Chapter 4: The Empress Dowager and Her Substitute Lover

If the mission is successful, a reward of one billion will be granted.

Unfortunately, the system's energy was so weak that it couldn't even load the plot. She had been bound to it for as long as she had been a useless waste. Who would have thought she would eventually be bound to this "Vicious Female Supporting Character System"?

As the saying goes, the bold are stuffed to death while the timid starve to death. Hua Yue looked at the imperial decree in her hand and revealed a wicked smile.

One job is a job. Two jobs are also a job. Killing two birds with one stone was her style.

"Hehehe!" Hua Yue laughed like a villain.

...

Hua Yue stepped out of the hall, her pointed chin tilted slightly as she signaled to Qingli, "Let's go."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Qingli withdrew her gaze from Zhong Fu, rolled her eyes, and followed behind Hua Yue. The figures of the mistress and her maid slowly faded into the distance. Zhong Fu hurriedly ran into the hall. He couldn't understand why the Seventh Prince still hadn't arrived after such a long time.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the former monarch stared straight ahead toward where Zhong Fu had been, black blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. It was clear he had already breathed his last.

*Clatter—*

Zhong Fu collapsed onto his knees. It was over.

...

When Wei He regained consciousness, half an hour had already passed. He had soaked in ice water for half an hour and had been needled by the imperial physician like a hedgehog before the vicious effects of the drug were finally suppressed.

"What did you say?"

Wei He's personal guard, Su Ying, bowed and replied, "Reporting to my master, half an hour ago, Noble Consort Xiao went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and fed the Emperor medicine."

Wei He’s eyes sharpened, his teeth gritted. "Where is she?"

Su Ying pondered for a moment before saying, "Noble Consort Xiao has returned to her palace to rest."

Wei He’s expression was dark and unpredictable. "Heh, she sleeps soundly indeed." He looked at Su Ying. "Does anyone else know about this?"

"No one."

Wei He tapped his fingertips on the table. "Follow the original plan and make arrangements in advance."

"Yes."

With that, Su Ying strode away. This night was destined to be turbulent in the capital.

...

Hua Yue slept extremely soundly. If not for Qingli waking her, she could have slept until the sun set behind the hills.

"Your Highness, the Seventh Prince is here."

Hua Yue, eyes hazy with sleep, turned over. "Oh, how is the palace? Any news?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, nothing. Today, the Seventh Prince attended court as usual, and several officials went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to pay their respects to His Majesty."

Hua Yue was not surprised. That was how the plot went; the male lead had prepared long ago—how could he let the throne he had within his grasp fall into others' hands?

...

It was two quarters of an hour later by the time Hua Yue had finished tidying up. As expected, she saw Wei He standing straight in the hall with a dark, gloomy face, accompanied by a refined young man in dark red official robes.

Another person with a label written on their forehead. The female lead, Wan Jinyu.

Hua Yue blinked. This female lead was quite something; she truly couldn't tell she was a girl.

"This son greets the Imperial Mother."

"This official greets the Noble Consort."

A deep voice and a clear, bright voice sounded simultaneously. Both bowed in an unexpectedly harmonious fashion. Hua Yue stared at Wan Jinyu, unhurried and composed. The youth was lean, standing just at the male lead's shoulder height, with a respectful, jade-like countenance. There was not a hint of femininity in her appearance. Her eyes were clear.

Would such a person really be willing to sacrifice her own life for love? To have such great ambition yet be trapped in the deep palace for a lifetime?

Hua Yue blinked.

"Mother!"

After she had stared for too long, Wei He's warning voice came. Hua Yue finally looked away, strolled over to the main seat, and sat down. She took a sip of the tea Qingli handed her before speaking leisurely:

"Little Seven, my health is fine. You don't need to come pay respects so often; it disturbs my beauty sleep."

Her voice was slow and unhurried, lacking the extreme allure she had displayed the night before. Instead, she appeared quite dignified, fully embodying the stature of an imperial consort.

What... did she call him? Little Seven?

Wei He frowned. "Mother, I have come today to bid you farewell. Floods are frequent in Qingzhou, and the Emperor has ordered me to go and manage them."

Hua Yue’s delicate eyebrows arched, her beautiful peach-blossom eyes slightly upturned as she stared at Wei He with an ambiguous expression.

Floods in Qingzhou? This trip would go well; he would return to become the Emperor.

The old Emperor was dashing and romantic, but he only had five sons. The eldest, the former Crown Prince Wei Xu, was clear-minded and a true gentleman, well-regarded by the common people. Yet, he was ultimately deposed for allegedly harming his brothers and was now far away on the frontier. The Third Prince was indifferent to worldly affairs and practiced asceticism in a temple. The Fifth Prince had been crippled by the former Crown Prince and had never left his estate. The Ninth Prince was the son of Noble Consort Lü, who was of the same rank as her; he was full brothers with the Third Prince but far more favored, backed by the Prime Minister's residence. His personality was arrogant, and he was rumored to be the most likely candidate for the throne.

The other one was our male lead, the Seventh Prince. In the plot, the male lead feigned a trip to Qingzhou while actually sitting on the sidelines in the capital to watch the tigers fight. After he leaked the news that the Emperor was dying, the "indifferent" Third Prince emerged to fight the Seventh Prince for the throne. In the end, both were left battered and exhausted. The Ninth Prince was accused of treason and beheaded by the male lead, who arrived to "save" the throne. Seeing this, the Third Prince tried to defect but was also silenced with a single strike.

From then on, the dead were dead and the wounded were wounded. The male lead successfully ascended the throne.

"Good, I understand, my obedient son."

Wei He: "..."

Is this woman crazy?

He saw Hua Yue arch a brow, her long lashes lifting as she looked at him. Her gaze was clear, charming, and flirtatious. Wei He frowned in disgust. Unexpectedly, Hua Yue paid him no mind, letting out a soft laugh as her seductive gaze swept over the young man beside him.

"This official is quite handsome. I wonder which family this young master belongs to?"

Wan Jinyu hurriedly said, "Greetings, Noble Consort. I am..., and I have been ordered to accompany the Prince to Qingzhou."

"Oh, good child, come here." Hua Yue looked benevolent and beckoned to Wan Jinyu.

Wei He: "..."

Wan Jinyu: "..."

She had only taken a few light steps before Wei He grabbed her arm and yanked her backward, causing her to stumble and nearly lose her footing. Just as she steadied herself, she heard the man’s icy voice.

"Minister Wan, please wait outside the hall. I still have matters to discuss with the Imperial Mother."

He said it through gritted teeth. Wan Jinyu couldn't understand why he was acting like this, but since it was a royal matter, she couldn't and wouldn't say anything more.

"Yes."

Wan Jinyu lowered her eyes, bowed to Hua Yue, and turned to leave. Her father was right. There isn't a single normal person in the royal family. Stay away. Stay away.

However... the Noble Consort was truly beautiful.

Wan Jinyu lowered her gaze slightly, looking at her official robes, and curled her lips into a smile. She had moments where she longed to dress and behave like a normal girl, but she was willing to sacrifice some things for her ambitions.

As soon as Wan Jinyu exited, Wei He took two large steps forward.

"Have you lost your mind!"

The man looked icy, his long, narrow phoenix eyes slightly upturned, simmering with rage. Hua Yue threw the cup in her hand toward him. As it shattered, she stood up slowly and sneered:

"I have lost my mind. You forgot what you promised me. You are the one who broke the agreement, my... good son!"