Imperial Uncle Cao looked around left and right, confirming that the palace doors were tightly shut with no outsiders eavesdropping, before saying in a low voice: “Your Majesty, have you heard about the great fire in North Juxian Ward?”
The Empress shook her head blankly.
Given her temperament and position, unless she deliberately investigated or someone intentionally told her, how would an ordinary fire in the outside world reach her ears?
Imperial Uncle Cao then said: “Last night, the residence where we housed those people caught fire. The Fire Brigade went to extinguish it, but the water spraying from their water carts turned into oil, making the flames grow fiercer. Just as the Five Cities Military Commission and Fire Brigade were desperately fighting the fire, the people living in that residence ran out of the gates and all disappeared.”
“Disappeared?” The Empress’s slightly hoarse, delicate voice was filled with disbelief. “This was clearly someone’s design! Who has targeted our Cao family!”
Imperial Uncle Cao nodded: “The Tatar princess was furious, so I immediately conducted an urgent investigation, questioning everyone in that area who might have had contact with the residence. Finally, I got some clues from Xu Mao. A few days ago, the Fourth Miss of the Qin family passed by this place, saying she had lost a gold-inlaid jade bracelet that had been picked up by people in the residence, and asked Xu Mao to lead people to help search. Xu Mao sternly refused at the time. Apart from Fourth Miss Qin, there was no one else.”
“That wild wench from the Qin family?” The Empress narrowed her eyes. “That wild wench is not simple. She has a seductive appearance and has bewitched that barbarian Zhou to the point of confusion—he even gave her the entire Huichun Garden. I’ve observed carefully, and that wild wench looks very much like Qin Meng. Perhaps she has just as many cunning schemes in her head as Qin Meng.”
Speaking of this, the Empress frowned: “Father, Qin Meng is not easy to deal with. I’ve been by His Majesty’s side for so long, yet I haven’t been able to gather any useful information about Qin Meng from His Majesty. My sister is so useless—all she thinks about are matters of love and affection, unable to find out anything!”
Seeing that the Empress had gone off on a tangent, Imperial Uncle Cao said: “It’s good that your sister is devoted to Qin Meng. Qin Meng is now my virtuous son-in-law, and maintaining good relations with him would be a great asset.”
“Then his daughter passes by that residence and becomes a suspect?” The Empress paused slightly in her tone, then realized: “Father suspects she’s in contact with the Great Zhou people? Is Prince Zhongshun trying to set us up?”
“That’s possible, but we can’t rule out that she was acting on Qin Meng’s orders.”
The Empress laughed coldly: “I don’t care about other matters, but since this wild wench dared to disrespect me, I must settle accounts with her properly. Whether she’s helping her father or her lover, I’ll make sure she never has the life to meddle in these affairs again! That day she dared to look down on me and even stood aside watching my humiliation! I haven’t suffered such indignity in years—would I lose to a mere slip of a girl? Father, rest assured, leave Qin Yining’s life to me!”
Seeing the Empress in this state, Imperial Uncle Cao said no more and simply smiled.
After Imperial Uncle Cao took his leave, that very night the Empress acted coquettishly before His Majesty, saying she had been having nightmares these past few days and, worrying about her husband’s and family’s health, wanted to go to Xiangu Temple to hold a prayer ceremony for her family’s wellbeing. As she spoke, she even shed tears.
Seeing her crying like a pear blossom in the rain, the Emperor couldn’t help but feel heartbroken: “My little darling, stop crying. Your tears are breaking my heart. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”
The Emperor embraced the Empress’s waist and swayed, pondering for a moment before saying: “Going to hold a prayer ceremony isn’t a big matter. Prince Zhongshun will return to the capital soon by imperial decree, leaving their envoys to continue handling compensation and handover matters. Once Prince Zhongshun leaves, it’s like losing their backbone, making the handover easier to handle. Then I’ll have free time and can accompany you. How about that?”
The Empress pouted her red lips, tears threatening to fall again: “Your consort would naturally be overjoyed, but these past few days my heart has been restless and I can’t sleep well. Look, Your Majesty, I even have wrinkles at the corners of my eyes. If Your Majesty is worried about your consort, why not arrange for someone to escort me there? I’ll kowtow a few times before the statue of Doumu Yuanjun for peace of mind.”
Her white, delicate fingers traced across the Emperor’s collar, then gradually explored downward. “When Your Majesty has free time, your consort will accompany Your Majesty for another visit. Is that alright?”
The Emperor, charmed by her coquetry and with her jade hand constantly causing mischief, felt his heart melting. He immediately surrendered completely, agreeing to whatever the Empress wanted.
The next day, under the escort of guards arranged by the Emperor, the Empress went in simple dress to Xiangu Temple to meet Immortal Lady Liu.
At the same time, Qin Yining was curled up on the soft couch in the flower hall of Shuoren Studio, one hand holding the soft, fluffy Er’Bai for amusement, the other casually reading an account book, when urgent footsteps suddenly approached from the corridor.
“Miss, someone from the second gate has come to report that a follower of Prince Zhongshun requests an audience.”
Qin Yining was startled. She handed the account book to Qiu Lu, who now specially managed her finances, and got down from the couch while holding Er’Bai.
Bingtang and Ji Yun hurried to follow her as they went directly to the flower hall in the outer courtyard.
Just as they reached the entrance, they saw Huzi in dark blue martial attire.
“So it’s you who came.” Qin Yining’s bandaged hand repeatedly stroked Er’Bai’s drooping ears.
Huzi quickly bowed to Qin Yining, his gaze passing over her injured hand before looking toward Bingtang, grinning widely: “Potato spirit, you’re here too.”
Bingtang’s face flushed red with anger at Huzi’s nickname, but not wanting to be rude in front of her young miss, she sent him a fierce glare.
Huzi, being stared at, touched his nose and cupped his hands: “Fourth Miss, our Prince’s old injuries have flared up, causing the poison he was previously afflicted with to act up again. He specifically ordered me to come and request Miss Bingtang to come for treatment.”
Upon hearing this, Qin Yining’s heart jumped. That day, Pang Xiao had been pierced through the shoulder by an arrow while protecting her. The image of him with blood-stained robes, breaking off the arrow shaft to continue fighting, standing in front of her while battling the Tatars, was still etched in her mind.
Poisoning was no small matter. Although Bingtang’s medical skills were good and she had a scholarly medical background, she was too young—what if there were any oversights? Qin Yining frowned with worry.
However, Bingtang dismissively pursed her lips: “Has your Prince really had a poison flare-up?”
Being stared at by Bingtang’s round, large eyes, Huzi couldn’t help but blush, grinning even more cheerfully: “Yes, yes, it has flared up, so please trouble Fourth Miss to bring Miss Bingtang along for a trip.” He pressed his palms together in a pleading gesture.
Seeing Huzi like this, Qin Yining became somewhat confused.
She looked inquiringly at Bingtang.
Bingtang glared at Huzi and said: “Miss, don’t listen to his nonsense. Although the Prince has indeed suffered many injuries from years of campaigning that have formed some chronic ailments, the poison was already neutralized at the time. Now he’s fabricating about poison flare-ups—there’s definitely something fishy going on!”
Qin Yining nodded slightly upon hearing this.
But Huzi said: “Fourth Miss, considering our Prince’s sincere feelings toward you, please make this trip.”
Qin Yining’s face flushed red.
Pang Xiao had saved her several times. Even though Sun Shi’s near-execution that day was one of the Emperor’s performances, Pang Xiao had indeed stepped in to save her. Moreover, he had even offended people to support her and give her face, and had given her such a valuable residence.
This man was somewhat domineering and never asked for her preferences when doing things, but ultimately she owed him.
“Very well, I’ll make this trip with you.”
Qin Yining handed Er’Bai to Ji Yun: “Bingtang and I will make a trip. Go tell my mother that I have business outside. You stay at Xingning Garden to look after my mother. If the Old Grand Madam summons my mother, just follow along and don’t let anyone make things difficult for her.”
Ji Yun smiled and nodded: “Miss, rest assured.” She retreated while holding Er’Bai.
Qin Yining then took Bingtang and followed Huzi out the door.