Dressed As a Consort in Ancient Times - Chapter 31
The night was hazy.
Because the Seventh Prince Consort was suspected of practicing witchcraft, the Capital Prefecture and the Ministry of Justice joined forces to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Under the shroud of night, the capital was a place of shifting shadows and restless hearts.
Within the Princess’s residence during the night.
Jiang Libai issued one order after another.
Did that fearless Yun Yan not claim she was carrying Gu Yun’s child? Then she would thoroughly investigate whose child Yun Yan was truly carrying!
And as for that malicious Yan Qiao’er, did she not insist that she saw Gu Yun practicing witchcraft? Jiang Libai would uncover who had taken advantage of the situation to place that puppet in Gu Yun’s study!
Of course, none of this was the most pressing matter.
Jiang Libai called Chunxi to bring her a thick cloak. After putting it on, she gazed into the windy, vast night, exhaled lightly, and stepped out of the courtyard.
“Princess? It’s so late—where are you going?!” Chunxi hurried after her, a look of worry on her face.
Jiang Libai did not stop walking: “Bring my token. I’m going to see my mother consort.”
Fortunately, after her marriage, her mother consort had given her a token that allowed her to enter and exit the palace at night. Otherwise, with the palace gates locked at this hour, she wouldn’t have been able to visit her mother consort.
“Is it because of the Prince Consort?” Chunxi could think of no other matter that would warrant such urgency from the princess.
She thought perhaps the princess truly held deep affection for the Prince Consort, going so far as to travel late at night despite being pregnant.
Jiang Libai nodded, then held onto Chunxi’s elbow as she climbed into the carriage.
The streets were deserted at night, but Muzhou, mindful of the Seventh Princess’s pregnancy, maintained a normal pace.
Jiang Libai, anxious and impatient, pulled back the curtain: “Hurry up! I must get to the palace quickly!”
Muzhou had no choice but to speed up. “Hyah—”
—
The Anyang Earl Manor was already draped in white mourning banners. Although Zhou Yan was just an unmarried youth, his funeral was conducted with great pomp, as if the Zhou family was eager to ensure everyone knew they had lost a son.
After watching the proceedings in the mourning hall for a while, Anyang Earl and his heir, Zhou Ran, left with somber expressions.
Back in the study, a shadowy figure, whose form was indiscernible, was already seated in a dark corner.
Zhou Ran lit a candle, illuminating the room slightly, though the figure remained obscured.
He and his father both turned to face the figure in the corner and gave a slight bow.
After exchanging greetings, Anyang Earl seated himself at the head of the room. Some of the sorrow on his face faded as he spoke, “Sir, now that the one surnamed Gu has been imprisoned, why not take advantage of this moment when he is unprotected and…”
He trailed off, bringing his hand down in a chopping motion, the meaning unmistakable.
The man cloaked in black, with only his chin visible, raised a hand. “No.”
Zhou Ran grew anxious. “Why not?! He’s already in prison as planned. Why not end him now and save us further trouble?”
The man in black curled his lips into a faint smirk. “The people around Princess Jia Ning are already investigating. If we act now, it will be difficult to cover our tracks. The princess will surely seize upon any evidence. At that point… do you still hope to marry Princess Jia Ning?”
These words sobered Zhou Ran.
His previously anxious expression softened. “If that’s the case, then we will proceed according to the plan…”
The man in black chuckled lightly. “Involving witchcraft, His Majesty will not let this matter slide easily. Even if the one surnamed Gu escapes with his life, s
he will still be forced to divorce Princess Jia Ning…”
At this, the man’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he turned to Zhou Ran, a sly smile forming on his lips. “When you marry Princess Jia Ning, don’t forget the promise you made to me.”
Zhou Ran and Anyang Earl exchanged a glance and nodded repeatedly. “Yes, yes, we will not forget!”
With the terms settled, no more was said. The man in black tightened his cloak to conceal himself entirely and left silently through the small gate of the Anyang Earl Manor.
Sensing several tails following him, he chuckled. After wandering around the capital for a while and completely shaking off his pursuers, he headed back toward a certain courtyard in the city.
—
Under the cover of night, Jiang Libai knocked on the palace gates.
Flashing the token in her hand at the guards, she held onto Chunxi’s arm and quickly entered the palace.
Lanterns hung everywhere within the palace, casting light that dispelled the darkness of the night outside.
Walking briskly on the pebble path toward Changchun Palace, Jiang Libai’s pace grew faster and faster.
Chunxi hurriedly steadied her, her face full of worry and heartache as she glanced repeatedly at the princess.
Just as Chunxi was about to suggest that the Seventh Princess take a rest, the gates of Changchun Palace appeared ahead.
Before they could approach, the doors opened.
Ming Tao, seeing the two figures hurrying through the night, rushed forward to greet them. “Princess, it’s so late! You must take care of yourself!”
When Jiang Libai knocked on the palace gates, the news had already been delivered. Ming Tao had been preparing to fetch Princess Jia Ning, but upon opening the door, she was surprised to find the princess already there.
“You’re with child; how can you walk so quickly?”
Jiang Libai waved her hand to indicate she was fine and strode into Changchun Palace. She asked Ming Tao, “Has my mother consort gone to bed?”
“She hasn’t. Upon hearing you’d entered the palace, the consort has been waiting for you in her chamber.”
Hearing this, Jiang Libai hesitated no further and followed Ming Tao into her mother consort’s bedroom.
The brightly lit inner chamber revealed Yuan Guifei, dressed in resplendent finery, who sighed softly as her daughter pushed the door open and entered. “It’s about your Prince Consort, isn’t it?”
With that, she dismissed everyone from the room.
In the presence of her most trusted mother, Jiang Libai’s feigned composure completely crumbled. Her eyes reddened. “Mother Consort, can you persuade Father Emperor? Gu Yun could never be involved in witchcraft; it’s all a malicious slander from the Anyang Earl’s household!”
Yuan Guifei held her hand and gently guided her to sit beside her. She raised her hand to wipe the tears from Jiang Libai’s eyes. “Your father is wise and won’t wrong him. Besides, he is still a prince of Jin. No matter how ruthless your father may seem, he won’t take his life.”
“So, there’s no need to worry so much.”
Jiang Libai knew this in her heart.
“But… Mother Consort, once this matter is resolved, will you and Father Emperor insist on having me divorce Gu Yun?”
Yuan Guifei’s hand paused briefly before she replied, her face full of helplessness, “Yes.”
“But…” Jiang Libai’s face turned pale.
Yuan Guifei interrupted her. “You must understand. Even if he’s proven innocent, the accusations of impropriety and witchcraft have tainted his reputation. Your father, concerned about his image, will not allow someone with such a reputation to remain your Prince Consort.”
“Even if his name is cleared, the common people won’t easily believe it.”
Jiang Libai felt despondent.
Indeed, once someone’s name was stained by such accusations, even if they were innocent, rumors would persist.
Just as when she had suffered a personal scandal—despite her parents handling it discreetly, any hint of it leaked would still provoke gossip.
“Mother Consort…” Jiang Libai’s voice carried a faint sob.
Yuan Guifei’s heart ached as she held her daughter in her arms, gently comforting her as she had in the past. “Don’t cry. After all, you’ve only been married for two months. There isn’t much emotional attachment. Once you divorce, time will heal everything.”
Two months.
Jiang Libai wept silently.
She thought to herself, *I have truly fallen for Gu Yun in just these two months.*
She didn’t want to divorce her. Nor did she want to choose another Prince Consort.
“Mother Consort, I don’t want to divorce him.” Suppressing her sorrow, Jiang Libai spoke her heart with clarity.
Yuan Guifei was momentarily stunned, then sighed. “Do you love him so much? Even if there’s a chance he has a child with someone else?”
Hearing this, Jiang Libai’s sadness was replaced with a complex mix of emotions.
How could she explain to her mother consort that it was impossible for Gu Yun to have a child with another woman?
She couldn’t reveal the truth—that Gu Yun was, in fact, a woman.
After a long struggle, Jiang Libai said, “Mother Consort, I trust Gu Yun. I trust he would never betray me or secretly conceive a child with another woman. I believe in him.”
With the matter unresolved, Yuan Guifei maintained her neutrality. However, she felt her daughter’s unwavering faith in Gu Yun was excessive. Even in the face of such allegations, she harbored no suspicion.
“Most men are captivated by beauty. Are you so sure he won’t fall for another woman?” Yuan Guifei questioned.
Jiang Libai’s expression was resolute. “I trust him. While other men may be tempted, I know Gu Yun would never be.”
When it seemed her mother consort was about to say more, Jiang Libai firmly declared, “I love Gu Yun, and he loves me. We’ve already vowed to each other. His heart belongs solely to me.”
“And from these past months together, I’ve come to know his character. He would never, ever behave inappropriately with anyone else.”
Seeing her daughter’s seriousness, Yuan Guifei recalled what Ming Tao and Chunxi had once said about Gu Yun’s devotion to Princess Jia Ning. She had been increasingly pleased with Gu Yun back then.
“Are you sure you won’t divorce him?” Yuan Guifei confirmed again. “Even if it means enduring gossip, or that he might one day love another woman?”
Outside, the cold wind howled. Inside, the candlelight flickered.
Jiang Libai hesitated briefly, then pressed a hand to her chest and answered softly, “Yes.”
She had already endured rumors before. Why fear them now?
As for the second possibility, she wasn’t worried at all.
Yuan Guifei knew her daughter’s stubborn nature. Once she made up her mind, no force could change it. She could only hope Gu Yun would live up to her daughter’s heartfelt devotion.
“It’s very late. Stay at Changchun Palace tonight,” Yuan Guifei said, smoothing her daughter’s slightly disheveled hair.
Jiang Libai shook her head. “I’ll return home. Entering the palace so late was already improper. If I stay overnight at Changchun Palace, the other consorts might accuse you of favoritism.”
After rising, Jiang Libai bowed respectfully to Yuan Guifei and left in an orderly manner.
Watching her retreating figure, Yuan Guifei was filled with mixed emotions.
Her Jia Ning truly seemed to have grown up.
Two months ago, newly married Jia Ning had cried and protested, wanting to move back to the palace. Now, she strictly adhered to palace rules, insisting on returning home late at night…
Yuan Guifei felt both pride and heartache.
She rose from her couch and summoned Ming Tao into the room.
“Tomorrow, once His Majesty finishes court, invite him to Changchun Palace,” she instructed.
—
Walking through the familiar imperial garden, Chunxi supported the Seventh Princess and asked softly, “Princess, did the Noble Consort agree to plead with His Majesty?”
When the Seventh Princess emerged earlier, her expression showed neither happiness nor disappointment, leaving the outcome unclear.
Jiang Libai responded with a melancholic tone, “Mother Consort agreed. But whether she can persuade Father Emperor, I do not know.”
The lanterns in the imperial garden were dim, casting shadows over the intricate rockeries and the carefully arranged landscape.
As they reached a corner, they encountered someone coming toward them.
The person was seated in a wheelchair, being pushed from behind.
Jiang Libai was slightly surprised. “Fifth Sister, why are you still awake so late?”
As they moved closer into the light, she noticed Jiang Ying’s pale complexion. Instinctively, she wanted to remove her cloak and drape it over her sister.
Jiang Ying raised her hand to stop her, speaking gently, “I don’t need it. Keep it on yourself.” Then, looking at the figure behind Jiang Libai, she added, “Chunxi, take good care of your mistress. Don’t let her catch a chill.”
Jiang Libai reluctantly rewrapped herself in the cloak. Seeing that Jiang Ying was accompanied by only one servant, she frowned slightly. “Fifth Sister, why are you out so late? And why are you only with Qiu Ju?”
“I couldn’t sleep and thought I’d take a stroll. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
Under the faint light of night, Jiang Libai’s delicate and radiant face took on a hazy softness, leaving Jiang Ying momentarily dazed.
“Fifth Sister, I must leave the palace. You should return and rest soon as well,” Jiang Libai said, eager to head back, not noticing the fleeting desire in Jiang Ying’s gaze.
As she was about to leave, someone grabbed her hand.
Startled, she turned back. “Fifth Sister, is there something else?”
Jiang Ying held her slender, warm wrist for a brief moment before letting go naturally. “I’ve heard about the recent events from Qiu Ju. Tonight, you came to the palace because of Gu Yun, didn’t you?”
Jiang Libai hadn’t expected her Fifth Sister to ask this but saw no reason to hide it. “Yes, my Prince Consort has been falsely accused, so I came to ask Mother Consort to help him.”
Jiang Ying’s gaze flickered. “You know he won’t lose his life. So… there was no need to brave the cold winds and come into the palace late at night to plead with Yuan Guifei to save him…”
It was rare for her Fifth Sister to say so much. Jiang Libai felt a bit pleased and shared more about her plea to her Mother Consort. “Even though my Prince Consort won’t lose his life, considering Father Emperor’s nature, he will surely make me divorce him…”
“You don’t want to divorce him?” Jiang Ying’s expression was calm.
“That’s right. My Prince Consort is wonderful. I don’t want to leave him,” Jiang Libai replied earnestly. Realizing it was almost midnight, she decided not to linger in the palace. She waved to Jiang Ying, saying, “I must return now. Fifth Sister, you should also rest soon.”
With that, she walked away with Chunxi.
In the dim corner, Jiang Ying tilted her head slightly, her gaze following Jiang Libai’s figure as it receded into the distance.
“Let’s go back.”
A soft sigh floated through the night, carried far away by the cold wind.
—
After a night of rushing about, Jiang Libai was utterly exhausted. When she heard that no news had yet been gathered, she could no longer hold on and fell asleep fully dressed on the soft couch.
Meanwhile, in the Ministry of Justice’s prison.
Gu Yun, who hadn’t been subjected to any torment, was also leaning on the simple wooden bed, preparing to rest.
The prison had no lit candles, and there wasn’t even a single window. It was much darker than the outside.
In the silent night, every sound around her was especially clear.
Hearing faint footsteps approaching from a distance, Gu Yun immediately opened her eyes.
At this hour… Could someone still be coming to interrogate her?
Frowning slightly, Gu Yun had a nagging feeling that whoever was coming likely bore ill intentions.
In the dim light, she silently left the wooden bed and moved to the farthest corner, waiting for the sneaky visitor.
Before long, a dark figure arrived in front of the cell door. Producing a key, he silently unlocked the door.
As the figure entered, Gu Yun noticed him pulling something from his chest.
From the faint sound, it seemed to be… a dagger?
The man raised the dagger in his hand and stabbed down fiercely at the wooden bed.
There was no sound of a blade piercing flesh nor any sign of struggle from the figure on the bed. The man’s heart tightened, and he stabbed several more times.
But in the next instant, his hand was grabbed from behind, and with a crisp “crack,” it was broken!
The man dared not make a sound. Enduring the excruciating pain, he used his other elbow to strike backward, hoping to knock his assailant away.
However, his intention was anticipated, and before he could act, his other arm was twisted and broken.
With both hands incapacitated, the man panted heavily but didn’t stop trying. He used his legs to launch an attack, hoping to throw the person off.
Seeing that the man’s moves were all aimed to kill, Gu Yun showed no mercy. After dodging his attack, she retaliated with two swift stomps, breaking both his legs.
Having failed and now disabled, the man realized there was no turning back. In desperation, he tried to bite down on the poison capsule hidden in his mouth.
“Snap—”
With her heightened awareness, Gu Yun quickly sensed his intent. She seized the moment, prying his jaw open to prevent him from biting down.
Seeing that he was now unable to struggle, Gu Yun casually tossed him to the ground.
This man was undoubtedly a well-trained assassin.
But who would send an assassin to kill her?
Whose path had she obstructed?
Still, the timing of his arrival was fortuitous. Since he was alive, those behind him wouldn’t remain idle for long.
In that case, she could hope to get out of here sooner.
Casting a cold glance at the man lying on the ground, Gu Yun then picked up the dagger he had dropped earlier. She drew a cut on her arm, and as the sharp pain hit, blood began to flow.
She made a few more cuts on other parts of her body, leaving herself looking disheveled and wounded. Finally, she walked to the cell door, knocked on it, and shouted, “Guards… Guards… An assassin!”
—
Before dawn broke, the quiet Princess Manor was suddenly disturbed by loud knocking at its gates.
Jiang Libai, who had barely slept, was woken by Chunxi pulling her out of bed. Rubbing her temples groggily, she asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Princess, the prince consort was attacked in the prison!” Chunxi lit a candle and hurried to the bedside, her voice anxious.
It took Jiang Libai a moment to fully process what she had heard. Then, she jolted awake. “What did you say?!”
“The prince consort—he was attacked!”
The just-risen Jiang Libai felt a wave of dizziness upon hearing the news. She fell back onto the bed, shaking her head to clear it. Once the dizziness subsided, she grabbed Chunxi’s sleeve. “Is the prince consort alright?!”
“This servant doesn’t know! Someone from the Ministry of Justice came and said the prince consort was attacked and asked for you to come see him!”
Jiang Libai, unfamiliar with Gu Yun’s martial skills, was thrown into a panic upon hearing of the attack.
She didn’t even have time to freshen up or dress properly. Throwing on a gown and a cloak, she rushed out like the wind.
“Prepare the carriage!”
Chunxi followed closely behind, replying, “Yes!”
—
The main hall of the Ministry of Justice was brightly lit.
Gu Yun leaned weakly on a chair below the central seat, her eyes closed as if resting.
As soon as Jiang Libai entered the hall, her eyes fell on Gu Yun’s blood-soaked appearance.
“Gu Yun?!” She rushed over, seeing Gu Yun’s closed eyes, and called out softly.
Gu Yun slowly opened her eyes, surprised at how quickly the Seventh Princess had arrived. “Princess, I’m fine.”
But her voice was weak, and coupled with her blood-covered form, Jiang Libai couldn’t bring herself to believe it.
“Don’t move…” Jiang Libai pressed down on Gu Yun’s hand, which she had been trying to lift, her own eyes brimming with tears.
“Where is the imperial physician? Why hasn’t the physician arrived yet?!” Not daring to look at Gu Yun any longer, Jiang Libai wiped her tears and turned to the Minister of Justice, Li Zhongxian, who had been standing silently in the background. She suppressed her fury as she spoke.
“If the prince consort suffers any harm, this princess will never forgive you!”
Li Zhongxian, looking both guilty and helpless, quickly replied, “Yes, yes, it was my negligence in supervision. However the princess wishes to punish me, I will accept it. But for now, the priority is treating the prince consort’s injuries!”
cool kiz
I’m really getting hooked by this