Chapter 73 – Rebirth: The Poisonous Concubine (14)
As Bai Mo stood up, a wave of numbness spread from his feet to his calves after sitting for too long. His legs lost strength for a moment, causing him to stumble slightly, but Yu Chenyi quickly caught him.
“I’ve fallen~ Brother Chenyi has to carry me now~” Bai Mo whined playfully, dragging out the last syllable in a soft, teasing voice.
“I-I’ll carry you, Mo Mo,” Yu Chenyi stammered, his ears turning red as he bent down for Bai Mo to climb onto his back.
The young eunuch leading the way glanced at them. In the dimly lit imperial garden, their figures overlapped as they moved together.
Occasionally, Yu Chenyi’s low voice could be heard saying, “Mo Mo, behave” or “Don’t mess around,” while Bai Mo’s soft and sweet voice responded playfully. It was clear he was up to some mischief.
Young Master Bai really has Young Master Yu wrapped around his finger.
The eunuch watched with a tinge of envy before remembering his own situation—he had already been stripped of the chance to experience such emotions. A wave of sadness passed through him.
Outside the Flower Viewing Banquet
The noble ladies gathered in small groups, chatting and admiring the flowers. Their laughter and the scent of their fine clothes filled the air, creating a lively yet elegant atmosphere. But if one looked closely, it became clear that something was off.
Most of the young ladies weren’t actually paying attention to the rare flowers, nor were they glancing at the noblemen in the distance. Instead, their eyes were fixed on Wei Yuyan, who stood not far away.
Wei Yuyan wasn’t particularly outstanding in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. She wasn’t skilled in embroidery or household management either. Yet, she carried herself with an air of superiority, relying solely on her father’s status as the Prime Minister.
In the past, people tolerated her arrogance because she was the future consort of the Third Prince. They endured it, giving in to her whims. But after the kidnapping incident, everything changed. Wei Yuyan had been involved, and though the case was closed, it was only because the Emperor had chosen to let the matter slide out of respect for the Prime Minister.
How could people not be resentful?
Especially when her excuse for escaping punishment was unconvincing.
Some even wondered if the other kidnapped noble ladies had simply been unlucky, or if they had unknowingly offended Wei Yuyan and ended up as targets of her revenge.
Those who were indifferent to Wei Yuyan now found her annoying, while those who already disliked her resented her even more. Rumors spread within noble circles, claiming that she not only sought to have two suitors at once but had even gone as far as to shamelessly seduce men in their own homes.
The uninformed eagerly gossiped, while those who knew the truth gritted their teeth in anger. This woman was not only foolish but also ruthless and greedy. Fortunately, Mo Mo wasn’t here today—otherwise, she would surely have taken advantage of the Empress Dowager’s unawareness and fondness for her to make things difficult for him.
“Elder Sister Chen, she’s heading toward the noblemen’s side,” a young noble lady, still somewhat naïve, whispered to an older girl.
The other young ladies, out of propriety, hadn’t rushed to speak with the noblemen immediately. However, Wei Yuyan, with memories of her past life, saw this as an opportunity. She knew which men would one day hold immense power, and she also knew that many of them would eventually support Bai Mo.
Her plan was simple: she had to win over those future influential figures before Bai Mo did. If she couldn’t recruit them to her side, she at least had to prevent them from standing behind him.
“Let’s just observe for now. No need to rush. She wouldn’t dare cause trouble here in the palace,” said the daughter of Minister Chen calmly.
In her previous life, Yu Chenyi and Bai Mo had not been invited to the Flower Viewing Banquet, and Wei Yuyan had been so eager to secure powerful allies that she hadn’t noticed their arrival. In fact, she had walked right past them—back to back—without even realizing it.
Meanwhile, the young eunuch leading the way brought Bai Mo and Yu Chenyi to their destination. Bai Mo remained on Yu Chenyi’s back, cheerfully greeting the young noble ladies as they passed. Only when they reached Cining Palace did he finally hop down.
“Thank you for your hard work, eunuch,” Bai Mo said politely. Yu Chenyi then pulled out a small pouch and slipped it into the eunuch’s hands. The eunuch weighed it in his palm, feeling its satisfying heaviness, and his face lit up with joy.
“Young Master Bai, Young Master Yu, please wait a moment. I will announce your arrival.” The eunuch turned and entered the palace.
Before long, the Empress Dowager’s trusted senior maid came out, her face blossoming into a warm smile as she welcomed them inside.
The Empress Dowager sat high on the main seat, while the noblewomen of officials’ families were seated in orderly rows on either side. Behind them stood two large folding screens, where some of the younger noblewomen—either newly married or still youthful—hid themselves, as it was considered improper for them to meet young men face-to-face.
“Your humble subjects pay our respects to the Empress Dowager…” Bai Mo and Yu Chenyi spoke in perfect unison, demonstrating seamless coordination.
The elderly often enjoyed lively company, and nothing was more lively than watching the younger generation build their families. The Empress Dowager had long heard of Bai Mo and Yu Chenyi’s deeds, and knowing they were an engaged couple, her interest grew even stronger. She gestured for them to stand and approach so she could get a closer look.
Yu Chenyi was strikingly handsome, while Bai Mo was adorably delicate—a truly perfect match, as if heaven itself had destined them for each other.
At least, on the surface, they appeared flawlessly compatible.
“Come, Mo Mo, sit by my side. Let me have a good look at you.” Compared to Yu Chenyi, the Empress Dowager favored the petite and exquisite Bai Mo, as he naturally evoked a motherly affection.
“Handsome, truly handsome. Madam Bai, you have raised and taught him well.” The first half of her remark was directed at Bai Mo, while the latter was meant for Bai Mo’s mother, who sat below.
“You flatter me, Your Majesty,” Madam Bai replied modestly, though the way she held her back straight revealed her undeniable pride. This was her son—how could she not be proud?
The Empress Dowager then inquired about the night of the human trafficking incident. Bai Mo and Yu Chenyi, now forced to retell the events once again, added more details than what the officials had previously reported.
With no other choice, Bai Mo narrated the perilous night in perfect sync with Yu Chenyi, drawing gasps of shock from the noblewomen present.
Just as they were speaking, a guard entered the hall to announce the arrival of the Third Prince.
Has the male lead, Lan Gaoyi, arrived?
The sleepy Xiao Bobao woke up instantly and stretched his neck to look at the palace gate.
A few breaths later, Lan Gaoyi, clad in a sky-blue robe, strode forward and respectfully bowed before the Empress Dowager.
Meanwhile, Bai Mo found himself wrapped in the Empress Dowager’s embrace. He instinctively wanted to break free, but she held him firmly, leaving him no choice but to receive the prince’s ceremonial kneeling from within her arms.
Xiao Bobao inner monologue: Don’t kneel to me, there’s no point. Even if you beg, I will never approve of you and Mo Mo getting together. A scumbag like you belongs with a scheming woman. The male and female leads are locked together, and I’ve swallowed the key.
Bai Mo nearly burst out laughing at Xiao Bobao’s endless grumbling, his lips curving into a shallow dimple, his brows arching with mirth.
That exact moment, as he lifted his head upon being called, his eyes met Lan Gaoyi’s gaze.
And in that instant—it was as if time stood still.
Lan Gaoyi had finally found the person he had been searching for all along.
Lan Gaoyi clutched his pounding heart, the disappointment from the Lantern Festival now completely mended.
“Imperial Grandmother, who is this?” Lan Gaoyi asked, his eyes fixed on Bai Mo, not even daring to blink, as if looking away for a second might make the boy disappear.
The Empress Dowager chuckled and tightened her hold on the young man who was trying to escape. “This is the second son of Minister Bai. He made great contributions in the recent human trafficking case,” she said, then winked at the Third Prince, signaling that this was a talent favored by the Emperor himself. If you want to win him over, do it quickly before the other princes get to him first.
Among her grandchildren, all were filial, but the Empress Dowager favored Lan Gaoyi the most—he carried half of her bloodline, after all. She hoped he would one day ascend to the throne.
Lan Gaoyi understood the unspoken message hidden in her words. He bowed from afar, his posture graceful and deliberate. “Young Master Bai.”
Bai Mo hurriedly returned the courtesy, waving his hands in polite denial. Receiving such a formal bow from this scumbag… was there a chance it would shorten his lifespan?
Unaware of Bai Mo’s inner thoughts, Lan Gaoyi mistook his flustered reaction for shyness and his smile deepened.
Yu Chenyi, who had been left in the cold, frowned deeply. The amiable exchange between the two men was a piercing thorn in his heart, no matter how he looked at it.
So, this is what they mean by “when love rivals meet, their eyes burn red with jealousy.”
Both Yu Chenyi and Lan Gaoyi were keenly aware of each other’s presence—only those with the same kind of feelings could sense a competitor from miles away.
Yu Chenyi interrupted with impeccable politeness, yet with a firm undertone: “Your Highness is too courteous. My family’s Mo Mo is undeserving of such honor.”
Mo Mo? My family’s?
Lan Gaoyi instantly picked up on those two crucial details. His sharp gaze darkened.
Yu Chenyi met his stare head-on, neither backing down nor showing weakness. Their invisible battle of wills clashed midair, and the tension in the room thickened.
Then, suddenly, the Empress Dowager broke the heavy silence with a lighthearted question, her smile warm and knowing.
“Has Mo Mo and Chenyi set a wedding date yet?” she asked, turning her attention toward Madam Bai.
“In response to the Empress Dowager, Madam Yu and I are in the process of selecting an auspicious date,” Madam Bai replied.
Speaking about her son’s marriage, she felt a mix of joy and sorrow—her child had grown up and was about to start his own family, but that also meant he would soon leave her side.
Sensing the shift in mood, Madam Yu stepped forward at the right moment, seamlessly cooperating with Madam Bai, effectively redirecting the conversation and allowing everyone to forget the Third Prince’s earlier moment of indiscretion.
With the topic of marriage in the air, the women in the room chimed in enthusiastically, offering suggestions to Madam Bai and Madam Yu. Surrounded by a flood of maternal warmth and teasing, even the usually fearless little snow ferret, Bai Mo, couldn’t help but blush. Flustered, he dove straight into the embrace of the most powerful person in the room, seeking shelter.
“Empress Dowager, I’m still young…” he murmured, his voice tinged with embarrassment.
Laughter erupted throughout Cining Palace. Bai Mo hadn’t even realized that the biggest “instigator” of his predicament was none other than the very person he had chosen as his safe haven—the Empress Dowager.
“Hahaha, look at our little Mo Mo getting shy! See what you’ve done, scaring the child like that,” the Empress Dowager chuckled.
Whether she had truly noticed Lan Gaoyi’s intentions or was simply choosing to ignore them, one thing was clear—on the surface, at least, she was siding with Yu Chenyì.
“This marriage was arranged by the late Emperor himself,” she continued, “and as his widow, I will see to it that his wishes are fulfilled. I’ll have the Imperial Astronomer select a fortunate date for the wedding.”
Some rejoiced, while others despaired. And among the latter was the Third Prince, Lan Gaoyi. He had only just found someone who made his heart race, and now, in the blink of an eye, that very person was about to marry someone else.
To fall in love for the first time only to be heartbroken immediately… how utterly devastating.
“Imperial Grandmother…” Lan Gaoyi began, but before he could say more, the Empress Dowager cut him off.
“This matter, San’er, you will handle it personally on my behalf,” she decreed, deliberately assigning the task to the Third Prince rather than the Grand Eunuch. Not only did this allow her to maintain control over the situation, but it also gave the Bai and Yu families a favor to remember.
Lan Gaoyi clenched his jaw but had no choice but to accept. “Your grandson understands,” he said, his eyes burning with jealousy as they fell upon Yu Chenyi, whose hand was being tightly held by Bai Mo.
Yu Chenyi had already sensed Lan Gaoyi’s intentions earlier, and yet, he dared to challenge him, refusing to yield. This matter was far from over.
With the official discussions concluded, the Empress Dowager dismissed the gathering, inviting everyone to enjoy the garden.
The moment they stepped outside, Bai Mo eagerly pulled Yu Chenyi toward the refreshments table.
He was starving! They had said there would be food at the Empress Dowager’s palace, yet he had been forced to sit through endless conversations on an empty stomach.
Ravenous, the young man devoured the food with an urgency akin to a starving wolf.
Yu Chenyi, standing by his side, silently tended to him—serving soup, wiping his lips and hands, preventing him from picking at his food, and ensuring he didn’t overindulge in any single dish.
“Eating in moderation is best,” Yu Chenyi reminded him gently, placing a comforting hand on Bai Mo’s back.
“Mo Mo, slow down,” Yu Chenyi urged with patience. He was perhaps the only one willing to humor the young man; had it been anyone else, they likely would have just let Bai Mo do as he pleased.
As Bai Mo ate, he suddenly turned to the nearby eunuch and asked, “Excuse me, can I place an order?”
The eunuch, slightly surprised but quick to respond, bowed respectfully. “Whatever Young Master Bai wishes to eat, I will have the kitchen prepare it immediately.”
Ordinarily, someone like Bai Mo wouldn’t have the privilege of making personal requests to the Imperial Kitchen. However, the Emperor had given specific instructions: Bai Mo was to be well taken care of, and any reasonable request should be accommodated.
Satisfied, Bai Mo thanked the eunuch politely. When fresh pastries were brought out, he carefully picked up the plate and made his way toward Madam Bai.
Good things should be shared.
Madam Bai had spent the entire evening engaged in conversation with the Empress Dowager and had barely eaten. She was probably hungry by now.
Bai Mo lightly jogged forward, greeting familiar noblewomen along the way. Between the casual exchanges and cheerful laughter, he became distracted and failed to notice what lay ahead.
Ordinarily, there wouldn’t have been an issue—it was just a straight path. But suddenly, someone rushed out in front of him.
Bai Mo managed to stop himself just in time, but the plate of pastries did not. The delicate treats flew straight into the face of the person before him.
“What do you think you’re doing?!”
Wei Yuyan angrily swatted away the food, but her gaze shifted quickly upon spotting Yu Chenyi standing just behind Bai Mo. A plan formed in her mind instantly.
Feigning distress, she deliberately twisted her ankle, her body swaying as if she had lost her balance, and fell forward—directly toward Bai Mo.
“Mo Mo, don’t get too close to the female lead—you’ll only bring yourself misfortune!”
The urgent warning from Xiao Bobao rang in Bai Mo’s mind. Reacting swiftly, he dodged out of the way in an instant.
Behind him stood Yu Chenyi.
Wei Yuyan’s heart leaped with joy—he was her real target all along.
As long as she and Yu Chenyi fell into the pond together, their clothes drenched, and he instinctively caught her in his arms, he would be left with no choice but to take responsibility and marry her.
And she? She would be nothing more than an innocent victim in the eyes of the onlookers.