Chapter 13

“How could I!”

Xiao Baozhu’s expression changed, and her tone grew anxious. “Why would I ever want someone to mock my cousin?”

She only had two older brothers.

Although her relationship with her cousin was through kinship, her cousin had always treated her exceptionally well.

She truly cared for her cousin.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have confronted Xie Qingya today, demanding that he break off the engagement.

However, by now, she had somewhat come to her senses and realized that changing the engagement was impossible.

Seeing the calm, silent look her cousin gave her, Xiao Baozhu dared not hesitate any longer. She grabbed her cousin’s hand and earnestly promised, “Understood. I won’t argue with Xie Qingya anymore…” Still resentful, she muttered under her breath, “He’s getting off too easy!”

Xu Duanyi felt relieved seeing her agree.

She patted Xiao Baozhu’s head without saying more.

As evening fell, she had to return to the palace.

After exchanging only a few more words, she parted ways with Xiao Baozhu.

No longer in the mood to shop, Xiao Baozhu told her, “Next time, remember to visit me when you leave the palace, Cousin.” She then had her maid hand over the set of jewelry she had bought for Xu Duanyi.

Xu Duanyi understood the gesture was meant to seek favor and apologize, so she didn’t refuse. She simply told Xiao Baozhu to head home early before departing with Shiyu to return to the palace.

—-

Back at Shoukang Palace,

The Dowager Empress Zhao Yu and the palace attendants of Shoukang Palace were delighted.

During Xu Duanyi’s absence, the Dowager Empress had been in poor spirits due to headaches.

Punishing servants had become a frequent occurrence.

The attendants of Shoukang Palace had been praying every day for Xu Duanyi’s swift return.

Now that she was finally back, how could they not be overjoyed?

Even the dinner that evening was unusually abundant.

In recent days, the Dowager Empress had struggled with a poor appetite, barely eating anything. This was the first time since Xu Duanyi’s departure that the small kitchen had been so busy.

That night,

Xu Duanyi accompanied the Dowager Empress for dinner.

Perhaps it was her return or the effect of the perilla candied fruits she had brought back, but the Dowager Empress seemed to have a better appetite tonight.

Under Xu Duanyi’s attentive care, she ate half a bowl of rice and quite a few dishes.

The Dowager Empress looked at Xu Duanyi and said, “Enough. Don’t just worry about me—make sure you eat as well.”

Danfeng chuckled from the side and said, “Your Highness, please eat for yourself. The Empress Dowager has this servant to take care of her.”

Xu Duanyi smiled and agreed.

During the meal, Xu Duanyi chatted with Empress Dowager Zhao Yu about matters outside the palace—just casual conversation.

She wasn’t one for excitement and rarely ventured out, so her stories were few. For example, she shared that Dongyu’s daughter-in-law had given birth to a healthy baby boy weighing over eight pounds, and his nickname was aptly chosen as Eight Jin.

“Dongyu served your mother for many years and was always loyal. Next time you return, bring a congratulatory gift from me,” said the Empress Dowager, always attentive when it came to people connected to her younger sister.

Xu Duanyi readily agreed.

“Since you’ve been out recently, has that girl Baozhu visited you?” the Empress Dowager asked.

“She did. Sister-in-law brought her over, and she apologized to me. She even stayed for a few days and helped me copy scriptures for my mother,” Xu Duanyi replied with a smile, hiding nothing. “Today, we also went to the market together, and some of the pastries I bought for you were chosen by her.”

The Empress Dowager gave no particular reaction. She merely responded indifferently, “Her mother spoiled her from a young age, but at least she shows you some respect. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have let her off so easily.”

Xu Duanyi smiled quietly.

Noticing her aunt enjoying the sour bamboo and duck soup, she reached to serve another half-bowl. Just as she moved, her aunt asked, “I heard from Yan that when you left the palace recently, you ran into that boy from the Xie family. You even spoke up for him?”

Her hand froze momentarily, and the smile on her lips stiffened—but only for a brief breath.

Then Xu Duanyi composed herself and calmly replied, “Yes, he is my fiancé after all. His loss of face would be my loss as well, so I spoke a few words on his behalf that day.”

“I also told Baozhu today to stop provoking the Prince of Nanan.”

“Baozhu?” The Empress Dowager frowned. “What does this have to do with her? What did she do this time?”

Xu Duanyi briefly recounted the day’s events.

The Empress Dowager’s expression darkened. “That foolish girl! She’s already caused enough trouble—without her, you wouldn’t have been humiliated like this! Danfeng, summon her tomorrow. It seems her carefree days have lasted long enough!”

Just as Danfeng was about to respond, Xu Duanyi spoke first. “Aunt, please don’t be angry. I’ve already explained everything to Baozhu today. She understands the consequences now and knows how to behave going forward.”

Despite this, the Empress Dowager still looked displeased.

Xu Duanyi placed the soup in front of her and softly called, “Aunt.”

The Empress Dowager glanced at her and finally relented. “You’ve been wronged.” Her face showed a trace of tenderness.

Xu Duanyi smiled lightly. “I don’t feel wronged.”

She spoke the truth, though no one ever believed her. The Empress Dowager’s gaze remained filled with pity.

“You handled this well. No matter how unreliable that Xie boy is, he will be your husband one day. His disgrace would reflect on you.”

With that thought, the Empress Dowager began making plans for Xu Duanyi’s future.

“Does the Xie boy hold any official position now?” she asked Danfeng.

Danfeng, well-informed on such matters, quickly replied, “The Prince of Nanan was appointed General of Zhaoyong at sixteen. Since returning to the capital, he hasn’t been given any new duties.”

Xu Duanyi remained silent, quietly eating her meal.

The Empress Dowager furrowed her brows.

She worried about Xie Qingya’s possible ties to Jizhou and feared he might support Liu Xie, defying her authority. But for Xu Duanyi’s sake, she had to make careful arrangements.

He couldn’t be allowed near the military or continue leading soldiers. Yet, he needed a respectable position to maintain appearances so that Xu Duanyi wouldn’t be overshadowed among the court women.

“Is Xu Ziyuan, the Prefect of Shuntian, fifty-five this year?” she asked Danfeng.

After a moment’s thought, Danfeng nodded. “Yes, around that age.”

The Empress Dowager made her decision. “He’s reached retirement age. It’s time he went home to enjoy his twilight years before his judgment worsens, leading to more blunders.”

Her tone was calm, but her words carried disdain.

It was Xu Ziyuan who had failed to cover up an incident, allowing Cao Da to exploit it and bear a grudge. If not for him, Cao Da wouldn’t have dared act so boldly this time.

“Prepare an edict tomorrow and deliver it to the Emperor,” she instructed, finalizing her decision.

“Aunt…” Xu Duanyi finally spoke.

Before she could finish, the Empress Dowager cut her off. “Enough. It’s settled.”

“Being Prefect of Shuntian is a respectable third-rank position, responsible for the capital’s affairs. It won’t be beneath that Xie boy,” the Empress Dowager reassured, holding Xu Duanyi’s hand. “Giving him proper work is better than letting him spend his days chasing women.”

Xu Duanyi offered no further protest. She lowered her voice and said, “Thank you, Aunt.”