Chapter 429: Volume 1 Chapter 429 Hostage X Arrogant Princess (9)

The palace attendants behind Consort Yuan still feared the Sixteenth Princess; for so many years, she had been domineering and lawless in the palace, with no one daring to provoke her, and the consorts and attendants alike tried to avoid this little devil as much as possible.

Once, a concubine offended her; she had her head shaved and was sent to the lotus pond to scoop out lotus roots. The mud from the lotus-root pond blackened the water, and that concubine suffered terribly, fainting on the spot.

Because her long hair had been shaved off, the Emperor never again visited her chambers, and he turned a blind eye to the Sixteenth Princess's behavior, indulging her even more.

Consort Yuan had given birth to a princess and enjoyed excessive favor, but the Sixteenth Princess was ultimately the Emperor's beloved daughter; they dared not even breathe, all stepping aside to make way for her.

Consort Yuan remained utterly still, her slender fingers lightly gliding over her daughter's cheek in her arms, while the Nineteenth Princess slept soundly.

A flash of shrewd light crossed her eyes, her gaze teary and pitiful as she said, "Princess, I am utterly exhausted, truly worn out."

She ought to have been resting in the palace today, but after giving birth to the Nineteenth Princess she was weak and feeble; yet upon hearing that the Sixteenth Princess was walking her dog in Yuhua Yuan, she took the Nineteenth and left the palace gates.

She was well aware that, even after giving birth to a princess, His Majesty still favored the Sixteenth Princess more; for her daughter, it felt as if a great mountain loomed ahead, restricting her at every turn.

Only by eliminating the Sixteenth Princess would her daughter have a chance to rise.

This time presented just such an opportunity.

She's merely a nine-year-old child—what is there to fear in dealing with her?

Consort Yuan's calculations were precise; by staying perfectly still, she deliberately intended to provoke the Sixteenth Princess.

The Sixteenth Princess was indeed provoked by her: "Won't you move aside? Fine, very well—come, someone, push her aside for me."

Yan Shizhou, at her side, whispered in her ear: "Your Highness, you must not."

Being so close, warm, moist breath sprayed onto her pinkish-white ears; the little princess felt a tickle and dodged slightly, saying, "Just say what you have to say—I'm not deaf." Being this near, I even thought my own ears had gone deaf.

Yan Shizhou: ……

He slowly said: "Your Highness, Fortune is so hungry he can't walk; if we go on, he might faint from hunger here."

Fortune: "I don't have, I'm not—don't spout nonsense."

Jiang Zhi lowered her gaze to look at Fortune, who was shrinking behind Yan Shizhou.

Seeing his master paying attention to him, Fortune immediately put on a silly, goofy grin, tongue lolling out, drool dripping.

He looked quite hungry.

She still cared about Fortune, so she suppressed her anger and, reluctantly, said: "If that's the case, then let's head back."

Seeing they were about to leave, Consort Yuan grew anxious, stepped forward, and softly asked: "Princess, are you returning? I have prepared a table of pastries you like in my chambers; why not come to my palace and sample a few?"

The Sixteenth Princess had a sharp tongue, showing no mercy to anyone except the Emperor and Empress.

"Putting on an act—your palace's pastries aren't even eaten by Fortune; how could this princess deign to taste them? Take a look at yourself—are you even worthy?!"

Having said that, she departed arrogantly.

Left with her face flushed, Consort Yuan unconsciously clenched her fingers and pinched red the infant in her swaddling clothes.

The Nineteenth Princess woke from the pain, opening her mouth to wail loudly.

Consort Yuan, unable to attend to anything else, hurriedly began to soothe her.

Yet a reddened pinch mark remained on the Nineteenth Princess's face.

Night fell.

The snow covering the blue tiles gradually melted, water dripping down the eaves drop by drop, leaving Qing'an Palace quiet and cold.

Only when the Emperor arrived did it become lively.

The Emperor had come solely for the Nineteenth Princess; merely thinking of his little daughter's fair, lovable face made him eager.

Having reigned for so many years, he had only these two princesses, the rest being princes—how could he not cherish them?

"Go fetch the Nineteenth and bring her here for me to see."

Consort Yuan wore a troubled expression: "Your Majesty… the Nineteenth…"

Seeing her hem and haw, the Emperor grew impatient: "What has happened?"

Consort Yuan knelt on the ground, weeping, and said: "Your Majesty, a palace maid, unaware of her own strength, pinched the Nineteenth."

The nanny carried the Nineteenth Princess over to pay her respects.

At a glance, the Emperor saw the pinch mark on the Nineteenth's cheek, now turned purple, as if she had suffered a severe punishment—shocking to behold.

The Emperor flew into a rage.

…

Jingxi Gong.

Xiao Lian, while undressing His Highness, spoke of what had happened in the palace.

"His Majesty is furious; he has summoned an imperial physician to treat the Nineteenth Princess's bruise."

Jiang Zhi listened, sighing.

How awful.

Overcome with fatigue, she soon closed her eyes and fell asleep.

…

The Nineteenth Princess's hundred-day celebration was personally arranged by Consort Yuan and held in Yuhua Yuan.

With spring's arrival, floral scents and tree shadows mirrored each other; the palace's blue tiles and red walls shed their snowy hue, and the diffused sunlight shone upon the verdant branches of Yuhua Yuan, as the spring breeze swayed and the waters murmured.

Xiao Lian wore a thin spring undergarment, draped in light-colored outer robes, a heavy gold hairpin securing her hair, her cheeks dabbed with powder, adding a touch of refinement.

"Our princess is the loveliest in the palace."

Since it is the Nineteenth Princess's hundred-day feast, our princess naturally must not be outshone.

Jiang Zhi felt that, at her young age, she should not have to bear such a heavy burden.

"Such a banquet—better not to go."

She would rather stay in her chambers than attend to those sycophants.

"Your Highness, if you don't go, the Empress will blame you."

Jiang Zhi's eyes drooped.

After the palace maids had finished tossing her about, she left the palace and, looking ahead, saw a young man standing in the courtyard, his posture straight as pine and bamboo.

He wore a spotless white robe, his black hair like ink. Bright sunlight fell on his pale face, his brow deep, his appearance stunning.

The young man ought to be thus, dazzling beyond compare. Like the farthest, brightest star in the night sky, beyond reach.

Yan Shizhou was also looking at her, at her increasingly pink cheeks and her cute, clear smile.

"Yan Shizhou, you look like a sorry mess."

The words she spoke were usually ill-intentioned. She rarely praised others; unlike those who pretended to be kind, she never concealed her nature.

"Your Highness is absolutely right." Yan Shizhou clasped his hands and performed a flawless salute.

Jiang Zhi lost interest upon hearing that.

His words always left her speechless.

Who would echo another's malicious words?

Probably only he would do that.

"Hmph."

…

They arrived at the hundred-day banquet.

Though rested, Consort Yuan still lacked her former radiance; the furrows on her face could not be concealed by rouge and powder. Yet she wore a full smile, for she had given birth to the palace's second princess and had been lavished with favor these days.

The Emperor doted on the Nineteenth Princess, running to her palace every few days.

The Empress sat at a side seat, smiling without reaching her eyes until she saw her daughter, then she showed a genuine smile.

"I pay my respects, Father~"

Jiang Zhi performed the salute and knelt.

The Emperor saw her, his eyes brimming with undisguised joy.

"It's the Sixteenth who's come; hurry, come see your sister."

Jiang Zhi stepped forward as told and saw the Nineteenth Princess held in her father's arms.

Her cheeks were chubby, she waved and gave a silly smile.

"Quite… quite cute." Jiang Zhi lifted her chin, fidgeting as she offered praise.

She truly was cute.

The Emperor beamed: "If the Sixteenth says it's cute, then it truly is; Father also finds it quite cute."

Consort Yuan, seated on the left, had prepared herself, expecting the Sixteenth Princess to speak ill so she could add fuel to the fire.

But she hadn't expected her to offer praise.

This left Consort Yuan quite astonished.

The Empress was also surprised that her daughter would speak praise of the Nineteenth Princess; she felt both heartache and relief, her daughter had grown up and become sensible.

Jiang Zhi didn't think too much, chatted briefly with the Empress, then returned to her seat.

Last New Year's palace banquet, Yan Shizhou couldn't attend; this time, for the Nineteenth Princess's hundred-day celebration, he could accompany her, but only as an attendant reader.

At the banquet, Jiang Zhi openly humiliated him before everyone.

Soon after, "Yan Shizhou, pour tea for Your Highness!"

A moment later, "This tea is so hot—are you trying to scald Your Highness to death?"

She found fault everywhere, ordering him around like a servant.

The onlookers couldn't help but admire Yan Shizhou all the more; the Sixteenth Princess treated him thus, yet he bore no complaint and even attended her diligently.

Such disposition—no ordinary person could match it.

The banquet proceeded halfway.

The night was faint, the moon spread across the entire imperial palace.

Jiang Zhi felt bored, yet dared not leave early.

She feared a repeat of what happened on New Year's Eve.

She sat uneasily on her seat.

Yan Shizhou sensed her unease and asked, "Your Highness, are you tired and wish to return?"

Jiang Zhi glanced at him, hesitating, and said, "You… you accompany Your Highness back."

Yan Shizhou nodded.

Walking along the quiet night road.

Jiang Zhi's legs went weak; her mind filled with the black-clad figure she had met that night, sword in hand, as she had fallen into the cold pool and nearly lost her life.

Yan Shizhou's gentle voice sounded beside her, as if it could dispel the fear breeding in the darkness.

"Your Highness, are you feeling cold?"

Jiang Zhi naturally did not want him to know she was afraid; she raised the corners of her eyes, her pale fingers clutching her robe, trembling slightly.

"Yes." She said stiffly.

Yan Shizhou hesitated not, removed his outer robe, and draped it over her shoulders.

"I am not cold."

The moon-white outer robe exuded a faint woody scent, his essence.

Jiang Zhi lowered her gaze, sniffed, and her fear faded away.

She hummed, soft and murmuring, "Don't think Your Highness will be grateful to you; this is simply what an attendant reader ought to do."

Yan Shizhou didn't catch it: "What?"

Jiang Zhi turned her head, strode forward, and said, "Nothing!"

Returned to Jingxi Gong.

Jiang Zhi spoke in a tone of granting favor: "Go back."

Tonight I won't bully him; let him go for now.

Yan Shizhou stood where he was and slowly said: "I watch Your Highness return to the palace, then I will leave."

The arrogant little princess's expression was unmatched: "As you wish."

Having said that, she left.

Watching that black shadow disappear before the Palace Gate, Yan Shizhou then withdrew his gaze and went to the side hall.

…

Four years passed in the blink of an eye.

The little princess grew from a little girl's appearance into a young lady. Her looks were exceptionally outstanding, and her fame spread inside and outside the palace.

Praised as the number one beauty under heaven.

Those who had seen her or not all hoped to catch a glimpse of the Sixteenth Princess.

And the Nineteenth Princess born of Consort Yuan could not compare to her beauty at all.