Chapter 17: In My Heart, There Is Only Room For Your Highness!
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
New Names
李睿渊 - Li Ruiyuan (Emperor)
李承哲 - Li Chengzhe (Grand/Eldest Prince) (Li Qiubai's brother from the same mother)
李承丰 - Li Chengfeng (6th Prince)
邱盛 - Qiu Sheng (Emperor's Chief Eunuch)
_________
The Princess’ public humiliation of the Seventh Prince made Young Master Meng feel relaxed. After seating herself beside the Princess, she couldn't help but praise, "Your Highness, your mouth and tongue skill* is truly impressive!"
*口舌功夫 (Kǒushé gōngfū)- way with words/ art of speaking/eloquence, but literally it says mouth and tongue skill, going to use the literal because they're going to play on the word.
The Young Master's eyes curved with admiration. Seeing her delighted, the Princess involuntarily curved her lips too.
"Mouth and tongue skill..."
The Princess seemingly leaned slightly towards Young Master Meng and smoothly took hold of her arm. Then, leaning closer to the Young Master, she continued, "This, I haven't experienced yet. I wonder if this mouth and tongue skill is really as impressive as you say. How about... the husband tries it?"
Meng Chang'an: ???
After realizing the implications behind the words, Young Master Meng could no longer meet the Princess’ gaze.
Unlike the previously vague and obscure hints of affection, after the recent bold words from the Princess, the Young Master could effortlessly imagine the suggestive scenes concealed behind those words.
What is going on in your mind, Your Highness?
Meng Chang'an suddenly felt a headache. After holding it in for a long time, she could only say one sentence with a blushing face: "Is Your Highness still drunk? Why are you talking nonsense again?"
"This is not nonsense. I am clearly demonstrating through actions to teach you about proper conduct in society."
The Princess has restrained her suggestive, enticing smile, and started blabbering seriously: “I simply want you to understand that this is how the world works. Only by using their tactics against them can you avoid being manipulated. Just as I did with the Seventh Prince earlier, do you understand?”
Upon hearing this, Meng Chang'an unexpectedly began seriously pondering the hidden meaning behind the Princess’ words.
Her Aunt once said: “The path grows taller, but so does the devil; this way with words merely boils down to whose skin can be thicker.”
Mm, from this perspective, what Her Highness said does make sense.
Using their own methods against them. When faced with a sharp tongue, your tongue must be sharper to cure them. When encountering a malicious mind, you must be even more cunning to avoid being persecuted.
With this in mind, Young Master Meng suddenly realized and openly expressed to the Princess the truth she had grasped: "It seems that when Your Highness teases me, I must reciprocate with double the teasing to cure Your Highness."
The Princess was momentarily stunned, not expecting such insight from the young master. She couldn't help but burst into laughter, “Mm, that is the point. So, do you want to give it a try?"
Give it a try?
Young Master Meng quickly understood the situation and immediately, mimicking the Princess' usual unruffled demeanor smiled slyly and countered with a question.
"What to try? What are we trying? Are we trying Your Highness's mouth and tongue skills?"
Contrary to what Young Master Meng was thinking, even upon hearing such ambiguous words, the Princess remained composed without the slightest blush. She gently scolded, "What nonsense is the Young Master thinking? Of course, I meant for you to try 'repaying evil with evil'!"
When faced with the Princess’ ambiguous gaze, Meng Chang'an suddenly found herself in a dilemma.
Seems like she might end up leaving an impression of being a lecher in the Princess’ mind.
It's a pity that Young Master Meng underestimated the Princess’ abilities. Before she could decide how to respond, the Princess continued without pause: “Of course, if you truly wish to test your mouth and tongue skill, this Princess cannot bear to refuse. However, it is rather inappropriate in such a public place. If you really want to try, let us do it later at this Princess’ residence when no one is around!”
Yuechu, who was standing behind the two, ready to serve the Princess and her Consort, nearly burst out laughing at the conversation between the two, almost losing composure.
Mm, it seems that Her Highness' skill of talking nonsense with open eyes is really becoming more powerful, ah, even in flirting and teasing, you can pull out such a mouthful of great principles.
Seeing the Young Master Meng's flushed and frustrated expression, contrasted with the Princess' calm and composed demeanor, Yuechu already understood: in the end, this Young Master Meng wouldn't be able to defeat the Princess.
As Yuechu anticipated, this time Young Master Meng indeed learned a lesson. Witnessing the slight triumph on the Princess' face, Young Master Meng couldn't help but feel some regret.
Why did she fall into this person's trap so easily?
Before Meng Chang'an could properly reflect, the sharp call from a young eunuch outside the palace had already captured her attention.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Without giving the people inside the hall a chance to continue their conversation, the Imperial Guards clearing the way ahead had split into two rows and streamed into the Qining Hall, standing in perfect formation along the sides of the path.
Following them is the short-bearded Emperor, Li Ruiyuan, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, finally stepped over the threshold of the Qining Hall.
"Long live His Majesty! Long live, long live!"
Li Ruiyuan ascended the high platform step by step, heading towards the already arranged dragon throne. Only after settling onto the throne did he lift his head and sweep his gaze over the civil and military officials kneeling in the hall. He then declared loudly, “Everyone, please rise and take your seats!'
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Entering the hall alongside Li Ruiyuan, besides the Empress Consort at his side, was the Grand Prince, Li Chengzhe, dressed in a deep purple python robe, following closely behind.
Contrary to the usual protocol where Imperial Princes and Princesses were seated together, this time, the Grand Prince was uniquely arranged to sit by the Emperor's side, with the Empress on one side and him on the other.
As the palace attendants were guiding the yet-to-be-seated imperial ministers, taking this opportunity, Meng Chang’an had already glanced at the imperial family members seated on the high platform."
The children of the Li family were all exceptionally good-looking, even the eldest prince, who spent years campaigning on the battlefield, carried himself with the grace of a handsome young man.
As Meng Chang'an's gaze fell upon Li Ruiyuan's face, but before she could take a proper look, a chilling gaze swept from behind Li Ruiyuan.
When directly met with that somewhat warning-laden gaze, Meng Chang'an unexpectedly felt a chill, afraid to stir up trouble. The Young Master could only awkwardly retract her gaze, no longer daring to look at the Emperor any further.
However, just because Young Master Meng didn't dare to look at Li Ruiyuan again didn't mean that Li Ruiyuan hadn't noticed her.
Following the gaze of the commander of the Imperial Guards behind him, Li Ruiyuan glanced slightly to the side, briefly observing Meng Chang'an's uneasy expression. Without saying much, Li Ruiyuan silently turned back and gave a command to the chief eunuch by his side, “It is about time, start the banquet.”
Upon this, the chief eunuch, Qiu Sheng, cleared his throat and loudly announced, “Commence──the banquet!”
The music began as soon as the words fell. The palace maids, who had been waiting outside for a while, entered in an orderly manner, placing dishes on the tables in the hall.
Simultaneously, the prepared singers and dancers had already ascended the stage at the center of the grand hall, commencing the entertainment for this palace banquet.
On the surface, it looks like a peaceful scene of singing and dancing, but secretly, countless people are having small calculations in their hearts.
Just like the wedding banquet last night, Meng Chang'an always felt that she was out of tune with this palace banquet.
The courtiers were either praising the Grand Prince's victorious battle, offering congratulations to the Princess on her recent marriage, or commending His Majesty's illustrious lineage. It was all superficial talk. The more Meng Chang'an listened, the more disinterested she became. After watching several performances, the young master began to feel drowsy.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
After three rounds of drinks, the Emperor, who had been silently observing Young Master Meng for a while, finally put down his cup and asked the individuals seated at the Prince's table, “Lao Qi*, why do you keep sneaking glances at your Imperial Sister?”
*seventh son
Li Chenghuan was stunned, not expecting to be the first target of the Emperor's inquiry. However, after a brief hesitation, he decided to take advantage of the opportunity presented by Li Ruiyuan and shifted the focus onto Meng Chang'an.
“Your Majesty, I was not actually looking at my Imperial Sister, but at the Consort beside her…”
Before he could finish, the Sixth Prince, Li Chengfeng, sitting beside him, chuckled first and interjected, “Seventh Brother, why are you peeking at the Consort? Have you developed a preference for men?”
“Sixth Brother, what nonsense are you talking about?”
Before the Emperor, Li Chenghuan didn't dare to be as arrogant as usual. He just irritably nudged the Sixth Prince's elbow. Then he continued, 'I have been hearing rumors among the common folk lately, and got a bit curious, and wanted to ask the Prince Consort how tat night of the abduction by that errant, Lady Ye Wuyou, ended up with his return.”
However, he paused briefly, then Li Chenghuan shifted his gaze to Meng Chang'an sitting across from him, pretending not to know, and asked, “After all, that girl once vowed to keep you by her side for a lifetime. How could she easily let you go and marry the Imperial Sister?”
Upon hearing this, not only several curious Princes but even the Emperor seated on the dragon throne also turned their gaze toward Meng Chang'an.
Although Meng Chang'an was inwardly distressed, she tried hard to maintain her smile and calmly responded, "Rumors in the martial world should not be fully believed. Seventh Prince, do not be misled by those rumors. Lady Ye was merely playing a little joke with me and the Princess. She would not have done something so ridiculous.”
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the Ninth Prince, who had been quietly watching the spectacle, showed a keen interest. For a moment, he forgot about the present setting and eagerly added, “Oh? Is that so? But why have I heard numerous stories about your romantic affairs with Lady Ye? Were you not childhood sweethearts with an inseparable bond? It is said that both of you were a match made in heaven. Now, the Prince Consort left her for another woman. Are you not afraid she might secretly suffer from your departure? Oh, by the way, did Lady Ye agree to let you marry Her Highness because, as rumored, you promised her a place alongside Her Princess, having an equal footing?.”
If Meng Chang'an knew how Lady Ye would agree to release her elder brother, she wouldn't have to sit here pretending to be this fake consort, risking the crime of deceiving the Emperor.
The Young Master originally thought that the Princess beside her would speak up in her defense, but unexpectedly, the Princess not only didn't help her but also took advantage of the situation, adding, “Oh? Would the Prince Consort really allow this Princess and another woman to be treated equally in your heart?”
Now the Young Master felt as if her head was even more throbbing.
“How could it be..." Meng Chang'an looked helplessly at the Princess, trying to portray an affectionate couple's appearance, “In my heart, there is only room for Your Highness!”
Upon hearing this, the Princess expressed her satisfaction, saying, “Mm, that is just about right.”
Noticing the ambiguous glances coming from the direction where the Emperor and Empress were seated, Meng Chang'an nervously continued to fabricate, “Ninth Brother, do not let these martial world rumors deceive you. I grew up in Qingyang Clan since childhood, and Lady Ye grew up in Wushang Palace since her childhood. We only had a chance encounter in our early years; it is far from being childhood sweethearts with an inseparable bond. Those rumors are just idle tales fabricated at will by people in the martial world.”
This explanation seemed quite flawless.
Li Ruiyuan smirked slightly, glanced briefly at Li Qiubai's gentle smile, and ambiguously remarked, “The Prince Consort is indeed a young hero, quite charming and fortunate in love.”
Before the crowd began to interpret the Emperor's intentions, they saw the Emperor on the dragon throne casually say,
“I have heard that the Consort's swordsmanship is outstanding, and these performances have become tiresome. How about letting the consort perform a sword dance for the courtiers? Let everyone witness your exceptional swordsmanship that made you famous in your youth. It is also an opportunity for everyone to see the charm of the renowned Jade Swordsman.”
Hearing this, Meng Chang'an almost rolled her eyes and fainted on the spot.
She didn't know how to wield a sword, let alone perform the remarkable Lightning Swan* Sword Technique!
*Jinghong - can mean lightning-speed movement or a swift and graceful motion of a swan/goose/swallow
