The Eldest Princess' Substitute Husband (Transmigration) - Chapter 21

“Song Jinsheng, are you out of your mind?”

*******

“Are you going to give it to me, Your Highness, or not?”

After the low, husky words left her lips, a silence descended upon the room. The only sound Song Jinsheng could hear was the frantic pounding within her own chest.

Unbeknownst to her, the tips of her ears had already turned a fiery red. The overwhelming wave of embarrassment made her want to disappear into the ground on the spot, yet her gaze was irresistibly drawn to Wei Luoyi’s lips.

Wei Luoyi was beautiful, and her lips were even more so.

They were full and luscious, looking so rosy and tempting even without any lip rouge.

They looked so… delicious.

Song Jinsheng’s eyelashes fluttered as her throat unconsciously bobbed.

When Wei Luoyi didn’t respond, the prolonged silence and staring took on a new, heady meaning.

It became a jumble of scattered thoughts, heavy, unsteady breaths, and a face that felt hot and flushed.

Song Jinsheng was about to lose it.

Even without a mirror, she could feel the blood rushing to her head, and she knew she must be flushed crimson.

She had never been this intimate with anyone before… especially since their lips were only inches apart, and she was holding Wei Luoyi’s waist, their bodies pressed tightly together…

She could even feel the warmth of the person in her arms through the thin layer of her inner robe…

It was truly… suffocating.

Song Jinsheng was new to this, but so was Wei Luoyi.

She disliked being this close to people. Even if her heart didn’t seem to mind Song Jinsheng’s touch, she still didn’t want it.

At first, she was shocked, and then came a wave of shame and indignation. But upon seeing Song Jinsheng’s face slowly turn red, she couldn’t help but feel a little bewildered.

She was the one who initiated these bold, flirtatious words and actions, yet here she was, getting all flustered?

“Song Jinsheng, what exactly are you trying to do?”

Wei Luoyi’s eyes narrowed as she looked into Song Jinsheng’s, as if she could see right through her. A sudden, knowing smile spread across her face. She raised her chin, leaned in, and asked softly, “Give it to you? Are you brave enough to take it?”

“Song Jinsheng, you’re out of your mind.”

At these words, Song Jinsheng’s breathing hitched. Although her gaze didn’t waver, her brows furrowed in a way she couldn’t control. She glanced down at Wei Luoyi’s lips before pulling away slightly.

She really must be out of her mind. Otherwise, why would a word of condemnation from those lips sound so…

…incredibly pleasant to her ears?

“If Your Highness thinks so, then so be it.”

“Consort,” Wei Luoyi’s smile faded bit by bit. In an instant, her expression turned cold, all amusement gone. “I don’t appreciate such jokes.”

“Let go.”

At the crisp command, Song Jinsheng slowly withdrew her hands. The soft warmth in her arms vanished instantly.

Without another word, Wei Luoyi turned and walked away, not looking back.

Only after the door closed, and she was finally free from the system’s control, did Song Jinsheng feel like she had survived a great ordeal. She leaned against the wall, exhausted and weak, letting out a heartfelt sigh. She pressed the back of her hand to her cheek to cool it down.

One hand wasn’t enough, so she used both, rubbing them back and forth over her face.

However, her movements slowed as her mind began to wander.

Song Jinsheng was lost in thought again.

As if something had just occurred to her, her eyes shifted, and she suddenly drew in a sharp breath. She blinked several times, her gaze filled with a complicated mix of emotions.

Then, a cold, mechanical voice startled her, pulling her back to reality—

System: Notification: Wei Luoyi’s favorability -1.

Song Jinsheng: …

System: Host, how would you rate our new ‘Automated Dialogue Generation’ service? If you are satisfied, please provide a rating and feedback. We will continue to optimize this feature for our next user…

Song Jinsheng couldn’t listen anymore and interrupted immediately. “Stop.”

Song Jinsheng: “My rating is ‘great, wonderful,’ but there’s no need for it next time. Thank you.”

System: …Okay, received. Thank you for your feedback…

Heh.

If the system could take human form, Song Jinsheng would roll her eyes at it.

The objective was achieved, sure… but did it have to be in such a bizarre and awkward way?!

She didn’t know how much longer she had to be around Wei Luoyi. How was she supposed to face her after this?

How frustrating!

*******

After the incident in the bathing chamber, the two of them were silent for the rest of the night.

Wei Luoyi was a little better, reading quietly on the bed as usual, but when she saw Song Jinsheng walk in, she deliberately looked away, her expression a little unnatural.

Song Jinsheng’s reaction was even more awkward, as if she were covered in thorns and couldn’t get comfortable. When her eyes happened to meet Wei Luoyi’s, she immediately looked away, pretending to be distracted.

These actions made Wei Luoyi find her amusing.

She was the one who acted rudely and flirtatiously first, and now she was the one avoiding and cowering.

It was as if the once quiet, sullen person was her, but now the one speaking in a flippant, flirtatious tone was also her.

How interesting… What kind of person was her Consort, really? Which one of them was the real her?

The room went dark. Wei Luoyi turned her head, contemplating the curled-up figure on the floor mat.

Of course, Song Jinsheng had no idea what was going through her mind.

Right now, she just wanted to get out of the palace as soon as possible, to avoid having to share a room with Wei Luoyi every night.

She didn’t dislike it, but…

Song Jinsheng herself couldn’t explain why she was so keen to avoid her.

Maybe it was a concern about her own identity… what other reason could there be?

*******

The next day was the emperor’s birthday.

Song Jinsheng was thankful that the emperor’s birthday banquet was a night event. She finally wouldn’t have to get up before dawn and attend with her eyes barely open.

Just two days in the palace and her habit of staying up late was completely cured. She was sure that when she completed her mission and went back, her schedule would be healthier than an elderly person’s in a nursing home.

Well, even so, she didn’t dare sleep in today and still got up very early.

She was still very tired.

“Consort.”

Wei Luoyi’s voice suddenly broke through, pulling the drowsy Song Jinsheng back to her senses.

“Hmm?” Song Jinsheng looked at her, her eyes feeling incredibly dry as she shifted her gaze. She couldn’t help but rub them.

“…Are you feeling unwell?” Seeing that Song Jinsheng had been listless ever since she entered the hall, Wei Luoyi naturally thought of how long she had been in the cold water the day before.

“No.” Song Jinsheng shook her head and yawned again. “I guess I just haven’t been sleeping well these past few days.”

And… she had been sitting for far too long.

For a whole hour, she watched one group of musicians play, followed by another group of veiled dancers. Back and forth they went, with the gentle tune of the guzheng playing in her ears. It was practically a lullaby.

“Your Highness, how much longer until we can eat?” Song Jinsheng couldn’t resist asking.

Drowsiness aside, she had not eaten anything all day just so she could feast on the delicacies at the banquet. The plate of pastries on the table in front of them was almost gone, and still, no dishes had been served.

Wei Luoyi could hear a hint of complaint in her tone and couldn’t help but glance at her. She saw Song Jinsheng’s cheeks stuffed full with pastry, with some crumbs still on her lips, yet she was completely unaware.

This woman’s table manners were getting worse and worse.

“The imperial banquet won’t begin until Father gives the order.” With that, Wei Luoyi took out a silk handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to her. “Wipe that off…”

“Huh?” Song Jinsheng stared blankly at the handkerchief, still chewing on the piece of pastry in her mouth.

She looked utterly foolish.

It was a stark contrast to the person who had spoken so lightly and disrespectfully just two days ago.

Wei Luoyi said nothing, only shifting her gaze to Song Jinsheng’s lips.

Song Jinsheng finally understood. She was about to take it, but her hand paused, and she simply used her own hand to wipe away the crumbs.

She noticed Wei Luoyi’s slight frown and explained, “There’s no need to go to such trouble. I’d have to wash it and return it to Your Highness anyway…”

Wei Luoyi’s eyebrows slowly relaxed. She silently withdrew her hand and turned her attention back to the beautiful zither player performing in front of them. Then, as if remembering something, she slightly curled her lips. “I thought… the Consort was afraid of losing the handkerchief again after receiving it.”

“Hmm… that’s part of it…”

Song Jinsheng answered without thinking, but something about Wei Luoyi’s tone felt strange.

She couldn’t quite put her finger on what was off.

Song Jinsheng picked up the teacup and took a sip. As she raised her head, her eyes involuntarily glanced at the person beside her. Seeing that Wei Luoyi was watching the performance with her usual composure, she dismissed her suspicions.

It must be her overthinking… How could it be anything else?

Song Jinsheng withdrew her gaze and sighed silently. She also looked towards the center of the hall, but her eyes were unfocused, her thoughts wandering to who knows where.

After a segment of graceful song and dance, the emperor finally gave the order for the banquet to begin.

Maids carried platters of delicious food and arranged them on the tables. Song Jinsheng’s eyes were glued to the dishes. If it weren’t for the fact that they were in the palace, she would have “massacred” the food already.

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, braised shark fin, cherry pork, stir-fried phoenix tongue… As the maid announced the dishes, Song Jinsheng picked up her chopsticks. But before she could even taste the flavors, she had to follow Wei Luoyi to present their gifts.

The gifts from the high officials and foreign envoys were as expected, just like in previous years: genuine works of art, porcelain, precious jade, or rare treasures from distant lands.

Wei Luoyi’s gift was a famous calligrapher’s painting. While not particularly valuable, the words on it were a birthday greeting, wishing the emperor a long life and the nation peace and prosperity.

“These words are also my wishes for Father. I hope your majesty enjoys good health, and that our nation prospers and is at peace.”

Wei Luoyi smiled as she looked at the person on the high throne. Though her words were a blessing, her tone was flat and devoid of any emotion.

“Good! What you said, Yi’er, is exactly what I wish for as well. Today is my birthday, and I also wish for peace under heaven and a prosperous nation.” The emperor announced with a laugh, and the officials in the hall echoed his sentiment.

Song Jinsheng was startled by the powerful chorus of voices. For a moment, she stared, lost in thought, looking up at the emperor on his high throne. But he was too far away for her to notice that he had already turned his gaze to her.

“Consort, do you have a gift?”

Suddenly called upon, Song Jinsheng was so startled that she immediately came to her senses. She bowed and presented the wooden box in her hands. “I, too, wish for Your Majesty to be forever young and to enjoy peace year after year. The gift in this box was personally crafted by your humble servant, with the sole hope of contributing to Your Majesty’s longevity.”

At her words, the hall erupted in a buzz of chatter. Even Wei Luoyi couldn’t help but look at the small wooden box in her hand out of curiosity.

What kind of treasure for longevity could be hidden in that small box? And she made it herself?

“Oh? What is this?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, this is…” Song Jinsheng saw that all eyes were on her and knew her goal had been achieved. She hid her smile and opened the wooden box.

“A blue-and-white porcelain stethoscope and a diagnostic chart for internal organ sounds.”

“By combining these two items, the imperial physicians can diagnose Your Majesty without having to take your pulse. They just need to listen to your heart to make a diagnosis.”

*******

[Author’s Note]

Wei Luoyi: Song Jinsheng, are you out of your mind?

Song Jinsheng: (feeling smug) My wife’s insults sound so good…

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