Chapter 170: Chapter 169: Traitorous Concubine or Worthy Empress 4
Anning endured the boredom of learning those tedious matters, often crying before Feng Chengxi.
The days passed by, one after the other, and soon the day arrived to depart for Jin Country.
Jin Country was mighty, having defeated Lu Country several years ago, prompting Lu Country to send a state letter and submit and pay tribute to Jin Country.
Every year, Lu Country would send tributes and beauties to Jin Country.
This year was no different.
Anning was one of those beauties being sent to Jin Country.
However, due to Anning’s status, she was given special attention on the journey to Jin Country.
While all the other beauties rode several to a carriage, Anning rode in one carriage alone, attended to by several maids; the other beauties had to take care of various chores themselves, Anning did not have to lift a finger and simply needed to stay properly in her carriage.
As the Crown Prince of Lu Country, Feng Chengxi was leading the delegation to Jin Country this time.
Along the way, he always sought opportunities to interact with Anning.
Anning then pretended to be carsick, looking pale and weak, unable to muster any energy.
At this time, the weather was growing hot, and it was very stuffy sitting inside the carriage all day, truly uncomfortable.
Anning was eagerly hoping that the caravan could reach Jin Country soon so she would not have to suffer like this anymore.
After traveling for about a month, the caravan finally reached Jin Country.
On the day they entered the capital of Jin Country, Yang City, Anning secretly lifted the carriage curtain to peek outside; she found that Yang City was even more prosperous than Lu Country’s capital, Zhao City, and the citizens seemed to be in much better spirits.
After sneaking a few glances, Anning let the curtain fall, sitting in the carriage with a nervous look.
When they arrived at the post station, Anning put on her veil cap and was helped off the carriage by her maids.
Shortly after she entered the room specially prepared for her, Feng Chengxi came in.
"Cousin, tomorrow I will enter Prince Jin Palace, do prepare yourself carefully too," he said.
Anning nodded and looked at Feng Chengxi timidly, "Cousin, do you know what Prince Jin likes?"
That was one of the few questions she had asked all along the way; Feng Chengxi was stunned for a moment, and then felt a sour feeling in his heart.
"Prince Jin’s mood is unpredictable; no one really knows what he likes," he said dully.
"All we know is that he likes beauties, and cousin has both elegance and appearance, so Prince Jin will surely like you."
Anning hung her head, "I only wish to be of help to cousin."
Feng Chengxi looked at Anning’s frail figure with even more depression in his heart; he did not stay long and soon turned to leave.
After Feng Chengxi left, an old woman from the post station came to deliver food and drink.
Anning tipped the old woman through her maids, smiling, "I wonder if there is ice here; it’s a bit hot, and I have always been intolerant of heat, I would like to have a basin of ice in the room."
The old woman had been shocked by Anning’s appearance when she first entered the room, and now completely dazzled, it took her several prompts from Anning to come back to herself, "We have ice, but... you will need to pay for it yourself."
Anning smiled, "Just bring it over, charge the cost of the ice to the account of the Lu Country Crown Prince."
The old woman also smiled, "Miss is of such good looks."
Anning sighed, "It’s only because of these looks that I’ve had to leave home; I would rather be uglier."
The old woman seemed to think of something and sighed as well, "Miss, are you going to enter the palace?"
Anning nodded.
"Then, Miss, you must be careful," the old woman came closer and lowered her voice to Anning.
Anning quickly took off a hairpin from her head and handed it to her, "Can you tell me more clearly?"
The old woman’s voice was even lower, "You are not from Jin Country, naturally, you do not know our Prince Jin’s temperament. Prince Jin’s mood is unpredictable, and he has always been brutal; he loves to see beauties, and there are many beauties in the palace. However, Prince Jin is not one for long-lasting affection; even if a beauty of Heavenly Immortal likeness is sent, he cannot like her for many days before he grows tired. If such a beauty does not know how to act properly or becomes arrogant and spoiled due to favoritism, then she won’t live many days. Recently, quite a few beauties have been carried out from the Royal Palace."
Anning’s gaze grew somber, "Is it really like that? Then, I... probably won’t live long either."
The old woman sized up Anning again, "Miss, with your appearance, I have seen many beauties gifted by other countries, none can compare to you. It seems, as long as you stay calm, you should be able to live longer."
Anning showed a worried expression, "I only hope to live a little longer, but as I have no attachments, even if I die, there would be no regrets."
"Miss, try to be at peace with it. At this point, living another day is a blessing," the old woman sighed again: "Now, the beauties in the Royal Palace are mostly tributes from other nations. All the girls in the capital who are somewhat attractive are hidden away by their families; none wish to serve in the palace and attend to Your Majesty."
After she finished speaking, she gave Anning a bow and left.
Anning saw her off for a few steps and then discreetly gave the old woman some money.
When she turned back, Anning’s brows were knitted together.
At that time, Xie Anning was also staying in an inn, but she had suffered hardships on the road, and once she got to the inn, she could do nothing but lie in bed. She struggled mightily to get up and was assisted by two maids to enter the palace. She knew nothing about Prince Jin and his affairs.
Once Xie Anning entered the palace, no one dared tell her about the situations within. She was indeed ignorant of them.
Recalling the old woman’s words, Anning felt some uncertainty towards Prince Jin.
But what she felt most was a loathing for Feng Chengxi.
Prince Jin was brutal; beauties in the palace often did not live long. Feng Chengxi must have known this.
Yet even though he knew, he was unsure if Anning would receive favor upon entering the palace. Driven by that ambition, he still disregarded her life and sent her anyway. It was clear; he was a ruthless and unprincipled man.
After pondering for a while, Anning ate a little something and rested.
Early the next day, Anning got out of bed.
She dressed and made herself up meticulously, so by the time Feng Chengxi came to escort her to the palace, he was struck by her stunning attire: "Cousin, you look... really beautiful today."
Anning chuckled lightly: "If not so, how could I be of help to Cousin?"
This pained Feng Chengxi, and without further conversation, he led the way and they rode to the palace gate.
Afterward, Feng Chengxi and Anning waited for the guard to announce them.
They waited a long time before someone came to lead them in.
Prince Jin Palace was grave and majestic. Being within its walls spontaneously commanded silence, and they became cautious in their actions and manners.
Anning and Feng Chengxi did the same, following the Palace Attendant at a brisk pace, speaking not a word along the way, nor looking around.
Upon reaching Qingzheng Hall, Feng Chengxi entered first.
Anning waited outside the hall, not knowing what Feng Chengxi was discussing with Prince Jin. After a long time, a Palace Attendant led Anning into Qingzheng Hall.
The weather was hot that day, and Anning had been waiting outside so long she was drenched in sweat.
But as soon as she entered Qingzheng Hall, she felt a wave of coolness.
The hall had ice basins placed all around, making the entire room pleasantly cool.
The sweat that Anning had worked up outside disappeared in no time.
She bowed her head and walked forward a few steps, standing to attention in salute: "Greetings to Your Majesty."
She waited a long time without hearing a sound, and no one instructed her to rise. Anning had to maintain her posture, daring not to move.
Then, after a while, she heard a hoarse voice: "Rise."
Anning stood up and heard the voice continue: "Lift your head. Let this lone King see what Heavenly Immortal beauty compelled Lu Country to send here so eagerly."
The voice was calm, without any fluctuations, emotionless as though... it was emitted by an icy, unfeeling machine.
Hearing it, Anning felt a chill in her heart.
She slowly raised her head.
Just as she did, she suddenly heard laughter: "Ha ha... This beauty is indeed quite interesting."
Anning furrowed her brows, taken aback.
She also saw the person facing her, seated on the throne.
He was tall, even seated, one could tell his frame was broad, and he looked very young. His body appeared thin and his face pale, yet he had an astonishing presence.
Because of his formidable aura, one would not pay much attention to his eyebrows and eyes.
But Anning took notice; she felt there was something familiar about this man’s eyebrows and eyes.
She thought for a moment, and the more she looked, the more familiar he seemed.