Chapter 42: Who?

Tan Qingjiu let out a laugh. “Yes, I’m threatening you. Are you scared?”

“Speaking of this matter of seniority, it reminds me—although His Majesty didn’t mention granting a marriage between me and Prince Duan today, Prince Duan himself acknowledged before everyone that I am his future consort.”

“So tell me, if I really do marry him, won’t you have to kneel before me and call me ‘Aunt’?”

Tan Yunge was so infuriated by Tan Qingjiu’s hypothetical that her teeth nearly cracked. “In your dreams!”

Tan Qingjiu watched Tan Yunge stamping her feet, her eyes brimming with amusement. “If you don’t want me to spite you by telling Prince Duan I’m willing to marry him, then stop provoking me.”

“Though your rash is mostly healed, that stench still lingers. I advise you not to parade around in public. Otherwise, if others catch a whiff, they might think… you fell into a cesspit and your mouth reeks of filth.”

Tan Qingjiu waved a hand in front of her nose. “I was kind enough to cure your rash, shouldn’t you… thank me?”

Every word Tan Qingjiu spoke struck precisely at Tan Yunge’s sore spots. Tan Yunge was seething with anger, her face twisted, eyes bloodshot, and she made to charge forward.

Chen Yueru hurriedly blocked her path, lowering her voice. “My lady, don’t.”

Tan Qingjiu, meanwhile, feigned concern and stepped back a couple of paces. “Oh my, the young lady is angry. Yet every word I said was true. Are you trying to hit me? It seems that even after your arm was dislocated, your body broke out in rashes, and you lost your voice, you still haven’t learned your lesson.”

“If you fall ill again, I won’t be so gracious as to treat you a second time.”

“After all, my fees are expensive. And I only treat patients when I’m in the mood.”

Seeing the situation, Chen Yueru realized that Tan Yunge had suffered a complete defeat. She quickly gave orders to Tan Yunge’s maidservants. “The young lady isn’t feeling well, help her to the courtyard to rest.”

Tan Qingjiu, hearing this, spoke up again. “Ah, yes. It’s getting late. The young lady isn’t returning to the prince’s residence tonight? I wonder if she’s aware that her former quarters, Cloud Pavilion, have now been given to me by father. If you wish to stay in the Tan residence tonight, you’ll have to make do with the guest wing.”

“What?” Tan Yunge grew even more furious, raising her eyes to Chen Yueru. “Mother, is this true?”

Chen Yueru’s gaze flickered uneasily. Back at the inn, Tan Yun had agreed to give Cloud Pavilion to Tan Qingjiu, but she hadn’t dared tell Tan Yunge, fearing she’d react badly. She’d hoped to wait until her daughter was in a better mood, but now—

Seeing the mother and daughter’s expressions, Tan Qingjiu deduced that Tan Yunge was still in the dark, and couldn’t help but let her lips curve in satisfaction. “Madam Tan, you’d best have the guest wing prepared for the young lady’s stay. I’ll take my leave.”

With that, she turned gracefully and headed toward Cloud Pavilion.

She’d scarcely walked a few steps before Tan Yunge’s furious voice exploded behind her. “Why? Why would you give my quarters to that little wretch?”

Tan Qingjiu’s eyes flashed with mockery, her smile deepening.

Tan Yunge was vicious at heart but not particularly cunning; she lost control at the slightest provocation and wouldn’t last three episodes in a palace drama. How could she hope to compete with someone like herself, who’d read countless tales of court and household intrigue?

Pathetic. Her level was still far too low.

She could have crushed Tan Yunge outright in an instant.

But remembering all that Tan Yunge had done to her predecessor, she decided that would be letting her off too easily. Instead, she’d strip away everything Tan Yunge possessed, everything she cared about, piece by piece.

She’d watch her suffer, watch her despair, watch her wish for death.

Only then could she claim vengeance for the original owner of this body.

Thinking of these things, Tan Qingjiu couldn’t help but recall her own words to Tan Yunge and laugh again. Those words had been so cutting—truly the art of subtle malice.

But with someone like Tan Yunge, it was remarkably effective.

After a few steps, Tan Qingjiu saw Qingdai and Zisu hurrying toward her. Earlier, they hadn’t accompanied her to the palace, as it wasn’t convenient.

As they reached her, raised voices could still be heard in the distance.

“Did you have another run-in with the young lady?”

“You didn’t come off the worse, did you?”

Tan Qingjiu laughed. “How could I possibly lose to her?”

She would never repeat the mistakes of her predecessor.

Qingdai glanced back, then lowered her voice. “You should be careful, mistress. I just received word—someone has bribed Kirin Pavilion, the city’s largest assassin guild, offering a hundred taels of gold for your head.”

“It’s almost certain—”

Tan Qingjiu caught her unspoken implication. “Almost certainly that brainless young lady.”

“One hundred taels of gold—she’s certainly generous. I suppose my life is worth something after all.”

“It’s just a pity she went to the wrong people—Kirin Pavilion, of all places. How amusing.”

“Yes,” Qingdai nodded. “What do you plan to do about her?”

“Don’t worry. I can stomach anything except a loss. Since she wants my life, I’ll have to send her a generous gift in return.”

“Five days from now is Princess Ding’s birthday banquet. I’ve already negotiated with Prince Duan—he’ll take me as his companion.”

“Since Tan Yunge is so easily provoked, I’ll make sure to enrage her again at the banquet.”

“She needs to learn exactly what happens when she crosses me.”

Tan Qingjiu licked her lips, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Come, let’s go back to the courtyard.”

As night fell, Tan Qingjiu retired early.

The courtyard gradually quieted. As she was drifting into a light sleep, a sudden noise came from the window.

Who’s there?

Tan Qingjiu sat up abruptly, slipped out of bed barefoot, and gripped a silver needle hidden in her sleeve, silently edging toward the window.

Another noise—something striking the window pane. Tan Qingjiu flung the window open, and a shadow flashed past outside. She raised her hand, sending the silver needle flying.

But the figure was too swift. All she saw was a blur—she couldn’t even make out their face.

Her grip tightened on the remaining needles.

Just then, a voice, laced with amusement, sounded suddenly behind her…