C17 The Coldblooded Lau Qingyao

Given the current situation, it seems not only do I not want to be here, but even the main character in the play doesn't seem too eager for my presence.

"Qingyao, your words are as sharp as ever," he remarked with a detached gaze, idly playing with the long hair of the woman beside him.

Lau Qingyao glanced at the chair, and her maid quickly stepped forward, wiping it down thoroughly three times before she slowly sat down.

The dancers around them fell silent instantly, kneeling nervously at the side, not daring to make a sound. Miss Lau is a force to be reckoned with, untouchable by anyone. Even though the Crown Prince is present, the Lau family holds significant power, enough to overshadow the throne.

Who holds the real power is still up for debate.

"Mr. Xuanling, have you heard? They say the Emperor's condition has worsened."

She looked up, her eyes fixed on the gold leaf on her nails, her words carrying a tone of indifference. It seemed as if nothing in this world was worth her attention.

Pei Xuanling's gaze tightened, lingering on her exquisite face. He composed himself and replied, "I'm well aware of that."

"Whether you're aware or not isn't for you to decide, Mr. Xuanling. Even though you're the Crown Prince now, the Emperor's favored Consort has a sixteen-year-old Second Prince."

"What exactly are you trying to say?" he asked coldly.

"It's quite simple. I came here just to tell you something, Mr. Xuanling. I heard the Second Prince went to another country to seek a remedy for the Emperor's illness," she said with a smile. "When people reach a certain age, family seems to become the most important thing."

Hearing her words, Pei Xuanling's expression turned dark. He was well aware of what Lau Qingyao was implying. Although his half-brother, the Second Prince, shared the same father, he was a stumbling block on Pei Xuanling's path to becoming Crown Prince. Now, with their father's health deteriorating, if his brother succeeded in curing the Emperor, the position of Crown Prince might change hands.

The Emperor had favored Consort Yao for five years, during which Pei Xuanling had witnessed his mother's outbursts more than once. He leaned back lazily, pretending disinterest.

Lau Qingyao watched him and continued, "So, for your sake, Mr. Xuanling, I did something significant to help you."

Sensing something unusual, Pei Xuanling stared at her coldly, already forming his own plans.

"The Second Prince, on his way back with the remedy, was unfortunately killed by bandits, leaving no trace of his body," she said, enunciating each word carefully. Though she smiled, there was a hint of malice in it.

He suddenly stood up, his eyes blazing as he stared at her, his voice low and hoarse, "Was it you?"

"You don't need to thank me, Xuanling," she replied with a smile, seemingly oblivious to the fire in his eyes. "I'm not just helping you; I'm helping myself too."

Her aunt had always told her she was destined to become a queen. Pei Xuanling was not just the Crown Prince but also her future husband. Helping her future husband clear the obstacles in his path was exactly what a queen should do.

The group of dancers nearby turned pale. They had overheard something monumental, and fear sent chills down their spines. They had always heard that the eldest daughter of the Lau family was gentle and virtuous, but now it seemed she was someone who wouldn't tolerate any nonsense.

Lau Qingyao's gaze suddenly shifted past Pei Xuanling, landing on the dancer trembling the most. She slowly crouched in front of her.

The dancer was terrified, collapsing to the ground and scrambling backward, shaking like a leaf. "Please, Miss Lau, have mercy."

"Scared now? Weren't you quite happy by the Crown Prince's side when you came in?" she suddenly asked.

The intensity in his eyes was enough to instill fear in anyone.

Pei Xuanling stood motionless, still reeling from the news of the Second Prince's death.

"Ah—"

A soft cry suddenly came from behind him. He turned around to see a dancer clutching her neck, collapsing at his feet. Beside him, Lau Qingyao slowly dropped a blood-stained sword to the ground. Her dress, now tinged with a sinister red, bore the mark of fresh blood.

The remaining nine dancers were terrified, scrambling desperately to escape.

"Ah—"

The sound of swords piercing flesh echoed. As they reached the door, they were swiftly cut down by the Qilin Army stationed there. Blood pooled on the floor.

Lau Qingyao stood amidst the bodies, her smile haunting.

---

Meanwhile, in another room, the atmosphere was entirely different.

Mrs. Qian, eager to please, stood beside the Yongjing Marquis Madam, offering a dowry worth a fortune. She cautiously attempted to appease, "Madam, we were indeed at fault last time. Waner is still young and made some mistakes. Please, let bygones be bygones."

"Let bygones be bygones, indeed," the Yongjing Marquis Madam scoffed, sweeping the gifts off the table with a dismissive gesture.

Standing behind Mrs. Qian, Waner was as pale as a sheet. She knew coming here meant facing humiliation—hadn't the Marquis's wife already insulted her enough at the mansion?

Clenching her teeth, she balled her fists tightly, hidden from view. The Marquis's household wasn't what it seemed, and the eldest son, Jutan, was practically a living ghost. If she married into this family, her life would be wasted there, and she refused to accept that fate.

"We still have some things to discuss regarding this matter. Please, calm down. The Marquis's household can command us as they see fit, since we were the ones at fault initially," Mrs. Qian said, almost groveling.

Yet, like Waner, her eyes were filled with deep resentment. If it weren't for this situation, her husband wouldn't have stopped visiting her quarters. She hated having to humble herself before the Marquis's wife, only to be dismissed.

A calculating look flashed across the Marquis's wife's face. The household was like a dying camel, and her dowry wouldn't last much longer. It was indeed time to properly accept the Cui family.

She just needed the Cui Mansion to bring their most valuable assets into the marriage. Compared to Cui Zuoyu, Cui Waner was worlds apart in terms of appearance. Moreover, the eldest son of the Cui family, Shaang Qingya, was a renowned businessman. It was said that Shaang Qingya was very fond of his sister and often sent her valuable gifts. If they could use Cui Zuoyu to win over Shaang Qingya, the Yongjing Marquis Mansion could surely regain its former glory.

She thought about this quietly, but her face revealed nothing. Suddenly, she coughed softly, her expression becoming calm. "There is a way to resolve this matter," she said.