Chapter 89 (1/2)

Chapter 89: Mind Game

Jun Huang surveyed her surroundings. There wasn't anyone around. ”I'll meet up with you tomorrow. You should go. Don't let anyone see you.” She put on her hood and left.

Rou'er returned to Prince Chen Manor shortly. It was fortunate that Qi Chen did not really care for her. Sometimes he did show sympathy to her, but it was always fleeting. He had given her enough freedom that she was able to oversee the men Qi Yun had planted in the manor.

She thought back to her meeting with Qi Yun earlier in the evening. She cared about Qi Yun, while he looked at her like she meant nothing to him. She knew it was for the best, but she couldn't help feeling dejected.

The next day, Jun Huang woke up at the crack of dawn. She spent the time to put on makeup that made her look more ordinary. She was going to enter the palace with Rou'er today. She had to make sure no one would notice her. Besides, she wasn't sure if Rou'er would be followed by only Qi Yun's people, or if there would be Qi Chen's spies as well. She could never be too careful.

Rou'er recognized Jun Huang at the first glance. It wasn't that Jun Huang's disguise was ineffective, but the air of aloofness around her was simply too distinctive. It was easy to spot as long as you knew what to look for.

Of course, Jun Huang's att.i.tude did soften sometimes, but it wasn't a common occurrence.

Rou'er arranged for Jun Huang to stay at her side before getting into a sedan chair and leaving for the palace. It had rained the entire night. The bluestone road was covered in puddles. The chair lifters therefore slowed down by a good measure. Rou'er was worried that Jun Huang might have been in a rush, but Jun Huang's expression never changed. The rain didn't seem to have affected her.

Rou'er wondered what would it take for someone both brave and clever like Jun Huang to lose her calm. Would the fate of the world be able to cause a ripple in her eyes? Or would it be something else? Or someone?

Once they reached the palace, they were stopped by the general guarding the gate for a routine checkup. Rou'er had been to the palace many times. He knew who she was. What was more, Rou'er possessed the token awarded by the emperor. The general didn't dare to delay her for too long. He gave her an apologetic smile.

”Is the lady visiting on your own today?” the general asked.

Rou'er threw a discreet glance at Jun Huang and returned the smile. ”I'm moving some things from Consort Zhen's palace to Prince Chen Manor. I'll bring only this page boy in. Don't worry. He's a servant in Prince Chen Manor. He's trustworthy.”

The general took a good look at Jun Huang. Seems like a good-natured young man, he thought. Not the troublesome sorts. He put her name down on the list of guests. ”I've logged your visit. Just let me know when you leave the palace.”

”Thank you, sir.” Rou'er gave him a bow. Men like the general could not resist tender women like Rou'er. Their smiles were like an addicting drug. It made these men willingly drowned themselves in the women's warm embrace.

Originally a check-up was required, but Rou'er had said that Jun Huang was Qi Chen's servant. The general himself was a supporter of Qi Chen. He would sooner suck up to Qi Chen than to lay a finger on Qi Chen's people. He let them in with a smile.

Once inside, Jun Huang didn't immediately part ways with Rou'er. Instead, she followed Rou'er to Consort Zhen's palace. On her way, she kept her eyes on the floor and kept to her character as a servant.

At the door, Jun Huang waited until no onlookers could be seen before exchanging a glance with Rou'er. Jun Huang stepped aside. Rou'er entered the palace as if she had come here alone. Jun Huang made her way to the Cold Palace.

The layout in the palace was complicated. Without preparation, one could easily get lost here. Jun Huang, however, came ready. She had ordered someone to acquire a map of the palace and memorized it. She quickly arrived at the gate to the Cold Palace.

The place was quiet. The maids weren't willing to stay for long. Therefore they only came to deliver meals three times a day. Jun Huang looked inside the palace. It was still early. Most concubines here had not woken up yet. There was only one door that was left open.

After some deliberation, Jun Huang went straight for the open door. As soon as she entered, the banished emperor said, ”Who are you? This is a restricted area for the harem. It's not a place for a man like you.”

Jun Huang looked up at her with a faint smile and cupped her hands in greeting. ”This gentleman is Feng Baiyu. It's an honor to meet you, Consort Ping.”

Consort Ping's expression faltered. She pointed a finger at Jun Huang, unable to make a sound. Jun Huang could see the fear in her eyes clearly. The consort must have misunderstood her intentions. ”This gentleman isn't here to hurt the consort. You don't have to worry. I want to make a deal with you.”

Consort Ping was once the empress after all. She quickly calmed herself. She believed that Jun Huang was telling the truth. After all, she was now trapped in the Cold Palace. She posed no threat to Qi Chen. Moreover, she had already lost her son in this struggle for power.

”What deal?”