Imperial Consort Chen remained silent, but her heart was pounding. Though she had considerable money and many rewards from the Emperor, the Seventh Prince’s expenses were enormous, and her savings were nearly depleted. A thousand taels of silver had been carefully saved, but not only had it failed to help the Seventh Prince, but it had also been completely wasted. Though the Empress Dowager spoke that way, she had never provided any allowance – a miser herself. After cursing internally for a while, she secretly resolved that she would need to find ways to obtain more money.
“Your servant is shortsighted. Mother Empress, please don’t take offense,” she said.
The Empress Dowager lowered her eyes, appearing somewhat tired: “You may leave, I’m fatigued.”
Imperial Consort Chen quickly stood and took her leave. After she left, the Empress Dowager’s attendant hurried to cover her with a blanket, only to see her eyes wide open, showing no trace of weariness.
“Sacrifice the chariot to protect the king,” she said.
After returning to her palace chambers, Imperial Consort Chen naturally threw a massive tantrum, sweeping all the vessels and cups from the table with a series of crashes. The surrounding palace maids didn’t dare breathe, afraid of somehow offending the Imperial Consort.
“Han Yan,” she gritted her teeth, furious that she had escaped. That old woman, the Empress Dowager, only put on false airs but wouldn’t provide any money. If only Little Seven became Emperor… if only he became Emperor! Imperial Consort Chen’s expression gradually softened, replaced by an innate sense of superiority. She sat down, as if she were the most noble woman in the world, and glared at a palace maid: “Why are you standing there? Pour tea for me!”
The young palace maid hurried to pour tea – the newly tribute-offered Mount Jun Silver Needle tea with its pervasive fragrance. She sipped it with a raised pinky. Only two canisters of this tea had been offered as a tribute – one for the Emperor himself, and one in her chambers. Even the Empress hadn’t received any. What did it matter if the Empress led the six palaces? She, the Imperial Consort, was still the Emperor’s favorite. Thinking of this, she said: “Send someone to inform His Majesty that I will personally cook some special dishes for him tonight.”
She had always been favored and acted imperiously, able to ignore rules at will. The palace maid quickly agreed and left. Imperial Consort Chen took a few more sips of tea before setting down her cup: “Prepare hot water, I want to bathe.”
At Prince Xuan Qing’s residence.
When Zhuang Han Ming arrived, Han Yan was sunbathing in the courtyard.
After yesterday’s ordeal, she felt completely drained today. Fu Yun Xi had instructed the maids to take good care of her, but Han Yan couldn’t bear to stay idle and was worried about Ji Lan and Shu Hong, so she came out on her own.
The servants in the residence were very polite to Han Yan, addressing her as “Princess Consort.” Han Yan felt somewhat uncomfortable – these people looked at her as if she were truly the mistress of Prince Xuan Qing’s residence. Ji Lan and Shu Hong had only suffered flesh wounds, fortunately without damage to their tendons or bones. Yesterday after Han Yan left, those two men had abandoned Ji Lan and the others to hurry away. Later, Prince Xuan Qing’s guards found them and brought them to the residence.
“Young Miss, the Master is truly impressive,” Ji Lan said. “Yesterday in that situation, at first the Empress Dowager and others wouldn’t let the guards take us away, saying we were suspicious characters. But Master’s guards simply showed a jade token, and no one dared say anything.” Ji Lan had always been clever. Last night when those guards were searching throughout the palace, the Empress Dowager seemed furious. She and Shu Hong had thought they might die in the palace – if the Empress Dowager dared harm Han Yan, she certainly wouldn’t be courteous to two maids. How many people in the world would oppose someone like the Empress Dowager for the sake of two maids? But that guard had said: “By the Prince’s order, not a single hair can be harmed on anyone serving the Princess Consort. They must be brought back exactly as they are. The people of Prince Xuan Qing’s household are not for outsiders to discipline.”
The Empress Dowager’s face had turned green with anger, but she was helpless as she watched the two of them being taken away by Prince Xuan Qing’s people. Ji Lan felt not only gratitude toward Fu Yun Xi for saving their lives, but more importantly, if he was so protective of even his wife’s servants, Prince Xuan Qing must be someone who looked after his own. Following him, the Young Miss wouldn’t have to worry about suffering grievances in the future.
Han Yan tapped her forehead: “You’ve barely recovered and you’re already so talkative. You and Shu Hong should go rest some more.” After last night’s events, Han Yan was still shaken. If those people wanted to target those close to her, she truly couldn’t guard against everything. This Prince Xuan Qing residence was indeed a safe place. If she were to lose her loved ones again in this life, Han Yan couldn’t accept it.
“Young Master?” Shu Hong called out softly from the side.
Han Yan turned her head to see Zhuang Han Ming walking anxiously toward them. Seeing Han Yan, he called out: “Sister!” as tears welled up in his eyes.
Han Yan sighed inwardly. How could siblings hold grudges overnight? Though Zhuang Han Ming had quarreled with her a few days ago, leaving her feeling hurt and disappointed, once time passed, it was forgotten. There was no need to damage their sibling relationship over a stranger. She reached out to pat his head and asked softly: “Why have you come?”
Zhuang Han Ming could no longer hold back his tears: “I heard about last night’s events from Brother-in-law. Sister, that Empress Dowager in the palace is too cruel. You must be careful in everything now. I… I was so scared…”
He was still just a child after all. Han Yan felt complex emotions as she raised her hand to wipe away his tears: “I’m fine.” But then she noticed Ying Zi following behind Zhuang Han Ming. Ying Zi happened to look up and catch Han Yan’s gaze, immediately lowering her head to stare at her own feet.
Zhuang Han Ming also noticed Han Yan watching Ying Zi and discreetly moved to block Ying Zi behind him. Han Yan saw this and inwardly gave a cold smile. This Ying Zi was truly extraordinary – now Zhuang Han Ming trusted her so much that he even brought this maid with him into Prince Xuan Qing’s residence. However, at present, she didn’t want to argue with Zhuang Han Ming about Ying Zi, so she changed the subject.
Zhuang Han Ming had been tense, afraid Han Yan would give Ying Zi trouble. Seeing Han Yan change the topic, he hurriedly joined in. Just then, Fu Yun Xi’s maid brought tea, and Han Yan asked her to leave it there. As Ji Lan began pouring tea for Han Yan, Ying Zi also stepped forward, presumably to serve tea to Zhuang Han Ming.
Suddenly there was a cry of “Ah!” Han Yan turned to see that Ying Zi’s front clothes were soaked, her hands red and steaming – clearly scalded by spilled tea. Before Han Yan could speak, Zhuang Han Ming stood up: “Are you alright?” Then he loudly berated Ji Lan: “How do you serve? Being so clumsy, what use are you in this household? You might as well be dismissed!”
Ji Lan was stunned, never expecting such a scene: “Young Master… it wasn’t me…”