GBP Chapter 107 The Empress Doesn't Play by the Rules
Chapter 107 The Empress Doesn't Play by the Rules
"Cen Mansion"
The rain had been falling on and off all day. Cen Luoxing was already feeling down because Shen Sangwan was absent, and the rain only made her feel worse.
The chrysanthemum appreciation banquet she hosted today was not as grand as the flower appreciation banquet held at Prince Sheng's residence a few days ago.
Invitations were only sent to young ladies with whom they had regular contact, as well as to members of prominent families.
Despite the rain, they didn't refuse Cen Luoxing's request and all showed up.
The courtyard was wet, so the space had to be moved indoors.
But thanks to Cen Luoxing's meticulous arrangement, the furnishings appeared exceptionally elegant.
"When it comes to cultivating chrysanthemums in Zhongdu, Miss Cen ranks second, and I doubt anyone would dare to claim first place."
"These Nishimura chrysanthemums are notoriously delicate and cannot withstand even the slightest mosquito. Miss Cen's chrysanthemums are all exquisite. Today, thanks to Miss Cen, I can feast my eyes on them."
During the meal, the invited women exchanged compliments and flattery, but most of them were not sincere.
As the eldest daughter of the Cen family, Cen Luoxing had been of marriageable age for three years due to her health condition. While the second young lady had already entered the palace as a concubine, she was still an old maid.
If it weren't for the Prime Minister's mansion behind her, who would be willing to support such a delicate and frail person?
Because of concerns about her health and the possibility that she might not be able to have children, no one in Kyoto has dared to propose marriage to her so far.
Most of those present here today are not yet of marriageable age, while some have reached that age and are already engaged, waiting only for the wedding date to arrive so they can get married.
Cen Luoxing was well aware that these people were very good at putting on a show, but in private, every single one of them looked down on her.
"It's raining today, so please forgive us if there's anything we haven't done well in taking care of you."
With Shen Sangwan absent, Cen Luoxing's mind was not on the banquet at all, and she wanted to end it hastily.
"We usually play in the courtyard, but today is the first time we've enjoyed the flowers indoors, which is quite interesting."
Lin Wanshuang wanted to smooth things over, but these words sounded like an insult to the host for not having the weather checked in advance and for making poor arrangements.
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold, and no one responded.
In the end, Cen Luoxing broke the awkward atmosphere by saying that she was not feeling well and needed to take medicine.
After instructing them to entertain themselves, they were temporarily dismissed from the east wing.
"Miss, I just overheard the gatekeepers discussing the assassination attempt on the Princess. Earlier, Her Highness sent word that she declined today's banquet due to poor health, and now she has been assassinated on the main street. Would you like to go to the Princess's residence, Miss?"
He paused slightly, "Is Your Highness injured?"
Zhi Shuang helped Cen Luoxing up and whispered, "She shouldn't be injured. Why don't you go and check on her yourself, Miss?"
"If you ask me, those assassins were really audacious. This is the capital city of Zhongdu, and they actually dared to assassinate Her Highness the Princess in the street."
Cen Luoxing frowned slightly, her heart filled with worry.
"Since the banquet has been held at your residence today, it is not appropriate to send people away halfway through. You should send someone to the Princess's residence to deliver some tonics and inquire about the situation while you are at it."
"Yes, I will make arrangements now."
Turning the corner of the corridor, I ran into Lady Xie. I stepped forward, bowed, and greeted her, "Mother, you're back. It rained heavily today. Have you caught a chill?"
"You returned safely; Ah Xing is very kind."
Cen Luoxing naturally took Lady Xie's arm, and the two walked slowly forward hand in hand.
“Now that my daughter is much better, Mother doesn’t need to be as diligent when visiting Qianfo Temple as before, so as not to cause her any trouble.”
She went every month, enduring the arduous journey, because she didn't want her mother to have to go out and worry about her affairs in addition to managing the household chores on a daily basis.
Lady Xie stroked Cen Luoxing's hand, her face serene. "Ah Xing's health is gradually improving, and I can say that I have finally put my mind at ease. Thousand Buddha Temple is not far from Zhongdu. For Ah Xing's sake, Mother doesn't feel tired."
"Wasn't there a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet at your residence today? Why weren't you there?"
Once inside, the two sat down.
Lady Xie's attendant, Granny Ji, always had ginger soup prepared for her. Now, she had only been sitting for a short while when a maid brought in the ginger soup.
"To be honest, Mother, we originally invited Her Highness the Eldest Princess to come to the manor today, but out of consideration for Father, we sent an invitation to another young lady. Since Her Highness did not come today, we lost interest."
Two bowls of ginger soup were placed on the tray.
Cen Luoxing looked at the bowl and spoon that Granny Ji handed over, and she felt extremely resistant.
In the past, she was in poor health and often drank bitter herbal medicine without fear, but she was most afraid of ginger soup. Every time she had to drink it, it was like torture.
"Mother, your daughter doesn't want to..."
"Ginger soup dispels wind and cold. The weather is getting cooler today, so please don't refuse, young lady."
Looking at the bowl that had been handed to me, the strong smell of ginger was quite pungent.
Lady Xie neither reprimanded Granny Ji nor stopped her, so Cen Luoxing knew that she couldn't escape it.
He took the porcelain bowl, held his breath, and drank it all in one gulp.
When I took another breath, the area around my mouth and nose was filled with an extremely strong ginger aroma.
Her little face was almost scrunched up in a frown. If she had known, she would have hidden in her own yard and avoided this suffering.
"You are the host today, so it's not appropriate for you to stay away. Now that you've had the ginger soup, go and treat us properly, and don't be disrespectful to the Prime Minister's family."
"My daughter is resigning."
Princess's Residence
After Shen Sangwan left Shuyan's place and returned to the main courtyard, she found Wen Yuening still in her room, resting on a soft couch.
She stepped out to the outer room and glanced at the sky. The gray, rainy day made it impossible to tell the time, so she had no choice but to go back inside.
"Does Your Highness know the background of the man in black who attempted to assassinate Your Highness on the main street today?"
Upon hearing Shen Sangwan's footsteps, Wen Yuening, who had been feigning sleep, slowly got up and sat down beside the couch.
“An assassin from a gangster organization had previously attempted to assassinate someone outside the recruit camp.”
"As far as I know, the assassins of the Soul Hook Pavilion are all top-notch experts. Your Highness was able to escape safely all alone. I admire you greatly."
Shen Sangwan wanted to slap herself twice. Why did she have to bring up the assassination attempt before? Now she would have to rack her brains to find an excuse.
"Having spent many years on the battlefield, I naturally have ways to protect myself. Just like the Empress, I don't believe you don't have a trump card."
One lie needs another to cover it up, so Shen Sangwan simply threw the conversation back at her.
"What His Highness said is absolutely true."
Wen Yuening smiled as she unscrewed the bracelet on her wrist.
"This is my life-saving weapon, and I will show it to Your Highness today."
Shen Sangwan was completely baffled by the other party's actions.
"Seriously? I just wanted to make things difficult for you, to make you back down and stop pressuring me for my secrets, but you just blurted it all out!"
[I'm truly exasperated with the Empress, that sixth daughter; she never plays by the rules.]
A silver wristband, like a living silver snake, lunged at Shen Sangwan, coiling around her neck before being pulled away.
Forced to pull hard on the wristband, Wen Yuening, whose injury had not yet healed, was not strong enough to match Shen Sangwan and was almost pulled to the ground.