The Seventh Princess Insists on Making Me Be a Kept Woman (GL) - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Consort Transforms into a Flatterer

The Fifth Imperial Sister was born to a concubine, so her status was usually not high. However, she turned nineteen earlier this year, and the Emperor granted her a court position, assigning her to government affairs. This instantly gave her a superior air, and her words were constantly mocking Gao Jingxi for still being idle.

But she failed to consider the Langing Kingdom’s law that no Imperial child, male or female, could be granted an official post before the age of nineteen. Gao Jingxi had only turned eighteen before her marriage, so she was naturally, on the surface, an idle person.

“Greetings to Fifth Imperial Sister.” Lian Liejin slightly cupped one hand in the other as a salute.

“I’ve long heard that Imperial Sister-in-law is beautiful and exceptionally talented. Seeing you today, even I feel a bit jealous of Seventh Imperial Sister.” Gao Qing (Fifth Princess) squinted as she assessed Lian Liejin, the light in her eyes nearly seeing right through the person.

Seeing Gao Qing’s hand about to touch Lian Liejin’s shoulder, Gao Jingxi quickly pulled her consort behind her. “I remember Fifth Imperial Brother-in-law is a man of first-rate character and talent, Imperial Sister should cherish him more.”

Gao Qing withdrew her hand, smiling without any embarrassment. It’s a pity that my consort is also born of a concubine like me. Who knows what price he must pay to climb higher! This Lian Liejin, however, is a legitimate daughter and so good-looking. What a waste to leave her for Gao Jingxi.

“By the way, Seventh Imperial Sister, aren’t you going to see Eldest Miss Lian?” Gao Qing’s eyes were full of mockery, and she glanced at Lian Liejin with an expression of one watching a show. “She’s been sick in bed for several days.”

“Fifth Imperial Sister, are you referring to my elder sister?” Lian Liejin asked a little slowly.

Seeing Lian Liejin respond, Gao Qing’s eyes lit up, and she opened the floodgates. “Yes! You’ve been on the mountain for years and don’t know, but your sister and my Seventh Imperial Sister were childhood friends and sweethearts. I just didn’t expect you to return…”

So that’s how it is. Lian Liejin sneered internally. No wonder her concubine mother was so unhappy with her when she returned to the Duke’s estate. As soon as the legitimate daughter returned, the eldest daughter had to step aside. But the thought of the concubine mother’s plan to marry high falling through made her inwardly delighted.

“Fifth Highness, Seventh Highness, Consort,” an eunuch approached. “The banquet is about to begin. The Empress ordered this servant to fetch the two of you.”

“In that case, let’s take our seats quickly. Being late would be a breach of etiquette before the throne.” Gao Jingxi felt unusually uncomfortable. Especially the way Gao Qing looked at Lian Liejin made her feel deeply offended.

Leaving the Imperial Garden, Gao Qing said she needed to change clothes, so Gao Jingxi and Lian Liejin headed toward the banquet hall first.

“What, having such a fruitful chat with my Imperial Sister?”

Lian Liejin looked at Gao Jingxi’s half-smile, unsure how to reply. “It was alright. I’m not familiar with her.”

“Heh heh,” Gao Jingxi gave two cold laughs. “Don’t try to dress up so flashily all the time.”

Lian Liejin: “…” I didn’t, I haven’t.

The two walked side by side but said no more. The only amusing thing was that they kept a smile in their eyes the entire time, maintaining a façade of harmony.

At the banquet, the Emperor’s Dragon Throne was placed high up, but the Emperor had not yet taken his seat.

Below the throne were the Empress, the Noble Consort, and the other concubines. The Imperial sons and daughters were also seated according to their age and rank. Since it was only a minor family banquet, the attendees were limited to close Imperial relatives, children of high-ranking officials, and the entire family of the Duke of Yan.

Old Duke of Yan looked at Lian Liejin from afar. Gao Jingxi was the first to walk over and bow to him.

“Your Highness, you mustn’t! You are our ruler—”

“What are you saying, Duke? Since I married the Consort, you are naturally my elder.”

“Father, why are only you here? Where are my brothers, sisters, and younger siblings?” Lian Liejin asked with an air of one watching a play.

“Jiner, your sister is ill, and your concubine mother and the others are at home taking care of her.” The Duke of Yan felt both happy and comforted watching the young couple. They stood together like a perfect match, a heaven-made pair.

“Oh, what a touching display of filial piety! This Prince hasn’t had a chance to congratulate Seventh Imperial Sister on finding a good match yet.”

The speaker was the First Imperial Prince. He was built like a bear, handsome and mighty, and held considerable prestige in the court.

He suddenly leaned in and said with a frivolous laugh, “I doubt you could find a second piece of trash in all of Changyong City that matches Seventh Imperial Sister so well.”

“Imperial Brother is too kind. I hear Imperial Sister-in-law misses home and has gone back to her parents’ house with her nephew again?”

This was a merciless remark, openly pointing out that the Prince’s marriage was strained. One must know that a disorderly inner residence was a major taboo for those vying for the throne.

The First Imperial Prince’s face instantly darkened at Gao Jingxi’s direct challenge. He had concealed this matter from everyone, and even the Emperor didn’t know. How did this little brat, Gao Jingxi, get the news?

He gave an unpleasant wave of his hand and returned to his seat with a humph.

In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the Emperor finally arrived, bringing her new favorite, Consort Lian, who was sixteen years old, charmingly seductive, and graceful. It was said that because of her, the Emperor hadn’t visited any other concubine’s palace for three months, favoring her alone. She was also capable, being two months pregnant.

The late arrival at the banquet was likely due to the Emperor indulging Consort Lian’s clinginess.

After these ancient people completed the tedious formalities, the feast finally began.

Every dish at the banquet was specially prepared with ingredients paired up to symbolize a specific meaning for the newlyweds.

After a few bites, Lian Liejin found the dish called “Mallow with Snow Plum”—made with shrimp balls and meat-filled egg dumplings—to be the most delicious.

However, just as things quieted down, the First Imperial Prince stood up while the dancers were briefly retiring, bowed to the Emperor, and said, “Imperial Mother, today’s banquet celebrates the joyous marriage of Seventh Imperial Sister and the Consort. Simply having these ordinary dancers entertain us, your son believes, lacks a certain amusement.”

The Emperor, seated high above, was over forty, her thin face still showing traces of her once-handsome looks. “In your opinion, what method of amusement do you propose?”

“Your son has heard that the Consort has been gifted with exceptional intelligence and quick wits since childhood. Although he was long ago declared unable to use Stellar Energy for life, he remains resolute in his will despite his disability.” Hearing the low laughter of others, the First Prince became even more smug. “Now that the Consort has married an peerless beauty like Seventh Imperial Sister, he must demonstrate some true skill to gain the respect of the masses.”

“Hahaha,” the Emperor narrowed her eyes. “You rascal, always trying to make trouble for your sister’s Consort. So be it. It’s amusing to let you young people have a bit of fun.”

Having received the Emperor’s approval, the First Prince lifted his head higher. “The matter is simple enough, Brother-in-law. Look at the lotus pond outside the hall.”

Looking towards the door, there was a circular lotus pond. There was geothermal heating beneath the pond, so the water hadn’t frozen in the ice and snow. Instead, it subtly emitted steam, and several lotus flowers were in bloom.

“I dare the Consort to tell me: How can you make this Prince willingly step into the lotus pond at this very moment?”

This was clearly designed to put him on the spot. In this freezing weather, who would willingly jump into the water fully clothed? Moreover, doing so in front of everyone would be extremely disrespectful.

The First Prince looked around. Everyone present looked troubled, feigning deep thought.

“Hahaha, all you young masters and misses may also participate and compete with the Consort!”

Feng Zhi, the son of the Minister of Rites, stood up. “I have a plan.”

The First Prince smiled. “Young Master Feng, speak quickly.”

Feng Zhi put his hands behind his back and looked up. “What’s so difficult about that? If I were to start a fire in the hall, and the blaze grew large, His Imperial Highness would have no choice but to leap into the lotus pond to escape the flames!”

He looked smugly at everyone, but to his surprise, everyone’s expressions were subtle, and the First Prince’s face turned dark. Feng Zhi thought for a moment before realizing: setting fire to the palace was a grave offense, and the Emperor was here!

The First Prince quickly intervened. “Imperial Mother, Feng Zhi absolutely harbors no such intentions. It was merely a slip of the tongue. Let us hear what insight the Consort has.”

Lian Liejin put down her chopsticks and coughed. “First Imperial Prince, you truly are a man of taste; this is a brilliant question. The blooming lotus symbolizes Your Majesty’s auspiciousness and good fortune. This time of peace and prosperity also has a person as pure as a green lotus constantly accompanying the true dragon.”

The Emperor was usually stern, but after hearing Lian Liejin’s flattery, she revealed a rare smile.

Gao Jingxi was even more surprised that Lian Liejin, who was either taciturn or full of nonsense, was actually a master flatterer in disguise.

“However, I truly have no way to make His Imperial Highness the First Prince willingly walk into the lotus pond.”

The Emperor was delighted and was about to tell her that she didn’t need to try, when she heard Lian Liejin declare, “However, if you, First Imperial Prince, walk into the lotus pond, I do have a way to make Your Highness willingly come out.”

“Hahaha, this Prince wants to see what you are capable of!”

“Then I ask that His Imperial Highness the First Prince move to the lotus pond.”

“What’s difficult about that!” The First Prince removed his outer robe and boots and plopped into the lotus pond.

Although the lotus pond water wasn’t freezing, the outdoor temperature was extremely low. It would become very uncomfortable after just a short soak.

“Jiner, what is your method?” The Emperor asked, seeing Lian Liejin make no move.

“Your daughter’s consort has already succeeded.”

“What?”

“His Imperial Highness the First Prince is already willingly soaking in the lotus pond.”

The hall fell silent. Consort Lian suddenly burst into laughter, her voice melodious and captivating, making some of the less-resilient men feel their bones go soft.

“Your Majesty, the Seventh Princess’s Consort is truly an amusing person.”

“Hahaha, my dear Consort truly understands my heart. Great minds think alike. Guards! Bring the Sea-Sized Golden Cup and bestow wine upon the Consort!”

The Sea-Sized Golden Cup was nearly three times the size of a regular wine bowl. An ordinary person would be drunk for three days after just one cup. But this was indeed a high honor, previously only bestowed upon the top scholar of the Imperial examinations and great generals.

The former top scholar, now holding a high position, once drank three cups of the wine from the Golden Cup, was drunk in the hall for three days, and yet still wrote several masterpieces that have been passed down, making the story of “ruler and subject drunk together” a famous tale.

Lian Liejin stood in the center of the hall, drank the strong wine bestowed by the Emperor from the Golden Cup, finishing it cup by cup. She drank three cups in succession, knelt down gracefully to express her thanks without any sign of intoxication, and returned to Gao Jingxi’s side.

“Hu’er (First Prince’s name), your clothes are a mess! What a disgrace! You do not need to leave your residence for the next few days. Stay at home and copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager.”

The First Prince, Gao Hu, completely soaked and looking like a drowned dog, had just stepped into the hall when a barrage of scolding from the Emperor hit him squarely.

Seeing the First Prince Gao Hu sullenly leave his seat to change his wet clothes, the Emperor laughed heartily again. “The Consort truly has a vast capacity for alcohol! Another reward! Bestow twelve jars of fine wine upon the Consort!”

“Your Majesty, wait!”