The Female Alpha Consort Mistakenly Marks the Empress - TFACMME Chapter 15

“You’ve thought about what I told you before?”

About marrying her.

The street was bustling with people, many of them drunk, stumbling and weaving between groups. It was far too easy to be carried from one part of the crowd to another.

So aside from Little Mi, no one noticed their change in position.

Qi Yingzhu was displeased, but she couldn’t show it.

After all, one doesn’t slap a smiling face.

However, she didn’t turn her head either, still looking into the distance as she said lightly, “Marriage has always been a serious matter. Just me thinking about it doesn’t amount to much.”

The spring sunlight in March was bright and clear. Looking far into the distance, one could see faint outlines of distant mountains, hazy in golden light.

Mu Lanshi had intended to respond, but just then Zhou Yuanlai, walking at the front of the group, turned around, drunkenly saying to the guests, “Everyone, please follow me to Bixiu Garden… we’re almost there.”

At the mention of “Bixiu Garden,” some of the drunken guests raised their arms and shouted. Even if Mu Lanshi wanted to speak, Qi Yingzhu wouldn’t have been able to hear her.

Which suited Qi Yingzhu just fine. When she saw the Mu family crest today, she had wanted to leave immediately. But this woman had been too quick and caught her red-handed.

As the guests shouted and waved their arms, the strong scent of makeup and perfume filled the air, making Mu Lanshi frown.

The Mu family had strict rules, and her mother had especially high standards. She rarely allowed her to dress up extravagantly like this group, wearing heavy powder and rouge. Once, as a child, she had tried attaching a sachet like the others and had been severely scolded by her mother.

Mu Lanshi frowned with displeasure, but through the crowd she caught sight of the slight smile at the corner of Qi Yingzhu’s lips.

Mu Lanshi was taken aback.

So she was smiling smugly because the crowd had interrupted her from saying more?

***

Bixiu Garden.

A gentle stream wound through the garden like a transparent jade ribbon, curling and twisting through the landscape. Just walking through it lifted one’s spirits.

Though the Zhou family had always been seen as nouveau riche, with many decorations being overly luxurious, the garden itself was refreshingly elegant.

Despite being drunk, Zhou Yuanlai didn’t neglect his duties as a host. He clearly instructed people to prepare a pitch-pot game and had others make arrangements by the stream.

It seemed he intended to host a game of flowing wine cups on the water.

Mu Lanshi stood quietly at the side, already making plans in her mind.

Her family had a long scholarly lineage, and she had been raised with the full support of her family. She could handle anything with ease. Even though she had lived two lifetimes and was no longer young…

If she wanted to stand out, it was still effortless for Mu Lanshi.

While preparations continued, Zhou Yuanlai led everyone to tour Bixiu Garden.

The clouds floated gently, the breeze was soft, and the chirping of birds gradually filled the air.

Zhou Yuanlai owned a prized parrot—Mu Lanshi was well aware of this.

It was said the parrot had been a gift to the Emperor from a Western kingdom, but Zhou Yuanlai, as the Emperor’s brother-in-law and a favored courtier, had received it. The parrot could mimic human speech and was kept in Bixiu Garden with great care.

Naturally, Zhou Yuanlai was quite proud of the bird. Whenever he hosted grand banquets, he would present it to entertain guests.

But it was one thing for the host to offer a display—quite another for someone to ask for it directly.

Some guests were visiting Bixiu Garden for the first time and had never heard the parrot talk. Their curiosity got the better of them.

One bold guest called out to Zhou Yuanlai’s back, “Lord Zhou, where is that talking treasure of yours?”

Zhou Yuanlai was walking slowly at the front. Hearing this, he turned and repeated, “Talking treasure?”

The attendant beside him quickly whispered in his ear, “My lord, he means A’bao.”

That was the name Zhou Yuanlai had given the parrot.

“Oh, A’bao! Of course!” Zhou Yuanlai suddenly seemed to remember and laughed. “I truly am drunk—I forgot all about him. How about this: everyone take a seat, and I’ll bring A’bao to you.”

The servant in charge of A’bao couldn’t help showing a worried expression.

His master had an unpredictable temper. Perhaps today he was in a good mood with so many elites present, which made him unusually polite—he even said he’d bring the cage himself.

But if he were in a bad mood, refusing a drink could cost them a hand. He could even be violent.

His temper was unpredictable, and his anger often made him irrational.

Among the guests today were many new faces. What if someone unknowingly provoked him and spoiled the festivities?

“This…” The bird keeper bit his lip, wanting to speak but not daring to, afraid of displeasing his master.

Just as he was feeling anxious, Zhou’s steward appeared and whispered something into Zhou Yuanlai’s ear. At first confused, Zhou Yuanlai then nodded repeatedly, smiling brightly. “You’re right, old Zhou, always thinking things through. This bird is an imperial gift after all!”

It would be inappropriate to carry a golden cage from person to person just to show off.

The steward smiled flatteringly. “That’s because your status is exalted, my lord.”

He was secretly relieved. He’d been worried earlier—what if the master had really wanted to entertain everyone today?

Thankfully, Zhou Yuanlai took his suggestion. The steward exchanged a glance with a pale-faced servant standing beside a rock garden.

Mu Lanshi, standing among the guests waiting for seating, caught all this unusual behavior.

After a moment of thought, she looked up and noticed that Qi Yingzhu was also watching her.

Seeing they were together, a servant came to arrange their seats.

“Ladies, would it suit you both to sit here?” the servant asked.

She looked up and saw the two staring at each other, then almost simultaneously they both turned their gaze to her and said, “Thank you.”

Servant: …?

A bit confused, but not thinking much of it, she went on to arrange seats for others.

***

Zhou Yuanlai stood beside the golden cage, face flushed, introducing the bird’s marvels to the guests.

One of the guests played along, asking to come forward for a closer look.

Zhou Yuanlai readily agreed.

That guest stepped forward, examined the bird, and improvised a poem praising its smooth feathers and melodious voice.

Zhou Yuanlai was delighted and ordered his servant to record the poem. Then, encouragingly, he invited others to come view the bird.

Everyone soon realized—watching the parrot was just an excuse. The real event was composing poems.

After all, this was a literary gathering. Poetry, prose, and music were always the centerpiece.

With so many guests, calling them up one by one was impractical. Soon, Zhou Yuanlai began calling up groups—usually people of the same family or family—to present their verses.

Most of the guests knew each other, exchanging compliments while secretly competing—each thinking, I know exactly how talented you are.

The old guests weren’t the focus.

Mu Lanshi hadn’t sat long before she saw the pattern. When one group stepped up, she raised an eyebrow slightly.

In this life and the last, she had attended countless gatherings like this. Hosts always found ways to get her to perform.

Poetry, calligraphy, music, chess, dance…

Only the last one—no one dared ask her to do that.

After the servant finished noting down the last group’s poems, Mu Lanshi turned to Qi Yingzhu. “Young Lady, is it our turn now?”

“I’m fine staying here,” Qi Yingzhu said coolly. “After all, in the literary world of the capital, your talent stands unmatched.”

The Mu family was famed for its literary brilliance.

Even so, when the servants came to fetch them, Qi Yingzhu followed Mu Lanshi up, though clearly reluctant.

…No one knew what these people were thinking.

Seeing Mu Lanshi approach, Zhou Yuanlai excitedly introduced her. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Mu Lanshi, the eldest daughter of the Mu family.”

Though Mu family tradition didn’t distinguish between legitimate and concubine-born children, outsiders still did. As the heir, she was the legitimate eldest daughter—the future head of the Mu family.

She wore a sky-blue spring robe that outlined her tall and graceful figure.

Bright and elegant, like rosy clouds in the sky.

Everyone stared, whispering among themselves.

The more they whispered, the more Mu Lanshi felt the weight of their expectations.

The Mu family prided itself on its noble status and avoided associating with the Zhou family. Mu Lanshi’s fame in the capital meant her performance today was under intense scrutiny.

No one cared how she looked at a parrot. They cared what poem she would write.

All eyes turned to the small group before the cage, specifically to Mu Lanshi.

Just then, she lowered her gaze and caught a strange scent. She frowned.

She had some knowledge of aromatics. This smell was…

Before she could react, the parrot—until now calmly mimicking words on its carved sandalwood perch—suddenly went berserk. Its rainbow feathers bristled, beak wide open. The golden bars of the cage snapped inward, and in a flash the parrot lunged out, ready to attack!

Zhou Yuanlai, standing aside and expecting poetry, suddenly saw this and his eyes widened. “Guards!”

Qi Yingzhu had been distracted, but in her panic, a tall figure stepped in front of her…

It was over in moments.

Zhou Yuanlai, deeply embarrassed, apologized. “I failed to consider all possibilities. I don’t know what made the beast act out today. I’m sorry to everyone.”

Mu Lanshi calmly took a silk cloth from a servant and wiped her hands. “It’s nothing. I may have startled the bird in my haste.”

“No, no, it’s just a creature. Is everyone alright?” Zhou Yuanlai was mortified.

He had wanted Mu Lanshi to show her talents, but instead she had revealed her martial skills! That was entirely his fault as host.

He also had a deeper concern: this was his first time dealing with Mu Lanshi.

The others quickly said they were fine and thanked Mu Lanshi.

Qi Yingzhu, caught among them, also expressed her thanks.

The gathering had lost its spirit. Everyone soon left.

Zhou Yuanlai couldn’t even see them off, busy comforting those who’d been frightened.

“My apologies,” he said again to Mu Lanshi. “I’ll be sure to punish the beast.”

Mu Lanshi replied lightly, “The parrot is innocent. The fault lies with people.”

Zhou Yuanlai froze, then understood her implication.

She wanted him to investigate.

Nearby, the pale-faced servant’s expression shifted.

But before Zhou Yuanlai could ask, Mu Lanshi added, “Young Lady Qi is well-known in Jiangnan, and new to the capital. I wonder who would want to harm her.”

All eyes turned to the silent Qi Yingzhu.

The pale servant sighed in relief. This Qi woman isn’t even on the same level as Mu Lanshi.

But Qi Yingzhu raised her eyes and looked at Mu Lanshi strangely, slowly saying, “I thank you.” Slowly, as if through gritted teeth.

Yet this woman still insisted she wasn’t safe, and since the road passed the courier station on the way to the Mu residence, she offered to escort her.

Qi Yingzhu said nothing, only ground her teeth.

***

Once inside the Mu family’s carriage, with the curtain drawn, Qi Yingzhu no longer held back.

“Young Lady Mu, the parrot clearly targeted you. Why shift the blame to me?”

She hadn’t embarrassed her in public.

Truly a sharp, calculating woman. Mu Lanshi thought for a moment. Since she had been seen through, she answered frankly, “The parrot was indeed after me. But you were standing in front of the cage at the time.”

She had saved her.

Was she trying to use that as leverage?

Qi Yingzhu replied with her old line of refusal: “A life saved is a life saved. Liking someone is a separate matter.”

A favor is a favor. Affection is affection.

The carriage moved swiftly. Soon, they reached the station.

As she lifted the curtain to disembark, her thoughts tangled, Qi Yingzhu added, “It’s only been one night. I don’t know you.”

How could this be called ‘liking’?

***

TL/N:

Rule of thumb.

Young Lady Mu (by public in present; Lady in the future)

Lady Qi (privately by Mu Lanshi)

Young Lady Qi (by Mu Lanshi publicly)