Qin Yining raised her eyebrows.
It seemed this princess had already regarded her as an imaginary enemy upon their first meeting. Li Qitian’s concubine? Just thinking about such an identity was enough to disgust her.
Straightening her spine, Qin Yining smiled: “I am Princess Consort Zhongshun, née Qin.”
Princess Consort Zhongshun?!
Princess Tana’s gaze suddenly became sharp as she gritted her teeth: “It’s you? You’re the one who killed Khan A’na Ri!”
Princess Tana’s eyes seemed to carry knives, as if she wanted to devour her whole. Qin Yining had anticipated this scene long ago. Inwardly lamenting Li Qitian’s calculated scheme, her expression carried three parts politeness and seven parts authority: “Princess Tana should refrain from slandering people. This is Great Zhou’s territory, not Tatar lands. If you wish to act as recklessly as you did in the past, I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“Slander? What a sharp tongue!” Princess Tana’s face turned ashen. Having already been full of grievances, now being treated this way by Qin Yining made tears spin in her eyes. Yet she still had to maintain her princess dignity, suppressing tears and anger as she lowered her voice: “You know what you did. I won’t let you off. I swear I’ll tear you to pieces!”
Qin Yining chuckled and shook her head, maintaining perfect deportment: “Princess Tana should investigate carefully before making conclusions. Don’t let yourself be used as someone’s knife.”
Having said this meaningfully, Qin Yining continued: “The auspicious time has arrived. Please board your carriage, Princess Tana.”
Qin Yining’s attitude was actually very amiable—at least she wouldn’t be foolish enough to show any wariness or defensiveness toward Princess Tana in front of so many onlookers.
However, her beauty was overwhelming. Walking around in front of Princess Tana, who prided herself on her own beauty, naturally made Tana feel threatened, especially since she was also the “real culprit” who “assassinated” Khan A’na Ri.
With this assumption, even when Qin Yining smiled, it appeared as a cold smile to Tana. Even well-intentioned reminders seemed ulterior to Tana’s heart. She even felt Qin Yining was looking down on her, regarding her like an ant trying to bite an elephant to death, as if Qin Yining could crush her with a slight movement of her finger.
How dare she despise her so!
Princess Tana held her breath and returned to her carriage with dignity. As soon as she sat down and confirmed that people outside couldn’t see her, she couldn’t help but shed a few tears.
Seeing the princess cry, the two accompanying maidservants on the carriage couldn’t help but cry along. Thus they reluctantly entered the palace gates.
At this point, the marriage escort and reception processions completed their handover. The Court of State Ceremonial Minister led the Tatar marriage generals to the Guest Pavilion for temporary rest.
As for Qin Yining, having delivered Princess Tana to Chuxiu Palace as the marriage envoy, her mission was complete. How matters would be arranged afterward was up to Li Qitian.
Qin Yining had rehearsed many times beforehand, so the journey went very smoothly without any errors. At Chuxiu Palace, Qin Yining instructed the palace maids and nannies who had been waiting there to meet Princess Tana.
Qin Yining smiled: “Please settle in, Princess Tana. The palace attendants here are all to serve you. Whatever requirements you have, please feel free to make them.”
After performing the proper courtesies, Qin Yining left Chuxiu Palace to report back to the Empress.
Princess Tana watched Qin Yining’s retreating figure, secretly clenching her fists tightly. Her enemy was right before her eyes, daring to stretch her slender, vulnerable neck and parade in front of her. She truly wanted to bite like a grassland wolf. Yet she had to consider her status and position, unable to act at all.
Compared to the helplessness she felt when selected for the marriage alliance, this kind of helplessness was even more unbearable.
In Kunning Palace, the Empress had been waiting for Qin Yining for quite some time.
Upon seeing Qin Yining led in by a palace attendant, she asked with slight urgency: “How did it go?”
Seeing the Empress like this, Qin Yining sighed inwardly. She naturally understood that the Empress wasn’t only asking whether the marriage reception went smoothly—what the Empress wanted to know was what kind of person Princess Tana actually was.
Qin Yining first performed her courtesies, then moved close to the Empress: “Princess Tana is outstandingly beautiful with a straightforward temperament.”
Just these two sentences contained too much meaning.
The Empress blinked, her eyes dimming.
Though this newcomer’s temperament seemed somewhat pampered, she was young and beautiful with noble birth—at minimum she would become a noble consort. Meanwhile, she was already yesterday’s yellow flowers, having long lost the ability to compete with these young beauties.
Seeing the Empress’s dispirited expression and disappointed look, Qin Yining secretly shook her head: “Your Majesty still has the First Prince. The days ahead are long. No matter what happens, you are still the only legitimate wife.”
These words were already quite direct in their comfort. Given Qin Yining’s status, she really shouldn’t speak so frankly with the Empress.
The Empress also understood this principle. Seeing Qin Yining’s sincere concern for her, she nodded with emotion and smiled: “I understand your good intentions. I’ll think carefully about this in the future. Having you accompany me in the palace during this period has brightened my spirits considerably. In the future, whenever you have free time, you may request entry to the palace anytime—we two can have conversations.”
Qin Yining smiled and nodded, though inwardly she knew she would avoid coming unless absolutely necessary. She didn’t know when Li Qitian might have another fit and move against Pang Xiao—how could she voluntarily present herself?
Fortunately, the marriage reception matter had concluded, and she could return to live peacefully.
“This subject’s wife is infinitely grateful for Your Majesty’s kind intention. This subject’s wife will take her leave now.”
The Empress smiled and nodded: “This palace will explain your situation to the Grand Empress Dowager.”
“Yes, thank you, Your Majesty.”
Qin Yining completed all proper courtesies and left the palace walls with Ji Yun and Bingtang.
The Empress held the First Prince and coaxed him for a while, then looked at the sky outside: “This palace will go pay respects to the Grand Empress Dowager.”
“Yes.” The palace attendants immediately prepared the sedan chair efficiently.
The Empress actually harbored some ulterior motives.
The Grand Empress Dowager had always wanted to support Consort Yun, who was indeed favored and had dominated the palace for so long. Most other concubines were inferior to her in both beauty and family background, possibly being cast aside after serving the Emperor just once.
Now a princess had arrived for the marriage alliance. For state affairs, His Majesty would definitely visit her, even favoring her for a period.
Having been bullied by the Grand Empress Dowager for so long, the Empress really wanted to see her embarrassed expression.
Let’s not mention how the Empress went to pay respects at the Grand Empress Dowager’s palace.
On Qin Yining’s side, having left the palace, she rode in her carriage toward the princely mansion.
It was cold in winter, and with the new year approaching, Beijing’s heavy snow had accumulated a foot thick overnight, causing Qin Yining’s carriage to travel smoothly on cleared roads but struggle on uncleared ones, severely slowing her journey home.
Just then, Jingzhe, who was driving the carriage, suddenly pulled the reins to a stop and softly called: “Princess Consort.”
Qin Yining heard something odd in Jingzhe’s voice. If they had encountered danger, Jingzhe wouldn’t have called her. Right now it seemed more like he was shocked.
She lifted the carriage’s warm curtain to look outside and saw a tall figure in a deep gray cotton cloak leading someone in an apricot-colored cloak slowly approaching.
Qin Yining squinted, thinking she might be seeing things.
Weren’t those Mu Jinghu and Qiu Feishan?
Qin Yining quickly knocked on the back door.
Xiao Xue outside helped open it. Not caring about much else, she turned and jumped down from the carriage, pulling her large fur-collared cloak around her as she circled the carriage and walked directly through the knee-deep snow to meet them. Ji Yun and Bingtang hurried to follow, while Xiao Xue and others left the carriage to guard behind Qin Yining.
“Young Master Mu? Miss Qiu?”
Standing three steps away from the pair, Qin Yining looked at Qiu Feishan’s attire in surprise.
This was the first time she had seen Qiu Feishan in women’s clothing. Originally heroic and handsome, when dressed as a woman, she displayed incomparable charm and allure.
Most importantly, Qiu Feishan had her long hair pinned up in a simple chignon at the back of her head—the dress style of a married woman.
Her hand was also held in Mu Jinghu’s large hand.
Seeing Qin Yining observing them, Mu Jinghu’s face had long turned red, yet he refused to release Qiu Feishan’s hand.
Qiu Feishan was much more composed than Mu Jinghu, smiling at Qin Yining: “Princess Consort Zhongshun, it’s been a long time. I’ve reserved a private room at a teahouse. Would the Princess Consort honor us by joining us for tea?”
Qin Yining was wary of Tianji Zi but trusted Mu Jinghu’s character. Therefore, she neither suspected nor refused, readily nodding: “Certainly. It has been a long time—I’d very much like to speak with you both.”
Mu Jinghu quietly breathed a sigh of relief. He had feared Pang Xiao would misunderstand that he had betrayed him. Now that Qin Yining still trusted him and remained friendly, he felt relieved. Qin Yining’s attitude could represent Pang Xiao’s attitude—it seemed his good friend hadn’t been made in vain.
Qiu Feishan noticed Mu Jinghu’s expression and shook her head with amusement, gently patting his hand: “Don’t just stand there foolishly. Let’s get in the carriage first.”
“Oh, oh, right.” Mu Jinghu smiled at Qin Yining and led Qiu Feishan by the hand to a small blue cloth carriage parked nearby. Before Qiu Feishan could board herself, Mu Jinghu easily lifted her up and gently, carefully placed her in the carriage.
Qin Yining listened with her mouth agape.
These two…
Were they together?
Qiu Feishan seemed to notice Qin Yining’s surprise and smiled frankly.
Qin Yining also temporarily set aside her amazement, boarded her carriage first, and instructed Jingzhe to follow the carriage ahead. They arrived at a teahouse with a modest storefront.
Going up to the second floor, she discovered it was very quiet all around. Presumably for convenience in conversation, Qiu Feishan had reserved the entire second floor.
Walking to the innermost private room, Qiu Feishan’s maidservant Bi Ying hurried forward: “Madam went out without bringing this servant along. It’s fortunate nothing happened this time, but what if you had disturbed the pregnancy? That’s no laughing matter!”
Qiu Feishan smiled: “Nothing happened, did it? Come greet Princess Consort Zhongshun.”
Only then did Bi Ying notice Qin Yining. Blushing with embarrassment, she stepped forward to curtsy: “This servant greets the Princess Consort.”
“You’re excused.” Qin Yining smiled, leaving her guards outside and entering the private room with only Ji Yun and Bingtang.