The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 16

16

As her words fell, a brief silence hung in the air.

Ji Rongjin momentarily doubted whether she had misheard.

What did Shen Zhuwan mean by that?

Was it the meaning she was thinking of?

Ji Rongjin was momentarily stunned, feeling that Shen Zhuwan’s words seemed to be asking if she had been missing her lately.

Should she respond? And if so, how?

While she was lost in thought, a childish voice suddenly piped up: “How could that be? Brother-in-law sees me and Sister every day at court!”

The young emperor’s words were indeed true. Ji Rongjin paused, then let out a sigh of relief, following his lead: “Yes, yes, strictly speaking, I do see the princess every day.”

She stole a glance at Shen Zhuwan’s expression, only to see her staring thoughtfully at Ji Rongjin for a moment, as if confirming something. Then, after a pause, Shen Zhuwan shifted her gaze to Shen Chi: “Your Majesty, make sure to review the parts you got wrong today a few more times later.”

It seemed she was letting the topic drop. Ji Rongjin let out a quiet breath of relief.

Just as she was about to take her leave, Shen Chi exclaimed with delight, “Sister, you said ‘later’? Does that mean I can play with Brother-in-law for a bit now?”

Ji Rongjin: “…” This kid sure knows how to pick apart words.

She assumed Shen Zhuwan wouldn’t agree, but to her surprise, Shen Zhuwan gave a gentle nod and said softly, “Go ahead.”

Ji Rongjin showed a hint of astonishment. Shen Zhuwan didn’t seem like the type to indulge children.

But before she could think too much, Shen Chi excitedly dragged her away.

Behind them, Shen Zhuwan watched their retreating figures. Seeing that the young woman showed no trace of impatience toward the young emperor, she finally withdrew her gaze.

It seemed she truly hadn’t recovered her memories.

Ji Rongjin stopped deliberately avoiding Shen Zhuwan after that. The summer heat was oppressive, and after returning from the Court of Judicial Review, Ji Rongjin would pull out a reclining chair to nap under a large tree, with Dongmei fanning her by her side. It was quite comfortable.

Of course, it would’ve been even better if Dongmei could keep quiet.

“Prince Consort, why haven’t you been visiting the princess these days?” Dongmei asked.

Some time ago, Ji Rongjin had indeed gone to see Shen Zhuwan every day—partly to maintain the rumors of their loving relationship and partly because, having just arrived in this world, she was curious about everything.

But after some self-reflection, Ji Rongjin felt she might have overdone the “loving spouse” act. And clearly, the things Jinxi had told her before were somewhat exaggerated.

She figured that perhaps the original Ji Rongjin and the princess had merely maintained a polite, respectful relationship, with occasional thoughtfulness. In the eyes of these romance-novel-obsessed maids, that probably got blown out of proportion into some grand love story.

Ji Rongjin brushed off Dongmei’s words, saying casually, “The princess has been busy lately and told me not to disturb her.”

“Oh,” Dongmei replied slowly, then added, “By the way, Prince Consort, tomorrow is the banquet at the Chancellor’s residence. Have you prepared the gift?”

Ji Rongjin shot up as if jolted from a near-death state: “…I forgot.”

“No worries,” Dongmei said. “The princess has probably taken care of it.”

Sure enough, not long after their conversation, Jinxi delivered the gift to Ji Rongjin.

Holding the gift, Ji Rongjin sighed in admiration. The princess truly was thorough.

Five days later, when the weather was warm but not yet scorching, Chunwang Tavern began beating gongs and drums. A waiter stood at the entrance, shouting, “Today is the coming-of-age ceremony for the third young master of the Chancellor’s residence! To celebrate, all purchases at the tavern are discounted by ten percent today!”

The announcement immediately stirred the crowd gathered outside the tavern, with many shouting their approval. A few confused onlookers asked, “Since when did the Chancellor’s residence have a third young master? I thought there were only two young masters. When did a third one pop up?”

Someone whispered back, “You don’t know? They say this third young master is the child of a concubine the Chancellor recently took in. He came to the residence with her.”

“What does that mean? So he’s not even the Chancellor’s biological son? If he’s not his real son, why all this fuss for his coming-of-age ceremony? The ceremonies for the first and second young masters weren’t even this grand.”

“Who knows? Maybe the concubine is favored, so the Chancellor dotes on her son by extension.”

“…”

The crowd buzzed with gossip, but regardless of the truth, it wasn’t their main concern. The ten percent discount at the tavern was far more enticing.

Due to the hot weather, the Chancellor’s residence held the banquet in the evening at their estate.

Ji Rongjin set out in the late afternoon. At the banquet, she listened idly to the surrounding officials boasting, growing increasingly bored. Before long, a figure in a blue robe sat beside her.

“Lord Ji, didn’t the princess come?” Chang Qingshan glanced around and asked.

Ji Rongjin followed his gaze, scanning the area, and replied, “The princess is busy, so she sent me to attend on her behalf.”

“I see,” Chang Qingshan nodded. “Is the Court of Judicial Review’s budget for investigations sufficient?”

Ji Rongjin’s expression instantly softened. “It’s enough, more than enough.”

Last time, she thought Chang Qingshan was joking, but to her surprise, he had someone deliver the supplies the very next day.

The Court of Judicial Review sounded imposing and fearsome on the surface, filled with an air of bl00d and severity. In reality, due to frequent internal brawls, injuries sustained during investigations, and the various expenses required for casework, the department was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy.

Chang Qingshan’s gesture was like sending charcoal in a snowstorm. The entire Court of Judicial Review was immensely grateful, even declaring that if Chang Qingshan ever fell into their hands, they’d go easy on him.

Though, admittedly, that didn’t sound like much of a compliment.

After waiting for a long time, Ji Rongjin drank so much tea that her stomach felt bloated. Realizing there was still time to kill, she excused herself to use the restroom.

Barely two steps out, Chang Qingshan caught up with her. “Lord Ji, heading to the restroom? Shall we go together?”

Ji Rongjin: “…”

She rubbed her stomach, calculating the odds of holding it until she got back to her residence.

“I’m just going to wander around a bit. I’m afraid I can’t join you.”

“Oh.” Chang Qingshan looked a bit disappointed but didn’t say more and turned to leave.

Ji Rongjin let out a sigh of relief and headed in the opposite direction. Surely, in a residence as grand as the Chancellor’s, there had to be more than one restroom. As expected, after asking a few maids, she found one smoothly.

Next to the restroom was a rockery, and behind it came the sound of trickling water. After finishing, Ji Rongjin stepped out and heard faint noises coming from the rockery.

Drawing from her experience with novels, colorful scenes flashed through her mind.

Muttering to herself about “young people and their fiery passion,” Ji Rongjin had no intention of disturbing them.

Until a loud thud rang out—a body hitting stone—followed by two malicious voices from behind the rockery.

“Well, well, Third Young Master, dressed so fine today. Do you even deserve these clothes?”

Another voice chimed in, “Exactly. Just like your mother—shameless, not knowing your place.”

Vile, degrading words poured out, but Ji Rongjin never heard a response from the other side.

After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped toward the rockery.

As she got closer, she saw a young boy in a fiery red robe curled up against the rockery, shielding his head with his arms to fend off the punches and kicks from two older boys.

“What are you doing?” Ji Rongjin stepped into view, lazily eyeing the two menacing boys.

They looked about her age, dressed in fine silk robes, yet their actions were as crude as street thugs.

Startled by her appearance, the two boys stumbled slightly.

One of them recovered and was about to curse when the other quickly pulled him back, whispering something in his ear. The two gave her a wary glance before preparing to leave.

Before they left, one of them kicked the beaten boy one last time.

Ji Rongjin waited until they were gone before approaching the frail boy.

By then, he had lowered his hands. His face, framed by the red robe, was strikingly pale, with delicate features that somehow seemed vaguely familiar to Ji Rongjin.

After a moment’s thought, she recognized him—the third young master of the Chancellor’s residence, the “favored” son, the star of today’s banquet.

The boy looked at her with hollow, dazed eyes, muttered a “thank you,” and turned to leave.

Ji Rongjin raised an eyebrow, noticing the tear in his robe from the rocks. She called out, “Make sure to change your clothes.”

The boy, either not hearing or ignoring her, stumbled away in a daze.

Not long after returning to the banquet, He Li appeared with the boy she had seen earlier.

Ji Rongjin glanced up and saw the boy had changed into a black robe, confirming he had heard her.

After eating and drinking her fill, Ji Rongjin felt there was no need to linger. She said goodbye to Chang Qingshan and left, swaying slightly.

Even though she didn’t want to drink, at a banquet like this, there were always one or two moments where a sip was unavoidable. Ji Rongjin had been careful, but she still felt a bit dizzy.

Before leaving, she vaguely heard He Li laughing about the boy’s exceptional literary talent and future prospects, but she paid little attention and boarded her carriage.

By the time she returned to the residence, it was late.

Bright lanterns lined the paths, stretching from the main road to her courtyard.

The evening breeze was cool, and after walking a bit, the heat in her face dissipated, though the dizziness lingered.

She tugged at her collar, quickening her pace, when her peripheral vision caught a figure. Ji Rongjin froze.

What was Shen Zhuwan doing out here alone so late?

Hiding behind a tree, Ji Rongjin peered at the woman standing by the lake.

Her smoky gray gown blended almost seamlessly with the lonely night. The moonlight, dim and dusty, fell on the grayish tree shadows. The woman looked up at the moon, her expression unreadable, her entire being radiating solitude.

The night breeze stirred gently, her dark hair trembling in the air, the trees rustling softly.

Ji Rongjin saw the woman lower her head slightly, her profile tinged with confusion and sorrow.

She guessed that perhaps the widely publicized birthday celebration of the Chancellor’s third young master had stirred up painful memories for Shen Zhuwan.

Once upon a time, her own birthday had been even grander, a true nationwide celebration.

But now, it had all turned to dust, buried in a corner of her memory.

For some reason, her mother’s words suddenly echoed in her mind: “Jin’er, treat the princess well. She’s truly pitiful, all alone.”

Perhaps all mothers couldn’t bear to see children suffer, which was why her mother had felt sympathy for the young Shen Zhuwan back then.

Ji Rongjin didn’t know much about those past events. What she heard from others only left her with a sense of wistfulness.

But in this moment, seeing Shen Zhuwan’s rare display of emotion, something stirred in Ji Rongjin’s heart, softening it.

In the end, she stepped out and approached Shen Zhuwan, asking, “Why is the princess out here alone?”

Shen Zhuwan only noticed her when she made a sound. Seeing Ji Rongjin approach, she composed herself and said, “Admiring the moon.”

“Admiring the moon?” Ji Rongjin looked up at the crescent moon and asked, “Is Your Highness in a bad mood?”

Shen Zhuwan didn’t respond.

The grand spectacle of the Chancellor’s banquet today was one thing, stirring up her painful memories. But it was hard to say whether He Li’s actions were also deliberately meant to upset her.

Ji Rongjin thought for a moment and offered comfort: “Actually, at Lord He’s age, who knows if one day he might… ahem, meet with an accident. Your Highness is still young. You’ll eventually see the clouds part and the moon shine through.”

Shen Zhuwan glanced at her sidelong and said after a pause, “The Prince Consort knows how to comfort people.”

Ji Rongjin scratched at her clothes awkwardly. “Or perhaps Your Highness can wait for me.”

Seeing Shen Zhuwan’s puzzled look, Ji Rongjin continued, “Once I’ve achieved great things, I’ll take care of anyone who upsets Your Highness.”

She punctuated her words with a throat-slitting gesture.

Shen Zhuwan glanced at her, then turned back to the lake, sighing softly. “Will this Highness live to see that day?”

Ji Rongjin, brimming with confidence: “You will.”

Shen Zhuwan gave her a lingering look.

Ji Rongjin peeked down sheepishly: “…Probably.”