The bustling streets were lined with shops, and people of all walks of life came and went, brushing shoulders with each other.
On the teahouse terrace, a figure leaned against the handrail, their gaze slowly falling upon the crowd.
“Older Sister, try this.”
Xiao Jingyi held two candied hawthorns and offered one to Xiao Li.
Xiao Li glanced at it and turned it away: “I have no appetite.”
Xiao Jingyi came to find her early this morning, trying to persuade her to go out and have fun.
Xiao Li is a practical person; having seen prosperity and technology, she has little interest in experiencing this world.
The local customs and scenery of this era are best appreciated as tourist attractions, but if they were to become reality, the human fireworks you see are the lives others struggle desperately to achieve, and you, looking down from a high place, talk about the tranquility of time and the warmth of everyday life – it’s simply ironic.
If you have the ability, become one of those fireworks and see if you can still appreciate it.
Xiao Li doesn’t think of herself as a pessimist, but she is certainly not an optimist, because she is one of those unremarkable people, who fought hard for everything she wanted, but didn’t even have time to enjoy her achievements before being trapped in this book.
Who the heck can praise a ‘beautiful prison cell’ while in jail?
Xiao Jingyi didn’t know how complicated her thoughts were, so if Xiao Li wouldn’t eat it, he could eat both.
His gaze swept over Xiao Li’s hands, both wrapped in bandages, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.
“Breaking news! I heard Princess Xuanyang didn’t divorce her Consort, and Her Majesty held a banquet to encourage them to reconcile. It’s definitely not happening.”
“Oh, that news is outdated. The story has moved on to another part. The Consort and the Princess fought again, and this time the Consort was disfigured by the Princess. But the Princess doesn’t seem to be doing well either; they’ve both summoned the Imperial Physician, it must be serious.”
“My goodness, they really fought?”
“Tch, how could that be fake? The Consort was previously beaten to a pulp and demanded a divorce. Now that a divorce isn’t possible, another fight is perfectly normal.”
“It’s just… Princess Xuanyang is such a delicate and weak woman, how could a man, a Consort, lose to her?”
Normally, the first thing people would think of in this situation is the Princess’s noble status and the Consort’s unwillingness to fight back, but now everyone sighed in amazement.
“Haha, that Consort is useless, not a man at all. Isn’t it normal for him to lose to the Princess?”
“No, isn’t it said to be fake? The Imperial Physician has certified that the Consort is in perfect health?”
Those who defended the truth were immediately besieged.
“Hmph, that’s what the Imperial Physician said, who knows if the Lu Clan bribed the Imperial Physician?”
“Exactly, a scholar should have integrity, how could he admit he’s useless? Of course, he bribed the Imperial Physician to say good things about him.”
“If the Consort were a real man, how could he have been married to the Princess for three years and she still be a virgin? He must be impotent.”
“No, this is common knowledge, why are you suddenly defending the Consort? Did you receive benefits from the Lu Clan?”
“Quickly, take out the silver and buy everyone a drink, or this matter isn’t over.”
A group of people were in an uproar, and no one believed the man’s explanation that he hadn’t taken a bribe. Eventually, he reluctantly paid for the drinks.
Xiao Li watched the entire farce from a building opposite, and a smile finally appeared on her usually cold face.
These people are truly adorable.
Xiao Jingyi, one of the few who knew the truth, sighed inwardly. Lu Yanzhi’s reputation would be ruined for life.
Xiao Jingyi got his wish and brought Xiao Li out today to relax.
Drinking tea, enjoying the scenery, shopping, and watching plays, striving to be restrained, but ensuring Xiao Li’s comfort.
The two were engrossed in watching a play when a commotion came from downstairs, and soon the audience ran out.
Xiao Jingyi’s Guard went to investigate and soon ran back up: “Lord, Zhao Yuan and Li You were harassing a young woman, and it turns out that woman is Chen Wangfei, so they were beaten by Pingnan Hou Shizi and Liu Clan’s young master.”
“Chen Wangfei?” Xiao Jingyi doubted his ears.
Xiao Li, who hadn’t been paying attention, finally turned her head, vaguely remembering there was such a plot point.
Xiao Jingyi: “Older Sister, do you want to go watch?”
Xiao Li stood up, raised her eyebrows with a malicious smile: “Let’s go, isn’t this more exciting than a play?”
Xiao Jingyi’s mouth twitched, indeed.
The place where the incident occurred wasn’t far away, just through an alley.
There were many onlookers, and the two were escorted by their retinue, squeezing through the crowd. The first thing they saw were two people kneeling on the ground apologizing, surrounded by guards.
Xiao Jingyi introduced them to Xiao Li. The plump man who looked like a steamed bun was called Zhao Yuan, and the thin man like a bamboo pole was called Li You. Both came from ordinary families and spent their days idling, being notorious loafers in the Imperial Capital.
Xiao Li didn’t care about their backgrounds, but their figures together were quite striking.
The two had been beaten up, their faces bruised and swollen. Although it wasn’t right, it was rather comical.
The thin man lay on the ground, constantly begging for mercy.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know the Princess’s Highness, I didn’t recognize Her Highness, please forgive Her Highness, please forgive the young master.”
“We will definitely reform and never do it again, please, Her Highness, young master, Liu Gongzi, give us another chance!”
The fat man lay on the ground, nodding silently, his face swollen, unable to say a word.
In front of them, two men dressed in bright and luxurious brocade clothes protected a delicate woman in white, who was naturally Chen Wangfei, Liu Xueyin.
Liu Changge was Liu Xueyin’s younger brother, and Gu Ling, this Xiao Li knew, was the third male lead.
Three years ago, Gu Ling was still the illegitimate child of the Pingyang Hou, pursued and hunted by the Pingyang Hou’s wife, and fled to the Liu Clan after being injured. He was rescued and cared for by Liu Xueyin. Later, he avenged the Pingyang Hou’s wife, brought his concubine into the family, and became the heir.
Grateful for the Liu Clan’s kindness, and harboring affection for Liu Xueyin, he always protected her.
After Liu Xueyin became the Empress, Lu Yanzhi silently guarded her as a Consort. And Gu Ling, seeing her happiness, chose to go to the borderlands, protecting the people of the world and her.
What a beautiful love story, but she is Princess Xuanyang, a cannon fodder character, unworthy of appreciating such noble love.
“Xuanyang.” Liu Xueyin suddenly shouted, quickly walking up to Xiao Li, her eyes fierce and accusing.
The two people behind her also looked at Xiao Li with displeasure.
Liu Changge performed a perfunctory bow: “Lord, Princess.”
Gu Ling was clearly less polite, his cold face full of sarcasm: “Princess Xuanyang, I’ve heard a lot about your name.”
That name was obviously not a good one.
Xiao Li glanced at him, nodded dismissively, and said no more.
The play was over, and she turned to leave, but Liu Xueyin grabbed her wrist, her attitude resolute: “Xuanyang, I have something to say to you.”