Zhang Mama hurriedly told the kneeling palace maids to help Li Zhaole with her makeup and dressing. I quietly retreated outside the hall. As soon as I stepped out, I wanted to burst into laughter, but I held it in.
The people in the palace were indeed efficient. After only a short wait, Zhang Mama came out with three palace maids, following behind Li Zhaole. I was standing not far from the bridal sedan chair. Li Zhaole deliberately took a few steps to the side. She was planning to kick me, but I quietly stepped aside to avoid it and cupped my hands in greeting to her: "Princess, the bridal sedan chair is over there."
Li Zhaole snorted and reluctantly got into the sedan chair. "If you're not happy, I'll look down on you for being a woman!"
To save my life, I memorized the procedures and routes, mounted my horse, and led the main force towards the Heqing Hall. It was three hours later when all the formalities and procedures were completed.
I'm glad I'm healthy. I exercised a lot while I was at the Ji residence, otherwise I probably would have fainted after standing for so long.
At the wedding banquet, as soon as the emperor and empress left, officials kept coming up to toast them. Fortunately, the alcohol content of these drinks was not high, so they could manage. If it were the strong liquors of modern times, they would have drunk themselves to death at the banquet!
I actually hope we can drink until dawn. After all, this wine tastes really good. Besides, I really don't want to see that princess and live with her, so she's the one who's most troubled.
I accepted all invitations, so the officials, big and small, who offered me toasts all had a good impression of me, constantly chatting and laughing beside me. After I left, my father actually led a large army to the border to demonstrate his loyalty. When I heard this, I felt like I'd been sold out and was being forced to count the money!
After a few drinks, everyone knew to stop urging each other to drink more and started making excuses to leave. Sigh, what's meant to happen will happen.
I pretended to be slightly drunk and, with the help of a guard, arrived at Li Zhaole's door. The guard withdrew, and I knocked on the door a few times. Zhang Mama happily opened the door and led the palace maids out.
I pretended to be a little drunk and staggered towards Li Zhaole. When I came over from the banquet, I deliberately spilled more wine on my clothes. As soon as she smelled the wine, she forcefully took off her veil and hid to the side: "Ugh, it stinks! Get away from me!"
I slurred, "Princess, it's getting late, hurry, hurry up and rest." I put my hand on my clothes, pretending to take off my outer garment.
Li Zhaole jumped up and pushed me to the ground: "How dare you! This princess's bed is not for a drunkard like you to get on! Get out of here!"
I suppressed my excitement and pretended to be embarrassed: "Princess, if you ask about this tomorrow, I will be punished."
Li Zhaole wrinkled her nose: "Get out of here. I'll handle whatever happens to me. Stay away from me. This smell makes me want to vomit."
I slowly got up, bowed, and walked unsteadily outside. As soon as I opened the door, I saw Granny Zhang waiting outside. I immediately put on a troubled expression: "Granny Zhang, I drank too much tonight. I've ruined the princess's enjoyment. Could you please tidy up a new room for me? We can talk about it again when she's calmed down."
Granny Zhang shook her head and sighed, "My lord, the princess has always had this temper. Please be more tolerant." Don't worry, I will be tolerant. The more she dislikes me, the better, so I can get away from her.
Seeing my pitiful state, Zhang Mama originally planned to let me return to the princess's palace after my bath. However, I noticed something was off about her gaze, so when I was almost finished washing, I quickly put on my clean clothes, called them in, and then pretended to be drowsy as I climbed onto the bed not far away to doze off.
I heard Granny Zhang and two maids anxiously nearby. Granny Zhang went out and came back in, her tone filled with disappointment: "The princess just kicked me out. It's too late today. Let the prince consort get some sleep first. There's plenty of time in the future."
I only opened my eyes after hearing the three of them leave and close the door, and changed out of my half-wet clothes. Looking at the bodice in front of me, I realized there was a good reason why women in ancient times were underdeveloped, but it could come in handy now.
I leaned against the bed, looking at the moonlight streaming in through the window. I wished I could travel back in time when I woke up tomorrow.
The next morning, a palace maid knocked on my door: "My lord, it's dawn." I opened the door groggily, and the palace maid blushed when she saw me. "My lord, Granny Zhang asked me to help you get up and wash."
Upon hearing this, I immediately perked up: "What's your name?"
The palace maid lowered her head and said timidly, "Your Highness, this servant is Anxiang."
I tried to keep my speech at a normal pace: "Anxiang, I'm used to having someone serve me in the morning. You stay at the door, I'll come out in a bit." Anxiang raised her head slightly, then quickly lowered it again.
I took the toiletries from Anxiang, closed the door, quickly changed into my corset, then put on all the clothes I had left by the bed last night, and put on a sachet containing a small amount of musk and a scent to mask my feminine scent.
After a quick wash, she sat down in front of the bronze mirror to tie her hair. This Ji Ying really had a beautiful appearance; her voice was androgynous, and although her features were delicate, she had a heroic air about her, so she could dress as a man with ease. With the help of some small accessories, it's no wonder she hasn't been recognized for so many years.
I dressed myself properly and checked that everything was in order before opening the door and going out.
Anxiang blushed again when she saw me: "Prince Consort, this way please." I looked at the sky, which was just beginning to lighten; they were up even earlier here than at the Ji residence.
As soon as I arrived at the main hall, Li Zhaole was already waiting there. As always, he didn't give me a friendly look, which I was happy to accept.
When Zhang Mama saw me come in, she walked over with a smile: "Prince Consort, this morning you and the princess were to pay your respects to Her Majesty the Empress, and everything is ready now."
I smiled and said, "Thank you for helping to take care of the nanny."
Li Zhaole chimed in from the side: "Glib-tongued, silver-tongued."
Granny Zhang was used to it, so she went to wait outside the door first. I walked to Li Zhaole's side and made a gesture: "Princess, this way please."
Li Zhaole walked proudly ahead, and I kept a half-foot distance from her. Zhang Mama behind her could only shake her head in disapproval.
Upon arriving at Zhaoning Palace, where the Empress resided, Li Zhaole and I performed the grand ceremony and then respectfully sat down on the chairs beside her. Li Zhaole sat in front, and I sat behind her.
The Empress said, "Le'er, now that you have a husband, you must be mindful of the importance of everything and follow the rules, understand?"
Li Zhaole, changing her usual demeanor, said, "Mother, I understand. I will certainly fulfill my duties as a princess." After saying that, she even smiled mischievously at the Empress. I was shocked. This Li Zhaole was actually a two-faced person.
The Empress laughed heartily at her words, "Le'er, come often in the future. Your father is busy with state affairs all day long, and the palace is quite deserted without you."
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