Fortunately, we didn't encounter anyone after that. After walking for another ten minutes or so, we finally arrived at Consort Ji's Chang Le Palace.
The head eunuch went in to announce my arrival, and I told Zhang Mama and Xiren to stay outside while I went into the hall myself.
Consort Ji walked out gracefully from the side. She was indeed much younger and more beautiful than the Empress, and even better in figure than Li Zhaole. No wonder she was the most favored concubine in the palace.
I knelt down to pay my respects, and Consort Ji waved her delicate hand, gesturing for me to sit to the side.
She personally poured me tea: "You must be thirsty after your journey, have a cup of tea." I held the teacup closer and smelled a delicate fragrance, wondering what had been added to it.
I downed my drink in one gulp, and Consort Ji smiled with a beauty that could topple kingdoms. Her voice was as melodious as a nightingale's song: "I'll have a casual chat with the Prince Consort, while you all wait outside the palace."
After the palace maids and eunuchs had all left, Consort Ji stopped smiling and looked at me with concern, holding my hand and saying, "Nephew, you've had a hard time marrying that unruly princess."
The women in this palace are all masters of changing their expressions: "Aunt, for the sake of the Ji family and for your sake, these things are nothing."
Consort Ji was pleased: "It's good that you think that way. I heard that she doesn't let you get close, and now many palace maids are spreading the gossip about it in private." People in the palace are really idle; their gossip spreads faster than that of entertainment stars.
I said with a relaxed expression, "Auntie, this is exactly what I wanted. I don't like people with bad tempers or who are willful and capricious. I feel at ease knowing that she doesn't let me get close to her."
Consort Ji smiled even more beautifully: "That's good. I was worried you might have taken a liking to that girl. It's good that you didn't fall for her." My goodness, Consort Ji, I'm your own nephew, niece! How could you try to trick me? If Father and Mother Ji knew, their hearts would probably break.
I maintained my composure and said, "Auntie's direction."
Consort Ji released my hand: "It's a pity that you are so handsome and extraordinary, yet you have to suppress your temper and deal with her. In a while, I will find you a stunningly beautiful woman to serve by your side."
I have a headache. I can't handle one person, and now another one comes along: "Auntie, no, the Empress is eyeing you covetously, eager to find fault with you. We should keep a low profile."
Consort Ji nodded: "After all, you are a man, and you should have a broader perspective. Don't worry, your aunt won't mistreat you in the future." (I, on the other hand, wish you would mistreat me, or even banish me from the palace.)
When I talk to Consort Ji, I feel like I have to be wary of her and try to guess what she's thinking. It's better to argue or bicker with Li Zhaole, since she's not that cunning.
Consort Ji became more and more excited as she talked, and even invited me to watch a performance by dancers. There were rows and rows of girls below. I might have been more interested in watching handsome men dance.
After their dance ended, my eyes could finally rest.
Consort Ji happily pointed to a dancer: "Wan'er, come here."
When I heard "Wan'er," I wondered if she was that clever maid from the Ji family.
The dancer stepped forward. Although she was wearing heavy makeup, she was indeed Wan'er. How could she have entered the palace to become a dancer?
Consort Ji pushed her next to me: "Ying'er, look, isn't she beautiful?"
I nodded: "She is indeed beautiful."
Consort Ji: "You're newly married, so I'll help you train her first. After a while, I'll send her over to be your personal maid. You need someone to take care of you."
I had a headache, but looking at Wan'er, who didn't seem to want to acknowledge me, I said, "Aunt, it's probably not going to work out with Li Zhaole."
Consort Ji snorted coldly, which was inconsistent with her temperament: "I have my own way. As long as Ying'er is happy, let alone a palace maid, even if I give you a concubine, what difficulty is there? A man should have ambitions beyond his hometown and not be troubled by love and affection."
I felt a cold sweat breaking out. This female imperial consort is no ordinary person. "Then Ying'er thanks Aunt for her kindness." I glanced at Wan'er. She had a smile in her eyes. Perhaps she had something to say to me. I might as well follow Consort Ji's lead for now.
Wan'er sat obediently next to me and poured me wine. Luckily, I used to like to go to taverns when I had nothing to do, otherwise, if I kept drinking, I would have gotten dizzy even if I wasn't drunk.
Consort Ji seemed particularly happy today. She had the dancers perform another dance, but all I could see were strips of cloth fluttering around me; I couldn't appreciate any beauty in it at all. These ancient people loved watching dances they couldn't understand, and they even gave them elegant names like "Dragon Soaring and Phoenix Startling," but I think "Bullish Cloth Startling the Eyes" would be more fitting.
After the dance ended, the girls finally withdrew. At this moment, the head eunuch suddenly entered and knelt before Consort Ji: "Your Majesty, the Marquis of Anle has arrived."
Consort Ji smiled slightly: "Quickly, invite him in."
Xie Yuancheng walked with a brisk pace, a slight smile on his face. Consort Ji arranged for him to sit opposite me across the courtyard. After he sat down, I nodded and smiled at him.
Consort Ji: "Yuancheng, it's rare for you to come to the capital. Coincidentally, the Qingguo wine in my palace was opened today. You used to love drinking it the most. Drink more."
Xie Yuancheng raised his glass and took a small sip: "The taste is still the same as before."
Consort Ji smiled radiantly: "I'm glad you like him. This is Zhao Le's consort, Ji Ying."
Xie Yuancheng: "I have already met the Prince Consort once in the Imperial Garden."
Consort Ji was delighted: "That's good. I'll have to trouble Yuan Cheng to take good care of Ying'er in the future."
I was filled with unease. This Consort Ji must have known I was coming all along, and had arranged for beauties and handsome men to be with her. The spies in the palace are even more exaggerated than those shown on TV. Before, when I was on a mission, I just did my job; I never thought about all this. Now, because of some unfounded debt of gratitude for raising me, I've put myself in this predicament.
But if I escape, where can I go?
I sat to the side listening to Xie Yuancheng and Consort Ji talk, occasionally chiming in to keep things from being too quiet or too lively.
After the banquet finally ended, Xie Yuancheng left first. Consort Ji gave Wan'er a look, and then led me to the small garden inside Chang Le Palace.
Consort Ji lowered her voice: "Ying'er, you should associate with Marquis Anle more often in the future, as it will benefit the Ji family."
I nodded in agreement; I'd agree to whatever she said, whether we actually did it or not, we'd see later.
Consort Ji handed me a letter. "Tomorrow you will go to the Hanlin Academy. While Marquis Anle is still here, you must find a way to go to Linyang City with him. I will assist you. Once you arrive, go to the south of Linyang City as soon as possible, find a pawnshop, and seek out a hermit named Yin. Deliver this letter to him. This matter is extremely important; you must handle it personally."
I accepted the document and tucked it into my long sleeve. In modern times, I'm a secret agent; in ancient times, I'm a spy. But the thought of leaving this place makes me happy. That princess won't have to give me that long face every day anymore, and I won't have to try to avoid her every day.
Consort Ji gave me a few more instructions and then let me go.
As soon as I returned to Heqing Palace, a copper basin flew towards me. I quickly pushed aside Xiren, who was closest to me, and dodged to the side.
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