The Princess Who Married The Crown Prince(GL) - Chapter 27

After the grand wedding, the Third Prince, Gong Xichao, was granted the title of Commandery Prince and moved to his own princely residence outside the palace. The poetry gathering that day was organized by the prince’s principal wife; the concubine, Su Ruofeng, was merely running errands and assisting with preparations.

All attendees of the poetry gathering were women—some married, others unmarried—but they all shared one trait: noble birth. It was, in essence, a private gathering of ladies from high society.

Qiuqiu, known to all as a pitiful figure, was in truth bubbling with joy inside. Yet, she had to feign a look of sorrow and wear a melancholic expression as she socialized, which truly felt a bit suffocating.

Fortunately, she was surrounded by beauties. Even though none of them were as attractive as her own handsome husband, they still provided enough visual stimulation to keep her occupied.

As for the distribution of samples, that task had been handed over to Mo Shulan’s people. Mo Shulan was more familiar with the guests here, and her maids were capable and well-practiced. The samples they made were exquisite, displayed neatly in a cloisonné box.

Lu Fangting watched Qiuqiu resting her chin on her hand as if lost in gloomy thought while she gazed at the crowd. But her eyes were lively, her fingers rubbing together with barely concealed excitement. What was she thrilled about? Could it be that she was thrilled about promoting her goods to make money?

Just then, as Qiuqiu remained absorbed in her musings, a young maid serving tea accidentally spilled it all over her clothes.

“Your servant deserves death! Please forgive me!” The maid cried, kneeling in panic.

“Punish her! What is she doing, being so careless? Give her twenty strokes as punishment!” The principal consort of the Third Prince hurried over to apologize. “My lady, your clothes are soaked. I’ll have my senior maid take you to change. Yunxia, bring the Crown Prince’s Consort my new peony-patterned satin robe—the one I haven’t worn yet.”

“It’s nothing, just a bit of tea stain. No need to be angry, Sister Princess,” Qiuqiu responded with a frown as she looked down at the wet spot on her dress. It was a cold day—if she didn’t change, she’d freeze. However, she felt that whipping someone twenty times for this reason was excessive, so she spoke up for the maid. She then followed the consort’s maid to the changing room.

Lu Fangting (diguised as Qingli) attempted to follow Su Qiuqiu, but a maid from the prince’s estate stopped her.

“The inner chambers of the prince’s residence are not for just anyone to enter. Please wait here,” she said curtly.

“She’s my personal maid—why can’t she come with me?” Qiuqiu frowned.

“We ask for your understanding, Princess Consort,” the maid insisted.

“Qingli, I’ll be out as soon as I change,” Qiuqiu called back, knowing it wouldn’t take long.

“Please be careful, my lady. I’ll wait just outside,” Lu Fangting replied respectfully, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Qiuqiu was led through several winding corridors until they reached a lavish room. The furnishings were ornate, and just the golden embroidered screen depicting a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix looked priceless. Qiuqiu couldn’t help but silently marvel at the wealth on display.

The maid helped her change, bringing out the robe. Qiuqiu removed her wet outer garment and changed into the new clothes. After adjusting her attire, she looked around, intending to ask the maid to lead her out—only to realize the girl had vanished. In her place, a man stepped in with a smile: the Third Prince.

“You?! What are you doing here?!” Qiuqiu scow. This man was like a shadow that refused to leave. Could her being here have been part of his scheme? And that princess consort—just how tolerant could she be?

“Qiuqiu… is that really you? Or am I dreaming, conjuring you from my thoughts? Day after day, I think of you, and now you appear before me… But it’s not even night yet,” Gong Xichao said, smiling faintly.

“I take my leave!” Qiuqiu clenched her teeth in disgust and turned to rush out.

“You’re leaving? And where will you go? You do realize… this is my bedchamber,” Gong Xichao said with a smile, stepping in her way.

Qiuqiu cursed inwardly, her face paling as the prince approached her. But she didn’t hesitate—lifting her leg, she delivered a swift, vicious kick right to his weak spot.

With a sharp cry, Gong Xichao instinctively shielded himself. Qiuqiu shoved him aside and dashed out of the room.

She ran blindly through the corridors, not knowing where she was going. Just as she was beginning to panic, a hand suddenly reached out from the side and grabbed her—it was Su Ruofeng.

Su Ruofeng said nothing, her face stern and full of rage as she dragged Qiuqiu away at a brisk pace.

“Why are you here? Still… thank you,” Qiuqiu said once they’d slowed down.

“You dare step into the consort’s quarters? Have you no shame? Don’t forget you’re a married woman! With a face like that—just like your mother’s—all you do is seduce men!” Su Ruofeng glared at her furiously.

“Hey! Hold on—are you insane? I’m the victim here! That disgusting man—I wouldn’t want him even if he begged!” Qiuqiu shot back angrily. She was on the verge of thanking Su Ruofeng when she encountered such harsh words. It was beyond insulting.

“Hmph! If you weren’t seducing him, why would he be so obsessed with you? Shameless harlot! I’ll make sure you never forget this!” Su Ruofeng raised her hand to slap her.

But before her palm could land, a hand shot out from the side, gripping her wrist tightly.

“And who are you, to dare lay hands on our Princess Consort?” came a low, hoarse voice—it was Lu Fangting (disguised as Qingli).

It wasn’t that she was paranoid, but something about this whole affair reeked of foul play. The prince’s maids had been suspicious from the start, refusing to let her follow. Lu Fangting had waited a while before slipping away under the pretense of visiting the latrine, and had circled into the inner courtyard just in time.

“Filthy servant, let go of me!” Su Ruofeng shrieked.

“Su Ruofeng, all you ever do is call me a lowly maid—do you even realize that I am a County Princess of the fourth rank and the rightful wife of the Prince Heir of Zhen’nan? With words like yours, I could have Qingli slap your mouth right here and now!” Qiuqiu exhaled a quiet breath of relief upon seeing Qingli arrive. Yet, hearing Su Ruofeng’s scathing remarks—blaming her instead of the man—truly infuriated her. Normally, she had a soft spot for beautiful women and preferred not to quarrel with them, but this time, she would make an exception.

“You think being a County Princess means anything? It’s just an empty title! Don’t forget—you were born of a concubine!” Su Ruofeng snapped, her anger turning into shame.

“Is that so? You look down on me and my mother, I know. Your mother does too. You all don’t even deserve to be respected. I won’t argue with you anymore. Whatever sisterly ties we had—they’re finished.” Qiuqiu’s voice turned cold as she looked Su Ruofeng straight in the eye. “Still, for the sake of you helping me once today, I’ll let it go. Just watch that mouth of yours next time.”

Su Ruofeng opened her mouth, ready to retort—but all that came out was a sharp cry of pain. She hadn’t meant to stay silent, but Lu Fangting’s grip on her wrist was so tight that she couldn’t speak.

“Qingli, let her go. Let’s head back,” Qiuqiu said softly to Lu Fangting.

With one strong shove, Lu Fangting released Su Ruofeng, who staggered and collapsed to the ground. Then he took Qiuqiu’s hand and walked her away.

“What happened?” she asked in a low voice.

“Everyone in this prince’s manor is crazy. The consort’s maid actually brought me into her mistress’s bedroom. I ran into the Third Prince in there… That man’s a lecher! He tried to take advantage of me, so I gave him a solid kick between his legs,” Qiuqiu muttered.

“He dared to do that to you?” Lu Fangting’s voice grew tight with anger.

“The Gong family—there’s not a single good one among them! But I’m fine. Next time, you’ll have to teach me a few more tricks. I don’t think I’ll get a second chance to use the same move again…” she added.

Lu Fangting didn’t say anything more. She simply held her hand and led her back.

Up ahead, Mo Shulan was distributing the product samples as little gifts. The ladies were excited, chatting and complimenting the craftsmanship. No one noticed Qiuqiu’s return, except for the prince’s primary consort, who glanced in her direction with a frown, seemingly lost in thought.

The poetry gathering was progressing smoothly, and they had just reached the “passing the flower and composing a verse” portion when a sharp, high voice suddenly interrupted them.

“Her Highness, Princess Luoyun, arrives!” A eunuch announced loudly. The tinkling of jewelry filled the air as a young girl in splendid palace attire walked in, chin raised, eyes full of disdain and scrutiny. It was none other than Princess Gong Luoyun.

Lu Fangting narrowed his eyes slightly. She saw that she was wearing a sachet today. Unfortunately, she was too far away for him to catch its scent.

Lately, she had sent people to retrieve that particular sachet again, but the one they brought back had already lost its fragrance—it had completely evaporated. Since she hadn’t smelled it herself, there was no way others could accurately identify it.

If Gong Luoyun was indeed wearing the original type today, she had to get her hands on it.

“Greetings, Your Highness.” Everyone present whose rank was lower than hers stood to salute. Only the Third Prince’s primary consort was exempt from bowing.

Qiuqiu lowered her presence as much as possible, silently exasperated. She had specifically asked Mo Shulan whether anyone from the palace would attend  and was told they wouldn’t—especially not Gong Luoyun. Yet here she was, uninvited. With their history, could this day truly end well?

“With Her Highness here, all of us will be overshadowed. The princess excels at everything—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I hardly dare bring out my humble skills,” someone flattered.

“Your Highness looks absolutely stunning today. Since you arrived, even the plum blossoms in this courtyard seem to have lost their color…” Chimed in Su Ruofeng, who had somehow returned, now dressed anew and smiling flatteringly at Gong Luoyun.

“And who are you to speak? Did I give you permission to open your mouth? Her Highness the Consort hasn’t even said anything, and yet you dare pipe up? No manners at all! Consort-sister, where did you pick up this maid? Should’ve sold her off already!” Gong Luoyun sneered, casting Su Ruofeng a sharp glare.

Su Ruofeng’s face turned a sickly green. She was, after all, a proper side consort with an official title—and yet Gong Luoyun had just compared her to a maid.

“Luoyun, you jest again. She is your sister-in-law too—His Highness’s side consort,” the Third Prince’s primary consort said mildly, unfazed.

“She counts as what? A side-room concubine? I only have one real sister-in-law, and that’s you. My imperial brother really ought to have taught his consort better—she acts like some wild village woman. Oh Consort-sister, if you had something so interesting today, you should’ve invited me. I only heard about this from others…” Gong Luoyun lightly spoke while moving beside the prince’s consort, exuding an affectionate air.

Qiuqiu listened to Gong Luoyun’s sharp words with mixed feelings. She didn’t enjoy scolding Su Ruofeng, but this princess truly had a sharp tongue. Su Ruofeng had always looked down on others, unwilling even to accept her lot as a side consort. Yet here Qiuqiu was, just a “decorative” Zhen’nan Princess, and still her rank was higher.