TFWYH – Chapter 627  Substitution

But for the moment, he didn’t dare make a move.

The Emperor was clearly favoring Ling Yu. If he acted forcefully now, not only would he anger the Emperor, he would also alert the enemy.

But…

What was he supposed to do?

Gu Hengcang’s head ached terribly. After returning to the Prime Minister’s Residence, he immediately sent out a carrier pigeon, intending to inform Gu Yanshuang about Gu Yanran and warn her to be careful.

What he didn’t know was that the pigeon was intercepted the moment it flew out of the Prime Minister’s Residence.

Xiao Nan landed steadily, removed the bamboo tube from the pigeon’s leg, poured out the tiny note inside, and opened it. A mocking smile curved his lips.

Sure enough—it was exactly as Brother Ling had predicted.

At that moment, he truly admired Ling Yu a little.

He had completely seen through Gu Hengcang, that old fox.

Most people planned one step ahead when they moved. Ling Yu, on the other hand, planned ten steps ahead with every move.

Xiao Nan put away the note Gu Hengcang had written, then took out a new one and stuffed it into the bamboo tube before tying it back onto the pigeon’s leg and releasing it.

…

Second Prince’s Residence.

When Gu Yanshuang received the letter, she was in the middle of feasting on rich delicacies, a table full of luxurious dishes spread out before her.

Aunt Qiuwen respectfully removed the small bamboo tube from the pigeon’s leg and handed it to her.

Gu Yanshuang wiped the corner of her mouth and took it. “A letter from Father?”

Aunt Qiuwen nodded. “It’s the same carrier pigeon the Master always uses to correspond with you.”

Gu Yanshuang asked no more questions and poured out the tiny note.

However, when she saw the contents of the letter, her brows knitted tightly together.

“Father wants me to get closer to the First Prince’s Consort? What does that mean?”

Aunt Qiuwen frowned thoughtfully. After a long pause, she shook her head. “This servant is dull-witted and does not understand.”

Gu Yanshuang rolled her eyes at her irritably while thinking to herself.

“The Second Prince and the First Prince have always been at odds like fire and water. I also dislike that woman from a lowly family. Our two households hardly interact normally, so why would Father suddenly want me to get close to her?”

Qiuwen shot her a disdainful glance, though she carefully suggested, “It’s said that Her Majesty the Empress has always disliked the First Prince’s Consort, and the First Prince himself has no affection for her either. If this continues for a long time, could the First Prince’s Consort grow resentful?”

Gu Yanshuang sneered. “Without status or family backing, she only has the empty title of prince consort. So what if she resents them?”

Qiuwen smiled faintly. “Your Highness, never underestimate women driven mad by love and hatred. Once pushed too far, they can do anything. Do you think the Prime Minister might want to stir conflict between the First Prince and his consort, giving our prince an opportunity to take advantage of the situation?”

Gu Yanshuang froze.

The more she thought about it, the more reasonable Qiuwen’s words sounded.

No one understood better than she did just how crazy these beautiful lunatics could become.

The First Prince’s Consort might appear weak and submissive on the surface, never talking back or fighting back, but who knew what she was truly thinking inside?

If she could provoke the woman’s jealousy toward the First Prince, perhaps she could even manipulate her into causing trouble and helping pave the way for her own prince’s ambitions.

At that point, His Highness would surely look at her in a new light.

The more Gu Yanshuang thought about it, the happier she became, until she actually laughed aloud.

Suddenly, her stomach growled loudly.

Gu Yanshuang clutched her stomach, her mood souring again as she shouted at Qiuwen, “What are you still standing there for? Bring that dish over here! It’s so far away—how am I supposed to eat it?”

It was really strange.

Why did her stomach never seem full anymore?

She had gone from eating two meals a day to four meals a day, yet she still constantly felt hungry.

Aunt Qiuwen glanced at the waistline that had visibly thickened by a whole circle, and a trace of amusement flashed through her eyes before she nodded obediently.

Eat, eat away.

Eat more. Get fatter.

Then when New Year comes, we can slaughter you and eat you.