Cuddling with the Cold Female Protagonist – Chapter 40
by Little PandaVolume 2: The Captivating Splendor of Jingdu
The Imperial Princesses’ Endorsement
Not long returned to the manor, the things Ji Qingchi sent arrived.
A guard reported that a large basket of fish had been delivered from the Ninth Princess’s Manor, startling even Su Ban.
Why on earth would the Ninth Princess suddenly send over a huge basket of fish?
The entire Su family, young and old, went to the manor gate. Su Yi had just returned and was exhausted. She didn’t want to go, but considering even her great-grandmother had gone, if she, a great-granddaughter born of a concubine, didn’t show up, it would be disrespectful. So, she went too.
As Yan Can and Gan Cao helped her to the entrance, they arrived just as the maids were instructing people to carry the fish to the Marquis Manor’s kitchen. Upon seeing her, a maid immediately came forward and bowed. “Miss Su, our mistress said that since Miss Su caught these fish, they should naturally be returned to Miss Su.”
Then, while people were crowded around looking at the fish, the maid discreetly handed Su Yi the box containing the Silver Pearl Kou, telling her to hide it well. She also relayed Ji Qingchi’s words and added before leaving, “If Miss Su has time in the future, please do visit the Princess’s Manor more often. Our mistress is usually accustomed to being alone. Having Miss Su accompany her fishing today made her very happy.”
“I will,” Su Yi agreed with a forced smile, though inwardly she was resisting desperately, wishing she could run as far away as possible.
After the maids from the Princess’s Manor left, Su Ban heard that the basket of fish was sent because Su Yi had accompanied the Ninth Princess fishing that day. She declared happily, “Good! Today, have the kitchen prepare a full fish banquet. Everyone in our manor, high and low, will bask in Yi’er’s reflected glory.”
When Su Yi had first paid her respects for Su Ban’s birthday, she had lied about having a connection with the Ninth Princess. At that time, Su Ban had let her stay in the manor but never asked if her relationship with the Ninth Princess was genuinely good.
Su Ban was an old fox. With the current Emperor showing no signs of abdicating and more than just the Ninth Princess among the potential heirs in court, she maintained a neutral stance, seeing no need to take risks.
However, the Ninth Princess held military power, and the Emperor’s attitude was ambiguous, showing no intention of weakening her military authority. She indeed had the highest chance of succeeding the throne. Su Ban was unwilling to rashly give up on the Ninth Princess. After mulling it over, she decided to put Su Yi aside for the time being, planning to inquire in detail about her connection with the Ninth Princess later.
Unexpectedly, Su Yi subsequently provided her with too many pleasant surprises, making the connection with the Ninth Princess seem less critical.
She had almost forgotten about this matter. Now that the Ninth Princess had sent fish, clearly indicating a good relationship with Su Yi, Su Ban dredged the issue up from some forgotten corner of her mind and cherished Su Yi even more.
Besides the fish Su Yi herself had caught, Ji Qingchi later thought it over and had people catch many more. Otherwise, just the ones Su Yi caught would be too few for a gift, making her, as an imperial princess, seem ungenerous.
The cooks cleaned and prepared the fish, and soon the aroma of cooked fish wafted through the various courtyards of the Su residence.
Su Tianci had initially been quite cheerful upon hearing the fish were from the Ninth Princess. But when he later heard it was because Su Yi had accompanied the Ninth Princess fishing, he became furious. Not only did he refuse to eat any himself, but he also forbade all the servants in his courtyard from eating it. The servants had no choice but to resignedly chew on dry rations.
He didn’t want to eat; Su Yi couldn’t eat.
When she returned and opened the box Ji Qingchi had sent, she saw a white round pearl and many medicinal herbs. Not recognizing the white object, she called for Feng Ruoqing.
Feng Ruoqing recognized it at a glance as Silver Pearl Kou and was so delighted she immediately used it to treat Su Yi’s condition on the spot.
The thing looked like a pearl, but when ground into powder, it tasted even more bitter than Bezoar Pills1. After being forced to consume it, the taste lingered in Su Yi’s mouth for two whole days.
To make matters worse, Feng Ruoqing said that to prevent the medicinal properties from clashing, she wasn’t allowed to eat fish or meat. So, like a rabbit, Su Yi gnawed on dried radish sticks for two days, only able to watch others eat with longing eyes.
Fortunately, although her taste buds suffered, it was beneficial for her body.
“Thankfully, with this thing, the poison in your body, Miss Su, can be considered completely sealed,” Feng Ruoqing said, wiping the sweat from her forehead. “However, I can’t maintain this seal for long—a year at most. After a year, I’m afraid it might…”
Su Yi smiled at her. “A year is already a long time. Thank you, Feng-jie.”
Compared to before she met Feng Ruoqing, her condition was indeed much better.
Feng Ruoqing hesitated, wanting to say more. She only knew how to treat illnesses; her skills in the art of poisons weren’t particularly advanced. Her master, Elder Baicao2, was a master of poisons. If he could examine Su Yi, there would surely be progress. However, she couldn’t return to Changsheng Valley now, so what use was there in saying this?
She forced a smile. “Focus on recuperating. Your body can definitely recover.”
“Mm,” Su Yi replied with a reassuring smile. To her, her body already felt much better. The most important thing left was to make money.
In addition to the two women from Dongli Kingdom, Su Yi found five or six more embroiderers with exquisite skills from within their own dynasty. Initially, they were reluctant, but after Su Yi offered them a monthly wage of two taels3 of silver and allowed them to freely go home for farm work, they readily agreed.
With eight people embroidering together, many hands made light work, and the shop quickly stocked a considerable amount of ready-to-wear clothing.
However, customers were few and far between.
Su Yi wasn’t worried about this at all. She believed in the Second Princess. In the book, Ji Qingyun was someone whose word was her bond, so she would definitely help her.
Her prediction was correct. After receiving Su Yi’s “bribe,” Ji Qingyun exerted herself to the utmost.
After spending eight days cursorily concluding the investigation into Su Yi’s assassination attempt case, she donned the clothes Su Yi had given her the very next morning. Wearing a pair of kidskin boots, she jauntily headed to the morning court session.
The Emperor had not yet arrived, and the court ministers and princesses gathered in twos and threes, chatting.
The princesses gathered together for the court session. The sharp-eyed Seventh Princess, Ji Qingyan4, was the first to notice the clothes Ji Qingyun was wearing. She walked over curiously. “Second Imperial Sister, the style of your clothes is quite attractive. Is it a new design from the Bureau of Imperial Wardrobe?”
The Third Princess, Ji Qingshu5, also nodded with a smile. “Second Imperial Sister’s clothes are novel and unique, and they fit you very well.”
“Right?” Ji Qingyun twirled like a social butterfly, generously spreading her arms to show off her outfit, diligently promoting Su Yi. “I bought this at a clothing shop in the capital’s outskirts. The young lady proprietor there is what you’d call an exquisite beauty6! The clothing styles she designs are diverse and all look fantastic. How about it? After court, shall we go check it out together?”
“Really?” The Seventh Princess, with her round face and simple mind, was very fond of her Second Imperial Sister. She believed firmly in whatever Second Sister said. “Then I want to go buy some too.”
“Since Second Imperial Sister praises that clothing shop so highly, I am also quite interested,” said the Third Princess, who loved reading and had a scholarly, gentle, and refined aura. “Since Little Seven is going, I shall go as well.”
Finished speaking, she looked towards her remaining younger sisters. “Fifth Imperial Younger Sister, Little Nine, Little Eleven, do you want to go together?”
The Fifth Princess, Ji Qingxuan, snorted coldly, disdainful of participating in their conversation.
The Third Princess felt awkward and turned to the remaining two younger sisters.
“Ninth Sister, I want to go see too,” the Eleventh Princess, Ji Qingshi7, tugged eagerly at her older sister’s sleeve beside her.
The Eleventh Princess was young, only seven this year. Technically, she wasn’t old enough to attend court, but the Emperor believed children needed tempering, so she too had to wake up at the fifth watch8 every day to attend court with her sisters.
Because she was only two years younger than Ji Qingchi’s own sister who had died young, Ji Qingchi took extra care of her. The Eleventh Princess also relied heavily on her, wanting to do everything together with her Ninth Sister.
“Then let’s go together,” Ji Qingchi managed, suppressing the smile twitching at her lips. “I also want to see what that clothing shop is like.”
Thus, after lunch, Su Yi’s small shop was suddenly surrounded by several resplendent carriages.
Su Yi was sketching patterns in the small courtyard attached to the back of the shop when Gan Cao rushed in frantically. “Miss… Miss, the shop outside… lots of… lots of richly dressed young women have arrived.”
Could it be that the Second Princess’s promotion had been effective? Heh, the Second Princess really came through!
“So what if customers have arrived? What’s the panic? Take me to see.” Su Yi smiled, put down her brush, and walked to the front shop. Sure enough, standing in the center were four young women and a child, looking around the premises. Outside, a crowd of onlookers had gathered, pointing and gesturing at the several luxurious carriages parked at the entrance.
They really seemed to have significant backgrounds. Who were these people, blocking the entrance like this?
Utterly confused, Su Yi walked forward. “Esteemed guests, are you looking to buy fabric, or ready-made clothes?”
Several people turned around simultaneously. Su Yi recognized Ji Qingyun and Ji Qingchi. She didn’t know the others, but they were undoubtedly influential figures.
“Miss Su, this… cough cough, this lady has brought my younger sisters over to buy clothes from you!” The Second Princess’s phoenix eyes crinkled with amusement as she laughingly pushed the Third and Seventh Princesses towards Su Yi. “Quick, quick, help this lady find some suitable clothes for these two younger sisters of mine.”
The Seventh Princess curiously sized up Su Yi, while the Third Princess looked slightly embarrassed because her flighty Second Sister had pushed too hard just now, nearly making her wrench her back.
Hearing the Second Princess’s words, Su Yi instantly knew their identities. Shock was followed by elation. The Second Princess had truly gone above and beyond! Bringing so many princesses at once to act as endorsements—she was going to make a fortune! Hahahahahaha!
Suppressing her inner ecstasy, Su Yi immediately had someone bring out two outfits. The women of Yanxue Kingdom generally had similar builds. She had specifically instructed her staff to make several styles based on Ji Qingchi’s and Ji Qingyun’s measurements, but later felt uncertain and deliberately made a few extra styles in slightly larger or smaller sizes.
The Third Princess was slightly shorter than the Second Princess, while the Seventh Princess was about the same height. The sizes Su Yi brought were just right.
After trying on the clothes, the Seventh Princess exclaimed happily, “Wow, it’s true! These clothes are much better than the ones made by the Bureau of Imperial Wardrobe.”
The Third Princess quickly covered her mouth, looking flusteredly at Su Yi. “My sister here often speaks without thinking. Miss Su, right? Please don’t…”
Su Yi quickly replied, “Your Highness, please rest assured. This humble one will not speak carelessly.”
“Aiya, Third Sister, you’re just too cautious.” The Second Princess walked over, casually draping an arm over her shoulder. “Miss Su knows me and Little Nine. No need for such discretion.”
Only then did the Third Princess breathe a sigh of relief, letting go of the Seventh Princess. “Caution ensures longevity9, but since she knows Second Sister, then it’s fine.”
Su Yi had someone bring another garment on a tray and walked up to Ji Qingchi. “Ninth Miss, would you also like to try one on?”
Before Ji Qingchi could speak, the Eleventh Princess, who had been clinging to her, looked at Su Yi’s face and spoke first. “Wow, Ninth Sister, this person is as pretty as you are.”
Not bad, this little princess really knew how to sweet-talk.
Unlike that damn original author from the book, who had to rank beauties as ‘Number One Under Heaven’ and ‘Number Two Under Heaven.’
Su Yi smiled and lowered her head, about to respond, when the Eleventh Princess looked at her very seriously again and said, “My Ninth Sister is beautiful, so she must find a handsome fulang. You’re beautiful. Are you willing to marry my Ninth Sister?”
Su Yi: “……”
Grandpa looking at phone meme.
That’s really not advisable, kiddo.
Footnotes
- 牛黄丸 | Niúhuáng wán | A traditional Chinese medicine pellet made primarily from cattle gallstones (bezoar), known for its bitter taste and purported detoxifying/cooling properties.
- 百草老人 | Bǎicǎo Lǎorén | Lit. “Hundred Herbs Elder”.
- approx. 75 grams.
- 姬卿晏 | Jī Qīngyàn
- 姬卿殊 | Jī Qīngshū
- 国色天香 | guó sè tiān xiāng | Lit. “national beauty, heavenly fragrance”; A Chengyu idiom praising exceptional female beauty.
- 姬卿時 | Jī Qīngshí
- 五更天 | wǔ gēng tiān | The fifth watch; Traditional Chinese timekeeping divides the night into five watches, with the fifth watch corresponding roughly to 3:00–5:00 AM.
- 小心驶得万年船 | xiǎoxīn shǐ dé wàn nián chuán | Lit. “Careful sailing steers the ship for ten thousand years”; A proverb meaning prudence and caution lead to long-term safety and success.
This Eleventh Princess may have a bright future ahead