After Prince Cheng’s people left, Steward Wu Yang quickly directed people to collect all the betrothal gifts as per Qin Shu’s instructions. However, they couldn’t throw them onto the street outside as Qin Shu had ordered. After some thought, Wu Yang ordered people to load the gifts onto carriages and leave them untouched outside Prince Cheng’s manor.
Outside the hall, Wan He knelt, crying silently. Qin Shuang, having finished crying, went forward to help Wan He up.
Inside the room, Madam Hu anxiously said, “My Lord, what should we do? By early tomorrow morning, everyone in the capital will know about this! She’s already betrothed to the Xue family – how can we handle this?”
Qin Shu’s face was ashen, and he remained silent for a long while. With him not speaking, others also maintained silence.
After a long time, Qin Shu turned to look at the sky outside. It was completely dark – too late to enter the palace now. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, they were completely calm. “I’ll first send a message to the palace. As for the details, we’ll discuss them tomorrow. I’ll enter the palace first thing tomorrow morning. You should go to the Xue family early tomorrow and tell them… tell them that Prince Cheng has taken a liking to Qin Xiang, that there was nothing we could do. Ask the master and madam of the Xue family for their understanding…”
Madam Hu quickly said, “But we’re supposed to visit the Anyang Marquis Manor.”
Qin Shu sighed, “The visit to the Anyang Marquis Manor isn’t urgent. It’s better to go to the palace first and explain this matter clearly to the Crown Prince.”
Speaking thus, Qin Shu looked at Qin Wan standing at the door, “Wan’er, you go to the Anyang Marquis Manor first thing tomorrow morning. Explain the circumstances to Princess Imperial – she will understand. We’ll visit this afternoon.”
Qin Wan quickly agreed. Qin Shu stood still, his gaze sweeping around the room at everyone, “There will certainly be rumors throughout the capital these next few days. None of you need to pay them any attention.” Then looking at Qin Shuang and Qin Wan, he continued, “From today, Qin Xiang is no longer a member of the Qin family. You two were closest to her – remember my words.”
Qin Wan nodded. How would Qin Shuang dare defy Qin Shu? She also nodded repeatedly.
Qin Shu was silent for a moment, then suddenly looked outside, “A maid stayed behind? Let her come in.”
Qin Shuang patted Wan He’s hand in comfort, and Wan He finally wiped her tears and went inside, immediately kneeling upon entering.
Qin Shu returned to the main seat, his cold gaze suspended over Wan He’s head.
Though the situation couldn’t be remedied now, he needed to know exactly how this had happened. This way, when he met with the Crown Prince and Empress, he could give them a clear explanation.
“You accompanied Fifth Miss to Mount Wei. When did Fifth Miss become intimate with Prince Cheng? Tell me everything in detail!”
Wan He sobbed uncontrollably, but Qin Shu’s gaze was like a cold arrow, giving her no choice but to speak. Wan He steadied herself, wiped her tears again, and finally said, “Miss and Prince Cheng became intimate the day before we returned. No, two days before that. That day, the camp had just resumed the grand hunt. Miss attended the evening banquet with Madam. On the way back, an attendant bumped into Miss and gave her a jade pendant. I discovered it the next morning while serving Miss. Miss forbade me from asking questions then, so I dared not say more. Only later did I learn…”
“The day before we returned, when Empress led the ladies out of the main camp for an excursion, Miss didn’t want to go and returned midway. Miss took me with her, intending to return to our tent, but unexpectedly, when we reached the tent entrance, we saw Prince Cheng waiting there. As soon as Miss saw His Highness, she appeared very distressed, but Prince Cheng spoke to her gently and coaxed her to go with him.”
“I was taken to a small tent and didn’t know what Prince Cheng and Miss discussed, but when Miss came out from Prince Cheng’s tent that evening, she said that Prince Cheng had promised her the position of side consort, and ordered me not to speak a word about it.”
Wan He quickly prostrated herself on the ground, “This servant… this servant only knew Prince Cheng was of high status and didn’t know this matter would harm the Marquis manor. Miss forbade me from speaking, so I dared not say anything…”
Madam Hu’s face turned slightly pale. So that day when they couldn’t find Qin Xiang, it was because she had gone to Prince Cheng’s tent. A single man and woman alone together for an entire afternoon – one could imagine what had happened…
Madam Hu sighed deeply, “This, this is truly a disaster! She was carefully raised and educated by Third Brother and his wife, how could she… she’s Third Branch’s legitimate daughter, how could she dare to… with Prince Cheng…”
Qin Chaoyu was also extremely resentful, but even more contemptuous. Her third uncle had committed heinous crimes against heaven and earth, so it wasn’t surprising his daughter turned out this way. Qin Xiang wanting to climb higher wasn’t anything special, but she had gotten in the way of her relationship with the Crown Prince. She was angry, yet also somewhat amazed at Qin Xiang’s boldness. Though they both would use any means to achieve their goals, Qin Xiang’s failure lay in having neither timing, position, nor support on her side, which was why she could only be expelled from the Qin family.
Qin Chaoyu felt hatred, anger, and slight shock, her heart extremely complicated. The contemptuous words she had been thinking remained unspoken. She looked coldly at Wan He, “Your young miss is going to Prince Cheng’s manor to enjoy wealth and glory – why aren’t you going?”
At this question, Wan He prostrated herself again, “This servant doesn’t dare. This servant’s status is too low to dare enjoy such glory and wealth. This servant has betrayed her master and requests the Marquis to let her return to Jinzhou to serve Third Madam.”
Hearing this, Qin Chaoyu sighed lightly, “Even you can understand this principle, yet your mistress cannot. The Qin family shares glory and shame. You are your mistress’s maid, but you are also a servant of the Qin family. She wants to betray the Qin family – it’s good that you didn’t go with her. The journey to Jinzhou is long, and returning won’t be easy…”
Qin Chaoyu looked at Qin Shu, who nodded and said, “If you’re willing to stay, then stay. You… can temporarily serve Sixth Miss.”
Hearing this, Wan He immediately kowtowed three times before rising and waiting outside.
Qin Wan and Qin Shuang exchanged glances, both their eyes showing complex, heavy emotions.
Qin Shu sighed, “Alright, this matter doesn’t concern you all. Tomorrow, your mother and I will handle it. Those who need to go to the ministry should go, those who should stay home to study and do needlework should continue as usual. It’s not such a major matter. Now then, I need to speak with your mother – you all may retire.”
Qin Yan led the younger ones out. As they walked together, no one spoke.
After a moment, Qin Yan sighed, “I didn’t expect it would end this way-“
At Cloud Mist Mountain, Qin Xiang had already acted out of line once. Who would have thought this time she would not only repeat the performance but take it to Prince Cheng’s manor? Qin Chaoyu smiled, “I’m afraid she’s not the only one in our household whose ambitions reach the heavens.”
Qin Yan’s eyebrows raised at these words, while Qin Shuang and Qin Wan’s steps faltered slightly. Qin Yan glanced at Qin Wan and the others, “Sister, don’t speak carelessly. After today’s events, our household needs to be more united than ever.”
Qin Chaoyu smiled noncommittally and turned to leave first. Qin Yan looked hesitantly at Qin Wan and Qin Shuang, “Don’t think too much about it. This matter… she won’t be able to speak easily of it to the Crown Prince and Empress in the future. She probably spoke out of anger.”
Qin Wan curved her lips, “Don’t worry, Third Brother. We understand.”
After saying this, Qin Wan finally led Qin Shuang away. After walking for a while, Qin Shuang said in a low voice, “What did Eighth Sister mean?! Could she think that I also…”
“No, she probably wasn’t talking about you.”
Qin Wan was very certain. She had noticed Qin Chaoyu’s gaze when speaking – she had looked at Qin Yan, Qin Ye, and Qin Shuang, but notably not at her. Wasn’t that obvious enough?
And Qin Yan saying Qin Chaoyu spoke those words out of anger…
Qin Wan didn’t believe that. However, when she tried to think of any recent friction between herself and Qin Chaoyu, she couldn’t recall any. After thinking it over several times without result, Qin Wan simply stopped thinking about it and instead advised Qin Shuang, “Don’t worry about it too much. We all share the Qin name – let’s wait for this matter with Qin Xiang to pass first.”
Qin Shuang’s eyes reddened again, “When Qin Xiang goes there… isn’t she afraid those high and mighty people will eat her alive!”
Qin Wan sighed, “She must have considered it, but she still chose to go. This was her choice. In life, we must make many choices, and even sisters can grow far apart. She left the Marquis manor today – from now on, it’s up to fate.”
After consoling Qin Shuang further, the two separated, with Wan He naturally following Qin Shuang.
……
……
Early the next morning, news that Prince Cheng had taken the Zhongyong Marquis Manor’s Fifth Miss as a concubine spread rapidly throughout the capital. Yan Che still didn’t know about this when he was summoned to the Central Palace by the Empress.
“Your son pays respects to Mother Empress. Why has Mother Empress summoned me?”
Zhao Shuhua sat on a beauty couch by the window. Hearing this, she nodded to her maid beside her, who handed a short letter to Yan Che. “Crown Prince, please read this-“
“When this letter arrived last night, you were already asleep. The servants brought this letter to me. Take a look – it’s from the Zhongyong Marquis.”
Yan Che didn’t know what had happened, but hearing that the Eastern Palace’s people had ultimately delivered the letter to the Central Palace caused a fleeting feeling of frustration. However, his attention quickly turned to the letter.
After reading just a few lines, Yan Che’s brows furrowed, “This! What is Prince Cheng trying to do?!”
Zhao Shuhua gave a faint smile, “What’s he trying to do? Irritate you, of course!”
Servants brought up two cups of hot tea. Zhao Shuhua picked up her teacup and used the lid to brush away the white foam on top. “But it doesn’t matter much. She’s just a Marquis Manor’s niece, after all…”
Zhao Shuhua spoke lightly, but as she was about to drink her tea, she suddenly lost interest. She covered the cup and set it down. A marquis manor’s niece wouldn’t matter even if she died, but Prince Cheng doing this so openly was challenging both the Eastern Palace and her position as Empress. This displeased her.
“Qin Shu will certainly come to the palace to see you soon. I won’t meet with him – you can see him yourself. Ask about the circumstances, then let this matter pass. After all, this wasn’t Qin Shu’s intention. At this critical moment, harmony is essential. The Imperial Astronomer’s Office sent over the auspicious dates yesterday. In my opinion, earlier would be better. What do you think?”
Yan Che had already closed the letter and nodded, “Whatever Mother Empress arranges.”
Zhao Shuhua nodded, “That’s all then. Return to the Eastern Palace. Qin Shu might already be waiting there.”
Yan Che bowed and took his leave. When he returned to the Eastern Palace, he indeed saw Qin Shu waiting outside. Seeing Yan Che, Qin Shu hurriedly came forward to bow. Yan Che gave him an expressionless glance and walked past him toward the main hall.
Seeing this, Qin Shu’s heart sank. Tang Fu, who was following behind, smiled and said, “Marquis, no need for such a ceremony. Please follow His Highness inside. His Highness just returned from the Empress in the Central Palace.”
Qin Shu showed considerable courtesy to Tang Fu, clasping his hands in greeting before entering the hall.
As soon as he entered, Qin Shu said, “Your Highness, I’ve come to request punishment-“
The Crown Prince sat behind his desk, his handsome face in shadow. “Is the Marquis referring to Prince Cheng taking your Fifth Miss as a concubine?”
Qin Shu nodded, “Yes, exactly. Last night, Prince Cheng suddenly sent people to propose marriage. My niece, being unfamiliar with the ways of the world and having just come from Jinzhou, doesn’t understand the capital’s affairs. She had previously accepted a jade pendant from Prince Cheng – this private exchange led Prince Cheng’s people to be certain I wouldn’t dare refuse. And my foolish niece, thinking she could enjoy glory and wealth in Prince Cheng’s manor, actually wanted to go with him. I… in my anger, I expelled her from the Qin family and let her go to Prince Cheng’s manor.”
After speaking, Qin Shu lowered his eyes. Yan Che sat behind his desk, saying nothing for a long while. Qin Shu’s heart pounded incessantly, and before long, cold sweat began to flow. Finally, Yan Che spoke, “Prince Cheng came prepared, and your niece was ignorant of matters. It’s not your fault. After all, she’s just a niece – the Marquis needn’t take it to heart.”
Qin Shu raised his head to see that indeed, there was no obvious anger on Yan Che’s face. He breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness. However, now that this has happened, I fear there will be some unsavory rumors.”
“What is there to fear from rumors? They’re just the usual talk – we’ve had plenty over the years, with no real damage to the Eastern Palace.” Yan Che spoke slowly, his face unsmiling. “Marquis, focus on preparing for Chaoyu’s wedding. The ceremony might be before the seventh month.”
Qin Shu’s eyes brightened slightly, and he quickly agreed, but then asked, “About the Empress…”
Yan Che was silent for a moment, “Mother Empress already knows, but she says this matter is of no great consequence.”
Yan Che spoke lightly, but Qin Shu’s heart suddenly tightened. If the Empress treated this matter so casually, that wasn’t necessarily good. However, looking at Yan Che, Qin Shu knew he couldn’t ask more. He hurriedly took his leave. As soon as he left the main hall, the bright sunlight outside made Qin Shu relax. For some reason, every time he entered the Eastern Palace, he felt particularly oppressed. Even he had to constantly hold his breath.
……
……
When Xue Qingshan woke up and the day was already bright in the front courtyard, he discovered visitors had already arrived at the house.
Calling over a servant boy to ask, the boy said, “Young Master, the Zhongyong Marquis Manor’s lady has come.”
The servant boy was delighted, for his young master was to marry a lady from the Zhongyong Marquis Manor!
However, Xue Qingshan frowned slightly. He and the marquis manor’s cousin had only made preliminary arrangements, without completing the later ceremonies – why would the Marquis’s wife come calling? Moreover, given the vast difference in their social status, if anyone should be calling, it should be his parents visiting them.
Thinking this, Xue Qingshan felt something was wrong and strode toward the front courtyard.
The Xue family residence wasn’t large but was elegant and refined. The front courtyard had two sections. Xue Qingshan entered through the side door into the back hall. As soon as he stopped, he heard voices coming from the front.
In the front hall, Madam Hu and Master Xue sat in the main seats, while Xue Qingshan’s mother sat in the lower left position.
Madam Hu smiled bitterly and said, “We didn’t expect this to happen. Xiang’er has a good appearance and disposition. Prince Cheng took a liking to her, and we could do nothing. Because of her father’s situation, Prince Cheng could only give her the position of honored concubine, but even so, we couldn’t resist. Last night, Prince Cheng sent people to the marquis manor, essentially to seize her. The Marquis had no choice, but now we’ve been disrespectful to Master Xue. Our two families had already agreed, and now this…”
Madam Hu spoke sincerely and earnestly. Master Xue’s face turned slightly pale. In his youth, he had risen only to the rank of a minor military official of junior fourth rank, not even equal to a fifth-rank civil official. The Marquis Manor was a great house – they had already been reaching their station. Now Prince Cheng had come to snatch their future daughter-in-law – how could they compete?
Though Master Xue felt humiliated, he dared not oppose either the Marquis’s manor or Prince Cheng’s manor. Their son was still in the patrol garrison – if they accidentally ruined his prospects, it would be disastrous. “Prince Cheng’s conduct in the capital has always been…”
Master Xue spoke hesitantly, “Madam need not feel apologetic. This was an unexpected development. It’s not the Marquis Manor’s fault – if anyone’s to blame, it’s Prince Cheng for being too aggressive!”
Master Xue knew the Marquis Manor stood with the Crown Prince, so his words became less guarded. Sure enough, at these words, Madam Hu’s expression improved somewhat. Master Xue continued, “It’s just a pity for Miss Qin. Being snatched away like this, who knows what her future days will be like. We were not fortunate enough.”
In the back hall, Xue Qingshan listened with furrowed brows. Though his father’s official rank hadn’t been high, he had campaigned with several old marquises in the capital, which was why this marriage had been proposed to them. This marriage was indeed above their station, but the Qin family’s daughter was burdened by her father’s crimes and truly couldn’t find a better match. At the time, Xue Qingshan had thought that since the Qin family’s daughter came from a scholarly background, he would need to prepare the wedding properly and not lose face. But now, how had such an unexpected development occurred?!
Prince Cheng had forcibly taken the Zhongyong Marquis Manor’s cousin as a concubine?!
His parents might believe this story, but he didn’t!
If it was truly a forcible taking, given the Zhongyong Marquis Manor’s position, they could not only protect their niece but also make Prince Cheng stumble badly by appealing to either the Crown Prince or the Emperor. And Prince Cheng wouldn’t be foolish enough to make such a move!
Yet this concubinage had still happened…
Xue Qingshan frowned. Could Prince Cheng have used some underhanded methods?
But if that were true, could the Zhongyong Marquis Manor swallow such a dark loss? The current Zhongyong Marquis held significant power in court, and his daughter was to become the Crown Princess. Moreover, the Crown Prince and Empress stood with them. If the Zhongyong Marquis wanted justice for his niece, it wouldn’t be difficult. To be so weak as to let someone snatch away his niece wasn’t the Zhongyong Marquis’s style!
Xue Qingshan turned and left the back hall, instructing his servant, “Go to Xingle District right now and investigate if there have been any strange occurrences at the Zhongyong Marquis Manor these past two days.”
Xingle District was where the Zhongyong Marquis Manor was located. Going to investigate now might reveal something.
The servant took his leave, and Xue Qingshan, not wanting to continue eavesdropping, returned to his study. In his study, he felt restless and decided to practice swordplay. He had thought the servant would take at least an hour, but after just two incense sticks’ worth of time, the servant returned-
“Young Master! No need to go to Xingle District – I already found out!”
The servant was covered in sweat, “Your servant hadn’t even reached Xingle District when I heard people talking by the roadside. They said last night Prince Cheng took a concubine, and it was the Marquis Manor’s lady. They even said the two had been intimate before…”
Xue Qingshan wiped the sweat from his face, his eyes quickly growing dark. To hear such talk before even reaching Xingle District and gossip that damaged the marquis manor’s reputation at that – this was deliberate.
Intimate… it remained to be seen whether this intimacy was Prince Cheng’s deliberate doing, or if this cousin had her own intentions!
Thinking this, Xue Qingshan understood that marriage was impossible now. Looking at the sword in his hand, he pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, “Go see if the Marquis Manor’s lady has left. If she hasn’t, tell the master this…”
Xue Qingshan spoke softly, and the servant first looked surprised, then hurriedly turned to leave. Reaching the front courtyard, he saw that Madam Hu hadn’t left yet. She had come to apologize that day, so naturally couldn’t leave without finishing what she had to say. The servant, under the pretense of serving tea, whispered a few words in Master Xue’s ear. Master Xue’s expression changed slightly, and he whispered back, “The young master ordered this?”
The servant nodded firmly before turning to leave.
Madam Hu vaguely heard the words “young master” and guessed that Xue Qingshan had learned of this matter, making her somewhat nervous. Master Xue hesitated awkwardly for a moment, then suddenly asked, “May I inquire, Madam, does your manor have another cousin?”