V2C49

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Translator: Anne

Editor: Miqich

Proofreader: Ani and Sal

But, how was that possible?

Many years ago, when Prince Rui’s biological mother Imperial Concubine Chang was still alive, Prince Rui lived in the palace. Linling’s mother and Imperial Concubine Chang were on good terms, and sometimes she’d take Linling with her when she went out of the palace to meet Empress Lang. Linling played with Prince Rui several times when she was young, but apart from that, they weren’t that close, so how could she have fallen in love with him?

Was it true that Prince Rui had been injured? If it was, would the Emperor be displeased if she continued the competition instead of immediately checking on the prince’s wellbeing? If this disturbance was a part of the Emperor’s plan, what was his goal?

Was this a scheme to see if the candidates would defer the contest out of genuine concern for the Prince? Or did he want to assess the strength of everyone’s resolution; not allowing themselves to be affected by the disturbance, and ultimately winning the round.

If it was the former, then the first person to reach the pavilion couldn’t possibly win. Just as Lang Linling said, the Emperor’s real test could be seeing whether the contestants truly loved Prince Rui or not. Whoever had genuine feelings for Prince Rui would win the round. If it was the latter, Lang Linling was in the most advantageous position; visiting Prince Rui was tantamount to giving up this advantage.

Either way, the only way they would be able to win was if they knew whether Prince Rui had actually been injured or not and what the Emperor’s true intentions were.

However, there was no way to figure this out at the moment, and what good would come out of waiting? But Lang Linling seemed to have already made up her mind.

The Empress and Prince Xian wore solemn expressions. Lang Linling glanced at the female official standing under the lantern riddle before she pulled them beside her and whispered, “Linling understands what auntie and older brother are worried about. I’m sure older brother has already figured out that this round’s victory was certainly out of Linling’s reach. If the other groups come up with the same method Prince Rui used that evening, it’d be impossible for me to win even if I arrive at the pavilion first. No matter how much we draw, we will never be able to draw 100,000 military troops like Prince Rui did.”

Prince Xian frowned slightly, “True, brother has already considered your worries, but right now there’s nothing else we can do. We can only assume that there’s no one who can figure out the method eighth brother used. This round, your odds of success are still the highest.”

Lang Linling shook her head and glared, “Linling doesn’t dare take any chances, don’t forget that the Crown Prince is here as well. I’m afraid he’s already figured something out. Once the Crown Prince comes up with a strategy, we’ll undoubtedly lose.”

“How can you say that?” The Empress was surprised, her fingernails, which had been painted with the juice of a Balsamina flower, almost caved into Lang Linling’s arm.

Prince Xian, however, nodded with a thoughtful gaze, “Brother understands what Ling’er means. Mother Empress, think about it, what group is Official Jing Hao in at the moment? And what kind of relationship does the Wang family have with him?”

The Empress was aghast; it suddenly dawned on her.

How could she have forgotten?! If Official Jing Hao were to figure out the method for the General’s Order, that wretched third princess Qiao Chu needn’t be dwelled upon; he and Qiao Mei seemed to have an extremely deep grudge against each other, though he never paid it any mind. But Qiao Rong was still his wife’s first sister and the Wang family had always been Official Jing Hao’s most trusted benefactor.

In this round, only two people were allowed to win. As long as the Qiao family and the Wang family progressed to the next round, no matter who won in the end, it was the Crown Prince’s Official Jing Hao’s victory.