The Seventh Princess Insists on Making Me Live Off Her - Chapter 13

Everyone in the room immediately fixed their eyes firmly on Lian Liejin.

She, however, seemed completely unaffected. She slowly sat down in the seat beside Gao Jingxi, only for the princess to pull her closer, forcing her to share the same seat.

Someone in the hall immediately shouted,

“The Princess Consort arrived so late. She must be punished with wine!”

“That’s right! The Princess Consort should drink at least three cups as punishment.”

Lian Liejin looked up.

The ones stirring up trouble were Chen Yu and Feng Zhi again, while everyone else eagerly and enthusiastically joined in.

Feng Zhi rose and drained a cup in one gulp.

“Princess Consort, being able to marry an unparalleled woman like the Seventh Princess must be a blessing you cultivated in your previous life. Of everyone present today, only you possess such good fortune. But in every other respect, you are far inferior to us. Hahaha!”

A wealthy young master with dark circles beneath his eyes and an unfocused gaze continued,

“That’s right. In literary talent, Eldest Young Lady Lian has placed first in the Poetry and Literature Gathering every year. Once she reaches the proper age, taking first place in the imperial examination would be no challenge at all. In martial ability, Young Master Chen Li of the Chancellor’s Residence has even fought enemies on the battlefield. His stellar-power rank has long since reached Astrologer. May I ask what strengths the Princess Consort possesses that could earn everyone’s admiration?”

“I have also heard that the Princess Consort was abandoned by the Twenty-Eight Mansions. She was born without the slightest trace of stellar power. Whether studying literature or practicing martial arts, she has accomplished absolutely nothing. She truly is the greatest joke in all of Changyong.”

The moment these words were spoken, everyone burst into laughter.

Some laughed out of contempt, some merely followed the crowd, while others laughed out of jealousy.

Unfortunately, although they laughed and mocked her for quite some time, the person in question continued acting as though she knew nothing. She merely kept eating fruit and drinking wine—

And she had consumed far more than three cups.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall became stagnant.

Gao Jingxi’s lips curved into a smile as she leaned close to Lian Liejin’s ear and whispered,

“Princess Consort, drink more slowly. This wine has a very strong aftereffect.”

Lian Liejin had just eaten half an apple when she caught the faint natural fragrance of Gao Jingxi’s body.

The beautiful woman’s gentle concern pleased her greatly.

Ever since she gave Gao Jingxi the lantern, the princess’s attitude toward her had clearly improved. Lian Liejin had even considered discussing matters privately with Gao Jingxi and asking her to permit her to return to Qingyue Mountain for a while.

“Thank you for the reminder, Princess. This humble subject has an exceptionally high alcohol tolerance. There is nothing to fear.”

The sight of the two whispering intimately made everyone’s eyes blaze with fury, yet no one could openly object.

Hearing Lian Liejin’s response, Gao Jingxi did not know whether to laugh or cry. She lifted her cup again and smiled faintly.

“The Princess Consort only recently returned to Changyong. All of you should restrain yourselves and not lead her astray. Otherwise, I will not be pleased. I offer this cup to everyone.”

After speaking, she drained it in one gulp.

Although the strong wine was delicious, it was extremely spicy. After only one cup, Gao Jingxi’s eyes had visibly reddened.

“Your Highness should avoid rich and greasy food for the time being. A light diet would be better.”

The person who had been eating with her head lowered moments earlier suddenly spoke.

Gao Jingxi actually listened and instructed A-You to bring two bowls of polished-rice porridge. Her voice then became even softer and sweeter.

“I will listen to everything the Princess Consort says.”

Lian Liejin raised her head and glanced at Gao Jingxi.

She increasingly felt that the princess, who was normally noble, aloof, and cold, had been acting strangely lately.

She cautiously asked,

“Could Your Highness have drunk counterfeit wine?”

So this woman could not even tolerate hearing something pleasant!

Gao Jingxi narrowed her eyes slightly. Her left hand suddenly reached out and twisted Lian Liejin’s waist forcefully.

She whispered,

“Later, I will personally take you back to the Princess’s Residence. You must explain everything that happened today to me in complete detail.”

“Ah?”

Lian Liejin made a meaningless sound.

Had the princess discovered that she drugged Chen Yu and Feng Zhi? Were this woman’s eyes really that sharp?

“Your Highness, what matter are you referring to? Where should this humble subject even begin? I only… I merely enjoy painting.”

The pale-red wine, the emerald-green cup, and Gao Jingxi’s long, fair fingers formed an enchanting picture.

Lian Liejin became so mesmerized that it took her quite some time to realize she was drinking wine being fed to her by Gao Jingxi.

The woman parted her red lips beside Lian Liejin’s ear.

“Princess Consort, whenever you become nervous, do you always enjoy changing the subject?”

It seemed she had no choice but to admit her mistake first.

Lian Liejin inhaled deeply and turned toward the princess’s profound eyes.

“Your Highness, actually, I didn’t really—”

The water clock inside the hall indicated that the appointed time had arrived.

Gao Qing rose from her seat and clapped her hands.

“Seventh Imperial Sister, may the Poetry and Literature Gathering begin?”

At those words, Gao Jingxi cast Lian Liejin aside. With a wave of her slender hand, several servants carried a blooming osmanthus tree into the center of the banquet hall.

Another palace steward stepped forward and announced loudly,

“His Majesty appointed the Seventh Princess to oversee the gathering and decreed that this year’s Star-Plucking Ceremony should draw upon the meaning of ‘plucking osmanthus in the Moon Palace.’”

The steward was rather old and wore deep-purple robes. His voice was slightly shrill.

“I hope every scholar remembers the rules of the competition. Do not attempt opportunistic tricks or engage in underhanded conduct. Otherwise, in the end—”

“You will be like a hen trying to hatch a duck’s egg, wasting all your effort.”

The Star-Plucking Ceremony represented reverence for the Twenty-Eight Mansions in the heavens and was performed each year by members of the imperial family.

As the fragrance of osmanthus filled the room, Gao Jingxi swept her gaze across everyone and calmly announced,

“This year’s Star-Plucking Ceremony requires participants to use bows and arrows to shoot down osmanthus petals, symbolizing the act of plucking osmanthus.”

The three imperial princes and princesses present were naturally required to participate.

The ceremony differed every year, and its exact content was determined by the Emperor.

To put it plainly, the Poetry and Literature Gathering was essentially a preliminary selection for the top scholar of the imperial examinations.

The three highest-ranking participants in the competition would receive places at the Imperial Academy.

The moment Gao Jingxi finished speaking, the First Imperial Prince Gao Hu laughed loudly.

“What could be difficult about that? Bring this prince’s bow.”

Ever since Gao Hu suffered such humiliation at the previous banquet, he had secretly resented Lian Liejin. That was why he had come to join the gathering this time.

Gao Hu accepted the Radiant Bow from his attendant.

The bow was nearly half a person’s height, entirely fiery red, and embedded with numerous gemstones.

He drew it forcefully and aimed at the osmanthus tree in the center.

Yet at the final moment, he abruptly turned the arrowhead and fired directly at Lian Liejin.

The black-iron feathered arrow was wrapped in a layer of pale-blue stellar power.

Its continuous shriek tore through the air like a hunting falcon diving from the heavens toward its prey.

The arrow drew closer and closer to Lian Liejin’s left eye.

The force surrounding the iron arrow even sliced through the clothes of the people nearby.