The Empress was extraordinarily clever—for decades she had firmly controlled Emperor Delong’s heart, could see through Mu Tianxiang’s thoughts so thoroughly in just a few encounters, and could use both soft and hard tactics to instantly make Consort De and Lianpin submit.
How could such a clever woman not see through Qin Shuying’s thoughts?
But why would she do this?
Could it be that she simply wanted Princess Yongjia to know that the Empress cared about her and hoped Princess Yongjia would stand on the Crown Prince’s side when he ascended the throne?
This didn’t seem necessary.
Once Emperor Delong announced it to the world, who would dare oppose the Crown Prince?
“After I know this, combined with some speculation, I’ll have a clear understanding and will be more guarded against His Majesty. Moreover, by doing this, the Empress is also telling His Majesty that she protects me, and His Majesty had better not move against me.”
Qin Shuying’s complexion changed, and she forced herself to steady her mind, saying, “Your Highness, you said His Majesty is benevolent and kind-hearted.”
Princess Yongjia smiled. “That’s toward his subjects.”
Qin Shuying had nothing more to say.
Human emotions were so strange—one could be tolerant and merciful toward strangers, even sparing no effort to help them, yet often be calculating toward those close to them…
Suddenly, Princess Yongjia burst into laughter. “You really have tremendous audacity, daring to force Old Madam Liang to say the Empress is… Ah, well, we can only rely on His Majesty’s and the Empress’s mercy, otherwise we would have died countless times already.”
Until they rode back, Princess Yongjia didn’t mention this topic again, and Qin Shuying was happy to be relaxed.
Though she was bold, it was better to know as little as possible about imperial secrets and discuss them as little as possible.
As long as the realm remained peaceful in the future, who cared who the Empress Dowager was? As for that emperor—well, she still had to care about that, since Fifth Prince and Sixth Prince must not be allowed to ascend the throne.
Despite saying this, after returning to the mansion, Qin Shuying felt mentally and physically exhausted, her heart still beating wildly.
Even at night she couldn’t sleep well.
Sigh, the Empress wasn’t the Empress, the Princess Imperial wasn’t the Princess Imperial… everything was in chaos!
As long as Emperor Delong said someone was who they were, then that’s who they were. Sleep, sleep…
The next day, she woke up with somewhat swollen eyes.
The sunlight was bright and birds sang among fragrant flowers—it was a beautiful day. Qin Shuying propped her chin and looked at the spring scenery outside, suddenly remembering some things from the past.
In those days, on such beautiful days, she would always find ways to take Feng’er out for a stroll.
Her hand unconsciously moved to her abdomen…
Hong Juan came in and saw her gazing out the window in a daze. She smiled and called out, “Madam, Fourth Princess Consort has sent an invitation.”
Qin Shuying took the invitation—Lin Zilan was inviting her to enjoy flowers.
Lin Zilan had an active nature and had already invited her to Fourth Prince’s mansion several times. Each time Qin Shuying visited, Lin Zilan would drag her around to see her various flowers and plants, as well as the blueprints she had drawn.
Everything at Fourth Prince’s mansion was fine—Lin Zilan was in charge, and she was clever. It was just that Fourth Prince still had several other wives and concubines, which gave Qin Shuying an indescribable feeling when she saw this.
She hadn’t thought about it before, but with no other women around Liang Zhe, Qin Shuying’s days were comfortable, and she inevitably felt extra sympathy for Lin Zilan.
However, this could only be buried in her heart and couldn’t be spoken aloud.
The appointment was for the next day. This afternoon Qin Shuying had something else to do—return to the Qin mansion.
Yesterday afternoon, Qin Yongtao had someone send word that he had important matters to discuss with her. Qin Yongtao had duties in the morning but would be home in the afternoon.
After lunch, Qin Shuying tidied herself up and took Ziteng and Huiyun back to the Qin mansion.
Qin Yongtao met her in his study.
With Old Madam Qin’s death, Qin Yongtao was observing mourning at home.
According to regulations, he should return to his ancestral home to observe mourning. But the Qin family had long since moved to the capital, so he didn’t need to go elsewhere—Qin Yongtao just needed to stay home each day.
Great Zhou’s mourning observance differed from previous dynasties and wasn’t so particular—there was no need to build a hut by the grave or anything like that. One only needed to separate from one’s spouse during the mourning period, cease all entertainment and social activities, and avoid weddings and celebrations during the mourning period.
After observing mourning for two months, Qin Yongtao couldn’t sit still and began stirring up trouble.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qin Yongtao’s expression became grave as he said, “Seventh girl, I’ve finally investigated your father’s death clearly. It turns out he didn’t truly die of illness, but was harmed by a sinister villain.”
Five years ago, when Old Madam Qin wanted Qin Yongtao to investigate, he had only given vague, evasive responses. By the time Old Madam Qin died, the Mu family hadn’t yet fallen, and those who had secretly harmed the Qin Yongzhou couple hadn’t been punished. Old Madam Qin had died with regrets.
Now that Liang Zhe had already brought down all those people, Qin Yongtao wanted to curry favor?
She wondered how he planned to do it.
Perhaps the changes in the palace had made him sense Emperor Delong’s intentions, and realizing that Sixth Prince would ultimately have no connection to the throne, while Qin Shuying was now the heir’s wife of a count’s mansion, was on good terms with Princess Yongjia and Fourth Princess Consort, and had been summoned by the Empress several times—Qin Yongtao’s fence-sitting nature was once again fully displayed.
Even if Sixth Prince couldn’t become emperor, he was still a proper prince, still an incomparably noble prince, far more distinguished than her position as an heir’s wife.
She didn’t know what Qin Yongtao was really thinking.
Or perhaps he had other thoughts?
Qin Shuying didn’t expose him and only asked, “Uncle, what happened?”
Qin Yongtao spoke at length, and it was roughly the same as what Liang Zhe had previously investigated.
When finished, Qin Yongtao sighed, “It’s just a pity that Yun Luoyuan and the others have already been executed. Though Liu Gongshan fanned the flames, he’s now been stripped of office and should never be reinstated. Though this can comfort Third Brother, it’s still somewhat regrettable.”
Qin Shuying put on a wistful expression. “Thank you for your trouble, Uncle. If Father and Mother have spirits in the afterlife, they should be able to rest in peace.”
“If Third Brother and Third Sister-in-law have spirits in the afterlife and see how well you’re doing now, they would be comforted.”
After the two praised each other for a while, Qin Yongtao suddenly sighed. “Shuying, the other day I saw His Highness, and he said you personally saw Her Majesty the Empress that day. Tell your uncle—what does Her Majesty the Empress actually look like?”
Qin Shuying said, “Uncle, the Empress is noble. Your niece only glanced from afar—how would I dare stare at her? Besides, elder sister was originally in the palace and already knew Her Majesty the Empress. Wouldn’t she be able to describe her more clearly than your niece?”
“Your elder sister said Her Majesty the Empress originally didn’t seem to look like this.”
Qin Shuying was startled. “Uncle, such words must not be spoken carelessly.”
“I’m only telling you this—naturally I wouldn’t tell others.”
“Uncle, your niece had never seen Her Majesty the Empress before. Now asking your niece to say what she originally looked like—how would I know?”
Qin Yongtao then produced a painting. “Look at this—is she like this?”
Then he unrolled the painting, which was a portrait of a lady.
The woman in the painting was about twenty years old, holding a silk fan, gazing into the distance with concentrated eyes, pretty as a flower. Wasn’t this exactly the Empress she had seen that day?