Iobel believed that Kei’s wife, Rishi, would not betray her. However, regardless of that, she couldn’t handle matters at the top of the Woven casually.
Until a few years ago, Iobel’s position was firm. Three years ago, after the empress, her mother, passed away, Iobel’s position became less stable than before.
Iobel was born a little later than Lacozen, the son of the emperor and the first concubine. Despite Iobel’s exceptional personal abilities, being the son between the emperor and the empress allowed him to easily occupy the position of the crown prince.
However, when the empress died, the first concubine began to dig into the vulnerabilities for her son. As the first concubine and the second prince Lacozen actively moved, the actions of the courtiers also changed.
Iobel witnessed many times how the courtiers who used to be by her side were now standing by Lacozen. No matter how intelligent and dignified Iobel was, sitting on the emperor’s throne ultimately depended on having many supporters.
Therefore, Iobel needed money, and she was determined to invest in the recent rising power of Woven to solidify her position.
Even though Rishi said, “They’re swindlers,” Iobel couldn’t just believe her words and cut ties with Woven.
“Is there any other advice you could give me?”
“It will be difficult to handle matters at the top of Woven right away. No immediate problems will arise. Investigate Woven thoroughly, and confirm whether my words are true or not.”
Rishi calmly spoke.
Iobel realized that when Rishi spoke, she stared directly into her eyes.
In her lilac-colored eyes, there was something that was hard to turn away from once you met her gaze.
“If you confirm that my words are true, you may trust me more than you do now. Then, if you seek advice from me, I will provide you with good advice.”
Iobel was impressed more by Rishi’s determination than anything else.
In front of Crown Prince Iobel, she saw someone showing such confidence for the first time. Well, should she say it’s the second time because of Kei?
But now, Rishi showed a boldness different from Kei.
There was no assumption in Rishi’s words. As if she personally witnessed and spoke of an inevitable prophecy, she spoke accurately and clearly.
“But time is not abundant, Your Highness. Make a conclusion within a month and let me know. Then, Your Highness will gain wealth incomparable to when you invested in the top of Woven.”
“Do you know what I need and why I need it?”
“Yes.”
“Alright, Iris. Let’s thoroughly investigate Woven. However, if your words turn out to be wrong, even if you’re my friend’s wife, you’ll face severe consequences.”
“Of course.”
Rishi showed no sign of fear. Iobel felt like she was playing a game against a very strong opponent.
“Is there any other advice you could give me? Even something light.”
“Light advice, huh…”
Tilting her head slightly in thought, Rishi soon spoke with an elegant smile.
“Britney is not a good woman. A better woman who will be of help to Crown Prince will appear.”
+++
Rishi left, leaving behind the words, “You two may have something to discuss, so I’ll leave first.”
After Rishi left, silence fell in the room for a while. Iobel clenched her fist and tapped her forearm with her index finger, silently observing her longtime friend.
If Kei turns to the side of the Second Prince, what is the probability of his wife, who controls Woven’s top, severing ties with the dealings between Woven and the Crown Prince? Iobel didn’t know. Betrayal by subordinates for various reasons happened frequently.
“Kei. You won’t betray me, right?”
“Your Highness. Surely, you don’t think I’d stand on the side of the Second Prince? The Second Prince and I are not compatible temperamentally.”
“I know. But… about your wife, I don’t know. It’s surprisingly trustworthy. But that’s strange. As you know, I don’t easily trust anyone. I’ve learned and grown up not trusting people easily.”
“Hmm.”
“Does your wife use magic?”
“Is there still magic that can gain others’ trust?”
Iobel lowered her head.
“You’ve got yourself an amazing woman, Kei. If Woven’s top is really preparing to betray me as Iris said… I’ll envy you for the rest of my life.”
Kei smiled smugly. It was annoying, so Iobel grabbed a cushion nearby and threw it at Kei.
Kei lightly turned his head, avoiding the cushion, and said, “Your Highness, it’s natural for you to doubt. Even if I were in Your Highness’s position, I wouldn’t easily believe Rishi’s story at once. So investigate. Find out what Woven’s top is doing behind Your Highness’s back.”
“That’s what I’m thinking right now. Besides that, what does it mean that Britney is not a good woman? If Britney becomes my wife, wouldn’t that be unfavorable for her sister Iris?”
“That part, well. Iobel.”
Kei locked eyes with Iobel.
“Rishi is not a flower of the Wettle Duchy. She may have been so until now, but she will never be a flower of the Wettle Duchy in the future.”
Kei spoke with a lower tone and strength than usual. Iobel understood what Kei was trying to say with just that.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
