Luck Reliant Beauty – CH 111

Chapter 111: Good Fortune, But Can’t Be Killed?

Sure enough, the group carried the Southern Tang banner, and judging from their appearance, they were indeed envoys from the Southern Tang.

But, the Southern Tang actually sent envoys? Why hadn’t anyone mentioned them?

Although everyone was puzzled, such unpredictable events were common in times of war, and the sudden appearance of envoys wasn’t unheard of, so the people of Shu quickly suppressed their astonishment.

In the blink of an eye, the envoy drew closer and closer.

Fan Yuxiu initially watched the group with curiosity, but as the Southern Tang envoy approached, she suddenly grabbed Jiang Mi’s arm, exclaiming, “Ah, Ah’Mi, that person looks just like your elder brother!”

Not just like, but he was!

Jiang Mi looked at the increasingly dignified Li Wu, and as if struck by a thought, her eyes gradually brightened, and a touch of color returned to her previously ashen face.

She thought to herself, “I wonder if Elder Brother has returned to Southern Tang? He went to Nanping first, and now he has come to Shu State. What is his purpose?”

Jiang Mi was not surprised that Li Wu and his group had arrived so quickly. In fact, from Jiangling in Nanping to Cheng Capital in Shu State, it would only take about ten days by water. The reason Prince Kang and his group took several months was mainly because they were afraid of being intercepted on the waterways, so they deliberately chose the Official Road. Clearly, Li Wu didn’t face this danger, which was why they arrived at Shu Capital almost as soon as they arrived, despite being so far behind.

Nearby, Zheng Wen asked, “Ah’Mi, why does this Southern Tang man look so much like your elder brother?”

Jiang Mi pursed her lips and did not answer.

While the women were whispering, the Three Mothers surrounded Jiang Mi. However, contrary to Jiang Mi’s expectations, upon hearing that she had been appointed Emperor of Shu’s Consort, the Three Mothers did not show any joy. Mother Li, in particular, looked deeply worried.

However, things had come to this point, and the Three Mothers were clearly at a loss for words. They approached Jiang Mi without speaking.

The dozen or so Cui family guards who had escorted Jiang Mi all the way here, however, all wore somber expressions. One of the guards approached Jiang Mi from behind and whispered, “Young Lady, you cannot enter the palace!”

Jiang Mi vaguely understood his meaning. Her heart was filled with both sweetness and indescribable bitterness. She swallowed hard and said in a hoarse voice, “I don’t want to enter the palace either.” After a while, Jiang Mi added, “After seeing His Majesty, I will speak to him personally.”

Her words sounded somewhat naive. In this world, what woman chosen by the Emperor would dare not marry him? Even if she did, there was no reason for the young lady to tell the Emperor herself.

However, Jiang Mi’s face was resolute.

Seeing her like this, the guard seemed about to say something, but then, as if remembering something, he nodded and withdrew.

Just then, the Southern Tang envoy’s group arrived.

As they passed Jiang Mi and her entourage, Jiang Mi met Li Wu’s gaze.

Li Wu’s eyes were deep and complex, and Jiang Mi stared at him blankly. Her lips moved slightly, her eyes reddened, and her expression was a mixture of wanting to ask for his help and not daring to speak.

Li Wu stared at her intently for a moment, then quickly looked away. Throughout, Li Wu’s expression remained unchanged. No one knew what he was thinking.

As Prince Kang and the Southern Tang envoys entered the East Gate, the crowd that had been blocking the way gradually dispersed.

As Jiang Mi and the others prepared to return to the Mansion, Wang Cheng sent someone to tell her to bathe and change upon returning, as he would be taking her to a banquet at the Emperor’s palace that evening.

Jiang Mi knew what tonight’s banquet meant for her.

Jiang Mi did not resist; she did not even utter a single unnecessary word. Back in the Princess’s Mansion, she allowed her maids to thoroughly clean her from head to toe and then dress her beautifully before sending her to Wang Mansion.

When Jiang Mi arrived at the Wang Mansion, it was already late. Wang Cheng’s carriage was already waiting outside. Seeing Jiang Mi approach, Wang Cheng’s face lit up with a kind smile.

However, having learned the reason he had taken her as his daughter, Jiang Mi could no longer feel close to Wang Cheng. She lowered her eyes, feigning shyness, and after Wang Cheng gave her a few instructions, she followed him towards the Shu Palace.

As they walked, Wang Cheng whispered instructions outside, “Mi’er, the palace is different from home. Even with your father’s protection, you must remember to be careful with your words and actions. Also, although you’re becoming more and more like your mother and are gradually developing stunning beauty, the world is never short of beauties. For example, the beauty the Emperor has recently acquired is said to be even more beautiful than your mother was in her prime. Everyone in the palace calls her Little Lady Huarui. It’s said that the Emperor’s extremely fond of that beauty. If you see her in the palace in the future, you’d better give her a wide berth.”

Jiang Mi listened, nodding absentmindedly.

Soon, the group entered the palace gates.

Tonight, because of the arrival of the Southern Tang envoy, the banquet was of a very high standard. Upon entering the Shu Palace, Jiang Mi saw the square filled with carriages, and nobles were entering gracefully. The place was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Jiang Mi, currently only a princess of a different surname, was not a particularly important figure. She followed Wang Cheng into the hall and found a seat behind him.

Jiang Mi noticed that although some noblewomen had attended the banquet that evening, their numbers were small.

After sitting down, Jiang Mi’s bright eyes scanned the surroundings. Soon, she spotted Li Wu seated among the guests.

At this time, the Emperor of Shu had not yet arrived, and the atmosphere was still lively. Jiang Mi adjusted her veil, not greeting Wang Cheng, and walked towards Li Wu unnoticed.

Because Jiang Mi was wearing a veil, her face was obscured, and in the midst of the bustling crowd, she was not particularly noticeable.

Shortly, Jiang Mi reached Li Wu.

As Jiang Mi approached, Li Wu sensed her coming and slowly turned around, his head bowed as he spoke to someone nearby. He stared at Jiang Mi expressionlessly for a moment, then turned away.

At this moment, Jiang Mi spoke, her voice trembling as she called out, “Elder Brother.”

Jiang Mi’s voice was soft, and in the noisy surroundings, no one heard her clearly. Of course, Li Wu heard her clearly, and his expression grew even more stern.

Jiang Mi paused briefly, then continued walking towards Li Wu. She slowly reached his side, knelt beside his right leg, and, like a maid, lowered her head and whispered, “Elder Brother, the Emperor of Shu wants to take me as his Consort.”

Silence filled her ears.

Jiang Mi bit her lip and whispered again, “Elder Brother, I don’t want to enter the palace.”

Li Wu still did not respond.

Jiang Mi bit her lip hard, staring intently at Li Wu’s golden robes, a symbol of nobility and majesty. After a moment, she whispered again, “Elder Brother, could you help me think of a way?”

This time, after her voice faded, Jiang Mi held her breath and listened intently.

After what seemed like an eternity, Li Wu finally spoke, coldly saying, “I’ve said it before. Your affairs are none of your business!”

Almost as soon as Li Wu finished speaking, Jiang Mi, kneeling beside him, swayed. She stubbornly stared at the ground, biting her lip, thinking sadly, “Things really has changed…”

Then, Jiang Mi could not help but think again, “If Young Master Cui were here, he would definitely help me… Perhaps in this world, only Young Master Cui would help me.” She remained kneeling motionless, head bowed, for a long time. Only when the hall gradually quieted down did Jiang Mi say in a hoarse voice, “Yes, Ah’Mi has disturbed you, sir.” With that, Jiang Mi stood up and quietly walked to her seat.

Wang Cheng had been watching Jiang Mi closely.

Seeing her return, his expression softened slightly. After Jiang Mi sat down, Wang Cheng still could not help but say in a deep voice, “Ah’Mi, today’s banquet is of utmost importance. How could you move around so freely?”

He paused. Then he asked, “Who is that person? How can he resemble Jiang Wu so much?”

Jiang Mi remained silent.

Wang Cheng frowned, about to say something more, when an aide leaned in and whispered a few words in his ear.

After listening, Wang Cheng’s expression softened slightly. He sighed softly and advised Jiang Mi, “Since you were once siblings, that’s fate. Yes, it’s only natural for you to want to speak with a relative, but I have wronged you.”

Jiang Mi remained silent in the face of Wang Cheng’s apology.

Just then, the commotion subsided, and amidst the eunuchs’ shrill whistles, the Emperor of Shu strode in.

As soon as the Emperor of Shu appeared, everyone stood up, shouting “Long live the Emperor!” three times. The Emperor of Shu nodded, gesturing for everyone to sit, and he himself took his seat in the main seat.

The Emperor Shu, with his imposing presence, fell silent the moment he sat down.

In the silence, the Emperor Shu glanced at the Southern Tang envoys before speaking in a deep, authoritative voice, “Today’s indeed an auspicious day. Not only have Prince Kang and Princess Qingyue returned safely, but we have also met with the neighboring State envoy. I’m overjoyed.”

At this, the Emperor Shu raised his wine cup and waved it around the hall.

The ministers immediately raised their cups and, after the Emperor Shu had drunk his wine in one gulp, followed suit.

After everyone had finished their cups of wine, the Emperor of Shu surveyed the hall with a stern gaze and said, “I have held this banquet today for three reasons: first, to welcome our distinguished guests; second, to celebrate my son’s safe return; and third, a personal matter.”

At this point, the Emperor of Shu suddenly called out, “My dear minister Wang, is your daughter here today?”

The hall was too quiet at this moment, and the Emperor of Shu’s suddenly raised voice echoed throughout the hall.

Wang Cheng immediately stood up, bowed respectfully to the Emperor of Shu, then turned to Jiang Mi and affectionately called out, “Mi’er, why don’t you quickly remove your hat and greet His Majesty?”

As soon as Wang Cheng finished speaking, all eyes in the hall turned to Jiang Mi.

Jiang Mi gracefully rose.

She slowly walked out, and after taking seven or eight steps, Jiang Mi, who had been keeping her eyes downcast, slowly removed her veil.

Almost as soon as Jiang Mi’s veil fell, a very soft gasp rippled through the hall… Jiang Mi now looked completely different from how she had been two years ago.

However, although Jiang Mi had grown into a great beauty, she was nothing special to the Emperor of Shu, who already possessed a stunningly beautiful woman. He glanced at Jiang Mi, then looked away, turning to the eunuch beside him.

The eunuch hurriedly stepped forward, produced the imperial edict, and loudly proclaimed, “Jiang Mi, receive the decree!” After uttering these four words, the eunuch continued in a shrill voice, “I have heard that Princess Yihua possesses both virtue and talent and is of pure character. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon her the title ‘Consort Ming,’ and she shall enter the palace on a chosen day!”

Having said this, the eunuch looked at Jiang Mi and respectfully called out, “Your Imperial Highness Consort Ming, you should express your gratitude!”

The surroundings were utterly silent; only the eunuch’s repeated “Thank you” echoed repeatedly in the hall.

Jiang Mi stood there motionless. She remained motionless for so long that gradually, everyone’s gaze turned to her. Gradually, the eyes of the Emperor of Shu darkened, and gradually, even the sound of breathing in the hall became inaudible.

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Mi raised her head. Her bright, clear eyes fixed on the Emperor of Shu, meeting his gaze for a moment without blinking. Then, in a trembling voice, she said, “Your Majesty, I cannot marry you!”

“How dare you!”

The one who shouted this was the eunuch!

In fact, since the existence of emperors, no woman had ever dared to say to an Emperor of Shu in front of so many people, “Your Majesty, I cannot marry you!” Therefore, everyone in the hall was stunned. Princess Qingyue glanced at her Father Emperor, and terrified, they huddled together!

As the power of the Shu State grew stronger over the years, the Emperor of Shu gradually came to regard himself as the ruler of the world. This was the first time he had encountered someone who dared to defy him so blatantly!

As the Emperor of Shu’s eyes narrowed deeper and deeper, many ministers in the hall knelt on the ground, too afraid to move!

In a suffocating silence, the Emperor of Shu’s soft voice rang out, “What did you say?”

Strangely enough, the usually meek Jiang Mi was acting completely differently today. Her body was ramrod straight, and her gaze towards the Emperor of Shu was so calm, it possessed an inexplicable fearlessness.

Jiang Mi looked up at the Emperor of Shu with her chin held high. For some reason, she was not flustered at all; in fact, she was remarkably calm.

She stared directly at the Emperor of Shu. Jiang Mi said again in a clear voice, “Your Majesty, I cannot marry you.” She paused slightly, then, under the intense gaze of the Emperor of Shu, continued clearly, “Your Majesty, I cannot marry you!”

“How dare you!” The eunuch roared again, glancing fearfully at the Emperor of Shu before lashing out at Jiang Mi. “You woman, do you know who you’re talking to?” Amidst the palpable pressure of the surroundings, the eunuch pointed at Jiang Mi and shrieked, “Guards! Guards! Take Young Lady Jiang away!”

As soon as the eunuch finished speaking, a dozen guards emerged.

Jiang Mi knew that by dragging her away, she would likely face death. After all, she had so blatantly disrespected the Emperor of Shu, and he would never tolerate it!

Through tension, fear, and despair, as the guards bound her hands behind her back and tried to drag her away, Jiang Mi cried out in a hoarse voice, “Your Majesty, Ah’Mi cannot marry you! Ah’Mi marrying you will bring you bloodshed!”

…

Jiang Mi’s cries were so desperate!

Hearing her still spouting such absurd excuses at this point, the Emperor of Shu’s eyes finally revealed true murderous intent: for the Emperor of Shu, among the beauties in his harem, there were many more whose looks surpassed Jiang Mi’s and many whose charm surpassed hers. If it were not for Abbot’s prophecy, he would not have even glanced at this young girl. But now, he had so readily bestowed this favor upon her, and this young girl, instead of being grateful, had humiliated him in front of so many officials and subordinates? Did she think that just because she was lucky, he could not kill her?

Emperor of Shu was truly intent on killing!

Just as the Emperor of Shu stood up with a grim face, raising his hand to issue the order to kill, suddenly, a eunuch beside him shrieked, “Your Majesty, watch out!”

In the blink of an eye, five or six guards and eunuchs pounced on the Emperor of Shu from all sides!

“Bang!!”

Before the Emperor of Shu could react, just as those rushing to protect him drew near, a loud “bang” rang out as something struck him.

And so, in the blink of an eye, everyone in the hall stared in disbelief at the Emperor of Shu, who stood there with his hand raised, ready to give the order to kill Jiang Mi. His forehead had been broken by something, and large gushes of blood flowed down, instantly smearing the Emperor of Shu’s face…