Chapter 12: Isn't This More Exciting Than a Play?
The bustling streets were lined with shops, and all sorts of people crossed paths, brushing past one another in a constant flow.
On the terrace of a teahouse, a figure leaned lightly against the railing, her gaze slowly falling upon the crowd.
"Imperial Sister, try this."
Xiao Jingyi held two skewers of candied haws and handed one to Xiao Li.
Xiao Li took one look and pushed it away. "I have no appetite."
Xiao Jingyi had come to find her early this morning, pestering her relentlessly to take her out for some fun.
Xiao Li was a worldly person; having seen prosperity and modern technology, she had little interest in sightseeing in this world.
Ancient customs and traditions were fine to appreciate as tourist attractions, but when those things became reality, the "human fireworks" one witnessed were actually lives that others struggled desperately just to survive. To stand on high ground and look down while calling it "peaceful years" or "the warmth of human life" was nothing short of irony.
If you had the guts, try becoming one of those sparks of life and see if you can still appreciate it.
Xiao Li didn't consider herself a pessimist, but she had never been an optimist. This was because she herself was one of those unremarkable sparks of life, having fought desperately for everything she wanted, only to be trapped in this book before she even had the chance to enjoy her achievements.
Who the hell could praise a prison by saying, "This cell is truly beautiful"?
Xiao Jingyi had no idea her thoughts were so complex. Since Xiao Li wouldn't eat, he would just eat both skewers himself.
His gaze swept over Xiao Li's hands, which were wrapped in bandages, and a flicker of complexity crossed his eyes.
"New news, new news! I heard Princess Xuanyang hasn't divorced her Consort. His Majesty is hosting a banquet to mediate, so they definitely won't be separating."
"Ha, your news is outdated. The story has moved on to another part. The Consort and the Princess are fighting again. This time, the Consort got beaten so badly by the Princess that he's disfigured. But the Princess doesn't seem to be doing well either; they've even called the imperial physicians. It must be serious."
"My god, they're actually fighting?"
"Tsk, could that be fake? Before, the Consort was beaten until he was bleeding and was making a fuss about divorce. Now that they can't divorce, it's only natural they'd fight again."
"Wait, you said Princess Xuanyang is a delicate, weak woman. How can the Consort, a grown man, not be able to beat her?"
Normally, the first thought regarding this topic would be that the Princess held a noble status and the Consort didn't dare fight back, but now, everyone listening was filled with sighs and speculation.
"Haha, that Consort is useless. He's not even a real man. Isn't it normal that he can't beat the Princess?"
"That's not right. Didn't they say it was fake? The imperial physicians already proved the Consort's health is fine?"
The person arguing for the truth was instantly swarmed.
"Heh, the physicians said so, but who knows if the Lu family bribed them?"
"Exactly. A scholar has to maintain his dignity; how would he dare admit he's useless? Of course he'd bribe the physicians to say good things for him."
"If that Consort were truly a man, how could it be that after three years of marriage, the Princess is still a virgin? He's definitely impotent."
"Wait, that's common knowledge. Why are you suddenly defending the Consort? You didn't take any favors from the Lu family, did you?"
"Quick, bring out the silver and treat everyone to drinks, otherwise, this won't end!"
The crowd descended into chaos. No matter how the man tried to explain that he hadn't taken any bribes, no one believed him, and he was eventually forced to pay for the drinks.
Xiao Li watched the entire farce from the building across the street, and a smile finally appeared on her cold face.
These people were truly adorable.
Xiao Jingyi, one of the few who knew the truth, felt a sense of lament in his heart. Lu Yanzhi's reputation was never going to be washed clean in this lifetime.
***
Having gained his reward, Xiao Jingyi had specifically brought Xiao Li out today to relax.
Drinking tea, enjoying the view, strolling through streets, and watching plays—he strove to keep things within bounds while ensuring Xiao Li was content.
Just as the two were engrossed in a play, a commotion erupted downstairs, and soon the spectators began running out.
Xiao Jingyi's guard went to investigate and returned a moment later. "Your Highness, Zhao Yuan and Li You were harassing a young lady together. It turns out she is the Consort of Prince Chen, so they were beaten by the Heir of Marquis Pingnan and the Young Master of the Liu family."
"The Consort of Prince Chen?" Xiao Jingyi doubted his own ears.
Even Xiao Li, who hadn't been paying much attention, finally turned her head, vaguely remembering that such a plot point existed.
Xiao Jingyi: "Does Sister want to go see?"
Xiao Li stood up, her eyes glinting with a mischievous, wicked smile as she raised an eyebrow. "Let's go. Isn't this more exciting than a play?"
Xiao Jingyi's mouth twitched. It was indeed.
The place where the incident occurred wasn't far; they reached it after passing through an alley.
There were many onlookers. The two were squeezed in by their attendants, and the first thing they saw were the two men being held down, kneeling on the ground to apologize.
Xiao Jingyi introduced them to Xiao Li: the fat man who looked like a rising steamed bun was named Zhao Yuan, and the thin man who looked like a bamboo pole was named Li You. Both came from middle-class families and spent their days idling around; they were famous loafers in the capital.
Xiao Li didn't care about their family backgrounds; she just thought their physiques together were quite a sight.
The two had already been beaten; both were bruised and swollen. Although it was unseemly, it was undeniably comical.
The thin man lay on the ground, repeatedly begging for mercy and saying flattering words.
"I'm sorry! It was my blindness to not recognize Mount Tai! The great river has flooded the Dragon King's temple—I didn't recognize the Princess Consort! I beg the Princess Consort for forgiveness, and the Heir for forgiveness!"
"We will definitely reform and never do this again. We beg the Princess Consort, the Heir, and Young Master Liu to give us a chance!"
The fat man nodded frantically while lying on the ground, his face so swollen he couldn't utter a single word.
In front of them, two men in bright, noble clothing protected a delicate woman in white. Naturally, this was the Consort of Prince Chen, Liu Xueyin.
The eldest son of the Liu family was Liu Xueyin's brother, and the Heir of Marquis Pingnan—Xiao Li knew this one—was the third male lead, Gu Ling.
Three years ago, Gu Ling was merely the illegitimate son of Marquis Pingyang. Being hunted by the Marchioness of Pingyang, he had fled to the Liu family while injured, where he was rescued and cared for by Liu Xueyin. Later, he managed to turn the tables on the Marchioness, brought his mother (who had been a concubine) into the household, and even became the Heir.
Grateful for the Liu family's kindness and harboring feelings of admiration for Liu Xueyin, he protected her at every turn.
After Liu Xueyin became the Empress, Lu Yanzhi remained by her side as the Consort, guarding her silently. And when Gu Ling saw that she had attained happiness, he chose to go to the distant borders to protect the people of the realm—and to protect her.
What a beautiful love. Unfortunately, she was Princess Xuanyang, a mere cannon fodder, unworthy of appreciating such noble love.
"Xuanyang!" Liu Xueyin suddenly shouted. She walked quickly toward Xiao Li, her gaze sharp and reproachful.
The two men behind her also looked at Xiao Li with unfriendly expressions.
Liu Changge gave a perfunctory bow. "Your Highness, Princess."
Gu Ling was clearly not as polite. His cold face was full of sarcasm. "Princess Xuanyang, I have long heard of your great name."
This "great name" was clearly not a good one.
Xiao Li gave him a sidelong glance, nodded perfunctorily, and then said nothing more.
The show was over, and she turned to leave, but Liu Xueyin grabbed Xiao Li's wrist, her attitude resolute. "Xuanyang, I have words for you."