Tie Ci raised an eyebrow.

Master Tan the Second coughed and said respectfully, “Your Highness speaks truly. We naturally wish to share weal and woe with Your Highness, but we are powerless, would only burden Your Highness in vain, and would require Your Highness to assign people to protect us. This is inappropriate, inappropriate.”

Master Tan the Elder frowned and said, “How can Your Highness, with such prestige now, still be constrained by a few mere ministers! Your Highness is truly too soft-hearted!”

Tie Ci didn’t even glance at this uncle who lectured people the moment he opened his mouth. She only smiled at Lady Wang and said, “Imperial Consort is indeed very concerned about her family. How about having eldest aunt move into the palace to accompany Imperial Consort for a few days…”

Lady Wang hurriedly said, “This subject’s wife dares not break protocol…”

Everyone quickly changed their tune again, expressing how difficult the imperial family’s position was, showing great understanding and not daring to burden Your Highness.

Noble Consort Jing was greatly disappointed.

But Lady Wang said again, “It’s just that, Your Highness, Dunzhi will need to take examinations later. The journey is long and traveling back and forth wastes time. It would be better to let him stay in the imperial capital and study at the Imperial Academy. First, he could concentrate on his studies, and second, surely the Imperial Academy wouldn’t be unsafe…”

Lady Liu also said, “Xiuyue has reached marriageable age. There aren’t any good talents in Guishan County, which would waste her potential. We were hoping Imperial Consort could find her a good match in the imperial capital. How about asking His Majesty to give Xiuyue a title and let her stay in the palace awaiting marriage?”

Suddenly there was a crisp “Ptui!”

The sound was so loud it echoed throughout the entire hall, making everyone’s ears ring.

Tie Ci smiled.

Her dear grand-niece had arrived.

She leisurely leaned back.

These two requests weren’t actually too excessive. If they were normal relatives, she might have agreed. But the problem was that the Tan family was a hidden time bomb that couldn’t be left behind.

Some people loved putting on elder airs and using filial piety to pressure others – shameless, impervious to reason, ignorant of proper etiquette. As crown heir, if she minded it, the censors would catch her weakness; if she didn’t mind it, she’d inevitably feel stifled.

Since she couldn’t be criticized on this front, she’d let the appropriate person take the stage.

Pingzong entered carrying a handful of walnuts, cracking them while saying with full vigor, “What nonsense! Stay behind to be hostages again? What happened to not burdening the Crown Princess?”

Master Tan the Elder angrily said, “What manner of person are you! How dare you speak so rudely to us! Do you know who I am!”

“Bah! Do you know who I am? I am Princess Pingzong, and you’re just a seventh-rank petty official – what airs are you putting on in front of me?”

Master Tan the Elder was at a loss for words. If he wanted to talk about nepotistic connections, she wanted to discuss rank. His official position was lowly, and he was so angry his cheeks turned blue.

“You think the Imperial Academy is your family’s doorstep that you can just enter? Academy students must be recommended outstanding scholars from various regions or sons of third-rank officials. Which requirement does your son meet?”

“Your own daughter chased after men and became a hostage, nearly ruining everything, yet you still want to ask for titles and good marriages – which high-ranking family are you planning to harm? When those noble families welcome the bride, they’ll immediately develop grievances against the imperial family. Who’s going to clean up that mess? You?”

“Hearing that the Crown Princess faces difficulties, instead of sharing her worries, you bother her with these domestic trivialities. Are you here to visit relatives or to freeload off the imperial family? Haven’t you thought about earning some face for Noble Consort Jing?”

Noble Consort Jing looked blank again. She had originally thought her relatives’ requests weren’t excessive, but hearing Pingzong put it this way, it seemed somewhat excessive after all. She looked at Tie Ci in confusion, but Tie Ci maintained her usual gracious smile, not giving her even a glance.

But the Tan family wasn’t having it. Lady Lü began crying, mumbling something unintelligible under her breath. Lady Liu shrieked, “What are you saying! You lowly…” but was covered by Master Tan the Second beside her.

Little Bug at the door cracked his whip loudly and said, “This is the imperial palace – no loud noises allowed!”

Pingzong finished reciting what Chi Xue had taught her with some anger, squeezed her fingers, and the walnut crumbled to powder in her palm.

Seeing this, the group’s faces changed and they finally fell silent.

Only then did Pingzong turn to Tie Ci and say, “His Majesty is calling for you.”

Tie Ci took the opportunity to rise and bid farewell, also saying to Noble Consort Jing, “I depart the day after tomorrow. Today I came to bid you farewell. I hope Imperial Consort will take good care of your health in the palace and not be troubled by outside trivial matters.”

She absolutely wouldn’t come again before leaving.

Noble Consort Jing didn’t catch that this was a warning to have less contact with her problematic family. She responded somewhat reluctantly and hurriedly had palace servants bring out the travel gear she had prepared for Tie Ci. Tie Ci glanced at it briefly – there were cotton socks and comfortable casual shoes, closely-stitched summer cloth undergarments and handmade flower tea, small incense boxes, and even exquisitely crafted gold grooming sets inlaid with gems (tweezers, ear picks, toothpicks, and nail clippers). The thought was there, but this sheltered palace porcelain doll thought she was going on a pleasure trip!

She couldn’t be bothered to fuss about it, accepted with thanks, and left.

Seeing the Crown Princess leave without any reluctance, the Tan family all looked displeased. It was nearly time to light the lamps, and the two Tan masters, being outside men, couldn’t stay in the palace too long. They could only bid farewell to Noble Consort Jing. Before leaving, Master Tan the Second asked Noble Consort Jing for some more money.

Nanny Qin sent someone to escort them out of the palace. The Tan family returned in defeat, feeling angry. Having become familiar with the palace recently, they dismissed their escort after walking just a few steps. The palace maid was also unwilling to guide them – not only was there no reward money, but they constantly ordered her around. When the Tan family dismissed her, she was happy to be free, perfunctorily bowed, and quickly left.

Lady Liu watched the palace servant leave quickly and spat angrily, “No sense at all, running so fast – treating us like plague gods!”

Master Tan the Elder frowned, “Palace people climb high and step low, they’re the most snobbish. We should tell sister about this later – such people shouldn’t be kept around.”

Master Tan the Second also said, “All the people around Imperial Consort are like this. Elder brother, look at that Nanny Qin – guarding against us like we’re thieves!”

Lady Wang sighed, and Lady Lü’s expression was also unpleasant.

Suddenly someone ahead said gently, “This alley entrance isn’t passable at night. You’ve probably taken the wrong way?”

The Tan family looked up to see a palace lantern swaying ahead, under which walked a middle-aged woman. From her dress, she appeared to be a ranked nanny, smiling at them.

In the past few days in the palace, the Tan family had mostly seen faces hiding coldness and mockery. Now seeing this woman’s gentle manner and helpful reminder, they immediately felt favorable toward her. Lady Wang was the first to thank her. The woman said she was a nanny from Noble Consort Ning’s palace, out on business, and seeing several people had taken the wrong path, she offered to guide them to prevent them from violating regulations by getting lost in the dark.

The Tan family thanked her and followed behind the nanny. The nanny was very talkative, constantly praising the Tan family’s fine appearance and bearing as they walked. Finally she said, “Truly worthy of being the Crown Princess’s maternal relatives – such distinguished bearing throughout. The Crown Princess must have been delighted to finally see her grandmother and uncles and aunts these past few days.”

Lady Lü mumbled incoherently, Lady Wang laughed dryly, but Master Tan the Elder couldn’t get over his anger and coldly snorted, “That’s the crown heir! Grandmother and uncles are nothing but dust beneath her feet!”

Lady Wang tugged at Master Tan the Elder’s sleeve, but he pushed her away heavily with an iron-blue face.

The guiding nanny ahead seemed not to notice the commotion behind and sighed, “I heard you’re all leaving the capital soon. Why not stay a few more days?”

This hit another sore spot, and even Master Tan the Second couldn’t help but sigh deeply.

The nanny smiled, “You’re all really coming and going so quickly. So many noble families in the capital heard that the Crown Princess’s maternal relatives had come and were all eager to meet you, asking people to arrange introductions everywhere. But now you’re leaving so soon – it’s truly regrettable.”

The Tan family’s eyes immediately brightened, and Master Tan the Elder immediately said, “Who wishes to visit us?”

The nanny casually mentioned several names, and the Tan family felt even more regretful upon hearing them.

They were all important court ministers – people who in normal times in Guishan County they couldn’t reach even jumping up and down, people who could bring enormous benefits to the Tan family with just a word. Now they all wanted to get acquainted with them!

If it had been when they first arrived, the Tan family would have been high-spirited, thinking that with a daughter as imperial consort and granddaughter as crown heir, what great personages were just dust beneath their feet. But now, discovering that their daughter had no power and their granddaughter seemed kind but was actually cold, getting nothing from this trip, they were feeling bitter and unwilling. Hearing this, they immediately regretted deeply.

Lady Wang sighed, “Unfortunately we leave the day after tomorrow. Even if we got acquainted, we won’t be in the imperial capital afterward…”

The nanny smiled, “They’re not all capital people, and besides, don’t you still have two days?”

Lady Wang’s eyes flickered as she probed, “You mean…”

The nanny pulled a box from her sleeve and handed it to Lady Wang, softly laughing, “This is a meeting gift from that noble person to your distinguished family. The noble person said they’ve long admired the Tan family, and this small token is offered hoping to establish good relations. If the Tan family doesn’t refuse, there’s also a matter to entrust, with generous rewards afterward.”

Lady Wang opened the gold-inlaid, jade-embedded box, glanced briefly, then quickly closed it. After steadying herself, she smiled, “Thank you so much.”

The nanny said softly, “If Madam is interested, you could visit Qingfeng Tower on Simei Lane tomorrow for a chat.”

Lady Wang tucked the box into her bosom, while Master Tan the Second and his wife kept trying to peek at her chest.

The nanny stopped and said, “The palace gate is ahead. Please go as you wish.”

The Tan family thanked her and left the palace on their own. The nanny watched their backs as they walked away, whispering among themselves, and her lips curved up.

Only after the Tan family’s figures disappeared did she turn and walk toward the inner palace.

But not in the direction of Noble Consort Ning’s Ninghua Palace.

…

Two days later.

The Crown Princess’s grand southern tour procession left the imperial capital’s city gates, with the entire city’s people seeing them off.

The Emperor stood on the city walls watching the procession disappear into the distance, thinking of how over a year ago when Tie Ci left the capital, it was silent and unnoticed.

He had woken to find a letter on his desk and Ruixiang Palace empty of people.

At that time, not even the palace staff were alarmed. He heard that Ci’er had even been forced to jump into water by those wastrels at the ferry.

When he heard about it then, he wondered what Ci’er’s feelings were when she left alone in the night from the palace where she’d lived for sixteen years.

Whether she felt as desolate and anxious as he did when he looked around the suddenly empty Ruixiang Palace.

But now, the Crown Princess’s procession moved with imperial grandeur, the people spontaneously saw her off, he stood openly on the city tower watching, Chief Minister Rong led officials in a farewell ceremony at the pavilion, while the previously arrogant Xiao siblings both claimed illness.

Those wastrels who had dared force her to jump into water now cowered behind her like quails.

In just over a year, everything had turned upside down.

Beside him, Pingzong crossed her arms watching the procession below, habitually smacking her lips.

She had nearly caused big trouble by being greedy a few days ago. After painful reflection, she decided never to eat randomly again. But her mouth was used to chewing and wouldn’t obey, always involuntarily smacking.

She glanced at Tie Yan’s expression, a trace of faint envy flashing in her eyes.

Little aunt’s father might be useless, but he truly cared about her – still watching hopefully even when she was out of sight.

Tie Yan turned around at this moment, saw the girl’s smacking appearance, couldn’t help but smile, pulled out a small bag of preserved fruit from his sleeve and secretly handed it to her, “Chi Xue’s preserved fruit is always good, but your little aunt doesn’t let you eat too many sweets. When you’re craving something, just eat a piece to satisfy your mouth, but don’t let anyone find out.”

Pingzong rolled her eyes. What, even with Tie Ci gone, could she still remote-control her?

Her eyes rolled skyward, but her hands obediently took the item, only taking out one piece to put in her mouth while secretly tucking the rest in her bosom.

The distant procession was no longer visible. Tie Yan turned around, and Pingzong immediately followed behind him, chewing preserved fruit. The shadows of one old and one young stretched long and overlapping on the broad city wall.

…

Outside the city gate, Tie Ci turned around.

Confirming that there was no longer a watching stone on the distant city tower.

She smiled and ordered the procession to speed up.

Less than a year and a half since leaving the palace last time, her state of mind was already very different. She walked briskly, wholeheartedly throwing herself toward the storms ahead.

After leaving the city, the procession traveled for half a day and stopped at a post station to rest and eat at noon.

At the rear of the long procession, Lady Wang held some pastries and knocked on her son’s carriage.

Tan Dunzhi poked his head out, and Lady Wang handed over a plate of pastries, saying, “His Highness likes salty pastries. This golden melon pastry tastes good – you should take it to her right now. Use the excuse of thanking her for taking us back to Xizhou together.”

Tan Dunzhi said with a headache, “Mother, could you please stop fussing with these things?”

Lady Wang frowned, “Dunzhi, don’t give up easily when encountering difficulties. Although we’re being forced to leave early, the Crown Princess voluntarily offered to take us with her, showing that she still cares about us as relatives. You’re young and already a scholar, and quite handsome. If you put more effort in along this journey…”

Tan Dunzhi said, “Mother, stop always going on about ‘scholar, scholar.’ What does one scholar amount to in front of the imperial family?”

“What are you saying, child? You’re already a scholar at such a young age. Passing the imperial examination and becoming top scholar will be easy later – your future is limitless. How could you not be worthy of His Highness?”

“Even if I were worthy, so what? Haven’t you had enough of being taken hostage last time?”

Lady Wang choked, and after a while gritted her teeth, “Wealth comes from taking risks. Besides, the Crown Princess only has enemies and some danger now. Once this period passes and all enemies are eliminated, won’t there be the rest of a lifetime of glory? And once you can get engaged to the Crown Princess, you’ll naturally be protected. What’s to fear?”

Tan Dunzhi frowned, thinking his mother had always been clever – wasn’t the experience in the imperial capital enough for her to see clearly? How could she still be so obsessed? But he saw Lady Wang push the plate toward him again, “You take someone to deliver the pastries. Just deliver them.”

Tan Dunzhi looked at the servant behind her who kept his head down and eyes lowered, suddenly realizing, “This isn’t Mingzi. Where’s Mingzi? Why didn’t he come back with us…”

Lady Wang: “Shh – keep your voice down!”

Tan Dunzhi was stunned for a moment. He had been too embarrassed to go when the Tan family entered the palace last time and hadn’t paid attention to many things. Now seeing a strange servant mixed into their family’s group, and seeing his mother’s attitude, he vaguely felt something was wrong.

His gaze fell on the pastries, and he said in horror, “Mother, you’re not poisoning them, are you?”

“What are you saying!” Lady Wang was more shocked than him. “That’s the Crown Princess, and we’re still in the army. Do you think your mother would be stupid enough to seek death?”

“Then…” Tan Dunzhi looked at the servant.

Lady Wang saw she couldn’t hide it and had to whisper in his ear, “He’s from Xizhou. You know the Qi family – the Xizhou prefect? The family has a main branch in the imperial capital that produced a former chief minister and several vice ministers and censors. A branch of the Qi family’s children from Xizhou came to the imperial capital recently to visit relatives, but because of the imperial garden hunting assassination incident, all people who came from the south recently have been arrested and questioned. They’re afraid of being implicated and want to return to Xizhou, but now there are checkpoints for all southbound travelers. Only traveling with us is safest, so the Qi family offered generous gifts asking us to help take someone along. They’re our superiors – establishing good relations will make things easier in officialdom and business in the future, right?”

“Traveling with the army back home is a special favor. Didn’t that general specifically count our numbers earlier? Now we’ve snuck an outsider into the Crown Princess’s southern tour procession. If it’s discovered…”

“But it hasn’t been discovered. He’s just a servant – who would care? Once we reach our destination, it’ll be over. The Qi family is such a prestigious family, asking politely and offering generous gifts to establish sincere friendship – how could we refuse?” Lady Wang said, “Don’t frown. Your father’s career prospects and your study funds – don’t they all have to come from these connections!”

With this explanation, Tan Dunzhi had nothing to say. After hesitating for a while, he said, “But this has nothing to do with delivering pastries, and there’s no need to bring him along to deliver pastries.”

“Although he’s mixed into the army, I’ve noticed the guards are very strict, questioning three times a day. Young Master Qi said it would be better to find a way to bring him before the Crown Princess once or twice to become familiar with her, so if anything is discovered, the Crown Princess could vouch for him.”

Tan Dunzhi found this somewhat reasonable and finally accepted Lady Wang’s plate of pastries.

Lady Wang beamed with joy, “Speak well in front of the Crown Princess!”