Well, it made sense—no one would be kind to her for no reason. He Chang’an wasn’t inclined toward men, and she presented as a man, so being treated as a friend was already more than she could ask for. Expecting him to be some infatuated second male lead from a TV drama, unconditionally devoted and pining after her, was simply asking too much. She was overthinking things.
Hua Chun decided she should adjust her mindset. After all, she hadn’t actually transmigrated here to fall in love—she needed to be a positive, forward-thinking person, absolutely not turn into some naive girl who did nothing but tangle herself up in feelings!
Taking a deep breath, she called out, “Pin Tan!”
“This servant is here.” Pin Tan entered promptly, looking at her respectfully. “What are your orders, mistress?”
“Can you find someone to look into what Prince Xi has been up to lately?” Hua Chun asked tentatively.
Pin Tan glanced at her, a slightly odd look in her eyes, then said, “Prince Xi has been staying at Boyang Palace lately without much activity, only occasionally paying respects to the Empress Dowager, then shutting himself away to practice calligraphy and read.”
Huh? Hua Chun was startled. How did Pin Tan know palace affairs so clearly?
She’d been thinking that as Prime Minister, she really ought to have some informants of her own, hesitating over whether to set some up—only to discover she’d had a built-in intelligence source beside her the whole time without realizing it.
Swallowing, Hua Chun smiled at Pin Tan. “My memory’s been terrible lately. Thanks for the trouble.”
“Mistress is too kind,” Pin Tan said. “Whatever you need, just ask.”
In that moment, Hua Chun gained a deeper appreciation for Hua Jinghua. She’d originally thought of her as just a rigid, principled Prime Minister, but now she realized Hua Jinghua was actually quite clever, even smart enough to plant her own eyes and ears, staying informed about palace matters. Though Hua Chun couldn’t figure out where Pin Tan got her information, the maid clearly had a certain sharp, capable air about her—a good ally to have.
Truly worthy of being the woman who became Prime Minister.
“By the way,” Hua Chun asked casually, “what’s His Majesty been up to these past few days?”
Pin Tan answered quietly, “Busy with state affairs, hasn’t even visited the harem much. Yesterday he was originally going to summon you into the palace, but the Empress Dowager stopped him. She said you should rest properly, and had Marquis Gongyu go accompany him with his studies instead.”
The Empress Dowager really is wonderful! Hua Chun patted the bed gratefully. Thank goodness she was around!
“Nothing else. Go rest.”
“Yes.” Pin Tan withdrew, closing the door behind her.
Hua Chun happily raised her right hand and rolled around on the bed. Days without needing to enter the palace were wonderful; days without having to see Yuwen Jie were even more wonderful. She felt a sense of summer-vacation joy.
Eating and sleeping every day, Hua Chun quickly nursed Hua Jinghua’s body back to sturdy, fair-skinned health.
By early September, the wedding day arrived, and the Hua residence grew even livelier. On the wedding day itself, many officials came bearing gifts, the red-wrapped bundles making Hua Chun’s head spin just looking at them.
“Why is there so much?”
Madam Wan said happily, “You have prestige at court, so naturally many people send gifts. Hurry and set off for the Prime Minister’s residence—your father’s already in the carriage.”
“Oh, alright.” Hua Chun nodded, glancing across the courtyard full of gifts, feeling somehow uneasy.
But it was nearly the auspicious hour. Pin Tan helped her into the carriage, leaving her no time to think about anything else—she’d sort out those gifts after the ceremony.
Maybe it was her imagination, but the whole way there the capital seemed unusually lively, with many people calling out congratulations toward her carriage.
Curious, Hua Chun lifted the curtain to peek outside.
Rows of unfamiliar, plain faces genuinely lined the streets, cupping their hands and calling out, “Congratulations, Prime Minister! May you grow old together!”
“May you have many children and grandchildren!”
“May husband and wife be of one heart!”
Something stirred faintly in her chest. Hua Chun looked at Pin Tan beside her, puzzled. “Did someone organize this?”
Pin Tan smiled. “The common people did this willingly. This servant has always said—the Prime Minister devotes herself wholeheartedly to the people, and it will always be repaid.”
Hua Chun paused, watching the crowds outside, some even following alongside her carriage, their faces full of sincere smiles and deep reverence.
She’d never seen a scene like this before. She found herself unexpectedly moved, this feeling of being cherished by the common people bringing a mix of pride and guilt.
She hadn’t done as much good as Hua Jinghua had, yet here she was, receiving all this respect and affection meant for Prime Minister Hua—it felt rather shameless.
Hearing all these blessings from outside, Hua Chun felt she really ought to work hard, to become a truly good prime minister, worthy of this send-off.
Filled with emotion, she arrived at the Prime Minister’s residence, where the Hua family had also disembarked ahead of her.
“Huh, where’s the third young lady?” Madam Ren suddenly asked, twisting her handkerchief.
Hua Chun looked over at this. The whole Hua family stood behind Master Hua—except Hua Xunyue was missing.
“Today is Hua’er’s wedding day. Liuying must be lonely in the palace,” Master Hua coughed lightly. “So I sent Xunyue to keep her second sister company.”
Madam Wan froze, instinctively glancing at Hua Chun. “Where’s your palace token for entering?”
Hua Chun looked down at her wedding robes, raising an eyebrow. “Wasn’t it on my dressing table this morning when I got changed?”
“…” Madam Wan glanced sideways at Hua Zhengrong, pressing her lips together without a word.
A few days ago, Hua Xunyue had submitted a request to enter the palace to see Consort Hua, but Hua Liuying, not wanting visitors, had turned her away. Now that she’d gotten in, it was likely she’d stolen Hua’er’s token, using the Prime Minister’s authority to get her way.
And clearly, Father Hua had known about this—and supported it.
Madam Wan felt rather angry, but on this happy occasion, she couldn’t very well make a scene, so she forced herself to swallow it.
Seeing Madam Wan’s expression, Hua Chun understood what had happened.
“If she’s not here, she’s not here,” she said. “One less sister won’t matter.”
Concubine Wu smiled happily, following behind Master Hua as they walked in. Madam Ren, who normally couldn’t stand Wan Liufang, now deliberately moved closer to her, saying quietly, “She did that on purpose.”
“I know,” Wan Liufang glanced at Concubine Wu. “Today is Hua’er’s wedding. Everything else can wait until after the ceremony.”
Madam Ren rolled her eyes. “Sister has become so cautious these days—not like your usual straightforward self.”
“You haven’t changed a bit,” Madam Wan said. “Still so fond of using others as your knife.”
Concubine Ren froze, slowing her steps, while Madam Wan pushed ahead of her, chin raised, walking forward.
The war between women never truly ends.
Hua Chun was led to the front hall. Though the Prime Minister’s residence had been built in a rushed half month, the emperor hadn’t gone back on his word—he’d genuinely used the finest craftsmen, working day and night, so that everywhere was exquisite and grand. The whole estate was three times the size of the Hua family residence; the front hall alone was twice the size of Hua Chun’s old room.
As dusk approached, guests continued arriving, and the servants throughout the residence grew busier. Looking at the “double happiness” characters posted everywhere, Hua Chun felt quite moved.
She’d never imagined she’d one day marry a woman. Truly, nothing in this world was impossible.
The whole Hua family had found seats in the front hall, sitting down to crack melon seeds and chat. Concubine Wu, beaming with joy today as if she were the one getting married, pulled Concubine Feng aside and said, “You should have seen how Xunyue dressed up today, she looked so lovely.”
“Is that so?” Concubine Feng smiled. “Then let’s hope His Majesty sees her.”
Concubine Wu was quite confident. She’d already told Xunyue—after visiting Hua Liuying, find an opportunity to walk around the palace more. After all, with Hua Jinghua’s token in hand, people would have to show some courtesy, surely they wouldn’t just chase her out?