Chapter 154 - Anticipated Dawn (1/2)
Meanwhile back at the palace.
”What do you mean I should stay out of it?” Chen You barked.
Chun Hua knit her brows and flatly said, ”You could get caught in the aftermath.”
”Why? It's not like I'm the one who made her do that.” Chen You replied with a frown. An opportunity had finally arrived, just when she thought her day was going badly, Lei Xing went and did this.
Chen You could not help snickering as she thought of it, ”I knew she would dig her own grave, but I honestly never expected her to be this stupid...”
When Chun Hua and the two maids who had happened upon this scene reported to her, Chen You burst out laughing. It had been so long since there was something that made her this happy. Although she was a little annoyed with Chun Hua's incompetence for not following after Lei Xing and Prince Yi and chastised her for it. But it was still better than what she intended, which was to spread that Lei Xing was so enamored with Prince Yi that she forgot about the Emperor.
Chen You's plan for tonight was simple, she just wanted to toss a few more logs into the little flame she started. Even though the Emperor's grand actions stifled the rumors and even though he still pampered her as if nothing happened, the seeds of doubt have been planted. Therefore, with a little more fuel that little fire could burn down the whole forest.
Chen You also believed that the Emperor only did that grand gesture to save the Lei family's face and him spending time with Lei Xing was also for the Lei family and Lei Yong. Her family was what gave Lei Xing the leverage. And so, she understood that the Emperor could not ignore his best friend's sister for another woman, it would strain and possibly ruin their friendship and strong ties. But now look what Lei Xing did, all on her own.
There was still a line even the best of friendsh.i.p.s could not save her from and she just crossed it. But despite her dislike for Lei Xing, Chen You really did not expect her to be stupid enough to turn the rumors into a reality. But that all meant nothing to Chen You, she did not care for the how or why of it. All that mattered was that it happened. And to top it all off, Lei Xing had still not returned to the palace.
{...It seems she's still busy with her Princely lover hahaha...How foolish! Hahahahaha...}
This was a golden opportunity for her to get rid of that thorn in her side, but now Chun Hua was telling her this nonsense.
”There is no way I can let this go. I'm going to go inform the Emperor right now.” Chen You said as she haughtily got up with a smile, but Chun Hua stepped in front of her.
”If the Emperor really likes her as much as it seems, he will be really angry with her having an affair. And you don't want to be the face that reminds him of said affair...Instead, send those maids to go tell that Zhao Lan so she exposes it and you stay in the safe zone. You're already ahead as someone related to the Lei family...What's worse is that she's your cousin, you pulling her down to climb up may not be received well...”
Chen You frowned, ”Why would I be in trouble for her stupidity? If anything I should be praised for revealing her evil side despite being relatives. Why should I let someone else get the credit for this? He will be grateful to me for saving him from further disgrace and in that line spare the Lei family on my account. That way, my family would have repaid that stupid debt and I no longer have to bend my head down to her like a servant. This is my opportunity...” Chen You finished and shoved Chun Hua out of her way and stormed out of the room with the intention to go to the Emperor's palace.
Chun Hua frowned deeply and then sighed in irritation and followed. They arrived at the Emperor's palace and were blocked by the servants who informed that the Emperor does not want to see anyone right now.
Chen You was at first annoyed but then she broke into a happy smile after thinking it through. She reasoned that the Emperor must have done this because he was angry with Lei Xing treating him lightly.
{...Oh, he already doesn't want to see your face with just this...By tomorrow you might really end up dead but don't worry I'll be sure to beg for mercy on your behalf hahahaha...}
Chen You happily turned to leave and decided to go inform the Empress dowager instead, but Chun Hua got in her way again, ”Seriously think this through again. It could go well or it could go very badly...It's not worth the risk. There are othe -”
”That's enough of that nonsense!” Chen You barked and then continued on her way.
Then she suddenly stopped and went, ”Don't you think it will be worse in the morning? She stayed out all night and was last seeing frolicking with another man. The palace gates are already closed so she can't come back anyway...Telling in the morning will have a much better effect, right?” Chen You finished with a chuckle towards Chun Hua, who was not sharing in her amus.e.m.e.nt. With that thought in mind, Chen You happily returned to her palace with a bounce in her step.
Chen You could not sleep and just sat in her palace giggling in anticipation while Chun Hua and the two maids who witnessed Lei Xing's affair stood by her side. She knew the Empress dowager was going out early in the morning and so planned to run to her palace at first light. Even on the slim chance that the Emperor wanted to bury it, the Empress dowager definitely would not let it go...And Chen You would definitely not miss this opportunity.
After a while of frowning at the giddy and oblivious Chen You, Chun Hua left the room with a worried frown on her face. She went to her room and paced about for a long while, deep in thought.
{...I worked so hard and now this fool is going to ruin everything. Why can't she be patient?!... This won't do. She is really too stupid for my liking, an idiot!... I need a contingency plan...}