Ji Cheng had long suspected that Wang Yueniang had actively seduced the old emperor. She must have entered the palace to seek revenge, with the Shen family as her primary target. Shen Che surely knew this in his heart, but he remained inactive for now, leaving Ji Cheng unable to guess his intentions.
Su Yun frowned, “Really? What’s her motive? She’s so young…” The unspoken implication was that Emperor Jianping was too old, and Wang Yueniang would lose more than she gained.
When Ji Cheng and her sisters had their incident, only Shen Yuan among the sisters knew about it; even Shen Qian was unaware. Later, when Wang Yueniang had her incident, they heard some rumors but didn’t fully understand the situation. They were skeptical about Wang Yueniang losing her virtue. So Su Yun couldn’t comprehend Wang Yueniang’s behavior.
Shen Yuan said, “What’s there to understand? Look at Beauty Wang now. She walks with an air of importance, and even the emperor’s eunuch, Li, shows her respect. This time, no one in the palace is more influential than Beauty Wang.”
Just as they were discussing Wang Yueniang’s power, a young maid secretly slipped into the tent, her face pale but her speech still clear, “Third Miss, Fifth Miss offended Beauty Wang and is now being punished by her. She’s kneeling at the gate of the temporary palace, where everyone can see her. Fifth Miss keeps saying she’s wrongly accused, that she never bumped into Beauty Wang, and she’s crying terribly.”
Ji Cheng and Shen Yuan exchanged glances, knowing that Wang Yueniang was taking her revenge.
Shen Qian angrily said, “This is too much! Even if she accidentally bumped into her, it doesn’t warrant making Cui kneel at the palace gate and humiliating her.” Shen Qian stood up abruptly, “I’m going to find my mother.”
With Princess An He intervening, Shen Cui naturally didn’t have to continue kneeling. However, news soon spread from the temporary palace that Beauty Wang had been promoted to Noble Consort Wang.
Noble Consort Wang’s situation was truly flourishing now. Just as Princess An He had intervened for Shen Cui, Emperor Jianping, to appease his darling, immediately promoted her by three ranks. Wang Yueniang had only been in the palace for about a month, yet her rise was faster than even Noble Consort Wang and Imperial Concubine Huang in their time.
Ji Cheng patted Shen Yuan’s hand and said, “Sister Yuan, don’t worry. Noble Consort Wang should vent her anger. If she hadn’t, we’d be even more on edge.”
Shen Yuan poked Ji Cheng’s forehead, “I’m worried about you.”
Ji Cheng smiled, “Don’t worry, I’ll steer clear of Noble Consort Wang.” This was meant to be reassuring.
When Shen Cui returned, her knees were bruised from kneeling, and her eyes were red and swollen. She kept sobbing and repeating, “Wang Yueniang is too cruel.”
Due to the limited number of tents, Ji Cheng and Shen Cui shared one. Ji Cheng finally managed to calm Shen Cui enough for her to sleep.
The next day, before noon, Noble Consort Wang was already hosting a banquet for the ladies of various households. The autumn hunt was a festive occasion, alternating between hunting and feasting.
When Ji Cheng arrived at the Heyu Palace with Shen Yuan and the others, Noble Consort Wang was nestled in Emperor Jianping’s arms, holding a wine cup to his lips.
Upon seeing Ji Cheng enter, Noble Consort Wang stood up, walked around the wine table with a beaming smile, and grabbed Ji Cheng’s hand, “Sister Cheng, you’ve finally arrived. I heard you were ill the other day, and I was so disappointed. The autumn hunt is such a fun event, and you weren’t coming, so of course I had to send someone to invite you.”
Her words were sweet and intimate, making it seem as if Ji Cheng and Noble Consort Wang were close friends. Present today were not only princesses like Princess An He, but also various royal consorts, county princesses, and noblewomen. Ji Cheng had suddenly become famous among all the noble ladies of the capital.
Even Ji Cheng herself hadn’t expected this.
Noble Consort Wang turned and pulled Ji Cheng in front of Emperor Jianping, “Your Majesty, don’t you think my Sister Cheng is a rare beauty? People in the capital used to say my Fourth Sister was the top beauty, but since Sister Cheng arrived in the capital, Sister Si Niang can only stand back.” After saying this, regardless of what others might think, Noble Consort Wang covered her mouth and giggled, sounding like a clucking hen.
Emperor Jianping particularly loved the lively spirit of Noble Consort Wang. Whether it was Noble Consort Wang or Imperial Concubine Huang in the palace, they all seemed a bit old-fashioned now. There were other fresh-faced palace maids, but they were either too timid or too composed. None were as lively as Noble Consort Wang, who made the aging Emperor Jianping feel young again.
It was hard to read the expressions of others, but Fourth Miss Wang’s face immediately darkened. Although she didn’t care for the title of top beauty, to be overshadowed by a merchant’s daughter like Ji Cheng was unbearable for Fourth Miss Wang.
Noble Consort Wang, seemingly intent on antagonizing Fourth Miss Wang, clung to Emperor Jianping’s arm, pushing and rubbing, “Your Majesty, you have the final say. Tell us, who’s more beautiful, my Sister Si Niang or Sister Cheng?”
Compared to Fourth Miss Wang’s pale face, Ji Cheng’s cheeks were burning red. She was being used as a knife by Noble Consort Wang to cut into Fourth Miss Wang’s flesh. Ji Cheng’s mind raced through many thoughts in an instant, realizing that the Wang sisters had fallen out, though she didn’t know why.
The ladies present somewhat looked down on Noble Consort Wang’s behavior. Although she was only a consort, she was currently Emperor Jianping’s favorite, and no one could do anything about it. They could only harbor resentment in their hearts.
Emperor Jianping, however, was truly an old lecher. Hearing Noble Consort Wang’s words, his droopy eyelids, as wrinkled as dried eggplant skin, glanced at Fourth Miss Wang, then at Ji Cheng.
Ji Cheng was quite confident in her beauty, so before coming to the banquet, she had deliberately applied powder, making her small face pale with a hint of green, full of sickly pallor. Looking weak and frail, she followed up with a series of coughs, causing even Noble Consort Wang to drop her act and step away in disgust.
Emperor Jianping was a true connoisseur of beauty, having handled hundreds, if not thousands, of women in his lifetime. Although Ji Cheng appeared sickly, her natural grace and allure, her jade-carved appearance, her ice-like skin, her moon-infused spirit, and her flower-blessed demeanor made her a rare beauty in this world.
Emperor Jianping’s gaze lingered on Ji Cheng. He had already noticed this young girl during the Dragon Boat Festival, but at that time, Imperial Concubine Huang was pregnant, and he had restrained his impulses for the sake of the child. Today, he couldn’t help but feel a bit of desire.
Noble Consort Wang hadn’t brought Ji Cheng before Emperor Jianping for him to favor her. Dissatisfied, she shook the distracted emperor, “Your Majesty, say something!”
Emperor Jianping finally came back to his senses. Noble Consort Wang was a little jealous pot, extremely possessive. The emperor had been scared by her antics these days, not even daring to visit Noble Consort Wang. He was still passionately involved with Noble Consort Wang and didn’t want to upset his little beauty. As for Ji Cheng, he would have to put her aside for now. It truly was unfortunate timing every time.
As the emperor, Emperor Jianping spoke with fewer reservations than ordinary people. He looked at Fourth Miss Wang, then at Ji Cheng, and said, “I’m afraid your Sister Cheng surpasses her by three points.”
Noble Consort Wang immediately burst into laughter, “Isn’t that right?”
This was like a resounding slap to the face of the prideful Fourth Miss Wang in front of everyone. Having been sisters with Fourth Miss Wang for so many years, Noble Consort Wang knew exactly what Fourth Miss Wang hated most.
Ji Cheng remained calm and unaffected, slightly lowering her chin without saying anything, appearing very elegant and composed.
After saying all this, Noble Consort Wang seemed to forget Ji Cheng’s existence, only caring about snuggling into Emperor Jianping’s arms and flirting with him.
Ji Cheng could only stand there awkwardly in front of everyone, unable to advance or retreat, fearing that if she withdrew on her own, Noble Consort Wang would have something to say. This was when the advantage of having someone from home who could speak up became apparent.
Princess An He spoke up, “Cheng, why are you still standing there? Hurry up and take a seat!”
Ji Cheng silently thanked Buddha, realizing that her efforts in cooking for Princess An He hadn’t been in vain. Ji Cheng hadn’t expected Princess An He to do much for her, but this one sentence at this moment made it all worthwhile.
Hearing Princess An He speaks, Noble Consort Wang pretended to suddenly remember Ji Cheng, saying coquettishly, “Oh my, look at my memory! Sister Cheng, please sit down quickly.”
Turning back to Emperor Jianping, Noble Consort Wang said, “Your Majesty, don’t underestimate my Sister Cheng. She’s truly talented in both the literary and martial arts. Not only can her painting rival my Fourth Sister’s, but she also outperformed my Fourth Sister in the recent game of cuju.”
“Oh,” Emperor Jianping responded meaningfully.
Ji Cheng’s heart sank upon hearing this. What was Noble Consort Wang doing? Had she perhaps discovered Ji Cheng’s weakness? Ji Cheng feared nothing more than having to serve the old emperor in the palace.
As everyone was talking, palace dancers gracefully entered, and the music began.
Emperor Jianping, seated at the head, appeared to be watching the dancing performers, but all the blood in his body had already rushed to his lower half.
Noble Consort Wang nestled coquettishly in Emperor Jianping’s arms, her hand already reaching for his crotch, touching the soft thing that couldn’t stand up without medication.
Although it couldn’t fully rise, there was a slight sign of arousal. Emperor Jianping didn’t stop Noble Consort Wang’s actions. He loved this little demon’s seductiveness and openness, which added more flavor compared to others. Especially now, under the watchful eyes of everyone, with all the ladies present at the banquet, Emperor Jianping found it even more interesting.
Fortunately, the wine table blocked the view from the front, and those below couldn’t see Noble Consort Wang’s actions. However, Emperor Jianping couldn’t stay here drinking wine forever. The ministers and nobles of the court were waiting for him to join their banquet. Originally, he wasn’t supposed to come to the ladies’ side, but Noble Consort Wang had insisted on bringing him.
This was because Noble Consort Wang said she was a newly appointed consort without much authority, and she feared she couldn’t command respect while hosting such a grand banquet. Moreover, although Noble Consort Wang and Imperial Concubine Huang hadn’t come to Southern Park, there were still two consorts with higher ranks than Noble Consort Wang. Noble Consort Wang insisted on bringing Emperor Jianping to support her, and he couldn’t refuse.
Having had enough touching and drinking, Emperor Jianping’s mind was still clear. He moved Noble Consort Wang’s hand away, “Alright, I have to go now.”
Noble Consort Wang obediently moved her hand away, coyly tugging at Emperor Jianping’s sleeve, “Your Majesty, you mustn’t look at those seductive dancers, or I’ll be upset.”
“I know, little jealous pot,” Emperor Jianping tapped Noble Consort Wang’s nose.
Ji Cheng occasionally stole a glance at Wang Yueniang with skill, and she had to admit that Wang Yueniang’s transformation was truly remarkable. When she was still Miss Wang, although her nostrils were upturned, she was reserved and proud. Despite her shallow thoughts, which made her appear rash, she still carried herself like a noble lady. Looking at Wang Yueniang today in her crimson palace gown, adorned with jewels and hairpins, something seemed off. She exuded an intense, fox-like allure, with an air reminiscent of the courtesans from Tianxiang Tower.
However, Wang Yueniang’s scheming had improved compared to before. In the past, although she had a sharp tongue, her thoughts were so shallow they bordered on stupidity. Now, when dealing with people, she knew how to pinch where it hurt.
She had used herself to suppress the competitive Fourth Miss Wang, while making the face-saving but insecure (due to Ji Lan’s background) Shen Cui kneel outside the palace gate, humiliating her to the point where Shen Cui was too embarrassed to leave her tent today, pretending to be ill.
As for dealing with Ji Cheng, who wasn’t unnecessarily competitive and didn’t care about losing face, Wang Yueniang didn’t confront her directly. But by constantly pushing Ji Cheng in front of the emperor, she had already frightened Ji Cheng quite a bit.
The local delicacies, roasted meats, songs, dances, and wine might be more attractive to men. The ladies became tired after sitting for an hour or two. With Wang Yueniang nowhere to be found, everyone relaxed a bit. Led by Princess An He and others, they left the temporary palace to leisurely explore the mountain.
Ji Cheng was leaving with Shen Yuan and the others, but before they could return to the camp, a young eunuch came over, saying that Noble Consort Wang had requested her presence. Shen Yuan was about to accompany Ji Cheng, but the young eunuch said, “Noble Consort Wang only summoned Miss Ji alone.”
Shen Yuan had no choice but to give up.
This was the power of the imperial court. Even if Wang Yueniang was just a dog at Emperor Jianping’s feet, her single bark was more fearsome than all other dogs.
When Ji Cheng saw Wang Yueniang, she had already changed into riding attire. Attendants were holding her horse behind her, with a bow and quiver hanging from the saddle, indicating her intention to go hunting.
Ji Cheng respectfully bowed to Wang Yueniang. Wang Yueniang sneered. Now that they were alone in private, with even the eunuchs dismissed, Wang Yueniang naturally didn’t need to maintain her pleasant facade.
Wang Yueniang looked at Ji Cheng and said, “Miss Ji, aren’t you curious why I treated you that way earlier?”
It was strange, yet not strange at all. But Ji Cheng couldn’t afford to contradict Wang Yueniang in any case. With a hint of panic in her eyes, her hands tightly gripping her clothes, her voice trembling slightly with imperfection, she said, “Yes.”
Wang Yueniang looked at Ji Cheng with disdain. She had never truly looked at this merchant’s daughter. She coldly snorted, “Don’t flatter yourself. An insignificant insect like you isn’t worth my effort to deal with. The reason I punished you back then was merely a side effect of punishing Shen Cui.”
Huh, selling someone to Tianxiang Tower was just “punishment” in Wang Yueniang’s words.
Wang Yueniang walked up to Ji Cheng and whispered in her ear, “You must know about that incident, right? You know it was me who had people deal with you and Shen Cui, don’t you?”
Wang Yueniang deliberately lowered her voice to a shrill whisper, intentionally imitating the legendary old witch. Unfortunately, she was shorter than Ji Cheng, so this attempt at intimidation did not affect Ji Cheng. But Ji Cheng still had to act frightened and uneasy, “I… I…”
Wang Yueniang sighed, perhaps realizing the height difference. Standing too close to Ji Cheng put her at a disadvantage, so she took three steps back before continuing, “Actually, I didn’t understand anything back then. I never thought of using such methods to punish you. Do you know who suggested it?”
Ji Cheng shook her head.
Wang Yueniang’s voice became even sharper due to her resentment, like the tip of an iron sword scraping across the ground, “It was my sister Fourth Miss Wang, whom everyone praises, who suggested it. She also told me the story of the eldest daughter. Isn’t it laughable? She came up with the idea, she suggested I find Chen Bin, but in the end, she wasn’t involved at all. Those fools in your Shen family, instead of going after the mastermind, came after me.” At this point, Wang Yueniang stopped and started laughing loudly.
After Wang Yueniang finished laughing, with tears in her eyes, Ji Cheng heard her continue, “To be honest with you, I’m already in hell now, and I’ve come back for revenge. I want to drag all those who bullied me into hell with me. Are you afraid?” Wang Yueniang said eerily.
“Noble Consort Wang, I don’t know anything,” Ji Cheng was almost crying with anxiety, her eyes reddening, trembling with fear like a little rabbit in the snow and ice.
Seeing this, Wang Yueniang became even more disdainful, “Of course you don’t know anything.” Given Ji Cheng’s background, why would the Shen family tell her anything they were doing? “But if it wasn’t for you trying to please Shen Cui back then, helping her win the central altar performance, none of this would have happened. It’s too late for regrets now. I will deal with the Shen family. You should consider it carefully. You saw how the emperor treats me today, didn’t you? Even with your face, as long as I’m around, you won’t catch the emperor’s eye.”
Wang Yueniang walked back to Ji Cheng, lifting her chin with her index and middle fingers, “Oh, you are a pitiful sight. What if I ruined this pretty face of yours?”
Ji Cheng was so frightened she was shaking, almost wetting herself. Wang Yueniang’s sharp fingernails scraped across Ji Cheng’s jaw, immediately leaving a bloody mark.
“Noble Consort, please have mercy,” Ji Cheng closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling like willow catkins in the wind.
“You look so pathetic,” Wang Yueniang released her hand. “Ji Cheng, I’ll give you a chance. You can choose to join me, and I’ll let bygones be bygones. Otherwise, today will be your death day. I’m not threatening you. Do you think the Shen family would oppose me now for someone like you? Killing you would be easier than crushing an ant.”
Without a second thought, Ji Cheng said, “I beg for Noble Consort’s mercy. Whatever you wish, just say the word.”
Seeing Ji Cheng’s cowardly appearance, Wang Yueniang looked down on her even more, “As long as you obey me, I’ll naturally protect you.”
Ji Cheng could tell from Wang Yueniang’s demeanor that she had guessed her intentions correctly. By showing such favor to her, Wang Yueniang must want her to do some dirty work. All city defenses are breached from within. Wang Yueniang had become smarter, knowing to find someone to work from inside the Shen family. And thinking it over, she knew Ji Cheng was the most suitable person.
Merchants, after all, only chase after profits and are the most heartless. Once there’s a possibility of the Shen family’s downfall, merchants would be the first to run.
“I’ll do whatever Noble Consort commands. I only beg for Noble Consort’s mercy. Compared to Noble Consort, I’m nothing but an insect. I beg for your kindness,” Ji Cheng pleaded while secretly watching Wang Yueniang, afraid of overdoing it.
Whether it was because Ji Cheng was too good an actor or not, Wang Yueniang was truly pleased by Ji Cheng’s cowardly appearance. A person’s intelligence doesn’t improve so dramatically in just a month.
“Noble Consort, will the Shen family fall?” Ji Cheng asked tremblingly as if she couldn’t quite believe it.
Wang Yueniang glanced at Ji Cheng, “Fool. Look at the situation in the palace now. If my sister Noble Consort Wang gains power, or if I gain power, how could the Shen family fare well in the future? Even if Imperial Concubine Huang gains power, what does that have to do with the Shen family? In life, one must have a long-term vision.”
This was somewhat convincing. Wang Yueniang had finally said something substantial, although Ji Cheng had already seen through this situation long ago. But Ji Cheng didn’t believe Wang Yueniang would gain power. Once a person’s mind is damaged, everything else is hopeless.
“You know about warming a cold stove, right? Noble Consort Wang and Imperial Concubine Huang are both hot stoves. Even if you queue up for a lifetime, you won’t get any benefits. If you’re smart, you should know how to choose, shouldn’t you? If you obey me, your Ji family can become imperial merchants in the future,” Wang Yueniang said.
Ji Cheng thought that she, imperial merchants were exploited from all sides, especially by the palace eunuchs. The Ji family would disdain becoming imperial merchants; it’s just a nice-sounding title.
Ji Cheng thought for a moment and said, “I understand Noble Consort’s good intentions. To be honest, I came to the capital just to seek a marriage. But no one from the Shen family has stepped up to help me, and I’m almost sixteen now…”
This time, Wang Yueniang’s glance towards Ji Cheng was much softer. Earlier, although Ji Cheng was cowardly, Wang Yueniang might not have trusted her. But now, hearing Ji Cheng’s complaints, she knew she had touched Ji Cheng’s heart.
“That’s nothing. As long as you help me, I can have the emperor arrange any marriage you want.”
“Really!” Ji Cheng’s eyes lit up as if she had just picked up a gold ingot fallen from the sky.
“Of course!” Wang Yueniang said confidently.
Ji Cheng happily rubbed her hands together, “If Noble Consort can help me, I, I, I would be willing to climb a mountain of knives for Noble Consort.”
Seeing that the fire was burning just right, Wang Yueniang pulled Ji Cheng closer and started whispering. Wang Yueniang knew she was being too hasty, but she had no choice. Emperor Jianping’s health was deteriorating day by day, and she, sharing his bed every night, knew this better than anyone. So things couldn’t be delayed any longer. If they dragged on and Emperor Jianping passed away, Wang Yueniang would never be able to get her great revenge in this life.
That’s why Wang Yueniang had no choice but to take this risky move.
Wang Yueniang’s plan could be described as direct and brutal, probably due to her limited experience, always revolving around the idea of ruining someone’s reputation. Moreover, Ji Cheng seriously doubted its feasibility.