Chapter 10: Creating Huang Yao

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However, the Princess Consort of the Longevity Prince believed that Cheng Xueyang was unlikely to come. In the past, she rarely visited the Longevity Prince’s residence, and the princess consort herself did not like her coming either.

Every time she saw Cheng Xueyang’s face, the princess consort was reminded of another person’s face—the one she truly hated.

A titled lady picked up where Cheng Liuyi had left off, asking, “Did Princess Xuanyun really go to the battlefield? Wasn’t it the eldest princess who snuck out?”

The princess consort cast an approving glance at her; she had a particular taste for gossip.

Cheng Liuyi, like a child sulking, said, “This is a secret. Few people know about it. Don’t let it spread, and if it does, don’t say it came from me, or else I won’t say anything.”

“No worries, we won’t spread it. It’s just like the wind in one ear and out the other—forgotten the moment it’s heard.”

With everyone’s assurances, Cheng Liuyi then spoke with great seriousness, but her words were venomous: “I heard it was Sixth Princess who incited the eldest princess to escape the palace and go to the military camp. Of course, she went along. I heard Sixth Princess was fraternizing with men every night at the camp, even sharing beds.”

Someone gasped, “My heavens, Princess Xuanyun was barely eleven or twelve then.”

Another chimed in, “Indeed, Princess Xuanyun was unusually quiet during that time. She was normally the most unruly princess, causing chaos every day.”

Their back-and-forth essentially confirmed that Cheng Xueyang was absent from the palace during that period. Moreover, it was Princess Yunxiang who revealed this; she knew better than anyone whether Cheng Xueyang was in the palace or not.

In truth, all the ladies present had clear minds on the matter. With Princess Yunxiang leading the slander and the royal family tacitly approving, Cheng Xueyang had become an irredeemable villain in the eyes of most of the ladies present.

Sensing the mood had settled, Cheng Liuyi shot a malicious glance at the Longevity Princess Consort, who was chatting innocently with her natal family.

With a sigh and drawing attention, she added, “Poor eldest princess, talented in both literature and martial arts, yet she trusted slander and lost her life for nothing.”

The eldest princess was both beautiful and heroic, a staunch advocate for raising women’s status and promoting that women should not be confined within the inner quarters. She had carved out a career for herself.

Putting aside other matters, just the idea of advancing women’s status had won the favor of young ladies and senior wives alike, allowing women to hold their ground in the household.

When the eldest princess reached marriageable age, the neighboring great power, Chu Kingdom, sent envoys to propose marriage, promising many benefits. The suitor was the crown prince; marrying him would make her the crown princess and eventually the empress, greatly beneficial for their country—a clear path to greatness.

Yet, the eldest princess ran away.

Soon after, news arrived that she had died in the northern war.

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Although there was no news of Princess Xuanyun from the north, many knew the eldest princess could escape the palace smoothly only because Princess Xuanyun helped secretly. It was very likely she followed her secretly as well.

That was tantamount to Princess Xuanyun causing the eldest princess’s death.

“Heaven truly is blind; those who deserve to die live on, and those who shouldn’t die perish.”

“Exactly. After the eldest princess’s death, Chu Kingdom was enraged and sent troops to attack us. The conflict lasted months and many lives were lost.”

“Elderly parents waited for their sons to return, newlywed wives awaited their husbands, innocent children longed for paternal love—all ruined by one person.”

“It’s all Princess Xuanyun’s fault!”

The calls to condemn Princess Xuanyun, Cheng Xueyang, were endless, as if toppling her would restore everything and resurrect the fallen soldiers.

Clearly, none of these people were truly loyal or patriotic; they were merely opportunistic sycophants, speaking whichever way suited the wind.

“Enough!”

A sharp reprimand rang out, still loud amid the noisy voices. Gu Anyu, who had been silent until then, could no longer hold back: “The facts are not as you say. You dare speak ill of the royal family—how many lives do you think you have?”

Cheng Liuyi, pleased with the stir she had caused, was caught off guard and her face fell when someone doused her enthusiasm with a cold response. Looking over, she saw an unremarkable woman whose clothes were poorer than even her personal maid’s.

Cheng Liuyi snorted coldly, “What maid is so ill-mannered?”

Her aunt, Lady Lin, whispered beside her, “That is Minister Gu’s younger sister, Gu Anyu.”

“Gu Anyu?” Cheng Liuyi looked at her several times. She had heard Gu Mo had many siblings and now saw she shared his foul temper.

Thinking of her impending marriage to Gu Mo, Cheng Liuyi softened her expression. “Ah, Sister Anyu, it’s all hearsay. Who knows if it’s true? Why take it so seriously?”

Everyone was somewhat aware of Gu Anyu’s status—a weak woman not taken seriously—but her brother was the notorious Gu Mo, who had uprooted many noble families and officials. No one dared offend him.

Seeing Cheng Liuyi’s softened attitude toward Gu Anyu, others dared not act recklessly.

Gu Anyu showed little warmth toward Cheng Liuyi and, somewhat distant, bowed slightly and said calmly, “Your Highness, born of the royal family and a model for all women, should follow proper conduct. How can you lead in slander?”

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Was she lecturing her on how to behave?

What audacity.

Cheng Liuyi’s face immediately darkened. Once married to Gu Mo, the first thing she would do was marry off this little sister-in-law—better out of sight than an eyesore.

The Longevity Princess Consort listened to the harsh criticism of Cheng Xueyang while hearing praise for the eldest princess Cheng Qingyi, and felt a pang of discomfort.

Clearly, they preferred to flatter Cheng Liuyi, even though they knew her natal nephew had secretly followed Cheng Qingyi to the northern battlefield and died there.

They knew she disliked Cheng Qingyi, yet openly praised her in front of her—how could she bear it? All these years of resentment were dismissed as mere fussing.

Her resentment toward Cheng Liuyi grew slightly, but seeing Gu Anyu defend her and correct Cheng Liuyi publicly eased much of that anger.

The Longevity Princess Consort’s anger dissipated, but Cheng Liuyi’s did not. She shot a barrage of remarks at Gu Anyu: “Miss Gu, today is the Longevity Princess Consort’s birthday. How can you dress so plainly? An unaware person might think you don’t value her at all.”

Others dared not join in mocking, fearing Gu Anyu would complain and Gu Mo would retaliate. Yet their eyes betrayed disdain—how could a young lady not care to dress up?

Every lady present was dressed splendidly, adorned with gold, silver, and jewels, exuding wealth and nobility.

Official families and noble daughters dared not dress too extravagantly, fearing Princess Yunxiang’s displeasure and reprisals, but they still took great care. Those of marriageable age were especially creative in presenting themselves, hoping to leave a good impression on high officials and nobles.

Unlike Gu Anyu, who dressed so casually.

Tsk, tsk.

Dressed even worse than a maid.

Cheng Liuyi added, “Miss Gu, when you go out, you represent Minister Gu’s reputation. Aren’t you just slapping him in the face?”