Chapter 10: Ha, the Rot of Feudalism!
The young maidservant dressed in pale yellow bowed slightly, her round face beaming with a smile. “Miss, men and women are seated separately. I will take you to your place.”
Ji Ci glanced at the little maid; her round cheeks made her appear harmless.
She stole a look at Dongfang Jibai, who was surrounded by court officials in the distance. Seeing him nod slightly, she had no choice but to follow the maid toward the last seat.
— Ah, such feudal nonsense!
Ji Ci took her seat at the very end of the table.
No sooner had she sat down than her attention was captured by the delicacies before her.
The lotus pastries in glazed cups sparkled like crystal, and the rose cakes on jade plates gleamed with a honeyed glow.
Having been accustomed to gnawing on compressed biscuits in the post-apocalyptic world, Ji Ci’s eyes lit up instantly.
She glanced once more toward Dongfang Jibai, who was still surrounded by ministers and had no time for her.
Cautiously, she picked up a piece of pastry.
Like a hamster hoarding food, she stuffed it into her mouth while secretly slipping some into her spatial pocket. Her cheeks puffed out, and her ponytail bounced with every movement.
“Wow, this is delicious! I must sneak out to steal some tomorrow,” she thought, excitement fluttering behind her like tiny wings, almost lifting her off the ground.
Dongfang Jibai’s eyes darkened as he watched Ji Ci devour the treats with such relish.
This fool doesn’t realize one mustn’t eat things here at will?
Apparently, he hadn’t raised the little fox properly—such a simple snack was enough to lure her away!
From tomorrow on, he vowed to personally oversee the little fox’s diet.
Not far off, several noble young ladies whispered and giggled behind their hands.
“Whose daughter is that, so ill-mannered?”
“I heard she came with General Dongfang—probably from some minor family…”
“She doesn’t look like a decent girl. How could an unmarried maiden cling to a man like that?”
Ji Ci’s ears twitched. She rolled her eyes inwardly and scoffed, “Hmph, pretending to be so noble—if you’re so proper, then don’t eat!”
Deliberately, she picked up a flaky biscuit and bit into it noisily before their eyes, crumbs scattering everywhere.
The noble ladies frowned, turning their faces away in disgust.
— Serves you right!
Just as she was feeling triumphant, Xue Yingsnow appeared in resplendent attire, beckoning everyone to their seats.
“The victorious return of the Great General! I shall raise a cup of wine with tea here to celebrate his triumph,” the princess declared, lifting her cup toward Dongfang Jibai.
Ji Ci and Dongfang Jibai sat somewhat apart. Stretching her neck, Ji Ci gazed in his direction.
If by chance Dongfang Jibai were to fall into their trap, she had a plan to carry him away.
Dongfang Jibai tilted his head back, pouring the wine from his cup into his sleeve without drinking a drop.
Music filled the banquet hall.
Having eaten her fill, Ji Ci quietly edged closer to Dongfang Jibai.
Xue Yingsnow watched Ji Ci’s approach, sneering inwardly. What a seductress—she couldn’t bear to be apart for even a moment before running to Dongfang Jibai.
A shadow flickered in her eyes. She waved over a maid and whispered into her ear.
The maid soon brought a pot of wine and hurried toward Ji Ci. The two collided, and Ji Ci fell heavily to the ground.
The spilled wine soaked her thin gauze dress, turning it nearly transparent and revealing the slender curve of her waist.
“Miss, I didn’t mean to, I’ll take you to change right away,” the maid helped her up.
Ji Ci looked down at her soaked clothes, now practically sheer. This fabric was no good.
“Alright, thank you,” Ji Ci replied cheerfully.
Confident in her supernatural abilities, she felt such feminine tricks posed no threat.
Unbeknownst to her, she was stepping into the most critical link of a tangled trap.
As Ji Ci left, Dongfang Jibai rose to follow. Xue Yingsnow quickly stepped beside him.
“Brother Dongfang, Snow is a poor drinker but wishes to toast you,” she said, hooking her hand around his belt and pulling him forward.
“I still have matters to attend to,” Dongfang Jibai shrugged off her hand.
“You know Father intends to arrange a marriage. Do you really want to make a scene, Brother Dongfang?” Xue Yingsnow’s voice lowered, dripping with threat.
Dongfang Jibai’s eyes flickered. Rising, he strode toward the exit.
After they left, the guests mingled freely.
The Fourth Prince, Xue Jing, was also present, drinking cup after cup. The young maid from last night seemed to have vanished without a trace—he had searched all night in vain!
He was truly unwilling to give up.
“Your Highness, Dongfang Jibai and the princess have gone out. Shall we take a look?” a man whispered near Xue Jing.
Xue Jing chuckled lightly. “Look at what? To see my royal sister and Dongfang Jibai in bed? Don’t spoil my sister’s good fortune, or you won’t get any favors.”
He slammed his cup down and left the table.
The emperor’s indulgence of Xue Yingsnow was glaringly obvious. All the princes lived in the palace except her, who maintained her own residence.
Even if Dongfang Jibai were betrothed to the princess, the military command would never be handed over to her, which reassured Xue Jing.
After all, the emperor was still robust in his early forties and expected to live many more years.
Elsewhere.
Ji Ci was led by the maid to a courtyard, where a peach-colored dress was handed to her, shimmering softly in the candlelight.
“Miss, this is the princess’s new dress, never worn. Please put this on first.”
Ji Ci took the garment.
Suddenly, her system alarm sounded sharply: [Warning! Detection of contact nerve toxin!]
Her pupils contracted sharply. Instantly, she used her power to scan the dress.
The scan revealed the fabric had been soaked in the sap of the “Drunken Immortal Vine,” a toxin used to anesthetize wild beasts.
Ji Ci chuckled lightly. This princess was really putting some thought into her.
They had only met for less than an hour, yet she had already prepared a welcoming gift.
Fragrant incense curled through the room. Smiling, Ji Ci took the dress inside to change.
She used her power to absorb all the poison from the fabric, brightening its color considerably.
The maid slipped out quietly, locking the door behind her. Ji Ci remained unaware of all this.
At that moment, Xue Jing was wandering near the princess’s residence and happened upon the courtyard.
He spotted Zhao Shumo sneaking toward the area and immediately hid.