Chapter 13: Oh! My Sweet Liar! (Wang Fei Bu Kao Pu)
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
The Empress Dowager looked at her with a stern expression. “What is this maid laughing about? If you can’t explain, I’ll have someone throw you into the sewers to feed the rats!”
Oh no! The Empress Dowager doesn’t seem like someone with such a ruthless demeanor. Why is she so cruel in her punishment?
Xiong Xiru trembled with fear.
“I… I…” Xiong Xiru was at a loss for words.
This question had to be answered carefully.
If she gave an unsatisfactory answer, she might be thrown to feed the rats.
She absolutely couldn’t tell the truth, as it would only anger the Empress Dowager.
“Servant was reminded of the content of the comic, which made me laugh just as the Crown Prince did,” Xiong Xiru said respectfully, though she was internally anxious and distressed.
This excuse was quite good. If the Crown Prince, who had never smiled in 18 years, could laugh at the comic, then surely a small maid like her could laugh at it too. If the Empress Dowager were to punish her for this, she should also punish the Crown Prince.
After all, they were both guilty of the same thing.
Xiong Xiru felt a secret joy. Why am I so smart? I found such a clever excuse. There’s nothing I can’t handle.
It’s a pity that in modern times, no one recognized my talent, and that’s why my teachers gave me such low grades. I was clearly a genius, but those short-sighted teachers turned me into a fool.
The Empress Dowager didn’t pursue the matter further but was curious. “Oh? You also saw that comic? Tell me more about it. What kind of performance is it?”
She thinks it’s a performance? People in ancient times just didn’t know much. Even a modern fool like me can show off in the ancient times.
“Replying to the Empress Dowager, it is a drawing with a storyline added, so it’s called a comic,” Xiong Xiru explained while still kneeling.
She glanced up slightly and saw the Crown Prince’s cold eyes fixed on her as if she had a deep enmity with him. Xiong Xiru shivered and quickly lowered her head.
“Ah, so it’s a drawing. What kind of drawing could have such a magical effect? I’d like to see it,” the Empress Dowager said with a softened expression. “Crown Prince, go and bring that comic for me to see.” The Empress Dowager issued the order.
“Yes.” Li Hongyi responded with a bow, casting a cold glance at the still-kneeling Xiong Xiru.
Just as Li Hongyi was about to retrieve the comic, a hearty laughter suddenly rang through the hall. “Haha, my nephew actually laughed. What a wonder!”
Who could be so bold as to laugh so freely in front of the Crown Prince and the Empress Dowager? And the Empress Dowager hasn’t even gotten angry?
I barely laughed softly and was nearly sent to the sewers to feed rats.
Xiong Xiru turned her head curiously to see a robust figure in luxurious robes enter with a grand demeanor.
The person seemed surprised to see the Empress Dowager there. He paused for a moment and then greeted her, “Son pays respects to Mother.”
“Rise,” the Empress Dowager said kindly, “Jingsui, what brings you to the East Palace today?”
“I heard that Crown Prince suddenly laughed for no apparent reason, so I came to see if he has thought of any new strategies against the Song Dynasty,” Li Jingsui replied, glancing at Li Hongyi.
His gaze, calm yet turbulent, and his demeanor, gentle yet filled with hidden suspicion, were hard to interpret.
Li Hongyi’s expression remained as cold as ever, and he met Li Jingsui’s gaze with equal coldness. He understood clearly that Li Jingsui’s unexpected visit was not merely to see why he laughed; there was likely another motive.
Xiong Xiru, still kneeling on the floor, found herself caught between Li Jingsui and Li Hongyi, sensing the palpable tension and unspoken conflict between their glances.
“Ah, I came to see how Crown Prince is doing and only learned that it was a comic that made him laugh. I was about to take a look,” the Empress Dowager said with a thoughtful smile.
“Really? Just because of a comic?” Li Jingsui asked with disbelief, unable to accept that such a simple reason could cause such a rare occurrence.
Although he heard the Empress Dowager’s explanation, he wasn’t fully convinced.
He briefly acknowledged the Empress Dowager and then turned his attention back to Li Hongyi. Noticing Xiong Xiru kneeling beside him, he asked, “Why is this maid still kneeling here?”
Realizing he was referring to her, Xiong Xiru couldn’t help but meet his gaze. His smiling demeanor made him appear easygoing and approachable.
Since he addressed the Empress Dowager as “Mother,” he must be the Empress Dowager’s son and the Crown Prince’s uncle.
Understanding this, Xiong Xiru gave him a few silly smiles.
“It’s a trivial matter. You may rise,” the Empress Dowager suddenly said.
Xiong Xiru was moved to tears and gratefully stood up, finally relieved to be allowed to rise.
Her knees were sore from kneeling, but this Prince was kind enough to speak up for her, unlike the icy Crown Prince who did nothing to help. Hmph!
I’ll never be your wife again.
Oh no, my legs have gone numb from kneeling. As Xiong Xiru stood up, she swayed and nearly fell. Li Jingsui quickly reached out a hand to steady her. With his help, Xiong Xiru managed to stand and gave him a grateful bow, “Thank you.”
“Not at all,” Li Jingsui replied with a touch of humor.
Li Hongyi stepped forward, pulling Xiong Xiru behind him and addressing Li Jingsui, “Uncle, weren’t you stationed in Huaixi? Why have you suddenly returned?” Li Hongyi was well aware that Li Jingsui’s rapid arrival at the East Palace meant he had likely been in Jinling for some time and had been plotting something, as Li Jingsui had always been covetous of the throne, which was a concern for Li Hongyi.
Xiong Xiru silently rolled her eyes at Li Hongyi.
But why harbor such animosity towards this kind-hearted Prince?
He didn’t even steal your bride.
Wait, could it be that you’re jealous?
The thought struck Xiong Xiru, and she looked at Li Hongyi with surprise.
So this silent one does get jealous, too.
“Oh, there’s been no major events in Huaixi lately, and I’ve been quite idle. Hearing that the capital had some good news, I came back to see my nephew. Whatever could make the Crown Prince laugh must be something extraordinary,” Li Jingsui said with a self-assured tone.
Li Hongyi, however, was skeptical, knowing that Li Jingsui was lying, “Thank you for your concern, Uncle. There’s nothing much, just a bit of amusement with some artwork.”
You know how to amuse yourself? I can’t see it at all. Xiong Xiru glanced at Li Hongyi’s impassive face, unable to detect any hint of enjoyment.
But it was true that he had laughed at her artwork. This made Xiong Xiru particularly happy.
“When did my nephew start enjoying leisure activities?” Li Jingsui was clearly surprised to hear that Li Hongyi, who usually avoided amusement and was always serious, had used the term "amusement."
“Jingsui, I am also very curious about what kind of artwork could make Yi'er laugh,” the Empress Dowager chimed in. She had been waiting for Li Hongyi to bring the comic, but Li Jingsui’s arrival had delayed that.
“Oh, it seems Yi'er prefers poetry and painting over beautiful women and fine food. Very good, very good, haha…” Li Jingsui laughed heartily, though he was privately contemplating.
Could it be that Li Hongyi really has discovered something, or come up with a strategy for governing the country that made him suddenly smile? It couldn't just be because of some artwork. Li Jingsui knew Li Hongyi well enough to suspect this was merely a cover for a deeper plan.
“Yi'er, hurry and bring the comic for us to see,” the Empress Dowager urged.
Li Hongyi then went to retrieve the comic from his study.
Xiong Xiru’s heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Xiong Xiru was incredibly nervous as her comic was about to be seen by the Empress Dowager, such a high-ranking figure. She was anxious about whether the Empress Dowager would like it, as the palace's reaction to her comic directly affected her fate.
If she succeeded, she could continue her comfortable life in the palace, but if she failed, she didn’t know what kind of trouble Dong Yuan might cook up for her.
This was a crucial moment for her future, and Xiong Xiru was naturally excited.
Generally, elders didn’t like her drawings. In the modern world, her “poverty-stricken village” piece had been harshly criticized by teachers and parents. She wondered what the Empress Dowager's taste would be like and whether she would be scolded as her teachers and parents had.
During the time Li Hongyi was retrieving the comic, Xiong Xiru was on tenterhooks.
Finally, when Li Hongyi returned with a stack of drawings, Xiong Xiru's eyes were fixed on him, following his every move.
As Li Hongyi passed by her, he glanced at her.
Xiong Xiru flinched under his gaze. "I didn’t owe you any money. Why are you looking at me like you want to freeze me with a single glance?"
“Grandmother, this is the comic,” Li Hongyi presented the comic.
“Let me see,” the Empress Dowager took the comic from Li Hongyi’s hands and began to flip through it.
Xiong Xiru turned her head to observe the reactions of those present. Li Jing Sui was calm, Li Hongyi was cold, the Empress Dowager was kind, and the palace maids were eager to peek at the comic that had made the Crown Prince smile, but they dared not, only exchanging glances and staring blankly.
“This… what is this…” the Empress Dowager suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
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