17 – Ninety Thousand Years Old, Pay Me My Salary (Revised)
Shang Guanqi stood beside the Dragon Throne, watching Jiang Lige’s imperial wrath. Her small arm flung out the memorial with such force that it was actually… adorable.
After throwing the memorial, Jiang Lige secretly glanced back to gauge Shang Guanqi’s reaction.
Shang Guanqi gave a slight nod in response.
Encouraged by this, Jiang Lige threw herself even more passionately into her performance!
“The court does not tolerate incompetence! If dozens of bandits cannot be subdued, what will you do when enemy armies attack—simply wait for death? Tell the Prefect of Ningcheng that he must capture those vicious bandits within three months. Otherwise, I will go there myself and strip him of his official cap!”
“Court dismissed!”
Jiang Lige stormed off the throne, leaving the officials trembling as they kowtowed on the ground, not daring to rise for a long time.
Instead of leaving immediately, Jiang Lige waited in the rear hall of the Golden Luan Hall for Shang Guanqi to enter.
Earlier, she had played a little trick: if the Ningcheng bandits could not be captured, she would have a chance to leave the city.
When Shang Guanqi entered, Jiang Lige approached him and asked quite obediently, “How was my performance today? Did it meet the approval of the Nine Thousand Years?”
Seeing her eager expression, Shang Guanqi knew she had other motives. He neither praised nor criticized her, simply uttering a noncommittal “Hmm.”
No anger meant she had performed well enough.
Jiang Lige pressed on, “Look at me—I attend every morning court without fail, never leaving early. I follow orders obediently and without question. Though my merits may not match Wuhuan’s, at least my diligence rivals Li Fu’s, right?”
Comparing herself to a eunuch? How impressive.
Shang Guanqi stood listening but did not respond.
Jiang Lige waited for a while, unbothered by the silence. She circled to his side, tugging at his sleeve. “When Li Fu was beaten and confined to bed, he could still send a young eunuch to buy whatever he wanted from outside. But me? After nearly drowning and surviving a serious illness, all I get to eat is the imperial kitchen’s mass-cooked meals!”
“Mass-cooked meals?” Shang Guanqi raised an eyebrow slightly.
Did she not know that her meals were prepared separately by chefs he had personally arranged, tailored specifically to nourish her health? Could she really not tell the difference?
Such ingratitude!
Unable to hold back, Shang Guanqi replied impatiently, “What does Your Majesty wish to say?”
Delighted that he had finally spoken, Jiang Lige beamed. “I want to receive a monthly allowance. I want to set up my own private kitchen.”
So, after all that circling, it was just about money.
Recalling the golden token she had requested yesterday, Shang Guanqi roughly guessed her intentions.
Withholding an allowance was not intentional on his part. For one, emperors had never received monthly stipends. Secondly, the palace lacked nothing—he had never shortchanged her, so there was no need for her to spend money.
Seeing him deep in thought, Jiang Lige assumed the matter was progressing. To her surprise, Shang Guanqi uttered only two words: “Not allowed!”
His tone was firm and brooked no argument.
Without further engagement, Shang Guanqi left the Golden Luan Hall and headed to the riding grounds.
After each morning court, he would ride for a short while.
The riding grounds had a dedicated changing room for him. After changing into riding attire and selecting a suitable whip, he waited briefly before a young stable hand led his white jade horse over.
“Lord of a Thousand Years, please mount.”
Shang Guanqi paused, and the stable hand looked up, flashing him a grin.
“Nine Thousand Years, how about a race? If I win, you give me a monthly allowance,” Jiang Lige said.
Shang Guanqi looked her up and down. Dressed in form-fitting riding clothes, her waist—narrow enough to be encircled by one hand—stood out far more clearly than in the loose Dragon Robe.Jiang Lige wore a small round hat on her head, with all her hair tucked inside, making her delicate features stand out even more, especially her pair of innocent, wide eyes.
In the past, she never liked riding horses, saying it jolted her waist and caused pain. Had she finally come around this time?
Shang Guanqi grew intrigued. “And if I win?”
Afraid he might not take the bait, Jiang Lige waved her hand grandly and declared, “If I lose, I will parade through the streets in women’s clothing for three rounds!”