My Queen, Become My Consort 2 E-Book

Xixi Meng

• Herausgeber: via tolino media
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

The story revolves around the exchange of souls between the male and female protagonists. After exchanging souls, each person changes their gender, still maintaining their original body but completely changing their personality. The reactions of each other and the reactions of the people around them have led to a series of jokes that make people laugh uncontrollably. From the early days, the two were entangled due to soul exchange, but later on, feelings arose and the entanglement made people feel warm and touching. Looking at his magnificent and extraordinary appearance and strong chest muscles in the copper mirror, Sarah feels angry. “He” is a girl! The person in front of Sarah has a graceful figure but an ordinary appearance. Well, this is the first time she can see her own face clearly without using a bronze mirror. "You... you... are reckless! How dare you disguise as the Crown Prince!" Herself speaking such words is truly filled with joy. The Crown Prince attacked a common women at night? It wasn't the Crown Prince that was struck by thunder and lightning from heaven. On the contrary, the girl and the Prince exchanged their body!

Leseprobe

This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.For permission requests, write to :[email protected]

MY QUEEN, BECOME MY CONSORT

First edition. January 3, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Meng Xixi.

Written by Meng Xixi.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Also by Meng Xixi

Divine Noblelady's Mystique

Divine Noblelady's Mystique

My Queen, Become My Consort

My Queen, Become My Consort

My Queen, Become My Consort

Ⅱ

Table of contents

Chapter One: A Multitude of Mishaps in a Soul Swap

Chapter Two: The Hidden Crown Prince

Chapter Three: Distinguishing the Extraordinary from the Charlatan

Chapter Four: Unaware of the Blossoming Feelings

Chapter Five: Resolving a Thousand Worries with a Single Explosion

Chapter Six: Overseeing the Jiangnan Civil Service Exam

Chapter Seven: Exposing Cheating and Rebellion

Chapter Eight: A Twist of Fate and an Exchange of Fortunes

Chapter Nine: The Arrogant Emperor's Cunning Brother

Chapter Ten: Mutual Affection at the Lantern Festival

Chapter Eleven: Turbulence at the Beginning

Chapter Twelve: Framed and Entering the Cold Palace

Chapter Thirteen: The Emperor's Pregnant Consort

Chapter Fourteen: The Unfortunate Emperor's Difficult Expedition

Chapter Fifteen: Giving Birth and Defeating the Enemy Simultaneously

Chapter Sixteen: The Imminent Royal Selection

Chapter Seventeen: A Forbidden Love

Epilogue: The Wife Sings, The Husband Follows, Returning Home

Extra: Settling Century-old Regrets

Extra 2: Matters of Husband and Wife

Chapter Eleven: Turbulence at the Beginning

"Your servant Rylan pays her respects to Queen Mother. May Your Majesty be blessed with endless prosperity." On the second morning of her return to the palace, Rylan arrived at the Queen's hall to pay her respects to Sarah. As she entered, Rylan performed a flawless and respectful bow, leaving no room for criticism.

"Miss Owen, please rise quickly," Sarah said casually, not interested in forming any sisterly bonds with Rylan but not eager to make things difficult for her either. "Please, have a seat."

Though Rylan stood up, she hesitated to take a seat and lowered her head. "How can I presume to sit while speaking to Your Majesty?"

"If you stand like this, it tires me out just looking at you. Please, take a seat," Sarah said with a hint of exasperation, realizing that Rylan's overly formal nature might be a result of her upbringing in the palace. "Thank you, Miss Owen."

For someone who had grown up in the palace, always careful and meticulous, Sarah found it difficult to engage in small talk with her. So she silently observed Rylan for a moment. While Rylan might not be considered stunning, her delicate beauty, combined with her privileged lifestyle, gave her an air of elegance and grace.

"Queen Mother," Rylan suddenly rose again after a moment of silence, "I understand that it is inappropriate for me to reside in the palace given my current status. However, I assure you that I will behave appropriately and not cause any trouble. Please, do not rush to send me away."

Sarah furrowed her brow slightly. "Where did you get such ideas? I haven't said anything yet, and you're already assuming."

"Forgive me," Rylan replied, "I just want to ensure that I am not a burden to Your Majesty."

"Well then, if you insist," Sarah said with a sigh. "I appreciate your consideration, Miss Owen."

Sarah felt somewhat relieved that Rylan didn't seem interested in the prince. She then decided to share the arrangement that hypocrite had proposed. "His Majesty's intention is to ensure your well-being. He plans to select a suitable young nobleman from among the aristocracy to marry you as an Infanta. If you have someone in mind, you may also express your preferences. If His Majesty deems it appropriate, your wish will be granted."

Blushing slightly, Rylan replied, "I will defer to His Majesty and Your Majesty's decision."

"Very well. I don't want to meddle too much. It should be your choice, after all. Marriage is a lifetime commitment, and we wouldn't want to make any hasty decisions," Sarah said, relieved that Rylan agreed so readily. She thought to herself that she was fortunate to have such a cooperative companion, as matchmaking could be tricky.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your thoughtful consideration. I am truly grateful," Rylan said, her voice quivering as she fought back tears.

"Enough, enough. I can't stand tears," Sarah said with a hint of frustration. "You've just returned; take some time to rest and adjust. There's no need to linger here. If you encounter any difficulties, just send word to me, and I will assist you."

Rylan didn't hesitate to take her leave. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding. I won't trouble you any longer. I'll take my leave now."

As hypocrite and Alan headed toward the Queen's palace after the morning court, hypocrite noticed someone approaching in the distance. "Alan, is that Rylan over there?"

"It seems like her," Alan replied, squinting to get a better look. He called out, "Miss Owen!"

Upon hearing someone calling her name, Rylan hesitated for a moment. Then she suddenly covered her face and quickened her pace as if trying to avoid them. However, there was only one exit, and she couldn't escape.

"What's this? You've returned from three years of mourning, and you've already forgotten your manners?" hypocrite said with a smile.

"I dare not," Rylan replied, stopping in her tracks and offering a polite bow, her head still lowered.

Noticing a hint of tears in her voice, hypocrite raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why are you crying? You rarely get into conflicts with others, given your calm and gentle nature. If you are crying, it must be because someone has treated you unfairly."

Rylan bowed again and replied, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I shall take my leave."

Alan couldn't help but wonder, "Your Majesty, what could be troubling her?"

hypocrite's expression darkened, and his tone turned cold. "Do not speak out of turn."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I apologize," Alan said, chastising himself by lightly slapping his own face.

"Never mind," hypocrite sighed, too preoccupied to deal with Alan's missteps. "Let's go inside."

Just after Rylan's departure, hypocrite arrived unexpectedly, taking Sarah by surprise. After a quick bow and dismissal of the attendants, Sarah inquired, "Did His Majesty happen to meet Miss Owen just now? She left my chambers not long ago."

"Oh..." hypocrite hadn't expected Sarah to bring it up and found himself denying, for reasons he couldn't quite explain, "No, I didn't."

"Perhaps you just missed her," Sarah replied casually, not dwelling on it, and remaining oblivious to hypocrite's evasive gaze. "She came to see me earlier, thinking I wanted her to leave. To reassure her, I couldn't help but mention the matter of your granting her marriage. Surprisingly, she showed no resistance at all, saying it was entirely up to us."

Hypocrite raised an eyebrow in astonishment. "Really?"

"In fact, I was quite surprised myself," Sarah chuckled. "Perhaps I had overthought things before, been too cynical. I was afraid she might be—well, in any case, it seems like you had intended to marry her, and she hasn't taken notice of you at all. I find her quite agreeable, aside from her excessive formality and tendency to shed tears. It seems she becomes emotional quite easily, and I'm not sure how to handle that."

As Sarah openly shared her thoughts with him, hypocrite suddenly regretted his baseless suspicions. How could he have doubted Sarah so easily? Could Sarah truly be the type to cause trouble for Rylan behind the scenes? Didn't he know her better? He cursed himself for his unwarranted doubts.

"Oh?" Sarah exclaimed in surprise as hypocrite embraced her from behind. She continued, somewhat annoyed, "What are you doing? I was in the middle of talking. Were you not paying attention?" Was he daydreaming about something else, wanting to hug her?

"I heard everything," he assured her, resting his head against her fragrant hair and speaking softly. "Sarah, I'm sorry."

Perplexed, Sarah inquired, "Why the sudden apology?"

"I lied to you earlier. I did meet her," hypocrite confessed. He paused, realizing he couldn't bring himself to fully reveal his darker thoughts to Sarah, like she had done with him.

Feeling warmth in her hand as she held his, Sarah reassured him, "I understand. You were just worried I might overthink things. I won't blame you. Just promise not to lie to me like that again."

"Very well. A king should keep his word," hypocrite replied, kissing her earlobe softly. He felt indebted for her trust and love, so he turned her around and compensated with a deep kiss.

Meanwhile, Oli, who had intended to enter the room, witnessed the scene and quickly blushed, retreating quietly. She marveled at the affection between the Emperor and Queen, realizing that their love wasn't confined to the nighttime, even in broad daylight... no wonder they always sent her away when the Emperor arrived!

"Oops..." Oli, still amused by her thoughts, didn't notice someone approaching from the other side and bumped into them. When she realized who it was, she hurriedly apologized, "Miss Owen? My apologies for my carelessness. Are you alright?"

"It's alright," Rylan replied with tolerance, offering a smile. Then she casually asked, "Where are you headed?"

Oli replied truthfully, "I'm going to the Imperial Kitchen to check if the Emperor's bird's nest soup for the Queen is ready."

"The Emperor and the Queen are truly deeply in love," Rylan remarked mysteriously. "Seems like they are—" she paused, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

"Yes, yes!" Oli nodded vigorously. "It's really enviable!"

Rylan, with a hint of anticipation, asked, "I thought I saw the Emperor when I came out earlier. Is he still at the Queen's palace now? Are they... alright?"

"What could go wrong? The Emperor and the Queen are spending time alone together. I didn't want to intrude and make myself a nuisance, so I found an excuse to leave," Oli explained casually, not thinking too much about it and chuckling. Then she curtsied and added, "I won't take up any more of your time. I'll be on my way."

"Alright, go ahead," Rylan responded, forcing a smile.

As Oli walked away with a carefree and cheerful gait, Rylan remained in place, unable to muster a smile. She tightly clenched the handkerchief in her hand, her thoughts racing.

"How is it possible?! How can everything be fine? It seems she has some tricks up her sleeve. I shouldn't panic; I'll come up with a plan..." Rylan muttered to herself in frustration, her voice gradually fading within the palace walls.

In the vast palace, one more person or one less person hardly made a difference. Rylan's arrival had been like a small pebble cast into a vast ocean, creating only ripples. For over half a month, Rylan continued to reside in her original quarters, everything proceeding as usual except for her absence from the study sessions. She remained quiet to the point that she was often forgotten, even by hypocrite, who seldom mentioned her. Only Sarah occasionally remembered her existence, and she entrusted Oli with looking after Rylan's needs in the Imperial Household Department, making sure she wasn't inconvenienced.

"Your Majesty, I must say Miss Owen is quite remarkable. Her chamber is elegantly simple, devoid of extravagance. It's not even fully warmed yet on these chilly days, and she hasn't lit a fire," Oli remarked to Sarah on one occasion.

"Well, the weather is still cold," Sarah disagreed, shaking her head. "Tell the Imperial Household Department to send more charcoal. We mustn't be too frugal; thriftiness shouldn't come at the cost of one's health."

Oli nodded, "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll make sure to remember. You're always so kind."

"You're always quick to praise others," Sarah teased, smiling at Oli. Then, as if she remembered something, she stood up and walked to the desk, pulling out a piece of paper from one of the books. She sat down and began to read it.

"What's this, Your Majesty?" Oli asked curiously, glancing at the paper.

Sarah suppressed a smile and said, "Feel free to take a look! It's nothing significant. The Emperor brought this list a few days ago, indicating that there are several well-behaved young gentlemen of marriageable age who haven't wed yet. He's considering one of them as a suitable match for Miss Owen."

"I see..." Oli quickly caught on. "Is the Emperor asking for your advice on this matter?"

"You could say that," Sarah replied, recalling hypocrite's reasoning at the time and chuckling. "They say that women understand women better, so he entrusted me with this task. He's quite clever when it comes to delegating!"

After scanning the list several times with a thoughtful expression, Sarah hesitated and said, "Just looking at these profiles won't reveal much. Besides, Miss Owen's future husband is not mine to choose."

"That's simple, isn't it? Your Majesty can invite Miss Owen and let her decide in person!" Oli suggested. "Young ladies can be shy, and it's better for you to handle this rather than the Emperor."

Sarah raised an eyebrow, "Just choosing based on appearances won't be very effective, will it?"

"Well, how about letting her observe them?" Oli thought for a moment and proposed, "In a couple of days, there's the annual celestial ceremony. You can have the Emperor invite all these young gentlemen along with their children. Bring Miss Owen along, and she can discreetly observe their conduct."

"That's actually a good idea," Sarah mused, nodding in approval and revealing a hint of delight. "You're quite clever. When the Emperor comes tonight, I'll discuss it with him."

Oli playfully blinked, "When you ask, the Emperor will surely agree!"

"Alright, alright! Now, go about your duties!" Sarah didn't engage in any more banter with Oli, dismissing her to her tasks. Meanwhile, she contemplated the details of this upcoming "husband selection."

In the evening, within the Jacintha Pavilion, the Emperor and Queen were enjoying their dinner together.

"By the way, there's something I'd like to discuss with you," Sarah suddenly turned serious.

Hypocrite looked puzzled, "What is it?"

"It's regarding Miss Owen," Sarah began. "I've reviewed the list you gave me, but I haven't met any of these gentlemen in person. It's challenging to make a decision based on descriptions alone. It would be best if Miss Owen herself could see them. Oli had a suggestion: we could use the upcoming celestial ceremony. You can invite all the court officials and their sons, and I'll bring Miss Owen along. That way, she can discreetly observe the behavior of these young gentlemen."

"You've thought this through thoroughly," hypocrite raised an eyebrow. "It shouldn't be difficult. We'll go with your plan."

Sarah gave him a teasing look, "I noticed you've become quite indifferent to this matter. You're leaving everything for me to handle. She was your companion from childhood, after all, not mine."

"But you are my legitimate Queen now," hypocrite replied playfully, sidestepping the issue. "What concerns me concerns you. Besides, are you not jealous of Miss Owen?"

Sarah thought he was taking advantage of her. "Alright, alright! You've got your way. I'll compensate you later," she said with a sly smile.

Curious, Sarah gazed at him and asked, "How will you compensate me?"

"How about... we eat some pig's brain for brainpower?" hypocrite joked, but before he could finish, he burst into laughter.

"Alright! You're making fun of me!" Sarah exclaimed, giving up the argument. She put down her chopsticks and pretended to chase him. Their playful scuffle led them to the bed, where they continued their "feast" in a different manner.

The matter of compensation was temporarily set aside. As the celestial ceremony approached, Sarah wanted to prepare Rylan mentally. The next day, she summoned Rylan and hinted at the upcoming event. Rylan, as obedient as always, expressed her willingness to attend.

On the day of the ceremony, the festivities proceeded without any explosions this year. It was a beautiful day, and many officials and their sons decided to stay for an outing after the ceremony. Sarah saw this as an excellent opportunity. To avoid making Rylan uncomfortable, she asked her to stay behind while she and hypocrite returned to the palace.

However, Rylan, who had promised to come to Jacintha Pavilion the day after the ceremony to discuss her approval of the chosen candidates, did not arrive as expected. Sarah thought Rylan might have trouble making a decision and waited for a few more days. Finally, on the fourth day, she succeeded in coaxing Rylan to come. When she saw Rylan's pale complexion, she understood the reason for the delay, and her initial surprise turned into understanding.

"Greetings, Your Majesty, Queen," Rylan observed the customary etiquette.

"Please, rise and have a seat," Sarah inquired with concern. "Are you unwell? Your complexion seems rather pale."

Rylan coughed lightly before responding, "Ahem... I had intended to pay my respects to Your Majesty early this morning, but my health failed me, and I apologize for the delay. I hope Your Majesty can forgive me."

"Your health is of utmost importance. I have no pressing matters in the palace," Sarah reassured her. "Please, don't hesitate to have the Imperial Physician examine you. It's better to seek professional care rather than endure any discomfort that may worsen."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I will remember your advice," Rylan replied respectfully.

Observing Rylan's discomfort in her presence, Sarah decided to forego pleasantries and get straight to the point. "How did the outing after the celestial ceremony go? Did you find anyone suitable? Rest assured, both the Emperor and I value your opinion."

Rylan's face turned even paler as the topic was broached. She bit her lip and hesitated, prompting Sarah to inquire further, "Is something amiss? Were none of the candidates to your liking?"

"It's not that..." Rylan nodded at first, then shook her head vigorously. "Your Majesty, I... I..."

Before she could finish her sentence, she suddenly rose from her seat and knelt before Sarah, exclaiming, "I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty!"

Sarah was taken aback. "What are you doing? Please, get up! The floor is cold, and you're unwell. You shouldn't expose yourself to such cold."

Unable to dissuade Rylan, Sarah signaled to Oli, who hurried forward to help Rylan stand. However, despite her delicate appearance, Rylan proved surprisingly resistant to their efforts.

"Please, Your Majesty, allow me to finish speaking," Rylan implored, still on her knees.

Sarah, perplexed by Rylan's sudden outburst, reluctantly agreed, "Very well. Please keep it brief. I hope you can rise soon."

Rylan took a deep breath and continued, "In the days since entering the palace, I've constantly reminded myself that Your Majesty has my best interests at heart. I tried to accept your kindness and let go of my unrealistic desires. I genuinely attempted to embrace the role of an 'Infanta' and hoped to receive a marriage bestowed by the Emperor. It seemed like a good opportunity..."

Her voice quivered with a hint of tears, and she sniffled before going on, "However, when the moment of decision arrived, and I saw those young gentlemen... I realized I couldn't convince myself. I'm so sorry, Your Majesty..."

Sarah listened to Rylan's words, growing increasingly confused. She rubbed her temples, unsure of how to respond to Rylan's apparent change of heart and indecision. "So, what do you mean? Do you no longer wish to marry at such an early age, or is it that you dislike the candidates on the list?"

"It's neither..." Rylan nodded and then shook her head again. "Your Majesty, it's just that... I..."

Before she could continue, Rylan suddenly rose to her feet and exclaimed, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty! Please punish me!"

"What's going on?" Hypocrite had entered the room and heard only Rylan's last sentence. Seeing the strange scene before him, he was taken aback.

"Your Majesty?" Rylan seemed to notice Hypocrite's arrival and quickly stood up, bowing to him. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

Sarah was perplexed and didn't know how to explain the situation. She greeted Hypocrite with a simple nod and uttered, "Long live the Emperor."

"Please, both of you, stand and speak," Hypocrite insisted. After both women had straightened up, he repeated his question, "What's going on?"

His question, however, was met with continued silence.

Sarah furrowed her brow, unsure of how to explain that Rylan had changed her mind and expressed an unexpected desire to be in the palace as his consort. As she contemplated the situation, she glanced at Rylan, who appeared fearful, as if wanting to speak but hesitating.

"Queen?" Hypocrite's voice was tinged with exasperation as he called out to Sarah.

"Your Majesty, I... I don't know where to begin," Sarah sighed and shook her head.

Hypocrite redirected his gaze to Rylan, who looked extremely pale, with a slightly swollen forehead, which he had noticed earlier. "What's wrong with your face? And your forehead—"

Rylan interrupted him nervously, "It's nothing, Your Majesty. I accidentally bumped it yesterday."

Sarah, confused by Rylan's false explanations and her current state, could only shake her head, not willing to jump to conclusions without concrete evidence.

"Oh..." Hypocrite appeared somewhat skeptical, not committing to a response. He inquired further, "What were you discussing just now? What's this about 'apologies' and 'punishment'?"

This time, Sarah intended to reveal the truth, but Rylan preempted her, saying, "It's about the thorough arrangements Your Majesty made for me. However, I remain unsatisfied and feel guilty for not appreciating Your Majesty's efforts."

"For such a trivial matter?" Hypocrite raised an eyebrow and turned to Sarah for confirmation.

Sarah, under Rylan's pleading gaze, reluctantly nodded. "Yes..."

"Hmm... Is it such a big deal? If you're dissatisfied, we can reconsider the choices. There's no need to be so tense about it," Hypocrite responded, seemingly unsure whether to take the matter seriously. He then continued, "Or have you already set your heart on someone?"

"N-no..." Rylan stammered.

Hypocrite pondered for a moment. Even if Rylan did have someone in mind, she might not be comfortable revealing it in his presence. He decided to change the subject, "I just remembered some morning affairs I need to attend to. I'll take my leave. You two can continue your discussion."

"We respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty," both women replied, bowing.

After Hypocrite had left, Rylan lowered her head in embarrassment. "My apologies, Your Majesty... It's all my foolishness..."

"Why didn't you speak the truth?" Sarah asked, interrupting her.

"It's just my unfounded wish. How could I say it with a straight face?" Rylan's face paled again, and she knelt once more. "I beg Your Majesty to forget what I said today. I've already noted down the candidates and will think it over. Within three days, I will give Your Majesty a definite answer."

Sarah sighed and felt exasperated. "Very well, I understand. You may go now." She needed some time to think and clear her mind.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I take my leave," Rylan said before bowing and exiting.

"Oli... What do you think is going on?" Sarah, back in her seat, looked tired and perplexed.

Oli also wore a puzzled expression. "I don't know. Miss Owen was acting strangely today, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Her words left me dizzy."

"I feel just as confused," Sarah sighed, "but we can't force her. I hope she can make up her mind in these three days. I just wish we didn't have to keep it from the Emperor. It doesn't sit right with me."

"Shouldn't you inform him then?" Oli suggested.

"But I already promised Miss Owen not to reveal anything unless absolutely necessary," Sarah replied, shaking her head. "You know my word is important to me."

"You know me best," Oli agreed. "I won't say a word."

Sarah finally got up and headed to her inner chamber. "I'm feeling unusually tired today. Help me rest for a while."

"Of course," Oli assisted Sarah to her bed, arranged her comfortably, and lowered the curtains. "I'll be outside, attending to you. Just call if you need anything."

"Thank you," Sarah replied wearily, then closed her eyes, succumbing to the embrace of sleep.

Meanwhile, Hypocrite, who had left the room earlier, sat in his study, trying to focus on the official documents. However, his thoughts kept returning to the scene he had witnessed in Queen's Palace not long ago: Sarah's hesitations, Rylan's concealment, and their unspoken communication. The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became, convinced that neither of them had told the truth.

What could possibly make Rylan kneel and plead with Sarah for punishment, with Sarah allowing it to happen? Hypocrite felt he needed to get to the bottom of this.

"Alan, go and check on Rylan," Hypocrite finally decided to investigate himself. "Wait... it should just be you. We shouldn't alarm too many people."

"Yes," Alan agreed, wondering if Hypocrite's desire for secrecy indicated that only Queen should be involved. The situation earlier in Queen's Palace had been far from ordinary, and even he could tell something was amiss.

As they made their way to Rylan's palace, Hypocrite couldn't help but notice an unusual odor in the air. "Alan, do you smell that?"

"Yes, it's a strange and pungent odor," Alan replied after taking a whiff.

Hypocrite quickened his pace, reaching the entrance to the sleeping chamber. He overheard a palace maid's pleading voice from inside, "Miss Owen, please stop! This charcoal... cough... this charcoal is completely unusable!"

*Cough, cough...* However, Rylan was quite stubborn. "No, this was granted by Queen, refusing to use it would be disrespectful. *Cough...*"

"What on earth is going on here?! *Cough, cough...*" Hypocrite couldn't bear it any longer and lifted the curtain to step inside. The room was filled with thick black smoke, and he too was choked by it. He had to command, "Quickly extinguish this charcoal fire!"

The palace maid, relieved, promptly put out the charcoal. "Yes!" Alan opened a window to let the black smoke dissipate.

"Why is the Emperor here?!" Rylan hastily bowed, "May the Emperor be safe!"

Hypocrite didn't ask her to rise; instead, he inquired, "Who delivered this charcoal fire you were just using?"

"I, I didn't say anything... the Emperor must have misunderstood..." Rylan's gaze wandered nervously, her voice shaky.

"Speak!" Hypocrite, seeing her reluctance, turned to the palace maid by her side.

The palace maid was frightened by his stern demeanor and knelt down, "I, I... it was Queen..."

"Bold! Be silent!" Rylan scolded the palace maid.

"Let her finish," Hypocrite demanded, narrowing his eyes, and asked in a deep voice, "Why did Queen send the charcoal fire?"

The palace maid, after casting a timid glance at Rylan, whispered, "It was Oli from Queen's Palace who said that Queen thought Miss seemed unwell, perhaps caught a chill, so she sent more charcoal to keep warm. But who would have thought... what arrived was all damp charcoal residue. Isn't this a matter of life and death?"

"Enough of this," Rylan interrupted, then turned to Hypocrite and explained, "Queen meant well, it's probably the Imperial Household Department's fault for delivering subpar charcoal."

Hypocrite massaged his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Only then did he notice that Rylan was still kneeling. He bent down to help her up and said with a softer tone, "Please, sit down first."

"Yes." Rylan complied and sat after Hypocrite had taken his seat.

Hypocrite changed the subject, "Let's not dwell on the charcoal matter for now. Tell me, what were you discussing this afternoon in Queen's Palace? What made you kneel and request punishment?"

"I already answered this question in Queen's Palace. It's because I had no interest in the individuals on the list..." Rylan was about to repeat her earlier response with a smile, but Hypocrite interrupted her.

"I have no interest in hearing such a clumsy lie twice," his patience wore thin, "I'll ask you again, what were you discussing? I want the truth!"

Rylan suddenly sounded teary, as if deeply wronged, "Please, Your Majesty... please don't ask anymore. I can't say!"

"Can't say? Who forbids you from speaking?" Hypocrite inquired.

This time, Rylan remained silent, as if believing that speaking more would only make matters worse. She knelt again, choosing silence as her response. The two of them sat and knelt like that, in a stalemate. Seeing Rylan struggling with coughing, Hypocrite finally relented, "Very well, if you won't speak, I won't ask further. Get up now! The floor is cold, and do you want to fall even more seriously ill?"

The palace maid quickly helped Rylan up and gently patted her back to soothe her.

"Rest well. We'll dispose of this charcoal, and I'll have the Imperial Household Department deliver a fresh supply," Hypocrite said, feeling exasperated. He got up and left the room without looking back.

However, he didn't notice that Rylan, who had been keeping her head down, slowly lifted her head. Her eyes were still red, but there was an oddly discordant and ambiguous smile on her lips.

"Where is the Emperor going?" Hypocrite was a martial artist, and his pace was quick. Alan, slightly out of breath, struggled to keep up and asked.

Hypocrite paused for a moment and then said, "I'm going to Queen's Palace."

"The Emperor has arrived—"

Soon, the guard stationed outside heard the announcement and hurried to greet Hypocrite, "I bow to the Emperor."

"Please, no need for formalities," Hypocrite casually waved his hand, signaling her to rise, and asked, "Where is Queen?"

"Today, Queen seemed a bit tired. She went to rest not long after Your Majesty left," Oli replied carefully.

Hypocrite furrowed his brow slightly, then asked with concern, "Tired? Is she unwell?"

"Illness? I don't think so. Queen's appetite has been excellent lately, even better than before..." Oli tried to recall and concluded that, apart from occasional drowsiness, Queen hadn't displayed any symptoms of illness. She shook her head.

"Oh..." Hypocrite replied absently. Suddenly, he mentioned, "I came from Rylan's place." He watched Sarah closely, hoping to glean some clues from her expression.

"Oh. Is she all right?" Whenever Rylan was mentioned, Sarah felt a headache coming on and couldn't help but furrow her brow.

Although Sarah's words seemed casual, there was a hint of impatience in her expression. Hypocrite rarely saw her in such a manner, which caught him off guard. He tentatively asked, "She's alright, just irritated by the smoke from the charcoal fire."

"Irritated?" Sarah felt her head was a bit heavy, unable to keep up with his train of thought. "Why?"

"You don't know?" Hypocrite's expression darkened slightly. With Sarah's intelligence, she should instantly understand why burning charcoal would produce smoke that irritates people. Her answer seemed more like a deliberate attempt to feign ignorance.

Sarah, however, didn't perceive his subtle change in demeanor. She simply complained, "What's gotten into you today? You keep saying such inexplicable things."

"But what were you discussing today? Don't tell me the same excuses as Rylan's; I don't believe them," Hypocrite persisted, ignoring her complaints, and asked again.

"I... I promised Miss Owen to keep it a secret. I can't tell you," Sarah hesitated for a moment and then replied.

Hypocrite's smile turned cold. "I find you rather peculiar today. Your speech is hesitant, evasive, and your gaze wanders aimlessly."

"What do you mean? Just say it!" Sarah was feeling genuinely unwell this time and didn't want to engage in any riddles with him.

"Nothing," Hypocrite said abruptly, struggling to hide his irritation. After all, having been the Emperor for a long time, he had grown accustomed to being treated with respect and caution by everyone. Sarah's tone of displeasure and her directness irked him.

Unable to sit still any longer, he got up, and with a curt tone, he said, "I've just remembered some matters I need to attend to. I won't come over tonight. Rest early."

Without waiting for Sarah's response, he left abruptly.

Though Sarah's thoughts were muddled due to her discomfort, she clearly sensed Hypocrite's sudden distance and anger as he left. He even altered the way he addressed her, which was a clear sign of the severity of the situation.

"Your Majesty, why did the Emperor..." Oli had never seen Hypocrite leave with such a grim expression, except for the night before she moved to Megumi Palace. She was deeply worried and hurriedly entered to inquire.

Sarah didn't answer, simply pondering quietly. The sky outside the window was darkening, and the clouds were looming, mirroring her inner turmoil.

"Your Majesty, what's the matter with you? At least say something!" Oli anxiously gazed at her.

Sarah let out a bitter laugh, "I don't know... It's just that I feel fine physically, but my heart..."

"Your Majesty?" Oli looked at her with confusion.

"Oli, I want you to find out something for me, no matter what methods you have to use, gather all the details," Sarah beckoned for her to come closer. When Oli leaned in, she whispered, "You need to..."

"I understand, I'll be discreet, I promise!" Oli seemed a bit apprehensive after hearing Sarah's request but forced herself to remain composed.

Sarah waved her hand weakly, "Go then."

Once Oli had left, Sarah sat alone in silence, leaning against the bed. The room's window was shrouded in the evening darkness, and she felt increasingly oppressed. Could it be that he is just naturally suspicious? Does he really distrust me this much?

In the Queen's bedroom at night, only Sarah and Oli remained. All other palace maids had been dismissed.

"As I suspected... hehe..." After hearing Oli's report, Sarah couldn't help but let out a cold laugh. She sighed, "It seems I've been too naive and idealistic... Such a simple trick can make him doubt me to this extent—"

Oli looked at Sarah with a sorrowful expression, "Your Majesty, please don't be like this. It's that woman, she's so... so despicable!"

"At this point, there's no one else to blame." Sarah smiled bitterly and waved her hand.

"What can we do then? Are we just going to let her slander you like this?" Oli bit her lip.

"I would like to see how far she can make him doubt me with her petty tricks..." Sarah's eyes filled with bitterness as she stood up and walked to the window. She pushed it open, gazing at the starless, moonless night sky. "Tonight, there are no stars or moons... It's just a small ploy to sow discord. If it makes him doubt me like this, he might as well doubt Rylan too. What's there for me to be upset about?"

"Most people believe that if you can trace the source of a problem and address it there, you'll find a solution. But if the source is the human heart and desires, then there's nothing you can do. Because the human heart and desires are the most complex, ever-changing, and difficult-to-control aspects of this world..."

Back in Jiangnan, on that day, hypocrite found himself recalling a conversation he had relayed from Aaryn. Aaryn was a true master of understanding human nature. He understood so deeply, but did that mean he could see through it completely? For some reason, she suddenly felt the urge to confide in Aaryn, to pour her heart out to him.

Lost in thought, Oli had already come forward and closed the window. "The night breeze is still chilly, Your Majesty, please beware of catching a cold. I may not understand the great truths, but what I do know is that Your Majesty is kinder at heart than any other mistress in the palace. You've treated me well, and no matter what happens in the future, I will serve Your Majesty with all my heart and soul."

With a touch of pity, Sarah gently caressed Oli's cheek and said with a faint smile, "This palace, when the time comes to leave, it's better to leave... I envy you so much."

"Alright, let's not talk about such gloomy matters." Without waiting for Oli to speak further, Sarah waved her hand. "Prepare the ink and paper; it's been a while since I practiced calligraphy." Engaging in calligraphy, she aimed to maintain her composure amidst the unsettling atmosphere of the palace. Rylan's petty schemes, she could see through them, and if needed, she could employ them as well. But what use was the trust she could gain through such means? Sarah had her own dignity and boundaries!

Chapter Twelve: Framed and Entering the Cold Palace

In the following three days, Sarah remained composed and calm, even though hypocrite had avoided the Queen's palace for three consecutive days, seemingly as if he were sulking.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I've heard that the Emperor has been spending these days at the Christa Pavilion or in his study, probably too busy..." Oli, observing Sarah's state, tried her best to console her.

"I am not in a hurry, and you should also remain calm," Sarah replied with a serene smile. "Once Rylan arrives, everything will come to a conclusion. Whether it's for better or worse..."

Oli nodded, seeming to understand, suppressing her own anxiety and restlessness, and waited for Rylan. Today marked the third day, and it was already afternoon.

Unexpectedly, as soon as the mistress and servant had just exchanged words, Rylan arrived.

"Your servant, Rylan, pays respects to Queen Your Majesty," Rylan entered, still beginning with a deep bow. However, this time, Sarah did not react as before, as if she had forgotten her, and continued reading with her head lowered.

After kneeling for a while, Rylan had to speak again, "Your Majesty, I wish you all the blessings and prosperity."

"Oh? It turns out it's Miss Owen," Sarah finally raised her head, her tone nonchalant as she smiled. "Please, rise. Take a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Although Rylan found the situation somewhat strange, she complied and sat down. She began speaking slowly with a melodious voice, "Your Majesty, over the past three days, I've come to a realization. I can't deceive myself any longer—"

This time, Sarah abruptly interrupted her, her tone forceful, "Miss Owen, please be straightforward. There's no need for the same roundabout conversations as before. If you think of me as a gullible child, it's an insult to my intelligence."

"It seems that my efforts have finally borne fruit, otherwise, Your Majesty wouldn't have noticed," Rylan replied calmly, no longer concealing her true intentions. With a wry smile, she asked, "So, is Your Majesty here today to question me?"

"No, today, I just want to see what else you have up your sleeve," Sarah shook her head.

Rylan was slightly taken aback but then said, "I almost fell for Your Majesty's plan. Your Majesty's composure upon realizing the deception is admirable. I've known for a long time that Your Majesty is not an ordinary person. That's why I waited and waited, only making my move after so long. To be honest, the position of Crown Prince's Consort and even the position of Queen were originally mine. Now that the matter is settled, I don't want to insist on reclaiming it. However, within the harem, beneath the Queen, there should still be a place for me, right?"

"Have you no shame? Your Majesty has treated you kindly, and you repay her with ingratitude!" Oli couldn't hold back her anger.

Unexpectedly, Rylan suddenly stood up, took a step forward, and gave Oli a resounding slap. "When I'm talking to the Queen, do you have the right to interrupt?"

"Oli!" Sarah was shocked and also stood up, rushing to Oli's side.

---ENDE DER LESEPROBE---