Starting in Exile: Transmigrated as the Crown Prince's Lucky Little Wife

Chapter 97 Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan officially meet

Confined at home, Li Shuhan's eyes lit up when she learned that Jia Xiaoyan, the daughter of the wealthy Jia Dafu, had visited the Crown Prince's residence to see the Crown Princess. A plan she thought was foolproof quietly took shape in her mind. She decided to win over Jia Xiaoyan at all costs and use her to deal with Gu Liuli.

Li Shuhan managed to shake off the servants guarding her, disguised herself, and secretly arrived at the Jia residence. After having someone announce her arrival, she met Jia Xiaoyan.

"Miss Jia, I've long admired your name." Li Shuhan's face was plastered with a fake smile, and her voice was sickeningly sweet. "I've come here today because I wish to make friends with you."

Jia Xiaoyan looked at the unfamiliar woman before her, filled with doubt, but out of politeness, she invited her to sit down. "May I ask what business Miss Li has with me?"

Li Shuhan took a sip of tea, put down the teacup, and said, "Miss Jia, I know you haven't been back to the Jia family for long, so you may not be very familiar with the situation in the Nanzhao Kingdom. That Crown Princess Gu Liuli appears to be virtuous and kind, but in reality, she is very scheming. Relying on the Crown Prince's favor, she acts recklessly in the palace and suppresses other concubines."

Jia Xiaoyan frowned. Although she didn't know the specifics of Gu Liuli's situation, based on her previous interactions with Gu Liuli, she didn't believe that Gu Liuli was that kind of person. However, she patiently listened to Li Shuhan continue.

“Miss Jia, if you cooperate with me, we will definitely be able to bring down Gu Liuli. At that time, your status in the Nanzhao Kingdom will be unmatched.” Seeing that Jia Xiaoyan did not immediately refute, Li Shuhan assumed that she was tempted and continued to entice her.

Jia Xiaoyan looked coldly at Li Shuhan, feeling utterly disgusted by her words. She stood up and said bluntly, "Miss Li, I think you've come to the wrong person. I've known Liuli for a long time, and I know her best. If you continue to slander her here, don't blame me for being impolite."

Li Shuhan hadn't expected Jia Xiaoyan to reject her so resolutely. The smile on her face froze instantly, and a hint of anger flashed in her eyes. But she still suppressed her anger and said calmly, "Miss Jia, you'll regret this." With that, she turned and left.

Jia Xiaoyan watched Li Shuhan's departing figure, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. She knew Li Shuhan wouldn't let this go easily, and she had to find Gu Liuli as soon as possible and tell her about it.

Meanwhile, Gu Liuli and Su Yao, in the Crown Prince's residence, were still enjoying their leisurely time, completely unaware that a crisis was quietly approaching.

Jia Xiaoyan was extremely anxious and rushed towards Gu Liuli's Crown Prince's residence without stopping. Along the way, Li Shuhan's sinister face kept flashing through her mind, making her feel that this matter was urgent.

Upon arriving at the Crown Prince's residence, she barged in, only to be told by the steward that Gu Liuli had gone to the palace early that morning, saying she was there to admire the flowers at the Empress's invitation. Jia Xiaoyan was immediately disappointed, but she knew she couldn't just wait idly, so she decided to go to the palace.

The palace was heavily guarded, and entry was impossible without a pass. Jia Xiaoyan lingered outside the palace gates for a long time, trying to find an opportunity to sneak in, but was stopped by the guards time and time again. She explained to the guards that she had urgent business with Gu Liuli, but the guards remained unmoved and indifferent.

At this moment, Gu Liuli was chatting and laughing with the Empress in the Imperial Garden. She was dressed in a light purple silk dress, her figure graceful and her smile radiant, completely unaware that Jia Xiaoyan outside the palace was anxiously waiting to see her.

Su Yao was also standing nearby, looking at Gu Liuli with envy in her heart. The Imperial Garden was full of flowers, butterflies were fluttering around, and everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful.

Having nowhere to turn outside the palace gates, Jia Xiaoyan had no choice but to return. She planned to go back to her residence first and then try to contact Gu Liuli. However, shortly after she left, Gu Liuli emerged from the palace, and the two missed each other completely.

Gu Liuli returned to her residence and learned that Jia Xiaoyan had come to see her, which puzzled her. She guessed that Jia Xiaoyan was Jia Dafu's daughter, and that her urgent visit must be for something important, so she decided to go to the Jia family mansion immediately to return the visit.

However, when Gu Liuli arrived at the Jia residence, Jia Xiaoyan was out and not at home, and the two missed each other again.

A few days later, it happened to be the annual prayer festival of the Nanzhao Kingdom, and the entire capital was bustling with activity. The streets were adorned with colorful lanterns, the cries of vendors rose and fell, and the crowds thronged the streets.

Jia Xiaoyan thought she might find a chance to meet Gu Liuli in this lively atmosphere, so she went out to the market.

Gu Liuli, also drawn by the lively festive atmosphere, arrived at the market with several of her personal maids. Jia Xiaoyan struggled through the crowd, her eyes constantly scanning her surroundings, hoping to spot Gu Liuli.

Just as Jia Xiaoyan was passing a stall selling handicrafts, she accidentally bumped into someone. She quickly apologized, and when she looked up, she was surprised to see Gu Liuli. Both of them were stunned at first, then their eyes lit up with surprise.

"Liuli, I've finally found you!" Jia Xiaoyan said excitedly.

"Liuli, don't you recognize me?" Jia Xiaoyan asked anxiously.

Gu Liuli frowned slightly, her eyes full of doubt. "Miss, you must have mistaken me for someone else."

Jia Xiaoyan's mind raced, and she suddenly remembered their past agreement, shouting, "Heavenly King covers the Earth Tiger!" Gu Liuli was taken aback upon hearing this, a familiar glint flashing in her eyes, and she subconsciously replied, "Pagoda suppresses the river demon?"

Jia Xiaoyan was thrilled and said, "Chicken stew with mushrooms." Gu Liuli smiled and replied, "Red umbrella with white poison."

As the coded messages matched, Gu Liuli's memories were instantly awakened. Her eyes reddened, and her voice trembled: "Xiaoyan, it really is you!" The two embraced tightly, weeping with joy.

People around them cast curious glances, but they paid no attention, lost in the joy of their reunion.

Jia Xiaoyan looked around and, noticing the crowd and the noise, said, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's find a quiet place to discuss this." Gu Liuli nodded, and the two avoided the crowd and went to a relatively quiet teahouse.

As soon as she sat down, Gu Liuli eagerly grabbed Jia Xiaoyan's hand and asked with a puzzled look, "Xiaoyan, how did you end up here too?"

Jia Xiaoyan took a deep breath and slowly said, "That night I got off work very late and was walking alone on the road when I was kidnapped and murdered. Suddenly a bright light flashed, and when I opened my eyes again, I was in an unfamiliar mountain forest. I asked around and found out that I had come to the Nanzhao Kingdom. After that, I discovered that I had also transmigrated, directly into the body of Jia Dafu's daughter, and I've been looking for you recently." Recalling the thrilling experience of transmigrating, Jia Xiaoyan still felt lingering fear.

After hearing this, Gu Liuli patted Jia Xiaoyan's hand with heartache, "You've suffered these past few days."

In the teahouse, Jia Xiaoyan recounted in detail how Li Shuhan had sought her cooperation in an attempt to bring down Gu Liuli. Gu Liuli's expression turned serious upon hearing this; she hadn't expected Li Shuhan to be so unscrupulous. The two began discussing countermeasures.

Gu Liuli pondered for a moment, a sly glint in her eyes: "Xiaoyan, we should do this..." She leaned closer to Jia Xiaoyan and whispered her plan.

It turned out that they planned to release a message to the public, saying that Gu Liuli was unwell recently and would be holding a prayer ceremony in the mansion.

She invited many young ladies from prominent families in the capital to participate in a prayer ceremony to ward off misfortune and bring good fortune. Li Shuhan had always wanted to get close to Gu Liuli to carry out her schemes, and this news was undoubtedly a perfect opportunity for her.

Upon hearing this, Jia Xiaoyan's eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands in approval: "This plan is brilliant! Then we'll lay a trap in the mansion and wait for her to walk right into it." The two then discussed the details of each step in detail, including how to arrange manpower and how to make Li Shuhan lower her guard.

Enraged that Li Shuhan had failed to win over Jia Xiaoyan, she decided to take a desperate gamble.

Li Shuhan found the menacing Blood Fiend Palace and hired a top assassin at great expense, planning to assassinate Gu Liuli on the day of the blessing ceremony.

Unfortunately, she didn't know that Gu Liuli was the master of the Blood Fiend Palace.

When Lu Yifan heard that the person Li Shuhan wanted to kill was his own master, his expression immediately changed.

At that moment, Gu Liuli was in the study confirming the details of the Dharma assembly with Jia Xiaoyan when she suddenly heard a guard announce that a man claiming to be Lu Yifan was requesting an audience, saying he had something important to tell him.

Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan exchanged a glance, a sense of unease rising in their hearts. They quickly had someone bring Lu Yifan in.

Lu Yifan rushed into the study, not even bothering to take a sip of tea, and said urgently, "Master, something terrible has happened! Li Shuhan has hired assassins from the Blood Fiend Palace to take your life on the day of the prayer ceremony!"

Upon hearing this, Gu Liuli and Jia Xiaoyan's faces turned deathly pale.

But Gu Liuli quickly calmed down, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips.

Seeing Gu Liuli's reaction, Jia Xiaoyan's doubts deepened, and she couldn't help but ask, "Liuli, why are you so calm?"

Gu Liuli spoke slowly and deliberately: "Xiaoyan, you may not know this, but in this Blood Fiend Palace, I am the true master."

Jia Xiaoyan's eyes widened, her expression instantly changing to one of shock and disbelief. Her previously rapid breathing faltered, and after a long while, she stammered, "This... how is this possible?"

The maid standing to the side also looked at Gu Liuli in surprise, clearly unaware of this secret.

Gu Liuli stood up and slowly paced around: "When I first came to the Nanzhao Kingdom, Lu Yifan personally sought me out. I have been hiding my identity all along. I never expected that Li Shuhan would run into the line of fire today."

A ruthless glint flashed in her eyes. "Since she's so impatient, then let's send her off early with this prayer ceremony."

At this moment, Xiao Jingchuan had just finished dealing with palace affairs and was about to come to find Gu Liuli. As he passed by the study, he happened to hear Lu Yifan say, "Li Shuhan has hired assassins from the Blood Fiend Palace to take your life on the day of the prayer ceremony!" His steps suddenly stopped, his face instantly turned frosty, and he exuded a chilling aura.

He strode into the study, and everyone hurriedly bowed. Xiao Jingchuan waved his hand, looked at Gu Liuli, and said in a deep voice, "Liuli, how dare Li Shuhan touch my Crown Princess!" His eyes were full of anger and killing intent. As the Crown Prince, he usually turned a blind eye to Li Shuhan's petty actions, but he never expected her to be so arrogant.

Gu Liuli stepped forward and soothingly took Xiao Jingchuan's hand: "Your Highness, please don't be angry. Since I am the master of the Blood Fiend Palace, why would I be afraid of her? This is just her digging her own grave."

Xiao Jingchuan nodded slightly, calmly considering countermeasures: "In that case, we should put on this show even better, so that she has no chance of leaving."

The four sat together and reconsidered the plan.

Xiao Jingchuan, leveraging his connections and resources in the imperial court, planned to deploy more secret guards on the day of the prayer ceremony to ensure everything went smoothly; Gu Liuli, on the other hand, contacted her trusted subordinates from the Blood Fiend Palace.

They were tasked with coordinating their actions at crucial moments; Jia Xiaoyan and Lu Yifan each utilized their strengths, one responsible for gathering Li Shuhan's latest information, and the other using his connections in the underworld to spread false information and mislead Li Shuhan. A massive, inescapable trap was set up against Li Shuhan.