The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 29

29

The “Burning Incense” structure collapsed, instantly killing three senior officials. Some ministers nearby were injured, their limbs crushed by falling pillars, while others, unscathed, fainted from sheer terror.

The crowd displayed a range of expressions, but Shen Zhuwan remained calm, ordering the sacrificial ceremony to continue. The injured were carried to the Imperial Hospital, while the dead remained where they lay, surrounded by pools of bl00d.

Before arriving, Ji Rongjin had been worried. Given the superstitious nature of ancient times, she feared Shen Zhuwan was merely putting on a calm front.

But now, facing her, Ji Rongjin realized she might have misjudged.

Especially that fleeting expression on Shen Zhuwan’s face—it felt so unfamiliar that Ji Rongjin began to suspect Shen Zhuwan might have known about the incident beforehand.

She said nothing, and Shen Zhuwan stepped forward from the shadows. Bright light fell into her clear eyes, as if that momentary strangeness had been a trick of the light.

“What is the Consort thinking?” Shen Zhuwan observed her expression, paused, then sighed softly, lowering her gaze. “I’ve already sent people to investigate. We’ll soon know if this was a natural disaster or human sabotage.”

Her words seemed genuine, her expression natural. After a moment’s thought, Ji Rongjin concluded Shen Zhuwan likely didn’t know.

If she had known, how could she have let this happen?

After a pause, Ji Rongjin said, “Even if it was sabotage, the incident has already occurred. Rumors will inevitably spread.”

“Indeed.” Shen Zhuwan replied.

She turned away, slightly raising her eyes to the sunlight outside. “What does the Consort think this princess should do?”

Her soft sigh carried a trace of melancholy, as if a corner of her hidden worries had been revealed, showing a faintly sorrowful profile before quickly reverting to her usual calm.

Ji Rongjin thought to herself that she had guessed correctly—Shen Zhuwan’s earlier composure was an act.

But what could be done? The rumors were out, and they couldn’t silence every witness by killing them.

After much thought, Ji Rongjin’s eyes lit up. “Perhaps we could use divine rhetoric to dispel these rumors.”

Shen Zhuwan’s gaze flickered. “Oh? What’s the Consort’s idea?”

Ji Rongjin eagerly stepped closer, whispering something in her ear.

After listening, Shen Zhuwan looked at Ji Rongjin with interest and said slowly, “What’s going on in that head of yours all day?”

Ji Rongjin, hands clasped, replied earnestly, “I’m pretty good at playing tricks and fooling people.”

Shen Zhuwan shook her head helplessly.

“Ahem, by the way, Princess,” Ji Rongjin said, noting Shen Zhuwan’s slight nod, and ventured, “If this plan succeeds, could we perhaps go easy on Lord Chang?”

After all, such a grave mistake during the ceremony placed undeniable responsibility on Chang Qingshan.

Not to mention the three senior officials killed on the spot, the incident could significantly damage the Princess’s reputation. In severe cases, it could warrant execution, imprisonment, or even wiping out his entire household.

But Lord Chang was upright, kind, and wealthy—and he had once donated to the Court of Judicial Review. So, the poor and indebted Lord Ji was quite satisfied with him.

Shen Zhuwan’s eyes darkened. “I thought Lord Ji was working so hard for this Princess, but it turns out it’s for Lord Chang.”

Ji Rongjin: “…Not exactly for him. Mainly, he’s rich and willing to donate to the Court of Judicial Review.”

Shen Zhuwan let out a slow “Oh.” “So it’s for Lord Chang’s money.”

That sounded rather harsh. How could she, the dignified Lord Ji, stoop for mere silver?

“That’s right,” Ji Rongjin shamelessly nodded. Thinking it over, to salvage her image, she added, “But besides that, Lord Chang and I are friends.”

She wasn’t someone who only cared about money. After all, Jiang Nanyu was even poorer than her, yet they were still good friends.

The more Ji Rongjin thought about it, the more convinced she was of her reasoning, standing taller with confidence.

Shen Zhuwan, seeing her earnest demeanor, chuckled. “If Lord Ji handles this matter well, this Princess will deal with him leniently.”

Ji Rongjin nodded solemnly, for the Princess’s reputation and Lord Chang’s… life.

Due to the earlier incident at the sacrificial ceremony, the atmosphere at the banquet was subdued. If not for the fact that it was the Emperor’s birthday celebration, some might have already confronted Shen Zhuwan about the matter.

At the banquet, Shen Zhuwan had changed into a bright yellow palace robe, adorned with a nine-phoenix crown. The majestic phoenix seemed to spread its wings, glinting faintly as it moved. Her elegance was both dignified and vibrant, accentuated by her graceful demeanor, exuding an air of nobility.

The young Emperor, dressed in a dragon robe, mirrored Shen Zhuwan’s calm expression. His stern face carried a hint of imperial authority.

Ji Rongjin couldn’t help but glance at him twice, surprised that the young Emperor could present such a different persona in public.

As music played and dancers performed gracefully in the hall, the guests drank and watched, passing the time quickly.

To Ji Rongjin’s surprise, the usually outspoken He Li said nothing about the earlier incident—a stark departure from his usual behavior.

As for the ambitious Prince Ning, rumored to be power-hungry, he barely glanced at the dancers. Instead, Ji Rongjin caught him stealing several glances at Shen Zhuwan.

Taking advantage of watching the dancers, Ji Rongjin closely observed Prince Ning.

His face was covered by a dark iron mask, revealing only his mouth. When their eyes occasionally met, Ji Rongjin felt a chill, as if she were being watched by a sinister, slippery snake.

At the sacrificial ceremony, she had been too far to sense it, but now, with Prince Ning seated opposite her, Ji Rongjin understood why no one dared approach him.

He was as sinister as a ghost crawling out of the darkness, seemingly intent on dragging everyone he saw into the abyss.

But he hadn’t always been like this.

According to Chang Qingshan, Prince Ning had once been the late Emperor’s trusted general—capable, bold, and rising from obscurity to become the only non-royal prince.

His competence was undeniable.

In the years following the late Emperor’s death, he had indeed been ambitious.

But two years ago, a fire at Prince Ning’s mansion killed his heirs and concubines, leaving him the sole survivor.

Since then, he had become a different person.

While Ji Rongjin’s thoughts wandered, she unknowingly stared at one of the dancers for too long. When she snapped back, she saw the dancer throw her a flirtatious glance—by custom, if a minister took a liking to a dancer, they could request her from the Emperor.

Caught off guard, Ji Rongjin smiled and nodded politely before lowering her head, relieved that the banquet was nearly over.

From the main seat, Shen Zhuwan glanced faintly at the dancer before looking away.

As the dancer finished her performance and prepared to leave, signaling the banquet’s end, Prince Ning, who had been silent, suddenly spoke up. “Wait, Your Majesty, Your Highness, this minister has something to say.”

His voice was hoarse and grating, like a saw scraping across vocal cords.

Ji Rongjin’s heart skipped a beat.

Here it comes—was he finally going to bring up the sacrificial incident?

Holding her breath, she heard the young Emperor say, “Prince Ning, speak.”

Her mind raced, preparing counterarguments.

But then, she unexpectedly met Prince Ning’s eerie gaze.

Ji Rongjin: “…” Why’s he looking at me?

Prince Ning retracted his gaze, gave a cryptic smile, and said slowly through his mask, “I noticed the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review staring at this dancer for quite a while. He must be quite taken with her but too reserved to ask. I boldly request Your Highness to grant this dancer to him.”

His raspy voice faded, and Ji Rongjin’s expression shifted from solemn to utterly confused.

Huh? Is this Prince Ning out of his mind?

She glanced up at Shen Zhuwan, whose face remained impassive, and her hairs stood on end. Before she could refuse, Shen Zhuwan’s voice came softly, “Oh? Which dancer?”

At her words, the dancer who had thrown the flirtatious glance stepped forward. She had a doll-like face, big eyes, and long lashes—admittedly, somewhat resembling Jiang Nanyu.

That was exactly why Ji Rongjin felt nothing toward her flirtation.

After studying her seriously, Ji Rongjin suddenly felt a chill down her spine.

Shen Zhuwan’s voice sounded again. “What does the Minister think? If you’re interested, this Princess will grant her to you.”

Ji Rongjin looked up to see Shen Zhuwan’s calm eyes and neutral expression, her voice devoid of inflection—perfectly normal.

Yet Ji Rongjin couldn’t shake the feeling that Shen Zhuwan was saying, This Princess grants you death—how about it, Minister?

Startled, she hurriedly declined. “No, no, I wasn’t looking at her. I was just thinking about something else.”

Shen Zhuwan gave a faint “Oh” and turned her gaze to Prince Ning.

“Is that so? I thought the Minister was staring at her for a long time and assumed he was interested. Turns out she was thinking of other things.” Prince Ning said slowly, looking at Ji Rongjin.

Ji Rongjin scoffed inwardly, unsure what game Prince Ning was playing, but she quickly realized this was a golden opportunity.

A perfect chance to prove she had no “unconventional” preferences and clear the original host’s stain of having liked Lin Changcun.

Meeting Prince Ning’s gaze, her eyes sparkled with hidden excitement. “You must have misunderstood, Prince Ning. I was only thinking of Her Highness, not anyone or anything else.”

Perfect—she could finally erase the stain of Lin Changcun.

Ji Rongjin was delighted, oblivious to the strange atmosphere that fell over the hall after her words.

Prince Ning glanced at the calm woman in the main seat, then at Ji Rongjin’s faintly excited expression. He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully and chuckled. “I see.”

He said only that cryptic phrase before lowering his head. “It was this Prince who overstepped.”

Ji Rongjin wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but his gaze seemed less piercing.

Though puzzled, she replied amicably, “As long as Prince Ning understands. Don’t do it again.”

Silence fell over the hall. Even the dazed Chang Qingshan looked at Ji Rongjin with a strange expression.

Unfazed, Ji Rongjin thought, With the Princess here, Prince Ning wouldn’t dare touch me.

Having a powerful ally was great.

Shen Zhuwan, as ever, remained calm and settled the matter. “Since the Minister has no interest, let’s drop it.”

Ji Rongjin exhaled in relief. Though Prince Ning was odd, she had unexpectedly achieved her goal.

As the banquet ended, Ji Rongjin walked beside Chang Qingshan, ready to tell him she’d pleaded his case, when Prince Ning’s voice sounded by her ear.

“I didn’t expect the Minister to be so devoted to Her Highness.”

He stepped beside her, meeting her gaze with his chilling eyes, making her uneasy.

Ji Rongjin forced a smile. “Does Prince Ning have something else to say?”

“Nothing,” Prince Ning replied, unflinching. “I’m merely reminding the Minister that emperors are often heartless—and so is the Princess.”

Before she could respond, he leaned in and whispered, “Surely the Minister knows the Princess married you not for you, but for the support of the neutral faction.”

His raspy voice sent a shiver down her neck.

“Take care, Minister.”

With that, he walked away.

Ji Rongjin gritted her teeth, staring at his retreating figure, tempted to kick him.

Did he think she didn’t know? Did he need to spell it out?

But she held back. For now, comforting the despondent Chang Qingshan was more important.

In the dead of night, Ji Rongjin lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Shen Zhuwan sighed softly. “Can’t sleep, Consort?”

Ji Rongjin rolled over to face her.

They lay a short distance apart. Seeing Ji Rongjin’s indignant expression, Shen Zhuwan asked, “Princess, is Prince Ning sick or something?”

Little Ji, sitting up in the middle of the night: No, seriously, is Prince Ning out of his mind?