After I waited for Granny Zhang to leave with the palace maids, I closed the door, cleaned up the mess on the floor, sat down at the desk in the corner, lit an oil lamp, took out these strangely written ancient books, and forced myself to read them.
Li Zhaole rolled over, kicked her shoes off the bed, and when she saw I was still there, she said angrily, "What are you doing in the room? Didn't you hear me tell you to get out?"
What an annoying personality. I turned a page of the book, though I couldn't understand what it said. "Princess, if word gets out that we're sleeping in separate rooms, it won't be good for you, so I have to stay here. Don't worry, I'll stay in this corner from now on and won't get in your way."
Li Zhaole glanced at me, then wrapped her head in the blanket and pulled down all the curtains.
I couldn't hear Li Zhaole turning over, so I guessed she was asleep. I stretched and loosened my limbs. Seeing the moonlight outside the window, I thought about going back to my room. Who wouldn't want to lie in a soft, fragrant bed? But I'll just have to get through these next few days first.
I was awakened by the sound of the door opening. I sat up and saw Granny Zhang leading everyone to help Li Zhaole with her washing and dressing. I put down my books and was about to go out.
Li Zhaole's lazy voice came over: "If you dare to come into this room tonight, I'll have them beat you out with sticks." This was practically the best news I'd heard since I got here.
I feigned displeasure and gestured with my hands: "Princess, I will follow your arrangements."
Feeling refreshed, I went back to my room to wash up, and could finally get a good night's sleep.
Li Zhaole actually didn't eat breakfast at the same table as me today; it's truly a blessing from heaven.
I was in a particularly good mood today, so I happily walked out of the side hall, intending to find a guard to go with me to the backyard to practice swordsmanship.
Granny Zhang rushed over in a panic: "Prince Consort, where are you going so early in the morning?"
I stopped in my tracks: "Granny, I need to go back and get my sword so I can spar with this Guard Lin."
Zhang Mama breathed a sigh of relief: "Prince Consort, the princess was wronged yesterday, you should be more understanding."
I smiled, but was secretly overjoyed: "Granny, I know what I'm doing. Unless something unexpected happens, I'll try to stay in the next room to avoid upsetting the princess."
Zhang Mama sighed, "The Prince Consort has been wronged. It was only because you saved me yesterday that I was spared from suffering."
I waved my hand and said, "You're joking, Granny. In this palace, I'll still need your help in the future. This is nothing to worry about."
With a smile on her face, Granny Zhang bowed and went to get busy.
I took the sword and walked to the backyard with Lin Chao. Luckily, I'm not short, otherwise, standing next to a man would make me look even less manly.
Lin Chao is not good with words, but his martial arts skills are quite good. He always went along with me.
After a few rounds, I admired him even more and bowed to him, saying, "Guard Lin, please take me as your disciple. My father has been guarding the frontier for a long time, and my elder brother rarely comes home. We really need a master with high martial arts skills."
Lin Chao remained expressionless, but the light in his eyes betrayed him: "Prince Consort, you mustn't! I'm just a guard, how can I accept you as my disciple?"
I looked around and saw no one. I walked closer and lowered my voice: "Guard Lin knows my current situation. If I don't learn some self-defense, I'm afraid I'll be in trouble later. We won't change our ways publicly, but we can be brothers and master and apprentice in private. It's rare to meet someone like me in this deep palace."
Lin Chao was a hot-blooded young man, probably only sixteen or seventeen years old, so he was quite simple-minded. After my persuasive words, he finally agreed.
He and I were having a great time practicing martial arts in the backyard. Li Zhaole, for some reason, also came to the backyard. When she saw us sparring, she looked at us with disdain.
Seeing the Shadow Sword fly out of my hand, Li Zhaole clapped his hands and said, "Haha, even you can make a mistake, Guard Lin, well done."
Lin Chao sheathed his sword and bowed to Li Zhaole. Li Zhaole happily stepped down and said, "So, you weak scholar, you can never be a true man."
I never wanted to be a man of integrity; I just wanted to get by day by day.
I silently picked up the Shadow Sword and put it back in its sheath. Li Zhaole added, "Oh, is our Prince Consort angry?" Seeing her provocative expression, I decided not to lower myself to her level and stood aside with a smile.
Li Zhaole found it boring and turned to leave. Lin Chao said apologetically, "Your Highness, it's all my fault."
I comforted him, "What did you do wrong? If you hadn't been willing to teach me, I wouldn't have improved. Besides, the princess has always been dissatisfied with me; she's targeting me. Don't take it to heart."
Lin Chao nodded. I took him out. After lunch, we'll go see Consort Ji.
Li Zhaole actually ate lunch in the side hall today. She seemed to have a good appetite and took more food than usual, which made Zhang Mama very happy.
I changed my clothes and made myself look more formal.
Granny Zhang knocked on the door: "Prince Consort, are you going to pay your respects to Consort Ji now?"
I nodded and placed the Shadow Sword on the side of the bed: "Granny, could you help me figure out what to send to Consort Ji that would be appropriate?"
Granny Zhang: "Everything is ready. The princess is taking her afternoon nap now. I'll go with you."
I agreed: "Thank you for your trouble, Granny."
Consort Ji's palace was indeed quite far; it took more than twenty minutes to walk there.
Xiren followed beside me; she seemed eager to go for a walk, so I agreed to take her along. Just as we passed through the Imperial Garden, we encountered a man in his early twenties, with delicate features and striking eyes.
The palace maid behind me, Granny Zhang, bowed to him and said, "Greetings, Marquis Anle."
I quickly cupped my hands in greeting: "Marquis Anle".
He glanced at me and returned the greeting: "You are indeed the consort of Sister Zhaole, just as the rumors say."
Me: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Excellency."
Marquis Anle seemed to have something to attend to and hurriedly took his leave. After he had gone some distance, I asked Granny Zhang, "Marquis Anle, why did he come to the palace?"
Granny Zhang glanced around, keeping a distance from Xiren and the others, before leading me forward. She lowered her voice and said, "The Imperial Son-in-Law, his real name is Xie Yuancheng. His fief is in Linyang City, a thousand miles away from here. He was originally the youngest son of the Ninth Prince, but because His Majesty was concerned about the Ninth Prince's power, the Ninth Prince allowed him to take his mother's surname. Later, the Ninth Prince himself was transferred to Linyang City. After the Ninth Prince suddenly died, the Marquis of Anle volunteered to take over the cholera outbreak in Linyang City. Now, he has managed to govern the area very well."
He seems to be a scion of a distinguished family with exceptional abilities. "I see. He's young and promising. It seems we can befriend him."
Granny Zhang glanced ahead and said, "No, the Empress has always been wary of Marquis Anle, she just doesn't say it openly." Then I'll have to cling to his coattails even more.
I comforted Granny Zhang, saying, "Thank you for reminding me, Granny."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
