Chapter Eighteen: Trapped Within the Palace Walls

Zhao Jiayi had originally intended to confront Shen Yi. However, the Princess of Pingyang, addressing Zhao Jiayi—who had already received her reward yet still cast a resentful glance at Shen Yi—said, “Don’t forget, Shen Yi is but an insignificant player. If you wish to become the princess consort of the Prince of War’s mansion, your greatest rival is Jiang Nansheng.”

Zhao Jiayi was well aware of this, but seeing Shen Yi’s indifferent and aloof demeanor stirred her anger. Despite her youth, Zhao Jiayi was well-versed in the arts of palace intrigue.

“I understand the stakes, Your Highness,” Zhao Jiayi assured.

She then signaled a palace maid, who immediately approached Jiang Nansheng with the intention of spilling the wine from her jug onto her.

Jiang Nansheng sneered coldly at the maid’s approach.

“In my previous life, Zhao Jiayi and Shen Yi almost caused me to lose my purity through schemes like this. I never expected them to resort to the same tactics again—there’s nothing new about it,” Jiang Nansheng thought, glancing at Shen Yi. “But this time, does their conspiracy still involve Shen Yi?”

Shen Yi recalled that in the original story, after Jiang Nansheng recited over a dozen poems to great acclaim, the original self and Zhao Jiayi conspired to have a palace maid spill a jug of wine on Jiang Nansheng. Jiang Nansheng was then taken to a side chamber to change clothes, where the original self and Zhao Jiayi had earlier lit an incense that induced desire, aiming to sully Jiang Nansheng’s purity.

Shen Yi had thought her relationship with Zhao Jiayi had soured enough that such a thing wouldn’t happen, only to find Zhao Jiayi had come up with this plan alone. Shen Yi wanted to protest that she had nothing to do with it.

Yet, as a maid passed by Shen Yi, her foot involuntarily shot out, tripping the maid and causing the entire jug of wine to pour over Jiang Nansheng.

In the original story, the maid spilled the wine herself, causing Jiang Nansheng to keep a wary eye on her, anticipating some underhanded move. Unexpectedly, Shen Yi had truly interfered.

Jiang Nansheng witnessed Shen Yi’s deliberate trip with her own eyes, her glare condemning Shen Yi to death by slow slicing.

But Jiang Nansheng was reborn, and though Shen Yi’s move was unexpected, Jiang Nansheng reacted swiftly, slapping the jug so that the wine drenched Shen Yi from head to chest. Shen Yi’s hair was soaked with the wine.

Many who saw this smiled wryly, but the Empress Dowager, furious, shouted, “Such carelessness! Guards, drag this woman away and punish her with twenty lashes!”

The maid immediately knelt, begging for mercy. Twenty lashes could cost her half her life. She glanced pleadingly at Zhao Jiayi.

The Princess of Pingyang stepped forward, scolding sharply, “Mother is right—drag her away!”

The maid, seeing Zhao Jiayi avert her gaze, resigned herself and was hauled off by the imperial guards.

The Princess of Pingyang then said, “Shen Yi, since your clothes are wet, I’ll have someone escort you to change.”

Shen Yi thought bitterly: You’re the one who’s lost her virtue—your whole family has, in fact.

She sensed the double entendre in the Princess’s words. If such gossip spread, rumors would surely run rampant.

“I appreciate your concern, Princess,” Shen Yi replied. “The princess consort of the Prince of War’s mansion is skilled in medicine. If I catch a chill from the wine, she will surely cure me. As the lady of the mansion, she is magnanimous enough for that.”

Jiang Nansheng’s mind churned with complexity. If Shen Yi had truly allied with them to harm her, why did their relationship seem so strained? Was this an act? Or was there some other reason?

Not only Jiang Nansheng but Shen Yi herself found it strange. If you intend to target the female lead, just target her—if wine won’t do, pour acid; why drag me into this senseless mess?

Even Zhao Jiayi was puzzled—why was the Princess of Pingyang turning against Shen Yi now? Hadn’t she just said her aim was Jiang Nansheng, the princess consort of the Prince of War’s mansion?

The Princess of Pingyang had no choice. Now that matters had come this far, one woman in the Prince of War’s mansion had to be undermined—either Jiang Nansheng or Shen Yi.

If Shen Yi were still her loyal follower, she wouldn’t have turned on her. But the stage was set; someone had to take the fall. That person might as well be Shen Yi.

The princess said, “Shen Yi, how can you say that? If you suffer grievances at the flower-viewing banquet and the Prince learns of it, he might think we conspired to bully you! So, please go change your clothes.”

Shen Yi frowned. What was the Princess of Pingyang really plotting? Did she think Shen Yi was naïve?

But Shen Yi knew this matter wouldn’t end well. If she refused to go, someone would force her.

Yet Shen Yi hadn’t expected to be treated like the heroine. Weren’t the scheming villainesses supposed to be cast aside? Was she about to become the lead?

The Empress Dowager also spoke: “Pingyang, have your personal maid accompany Shen Yi.”

Goodness, the Empress Dowager was even involved now.

It seemed Shen Yi couldn’t avoid this.

She accepted her fate and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

As Shen Yi followed the Princess of Pingyang’s maid toward the side chamber, Jiang Nansheng hesitated but then rose.

In her past life, Jiang Nansheng relied on her medical skills to instantly detect the presence of the intoxicating incense and promptly took the antidote, thus avoiding violation.

But Shen Yi was different; she had nothing but a wicked heart.

If Jiang Nansheng did not intervene, Shen Yi would surely be violated.

For the dignity of the Prince of War’s mansion, Jiang Nansheng, despite her disdain for Shen Yi, could not stand by and do nothing.

After all, this scheme appeared to target Shen Yi but actually aimed at the Prince of War’s mansion.

With this in mind, Jiang Nansheng stood.

“Your Majesty, Shen Yi is unfamiliar with the palace. I will accompany her.”

The Empress Dowager smiled, “Princess Consort, such a trivial matter does not require your presence. However, you treated my old migraine last time, and recently it has returned. Perhaps you could examine me.”

Jiang Nansheng understood: this old hag would not let her out of sight.

Her only hope was that Shen Yi’s malicious nature had its checks and balances, or that the prince might notice something amiss and come to Shen Yi’s rescue.

Otherwise, Shen Yi’s purity would be lost forever.

Jiang Nansheng had no choice but to comply.

She could not stand before the Empress Dowager and accuse her of conspiracy—it would be foolish.

Jiang Nansheng approached the Empress Dowager and took her pulse.

She discovered that the supposed headache was not a migraine at all but symptoms of irregular menstruation and early menopause.

No, she was already in menopause.