Chapter 60: Matriarchy (Part 1)

In the imperial garden during spring, sunlight poured down brilliantly, and blossoms bloomed in profusion. By the shimmering lakeside pavilion, a woman dressed in exquisite finery sat gracefully, her delicate features and skin as pale as snow, her eyes dark as ink, deeper than the night sky itself. Her gaze lingered on the distant horizon, contemplative and long.

This woman was none other than Yue Yixian, who had just entered a new world. After Gou Sheng’s reminder, she realized where she had landed, and the urge to strangle her former self for gleefully digging such deadly pits was overwhelming. Why not write a normal story? Why insist on crafting these perilous, ill-fated tales? Did she not know how sensitive and fragile her beloved was? What if a misunderstanding occurred?

“Your Highness,” a respectful voice came from behind.

Yue Yixian turned to see a young woman in black, sword in hand and face cold, offering a formal salute. “The flower viewing banquet has begun. His Majesty the Imperial Consort requests your presence.”

“Yes, I know,” Yue Yixian nodded, yet remained leaning on the stone table, unmoving.

The girl in black waited a moment. Seeing no intention to rise, she pressed, “Your Highness, it is time to depart.”

“Is it possible not to go?” Yue Yixian asked hopefully.

“…I don’t think so,” the girl hesitated before answering, “The purpose of today’s banquet is to select your noble consort and attendant consort.”

Yue Yixian: …

Under the urging gaze of the girl in black, Yue Yixian stood and walked leisurely toward the exit. She had barely taken a few steps when the girl called out, pointing in the opposite direction, “Your Highness, the banquet is this way.”

Feeling awkward, Yue Yixian changed direction.

After walking several hundred meters, winding past elegant pavilions, lively voices echoed ahead. The maids and attendants bearing trays of exquisite delicacies saw Yue Yixian approaching and quickly stepped aside, bowing respectfully.

At a corner, a flamboyant figure dressed in red rushed toward them.

“Crown Princess, Xiao Leng~~~” The newcomer first bowed respectfully to Yue Yixian, then, spotting the cold-faced girl behind, winked mischievously. “Oh, Xiao Leng, don’t always wear that stern face—you’ll scare away all the handsome men.”

“I heard your father is losing hair over your marriage,” she said, draping an arm over the girl in black’s shoulder, the other hand flicking open a folding fan with a snap.

“Let go,” the girl’s face grew colder, and the blade of her sword gleamed threateningly.

The girl in red quickly released her, flicking her fan a few times. “Ah, Leng Qing, you really can’t take a joke. That nickname ‘Ice-faced Yama’ is well earned.”

“Who could surpass you, Miss Passionate?” Leng Qing replied, expressionless, turning to Yue Yixian. “Your Highness, I advise that such shameless, man-obsessed women as her need not be invited to the flower banquet. Otherwise, the noble sons will all fall victim to her wiles.”

“What are you saying? My wiles? The gentlemen simply appreciate my beauty and talent—it’s their own doing. How can you blame me?” Situ Liuqing protested, fanning herself more vigorously. “Handsome men, gentle as jade, warm nights in red jade beds—truly unforgettable! Your Highness, do you not agree?”

Oh, Situ Liuqing, who would later become the strategist under the heroine, after being beaten for flirting with one of her harem.

“Your conduct is hardly admirable,” Leng Qing retorted, holding her sword and looking distastefully at her. “Stay away from Her Highness, lest she adopt your bad habits.”

“We’re both companions, what right have you to tell me to stay away…” Situ Liuqing protested, but her expression suddenly changed, voice dropping, “It’s the Third Princess.”

Leng Qing’s brows furrowed.

Yue Yixian followed their gaze to see a group approaching, led by one so radiant in gold she resembled a moving mountain of treasure.

The golden mountain drew near and saluted Yue Yixian. “Elder Royal Sister.”

Yue Yixian looked at the youthful face, feeling nearly blinded by the gold hairpins atop her head, and responded coolly.

“Your Highness, surely His Majesty the Imperial Consort has waited long enough. Let us proceed,” Situ Liuqing said, her face now serious.

“Coincidentally, I too am going to the flower banquet. Let us go together, Elder Sister,” said the golden mountain.

At these words, both Leng Qing and Situ Liuqing frowned slightly.

“Very well,” Yue Yixian nodded, ignoring her and taking the lead.

Anle quickly followed. “Sister, I hear today’s banquet is to select noble and attendant consorts for you. Surely there will be many refined gentlemen from distinguished families.”

That was hardly certain, Yue Yixian thought inwardly.

This world was a product of her impulsive creation—“Laughing Upon the Throne, Embracing Handsome Men.”

Yes, it was a female-dominated world.

She now inhabited the body of the protagonist’s elder sister, the ultimate cannon-fodder, Red Xingxing Crown Princess—Red Anyou.

The heroine was the Third Princess, Red Anle, walking beside her.

It was said that Red Xing Kingdom had a treasure: the Third Princess, Red Anle.

At her birth, auspicious signs appeared, and the kingdom triumphed over enemy armies the very same day.

From infancy, she was a prodigy: reading at one, reciting classics backward at two, debating with the Grand Tutor at three, and more. In short, she was a genius.

Had the Crown Princess not already been established, the Empress would have made Red Anle the heir.

Alas, that position belonged to Red Anyou, who was born first. Those who favored the Third Princess would curse Red Anyou daily, praying for her to choke on food, drown on water, and burning incense for her misfortune, all to promote the Third Princess.

Yet the Crown Princess grew up safely, and now was set to begin selecting her consorts.

Yue Yixian calculated that the original body's age was only fifteen, while the heroine Red Anle was thirteen—at thirteen, she already had several male favorites.

The Crown Princess, anxious to secure her position, focused on her studies and martial arts, showing little interest in men. Now that she was coming of age, her father, the Imperial Consort, could no longer resist arranging her marriage.

Fortunately, she had entered Red Anyou’s body; had she landed in Red Anle’s, she’d never be able to explain herself to her beloved, no matter how hard she tried.

Yet even this situation was far from ideal.

Yue Yixian sat at her seat, conflicted.

At the head sat the Imperial Consort, strikingly handsome, tall and slender—a peerless beauty by any standard.

If only he did not wear makeup and dresses, it would have been better.

“Crown Princess, do you fancy any gentleman?” the Imperial Consort asked gently. “Take a good look—you must choose several to become your attendant consorts today.”