Seducing the Heart - Chapter 30

The Emperor held a banquet to celebrate the Grand Princess’s return to the country, and invitations had long since been dispatched to the civil and military officials. Consequently, officials arrived at the palace in succession at the appointed hour, some in carriages or sedan chairs, others on horseback or on foot.

Two young men rode their horses at a leisurely pace, chatting idly as they traveled.

“Efeng, the Princess Zhaoning you’ve been pining for has finally returned,” Zhou Zhongguang said with a joyful expression. “Make sure you find an opportunity to perform well these next few days.”

“Her Highness already has a Consort. There is no need for me to perform,” Yang Efeng retorted flatly. “Do not speak of this again in the future.”

“Efeng, what is wrong with you? That doesn’t sound like you.” Zhou Zhongguang pulled the reins and frowned in thought. “Is it because of what the Great General said to you before you left?”

Zhou Zhongguang stiffened his face, imitating Yang Guangying’s stern tone: “The Princess is already married. Cast away those feelings you once held and do not harbor any more delusions or obsessions.”

“What my father said was not wrong.” Yang Efeng’s brow furrowed and then quickly smoothed out.

Zhou Zhongguang was not looking at his companion and failed to notice that Yang Efeng’s expression was quite unpleasant during the imitation. In truth, he felt a deep rejection toward those words.

“Efeng, let me tell you, don’t just listen to your father. It was ridiculous for the Princess to go to the Cloud Kingdom for a political marriage in the first place. The officials only found out the next day. No consultation, no notice!”

“It was a classic case of acting first and reporting later. What a joke! With our Northern Chu’s military and financial strength, there was absolutely no need to send the only Princess of the Imperial City away for some marriage alliance!”

The matter had happened mysteriously at the time, yet the Emperor had lightly suppressed the discussion, allowing no further debate. The explanation given was ambiguous, merely stating he “had his own considerations.”

Regardless of whether Yang Efeng was listening, Zhou Zhongguang grumbled the entire way, urging his friend not to give up easily. Yang Efeng had secretly loved Princess Zhaoning for years but had never told her, choosing instead to hide his feelings. Though it was supposed to be a secret, many in the court knew, including the Emperor.

The Emperor had seemingly favored Yang Efeng; who knew why he suddenly allowed the Princess to marry away? If this so-called Consort turned out to be an unlearned, fickle scoundrel, would it not be a disgrace to the Princess?

“Enough. Zhongguang, shut up.”

“Ah? What happened?” Zhou Zhongguang was in the middle of his rant when Yang Efeng’s sudden interjection startled him. He even felt a bit aggrieved. “What, do you find me annoying now?”

He felt indignant: I am worrying so much about your life’s greatest matter, and instead of being grateful, you shout at me to shut up?!

Yang Efeng saw his thoughts and felt helpless. “Look up. We have arrived. Dismount.”

“Ah!” Zhou Zhongguang finally realized where they were. He tossed the reins to a guard and chased after Yang Efeng. “Efeng, wait for me!”

Yang Efeng urged him without turning back, “Just hurry up yourself.” If they were late, he didn’t want to be dragged into the embarrassment.

The banquet was already prepared, and the civil and military officials were guided to their seats by palace attendants. Tonight, Qin Zhanluo had chosen a magnificent red palace dress adorned with exquisite golden phoenix feathers, looking both noble and solemn. Her ink-black hair was tied up with a carved jade hairpin that Yun Jin had chosen for her, making her skin appear even more snowy and delicate. Every frown and smile was captivating.

Yang Efeng gazed at her with obsession, picking up his wine cup and draining it in one go. Of course, he also saw the person beside her. That person wore a black silk robe outlined with gold thread at the sleeves, with hair tied by a pure black jade hairpin. Her features were calm, yet they exuded an indescribable nobility. In terms of appearance, sitting next to Qin Zhanluo, they were a strikingly well-matched pair.

The officials behind them were also whispering about the Consort from the Cloud Kingdom, offering nothing but praise for Yun Jin. Princess Zhaoning had always been cold and aloof, yet now she allowed a man to sit beside her and even accepted the food he proactively placed in her bowl. It was clear she was indulging him.

Why? Was this marriage not supposed to be a matter of political expediency? Should they not be a couple in name only?

How far has their relationship progressed?

A surge of resentment filled Yang Efeng’s heart. He grabbed the wine pot to pour another drink, but his wrist was caught.

“Don’t be like this. That Consort only has a face that is barely passable; we don’t know about his other qualities yet.” Zhou Zhongguang glanced at Yun Jin and poured a cup for Yang Efeng. “How can a man be born so feminine? What if he’s just a pretty boy for show?”

Yang Efeng’s eyes flickered, and he picked up the cup. It wasn’t that he agreed with Zhou Zhongguang, but he realized he had nearly lost his composure due to his complicated emotions upon seeing Zhaoning again.

Zhou Zhongguang, thinking his words were effective, became even more spirited. “That Consort looks like a total ’embroidered pillow’—pretty on the outside but empty inside. Look at that frail appearance; he probably hasn’t even slaughtered a chicken.”

“Young General, watch your words. What era is this? Do we still practice the custom of valuing the martial over the civil?” Liu Yi, sitting beside them, could not listen any longer and spoke up. “This old official has never slaughtered a chicken either; so what?”

Liu Yi was elderly and highly respected, but his greatest taboo was people claiming civil officials were inferior. He never felt that scholars were beneath warriors. One governed national policy while the other fought on the front lines; both were pillars of the state.

“Grand Secretary, do not be anxious! Zhongguang did not mean it that way.” Yang Efeng knew they couldn’t afford to offend Liu Yi and quickly made excuses. “Zhongguang, apologize to the Grand Secretary at once!”

“Grand Secretary, forgive me. This junior truly did not mean to offend you, nor did I intend to target scholars.” Zhou Zhongguang felt a chill. Everyone in court knew how difficult the pedantic Liu Yi could be.

“Enough, I know your thoughts.” Liu Yi looked at Yang Efeng with a meaningful gaze. “Young General Yang, do you still have her in your heart?”

“This junior…” Yang Efeng hesitated, unsure of how to answer.

“Forget it. I can tell just by looking at you.” Liu Yi swirled his empty wine cup and narrowed his eyes. “I shall give you a hand.”

Yang Efeng’s eyes lit up. “Grand Secretary?”

Zhou Zhongguang was also overjoyed. Seeing Liu Yi’s demeanor, he proactively stepped forward to refill the wine. “Please drink slowly, Grand Secretary.”

“I am not doing this entirely for you. The tutor who once taught the Princess has a deep friendship with me. The Princess herself is a gifted soul; if she has truly married an unlearned waste, I naturally will not stand for it!”

“The Grand Secretary is right. Someone who matches the Princess should be a brave man of both virtue and talent. But I heard that this Consort frequently loitered in the pleasure districts in his youth, acting very fickle.” Zhou Zhongguang added embellishments to the rumors he had gathered, and sure enough, he saw anger appearing on Liu Yi’s face.

“Preposterous!” Liu Yi slammed his cup onto the table, splashing most of the wine. “He dared to seek out other women after marrying the Princess? What does he think our Northern Chu is? I will certainly give him a lesson!”

Zhou Zhongguang feigned a plea for him to calm down, but inwardly he was smug. He had truly done his best for his friend.

Halfway through the banquet, the interest in the singing and dancing began to fade. An official suggested that the guests find opponents to compose poetry and debate philosophy to add to the mood. The Emperor, finding the idea refined, readily agreed. Liu Yi stayed true to his word, as the official who made the suggestion was one of his disciples. The first person to be chosen as the “defender” of the stage was, without a doubt, Liu Yi himself.

After several rounds, no one could defeat him. In court, Liu Yi was known for his sharp eloquence, often leaving other officials speechless.

“As expected of the Grand Secretary. That literary battle was brilliant, leaving everyone silent.” Qin Yuxiao raised a cup to congratulate him. “Come, Grand Secretary, I toast to you.”

Liu Yi drank with the Emperor, then glanced toward the Princess’s seat, making a suggestion as if by chance: “Your Majesty, I feel that since this banquet is for the Princess and her Consort, and I see the Consort is truly a dragon among men… why not let him try to participate as well?”

“The Grand Secretary wants to test you,” Qin Zhanluo whispered to Yun Jin beside her. She perceived Liu Yi’s intent to make things difficult, but she wasn’t particularly worried about Yun Jin’s abilities. Yun Jin was no mere “embroidered pillow.”

“Can I win against him?” Yun Jin had already nodded to Qin Yuxiao, signaling her acceptance. She only worried that if she truly won, she might cause the old gentleman to lose face.

Qin Zhanluo picked up an exquisite shrimp dumpling and studied it. “The Grand Secretary has always judged people by their literary talent. If you can earn his recognition, he will cherish you.” In other words, there was no need for reservations.

“Mhm.” Yun Jin thought it over.

“Hmm?” Something was brought to her lips. Yun Jin instinctively opened her mouth, chewed a few times, and swallowed. The shrimp was plump and the juice sweet. She looked at Qin Zhanluo blankly, only to see the other woman acting perfectly natural. “Get your head back in the game, Your Highness. The Grand Secretary is beginning the challenge.”

Thus, Yun Jin turned her attention toward Liu Yi. Qin Zhanluo picked up another shrimp dumpling, placed it in her own bowl, and smiled silently.

The banquet ended, and the officials began to leave.

“Grand Secretary, wait!” a civil official caught up to Liu Yi, his tone indignant. “That Yun Jin was too much just now, actually refuting you in front of everyone…”

“Refuting me? Where did you see him refuting me?” Liu Yi stood still, stroking his beard, his sharp eyes falling on the man. Yun Jin’s performance had actually surprised him, and his prejudice had vanished. What satisfied him most was the junior’s humility and politeness. At the final moment of the debate, Liu Yi knew he had lost, yet the other party had intentionally provided him with a graceful exit.

These people are so shortsighted they see nothing, yet they think Yun Jin was trying to embarrass me. Ridiculous. How could such a person be the “shameless scoundrel” Young General Zhou spoke of? It was clearly a case of blackening a white name—pure nonsense.

“This official…” The man broke into a sweat, his legs trembling under Liu Yi’s gaze. He had been pushed into this, and he hadn’t expected to fail so easily.

Liu Yi glanced behind him and understood the man’s true motive. “Tell that Young General Zhou: do not think of making trouble for Prince Jin in the future. I have accepted him as the Consort.” With that, he swept his sleeves and departed. Having changed his mind, he had no intention of being influenced by Zhou Zhongguang’s instigation. He had spent half his life in the court; did they really take him for an old fool?

“Princess Consort, be careful.” When Yun Jin found Qin Zhanluo, she saw her walking unsteadily and instinctively stepped forward to support her. The woman in her arms had drunk quite a bit at the banquet and was now slightly intoxicated.

Yun Jin looked up toward a man a few steps away whose face was cold. Though her heart was on Qin Zhanluo, she had noticed this man also intended to reach out to help. She had happened to learn his identity at the banquet. Yang Efeng, the son of a general, the young General Yang who already held significant military honors.

“Consort, let us go back,” Qin Zhanluo said, her breath carrying a faint scent of wine. She leaned against Yun Jin, showing no intention of standing up. Her eyes were lazy, and she leaned into Yun Jin’s ear to add, “Let’s return to the sleeping quarters early. I am quite weary.”

From beginning to end, she did not give her attention to anyone else around her. Yang Efeng’s eyes darkened. He shot a cold look at Yun Jin and then turned to leave. Yun Jin felt an undisguised loathing from that single look. She felt surprised: We have only met once; why does he harbor such deep rejection toward me?

The person in her arms moved slightly, her tone flat but her intent to urge clear. “Consort… are you unwilling to leave? Have you taken a liking to someone here?”

Qin Zhanluo’s intoxication was fermenting, and she felt an uncomfortable heat. She just wanted to return to her quarters. Being held up by others made her lose patience; she didn’t want Yun Jin to pay them any mind. She only wanted her to take care of her; why bother with anyone else?

Yun Jin finally regained her senses and focused on bringing the drunken beauty back to the sleeping quarters. As for her earlier confusion, she had found an answer. That young General Yang was likely… an admirer of the woman in her arms.

After getting drunk, Qin Zhanluo seemed to become quite difficult. Once in the sleeping quarters, she refused to leave Yun Jin’s arms, clutching her clothes tightly. Yun Jin tried to gently move her hand away; though she succeeded, the effect was brief. The hand quickly found its way back to its original position. After two or three times, it was as if she were being mischievous.

Unable to handle the persistence, Yun Jin tried calling out softly, “Zhanluo…”

To her surprise, it worked. Qin Zhanluo looked up at her and considerately prepared to move her hand. Just then, Ying Xi walked in, seemingly to report something. “Her Highness, I—”

She stopped mid-sentence. Sensing the atmosphere was wrong, she turned to leave. This was not a scene she should have witnessed. She hadn’t meant to intrude, but entering right after them, she hadn’t expected her masters’ progress to be so fast.

“Wait, Miss Ying Xi, come back.” Yun Jin struggled to support the leaning Qin Zhanluo and called her back. “The Princess Consort is drunk and likely uncomfortable. Please find a damp cloth for me.”

Realizing she had misunderstood, Ying Xi nodded and hurried out. Within a moment, she returned with a basin of steaming water and a clean cloth. Qin Zhanluo had been helped to a reclining chair to rest. Ying Xi dipped the cloth into the water, but as she approached, Yun Jin stopped her. “I will do it. You may go and rest.”

Ying Xi nodded, stepped back, and turned to leave without looking back.

Yun Jin gently applied the cloth to Qin Zhanluo’s forehead and then intended to help her to the bed. In the time it took to put the cloth away and turn back, Qin Zhanluo was no longer in the chair. She seemed to still find it hot, for she was busily removing her clothes one by one. Her movements weren’t slow; she was already at the point of untying her undergarments.

Yun Jin reacted quickly and went over, helplessly stopping her actions, thinking of how to coax her to sleep peacefully. Qin Zhanluo looked up; though her eyes were clear, her mind was not. Yun Jin had a sudden inspiration, let go of her hands, and pointed to the soft couch. “Zhanluo, it is late. Why don’t you go to sleep with me?”

She watched as the woman, though silent, walked over and obediently lay down on the inner side, the position she herself had slept in for the past few days.

As Yun Jin followed, she thought to herself: Indeed, she seems to love hearing me call her name.

This kind of Princess Consort was unexpectedly a bit cute.

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