The Second Princess and I went outside and walked down a small corridor, where we couldn't hear anything coming from inside. Just as I was about to ask her what she was doing, she left. I quickly chased after her; how could she close the door so fast?
“Ji Ying.” I turned around and saw the Second Prince. How dare that peacock meet me here?
"Greetings, Your Highness. I have other matters to attend to. This is the imperial palace; you should not be meeting with me in private."
“I saw you at the Ji residence. At the time, I thought you were a man. Then I realized, what man looks so effeminate? By the time I saw you again, it was too late.”
I went through everything in my mind, and I'm certain I didn't see him at the Ji residence. It must be the Second Prince making things up.
"Second Prince, you must be joking. I have never seen you before."
"Back then, you were still a fool, your speech was unclear. You just sat on the pavilion by the water, grinning like a young boy. You looked so beautiful in the sun." The Second Prince smiled at me, his voice low. "Later, you became the consort of a female prince and then married him."
"You're talking nonsense. You have no evidence whatsoever. I could make up countless stories for you."
“I saw you dancing last night, and I secretly went to the kitchen early this morning to make breakfast, but you didn’t eat a single bite. At least you ate a little bit of the pastry, so at least you gave me some explanation.”
That bird was a stand-in! That damned prince actually went to spy on us. Doesn't Xie Yuancheng have secret guards? How come he didn't notice anything?
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Now that Father has finished speaking, you can go back. Maybe we'll be together next time we meet."
When the Second Prince reached out his hand, I quickly stepped aside. I don't like this peacock at all, and I don't want to know him! I went back angrily, and soon after I sat down, a palace servant came to talk to me.
I rushed out. This is outrageous! How does the Second Prince move in and out of here so freely? That shrewish Second Princess actually acted as his matchmaker. Doesn't he need to pay his respects to the old emperor?
"Ying'er? Are you spacing out again?" Xie Yuancheng waved his finger in front of me, and I finally snapped out of it. "What's wrong? Don't worry, we'll be seated soon. I won't leave you."
"Ugh, it's so cold. Let's go somewhere warmer." I'd better not talk to him for now. That peacock, the Second Prince, has already been tricked by the old emperor. Besides, the Tenth Prince will ascend the throne in ten years, so the Second Prince won't have a chance.
"I warmed Ying'er up so you won't be cold~" Xie Yuancheng was probably too happy, he was acting a little silly. I like him like this, if he's a little sillier he'll be more likely to get teased by me.
"I'll tell you when we get home~" Xie Yuancheng and I walked forward, occasionally pinching his arm. I deliberately avoided him; this was the palace, he wouldn't dare to do anything reckless.
"Ying'er~ stay closer to me, don't always run around." He's angry again. I just won't hold his hand. This is the Emperor's inner court, I need to be careful.
"Let's go." Xie Yuancheng was still good at maintaining appearances, speaking to me in a soft voice, and I followed him to continue walking forward.
"Little Chengcheng~ You're so handsome, but your temper is a bit strange. If I hadn't married you, I would never have found someone I liked in my entire life~"
"How dare you say that!" I said in a very low voice, trying to talk to him slowly. He found out so quickly, that's really too much!
"That's too much! Why do you have to listen so clearly? They want you to ask them one question at a time!"
"Ying'er~ I'll ask you questions one by one when we get back." Seeing that he agreed, I smiled. He's the only one I can bully so easily, how could I possibly give up such a good man and be with someone else? I'm not stupid!
At the Imperial Banquet, the place was packed with people. All those who could attend today were officials of the third rank or above. Xie Yuancheng and I were finally able to sit together. I was reaching out to pull him up, but there were so many people here. The place was magnificent and opulent, with marble floors and the fragrance of winter plum blossoms wafting through the air.
The emperor and empress's seats were on the upper level, entirely made of gold and inlaid with many jewels. Everywhere one could hear the words, "The Great Zhao is very rich."
"Will the Empress attend?" I asked Xie Yuancheng in a low voice. He shook his head and made a gesture indicating that the Crown Prince would also not attend.
I was relieved; those two scoundrels weren't coming out, so I could sit here comfortably. The banquet was full, and I sat up straight, ready to watch the show.
Xie Yuancheng poured me some wine. I glanced at him and said he was a little rascal, knowing full well that I was wearing rouge and couldn't drink to remove it. Without rouge on my lips, my makeup would look absolutely strange, possibly even like I'd been poisoned.
"Madam, please have something to eat." Xie Yuancheng served me some food. The dishes in these exquisite bowls and plates contained more than a dozen kinds of meat dishes and five kinds of vegetarian dishes, but they were all very well made, tasted good, and were presented beautifully.
"Let's eat." I took a small bite, and it really tasted just like before. The chef here hasn't changed over the years; the old emperor is still very nostalgic.
"Madam, have some more wine." He deliberately poured me wine; the wine here was quite strong.
Fortunately, the old emperor was kind-hearted and raised his wine cup to drink with his ministers, saying, "My dear ministers, the Great Zhao has won a great victory today. I would like to toast you all."
"May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings!"
The voices were really well-coordinated. I glanced over and saw that whether they were old or new officials, their tone was very strong. No wonder they said that the old emperor was very resourceful. Even if a high-ranking official was in a position of great power and influence, there was always someone to take his place if something happened. He was a very adaptable person.
No one is truly indispensable. Perhaps the old emperor had someone he liked, and he would have made plans for her.
What I don't understand is how the old emperor managed to maintain his high position after being schemed against so many times. Judging from this, if Xie Yuancheng had really sent troops to help the tenth prince, he probably wouldn't have returned alive, and my children and I would have been homeless.
I've seen many powerful families where, if one person falls, many others will follow. Aside from the capable ones who manage to live well, many of the lower-class people scatter, rarely seen in society, and live worse than refugees.
Although I will go with him, those of us below will suffer greatly. It's good now; we can see the good in the world and also know its bad, so we will be very careful with every step we take.
"Madam, have another drink." I was lost in thought when Xie Yuancheng poured me another drink. I took it and sipped it, and it really burned my throat. He was just being mischievous.
I placed my wine glass near him and said, "Next time you pour me random drinks, I'll slap you on the head."
"My lady has really been spoiled by me; she even dares to speak to me like that." Hmph! I'm giving you face now in front of many people of high status; watch out, I'll get my revenge later.
"My lord~" I said in a deliberately sweet voice, and Xie Yuancheng's eyes twitched slightly.
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