Qin Yining stood in place bewildered, softly asking the servant woman guarding the drooping flower gate: “Did you hear who it was that came?”
“In reply to the Princess, I didn’t hear. The person sent by the Prince only said it was an extremely important noble.”
Qin Yining nodded thoughtfully: “I understand. Thank you.”
The servant woman was flattered and respectfully curtsied before withdrawing.
Ji Yun said with some worry: “From the tone, that noble seems to be from the palace. The Prince’s attitude is so serious—I’m afraid the visitor’s background is not simple.”
Qin Yining shared this feeling and returned to her room with Ji Yun, feeling deeply worried. She changed into a sapphire blue cross-collar jacket with a fitted waist, simply arranged her hair in a high chignon, and secured it with a white jade flower hairpin.
Looking in the mirror and thinking of Pang Xiao’s serious attitude, Qin Yining feared being remiss, so she took a white jade butterfly collar clasp to wear and chose a cloud brocade cloak with subtle patterns and cloud motifs. This way she would appear both dignified and appropriate for her mourning status.
Qin Yining left as usual with Ji Yun and Bingtang, followed by Jingzhe, Xiao Xue, Xiao Man, Dahan, Tang Xiu, and four elite Tiger Guards, traveling through the rain toward the prefectural office.
On the way, Qin Yining made many guesses. A noble from the capital who required her, a woman, to personally go—either the visitor had brought their wife, or the visitor was actually a woman.
She considered many possibilities, but when she reached the main hall of the government office and saw who had come, she was truly astonished.
“This subject’s wife pays respects to the Empress, pays respects to Consort Zhuang.” Qin Yining respectfully knelt and performed grand ceremony.
The Empress quickly rose and reached out to help her up with a smile: “Princess need not be so formal. After so many days apart, the Princess seems to have lost quite a bit of weight.”
Qin Yining was flattered and respectfully lowered her head: “Thank you for Your Majesty the Empress’s concern. Your Majesty the Empress’s complexion doesn’t look very good either—were you too exhausted during the journey?”
“Indeed.” The Empress took Qin Yining’s hand and walked toward the main seat.
Pang Xiao and Lu Heng stood below with lowered heads, while Bian Ruohan stood beside Consort Zhuang on the other side.
Qin Yining naturally couldn’t sit together with the Empress, so she respectfully stood beside her.
The Empress said: “During this period of continuous heavy rain, all regions of our nation have suffered disasters to varying degrees, and the imperial mausoleum construction has been repeatedly delayed and unable to begin. His Majesty is deeply worried and specially ordered this palace and Consort Zhuang to come here to chant sutras and pray for blessings, beseeching the heavy rain to stop so that imperial mausoleum construction can smoothly begin. According to His Majesty’s oral decree, if the rain doesn’t stop, this palace and Consort Zhuang must remain here.”
Qin Yining’s heart jumped with alarm, but her face showed emotion and admiration: “Your Majesty’s heart is with His Majesty. Despite the strain on your phoenix body, you toil for His Majesty’s mausoleum construction. Such deep conjugal affection truly moves this subject’s wife.”
The Empress felt very comforted and patted Qin Yining’s hand: “Likewise. Aren’t you the same? We women—our whole lives are for our entire families, aren’t they?”
“Indeed. His Majesty rules over all people, and the entire realm is His Majesty’s family. What Your Majesty the Empress worries about—how could it be as simple as the small family this subject’s wife is concerned with?”
The Empress sighed quietly and nodded silently.
Bian Ruohan lowered her head, nearly grinding her silver teeth to pieces.
What a sycophantic wretch! So smooth-tongued, acting like a lapdog upon seeing the Empress—how shameless!
Seeing that Bian Ruohan seemed improper, Consort Zhuang beside her smiled while looking at the Empress in the upper seat, but her hand hidden behind her back lightly pinched Bian Ruohan.
Bian Ruohan startled awake and quickly lowered her head even more.
Pang Xiao wore a smile, his heart full of pride. However, catching sight of Lu Heng from the corner of his eye—that fellow also wore an expression of shared glory, boldly gazing at Qin Yining’s back—Pang Xiao’s good mood instantly evaporated.
This man now relied on his status and increasingly disregarded him, displaying his feelings for Qin Yining clearly without any sense of propriety.
Simply detestable!
Qin Yining and the Empress had established some friendship in the palace, but given their men’s positions and different stances, both women clearly understood that once their men tore off all pretenses, they could no longer be friends. Therefore, both were quite restrained in their friendship.
Though restrained, this didn’t prevent them from conversing pleasantly.
Consort Zhuang and Bian Ruohan on the side couldn’t get a word in.
Qin Yining smiled and said: “Since Your Majesty the Empress has graced us with your presence, why not move to the Prince’s mansion for lodging? This subject’s wife will immediately have the upper courtyard cleared for you. Would that be acceptable?”
The Empress smiled and looked toward Lu Heng and Bian Ruohan, shaking her head slightly: “This palace appreciates the Princess’s kind intention. However, the Loyal and Righteous Earl has already prepared a separate estate.”
Lu Heng said at the appropriate moment: “Yes, Princess Zhongshun is wholeheartedly concerned for Your Majesty. Please rest assured, Princess Zhongshun—the separate estate is ready, with the most trustworthy people selected. Both Your Majesty the Empress and Consort Zhuang Your Majesty’s safety are guaranteed.”
As Lu Heng spoke, he gazed tenderly at Qin Yining, his eyes seeming to sparkle with starlight.
When Qin Yining’s eyes met his, she lowered her long lashes and smiled: “The Loyal and Righteous Earl handles matters properly. Since that’s the case, I have no objections.”
Pang Xiao smiled and said: “This subject agrees as well. I imagine Consort Zhuang Your Majesty, having come to this place, must have much to discuss with the Loyal and Righteous Earl’s wife as sisters.”
Hearing this, the Empress nodded and looked gently toward Bian Ruohan.
Bian Ruohan was suddenly called upon and jerked her head up, revealing her swollen half-face to everyone’s view.
The Empress frowned slightly: “Loyal and Righteous Earl’s wife, your face?”
Lu Heng wore a proper smile, but his jaw was clenched tight as he cursed Pang Xiao’s despicableness in his heart. Originally the Empress hadn’t noticed Bian Ruohan’s abnormality, and it would have been fine to gloss over it, but he deliberately brought it up—he must want him to lose face before the Empress!
Given Bian Ruohan’s proud and willful nature, Lu Heng held no hope for her.
Bian Ruohan’s eyes quickly filled with tears. She stepped forward about to speak, but Consort Zhuang stepped out first, curtsied, and said with a smile: “In reply to Your Majesty the Empress, this consort already asked earlier. The Loyal and Righteous Earl’s wife carelessly bumped into something while getting up at night. The doctor has already prescribed the best medicinal ointment—after using it for two days, it will heal completely.”
“Oh?” The Empress looked at Bian Ruohan’s cheek—those were clearly red swollen marks left by someone slapping her.
In Huichuan County, the only person who dared hit Bian Ruohan and could hit her should be the Loyal and Righteous Earl alone.
But thinking carefully, when young couples had conflicts and got emotional enough to strike each other, it did happen. Though she was the Empress, she was still an outsider and shouldn’t keep dwelling on people’s domestic affairs.
The Empress smiled gently: “Since you bumped into something, you must be more careful in the future. Nanny Sun.”
“This servant is here.” The Empress’s nanny smiled and walked forward.
“This palace remembers we brought medicinal ointment when we came. It’s excellent for reducing swelling and relieving pain. Go fetch it to give to the Loyal and Righteous Earl’s wife.”
“Yes.” Nanny Sun quickly went out.
Bian Ruohan felt very aggrieved. She had just stepped forward when Consort Zhuang grabbed her hand.
Though Consort Zhuang smiled gently, the force in her hand seemed about to crush Bian Ruohan’s bones.
“Sister, why don’t you thank Her Majesty the Empress for her grace?”
Bian Ruohan was pinched to the point of nearly screaming, but the pain quickly sobered her. She had self-awareness—her cousin had survived in the palace for many years and should best understand the Empress’s temperament. At this time, her cousin wouldn’t harm her.
“This subject’s wife thanks Your Majesty the Empress.” Bian Ruohan respectfully performed ceremony.
The Empress smiled graciously: “Rise.”
Though her attitude was gentle, when dealing with Bian Ruohan, the Empress clearly spoke much less and wasn’t as warm as when treating Qin Yining.
Bian Ruohan bit her lower lip and lowered her head, not daring to let people see her expression, but her heart grew increasingly resentful.
Why did everyone favor Qin Yining? Lu Heng was like this, and now the lofty Empress was the same!
She had already sternly questioned Bian Tong, who swore to heaven that he hadn’t lied to her. So that day Qin Yining really had entered that residence, and that adulterer must have been in that estate.
She clearly had evidence of Qin Yining’s adultery, yet no one believed her. Everyone protected her!
Bian Ruohan was full of anger she dared not express, so she could only endure.
Soon the banquet was set, and everyone moved to the flower hall. Though rain had continued for days and various vegetables, fruits, poultry, and meat were rare, with the Empress’s arrival, what should be present couldn’t be absent. The cooks truly used all their skills, and nothing abnormal could be seen at the banquet.
Qin Yining and Bian Ruohan accompanied the Empress on her left and right, Consort Zhuang sat beside Bian Ruohan, while Lu Heng and Pang Xiao, being men, should have avoided the gathering. But since there were only these few people, Pang Xiao was His Majesty’s sworn brother, and Lu Heng was a junior highly regarded by the Empress Dowager, the Empress gave permission for everyone to eat at the same table.
After the meal, tea and refreshments were served. Qin Yining chatted with the Empress for a while longer, then appropriately rose to take leave: “Your Majesty the Empress has traveled far and must be weary. You should rest early. This subject’s wife will come to pay respects tomorrow morning.”
The Empress smiled: “The Princess is still so well-mannered and considerate. Since we’re not in the palace now and the weather is poor, the morning greetings can be dispensed with. When this palace is free, I’ll summon the Princess to come chat.”
“Yes, this subject’s wife awaits your summons at any time.”
Pang Xiao and Qin Yining together performed ceremony to the Empress.
The Empress smiled and waved her hand, indicating they were excused.
After Pang Xiao and Qin Yining left, Lu Heng also smiled: “Your Majesty the Empress, this subject also takes leave.”
The Empress nodded with a smile, glanced at Consort Zhuang and Bian Ruohan standing in attendance, and said considerately: “The Loyal and Righteous Earl’s wife rarely meets with Consort Zhuang. I imagine they must have much to discuss. What does the Loyal and Righteous Earl think?”
Lu Heng smiled: “That would naturally be good.”
“Then the Loyal and Righteous Earl should attend to his duties. Later this palace will have someone escort the Loyal and Righteous Earl’s wife home.”
“The Empress is benevolent. Thank you for caring for my clumsy wife.”
“Nonsense—we’re all family. The Loyal and Righteous Earl need not worry.”
Lu Heng performed ceremony with the Empress again and respectfully withdrew.
The Empress then smiled to Consort Zhuang: “You go ahead. This palace is also tired.”
“Yes, this consort thanks Your Majesty the Empress.”
Consort Zhuang took Bian Ruohan to perform ceremony together, then led Bian Ruohan to her own side chamber.
Nanny Sun then smiled and approached with several accompanying palace attendants to serve the Empress in changing clothes: “Your Majesty, this servant noticed the Loyal and Righteous Earl’s wife’s situation doesn’t seem quite right.”
“Indeed. This palace also feels so. That’s why I specially left time for her to have a good chat with Consort Zhuang. Consort Zhuang is a clever person—she should be able to counsel her well.”
“The Empress is benevolent.” Nanny Sun smiled and praised, taking a comb to arrange the Empress’s hair.
The Empress looked at her ordinary face in the mirror—newly formed wrinkles and slightly sagging skin—and silently sighed.
“Sometimes this palace truly envies them at such flower-bud ages.”
“Your Majesty the Empress is in the prime of life—the most charming age for a woman. Why such sighs?” Nanny Sun was skilled and gentle, nimbly arranging the Empress’s hair in a casual style, then smiled: “The Loyal and Righteous Earl’s wife seems much more steady than before since coming to Huichuan.”
“Indeed.” The Empress touched her temples and sighed: “Since ancient times, marriage has mostly been arranged by parents and matchmakers. The Loyal and Righteous Earl and Miss Bian probably still need a long time to adjust to each other.”
Thinking of the swelling on Bian Ruohan’s face, Nanny Sun also nodded.
At this moment, Bian Ruohan was holding Consort Zhuang’s hand and tearfully complaining: “…Cousin doesn’t know—we had already reached that residence, and Lord Earl’s men went in to search. But clearly Qin Shi’s adulterer was right there, yet Lord Earl’s men couldn’t find him! I merely offered a few words of persuasion, and Lord Earl became embarrassed and angry, raising his hand to slap me. Sister, look at this tooth of mine.”