The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 32

32

As autumn arrived, the weather gradually turned cooler.

The morning sunlight bathed the sturdy, heavy roof tiles of the Princess’s Mansion, casting patches of shadow on the ground. Chirping birds perched on the eaves, occasionally flitting from one end to the other.

“Meow.”

A black cat nimbly leaped onto the wall, then onto the rooftop. The sunlight gleamed on its glossy fur, making it look irresistibly soft.

After settling on the roof, the cat nestled into a dip between the tiles, its black jewel-like eyes reflecting a tiny figure.

That figure was struggling to climb the same path the cat had taken, gritting their teeth in effort.

The black cat lazily licked its paw, its beastly eyes glinting with a hint of human-like provocation.

The struggling figure, eyes blazing with frustration, gritted out, “Little Black, give me back my blanket!”

This person was none other than Ji Rongjin. Since the sacrificial ceremony incident, Little Ji’s life had calmed down considerably. Apart from attending court and serving at the Ministry of the Court of Judicial Review, her days were mostly spent teasing Little Black.

After their joint visit to Flower Filled Pavillion, Jiang Nanyu had disappeared again. Ji Rongjin guessed she was likely confined by Doctor Jiang again. As for Miss Ye, she seemed to have forgotten about Ji Rongjin, her debtor, as the five thousand taels of silver remained unclaimed.

Chang Qingshan was still traveling, likely wandering leisurely on the road.

Ji Rongjin was a passive person who rarely took the initiative to make friends, so after court duties, her main victim became Little Black.

Unfortunately, Little Black was a haughty cat who only showed affection to the Princess, ignoring everyone else.

Through Ji Rongjin’s relentless persistence, she finally managed to reluctantly cuddle Little Black to sleep the previous night. Ji Rongjin had grinned like a rogue forcing someone into submission, completely unaware of the consequences.

This morning, waking up in a splendid mood and preparing to give Little Black a morning kiss, she opened her eyes and froze.

The fine fox-fur blanket she’d slept under was now riddled with claw marks, so tattered it was practically transparent—perfect for transforming into “Sexy Little Ji, dealing cards online.”

Ji Rongjin’s forehead throbbed with veins. Looking up, she saw the culprit lounging on the bedpost, lazily staring at her as if to say, This is what you get for forcing me to sleep with you.

Thus, on her day off, Little Ji chased the cat from her room to the courtyard and now up to the rooftop.

Dongmei shouted from below, “Consort, be careful! Little Black is just a cat—why bother with it?”

Ji Rongjin’s face was full of heartache, her neck straining with effort. “Do you know whose blanket this is? It’s the Princess’s! It’s torn to shreds and left in drafts—how am I supposed to explain this to her?”

Dongmei watched as the Consort shakily stood and moved toward the roof, muttering, “The Princess probably doesn’t even want it back.”

Ji Rongjin didn’t hear, her eyes fixed on the mischievous cat. She slowly inched toward it.

Dongmei’s heart clenched as she watched. “Consort, be careful, don’t—”

Crash!

The sound of shattering tiles accompanied Ji Rongjin’s high-pitched cry of “Help!” cutting off Dongmei’s words.

Thud!

Little Ji hit the ground, her already disheveled clothes splaying out, revealing a face of utter despair.

Now, she’d owe the Princess even more on her ever-growing tab.

Indeed, in recent days, Ji Rongjin’s accomplishments included but were not limited to blowing up the kitchen, breaking a valuable tree, and now accidentally collapsing the roof while chasing Little Black.

In just half a month, the Princess’s Mansion’s expenses had skyrocketed.

Eventually, exasperated, the Princess instructed the accountant to record any future incidents under Ji Rongjin’s name.

So far, in addition to the fifteen thousand taels she already owed, Ji Rongjin had racked up another five hundred taels for various mishaps.

Covering her face, Ji Rongjin wailed in agony, peering through her fingers at the gaping hole in the roof.

Up there, the black cat poked its head out, mockingly meowing twice.

“…Little Black!” Ji Rongjin shot up, as if rising from a deathbed. “If I catch you today, I’ll turn you into a cat blanket for the Princess!”

Fuming, Ji Rongjin stood, only to run straight into Shadow Two.

Shadow Two glanced her up and down, expressionless. “”Sending a cat blanket is not as good as sending a human blanket.”

Ji Rongjin’s head snapped up. “How bold! You dare instigate this official to send a male consort to the princess!”

Shadow Two gave her a sidelong glance, then looked at the hole in the roof. Pulling out a notebook and pen, she said, “Repairs will cost about ten taels of silver, tiles and materials around two taels, and the damaged ground… a total of twenty-two taels.”

As Ji Rongjin’s face paled, Shadow Two paused her writing and drawled, “At this rate, Consort, you might have to sell yourself to the Princess to clear your debts.”

Dongmei sighed timely from the side. “Consort, don’t forget, you just handed over this month’s salary.”

Ji Poor: “…”

She cursed inwardly. As her martial prowess grew, so did her destructive power. At this rate, selling herself might indeed be the only way to settle her debts.

Ji Rongjin scrambled up, already scheming about selling herself to clear her debts.

After a moment, she despaired, realizing that as the Consort, she was already technically “sold” to the Princess.

Sobbing, Ji Rongjin wiped her tears and snot on Shadow Two. “Shadow Two, you know I’ve been poor since childhood.”

Shadow Two stepped back smoothly. “I earn five taels a month.”

Ji Rongjin: “…”

“I’m not asking to borrow money.” Ji Rongjin said, adopting a lofty air and clasping her hands behind her back. “Shadow Two, I’ve always treated you well. About this bill…”

Shadow Two chuckled dryly. “Well? If you treated me well, I’d be by the Princess’s side, not watching someone haul manure every day.”

Indeed, Shadow Two was still monitoring Lian Xia.

Lian Xia seemed to genuinely want a place to stay. Since arriving at the Princess’s Mansion, she rarely left her room except when necessary and caused no trouble. She was respectful to both Ji Rongjin and the Princess.

Ji Rongjin paused, a twinge of unease in her heart.

Could she have misjudged Lian Xia?

The thought lasted only a moment before reality pulled her back. She still owed the Princess a fortune, and though the money was technically in her possession, if she kept this up, she might truly have to “sell herself.”

As night fell, Shen Zhuwan still hadn’t returned.

Ji Rongjin squatted on the ground, cupping her sleepy face, squinting as she asked, “Dongmei, has the Princess returned?”

Dongmei, holding a lantern, sighed. “Consort, that’s the tenth time you’ve asked.”

“So, is she back?”

“No—”

Before the word was out, the sound of a carriage rolling over the road came from ahead.

Dongmei was about to correct herself when the seemingly exhausted, half-dead Consort sprang up, her eyes shining brightly.

Dongmei’s words caught in her throat. She marveled inwardly—Is this the power of love?

Love conquers sleepiness.

The carriage stopped, and as Ji Rongjin eagerly approached, Dongmei hurried after with the lantern.

Jinxi, pushed aside, exchanged a helpless glance with Dongmei.

Soon, the curtain lifted, revealing Shen Zhuwan’s figure.

“Princess!” Ji Rongjin’s voice was jubilant.

Shen Zhuwan seemed startled by the sound. Looking down and seeing Ji Rongjin, her brows rose slightly in surprise. “Consort?”

She’d assumed Ji Rongjin would be asleep by now.

Ji Rongjin extended her hand. “I was waiting for you to come back.”

In the dim lantern light, the outstretched hand was fair and slender. The glow reflected in the girl’s eyes as she spoke as if it were the most natural thing.

Shen Zhuwan placed her hand in Ji Rongjin’s palm, and the girl gently gripped it.

It wasn’t their first time holding hands, but the warmth of Ji Rongjin’s palm felt particularly noticeable this time.

Perhaps the autumn night was indeed chilly, Shen Zhuwan thought, her lips curling imperceptibly.

“How long has the Consort been waiting here?”

Their hands soon parted. Shen Zhuwan glanced at the dimming lantern and tilted her head to ask.

Ji Rongjin shook her head, her dark hair swaying. “I don’t know—probably from when it was just a little dark until now.”

From “a little dark” to now—about an hour and a half.

Shen Zhuwan remained composed. “Why aren’t you asleep so late?”

Ji Rongjin’s eyes darted. “Because I wanted to wait for you so we could sleep together.”

By “sleep together,” Ji Rongjin meant literally sleeping at the same time.

But to Jinxi and Dongmei, it sounded scandalous—especially to Dongmei, who’d been influenced by romantic novels. She bowed her head, pretending to be deaf, though she couldn’t suppress her grin.

Shen Zhuwan, knowing Ji Rongjin well, glanced at her expression and gave a noncommittal “hm.”

Unaware that her intentions were written all over her face, Ji Rongjin walked beside Shen Zhuwan, constantly on guard for Shadow Two.

But what you fear often comes. Shadow Two soon appeared.

Ji Rongjin subtly stepped in front of Shen Zhuwan, looking at Shadow Two. “The Princess is tired. Whatever it is, report it tomorrow.”

Shen Zhuwan glanced at the girl from behind, realizing she’d likely caused trouble again.

But she was indeed exhausted, so she said nothing, letting Ji Rongjin handle it.

Shadow Two hesitated, but upon meeting Shen Zhuwan’s cool gaze, she swallowed her words and said, “Yes.”

With that, she vanished swiftly.

Ji Rongjin was incredulous—since when did Shadow Two listen to her? But she soon realized it was likely because of Shen Zhuwan.

Feeling a bit guilty, Ji Rongjin cleared her throat and continued walking with Shen Zhuwan. “Princess, I have something to tell you.”

Shen Zhuwan feigned ignorance. “What is it?”

Ji Rongjin extended her arm. “Look, Princess.”

In the faint light, Shen Zhuwan saw several red, raw scratches on Ji Rongjin’s fair, toned arm, looking rather serious.

“What happened?”

Ji Rongjin began whining about her grievances. Hidden in the shadows, Shadow Two’s face twitched at the Consort’s exaggerated tale.

No wonder she didn’t want Shadow Two near the Princess—she was preemptively playing the victim.

After listening, Shen Zhuwan looked at her with amusement. “So, the Consort is saying Little Black ruined your blanket and caused you to fall from the roof?”

Ji Rongjin nodded vigorously. “Yes.”

A glint passed through Shen Zhuwan’s eyes. “Little Black is indeed naughty. As long as you’re unharmed, that’s what matters.”

“I’m fine.” Ji Rongjin said, eyeing Shen Zhuwan’s expression guiltily. “But the blanket was yours, Princess, and I accidentally broke the roof when I fell.”

Shen Zhuwan: “…”

Her gaze turned cool as she realized why Ji Rongjin had been waiting at the gate.

Shen Zhuwan smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “No matter. Add it to the Consort’s tab.”

Ji Rongjin: “!” Didn’t you say it was fine as long as I was unharmed?

Seeing the girl’s aggrieved and incredulous expression, Shen Zhuwan’s mood lightened. “I’ll bathe first. No need to wait for me.”

Ji Rongjin let out a lifeless “oh,” watching Shen Zhuwan’s retreating figure before dejectedly pushing open the door and flopping onto the bed.

Maybe she really should sell herself to the Princess.

Before long, the opportunity to “sell herself” actually arrived.

Jinxi, looking pained, approached with a stack of clothes. “Consort, I have a stomachache. These are the Princess’s clean clothes. Please deliver them to her.”

Before Ji Rongjin could respond, Jinxi vanished.

Ji Rongjin: “…”

Holding the clothes, she hesitated. A head suddenly poked out from the doorway. “Consort, hurry up—the Princess is waiting in the bathhouse.”

The head retracted with uncanny speed.

Ji Rongjin: “…” Do you think I can’t tell?

With that speed, Jinxi could’ve delivered the clothes twice over.

Grumbling inwardly, Ji Rongjin obediently got up, carrying the clothes to the bathhouse.

It was just delivering clothes—she’d drop them off and leave. At worst, it’d be a bit awkward.

No big deal. Who’s afraid?

Maybe Jinxi was hiding somewhere, watching to see if she’d dare go in.

Ji Rongjin’s guess was spot-on. Behind the bushes, two heads huddled together—Jinxi and Dongmei. Seeing Ji Rongjin step into the bathhouse, they exchanged a grin, nearly clapping in celebration.

Yes, it worked.

The Consort was always teasing that Little Black. Wouldn’t teasing the Princess be far more interesting?

Influenced by romantic novels, Dongmei was well-versed in such schemes.

But these thoughts could never be voiced, only pondered in secret.

Dongmei sighed—after all, this was the most esteemed Princess of Daqian.

Before entering, Ji Rongjin didn’t think much of it, assuming it was a simple task.

But once inside, the steamy mist enveloped her, and she suddenly grew nervous.

Her gaze swept the bathhouse, landing on a figure in the pool, facing away from her.

Shen Zhuwan, seemingly waiting for a while, spoke with faint displeasure. “What took so long?”

Her cool voice, softened by the steam, carried a hint of warmth.

Ji Rongjin’s throat went dry. Unsure how to respond, she silently planned to place the clothes by the pool and leave.

Only footsteps sounded, with no reply.

Shen Zhuwan glanced over, frowning.

Their eyes met in midair. As Ji Rongjin’s mind went blank, she clearly saw a flash of panic cross Shen Zhuwan’s face.

Shen Zhuwan quickly turned away, her voice cold. “Why are you here?”

Ji Rongjin’s own panic vanished upon seeing Shen Zhuwan’s fleeting expression. How rare—Shen Zhuwan could make such a face.

Curiosity sparked within her.

“Jinxi suddenly had a stomachache, so she asked me to come.” Ji Rongjin said truthfully, then deliberately asked, “Princess, where should I put the clothes?”

After a brief moment of fluster, Shen Zhuwan regained her composure, still facing away. She nodded toward a rack. “Over there.”

“Oh.” Ji Rongjin drawled, taking a few slow steps before stopping. “Princess, should I just hang them up?”

“Yes.”

Ji Rongjin took a few more steps, her voice tinged with amusement. “Princess, should I hand them to you?”

Shen Zhuwan’s gaze turned icy as she glanced at the smirking girl. Her red lips parted, delivering a merciless, “Get out.”

Ji Rongjin touched her nose, thinking the Princess was indeed the Princess—her aura returned in an instant.

Knowing further teasing would backfire, Ji Rongjin said nothing more, moving to place the clothes on the rack by the pool.

As she approached and set the clothes down, preparing to say goodbye, her foot suddenly slipped.

In the split second before falling into the water, she tried to save herself but only managed to grab two of the Princess’s garments. As water flooded her nose and mouth, Ji Rongjin thought, The floor’s unusually slick today—Jinxi must’ve polished it thoroughly—glub glub glub.

Ji Rongjin fell flat into the water, her vision filled with liquid. She flailed, trying to save herself.

But the more she struggled, the deeper she sank.

As a complete non-swimmer, Little Ji nearly met her end in the bathhouse pool. After swallowing several gulps of water, she was finally yanked out by her collar.

Cough, cough, cough—

Ji Rongjin coughed violently, tears streaming from the effort. When she finally caught her breath and instinctively reached to wipe her face, she froze, staring at the small, lotus-white cloth in her hand.

A bad feeling surged in her mind.

In her peripheral vision, the hazy figure raised a hand.

In the second before being flung out, Ji Rongjin thought, I’m done for. Tonight, I’ll be sleeping in that drafty, broken room.

Thud! The impact shook the leaves off the nearby bushes.

Jinxi and Dongmei jumped, exchanging a look, both reading the same thought in each other’s eyes.

The Consort is too rough! The Princess’s delicate frame can’t handle such treatment!

The truly roughly treated Little Ji: Stuck in the doorframe, do not disturb.