The Seventh Princess Insists on Making Me Be a Kept Woman (GL) - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: Unexpectedly Asked to Repay a Favor

“But, Your Highness hasn’t told me yet who the assassin is.”

“Consort, if I were to die, who would benefit?”

Hearing this, Lian Liejin slowly walked to catch up with Gao Jingxi. She was indeed not very knowledgeable about the power dynamics at court. But if the favored Seventh Princess, Gao Jingxi, were to die unexpectedly, the happiest people would undoubtedly be the other princes and princesses.

However, it seemed overly audacious for princes and princesses to openly assassinate a sibling right under the Emperor’s nose.

Lian Liejin stopped in place to think for a moment, then realized Gao Jingxi had walked far ahead. She hurried to catch up, maintaining a pace half a step behind the Seventh Princess.

After walking for an hour, the two finally circled half the city and arrived at the North Gate. To avoid alarming the guards, Gao Jingxi grabbed the back of Lian Liejin’s collar and, like lifting a chick, the two leaped up and flew into Changyong City.

It was the third watch of the night. Because it was the Lantern Festival, the curfew had been lifted. The main street not far away still had many people walking around in groups of two or three. Gao Jingxi’s taut nerves finally relaxed.

“Your Highness, could you let me down?”

A depressed voice sounded from behind. Gao Jingxi suddenly realized she had been pulling Lian Liejin’s collar while walking forward.

She quickly let go. Half of Lian Liejin’s outer robe was practically pulled out of place.

In full view of the public, Lian Liejin’s clothes were disheveled, and her hair was messy, inevitably leading to speculation—it was the Lantern Festival, a day when mock “bride-snatching” was often celebrated.

To avoid misunderstanding, Gao Jingxi walked over to help her straighten her clothes, first re-tying her sash, then smoothing her messy hair.

As a result, Lian Liejin’s clumsiness earned her an increased look of disdain from Gao Jingxi. She slapped Lian Liejin’s hands away. “Did you leave home so young that you never learned to take care of yourself? How could your clothes get this messy?”

Lian Liejin: “…” Is this the art of imperial rule that royalty learns from childhood—turning the tables?

Seeing Lian Liejin remain speechless and dazed, Gao Jingxi, trying to ease the awkwardness, spoke again: “I saved your life this time, too. How are you going to repay me?”

Do members of the Imperial Family truly hate to lose out on anything? A shiver ran through Lian Liejin. Surely the Princess isn’t asking me to repay the favor with my body, is she?

After all, people in ancient times enjoyed this kind of drama. Surely Gao Jingxi was no exception.

Lian Liejin froze for a moment. Although Gao Jingxi didn’t know why the person looked so stunned, she found it amusing, so she remained silent, staring intently at Lian Liejin.

This scene, in the eyes of the people who had been anxiously searching for Gao Jingxi, was not so innocent.

A You was the first to spot them, shouting excitedly, “Over here!” Just as she was about to rush to Gao Jingxi’s side, she noticed the Princess seemed to be cuddling with someone in the middle of the street.

And it looked like the Princess initiated it!

Getting closer, she saw that the person the Princess was embracing was none other than the Consort.

A You suddenly recalled that the Princess had abruptly said she needed “fresh air” while at Tianyuan Residence earlier. Is this what “fresh air” means?

But it’s perfectly natural for the Princess and the Consort to be together. Why the need for secrecy?

A You’s loud voice startled the already injured and physically weakened Gao Jingxi. She then realized how misleading her current posture with Lian Liejin was.

What was that idiom again? Secretly crossing the river to attack. That must be what these people are thinking now.

The Princess’s guards quickly surrounded them. Chen Yu, who was following behind A You, gritted his teeth in anger upon recognizing Lian Liejin’s face. How could this gigolo be with the Princess!

“Your Highness, where did you go?” A You walked up to Gao Jingxi, bowed, and asked softly, “Your servant was terribly worried. I’m glad you’re safe, or how could I live?”

“A You, I am fine. I merely wandered too far and got lost.”

Whatever the master says, is the truth. A You deeply understood this principle. She asked no further questions and had the guards bring the carriage to escort Gao Jingxi back to the residence.

“I apologize for causing everyone worry,” Gao Jingxi smiled faintly at the group of people not far away before getting into the carriage. “I was a poor host this time. I will surely make amends next time.”

Chen Li quickly pulled Chen Yu to bow with him to Gao Jingxi. “Your Highness, what are you saying? Your safety is all that matters.”

“Since Her Highness must return to her residence, your humble servant should also return to the Consort’s residence.” Lian Liejin bowed with an air of nonchalance. Her voice was slightly hoarse, whether from her collar being squeezed or from fright, she couldn’t tell herself.

Gao Jingxi had intended to send a squad of guards to escort Lian Liejin back, but the person ran off quickly. She simply smiled and got into the carriage.

The carriage began to move. Gao Jingxi finally stopped pretending to be fine. Although her internal injuries were much better, her body was still very weak, having only been injured recently.

“Your Highness, what exactly happened to you?”

“Keep this safe,” Gao Jingxi shook her head, her expression solemn. “Let’s return to the residence first. I ran into the same group of people from six months ago again.”

That group had severely injured Gao Jingxi six months prior. A You’s heart jumped into her throat. “Your Highness, were you injured?”

“I’ve taken medicine. Keep this safe!”

A You then noticed that the Princess was holding a white object in her hand. It looked somewhat tattered and was stained with mud.

“Your Highness, what is this?”

“A radish lantern.”

A You felt completely confused. She had never heard of a radish lantern. “Your Highness, well, radishes spoil easily. They aren’t easy to preserve.”

“Mmm, I know.” Gao Jingxi nodded thoughtfully, not saying anything further.

This night, at least, passed without further incident.

Late at night one day later, Lian Liejin was still lying in bed when she heard someone knocking on the door. “Consort, A You is here on the Princess’s orders to escort you to the Princess’s residence.”

“Huh? I thought the day for the obligatory meeting between the Princess and me was the day after tomorrow.”

According to custom, the obligatory meeting day was every ten days.

“Consort, this is an extreme emergency! Please get dressed quickly.”

Lian Liejin put on her robe and rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Sister A You, what’s the emergency late at night?”

“Consort, don’t you remember?” A You saw Lian Liejin’s hair was half-undone. It looked nice, but it wasn’t presentable. She had no choice but to enter the room and grab several sets of Lian Liejin’s clothes. “Please follow your servant to the Princess’s residence first.”

In the Princess’s residence, Gao Jingxi was sitting in front of a bronze mirror, letting two young maids comb her hair. Her dark hair was like a waterfall, like the finest black satin, gleaming with a moist sheen.

When the red candle nearby was burned down by a third, A You knocked on the door. “Your Highness, the Consort is outside the door, but has not yet tidied up.”

“Never mind. Come in.”

A familiar delicate fragrance filled the room. As soon as Lian Liejin entered, she bowed to Gao Jingxi. “Your Highness, may I ask why your humble servant was summoned so late at night?” It can’t be to ask me to repay the life-saving favor, can it…

“Today is the Poetry Conference. Did you forget that you promised me we would attend together?”

“I remember now.” Lian Liejin sighed in relief, but at the same time felt a little disappointed. She really didn’t want to attend any Poetry Conference.

Gao Jingxi wasn’t angered by Lian Liejin’s reply. She merely smiled faintly. “Go and tidy up.”

As dawn broke, a flurry of maids and servants rushed in to serve tea and breakfast. People constantly reported from outside that the processional carriage and canopy were all prepared for departure.

It wasn’t until the morning light was full that Gao Jingxi left the Princess’s residence with Lian Liejin. They immediately got into a magnificent, canopied carriage. A large retinue then set out in an imposing fashion.

The conference was held at the Youlan Water Pavilion, the most prosperous spot in Changyong City. It was a royal villa built in the previous dynasty. In the current era, it had become a place of elegance. Nobles and high-ranking officials loved to host grand banquets there.

Inside the carriage, Gao Jingxi and Lian Liejin were as silent as if they had suddenly become mute. They exchanged glances, but neither spoke for a long time.

In the end, A You chuckled from the side and said, “Your Highness, which scholar do you think will win the top prize at this year’s Poetry Conference?”

“Last year it was the Lian family’s eldest daughter. I imagine it will be similar this year.” Gao Jingxi seemed a little distracted. After a moment, she smiled softly and asked Lian Liejin, “Consort, have you ever studied poetry and verse?” She certainly remembered Lian Liejin’s excellent verse from the previous banquet.