The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 25
25
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, only three days remained until Shen Chi’s birthday. As the date approached, the imperial palace buzzed with activity, and Ji Rongjin was often out overseeing preparations to prevent anyone from stirring trouble during the chaos.
The Ning Prince had entered the capital two days ago and was their primary target for surveillance. Twenty-four hours a day, three shifts took turns monitoring him.
In recent days, under Shadow Two’s rigorous training, Ji Rongjin had been steadily improving. Long hours of surveillance were no burden for her, so after finishing her shift and returning to the residence, she still had some energy left.
It was at this moment that Jiang Nanyu’s letter arrived.
Since their horseback ride a week ago, Ji Rongjin hadn’t received any letters from Jiang Nanyu. At first, she thought Jiang Nanyu had been dragged back home to learn etiquette, but later, she learned from her mother that Jiang Nanyu had been confined to her residence.
Opening the letter, Ji Rongjin found only one sentence: Meet me at Flower Filled Pavilion at the hour of Hai tonight. Urgent matter to discuss! It concerns the princess, you must come!!
Ji Rongjin wasn’t entirely sure what “urgent matter” Jiang Nanyu was referring to. After all, how could someone confined at home know about something significant concerning the princess? Moreover, why would such a matter need to be discussed at Flower Filled Pavilion?
At the hour of Hai, outside Flower Filled Pavilion.
From a distance, Jiang Nanyu spotted Ji Rongjin approaching leisurely and waved enthusiastically, calling, “Over here, over here!”
Ji Rongjin glanced at her, still moving at her unhurried pace.
Jiang Nanyu let out an exasperated “ugh” and limped toward her, covering the distance in quick, uneven strides.
Noticing her awkward gait, Ji Rongjin’s gaze fell on her leg. “What happened to your leg?”
By then, Jiang Nanyu had already scurried up to her and replied irritably, “What else? My dad beat me, that’s what.”
“Anyway, forget about that for now,” Jiang Nanyu said, sidling closer with a secretive air. “Did you know there’s an auction at Flower Filled Pavilion tonight?”
Ji Rongjin’s first thought was of those auctions for courtesans’ first nights. Though she felt some distaste, she asked skeptically, “What does this have to do with the princess?”
“Of course it does.” Jiang Nanyu said, her eyes darting around before she leaned in to whisper, “I heard from my sisters that tonight’s auction is for the first night of a newly crowned flower queen. That’s not the main point—the key is, this flower queen supposedly looks six parts similar to the princess.”
Ji Rongjin replied firmly, “Impossible.”
It sounded like a shameless ploy by unscrupulous merchants to drive up the bidding price.
After all, with the princess’s status, who would dare use her name for such a thing unless they had a death wish for their entire clan?
Jiang Nanyu shrugged. “Just go inside and see for yourself.”
The two entered but didn’t take a private room, instead casually choosing a spot in the main hall. Looking around, the place was filled with men, all exuding confidence and wealth.
Judging by their attire, every one of them was a young master from a wealthy family.
The auction hadn’t started yet, and the men were gathered in small groups, laughing and jesting. Some had called over singing girls to keep them company, their arms wrapped around the women’s waists, reveling in the moment.
Ji Rongjin was stunned. “All this for a mere gimmick? So many people showed up?”
Jiang Nanyu gave her a sidelong glance. “Didn’t you come too?”
Ji Rongjin: “…”
It seemed the gimmick was indeed effective.
“Something’s off,” Ji Rongjin said after a moment’s thought. “If they really dared to advertise like that, how come I didn’t hear a single thing about it?”
“Because they never publicized it openly,” a voice suddenly cut in, as a figure naturally took a seat beside Ji Rongjin. “They wouldn’t dare spread such a thing widely. It’s only whispered among merchants with a certain level of wealth and status.”
Ji Rongjin turned and saw a familiar masked face. “Young Master… Ye? You’re here too?”
The woman in a dark robe nodded, smiling lightly. “It’s been a while, Young Master Ji, Young Master Jiang.”
After some pleasantries, Ji Rongjin’s gaze returned to the still-empty stage, her mind lingering on the masked woman’s words. The timing of her appearance was too convenient, and more importantly, the fact that someone was using the princess’s name without their knowledge was alarming.
The crowd waited for some time, and Jiang Nanyu was starting to grumble about the delay when a gong suddenly sounded.
A flamboyantly dressed madam appeared on the large stage. Seeing the sizable crowd, her smile was so wide her eyes nearly disappeared. “Thank you, gentlemen, for your enthusiastic support of tonight’s auction at Flower Filled Pavilion. As you all likely know, we’re auctioning the first night of our top courtesan, Lian Xia…”
The madam paused, her smile turning suggestive. “I’m sure you’ve all heard the details, so without further ado, let’s have Lian Xia perform a dance for you all.”
As her words landed, the crowd erupted in excitement.
Soft music began to play, like a gentle stream brushing past everyone’s ears. Amid falling petals, a veiled woman descended slowly from above, her back to the audience.
Dressed in a single layer of thin gauze, her graceful figure was faintly visible. As her slender arms moved, her fair back flickered in and out of view.
Even just her silhouette was enough to spark the audience’s imagination. Countless men shouted for her to turn around, tossing silver onto the stage as if it were worthless.
The hall was ablaze with lights, jewels glinting brightly, and the heavy scent of perfume acted like a catalyst. The frenzied men and the graceful woman on stage created a stark contrast, a scene of decadent indulgence.
Unfazed, the woman continued her dance, her movements fluid with the music. As the tempo quickened, she suddenly turned, revealing a pair of eyes strikingly similar to Shen Zhuwan’s.
Ji Rongjin’s grip on her wine cup tightened, her face losing some of its usual warmth as she stared at the woman on stage.
She wasn’t the only one stunned. Two men at a nearby table gasped, one exclaiming, “My god, those eyes—they really are just like the princess’s!”
His words sparked a wave of fervor, with many men now looking determined to win. Ji Rongjin’s temples throbbed as she watched.
When the dance ended, the madam, eyeing the pile of silver notes on the floor, grinned ear to ear. “Since everyone’s so enthusiastic, we won’t keep you waiting. Lian Xia, remove your veil.”
The veiled woman calmly removed her veil, revealing a seductive smile to the audience.
She did indeed bear a five or six parts resemblance to the princess.
A man at the next table said, “That’s the princess we’re talking about—someone so lofty. Even if it’s just a resemblance, the thought of having her beneath you is enough to get the bl00d pumping.”
“Exactly,” another man added with a lecherous laugh. “If she only shows those eyes during… hiss…”
“What a pity it’s not the real princess. I wonder if the princess is like that in bed…”
The two exchanged a glance, their laughter crude.
“Shut up!” a sharp voice suddenly interrupted. “You dare fantasize about the princess?”
The two men froze, then turned to the source of the voice. Seeing her furious expression and the crowd now looking their way, one of them slammed his cup down. “Who the hell are you? Got a problem? Don’t act all high and mighty—you’re here for the princess’s name too, aren’t you? Let me tell you, I’m determined to win this courtesan tonight.”
“Courting death?” Ji Rongjin shot to her feet. Jiang Nanyu couldn’t hold her back and could only watch as she kicked out, starting a brawl with the men.
Meanwhile, Shadow Two hurriedly left to report, “Princess, the Consort is fighting at Flower Filled Pavilion.”
Shen Zhuwan paused mid-writing, her expression weary. “The reason?”
Shadow Two hesitated. “Over a courtesan.”
Shen Zhuwan set down her brush, her eyes icy. “Let’s go see.”
“Yes.”
Back at the pavilion, after the madam’s mediation, Ji Rongjin and the two men finally stopped fighting. Both sides sported bruises and glared at each other fiercely.
“Please, no more trouble,” the madam soothed. “Whoever gets Lian Xia depends on who bids the highest.”
Ji Rongjin snorted coldly and sat back down.
The two men grumbled and returned to their seats as well.
Seeing this, the madam smiled and returned to the stage. “Our Lian Xia is quite popular, isn’t she? Fights breaking out before the auction even begins…”
After a few teasing remarks, she got to the point. “Tonight is Lian Xia’s first night. Let’s not waste time—the starting bid is five hundred taels of silver. The highest bidder will have the honor of Lian Xia’s first time~”
She glanced pointedly at Ji Rongjin and the two men.
Her words ignited the atmosphere, and bids began flying.
Facing the provocative looks from the men at the other table, Ji Rongjin’s face darkened. She turned to Jiang Nanyu. “Did you bring any silver?”
Jiang Nanyu blinked. “? Don’t you have the real deal already?”
Ji Rongjin wasn’t interested in the woman herself—she sensed something was amiss. More importantly, she refused to let anyone use that face to fantasize about Shen Zhuwan.
Young Master Ye spoke leisurely from the side. “I brought some.”
Ji Rongjin’s eyes flickered. “Could you lend me some? I’ll pay you back.”
Young Master Ye nodded and pulled out a stack of silver notes.
Ji Rongjin: “…” She knew Ye was wealthy, but not this wealthy.
Taking the notes, Ji Rongjin joined the bidding.
At that moment, two “men” quietly entered the hall. After sitting not too far from Ji Rongjin, they silently watched her throw money around.
They were, of course, Shen Zhuwan and Shadow Two in disguise.
Shadow Two glanced at the woman on stage, who bore a five or six parts resemblance to her Highness, and her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She looked at Shen Zhuwan, who was staring at the woman’s face with a blank expression.
—Not sparing a glance for the Consort.
Knowing her mistress well, Shadow Two silently lit a row of candles for the Consort in her mind.
The bidding climbed from five hundred taels to three thousand, with only Ji Rongjin and the men at the other table still in the race.
During the bidding, Ji Rongjin kept feeling the two men looked familiar. When she called out “four thousand taels,” she finally realized—they were the two sons of Right Chancellor He Li, He Shen and He Ming.
Hearing the price, the brothers’ faces twisted with frustration. Gritting their teeth, they said, “Just you wait. Do you know who our father is?”
Ji Rongjin nearly laughed, realizing they were out of funds. “Oh? Who’s your father?” she asked lazily.
He Ming opened his mouth to answer, but He Shen quickly covered it, glaring at his brother before turning to Ji Rongjin. “You’ll see.”
Ji Rongjin shrugged, her smile radiant. “I’ll be waiting. Looks like I’m taking the courtesan.”
The brothers’ faces darkened with rage, about to retort when a calm voice came from nearby: “Four thousand two hundred taels.”
Ji Rongjin froze, her expression souring as she looked toward the voice. Two unremarkable men sat there, ignoring her gaze despite clearly noticing it.
He Shen and He Ming smirked mockingly.
Furious, Ji Rongjin thought, Damn it, more debt. She called out, “Four thousand five hundred taels.”
The man glanced at her calmly. “Four thousand seven hundred taels.”
Ji Rongjin stood, eyes narrowing with determination. “Five thousand taels!”
Shadow Two, watching the Consort face off with her highness, looked away sympathetically, mentally lighting two more rows of candles.
When Ji Rongjin called out five thousand taels, she thought she saw the “man” give her a faint, amused look before turning away, no longer bidding.
Ji Rongjin won—but with a mountain of debt.
Under the madam’s enthusiastic congratulations, Ji Rongjin’s smile was strained and weak. She turned to Jiang Nanyu and Young Master Ye. “Coming with me?”
The crowd’s eyes widened, and the madam stammered, “Young Master, it’s Lian Xia’s first night. That’s not allowed.”
Jiang Nanyu’s face flushed red. “No, no, I’m good!”
Young Master Ye remained calm, though a playful glint crossed her eyes as she glanced between Ji Rongjin and the two men. “No, Young Master Ji. You paid for this.”
Realizing something, Ji Rongjin started to explain but decided it wasn’t worth it. She nodded and followed the madam upstairs.
Lian Xia glanced at Ji Rongjin, blushing shyly before lowering her head.
Despite the bruises on her face, Ji Rongjin’s features still outshone most men in the room.
As the Consort’s figure disappeared upstairs, Shadow Two cautiously asked, “Master, what do we do next…?”
Shen Zhuwan didn’t respond. After a long pause, she stood and headed toward the upper pavilion.
Meanwhile, Ji Rongjin sat on the bed, looking at Lian Xia standing nearby. “Take off the makeup,” she said coolly.
Lian Xia, who had been acting shy, froze. “What did Young Master say?”
Ji Rongjin pointed at her own face, then at Lian Xia’s. “I said, take it off.”
As her words fell, the door was suddenly flung open.
Startled, Ji Rongjin looked up.
It was the two men who had bid against her, followed by a flustered madam.
Furious, Ji Rongjin snapped, “Robbing me in my own room? Madam, is this how you treat your guests?”