Chapter 94 - 93: The Substitute Eldest Miss 9

Chapter 94: Chapter 93: The Substitute Eldest Miss 9

"What business does Mrs. Ji have with me?"

In public, Ji Xiaosong would call Mother Ji "Mother." But in private, she always referred to her as "Mrs. Ji."

Seeing her daughter’s detached demeanor, an unnatural expression flickered across Mother Ji’s face. Her eyes darted about as she forced a smile and said with feigned warmth, "You’ll be marrying into the Eastern Palace soon, and there are some things I need to discuss with you."

As she spoke, she took a small step forward, reaching for Ji Xiaosong’s hand.

Ji Xiaosong recoiled as if she had been scalded, swiftly taking a step back to avoid Mother Ji’s touch. A mocking smile played on her lips, her tone filled with a chilling, unapproachable coldness.

"That won’t be necessary. I grew up in the countryside. My temperament is unruly. A few days of instruction won’t change that."

Mother Ji’s hand froze in midair, the smile on her face stiffening. A flash of anger appeared in her eyes but was quickly hidden, replaced by a grief-stricken expression. She sighed and said,

"We are mother and daughter, after all. Why must you be so distant?"

At this, Ji Xiaosong couldn’t help but let out a short laugh. A cold glint flashed in her eyes, her gaze seeming to pierce right through Mother Ji. Her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Ha. Mrs. Ji, your family has never treated me as one of your own. Don’t tell me you’ve suddenly come to me with this phony act because you want to poison me again?"

Mother Ji’s face instantly turned deathly pale. Her eyes widened in shock and panic, her lips trembled, and she subconsciously took a step back. Her voice rose uncontrollably.

"You knew?"

Ji Xiaosong’s expression was glacial, her eyes like icy pools as she stared directly at Mother Ji. A near-cruel sneer tugged at her lips, and her voice sounded as if it were being squeezed through her teeth, hard and resolute. "I’ve known about your filthy intentions from the very beginning."

She tilted her head up slightly, her eyes filled with contempt, as if looking at a worthless ant. "Stop this insincere act. If you want to play the part of a loving mother and daughter, you’ve come to the wrong person. I’m long past the age of having illusions about family."

With that, Ji Xiaosong didn’t spare Mother Ji another glance. She turned to Zixi, her voice cold enough to freeze hell over. "Zixi, escort this irrelevant person out."

Zixi’s expression hardened. She strode forward, her hands clasped before her, knuckles white from the force. Her tone was grim. "Mrs. Ji, please leave at once."

Mother Ji stood frozen to the spot, stunned speechless. The color drained from her face, then returned in blotches.

After a long moment, she finally recovered. Her eyes were bloodshot as she glared viciously at Ji Xiaosong, her gaze like a thousand knives.

But faced with the oppressive aura emanating from Zixi, she ultimately didn’t dare to cause a scene. Gritting her teeth, she spun around and stumbled out the door, nearly tripping over the threshold on her way out.

Seeing Mother Ji’s dejected departure, Zixi quickly strode forward. She grabbed both sides of the door and slammed them shut. With a heavy BANG, the doors closed seamlessly, the dull thud cutting off any prying eyes from the outside and barring anyone else from entering.

She turned around, her brow furrowed in confusion and indignation. Looking at Ji Xiaosong, she couldn’t help but ask, "My Lady, why not just return the poison to them?"

Zixi truly couldn’t understand. In her view, with her lady’s god-like abilities, she could use some minor trick to make these malicious people disappear silently and forever.

Why tolerate them loitering around day after day, sullying her lady’s eyes with their despicable actions?

Ji Xiaosong’s expression was calm, like a bottomless, tranquil pool, without a single ripple.

She gently raised a hand to elegantly and calmly tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Then she spoke slowly, her voice unhurried. "If they die, I can’t get married. I’d have to observe three years of mourning. Wouldn’t that be a losing proposition?"

At this, she shook her head slightly, a trace of disdain flashing in her eyes. "Besides, there’s no need for me to dirty my own hands."

Ji Xiaosong strolled to the window and gently pushed it open. A light breeze brushed against her face, stirring a few strands of her hair. She gazed at the vibrant magnolia blossoms outside and continued, "Their actions will naturally have consequences. I just need to wait and watch them reap what they’ve sown. If necessary, I can give things a little push."

’I’m going to become an immortal one day, and those who seek immortality must avoid bloodshed at all costs.’

’Unless it’s for self-preservation, I absolutely cannot take a life wantonly.’

’Everything in this world is bound by cause and effect. I’ll have plenty of opportunities to make sure they get the punishment they deserve.’

"My Lady is wise. Zixi understands."

*

「The eighth day of the next month was an auspicious day for a wedding.」

A grand procession arrived at the Ji Mansion to welcome the bride. After the ritual urging her to complete her bridal preparations, Ji Xiaosong was supposed to be carried out of her chambers on the back of one of her younger brothers to the bridal sedan.

But both of her younger brothers were reluctant, and in the end, Mr. Ji had to choose the older of the two to step forward.

But when he did step forward, Ji Xiaosong walked right past him, giving him no chance to touch her.

Although the observing officials, their families, and the common people were all whispering amongst themselves, there were people pre-planted in the crowd to guide the conversation, so her reputation wasn’t tarnished too badly.

Along the way, the air was filled with the boisterous sounds of drums and music.

Upon arriving at the Eastern Palace, the newlyweds performed the kerchief-leading ceremony, where a red silk ribbon gently connected them as they entered the ceremonial hall.

They performed the hand-washing rite, the rite of sharing a meal by eating from the same sacrificial animal, and then the rite of nuptial cups, where the two drank wine from shared goblets, symbolizing their union as one.

Because of Chu Qingyun’s poor health, none of the officials present dared to make him drink alcohol.

After the rite of nuptial cups was completed and a short rest, it was time for Ji Xiaosong to greet the guests.

Inside the Eastern Palace’s banquet hall, the lights were brilliant and the room was filled with distinguished guests. Imperial relatives and high-ranking court ministers, all dressed in splendid attire, had gathered together.

Attended to by her handmaidens, Ji Xiaosong adjusted her phoenix crown and wedding robes, then glided into the hall with immense grace.

Her figure was slender and graceful, her bearing poised and dignified. Every movement exuded the solemnity and magnanimity befitting a Crown Princess Consort.

"Greetings to the Crown Princess Consort!" everyone exclaimed, rising to their feet and bowing respectfully.

Ji Xiaosong inclined her head slightly, a gentle smile on her lips, and said softly, "My lords and ladies, please rise. Today is a joyous day for myself and the Crown Prince. We are truly honored that you have taken the time to be here."

Afterward, accompanied by Chu Qingyun, she went from table to table toasting the guests.

At each table, Ji Xiaosong would exchange a few pleasantries with the guests.

With her elders, her words were respectful, displaying the modesty of a junior;

With her peers, her demeanor was friendly and her smile warm.

After she had moved on, everyone began to whisper among themselves.

"Didn’t they say the Crown Princess Consort came from the countryside? Look at her etiquette and bearing. Does she look like some country bumpkin?"

"Could it be that the Ji family was hiding her away, afraid that other families would take notice of such an outstanding daughter?"

"If Lord Ji did that, he would have certainly offended King Wu. Everyone knows that King Wu, as the only Alien King of this dynasty, had long intended to form a marriage alliance with the Ji family. It was only because the Second Miss Ji was infatuated with the Crown Prince at the time that the match fell through."

"Who knows? Speaking of which, shouldn’t it be time for the Second Miss Ji to be discussing marriage proposals?"

"In my opinion, although the Second Miss Ji is proud and arrogant, now that Ji Xiaosong has become the Crown Princess Consort, the Ji family’s status has risen with her. Her own marriage prospects will likely be excellent."

"Who could be higher than the Crown Prince?"

"Watch your words!"

"But then again, with a Crown Princess Consort this exceptional, the Eastern Palace will surely become even more orderly under her management."

"Indeed. For the Royal Family to have such a capable helpmate is a blessing for our dynasty."

"It’s just a shame."

A shame about what? Even though the sentence was left unfinished, everyone knew exactly what was meant.

At another table, King Wu’s expression was indifferent, as if being dragged into this discussion was a trivial matter to him.

But his hand secretly tightened around his wine cup, his knuckles turning white from the force. The thumb that he had been using to gently swirl the wine was now unconsciously rubbing back and forth against the rim of the cup. The movement was subtle, yet carried a vicious energy, as if he wanted to crush the cup in his hand.

A faint smile remained on King Wu’s lips as he chimed in with the idle chatter around him. But when his gaze inadvertently swept over the figures of Ji Xiaosong and Chu Qingyun, an imperceptible flash of sinister resentment flickered in his eyes.