yang.
The Prince Consort’s insistence that she emulate Princess Lai Yang was infuriating. Lai Yang? Did she even deserve to be compared?
Liu Zhao Bai, on the other hand, was different. To him, she was a hundred times better than Lai Yang. Such attentiveness naturally endeared him to her.
Because of her favoritism, his status in the Princess’s residence was higher than the Prince Consort’s. Were it not for the Prince Consort’s noble lineage as the son of a sixth-rank official, Liu Zhao Bai’s arrogance might have known no bounds.
Taking Liu Zhao Bai’s hand, Princess Feng Xiang addressed Yu Zhi Yi.
“You clashed with me outside the city, and he acted out of loyalty. How about we write off our grievances against each other?”
Yu Zhi Yi studied the male concubine thoughtfully. “Princess, are you truly willing to squander this favor for someone disloyal?”
Both Princess Feng Xiang and Liu Zhao Bai’s expressions changed. The latter reacted strongly, exclaiming, “How dare you slander me! I admit my lowly status and my mistake in offending you, an official personally appointed by His Majesty. But to question my loyalty to the Princess is outrageous! My feelings for her are as clear as day and night!”
Ignoring him, Yu Zhi Yi focused on the Princess. “If this is your decision, I will honor it and overlook his deliberate slander today.”
Princess Feng Xiang narrowed her eyes.
As a royal, she was arrogant but not stupid. She knew this woman was no ordinary person. The incident with the Carefree Prince at the banquet—unknown to others—was something she was privy to. Intrigued, she had investigated Yu Zhi Yi and discovered her mysterious background. Though low-profile before marriage, traces of her extraordinary abilities could still be found, especially in how the Marquis of Wu’an’s family revered her after numerous assists.
That was why she had gone outside the city today—to see if Yu Zhi Yi truly lived up to her reputation.
Better safe than sorry. Princess Feng Xiang released Liu Zhao Bai’s hand and said coolly, “Speak.”
Liu Zhao Bai stared in disbelief. “Princess?!”
She patted his head gently. “Hush. I’m curious what she has to say.”
Before he could protest further, Yu Zhi Yi began.
“Liu Zhao Bai, son of a sixth-rank Guanglu Temple official, bears a resemblance to the Prince Consort in demeanor. Three months into your marriage with the Prince Consort, an argument drove you to a lakeside outing where you spotted Liu Zhao Bai gazing at the moon from another boat. Drawn to his appearance and manner, you approached him in disguise.
Discovering that he’d never upset you with remarks about Princess Lai Yang, unlike the Prince Consort, you found him endearing. Gradually, you considered making him a concubine. However, his scholarly pride resisted, especially after learning your true identity. He accused you of seeing him as nothing more than a substitute for the Prince Consort and refused to become a concubine.
You let him go, respecting his decision. Yet a month later, news of his grave illness reached you. Rumors said he’d given up on life, refusing food and drink. Compelled by guilt, you went to visit him. Then…”