Before long, a young eunuch came to summon Cheng Shi and Xiao Furen, saying that General Wan and his wife had arrived, and the Emperor requested Colonel Cheng and his wife to join the conversation. A gracefully dressed young lady following behind the eunuch attendant smiled and took Shaoshang’s hand: “The elders need to discuss matters. The Empress instructed me to lead little sister to the front hall to wait first.”
Shaoshang looked toward the young eunuch delivering the message. Only when she saw him nod slightly did she dare agree.
This young lady had a dignified, gentle appearance. Pulling Shaoshang along as they walked, she said: “I’m called Luo Jitong. My father is Colonel of the Long Waters Luo Zhu. Thanks to the Empress’s favor, I was selected several years ago as the Fifth Princess’s study companion. Sister Shaoshang, just call me Elder Sister Jitong.”
Shaoshang listened quietly and said softly: “Elder Sister Jitong, I don’t really understand palace etiquette. I’m afraid I’ll embarrass myself at the banquet later. Tell me, who will be there tonight?”
Luo Jitong smiled: “Sister, don’t worry. Tonight’s family banquet won’t have many people—just the grown princes and princesses.”
Having experienced the earlier etiquette blow, Shaoshang had already given up. Past life experience told her: better to trust no books than to trust books blindly; better to assume everyone’s dead than to trust people blindly. Never trust a stranger wholeheartedly at first meeting. If they’re truly good-hearted, they’ll look after her without her asking. If they harbor ill intentions and she mistakenly trusts false information, that’s even worse.
Besides, wasn’t there a half-soccer-team lineup of palace maids following behind them? In an emergency, she’d just “faint.” After all, at noon she’d barely eaten a few bites to create the sorrowful ribbon aesthetic. After this long hike on foot plus kowtowing all over the place, she was already faint from hunger and low spirits. Combined with this mournful Director Xiao special styling, she knew without looking in a mirror that feigning illness would be extremely convincing right now.
Luo Jitong carefully observed this unusually silent Miss Cheng, greatly surprised. She’d received many official households’ young ladies before the Empress—they either chattered endlessly to cover nervousness or were directly frightened into not daring to breathe loudly. Unlike this one before her who clearly knew nothing yet didn’t ask a single extra question.
The group hadn’t walked far before arriving at the brightly lit front hall. Inside, two long rows of food tables were already arranged. Behind most tables sat many gorgeously dressed imperial descendants and noble ladies. Shaoshang looked up and immediately clicked her tongue inwardly. What use was the Emperor and Empress being frugal themselves? Look at these children—if you gathered the blinding pearls and jade on them toward the light, you could save half the giant tallow candles behind them, and it would be more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient too!
Luo Jitong first bowed respectfully herself, then guided Shaoshang in greeting people. In an instant, whoosh—a pile of imperial relatives’ names, titles, and rankings squeezed into Shaoshang’s information storage like exploding cake filling. But she didn’t panic. Speaking of memory techniques—which is strongest? The Celestial Dynasty’s compulsory force-feeding is ridiculously strong!
Though she didn’t know how many broods the Emperor had spawned total, currently only five princes and five princesses were present. Among them, the Crown Prince was an old acquaintance—his short beard still looked as kind and amiable as Peppa Pig’s dad. The reserved, smiling young noblewoman sharing his table should be the Crown Princess. The second, third, fourth, and fifth princes behind hadn’t brought spouses—unclear if they didn’t yet have principal consorts or were conserving banquet space.
The one with his chin on the horizon was the Second Prince—didn’t have the heir apparent’s destiny but was born with the heir apparent’s airs. The one who looked like trouble was the Third Prince—his face full of righteousness, his body radiating cold air, as if everyone owed him two down comforters. The Fourth Prince was also an old face and even smiled at Shaoshang in a friendly manner. The Fifth Prince at first glance looked like an artsy youth; on second glance, more like an idiotic youth.
For instance, when Shaoshang bowed before him, everyone else had properly nodded and moved on. Only he said neither yin nor yang: “Miss Cheng, your etiquette is improper. Mother, what’s the punishment for breaching palace protocol?”
That’s right—the ubiquitous Miss Wang Xi was also present today. Hearing this, she laughed loudly: “Your Highness, Sister Shaoshang has barely been literate since childhood. To do this much today is already quite difficult.”
Shaoshang held her head and straightened up, looking bewildered as she said to Luo Jitong: “Elder Sister Jitong, was my bow improper? Then why didn’t His Majesty and Her Majesty reprimand me?”
Luo Jitong smiled: “His Majesty and Her Majesty are benevolent. Your etiquette lapses aren’t your fault—naturally they won’t blame you.” At this point, she even turned toward the Fifth Prince and Wang Xi. “Not only that, His Majesty repeatedly praised Miss Cheng for understanding righteousness and relieving the monarch’s concerns.”
The Fifth Prince and Wang Xi immediately shut their mouths. Shaoshang looked at Luo Jitong gratefully. Luo Jitong returned a smile.
The first three princesses were already married. Today they’d respectively brought back princess consorts of varying heights, handsomeness, and ugliness to the natal home to show their faces, each with their own varied airs. The First Princess treated her consort as a colleague—the two drank, ate, spoke in unison, yet had no eye contact whatsoever. The Third Princess treated her consort as a passerby, as air—always keeping her head turned forty-five degrees away from the consort. Only the Second Princess and her consort were most normal, occasionally chatting and laughing quietly while not forgetting to greet relatives. The Fourth and Fifth Princesses weren’t yet married. The former occasionally pursed her lips; the latter was flamboyant and self-absorbed, looking down on everyone.
Besides them, there was also a Commandery Princess Yuchang who’d been widowed for several years. Luo Jitong said she was the only granddaughter of the Emperor’s direct uncle. These noble ladies, proud of their high status, couldn’t be bothered with Shaoshang. They barely nodded before going back to their own conversations. Only the Second Princess smilingly asked Shaoshang a few kind words and even removed the golden butterfly pendant from her waist to gift her. Shaoshang received it with both hands and bowed in thanks.
After bowing in a complete circle, Shaoshang was so tired she was exhaling more than inhaling. Inside, she constantly cursed the Emperor as a pustule-headed old bastard. This old lady sacrificed for country and people a tender-skinned, sweet-hearted, simple-minded fiancé—before seeing half a reward, she first endured hunger and kowtowed in a circle. Seeing her blood sugar dropping dangerously low, could it be the Emperor planned to save expenses this way?!
According to hierarchical seating order, Shaoshang’s seat was arranged at the very last table on the left. Miss Wang Xi was merely one seat ahead of her. Looking at Wang Xi, Shaoshang couldn’t help but smile. Wang Xi kept a straight face, trying hard not to look at her. But how could Shaoshang let this person who’d repeatedly made things difficult for her off? She said softly: “Sister Xi, if I hadn’t come today, would you be in the last seat?”
Wang Xi was furious and turned back: “You dare mock me!”
“No, no, no! How would I dare?!” Shaoshang smiled and waved her hands repeatedly, continuing in a low voice: “This is an imperial banquet. We’re fortunate beyond three lifetimes just to have seats—any seat is heavenly grace!”
The Third Princess was already looking at her consort as if his nose wasn’t a nose. Hearing the Wang-Cheng duo chattering endlessly beside her, she scolded irritably: “What are you two arguing about? Is this a place for you to joke around? Xi, how can you also be so ignorant of propriety? The Empress taught you all these years for nothing! Cheng girl, if you breach etiquette again, watch me throw you out!”
Hearing this, both Wang Xi and Shaoshang shrank their necks. Wang Xi could still mumble apologies relying on blood relations. Shaoshang detested this kind of oppression by power, but didn’t dare confront directly. She could only silently endure, and the more she endured, the hungrier she got.
Seeing the Emperor’s party still hadn’t arrived, Shaoshang secretly touched the brocade pouch at her waist. Azhu had stuffed two pieces of pastry inside. How could she find a place no one could see to eat these pastries? With low blood sugar, even imagination refused to work. After racking her brain for ages, Shaoshang could only tell the palace maids behind her she needed the restroom—driven by necessity, who’d have thought she’d be reduced to secretly eating pastries in the toilet? Truly life is like theater, and it’s all TM torturous melodrama!
Shaoshang walked to the corridor, using one hand to support herself on a pillar while using her foot to reach for her upturned shoe. After putting on one shoe, just as she lifted her foot to reach for the other, the bored Fifth Princess suddenly felt playful. She smiled quietly at Wang Xi: “Xi, watch this—I’ll get even for you.”
Then she ran over in quick little steps like the wind. Just before Shaoshang could reach the second shoe, she kicked it flying away, then said triumphantly: “Miss Cheng, your tongue is formidable. Now let’s see your footwork.”
There had just been a light rain. The stone slabs on the ground were wet. Shaoshang only had a shoe on one foot—either step on the wet ground or hop on one foot. The surrounding palace maids all stood motionless seeing the Fifth Princess act this way. No one dared pick up the shoe for Shaoshang.
Shaoshang was angry inside. Actually, she didn’t mind hopping over to put on the shoe, but this sense of humiliation was too detestable. However, she wasn’t a child anymore. Back then she’d even endured the gossipy shrews in town—what about this droopy-eyed, inverted-browed, forehead-full-of-acne little bitch! Just wait and see—someday she’d get even!
Just as Shaoshang was about to swallow her anger—
“What are you doing?!” A stern, solemn young man’s voice suddenly broke in.
Everyone quickly looked up to see a tall young man approaching with an intimidating aura, backlit by a dark golden halo.
The Fifth Princess and Wang Xi both stepped back. Shaoshang was frightened into sitting down on the corridor steps.
When the young man came close, everyone saw his face—it was actually Ling Buyi!
“Eleventh Lord!” All the proud arrogance vanished from the Fifth Princess’s face, her voice revealing joy.
Wang Xi stepped forward, delightedly opening her mouth then closing it, glancing with concern at the Fifth Princess beside her.
Ling Buyi didn’t even glance at them, walking straight toward Shaoshang, casually picking up the upturned shoe along the way.
Shaoshang was so frightened her heart nearly jumped out her throat. Inside, she frantically shouted “don’t come over, don’t come over!” Unfortunately, contrary to her wishes, Ling Buyi approached step by step. The Fifth Princess’s and Wang Xi’s eyes grew wider and wider, including the surrounding palace maids who were so frightened they looked at each other.
Reaching Shaoshang, Ling Buyi bent down to grasp the girl’s ankle. Under everyone’s gaze, Shaoshang’s thick face wasn’t thick enough. While drawing back that foot, she laughed dryly twice to ease the atmosphere: “…Minister Ling needn’t be so polite. I’ll put it on myself, I’ll put it on myself! Ah…”
Unexpectedly, Ling Buyi put that shoe down on the corridor, instead grasping Shaoshang’s already-shoed foot and swiftly pulling the shoe off—Shaoshang was dumbfounded. All around, faces turned pale. The Fifth Princess’s and Wang Xi’s eyeballs nearly fell out.
Ling Buyi immediately removed his boots and stepped onto the platform. His broad shoulders and strong arms tilted down slightly as he grabbed her arm and in one motion lifted Shaoshang, walking inside.
“Eleventh Lord, you actually treat me as nothing!” The Fifth Princess finally recovered, shouting in a shrill voice.
Ling Buyi stopped walking. As if only now seeing her, he said flatly: “So it’s Your Highness. I was just about to report to the Empress—Old Madam Yue seems to have recovered. Young Marquis Yue’s heir is returning from his ancestral home these days. I expect he can marry the Princess before long.”
The Fifth Princess’s face turned white as a sheet, her lips trembling: “You, you only have this to say to me…”
Ling Buyi thought about it and said: “One more thing. Since the wedding date is imminent, I hope the Princess will quickly clear out those people from the residence…” He paused, a hint of mockery floating across his pale, handsome face. “Those vagabond youths.”
A wave of embarrassed crimson flooded the Fifth Princess’s face as she said quietly: “Who told you to avoid me like a snake or scorpion? I only found some people to play with…”
Ling Buyi ignored her and continued pulling Shaoshang in large strides toward the hall.
Shaoshang felt four gazes had already shot through her back. That’s right, she wanted to get even with the Fifth Princess, but she hadn’t expected it could happen so fast! This beam of enmity hadn’t even warmed up yet! Her speech was now stuttering: “…Mi-Mi-Minister Ling, you don’t don’t…” No matter how foolish she was, she knew this matter was not good. Normally, the two of them talking and chatting was fine, but this matter absolutely must not attract attention!
Ling Buyi was tall with quick steps. Within two steps, he’d entered the front hall. When everyone inside saw him arrive, from the Crown Prince down, they either rose or turned their heads, calling out one after another—”Zisheng is here!” “Zisheng, you’re late today—you must drink three measures as penalty!”
“Eleventh Lord!” The Fourth Princess also stood straight there, unable to conceal the joy in her eyes.
When Ling Buyi passed her, he paused slightly, bowing his head: “I heard the Princess’s wedding date with the Marquis Xuan’s heir has been set. I congratulate you in advance!”
The Fourth Princess was immediately speechless, as if struck down with one blow. She slumped back into her seat in defeat.
Ling Buyi also incidentally bowed to Commandery Princess Yuchang standing beside the Fourth Princess, respectfully saying: “Is the Commandery Princess well?”
“…Buyi…” The refined and beautiful Commandery Princess Yuchang’s expression was lost.
In just a few words, Ling Buyi pulled Shaoshang straight toward the Crown Prince’s seat at the very head. Shaoshang was so frightened she was trembling. She knew deeply that she absolutely couldn’t keep walking like this. She forcefully swung her arm and stopped: “Minister Ling, please act prudently! My, my, my seat is over there…”
Ling Buyi’s eyes were bright as stars as he looked steadily at her: “Do you think I would harm you?”
“…” Shaoshang fell headlong into these beautiful eyes and forcefully shook her head.
Ling Buyi smiled slightly, pulling her all the way to the seat just below the Crown Prince’s side, then pressed her to sit beside him.
Shaoshang’s body and mind were already numb. Those imperial relatives who earlier couldn’t be bothered to glance at her now all shot over probing gazes. Those with good composure only revealed some surprise; those with poor composure gaped directly, whispering among themselves.
“…What’s going on? Does Zisheng know this Miss Cheng?” The Second Prince Consort asked the princess in a low voice.
“I told you—last time when she went to check on Zisheng’s injury, I felt something was up…” The Fourth Prince leaned toward the Third Prince’s ear.
“Elder brother, did you know about this?” The Second Prince looked at the Crown Prince with displeasure.
How could the Fifth Prince’s performance be missing at this time? His gaze blatantly examined the girl shrinking beside Ling Buyi, smiling with malice: “Zisheng, I think this Miss Cheng is quite good. I was thinking of taking her into my residence…”
“Fifth Highness needn’t think about it.” Ling Buyi looked coldly at the Fifth Prince. “She’s betrothed again.”
“Ah?” The Fifth Prince said in shock. “Didn’t she just break her engagement with the Lou family today?”
“Correct.” Ling Buyi said flatly. “Therefore, I can marry her now.”
As soon as these words came out, like cold water splashing hot oil, the entire front hall exploded in an instant. The whole room was full of disbelieving faces. Everyone was shocked. The Crown Prince was first to suddenly stand up, losing his voice: “What did you say?!”
“How is this possible?!” The Third Princess couldn’t maintain her cold expression and shouted loudly.
Commandery Princess Yuchang stood unsteadily, her soul scattered and lost. Including Luo Jitong, everyone was shocked into prolonged silence.
Shaoshang nearly choked. Now she couldn’t care about any damn etiquette. She forcefully tugged Ling Buyi’s sleeve and pleaded in a low voice: “…Mi-Mi-Minister Ling… Please don’t get excited. Please don’t ruin your lifelong affairs just to stand up for me! Actually, nothing happened to me. Your helpfulness must have limits!”
The Third Prince behind heard this and couldn’t help but snort with laughter.
Ling Buyi turned back and gave the Third Prince a cold look. Just as he was about to retort, he suddenly heard urgent footsteps from the side and a dignified, delighted voice—”Is Zisheng’s statement true!”
Everyone saw the Emperor had arrived and quickly prostrated themselves.
The Emperor shook off the several people behind him and stepped forward in a few strides, saying to Ling Buyi with delight: “Are the words you just spoke true?”
Ling Buyi looked up and said seriously: “In reply to Your Majesty, this statement is true. This subject requests Your Majesty act as elder and propose marriage to the Cheng family on my behalf.”
The Emperor’s face was flushed, beaming with joy, saying repeatedly: “That’s natural, that’s natural! I will certainly make the decision for you! Haha, haha…” He was usually reserved and restrained. Now he was actually laughing loudly—clearly extremely happy indeed.
“Minister Cheng, Minister Cheng…” The Emperor called backward. “Come forward quickly!”
Cheng Shi, dumbfounded in the back, was pushed by a young eunuch and stumbled forward.
The Emperor intimately clasped his arm: “Zisheng has been raised by my side since before age ten—no different from my own son. Today I’ll temporarily assume paternal duties and propose marriage to you on his behalf. What does Minister Cheng think?!” Though phrased as a question, the Emperor’s voice overflowed with emotion like a spring.
Xiao Furen watched anxiously, wanting to step forward and speak, but was intentionally or unintentionally blocked behind by several young eunuchs. Instead, Comrade Old Wan Songbai, seeing this situation, quickly rushed up and grabbed his sworn brother, forcefully shaking him: “…This is a good match, a good match! Why are you still standing there stunned, brother? Quickly agree…”
Cheng Shi was shaken dizzy by his sworn brother’s brute strength. Looking up, there was the Emperor’s eager gaze. Before he knew it, he said: “This subject, this subject is naturally very willing… such a good match…!”
“Good!” The Emperor shouted, his wide sleeves rising high like bat wings rolling clouds, completely satisfied. “This marriage is settled!”
Ling Buyi bowed and kowtowed in thanks, then bowed to the dazed Cheng Shi. Cheng Shi was so frightened by this proper bow he didn’t know what to do.
The Crown Prince was visibly delighted and was first to congratulate Ling Buyi, followed by the other princes, princesses, and consorts…
Amid the clamor, Xiao Furen finally slipped through everyone to get beside her husband: “Didn’t we agree to wait at least two months?”
“His Majesty and Brother Wan were staring at me with burning eyes—how could I dare not agree?” Cheng Shi was already dizzy.
The Empress also slowly walked over, leaning toward the Emperor’s ear: “Didn’t Your Majesty say at least half a month?”
“Zisheng was staring at me with burning eyes—how could I not fulfill his wish?” The Emperor was delighted, his face glowing. “After so many years, the boy is finally willing to marry. Wait another half month? Better not miss this village when there’s no such shop.”
“This, how can this be… how can this…?” Shaoshang lay on the ground, completely dazed, her body stiff.
Ling Buyi slowly helped her up. She grabbed his sleeve in return, anxiously whispering: “Don’t… Minister Ling, speak properly. How can you marry a wife on a whim! If you don’t want to marry, don’t marry. Who says people must marry? These are all outdated, ignorant concepts! Being single is actually quite good—peaceful and long-lived, happy and free!”
“You… don’t want to marry me…?” Ling Buyi’s eyes looked lonely and cold.
Shaoshang’s heart immediately softened, and her tone softened too: “It’s… it’s not that… it’s just, this matter should be carefully considered.” Making it seem like she couldn’t endure being single—truly no need for such tight, seamless transition!
“I, I just broke my engagement this morning!” She was truly depressed.
“What does morning or evening matter?” Ling Buyi smiled. “Your father has agreed to our marriage. Are you happy or not?”
Shaoshang looked at his sincere eyes and unconsciously nodded. But she felt the key point of this matter didn’t seem to be whether Old Master Cheng agreed or not.
Looking around—the Fifth Princess and Wang Xi standing at the door were gnashing their teeth, their expressions fierce enough to eat people. The Fourth Princess and Commandery Princess Yuchang, staggering back into their seats, wore resentful expressions—women’s thoughts were easy to guess, nothing more than seeing but not obtaining.
But those princes and consorts, eunuchs and palace maids—various eyes, bright or dark, were all examining her, weighing the hidden meaning of this marriage. Shaoshang suddenly felt lost, as if stepping into an unknown territory where from now on, nothing would be in her own control anymore.
(End of Volume 2)