The Veiled Woman

Today was supposed to be the day Lily Evans attended classes at the academy across the street. But after her trip to the palace, she knew she wouldn't make it back in time for the afternoon session, so she had to quickly instruct the other teachers to rearrange the schedule.

Just as Lily was handling academy matters, Bella Bell hurried in and whispered in her ear, "Master, someone wishes to see you. They say it's urgent and you must meet them immediately."

Lily glanced at Bella Bell's anxious face and nodded, "Invite them in to see me."

"Yes, Master."

Bella Bell left and, after a while, returned leading someone inside.

The visitor was dressed plainly—a young woman, judging by her graceful figure. She wore a bamboo hat, with a long veil hanging down that completely concealed her face.

Lily looked at the woman, finding her figure somewhat familiar, but for the moment couldn't recall where they'd met before.

The woman spoke first, "Princess Lily Hayes, elder sister, I have urgent news to tell you."

The voice took Lily by surprise. "It's you? Why are you dressed like this, and why come so suddenly?"

The woman lifted her veil—it was indeed Princess Ling Consort Zhao Mingting.

Zhao Mingting looked pale and her expression was grave. "Princess Lily Hayes, here's what happened. Yesterday, I was speaking with Prince Ling in the Empress's palace when the Emperor arrived and had a private talk with the Empress. Afterwards, the Empress announced to everyone that she was ill! But I saw with my own eyes that she wasn't sick at all. What's more, all the palace guards were replaced with her own trusted men, and their numbers tripled!"

"And that's not all—there's something even stranger. Long ago, the Emperor gifted Prince Ling three thousand Red Tassel Army soldiers. But just yesterday, I saw Prince Ling hand those troops over to the Imperial Guards commander, to be deployed by the Emperor! And Prince Ling accidentally let slip that the Empress's illness was just an excuse to summon the noblewomen to the palace, but the real target is you, Princess Lily Hayes, elder sister!"

Zhao Mingting spoke rapidly, her urgency growing. "Princess Lily Hayes, elder sister, as soon as I found a chance, I disguised myself and rushed here to warn you. The Empress summoning you to the palace is definitely not as simple as it seems. Elder sister, I hope you stay vigilant and prepare yourself."

After hearing Zhao Mingting's words, Lily Evans's expression turned grave.

She hadn't thought there was anything suspicious about the Empress summoning the noblewomen to the palace, but now, after hearing Zhao Mingting's warning, she felt a chill run down her spine. The Empress was faking illness, the Emperor was gathering all the troops, and then inviting her into the palace—wasn't this a trap?

Lily Evans knew this was no small matter. She said to Zhao Mingting, "Thank you for risking so much to warn me, younger sister. I will never forget this favor!"

With that, Lily took a box from a hidden compartment in the cabinet, pulled out a contract, and placed it in Zhao Mingting's hand. "This is the deed to an embroidery workshop in the capital. It's a business I set up privately, and no one knows it's connected to the Prince of Qin's Manor. Now, I'm giving this workshop to you, younger sister, as thanks for your help."

Zhao Mingting looked at the contract, a flash of excitement in her eyes.

Her dowry was modest, and she had no businesses of her own. Though she held the title of Princess Ling Consort, her life was far from glamorous, and her meager allowance was barely enough.

Zhao Mingting had always relied on Lily Evans, drawn to her wealth. Now, seeing that Lily was so generous in return for her warning, Zhao Mingting was overjoyed. She immediately said, "Elder sister, please be careful. I should head back before Prince Ling notices I'm gone."