Chapter 20: Especially Beautiful, and Especially Bad
The next day, just as expected, the Empress Dowager sent for Xiao Li to come to the palace. She had prepared a banquet to welcome her niece.
"I want that jade-green Peony gown." Xiao Li picked out the most eye-catching one at a glance.
She chose golden hairpins shaped like branches and jade pins, all adorned with red gems.
’A single touch of red in a sea of green. Tacky and over-the-top, but absolutely vibrant and ostentatious.’
She applied exquisite makeup, dotting pearls between her brows and at the corners of her eyes.
Her lipstick was a vibrant scarlet, her skin fairer than snow. Every glance was striking and stunning.
After Hong Yue and Lan Yue finished combing her hair, they couldn’t help any further. Watching her apply her own makeup from start to finish left them utterly stunned.
’Can makeup even be done like this?’
Xiao Li stood up and twirled around. "What, does it not look good?"
Their eyes widened in amazement as they shook their heads foolishly. "It’s not that it doesn’t look good. It does, it’s just... an indescribable kind of beautiful."
Serving the Princess, they had seen the most elite nobles in the world. They had witnessed all manner of magnificent, stunning gowns and all sorts of beautiful makeup, but this was different.
The green was too bright, the red too garish, and the makeup was audacious.
It had a tackiness that came from piling on vibrant colors. At first glance, it was indeed a bit gaudy, but a single look was enough to captivate the eye, and the more one looked, the more special it seemed.
’Yes, exceptionally beautiful, but also exceptionally... wicked. She doesn’t look like someone to be trifled with. The look is too aggressive.’
Xiao Li adjusted a lock of hair at her temple. "As long as it’s beautiful, that’s all that matters."
Today, her attire was naturally the most dazzling, so much so that Lu Yanzhi, dressed in a pale green brocade robe with dark patterns, paled in comparison beside her.
Xiao Li glanced over, completely baffled. ’Why would a man enjoy wearing green every day? Especially with all the rumors flying around outside. Is he wearing this green to spite me, or is it a reminder that I should be doing something?’
"Princess."
Lu Yanzhi stared at Xiao Li for a moment, then averted his gaze, looking slightly uncomfortable.
Xiao Li shot him an impatient glare. "What is it?"
Lu Yanzhi cleared his throat. "Is the Princess heading out?"
Xiao Li couldn’t be bothered to answer such a pointless question. The man was always hovering around, and it was driving her mad.
’The Empress Dowager dislikes me, and County Princess Chen is a nasty piece of work, too. Knowing I’m walking into a lion’s den, only a fool would go alone.’
"Brother, aren’t you going to see our Chen cousin?"
The Emperor, holding a memorial, wore a serious expression. "We still have some urgent matters to attend to. You go on ahead. We will be along shortly."
As if Xiao Li would go by herself. She walked up to the imperial desk and leaned over slightly. "Brother, our Chen cousin is here to arrange a marriage, isn’t she?"
The Emperor looked up at her, and for a moment, he nearly forgot what he was about to say.
’So... green...’
"You have the mind to worry about her?"
Xiao Li sighed. "I don’t want to worry, but you know she and I have never gotten along. If she marries a powerful husband, won’t she torment me to death in the future?"
The Emperor felt a sting, realizing that he himself might be Chen Pingting’s future husband.
"That was all when you were young. You’re both grown and sensible now. She wouldn’t act so recklessly."
Xiao Li retorted, "I wouldn’t be so sure. Even if we were immature back then, I still stole the man she loves. Who knows how she’s plotting to torture me right now."
The Emperor frowned. "What do you mean, you stole the man she loves?"
Xiao Li blinked. "Brother, don’t tell me you didn’t know she likes Lu Yanzhi."
Xiao Li scoffed. "After you decreed our marriage three years ago, she looked like she wanted to eat me alive. If she hadn’t been so young, she probably would have fought me for him right then. Every time she’s visited since, she’s never missed a chance to make snide remarks. She was always secretly trying to get on the Prince Consort’s good side. Now she’s back, probably because she heard some rumor that I’m divorcing Lu Yanzhi and thinks she can swoop in and take my place."
"If you don’t believe me, Brother, just watch and see if she doesn’t target me over Lu Yanzhi later."
Seeing the Emperor’s expression darken, Xiao Li knew she had successfully planted the seeds of doubt.
’Even if the Chen Family was his mother’s family, it didn’t mean he’d be happy about them scheming to use him.’
’Out of respect for the Empress Dowager, he might have to take this cousin as a concubine. But would he really not mind if this cousin’s heart belonged to another man—and that man was his own brother-in-law?’
’It’s a common flaw among emperors: ’I can be indifferent to you, but if you are indifferent to Us and long for another, then you are the one at fault.’’
"His Majesty, the Emperor, has arrived!"
"Princess Xuanyang has arrived!"
Xiao Li followed behind the Emperor, basking in the glory of his borrowed power. It felt wonderful.
The sounds of cheerful laughter, which could be heard just a moment ago, now fell silent.
Everyone inside, except for the Empress Dowager, rose to greet them.
A woman standing to the side was Madam Chen of the Chen Family. Seated in a place of honor, nestled close to the Empress Dowager, was a beautiful young woman—none other than the Chen Family County Princess, Chen Pingting.
"You may dispense with the formalities."
Madam Chen showered the Emperor with solicitous questions, adopting the air of an elder and treating him as if he were her own nephew.
The Emperor’s expression remained polite, but he was actually somewhat displeased. However, Madam Chen didn’t seem to notice, nor did the Empress Dowager. Instead, the latter kept praising Chen Pingting, referring to the Emperor as "your cousin" over and over.
The Empress Dowager and Madam Chen’s matchmaking intentions were obvious, but unfortunately for them, the Emperor wouldn’t take the bait. Chen Pingting, too, seemed reluctant; after a few half-hearted replies, she took aim at Xiao Li.
"Cousin Xuanyang, why did you come alone? Where is your Prince Consort?"
Her words sounded innocent enough, but her eyes held no kindness. She was clearly looking for trouble.
Xiao Li glanced at the Emperor and saw him frown before she answered with disdain, "His face annoys me, so I didn’t want to bring him."
Chen Pingting immediately let out a scornful laugh. "I think it’s more likely the Prince Consort couldn’t stand the sight of you and refused to come. Just look at what you’re wearing—so garishly green, it hurts the eyes."
’Of course it hurts the eyes. It’s meant to make you uncomfortable.’
"What a thing to say. If he refused to come because he finds me repulsive, then why would he come here if I stayed home? To welcome you?"
"Besides, the Prince Consort has taken a real liking to green lately. The greener, the better!" ’He’s so eager he might as well wear it on his head. Tsk...’
"You..." Chen Pingting was left speechless. She gave a cold laugh, her gaze as sharp as a dagger. "It’s been a year, and your tongue has gotten even sharper, sister. I can’t win an argument against you."
Xiao Li returned a fake smile, her eyes cast down in mock humility. "You flatter me. I got all this practice from cursing out the Prince Consort."
"You even curse at him?" Chen Pingting’s face was a mask of disbelief.
Xiao Li thought she was overreacting. "Curse at him? I’ve done more than that. I’ve beaten him a few times, too. A disobedient man needs to be beaten, or else he’ll think you’re a pushover and walk all over you."
"Silence!" the Empress Dowager interrupted, her face cold. She scolded Xiao Li with a look of disapproval. "What is this nonsense you’re spouting? Don’t be a bad influence on Pingting."
Xiao Li shut her mouth but seethed internally. ’That Chen Pingting is already a bad seed. Does she really need me to teach her?’
’That girl probably only loses her brain when Lu Yanzhi is involved.’
Sure enough, once Lu Yanzhi was no longer the topic, she immediately changed her tune, cuddling up obediently next to the Empress Dowager. "Aunt, look at my cousin. She’s so fierce! I was just asking a question, and she got upset. She even hits people."
The Empress Dowager frowned, looking at Xiao Li with displeasure. "You will restrain yourself for Us, or We will have to teach you what manners are all over again."
Xiao Li quieted down. There was no point in arguing with the Empress Dowager; besides, her objective had already been achieved.