Shoutout to Tachibanaswife for the commission!
I thought for a moment, then turned and answered in a low voice, “I went to take revenge!”
Qi Sheng’s expression stiffened slightly.
I leaned closer to him and whispered in his ear, “I get angry the moment I see Zhao Wang. To be able to treat his own wife that harshly, he’s really not a decent person. And just now he even dared to provoke me! I couldn’t stand it, so I took Luli and went to ambush him.”
As I spoke, I lifted my chin toward where Zhao Wang had just taken his seat and asked Qi Sheng, “Look, pretty good technique, right? Didn’t hurt his head or face at all.”
Zhao Wang in the distance didn’t understand what was going on. He quickly raised his cup high with both hands and respectfully toasted me from afar.
This time I was quite magnanimous and raised my cup in return. When I turned back to Qi Sheng, I couldn’t help feeling a bit pleased. “See? Beaten into submission, right?”
Qi Sheng’s face, however, grew darker and darker.
I quietly wondered which sentence had upset him again, but before I could figure it out, I heard him force out through clenched teeth, “You are the Empress!”
That made things clear immediately, anything overdone becomes too much. Act too naïve and it turns into feigned madness. Sigh! This balance is really hard to grasp!
I paused, then immediately composed myself and replied calmly, “This concubine understands.”
Perhaps because my attitude was good, Qi Sheng didn’t say anything further, but his expression eased somewhat. Relieved, I turned my attention to the others in the hall.
There was no need to mention Zhao Wang, he had become extremely well-behaved. Whenever my gaze shifted toward him, he noticed at once and appropriately displayed admiration and respect.
As for Lord Toilet, he remained as calm as ever. But I knew his recent days hadn’t been easy. Qi Sheng had been making trouble for him, constantly assigning trivial tasks and then harshly reprimanding him.
In other words, Qi Sheng had been finding fault where there was none.
I was powerless to help. I could only watch and wait for Qi Sheng to finish dealing with his brothers before turning to deal with the Zhang family. I believed Lord Toilet understood this too, so he could only endure, endure as long as possible, until Qi Sheng had a son, until our alliance had its third corner to support it.
Thinking of this made me angry. If Zhao Wang hadn’t harmed Lady Jiang so badly, she might already be pregnant by now, that would have been perfect for everyone!
At this thought, I couldn’t help shooting Zhao Wang another glare. It just so happened our eyes met again. He froze for a moment, then looked completely innocent.
I couldn’t stand a grown man acting cute like that. Irritated, I turned my head and instructed Luli, “Next time you see Zhao Wang, beat him hard again!”
Luli didn’t respond. She seemed distracted.
I found it a bit strange, but just then someone came to offer a toast, so I didn’t have time to ask. After I finished drinking and turned back, Luli was no longer behind me. That girl always reported even when going to the latrine, she was never the type to disappear without reason. Now she had suddenly left without a word… I felt a vague unease.
Qi Sheng suddenly turned and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”
I was startled and quickly shook my head to cover it up. “Nothing, just drank a bit too much. Feeling dizzy.”
Qi Sheng’s gaze lingered on my face for a moment, then he let out a soft sneer. The moment I heard that, I knew he’d spotted some flaw in me again. I hated that kind of mocking attitude, if you have something to say, say it. If you need to vent, do it. What’s with the random sneers? Are you trying to talk or trying to fart?
I grumbled inwardly, but didn’t dare show any dissatisfaction on my face and simply pretended not to hear.
Then I heard Qi Sheng say, “Let’s go toast Royal Grandmother and the Empress Dowager.”
This request wasn’t unreasonable, and I had no grounds to refuse. So I took my cup and stood up, walking with him to the table of the Grand Empress Dowager Lin and the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager said nothing, just smiled and drank, while the Grand Empress Dowager pulled Qi Sheng aside to whisper a few words, then grabbed me and drew me close, earnestly advising, “Pengpeng, men are like stubborn donkeys, you have to stroke them the right way. The worst thing is to quarrel with your own man.”
I felt a bit embarrassed and nodded reluctantly. Only then did Madam Lin release me.
Qi Sheng waited a few steps ahead, then reached out to take my hand and led me back to our seats. This time, before he could ask, I spoke first: “The Grand Empress Dowager said you’re like a donkey, you have to be stroked the right way, not against the grain.”
Qi Sheng turned to look at me and said softly, “Royal Grandmother also told me…”
He stopped halfway. Curious about what animal Madam Lin had used to describe me, I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to finish.
Perhaps my expression was too earnest. Qi Sheng curled his lips slightly, leaned close to my ear, and said in a warm breath, “She said women need to be coaxed, and told me to give you a way out. So I’ve decided to stay at your palace tonight, so you’ll have some face in the harem.”
It was like a thunderclap struck from above, I was instantly stunned.
Qi Sheng leaned back again, casually sipping his wine, completely at ease.
I, on the other hand, sat upright, my mind in chaos, only wanting to shout: You can give that ‘face’ to Lady Jiang in Youlan Hall! Why do I need any face at all!
At some point, Luli had returned. She leaned in behind me and said worriedly, “Your Majesty, I just went back to Wangmei Pavilion. The cloak is gone, someone took it. What if it falls into the hands of someone with ulterior motives?”
I turned back and looked at her with equal worry. “Luli, the cloak doesn’t matter anymore. What matters is that the Emperor plans to stay in our palace tonight.”
Luli froze for a moment, then her face lit up like sunshine. She whispered excitedly, “Your Majesty, heaven has opened its eyes, you’ve finally endured to this day!”
“Yes… in the middle of the night, heaven doesn’t sleep and suddenly opens its eyes,” I muttered.
Luli thought for a moment, then quickly stepped forward and refilled my cup, persuading earnestly, “Your Majesty, it’s cold outside. Drink a few more cups to warm yourself.”
I had just raised the cup when I noticed Qi Sheng beside me sway slightly, a few drops of wine spilling from his cup. He glanced at me, looking somewhat uneasy. Seeing me looking at him, his brows knit, and he suddenly reached out and snatched my cup away, saying coldly, “If you can’t hold your liquor, don’t show off!”
I didn’t quite understand his behavior, but Luli behind me was extremely excited. She leaned close and whispered proudly, “Your Majesty, see? The Emperor cares for you!”
Just as she finished speaking, Qi Sheng seemed to think of something. He turned back and shoved the cup into my hand again. “Forget it. If you like drinking, then drink your fill.”
I was stunned and drank the cup blankly.
Luli leaned in again and whispered, “Your Majesty, see how much the Emperor dotes on you!” As she spoke, she hurriedly refilled my cup.
And suddenly, it all clicked, they were both trying to get me drunk!
Do they really think I’m an idiot?! D*mn it, today I absolutely refuse to drink! I slammed the cup heavily onto the table and coldly instructed Luli, “I’m dizzy. I don’t want to drink anymore. Return to the palace!”
Qi Sheng tilted his head slightly, glanced at me from the corner of his eye, and suddenly smiled. “Very well. Pengpeng, go back first and wait for me.”
I had just stood up when I heard that, and nearly stumbled on the spot.
