Chapter 891: The Young Empress (28)

As expected, Su Qing and Nan Yunchuan eventually met with Tang Nuoyue.

Knowing that the two intended to seek her out, Tang Nuoyue deliberately left Xiao Jin behind and went out alone for the day.

When Su Qing and Nan Yunchuan spotted her, they quickly manufactured an opportunity for the three of them to "coincidentally" cross paths.

Throughout their conversation, both men were full of praise and admiration for Tang Nuoyue.

Tang Nuoyue, meanwhile, behaved no differently from how she had in the previous life. Before long, the two men had become quite familiar with her.

Eventually, Xiao Jin learned of their intentions as well.

He had no objections to the two men drawing close to Tang Nuoyue.

Every time they met afterward, their gathering place was Tang Nuoyue's residence.

All three of them were constantly searching for opportunities to win over Tang Nuoyue's principal husband, Shan Ge, and her male consort, Yin Qiu.

Unfortunately, every attempt ended in failure because Tang Nuoyue always managed to create situations beyond their control.

For example, whenever Shan Ge and Yin Qiu appeared, they would inevitably look at the three men with obvious disgust.

Su Qing, Nan Yunchuan, and Xiao Jin didn't particularly care. They simply wanted more allies on their side—more people who could help deceive Tang Nuoyue.

However, every single time Shan Ge and Yin Qiu displayed their disdain, Tang Nuoyue just happened to witness it.

"What?" Tang Nuoyue frowned. "Am I not even allowed to meet with a few people?"

Her expression darkened as she looked at Shan Ge.

"Principal Husband, are you really so incapable of tolerating me liking other people?"

"How can someone so jealous be worthy of being my principal husband?"

Shan Ge felt so wronged that he nearly exploded.

His hatred toward Xiao Jin and the other two only deepened.

He had become Tang Nuoyue's principal husband long before these events, so he had no idea that Su Qing and Nan Yunchuan were men from the imperial harem.

In his eyes, they were merely two ambitious men trying to climb the ladder of wealth and status.

He despised them and secretly hated them.

With Xiao Jin, a prince of extraordinary status, already threatening their positions, the appearance of two more outstanding men naturally put Shan Ge and Yin Qiu on guard.

"As for you, Yin Qiu..."

Tang Nuoyue's gaze shifted coldly.

"Forget the Principal Husband. You're nothing more than a mere consort. How dare you meddle in my affairs?"

Yin Qiu's face turned pale.

Pressing his lips tightly together, he immediately dropped to his knees.

"This is Yin Qiu's fault. I beg Your Highness to forgive me."

Looking at Yin Qiu's submissive posture, Tang Nuoyue couldn't help recalling the night of her death.

That arrogant Yin Qiu who had stood above her and kicked her while she lay dying.

Yes.

Even as she died, those men had insisted on humiliating her one final time.

"Good that you know you're at fault."

Tang Nuoyue sneered.

"Remember your place. You are only one of my consorts. Even the Principal Husband has no right to control me."

She looked at both men coldly.

"Who I choose to like is none of your business. If I see either of you showing disrespect toward Yunchuan or Su Qing again, then there will no longer be a place for you in the Moon Prince's residence."

Those words genuinely frightened Yin Qiu.

He had originally been sent to the Moon Prince's residence as a gift.

If the Moon Prince no longer wanted him, his fate would be miserable.

"Your Highness, Yin Qiu would never dare again."

Shan Ge wanted to say something.

Then he remembered the whip that had once lashed across his face.

Even if the Prince had been foolish at the time, she still wasn't someone they could casually provoke.

Looking at Yin Qiu, who was nearly collapsing onto the floor, Shan Ge quickly shut his mouth and swallowed whatever words remained.

After Shan Ge and Yin Qiu withdrew, Tang Nuoyue immediately put on the demeanor of a young woman wronged by circumstance.

At present, her relationship with Su Qing and Nan Yunchuan remained completely innocent.

They interacted only as friends.

Naturally, she felt obligated to explain herself.

"Su Qing, Yunchuan, please don't misunderstand. They were simply being unreasonable."

Her brows furrowed slightly.

"I can't even make a few friends without them interfering. Sometimes I truly wonder whether what you've said is correct."

A trace of suspicion crossed her face.

"Perhaps the Empress really does want to harm me."

Her eyes narrowed.

"Those two could very well be the Empress's people."