Qin Yining had already bathed and changed into a half-new, half-old plain brocade cross-collar jacket. Her half-dry long hair was loose, gleaming under the orange lamplight. Apart from her eyes still being slightly red and swollen, no trace of her earlier sorrow could be seen.
Even so, those who had followed her for years knew of her sadness.
Both Bingtang and Ji Yun were very anxious: “We don’t want to marry. Didn’t we agree before that we would stay by your side from now on?”
“Yes, what’s so good about marrying?”
“What foolish talk!” Qin Yining took their hands. “Of course I welcome you staying by my side. Even after you marry, you can still often enter the palace to see me – this won’t interfere with our reunions. Do you really want to be palace maids for the rest of your lives?”
“What’s wrong with being palace maids?”
Qin Yining’s pale hand brushed aside the loose hair at Ji Yun’s temples. “Enough, don’t be impulsive, and don’t speak foolishly. In this life, one must always move forward and look ahead. When one stage must pass, even if you’re reluctant, the next stage will still arrive. You’re both good girls. Now that the prince and I have the ability, we’ll give you good homes. In the future, you’ll live your own harmonious little lives – isn’t that better than being palace maids by my side?”
“But… in this deep palace, where else can there be someone close to the heart?” Bingtang sniffled and wiped away tears.
Qin Yining sighed helplessly. “You must learn to adapt. After you marry, you’ll have to manage your own households. You’ll have to make decisions about all matters, big and small, in your residences. You must learn to adapt to such life. Fortunately, with the emperor and me here, Huzi and Tang Xiu won’t dare bully you secretly.”
Ji Yun lowered her head: “We have you to support us, but what about you?”
Qin Yining smiled and used a handkerchief to wipe her tears. “Me? Naturally I have the emperor to support me. Life is still long, and roads are made by people walking them – what obstacles can’t be overcome? You shouldn’t worry about me. Do you really want to waste away into old maids by my side? Besides, the emperor’s edict has been issued for you to marry on an auspicious day. Can imperial edicts be defied?”
Bingtang and Ji Yun understood these principles, but their hearts felt empty. About to enter another stage of life, they felt confused and very reluctant.
Qin Yining took both their hands, shaking them left and right: “Alright, set your minds at ease. I’ve had people prepare mansions and generous dowries for you, and dowry maids have been selected for you too. With me as your support in the future, the imperial palace will be your natal family. Just boldly and confidently move forward – the future road is long, and life will only get better. Don’t be afraid, understand?”
Knowing this was an unchangeable fact, even though Ji Yun and Bingtang were reluctant to part with Qin Yining, they could only express their gratitude and withdraw with tears.
As soon as the two stepped outside, they saw Pang Xiao standing before them, with palace servants on either side standing with lowered hands, silent as cicadas. They didn’t know how long he had been waiting at the door.
The two quickly paid respects to Pang Xiao: “Greetings to Your Majesty.”
Pang Xiao waved his hand, first stretching his neck to look into the room, then asking quietly: “How is your mistress’s mood now?”
“Naturally saddened,” Bingtang said quietly. “But the empress is a strong person – she usually digests her sorrows herself.”
Pang Xiao’s heart clenched. He remembered what he’d heard the two children say earlier. If Yao Shi was so unbridled in front of the children, she was probably even worse in front of Qin Yining. What he knew was probably only part of it – how many grievances had Qin Yining endured and borne alone in secret?
“You may withdraw.”
Pang Xiao couldn’t wait any longer. He quickly entered the hall, dismissed the palace servants who came forward to serve, and strode into the bedchamber.
Hearing footsteps, Qin Yining was coming out to greet him. Seeing Pang Xiao’s anxious expression, she smiled and asked: “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes were still swollen, making her eye bags more pronounced when she smiled, her smile even more pitiable.
Pang Xiao took her hand and sat side by side on the warm kang by the window, holding her as he asked quietly: “Are you feeling better?”
“Much better. I’ve already thought it through.” Qin Yining smiled, nuzzling her cheek against Pang Xiao’s embrace like a lazy cat. “Father and Mother have their own thoughts. There’s nothing wrong with them wanting to go to Yiyue. At worst, I’ll visit them more often. As for Zhao Ge’er, that child…”
Qin Yining’s voice caught, but she suppressed her sadness and said helplessly: “When children grow up, they must eventually leave me anyway. It’s just that he’s made his choice early. As parents, we’re not meant to confine children by our side, but to find ways to let them live freely. For Zhao Ge’er to make such a decision at such a young age, there must be reasons. As long as he wasn’t forced into it, that’s good.”
“You’ve indeed thought it through.” Pang Xiao sighed. “Rest assured, Zhao Ge’er may grow better by father-in-law’s side. In the future, we’ll find ways to have more reunions. Entering Yiyue doesn’t mean he can never come out.”
Though he said this, with thousands of mountains and rivers between them, meeting again in the future wouldn’t be easy.
Qin Yining understood this in her heart but didn’t dwell on the matter. After nodding in agreement, she reported to Pang Xiao the dowries and properties she had prepared for Bingtang, Ji Yun, and Lian Xiaozhou.
Seeing her good spirits, Pang Xiao appropriately added some more, then smiled: “You as their mistress are so generous to them. I can’t be too stingy either. I’ll give Tang Xiu, Huzi, and Fang Hailing more rewards later, lest I be outdone.”
Both of them laughed.
With New Year approaching, this was Da Xin’s first New Year. Throughout the palace and city, everywhere was decorated with lanterns and colors in preparation. The first year of a new emperor’s ascension made New Year equally important – it couldn’t be treated carelessly.
Qin Yining rarely enjoyed leisure, leaving everything to the Imperial Household Department to prepare. Except for paying morning respects to the Empress Dowager, she spent all other time accompanying Qin Huaiyuan’s party with the children. With their time together growing shorter – after New Year when Bingtang and Ji Yun married, Qin Huaiyuan would prepare to depart – Qin Yining treasured the present days even more.
On New Year’s Eve, the capital lifted its curfew.
Myriad household lights and red lanterns hung high. The tall palace walls were illuminated in brilliant colors by the colorful fireworks shooting into the sky. Every household was keeping vigil, firecrackers crackling continuously, the air filled everywhere with the scent of fireworks.
Adults were joyful, and children were exuberant too.
Zhao Ge’er, Han Ge’er, and Yan Ge’er clapped their hands in Kunning Palace’s courtyard, cheering and jumping. Some young palace maids and eunuchs also followed their masters, craning their necks to watch the brilliant flowers blooming in the sky.
Qin Yining withdrew her gaze from outside the window. Turning around, she saw Qiu Feishan approaching with a smile.
“Your Majesty the Empress.” Qiu Feishan curtsied.
“Don’t be so formal.” Qin Yining quickly reached out to support her, smiling: “Coming to the palace to keep vigil tonight – I wonder if you like it.”
“Naturally I like it.” Qiu Feishan hesitated, then said: “After Fang Hailing and Miss Lian marry, our family also plans to take leave. We want to return to Tianji Valley together.”
Hearing news of partings again, Qin Yining was no longer so surprised.
After all, Mu Jinghu had his own life. Now that Pang Xiao had achieved success, Mu Jinghu had no reason to keep following him as a guard.
Qin Yining nodded, though she still had some doubts about Qiu Feishan’s situation: “In the future, do you truly plan to live in seclusion with Young Master Mu?”