Li Zhaole wiped away her tears and said gloatingly, "When we go to Linyang, I'll definitely have Brother Yuancheng treat you well."
I smiled and said, "Then I thank you for your kindness, Princess."
Li Zhaole: "Pah, don't push your luck."
Anxiang brought water to wash her face and wiped it clean. Xiren found a clean set of clothes and was about to help her change.
Li Zhaole slapped the edge of the bed: "What are you still standing here for? Do you think you can look at me, the princess?!"
Upon receiving the order, I hurriedly withdrew, first changing out of my heavy official robes, and then seeking out my master to practice swordsmanship.
Lin Chao and I were practicing swordsmanship in the backyard. He demonstrated a set of easy-to-learn self-defense moves, which I was thoroughly enjoying. Li Zhaole's voice came over again: "This princess is grieving, and you two are practicing swordsmanship here."
Lin Chao stood aside, bowed, and remained silent. I placed the sword on the shelf and said, "Princess, of course I know you're sad, so I brought Guard Lin here to practice swordsmanship, so you won't see me and get angry."
Li Zhaole sat on the railing, swinging her legs. At her age, in modern times, she would be a high school student in her second or third year, studying hard for the college entrance exam, memorizing texts, vocabulary, and solving equations. In ancient times, she would already be married.
Li Zhaole: "You guys keep practicing, I'll come and see if it's just all show and no substance."
I handed the sword to Lin Chao, and we continued practicing. I must say, Lin Chao's swordsmanship was truly impressive—simple to learn, effective for self-defense, and even more useful than hand-to-hand combat or grappling.
I was so engrossed in my studies that I completely forgot about Li Zhaole's existence.
I quickly learned the sword technique today, and I even practiced it once. Even Lin Chao, who is not good with words, praised me. I felt very happy.
Li Zhaole suddenly said, "With your skinny arms and legs, this is the only kind of training you can do."
I was a little unhappy. What she said was tantamount to saying that Lin Chao's teaching was incompetent: "Princess, you live in the deep palace all the time, do you even know swordsmanship?"
Li Zhaole walked over, snatched the sword from my hand, and pointed it at me: "Take a good look and see if I know swordsmanship."
I initially thought she was just boasting, but when she thrust her sword at me with each strike, only to dodge it just before it reached my face, each move clean and decisive, I became convinced that she truly knew swordsmanship and was a master at it.
Li Zhaole proudly tossed the sword onto the shelf and clapped his hands: "Look carefully, this is real swordsmanship. With your amateurish skills, you dare to show off in front of me?"
I glanced at Lin Chao; his expression remained unchanged, which put my mind at ease. "Thank you for your guidance, Princess." Li Zhao left smugly, and I then said to Lin Chao, "Master, the princess is never polite; she takes her anger out on me. Please don't take it to heart. Besides, I started learning late; as long as it's enough for self-defense, that's fine."
Lin Chao nodded: "No, let's continue practicing."
Time flies, and we're setting off tomorrow. I'm so excited!
Tonight at dinner, Li Zhaole actually made me sit at the same table as her. This afternoon I ate some pastries, but I only had a couple of bites before I couldn't eat anymore.
Fortunately, Li Zhaole doesn't eat much. After she put down her chopsticks, I put my bowl on the table, rinsed my mouth, and prepared to leave.
Li Zhaole said, "Wait a minute." I sat on the stool and waited for her to speak.
Anxiang stood aside and said, "Princess, the prince consort will definitely need someone to take care of him on his journey." It turned out that someone was to be sent to keep an eye on him.
Li Zhaole chimed in, "Exactly. You're so frail. You definitely wouldn't be able to take care of yourself without someone looking after you."
I thought about it, how can I refuse effectively without offending her?
"Princess, Consort Ji has arrived." Xi Ren ran in, waving a handkerchief and patting her chest lightly.
Li Zhaole was clearly unhappy and snapped at me, "It's all your fault! I get annoyed whenever I see that woman." What does this have to do with me? She came on her own; how could I have predicted it?
I'll just accept this as a loss I can't bear to hear. Anyway, I won't have to put up with this nonsense after tonight.
After an announcement, Consort Ji entered with an air of elegance. Li Zhaole immediately changed her demeanor, acting like a little girl as she stepped forward to support Consort Ji and lead her into the palace.
Every woman here is an award-winning actress. If this palace were in modern times, it would definitely be the biggest training base and talent agency!
I sat down in the hall with a slight smile on my face. Let them argue all they want; I just need to say what they want to hear.
Consort Ji: "Le'er, Ying'er is going to Linyang tomorrow. He has stayed in the mansion since he was a child and rarely goes out. For both public and private reasons, I should come and see him."
Li Zhaole said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty is right. I was just telling him to be careful when he goes out and that I was planning to have him bring a palace maid with him."
Consort Ji: "Oh, has anyone been chosen yet?"
Li Zhaole called Xiren over, and Consort Ji smiled broadly: "Good, she is a clever person, suitable to take care of Ying'er. However, Linyang City is not like the palace, where you need to personally manage everything. I'm afraid she can't handle everything."
I saw Wan'er standing next to Consort Ji. She must want me to take Wan'er with me, partly to keep an eye on her and partly to help.
Li Zhaole was a little unhappy, but she was still somewhat wary of Consort Ji: "Your Highness, Xiren has been with me for many years. She is shrewd and capable. She can handle this little matter well."
Consort Ji: "Of course I know that everyone in your palace is capable, but Ying'er has been frail and sickly since childhood, so she needs to be taken even closer care of."
Li Zhaole's expression changed, and she said to me sarcastically, "There's a reason why the prince consort is physically weak."
I was caught in the crossfire even though I was lying down: "Princess, I know I am not as good as ordinary people. His Majesty has entrusted me with an important task this time, and I will certainly live up to his expectations."
Li Zhaole: "Alright, I'll assign you a palace maid to serve you, so don't refuse."
Consort Ji had just taken a sip of tea and was wiping her mouth with a handkerchief when she said, "Ying'er, your health is rather weak. Wan'er in my palace is skilled in medicine and can help you take care of your health."
I realized I couldn't avoid it, so I decided to accept both of them, or I wouldn't be able to leave tomorrow. So I stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Princess, I appreciate your kindness. Since you have both chosen your companions, please let them come with me."
Li Zhaole glared at her coldly, but Consort Ji, being sensible and knowing when to stop, immediately agreed and even tried to persuade Li Zhaole from the side.
After Consort Ji returned home, Li Zhaole, in a fit of anger, slammed the door shut loudly.
Seeing that there were few people around, Zhang Mama whispered to me, "Prince Consort, you must be careful on this trip. Marquis Anle and the Empress have always had a grudge, which is why the Princess sent Xiren to accompany you."
I gave Zhang Mama a reassuring smile, telling her to take good care of the princess in the palace, and that I knew what I was doing. Actually, what I was thinking was that this trip to Linyang City was to scout things out first. If I stayed in the deep palace any longer, I didn't know when my identity would be exposed!
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