Chapter 120 What kind of cousin and cousin-in-law are they?
"Miss Ji, the Princess invites you to come and have a seat."
This was the first time Ji Qingwu had ever met Li Yuzong, and he found him pleasing to the eye no matter how he looked at him; even the wrinkles on his face seemed particularly endearing.
She was just wondering how to get away from this group of overly enthusiastic ladies, so she nodded hurriedly.
When the ladies saw that it was Li Yuzong, who served the emperor, who came to invite them personally, they dared not stop him.
However, the lady who was holding onto Ji Qingwu's arm was unwilling to give up and said quickly, "Miss Ji, it's a deal! I will bring my son to pay a visit to the Ji residence tomorrow."
When was the appointment made...? Ji Qingwu really didn't know.
But getting out of the encirclement was the most important thing right now, so she gave a few perfunctory replies and ran off.
Li Yuzong led the way, walking quickly, while she followed quietly behind.
After circling around half of the venue, Ji Qingwu looked up and realized that they had reached the foot of the high platform filled with banners and ceremonial guards. After climbing a dozen or so white stone steps, they would be standing in front of the emperor.
Ji Qingwu initially thought that Princess Huachang wanted to see her to inquire about taking the pulse of the Prince Consort last night, so she should have found a private place.
She hesitated and stopped, then asked, "Eunuch Li, where is the Princess?"
Li Yuzong turned around and said, "The Princess is sitting right here at the table. Miss Ji, please come with me. The Princess is getting impatient."
this......
Having just escaped the tiger's den, they are now heading into the wolf's lair.
Everyone knows that Consort Wei is the emperor's favorite concubine. Just now, Ji Qingwu displeased Emperor Wusu's favorite concubine. If he were to retaliate because of this...
The more she thought about it, the more suffocated she felt, but she couldn't afford to dwell on the strange feeling in her heart right now.
As soon as Ji Qingwu stepped onto the stage, she felt many scrutinizing gazes fall upon her, but none could compare to the one coming from above her head, which made her scalp tingle.
As per custom, she first bowed to Emperor Wusu.
"Get up."
Ji Qingwu obeyed and stood up. When he looked up, his eyes met those of the person sitting on the throne for a moment.
A warm sun shone in front of her, who was dressed in a light blue robe, and the light in her eyes was like a spring pond reflecting the rosy clouds.
The arrow she shot as she bent down from her horse perfectly showcased the woman's strength and beauty, her soft and supple waist hidden beneath her loose clothing.
Ji Qingwu didn't look at the emperor much; instead, his gaze shifted to the seat next to the throne, where a small table had been temporarily added.
The person sitting at the small table was none other than Consort Wei.
Wei Liru had already changed into a scarlet palace dress. She raised her chin and looked down at Ji Qingwu.
“Miss Ji is the Empress Dowager’s niece and the Emperor’s cousin. By all accounts, I should also call her cousin. Fifth Cousin’s performance today was truly a pleasant surprise.”
surprise?
Ji Qingwu's eyes flickered. Consort Wei was furious and angry just now.
It seems that everyone in this palace has to cultivate multiple personas, and even Wei Liru, who comes from a noble family and has family connections, is no exception.
However, a closer analysis of Consort Wei's words reveals that while she seemed to be trying to build a closer relationship, she was actually reminding the emperor that Ji Qingwu was from the Empress Dowager's maternal family and was a daughter of a powerful maternal relative.
Ji Qingwu understood the source of Consort Wei's hostility.
Before Ji Qingwu could reply, Princess Huachang said directly, "Miss Ji is a distinguished guest invited by me. Please sit here."
Ji Qingwu nodded and walked over with light steps. He had just sat down and hadn't even warmed his bottom yet.
Consort Wei wouldn't let her off the hook, as if she wanted to regain the face she had lost in the audience.
She smiled and said, "I am shameless to call myself your cousin-in-law for once. The wine in my hand is an aged wine produced in the Langya Terrace cellar. The wine from Langya Terrace is fragrant and has the reputation of being the amber among wines. I would like to invite Miss Ji to have a drink."
First he praised her, then he offered to treat her to drinks, and even addressed her as his cousin's wife.
Consort Wei smiled at her, her eyes full of joy and satisfaction, and raised her cup in invitation.
Ji Qingwu's gaze shifted to her "cousin" beside her, but as soon as she turned her gaze away, he caught her eye, his eyes revealing a depth she couldn't quite decipher.
She thought angrily, "What kind of cousin is this? The cousin who held me and kept me warm last night?"
Ji Qingwu looked away, intending to avoid seeing it and thus avoid getting annoyed.
She knew her own alcohol tolerance level very well; two glasses of fruit wine would make her blush, let alone this strong liquor, which would make her pass out as soon as it went down her throat.
Ji Qingwu's words of refusal were on the tip of her tongue.
Princess Huachang suddenly said, "Is Consort Wei drunk and confused? If you want Miss Ji to call you 'cousin-in-law,' are you even a proper sister-in-law?"
Princess Huachang knew what Consort Wei was thinking.
The wine offered on Langya Terrace is all pure strong liquor. Ji Qingwu would get dizzy after just one sip, let alone a whole cup, but Consort Wei is famous for her high alcohol tolerance.
Wei Liru originally intended to use her status as an imperial concubine to provoke Ji Qingwu and also to test her feelings for the emperor.
Only after Princess Huachang said that did he realize that he had spoken out of turn.
Only the Empress could rightfully be addressed as "sister-in-law".
She hesitated, looking at the emperor's expression, and said with a wronged tone, "Have I overstepped my bounds?"
Emperor Wusu then raised his eyes and looked at Consort Wei beside him, his eyes filled with a deep coldness.
Consort Wei quickly apologized, saying, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was an unintentional mistake."
Emperor Wusu took the wine cup from her hand and placed it heavily on the table.
His expression was cold, but his words were full of concern: "This wine is too strong. Drinking too much will harm your health. Some people like to show off, and they will become reckless when they are drunk."
Upon hearing this, the relatives and nobles burst into laughter.
An older woman joked, "The Emperor and Consort Wei have such a good relationship. He's just worried that she's drunk too much and isn't feeling well."
Wei Liru's face first showed a shy expression.
But after listening to Emperor Wusu's words and slowly coming to her senses, her expression began to freeze.
She has an exceptionally high alcohol tolerance, never getting drunk even after a thousand cups. She has never been drunk since she can remember, which is why she wants to have a drinking contest with Ji Qingwu to win back some points.
The person the Emperor was referring to was not her.
Who would dare to act recklessly in front of Emperor Wusu after getting drunk?
Wei Liru's expression changed several times.
Princess Huachang called to the eunuch behind her and said, "Remove the wine cup in front of Miss Ji and replace it with rose wine from the ancient Dian Kingdom."
Only after Ji Qingwu lowered his head and sipped the rose wine did the emperor's complexion improve somewhat.
The competition offstage was fierce.
Except for Yuchi Lianping.
Whenever there was a break in the archery practice, he would look up at the high platform, naturally targeting the princess in her flowing white dress.
His actions had already attracted the attention of everyone on stage.
Seeing Yuchi Lianping's expression, the relatives opposite him laughed and told him an amusing story.
"I haven't seen Huachang's son-in-law compete in many years. I remember he was an exceptional archer and a rare martial arts prodigy."
Emperor Wusu seemed to have thought of something, nodded, and said, "What the old Marquis said is correct."
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