Jixiang continued, “Isn’t that right? Even His Highness has let it go, yet she still holds onto it. If we had known it would be like this, the Princess shouldn’t have sent people to invite her, saving us today’s unpleasantness. In this servant’s opinion, it would be better to send her back to Honghua Commandery as soon as possible.”
Yunyi glanced at her and lightly scolded, “You girl, I haven’t said anything yet, but you’re already complaining.”
“This servant isn’t complaining, but rather feeling indignant on the Princess’s behalf. Although His Majesty has now ascended the throne as Emperor, back then, from the Princess’s perspective, he truly had rebellious intentions. Never mind that the Princess only killed Prince Wei Huai—even if…” She glanced around and, seeing no outsiders present, whispered, “even if she had killed His Majesty, no one could say the Princess was wrong.”
Yunyi sighed deeply, “From my position at that time, it was indeed not wrong. But for Caiping and those around her, I was truly in the wrong.”
“Princess…” Before Jixiang could continue, Yunyi was already saying, “I understand your thoughts. In any case, in front of Caiping, you and Ruyi must not be disrespectful. If you truly cannot bear it, simply avoid seeing her. Do you understand?”
Though Jixiang was reluctant in her heart, seeing Yunyi speak so seriously, she could only agree along with Ruyi. After a pause, Yunyi changed the subject, “How are Noble Lady Yan and Noble Lady Wen doing?”
Ruyi lowered her eyes, “They’ve both been properly settled. This servant has also instructed the residence’s Internal Affairs Department to send them provisions according to the proper allowances for noble ladies, without any negligence.” Yan and Wen were precisely the two beautiful women that Wan Shi had just bestowed upon Prince Qin’s residence.
Jixiang wrinkled her nose, “Bestowing two beautiful women upon His Highness out of nowhere—is this Imperial Consort Wan thinking our residence is too empty and must make it livelier?”
“Don’t speak nonsense.” Yunyi also felt uncomfortable in her heart, but Wan Shi was, after all, an Imperial Consort who had been decreed to manage the inner palace. Even if unwilling, she could only accept the people she bestowed.
Jixiang said dismissively, “That’s exactly what it is. If she wants to select beauties for His Majesty, then she should select them properly. Why must she bestow these beauties upon others? Isn’t this deliberately causing trouble for people?”
Yunyi said with a trace of helplessness, “Since she has bestowed them, we have no choice. We’ll do what we should do. As for the rest, we’ll discuss it when His Highness returns.”
Ruyi said softly from the side, “Princess, this servant observes that Noble Lady Yan is beautiful indeed, but she lacks spirit. When she meets people, she only answers when asked, being nothing more than a wooden beauty at most—not worth worrying about. However, that Noble Lady Wen appears to have no schemes but is actually extremely skilled at dealing with people and winning hearts. She’s only been in this residence for a short time, yet she’s already managed to win over everyone around her completely—not one person speaks ill of her. I fear she’s not someone easy to deal with.”
Yunyi pondered for a moment, “If that’s the case, keep a closer eye on her in the future.”
As Ruyi agreed to this, Jiang Caiping was also being led by Zhangsun Shi to Laiyi Hall. Facing the tea handed to her by a maidservant, she neither accepted it nor sat down, saying indifferently, “Princess Consort need not act as a mediator for Yang Consort. Regarding the events of the past, it’s not that this commoner doesn’t want to let go, but that she truly cannot.”
“I understand your feelings.” Zhangsun Shi sighed deeply, “Prince Wei Huai was, to you, an unforgettable lover. Never mind a mere five years—even fifty years might not be enough to let go.”
Jiang Caiping said with cold eyes, “That this commoner doesn’t seek revenge against Yang Consort is already my limit. Anything more, this commoner cannot promise and is unwilling to promise.” With that, she curtsied to Zhangsun Shi, “This commoner now only wishes to return to Honghua Commandery to live peacefully. Please allow this commoner to leave, Your Highness.”
Zhangsun Shi looked at her, “Before I married His Highness, I had seen Prince Huai several times. Besides his obsession with martial arts, he was also a person who valued friendship and righteousness deeply. I heard that back then, Prince Huai disregarded His Majesty’s opposition and insisted on taking you as his principal wife—is that correct?”
“Yes. Back then, Third Young Master and I had vastly different statuses, but he didn’t mind and remained devoted to me alone. This deep affection and kindness, I will never forget in this lifetime. In this life and the next, besides him, I will never accept a second person.” Recalling those happy times with Li Xuanba, Jiang Caiping showed a smile without coldness for the first time.
Zhangsun Shi nodded, “If Prince Huai’s spirit in heaven heard these words, he would surely be greatly comforted.” Before Jiang Caiping could speak, she changed direction, “But likewise, he would also be greatly saddened.”
Jiang Caiping looked at Zhangsun Shi in surprise, “What does Princess Consort mean by this?”
Zhangsun Shi gathered her sleeves and rose, saying slowly, “As I said, Prince Huai was a passionate man who valued friendship and righteousness. Since he loved and cherished Miss Caiping so deeply, he surely wouldn’t want to see his beloved’s precious years wasted because of him, much less see her spend her entire life living in hatred.”
Jiang Caiping stared at Zhangsun Shi, who had walked before her, and suddenly revealed a mocking smile, “When all is said and done, Princess Consort is still acting as mediator for Yang Consort. In that case… there’s nothing more to say. This commoner takes her leave.” With that, just as she had in Qiluo Pavilion earlier, she turned to leave, but once again, someone blocked her path.
The young servant Zhuofeng, standing by the door, blocked her way, “Insolent! Is Laiyi Hall a place where you can come and go as you please?”
Jiang Caiping didn’t argue with him, simply standing there silently. Zhangsun Shi stepped forward, “I didn’t personally experience the events of the past, so I don’t know who was right or wrong. I only know that Prince Huai wouldn’t want to see you as you are now.”
Jiang Caiping said coldly, “Princess Consort is not Prince Huai—how could you know his intentions?”
Being countered like this, Zhangsun Shi found herself unable to respond for a moment. This Jiang Caiping’s stubbornness was truly beyond her expectations. After a long while, she finally said, “You’ve already been trapped by past hatred for five years. How much longer do you want to remain trapped?”
Jiang Caiping said expressionlessly, “Even if trapped for ten or twenty years, it would be this commoner’s willing choice—Princess Consort need not trouble herself. Compared to those killed by Yang Consort, this commoner is very fortunate to still have her life.”
With that, she said to Zhuofeng, who was still blocking her path, “Move aside!”
Zhuofeng naturally wouldn’t heed her words and didn’t move even half a step. Just as the two were in confrontation, Zhangsun Shi’s voice reached both their ears, “Zhuofeng, escort Miss Caiping out.”
Watching Jiang Caiping’s departing figure, Wenlan said softly, “Your Highness has always wanted to help Yang Consort resolve this grudge accumulated years ago—why let Miss Jiang leave so quickly?”
Zhangsun Shi shook her head, “I truly wanted to help my sister resolve this old resentment, but… I underestimated the hatred in Jiang Caiping’s heart. It cannot be resolved by mere words. Forcibly keeping her in the residence would only make her hate even more.”
“This servant understands Your Highness’s meaning, but if we let her go now, won’t this grudge… never be resolvable?” Wenlan’s words caused Zhangsun Shi to fall into silence. After a moment, she said, “I remember that Prince Wei Huai’s tomb has already been moved to the Chang’an Imperial Mausoleum, correct?”
Wenlan nodded, “Yes, it was moved two months ago.”