In the dim light of the palace, Huo Chengjin saw that Zhao Yang Princess was looking in his direction. He thought she was looking at him.
Encouraged, Huo Chengjin abandoned his sister and strode towards Qin Zhao!
Qin Zhao: "..."
Qin Zhao picked up Qi Yan Su Luo and ran!
Cong Han followed in puzzlement!
Huo Chengjin shouted from behind: "Your Highness, wait for me, let's talk!"
Perhaps it was their combined weight that slowed Qin Zhao down. She was blocked by Huo Chengjin at the south gate.
Qin Zhao rolled her eyes and said: "You're blocking my way, move aside."
Huo Chengjin said: "We're about to be married, is such estrangement necessary?"
"I advise you not to take it too seriously. It's still possible to separate after marriage."
Huo Chengjin frowned: "Why are you being contradictory, Your Highness? Can't we just be frank with each other?
I've already promised His Majesty that I will love you for life. What else are you worried about?"
Qin Zhao said in surprise: "How can you utter such disgusting words?"
Huo Chengjin grew impatient: "Your Highness, how long will you keep equivocating?
When will you be able to bravely express your admiration for me as before?"
Qin Zhao: "..."
She viciously stomped on Huo Chengjin's foot!
Huo Chengjin's face immediately turned red. He held his foot and screamed silently in the darkness!
Qin Zhao took Qi Yan Su Luo and strode away.
In the carriage, Qin Zhao noticed Qi Yan Su Luo glancing at her from time to time. She asked: "What are you looking at me for?"
Qi Yan Su Luo asked: "You really don't like Huo Chengjin?"
Qin Zhao asked back: "What do you think?"
Qi Yan Su Luo: "The women of Yue State seem to worship him."
Qin Zhao laughed: "What's that got to do with me? I only like you."
Qi Yan Su Luo said lightly: "That's not how you show affection for someone."
The carriage fell silent until they arrived at Zhaoyang Princess Residence. Neither of them spoke again.
Late at night, Qin Zhao lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
502 said: "Host, do you think Qi Yan Su Luo will come tonight?"
Qin Zhao: "If she's smart enough, she won't come."
The night passed and Qi Yan Su Luo did not come as expected.
The seventh day after the Longevity Festival.
Qin Zhao went to attend the funeral of the Eldest Imperial Prince.
The funeral was held at Fanhua Palace where Qin Song used to live.
When Qin Zhao arrived, the other imperial princes and princesses were almost all there.
Everyone wore black robes, making the hall look especially bleak.
Qin Song's wife Zhao sobbed in front of his coffin with their two sons, making the atmosphere even more mournful.
But in fact, few people were genuinely grieved by Qin Song's passing.
Qin Zhao's gaze swept over the crowd, keenly catching the slight upturn at the corner of Qin Lie's mouth!
Although he quickly suppressed it, Qin Zhao distinctly sensed his elation.
With Qin Song's death, Qin Lie was now the eldest imperial prince in line.
Yue State had the tradition of appointing the eldest legitimate son as Crown Prince. But the deceased Empress had only given birth to Zhaoyang Princess.
With no eldest legitimate son, they could only settle for the eldest son.
If Qin Song had lived, Qin Lie would have had the advantage in the line of succession.
With his death, the advantage shifted to Qin Lie.
In the original book, Qin Song didn't die and Qin Lie was still made Crown Prince. Now his chances were even higher.
If Qin Zhao wanted to seize power, Qin Lie was the one she needed to eliminate most!
502 said: "Host, don't forget he spread those rumors about you. You need to settle scores with him too!
This system hates to see the host suffer injustice the most."
Qin Zhao: "I remember very clearly. I just haven't found the chance yet.
When the time is right, he'll get what's coming to him."
502: "The host is mighty!"
Qin Zhao walked into the hall. Everyone looked at her, some with scrutiny, as if asking why she had arrived so late.
Qin Zhao calmly proceeded further in and lit a stick of incense at Qin Song's coffin as etiquette dictated.
Qin Su stared at Qin Zhao with ill intent, about to say something. But just then, an attendant announced loudly: "The Emperor arrives!"
Everyone immediately turned and knelt to bow in the direction of the doorway.
The Emperor walked in.
His gaze swept over his many sons and daughters before moving towards Qin Su.
Qin Su was enveloped by the Emperor's shadow, puzzled.
Before he could wonder further, the Emperor kicked him to the ground!
Qin Su clutched his aching chest and said: "Father, what wrong has your son committed? Please instruct me!"
Qin Zheng said: "This is your elder brother's funeral. How dare you wear patterned robes? No respect for your elder brother. Do you think you deserve death for this?"
The word "death" frightened Qin Su. His whole body shook violently as he explained: "These robes were chosen by the maids of my residence! I didn't know there were patterns, please spare me Father!"
"Wretched fool!"
Qin Zheng kicked Qin Su again and angrily scolded: "Still daring to shift the blame to servants. Spineless idiot!"
Qin Su knelt prostrate on the ground, his face pressed to the floor. He was now too afraid to utter a word!
Qin Zheng still felt unsatisfied and kicked him several more times.
Although in pain, Qin Su didn't dare make a sound.
Qin Zhao had been carefully looking for the pattern on Qin Su's robes and finally spotted a very small chrysanthemum embroidered with gold thread at his waist.
It was completely harmless.
Qin Zheng was just nitpicking!
Qin Zhao guessed his aim was to demonstrate his grief over Qin Song's death in this manner.
But any discerning person could see that no matter how he acted, he was still just a cold-hearted emperor!
After Qin Zheng finished his fatherly benevolence act with Qin Song's wife Zhao, he left swiftly.
He had come and gone in haste.
Not long after, Qin Su crawled up from the ground and pointed at Qin Zhao, shouting loudly: "Last night, if you had been willing to take action to protect Eldest Imperial Brother, he wouldn't have died!
It's you who indirectly caused Eldest Imperial Brother's death!"
Having suffered grievance, Qin Su wanted to drag others down with him. He chose Qin Zhao.
Hearing this, everyone looked towards Qin Zhao!
Even hatred appeared in Zhao's eyes.
Qin Zhan chimed in: "Fourth Brother is right. Last night we all witnessed how powerful Zhaoyang is.
She defeated Huo Chengjin in the arena, and later rescued him from the swordsman.
Why? She could save Huo Chengjin but not our Eldest Imperial Brother?
Zhaoyang, have you forgotten that he is your elder brother too!"
The Second Imperial Prince, Qin Lie, said: "Don't say that about Zhaoyang!
It's well known Zhaoyang has been in love with Huo Chengjin for many years.
She wouldn't even glance at the rest of us siblings.
How can you compare us to Huo Chengjin?
Human hearts are biased. Can you guarantee your own impartiality?
Even our own Father cannot ensure that!"
This was tantamount to pushing Qin Zhao to the opposite side of everyone present!
Qin Zhao looked around at them and asked: "Is this what you all think?"
