The Prince Consort's Secret (GL) - Chapter 13

The inner palace banquet was reserved for members of the royal family and imperial consorts. After lingering briefly, Father Emperor left for the outer court. Not long after, thunderous cries of “Long live the

Emperor!” rang out from there. When he finally returned, the banquet officially began. Wine flowed freely, and laughter filled the air—it was a lively, festive scene.

After the feast, guests departed in small groups. Just as I was about to leave, Father Emperor summoned the Crown Prince and me to the Funning Hall. On the way, he complained that although court officials had the day off, he still had memorials to review. None of his children, he sighed, even thought to keep him company—we all only cared about going out and enjoying ourselves.

At the Funning Hall, the Crown Prince reluctantly sat down to review memorials selected by Father as practice, while I chatted idly with Father Emperor. Few emperors so personally train their heirs, and fewer still enjoy such genuine familial warmth. Still, I couldn’t help but worry—an overly kind ruler is not always a good thing.

As I pondered this, a commotion broke out outside the hall. A woman’s sobs were tangled with the shouts of guards. Intrigue at last? I perked up. Then, a disheveled palace maid burst in, quickly restrained by two guards.

“Your Majesty, we did not expect her to force her way in,” they said, “we failed to stop her. Please punish us!”

The woman appeared to be a palace maid based on her attire. Father Emperor, reclining lazily, said, “Let her speak. I want to hear what she has to say.”

The maid collapsed to her knees and sobbed, “Your Majesty, Lady Liu Zhaorong is innocent! Those shoes were planted by Lady Wu to frame her!”

Ah, palace drama. I’m familiar with Liu Zhaorong—Father Emperor had been visiting her more often lately. And now, trouble.

Father Emperor remained composed. “Oh? How do you know the shoes were planted?”

The maid, still kneeling and weeping, then uttered a shocking claim: “Lady Liu Zhaorong is still a virgin! She could not have committed any impropriety. Please see the truth, Your Majesty!”

A favored consort… still a virgin? I forced myself to maintain a neutral expression and glanced at Father Emperor. He had sat up straighter, his gaze flat and unreadable—like a predator eyeing helpless prey. This maid was doomed. She had not only learned an imperial secret but dared to voice it.

Father Emperor smiled faintly. “I will look into the matter. For now, take her to the Court of Judicial Review and have her account documented thoroughly.”

His voice was calm, utterly emotionless. The guards took the maid away. Afterward, Father Emperor whispered something to Eunuch Liu, who nodded and discreetly left the hall.

The atmosphere shifted. When the Crown Prince finally finished the documents, Father Emperor reviewed them, offered mild praise and critique, and dismissed us both.

Outside the hall, I replayed the incident. Liu Zhaorong might truly be innocent, but given Father’s reaction, her “favor” was likely a façade. She wouldn’t survive this. And that maid? Dead for sure. It was the first time I’d seen Father Emperor’s ruthless side—he finally felt like a real ruler to me.

As for the juiciest part—his favored consort being a virgin? That’s palace scandal level ten. Either he’s impotent (heaven forbid), genuinely chaste and devoted, or… he prefers men. Whatever the truth, it doesn’t affect my life.

The Crown Prince looked as carefree as ever, grinning like usual—unbothered by death or disgrace. Once we’d dismissed our attendants, I smiled and said, “Brother, I want to go with you to Zhen’an Brothel tonight.”

He studied me with suspicion. I inhaled, preparing a speech to convince him—only for him to nod casually and say, “Sure.”

I choked. Literally. Started coughing on the spot.

As he thumped my back, he teased, “Since when were you interested in brothels? Last time you went, you swore never again.”

Wait, I’ve been before? Before I could process it, he added, “Haven’t seen much of you around lately. Tired of Bianjing already and craving some excitement?”

I nearly spat bl00d. No wonder Yinger and Qiu Wen exchanged looks when I asked about my usual activities—those traitors! I’ll deal with them later.

We agreed I’d visit his estate at dusk, and we’d head to Zhen’an together. After parting ways at the palace gates, I returned to my residence.

Back in my bedchamber, as my maids helped me change, I sighed dramatically. “That palace suffocates me! How long must I stay cooped up like that?”

My maids exchanged cryptic looks, clearly up to something.

“I want to go out,” I said, watching their reactions.

Yinger frowned. I expected her to object, but Qiu Wen chimed in first, “Yinger, the Princess is married now—surely we can trust her!”

Bless you, Qiu Wen. Finally seeing sense.

She looked at me and hesitated. “Actually… Princess, you used to go out often.”

I raised an eyebrow. Qiu Wen and Quaner shrank back slightly, while Yinger met my gaze without flinching. I sighed—hardly a punishable offense. I gestured for them to resume massaging my shoulders and legs.

“How many people did I take with me?” I asked.

Qiu Wen replied, “One or two maids nearby, with seven or eight guards trailing behind.”

“Did I have to dress as a man?”

Qiu Wen grinned. “Yes, though you could pass as a common girl too. But with your beauty, it always caused trouble—better to dress as a man. Not that it helped much… both men and women still flirted.” She laughed nervously. I shot her a look, and she quickly shut up. Still, her words pleased me more than they should have.

After reviewing the precautions and brushing up on masculine etiquette in the study, I returned to my room to sleep. I needed energy for my first proper outing since transmigrating.

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That afternoon, under bright sunlight, three dashing young “gentlemen” strolled through the bustling streets. The one leading the group, dressed in sapphire silk with a white jade hair crown, had refined, graceful features and a brilliant smile—clearly unused to the capital, gawking at everything like a tourist.

Yes. That dazzling “young master” in front? Was me.

I was elated. Male attire suited me too well. The way people—men and women alike—watched me with awe and longing was utterly satisfying. Honestly, when I’d changed and looked in the mirror, I thought I looked more manly than my foppish consort-husband.

Behind me, Yinger and Qiu Wen were also in male attire, each with their own distinct charm. Yinger gave me a strange look—I stopped grinning and refocused on the shops and stalls lining both sides of the street.

I went on a small shopping spree, not even asking prices. Soon Yinger and Qiu Wen’s arms were full. As I considered how to transport everything back, Yinger flagged down a handcart. The driver turned out to be one of our own guards, disguised as a vendor. Clever man. No more baggage woes!

Though I’m not usually fond of shopping, today I was in a mood. After some trinket-buying, cockfighting, and fortune-telling, it was time to meet the Crown Prince.

At his estate, I found he wasn’t going alone—Imperial Physician Qin Huaiyu was joining us. The two seemed like old friends. I now knew Qin Huaiyu was a bit of a goofball too—no wonder they got along.

Eventually, our carriage stopped before the famous Zhen’an Brothel. Larger and more extravagant than its neighbors, it bustled with noise and music. The moment we stepped down, glamorous women flocked to greet us.

“Lord Lin, Lord Qin, long time no see!” they said with teasing smiles. Then they turned to me, confused. “And this young lord is…”

Just as I was about to make up a name, one of the courtesans giggled and said, “You must be Lord Mu, right? It’s your first time here—make sure you remember me, Tao’er!”

The others joined in, sending flirtatious looks my way. A bit overwhelmed, I forced a smile. Secretly, I chuckled—they must think I’m that delicate-looking “Mu Han,” the consort, since I arrived with the Crown Prince.

Well, identity aside—it’s just a brothel visit. What could possibly go wrong?

With that thought, I stepped through the doors alongside the Crown Prince and Physician Qin, ready for whatever came next.