HomeSheng Shi Di FeiChapter 101: Princess Changle

Chapter 101: Princess Changle

Early in the morning, Ye Li received a summons from the Empress to enter the palace. She was already somewhat impressed by Mo Jingqi’s patience that the Emperor hadn’t summoned her for questioning immediately upon their return to the capital. With Ye Li’s current status, besides the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager, no one else in the capital could casually request to see her. However, the Empress Dowager was now essentially under house arrest by Mo Jingqi. Given what happened the last time Ye Li entered the palace, the Prince of Ding could completely refuse the Emperor’s summons for the Princess Consort of Ding, which was why the summons came in the Empress’s name instead.

The Empress’s pretext for summoning Ye Li was to view flowers. It was said the crabapple blossoms in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom, so the Empress ordered the noble ladies of the royal family in the capital to welcome the Princess Consort of Ding while viewing the flowers. Seeing the profusion of blooms in the Imperial Garden, Ye Li vaguely recalled that this year’s Hundred Flowers Festival had already passed. She couldn’t help but smile – being busy day and night outside the capital, how could she remember these festivals that the young ladies of the capital yearned for? When Ye Li was to enter the palace, Mo Xiuyao didn’t care whether he had received the Empress’s invitation or not and went along directly, clearly showing his distrust of the royal family. Even though Mo Jingqi’s face darkened with anger, he couldn’t say anything. After all, the disappearance of the previous Princess Consort of Ding still hadn’t been cleared up.

“Prince of Ding, surely you don’t doubt that your Princess Consort will be safe with me?” Empress Hua covered her mouth and laughed seeing the two arrive together. Looking at Ye Li, her eyes held both sighs and envy as she teasingly commented on the couple. The Mo family and Hua family had always been close, and Mo Xiuyao had no ill feelings toward the Empress. He smiled faintly and said, “A-Li has never been fond of crowds, and our household has no elders to guide her, so she may be unfamiliar with many things. I happened to be free today so I accompanied her. I hope the Empress won’t take offense.” Such intimacy in public made Ye Li somewhat uncomfortable, and she glanced at Mo Xiuyao. However, his expression remained as usual – gentle and proper as jade. The noble ladies and young misses present couldn’t help but admire them, and the envious gazes directed at Ye Li increased by who knows how much. Ye Li saw Hua Tianxiang’s schadenfreude-filled eyes beside the Empress and secretly glared at her fiercely.

“Even if the Prince of Ding graces us with his presence, I feel it brings honor to my humble gathering. However… today’s attendees are all ladies, and if the Prince stays, I’m afraid they’ll feel uncomfortable,” the Empress said with an ambiguous smile. “So, the Prince should walk elsewhere, and not disturb my flower banquet.” Princess Zhaoyang, sitting to the side, also laughed and said, “The Empress speaks truly. Back then, when the second young master of the Prince of Ding’s household appeared, half the young ladies in the capital would lose their souls. Xiuyao, better not stay here and attract attention. With the Empress and me here, are you worried something will happen to your Princess Consort?” The usually somewhat cold Princess Zhaoyang was clearly in a good mood, even making jokes. Her words made the young ladies present blush and lower their heads, not daring to look at the distinguished figure standing before the Empress.

Seeing the various expressions of those present, Ye Li couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. Looking at Mo Xiuyao, she said softly, “If Your Highness has matters to attend to, please go ahead. I’ll be fine.”

Mo Xiuyao nodded and said quietly, “I’ll go see His Majesty first, then wait for you to return to the manor together.”

Ye Li nodded, and only then did Mo Xiuyao bid farewell to the Empress and Princess Imperial and turn to leave. Hua Tianxiang beside the Empress made suggestive faces at Ye Li – such public displays of affection make people jealous…

After seeing off the eye-catching Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li sat down in the first empty seat below the Empress. Princess Zhaoyang, sitting directly opposite, smiled kindly at her, but Princess Zhaoren and Princess Ronghua beside her weren’t so friendly. Ye Li felt somewhat helpless about this. She had no particular feelings about Princess Ronghua, but this princess seemed to look down greatly on her as the Princess Consort of Ding. When Ye Ying was around before, Princess Ronghua’s fire was mostly concentrated on Ye Ying, but now that Ye Ying was gone, Princess Ronghua’s attention had returned to her. Looking at that utterly disdainful gaze, Ye Li laughed inwardly: Did this Princess Ronghua know that a large part of her future might be in her hands?

“Noble Consort Yun arrives! Beauty Wang arrives!” Just as the Empress was about to speak, a somewhat sharp announcement came from outside. The Empress couldn’t help but frown, clearly not particularly welcoming of the arrivals.

Soon after, two women in magnificent clothes approached gracefully. The woman in front had an alluring appearance and delicate figure, with a hint of charm between her brows. The woman beside her, though only of pleasant appearance, had a pair of long phoenix eyes that held a somewhat bewitching intent. The two came forward and curtsied gracefully, “Your servants pay respects to the Empress.” These two were the Emperor’s favored consorts, with Noble Consort Yun even ranking among the four consorts. Everyone present except Ye Li and the two princesses had to rise and pay respects. The Empress glanced at the two and said flatly, “Rise. Why have Noble Consort Yun and Beauty Wang come?” Noble Consort Yun smiled and said, “Your servant has disturbed the Empress’s elegant gathering and begs forgiveness. It’s just… your servant and Sister Wang heard that the Princess Consort of Ding was here today. We have long admired the Princess Consort’s reputation, and having finally gotten this opportunity, we sought His Majesty’s permission to come pay our respects to the Princess Consort.” Noble Consort Yun’s words seemed innocent, but she also pointed out to everyone that she had come with the Emperor’s decree, and specifically to see the Princess Consort of Ding. Originally, when the Empress summoned the noble ladies, even palace consorts couldn’t come without an invitation, but her words both washed away the crime of disrespecting the Empress and highlighted the Emperor’s favor toward her.

“I dare not accept such respect. Ye Li pays respects to Noble Consort Yun,” Ye Li said with a faint smile but showed no intention of rising to bow. The Yun family and Wang family were Mo Jingqi’s die-hard supporters. The Empress did not have Mo Jingqi’s trust, and Noble Consort Liu had a cold personality, so naturally, Mo Jingqi sent Noble Consort Yun to test Ye Li.

Noble Consort Yun paused slightly and turned to examine Ye Li sitting to the side. Most women usually harbor some hostility toward women more outstanding than themselves. Previously, Noble Consort Yun was not particularly favored and had never met the Princess Consort of Ding. But these days she had heard quite a bit about the Princess Consort of Ding. The Yun family had always been loyal to the Emperor, and now that the Emperor had abandoned the Ye family to support the Yun family while also greatly favoring Noble Consort Yun. Although Noble Consort Yun wasn’t presumptuous enough to challenge the Empress and Noble Consort Liu, she had begun to look down on ordinary people. Therefore, she naturally paid more attention to Ye Li, whom the Emperor seemed to be quite wary of. She had expected to see a woman as dignified and noble as the Empress or as lofty and beautiful as Noble Consort Liu, but when Noble Consort Yun turned her head, she saw the woman sitting at the Empress’s right wearing a light green silk dress with subtle peony patterns, her black hair somewhat casually arranged with two pearl and tassel hairpins. Compared to the elaborate dress, ornaments, and makeup of the noble ladies present, she had more of an elegant and casual air. It was difficult to connect her with the woman from the rumors who had led two thousand Black Cloud Riders to guard the border city. It was even harder to imagine that according to rumors, the Prince of Ding seemed to greatly favor this Princess Consort. Noble Consort Yun had also seen Su Zuidie, and while the Princess Consort before her was indeed beautiful, she seemed to fall somewhat short compared to the incomparably gorgeous Su Zuidie.

“Is this the Princess Consort of Ding? Empress, may your servant sit with the Princess Consort? Your servant has long admired the Princess Consort’s bearing and would very much like to chat with her.” Suppressing her confusion, Noble Consort Yun’s smile was charming and bright, making it difficult for people to refuse. The Empress glanced at her and said flatly, “If that’s the case, you and Beauty Wang can sit below the Princess Consort.”

Noble Consort Yun’s eyes flickered slightly, but her face still showed joy as she agreed, pulling Beauty Wang to sit in the position below Ye Li. Although sitting below Ye Li made her heart unwilling, she also knew that the Princess Consort of Ding would not give up her seat to her. Or perhaps even if the Princess Consort did rise to give her the seat, she might not dare to take it.

Gatherings of noble ladies were generally similar, just that today many people carried some other matters in their hearts. When most people had arrived, the Empress personally rose to lead everyone to view flowers in the Imperial Garden. The Imperial Garden was indeed full of competing blooms, and although it was early summer, the scenery was not at all inferior to spring. The noble ladies sat in small groups chatting and appreciating flowers. Ye Li and the others of high status naturally stayed by the Empress’s side. After walking around in the garden, the Empress led everyone to sit in a pavilion in the Imperial Garden, and only then did she smile and ask, “The Princess Consort rarely enters the palace. How do you find the palace scenery?” Ye Li smiled and said, “Naturally it is rich and elegant, like a heavenly realm.” The Empress glanced at her and said, “Now you’re speaking courtesies to me too. Rich and elegant is true, but as for the heavenly realm… what heavenly realm would be like this?” Her tone carried some tiredness and indifference. Shaking her head, she smiled and said, “In my opinion, it’s better to let things follow their natural course. The palace scenery is exquisitely beautiful, but with clusters here and there gathered together, it rather makes one’s eyes dizzy. I’ve been to the Prince of Ding’s manor – it must be very much to the Princess Consort’s liking?”

The Prince of Ding’s manor was very large, but it was arranged very comfortably and elegantly, which Ye Li indeed liked very much. Princess Zhaoyang also nodded in agreement and smiled, “The Empress speaks truly. When I was young, I often loved to stay at the Prince of Ding’s manor, and was always reluctant to return.”

Ye Li smiled gently and said, “The Empress and Princess overpraise us. The Prince of Ding’s manor has been home to military generals generation after generation, so it cannot help but be somewhat rough. The Prince and I both don’t like crowds, we just seek some peace.”

Noble Consort Yun sat beside Ye Li and asked curiously, “Your servant heard His Majesty say that in Yongzhou, the Princess Consort of Ding once guarded Yonglin, assisting the defending general to resist Prince Li’s rebel army, thus keeping Suixue Pass safe. Could the Princess Consort tell us about what happened then? So the Princess Consort knows martial arts – no wonder last year you were able to frighten Princess Xiling with just one arrow.”

Ye Li smiled gently and said, “Noble Consort Yun jests. I merely learned a few crude moves because the Prince was concerned for my safety. It was the frontier soldiers who guarded Yonglin, not Ye Li’s achievement.”

Beauty Wang smiled and said, “The Princess Consort is too modest. Your servant has also heard His Majesty speak of it. His Majesty even said that if not for the Princess Consort’s merit, Suixue Pass would have fallen long ago. The Princess Consort contributed greatly to the Great Chu empire. It’s a pity that we servants, living deep in the palace, cannot contribute to Great Chu like the Princess Consort – truly a lifelong regret.”

“Oh? Does Beauty Wang also want to contribute to Great Chu? Then how about I ask Father Emperor to send you to the frontier to contribute to Great Chu? Beauty Wang is so loyal to Great Chu, Father Emperor will surely be pleased.” A clear young voice rang out from outside the pavilion. Everyone turned to see Princess Changle, wearing a pink dress, blinking her bright eyes, and smiling mischievously at Beauty Wang.

Beauty Wang forced a smile and said, “The Princess jests. Your servant… is weak and helpless…” Even though she was favored and her family was being heavily used, Beauty Wang still didn’t dare to provoke this Princess Changle. Princess Changle was the Empress’s only daughter, and also the only legitimate child of the entire Great Chu royal family. Although Mo Jingqi didn’t favor the Empress, he still respected her very much and especially doted on this pure and lovable princess. If Princess Changle ran to the imperial study and spoke nonsense, she would be in trouble.

Princess Changle rolled her eyes and looked at her disdainfully, saying, “Then why did you say all that useless talk? This princess thought you were just too shy to tell Father Emperor. The Prince Uncle of Ding happens to be in the imperial study too. This princess will help you ask Father Emperor – perhaps Father Emperor will agree, considering your loyal heart.”

“Changle, stop making trouble.” The Empress frowned in displeasure at Princess Changle’s unladylike behavior. Princess Changle made a playful face, then entered the pavilion and properly paid her respects, “Daughter pays respects to Mother Empress, greets the Princess Consort of Ding and the two grand-aunts.”

Princess Zhaoyang reached out to pull Princess Changle close and smiled, “Haven’t seen you in a long time, the little princess is growing into a young lady.” Ye Li led the smiles – indeed, in just a year, Princess Changle had grown quite a bit from when they met outside Yaohua Palace. At least she didn’t look like someone who would still crawl into bushes anymore. Princess Changle clearly remembered Ye Li and, lying in Princess Zhaoyang’s arms, blinked at her. Ye Li paused slightly, returning a gentle smile.

Noble Consort Yun looked at Princess Changle acting coquettishly in Princess Zhaoyang’s arms and smiled, “Princess, we were just wanting to hear the Princess Consort tell us about leading troops in battle at the frontier. Doesn’t the Princess want to hear?”

Princess Changle’s eyes turned, her smile bright, “This princess is a lady, and doesn’t pry into others’ private affairs. Only those bad women who spend all day thinking about scheming and harming others would go to such lengths to pry into others’ privacy. Don’t you agree, Noble Consort Yun?” Noble Consort Yun’s gentle smile became somewhat stiff, and she forced a smile, “The Princess is certainly a lady.”

Princess Changle gave a light snort, then turned to ask the Empress, “Mother, may your daughter request the Princess Consort of Ding and cousin to play with me?”

The Empress smiled gently, “That depends on whether the Princess Consort has time to play with you. You’re not so young anymore, what kind of appearance is it to always be pestering people to play?”

Princess Changle smiled and said, “Your daughter likes the Princess Consort.”

The Empress turned to Ye Li with a smile and said, “This girl doesn’t know better, the Princess Consort must excuse her.”

Ye Li smiled and said, “Not at all. The Princess is pure and lovable – it’s my honor that she likes me. Where would the Princess like to take me to play?”

Princess Changle happily left Princess Zhaoyang’s embrace and, pulling Ye Li with one hand and dragging Hua Tianxiang with the other, ran outside, “You come with this princess.” Ye Li was agile so it didn’t matter, but Hua Tianxiang was stumbling as she was dragged along by Princess Changle. The Empress helplessly ordered people to follow and watch over them.

Princess Changle led the two through twists and turns in the Imperial Garden, running to the rockery in the northwest corner before stopping. Looking back and seeing that the palace maids hadn’t caught up, she finally relaxed and frowned slightly, complaining quietly, “These people are so annoying, following everywhere.”

Ye Li smiled and said, “They’re just following the Empress and Emperor’s orders. If they can’t find you, they might be punished.”

Princess Changle waved her hand and said, “Don’t worry, my mother is a good person, she won’t casually punish palace maids. But those people are annoying, they like to tell Father Emperor what I say and tell the other consorts. This princess hates them. Come with me.”

Princess Changle smiled brightly as she started climbing the rockery, turning back to tell them, “This place is very big. If we climb up, they won’t be able to find us.”

Ye Li looked – the rockery group was indeed quite large, and if someone hid inside, they might not be found without a thorough search. However… “Princess, why are we climbing up there?”

Princess Changle looked back at her, touching her hair buns decorated with pearl strings, “Prince Uncle said some bad women were bothering you, told me to find a place to hide you, and he’ll come to pick you up later. Um… and didn’t cousin have something to tell you?”

Ye Li didn’t know whether to laugh or cry – hide her? She would bet that Mo Xiuyao hadn’t said it to Princess Changle like that. She turned to look at the equally surprised Hua Tianxiang, who was also looking at Princess Changle. Princess Changle gave a light snort and turned to continue climbing, “Who am I? Father Emperor wants to marry cousin Xiang Xiang to Northern Rong. I asked my nurse – Northern Rong is a very bad place, the people are rough and barbaric, it’s cold, and doesn’t have good food. I went to ask Prince Uncle and Prince Uncle said this matter is up to the Princess Consort to decide, so now we can talk. Come up!”

The two had no choice but to follow her up. Sure enough, there was a place to hide people halfway up the rockery, and from how quiet it was, they could tell that people must often come here. Sitting on the rockery, Ye Li smiled and said, “So, Princess, you want to ask me not to let Tianxiang marry Northern Rong?”

Princess Changle looked at her hopefully, “Will you agree?”

Ye Li smiled gently, “What benefit do I get if I agree?”

Princess Changle thought for a moment, “This princess can give you all my treasures – I have many treasures. They’re all from Father Emperor, and Mother says those things are very valuable. Is that okay?”

“Changle…” Hua Tianxiang’s eyes reddened slightly. Of course, she didn’t want to marry Northern Rong either. But whether it was her or her parents and grandparents, they all knew clearly that although the Emperor said the Princess Consort of Ding was in full charge, if he wanted her to go for the political marriage, even Li’er would be helpless. It was just wanting to make the Prince of Ding’s household bear the name of offending the Hua family. So from the beginning, neither her grandparents nor she had planned to talk to Li’er – it would just make things difficult for her needlessly.

“Princess, why don’t you want Tianxiang to go for the political marriage?”

Princess Changle bit her lip as she looked at the two, and after a while, hesitantly said, “Mother says… only princesses can go for political marriages. But we don’t have suitable princesses now so we have to choose others to go… Mother says these… are all royal family matters, I… This princess is still young, otherwise, this princess would go me… If Cousin Xiang goes, grandmother uncle, and aunt will be sad. Aunt even cried in front of Mother…” Princess Changle spoke haltingly, but they both understood. Princess Changle believed Tianxiang was going to suffer in her place for the political marriage, which was why she was so anxiously coming to beg Ye Li. Having finally finished speaking, Princess Changle looked at her hopefully, “Princess Consort, can you not let cousin go for the political marriage?”

Ye Li smiled faintly and nodded, “I can. I promise you.”

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