Shen Qianyu said, “Is the Princess troubled by the matter of accommodation?”

“When the Princess was in Nanqing, she lived in pampered luxury. Upon arriving in Dongning, she should not suffer any neglect. Naturally, this courier station is unsuitable for habitation. However, Father Emperor has already ordered the construction of a Nanqing Pavilion outside the Separate Palace for the Princess. The Princess need not worry about this matter.”

Speaking to this point, Shen Qianyu paused slightly. “As for the numerous male favorites and companions following the Princess, they too will be settled. This Prince will properly arrange them out of consideration for the Princess’s affections.”

As soon as the words “male companions” and “male favorites” were spoken, the expressions of everyone in the hall became subtle.

Unable to contain her anger, Qin Rao couldn’t help but retort, “How does the Crown Prince know that this Princess lived in pampered luxury and that Dongning must exhaust its people and drain its resources to build a pavilion? If the Crown Prince truly wishes to be hospitable, it would be no impediment for this Princess to reside in the palace.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Wenhui laughed heartily. “What difficulty is there in residing in the palace? Today I shall issue an edict to have Zhaoxia Hall prepared. The Princess may move in immediately.”

After speaking, Emperor Wenhui waved his hand for the people of the Bell and Drum Bureau to continue playing.

As the drumbeats sounded, Qin Rao realized she had once again fallen into a trap set by Shen Qianyu.

He had deliberately interrupted her, his purpose being to prevent her from voicing her desire to become mistress of the Eastern Palace. Moreover, he had deliberately disparaged her before Emperor Wenhui as having numerous male favorites, completely eliminating her opportunity to make such a request.

Qin Rao tightly gripped the skirt on her lap, seething with anger.

She had originally planned to become the Crown Princess of Dongning, binding herself firmly to Shen Qianyu, forcing him to take action to stabilize his wife’s family’s power.

Yet she had not expected him to refuse repeatedly.

Qin Rao raised her head, her gaze malicious as she looked toward Shen Qianyu.

However, Shen Qianyu merely smiled faintly, his eyes full of mockery.

“Your Highness…”

Qi Qingling was somewhat nervous, speaking out in a thin, hoarse voice. Shen Qianyu lowered his head to look at her.

For today’s welcoming banquet, it was truly improper that not a single concubine from the Eastern Palace attended. Shen Qianyu never easily brought Song Wan before others, so he could only inquire of Qi Qingling.

Although Qi Qingling only held the rank of Good Lady, neither Shang Rong, Wu Xixiang, nor any of the others were suitable.

Carefully tucking her six fingers into her sleeves, Qi Qingling raised her head slightly and said, “Does the Princess of Nanqing hold some enmity toward Your Highness?”

That princess had been glaring at her through gritted teeth for quite a while. She was truly frightened and finally couldn’t help but ask.

“It’s nothing. You need not concern yourself.”

The sound of music was unceasing in the hall. Qi Qingling’s voice was thin and weak, so Shen Qianyu had to lower his head and lean close to speak with her. In Qin Rao’s eyes, this scene became one of deliberate humiliation.

He was telling her that he would rather treat with gentleness a woman whose appearance could barely be called delicate and whose birth was lowly, than give her the slightest opportunity to become Crown Princess.

Qin Rao carefully observed Qi Qingling, thinking she was indeed the type of delicate and frail woman that ordinary men would find appealing.

When the piece ended, everyone in the hall lacked enthusiasm. Just as Emperor Wenhui was preparing to have the banquet dismissed, Qin Rao suddenly said, “I wonder if the Crown Prince’s Good Lady might perform to relieve this Princess’s boredom?”

“Impossible.”

Shen Qianyu answered coldly. Qin Rao abruptly stood up. Seeing this, Emperor Wenhui said, “The Princess of Nanqing has traveled from afar. What great matter is it for the Crown Prince’s Good Lady to perform and amuse the Princess?”

Having obtained Nanqing’s written agreement to cede territory, with such a thing in hand he could now die without regrets. How could he still care about a Crown Prince’s Good Lady’s face?

“You…”

Emperor Wenhui did not know Qi Qingling’s name, so he merely gestured lightly, indicating she should do as Qin Rao said.

Jiang Man, whose eyes were wooden, hearing this, looked coldly at Emperor Wenhui. Song Yuning lowered her eyes to conceal the contempt within them.

Just as Shen Qianyu was about to say something more, Qi Qingling slowly stood up.

The Crown Prince had protected them greatly. She had nothing with which to repay him. Not causing him trouble on her account would count as repayment.

Qi Qingling stood and walked to the center of the hall. After paying respects to Emperor Wenhui, Consort Jiang, Consort Yun, and others, she had the people of the Bell and Drum Bureau bring over a qin.

Song Yuning watched her movements, thinking to herself that in the entire Eastern Palace, aside from Wan’er, only Qi Qingling’s appearance at the Crown Prince’s side was not incongruous.

With a resonant note, the sound of the qin rang out, and everyone raised their heads together to look at the one playing.

No one had expected that Good Lady Qi, plain in appearance, possessed such superior skill with the qin.

Moreover, when Qi Qingling played the qin, her entire person seemed to burst forth with a captivating charm. She appeared to emerge from a timid and shrinking shell, suddenly shining brilliantly.

When the piece ended, everyone in the hall remained immersed in the sound of her qin, unable to return to their senses for a long while.

Even Shen Qianyu, who had no understanding of music, had to praise it as wonderful.

When she returned to her seat, Qi Qingling’s face was flushed red, her heart surging with excitement.

“Reward her.”

Emperor Wenhui was beaming with joy, his manner suggesting proud satisfaction.

Everyone wore smiling expressions, except the members of the Nanqing delegation, whose faces were all somber.

Yet they dared not show any reaction. All along the journey to Dongning, those who dared to speak words of advice or reproach to Qin Rao had not lived to leave Nanqing.

“Ha, excellent qin skill.”

Qin Rao offered praise with a smile that did not reach her eyes. Qi Qingling merely curved her lips slightly, revealing a somewhat shy smile.

Emperor Wenhui was in excellent spirits this evening. Even when Song Yuning supported him as he departed, the smile on his face had not faded.

“Princess, please follow this servant.”

When the banquet dispersed, a palace maid came to lead Qin Rao away. Huai Jun stepped forward to block her way, but was pushed aside by Qin Rao.

“All of you return to the courier station. This Princess will enter the palace today.”

Although Shen Qianyu made her very unhappy, Emperor Wenhui’s attitude today made Qin Rao find it all rather interesting.

Perhaps she had been looking for the wrong person from the start.

“Return to the courier station and await my news.”

Unable to dissuade her, Huai Jun could only allow her to leave with the palace maid.

“This Prince will return to the Eastern Palace with you.”

Qi Qingling nodded and walked behind Shen Qianyu. When they reached Qi Qingling’s Tingyue Pavilion, Shen Qianyu said, “Do not wander about these next few days, and especially do not appear before Qin Rao.”

“Your concubine understands.”

The young woman, face flushed, turned and followed her maid back to her sleeping quarters.

Shen Qianyu watched her retreating figure, then turned to Ji Rong and said, “Find two people to keep watch on Qin Rao. Don’t let her run wild in the rear palace.”

“This servant understands.”

The two walked silently toward the Crown Prince’s sleeping quarters. When they reached Laiyi Pavilion, Shen Qianyu glanced at the courtyard where the lamps had already been extinguished.

“Never mind, let’s return.”

Sleeping alone, the next morning Shen Qianyu attended court while Qi Qingling was surrounded early by Lu Youjun and the others.

Lu Youjun held a box of tribute oranges sent by the Shang family from outside the palace, overjoyed beyond measure.

Wu Xixiang smiled and said to Qi Qingling, “I heard that yesterday Good Lady Qi stunned everyone with her skill and displayed great prowess?”

“Is Good Concubine Wu mocking your younger sister?”

With a bashful expression, she pushed Wu Xixiang and looked toward Shang Rong, silently pleading for mercy. Zhao Nanzhang and Zhang Baozhen laughed so hard their shoulders shook. Song Wan was pulled by Lu Youjun to peel oranges for everyone.

Shang Rong said with a loving expression, “I too did not know you possessed such skill. Why not play a piece for us as well?”

Zhao Nanzhang said, “Qingling, come. Elder sister will accompany you.”

Producing a short wooden flute from her sleeve, Song Wan noticed the flute had been worn smooth as jade from handling, guessing this must be one of Zhao Nanzhang’s treasured possessions.

Unable to refuse such earnest invitation, seeing all her sisters were quite interested, Qi Qingling had a qin brought and began to play.

When the piece ended, Shang Rong couldn’t help but call out her approval. Song Wan’s eyes were full of admiration and praise.

Even she, who had not touched a qin for a long while, felt seven or eight parts inspired.

As Qi Qingling was receiving everyone’s praise, seeing Song Wan’s eyes held a hint of longing, she quickly pulled her to sit before the qin.

“Lady Song Chenghui, you play a piece as well.”

“Then Wan’er will make a poor showing.”

Song Wan placed her hands upon the qin and began to play, though not very skillfully. Everyone knew she had been widowed for six years, so no one mocked her for her rusty skill now.

Qi Qingling stood not far from her, occasionally offering a word or two of guidance.

Everyone was playing merrily when Qin Rao entered with four people, her face full of smiles, even greeting Shang Rong quite warmly.