Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 388: The Plan of Division

The Queen quietly went to the Crown Prince Mansion to visit the Crown Prince; she needed to find out exactly what was going on!

When she arrived, the Crown Prince was still in a deep sleep, intoxicated from his debauchery the night before. The Queen noticed the faint scent of alcohol clinging to him and his flushed cheeks.

She ordered the servants to fetch a basin of cold water, dismissed everyone, and poured the water directly over the Crown Prince’s head.

The icy shock jolted the Crown Prince awake abruptly. Just as he was about to lash out, he wiped the water from his face and saw the Queen standing there, her expression dark as ink.

"Mother!" The Crown Prince snapped into full alertness.

Seeing his disheveled appearance, the Queen scolded, "What manner of conduct is this?! You didn’t drink that much last night—speak! What really happened?"

The Crown Prince searched his memory of the previous night, hesitating before replying indignantly, "Last night, I... When I was passing through Fanghua Palace, I suddenly felt an unbearable heat overwhelming me... and somehow, before I realized it, I had gone inside..."

"And then?!" The Queen pressed him urgently.

The Crown Prince lowered his head, stammering, "And then... then..."

"Then you committed an illicit act with Consort Li, didn’t you?" The Queen’s voice dropped, sharp and harsh.

The Crown Prince dared not meet her gaze and only nodded lightly.

The Queen collapsed onto the bedside with a muttered lament, "Are you trying to destroy both yourself and this palace?"

Only now did the Crown Prince feel a pang of fear. As much as he was drawn to Consort Li’s alluring charms, he had not intended to risk everything by indulging her at this critical moment.

Suddenly realizing something was amiss, he grasped the Queen’s hand and exclaimed, "Mother, someone must have poisoned me!"

The Queen steadied herself, responding, "There’s certainly something suspicious about this. Si Jun and Prince Xian are unusually fixated on this matter. This is surely tied to Si Jun and that bastard child of his! If Mu Yan hadn’t covered for you by swapping Consort Li with a palace maid during the chaos, the consequences would have been severe!"

The Crown Prince clenched his teeth, declaring, "Mother, back when Si Jun framed me, I retaliated before his wedding by secretly engaging in an affair with Princess Wei... and she... she’s pregnant with my child now."

"What?!" The Queen was so stunned by this revelation she nearly fainted.

"Foolish!" Never had she imagined the Crown Prince would stoop to such a shameless act of revenge against Si Jun. What man, under such circumstances, could tolerate this sort of humiliation?

Though it had brought Si Jun immediate retribution, the repercussions were boundless.

Feeling wronged, the Crown Prince said, "Originally, I didn’t plan to let Si Jun find out about this so soon. But it’s already been exposed—there’s no further news from Bai Lu’s side."

"Do you think that unborn child still has a chance of surviving?" The Queen’s voice was icy.

"You mean Si Jun killed her?" The Crown Prince furrowed his brow.

"If you were him, would you allow an enemy’s child to live?" The Queen’s disappointment in the Crown Prince was profound.

Were he not her biological son, she might have throttled him herself.

Analyzing calmly, the Queen said, "This was undoubtedly King Wei’s doing. No one will believe you stayed in Fanghua Palace merely because you were drunk. Fortunately, the Regent King helped cover it up with a palace maid. If anyone asks, you must insist it was only the maid you spent the night with—understood?"

The Crown Prince nodded resolutely, his gaze fierce. "Mother, I really want to kill Si Jun!"

The Queen pacified him, "Right now, the situation is precarious. Stay calm and composed. To defeat an adversary, one must be patient. Strike only when the time is right, and make it a killing blow!"

Regretfully, the Crown Prince said, "Wang Qingchen told me the same thing, but I didn’t listen."

The Queen sighed deeply, saying, "You have much to learn!"

...

Two days later, Prince Qi, limping on his injured leg, quietly boarded a carriage bound for a teahouse in a secluded alley.

The teahouse was owned by Mu Yan, though it now fell under Zhan Lan’s domain.

In the secret chamber, he respectfully bowed to the person seated above him. "Greetings, Imperial Aunt."

Zhan Lan asked, "How is your injury?"

Prince Qi nodded. "Thank you, Imperial Aunt. The injury on this Prince’s leg is no longer severe."

Zhan Lan nodded in approval. "Prince Qi, those who accomplish great things throughout history are those who know how to endure and stand resilient."

Prince Qi nodded in agreement. "You are correct. Prince Xian has indeed formed a private alliance with Si Jun. Ever since this Prince used the Imperial Physician to inform Prince Xian that my leg was crippled, he has stopped visiting me entirely."

Zhan Lan consoled him, "To withdraw from this struggle, you must exercise patience. Watch as they fight it out among themselves. After all, the ultimate victor is the one who laughs last."

"Yes, Imperial Aunt, I will follow your instructions completely." Prince Qi expressed his gratitude sincerely to Zhan Lan.

Zhan Lan looked at Prince Qi intently. "This also aligns with the Regent King’s intentions. If and when your cooperation is needed in the future, do you know what to do?"

"Please rest assured, Imperial Uncle and Imperial Aunt—I understand perfectly!" Emotionally moved, Prince Qi thanked them repeatedly before quietly departing the teahouse.

Zhan Lan closed her teacup and withdrew the soft expression on her face. Her eyes gradually filled with a sharp and ruthless gleam.

Using schemes to divide and conquer from within, dismantling her enemies piece by piece, and driving the four princes to slaughter one another—this was the plan Mu Yan and she had crafted.

In their past life, the Zhan Family’s main branch had been utterly decimated. In this life, none of the Si Family would escape unscathed!

Zhan Lan wasn’t worried one bit that Prince Qi and Prince Xian might expose the identities of their backers.

First, both Prince Qi and Prince Xian were desperate to win her and the Regent King’s favor. They knew the cost of complete candidness with their adversaries.

Second, Zhan Lan understood that the so-called rapport between Prince Qi and Prince Xian was superficial; deep down, they were far from allies. Prince Qi often played the villain to enhance Prince Xian’s reputation, enduring years of humiliation and suppression.

Because Prince Qi’s mother was a concubine while Prince Xian’s mother held the position of primary consort, Prince Qi’s mother lived in constant deference to Prince Xian’s mother—both within the home and palace. Consequently, Prince Qi himself had to bow to Prince Xian’s authority.

This apparent harmony masked years of Prince Qi’s bitter compromises, which he’d long grown weary of.

Now that Prince Qi had gained support from Mu Yan and Zhan Lan, he believed he had successfully entered the game for the throne.

Prince Qi would never ally himself with Prince Xian again!

...

Zhan Lan left the teahouse and soon met up with Chu Yin to visit her master, Medical Saint Liu Jingyi.

After checking her pulse, Liu Jingyi said, "Princess, your illness is indeed a lingering condition from the battlefield. Your body requires conditioning."

Zhan Lan asked, "Divine Doctor Liu, how long will it take for me to recover?"

"Princess, you flatter me; calling me Doctor Liu suffices. Your condition may improve in as little as two to three years, or it might take longer—it’s difficult to say for certain..." Liu Jingyi folded the white diagnosis handkerchief and the brown pulse pillow beneath Zhan Lan’s wrist.

For a moment, Zhan Lan felt disheartened by his words, but she quickly steadied herself. Until the conclusion was clear, she wouldn’t admit defeat.

Chu Yin comforted her, "My master is extraordinary; you might be the one who recovers in just two years!"

While writing down a prescription, Liu Jingyi instructed, "First, decoct Lu Xian Grass, white tribulus, Cocoon Silk Seeds, Gao Liangjiang, magnolia flower, Angelica dahurica, and Xiangfu into medicinal soup. Take one dose daily. Second, use acupuncture on Guanyuan, Kidney Acupoint, Sanyinjiao, Zu San Li, Zhongji, and Ba Liao acupoints. Third, combine this regimen with medicinal baths for better results."

"I’ll handle the acupuncture for you!" Chu Yin offered.

Zhan Lan gave her a soft smile, grateful for her capable and medically skilled friend.

As they were leaving, Liu Jingyi praised Chu Yin. "Girl, you’re quite capable now—you’re nearly ready to graduate!"

An ordinary physician might not detect Zhan Lan’s difficulty in conceiving from her pulse, but Chu Yin had discerned it, demonstrating her advanced skills.

Chu Yin humbly replied, "That’s because you’re an excellent teacher. I still have much to learn!"

Liu Jingyi chuckled and shook his head. "Keep learning. From now on, Princess’s condition is entrusted to you. I won’t be able to stay for much longer this time—I must leave again in a few days."

"Understood, Master!"

...

After returning from her visit to the Medical Saint, Zhan Lan soaked in her medicinal bath. Just as she finished, Mu Yan arrived home.

Mu Yan leaned in close and remarked, "Lan’er, your fragrance has changed."

Zhan Lan smiled lightly. "I’ve been using different bath herbs lately—added orchid and other things."

Mu Yan sniffed her scent carefully. Though he found it less alluring than Zhan Lan’s natural aroma, he refrained from commenting further.

He sat in a chair, pulling Zhan Lan onto his lap.

Zhan Lan glanced sideways at him. "There’s a question I’ve been meaning to ask you."

Mu Yan looked at her expectantly.

Frowning slightly, Zhan Lan asked, "As the late emperor’s son, why do you seek vengeance against the Si Family? Is it truly for my mistreatment and to rectify the injustice I’ve suffered?"freewёbnoνel.com