Don't Provoke the Black Lotus O [Transmigration Novel] - Chapter 12

12: Disdain for You

The place called Ningxiang Pavilion doesn’t seem to be mentioned in the book, but judging by its name, it’s clearly not a spot for ordinary folks. It’s more like a place frequented by the wealthy and powerful. Xi Lingxue’s purpose for going there is unclear, but since the plot has already derailed, Jiang Ci decides to take things one step at a time. Following the female lead can’t be wrong, after all.

After finishing breakfast and taking her medicine, Jiang Ci orders someone to prepare the carriage.

“Can I ride with you later?” Jiang Ci asks. “I’ve ridden a horse before, but I’ve never been in a carriage.”

In her original world, Jiang Ci had been to a horse ranch and even gone on a team-building trip to the grasslands with her colleagues. However, she had never experienced a carriage ride, so she felt a bit curious about it.

Xi Lingxue wonders inwardly, How could you have never ridden in a carriage? Someone of Gao Yi’s status would have traveled by carriage since childhood. But then she remembers that this person might genuinely be suffering from a mental disorder, her memories all jumbled. So she replies, “You can ride if you want.”

Jiang Ci is delighted. “Great!”

Jin Yu is secretly astonished. Has Her Highness really allowed this? She’s never shared a carriage with a Qianjun before, not even with Gao Yi.

It seems that overnight, the two of them have grown much closer. If someone were to say this out loud, no one would believe it. Just a few days ago, they were fighting and even trying to kill each other.

Jin Yu says, “But military generals usually ride horses. Isn’t it strange for you to ride in a carriage?”

Especially the former Gao Yi, who loved galloping on horseback and had even knocked people over in the streets.

“What’s strange about it?” Jiang Ci links arms with Xi Lingxue. “My wife and I are deeply in love, inseparable for even a moment. Is that not allowed?”

Jin Yu feels goosebumps all over. “Ew…”

How disgusting. Why has this person become so delicate and weak, like a Kunjun? Has her brain really deteriorated this badly?

Xi Lingxue pulls her hand away and lightly brushes it off, her expression indifferent. “Let’s go.”

“Hey, do you have to be so disdainful?” Jiang Ci follows behind her. “I’ve already taken a bath!”

She had soaked in the bathtub for a long time yesterday, almost sprinkling flower petals in it.

Xi Lingxue says, “I disdain you as a person. It has nothing to do with whether you’ve bathed or not.”

Jiang Ci: “Damn… When will you believe that I’m not Gao Yi?”

Despite her words, Jin Yu glances over and notices that Her Highness is actually smiling slightly, clearly in a good mood. She doesn’t seem all that disdainful, does she?

The three of them arrive at the entrance of the Marquis’s residence, where the coachman has been waiting for a while.

Jiang Ci circles the carriage, inspecting it from all angles and even touching it… It feels sturdy.

She’s only seen this kind of thing on TV before; this is her first time seeing one in real life. Two tall, majestic horses stand at the front, both fine steeds. The carriage itself is intricately carved, with silk curtains hanging on the windows. The interior is lavishly decorated, clearly meant for the nobility.

Jiang Ci can’t help but wonder, Would this be considered a luxury car in modern times?

Xi Lingxue gets into the carriage first, but Jiang Ci isn’t in a hurry to follow.

She pulls the coachman aside and asks, “Will these horses suddenly poop while running?”

During her trip to the grasslands, the horses there had pooped while walking, which was pretty gross. She had even recorded a video to complain to her friends about it.

“Huh? Uh… My Lord, you needn’t worry…” The coachman is momentarily stunned, sweating nervously as he replies cautiously, “Our horses are well-trained. They would never relieve themselves on the road.”

“Oh, that’s good.” Jiang Ci then asks, “Have you been drinking?”

The coachman: “…I never drink.”

“Good! That’s a good habit.” Jiang Ci pats his shoulder earnestly. “Actually, drinking is fine, but remember, never drink and drive. Drive recklessly, and your loved ones will shed tears.”

The coachman is terrified, unsure what has gotten into his master today.

He dares not speculate on the Marquis’s thoughts and simply says, “As you say, My Lord…”

Jiang Ci gets into the carriage and sits across from Xi Lingxue. Both Xi Lingxue and Jin Yu are looking at her with strange expressions.

Xi Lingxue asks, “What were you saying outside just now?”

Jiang Ci replies, “Nothing much. I was just reminding him to drive safely.”

“…”

Jin Yu is speechless. This person has been spouting nonsense so often lately that she’s gotten used to not understanding her.

Just as they’re about to set off, a servant suddenly runs out from the residence, calling, “My Lord!”

Hearing the commotion, Jiang Ci turns and lifts the curtain. “What is it?”

The servant gasps for breath and says, “Please go see Lady Qin! She cried all night yesterday and is still upset this morning. She hasn’t even eaten!”

After all, Yao Qin was once doted on by Gao Yi, and with the Yao family backing her, the servants dare not neglect her. Who knows? She might rise to favor again someday.

Jiang Ci is annoyed. This woman again? She’s under house arrest and still causing trouble. What does she want? Crying, making a scene, threatening suicide?

Xi Lingxue’s cool voice suddenly comes from behind. “If you want to see her, hurry up. Don’t delay our business.”

Jiang Ci turns around. The black lotus’s face is cold, and she isn’t even looking this way, just gazing out the window.

“I don’t want to see her. She’s not some rare animal.” Jiang Ci turns back to the servant. “Let her make a scene. She’ll eat when she’s hungry. Get more people to keep an eye on her. If she tries to hang herself, make sure to cut her down in time.”

The servant is so frightened that he kneels. “…My Lord, this… this isn’t appropriate! If something happens to Lady Qin, the Imperial Consort will surely hold us accountable!”

“Hey, don’t kneel so easily. Speak properly.” Jiang Ci, having read the book, knows Yao Qin’s temperament. “She won’t do anything to herself. Besides, didn’t I tell you to get more people to watch her? That’s it. I’m leaving.”

With that, Jiang Ci drops the curtain.

The carriage starts moving, slowly making its way into the streets. Xi Lingxue turns her head and sits upright.

Xi Lingxue’s tone is neither cold nor warm. “You’re quite carefree. Aren’t you afraid she’ll commit suicide?”

“Absolutely not.” Jiang Ci casually grabs a handful of melon seeds from the carriage. “Yao Qin is a coward. If she had the courage to kill herself, she wouldn’t have begged you so desperately yesterday. This whole act is just for show, aimed at me.”

Jiang Ci has people watching Yao Qin precisely because she’s afraid the woman might accidentally hurt herself while putting on an act. She needs to prevent any real accidents.

Xi Lingxue doesn’t say anything more. Seeing how calm and composed Gao Yi is, she wonders, Can a mental disorder actually make someone smarter? Now she can even see through Yao Qin’s tricks at a glance?

As the carriage enters the bustling market, Jiang Ci looks around curiously. The streets are filled with pedestrians, and shops line both sides. It’s lively but not overcrowded. For Jiang Ci, who’s used to concrete and steel, everything here feels fresh and exciting.

When they arrive at Ningxiang Pavilion, Jiang Ci jumps out of the carriage first. A flamboyantly dressed woman immediately greets her with enthusiasm.

“What an honor! What brings you here today?”

Jiang Ci looks at her in confusion. “Who are you?”

“Oh, you must be so busy that you’ve forgotten.” Madam Wang smiles. “I’m the owner of Ningxiang Pavilion. Don’t you remember? You came here with Lady Qin before to buy rouge.”

Did that really happen?

Jiang Ci says, “I don’t remember.”

“No matter. You’ll remember after a few more visits.” Madam Wang, being a businesswoman, can smoothly handle any conversation without a hint of embarrassment. “What would you like to see today, My Lord? We’ve just released a few new shades of rouge. Lady Qin is sure to love them!”

As soon as she finishes speaking, Xi Lingxue steps out of the carriage. Dressed in white, she exudes an icy, aloof aura, her gaze cold as frost.

Madam Wang’s smile freezes. What… It’s not Yao Qin?!

Yesterday, she heard rumors that the Marquis had publicly scolded Yao Qin for the princess, but she hadn’t believed it. The descriptions sounded too exaggerated—how could someone’s nose bleed that much? It must be nonsense.

Yao Qin’s status is well-established, and she’s been doted on. The last time she visited, she spent over five hundred taels on jewelry and cosmetics, and the Marquis paid without even looking. As for the princess, it’s said that she and the Marquis have been at odds since their marriage, and the Marquis has never taken her out of the residence, let alone brought her to the shop.

So Madam Wang had instinctively assumed the person in the carriage was Yao Qin. She never expected it to be the princess!

Madam Wang’s heart sinks. Could the rumors from yesterday be true?! Has the Marquis really abandoned Yao Qin and started favoring the princess?!

This is too sudden!

“My Lord, please forgive me!” Madam Wang says anxiously, quickly correcting herself. “This humble one misspoke. I beg Your Lordship not to hold it against me!”

Xi Lingxue doesn’t pay any attention to this, her face expressionless as she walks past Madam Wang and into Ningxiang Pavilion.

Madam Wang stands there awkwardly, looking at Jiang Ci. “This…”

Jiang Ci waves her hand. “It’s fine. Her Highness isn’t angry. Just be more careful next time.”

Madam Wang breathes a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.

This confirms it! The Marquis’s favorite is now the princess! She saw it with her own eyes!

No wonder, Madam Wang thinks. The princess’s beauty and grace far surpass Yao Qin’s. Not to mention the Marquis, a Qianjun, even she, a Zhongjun, can’t help but want to take a second look.

Jiang Ci follows Xi Lingxue, looking around as they walk. The shop is quite large, with two floors. The first floor sells cosmetics, jewelry, and some clothing, while the second floor offers a variety of incense. Each bottle is labeled with its scent, some for Qianjuns and others for Kunjuns.

Jiang Ci feels like she’s walked into an essential oils store. The rows of small bottles are dazzling. She picks up a bottle with a reed diffuser and sniffs it. The scent is sweet.

Jiang Ci whispers, “Why are you here? Are you planning to use these scents to mask your pheromones?”

Xi Lingxue doesn’t look at her, her eyes scanning the shop. “Just browsing.”

Jiang Ci snorts inwardly. Yeah, right. I don’t think you’re just browsing at all.