Chapter Twenty-Six: As If Engaged in an Intimate Act
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Yin Jiaojiao stared blankly at the carefully prepared escape seat across from her. To be safe, she had even hidden a shield under the side table, which could be raised in a crisis to provide some protection. But now, it was all gone.
The Crown Princess seemed to sense the overwhelming grief and anger emanating from her, and wanted to say something. However, Xiao Yuanxi beside her stopped her with a shake of his head, so she could only sit back down and look at Yin Jiaojiao with pity.
“Sigh.” Yin Jiaojiao lowered her head and looked at the newly added plates and cups on the table. “Your Highness, this was your chance to avoid being alone with Madam Sun. Don’t blame me later.”
Xiao Yuanchi lifted his robe and sat down. Hearing this, he glanced at her sideways.
The woman sat with brows furrowed and eyes downcast, slack and unwilling, her entire demeanor radiating discontent—not a mere pretence of retreat but genuine unwillingness, as if he were some filthy and vexing existence.
Yin Jiaojiao had not been like this before. No matter how far apart they were, she would always call his name first, then bounce and jostle her way to him, offering a bright, radiant smile.
Xiao Yuanchi suddenly recalled Mr. Zhang’s words yesterday: “Give up.”
He snapped impatiently, “Boring!”
Yin Jiaojiao snorted.
With this little episode concluded, the banquet officially began.
As usual, a few lively plays were performed first to accompany the guests as they ate, drank, exchanged gifts, and chatted.
Since this was Consort Gu’s and Gu Xuezhi’s birthday, Yin Jiaojiao had little room to shine. She ate and drank silently, only responding when asked. Though her escape plan was ruined, it didn’t mean she was in danger.
Guards were stationed both inside and outside, and Su Zhengqing stood nearby waiting. The key was to avoid getting close to Xiao Yuanchi.
That Luo Xiang was a ruthless character—she had decisively taken her own life upon realizing her assassination attempt failed, moving so fast that Xiao Yuanchi had no chance to spare her. Such a fierce person, as long as she didn’t cause trouble, could strike true in one blow.
After comforting herself for a while, Yin Jiaojiao finally summoned her spirits again.
“After today, Xuezhi will be twenty-three. Alas, if all goes well, she should have at least one son and one daughter by now.”
“Indeed, sister,” one said. “Xuezhi has had a hard life. If her elder brother were still alive, he would surely find her a good match. Once she is settled, I will have nothing to worry about.”
The two consorts in the seat responded in harmony. Yin Jiaojiao let their words pass through one ear and out the other, quietly nursing her drink.
“Little sister looks tired,” Xiao Yuanxi’s caring voice sounded. “Is the play not enjoyable?”
The Crown Prince had been silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, he pointed directly at the play on stage. A little monkey performing somersaults suddenly knelt down with a thud, and then everyone in the troupe, both front and back stage, knelt and called out, “Your Highness, please forgive us!” This interrupted the two consorts who had just begun speaking.
Yin Jiaojiao hurriedly put down her cup and waved her hands desperately. “The play is very good, I’m not tired!”
“Brother must be seeing things from such a distance,” Xiao Yuanchi said loudly. “Our Jiaojiao is radiant and lively, even more spirited than that little monkey doing somersaults.”
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Yin Jiaojiao repeated silently several times to herself not to argue with the dead and barely suppressed her anger, forcing a smile.
“Yes, I am very spirited.”
“Comparing your wife to an actress, Seventh Brother, luckily your sister-in-law is broad-minded,” Xiao Yuanxi said, holding a cup of wine. “If she were a meticulous girl like the Princess of Ningyuan, and your wife, you wouldn’t be so careless now.”
Consort Gu, interrupted and somewhat displeased, was caught off guard when the Crown Prince brought it up again. She quickly responded, “Meticulous or not, Xuezhi is a sensible and broad-minded girl. She won’t take teasing to heart.”
Xiao Yuanxi laughed. “That’s true. To endure the rumors outside and still deliver the invitation to the Eastern Palace, and have Ru Yu pay a visit, she really is quite sensible.”
At these words, several faces at the table changed color.
Only Consort Gu remained unaware and smiled more brightly.
“Xuezhi has told me several times she finds the rumors outrageous. The common folk’s gossip tires you brothers and causes you to avoid each other. Why bother? You should spend more time together and not let outside matters affect your brotherly bond. Today, on her birthday, she’s been bold. Prince and Ru Yu, I hope you don’t mind her recklessness.”
“Of course not. The Princess of Ningyuan’s intentions are like a national treasure; she truly has her father’s bearing,” Xiao Yuanxi stood. “A toast is in order.”
Yin Jiaojiao did not expect even the Crown Prince to praise Gu Xuezhi. Before, he had insisted that a clumsy woman was worth far more than a refined orchid, which had made her grateful for some time. As expected, men were all the same—none had good taste.
Reluctantly, she stood to raise her cup, but the wine cup was suddenly taken away.
Taken by Xiao Yuanchi.
Only then did Yin Jiaojiao realize he hadn’t stood up.
“Brother, why are you meddling in the toast?” His sharp gaze said, “Sit down!”
Except for the elders in the front seat, almost all the guests stood up. Yin Jiaojiao dared not sit but was even more afraid to stand, so she bowed and said, “Your Highness, they were praising your sister. Why are you angry?”
“...”
Seeing his silence, she added, “You wouldn’t be jealous of the Crown Prince, would you? He’s not Lord Lu—he’s not lecherous and wouldn’t covet your good sister.”
A trace of mockery flickered in Xiao Yuanchi’s eyes.
“One more word and I’ll have Su Zhengqing burn all your scripts.”
Yin Jiaojiao loved reading scripts and listening to plays. Many long nights in the mansion were accompanied by stories full of twists and turns. Xiao Yuanchi, you scoundrel!
Her eyes rounded in accusation: “You’re bullying me!”
Meanwhile, Gu Xuezhi had already stood up. Unlike Consort Gu, she was less joyful, frequently glancing sideways. Xiao Yuanchi whispered to Yin Jiaojiao, sitting close. From her angle, Xiao Yuanchi’s arm was loosely around Yin Jiaojiao as he tilted his head to speak. Half of Yin Jiaojiao’s face blocked him, making it seem less like a conversation and more like an intimate act.
And he refused to stand.
Could it be that he was displeased she had invited the Crown Prince?
Yet even if he was unhappy, he should have considered her face. Why such stubbornness?
Gu Xuezhi spoke hoarsely, “Your Highness, you flatter me. Xuezhi is unworthy.”
“I say you are worthy,” Xiao Yuanxi said to Seventh Brother, “Do you think the Princess of Ningyuan acted wrongly?”
All eyes converged. Xiao Yuanchi first grabbed Yin Jiaojiao’s shoulder, pressing her back into her seat, then leaned boldly against the chair.
“Brother, the Qingzhou case is still unresolved. Having you, a suspected party, come to my court as the presiding judge—where is the propriety?”
“Yuanchi!”
Consort Ji slapped the table. “How dare you speak to the Crown Prince like that!”
“Mother, he is my elder brother. There should be no secrets between us. Even before Father, I say the same.”
The atmosphere instantly stiffened. Neither the actors on stage nor the guests dared to breathe loudly.
After a moment, Xiao Yuanxi said, “Seventh Brother remains as straightforward as ever. Consort Ji, no offense intended. I admire his honesty.” His gaze then shifted sideways. “Sister-in-law, don’t you think my sister and I shouldn’t be here?”
Before Yin Jiaojiao could answer, she felt the arm around her waist tighten.
“I…”
“State affairs are beyond a woman’s understanding,” Xiao Yuanchi said coldly. “Brother, aren’t you overly concerned about your wife?”
This was even more shocking than before.
Consort Ji’s scalp nearly exploded. She could no longer endure it and stood with a slap of the table.
“Yuanchi!”
Thud!
Then came a series of crashing sounds as cups and plates shattered.
A scream followed: “Princess! Princess, what’s wrong?”
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