Chapter 125: The Male Concubine Who Charms Both Genders
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“And then, Young Master Liu poured his heart out to you, confessing that he thought himself lofty and proud enough to stand apart. But ever since he left your side, all he could think about was you.”
“While eating, he’d recall the times he spent with the Princess. You love eating shrimp but dislike peeling them, and he cherished peeling them for you. He remembers your fondness for Dragon Well Shrimp and meat dishes, but how you dislike vegetables—though too much meat often upset your stomach. He worried that without him, no one would remind you to balance your meals.”
“The Princess, hearing how even in his near-death state he worried about her, was deeply moved and invited him back into the residence.”
“This time, Young Master Liu didn’t refuse. He said, without the Princess, he would surely die.”
“The Princess was even more touched.”
“Thus, Young Master Liu entered the Princess’s residence and became the most favored gentleman there. If not for the Prince Consort’s noble lineage as the second legitimate son of the Xie Family of Qinghe, Young Master Liu might have usurped his authority entirely.”
Princess Feng Xiang interjected, “And this is what you call his disloyalty? If punishing a few servants counts as lording over others, then… let’s assume you’re correct.”
Liu Zhao Bai, looking aggrieved, protested, “Princess, I truly didn’t! Official Yu is simply vengeful over the earlier incident and is now slandering me.”
Yu Zhi Yi ignored him, continuing, “What I’ve just recounted is what the Princess knows. Now, let’s talk about what the Princess doesn’t.”
“Though Liu Zhao Bai’s father is only a sixth-rank official, his household is far from simple. Besides his official wife, there are two concubines. Young Master Liu is a son born of a concubine.”
“Despite being a concubine’s son, he has ambitions reaching the heavens. He believes his appearance and talent far outshine his elder brother, born of the legitimate wife. Thus, he has always sought an opportunity to rise above him.”
“Encouraged by his mother, who aspired for them to step on the legitimate wife and son, she dreamed of Master Liu replacing his wife with her. This would elevate Liu Zhao Bai from a concubine’s son to a legitimate heir.”
“But the affairs of the household were governed by Old Madam Liu, a stickler for rules and status. She would never allow favoritism towards concubines or a concubine’s son surpassing a legitimate one, fearing it would disrupt the household’s harmony.”
“Liu Zhao Bai’s talent may have been superior to his legitimate brother’s, but with Old Madam Liu in control, his and his mother’s aspirations were perpetually stifled. Left with no other path, he sought an unconventional route.”
“Upon discovering by chance that he bore some resemblance to the current Prince Consort, Liu Zhao Bai conceived a bold plan. If the second son of the Xie Family of Qinghe could become the Prince Consort, why couldn’t he?”
“As for the notion of living off a woman, he thought little of it. If someone as esteemed as the second son of the Xie Family could play such a role, why should he, of lesser station, feel shame? He was confident that once he entered the Princess’s residence, he could monopolize her favor. Perhaps he could even oust the Prince Consort and claim the title for himself.”
“If he couldn’t become the Prince Consort, then fathering a royal child would ensure his child’s noble lineage. That child’s mother would be untouchable, and even Old Madam Liu would no longer dare to slight his mother. The dream of replacing the wife might not be entirely out of reach.”
“And he succeeded. With his sweet words and attentiveness, Young Master Liu won the Princess’s heart. The Princess forgot all other gentlemen in the residence and even distanced herself from the Prince Consort. Visits to his quarters, which were once on the first and fifteenth of each month, ceased entirely.”
“The Prince Consort, seeing her coldness, became more aloof. The warmth between them faded, and the Princess’s heart turned wholly to Liu Zhao Bai.”
“The beloved Young Master Liu took advantage of his favor, bullying servants and mistreating the less favored gentlemen in the residence. Even the Prince Consort often bore the brunt of his arrogance.”
“The phrase Liu Zhao Bai loved to repeat before the Prince Consort was, ‘What good is being born into the Xie Family? You’re still no match for me.’”
“Not content with mere words, he also relished recounting his intimate moments with the Princess to the Prince Consort. The Prince Consort, already swallowing his pride to share a wife with others, found his dignity utterly trampled.”
“Being proud by nature, the Prince Consort could endure no more. Thus, when the Princess sought him out recently, his coldness was inevitable.”
Princess Feng Xiang’s face turned pale. “Liu Zhao Bai, is this true?”
Liu Zhao Bai vehemently denied it. “Princess, I would never dare! How could I provoke the Prince Consort?”
Yu Zhi Yi’s tone remained calm. “Oh, but you dared to betray the Princess.”
Her gaze softened with a hint of pity as she addressed the Princess. “Did you know that your beloved companion is attracted to both men and women?”
Princess Feng Xiang was finally shaken. “What?!”
Liu Zhao Bai’s expression shifted drastically. How did she know? He had been so careful. Could this woman truly know everything?
Regret gnawed at him for crossing Yu Zhi Yi. He had only sought to curry favor with the Princess through this small act of revenge. Who could have predicted her uncanny abilities?
Yet, no matter what, he could not admit it!
Grinding his teeth, he feigned indignation. “Official Yu, I admit my earlier fault, but you cannot defame me like this! My loyalty to the Princess is unwavering, and I… I only love her! How could I possibly like men?”
Yu Zhi Yi gave a lazy smile. “Unwavering loyalty? Heaven and earth bear witness to your numerous offenses—embezzling the residence’s funds to lavish yourself and your concubine mother with wealth. You dressed her in jewels, funded your paramours, purchased properties, and frequented brothels, all with stolen money.”
Liu Zhao Bai’s jaw dropped. Even his calm demeanor couldn’t prevent his shriek. “Impossible! He would never…!”
Yu Zhi Yi’s silence spoke volumes.
Princess Feng Xiang’s face turned an ominous green as her gaze bore into Liu Zhao Bai like a death sentence. Realizing his slip, Liu Zhao Bai clamped his mouth shut, but it was too late.
“Princess, if you don’t hurry back, the Prince Consort will fall victim to this vile man’s schemes.”
The Princess’s fury barely simmered beneath the surface. “What has he done to the Prince Consort?”
Yu Zhi Yi revealed, “Liu Zhao Bai hasn’t abandoned his ambitions. As long as the Prince Consort remains, his status will never rise. So he plotted to remove him.”
“Direct murder would arouse suspicion, so he devised a more insidious plan: having his lover tarnish the Prince Consort’s reputation.”