Chapter 458: Chapter 317: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend

Over here, Zhou Mu and Gu Changsheng were deeply in love, while on the other side, the largest elegant abode in Liuzhou, Cloud Building, was welcoming a luxurious carriage.

Huo Shuixian, dressed in a Cloud Brocade Flowing Fairy Dress adorned with a collar of premium Cloud Mink Fur, wore an exquisitely crafted makeup on her already stunning face. Dressed to impress, Huo Shuixian looked regal and grace as if a Heavenly Immortal had descended.

Seeing her own lady’s gloomy face, Ru Yu flattered pleasingly, “Miss, even without dressing up, you far surpass Miss Yhan. Now with this attire, you will definitely leave Miss Yhan behind by a hundred streets. What is there for you to be unhappy about?”

Hearing this, Huo Shuixian glanced at Ru Yu and spoke coldly, “Although Yhan Qinrui’s looks and talents are inferior to mine, her father is the Minister of War of Great Zhou! He holds the power to assess and mobilize troops, a true significant position! Far surpassing our Grand Tutor’s Mansion!”

She, Huo Shuixian, originated from the prestigious Grand Tutor’s Mansion of Guanlong, and although it sounded prestigious, it was still somewhat inferior to a substantial position like that of the Minister of War!

Even though Huo Shuixian was proud of her looks and talents, over these past ten years, she had often been outshone by Yhan Qinrui!

Regrettably, Yhan Qinrui was the only legitimate daughter in the Minister of War’s household, lavishly cherished, making Huo Shuixian cautious and incapable of doing anything to her!

A woman’s nature to compete, even Huo Shuixian who seemed like a fairy descended to earth, was not exempt!

“Miss, once you marry His Highness Prince Mu and become the rightfully recognized Princess of Prince Mu, even if the Yhan family is wealthy, they will still have to bow and pay respects to you, right?” Ru Yu said, her face beaming with pride.

Hearing this, Huo Shuixian’s lips slowly curved into a smile.

The title of Princess of Prince Mu!

She liked that title!

She would become the Princess of Prince Mu! She would be the Empress, second only to one and above ten thousand in Great Zhou!

Thinking of this, a smile of arrogance and satisfaction gradually spread across Huo Shuixian’s face…

“Miss, we’ve arrived at Cloud Building!”

Outside the carriage, Ru Ge called out softly.

Hearing this, Huo Shuixian donned her veil and, with Ru Yu’s assistance, slowly stepped down from the carriage.

Cloud Building was originally the largest elegant tea house in Liuzhou City, frequented mostly by scholars and literati. Their arrival in such an extravagant carriage immediately attracted many sideways glances.

On the second floor of Cloud Building, Yhan Qinrui stood by the window, looking down at the scene below.

“Heir’s wife, this Miss Huo still loves to show off as always, not knowing to hold back even in Liuzhou City, still making such a conspicuous presence!” Qiu Yue, seeing the entourage of maids and servants around Huo Shuixian, couldn’t help but purse her lips and spoke disdainfully.

Yhan Qinrui responded with a smile, “Did you not see the emblem of His Highness Prince Mu hanging on that carriage? This is a great honor given by His Highness to her. Why wouldn’t she show off in front of me?”

Qiu Yue quickly nodded, “Indeed! Miss Huo is now truly extraordinary, attracting the Image of the Phoenix Rite, soaring to the skies to become a Mandated Noble Lady, and even receiving special regard from His Highness!”

“Heir’s wife, we should continue to get along peacefully with her. If she truly becomes the Princess of Prince Mu, in the future…”

Qiu Yue halted abruptly here, but her implication was clear.

Yhan Qinrui nodded, her background from the Ministry of War Minister’s Mansion made her not very familiar with the matters of the Imperial Court, but the backyards of the government were deeply entangled, and she wasn’t just a lady skilled in embroidery, naturally understanding these implications.

His Highness Prince Mu neglecting his duties was one thing, but he had also killed several officials from Southern Fujian, including a Military Governor of the Second Rank!

What a grave crime it was? Saying his crime deserved death was not an overstatement!

Yet, the Emperor had ignored the accusations from the civil and military officials, turning a deaf ear and refused to punish him!

Although the thoughts of an Emperor were deep and impenetrable, they always left traces to follow!

From this incident, the position of His Highness Prince Mu in the Emperor’s heart, could be discerned!

It was also because of this that her father had started to distance himself from the princes in the capital!

With numerous thoughts, Yhan Qinrui’s pretty face lit up with a gentle, joyful smile, “Sister Shuixian is already here, why don’t we go out and welcome her together?”

Before the maids and servants behind her could respond, Huo Shuixian and her group, led by the shopkeeper, appeared at the chamber door.

The shopkeeper of Cloud Building stood aside, his face covered in cold sweat, timidly waiting.

Godfather! When had their Cloud Building ever hosted such grand ladies?

One was a stretch, but two!

The latter was even the Mandated Noble Lady residing at Prince Mu’s Mansion, Miss Huo; how could he afford not to serve her carefully?

Offending them was not an option, nor could he dare to neglect them!

“Sister Qinrui, why be so polite? It is I, Shuixian, who arrived late, causing you to wait here for so long!” Seeing Yhan Qinrui, Huo Shuixian immediately bypassed the shopkeeper and entered the chamber with a smile.

Among noble ladies, even if they loved to compete, in front of outsiders, the necessary etiquette and demeanor were still essential!

The two of them, holding hands, exchanged warm greetings for a while, and only after the shopkeeper served the top-grade fragrant tea did they wave their hands to dismiss everyone.

Everyone filed out, and soon only Huo Shuixian and Yhan Qinrui were left in the chamber.

Both individuals held their tea cups with elegance, sipping lightly.

“This tea from Liuzhou City indeed tastes wonderful, nearly as good as that from the Capital City. Sister Shuixian is truly fortunate from now on!” Yhan Qinrui set down her tea cup and spoke with a clever smile, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mockery.

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuixian also placed down her tea cup, raised her eyebrows, and said, “Let’s not beat around the bush, we’ve never been on good terms. You came to Liuzhou and even invited me specifically, what exactly is this about?”

“Hehe…” Upon hearing this, Yhan Qinrui just laughed as her voice remained as gentle as ever, “We sisters have been competing for so many years; now that I’m married, why can’t Sister Shuixian let go of the grudge?”

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuixian glanced at the pearls and jades on Yhan Qinrui’s head and instantly scoffed, “Grudge? What grudge do I have with you? You are the Minister of War’s beloved treasure, who would dare to hold a grudge against you?”

Observing this, Yhan Qinrui covered her lips and smiled confidently, “Why should Sister Shuixian be like this? Both being noble ladies from the Capital City, we loved to compare ourselves before our marriages, only to find good matrimonial matches and husbands. Now that your sister is married, she naturally won’t steal your limelight anymore…”

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuixian let out a cold sneer.

Not steal her limelight anymore? What fine words!

Yhan Qinrui really thinks highly of herself!

She was merely from a wealthy family. Aside from her attire, when had she ever stolen Huo Shuixian’s limelight?

Huo Shuixian is considered the number one beauty across the Four Kingdoms!

“Yhan Qinrui, you do have some self-awareness!” Huo Shuixian coldly dropped that comment and turned her head away, full of disdain.

If only she wasn’t the daughter of the Ministry of War Minister’s Mansion, she would have made her life worse than death long ago!

Why even bother competing with her all these years?

Hearing this, Yhan Qinrui bowed her head to hide the disdain in her eyes and pursed her lips, “Why does Sister Shuixian feel the need to win an argument with words?”

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuixian immediately looked displeased.

Before Huo Shuixian could speak, Yhan Qinrui continued confidently while holding her tea cup, “I just arrived in Liuzhou and heard about the troubles at the Gu Residence. They’re now refusing to meet outsiders; surely, Sister Shuixian must be involved in this matter, right?”

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuixian’s face darkened, and a shock struck her heart, her hands inside her sleeves trembled slightly!

Having known each other since childhood, they had compared themselves their whole lives; Yhan Qinrui indeed knew her well!

She wouldn’t blame her for being ruthless, silencing witnesses!

Watching Huo Shuixian’s changing expressions, Yhan Qinrui’s face revealed a knowing smile, her lips curling up, “Sister Shuixian need not be so guarded; although we are not very close, my enemies are just like yours!”

“My father always says that the enemy of my enemy is a friend. Sister Shuixian, you want Changsheng’s life, and so do I. Our goals align, why not join forces?”

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuixian’s face relaxed.

Seeing this, Yhan Qinrui continued, “As it is with us, who can truly claim to be completely innocent? Sister Shuixian need not worry I will betray you! You want exclusive affection from His Highness Prince Mu, and I want my husband’s undivided heart; our target is the same woman!”

Huo Shuixian looked at Yhan Qinrui with a chilly expression and said through gritted teeth, “Gu, Chang, Sheng!”

“Exactly! It is indeed Gu Changsheng!” Yhan Qinrui nodded with understanding.

Huo Shuixian looked at Yhan Qinrui with a dark expression, her stunningly beautiful face scrutinizing.

She knew Yhan Qinrui’s motives against Gu Changsheng, but…

“That wretch Gu Changsheng, isn’t she already dead?” Huo Shuixian asked gravely.

Yhan Qinrui was taken aback and immediately shook her head, “How can Sister Shuixian be so sure? I went to the Gu Residence today, and although they are not seeing outsiders, they hadn’t hung the white mourning banners. If Gu Changsheng was dead, the household should be in mourning, yet I saw no sadness or grief on their doorman’s face…”

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuixian was shocked!

She had overlooked that detail!

“Sister Shuixian, I have already sent people to inquire about the Gu Residence; I’m afraid it might not be as you wish…”

Huo Shuixian shook her head in disbelief, “Impossible! How could she not be dead?”

Her nursemaid had acted; how could Gu Changsheng have possibly escaped her fate?

What exactly had gone wrong?

Suddenly, Huo Shuixian recalls something her Brother Mu once said; could that have been a test?

Instantly, Huo Shuixian became restless!

“Sister Shuixian, if we cooperate, Gu Changsheng’s death is only a matter of time; why should you be so anxious?” Yhan Qinrui’s lips curled up in a disdainful smile as she gently spoke, reassurance in her tones.

Upon hearing this, Huo Shuixian glared at her, “What do you know? Dealing with Gu Changsheng is not easy! No, I need to find a way to confirm it, that wretch! That wretch!”

While saying this, Huo Shuixian stood up and walked out hurriedly.

Seeing this, Yhan Qinrui quickly stood up to see her off, a sly victorious smile still lingering on her lips.