Chapter 63
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Your Highness?
Why was His Highness here?
Jiang Juan was about to turn back happily but suddenly froze.
They had just had a fight.
His Highness was still angry.
Jiang Juan dared not look at him again. He felt he couldn’t even be a salted fish anymore; he wanted to be an ostrich and bury himself.
He tried to lower his presence and bowed his head, completely unaware that Xue Fangli’s gaze was on him.
Jiang Juan’s avoidance made Xue Fangli’s aura turn colder. He watched for a moment, his eyes slightly lowered, and finally, he looked at Imperial Consort Mei without much expression.
A huge sense of oppression came over, and strong fear surfaced in Imperial Consort Mei’s heart, causing her to panic.
She held the phoenix seal and managed the harem on behalf of the Emperor. The Sixth Prince had to follow the rules when he saw her. Even His Highness should be polite when meeting her. But he had just accused her of not knowing her place. Imperial Consort Mei should have felt angry at this disrespect, but unfortunately, this was a madman she was dealing with.
How could anyone reason with a madman?
Who could discuss rules with a madman?
Imperial Consort Mei was arrogant but not foolish. She forced a smile and said, “Your Highness, we were just talking about you, and here you are. What a coincidence.”
“I was just…..joking with your Royal Consort.”
She skillfully twisted her words, “I don’t like riding horses, so I decided to take a walk. Suddenly, this cat jumped out and startled me. I thought it was a stray cat and ordered someone to catch it. It’s a minor issue if it scared me, but if it frightened His Majesty, that would be a problem. His Royal Consort said it’s your cat.”
Jiang Juan felt a jolt of anxiety.
He had pushed the ownership of the cat onto His Highness to keep it for the Sixth Prince. But now…
At that moment, His Highness wasn’t around.
Now that His Highness was here, Imperial Consort Mei brought it up again.
Normally, Jiang Juan wouldn’t be worried. He knew His Highness would cover for him.
But he had just made His Highness angry. He even knew His Highness had said he didn’t like furry things.
The more Jiang Juan thought about it, the more desperate he felt.
His Highness might expose his lie on the spot.
He feared this would be his most embarrassing moment yet.
“My cat?”
Xue Fangli repeated without much inflection, “What cat of mine?”
Jiang Juan: “…”
It was over; he knew it.
His eyelashes fluttered, and Jiang Juan sighed. He resisted the urge to look back at His Highness and focused on the little tabby in the basket.
Imperial Consort Meii, being sharp, immediately picked up on Xue Fangli’s question.
“You didn’t know?” Imperial Consort Mei asked in surprise. “This cat was won by the Sixth Prince at the racecourse. He planned to give it to you, didn’t he?”
Xue Fangli didn’t respond immediately. Imperial Consort Mei pretended to realize something and turned to Jiang Juan with a smile, “I understand now. His Royal Consort must be too fond of the cat to part with it. That’s why he said it belonged to Your Highness, implying that neither he nor Congyun could make the decision without asking you.”
Initially, Imperial Consort Mei had thought the cat truly belonged to Xue Fangli. When she couldn’t provoke Jiang Juan into making a decision, she was left speechless. Now she had a piece of leverage.
——The cat wasn’t Xue Fangli’s. His Royal Consort had just used him as an excuse.
It wasn’t a big deal, but it was still a slight against Xue Fangli, using him as a shield. Xue Fangli would surely feel displeased hearing this, wouldn’t he?
If he wasn’t happy, Imperial Consort Mei would be thrilled.
She glanced over with a smile, and sure enough, upon hearing this, Xue Fangli stared at his Royal Consort, his expression barely changing, but his face was dark.
Seeing this, Imperial Consort Mei felt overjoyed.
“I thought you didn’t know.”
After a long pause, Xue Fangli finally spoke, his smile cold and his tone chilling. “First, you say my Royal Consort is ungrateful, then, knowing it’s my cat, you call it a beast. Imperial Consort Mei, do you have a problem with me?”
What?
Imperial Consort Mei’s smile froze.
The situation took a sharp turn, leaving her dumbfounded.
Using him as a shield, yet Xue Fangli still defended his Royal Consort?
Did he not feel any displeasure?
Imperial Consort Mei was too shocked to ask directly, but she certainly had issues with Xue Fangli. However, it wasn’t the time for an open confrontation. She could only say, “…How could I have a problem?”
“His Majesty often scolds me for speaking without thinking,” Imperial Consort Mei forced a smile. “I truly have no ill intentions, just a sharp tongue.”
She then frowned and took Jiang Juan’s hand, sincerely saying, “Don’t take my words to heart.” Jiang Juan remained silent, stunned. Xue Fangli’s sudden turn surprised not only Imperial Consort Mei but also Jiang Juan himself.
Even though His Highness was upset with him, he still stood by him.
His Highness…
As he pondered this, someone took his hand. Jiang Juan looked up—it was His Highness.
Without looking at him, Xue Fangli asked a maid for a cloth. He then meticulously wiped Jiang Juan’s fingers, as if he had touched something dirty.
At the same time, Xue Fangli casually said, “Our wedding was rushed. If I recall correctly, this should be Imperial Consort Mei’s first time meeting my Royal Consort.”
“As an elder, it seems appropriate to present a meeting gift.”
His action of wiping Jiang Juan’s hand had already embarrassed Imperial Consort Mei. Now, his words further aggravated her. She suppressed her irritation and said, “It was my oversight. I didn’t prepare anything before coming.”
Xue Fangli replied indifferently, “No need to prepare specially. I heard that Imperial Consort Mei was born with a jade piece, which was later carved into a plum blossom pendant, quite unique and lovely. My Royal Consort loves jade. I’m sure he’d like the piece Imperial Consort Mei has.”
Imperial Consort Mei’s expression nearly cracked upon hearing this.
The story about her being born with jade was merely a rumor, but she did have such a piece—carved into a plum blossom pendant, worn since childhood, deeply cherished. Even the Emperor’s bestowed “Mei” character came from this.
Having worn it for so many years, Imperial Consort Mei was naturally reluctant to give it away. She instinctively touched her chest and pretended to be troubled, saying, “A meeting gift should be something good. This jade isn’t of high quality. I really can’t present it.”
“If the Royal Consort likes jade, I have many other pieces. When I return to the palace, I’ll select a fine one and have it sent to Prince Li Residence, how about that?”
“No need,” Xue Fangli said with a half-smile. “He has seen many high-quality pieces and is rather bored of them. But the one you have, with its unique background, is quite interesting.”
He then asked Jiang Juan, “Do you like it?”
Xue Fangli lowered his eyes, his expression cold. Jiang Juan noticed and paused.
He did like jade, but just looking at it was enough; he didn’t need to possess it. However, knowing that His Highness was backing him up, Jiang Juan cooperatively said, “Yes, I am a bit curious.”
Hearing the response, Xue Fangli lifted his eyelids and looked back at Imperial Consort Mei.
Jiang Juan glanced at him, but His Highness averted his gaze without hesitation. This cold attitude made Jiang Juan feel somewhat uneasy, and he pressed his lips together.
After all the talk, Xue Fangli wanted the pendant. Imperial Consort Mei, after caressing it through her clothes for a long time, finally understood the situation.
—This so-called gift was just a pretext. She had forcibly asked for the four-eared cat, and now His Highness was returning the favor by demanding her pendant.
It was said that His Highness was vengeful, and it was true!
Imperial Consort Mei felt stifled with anger. She fiddled with the pendant, knowing that now wasn’t the time to fall out with His Highness. It was just a pendant; she could give it to him. However, it was her cherished possession, and she was extremely reluctant to part with it.
After hesitating for a long time, Imperial Consort Mei gritted her teeth, “What if I… don’t give it?”
Xue Fangli took a few steps closer, his tone regretful, “Imperial Consort Mei, do you remember what I said when I arrived?”
What did he say?
He said—the one who truly doesn’t know your place.
Imperial Consort Mei ‘s eyelids twitched, “I am the head of the concubines and hold the Phoenix Seal. How dare you be so presumptuous!”
Xue Fangli smiled slightly, “Imperial Consort Mei, think carefully, is there anything that I wouldn’t dare to do?”
His smile was terrifying, like a ghost climbing up from the depths of hell, emitting a scent of blood that was frightening.
Imperial Consort Mei was filled with horror and finally regained her senses.
Why provoke him?
He’s a madman, a complete madman!
In this world, there was indeed nothing he wouldn’t dare to do. He even consumed his mother’s flesh and blood!
“If the Royal Consort likes it, then—” Imperial Consort Mei took a deep breath and finally removed the pendant.
It felt like her heart was being cut. For so many years, this pendant had always been with her. As she removed it, her neck felt empty, and she felt an immense sense of loss.
“Good child, take it.”
Imperial Consort Mei almost gritted her teeth, uttering each word reluctantly as she placed the pendant in Jiang Juan’s hand, afraid that if she hesitated, she would change her mind and be unable to part with it.
Jiang Juan looked down; the pendant was actually of good quality, and the plum blossom carving was beautiful. He politely said, “Thank you.”
While he was still fiddling with it, a hand with distinct joints reached out to Jiang Juan. He blinked and tentatively placed his hand in the other’s, causing Xue Fangli to pause.
After a moment, Xue Fangli took the pendant from Jiang Juan’s palm and gave a signal to a maid.
Soon, someone came forward, carrying the little tabby cat from the basket. Xue Fangli tied the pendant around the cat’s neck and slowly said, “From now on, it shouldn’t be mistaken for a stray cat.”
“Imperial Consort Mei, don’t you agree?”
Seeing this, Imperial Consort Mei’s expression twisted.
This pendant, which she wore daily and carefully guarded against damage, was now tied to an animal!
And this animal was one she already disliked. Seeing her cherished pendant on it made her unable to bear it!
Prince Li did it on purpose! He intended to humiliate her!
Imperial Consort Mei felt that even breathing was difficult. But the pendant had already been given away, and no matter how displeased she was, she could only force a smile. “Indeed.”
Xue Fangli nodded and said blandly, “It suits it quite well.”
Suits it?
It was just an animal, a lowly beast. How could it deserve her pendant?
Imperial Consort Mei was almost speechless with anger, but it wasn’t over yet. She then heard Xue Fangli say, “Imperial Consort Mei said that my Royal Consort was clueless and also mentioned that she had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, so he shouldn’t take it to heart.”
“Since you’ve said it, how can he not take it to heart?”
Xue Fangli lifted his eyelids and said indifferently, “Even if Imperial Consort Mei is an elder, if she said something wrong, she should apologize, right?”
Not only did he take her pendant to give to a cat, but now he also wanted her to apologize. This was too much. Imperial Consort Meis face darkened. “You—” “Imperial Consort Mei,” Xue Fangli said calmly, “If you are unwilling, I will have to let the Emperor judge the matter.”
“You first said that my Royal Consort was worse than a commoner and then that he was ungrateful, all because he wouldn’t give you this four-eared cat.”
Hearing this, Imperial Consort Mei hurriedly said, “Wait a moment!”
No, she couldn’t let it escalate to Emperor Hongxing.
In front of Emperor Hongxing, she was always seen as spoiled but understanding, not revealing her domineering side.
She couldn’t let Emperor Hongxing know how tyrannical she was in private; absolutely not!
That position, she and her son wanted to compete for it, and now that Xue Chaohua had lost favor, she was the only one they could rely on.
She couldn’t lose favor!
After weighing the situation, Imperial Consort Mei gritted her teeth and said, “Your Highness is right. Once spoken, words cannot be taken back. Saying ‘don’t take it to heart’ is indeed not enough comfort.”
“Good child, it was my fault,” Imperial Consort Mei took a deep breath and smiled awkwardly, “I’m sorry for speaking to you like that.”
Jiang Juan thought for a moment. Imperial Consort Mei’s words were indeed unpleasant, but tHis Highness first took the pendant from her and then made her apologize. They were even now, so he didn’t hold a grudge. “Alright, I forgive you.”
If he were truly sensible, Jiang Juan should have said that Imperial Consort Mei was being too harsh, but he just accepted her apology, making Imperial Consort Mei clench her hand hard.
She really wasn’t wrong.
This Prince Li’s Royal Consort truly didn’t know what was good for him!
Having lost both her pendant and face, Imperial Consort Mei didn’t want to stay any longer. She feared losing control, bit her lip hard, and said with a forced smile, “I’ll continue my walk then.”
Xue Fangli didn’t even spare her a glance. Imperial Consort Mei turned her head, her expression changing instantly, her face full of resentment.
What a Prince Li.
What a Prince Li’s Royal Consort.
And that lowly beast.
She would remember today’s events and repay them all one day!
As soon as Mei Fei left, Xue Congyun exclaimed in awe, “That was amazing, really amazing!”
Imperial Consort Mei, who was always domineering and arrogant in the palace, was just dealt with by his fifth brother today.
But, while it wasn’t surprising that his fifth brother, a living Yama, could handle Imperial Consort Mei, what really shocked Xue Congyun was that Jiang Juan didn’t fall short against Imperial Consort Mei and even managed to make her choke three times in total.
He patted Jiang Juan’s shoulder, “Brother Juan, you were great, making her speechless. I was worried she might make you cry.”
Jiang Qingliang wanted to remind them, but someone nudged his arm. Looking down, he saw Gu Puwang stopped him. Seeming to understand what Jiang Qingliang was about to say, Gu Pu shook his head and gave him a look.
—Let’s see when he realizes the danger.
This was just too wicked. Jiang Qingliang shut his mouth and, together with Gu Puwang, tried to lower their presence as much as possible, squatting nearby to watch the show.
Jiang Juan, wanting to save face, said slowly, “What do you mean ‘crying’? When have I ever cried so easily?”
Xue Congyun made a small gesture with his other hand, “Just a little bug—still a golden cicada—managed to scare you into tears. You really do cry easily.”
Hearing this, Jiang Juan didn’t want to deal with him anymore. This was his dark history. Jiang Juan said gloomily, “I shouldn’t have spoken up for you.”
Xue Congyun chuckled. A moment ago, he was just putting an arm around his shoulder; now, he gave a bear hug and sincerely said, “Brother Juan, you’re really loyal, not leaving me to face her alone. I…”
Before he could finish, someone placed a hand on his shoulder.
Xue Congyun thought it was Jiang Qingliang and didn’t turn around, reaching out to pull the hand away. “What are you doing?”
But Jiang Juan called out softly, “Your Highness.”
With that, Xue Congyun nearly had his soul scared out of him. His hand shook, and he almost collapsed. Stuttering, he followed suit, “F-fifth Brother.”
Xue Fangli said calmly, “Hand.”
Xue Congyun quickly withdrew the hand he was about to pull away, but Xue Fangli continued staring at him. His voice was cold, “The other hand.”
The other hand?
The other hand…
Oh, it was still on Jiang Juan’s shoulder.
Xue Congyun quickly retracted his hand and put both hands behind his back, saying humbly, “They’re back, Fifth Brother, I’ve put them back.”
He was still somewhat puzzled.
His fifth brother often bullied Jiang Juan, so there shouldn’t be any affection between them. He understood why his fifth brother stood up for Jiang Juan—it was his consort, after all, and shouldn’t be bullied by others. But now he wasn’t even allowed to touch Jiang Juan’s shoulder. What was going on?
While Xue Congyun was still confused, he heard Xue Fangli ask, “Have you finished plucking the fluff from the felt rugs?”
Xue Congyun: “…”
He replied guiltily, “Of course not.”
“If you still have time for horse racing, plucking must be quite easy,” Xue Fangli said with a faint smile, “In that case, you can pluck all the felt rugs in the tent.”
Xue Congyun: “…”
There were ten rugs in total.
What had he done wrong? Why was his punishment increased?
Xue Congyun was bewildered and miserable, almost to the point of despair.
“And you.”
The tone shifted as Xue Fangli glanced at Jiang Juan, saying lightly, “Why did you run?”
His tone was still cold, and Jiang Juan replied slowly, “I just came to see the cat.”
“Your leg doesn’t hurt anymore?”
Xue Fangli said calmly, “Father gave me a bottle of ointment. You can use it for the abrasions on your leg. After seeing the cat, go back and apply the medicine.”
With that, Xue Fangli turned to leave without sparing Jiang Juan a glance. Normally, he would personally apply the medicine for Jiang Juan. Jiang Juan couldn’t help but call out, “Your Highness…”
Xue Fangli paused but didn’t turn back, “What is it?”
Jiang Juan didn’t know what to say. It was clear that the prince was still angry, and he didn’t know what to say. After thinking it over, Jiang Juan could only recall Gu Puwang’s suggestion to act cute.
But how?
He really didn’t know how to act cute.
Jiang Juan was silent for a long time, and Xue Fangli waited for a long time too. But since Jiang Juan never spoke, Xue Fangli turned and began to leave, his face dark with anger.
The next moment, however, Jiang Juan gently tugged at his sleeve.
There was no one else who would do this except Jiang Juan.
Xue Fangli lowered his eyes, his breath cold, “You called out to me, but said nothing, you…”
“Husband.”
It was a light and soft voice. Jiang Juan didn’t know what came over him, but he suddenly remembered this term—his Highness always wanted him to call him this, but Jiang Juan could never bring himself to say it.
This time, Jiang Juan finally managed to say it. He lowered his eyelashes and slowly said, “Husband, please don’t be angry, alright?”
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