Although Qiu Qu’er was in the palace, she had quite a few informants outside. She knew perfectly well how Qiu Shu conducted herself in the capital on ordinary days. How could such a formidable younger sister be bullied by others? And almost drowned?
“If you hadn’t stirred up trouble first, how would you have been pulled into the water? This palace has been far too indulgent with you all along, which is why you’ve caused so many incidents over the years, and every time, this palace has to have people clean up after you.”
“Sister…”
“Don’t put on that aggrieved look. Others may not understand you, but this palace knows you inside and out. You’re so domineering—naturally others can’t bully you.”
Qiu Shu delicately squeezed out a few tears, her eyes reddening as she said: “I’m not like what you’re saying. I’m your own sister.”
“It’s precisely because you’re my sister that this palace is angry.”
“Even if I was wrong this time, you can’t forbid me from participating in the courtesan grand selection because of this. Sister, three years ago when I was underage was one thing, but now I’m already past eighteen and can participate. If you don’t help me, that’s fine—but how can you do this!” Qiu Shu was dissatisfied and very unhappy.
Foolish child!
Your sister is forbidding you from participating for your own good.
However, Qiu Qu’er couldn’t directly reveal the reason. After all, His Majesty hadn’t truly made a decision yet about whether he would believe the Astronomy Bureau’s words. But just in case, she still needed to prepare in advance.
So Qiu Qu’er found an excuse and said: “You’ve caused such a huge disaster now. Everyone in the entire capital knows about it. How can you still participate? You won’t even pass the preliminary selection.”
“I’ll definitely pass!”
“Can you predict the future?”
Qiu Shu proudly raised her head slightly: “To be honest, Sister, when you said you wouldn’t help me, I went to find someone else.”
Hm?
Qiu Qu’er was puzzled: “Someone else? Who?”
Qiu Shu seemed rather unwilling to say, hesitating for quite a while.
“Who exactly?”
Only then did Qiu Shu say: “It’s Zhu Yao, the daughter of the Minister of Rites.”
“You…” Qiu Qu’er’s complexion changed drastically, her expression showing anger. “You’re truly outrageous! Do you know that this grand selection is entirely managed by the Ministry of Rites? If people investigate and discover this, you’ll be held accountable. This palace is your own sister and also the Empress. How would you have this palace explain to the people of the realm then? This is simply absurd and preposterous.”
She rebuked heavily!
Then with a sweep of her wide sleeve, she pushed away Qiu Shu who was clinging to her.
A trace of panic flashed across Qiu Shu’s pale face. Actually, she wasn’t unaware of the stakes involved, but she felt it would be fine, which was why she went to find Zhu Yao. She’d even humbled herself to curry favor, disregarding her dignity. Looking at her already angry sister, she explained: “Sister, nothing will happen. It’s not as serious as you’re saying. I didn’t go find the Minister of Rites—I only found his daughter. I didn’t send any grand gifts either—I only asked her to say a word on my behalf to her father. It’s that simple. Even if someone investigates, what could they find?”
“You truly want to anger people to death.”
“I just wanted to plan for myself. If I become the courtesan champion, I can become the object of everyone’s envy in the capital.”
Full of longing!
As if she’d already imagined that scene.
But in Qiu Qu’er’s eyes, her sister was simply daydreaming too much, always imagining everything as she fantasized it would be. Should she call her naive? Or naive?
To prevent her from participating, Qiu Qu’er could only be somewhat harsh in her words. She raised her brows and said sternly: “A’Shu, listen. No matter what, I won’t let you participate in this courtesan grand selection. The Minister of Rites won’t let you pass the preliminary selection because of a few words from his daughter either. Right now, the entire city is speaking ill of you—poor character. How could you possibly get in? Moreover, your appearance isn’t outstanding, and you have no particular talents. Why go humiliate yourself? Better to stay properly at home and wait. When His Majesty has time, this palace will mention your marriage matter to His Majesty and have His Majesty decide on a good match for you. You just peacefully wait to be married—no need to compete with others for anything!”
Every sentence was spoken gently, yet each word pierced the heart!
Listening made Qiu Shu both angry and aggrieved.
Extremely uncomfortable emotions surged in her heart. She said: “Am I so worthless in your eyes? Everyone says I’m the Empress’s own sister—how glorious! But from childhood to now, I’m inferior to you in everything. As long as you don’t agree to anything, I can’t do it. I know you’re not only my sister but also Qujiang’s Empress. I can’t go against your wishes. But I want to do my own things—why must you still interfere!”
“This palace has already made it very clear. I absolutely won’t let you participate.”
“I insist on participating!”
“Fine! Then this palace will command you in the capacity of Empress—you are forbidden to participate.”
Forbidden to participate!
These four words were spoken very heavily!
They echoed in the hall for a long time!
The Empress’s command could not be disobeyed.
Qiu Shu’s eyes immediately reddened. Tears kept flowing out. From childhood to now, though she’d never suffered the slightest hardship, and whatever she wanted she could definitely obtain, such indulgence was merely material satisfaction! Her parents had given almost all the best things to her sister, while she was forever the one being overlooked. No matter what she did, she couldn’t compare to her sister. Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and prose—all were half-baked. Moreover, her appearance wasn’t outstanding either. All along, she seemed to live in a shadow. No matter how hard she tried, she could never gain any attention.
What she hadn’t expected even more was that Heaven favored the Qiu family. Her sister entered the palace as a consort, and just a few short years later rose to the phoenix position, becoming the legitimate Empress, enjoying the glory that all women under Heaven dreamed of.
Therefore, Qiu Shu became even more inferior. Time after time she fell short, yet never dared speak of it. Although each time she went out, she bore the title “the Empress is my own sister” with her face full of pride, only she herself knew that it was something more painful than having a knife carve out her heart.
And now these words proved even more that before her sister, she was truly as humble as dust.
She wiped her tears, not caring whether she looked wretched or not, and nodded: “Fine, if I can’t participate, then I can’t participate. You’re the Empress, the high and mighty Empress. One word from you is more effective than anyone else saying a hundred words!”
Qiu Qu’er made no concessions either: “A’Shu, this palace isn’t forcing you—this is for your own good!”
“Yes, in others’ eyes, everything you do is for my good. Since that’s the case, I’ll obediently stay at home and wait for Her Highness the Empress to arrange my marriage.” Having said this, she directly turned and left.
Disregarding etiquette!
Qiu Qu’er was so angered by this sister that her chest ached. Weilan immediately supported her: “Your Highness, are you alright?”
She helped her sit down to the side!
“Don’t worry about this palace. You quickly have Xiao Shunzi escort A’Shu out of the palace. Make sure she’s safely sent home. That child has an extremely proud temperament—who knows what trouble she might cause.”
“Yes.”
Weilan quickly chased after her.
Qiu Qu’er pressed her heaving chest, gasping endlessly. This sister had lived without worry about food or clothing since childhood. Her temperament had been raised to be spoiled and domineering. She wouldn’t listen to anyone’s words, always doing as she pleased. This time she was even more absurd—going to curry favor with connections. If word got out, it wouldn’t only be the Qiu family losing face, but the imperial family’s face as well!
Therefore, she couldn’t let Qiu Shu participate.
After Qiu Shu collapsed and ran out, she cried until her face was covered in tears.
When Xiao Shunzi outside saw her, he was stunned for a moment, then quickly chased after her, calling out: “Miss Qiu?”
Qiu Shu had ultimately been “damaged” by the cold water soaking. She hadn’t run far before stopping, her body swaying precariously, almost falling down. Fortunately, Xiao Shunzi caught her. “Miss Qiu, are you alright? What… what happened?”
Weren’t they talking nicely in the hall with Her Highness the Empress? How did she suddenly run out with tears streaming down her face, crying so wretchedly?
Qiu Shu forcefully shook him off: “Don’t worry about me.”
How could Xiao Shunzi not worry at a time like this?
Weilan also arrived in time, supporting Qiu Shu together, then quietly telling Xiao Shunzi: “Her Highness has ordered you to quickly send Miss back and keep a close watch on her.”
“What on earth happened?”
“Don’t ask now—hurry.”
Qiu Shu suddenly fainted, terrifying Xiao Shunzi and Weilan. They quickly helped her into the sedan chair outside the hall and hurriedly sent her out of the palace. Weilan returned to the hall and helped the heart-pained Qiu Qu’er to the inner hall. She was about to immediately summon an imperial physician, but unexpectedly someone came to relay a message saying His Majesty would be coming shortly.