The Eldest Princess' Substitute Husband (Transmigration) - Chapter 16

“She gets it—it’s all an act.”

********

“My dear consort.”

“Huh?” Song Jinsheng snapped back to reality and looked at the person next to her, but the moment she met Wei Luoyi’s calm, amused eyes, that familiar feeling of awkwardness returned.

“Uh… Your Highness, please forgive me… I’m just afraid of these bugs.”

Especially cockroaches.

Thankfully, there weren’t any here.

Wei Luoyi’s eyebrow arched slightly, and she leaned in, her voice low. “It’s nothing. It’s perfectly normal. Everyone has things they fear.”

Song Jinsheng gave a polite, practiced smile and nodded.

She looked at Wei Luoyi and thought, Everyone has something to fear, but she couldn’t imagine what Wei Luoyi herself might be afraid of.

She seemed so detached, so indifferent to everything in the world.

Someone like that felt completely impenetrable.

******

“The Emperor’s birthday is coming up, and he’ll be holding a banquet in the palace. The consort and I will need to attend together to celebrate his longevity.”

“However, the Emperor is unaware that you fell from the cliff and lost your memory. So, you must remember your etiquette when we are in the palace. You must eat with grace and deportment, not so freely as you do at home.”

“Oh…” Song Jinsheng feigned a serious nod, but inside, she was screaming.

What? I just passed one hurdle, and now there’s another?

She had only ever seen emperors in TV dramas. Now she was about to meet a real one. She’d heard that the palace had countless rules, so she couldn’t just act as she pleased.

“Oh, and one more thing.” Wei Luoyi turned her head to face Song Jinsheng.

The sun was bright, and the light fell on Song Jinsheng’s face, making her already fair skin seem to glow. Her delicate brows were slightly furrowed, and her long lashes fluttered, each one distinct and catching the sunlight.

Her eyes were a clear, light shade, transparent as glass.

When Song Jinsheng looked at her seriously like this, she didn’t seem quite so silly anymore.

“What is it?” Seeing Wei Luoyi staring intently at her face, Song Jinsheng couldn’t help but ask.

Hearing her question, Wei Luoyi’s gaze shifted abruptly, and she turned to look into the distance. “It’s nothing.”

“You also need to remember to prepare a birthday gift for the Emperor.”

“Okay… So, what… what does he like? Paintings? Or… porcelain?”

Song Jinsheng ran through all the birthday gifts she had seen in historical dramas. This was her first time meeting the emperor since she had transmigrated, so the gift had to be thoughtful. It was important to please him, just in case he caused trouble after she and the princess divorced.

Her question seemed to surprise Wei Luoyi.

After a long silence, Wei Luoyi glanced at her and said in a low voice, “The consort should decide for yourself. Just make sure it is appropriate and not something you chose on a whim.”

“I am tired. I will head back now.”

With that, Wei Luoyi didn’t wait for a reply. She called out for Chunyue, rose slowly, and walked away.

Song Jinsheng squinted slightly, watching her retreating back. When she was finally out of sight, Song Jinsheng sighed inwardly, stood up, put her hands behind her back, and strolled deeper into the garden.

*******

For twenty-five years, the Southern Chi Kingdom had been prosperous and peaceful, with a diligent emperor, honest officials, and a happy populace. There was no threat of rebellion.

During the days surrounding the emperor’s birthday, the entire country celebrated. Families shared wine and tea, and the streets were filled with the sound of gongs and drums. Everyone wished the emperor boundless fortune and a strong, eternal kingdom.

As the birthday approached, the princess and her consort were required to go to the palace a few days beforehand.

Song Jinsheng sat in the swaying carriage, listening to the shouts and the beat of the gongs. She couldn’t resist peeking out the corner of the curtain.

She saw an elderly woman holding a child, her face beaming as she chatted with a street vendor, a basket of vegetables on her arm. The small tavern was packed with people, all of them captivated by the storyteller on the platform. Just by the way he waved his hands, you could tell his tale was vivid and captivating.

It was so lively.

In her modern world, even during the Spring Festival, it was hard to find this kind of atmosphere. Most of the “liveliness” had moved to electronic devices.

Lost in her thoughts, Song Jinsheng lowered the curtain and saw Wei Luoyi looking at her.

“I didn’t realize the streets were so lively for the emperor’s birthday,” Song Jinsheng said with a light chuckle.

“It’s not surprising. It’s like this every year,” Wei Luoyi replied. She then changed the subject, looking back at her. “The consort has never seen this?”

Song Jinsheng’s expression froze. She looked away, a little flustered. “Of course, I have… but… since I hurt my head, I’ve forgotten a lot.”

“I just got a little sentimental seeing it again today.”

“…” Wei Luoyi didn’t say anything, her gaze still fixed on her.

Song Jinsheng kept her eyes straight ahead, but she kept glancing at Wei Luoyi from the corner of her eye. Only when that piercing gaze finally moved away did she relax her tense body and let out a silent sigh.

She was better off not speaking. She’d better keep quiet once they got to the palace.

*******

The Consort’s Residence was located close to the palace so that Wei Luoyi could visit frequently. But in reality, she only returned about five times a year.

In less than half an hour, the carriage entered the palace gates and continued inside.

It was the perfect season for enjoying flowers, and the Empress was hosting a banquet in the imperial garden, inviting many consorts and royal relatives. As a princess, Wei Luoyi naturally had to go.

Song Jinsheng had never seen the palace in person before, and it was a real eye-opener. As soon as she got out of the carriage, she looked around in wonder, her eyes wide with amazement.

“Consort, we should go.” Wei Luoyi couldn’t help but remind the person standing there lost in thought.

“Oh.” Song Jinsheng realized her mistake and quickly took a step forward, only to find that Wei Luoyi hadn’t moved.

Song Jinsheng looked back, confused. “Your Highness?”

Wei Luoyi frowned at her dazed expression.

She stepped forward and took Song Jinsheng’s arm, almost leaning against her. She lowered her voice and said, “There are many eyes in the imperial garden. If you act so distant, do you want people to gossip about us?”

Wei Luoyi was so close that Song Jinsheng’s body instinctively tensed up, afraid to move.

She was stunned for a moment. “Your Highness means…”

“We must act more affectionately, of course.”

“…I understand.”

It’s just an act, she gets it.

Guzi had told her before that while the original consort and the princess rarely interacted in private, they were a loving couple in public. It seemed this was how they always handled things.

But she didn’t understand why Wei Luoyi put so much effort into creating the illusion of a happy marriage. Why didn’t she just find someone she truly loved?

As she wondered, Song Jinsheng couldn’t help but glance at the princess.

This Princess is truly an enigma.

Following Wei Luoyi’s instructions, they walked hand-in-hand to the garden.

The imperial garden was truly impressive. Even just one part of it was vast. After a few turns, they finally saw a group of consorts in the distance.

The women were gathered together. Some were admiring the flowers, while others were in a pavilion, drinking tea and chatting. As soon as they saw people approaching, they all looked over.

This visit to the palace to see the Emperor was important, and Song Jinsheng hadn’t taken it lightly. She had even put extra effort into her outfit.

The original consort’s wardrobe had many clothes, but most were in plain colors. Since this was for a birthday celebration, Song Jinsheng had chosen a striking red outfit.

The red robes weren’t just noticeable—they were dazzling.

The young man was dressed in vibrant red, which highlighted his snowy white skin. His features were elegant as a painting, with a beautiful look that was almost androgynous.

While he might have seemed a little too feminine, it didn’t stop everyone’s eyes from lighting up in surprise when they saw him.

After all, the consort didn’t come to the palace often. Most of the consorts had never even met the top scholar who had become the princess’s husband. They were naturally curious what kind of man he was, that the beautiful and graceful Princess Wei Luoyi was willing to marry him.

Song Jinsheng walked through the crowd, feeling uncomfortable with all the stares. She could only keep her eyes fixed ahead.

Wei Luoyi led her to the pavilion, where most of the higher-ranking consorts were sitting. The Empress was seated in the center and even rose to greet them.

“Your child and the consort pay their respects to the Empress Mother.”

Wei Luoyi curtsied slightly to the Empress, and Song Jinsheng followed, doing her best to imitate her. “This humble minister pays respects to Her Majesty.”

Even though the Empress was past her prime, she was still a graceful and stunning beauty, elegant and poised. She took two steps forward and gently helped Wei Luoyi up. “Yi’er and the consort don’t need to be so formal.”

“Ever since you married, Yi’er, you’ve been living in the consort’s residence. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, and I’ve been so worried. Are you well? And how does the consort treat you?”

Faced with the Empress’s concerned, gentle smile, Wei Luoyi’s expression remained calm, with only a small smile on her lips that was neither too much nor too little. “The consort treats Zhaoyang very well, of course.”

Zhaoyang was Wei Luoyi’s title.

The Empress had called Wei Luoyi by her childhood name since she was young, but Wei Luoyi always referred to herself as Zhaoyang when speaking to the Empress.

“That’s good. Yi’er is the child I watched grow up. She is my precious treasure. The consort must take good care of her.”

Song Jinsheng had been spacing out, but when she saw the Empress look at her, she immediately straightened her back and said with a serious, solemn tone, “Yes, I would never mistreat Her Highness. As Her Majesty said, I treat Her Highness as…”

“A treasure.”

With that, Song Jinsheng naturally took Wei Luoyi’s hand, her eyes filled with tenderness. “Your Highness is my number one priority. I will always cherish you with all my heart.”

Wei Luoyi met her gaze, smiling without a word, a hint of unspoken scrutiny in her eyes.

What lovely words. It’s a shame they’re all lies.

But for her to say them so easily… Has she said the same thing to other people before?

This person is even better at pretending than I thought. Truly fascinating.

“Good, good, good. With the consort’s words, I can rest easy.”

The Empress looked at Wei Luoyi with loving eyes, wanting to reach out and touch her, but seeing Wei Luoyi’s indifferent expression, she stopped her hand mid-air for a moment. In the end, she pulled her hand back, turning all her concern into a slight smile.

“Yi’er, why don’t you and the consort come to the Phoenix Palace for dinner later? I remember your favorite dishes and can have the imperial chef make some for you.”

Wei Luoyi’s smile remained unchanged, neither warm nor cold. “No, Empress Mother. I’m a little tired and plan to rest in my chambers after a short visit here. Perhaps another day?”

At her words, the Empress paused, her eyes dimming slightly. But she still looked at Wei Luoyi with a smile and nodded. “Since Yi’er is tired, then you should go back to your chambers. Your health is important. You have always been delicate since you were young, so don’t overexert yourself.”

“Yes, thank you for your concern, Empress Mother.”

As the Empress and Wei Luoyi continued to chat about everyday things, Song Jinsheng waited on the side, quietly thinking.

From the moment she had entered the imperial garden, she had noticed that the Empress’s eyes were almost entirely on Wei Luoyi. But Wei Luoyi kept her gaze down, rarely meeting her eyes.

Especially just now, when the Empress seemed to want to touch Wei Luoyi’s hair, she had distinctly felt Wei Luoyi’s body lean toward her.

Wei Luoyi was avoiding her.

By all accounts, shouldn’t a mother and daughter who hadn’t seen each other for so long be overjoyed and whispering intimate words?

But from what she could see…

It felt as if… they only seemed close, but in reality, there was a strange distance between them.

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