The Poisonous Consort, the Regent's Beloved

The two walked together to the location of the Ji family's residence, and Ji Nanqing kept observing Su Fuying's side.

Seeing the two of them walk over together, a hint of disbelief flashed in his eyes, and then he lowered his head and remained silent.

Su Fuying revealed a sly smile, bent down and helped Ji Nanqing up, "Nanqing, it's been a few days, have you missed me?"

Before Ji Nanqing could even react after being grabbed and pulled up, she heard those words.

He looked closely and saw Su Fuying smiling at him, her voice extremely gentle. Coupled with her exquisite face, it was simply a beautiful picture.

Ji Nanqing was stunned for a moment. She had never seen Su Fuying like this before, and for a moment she was at a loss for words.

Seeing that she didn't speak, he continued, "What, does my sister not welcome me?"

"How, how, how is this possible?"

She stammered out these words, but a complex mix of emotions welled up inside her.

Recalling the scene of Su Fuying humiliating her without any mercy a while ago, she can now see her smiling so warmly and intimately calling her sister.

Although she didn't know what Su Fuying was really up to, she was certain that she had no good intentions. That fake smile and affectionate address made her feel nauseous, as if she had swallowed a fly.

However, having learned from her previous experiences, she was well aware of Su Fuying's methods and temperament.

Despite her anger and resentment, she remembered her mother's instructions before leaving, reminding herself not to easily reveal them. After all, she couldn't stand up to Su Fuying right now.

So she took a deep breath and said cautiously, "I wonder what brings you here, Princess?"

"Why are you being so formal? I had a bit of a misunderstanding with Wan'er a while ago, but we've cleared it up these past few days."

As if afraid Ji Nanqing wouldn't believe him, he winked at Ji Zhiyun.

Ji Zhiyun didn't know what Su Fuying meant, but she chimed in, "Yes, I just saw the two of them whispering to each other."

Ji Nanqing wasn't unaware that the two had just been talking hand in hand, but she didn't know what it meant.

Seeing the changes in her expression, Su Fuying continued, "I know you had a misunderstanding a few days ago. Now, Wan'er is waiting for you. It's good to talk things out."

These words struck a chord with Ji Nanqing. Ever since Su Wan'er abandoned her last time, she had made up her mind never to stand up for Su Wan'er again.

However, her mother said that the Minister's Mansion was ultimately of a higher status than their Ji family, and that befriending Su Wan'er would definitely be beneficial to her.

Thinking about it carefully, it is indeed true. After all, Su Wan'er amazed the capital with a few poems a few years ago and was even hailed as one of the three most talented women in the capital.

There were quite a few men surrounding her, but today it was only because Ren Yinxue suddenly arrived that everyone was trying to curry favor with her.

Thinking of this, a calculating glint flashed in Ji Nanqing's eyes. She then bowed to Su Fuying and turned to leave to find Su Wan'er.

With the eyesore gone, Su Fuying smiled and gracefully sat back down. She looked at Ji Zhiyun, who was puzzled, and winked, saying, "Let's bet on who cries first."

"Huh?" Ji Zhiyun's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief. "What's so great about betting on this?"

But she knew her younger sister fairly well. Ji Nanqing would start crying after only a few words with people at home, so without thinking, she added, "I guess it's Ji Nanqing."

"No, I'll count to three," Su Fuying said confidently.

"One, two..."

"three!"

Before she could finish speaking, Ji Zhiyun saw Su Wan'er in the distance already in tears, holding Ji Nanqing's hand and saying something.

What? Ji Zhiyun was shocked. She clearly saw Ji Nanqing say only two words. Why was Su Wan'er crying? With so many people watching, people who didn't know better would think that the Ji family was bullying the Minister's Mansion.

Today has broadened her horizons; she never expected there to be someone even more disgusting than Ji Nanqing.

Confused, she asked, "May I ask, Princess, why did you mediate between them?" After all, in her eyes, neither of them were easy to deal with.

Su Fuying blinked. "Evil people will be punished by other evil people."

"Alright, now tell me about some interesting things that happened in the capital."

Upon hearing that Su Fuying was interested, Ji Zhiyun immediately put the matter from her mind and sat down to ask, "What would you like to hear?"

Su Fuying thought for a while, glanced at the young ladies and gentlemen strolling around the palace, and asked with some doubt: "The Empress has gone to rest, why aren't they going home? What are they doing here?"

Seeing that Su Fuying didn't even know this, Ji Zhiyun said with great interest, "You don't know, do you? Every year on the morning of the Empress's birthday, it's so boring, but these young ladies and gentlemen don't want to leave."

"Because His Majesty will come to have dinner with the Empress later in the evening after he finishes his official duties."

Upon hearing this, Su Fuying asked curiously, "What does His Majesty's arrival have to do with them? Do these young ladies want to catch His Majesty's eye?"

"Hahaha." Not expecting Su Fuying to think that way, she quickly explained, "It's because the princes and princesses all came back for the banquet. Who wouldn't want to rise to the top? If a prince takes a liking to you, you'll become a prince's consort."

So that's how it is. Su Fuying was just wondering why no one from the royal family came to the Empress's birthday celebration, not even the Crown Prince.

"And another thing," Ji Zhiyun suddenly leaned closer and whispered, "Look at Miss Ren, she's been sitting there all morning, so many people have come up to her to curry favor, but she doesn't like any of them."

Following the gaze, Su Fuying saw Ren Yinxue sitting alone, drinking tea. "Is she waiting for the Regent?" Su Fuying immediately realized.

When this was mentioned, Ji Zhiyun's voice lowered a little, "Yes, because the Regent entered the palace today and there's a high chance he'll come over, so Ren Yinxue also came. She never used to come in person."

Seeing that Su Fuying seemed interested, he continued, "Actually, there are rumors circulating in the capital about that person and Miss Ren..."

Before he could finish speaking, a eunuch's shrill voice came from the doorway: "His Majesty has arrived!"

Ji Zhiyun and Su Fuying exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing across the former's face.

"Quick, sit back down. Why are you up so early this time?" Ji Zhiyun muttered as she pulled Su Fuying up.

Hearing the commotion, the people outside didn't dare to delay and quickly walked back. They swiftly returned to their seats, their eyes fixed on the doorway.

Just as everyone had taken their seats, a figure in bright yellow appeared at the doorway. The emperor stepped across the threshold and strode in. He wore a dragon robe and a crown, exuding an aura of majesty.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" everyone shouted in unison, then knelt down to pay their respects.

The emperor smiled slightly, seemingly in a good mood, and said with a hint of pleasure, "Get up, all of you."

After everyone rose to express their gratitude, Su Fuying raised her head, preparing to return to her seat. However, when her gaze swept over the emperor's back, she suddenly stopped. She noticed that there was another person standing behind him.

He was dressed in a black, narrow-sleeved python robe, his hands behind his back, standing on a high platform, his eyes as cold as blades, his thin lips slightly pursed, and his whole person appeared extremely aloof.

That domineering aura seemed innate. Su Fuying unconsciously held her breath. Regent.