She Holds the World After Being Reborn-Chapter 18 The Empress is so young, she surely wouldn’t want to die

Chapter 18: Chapter 18 The Empress is so young, she surely wouldn’t want to die

Lamps flickered faintly, shadows overlaid thickly, Jiaojiao trembled, listening made Yan Wanqing’s scalp tingle.

Having lived twice, she had never been with a man, so at the moment, she found herself in a difficult position, unable to follow through herself, she had no choice but to let the Hidden Guard do it.

"Piji, go steal the Empress’s bellyband."

In the darkness, there was a light sound of a branch breaking, but soon, only a scream was heard from inside the room, and in the next moment, the garment carrying the scent of a woman was placed in Yan Wanqing’s hands.

At the same time, Piji’s voice came through gritted teeth, "Miss, you should never misuse your resources like this again."

Yan Wanqing gave a dry laugh, knowing she was in the wrong, but she had no better plan at the moment.

Now was not the time to dwell on this. The person in the room got dressed and pushed open the door furiously, and when she came out, her youthful face was still flushed. Upon seeing Yan Wanqing in the courtyard, her large eyes widened for a moment, then she snorted coldly and lazily leaned against the doorframe.

"Who would’ve thought, it’s Princess Anping. What is all this fuss about?"

The Empress, Zhang Lanyi, daughter of the Elder of the Imperial Medical Bureau, was favored by the Emperor for her beauty and medical skills and rose rapidly from being a noble lady to the Empress in just a few years. She had everything one could ask for – wit, strategy, and beauty.

Yan Wanqing certainly didn’t dare underestimate her, knowing that when the Imperial Family’s secret scandal had broken out in her previous life, Zhang Lanyi had kept the man she was involved with well hidden, not letting even the smallest rumor slip.

It was only after Xiao Hongshen had given her the sketch of the secret passage on Southern Mountain to stockpile troops and grains that Yan Wanqing finally understood who the man behind Zhang Lanyi was.

"The Empress truly has the courage that others can’t match," Yan Wanqing boasted as she flicked the phoenix-embroidered garment with the evening breeze. Watching the killing intent deepen in Zhang Lanyi’s eyes, she chuckled and said, "Desperate times call for desperate measures. I have something I’d like to discuss with the Empress, which I’m sure you’ll find intriguing."

"Yan Wanqing, you really have some nerve!" Zhang Lanyi hissed through clenched teeth, "Insolence. Do you really think I’m a pushover, a sickly girl like you, how many lives do you have to dare to offend me!"

"Not many." Yan Wanqing’s smile faded, her clear eyes turned cold and menacing, and her voice grew husky, "Just one, but it’ll suffice."

She glanced at the quiet room where the candlelight still flickered, and the dim light fluttered above the window. Inside was so calm it was as if the earlier scene had only been a hallucination.

"If I’m not mistaken, the person inside must have already left through the secret passage by now."

At these words, Zhang Lanyi furrowed her brow, but she quickly relaxed, "I don’t know what you’re talking about. Tonight, there’s only me here, and something that doesn’t know whether it’s alive or dead. Any other person? I have no idea."

"The Empress’s mouth is the toughest and most venomous," Yan Wanqing sighed lightly, "After spending a few years in the Capital City, everyone seems to think that Princess Anping is gentle and easy to bully, forgetting that Yan Wanqing used to be one who would eat meat."

Speaking, she couldn’t help but press her tongue against her small canine tooth, and the sharp, dull pain blossomed at the tip of her tongue, her eyes excitedly narrowing.

"Perhaps the Empress should use her brains and guess how this insensible thing got into this secluded courtyard? Or maybe—" Yan Wanqing drew out her tone, watching Zhang Lanyi’s expression, seeing she was not as composed as before, she laughed mockingly, "Does the Empress want to see her lover just now in the room, delivered to the Crown Prince before dawn..."

"Shut up!" Zhang Lanyi clenched her fists, her crimson-painted fingertips dug fiercely into her palm. She put on a stern expression, "What exactly do you want to discuss?"

"Obviously, it’s a great opportunity, something the Empress would be interested in and can easily obtain," Yan Wanqing narrowed her eyes, smiling like a sly fox.

Zhang Lanyi tightened her robe around her body, her red lips pursed, with strands of disheveled hair falling low, concealing the shadowy light in her eyes, "Let’s hear it."

Yan Wanqing didn’t beat around the bush, with her recent fall into the water and journey through the secret passage, the cold wind in the courtyard was biting, and she really did not have much time to play along with this indulged Empress. Moreover, given that she had leverage over her, there was no need for detours, so she spoke candidly and briskly.

"The court is rife with open and covert strife, the Emperor’s health is deteriorating by the day, and there’s the tradition of the Empress being buried alive with the deceased emperor in Dawei. Empress, you’re so young. You certainly don’t want to die, do you?"

Zhang Lanyi’s lips trembled a few times, and she eventually couldn’t hold back, "Yan Wanqing, you really have a way with words."

"Nothing special, just a gift of gab."

Zhang Lanyi had, of course, thought about this problem. The old Emperor’s health was indeed on the decline, yet he did not trust the Imperial Physicians, instead, he believed in those alchemists, the Taoists. He had even mentioned appointing that lunatic Taoist as the State Preceptor to protect the peace of Dawei. It was laughable.

If he were to pass away, just go, but that damn ancestral instruction was in place—when the old man died, he would take her with him!

She was so young, so attractive, and her good days had not been fully enjoyed, yet she was to die?

This matter would leave anybody with a thorn in their heart.

"Do you have a way for me not to be buried with him?" Zhang Lanyi looked at Yan Wanqing. Under the cold moon, her porcelain, almost transparent complexion seemed unreal, "You don’t need to mention escaping through death; I can do that myself. I just can’t bear to part with the enormous power and glory I have. If you can ensure I move on living and continue enjoying these privileges, I will join forces with you."

Zhang Lanyi had the look of someone who would think less of Yan Wanqing if she mentioned something she already knew.

"Of course," said Yan Wanqing confidently, as a sudden wind rose in the courtyard, her words hitting the ground with resonance, causing the normally lazy Zhang Lanyi to suddenly narrow her pupils.

"Empires change hands, power shifts, if the Empress ascends to the throne, who in the entire court would dare to hasten you to... be buried?"

Silence... Dead silence.

It was unclear how much time passed before Zhang Lanyi burst into laughter, tears seeping from the corners of her eyes. After a long while, she straightened up, her gaze towards Yan Wanqing finally changing.

"Princess Anping, inciting me to plot for the throne, you are truly extraordinary... This Anping, is so damn ’peaceful,’ haha!" Zhang Lanyi cursed unabashedly, stepping forward.

The rich fragrance of plums filled the air as Yan Wanqing watched the woman intently.

She was in her early thirties but as beautiful as a girl of eighteen. Time left only depth in Zhang Lanyi’s eyes... and an ambition that could no longer be concealed! freewebnøvel.com

"You are very much to my taste," said Zhang Lanyi as she reached out and gently caressed Yan Wanqing’s cheek. Her cold fingertips brushed lightly over the warm face, finally resting with force on her chin, leaving a crescent-shaped mark.

Yan Wanqing gasped sharply, her look towards Zhang Lanyi turning unfriendly.

"Little wolf cub, back when I was still a medical girl, your eyes had the same look. Indeed, a person’s nature never changes," she said.

"Yan Wanqing, come inside. Let’s discuss how you plan to secure this world for me."