Chapter 4

Once I calmed down a bit, I understood my current situation. I am merely a minor princess consort, still far removed from the Empress Dowager, lacking any capital to show off my authority, so I must endure.

Green hedge

Competing with women for conversation, are you confused? Thus, I obediently kept silent, allowing them to tidy me up from top to bottom and inside out.

I finally set my mind at ease, sitting calmly in the chair, waiting for my bowl of Laba congee. Unexpectedly, Qi Sheng suddenly let out a cold laugh, stood up, and left with a flick of his sleeve

I finally managed to finish my words: "The green fence, I will keep my eight-treasure porridge for now, and I will drink it again when I return"

Having changed into my regular attire, I remembered that a eunuch had come in from outside to serve the meal. It was then that I recalled my bowl of Laba congee, and I couldn't help but turn to Green Hedge and silently ask: Is the congee still there?

Your Highness! You cannot throw a tantrum any longer

... ...

Although the prince has left, the dishes still need to be served. Facing a table full of sumptuous delicacies, I ate very happily. The thought of not having to sleep with a man tonight made me drink another bowl of Laba congee.

Since the boss has loosened the reins, I am happy to enjoy myself. However, Lvyu's expression grows more and more sorrowful each day. Eventually, I could no longer bear to watch and had to speak to her: "Lvyu, it's almost the New Year, can't we be a bit more cheerful? You walk around with a frown all day; are you dissatisfied with the amount of the red envelope I gave you?"

Qi Sheng lowered his eyelids and looked at me, sneering lightly, and asked with disdain: "Are you that impatient?"

The green hedge said: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has already arrived at the palace gates; you must hurry."

I turned my head and saw Qi Sheng standing outside the hall, silently observing me, though I did not know when he had arrived

Hey! To be honest, as long as I close my eyes and stop thinking about this body of mine, it actually feels quite good

The green hedge also mentioned that she was waiting aside, personally holding the palace skirt embroidered with golden phoenixes.

At the same time, I cannot help but resent the Star Lord of Destiny; how wonderful it would be if the body I was assigned were that of the Crown Prince.

I am truly shameless, I am truly afraid of death, I am truly cowardly, I am truly ... ...

Once again, feeling uneasy, she asked the green hedge: "I am definitely dressed in red today; the Crown Prince wouldn't wear all green to match me, would he"

The corners of the green hedge moved twice, yet ultimately nothing was said.

The green hedge, feeling quite helpless, cautiously glanced at Qi Sheng and quickly nodded at me.

I seek the green hedge among the gaps in the crowd: "Green hedge, I---"

The green hedge pinched me hard, and I turned to look at her. She still had a smile at the corner of her mouth, then glanced at Qi Cheng in the hall and gave me an encouraging look

Life passed in a blend of brightness and sorrow, until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, when the green hedges finally swept away their look of resentment. From the moment she got up in the morning, she began rummaging through boxes and cabinets to find the attire needed for the evening banquet. Seeing her busy and cheerful, I could not bear to deprive her of this small joy, so I allowed her to fuss over me and my appearance.

As I stepped out of the palace door, holding onto the green hedge, I suddenly recalled the words I had been interrupted countless times, so I turned to look at the green hedge, wanting to say something but hesitating.

Little did I know that no matter how much I spoke, the green hedge merely gazed at me silently, its sympathy evident, clearly conveying: You need not say anything... I... I understand it all...

I suppressed my excitement as I stepped forward, feigning grace as I adjusted Huang Liangyuan's collar, helped Li Chenghui smooth the tassels at his waist, and tidied Chen Liangdi's hair at her temples... Just as I was about to crouch down to arrange the hem of Wang Zhaoxun's floral skirt, Lu Li could no longer bear it and pulled me back, forcing a smile as she said, "Your Highness, please hurry, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is about to arrive at the palace gate"

Qisheng remained completely still, his hands still outstretched, and he said indifferently: "Change your clothes"

I looked up at the palace gate, then lowered my head to glance at the green hedge, and asked in confusion: "Why hasn't my Laba congee been served yet?"

Green hedge, I——

In order to deceive myself, I did not even dare to look in the mirror, pretending that I was invisible.

Perhaps sensing my growing unease, Lu Li quickly approached from the side, signaling to the nearby palace maids while going to fetch a cloak for Qi Cheng. The palace maids nearby, seeing this, hurriedly gathered around, some assisting Lu Li, while others came over to help me change my clothes

Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Lǜlí stopped laughing. She glanced at the entrance of the hall, then lowered her head and carefully performed a bow, calling out: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince"

I followed the gaze of the green hedge and saw that Qi Sheng had turned back, looking at me expressionlessly, slowly raising both arms.

The green hedge interrupted me: "Your Highness! You must go!"

The green hedge choked back tears and said: "Your Highness, he... will surely come to his senses one day."

The green hedge let out a chuckle.

Accompanied by a group of radiant beauties, they strolled gracefully, but upon reaching the palace gate, they did not see the figure of Prince Qi Sheng. It then occurred to them that women are inherently prone to exaggeration, and thus, the words of Lu Li were not to be trusted. Consequently, they had no choice but to wait at the palace gate with a group of delicate beauties, waiting for about an hour, when Qi Sheng finally appeared in the distance

I said again, "Alright, stop crying, quickly bring that plate of spicy chicken cubes closer, it's too far away to reach!"

I was left speechless by this girl, so I could only gently pat her back and softly say: "Good girl, Lǜlī, are you complaining that I eat too much?"

Yet in my heart, I can only think that tofu cannot be consumed in a single day, so let it be.

A palace maid hurriedly stepped forward to cleanse my face and hands with a hot towel

As the year draws to a close, the palace has also become busy. Ever since Qi Sheng left my hall in a huff on the eighth day of the new year, he has not set foot in my hall again. He only summoned me during the few days of the New Year, then took me out for a few rounds, making appearances before the various palace ladies. Aside from that, he has shown no interest in me whatsoever.

Fortunately, Qi Sheng was always indifferent, wearing a cold expression towards everyone. This made me feel much more at ease. Then, after hearing a few words from Qi Sheng, he sent all the beautiful ladies away, which filled my heart with even greater joy. I couldn't help but turn to glance at Lu Li, and to my surprise, I saw a hint of delight in her eyes as well.

The green hedge quickly asked in a low voice: "Your Highness, is there anything else?"

Little did I know that Qi Sheng remained silent, merely turning to walk towards the East Palace. When I saw Qi Sheng enter my hall, it suddenly dawned on me—oh no! This fellow, with so many beautiful women available, wouldn't be coming over to sleep with me, would he

I also scrutinized him from head to toe, and fortunately, he was not dressed in all green. I finally let out a sigh of relief and turned to the book.

In fact, as a grown man, I find it quite bothersome to wear bright colors all day long. However, considering that it is the New Year, which should be a time of celebration, I obediently changed into the bright red palace skirt prepared by my family, and then draped a large red cloak over it.

The green hedge wiped away its tears fiercely and looked up at me: "Your Highness, we must make that wretched Jiang suffer a fate worse than death!"

I couldn't help it and tightened my grip on the hand that was supporting me on the green hedge, giving her a slight smirk.

The green hedge returned a smile to me, and firmly grasped my hand.

Emotions and reason were fiercely battling in my mind. In the end, I convinced myself with the phrase "Han Xin still endured humiliation under the crotch". Then, under the watchful eyes of the palace maids, I closed my eyes, gritted my teeth, and stepped forward to give Qi Cheng a tight brotherly hug

As he left, whether it was the green hedge or not, I was also taken aback, and it took me quite a while to regain my composure. When I looked down again, I saw that the green hedge had already knelt beside me, gazing up at me with concern, calling out: "Your Highness..."

I let out a long sigh towards the sky, finally giving up

This is the third time I have met Qi Sheng, and he seems to be a bit darker than the last time. My feelings of annoyance have diminished somewhat; after all, a man looks more like a man when he is a bit darker

I turned around and saw the numerous concubines of the Eastern Palace waiting outside the hall, and my eyes instantly brightened. Ah! Truly a scene of a thousand charms and a hundred beauties, each captivating in their own right

Lü Li, however, was watching with red-rimmed eyes beside me. When I handed her the bowl again, asking her to serve me some more, Lü Li suddenly knelt at my feet with a thud, holding me and whispering through her tears: "Your Highness... please do not torment yourself any longer"

Qi Sheng shot me a cold glance, the corner of his mouth seemingly raised in a chilling smirk, which startled me and made my heart skip a beat. I almost dropped the hand of the green hedge right then and there, wanting to shout out loud: "You, the beauty of the Eastern Palace, I have not touched a single one of you!"

Thus, I continue to revel in my freedom, while the green hedge still laments its own.

Leading a group of charming young women through the formalities, after exchanging a few pleasantries, I turned around to see the glint of mischief in the eyes of the beautiful ladies. I felt quite displeased and truly wanted to educate these female compatriots: You superficial admirers of beauty! You never realize that a man's inner qualities are far more important than his appearance!

I was taken aback, and after pondering for a moment, I finally understood Qi Sheng's meaning. I felt a rush of heat to my forehead and almost cursed out loud. As a grown man, I have endured the tumultuous waves right beneath my eyes every day; how could I possibly be impatient with you all?

You can't wait any longer, and neither can your whole family

I never expected that the green hedge would also be a kindred spirit; I truly wish to hold her hands and call her comrade: it turns out you too cannot bear to see these beauties fall victim to Qi Sheng's malicious hands

I couldn't help but laugh along, softly saying: "Silly girl, during the New Year, one should smile more."

Indeed! It is a complete case of talking at cross purposes

Thus, I also imitated Qi Sheng's manner, slightly spreading my hands, allowing the palace maids to assist me in loosening my garments and unfastening my belt

Is this asking me to come over and give a hug

I glanced at the urgency in the eyes of the green hedge, then turned to see the astonishment in the eyes of the beautiful ladies, and could only nod and say: "Very well, let us go now"

Once again, a palace maid pressed me down onto the stool, surrounding me from all sides, with some applying makeup and others styling my hair

Ah? So it turns out that a hug is not what he wanted! I awkwardly released my hand, pondering whether this gentleman actually wanted to change clothes or if he needed to relieve himself