Chapter 180: Raise a Hand, Drag Away!
The music and dancing began, lending a lively air to the banquet, but seeing the men’s stiff postures, Xiao Li knew they must be finding the food as tasteless as wax and their seats like pins and needles.
Clearly, those two earlier incidents had frightened them.
But she had never been the kind of benevolent ruler who went out of her way to court talent, nor would she feign virtue to trick others into pledging their loyalty.
Anyone who joined her faction had to clearly understand the kind of master they were following, what would be asked of them, and the consequences they would suffer for betrayal.
She might be ruthless, but she didn’t kill the innocent indiscriminately. If they lacked even the courage to face her head-on, then they were unworthy of joining her ranks.
The song ended, the Dancing Girls withdrew, and a temporary silence fell over the hall.
Xiao Li began to speak slowly. "There have been wild rumors, something about a husband-selection banquet. This Princess couldn’t be bothered to waste her breath on them. But since I have chosen the few of you today, I feel I should offer you an explanation."
"His Majesty granted me three prefectures as my fief. I sent people to survey the territory and was very dissatisfied with how it’s being governed. So, I decided to select a group of learned and capable individuals from the Capital City to take with me and administer the land."
"You answered those test papers, so for me to have chosen you, you must understand the governing philosophy I’m looking for. I can grant you the greatest possible authority, allowing you to fully exercise your talents. The only drawback, perhaps, is that the fief is rather far from the Capital City."
"Of course, I’m not an unreasonable person. All those who were selected will be gifted a thousand taels of gold. As for whether you choose to follow me, you have three days to consider."
Tang Shuyu and Lin Yici exchanged a glance, each seeing the interest stirring in the other’s eyes.
Although their goal was to become court officials and make a name for themselves, the power struggles in the Capital City were relentless, offering no clear path to advancement. The chance to follow the Princess, govern a prefecture, and even implement their own ideas... it was an impossibly tempting offer.
"Princess."
Tang Shuyu rose, his gaze fiery. "I am Tang Shuyu. Dare I ask, Princess, will you truly do as you have said?"
’Just as I’d expect from a stubborn scholar from a poor family, asking so directly. Still, that kind of courage is admirable.’
Xiao Li said, "I can guarantee that I keep my word. For the rest, time will be the judge."
She raised her cup, her smile radiant. "Life is a huge gamble, Tang Shuyu. Do you dare to place your bet?"
Tang Shuyu stared at her, stunned. Before he could even react, Xiao Li had drained her cup, turned to leave, and unceremoniously hauled Prince Wei away with her.
Song Junzhan rose, a faint smile on his lips. "There is no need to be nervous, gentlemen. The Princess admires you, but she is not one to force anyone’s hand. For today, please eat and drink your fill. Return home and mull it over. In three days, I will be waiting at the gates of the Princess Mansion to welcome my future colleagues."
The young, gloomy Shi Mo looked up at him. "Young Master, why did you choose to become an aide in the Princess Mansion?"
Song Junzhan wanted to revitalize the imperial examinations, but he couldn’t do it alone. He needed to win supporters, particularly the poor family’s children, and Shi Mo was one of them.
Tang Shuyu and Lin Yici had come of their own accord, but Shi Mo was here because Song Junzhan had told him to come. Before arriving, he had no idea that Song Junzhan was already in the service of the Princess Mansion.
While being chosen was a good thing, he was still confused about Song Junzhan’s intentions. ’Has he given up? Is he done with the cause of the imperial examinations?’
Song Junzhan looked at him, a new seriousness in his smile. "I was fortunate to find my Bole in the Princess. I serve her as my master and have sworn to follow her to the death."
That one word, "Bole," was enough for Shi Mo to understand.
-----
Having been hauled away after only a few bites of food, Prince Wei was deeply resentful.
Xiao Li was speechless. "You’re a dignified Prince. Are you really worried about missing a meal?"
Xiao Jingyi retorted, perfectly self-assured, "I don’t lack for food, but it’s never this lavish! Imperial Sister, you had it all brought out. What a waste it would be not to eat it."
Xiao Li surrendered. She ordered a completely new spread of dishes to be served just for him, letting him eat his fill.
Xiao Jingyi sighed in admiration once again. ’Imperial Sister really does dote on me the most. Look at this! I get to eat one feast and have a whole other one discarded. Never mind Prince Yanping and the others—I bet even His Majesty has never enjoyed such treatment!’
And so, when the Emperor sent someone to summon Xiao Li, Xiao Jingyi showed a complete lack of brotherly solidarity and chose to make his last stand with the fine food.
"You go on, Imperial Sister. I’ll keep an eye on the food for you. Don’t worry, it’ll be in good hands."
Xiao Li: "..."
’Hah. So I’m supposed to go get yelled at while he stays here and feasts? Dream on.’
She reached out and hauled him away!
Xiao Jingyi could have cried. ’My giant abalone, my shark fin soup, my slow-cooked lingzhi mushroom and chicken broth~~~~~~’
’Is it just impossible for me to enjoy a good meal in peace?’
---
Having just beaten the Xiao Jingzhao siblings, Xiao Li was not at all surprised to enter the palace and find Princess Consort Hui sitting in the main hall with a glacial expression.
When she saw Xiao Li arrive, Princess Consort Hui’s eyes, sharp as daggers, shot toward her, as if she wanted nothing more than to flay her alive.
"Brother..."
Xiao Li was about to pay her respects, but the Emperor couldn’t wait, immediately demanding, "I hear you struck Prince Yanping and Jia Ruo?"
Xiao Li replied, "I didn’t invite them. They showed up at my estate, crashed my banquet, and mocked me. Did they not deserve a beating?"
Princess Consort Hui slammed a hand on the table and roared, "He is your elder brother! You are disrespectful, cruel, and utterly lawless!"
Xiao Li retorted, "My only brother is His Majesty. Who the hell does he think he is, to be worthy of my respect? Lawless? He crashed my banquet to mock me. It was merciful of me not to kill him!"
Princess Consort Hui shot to her feet, her presence suddenly overwhelming and imperious. "You are impossibly arrogant! Today, I shall teach you a lesson on behalf of the late Emperor himself!"
Xiao Li remained perfectly calm, sweeping a cool gaze over her. "Princess Consort Hui is just one of the Concubines. Never mind the Empress Dowager, you didn’t even make it to the rank of Noble Consort. And you dare presume to act on the late Emperor’s behalf? That is insubordination, a failure to know your place, and a desecration of the late Emperor’s name. By rights, you should be executed!"
"PFFT!"
Letting out an involuntary snort, Xiao Jingyi quickly clamped a hand over his mouth and tried to shrink behind a pillar. ’Imperial Sister is on a rampage,’ he thought. ’Can’t let myself get caught in the crossfire.’
Princess Consort Hui was already furious, but Xiao Li’s line—"didn’t even make it to the rank of Noble Consort"—was a blow aimed straight at the heart. She was so enraged she nearly fainted.
Her trusted attendant steadied her, patting her on the back and opening her mouth to rebuke Xiao Li. But when her eyes met the princess’s, her mouth snapped shut.
’This one is not to be trifled with,’ she thought. ’If Princess Xuanyang wanted me dead, Princess Consort Hui wouldn’t be able to save me.’
The Emperor watched, shocked and helpless, as Xiao Li nearly provoked someone to death with just a few sentences.
"They just wanted to see your husband selection. Was it necessary to be so ruthless?"
The Emperor was the Empress Dowager’s son by the principal wife, so he didn’t particularly care that Xiao Li had insulted Princess Consort Hui. It wasn’t his skin in the game, after all.
Xiao Li hauled Xiao Jingyi forward. "You tell him."
Prince Wei: "..." ’I knew it.’
’First time you’re an eyewitness, it’s awkward. Second time, you’re a pro.’
"Brother, this really wasn’t Imperial Sister’s fault. They didn’t have themselves announced; they just walked right into the banquet. Before they even crossed the threshold, they were mocking Imperial Sister about her ’husband selection.’ Jia Ruo even said that after all this fuss, Imperial Sister just picked out a bunch of rejects. They were deliberately looking for trouble! Was Imperial Sister supposed to greet them with a grin and invite them to sit down for a meal?"
He then offered an example. "Think about it, Eldest Brother went with them, so why is he perfectly fine? Imperial Sister was actually about to invite Eldest Brother to join the banquet, but he had to refuse so he could escort Prince Yanping and his sister away."
"Why did Imperial Sister target Prince Yanping but not Eldest Brother? Clearly, the fault doesn’t lie with Imperial Sister. They should reflect on their own actions."
Xiao Jingyi delivered his speech with such sincerity that every word seemed to come straight from the heart, and it all sounded perfectly reasonable.
’Of course,’ he thought, ’I also came uninvited, and I also think those guys are a bunch of rejects unworthy of Imperial Sister... but I’m the little brother she dotes on the most. Prince Yanping and I are not even in the same league.’