Chapter 28: Meeting at the Palace Banquet

After everyone took their seats, they began to present birthday gifts to Jiang Jingchen one by one.

Jiang Huaiyue’s eyes were opened wide—there were treasures like the Eastern Sea pearl, a half-person-high red coral, seven-colored glazed lamps, and so on, dazzling the attendees.

“Please, Regent Prince, present your gift,” the steward beside Jiang Jingchen called out loudly.

As soon as he finished speaking, Moying stepped forward carrying a small box. “This is a ten-thousand-year-old Lingzhi mushroom. I wish His Majesty blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and longevity like the Southern Mountains.”

After Moying’s words, murmurs rose from the crowd.

“That ten-thousand-year Lingzhi is a precious thing! Didn’t expect the Regent Prince to be so generous.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

Jiang Huaiyue occasionally heard these whispers and felt something was odd—after all, Pei Ji’s usual behavior didn’t seem like someone who would give such a valuable gift to Jiang Jingchen.

“The Regent Prince is thoughtful,” Jiang Jingchen said lightly.

Pei Ji replied casually, “As long as His Majesty likes it.”

Moying brought the gift forward and saw the eunuch receiving it carefully; he couldn’t help but suppress a chuckle.

His master was really mischievous—just picked a small Lingzhi and called it a ten-thousand-year Lingzhi. Even if the emperor found out, no one dared to say anything.

After the gifts were presented, Jiang Jingchen said, “Ministers, please enjoy yourselves.”

The sound of brass instruments filled the air as dancers entered gracefully, their songs melodious, adding elegance and joy to the banquet.

Jiang Huaiyue peeled an orange, her gaze shifting around the room until she finally spotted the person she wanted to find in a corner.

Su Xiangwan noticed the eyes fixed on her and looked up.

Their eyes met; she cautiously gestured with her fingers, and Su Xiangwan smiled and winked in acknowledgment.

“Prince, I’m going to change,” Jiang Huaiyue said to Pei Ji and greeted him.

Pei Ji lifted his eyelids with an unreadable “hmm.”

Jiang Huaiyue stood and walked outside. Watching her figure leave, Pei Ji waved his hand.

Moying immediately followed behind him.

After leaving Changchun Palace, Jiang Huaiyue arrived at a nearby corridor. She looked around and quietly called, “Wanwan? Wanwan?”

After calling twice, the branches of a nearby tree rustled. Looking back, Su Xiangwan emerged from the side.

Excited, Jiang Huaiyue stepped forward and grabbed her hand. “Wanwan, I’ve missed you so much!”

“Calm down, this is the palace,” Su Xiangwan pulled her back gently and led her to sit beside her.

Jiang Huaiyue pouted. “I got too happy and forgot myself.”

Qiuchan, who followed Jiang Huaiyue out, was taken aside by Ningxiang to keep watch.

“How have you been lately?” Su Xiangwan asked softly.

Now, their relationship was like a long-distance romance—they weren’t actually far apart, but couldn’t meet freely.

And without phones, even wanting to contact each other was difficult and slow.

Jiang Huaiyue sighed deeply. “Don’t mention it. You were right—I’ve been cursed by Jiang Jingchen.”

“A curse? Is there a cure? Have you seen a doctor? Do you feel unwell anywhere?” Su Xiangwan anxiously grabbed her hand and looked closely.

“I’ve seen the doctor. He said it’s a zi qi (子齂) poison; we have to find the qi poison to cure it,” Jiang Huaiyue’s expression was a bit weary. Honestly, she really felt unlucky.

But thinking carefully, at least it was her who got unlucky—not Wanwan.

Su Wanwan frowned: “The qi poison is in Jiang Jingchen’s hands?”

She recalled that when she filmed in modern times, she had been once to Miaojiang—that is, Guizhou. The so-called gu poison involves putting a bunch of poisonous insects together; the last surviving one is called the gu.

“Yeah, he asked me to steal the military token from Pei Ji. I made a fake one for him, and he didn’t notice,” Jiang Huaiyue whispered into Su Wanwan’s ear.

Hearing this, Su Wanwan deeply realized how dangerous Jiang Huaiyue’s situation was. After thinking it over, she said, “Yueya, find a chance to come to Qing Shan Pavilion across from Jin Xiu Workshop to meet me in the next few days.”

They couldn’t just keep waiting like this. She needed to find an opportunity to leave the capital quickly. She worried that if things continued this way, Yueya wouldn’t hold up.

Since the gu poison comes from Miaojiang, at worst they could go there after leaving and try to find a cure. After all, this is a man-made poison—there must be a way to break it.

Jiang Huaiyue saw her heavy expression and patted her hand: “Got it. I’m fine for now, don’t worry.”

She had wanted to tell her about Pei Ji, but knowing she was already so worried about the poison, if she heard that last time Jiang Huaiyue was almost strangled to death by Pei Ji, she’d worry even more.

While they were talking, Qiu Chan nearby called out, “Princess, someone’s coming.”

Jiang Huaiyue said, “Hide first. If people find out we’re close, it might cause unnecessary trouble.”

Su Wanwan nodded. The two turned and walked behind a fake rock.

The night was cool and clear, moonlight poured down.

Rustling footsteps came. Jiang Huaiyue heard a man’s voice calling: “Xi’er.”

She was very familiar with this voice—it was Jiang Jingchen.

She recalled the novel’s female lead, Chu Nanxi, who still hadn’t appeared. Her name just happened to include the character “Xi” (惜).

So was she and Wanwan just coincidentally witnessing the male and female leads’ secret meeting?

“A humble servant greets His Majesty. Men and women are different; Your Majesty shouldn’t call me this way—it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings,” the woman spoke politely and respectfully.

Jiang Huaiyue felt this voice was somewhat familiar; she felt she’d heard it somewhere before.

But what puzzled her most was the tone of their conversation—it didn’t sound familiar at all.

The script said the two had grown up as childhood sweethearts. Male lead Jiang Jingchen was deeply in love with Chu Nanxi, but because he was a great charmer attracting many women, the female lead was constantly jealous, and they had many misunderstandings before finally getting together.

“Xi’er, must you always act so cold to me? You know I only have eyes for you,” Jiang Jingchen said, looking at Chu Nanxi’s indifferent face with a bitter heart.

Chu Nanxi listened but showed no emotion: “Your Majesty is the supreme ruler; many women like you. Why waste time on a humble servant like me?”

Jiang Jingchen’s heart tightened: “But I only like Xi’er, and want her to be my Empress.”

“I’m rough and unworthy of bearing the responsibility of a kingdom. I hope Your Majesty will consider carefully,” Chu Nanxi replied softly with a slight bow.

Strangely, she had never really had much contact with His Majesty. She didn’t understand why he was interested in her.

Jiang Jingchen’s lips pressed tight, eyes full of hope: “Xi’er, have you ever had feelings for me?”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty, I have never had such hopes,” Chu Nanxi said, lowering her eyes and speaking slowly and clearly.

She knew this might anger him, but there was no way—his so-called affection truly did not exist for her.

Besides, she had someone impossible hidden in her heart—how could she love another?

Jiang Jingchen looked disappointed, took two steps back, and bitterly smiled: “If so, why did you have someone send me the heart-shaped knot you personally wove?”