Chapter 42 Consort Li’s Invitation

Chapter 42: Consort Li Summons Her

Consort Li knew Luo Qianxue's temperament all too well—domineering and ostentatious, yet no one dared to bully her. What had happened today?

"Mother, it's all because of that vile woman Ji Yuntang! You told me to visit her, but she splashed tea in my face and shoved me to the ground. My face really hurts, and I ache all over!"

"Mother, she is simply too arrogant. You must teach her a lesson for me."

Consort Li was taken aback. Was it really Ji Yuntang? Did she have the audacity to assault a princess?

"Xue'er, tell me honestly, did you say something to make her angry, which made her suddenly attack you?"

Guilt flashed in Luo Qianxue's eyes. She stamped her foot resentfully. "What could I have said? I just called her an ugly monster, and she flew into a rage."

"She is ugly—her face is swarthy and covered in blemishes. I was only telling the truth. What's wrong with that? If she's ugly, why can't people say it? It's simply outrageous!"

A dark glint passed through Consort Li's eyes. Knowing Luo Qianxue as she did, she understood that her daughter was holding back the truth.

However, she didn't mind in the slightest. She could guess with her little toe what her daughter had done.

She reached out and stroked Luo Qianxue's face, her heart aching. "Xue'er, you're injured today. Later, I'll send someone to Imperial Physician Zhu to fetch some skin-nourishing cream for you to apply."

"As for Ji Yuntang, leave her to me. I happen to want to see her as well."

After seeing Luo Qianxue off, the gentleness on Consort Li's face vanished without a trace. She cast a cold glance at Jian Lan beside her.

"Go to the Night Prince's Mansion and deliver a message: tell Princess Ye to come to Weiyang Palace first thing tomorrow morning to learn proper decorum!"

Jian Lan bowed and accepted the order. "Yes, Consort Li."

When Ji Yuntang learned that Consort Li wanted to see her, she wasn't surprised at all—it was within her expectations.

It had been nearly ten days since her marriage to Luo Junhe, yet Consort Li had neither visited them at the Night Prince's Mansion nor sent any gifts or even a single word of greeting.

It was as if, in her heart, she had already sentenced her own biological son to death.

Ji Yuntang didn't know exactly how Consort Li felt about Luo Junhe, so she decided to enter the palace tomorrow to see for herself and gauge the situation.

As soon as dawn broke, Tao Zhi came in and woke Ji Yuntang.

"Princess, get up quickly. You're going to the palace to see Consort Li today. You mustn't be late for this!"

Ji Yuntang glanced at the sky outside. It was only around six or seven o'clock in modern terms. She was just going to see Consort Li, not attending some state founding ceremony. Was it really necessary to go so early?

Nevertheless, she got up. Before entering the palace, she needed to give Luo Junhe another acupuncture session.

"Princess, what do you think of wearing this dress today?"

Tao Zhi brought over a purple cloud-silk gown with large silver butterflies embroidered at the hem, shimmering beautifully in the sunlight.

"Good, this one will do."

The purple gown fit her perfectly, her slender waist cinched with a matching belt, accentuating Ji Yuntang's graceful and tall figure.

Compared to her emaciated state when she first crossed over, she had grown a little taller now, and her body had become more proportionate through exercise.

"Princess, you look truly beautiful. This cloud-silk gown from Baocui Pavilion suits you perfectly," Tao Zhi praised sincerely.

Ji Yuntang smiled slightly. "You bought it for me from Baocui Pavilion, which shows you have good taste."

Tao Zhi felt a bit embarrassed by Ji Yuntang's praise. She thought the princess was truly magnanimous. If it were any other young lady from a wealthy family, she would have likely been sold off long ago.

In contrast, Ji Yuntang even gave her silver to purchase supplies from the streets, showing great trust in her.

While applying makeup, Tao Zhi asked, "Princess, should we cover this dark spot on your face?"

The Dongchen Kingdom didn't have cosmetics that could conceal spots, but Ji Yuntang had some. Last time, Tao Zhi had seen the dark spot on her face disappear with her own eyes.

"No need. Just apply light makeup. I'm going to learn etiquette today, not to compete in a beauty contest. Standing out too much would only make me an easy target."

Soon, Tao Zhi finished dressing and styling Ji Yuntang. She wore only a single exquisite begonia-patterned gold hairpin in her hair, with no other accessories. It looked elegant and graceful without appearing plain.

Since Tao Zhi kept urging her to hurry, Ji Yuntang quickly made some milk buns for breakfast and prepared a glass of milk and a bowl of vegetable noodles for Luo Junhe.

After he finished eating, she took out silver needles from her space and gently inserted them into the acupuncture points on his head.

"A He, this is the fourth time I've given you acupuncture. Do your eyes feel any better?"

Luo Junhe nodded, his voice warm. "Yes. After each session, my eyes feel warm every day, as if basking in sunlight. It's very warm and comfortable."

"That's good. The stagnant blood in your brain has been accumulating for too long. Clearing it won't happen overnight. After a few more sessions, you'll feel even more noticeable improvements."

After finishing the acupuncture, Ji Yuntang stroked Luo Junhe's head. "A He, I have to go out today. Be good and wait for me at home."

"I've left Chen Hu in the courtyard. If you need anything, just call him."

Ji Yuntang sensed that the relationship between Luo Junhe and Consort Li wasn't harmonious, so she didn't tell him she was going to the palace to see his mother.

Moreover, since she had struck Luo Qianxue, today's visit to the palace was unlikely to be just about learning etiquette. There might be more waiting for her, and Ji Yuntang was afraid Luo Junhe would worry if he knew.

She didn't mention it, and Luo Junhe didn't ask. Despite the countless worries in his heart, they condensed into a single sentence: "Alright. Then, A Tang, be careful. I'll wait for you to return."

Ji Yuntang waved goodbye to him. She took the Night Prince's Mansion carriage and entered the palace with Tao Zhi.

After announcing their arrival at the palace gates, a young eunuch came to escort them inside.

The Dongchen Kingdom's palace was magnificent and resplendent, with red walls, green tiles, pavilions, and towers. Two majestic stone lions guarded the vermilion gates, exuding an aura of solemnity and dignity.

As Ji Yuntang navigated the winding corridors and reached the rear garden, a panicked shout caught her attention.

"Something's wrong! The Seventeenth Prince has fallen ill and fainted. Go fetch the imperial physician quickly!"

A crowd gathered around the flower bed, chattering incessantly. Ji Yuntang couldn't see clearly. Just as she was about to approach, the young eunuch leading the way stopped her.

"Princess Ye, Consort Li is waiting for you at Weiyang Palace. Please hurry and follow me. Don't keep Consort Li waiting."

Ji Yuntang spoke coolly, pushing the young eunuch aside. "Can't you hear them saying the Seventeenth Prince is in trouble? I think matters of life and death are more important."

The young eunuch inwardly cursed Ji Yuntang for meddling in something that was none of her business, but he put on an obsequious expression and blocked her path.

"Princess Ye, you don't know medicine. It's better not to get involved. Please come with me to Weiyang Palace to see Consort Li."

"Silence!" Ji Yuntang shot him a cold glance, and the young eunuch felt as if he had been stared down by a venomous snake, a chill running down his spine.

When he tried to speak again, he suddenly found he couldn't make a sound.

It felt as if something was stuck in his throat, and no matter how hard he tried, not a single word would come out.

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