Quick Transmigration: The Yandere Villain is Extremely Difficult to Mess With

Chapter 54 The Cold and Aloof White Moonlight Empress vs. The Yandere Abandoned Crown Prince (12)

After leaving Fengyi Palace, where He Suining resided, Qin Jinnian returned to Yonghe Residence, where he now lived. It was in a remote location, much smaller than the palaces where the princes and the former crown prince had lived, but still far better than the Cold Palace.

He returned to his palace, sat down in a chair, closed his eyes, and carefully recalled every moment he had spent with the Empress.

Before today, the Queen's dislike for him was obvious, and she was very hostile towards him.

In the past, when other princes came to pay their respects to her, she was indifferent but not malicious, except towards herself.

The emperor entrusted him to her care, and she never taught him anything except to disgust him, nor did she ever remind him of what he needed to do or what he couldn't do.

Therefore, he was extremely cautious, fearing that something might go wrong with her.

After all, he was waiting for the fairy to return.

until today.

The Empress suddenly changed. Not only did she teach him swordsmanship, but she also reminded him of his father's birthday next month. More importantly, how did she know that the Third Prince would ask the princes to have a martial arts competition on the birthday, something that had never happened before?

"Fairy Sister, is that you?" Qin Jinnian didn't want to believe it, mainly because she was afraid that the higher her expectations were, the more heartbroken she would be if she found out it wasn't true after testing the waters.

But a voice inside him kept telling him—yes, it's her.

"You're a fairy, so it's normal for you to disappear and reappear at will." A twisted light flickered in Qin Jinnian's eyes.

He decided to test the waters carefully.

The following month.

Qin Jinnian went to the Empress's Phoenix Palace every day to practice swordsmanship with her in the courtyard.

Even though He Suining views him through a biased lens, she really likes him.

But when they get serious, they can be very earnest.

He was given a lot of homework every day, such as running, practicing horse stance, and sword practice.

After dinner, I'll have to practice swordsmanship with her.

He would consider himself to have achieved some success once he was able to launch an attack on her.

At first, Qin Jinnian was quite frustrated.

But he made rapid progress, and even He Suining sometimes looked at him with great envy.

He truly deserves to be called a martial arts prodigy.

He had already mastered the first sword technique in just ten days, and now he only needed to consolidate it.

The days passed by.

Before they knew it, it was the Emperor's birthday.

The emperor's birthday celebration was divided into daytime and nighttime celebrations.

During the day, the emperor happily took several princes to the hunting grounds, without bringing any concubines.

They would return to the palace in the evening for a banquet. Only the most favored concubines were allowed to attend.

Qin Jinnian wore a long blue robe, her hair was braided, and she wore a jade crown.

A young eunuch followed behind him, specifically to serve him.

His height of 190 cm made him stand out among the princes, and he was also quite alone.

Everyone knows he was the deposed crown prince. If the emperor hadn't granted a general amnesty out of respect for the empress, he wouldn't have been able to leave the cold palace.

It is said that the emperor's heart is unfathomable, and no one knows what the emperor is really thinking.

What if she still thinks about the scandalous affair of Consort Xian in the harem back then, and therefore dislikes Qin Jinnian as a result?

The princes who were on good terms with him might be considered to be related by nepotism.

So for a while, no one talked to him.

Qin Jinnian stood alone, having grown accustomed to composure; his face showed no fear, only indifference.

With one hand behind her back and her back to the princes, she quietly admired the osmanthus blossoms on the tree.

Unlike him.

The Third Prince, Qin Jingxing, was very popular among the princes and was surrounded by many of them, chatting.

"Isn't that Qin Jinnian? I thought he would pretend to be sick and not come."

"Perhaps he's just like the shameless Consort Xian. How could he miss such an opportunity to appear and perform in front of the Emperor? Maybe if the Emperor is pleased, he might even allow him to leave the palace and be granted a title of king."

"Don't joke around. He'll probably only ever be a useless prince under house arrest for the rest of his life, haha, don't you think so, Jingxing?"

Upon hearing the name Qin Jingxing.

Qin Jinnian then subtly raised his eyes and looked in that direction.

Qin Jingxing now appears as a refined gentleman, holding a fan in his hand and gently waving it. Two small braids are tied with luxurious pearls at his temples, and he wears a jade crown. Anyone who sees him would have to say that he is extremely handsome.

The current emperor is dedicated to having many sons and children, and he visits the harem quite frequently. He has a total of six princes and three princesses.

However, among the palace attendants, Qin Jinnian and Qin Jingxing were the best-looking; the others were not so good-looking.

Qin Jingxing waved the fan in his hand and smiled heartily, “On such a fine day, let’s not mention that unlucky good-for-nothing… Instead, let’s think about how to hunt more animals later to please Father Emperor.”

Having said that.

Qin Jingxing raised his dark eyes and met Qin Jinnian's gaze.

She smiled at him, seemingly both pleased and relieved about her childhood memories.

Qin Jinnian turned his head away, silently picked a osmanthus flower from the tree, and remained silent.

"Useless." Qin Jingxing was overjoyed to see him behave exactly the same as before, and muttered disdainfully under his breath.

It seems that after being confined in the cold palace for many years, and now being released and placed under house arrest by the Empress, his temperament has long been ruined.

Just like even a mighty lion, once it enters a circus and is subjected to whips and salt water, it will slowly turn into a docile kitten.

Qin Jingxing waved the fan in his hand even more enthusiastically.

He squinted at the other princes, silently comparing himself to them.

He thought to himself with a pang of sorrow: none of these princes who have already been granted the title of king can compare to him. Today, he will surely make his father understand that he is the best candidate to sit on the throne.

Surely Father wouldn't be so old and blind as to settle for second best.

The hunt was hardly thrilling.

The emperor was getting on in years and was not as young as he used to be.

The highlight of this hunt was still the princes, but Qin Jin had not ridden a horse or shot an arrow for many years and did not know how, so the emperor, seemingly being lenient, told him not to participate and to step aside.

But all he got in return were mocking and scrutinizing glances from the other princes and close ministers.

Qin Jinnian simply stood there like a piece of wood, appearing obedient to everyone, without moving an inch.

No matter how many "big rocks" were thrown at him, he didn't react at all, which was really boring.

Even the emperor glanced at him a few times, shook his head, and his eyes dimmed considerably.

The hunt ended quickly.

Qin Jingxing had a very strict mother, and he himself worked very hard, so his horseback riding and archery skills were quite good.

A total of 8 prey were shot.

Other princes had five, six, three, or two children.

The Emperor nodded, looked at Qin Jingxing, and said, "Jingxing is not bad. I remember you were exceptionally good at archery when you were young, and you haven't given up now that you're grown up. Your mother has taught you well, and you yourself are diligent and eager to learn. I will..."

He thought for a moment, then waved his hand happily, "I bestow upon you a magnificent imperial horse."

Qin Jingxing's lips twitched with joy, and he almost forgot to kneel down and express his gratitude.

After the thank-you gift.

The emperor then announced that he would return to the palace to hold a birthday banquet.

tired.

At the birthday banquet.

Although all the concubines who came were favored consorts, there was only one emperor, so the number of times he visited the concubines was not consistent.

For example, the empress sitting on the phoenix throne looks high and mighty, but the emperor only went there once.

It's said that he left rather unhappy that time.

Later, a rumor spread in the harem, its origin unknown—that the current empress was too aloof and cold towards the emperor.

This appearance, combined with the Empress's exceptionally beautiful face, naturally makes people's hearts itch with desire.

But for an emperor who wants to control you, once is novel, but twice is a challenge to imperial authority.

The emperor never went there again. After all, the empress was only beautiful enough to make people's hearts flutter. But with all the concubines in the harem vying for attention and each one blooming in their own way, the emperor wasn't some lovesick fool. Why should he stubbornly cling to the empress?

One by one, the concubines arrived, each with beautiful makeup and dressed in either bright or elegant clothes.

The seats were arranged in two rows, one for the concubines and one for the princes, with two people sitting together.

Finally, Consort Ru arrived late.

She wore a golden, embroidered pomegranate-red skirt, the hem of which was decorated with auspicious clouds, giving it a very lucky look. Underneath, she wore an orange-red gauze dress, the collar of which was embroidered with the same gold thread as the pomegranate-red skirt, making it dazzling at first glance.

Throughout the entire palace banquet, Consort Ru wore such a dazzling and bold color.

It's as if they want to outshine even the Empress.

She swayed as she walked, one hand supported by her personal maid, and gave the Empress a perfunctory bow with a sluggish air as she entered the main hall.

He Suining nodded slightly.

Consort Ru rolled her eyes and was helped by her maid to sit down in a seat near the front.

She had barely sat down when she started to speak, her lips, painted with rouge, curving slightly upwards. “Why has Your Majesty arrived so early? This makes me feel quite embarrassed.”

He Suining glanced at her indifferently, her voice as gentle as the clear moon, revealing little emotion, "As the Empress, the head of the six palaces, she naturally cannot be negligent and must set an example in everything."

“Your Majesty is right.” Just as Consort Ru was about to speak, Consort Yu beside her chimed in.

In the harem, she was relatively peaceful and did not make enemies with any of the concubines. However, being deep in the harem, she could not avoid vying for the emperor's favor. "When I went to pay my respects today, I saw Your Highness giving instructions to the Second Prince. It must be hard work for you. Now that you can set an example, all the younger sisters should learn from you."

"Consort Yu is indeed Consort Yu." Consort Ru rolled her eyes, her lips drooping considerably, and spoke sarcastically, "No wonder the Emperor always praises my sister for her eloquence. I only asked one question, and my sister rushed to speak up for the Empress. It makes me look like I'm not eloquent, hehe."

She shifted her posture, leaning back lazily in the chair. "Since Her Majesty the Empress is going to such lengths to teach a deposed crown prince confined to the Cold Palace, then surely the once-brilliant Prince will not disappoint Her Majesty. When the time comes, you should take a close look at Her Majesty the Empress's dedicated teaching!"

The last four words were pronounced with extra emphasis.

Consort Ru spoke slowly and deliberately, a faint smile on her face, as if she was certain she would make a fool of herself.