Fate Trading System – Chapter 195

Plan A

Guiding Stars 11

Reason

In this world, where there is light, there is shadow; where there are the strong, there are the weak.

People always revere the strong and sympathize with the weak – this is both a sense of justice and kindness.

It is a feeling that can be respected by others, and also used by others.

If given a choice, Su Xin would definitely choose to be the strong one.

However, when circumstances force it, presenting oneself as the weak one might not be a bad method.

“You’re talking nonsense and slandering me. Clearly, you hit me first, that’s why I hit back.”

“So, Er Meimei, you’re saying that after I left the training grounds, I went alone to cause trouble for you? And while you had many palace servants with you, I still struck you first, is that right?”

“That’s exactly right.”

Yue Xinglan nodded, wearing an extremely wronged expression. Although she was the one who went to cause trouble for Su Xin, she insisted that Su Xin had bullied her first – no problem, that’s how it was.

“Mother Emperor, please uphold justice for Er Chen. Da Huangdi struck me first, I had no choice…”

The Emperor’s expression had become extremely ugly, so dark it seemed water could drip from it.

Su Xin gave a helpless bitter smile, looking at the Emperor with a face full of sadness, her enduring demeanor very much arousing sympathy.

The Emperor detested seeing sisters at odds the most, because when she ascended to the throne, she had taken advantage of such a situation. Therefore, she didn’t want her daughters to become like that – turning against each other, fighting to the death, until finally the good imperial bloodline would become riddled with holes.

What if the children fought too viciously and let others take advantage of the situation? Wouldn’t that be a great loss?

“You, tell me what happened?”

The Emperor pointed at the leader of the Imperial Guard squad who had entered. That guard stepped forward and clearly stated everything she had just witnessed – it was simple, as she had only seen one scene.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, when this humble servant heard the commotion and entered, I saw several palace servants pinning the First Princess down on the ground, and the Second Princess had her foot on the First Princess’s back. That is all this humble servant witnessed.”

The Imperial Guard didn’t say anything more, nor did she embellish the facts – just spoke truthfully with an upright expression.

“Number Two, well well, you’ve grown quite bold, haven’t you?”

The Emperor wasn’t foolish – she immediately understood the whole situation. Furious to the point of laughing, she coldly stared at her second daughter who was kneeling nervously on the ground.

“Mother Emperor… Er Chen didn’t…”

“Didn’t what? You didn’t what? Are you saying your Jiejie is so stupid that she would come alone to cause trouble for your group? Was it your Huangdi who forced you to have people pin her to the ground and beat her? Was it your Huangdi who held a knife and forced you to step on her back? Oh, Number Two, with such lack of proper conduct, I really don’t know how your Imperial Consort Father raised you.”

The Emperor was clearly enraged, her stern questioning voiced loudly, showing no intention of saving face for Yue Xinglan.

Hearing the palace message, two groups of people hurrying to arrive just happened to hear the Emperor’s words.

These words contained quite a lot of information. The Emperor Consort cast an astonished glance at the Worthy Consort, who had met the same fate as himself on this narrow path, and showed a mocking smile.

Yue Xingyao and the Emperor Consort focused on different points – she concentrated on other content in the Emperor’s words.

What? Da Huangdi was bullied, and bullied by many against one?

Er Huangdi actually had a group of palace servants pin Da Huangdi to the ground and beat her, and even stepped on Da Huangdi’s back?

Yue Xingyao’s heart immediately flared with anger, and she had to clench her fists to control herself from rushing in immediately.

How dare she! Yue Xinglan!

Yue Xingyao viciously repeated those three characters in her heart, her eyes carrying a dark shadow, but quickly concealed that expression so others couldn’t see it, maintaining her usual cold and indifferent exterior.

“Your Majesty… Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”

The Worthy Consort, upon hearing the Emperor’s words, knew things had gone badly wrong – a serious matter had occurred.

He hurriedly went to beg forgiveness, and severely slapped Yue Xinglan.

“Lan’er is mischievous, Your Majesty knows she has always been respectful and courteous. This time she might have played too roughly with the First Princess, without any other intention. Lan’er, quickly admit your mistake!”

The Worthy Consort nearly ground his silver teeth to pieces, disciplining Yue Xinglan first to prevent others from finding fault, while actually trying to prevent the Emperor from giving his Lan’er an even more severe punishment.

Yue Xinglan was almost stunned by that slap, unable to comprehend why her usually doting Imperial Consort Father had suddenly struck her like this. The intense pain on her face reminded her of reality. Seeing her Imperial Consort Father’s urging gaze, Yue Xinglan covered her face and admitted her fault.

“Mother Emperor… Er Chen only wanted to communicate with Jiejie, but somehow Jiejie suddenly struck me. All these palace servants saw it – she hit me first, then we started fighting. Just now things indeed went too far… Mother Emperor… Er Chen admits wrong…”

Yue Xinglan spoke while sobbing, crying very pitifully.

After walking in, Yue Xingyao’s eyes fixed directly on Su Xin, who was being supported by Jinxiu, looking quite miserable with disheveled clothes and loose hair. Unable to hide her concern, she ran from the Emperor Consort’s side to Su Xin’s location.

“Oh? Chen’er struck you first? That’s something I find hard to believe.”

The Emperor’s expression hadn’t improved much, but that terrifying look had faded, gradually becoming gentler.

“Er Chen’s palace servants can testify. Er Chen doesn’t know why…”

Yue Xinglan was still a child after all. Although she hadn’t cried much before, she could still employ this skill – crying quite miserably.

Su Xin remained silent, standing there blankly with a deathly pale face, showing a wooden attitude toward Yue Xinglan’s words.

“Er Meimei, everyone here is your person, so of course you can say whatever you want. How would your palace servants dare to disobey your orders? You say I struck you first, then where’s the evidence? Don’t make baseless accusations without distinguishing right from wrong. Er Meimei, please present your evidence.”

Su Xin stopped Jinxiu from tidying her clothes, letting herself stand there looking pitiful, and started to shed a couple of tears – which she could still manage. If she had to wail loudly like Yue Xinglan, she couldn’t do it – after all, in her core, she wasn’t really an 11-year-old child.

“Evidence, the evidence is right on my body! You hit me so hard it hurts!”

Yue Xinglan seemed to have found something to rely on, becoming confident, no longer crying. She wiped her tears and started to undo her clothes.

Her belly was fair and tender, without any marks whatsoever.

Yue Xinglan’s expression changed as she touched and pressed her stomach, putting her hand where it hurt and pressing gently. She couldn’t help but let out a sound of pain, yet there were no marks on the skin at all.

“Mother Emperor, please uphold justice for Er Chen.”

This time it was Su Xin’s turn to say these words. Yue Xingyao didn’t make a sound or help her case, only touching Su Xin’s hand with her small hand.

Yue Xingyao knew the Mother Emperor didn’t like her – speaking up might backfire. The Emperor Consort thought the same, so he stood quietly on the side without a word.

Although the Emperor Consort didn’t particularly like Su Xin, comparatively, he hated the Worthy Consort and his little bastard more, so he naturally took pleasure in seeing their misfortune.

“Lan’er!”

The Worthy Consort had initially thought his daughter could produce some solid evidence, which would help them turn the situation around, but unexpectedly there were no marks at all, and his daughter’s performance there became quite laughable.

This time it was over – there was nothing more to say.

The Emperor indeed found it absurd. Seeing this well-raised child putting on a show of false accusations and frameups, she felt extremely disappointed in her daughter who she had thought was excellent, never expecting her to be like this in private.

“Confined for one month. During this month, there’s no need to go to the Imperial Tutor for lessons. Let Number Three and Number Four go instead – give the Imperial Tutor some relief. You’ll accompany her too. I really don’t know how you as her Imperial Consort Father raised her, to actually educate a child to become like this.”

The Emperor delivered the punishment decisively – the simplest confinement – and didn’t give the Worthy Consort any good treatment.

The Worthy Consort knew this wasn’t the right time to plead for mercy, and could only helplessly lead away Yue Xinglan, who still had a handprint on her face and was muttering something incoherently.

“Chen’er, you’ve been wronged this time. Next time, have two more palace servants accompany you, don’t go alone. Whatever rewards you want, just tell Mother Emperor, and Mother Emperor will try her best to fulfill them.”

The Emperor changed her demeanor, speaking gently to Su Xin.

“Er Chen has no particular desires. I suppose this time Er Meimei was just being too playful, wanting to joke with me. However, this joke went too far. Mother Emperor confining her for half a month is already sufficient.”

Su Xin actually wanted to say ‘take Yue Xinglan out and beat her,’ but on the surface, she had to act like a very magnanimous elder sister, because she knew this was exactly the response the Emperor wanted.

It’s laughable really – in any world, victims are held to high standards. After receiving an apology, they must accept it, maintain composure, show generosity, and forget past grievances. If they persist, they’re labeled as petty and ruthless.

‘They’ve already apologized to you, what more do you want?’

What more? Mind your own business – is it not allowed to reject an apology?

As an old saying goes, “If apologies were enough, what would we need police for?”

Can a simple ‘sorry’ erase all harm? Impossible.

Su Xin didn’t really have thoughts of not letting it go, as she wasn’t entirely a ‘victim’ after all. She had already taught enough of a lesson – let Yue Xinglan suffer a bit for now and learn from it.

However, Su Xin felt that father and daughter pair wouldn’t let her off easily. After all, this was such a great humiliation – the Worthy Consort and Yue Xinglan couldn’t possibly just let it pass.

Meet soldiers with generals, meet floods with soil [兵來将擋，水來土淹 | bīng lái jiāng dǎng, shuǐ lái tǔ yān | idiom meaning to meet challenges head-on].

Su Xin wasn’t in a hurry. Since she had already prepared to take action, she had considered the follow-up matters as well.

Fourteen, help me monitor these two people. If there’s any mention of matters concerning me, remember to report it.

【No problem.】

Having this system was indeed comforting. Not only did it possess powerful calculation capabilities, but also real-time monitoring and situation summary functions. These three points were enough for her to do many things – being able to seize the initiative, nothing was more lethal when facing enemies.

The Emperor’s coldness toward the Emperor Consort had reached the point of completely disregarding face. The Emperor Consort was clearly standing beside her and respectfully performed a greeting, yet the Emperor acted as if she hadn’t seen it, giving no response and leaving the place with her people.

The Emperor Consort maintained a perfect expression, rising naturally without any awkwardness, but his merciless fist betrayed his unsettled mood.

A day as spouses brings a hundred days of affection [一日夫妻百日恩 | yī rì fū qī bǎi rì ēn | idiom about marital bonds], yet the Emperor was being too disrespectful. There were still palace servants from his palace here – though no outsiders, who knew if these people would gossip.

Those palace servants stared at the ground one by one, playing deaf and mute. The Emperor Consort looked around, glancing at Yue Xingyao who was holding Su Xin’s hand. As he turned, his sleeve made an unpleasant sound.

The Emperor Consort departed with a sweep of his sleeves [拂袖而去 | fú xiù ér qù | to leave in anger], his palace servants following, leaving only the three of them behind.

“Huangdi, are you alright? Where did they hit you? Are you injured anywhere? Does your back hurt?”

Seeing no outsiders remained, Yue Xingyao spoke freely, hurriedly asking with concern.

“It’s nothing serious. After going back, washing up and applying some medicine will be fine. Those palace servants didn’t dare hit too hard, they were just putting on a show.”

Yue Xinglan’s palace servants were much more perceptive than their mistress, but what use was their perception when they didn’t serve a good master? Their fate after returning wouldn’t be good – how unfortunate they were to have followed Yue Xinglan out today.

The Worthy Consort probably wouldn’t punish his own daughter, given his extraordinary doting on Yue Xinglan, but those servants were a different matter. Transferring anger was something people in this palace were skilled at.

“I have medicine at my place. If you want, I’ll bring it all over. Let me check later where exactly you’re injured, and I’ll apply the medicine for you.”

“No need, letting Jinxiu apply medicine for me later is fine. Having Wu Meimei apply medicine would be too overwhelming.”

“But I’m worried about you. Just let me take a look, alright?”

Yue Xingyao lowered her head dejectedly, looking completely dispirited. She pinched the corner of her clothes, appearing quite pitiful.

Su Xin still firmly rejected her. Though grateful for this sister’s concern, they really didn’t need to become any closer.

Time would wear away many things, Su Xin firmly believed.

Wait another year, after one more year, her opportunity would come, Su Xin thought.

Su Xin’s injuries weren’t really serious, just a few places with bruising, and because she had been pinned to the ground while having to act like she was struggling, her knees were somewhat scraped.

These injuries were nothing compared to what Su Xin had experienced before. It was just that final step Yue Xinglan took on her back that made her extremely displeased – she very much wanted to step back on her, but actually doing so would be beneath her dignity. Better to wait until Yue Xinglan grew a bit older; that would be more interesting.

But Jinxiu clearly didn’t think this way. He looked painfully at the marks on Su Xin’s body, his fragile male nerves making him almost cry, though he forcefully suppressed that impulse.

Su Xin’s skin was naturally fair, nurtured by the palace’s finest things. Any scars would immediately be treated with ointments, keeping her body basically pure white and flawless. This made those few injuries appear even more striking, especially the bruising on her knees.

“My poor master, next time I’ll definitely follow you. What if something like this happens again? Second Princess is truly too overbearing, actually doing such things. It’s really contemptible, completely lacking in proper etiquette.”

Jinxiu felt his master had been hurt not just physically, but also mentally – the proud dignity of an imperial princess. Jinxiu had an audacious thought, his hands itching with the desire to strike the Second Princess.

Let you step, let you step! Think you’re so great! I’ll burst your chest! Though there’s nothing there!

While watching his master bathe herself, Jinxiu’s rich inner world played out these little scenes in his mind.

It proved that fantasizing [YY | yóu yǎn | internet slang for fantasy] was indeed very effective for saving one’s mood. Although it couldn’t be put into action, just thinking about it was quite satisfying.

Su Xin soaked comfortably in the water, unaware of what Jinxiu beside her was thinking, while calculating her own matters in her mind.

Shortly after, Su Xin felt it was enough and rose from the bath. Seeing this, Jinxiu immediately helped Su Xin to the shore, using a towel to dry her body. Su Xin was still young now – at eleven years old, there was no need for propriety concerns.

Su Xin walked to the bed wearing a bathrobe, and once her body was dried, let Jinxiu apply medicine.

After applying medicine, Jinxiu placed her sleeping clothes beside Su Xin’s bed, bowed slightly, and withdrew.

Su Xin planned to wait until the medicine was fully absorbed before dressing, and Jinxiu understood her intention, so he left the sleeping clothes at her bedside.

Although Jinxiu attended to Su Xin’s dressing, undergarments were always handled by Su Xin herself.

Su Xin lay bare in her bedding, initially intending to dress, but sleeping unclothed felt quite comfortable. Although the clothes were within reach, Su Xin closed her eyes, deciding to sleep unclothed for the night.

She was still a child after all – sleeping unclothed wasn’t really improper.

While Su Xin prepared to sleep comfortably, Yue Xingyao’s side had fallen into low spirits.

Yue Xingyao sat at her bedside, appearing dejected, picking at her fingernails, lost in thought.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong today? Why are you so unhappy?”

The speaker was Liujin, who had always followed Yue Xingyao. He was naturally introverted, somewhat reclusive, and had been warned not to be talkative in front of Yue Xingyao, making him increasingly silent, somewhat similar to Yue Xingyao.

This master and servant pair was the type who could sit face-to-face all day without speaking. Today, Liujin had been busy with assigned tasks, so he hadn’t accompanied Yue Xingyao to the incident site. The Emperor Consort had only brought a few people along, knowing he was just going through the motions. There was no need to bring too many people – if the Emperor saw that, She might even rebuke him for being too ostentatious.

Liujin saw that after Yue Xingyao returned from accompanying the Emperor Consort somewhere, she remained dejected, whether during meals or bathing, her delicate little face remained stern, even revealing an air of depression and sorrow.

His master rarely showed such expressions now – usually when she did, it was related to that person.

The First Princess, Yue Xingchen.

So Liujin, who rarely spoke, took the initiative to speak up, wanting to help his master resolve her worries.

Many sorrowful things can’t be resolved by keeping them bottled up inside, because there’s only one result from holding them in – those matters rot and fester. Sometimes, speaking about things can actually reduce the pain significantly.

Yue Xingyao still kept her head down, fidgeting with her fingers, not responding to Liujin.

Liujin’s face showed an awkward blush – that question had used up all his courage, and he likely wouldn’t speak up again for quite some time.

Just as Liujin was about to withdraw, Yue Xingyao suddenly spoke from the bed.

“Liujin, why do you think she’s always unwilling to become closer to me? She seems unwilling to let me get too near her, or to have too good a relationship with her. Why is that?”

Five-year-old student Yue Xingyao was very dejected. This was a question she could never find an answer to. She was too embarrassed to ask directly, and she understood that even if she did, Su Xin would only brush it off lightly rather than answer directly, until she grew old enough to have proper conversations.

Su Xin always treated her as a child, and indeed she was a child. Su Xin considered her thoughts too childish, not rational enough, not mature enough, not sufficient to discuss many things with her. Su Xin believed she couldn’t understand the emotions she spoke of.

Yue Xingyao understood all this clearly, but had no way to change it.

Just as she had no way of knowing why Su Xin was so persistent in keeping her out of her world.

Liujin certainly knew who the ‘she’ his master spoke of was.

Who else could it be but that person?

“The First Princess hasn’t been keeping you at a distance, has she? Aren’t you two close?”

“No.”

Yue Xingyao shook her head – it had always been just her stubbornly wanting to stay there, while Su Xin merely took an accepting and tolerant attitude, neither driving her away nor using any absolute reasons, or rather, not taking a decisive stance to push her away.

“But I think your relationship is very good. Look, the First Princess doesn’t associate with others, only with you.”

Liujin wanted to comfort his master, but felt his words were useless, as Yue Xingyao didn’t seem consoled.

“There must be something standing between us, but I can’t find what it is.”

Yue Xingyao unhappily furrowed her brows.

“Perhaps it’s because you’re both princesses, and not born of the same father?”

Liujin speculated – this was actually the most likely guess, but most people wouldn’t dare speak this reason aloud, as there were too many taboos. If one delved into deeper matters, it was simply unthinkable.

“But weren’t we raised by the same Imperial Father, weren’t we?”

The current Yue Xingyao still believed strongly in deep affection and friendship.

“This servant doesn’t know if these words should be spoken, because if others heard, this servant might… Master, think about it – how does Emperor Consort Niangniang treat the First Princess? According to what this slave has heard from others in the palace, Niangniang wasn’t particularly good to the First Princess before, only providing food and drink, barely showing any concern except for occasional checks on studies. There was hardly any familial exchange between them.”

Liujin’s words were very clear – there was no real sisterly bond between you from sharing the same father.

Yue Xingyao clutched at the corner of her bedding, then dejectedly let go.

How could she not understand? It was just a self-deceiving excuse. She didn’t want to admit that Su Xin didn’t like her – that was a fact she couldn’t accept.

“There’s one more reason, the most important and likely one.”

“What is it?”

“Perhaps the First Princess also wants to sit in that position, and Your Highness… this way you’re destined to become enemies in the future. That would bring pain to both of you, so the First Princess wants to push you away. The First Princess is six years older than you… Your Highness… this slave shouldn’t have spoken so much, please forgive me.”

Liujin hadn’t spoken so many words in a long time, especially such taboo matters.

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