Consort Ji persuaded Li Zhaole in no time, and she actually agreed. Women in ancient times are so generous!
Li Zhaole began to retaliate: "Your Majesty, why have you come to Linyang? Could it be that you're discussing something with Brother Yuancheng?"
Consort Ji smiled and said, "I am traveling incognito with the Emperor this time. Since it is inconvenient for him to come to the Marquis's residence, I am doing it on his behalf." No wonder she dressed as a man; this is a clever reason.
Li Zhaole squeezed my fingers: "So Father Emperor knows too?"
Consort Ji nodded: "He agreed, otherwise I wouldn't have said it. I originally planned to tell you later, but I really couldn't help it just now."
Li Zhaole nodded. Her father, the Emperor, had already agreed to give one to the驸马 (the imperial son-in-law), so her objections were futile. Consort Ji was truly shrewd; she could even handle the Emperor.
Consort Ji then asked, "Yuancheng, where is your wife? Why can't I find her?"
Xie Yuancheng remained expressionless: "Your Majesty, she has done something wrong and has been punished by being confined to her room."
Consort Ji laughed heartily: "You two are newlyweds, why are you punishing someone? Quickly call her out to have a chat with us."
Xie Yuancheng finally changed his expression and said something that made me feel ashamed: "Your Majesty, she cannot speak with everyone, so it is best not to see her."
Consort Ji's smile froze, but quickly returned: "It's truly a case of beauty being envied by heaven. How about this, we can all meet? I've heard that you keep your wife very well hidden, not even allowing her to see outsiders. I found it strange when I first heard that, but now I understand."
Xie Yuancheng looked directly at me: "If Your Majesty wishes to see him, then see the Imperial Son-in-Law. They look very similar. It's just that the Imperial Son-in-Law is handsome, while my wife is pretty." His gaze was too blatant; I'd better pretend I didn't see it.
Consort Ji and Li Zhaole looked at me, and Consort Ji smoothed things over: "I know that Ying'er and your wife are both from the Ji family. When I heard the imperial decree, I was quite startled. When I asked, I found out that she was the third daughter adopted by the Ji family. I have been in the deep palace for many years, and today I have the honor of accompanying the emperor on an incognito visit, so I am very curious."
Consort Ji was a master negotiator; her words were watertight, both belittling Xie Yuancheng and distancing herself from the Ji family.
However, I couldn't stand her talking about Xie Yuancheng in front of me: "Your Majesty, I have met the Marquis's wife. She is truly a wonderful person. Although she cannot speak, she and the Marquis are a perfect match. I was stunned when I first met her. I never expected her to be my third sister. I hadn't been home since I came to Linyang from the palace, and I was the last to know the news. It is rare that the Marquis is so magnanimous and does not hold it against me."
After I boasted like that, I never dared to look Xie Yuancheng in the eye again.
Li Zhaole finally let go of my hand: "No wonder you two are always together. I knew it. What big thing could happen in Linyang that would make someone as weak as you follow around everywhere? Turns out you're family. Why didn't you say so sooner? I'll have to have Xiren prepare another generous gift later."
Li Zhaole is a typical example of someone who gets sold out but still helps count the money; even though your husband is getting married, you still have to prepare lavish gifts.
Consort Ji nodded: "That's good then. Le'er, shall you set off today, or wait three days to return to the capital with the Emperor?"
Li Zhaole looked at me and said, "Of course I wanted to stay. I came here hoping that the prince consort would keep me here. But it was all his fault. He told that maid early this morning that I had a bad temper, which led to our argument."
My heart is bleeding, someone please save me.
Xie Yuancheng changed the subject: "Your Majesty, I will have them prepare the room in the western suburbs for you to move in." Consort Ji nodded. She was so shrewd that I dared not even try to fathom her.
Because the matter was of great importance, Xie Yuancheng and Consort Ji went out, leaving a bunch of girls and me staring at each other blankly.
Let me comfort the eldest one first: "Princess, you were frightened just now, go back to your room and rest."
She looked at me and raised her voice again: "Are you an idiot? Can't you take me home?"
I lied through my teeth: "Princess, I wish I could too, but the Marquis has already seen the Empress off. I have to take care of the rest of the matters, otherwise, if we delay the process, people might start talking about us."
Li Zhaole snorted and left with Xiren, leaving Wan'er standing outside the door, bewildered. Three women make a drama; hopefully, they won't start fighting.
Fortunately, Li Zhaole only spoke harshly, glared at Wan'er, and then left.
I said to Bizhu, "Bizhu, you should take care of Wan'er for the next few days. The princess is in a bad mood right now, and I'm afraid she'll take her anger out on her." Bizhu was really clever; she wasn't scared at all by what had just happened, and she took Wan'er and went to do her work.
I sat on the chair next to him, propping my head up with my hand: "Things are so complicated today. Another one has appeared out of nowhere. What are we going to do?"
I've been staying in my study, scribbling on paper, when suddenly I really wanted to practice swordsmanship. But I just said I had things to do, so how could I go out into the yard and cause a ruckus?
Xie Yuancheng returned in the evening. I was lying on the table at the time, and I sat up when I heard the sound.
He entered with an unfriendly expression; although he was smiling, you couldn't sense his joy.
I'll play the innocent card: "Yuancheng, you're back."
Xie Yuancheng sat on the stool next to him and said sarcastically, "You're really something, Prince Consort. You've married another one today. Are you trying to make my cuckoldry even worse?"
You don't have any green hat. Even if you do, it's Li Zhaole's, and you're the one who cheated on her!
I nestled against his lap, trying to appease him: "You know, in that situation, I definitely had to protect Wan'er. Li Zhaole is strong; back in Heqing Palace, she often took her anger out on the people below."
Xie Yuancheng looked down at me and asked, "What about Consort Ji? Why did she betroth Wan'er to you? What did you do in private?"
Sigh, what a jealous man!
I recounted all my conversations and events with Consort Ji after entering the palace, including my mission to deliver a letter to the shopkeeper.
Xie Yuancheng was still angry: "It's not just that. Wan'er was taken away from the Ji family by Consort Ji. Do you dare to say that you didn't have any private dealings with her when you were in the Ji family?"
I'm a transmigrator, how would I know what kind of relationship they had before!
“Yuan Cheng, I’ve already told you, I’m not from your time. I’m from the distant future. How would I know that Consort Ji and Ji Ying had any dealings before?”
Xie Yuancheng touched my face: "Ying'er, you're talking nonsense again. I won't force you anymore. If you don't want to talk about it, then forget it."
I feel more wronged than Dou E: "You're making things worse, like snow falling in June."
Xie Yuancheng pulled me onto his lap: "What do you mean, 'snow in June'?"
"Snow in June is the injustice of Dou E, but I am even more wronged than her, humph!" Xie Yuancheng was actually laughing. I'm angry, what's so funny about you?
"Okay, it was my fault. Don't talk nonsense next time."
"You're so sure you believe me. The shopkeeper can vouch for it. The first time I met him, I felt he definitely knew how to get back. But that day in the bridal sedan chair, he only handed me some words of blessing. When I went to find him, he only gave me a bottle of medicine. If you meet him next time, you can ask him and you'll know if what I said is true."
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