"She's just a little too old. If only she were a few years younger. Wouldn't you agree, Your Highness?"
No, don't toss this hot potato to me!
The Fourth Prince wanted no part of this conversation.
If he agreed, he would offend someone.
If he disagreed, he might end up shackled to Chen Furong for good.
Although her family background could be an asset, she was beneath his notice.
The Fourth Prince gave an awkward cough. "If only I were a few years older."
"Don't say that. Older women dating younger men is fashionable these days. His Majesty has already allowed you to choose a consort and get engaged, so choose freely. As long as she's under thirty, His Majesty probably won't mind."
I mind!
So do I!
The system roared with laughter: [Their faces look like they've been digging coal! But be careful, host. There are plenty of young ladies in their teens, and quite a few want to climb onto a higher branch.]
Jiang Shuyue: [Relax. If Little Four manages to choose a woman he likes today, I'll admit defeat!]
"Still, it's one thing for a man to be called an old bull grazing on tender grass, but it's no good for a girl to be told she looks like his mother. When she's getting on in years and His Highness is still a young lad, how awkward would that be? Don't you agree?"
The fourteen- and fifteen-year-old girls who had entertained the idea all nodded.
Given the status of the Fourth Prince's birth mother, even though he was capable and had Consort Shu's help, his future was far from certain.
They would also have to worry about people pointing fingers behind their backs.
Rather than fix their sights on something as elusive as mist, they might as well find something solid.
There were plenty of fine young men in the world. Why fixate on a little brat?
"Liuli, your nephew looks a little lost. Why don't you say something too?"
Jiang Liuli: What the hell do you want me to say?
Blushing, Jiang Liuli stammered, "Actually, if they're a good match and truly love each other, age shouldn't be a problem..."
The system: [Like her mother, that old bull grazing on tender grass? Qin Wanru is clearly three years older than Jiang An, yet she acts as if she's six months younger and plays coy. Yesterday, she even called your father 'Big Brother An.']
Age isn't the problem. The problem is that she's ugly and still simpers and whines. Disgusting!
Jiang Shuyue said, "You're right, little sister. Then why don't you ask His Highness whom he has his heart set on?"
Jiang Liuli froze.
What she had just said had already used up every scrap of her courage.
If she continued, where would she hide her face? If the Fourth Prince didn't choose her, how would she ever face anyone again?
"I... well..."
The Fourth Prince shot Jiang Shuyue a furtive glare, wishing he could tear her apart.
The Marquis of Zhennan was a man of unparalleled grace. How had he ended up marrying such a madwoman?
If she died, would Uncle Zhou be free?
The moment that thought arose, murderous intent surged straight to the crown of his head, and both his little hands began itching to move.
"It seems my little sister is still too thin-skinned. She's nothing like me. I coo and simper with my lord every day, so I'm already used to matters between men and women. Sometimes I speak without thinking. I hope none of you will take offense?"
"Enough!"
The Fourth Prince suddenly let out a thunderous roar and swung his fist at Jiang Shuyue.
An arm tightened around Jiang Shuyue's waist. Her feet left the ground, she spun a full circle on the spot, and she landed safely behind Zhou Luming.
Zhou Luming chuckled softly. "Everyone says Your Fourth Highness is gentle and refined. We were having a perfectly pleasant conversation. Why suddenly resort to violence?"
"I..."
Jiang Shuyue: [He's just jealous that my husband and I get along so well! If you want to fawn over my husband, just say so. Not that saying it would give you a chance. You can't have the one you love, and even if you did, it would be pointless. How pitiful.]
The system: [I wonder how these ladies would react if they knew he liked men.]
The ladies' faces all darkened.
There were plenty of men with a taste for other men. It was hardly a secret among the great families.
But an eleven-year-old lusting after a married man of twenty-six or twenty-eight? Wasn't that going too far?
"This child is still young and lacks composure. When he gets worked up, he easily loses his temper. I hope the Marchioness of Zhennan won't mind?"
Jiang Shuyue: [Not only a pervert, but bad-tempered too. Whoever marries him must have accumulated eight lifetimes of rotten luck.]
Yes, yes, you're absolutely right!
For the sake of their daughters' happiness for the rest of their lives, they absolutely could not marry them off to him.
Jiang Shuyue gave a graceful, false smile. "I understand. How could your little sister hold a grudge against a child? But big sister, why did you address me so formally just now? We've sworn sisterhood, after all. Have you decided I'm beneath you and want to go back on your word?"
"Of course not."
"Then call me little sister, big sister~~"
Consort Shu wanted to strangle her.
A mud-legged country bumpkin had actually come here to call herself her sister. Was she worthy?
"Your Highness, it's rare for the Marchioness of Zhennan to hit it off with you so well. There's no harm in calling her little sister."
"Exactly. You'll become even closer family now. Even the Marquis of Zhennan will have to call Your Highness big sister. How wonderful."
"Congratulations, Consort Shu. This truly is an excellent birthday gift."
Consort Shu: ...
These lunatics. Why are they egging her on now?
Consort Shu was already riding a tiger and couldn't get off. She could only steel herself and force a smile.
"In that case, I shall call you little sister."
"Yes! Liuli, come here. From now on, Consort Shu is our big sister. Are you happy?"
"H-happy!"
Jiang Liuli was genuinely happy, though something about this felt strange.
The Fourth Prince's expression turned cold and grim.
Now even Jiang Liuli was calling his mother her sister. If he made a move on Jiang Liuli in the future, he really would become a villain guilty of incest.
And then, the throne...
Endure. Be patient. I must endure this now!
The Fourth Prince smiled. "Congratulations, Mother, on gaining two such clever little sisters."
"You're welcome. Nephew, come visit me whenever you have time. I'll bring the marquis along, and we'll give you a proper welcome."
The system: [Host, if you keep provoking him, watch out. He might throw another couple of punches at your face.]
Jiang Shuyue: [Then I'll fake an injury the moment he raises his hand, complain to my man, and have him teach this little brat a good, hard lesson.]
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant!
Zhou Luming thought that was an excellent plan. Had he known, he wouldn't have stepped in to stop the prince just now.
"Your Highness, the empress's palace has sent someone with a birthday gift. They would also like to invite the lady of the Marquis's Residence over for a visit. Would that..."
"Yes, yes. Since the empress has invited you, hurry along, little sister. Don't keep Her Majesty waiting."
The system: [Let's go, let's go! We've saved up 400 Green Tea Points. There's no point staying here anymore. I smell some juicy gossip in the empress's palace!]
[Let's go! Just looking at that little black-hearted brat brings bad luck. Let's go cleanse our eyes with a real phoenix.]
Jiang Shuyue took Zhou Luming by the hand and left at lightning speed.
Everyone felt a little disappointed.
Their little fairy had abandoned them to face that black-hearted wretch and the walking rotten egg alone. Didn't her conscience trouble her?
Jiang Shuyue's answer was not in the slightest.
As soon as she arrived at the Phoenix Ceremonial Hall, the empress had a whole table of delicious food served for her.
Roast squab, braised ribs, sweet-and-sour pork, eight-treasure duck-every dish was something she loved.
Jiang Shuyue swallowed her drool: [The empress isn't just beautiful and kindhearted, she's generous too. Look at this whole table of delicious food~~ Then look at Consort Shu. She throws a birthday banquet, and a plate of sliced meat only has six slices. So stingy!]
The system: [Maybe she spent all her money on spices. Let's be understanding.]
[After the emperor kisses Consort Shu and does the deed with her, he kisses and cuddles the empress too, right? Kissing one, then the other-does that count as an indirect kiss?]
The empress choked on her tea. Her personal maid, Xiao Wei, asked anxiously, "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. Perhaps today's green tea is too strong. It caught in my throat."
Before you continue