Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Emperor Wu Su’s Preposterous Deed
She soon arrived at the door to Princess Hua Chang’s chambers. A maid standing outside saw her approach and came from the corridor to greet her.
"Miss Ji, the Eldest Princess is still asleep. Please wait for a moment in the side hall."
’As expected of the Eldest Princess,’ Qingwu thought. ’In her own mansion, she can sleep as late as she pleases. Unlike me, who had to get up at the crack of dawn, only to wait for this Noble Lady to wake up.’
Ji Qingwu sat in the side hall and took in the room’s furnishings.
A long incense table was laden with all manner of aromatic candles and diffusers, filling the room with a pleasant, fruity-floral scent.
A water-caltrop-patterned bronze mirror rested on a rosewood stand, flanked by panels of double-sided silk embroidery. On a table sat a Ru-ware vase, holding a spray of plum blossoms carved from crystal.
’Such elegance could not conceal its inherent nobility,’ she marveled inwardly.
The maid returned. "Miss Ji, the Eldest Princess is awake. She will be in the side hall shortly."
Ji Qingwu sat up straight, her eyes watching the doorway for any sign of movement.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, two maids in yellow palace gowns pushed open the doors. A woman wearing moon-white damask silk, an ethereal gauze cloak, and her hair styled in a soaring chignon, entered at a leisurely pace.
The second shock Ji Qingwu received since entering the Princess Mansion was Princess Hua Chang herself.
She had expected the Eldest Princess to be a beauty.
After all, she and Emperor Wu Su were full siblings.
But she hadn’t expected someone who seemed like a banished immortal—a cold beauty with an ethereal, transcendent air.
Princess Hua Chang trailed her long gown to the seat of honor and sat down, a hint of weariness in her expression.
Her gaze was like chips of ice, and her lips parted slightly as she asked, "You’re the Ji Family’s Fifth Missy?"
Ji Qingwu nodded obediently.
’She used to think Emperor Wu Su’s eyes were unnervingly cold, but now she realized that compared to Princess Hua Chang, his coldness was mere child’s play.’
’Not a single hint of a smile had graced the Eldest Princess’s lips. If they weren’t complete strangers with no history between them, Qingwu would have assumed she’d somehow angered her.’
"I am here to take Your Highness’s pulse."
The Eldest Princess inclined her head slightly, motioning for the other maids to withdraw, leaving only her personal attendant.
"The Emperor sent you?" Her voice was like cool, crisp spring water, chilling yet sweet.
Ji Qingwu dared not say more. "Yes."
The Eldest Princess’s elegant brows relaxed a fraction. She extended a flawless arm, and a maid brought over a piece of crystal gauze, as thin as a cicada’s wing, draping it over her wrist.
The maid whispered, "Miss Ji, if you please."
Ji Qingwu moved closer, not daring to look directly at the Eldest Princess, and gently rested her fingers on the gauze.
’Oh, she’s warm.’
’This Princess Hua Chang radiated such a frosty, otherworldly aura from head to toe; Qingwu had almost expected her to be as cold as chalcedony.’
’The Eldest Princess is human after all.’
With this realization, Ji Qingwu couldn’t help but smile faintly, the dimples at the corners of her lips appearing as sweet and fresh as a pear.
Princess Hua Chang’s gaze swept across her face.
’A few days ago, the Emperor’s attendant, Li Yuzong, had paid a personal visit, saying the Holy Emperor had arranged for a "miracle doctor" to take her pulse. She had wanted to refuse. Pregnancy was a matter of fate; why was human intervention necessary?’
’But Eunuch Li had said this young woman was... special.’
’His words, both spoken and unspoken, implied that the Eldest Princess’s own wishes were irrelevant. It wasn’t a matter of her wanting a consultation, but of this woman coming to see *her*, and she had no choice but to comply.’
’It was the first time since Emperor Wu Su’s ascension that he had acted so absurdly.’
Princess Hua Chang couldn’t help but study her again, wondering what could possibly make the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household, a man who served Emperor Wu Su himself, use the word "special." Just how was this girl special?
’Ji Qingwu was concentrating on the pulse, her eyes slightly downcast. Her lips were a natural crimson. She was pretty enough, but that was all.’
After a long moment, Ji Qingwu withdrew her hand, her brow furrowed.
Noticing her expression, the maid asked, "Is there something wrong with Her Highness’s health?"
Ji Qingwu quickly replied, "No, Her Highness is in excellent health. Her pulse is neither faint nor frantic; it is smooth, steady, and calm."
’She pressed her lips together, conflicted. To speak of bedroom matters to an Eldest Princess who seemed like a celestial fairy from the Moon Palace felt like sacrilege.’
Her gaze flickered, like the surface of a spring pond stirred by a breeze, as she looked toward the Eldest Princess.
The look was enough to soften Princess Hua Chang’s heart. She smoothed a crease in her sleeve. "You may speak freely."
"I have heard that Your Highness and the Prince Consort have been married for six years. When it comes to conceiving a child, the issue does not always lie with the woman. It is possible the man has a health concern."
She phrased it delicately, but the Eldest Princess understood.
"Summon the Prince Consort," Princess Hua Chang said, her voice cold.
Soon enough, the Prince Consort was brought to the side hall.
"Princess, why are you entertaining a guest in the side hall today?"
Wei Chi Lianping had just finished his martial arts practice and had thrown on an outer robe before coming over.
Princess Hua Chang shot him a piercing glare. The main chamber was in no state to receive guests after the ruckus he had caused last night.
Seeing him reeking of sweat and about to sit beside her, the Eldest Princess’s icy mask shattered. She raised a slender finger.
"Sit over there."
Wei Chi Lianping shrugged and sat down elsewhere. He picked up a cup of Snow Essence floral tea, took a sip, and remarked, "What is this stuff? It’s too bland. A far cry from the Da Hong Pao at my General Mansion."
To drink such a precious tea only to insult it... Princess Hua Chang turned her head, unwilling to waste another glance on the boor.
From their exchange, Ji Qingwu could tell that the couple wasn’t "as respectful as guests," as the rumors claimed. "Mutual disdain" seemed a more fitting description.
His eyes glinting with defiance, Wei Chi Lianping decided sipping wasn’t satisfying enough. He grabbed the teapot and poured the tea directly into his mouth from a distance.
A considerable amount of tea splashed onto his chin and streamed down his chest.
Even Ji Qingwu was stunned by such a coarse display.
His thirst quenched, Wei Chi Lianping finally noticed the delicate young woman before him. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and asked, "And who might you be?"
"I was commanded to take the Eldest Princess’s pulse, Your Highness."
Wei Chi Lianping asked in surprise, "The Princess summoned me just to watch you take her pulse?"
Princess Hua Chang clearly had no desire to speak. The maid said, "Her Highness has asked Miss Ji to take your pulse as well."
"I’m not sick. I don’t need my pulse taken."
With that, Wei Chi Lianping turned to leave, and in a few long strides, he was nearly out the door.
"Get back here!"
Princess Hua Chang smashed a priceless, twin-handled jade cup at Wei Chi Lianping’s feet, finally halting him in his tracks.
Wei Chi Lianping glanced at the shards by his feet, still in the mood to jest. "Well, since the Princess is so desperate to have me stay, I suppose I’ll sit for a bit longer."
’Smashing a cup to make someone stay... and it actually worked.’
This couple’s dynamic sent a chill of fear through Ji Qingwu. She quickly lowered her head and stepped forward.
"I’ll take the Prince Consort’s pulse. It will only take a moment."
The maid moved to place the crystal gauze over his wrist.
Wei Chi Lianping pulled his arm away. "I’m not some delicate maiden," he said scornfully. "I’m not afraid to be touched. Besides, direct contact will give you a better reading."
Princess Hua Chang, who had been holding her temper in check, finally snapped. "Have you no sense of shame?!" she raged. "This young lady was sent by the Emperor! Your thick hide might not mind, but what if she scratches her hands on you!"
At these words, Wei Chi Lianping finally took a proper look at Ji Qingwu.
His thick brows shot up. "Aren’t you the girl from the archery at the palace banquet?"
’Ji Qingwu thought he looked familiar as well. Perhaps he was sitting among the military generals that day.’
Wei Chi Lianping leaned back to get a better look at her profile.
Then, his tone certain, he said, "That’s right. It’s you."
"The girl the Emperor was holding during archery."
