Chapter Sixteen: Driving a Wedge Between Them

As she stepped inside, faint murmurs from the crowd could be heard.

“Her engagement to the Third Prince has been broken off? What on earth is going on?”

“Don’t you know? My servant just came by today with some clothes and told me all about it; the whole city is buzzing with the news!”

“I heard it too. When my maid brought me some lipstick and jewelry, she mentioned it was a mix-up. The original engagement was with Miss Su Yunqi of the Su family, but it got confused. The Emperor has since issued a new edict, reassigning the engagement.”

“Isn’t this a farce? In the end, Su Yunqing doesn’t even hold the title of princess consort!”

Their voices were low. Had she not been cultivating, she wouldn’t have heard them. But now, in the early stage of Qi refinement, their whispers were clear.

Of course, they weren’t worried about her overhearing. To them, she was nothing but a waste. Once a princess consort, now stripped of everything, so there was no need to be cautious.

They spoke quietly only to avoid offending Xiao Jinghuai and Su Yunqi. One was royal, the other deeply favored by the Su family, with a bright future ahead. Crossing either would only invite trouble.

“Su Yunqing!” As Zhu Shishi entered, she immediately spotted Su Yunqing seated and stormed over, fuming.

Su Yunqing, who had been quietly admiring the scenery by the window, frowned at the sudden call. “What is it?”

“Why was the engagement switched to Su Yunqi?” Zhu Shishi’s eyes blazed with anger as she stared at her.

Tilting her head, Su Yunqing rested her chin on one hand and replied calmly, “I did as you asked—I broke off the engagement. But why it went to Su Yunqi isn’t something I should concern myself with. Besides, you know my standing in the Su family. Even if I wanted to stop it, they wouldn’t listen.”

Zhu Shishi’s fierce demeanor faltered, and she fell into thought. After a long moment, she sighed in defeat, “You’re right.”

Seeing this, Su Yunqing’s eyes gleamed as she whispered, “By the way, there’s something I think you should know.”

“Hm?” Zhu Shishi looked puzzled.

“Did you know Su Yunyue intends to become the Third Prince’s concubine? I overheard it yesterday as I left the Su household. Not sure if she succeeded.” She watched Zhu Shishi’s face redden with anger—a reaction she expected.

“Now that His Highness is officially her sister’s betrothed, does she really have the nerve to snatch him away? And she knows how I feel...” Zhu Shishi gritted her teeth. She was furious and felt betrayed by her old friend. Knowing she had feelings for the prince, yet still acting this way—it was as if she didn’t care at all.

Su Yunqing’s mood lifted. She had intended to sow discord between them, turning former close friends into bitter rivals over a man.

“Zhu Shishi, even as a concubine, that position is far better than marrying some nobleman. He’s both royal blood and a prodigy of the new generation, destined to rise higher and higher. Soon, she might not even get the concubine spot. Of course she must seize it!” She smiled, delighted by Zhu Shishi’s reaction, and added fuel to the fire.

“Damn it!” Zhu Shishi’s eyes darkened, her resentment toward her friend growing.

“I’ve done as promised and broken off the engagement, so you...” Su Yunqing hinted for money. She had no plans to return to the Su family, so the more funds, the better.

“Here!” Zhu Shishi threw a bag onto the table and stormed out.

Su Yunqing paid her no mind, happily weighing the bag’s heft in her hand, a crescent moon smile curling her lips.

A young man who had just entered chuckled at the sight and quickly sat beside her. He rested his chin on his right hand while drumming the table with his left. “Knock, knock, knock!”

Hearing the noise, she glanced sideways. He smiled warmly, “You seem to be in good spirits.”

“Likewise. You look quite cheerful yourself.” She tucked away the money bag and replied.

He caught every subtle movement with amusement—she truly was a money lover.

“All right. I’ve said it before—no more talk of this matter.” At that moment, Xiao Jinghuai entered with a sour expression. Beside him stood Su Yunqi; trailing behind were two others, one of whom was Zhu Shishi.

Seeing Xiao Jinghuai’s troubled look, Su Yunqi’s face grew even more composed, her mood improving.

“Your Highness, I urge you to consider my words carefully. Otherwise, what happened before might spread further.” Zhu Shishi eyed Su Yunyue warily. She knew Su Yunqi had no chance, but Su Yunyue was a different story—they were evenly matched.

“Shishi, please don’t make things difficult for His Highness.” Su Yunyue’s irritation showed. She usually liked Zhu Shishi, but now she found her unbearable. Trying to fight for her place? Dream on!

“Hah, do you not find it difficult yourself?” Zhu Shishi retorted coldly.

Su Yunyue clenched her fists, eyes cold but well hidden. “I have not forced His Highness.”

“Enough!” Xiao Jinghuai, already with a throbbing headache from their quarrel, forced himself to stay calm with others present.

He quickly caught up to Su Yunqi, who was walking ahead, unwilling to let the woman he cherished suffer.

Su Yunqing watched their bickering and mutual disdain with great satisfaction.

Soon, a woman in red, about thirty years old, entered briskly and took her place at the podium. “I will be your instructor today. My name is Hong Yi. My rules are simple: no talking during class except to ask questions. Otherwise, leave!”

Though her tone was gentle, her gaze was firm and commanding.

The room fell silent, and without waiting for a response, Hong Yi continued, “Today, I will teach you how to circulate spiritual energy on your own.”

At this, someone raised a hand and asked with her permission, “But we already know how to circulate spiritual energy. Why teach this?”

Hong Yi frowned in disdain. “You call the energy you gather spiritual energy? If you think you’re capable, you’re free to leave and skip this class. And don’t ask such foolish questions again.”

The student immediately lowered their head, unwilling to speak further, wary of offending her, but curious to see how her teachings differed from their own understanding.

Su Yunqing paid no mind to the others’ reactions and listened intently.

Hong Yi raised a hand and condensed a brilliant blue spiritual energy, the same attribute as Su Yunyue’s but far brighter and more stable, unlike Su Yunyue’s dissipating energy.

“All right, you try now.” After the demonstration, Hong Yi scanned the room before resting her gaze on Su Yunqing, who listened most attentively.

Suddenly, a mocking laugh burst out, causing Hong Yi to frown.