Forced to Love (GL) - Chapter 22

Lingxi looked at the yellow silk fabric in her hand, embroidered with auspicious clouds and cranes. She rarely did this, but she rubbed her forehead.

When she inherited the original owner’s wish, she was not told about this situation.

On the very first day she arrived at the Lu residence, before she even had the chance to search for Shen Shang, she received an imperial edict granting her a marriage.

Lingxi searched the original owner’s memories regarding Princess Guangling. She was the emperor’s most beloved daughter and the eldest among his children. After the Great Tai Empire was unified, Guangling was given her own fiefdom.

She had a strong personality and handled matters decisively. More importantly, the original owner had previously aligned herself with the Prime Minister’s faction, which happened to oppose the princess. Furthermore, the original owner was actually a woman.

If this was discovered, it would be considered the crime of deceiving the emperor.

Wasn’t this like sending a lamb into a tiger’s den?

The marriage must not happen.

Lingxi’s gaze darkened. She turned to look at the lush greenery outside the window, feeling increasingly heavy-hearted.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

“Young Master, it’s me.”

“Come in.”

Chai Gao stepped in at her command, closing the door behind him. He then held out a wooden box with both hands and spoke in a low voice. “Young Master, someone from the Prime Minister’s residence sent this to you.”

Lingxi glanced at the item in his hands and felt a chill in her heart.

The more she tried to avoid them, the more they came to her.

“Did the messenger say anything?”

“No, they just delivered the item and left.”

“Hmm. Put it on the table and leave.”

“Yes.”

Chai Gao carefully placed the wooden box on the table before quietly stepping out and closing the door behind him.

Lingxi waited until his footsteps faded before reaching out for the box. It was not heavy but was finely crafted.

Upon opening it, she immediately saw a luxurious invitation. Inside, it expressed concern for her recent injury, but more importantly, it invited her to a banquet at the Prime Minister’s residence.

That night, Lingxi barely slept.

……

The next morning, Lingxi donned her formal court attire and attended the imperial court session.

Zhao Cong sat on the dragon throne as the court began its daily proceedings. A heated debate quickly erupted over a recent discovery of illegal weapons.

Specifically, it was a dispute between the emperor’s faction and the Prime Minister’s faction.

“Your Majesty, I believe that the recently confiscated illegal weapons should be handled by Magistrate Zhuang Bo of the Capital Prefecture since the matter falls under his jurisdiction,” an official from the Prime Minister’s faction proposed.

“Your Majesty, I disagree. The remnants of the rebels have not been eradicated, and there may still be hidden threats. This matter requires thorough investigation,” another official countered. He paused, glanced at Zhuang Bo, and added, “Magistrate Zhuang has already been negligent in his duties. Until his accountability is determined, he should not be entrusted with handling this case.”

“Your Majesty, precisely because of this, the magistrate must be given the chance to prove his innocence!”

“……”

The court was in turmoil, with no immediate resolution. Lingxi remained silent, as this was not a matter she had the authority to speak on. Instead, she focused on how to delay her marriage.

“Cough, cough.” Zhao Cong cleared his throat twice, halting the debate. “Prince Gong, if you believe this case should not be entrusted to the Capital Magistrate, then who do you suggest should handle it?”

Prince Gong glanced at the Prime Minister standing across from him, then bowed. “Your Majesty, I believe the case should be handled by the Court of Judicial Review.”

At these words, the court fell silent.

“Prime Minister, what do you think?”

“Your Majesty, the Court of Judicial Review is responsible for major criminal cases. If this case is handed over to them, it may affect the handling of other cases.”

Zhao Cong neither agreed nor disagreed and instead asked, “Lord Li, as the head of the Court of Judicial Review, what is your opinion?”

The official in front of Lingxi stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I do not believe the Prime Minister’s concerns will materialize. Precisely because our court handles major cases, this matter should be entrusted to us.”

Zhao Cong looked past Li Cai and focused on Lingxi, as if testing her. “Hmm. What about you, Deputy Minister Lu Mu? What do you think?”

Suddenly being called out, Lingxi felt the weight of many gazes upon her.

Yesterday, she was granted marriage to the princess. Today, the emperor was asking for her opinion in court. Everyone noticed the subtle shift in circumstances.

Lingxi steadied herself, stepped forward, and bowed. “Your Majesty, this is a serious matter, and all the officials have valid points. Since it happened within the Capital Magistrate’s jurisdiction, giving it to the Court of Judicial Review may overstep authority. However, since it occurred in the capital, mishandling it could cause public panic. Therefore, I believe the immediate priority is to strengthen patrols to prevent further incidents. As for who should handle the case, I defer to Your Majesty’s decision.”

Her words seemed to express an opinion yet also seemed to say nothing at all.

Zhao Cong studied her for a moment, then waved his hand, postponing the discussion to the next day.

As Lingxi left the court, her colleagues congratulated her on her imperial engagement.

She returned their smiles with a perfunctory, “Likewise.”

At the palace gates, she was stopped by the Prime Minister’s carriage, where she was once again reminded of the banquet invitation.

“Thank you for your kindness, Prime Minister. I will be there on time tomorrow.”

Watching the Prime Minister’s carriage depart, Lingxi subtly ran her fingers over the lining of her sleeve.

Turning away, she used the excuse of investigating cases to wander through the capital, searching for Shen Shang.

The next day, she changed into casual clothes and attended the Prime Minister’s banquet.

“Minister Lu, you’ve arrived. Please come in.”

Lingxi nodded slightly and handed over the prepared gift.

“Oh, Minister Lu, you’re too polite! Record it down.”

The Prime Minister’s steward greeted guests at the entrance. When he saw Lingxi, he immediately stepped forward to welcome her.

Guided inside by a servant, she noticed the place was already filled with many guests.

Due to the emperor’s marriage decree, many people approached her, eager to form connections.

“Much appreciated.”

“Likewise.”

Lingxi exchanged pleasantries before slipping away under the pretense of changing clothes.

The banquet was exquisitely decorated. Instead of excessive luxury, the focus was on refined elegance, making it difficult to find fault. The presence of flower arrangements gave it the feel of a botanical exhibition.

Lingxi moved through the crowd, carefully observing each person in search of Shen Shang.

“Minister Lu, I’ve been looking for you.”

Lingxi looked up and saw Zhuang Bo, the Capital Magistrate.

“Magistrate Zhuang.”

“Why is Minister Lu standing here alone? Don’t like the noise?”

“Is there something urgent Magistrate Zhuang needs from me?”

“Haha, Minister Lu thinks too much. How can we disturb each other’s fun at a banquet?” Zhuang Bo moved a little closer and lowered his voice. “It’s just about today’s matter. I wanted to thank Minister Lu.”

“Magistrate Zhuang is joking. We both serve in court for the emperor. And for such an important matter, of course I had to be careful with my words and not take sides.”

Ling Xi slightly bent forward, subtly increasing the distance between them.

Zhuang Bo seemed like he wanted to say more, but the next moment, a voice came from outside the gate.

“Her Highness the Princess has arrived!”

Everyone was shocked. Those standing immediately knelt to the ground.

Ling Xi glanced at the gate and knelt as well.

“Greetings to Her Highness. May Her Highness live a thousand years.” Prime Minister Li came out to greet her.

“Greetings to Her Highness. May Her Highness live a thousand years.”

The others also bowed and shouted.

“Prime Minister, please rise. I have heard much about your banquets. Since I had time today, I decided to come by.” Zhao Qingsui paused as she spoke, her gaze sweeping over the kneeling crowd. The corner of her mouth slightly lifted. “Prime Minister, I
hope you don’t mind me arriving without notice.”

Her voice held a soft smile, but her words were firm and unquestionable.

Ling Xi kept her head down and suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity. She slightly moved her head, wanting to peek through the gaps, but halfway through the motion, a strong sense of pressure made her stop.

Prime Minister Li had just stood up, but knelt again.

“I am afraid, I dare not. It is an honor that Your Highness has come today. It is an honor for the entire Prime Minister’s residence.”

“Don’t be nervous, Prime Minister. Today is only a banquet.” Zhao Qingsui gestured. “Su Rui, help the Prime Minister up. Everyone else, please rise.”

“Yes.” Su Rui replied softly and stepped forward to help the Prime Minister up.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Another chorus of voices followed.

“Su Rui, bring out the gift I sent to the Prime Minister.”

As Ling Xi stood up, the maid held a delicate wooden box in front of her, just opening it to show the Prime Minister. This move blocked Ling Xi’s view.

Ling Xi adjusted her position slightly, trying to peek through the gap. But in the next second, the Prime Minister said a few polite words and ordered someone to take the box.

The box was moved, and Ling Xi’s eyes met Zhao Qingsui’s casual gaze.

In that instant, images rushed out from Ling Xi’s memory.

“…Then are we really fated?”

That’s what Shen Shang had said to her back then.

Now Ling Xi thought, maybe she should thank this so-called “fate.”

Those dark eyes looked calm on the surface but were deep and unreadable inside, like a pool with hidden whirlpools — so deep you couldn’t see the bottom.

Ling Xi sank into it, letting the cold and chaos of the whirlpool surround her. The light dimmed, and her vision blurred…

The maid behind Zhao Qingsui, Su Rui, wanted to step forward when she saw this. But Zhuang Bo, standing beside Ling Xi, tugged on her sleeve and gave her a look.

Ling Xi quickly lowered her head respectfully, breaking free from the pressure of that gaze.

Zhao Qingsui raised her hand slightly. Su Rui lowered her head and stepped back. Zhao Qingsui looked at Ling Xi for a moment, then walked into the main hall.

Ling Xi kept her head low. Feeling the pressure from above, she frowned slightly at the green sprout growing from the edge of a stone brick.

“Minister Lu, how could you be rude in front of Her Highness?”

Zhuang Bo waited until Zhao Qingsui disappeared from view before leaning in to speak softly.

“Thank you, Magistrate Zhuang. It was my mistake.”

“Though I know you’re going to marry Her Highness, you still need to stay within bounds before then.”

“Yes.”

“Let’s go. The banquet is about to start.” Zhuang Bo patted Ling Xi’s shoulder and walked ahead.

Ling Xi stood still, looking at the spot where Zhao Qingsui had just stared at her. A hint of confusion flashed in her eyes.

Only she knew, that moment of rudeness was not caused by the maid behind Shen Shang or by Zhuang Bo tugging her sleeve.

It was Ling Xi herself.

It was her sudden memory — that she was just a weapon beside Shen Shang.

And Shen Shang was her master.