The front yard of the Third Prince's mansion was packed with maids and servants huddled together.
"Third Prince… you can do it!" the maids whispered fiercely, clutching their fists. Their hearts raced with excitement- their handsome young master would definitely win!
The male servants also cheered silently, eyes fixed on the two men facing each other.
But among all the chants for the Third Prince, one voice broke through.
"Fourth Prince! You can do it! Defeat him!" Xiao Lei shouted proudly- then instantly shrank back as everyone, including Xiao Feng, turned to glare at him as though they'd skin him alive.
Both Li Xuan and Li Wen narrowed their eyes, locked in a fierce stare. The intensity was palpable. Sweat trickled down their temples.
And then...
As if on cue-
They both plunged their hands into the pot of steaming fried chicken before them, tearing off a drumstick each and devouring it like warriors in battle.
The maids and servants screamed encouragements.
"Go, Third Prince! You can do it!"
"Third Prince, you'll definitely win!"
A tiny voice cut through the noise. "Fourth Prince, I believe in you!"
Everyone turned. The young maid from earlier, stood waving her hands enthusiastically, blissfully unaware of the deadly aura surrounding her.
Li Wen met her gaze and grinned, his mouth gleaming with gravy and crumbs. Despite the sight, the poor girl felt her heart skip a beat.
Xiao Lei, emboldened, joined her side. "Yeah! Fourth Prince, eat him alive-uh, I mean...win!"
Li Wen gulped down another piece and grabbed a cup of water, slamming it onto the table after chugging it down. His chest heaved as he glared at Li Xuan- who, utterly unfazed, continued devouring the remaining chicken like a man possessed.
"M–More…" Li Xuan demanded between mouthfuls, voice muffled but deadly serious.
Li Wen's eyes went wide. "More?!"
This was already the third round! His stomach was on the verge of bursting. Does this man have a bottomless pit instead of a stomach?!
But pride was a powerful thing. His eyes sharpened, and he barked, "Fine! Bring more!"
Li Xuan, he swore silently, I won't let you steal my future happiness again!
He remembered his mother's words- empress has arranged for a few young ladies to enter palace as consorts or concubines. Well, Xu Mengzhi is out of question as she was destined to be the crown princess of the kingdom.
But just when Li Wen was disappointed about losing the first beauty of capital, he got to know that there was yet another beauty in the group of young ladies, and she was a gentle lady from the Qinhe town.
Tang Ruyan.
Her portrait had been enough to make him lose sleep for a week. Such grace, such purity- he could already picture her calling him Your Highness in a soft voice.
He had even sent soldiers ahead to invite her for the palace selection, thinking he'd meet her in secret and spread a few well-placed rumors to secure her hand.
The plan was flawless...until he showed up.
That smug Third Brother of his.
That food-devouring demon who had the gall to steal Tang Ruyan right under his nose!
Li Wen's jaw tightened. He grabbed another drumstick.
This time… I won't admit defeat!
---
Tang Ruyan felt her hairs stand on end. She timidly tried to hide behind Chen Xiuzhen as they walked toward the same grand hall they'd gathered in yesterday.
Why are they all staring at me like that? Ruyan wondered, shifting uneasily. Every maid and servant they passed stopped what they were doing to stare, as though she had committed some sin capable of shaking the heavens.
A few whispered, some even giggled.
Did… did they find out about last night? Heat crept up her neck as her mind flickered to what happened inside that cursed cupboard. No...no way, right? That shameless prince must've blocked all rumours… or did he—
Her thoughts shattered when she bumped into something hard.
"Ouch!" she yelped- only to see Chen Xiuzhen standing frozen in the corridor ahead.
The atmosphere shifted. The faint trace of steam rising off Xiuzhen's back was almost visible.
What's with this girl? Ruyan blinked, watching her companion's fists curl tight at her sides.
The murmurs around them grew louder- until Xiuzhen suddenly yelled, "Enough!"
Everyone froze. Her chest heaved as her wide, furious eyes swept over the maids. Heads instantly bowed.
Ruyan flinched but still couldn't understand. Why is she yelling? And… why's she defending me?
Then Xiuzhen's next words dropped like a thunderclap.
"Wasn't it just a small mistake? Why make such a fuss?"
Ruyan's jaw nearly hit the floor. What- how in the world does she know?!
A bold maid lifted her chin. "Young Miss Chen is right," she said sweetly. "It's not her fault. Some people just… aren't destined for high things, that's all."
Xiuzhen's glare sharpened.
Destiny? What nonsense are they even talking about? Don't tell me they know about that shameless guy's proposal…
"Hmph," Xiuzhen snapped. "As if you're destined to be the crown princess!"
The maid's mocking smile didn't waver. "Oh, this poor maid wouldn't dare to boast about being a phoenix while just being… a chicken."
What the heck is going on now? Ruyan gawked.
"You!" Before anyone could blink, a loud slap echoed down the corridor.
Gasps filled the air. The maid sprawled on the floor, clutching her reddened cheek.
Xiuzhen loomed over her. "Don't you dare talk big with that filthy mouth!"
Then, without missing a beat, she grabbed Ruyan's hand and stormed off. "Let's go!"
Ruyan stumbled after her. "W-wait… why are you pulling me?!"
Behind them, the remaining maids crowded around the fallen girl.
"It's fine, Lulu," one whispered. "That fat pig won't even be chosen as a concubine. Don't worry...she won't stay here long."
"Hmph!" Lulu spat, clutching her face, eyes burning with hatred. "How dare that ugly pig slap me!?"
She glared toward the empty corridor where the two had vanished.
Chen Xiuzhen almost shoved Ruyan aside as they neared the grand hall entrance. Ruyan couldn't help but be amused at the way Xiuzhen nearly made her stumble- one moment Xiuzhen held her like she was made of porcelain; the next she tossed her away like a pebble.
As expected… Ruyan thought, scanning the hall. The two haughty young ladies from yesterday were gone; only one remained. Where pride had been, there was now a pale, devastated look.
The young lady hadn't noticed Ruyan or Xiuzhen enter. When she finally looked up, her eyes were dark and swollen; she gave a weak nod.
Why does she look like she hasn't slept? Was it really the other girl's body last night? A cold shiver ran down Ruyan's spine. The palace suddenly felt less like gilded splendor and more like a trap.
---
In an intricately decorated chamber filled with the intoxicating scent of sandalwood, a woman in her mid-thirties lounged gracefully on a side couch, her body leaned slightly. The tassels of her robe shimmered faintly as her hand moved a delicate fan back and forth, each motion slow and deliberate. Concubine Meng's face was flawless- not a wrinkle dared mar her skin. Her amber eyes glowed warmly in the slanting sunlight, but the sharpness within them made the young maid pouring tea tremble.
After an exaggerated pause, Concubine Meng accepted the cup. She took a sip- then smashed it onto the maid's foot. The cup shattered; warm tea sloshed over the girl, who leapt back and collapsed into fearful bows.
"What is this?" Concubine Meng snapped, voice brittle. "You call this tea?" She spat to clear her mouth. "It tastes like water!"
Then, with a sudden shift, her face softened. Her hand fanned slowly, eyes dreamy as she pictured her victorious son returning from the border. "My son will be tired and hungry… he'll want proper food." Muttering motherly fantasies, she snapped back to command. "Go. Make real tea this time. And bring the cakes and pastries he likes."
The maid scrambled away. "Y-yes, my lady!"
Before Concubine Meng could recline, another maid burst in, breathless. "Lady Meng! Lady Meng!"
Meng's expression pinched. "What now?" She forced patience, though inwardly she scowled 'ugh all these idiot maids will make me look older with anger!'
"It's… it's- Young Miss Tang…" the maid panted, bowing.
Meng's eyes sharpened. "What happened to my future daughter-in-law?" she asked, the fan clutched so tight her knuckles whitened.
The maid stammered, too frightened to speak.
"Out with it!" Meng barked, flinging her fan toward the maid in exasperation.
"Well… I heard a rumor," the maid squeaked. "They say the young lady met a man in a room last night… and… they didn't come out for a long time, and..."
Meng's hand slammed the arm of the couch. "How audacious!" The maid sank lower, trembling. "This maid knows nothing else! This maid don't dare to lie!"
Meng's eyes burned cold. It's that Yulan... she's trying to defame my future daughter-in-law to shield her niece. Her voice was tight with anger. "Ever since that wench Zhao Lanyin married my son, she's been trampling on my arms my son's heads… and now this."
A sudden light dawned across Meng's face. "Do you have any proof?" she asked, voice deceptively casual.
The maid confessed she had none, only whispers.
Meng laughed a short, dangerous laugh. "Of course not. Just rumors, perfect." She clapped once, deliberately loud. The maid flinched at the sound.
Ha! Meng thought, triumphant. Yulan won't get away with meddling this time. I will make her my daughter-in-law, no matter what!