Chapter 674: Chapter 480: Little Crybaby, Beautiful and Charming, The Rugged Man Spoils His Wife with Seduction 30

The opportunity Su Zhiruan was waiting for came quickly.

Since that day, the Eldest Princess and Second Princess had picked fights several times, coincidentally always in front of the palace attendants. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

As this went on, rumors spread throughout the palace.

The palace maids serving in the Empress’s chamber already believed that Su Zhiruan was personally brought back by the Empress, so they dared not speak against her. Now, with rampant gossip claiming she was actually Princess Jialan set for a political marriage, many discussed it privately with great fervor.

The princess, meant for a political marriage, was now serving as the lowest level little palace maid in the Empress’s bedroom. The reasons behind this piqued everyone’s curiosity.

As for these rumors, Su Zhiruan was more than pleased—they were exactly the effect she desired. As for the Eldest Princess and Second Princess who occasionally challenged her, she had other plans.

After enduring humiliation and hardship for a while, Su Zhiruan "accidentally" met the Eldest Prince.

The Eldest Prince was currently in a powerful position, having placed many of his own people both inside and outside the palace. He had some understanding of why Su Zhiruan appeared in the Imperial Palace. In addition, because of that treasure suddenly appearing in the hands of the Third Prince, capable of instant devastation, he deliberately arranged a meeting.

Coincidentally, Su Zhiruan had the same idea.

"Jialan?" The young man’s voice carried a trace of hesitation and amazement, and even Su Zhiruan had to admire his acting skills, "Is it really you?"

The Second Princess, accompanied by her attendant, was mockingly trying to push her into the Koi Pond. When they turned around, they unexpectedly saw the Eldest Prince. They hurriedly turned to salute, "Eldest Brother, what brings you here."

"If I hadn’t come, what were you intending to do?" The Eldest Prince brushed his sleeves and walked over with a cold expression. He reprimanded the Second Princess, "I did not know that, as a member of the Imperial Family, you as an elder sister would not only neglect your sister but even bully and insult Jialan behind her back!"

"Brother, I..." The Second Princess’s face turned a few shades paler. She exchanged a glance with her attendant, both seeing the bewilderment on each other’s face. She bit her lip and saluted in apology, "Today, I was foolish. Jialan, if you hate me, you can hit me or scold me as you wish."

The Eldest Prince tilted his chin, signaling Su Zhiruan to make her own decision.

The Second Princess had always been a fiery person, but she knew what was important. Currently, the Crown Prince’s position was still vacant. Both the Eldest Prince and the Second Prince aspired for the throne. However, the Eldest Prince was Noble Consort’s son, not sharing the same mother with them, so they could not afford to offend him. Otherwise, if he truly ascended the throne, they would indeed find themselves on a dead-end path.

"Thank you, Eldest Brother," Su Zhiruan first saluted the Eldest Prince, then pretended to be a fragile and resilient white flower as she weakly spoke to the Second Princess, "Second Sister, Jialan is fine."

"As long as you’re fine." The Second Princess wanted nothing more than to leave immediately. Upon hearing Su Zhiruan say this, she let out a cold snort from her nose. The Eldest Prince heard it but said nothing. The Second Princess pulled her attendant, "Brother, we shall take our leave now, there’s still coursework to complete."

"Go ahead."

The Eldest Prince watched them walk away until their silhouettes disappeared, then slowly stepped forward.

As he walked, he observed Su Zhiruan. Say what you will, her beauty stood out even among the concubines in the harem. No wonder his foolish father, the Emperor, almost disregarded ethics and forcibly took his daughter as a concubine.

"These days, Jialan has suffered." The Eldest Prince stepped closer to Su Zhiruan, his tone softened.

"Thank you, Brother, for your concern. Being able to meet you again is already my good fortune." Su Zhiruan glanced at him, and effortlessly uttered polite words, though her mind wandered—

This Eldest Prince’s demeanor appeared humble and courteous, much like a refined gentleman, but the dense ambition and scheming in his eyes, along with subtle gestures, all revealed his inner ambition and calculation. She suspected that every word he said now was carefully considered, with clear intent.

"I didn’t expect the Second Sister to secretly bully you," the Eldest Prince flicked his folding fan, pretending to be angry. "Jialan, if anyone dares to bully you in the future, just tell your brother; as long as I’m here, I won’t let anyone humiliate my sister."

The play was getting interesting, Su Zhiruan silently chuckled.

"Thank you, Brother..." As she spoke, tears fell unexpectedly. She picked up a handkerchief to gently wipe them, her tone tinged with a sobbing sound, as though shrouded in a thin mist, "No one has ever said such words to me..."

"Everyone in the palace has someone to rely on... Eldest Sister and Second Sister often say that with the Second Brother, they will never be bullied... The Empress said if she obtains those treasures from the Third Prince’s hands—"

Su Zhiruan’s words halted abruptly, but her tears stayed half-dropped. She discreetly glanced at the Eldest Prince.

As expected, at this moment, the Eldest Prince’s face was dark as a pot’s bottom, even the refined prince act could no longer be sustained.

Her face was pale, merely weeping and wailing.

The Eldest Prince’s heart churned with turmoil, like a boulder weighing down on it.

Several treasures?!

He did not doubt Su Zhiruan; if she had not truly heard, how could she know the Third Prince possessed treasures? Su Zhiruan had just arrived, alone and without support, with not even an uncle’s family to rely on.

And he had personally witnessed the power of that object in the Third Prince’s possession.

His face turned even more ashen.

Even his fists unknowingly clenched tight.

Born of the Noble Consort, it’s second nature for the Eldest Prince to classify the Second and Third Princes, born of the Empress, in the same camp. He had thought having even one such treasure already amplified the threat several times over. Yet today, with Su Zhiruan’s unintentional statement, he couldn’t help but speculate if there were more treasures with the Second and Third Princes. If he stood alone against them, it would lead straight to his ruin.

"Jialan, could you do me a favor?" The Eldest Prince gazed at Su Zhiruan, as if making a decisive resolution.

"As long as it’s something Jialan can do, I will certainly help you," Su Zhiruan looked at him with feigned determination, "If the Second Brother ascends, Eldest Sister and Second Sister will see to my end, but you’re merciful, so I’m willing."

"Good!" The Eldest Prince lowered his voice, "Help me keep an eye on the Empress and them, and if there’s anything unusual, bring it to me."

With that, he untied a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to Su Zhiruan.

Su Zhiruan slipped it into her sleeve and saluted him.

The Jinli Lake rippled under a gentle breeze.

This spot was at the very edge of the Imperial Garden, devoid of places to hide or take cover. Watching the Eldest Prince’s figure grow distant, finally fading into a small black dot, she picked up her broom, her heart considerably at ease.

It seems she would have to find a time to meet the Third Prince.

Then, she could wait to watch the show unfold.

She bowed her head, walking briskly, and left the area.