Chapter 23: Gu Zirui-Irmã Louca Rouba o Casamento? Após Trocar de Lugar com Ela e Casar com o Príncipe Herdeiro de Vida Curta, Eu Subi ao Trono como Imperatriz(Estrela e Pintura de Primavera)

As for why Ji Shulan dared to lie so brazenly in public, Ji Hua could roughly guess the reason.

The fool must have assumed that she would be too concerned about her father’s dignity and the reputation of the Prime Minister’s estate to expose her on the spot. Since they were sisters, revealing the lie would not only make Ji Hua a laughingstock but would also bring scandal upon their father and the Prime Minister’s household. Therefore, even if she was unhappy, she would have to play along and help cover up the lie.

However, Ji Hua was perfectly willing to play this part.

Under the expectant gazes of the crowd, Ji Hua stood up and stopped two steps behind Ji Shulan.

"Your Highness Prince Xuan, Your Highness Crown Prince, Lan’er speaks the truth. My hand is indeed injured and I cannot play the zither; I fear I would only dampen your spirits, Your Highness Prince Xuan."

"However, Lan’er is correct; her skill is no less than mine. Perhaps it would be better to let her perform instead."

The two sisters, rarely united, sang in harmony to dismantle the plan Ling Moxuan had devised to humiliate Ling Yuzhao. Indeed, Ling Moxuan’s public request for Ji Hua to play was intended solely to spite Ling Yuzhao. What better way to assert dominance than by forcing the future Crown Princess to entertain the guests with a performance?

Yet, unexpectedly, a fool had jumped out to ruin everything.

Ling Moxuan shot a displeased glance at Ji Shulan, though he quickly composed himself. Controlling one’s emotions was a prerequisite for any prince.

"Hahaha!"

Ling Yuzhao let out a few chuckles, his laughter laced with mockery, as he looked at the stiff-jawed Ling Moxuan across from him.

"Prince Xuan, it is rare to see your future consort so eager. Why not let her perform? Since the eldest Miss Ji has injured her hand, she should rest properly."

He then looked at Ji Hua and added, "Eldest Miss Ji, do sit down, have some tea and snacks, and just watch our game."

With Ling Yuzhao’s word, Ji Hua breathed a sigh of relief and returned to her seat.

Ji Shulan, completely oblivious to Ling Moxuan’s irritation or the mocking gazes of the surrounding ladies, hurried to have her maid prepare the zither, placing it right beside Prince Xuan. Once seated, she flashed a sweet, shy smile at Ling Moxuan.

"Your Highness Prince Xuan, I am starting now. If I play poorly, please do not laugh at me!"

Ling Moxuan managed a strained smile before turning back to Ling Yuzhao. "Imperial Brother, let us continue." He clearly held no regard for Ji Shulan or her upcoming performance.

Ji Shulan, however, felt no embarrassment. With a nimble movement of her fingers and a triumphant, provocative glance at Ji Hua—who was feigning calm as she sipped her tea—she began to play.

*Pluck—*

The strings vibrated. Without masking her feelings for Ling Moxuan, she chose to play "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate."

It had to be said that she possessed genuine talent. While the crowd had initially been watching for a farce, once the crisp, flowing melody began to pour from the strings, they could not help but view her with newfound respect. As the second daughter of the Prime Minister, her aptitude for the zither was indeed impressive and carried a distinct grace.

While playing chess, Ling Moxuan’s gaze drifted toward Ji Hua. The woman was not looking at him, nor was she focused on Ling Yuzhao; instead, she was staring out at the lake, as if the scenery were far more interesting than their match. He did not know what came over him, but he found her lack of attention toward him rather grating.

"What are you looking at, Imperial Brother? It would be best to stay focused on our game, lest you lose without knowing how," Ling Yuzhao’s voice cut through his thoughts.

Ling Moxuan regained his composure, pulling his attention back to the board. He reminded himself that the main event of this lakeside banquet had yet to begin; he could not let a trivial incident spoil his plans.

"Rest assured, Imperial Brother, I will not go easy on you."

Ling Moxuan focused his mind, placed a stone, and spoke as if casually. "Speaking of which, your cousin, Gu Zirui, has been truly remarkable in court lately. Since he cracked the Qingzhou tax embezzlement case six months ago, he has left all the other scholars from his cohort far behind."

"I hear His Majesty has praised him quite often. And rightly so. As a mere seventh-rank investigating censor, he managed to round up dozens of corrupt officials involved in the embezzlement. He saved the imperial treasury a great deal of loss."

"If you ask me, Gu Zirui’s boldness must surely be a result of your daily guidance, Imperial Brother. Since he is your cousin, it is hardly surprising. I, for one, admire him greatly."

Though Ji Hua appeared to be admiring the scenery, she had been keeping her ears pricked, listening intently to the exchange between Ling Yuzhao and Ling Moxuan.

The verbal sparring between the two was filled with gunpowder, though only those in the know could detect the scent of smoke. The ignorant nobles and ladies present merely saw it as idle chatter between brothers.

In her previous life, she had been just like them, unable to decipher the riddles of these two men. But things were different now.

Ji Hua took a leisurely sip of tea as Ling Yuzhao’s reply reached her ears.

"Gu Zirui’s success in the Qingzhou case was due to his own merit. As for his rapid promotion, that is because His Majesty appreciates him. What does that have to do with me?"

To others, Ling Yuzhao sounded humble, but Ji Hua knew he was distancing himself. Gu Zirui was a member of the Gu family—the Empress’s clan and the maternal relatives of the Crown Prince. Such ties were a double-edged sword; while they offered support for the throne, they also invited the Emperor’s suspicion.

Ji Hua knew this, and Ling Moxuan, as Ling Yuzhao’s rival, knew it too.

Recalling the events of her past life and reflecting on them now, Ji Hua understood Ling Moxuan’s motive for bringing up the Qingzhou case: he intended to use the Gu family to bring Ling Yuzhao down.

In her previous life, it was at this very banquet that Ling Moxuan had accused the Crown Prince of favoritism, manipulation, and forming a partisan faction. Every conspiracy needs a starting thread, and Gu Zirui was that thread.

Six months ago, the top scholar of the imperial examinations and the most promising youth of the Gu family, Gu Zirui, had entered the government. Upon his appointment as a seventh-rank investigating censor in Qingzhou, he had discovered irregularities in tax collection. Whether it was the zeal of a new official or the ambition of a young man, he had investigated, uncovered the truth, and brought the corruption to light.