After Becoming a Concubine, I Took Down the Princess - Chapter 21

Earlier, Liang Xiao wanted to arrange for Yan Heng to feign pregnancy. The two of them conferred and planned to stage a scene at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet to let everyone know that Yan Heng was carrying the “Imperial Heir.” This way, perhaps even before they could “miscarry,” someone would be impatiently rushing to eliminate the fake imperial child in Yan Heng’s belly.

Ever since Liang Xiao allowed Yan Heng to leave the palace, the days seemed to hold more promise. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, Yan Heng even found Consort Yu less displeasing to the eye.

That is, if Consort Yu hadn’t made things difficult for her.

“Before Consort Yan entered the palace, I heard that ‘one dance stirred Yan Capital.’ Tonight, at the Mid-Autumn family banquet, why not dance a tune for everyone to see?” Consort Yu narrowed her eyes, examining Yan Heng with ill intent.

Before entering the palace, she had spent some time at the Xiwan Brothel, but she never had the title of “one dance stirred Yan Capital.” This Consort Yu must have sent people to investigate her background, and today, she probably intended to expose her past to make her lose face.

Yan Heng’s talent for dancing actually came from her mother. Back then, her mother captured her father’s heart with a single dance. After Yan Heng was born, her mother taught her all her skills.

“Aren’t there dancers from the Music Bureau down there? Doesn’t Consort Yu like watching them?” Yan Heng sat below, having to look up to see Consort Yu, instantly losing some of her imposing air.

Consort Yu said, “The dances from the Music Bureau lack novelty. They are the same few routines every year; I’m tired of seeing them.”

Why weren’t the other concubines causing so much trouble? Wouldn’t it be better for everyone to play tile games together harmoniously?

They were all concubines in the harem, why insist on scheming against each other?

“Consort Yan is skilled at dancing. Performing a piece is not out of the question,” Liang Shu lightly coughed, casting his gaze over.

Yan Heng and Liang Xiao exchanged a look from a distance, thinking it was time for their performance to begin.

Yan Heng showed a bashful expression, rose to salute Liang Shu, and said, “Please forgive Your Majesty. Your concubine consulted the imperial physician yesterday, and the physician said your concubine is pregnant and truly not suitable for dancing.”

Liang Xiao took a small sip of wine, her eyes fixed on Yan Heng. Although she knew Yan Heng’s shyness was an act, when Liang Xiao saw her pitiable expression, her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

Liang Shu, seated in the main seat, heard the good news and couldn’t help but clap his hands in approval. He even stood up and walked over to Yan Heng, taking her hand and inviting her to sit with him.

“The palace hasn’t had an heir for a long time. Consort Yan—oh no, since you are pregnant, you shall be promoted once more and conferred the rank of Pin [Consort]!” Every word from Liang Shu’s mouth revealed his joy, and the mood of everyone at the banquet improved significantly, except for Consort Yu, who forced a smile.

She cursed Yan Heng as a vixen in her heart, secretly vowing never to let Yan Heng’s child be born successfully. If Yan Heng were to give birth to a prince, wouldn’t she rely on the child’s status to gain favor, and how could she monopolize the Emperor’s affection then?

Thinking this, Consort Yu’s eyes held a hint of resentment as she looked at Yan Heng.

“Congratulations to Your Majesty, congratulations to Consort Yan Pin, this is truly a joyous occasion,” Consort Yu stood up, holding a cup of wine, seemingly ready to toast Yan Heng and Liang Shu.

“Consort Yu is too kind. I must also thank Your Ladyship for the care shown to your concubine in the inner palace, allowing your concubine the chance to conceive an heir,” Yan Heng pretended to raise a cup of tea in return to Consort Yu.

The underlying meaning was that Consort Yu was no longer favored.

Liang Xiao lowered her head on the side, unable to suppress a laugh.

It was the first time she had seen Yan Heng directly retort to Consort Yu. She hadn’t expected this little fox to be quite sharp-tongued. Her previous worry that Yan Heng would suffer a loss in front of Consort Yu was unnecessary.

“Father Emperor must treat Consort Yan Pin generously. Your son is waiting for Her Ladyship to give birth to a younger brother or sister to play with your son,” Liang Xiao raised her head and looked at Liang Shu, saying.

Liang Shu had been Emperor for many years, and his heart was naturally as clear as a mirror. He knew that someone in the harem had been tampering with the imperial lineage, but the instigator was someone he couldn’t touch for the time being. He could only subtly warn them.

“Since Xiao’er is so happy, why don’t you look after Consort Yan Pin?” Liang Shu smiled, his words seemingly unintentional, but in reality, he was telling everyone that anyone who dared to harm Consort Yan Pin’s child would face a dire consequence.

“Although your son does not know how to care for a pregnant woman, your son will certainly protect Consort Yan Pin well for Father Emperor and will never allow anyone to harm… Mother Consort,” Liang Xiao slightly altered her address at the end, elevating Yan Heng to “Mother Consort” to raise her status.

However, these two words sounded particularly awkward to Yan Heng’s ears. Her earlobes were tinged with an almost unnoticeable blush, and even her cheeks felt a little hot.

After sitting a little longer at the banquet, Liang Xiao rose, “Father Emperor, your son feels slightly intoxicated and wishes to leave the banquet early to return to the palace to rest.”

Liang Shu was happy today, so he waved his hand in assent. Then he heard Liang Xiao continue, “The air here is thick with alcohol and might harm Consort Yan Pin’s health. Why not let her return to the palace with your son?”

Liang Shu nodded in agreement and even ordered his own palace attendant to personally escort the two back to Liang Xiao’s Liu Yang Palace.

When the two returned to the palace, Liang Xiao carefully groomed and dressed herself, emerging in men’s attire.

Yan Heng changed into a small palace maid’s outfit and circled her, exclaiming in praise.

“When Your Highness wears men’s clothes, you truly are handsome and refined, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, imposing and elegant…”

“Ahem,” Liang Xiao interrupted her, slightly embarrassed, “Let’s leave the palace once you’re ready.”

Yan Heng’s gaze, however, still lingered on her, “If Your Highness were a man, I might have fallen for Your—”

Liang Xiao curved her index finger and tapped her on the head, “Stop thinking about useless things.”

The banquet in the palace started early, so it wasn’t too late when the two left. It was only about You Shi (5 PM to 7 PM), and the moon had just appeared.

The two took a carriage and, after a bumpy ride, reached the palace gate. Upon seeing the Princess’s token, the Imperial Guards let them pass without a word.

Even though Yan Heng usually got dizzy sitting in a carriage, today, she was so excited that she felt no discomfort at all.

She hadn’t had a proper tour of Yan Capital since entering it, having been cooped up in the palace. As soon as she left the palace, she lifted the carriage curtain, curiously looking out.

Liang Xiao leaned out halfway and said to Yue Hua, who was sitting outside, “First, park the carriage back at the residence, then come out. Just have Yue Ying and Yue Heng follow from a distance.”

The Princess’s Residence was not far from the Imperial Palace but was some distance from the marketplace. The two got out of the carriage and walked for about half an hour to reach it.

Yan Heng had visited marketplaces in other cities before, but none were as bustling as Yan Capital. People were milling about, the lights were as bright as day, and the hawkers’ cries rose and fell, dazzling Yan Heng’s eyes.

“Buy whatever you fancy. This… ahem, this young master is paying today,” Liang Xiao looked at Yan Heng, her gaze softening.

Unexpectedly, Yan Heng eyed her suspiciously: “Are you sure you brought your money pouch, Young Master?”

Like she had been poked where it hurt, Liang Xiao said in annoyance, “I have money!” With that, she unfastened her purse and shook it in front of Yan Heng.

Yan Heng giggled, covering her mouth, and patted Liang Xiao’s shoulder, “I knew the Young Master was reliable.”

Tonight was a rare festive night. People who usually disliked going out were all on the streets. Although it wasn’t the Qixi Festival, many couples were still walking together, a subtle atmosphere of intimacy flowing around them.

Yan Heng had no mind for any of that; she was hungry. She hadn’t eaten much at the palace banquet, and now she was completely captivated by the street snacks.

After walking just a few steps, both of their hands were full of food. Liang Xiao looked at her rather helplessly: “You’ve bought so much, can you finish it all?”

Yan Heng tilted her head to look at her. Because Liang Xiao was half a head taller, she had to look up: “If I can’t finish it, I’ll save some for your little bodyguards. They must be tired from following us.”

“That makes sense.” Liang Xiao nodded, then waved her hand. The two bodyguards, who had been out of sight, suddenly appeared, startling Yan Heng.

“Here, take this,” Liang Xiao divided half of the food she was holding between Yue Ying and Yue Heng, “It’s from Miss Yan.”

Yue Ying was fond of eating and happily thanked Yan Heng. In the blink of an eye, the two were gone again.

Seeing Yue Ying, Yan Heng suddenly remembered something. She turned her head and asked, “That slightly shorter guard, is he the one who went with you to the Xiwan Brothel?”

“It’s him. Why?” Liang Xiao looked at her.

“I clearly used a immobilizing spell on him that day, yet he was able to break free,” Yan Heng pondered, stroking her chin, “That’s truly strange.”

Liang Xiao was quite curious: “Can’t humans break free on their own?”

Yan Heng pouted, “You look down on foxes too much! Of course, humans can’t break free on their own.”

Liang Xiao had given all the items to the guards. Now, she clasped her hands behind her back: “He was picked up by Aunt Yue Hua. He considers another of my residence’s shadow guards as his older brother, and he’s a year younger than me.”

“Picked up? The Princess’s Residence has such peculiar hobbies. Picking up a fox is one thing, but also picking up a—”

“Giddy-up!” A young master rode a horse through the bustling market. Seeing that he was about to crash into Yan Heng, Liang Xiao quickly reached out and pulled her, hugging her into her arms.

“Whoa!” The young master pulled on the reins. The horse reared its front hooves and stopped in front of the two.

Liang Xiao’s face was dark: “Yan Capital has rules; you cannot ride a horse at full speed on the street.”

The young master held a whip in his hand: “Who are you to dare meddle in my business?”

Then, his gaze playfully swept over Yan Heng: “Your little wife is truly beautiful.”

If Liang Xiao and Yan Heng were a real couple, the young master’s words would be a great insult. Yan Heng indignantly rolled up her sleeves, ready to scold him, but the arm Liang Xiao had wrapped around her waist suddenly tightened. Yan Heng was forced to press against Liang Xiao’s body.

Although Liang Xiao was looking up, she was, after all, the Princess of Great Ning. She didn’t lose any ground in terms of imposing presence and provocatively said, “The Young Master has good taste. Thank you for the compliment. My wife is indeed beautiful, but she is already mine.”

The young master chuckled, then swung his whip and rode forward, leaving a sentence floating in the wind: “Watch your wife carefully. Be wary that this young master might snatch her away.”

Yan Heng was so angry that she stomped her feet, completely forgetting that she was still in Liang Xiao’s arms. She looked up, directly meeting those eyes as gentle as water. The soft lamplight reflected in her eyes, and besides the light, there was only Yan Heng’s reflection.

Yan Heng was momentarily stunned, even forgetting how to speak.

“Staring in a daze?”

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