Two hearts confused
Jing Yao still remembers the Spring Festival Banquet when he was fifteen, although the memory is not about the banquet.
At that time, she had been sent to the Eastern Palace for more than a year. Si Pei never mentioned when she would be sent home, and even refused to let her return to Yilan Palace. The two of them had been sleeping together for so long without any official status, and rumors were rampant.
Before Jing Yao entered the palace, his aunt Jing Wu had already been demoted to Jingpin because she had angered the emperor with her inappropriate remarks.
She always felt that her aunt was greedy and wanted to swallow an elephant. Although her father often said that the various forces in the court were complicated and it was a fight to the death, she felt that with Si Pei's temperament, if her aunt and her cousin could stay in their fiefdom and behave themselves, they might be able to spend the rest of their lives in peace.
But it's easy to say, who wouldn't be jealous of the rights that can be possessed by sitting on the throne of the emperor?
Moreover, her cousin Si Cheng is a completely rough guy who is not very smart and likes to be a smartass.
The aunt thought that she could easily persuade the prince to change his position by relying on the emperor's favor. She thought that since the emperor could watch the queen being partial to him, he would definitely not show much love to Si Pei.
But during the years that Jing Yao lived in Queen Yue's palace, it was clear that even Si Jue, who was also the Queen's legitimate son and was smart and clever since childhood and was favored by the Queen and the Queen Mother, could not shake Si Pei's position as the Crown Prince, let alone Si Cheng, who was stupid and arrogant and did not win the Queen's favor?
Although Jing Yao didn't understand the emperor's hot and cold attitude, he knew that he would never depose Si Pei.
But Jingpin couldn't see it, or even if she could see it, she would still grit her teeth and fight for it. Which woman in the harem didn't want her son to ascend the throne and rule the country?
When they were young, they competed for favor, vying for who could give birth to the dragon fetus first, and vying for whose prince was more qualified and favored by the emperor. When the princes grew up, they had to pave the way for their own beloved sons and plan for the throne.
Jing Yao was used to seeing the struggles in the harem, and he just felt how pitiful these women were.
In the end, the emperor was so fed up with Jingpin that he didn't want to see her again, so Jingpin had no choice but to follow his son, Prince Jin Sicheng, to his fiefdom.
The greatest supporter of Duke Jing's Mansion in the harem fell, and only then did they have to admit that Si Pei would be the only heir to the throne.
Jing Yao half-supported her face and moved a black piece on the chessboard. As for her, she was just the chess piece that her father used to show his goodwill to the future new emperor in a hurry to take sides.
If she was "lucky" enough to catch Si Pei's eye and become a concubine in the Eastern Palace, and if Si Pei ascended the throne in the future, she could get the position of a concubine in the harem - preferably give birth to a son or daughter... In this way, she could take over from her aunt and continue to be the pillar of the Jing family in the harem, and continue the prosperity and wealth for the increasingly declining Jingguo Mansion for a few more decades.
Thinking of this, Jing Yao suddenly felt a sour feeling in his stomach and wanted to vomit it all out.
Disgusting, really disgusting.
There was no one familiar with her in the palace now, as her aunt had already gone to the distant Songbei and Liangzhou states. But when the old people in the palace heard her name, they naturally put her together with Jingpin.
"Concubine Jing charmed the Emperor and won his exclusive favor for over ten years. Now that the old one has fallen, the young one has been replaced. This Jing Yao must have come to seduce His Royal Highness the Crown Prince as well."
"Tsk tsk, worthy of being a daughter of the Jing family, her aunt must have taught her a lot, hahahaha."
"Isn't it? She has been living in the Crown Prince's bedroom for over a year now. I'm afraid she has captivated His Highness."
"But after all this time, she still hasn't been given a formal title?"
"What do you know? Maybe she's just waiting to be crowned a princess simply by virtue of her pregnancy."
"Hahaha, then shouldn't we wait until the baby is born before we can confer the title? Maybe even after all the effort, we still won't be able to give birth to a little grandson!"
Such unbearable rumors were circulating in the palace. Although Si Pei had specially sent people to deal with those talkative palace maids, there would always be a few words that reached her ears.
Jing Yao wanted to defend herself. She had never thought of seducing anyone, nor did she dare to "hope" to become the crown princess.
She hated the harem and everything about it.
If possible, Jing Yao wanted to leave here immediately. As long as it wasn't in this cannibalistic palace, he could go anywhere.
But she knew that at this point, it was pointless to make excuses.
She also had no way to prove that it wasn't her lying on the prince's couch.
Jing Yao put down the chess piece and stood up to choose a dress for the banquet.
The Chunshu Banquet is a palace banquet held in the palace under the pretext of flower viewing, specifically for young noble families and young ladies. It is held in the Xiuyun Hall of the Imperial Palace in early May every year. Guests attending the banquet are required to bring flowers to show their status.
Last year at the Spring Festival Banquet, she attended as a young lady from the Jing family, holding a pink and purple peony, the symbol of the Jing family. This year, Si Pei specially arranged for her to receive a silver-blue peony, representing the royal family.
She didn't know how many people would talk about her if she took the flower out, so she simply threw it aside and waited to take one from someone else when she entered the venue.
This was Jing Yao's plan, but when she arrived outside Xiuyun Palace, she didn't even need to ask her acquaintances to borrow flowers. The palace maids respectfully welcomed her in.
"I haven't got the flowers yet—"
The maid lowered her head: "You don't need these."
It took Jing Yao a while to realize what she meant.
Bringing flowers to Chunshu's banquet was not just a sign of status; it was also a way for young people to express affection. As for Jingyao, no foolish young man dared to give her flowers, and accordingly, no one dared to accept her flowers.
That's definitely not necessary.
Jing Yao took two steps in the garden behind the palace. The young ladies from aristocratic families who were gathered in groups of three or four were laughing and chatting, but it seemed that none of them wanted her to join them.
She walked along and finally found some familiar faces in the corner.
Jiang Jing and Jiang Wen were the twin daughters of the Minister of Works. Jing Yao had gotten along well with them when they were little. When they saw her approaching, they came over and said, "Ling Yi!"
Huo Zhuxin, the fourth daughter of the Huo family, was in the innermost room observing the flowers and plants. She always liked to tinker with these things, and she was truly worthy of being the daughter of the Huo family, a farming family.
Jiang Jing was the complete opposite of her name. As soon as she saw Jing Yao, she started asking questions non-stop: "We haven't seen each other for over half a year! I heard that you've been living with the Crown Prince for a while now. Is that true? Didn't you say you don't like the Crown Prince? Is it your father who asked you to marry him this time? And you just agreed!"
Jing Yao frowned and covered his ears: "Why are there so many questions..."
Jiang Min shook her arm: "Hey, just tell me, we are both very curious!"
"We live together... I said I don't like it, so I don't like it. You guessed it right, but I didn't agree either."
Jing Yao sighed and sat down. After hearing Jiang Jing's answer, she thought carefully and widened her eyes: "So... where are you guys at now?"
Huo Zhuxin paused to observe, tilting her head slightly, clearly curious to hear what was going on. Jing Yao glanced at them unhappily, "Don't let your imagination run wild. Nothing will happen even if we lie in the same bed."
"That's not right..." Jiang Min and her sister looked at each other, as if they were puzzled by the prince's behavior.
"So what are your plans next?"
The two sisters asked in unison.
Jing Yao shook her head. What else could she plan? Si Pei had no intention of letting her go, and Duke Jing's Mansion couldn't accommodate her. It would be better for her to hold back for now.
"Based on the current situation, I think His Highness really wants you to be the Crown Princess." Huo Zhuxin finally left the flower and plant area in the corner and sat down at the table.
Upon hearing this, the Jiang sisters nodded vigorously.
Jing Yao held up her face and looked worried. Anyone who was not stupid could see that Si Pei was really good to her and loved her with all his heart. But if she really wanted to be his concubine, Jing Yao would not want to do it.
"Then do you want to explain it clearly to His Highness?"
Jiang Wen pinched two grapes and stuffed them into his mouth. Jing Yao was silent for a moment, and then replied after a long while: "He promised me before that he would not mention marrying me."
"Oh well."
Jiang Jing nodded, then sighed, "I don't know how many people here are desperately trying to get into the Eastern Palace, hoping to get even a little bit of favor from His Highness. Favors are really not what we expect."
Some people want it, but try their best but still can't get even a little bit, while some people don't want it but still have it stuffed into their arms.
"I'm not trying to persuade you...! But since you've been able to sleep with His Highness for over half a year, there can't be no feelings at all, right?"
Jing Yao remained silent, so Huo Zhuxin stepped in to smooth things over: "You can't force feelings."
Jing Yao had random thoughts for no reason. It would be great if Si Pei could understand this truth.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"
Eunuch Ming announced in a high voice, and immediately everyone in the garden knelt on the ground to pay their respects. Jing Yao, who had been spoiled by Si Pei and had never had to pay his respects, actually sat down on a chair in full view of everyone and turned to look at His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who was walking steadily towards him.
Si Pei specially wore a dark blue brocade robe today. His face was cold and a gust of cold wind blew wherever he went. The people in the garden didn't dare to breathe.
There was no other reason, it was simply because His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was famous and everyone in Shanghua City knew that Crown Prince Si Pei was aloof and calm, and that he did things decisively and without dragging his feet, and could even be described as cruel.
It took Jing Yao a while to realize that she also had to kneel down to pay her respects, but before she had knelt for long, a pair of strong hands appeared in front of her and helped her up.
"Why didn't you bring flowers?"
Jing Yao pursed his lips: "I forgot when I went out...I don't want to take it."
She deliberately didn't take it, but she didn't expect Si Pei to have prepared it in advance and asked someone to prepare two silver-blue peonies.
There were a lot of people here, and Jing Yao couldn't refuse Si Pei openly, for fear that others would see her and make up a story that she was being unreasonable.
So Si Pei held the flowers in one hand and held her hand with the other. He was in a good mood and waved his sleeves to let the guests have fun.
Jing Yao was taken to the front hall to pay her respects to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. As soon as she knelt down to pay her respects, the Emperor asked her with a warm smile how she was living in the East Palace recently.
Jing Yao answered bravely, "It's a good answer." Queen Dowager Xuan said coldly, "Since that's the case, I think we should settle it as soon as possible. Otherwise, letting an unmarried girl sleep with the prince for such a long time without knowing the reason will bring shame to the royal family."
"I think the Queen Mother is right." The Emperor looked at Si Pei, "Li Hong, what do you think?"
Si Pei remained silent for a while, his eyes focused on Jing Yao's attitude.
Jing Yao didn't think too much, and she couldn't think too much. Her mind was a mess now, and she even felt nauseous.
What they were talking about just now seemed to have nothing to do with her.
Jing Yao felt so nauseous that she felt dizzy and pale. Si Pei keenly noticed that something was wrong with her, and immediately brushed her off with excuses such as her young age and poor health, and quickly resigned and returned to the East Palace.
Jing Yao was covered in cold sweat and curled up in Si Pei's arms, not daring to move.
When the imperial physician arrived, he said that her abnormal condition was probably caused by the shock and depression in her heart.
To make matters worse, Jing Jing Yao suddenly developed a fever in the middle of the night, which scared Si Pei into a panic.
"Water... I want water..."
Si Pei stood up, poured a cup of floral tea, and brought it to her lips.
Jing Yao's mind was not fully awake yet, but her body was indeed clamoring for water to quench her thirst. Without thinking much, she followed his actions and drank the glass of water.
The imperial physician came and prescribed medicine. Jing Yao, who was half awake and half confused, was held in Si Pei's arms and gently coaxed to sleep.
Jing Yao suddenly grabbed the young man's sleeve tightly: "Si Pei, I beg you not to marry me... You promised me."
Jing Yao's pleading, faintly tinged with tears, made Si Pei feel bitter. He replied after a long pause, "Yao Yao... can't you accept me?"
"No..." Jing Yao shook her head painfully. Her mind was in a mess and she didn't know how to explain to Si Pei.
The arm around her loosened, and Jing Yao mistakenly thought that Si Pei was about to leave, and subconsciously pulled him: "Xiao Li, don't go..."
Her affectionate call made Si Pei smile bitterly: "Yaoyao, do you want me or not?"
Jing Yao couldn't think, so she followed her thoughts and leaned forward to kiss those thin lips.
The young man was stunned for a moment, then his whole body trembled, as if thousands of fireworks were exploding in his heart. However, the fireworks were mercilessly extinguished in the next second.
The first kiss between them was bitter.
She said: "I can do anything...but don't marry me..."
Si Pei was silent for a moment, then finally smiled bitterly and said, "Okay."
The girl finished drinking the prepared medicine in a daze. Si Pei's thumb gently wiped the water stains from the corner of her mouth. Perhaps unconsciously or because she smelled his scent, the person in his arms licked Si Pei's fingers gently with her tongue.
Feeling the sticky touch of his fingertips, the man's breathing suddenly became heavier.
"Yaoyao..." There was a dark mood in Si Pei's eyes, and at this moment it seemed like there was a raging fire burning in them.
"Xiao Li...so thirsty..."
Jing Yao must be really thirsty, and he licked his lips unconsciously again.
"Okay..." Si Pei's heart was beating like a drum, but he still pretended to be calm on the surface.
In that case... he won't be polite.
The flower tea was slowly poured into the white jade cup. Si Pei picked up the cup of water without looking away and put it to his lips without hesitation.
“Hmm…”
The person in his arms unconsciously clutched his sleeves tightly, and she was completely held in Si Pei's arms, unable to move.
The thirst that had been clamoring for a long time was finally satisfied. After the flower tea was finished, Si Pei had no intention of ending the kiss.
As their lips and teeth intertwined, Jing Yao's already unclear mind became even more confused due to the passion. She took the initiative to hook her arms around the man's neck, and her whole body became soft as Si Pei rubbed it into his arms.
Si Pei thought that he was indeed not a gentleman.
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