The Eldest Princess Is So Annoying! - Chapter 15

Mu Xu cooperatively extended her arms while the palace maids from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau measured her with a soft measuring tape. They called out each measurement to the female official, who recorded them in a booklet.

Mu Xu secretly studied the people in the room.

Those from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau needed no explanation, but the woman standing beside the female official caught her attention.

When they arrived, everyone had introduced themselves and explained their purpose. This woman alone had merely curtsied and addressed her as Miss Mu.

Looking more closely, Mu Xu saw that the woman’s face revealed no emotion whatsoever. There was a cool remoteness in her features as she stood perfectly still. Had her complexion not possessed the healthy color of an ordinary person, Mu Xu might truly have mistaken her for a cold stone statue.

Who exactly was she?

She could not be from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau. Her clothing and accessories were completely different from theirs.

Could she be someone from the Eldest Princess’s residence?

Mu Xu remembered Taohua telling her that Jingshu would bring people over today.

But was Jingshu not supposed to be an elderly matron with a head full of white hair?

The woman before her appeared only six or seven years older than Qie Ge.

Jingshu had noticed Mu Xu watching her from the very first glance.

She had once been the late empress’s personal maid and had spent more than twenty years deep within the imperial palace. She understood the rules a servant was required to observe better than anyone.

Since Mu Xu had not spoken, it would have been improper for her to ask anything.

However, Mu Xu continued glancing at her, the confusion in her eyes growing increasingly obvious.

Helping one’s master resolve her doubts was also a servant’s duty.

Although the late empress was the only person Jingshu had ever truly regarded as her master, Mu Xu would marry into the imperial family in several days and become her young mistress’s Prince Consort. Naturally, Jingshu could not neglect her.

She stepped forward and curtsied.

“Does Miss Mu have any instructions?”

Mu Xu’s heart tightened.

She had been caught staring.

She hurriedly shook her head.

Jingshu looked at her but said nothing. She simply stepped back to her original position.

Qie Ge casually flipped through the book in her hands.

She had not expected Mu Xu to enjoy such miscellaneous tales. The entire book was filled with ghosts and deities.

No wonder she was so bold.

At that moment, the female official reported, “Your Highness, Miss Mu, the measurements have been completed.”

Qie Ge nodded.

“Jingshu, see them out.”

“Yes.”

“These servants take their leave.”

When Mu Xu still lived in Suzhou, she had once visited a shop and watched an assistant take a widow’s measurements. The widow had eagerly cooperated with every instruction, looking as though she would not have tired even if the measuring continued all day.

Only today did Mu Xu truly understand that being measured was also physically exhausting.

She had hardly rested properly during the past several days, making her feel even more tired.

Mu Xu had originally intended to go and rest, but judging from Qie Ge’s words, she apparently did not intend to leave with the others.

Was she planning to stay?

Although Mu Xu wondered about it, she was not foolish enough to ask aloud.

“Prince Consort, including today, there are only thirteen days left before our wedding.”

Cuizhu and Taohua had already told Mu Xu this.

Why was Qie Ge bringing it up again now?

Mu Xu could hardly be blamed for becoming wary.

Qie Ge had deliberately caused her to fall earlier, and the experience had left her cautious.

Qie Ge regarded Mu Xu with an unreadable smile.

Mu Xu unconsciously stepped back, becoming even more convinced that Qie Ge was plotting something unpleasant.

Qie Ge laughed softly.

“Although you and I are both women, you are the Prince Consort and I am the Eldest Princess. Traditionally, when an Eldest Princess marries, it is the Prince Consort who comes to receive the bride.”

Mu Xu naturally knew this.

“Since His Majesty has declared you the adopted daughter of Right Chancellor Cai Qifeng, that is what you are. On the day before the wedding, you must move into the Cai residence.”

Qie Ge paused before continuing.

“I know you are not skilled at riding horses. Therefore, when you come to receive the bride, you need only sit in the bridal sedan at the Cai residence.”

Mu Xu breathed a sigh of relief.

Since childhood, her mother had taught her only the things young women were expected to know.

Even if a horse stood directly before her, she would not dare touch it, much less ride one.

It was good that she would not have to ride.

Very good indeed…

Qie Ge suddenly met Mu Xu’s eyes and smiled with them slightly narrowed.

“On the day of our wedding, I will wait for the Prince Consort in Yonghua Palace.”

Mu Xu’s entire body tensed.

Qie Ge was smiling, but there was something dangerous hidden within that smile.

“The Prince Consort must carry me to the bridal sedan.”

!!!

The words struck Mu Xu like a bolt from a clear sky.

All her previous exhaustion vanished at once.

It took her a long time to recover.

“This… This…”

She and Qie Ge might have similar builds, but…

How was she supposed to carry her?!

Qie Ge smiled gently, as though comforting her.

“There is no need for the Prince Consort to worry. My bedchamber is not far from the palace gates. It is only…”

Only what?

Meeting Mu Xu’s anxious gaze, the smile at the corners of Qie Ge’s lips deepened.

“It is merely the same distance as a round trip between the Prince Consort’s residence and the private school.”

A round trip?!

Mu Xu became so anxious she no longer knew what to say. She could only wave her hands helplessly, pointing first at herself, then at Qie Ge, and tracing incomprehensible shapes through the air.

Qie Ge nodded solemnly.

“That is correct. You must carry me to the bridal sedan.”

“I… I… I…”

Seeing that Mu Xu was almost frantic enough to cry, Qie Ge attempted to reassure her again.

“Prince Consort, do not panic.”

Qie Ge was not the one who had to carry her.

How could Mu Xu possibly remain calm?

Although Mu Xu had grown up without maids attending to her, she had never performed any truly heavy labor.

She had never even chopped firewood. At most, she cooked and kept the courtyard tidy.

“I am asking you to carry me, but I am also worried that you might drop me.”

Qie Ge’s words reminded Mu Xu of another problem.

Even if she somehow managed to lift Qie Ge, what if she accidentally dropped her?

Mu Xu looked at Qie Ge expectantly.

Did this mean she would no longer have to carry her?

When Qie Ge remained silent, Mu Xu hurriedly tried to persuade her.

“Your Highness is correct. Your Highness possesses a precious imperial body. If Mu Xu were to drop you, Mu Xu would be guilty of a terrible offense. Please reconsider, Your Highness!”

Qie Ge nodded as though seriously considering the matter.

She turned and stepped out of the room, walking into the courtyard as she said, “The Prince Consort cares so deeply for me. I am extremely gratified.”

Just as Mu Xu believed Qie Ge was about to agree, she heard her continue.

“I have decided to let you practice first in preparation for the wedding.”

Qie Ge surveyed the courtyard.

Her gaze eventually settled upon the stone table beside the fence.

She pointed at it.

“That will do.”

Mu Xu’s breathing stopped.

For a moment, it felt as though everything in the world had frozen, leaving her completely alone.

The square stone table had already been there when she moved into the residence.

Several times, she had wanted to move it beneath the trellis she had built for melons and fruit. Yet no matter how many times she tried, she had been unable to shift the table even slightly.

Later, she asked Jiang Huaisheng to help her move it.

The result had been exactly the same.

Mu Xu desperately wished she could faint on the spot.

Jingshu had just finished seeing off the people from the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau. The moment she returned, she heard Qie Ge’s words.

Looking at Mu Xu’s stunned expression, she said, “Your Highness, that stone table likely weighs as much as two shi of rice. It is too heavy. Miss Mu will not be able to move it.”

Mu Xu looked at Jingshu with gratitude in her eyes.

Jingshu inclined her head. The corners of her mouth curved ever so slightly, though the expression vanished in the blink of an eye.

Qie Ge pointed toward one of the stone stools.

“Then she may carry this stone stool instead.”

Mu Xu immediately looked at Jingshu once more, silently begging her to save her.

Under Mu Xu’s expectant gaze, Jingshu studied the stone stool for a moment before saying, “She should be able to lift that.”

“……”

Had Jingshu not just been helping her?

Why had she suddenly changed sides?

If Jingshu said it was possible, then it must be possible.

Qie Ge declared, “Then this will do!”

Qie Ge did not appear to be joking at all.

Mu Xu panicked.

“Your Highness… This… I… Mu Xu is merely an ordinary woman. Even other women would be unable to lift this stone stool!”

Qie Ge smiled.

“Who says other women cannot lift it? Qingqian, move the stone stool.”

Mu Xu turned and looked toward Qingqian behind her.

Qingqian’s build was no sturdier than her own.

How could she possibly lift that stone stool?

Qingqian glanced at Mu Xu. As she passed, she let out a cold snort.

Mu Xu’s mind was entirely occupied by the stone stool, so she did not notice. Jingshu, however, saw Qingqian’s behavior clearly.

Qingqian bent down and lifted the stone stool with both hands.

Then she released one hand.

Holding the stone stool with only one arm, she even bounced it lightly, as though proving it was not heavy at all.

Mu Xu drew in a sharp breath.

She still could not believe that a seemingly delicate woman like Qingqian could lift it so effortlessly.

Could it be…

Had someone exchanged the stone stool for a lighter one?

Qingqian had practiced martial arts since childhood and possessed internal strength. Lifting a small stone stool like this required hardly any effort.

She carried it over to Mu Xu, lowered her head, and presented it with both hands.

No one noticed the faint hostility in her eyes.

Although Mu Xu did not wish to carry the stool, Qingqian had already brought it before her. It would seem inappropriate not to accept it.

Qingqian warned, “Miss Mu, be careful. Do not let it crush your feet.”

Just as Mu Xu’s hands were about to touch the stool, Jingshu spoke.

“Qingqian, put the stone stool back. Her Highness told Miss Mu to lift it herself.”

“Qingqian acknowledges her mistake.”

Mu Xu walked over to the stone table and looked down at the stool Qingqian had returned.

This was the one.

It must have been replaced.

Mu Xu crouched down, wrapped both arms around the stone stool, and pulled upward with all her strength.

It did not move.

She tried harder.

It still did not move.

That could not be right.

How had Qingqian lifted it so easily?

Mu Xu stood, drew several deep breaths, then bent down and pulled once more.

The stone stool remained completely motionless!

After several attempts, Mu Xu’s face turned bright red.

She had used every ounce of strength she possessed, yet the stool had not shifted even the slightest bit.

Qie Ge pressed her lips together.

“Prince Consort, if you cannot move this stone stool today, I will take Jiang Huaisheng’s life.”

Mu Xu’s heart jolted.

She raised her eyes toward Qie Ge, feeling both wronged and furious.

Qie Ge smiled.

“I always keep my word.”

Mu Xu clenched her teeth.

Summoning all her strength, she began struggling with the stone stool.

If one attempt failed, she would try again.

If that still failed, she would continue until it moved.

No matter what, she had to shift it.

She absolutely could not allow Jiang Huaisheng to lose his life, nor could she let Qie Ge have her way!

Qie Ge watched as Mu Xu suddenly began fighting the stone stool with ruthless determination.

No one knew how many times she tried.

At last, the stool shifted ever so slightly.

But Mu Xu did not stop.

She continued pulling at it.

Qie Ge suddenly found Mu Xu somewhat familiar.

Ah, yes.

She remembered now.

Mu Xu was just like Rong Xiao’s maid.

Equally foolish.

To think she would go so far for a man.

Rong Xiao’s maid had been willing to die for him, only to be stabbed by Rong Xiao in the end. Had Qingqian not immediately sealed her acupoints, the maid would likely have lost her life.

Mu Xu was willing to do all this for Jiang Huaisheng.

But what could Jiang Huaisheng do for her?

When those rumors began spreading, why could he not withdraw from the imperial examination?

Suppose the rumors came true and Jiang Huaisheng became the top-ranked scholar. If His Majesty then bestowed a marriage upon him, would he truly dare defy the decree?

If he resisted and lost both his life and future, did he intend to become a pair of tragic lovers with Mu Xu on the road to the underworld?

If he truly chose Mu Xu above everything else, why insist upon pursuing fame and official rank?

Qie Ge did not believe Jiang Huaisheng would be so foolish.

He was nothing more than a hypocrite who appeared proper on the surface.

“That is enough. Stop. We are returning to the residence.”

Before Qie Ge could leave the courtyard, Mu Xu called after her.

“Your Highness, will you still kill him?”

Qie Ge stopped at the sound.

She let out a cold snort.

“No.”

The weight hanging over Mu Xu’s heart finally lifted.

A soft smile curved at the corners of her lips.

After climbing into the carriage, Qie Ge still could not understand why such foolish people existed in the world.

Then she remembered the glaring bloodstains on the stone stool.

“When we return, send someone to deliver medicine to Mu Xu.”

Qingqian replied, “Yes, Your Highness.”