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Accident (2)
T/N: Translated by Jen on Broken Jinsei! Please do not repost my translations! All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
The palace has already made thorough preparations for the grand banquet welcoming the Banjaro envoys. Jade stairs and gold tiles, the majesty of the imperial family. The jeweled lanterns and jadeite pots, the wealth among the mortal world. The palace servants came and went like fish. The silk strings of the musical instruments were able to compete with the celestial music.
Inside Guangxin Palace, Noble Consort Liu stood before a fullbody western mirror, looking at herself.
She picked a gold trim cross-stitched brocade dress with peonies patterns embroidered in silver thread on the wide sleeves. Her tall bun was decorated with a scarlet gold pearl hairpin. As she walked, it increasingly displayed her extraordinary noble air. This look, if to let someone who wasn’t in the know see, then perhaps they would think that she was the head of the six palaces.
Noble Consort Liu touched her hanging pearl earring, saying to the mama by her side, “Ru Yan has already arrived in the palace, right? Did you tell the second prince to go over?”
That old mama had her head lowered as she said, “His Highness said that he’s going to see Princess Yong Chun, so already went to Zhaohua Palace earlier.”
When Noble Consort Liu heard, her smile suddenly turned cold, saying, “See what Yong Chun? Most likely, it’s going to look for that Shen family’s second miss.” Pausing for a moment, she removed that pair of earrings on her ear, saying, “This earring somewhat doesn’t match the color, pick another pair to bring over.”
Once the palace maid brought over a new pair of earrings, Noble Consort Liu said, “Back then, when Xiang’er was holding that jade bracelet, this consort already felt something off. Since he had this kind of treasure, to not give to Yan’er, nor this consort, who else can it go to? Turns out, it went to that Shen Lan Chi.” A while later, Noble Consort Liu raised her brow, sternly saying to that old mama, “Qi mama, tonight, keep a tight eye for me, absolutely can’t let that Shen Lan Chi have Xiang’er seduced.”
Noble Consort Liu finally got herself ready, before slowly heading to Ganfu Palace.
Right as she arrived, she saw a palanquin stopped in front Ganfu Palace. Empress Shen came down from the palanquin holding the palace maid’s hand.
As soon as Noble Consort Liu and Empress Shen met, they both respectively smiled and entered the palace hall one after another.
Inside Ganfu Hall, the entire hall was filled with gold and jade. On one side were the imperial consorts and titled madams, their jet-black hair layered, the thick cloud bun fixed tall. On the other side were the court officials, sitting in a dense mass, whispering to one another. At the very front were the envoys from Banjaro, with their hair combed into a little brown ponytail, their nose bridge tall, wearing exotic clothes, sitting on the floor.
That envoy was called Ajindo. He was Banjaro’s third prince. Earlier, he’d already met with the Chu Emperor in private. At present, he was like just waiting to indulge himself during the banquet. As such, before the song and dance even began, he already drank several cups of wine.
After Chu Emperor sat down, he looked around the great hall, and seeing that all the guest have arrived, he clapped his big hands, wanting the ceremonial official to began the banquet. Very soon, the palace maids flowed in a line, holding rare delicacies in hand, filling the table. The string instruments loudly played, like falling jade beads. The great hall instantly became lively.
Princess Yong Chun changed into a ruby color dance costume, pulling along two long flowing sleeves as she went up to present her dance. As soon as the sound of the zither sounded, Yong Chun lightly stood on her tiptoes, slowly spinning her waist, her slender body blooming layer by layer like the lotus flower petals, making people unable to turn their eyes away.
She’d been arduously practicing her dance for more than half a month, and now, she was even more light and graceful, practically able to elegantly dance in the palm. As soon as Ajindo saw Yong Chun, his green eyes slightly lit up, unconsciously clapping his hands.
Ajindo drank the wine cup after cup, also using the Banjaro language to say to the person next to him, “This princess, suitable to marry as a wife. Her appearance, although not that pretty, she’s nevertheless good at dancing, just like the Banjaro women, having many talents.”
The person beside him also nodded in agreement, using the Banjaro language to reply, “If to want to court a girl, yet don’t inform in advance, then that is just the act of a coward. My prince, why don’t you go and greet that Princess Yong Chun later.”
“That is true!” Ajindo laughed, his gaze towards Princess Yong Chun increasingly fervent.
TN: All translations outside of Broken Jinsei are stolen and reposted without permission!
Ajindo was somewhat drunk, his eyes also somewhat drifting. He although was handsome, but once drunk, he would carry a foolish look, like a little puppy that just dug itself out of the ground, not having the imposing air of a foreign envoy.
As for those four girls that were playing the accompaniment for Princess Yong Chun, Ajindo actually wasn’t interested at all. These four although were wearing the same attire as Princess Yong Chun, their faces were nevertheless covered by a veil, unable to see their appearance, extremely boring.
Shen Lan Chi didn’t know how to dance, so only needed to play the zither to the side, happy to have an easy time. Glancing to the side, she saw Lu Zi Xiang directly staring at her, his finger tapping the table, seemingly tapping to the rhythm. His eyes were extremely bright.
Shen Lan Chi nearly choked on her breath———-This second prince sure is leisure, simply unaware that half his life is already dangling above this banquet.
Looking further left, it was Lu Zhao Ye who she hasn’t seen in a very long time.
The crown prince was still dressed in black, his expression cold and aloof. His appearance didn’t change that much, still cold like an icy spring. Just, Shen Lan Chi felt that he seemingly changed somewhere——-If in the past, he would occasionally flash a sharp blade, then in this moment, it was a completely reserved dagger, like having the blade entirely hidden inside the sheath, becoming all the more steady.
As she was contemplating, she felt a sharp pain on her finger. Turns out, a string had suddenly snapped. The broken string cut her finger, leaving a shallow line of blood. Shen Lan Chi slightly inhaled a breath, immediately pressing the broken string.
Fortunately, the piece was already nearing the end. She didn’t need to play more.
Princess Yong Chun detected Ajindo secretly staring at her the whole time, feeling somewhat annoyed inside, so turned her head to avoid Ajindo’s line of sight. Finally, this piece came to an end. Yong Chun flung her long sleeves, first bowing to the Chu Emperor, then faintly bowed towards Ajindo, before leaving covered in sweat.
Shen Lan Chi relaxed a breath, immediately leaving together holding the zither.
Chu Emperor drank two cups of wine, then asked the ministers to respectively drink and enjoy themselves, while he himself exited the palace hall with a few eunuchs, saying that he was going out to get some air.
Once Chu Emperor left, those who were long impaitent immediately started moving.
The first one was just the Zhennan Wang Manor’s heir.
Lu Qi Yang, like as if scared of getting violently beaten up on the spot by his father, immediately slipped out from the banquet quietly. Zhennan Wang had just finished competing in drinking with General Song, heartily laughing as he said, “Let my son come drink two cups.” But, as soon as he turned his head, the seat behind him was already empty, without a trace of Lu Qi Yang anywhere.
General Song patted Zhennan Wang’s shoulder, deliberately asking, “Wangye, where’s your son? It can’t be that it’s this chair, right? Hahahaha!”
Zhennan Wang’s expression changed, having the wine cup placed on the chair, angrily saying, “Yes! This old man’s son is precisely this chair! Rather have this chair than that little demon king!”
• • •
When they arrived in the side hall, Princess Yong Chun ordered the palace maids to help her take apart her hair, while angrily saying to the young ladies by her side, “Did you all see? That barbarian’s eyes really were so rude! To actually that directly stare at this princess!”
Ji Fei Xia consoled, “That Prince Ajindo has primarily lived in Banjaro, never having seen a beauty such as princess before, thus would be stunned.”
When Princess Yong Chun heard, she felt a bit elated inside, “That is true.”
The rest of them went to change with their respective servant girl, separately entering Zhaohua Palace’s rooms. Once the exact same-looking vermillion palace doors shut, no one could tell who was inside.
Ji Fei Xia sat in front of the mirror, wiping the slight sweat on her forehead, lightly relaxing a breath. She said to the servant girl, “The palace really isn’t a place for people to stay. Those pairs of eyes beside Noble Consort Liu really can poke a hole into person.”
Just as she said this, a shadow reflected upon that door. From the looks of it, it seems to be a tall man.
“Is second miss there?”
When that man spoke, his voice was like a jade spring, gentle and modest.
Ji Fei Xia was the second daughter in her family, getting addressed as Ji second miss. Upon hearing this, she wanted to go up and answer the door. But, just as she got up, the man outside the door said, “Second miss doesn’t need to reply, just need to listen to my words.”
This time, Ji Fei Xia made out the voice. This voice belonged to the second prince, Lu Zi Xiang.
She revealed a puzzled look.
The Ji family and the Liu family weren’t considered close, even having marriage ties with that Shen family. As such, Noble Consort Liu didn’t like the daughters of their Ji family either. How come his Highness the Second Prince suddenly came to look for her?
“I know that my consort mother has some misunderstandings towards your father and brother, and also know that to want to take you as a my wife, it’s not an easy thing either……..Once Zi Xiang settles everything, one will think of a way to marry you. Can you….can you wait another year for me?”
Outside the door, the second prince’s voice was hesitant, yet extremely gentle.
Hearing these words, Ji Fei Xia inhaled a breath, revealing a surprised look, suddenly covering her mouth.
This—–this is——
What’s going on?
Before Ji Fei Xia could speak, another female voice came through from outside the door. Turns out, it was Noble Consort Liu.
“Xiang’er, Qi mama said that you came to this Zhaohua Palace, don’t know who you came to see? Yong Chun?” Noble Consort Liu didn’t have her usual gentleness, her voice completely cold.
Ji Fei Xia was scared that Noble Consort Liu will take her anger out on her, so hurriedly opened the door, going out to greet, “Fei Xia greets your Highness the Second Prince, your Highness Noble Consort.”
Once Ji Fei Xia lifted her head, Lu Zi Xiang was slightly astonished, muttering, “How come…….”
How come it’s Ji Fei Xia?
He clearly saw Shen Lan Chi enter this palace hall……
Could it be that because they all wore the same outfit, so he saw wrong?
Ji Fei Xia got up, yet saw that there was someone else standing behind Noble Consort Liu, dressed in a bright yellow robe. It was precisely the Chu Emperor.
“Your, your Majesty……?” Ji Fei Xia was somewhat unsure, asking tentatively.
“Your Majesty?” Noble Consort Liu was greatly surprised, turning around. Sure enough, she saw Chu Emperor standing nearby, “What are you doing here?!”
“Beloved consort, why be this surprised? If not for this emperor coming out for some air, afraid wouldn’t have been able to hear such a wonderful matter.” Chu Emperor strolled forward with his hands behind his back, heartily laughing. After laughing for a while, he lowered his head and praised Lu Zi Xiang, “Xiang’er sure enough is a man of character, just like when this emperor was young. The so called ‘resembling the father’ precisely mean this. Since you have feelings for this Ji second miss, how about letting this emperor pull the strings for you?
Lu Zi Xiang stood in place, the smile on his face still gentle.
He swept a glance at Ji Fei Xia who had her head lowered, a trace of pity flitting across his eyes. Afterwards, he smiled and slowly said, “To have let imperial father see a joke. It’s just that Xiang’er has liked Ji second miss for a long time. Seeing her play the zither today upon the banquet, one thus became impulsive……”
The Ji family was illustrious and powerful. If they form marriage ties, then it’ll be of great benefit.
Just, it’s a pity for that person in his heart…….
Forget it, he eventually can obtain her in the future.
Lu Zi Xiang had pity in his voice, yet didn’t lack in manners, making Chu Emperor endlessly praise. Especially when comparing with that insolent eldest son, Lu Zi Xiang appeared even more outstanding.
“Is that so?” Chu Emperor smile deepened even more, “I’d thought that you were merely entertaining yourself when you were tapping the table. Turns out, it was matching with Ji second miss.” After saying this, he turned towards Noble Consort Liu, asking, “Beloved consort, what do you think?”
Noble Consort Liu’s body stiffened, forcing a smile, “What Xiang’er likes is naturally the most important. Your Majesty can make the decision.”
After saying this, Noble Consort Liu’s hand under her sleeve tightly clenched, shaking nonstop.
• • •
A few palace walls over was Shen Lan Chi’s changing room.
Bi Yu yawned as she guarded outside the door. Inside the room, there were two figures.
Lu Qi Yang who had disappeared, causing Zhennan Wang to look for him everywhere, was currently sitting cross-legged on the ground, carefully helping Shen Lan Chi bandage her finger.
“The zither string got scared by your ugliness.”
“…….”
“Does it hurt?”
“Ouch, ouch, ouch.”
“Oh, then how about this?” Lu Qi Yang parted his lips, and through the bandage, had her finger placed in his mouth, gazing up at her, vaguely muttering, “Does it hurt?”
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😬🕯️ rip LZX🕯️ that’s sooooo embarrassing…. on second thought. what on earth possessed him to think that SLC was referring to him when she said surnamed Lu, good at martial arts? are SLC and LQY not scandalous enough? haven’t they done many things that are bordering on the edge of propriety in public settings? or maybe he was just blinded by the calamitous beauty that is our MC 😔
I think it’s the fact that he’s an imperial prince. Why on earth would SLC say she likes someone with the surname Lu and mean some wastrel heir when there’s a(nother) prince right there 😮💨