The Prince Consort Is Also Pretending To Be Affectionate Today - Chapter 44

44

The journey was silent, with only the sound of wind-driven rain pattering against the foliage.

It wasn’t until they stepped under the eaves that Ji Rongjin, pretending to close her umbrella, hurriedly withdrew her hand. The umbrella handle was already damp with a thin layer of sweat.

Once inside the house, Ji Rongjin wrung out the rain-soaked part of her sleeve and asked, “Princess, have you made a decision regarding the grain matter?”

Shen Zhuwan handed her a towel and replied, “The batch of grain prepared now is to be sent to my uncle. As for Jiangnan, we can only transfer some from the neighboring counties for disaster relief for the time being. The rest will have to be gathered from other sources.”

Ji Rongjin wiped away the water stains and asked, “Will that be enough for relief?”

“Of course, it’s not enough.”

Shen Zhuwan’s eyes flickered slightly as she said softly, “Jiangnan is where Prince Ning is located.”

At the time, Ji Rongjin was still preoccupied with the grain issue and didn’t catch the underlying meaning in Shen Zhuwan’s words. She gave a soft “hm” and continued, “Princess, when will the grain be sent to the General?”

Shen Zhuwan looked at her. “At the latest, in half a month. What does the Consort want to say?”

Ji Rongjin shook her head, privately mulling over her own plans.

The matter began a few days earlier when she had met with Jiang Nanyu. While Ji Rongjin was complaining about the pile of poorly embroidered items Jiang Nanyu had made, the latter pushed the pile aside and excitedly revealed that the author of her favorite storybook was coming to the capital.

Ji Rongjin didn’t pay much attention, only thinking to herself that Jiang Nanyu’s behavior was practically that of an ancient version of an obsessive fan. But then, Jiang Nanyu shared another piece of information: not only was the author skilled at writing stories, but she was also adept at fortune-telling.

Fortune-telling, with all its mystical nonsense, immediately made Ji Rongjin think of the role of the State Preceptor. In essence, both relied heavily on deception—quite similar indeed. Given that the Empress’s State Preceptor had gone missing and this author was arriving in Daqian shortly after, it seemed likely that the State Preceptor might be her fellow transmigrator.

Calculating the timeline from when Jiang Nanyu told her, the State Preceptor should be arriving in the capital around now. If the State Preceptor held significant influence in the Empress’s heart, finding her could not only mend relations between the two countries but also potentially secure some grain and deter the restless Chu Kingdom.

A triple win.

The only question was how much weight the State Preceptor truly carried.

While Ji Rongjin was lost in thought, Shen Zhuwan quietly observed her. It wasn’t until Ji Rongjin looked up that she noticed Shen Zhuwan had been watching her for quite some time.

Their eyes met, and Shen Zhuwan asked with a probing look, “What is the Consort thinking about?”

Since the plan wasn’t yet finalized, Ji Rongjin didn’t want to reveal it just yet. She pursed her lips and said, “Nothing, Princess. Could I borrow Shadow Two for a few days?”

Shen Zhuwan didn’t press further. She withdrew her gaze, turned, and said lightly, “Fine.”

For the next few days, Ji Rongjin took Shadow Two around the capital, visiting inns, teahouses, and taverns, claiming to be looking for someone—but without even a portrait to go by.

On the day the Empress’s envoy arrived, Ji Rongjin saw the valiant envoy in court, holding a portrait and respectfully bowing to Shen Zhuwan. “Greetings, Your Highness. I am Xiao Guian, sent by Her Majesty the Empress to request assistance in finding the person in this portrait. This is our State Preceptor, of great importance to our country. If she can be found, we will express our utmost gratitude.”

From her high seat, Shen Zhuwan responded, “Since it is Her Majesty’s request, this palace will naturally assist. Envoy Xiao, please pass the portrait among the officials. If we find her, we will inform you.”

Xiao Guian’s eyes flickered as she lowered her gaze. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Instead of passing the portrait to the officials, Xiao Guian personally showed it to each one. Her cautious attitude confirmed that the State Preceptor was indeed very important to the Empress’s country.

Ji Rongjin felt more confident.

Many officials held prejudices against the Empress’s country, believing a female-ruled nation wasn’t worth their effort to ally with. Thus, they merely glanced at the portrait cursorily, their attitudes perfunctory.

Xiao Guian observed everything and soon approached Ji Rongjin. The “youth” before her was different from the others. Ji Rongjin carefully examined the portrait, and just as Xiao Guian was about to move on, she asked, “What does the State Preceptor usually enjoy doing?”

Xiao Guian paused, looking at the youth with delicate features that appealed to both men and women, though with a slightly effeminate air. After a brief glance, she replied, “The State Preceptor enjoys beautiful people and fine wine, often visiting music houses. She always carries a turtle shell for divination.”

Ji Rongjin studied the woman in the portrait, dressed in ornate and solemn State Preceptor robes, with two copper coins hanging at her waist. Though meant to look serious, her likable face added a touch of humor, undermining the solemnity.

So, she was another unserious one.

Wait, why “another”?

Ji Rongjin nodded subtly, mentally noting the details.

That evening, a banquet was held in the palace for the Empress’s envoy, but Ji Rongjin didn’t attend. Instead, she took Shadow Two to various music houses in search of the State Preceptor.

Shadow Two followed silently, finally unable to hold back. “Consort, what kind of person are you looking for? Any specific traits?”

Ji Rongjin snapped back to reality, glancing at the brightly lit Flower Filled Pavillion, which seemed to be hosting an event tonight, bustling with activity. Her eyes lit up as she walked toward it, saying, “Someone likable, a bit mystical.”

Shadow Two nodded, memorizing the description, and followed her. As they approached, the overpowering scent of cosmetics hit her, and she froze, giving Ji Rongjin’s eager figure an exasperated look, her hand twitching.

She mentally added another mark against Ji Rongjin.

Unaware of Shadow Two’s thoughts, Ji Rongjin entered Flower Filled Pavillion and was about to find a seat when the madam blocked her path, her gaze resentful. “Lord Ji, please spare our humble establishment. We’ve paid all the fines, and we won’t dare do such things again. Please stop coming here.”

Every time Ji Rongjin showed up, the Princess’s people would follow soon after, and the madam’s nerves couldn’t take it anymore.

Ji Rongjin coughed lightly. “I’m not here to cause trouble today. I’m just looking.”

The madam’s gaze remained skeptical.

Ji Rongjin gritted her teeth and pulled out a silver ingot. “A pot of tea.”

The madam’s face instantly lit up. “Right away, honored guest. Please wait.”

Ji Rongjin, pained by the expense, glanced at Shadow Two standing nearby. “Why are you standing there? Sit.”

Shadow Two sat down reluctantly, reminding her, “Consort, you are a married man.”

Ji Rongjin: “…”

She took a deep breath. “I’m here to find someone.”

“That’s what you said last time, and you brought back Lian Xia.”

“Cough… Let’s split up. You sit over there.”

Shadow Two gave her a deep look and sat at another table as instructed.

Flower Filled Pavillion was indeed hosting an event that night, a warm-up for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, featuring a month-long riddle and couplet competition. Tonight was the first day, with the top courtesan of Flower Filled Pavillion setting the questions. Participants had to pay a fee to answer, and those who answered all correctly could win a day with the courtesan.

Based on Xiao Guian’s description, such an event would likely appeal to the State Preceptor, so there was a good chance she’d be at Flower Filled Pavillion.

Ji Rongjin appeared to be sipping tea and participating in the event, but her eyes scanned the faces in the hall, from one corner to another.

Great. All she saw were oddly shaped men.

Her face twitched as her eyes grew dazzled. Suddenly, a voice rang out.

“Honored guests, please listen to the first question.”

“If ‘odd changes, even stays,’ what’s the next line?”

Ji Rongjin’s gaze shot to the stage, where a woman stood with two copper coins hanging at her waist and a veil covering her face, revealing only a pair of smiling eyes.

It was the State Preceptor, no doubt.

Ji Rongjin blinked in confusion.

Ji Rongjin couldn’t believe it.

Ji Rongjin’s pupils shook.

Wasn’t her fellow transmigrator supposed to be a State Preceptor? How did she become a courtesan?

While she was stunned, countless people tossed silver ingots onto the stage, confidently shouting their answers.

“Even changes, odd stays.”

“You don’t change, I change.”

Shadow Two glanced oddly at the question, about to look away, when she saw her Consort stand abruptly, place a silver ingot, and look directly at the courtesan on the stage.

She answered, “Look at the quadrant for the symbol.”

The room fell silent for a moment. The courtesan’s gaze sharpened as she looked at her. “This gentleman answered correctly…”

“Quick question, quick answer: Potato, potato, I’m beef!”

“Yangtze, Yangtze, I’m Yellow River.”

“Imperial jade wine!”

“One hundred eighty per cup.”

Shadow Two’s gaze grew increasingly shocked as she watched the Consort’s fluent responses.

The courtesan descended the stage, slowly approaching the Consort, her steps quickening, her expression excited, her tone shifting. “You’re my little, little apple~”

The Consort gave her an exasperated look but resignedly replied in a modulated tone, “No matter how much I love you, it’s never too much.”

Shadow Two’s eyes instantly turned sharp. The Consort was flirting with a courtesan again! Talking about love—how shameless!

What made her even angrier was that the courtesan grabbed the Consort’s arms, gazing at her affectionately.

The Consort, too, looked gentle, almost tender.

It was unbearable! Shadow Two mentally added another mark against her.

At that moment, Xie Linyuan, the courtesan, gripped Ji Rongjin’s arms tightly, whispering through gritted teeth, “Fellow transmigrator, we’ll talk later. Don’t ruin my money-making.”

Ji Rongjin maintained her smile. “Fifty-fifty split.”

“Thirty-seventy.” Xie Linyuan’s forehead veins pulsed. “The past is the past!”

“Deal.” Ji Rongjin’s lips curved. “Now it’s perverse.”

Xie Linyuan abruptly released her arms, her smile strained. “This gentleman was so close to getting it right. Such a pity.”

Ji Rongjin feigned regret. “Indeed, a pity.”

Shadow Two, watching from the shadows, ground her teeth, her hand twitching.

Mark it down, mark it down!

Having found her target, Ji Rongjin relaxed, waiting for the event to end.

At some point, Shadow Two drifted to her side, her voice eerie, sending a chill down Ji Rongjin’s spine. “Consort, weren’t you here to find someone?”

Ji Rongjin’s hand trembled, barely steadying her teacup. “Didn’t I find her?”

“Is it her?”

Ji Rongjin: “…”

Seeing Shadow Two’s growing suspicion, Ji Rongjin coughed lightly and whispered, “She’s the Empress’s State Preceptor.”

Shadow Two paused, her expression returning to normal. “Should we inform the Princess first?”

Ji Rongjin considered it. What if the Empress wanted to capture her fellow transmigrator and execute her? Informing the Princess now might send her to her death. Better to ask her situation first.

“No need,” Ji Rongjin said. “I still have some questions for her.”

Shadow Two: “…Oh.”

You’re definitely up to something!

Under the clear moonlight, Shen Zhuwan sat in her carriage, eyes closed in rest.

When the carriage stopped, she opened her eyes, lifted the curtain, and saw no one waiting at the mansion’s entrance.

She lowered her gaze and stepped out with Jinxi’s help.

In the heavy night, Shen Zhuwan walked into the mansion but stopped after a few steps.

An invisible, oppressive atmosphere spread slowly.

Two leaves suddenly fell from the trees, followed by a whooshing sound. In an instant, a gust reached her ear.

Shen Zhuwan stopped Jinxi from reacting, leaning back slightly while pushing off with her feet, her dress fluttering as she landed steadily. She looked at the woman who had appeared out of nowhere.

“Guards!” Jinxi instinctively called out.

But before she spoke, several figures had already appeared, surrounding the woman.

“Stop.”

Shen Zhuwan’s calm command rang out.

The shadow guards reacted swiftly, halting but still encircling the woman.

The woman stood opposite Shen Zhuwan, dressed in a red gown, holding a long whip, vibrant like a blazing red rose, captivating all eyes.

Seeing Shen Zhuwan call off the guards, the woman sighed, flicked her whip with a slight force, the gleaming weapon tracing a sharp arc in the air before obediently returning to her hand, casually tucked at her waist.

Before the shadow guards could relax, the woman flitted toward the Princess like a butterfly, instantly closing the distance.

She placed both hands on Shen Zhuwan’s shoulders, leaning close to her ear, her voice soft as dripping water. “Little Junior Sister~ It’s been so many years. Have you missed your Senior Sister?”

Jinxi’s mouth fell open slightly. The red-clad woman was so close, half-leaning on Her Highness, yet the Princess didn’t push her away immediately.

Shen Zhuwan remained composed, suddenly looking toward the entrance and saying lightly, “Master.”

The pressure on her shoulders vanished instantly. The red-clad woman’s expression shifted to a fawning smile as she turned. “Master, you’re here~”

Turning, she saw the entrance was empty. Looking back, the white-clad woman was already eight feet away.

Luo Ruan: “…”

She looked at Shen Zhuwan with resentment. “Junior Sister, you’re getting less and less lovable.”

Saying this, she lifted her sleeve, dramatically wiping her eyes, and moved closer to Shen Zhuwan. “When you were little, you’d softly call for Senior Sister to hug or kiss you. Now that you’re grown, you won’t even let me touch you. It breaks my heart.”

Shen Zhuwan flicked her sleeve, pushing the approaching woman away, and looked at her. “Where’s Master?”

The red-clad woman, seeing Shen Zhuwan ignore her and mention that other woman, huffed. “Who knows? Probably off paying respects to her white moonlight again.”

A strange light flashed in Shen Zhuwan’s eyes. “It’s been so many years, and Senior Sister still hasn’t won her over.”

Luo Ruan shot her an annoyed glance. “Junior Sister, you really know how to stab at my heart. That woman’s heart is as cold as a fish slaughtered in the market for twenty years. She has no sense of tenderness. Forget her.”

Her tone shifted, her eyes glinting as she looked at Shen Zhuwan. “Junior Sister, I heard you’re facing some difficulties lately. Need Senior Sister to write a letter to my little sister for help?”

Shen Zhuwan looked at her leisurely. “No need. Her Majesty the Empress won’t pay you any mind.”

Luo Ruan was once the first in line for the Empress’s throne, but her heart was set on her master, and she insisted on cutting ties with the former Empress, causing the throne to pass to her younger sister. Her sister, frail and laid-back, might not respond to a letter—and the messenger pigeon might end up stewed.

“Who says?” Luo Ruan raised her brows. “I’m still her sister, after all.”

Shen Zhuwan smiled without speaking.

Luo Ruan huffed. “Don’t believe me? I’ll send a letter right now. It’s just some grain—my Empress’s country can afford it.”

A hint of amusement flashed in Shen Zhuwan’s eyes. “Then I’ll trouble Senior Sister.”

At that moment, Luo Ruan realized she’d fallen into this woman’s trap.

She sighed deeply, looking at Shen Zhuwan with resignation. “Junior Sister, you’re as cunning as ever.”

Shen Zhuwan neither confirmed nor denied it. “Paper and brush are ready.”

Watching the woman’s graceful retreating figure, Luo Ruan deflated and followed reluctantly.

Ji Rongjin waited until midnight.

Flower Filled Pavillion was still bustling, though the riddle contest had ended.

In the top private room, Xie Linyuan looked heartbroken as three-tenths of her earnings were taken. The joy of meeting a fellow transmigrator faded by the same amount.

Ji Rongjin, holding the money, didn’t pocket it but looked at her with amusement. “How long have you been here?”

Xie Linyuan glanced at the banknotes under her hand. “About a year or so.”

So, longer than Ji Rongjin.

“Why did you escape from the Empress’s country?” Ji Rongjin casually tapped the banknotes.

Xie Linyuan stared at the notes, answering, “Well, you know, I was the State Preceptor, but that job is basically just being a glorified charlatan. I know a bit, but clearly, my divination skills weren’t up to par. So, I ran before I got exposed.”

“Oh—” Ji Rongjin picked up the banknotes, separating a third and sliding them forward with two fingers. “So, you didn’t run right after transmigrating but waited a year?”

Caught in her lie, Xie Linyuan’s eyes darted. She reached for the offered notes.

Ji Rongjin pressed them down, looking at her.

Xie Linyuan tsked, retracting her hand. “Fine, I’ll tell you.”

Somewhat dejected, she said, “The Empress was recently pressured to choose a consort. She picked a few candidates and asked me to divine who was best. I don’t know how to do that, so I fled.”

Ji Rongjin’s eyes flickered, studying the woman’s expression closely.

After a moment, she withdrew her gaze thoughtfully. “You like the Empress?”

“Nonsense!” Xie Linyuan snatched the stack of banknotes, glaring. “That’s outrageous!”

Ji Rongjin slid another half of the remaining notes forward. “Really don’t like her?”

Xie Linyuan shamefully reached out, her fingers inching forward as she turned her head, gesturing a small distance with her other hand. “Maybe just this much.”

Ji Rongjin gave a meaningful smile, handing over all the remaining notes. “Last one. If you agree, these are all yours.”

Xie Linyuan squinted, pained. “Fellow transmigrator, we’re from the same place, and you’re using my money to pry into my secrets!”

Ji Rongjin kept smiling, having learned a trick or two from Shen Zhuwan.

“Tell me the condition first,” Xie Linyuan said, her eyes narrowing. “I’m not going back, just so you know.”

Ji Rongjin nodded, leaning in to whisper something.

The next moment, Xie Linyuan’s eyes widened, and she rapidly shook her head. “No, no, no, no, no, no way.”

Ji Rongjin sighed regretfully, making a show of pocketing the remaining notes. “Just one sentence for all this money. If it were me, I’d write ten.”

Xie Linyuan’s eyes followed her hand, then she forcefully shut them. “But asking that—won’t the Empress find it strange?”

“Why would it be strange?” The stack of notes landed in front of Xie Linyuan. “It’s just a small choice. Don’t you want to see how the Empress chooses?”

Xie Linyuan stared at the notes, gritted her teeth, and snatched them. “Fine, I’ll do it.”

Her goal achieved, Ji Rongjin smiled slowly.

As if remembering something, she asked, “By the way, how did you end up as a courtesan here?”

“Well,” Xie Linyuan, now content with her recovered earnings, said, “To make money, of course. Life’s tough—more banknotes, the better.”

Ji Rongjin thought of her own fifteen-thousand-tael debt and nodded in agreement. “You’re right.”

They chatted a bit more, and as the night deepened, Ji Rongjin stood to leave, arranging to meet again in a few days.

Not only had she resolved the matter, but she’d also found a fellow transmigrator. Ji Rongjin returned home in high spirits, her steps light. If her guess was correct, the grain issue would be settled within a week.

Humming a tune, she happily walked back, unaware that Shadow Two had already reported her “misdeeds” to the Princess.

Shen Zhuwan showed no expression, but Luo Ruan beside her burst into laughter.

“Oh my, your Consort is quite the flirt.”

Shen Zhuwan gave her a cool glance and said to Shadow Two, “You may leave.”

Luo Ruan, seeing her Junior Sister’s expression, seemed to understand something and looked at her with a teasing smile.

Just as she was about to speak, someone at the door called, “Consort.” Her eyes sparkled, and she languidly draped herself over Shen Zhuwan’s shoulder, whispering seductively, “Your Highness, instead of getting upset over her, why not consider me? I can do anything~”

With that, she lifted a long leg, resting it provocatively on Shen Zhuwan’s desk.

The door opened at that moment.

Revealing a face that changed expressions in an instant.

Little Ji: I’ve been cuckolded.