Free Web NovelChapter 120: Chapter 120: What Kind of Cousin and Cousin-in-law
"Miss Ji, the Eldest Princess invites you to join her."
This was Ji Qingwu’s first time seeing Li Yuzong, and she found him pleasant no matter how she looked at him. Even the wrinkles on his face felt remarkably familiar and kind.
She had just been looking for an excuse to escape the flock of overly enthusiastic ladies, so she nodded eagerly.
When the ladies saw that it was Li Yuzong, who served in the imperial court, personally extending the invitation, they didn’t dare to stand in her way.
However, the lady still clutching Ji Qingwu’s arm wasn’t ready to give up. She spoke in a rush, "Miss Ji, it’s a date then! I’ll bring my son to visit you at the Ji Mansion tomorrow."
’When did we agree to that?’ Ji Qingwu had no idea.
But the most important thing right now was to escape the encirclement. She offered a few noncommittal replies and hurried away.
Li Yuzong led the way, walking briskly, and she followed quietly behind him.
After winding their way across half the field, Ji Qingwu looked up to find they had arrived at the foot of a high platform, one adorned with banners and ceremonial flags. Another dozen or so steps up the white stone stairs, and she would be right in front of the Emperor.
Ji Qingwu had assumed Princess Hua Chang wanted to see her to ask about taking the Prince Consort’s pulse last night. But if that were the case, shouldn’t they have met somewhere private?
She hesitated and stopped. "Eunuch Li, where is the Eldest Princess?"
Li Yuzong turned back. "The Eldest Princess is seated among the guests. Please hurry, Miss Ji. His Maj— The Eldest Princess is getting impatient."
’This...’
’Out of the frying pan and into the fire.’
Everyone knew that Princess Consort Wei was the Emperor’s most favored concubine. And just moments ago, Ji Qingwu had managed to displease Emperor Wu Su’s darling. If he decided to make an issue of it...
The more she thought about it, the more her chest tightened with anxiety. But there was no time to dwell on the strange feeling in her heart.
As soon as Ji Qingwu stepped onto the platform, she felt numerous gazes land on her, assessing her. But none compared to the one from above, which made her scalp tingle.
Following protocol, she first bowed to Emperor Wu Su. freewёbnoνel.com
"You may rise."
Ji Qingwu obeyed and rose. As she lifted her head, her eyes met his for a brief moment as he sat upon the throne.
A patch of warm sunlight fell across her cyan robes, and the light in her eyes was like the spring waters of a small pond reflecting a sunny dawn.
The arrow she’d shot while leaning over her horse had perfectly embodied a woman’s strength and beauty. Now, that soft yet supple waist was hidden beneath loose-fitting clothes.
Ji Qingwu did not look at the Emperor for long, her gaze shifting to a spot beside the throne where a small table had been temporarily added.
Seated at that small table was none other than Princess Consort Wei.
Wei Liru had changed into a set of scarlet palace attire. She held her chin high, looking down on Ji Qingwu with a condescending air.
"Miss Ji is the Empress Dowager’s own niece and also the Emperor’s cousin. By that logic, I suppose I should also call you cousin. Your performance on the field today, Fifth Cousin, was truly a delightful surprise."
’A surprise?’
Ji Qingwu’s eyes flickered. Down on the field, Princess Consort Wei had been absolutely furious. It was more like shocked fury, not a delightful surprise.
’It seems that in this palace, everyone must cultivate multiple faces. Even someone of noble birth with a powerful family to back her like Wei Liru is no exception.’
But upon careful analysis, Princess Consort Wei’s words, while seemingly meant to build rapport, were actually a reminder to the Emperor that Ji Qingwu was from the Empress Dowager’s maternal family—the daughter of an imperial in-law.
Ji Qingwu now understood the source of Princess Consort Wei’s hostility.
Before Ji Qingwu could reply, Princess Hua Chang spoke directly, "Miss Ji is a guest I invited. Come and sit here."
Ji Qingwu nodded and walked over with light steps. She had just sat down, her seat not even warm yet.
Princess Consort Wei wasn’t about to let her go, as if determined to reclaim the face she had lost down on the field.
She smiled. "Forgive my forwardness, but I’ll presume to call myself your cousin-in-law for a moment. This wine in my hand is an aged brew from the cellars of Langya Platform. The wine of Langya Platform is known for its overflowing fragrance and has a reputation as the ’amber of wines.’ I would like to invite Miss Ji to have a cup."
’First, she praises me, then she invites me to drink, and even calls herself my cousin-in-law.’
Princess Consort Wei smiled at her, her lips curved and her eyes filled with smug satisfaction as she raised her cup in invitation.
Ji Qingwu’s gaze shifted to the "cousin" beside her. The moment her eyes moved, he caught her gaze, his own eyes holding that same inscrutable depth she couldn’t quite fathom.
She thought resentfully, ’What kind of cousin is this? The kind who held me close to keep me warm last night?’
Ji Qingwu averted her gaze, deciding that out of sight was out of mind.
She was well aware of her own alcohol tolerance. Two cups of fruit wine were enough to make her flush, let alone this strong liquor. A single gulp would probably make her pass out.
The words of refusal were on the tip of Ji Qingwu’s tongue.
But Princess Hua Chang suddenly interjected, "Princess Consort Wei, has the wine muddled your thoughts? If you want Miss Ji to call you ’cousin-in-law,’ are you a proper sister-in-law?"
Princess Hua Chang knew what game Princess Consort Wei was playing.
The wine served on Langya Platform was pure, strong liquor. Ji Qingwu would get dizzy from a single sip, let alone a whole cup, but Princess Consort Wei was famous for her high alcohol tolerance.
Wei Liru had intended to use her status as the Emperor’s concubine to provoke Ji Qingwu and also to probe her feelings for the Emperor.
Startled by Princess Hua Chang’s words, she suddenly realized her slip of the tongue.
Only the Empress could rightfully be called ’sister-in-law’.
She hesitated, glancing at the Emperor’s expression, and said aggrievedly, "Did I... did Your humble servant overstep?"
Only then did Emperor Wu Su raise his eyes to look at Princess Consort Wei beside him, his gaze profoundly cold.
Princess Consort Wei hurriedly begged for forgiveness. "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. It was an unintentional mistake."
Emperor Wu Su took the wine cup from her hand and set it down heavily on the table.
His expression was icy, but his words feigned concern. "This wine is too strong. Drinking too much is bad for you. Some people like to show off, and when they get drunk, they become audacious."
Upon hearing this, the assembled imperial relatives and nobles began to laugh.
An elderly noblewoman teased, "His Majesty and Princess Wei are so affectionate. He’s worried that she’ll feel unwell if she drinks too much."
At first, a bashful look appeared on Wei Liru’s face.
But as she processed Emperor Wu Su’s full statement, the meaning slowly dawned on her, and her expression began to freeze.
Her alcohol tolerance was incredible; she could drink a thousand cups without getting drunk. She had never been drunk in her life, which was why she had wanted to challenge Ji Qingwu to a drinking contest to even the score.
The person the Emperor was talking about... was not her.
’Who would dare to be so audacious in front of Emperor Wu Su, even when drunk?’
Wei Liru’s expression flickered through several changes.
Princess Hua Chang called over a little eunuch from behind her. "Take away the cup in front of Miss Ji and replace it with rose wine from Ancient Dian."
Only when Ji Qingwu lowered her head and began sipping the rose wine did the Emperor’s expression soften somewhat.
Below the platform, the competition raged on fiercely.
Except for Wei Chi Lianping.
During every break in the archery, he would look up at the high platform, his eyes naturally fixed on the Eldest Princess in her flowing white robes.
His actions had long since drawn the attention of everyone on the platform.
An imperial relative across from them watched Wei Chi Lianping and laughingly brought up an anecdote.
"I haven’t seen Hua Chang’s Prince Consort compete in many years. I remember his archery is superb; he’s a rare martial arts prodigy."
Emperor Wu Su seemed to recall something. He nodded and said, "The Old Marquis is correct."
