Chapter 8

What to do after a period of time

What a melodramatic palace drama this is! Yet, I am still the most malicious supporting female character in it

Yang Yan sighed again, saying: "The ancients were indeed very right! It is better to offend a petty person than to offend a woman"

Moreover, what about the younger brother's wife? Yang Guifei was also the daughter-in-law of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, yet she became a consort as usual, didn't she? Status is not an issue! ... Furthermore, Qi Sheng has also mentioned this to the Jiang family: ...? ... Will you wait for me for a while, alright?

His grandmother's Star Lord of Destiny, it's fine if you make me a tragedy, at least give me a male supporting character!

His figure was too swift, leaving me somewhat dazed. After a moment, I turned to ask the green hedge: "What is he here for today?"

I had already caught him by the neck, but upon hearing this, I loosened my grip, grabbed his collar, and squinted my eyes, saying: "Are you implying that my original physique was not handsome enough?"

Lü Li, thinking that she was still troubled by the matter concerning the Jiang family, gently advised: "Your Highness, you are the Crown Princess, the future mother of the nation. Why should you be upset over that lowly Jiang woman and His Highness the Crown Prince? No matter what, you are the legitimate and formally married principal consort, while Jiang has become the Princess of Zhao, the sister-in-law of His Highness. No matter how seductive she may be, what kind of storm can she possibly stir up?"

I acknowledged the reasonableness of the green hedge and quickly nodded, saying, "Noted, I will have less interaction with them in the future"

They? The green hedge turned to look at me, "Of course, they are staying in the palace."

In the end, the green hedge, feeling soft-hearted and unable to bear it any longer, cautiously asked me: "Your Highness... won't you hit... that... what is it called?"

I was startled and instinctively asked: "Where is the *picture* book going?"

I finally released my grip with satisfaction, but then I reconsidered and quickly grabbed the neck of the Star Lord of Destiny with both hands, angrily saying: "Is this your way of repaying me? It's one thing that you won't let me be the crown prince, but why do you have to mock me by giving me a female body? Hurry up, if you know what's good for you, send me back to my original body! Otherwise... don't blame me for being rude!"

The Star Lord of Destiny was choked to the point of coughing, and hurriedly said: "Quickly loosen your grip, if you act violently towards me, you will not have a good outcome!"

The green hedge only regarded my anger, hastily putting down the work at hand, squatting beside me to offer comfort: "Your Highness, you must not be provoked. That wretched woman may now hold the title of princess, but when she comes to our home, she remains a distant relative. You are the legitimate eldest daughter of our family; your status cannot be compared to that of a mere distant cousin who has only a few connections."

"What the hell, I've come this far, what do I have to fear from retribution?" I exerted more force in my hands and shouted directly at the Star Lord of Destiny: "Send me back, back!"

Return to tranquility, return to tranquility, is it a return to tranquility?

"No! No! Please don't!" Yang Yan was so frightened that he immediately sprang up from his chair, rushed a few steps to the door of the hall, and shouted, "I must take my leave now, no need to see me off!"

Forget it, I might as well wash up and go to sleep

I rarely see her like this, and I couldn't help but ask, "What is it? Go ahead and speak!"

I stopped, and indeed saw Yang Yan only lowering his head in silence, which startled me deeply. I was frightened; revenge is justified, but if it leads to loss of life, it would be considered excessive retribution.

I was startled and instinctively asked, "Where to go back?"

The green hedge immediately covered her mouth with her hand, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, and her eyelids turned red in an instant. She gently comforted, "Your Highness, why do you ask such a question? You are the most gentle and docile woman in this world, not only beautiful in appearance but also kind in nature..."

Yang Yan let out a cry, exclaiming, "Are you still not a woman?" Without waiting for the palace maid to take the music score, she waved her hand and turned to run away. By the time the next sentence came through, she was already in the courtyard: "I will never eat osmanthus cake again in my life."

I couldn't help but dwell on Yang Yan's words from earlier, feeling somewhat frustrated. I walked around the hall twice, but my mood still did not improve. Unable to contain myself, I turned back and asked Lu Li, "Am I considered a woman?"

I initially intended to properly educate the green hedge, but upon reconsideration, I decided against it, and thus I sat quietly once more

After being submerged for more than three months, Qi Sheng finally surfaced, claiming that he wanted to accompany me back home.

They do not return to their parental home? I wondered, "I have already gone back."

God, just let me die!

The green hedge replied resentfully: "That wretched woman has no maternal family; she must shamelessly return to our home."

I noticed a hint of disdain on Lv Li's face when mentioning Huang Liangyuan and others. Alas, young Lv Li, if you continue like this, you will inevitably attract trouble. You are still too young and do not understand us men well enough. What master and servant? Novelty is the true path! Just as it is said, a wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a secret affair!

He would have been better off not mentioning the sheet music, but once he did, I immediately recalled that day in the restroom, where I stood right next to the restroom attendant, fumbling around for quite some time without managing to retrieve anything, which was quite embarrassing. Therefore, I said no more and simply called out loudly: "Green Hedge, pack up the osmanthus cake with the books for him!"

Perhaps the resentment towards the Star Lord of Destiny moved the heavens and the earth, and at night I dreamt of him. He looked the same as before, and upon seeing me, he first hesitated for a moment before saying: "Indeed, this physical form suits you better; it is much stronger than your original appearance"

The green hedge murmured softly, its expression serene and tone gentle, gradually calming my heart. As I listened, I unexpectedly felt drowsy. Just as I was lost in a daze, I suddenly heard the tone of the green hedge shift, turning into a voice filled with resentment: "It is truly detestable that that wretched Jiang woman is returning; she will undoubtedly try to seduce His Highness the Crown Prince again!"

The green hedge replied: "How can they be compared to Your Highness? You are the wife, they are concubines; you are the master, they are servants"

Yet in my heart, I think that Qi Sheng is, after all, a man with both a wife and concubines. The Daughter's Festival lasts only a few days; can he manage all his numerous fathers-in-law? I initially wanted to ask Lu Li, but then I realized that I already have the reputation of being half-mad. If I were to ask random questions, I fear I would not be far from being truly foolish. Forget it, I shall not discourage Lu Li.

The green hedge had not yet responded, but Yang Yan returned again, though he did not dare to enter the palace gates. He merely leaned at the entrance, poking his head in, and extended a few sheets of paper, calling out: "Delivery of the musical scores, musical scores, Ninth Brother asked me to bring these scores of the three or six short tunes to Her Majesty."

The Star Lord of Destiny repeatedly said: "Handsome, handsome, handsome"

The green hedge smiled faintly at my words.

... ...

We can't go back!" the Star Lord exclaimed, his face flushed with frustration

I was momentarily at a loss for words when he questioned me, unsure of how to respond.

On the night before the return ceremony, Lvy Li was joyfully organizing my belongings for me. I sat silently on the couch, resting my chin on my hand, watching her flit about like a butterfly. Lvy Li, concerned for me, would occasionally turn around to check on me. Seeing that I was not doing much, she would turn back to her tasks.

Ha, Green Hedge, you truly know how to comfort people, so much so that I have even lost the will to live.

I gaze at the green hedge, thinking, dear girl, you are still too naive, not understanding the thoughts of men. Just now we mentioned that a wife is not as good as a concubine, and a concubine is not as good as a secret affair. Do you know that behind this secret affair, there is another one that cannot be obtained? It is this last one that is truly held close to the heart.

The green hedge replied resentfully: "That wretched woman has no family to return to; she must shamelessly come back to our home."

In a moment of surprise, Yang Yan seemed to move slightly, then coughed twice before slowly turning his head. His face was covered in moisture, and it was unclear whether it was tears or tea that had splashed on him from the green hedge. He silently stared at me for a while, then wiped away a tear and hoarsely asked, "What kind of grudge could lead you to be so ruthless..."

The Daughter's Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival, involves wearing mugwort leaves and five poisonous spirit talismans. This summer custom lasts from the first to the fifth day of the fifth month, where young girls adorn themselves to the fullest extent. Married daughters also return to their parental homes during this time, hence it is called the Daughter's Festival

The green hedge glanced at me cautiously and said softly, "Although His Highness the Ninth Prince is a biological brother to His Highness the Crown Prince, the Ninth Prince is already of age. Your Highness should not request this musical score from him, lest it give others the opportunity to say that you and the Ninth Prince have an improper relationship."

The green hedge walked over and picked up the sheet music one by one, returning to hand it to me. She gently bit her lip, revealing a moment of inner conflict, before saying: "Your Highness, this servant has something to say, but is unsure whether it should be spoken."

I just can't believe that the Jiang family is actually related to the Zhang family and is also a library. After all this time, is it still a case of sisters competing for one man? I am bewildered

The words from the green hedge began to increase as it busily murmured: "Since last year's Daughter's Day, the lady has not returned to the residence for a whole year. The old lady and the madam must be quite worried. This time, when she returns, we can have a good talk. The young ladies at home have also not been seen for a long time; I wonder if the young miss has grown taller... The garden at home has the finest flowers and trees; I wonder how they have fared this year..."

I was suddenly at a loss, wanting to ask but not daring to, stammering as if I were constipated, turning beet red from the effort.

Looking up again, the green hedge is gazing at me with a sorrowful expression

One may think about it, but once a doubt takes root in the heart, it is like a cat that has been locked away from the spring. Eventually, unable to hold back any longer, I indirectly asked: "Green Hedge, we are returning home, but what about Huang Liangyuan and Chen Liangdi?"

I lowered my head and looked at my well-developed "chest muscles" with a gaze filled with sorrow and indignation for a long while...! ... How wonderful it would be if this were on my wife!

This statement struck a nerve with me; the slight feeling of guilt that had just arisen in my heart was completely shattered by this "woman." Anger surged within me, and I immediately shouted, "Lu Li, feed him osmanthus cake and give him water!"

What a lovely green hedge, you finally said a few words that I enjoy hearing

Naturally, once the old emperor has passed away, Qi Sheng will become the new emperor, and then he will find ways to seize control of the Jiang family.

For several consecutive days, I have been feeling depressed because I have to follow a group of young women and wives in celebrating this Daughter's Festival

Perhaps the green hedge noticed my increasingly gloomy expression and hurriedly added, "If you do not consider yourself a woman, then there are only rough men left in this world"