Ying Xiang had no idea that Chuzheng listened and then immediately forgot.
"Miss, you will enter the palace with the Third Prince at that time..."
"With him?"
Ying Xiang weakly replied, "Yes." Feeling that Miss now despises the Third Prince.
This change in Miss, it’s hard to say whether it’s good or bad...
"Can I not go with him? I’m afraid that if I’m with that scoundrel, I won’t be able to resist beating him to death."
Ying Xiang almost choked on her saliva, hesitantly saying, "It probably can’t be helped, you are married to the Third Prince. There’s no reason for you not to enter the palace together."
Chuzheng: "..."
It seems I need to find an opportunity to... divorce him.
Chuzheng hadn’t found this opportunity yet, and the time to enter the palace had already arrived.
Changsun Hang changed into the princely attire, making him appear even more handsome than in casual wear.
Ying Xiang originally prepared a matching palace dress for Chuzheng, but she didn’t wear it.
As long as the dress specifications are correct, the color matching isn’t that strict.
When Chuzheng went out, Changsun Hang was already sitting in the carriage, with the curtains drawn tightly.
Chuzheng wasn’t willing to sit with him and had Ying Xiang prepare a carriage ahead of time.
So when Changsun Hang was reluctantly waiting for Chuzheng to board the carriage, silently reminding himself not to clash with her, Chuzheng had already boarded another carriage.
Changsun Hang snorted coldly, "Let her be, let’s go."
-
The Imperial Noble Consort is Your Majesty’s most favored consort; her birthday banquet is organized so lavishly, even the Empress’s birthday wasn’t celebrated with such extravagance.
Changsun Hang’s mother didn’t have a high status, nor any background, and previously had no chance to attend such palace banquets. This year, thanks to Changsun Hang, she finally got to make an appearance.
If it hadn’t been for Yann Qin suddenly entering the palace to request a marriage decree, Changsun Hang wouldn’t have occupied any special place in people’s minds.
Chuzheng’s carriage was blocked at the palace gates.
Someone came to report: "Miss, Lord requests you to come over."
Lord...
Yann Qin?
Daring to block the Prince’s entourage so openly at the palace gates, besides the Minister of Appointments, there might not be anyone else.
Chuzheng lifted the curtain to get off the carriage, following the person onto Yann Qin’s carriage.
The man sat in the inner part of the carriage, clad in a crimson official uniform, highlighting his stern and handsome face.
This presence was unlike a minister, it resembled more like a ruler ready to ascend the throne.
In the original memory, Yann Qin was both a brother and a stern father figure.
No matter how handsome Yann Qin appeared, the original character only felt respect and admiration mixed with fear.
"Brother." Chuzheng called properly.
"Hmm."
Yann Qin nodded, his gaze turning around her twice.
He had received word earlier that his sister had changed.
Today, upon seeing, she indeed had changed.
But Yann Qin knew this was his sister, their blood relation couldn’t lie, that intuitive feel couldn’t deceive.
As for why she changed so drastically...
Yann Qin didn’t know.
Nor did he want to know.
As long as she is well, that’s all that matters.
Chuzheng noticed Yann Qin’s response was the end, so she found a place to sit as the carriage continued forward leisurely.
"Heard you’re doing well recently?"
"Hmm."
"Is Changsun Hang troubling you?"
"No."
The sibling conversation was casual; a question and answer matching a harmonious atmosphere.
Yann Qin suddenly changed topic: "Is Shi Yi convenient for use?"
"..." Haven’t used yet, unsure. "It’s alright."
Yann Qin nodded, ceasing further conversation.
There was still some distance from the palace gates, and the inside of the carriage fell silent.
Yann Qin took a small paper packet from a nearby box and gave it to her: "Eat a little to settle your stomach, don’t eat randomly later."
"Oh."
Chuzheng opened the small paper packet for a look; it contained snacks the original character liked.
-
When she alighted the carriage, Chuzheng saw few carriages could enter; most switched to soft sedan chairs at the palace gates.
Being a Prince, Changsun Hang’s carriage did enter, and it was right behind them at the moment.
Changsun Hang alighted from his carriage, approaching Yann Qin: "Lord Yann."
Yann Qin was consistently displeased with Changsun Hang, and at this moment, didn’t favor him either, addressing Chuzheng: "I’ll go first."
Changsun Hang: "..."
Changsun Hang wanted to accuse Yann Qin of disrespect, but considering his own capabilities... ultimately, a deep breath was all he managed.
He endured!
Chuzheng couldn’t enter with Changsun Hang for now, and so they parted ways with fierce demeanor, each stepping out with a ’no kin to recognize’ stride.
Everyone: "..."
Chuzheng was led to where the women temporarily gathered.
A considerable number had arrived; when Chuzheng entered, after the greetings, silence ensued.
Chuzheng sat on her own drinking tea, with no one approaching for conversation, and after some unspecified quiet time, conversations slowly arose.
Late arrivals whispered with companions about those they didn’t recognize.
"Who is she?"
"Third Princess Consort."
"From Minister of Appointments’ family?"
"Indeed."
"She’s so pretty!" One naive soul exclaimed.
"..."
The atmosphere grew slightly awkward again.
Women naturally carry hostility towards those prettier than themselves; Chuzheng attracted such attention.
Chuzheng wasn’t interested in mingling or scheming; after a while, she left with Ying Xiang.
Ying Xiang wanted to advise her, but Chuzheng was beyond her persuasion.
Outside was a lotus pond, but given the cold weather, the leaves had withered, presenting a distinct beauty.
Chuzheng trod on pebbles, walking along the path.
"Miss..."
Ying Xiang hadn’t finished speaking when Chuzheng covered her mouth, hiding behind a fake mountain.
Ying Xiang stared wide-eyed, clueless as to what happened.
The next moment, voices could be heard.
"Did you handle everything as instructed?"
"No problem, just waiting for the banquet to start."
"This must not go wrong, or we’ll all face consequences."
"Sigh..."
Chuzheng peered through the mountain gap, seeing two eunuchs speaking, glancing around like thieves.
They didn’t converse much longer, quickly parting, heading in different directions.
Chuzheng released Ying Xiang.
The latter gasped a few times: "Miss, what were they talking about?"
"It’s not our concern, don’t meddle." It sounded like trouble.
"Oh."
Ying Xiang obediently refrained from asking further.
Chuzheng stayed outside until the timing was right, returning just as the group was ushered to the banquet location.
As the Third Princess Consort, besides the consorts and First Prince Consort, her status was the highest in the palace.
Second Prince?
The Second Prince was single and had no wife.
People gradually seated themselves; Changsun Hang, unknown to anyone where, had been thwarted, his face worse than before.
Upon Chuzheng sitting down, he angrily glared at her.
"Third Prince, venting on me won’t help with your frustration."
Changsun Hang: "..."
Changsun Hang gritted through his teeth: "You and your brother aren’t easy to deal with."
Chuzheng lifted her gaze towards him; Changsun Hang sensed something odd in her glance, just as she calmly remarked to the opposite side, "Brother, the Third Prince has something to say to you."
Changsun Hang: "..."