Chapter 39

The person who came to pick up Qin Ying was Deng Chunming, the head eunuch of Yongshou Palace. Upon seeing Qin Ying, Deng Chunming greeted her with a beaming smile, saying, “The Empress Dowager hasn’t seen you for some time. She heard some rumors recently and misses you very much.”

Qin Ying felt a vague sense of unease. When the carriage reached Xuanwu Gate, a luxurious carriage adorned with pearl curtains was parked outside the palace gates. She glanced at it a few times as she dismounted, and Deng Chunming said, “That’s the carriage of Princess Wenchuan. Today, the Empress invited the princess and her daughter into the palace for a conversation. I happened to see them entering the palace as I was leaving the gates.”

The Princess Wenchuan mentioned by Deng Chunming was Li Qiong, the only daughter of Empress Dowager Zheng. She was more favored than Qin Ying’s mother, Princess Yichuan, Li Yao. Princess Wenchuan later married Prince Consort Xiao Yang. The two had been married for many years and had only one daughter, Xiao Mei, who was granted the title of Princess Chaohua upon birth, following the etiquette for daughters of princely rank. This year, she just turned eighteen.

Although both were daughters of princesses, Xiao Mei enjoyed the rank of a princess, which greatly dissatisfied Qin Ying in the past. The two had been rivals since childhood. However, the Empress Dowager had always been fair in her treatment, and because Qin Ying’s mother and elder brother had passed away early, she sometimes showed Qin Ying extra care. In the past, when Qin Ying caused trouble over her infatuation with Cui Muzhi, the Empress Dowager often shielded her.

Despite this, the difference in circumstances between Qin Ying and Xiao Mei was vast.

Xiao Mei’s mother was the only princess of the Zhou dynasty and had the backing of the Zheng family, her maternal clan. Her father, Xiao Yang, did not hold a high position in court, but he belonged to the Lanling Xiao family, sharing lineage with the Minister of Works, Xiao Qian. Their connections spanned across the court and the capital. In contrast, the Qin family, headed by the Marquis of Linchuan, was dwindling in numbers. Qin Zhang, a family elder, had been living as a wealthy idler for years, ranking low among the aristocracy.

In the eyes of ordinary commoners, both Qin Ying and Xiao Mei were figures beyond reach. However, to the aristocrats and noble families of the capital, Qin Ying—despite her stunning appearance—was merely a hollow shell carrying the title of county mistress. Xiao Mei, on the other hand, not only came from a prestigious family but was also renowned as the most talented woman in the capital. Even Emperor Zhenyuan held her in high regard. Consequently, people would rather offend Qin Ying a hundred times than make Xiao Mei unhappy even once.

Walking along the long palace pathway, Qin Ying recalled many past conflicts between herself and Xiao Mei. Yet, she couldn’t help but feel melancholic for the princess. The original text did not mention the Dou case, and after Qin Ying’s death, no one ever opposed Xiao Mei again. When she turned nineteen and was to discuss marriage, Princess Wenchuan combed through all the noble sons in the capital but failed to select an ideal husband. At that time, an unexpected conflict arose between Nanzhao and the Great Zhou. Though Nanzhao was militarily weaker, they allied with several tribes from Xiqiang and Beidi, achieving a resounding victory and forcing Great Zhou to seek peace first.

During negotiations, Nanzhao demanded a Great Zhou princess for marriage. However, Emperor Zhenyuan’s only daughter, Princess Yongning, was less than ten years old. Thus, the unparalleled Princess Chaohua was reluctantly sent to Nanzhao for the marriage alliance. Her fate was mentioned in only a few words in the original text, but it could be imagined that a married princess far from home could hardly escape a life of solitude and desolation.

As Qin Ying continued northward along the palace path, her eyes were greeted by towering, majestic palace buildings connected by flying eaves. Near midday, the golden autumn sunlight fell upon the bright yellow glazed tiles, intensifying the splendor of the countless palace towers. This was Qin Ying’s first time entering the palace. She had thought that her intelligence would make the experience ordinary. However, walking under the silent palace walls, she still felt an overwhelming sense of imperial majesty pressing heavily on her heart.

After passing through two ceremonial gates and turning northwest, she soon arrived at the solemn and imposing entrance of Yongshou Palace. Upon seeing her, a young eunuch hurriedly went inside to announce her arrival. Qin Ying followed behind Deng Chunming, walking to the main hall.

Just as they reached the hall doors, Su Yanqing, the head eunuch of Yongshou Palace, stepped out holding a whisk and greeted her with a smile, “The County Princess is here. The Empress Dowager is currently speaking with the Princess Consort. Please, come in.”

Qin Ying steadied herself and entered the hall slowly. The intricate patterns of embroidered designs covered the jade bricks inside the hall, making footsteps light and silent as one walked. Even before reaching the door to the western side hall, voices from within could already be heard.

“Fangrui, that child—you know she’s quite spoiled. These past two days, she’s been unwell and has become even harder to manage. When she gets better, bring her to the palace so you can help educate and guide her for me.”

“Fangrui is still a child. If you can’t reason with her, let Yunqi speak to her. She listens to her older brother the most.”

Qin Ying felt a faint unease. Prince Xuanping, Li Ao, had lived with his family in Junzhou, his fief, for many years. He had only moved to the capital three years ago and was unfamiliar with the Marquis of Linchuan’s household. Seeing how infatuated Qin Ying had been with Cui Muzhi, the Empress Dowager had tried multiple times to arrange her marriage with someone else, including Li Yunqi, Prince Xuanping’s heir. Li Yunqi also had a younger sister named Li Fangrui, though she and Qin Ying had only crossed paths twice and hardly exchanged words.

Qin Ying steadied herself and walked into the hall. In a soft voice, she greeted the Empress Dowager, “Greetings to the Empress Dowager—”

The Empress Dowager immediately smiled warmly when she saw Qin Ying and reached out to her, saying, “Come, come! You haven’t come to the palace to pay your respects to me for over half a month. You’ve been causing quite the stir outside, as though you’ve forgotten about this old lady altogether if I don’t send someone to fetch you.”

The Empress Dowager pulled Qin Ying to sit by her side on the couch. Elegantly dressed Princess Consort, Madam Liu, sat at the lower-left seat. Upon witnessing Empress Dowager’s affectionate treatment of Qin Ying, a hint of disdain flickered in Madam Liu’s gaze before she quickly masked it with a polite smile. She commented, “It’s been days since I last saw you, County Princess, and you’ve become even more charming.”

The Empress Dowager was delighted and said, “This child may have a bold personality, but among the noble girls of the capital, her appearance is unparalleled.”

In the past, Qin Ying was known among her peers for being domineering and unruly, though she excelled at earning the favor of her elders. Now, she did her best to mimic the sweet and obedient demeanor of the original personality she embodied. Hearing the Empress Dowager’s praise, she responded with a shy smile. The Empress Dowager then asked her, “I heard that when Earl Zhongyuan’s household had an incident, you were present at their manor. Later, when the Jinwu Guards investigated the case, you even helped greatly?”

Qin Ying blinked and replied softly, “You don’t know, Empress Dowager, but investigating cases is quite fascinating. Moreover, at that time, I was also suspected of having harmed Wan’er, so I ended up tagging along with the investigators for a few days. It can hardly be considered helping.”

The Empress Dowager held her hand and said, “But that’s not what I’ve heard. Even Jinwu Guards’ envoy praised you before His Majesty. That doesn’t sound as simple as merely tagging along. Tell me, what’s your motive this time? Is it still for the Cui family’s heir?”

The Cui family, heavily relied upon by Emperor Zhenyuan, was on bad terms with the Zheng family, and thus the Empress Dowager was displeased with them. She had repeatedly tried to arrange marriages for Qin Ying with sons from other noble families, as the person most determined to break Qin Ying’s attachment to Cui Muzhi was undoubtedly the Empress Dowager herself.

Qin Ying responded, “You misunderstood me. I’ve had a change of heart. In the future, I’ll follow your wishes and won’t make a fuss over the Cui family’s heir. Witnessing Cui Wan’s tragic death deeply affected me. By investigating the case for a few days, I realized that clearing people’s names and delivering justice is a great pleasure, as well as an act of virtue. It didn’t feel burdensome at all.”

The Empress Dowager’s expression deepened slightly, “You think in this way now? Could it be that since your father took up the path of cultivation, you’ve changed your disposition along with him? You now think of using such means to do good and accumulate virtue?”

The Empress Dowager looked her up and down for a moment, “Hmm, you do appear more composed. That day, when you saw a corpse, were you terribly frightened?”

Qin Ying had no choice but to answer vaguely, “At first, I was terrified…”

The Empress Dowager gently brushed the strands of hair near her ear and sighed, “You’ve never encountered such a terrifying matter since you were little. I thought that, aside from those rumors over the past few days, perhaps you were overly shocked and unwell. But I did not expect that you’d make progress instead. If you really have changed your thoughts about the child from the Cui family, I am truly pleased.”

After saying this, the Empress Dowager turned to Madam Liu and said, “You see, I was right, wasn’t I? This child was stubborn and unyielding before, but she would eventually grow up. Now, it seems she has come to understand things.”

Madam Liu pulled at the corners of her mouth and said, “Indeed. Fangrui is also like this, and I understand.”

The Empress Dowager then asked, “What did the imperial physician say about Fangrui’s illness?”

Madam Liu’s brows clouded with worry, “He said it’s due to a weak constitution and catching a cold. I don’t know why, but after several days, she hasn’t gotten better.”

The Empress Dowager casually asked, “Which imperial physician was called?”

“Imperial Physician Lu…”

Thinking about her daughter’s illness, Madam Liu’s expression darkened, but in Qin Ying’s presence, she pretended to be relaxed and said, “Thank you for your concern. It’s nothing serious. As long as she takes her medicine properly, she should recover in a few days.”

The Empress Dowager immediately instructed the nearby nanny, “Go fetch some Feng Bu Pills that Nanzhao sent me last year and give them to the princess consort.”

Madam Liu hurriedly expressed her gratitude, and Empress Dowager said, “This medicine is made from more than a hundred kinds of herbs from Nanzhao; it is excellent for nourishing the body and replenishing vitality. A few days ago, Yongning wasn’t feeling well and took half a pill dissolved in water three times. She recovered very quickly and returned to normal. You know how weak she has been since childhood, rarely leaving the palace gates. Even the imperial physicians are extremely cautious when prescribing medicines, but these Feng Bu Pills are exceptionally effective.”

Madam Liu expressed her immense gratitude repeatedly while Qin Ying observed her, inexplicably feeling something was off.

After receiving the miraculous medicine, Madam Liu, noticing the Empress Dowager wanted to speak privately with Qin Ying, tactfully asked to take her leave.

Once Madam Liu had departed, Qin Ying asked suspiciously, “Why did the Princess Consort leave so quickly?”

The Empress Dowager replied, “She came primarily to apologize. Yesterday, she received some playscripts from Junzhou, written entirely in the Junzhou dialect. Since Prince Xuanping was enfeoffed in Junzhou, I sent word asking her daughter, Fangrui, to come to the palace and narrate the scripts for me. However, I didn’t see Fangrui today. Instead, she sent a message in advance saying that Fangrui couldn’t come. When I approved her entrance to the palace, I thought about how I hadn’t seen you for many days and arranged for someone to bring you here.”

Her gaze sharpened slightly, “What you said earlier—was it true?”

Qin Ying understood what she was being asked and quickly affirmed, even making oaths to reassure her. The Empress Dowager’s smile widened, and she grasped Qin Ying’s hand, lightheartedly saying, “Don’t worry. Cui Muzhi is not a good match. I will surely find you an excellent marriage prospect.”

Qin Ying wanted to refuse, but the Empress Dowager had already said, “Your mother passed away early, and your father pays no attention to worldly matters. It falls to me to arrange your marriage. Among the three suitors I previously mentioned, I still favor Li Yunqi the most. After all, he comes from the imperial family, which is far superior to an ordinary noble family. His father holds military power, and his mother is from the Liu family of Earl Yongchuan’s household. No matter what, you would not suffer any grievances.”

Qin Ying felt a headache brewing and lowered her gaze, saying, “Empress Dowager, I currently have no thoughts of marriage…”

Qin Ying vaguely remembered that in the original story, the Empress Dowager was very fond of this Li Yunqi, who later married Zheng Yan, the eldest daughter of Duke Xinguo’s household. With this alliance with the Zheng family, Prince Xuanping’s household naturally aligned with the faction of the Crown Prince. In the end, during the struggle for the throne, Prince Xuanping’s entire household was labeled as traitors and implicated in a failed coup. They met a tragic end, much like the Zheng family.

Qin Ying worried deeply, thinking that she was originally destined to die and that the future should have nothing to do with her. However, now that she had survived, every decision she made could change the fate of others.

Seeing her hesitance and refusal, the Empress Dowager didn’t press further. “Fine, I won’t force you. Stay and accompany me for lunch before leaving the palace.”

Qin Ying naturally agreed, but before she could say more than two sentences, Su Yanqing announced from outside, “Your Majesty, the Grand Princess has arrived, accompanied by Princess Chaohua and Princess Yongning.”

Qin Ying’s expression turned slightly serious. Soon, a beautiful woman with exquisite makeup entered. She was none other than Grand Princess Wenchuan, Li Qiong. From the moment Li Qiong was born, she grew up surrounded by affection and adoration, and even though she had been married for years, her carefree nature remained unchanged. Her face showed few signs of aging. Following her was Princess Chaohua, Xiao Mei, adorned with light makeup, and Xiao Mei was leading a young girl in a brocade skirt, the delicate and adorable Princess Yongning, Li Yun, who was just eight years old and the youngest daughter of Emperor Zhenyuan.

After leading her daughter and niece in performing their courtesies, Li Qiong glanced at Qin Ying with a slight smile and said, “Yunyang seems much more composed today. Mother, I heard outside that Yunyang has extraordinary intelligence and truly shone in the murder case involving the house of Earl Zhongyuan.”

As everyone took their seats, Li Qiong’s words prompted Xiao Mei to scrutinize Qin Ying. However, Xiao Mei spoke compassionately, “Ying Ying is the most timid and foolish girl. How could she investigate such a case? I fear the household involved was trying to save her reputation as a county princess with such remarks. I heard she was entangled in the case, which made me quite worried.”

Elegant and graceful, Xiao Mei had a gentle and kind disposition that surpassed even her mother’s. The Empress Dowager looked at her approvingly, saying, “Mei’er’s comments do have some merit. But regardless, Qin Ying’s personality has become much more stable lately. You two sisters are of similar age, but in the past, Ying Ying was too impulsive. I often urged her to learn from you, and now she seems to have gained some semblance of decorum.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Mei slightly raised her chin, a hint of superiority evident in her expression. The Empress Dowager’s gaze swept over the two, and she sighed, “You two are both at the age for marriage now—”

At this, Xiao Mei frowned slightly and softly said, “Mei’er wants to spend a few more years accompanying Mother. Besides, there isn’t a single man in the capital who is worthy of Mei’er.”

The Empress Dowager chuckled, “When the day comes that you have someone in your heart, you won’t speak like this.”

Then, Li Qiong interjected, “Mother, do you know what became of the matter with Earl Zhongyuan’s household?”

The Empress Dowager’s expression cooled. “The case investigated by the Jinwu Guards—His Majesty knows the details best. Not wanting the situation to escalate, he sent someone to Earl Zhongyuan’s household. It seems the Lin woman has gone mad, and Earl Zhongyuan plans to take the child back to their family estate in Qinghe. After such an incident, they can no longer establish themselves in the capital. His Majesty naturally approves.”

The frail Princess Yongning, with her clear black-and-white eyes, watched everyone at that moment. Being born of Imperial Consort Cui, she was a full sibling of Li Yue. Hearing about Earl Zhongyuan’s household, she listened intently, but her expression remained flat, as if she didn’t quite understand what was being discussed, nor did she notice the shift in tone when Empress Dowager mentioned His Majesty.

Li Qiong sighed, “Who would’ve thought such an appalling event could occur? I even heard that the Xue family caused several disturbances at the Earl’s household. If they don’t leave, everyone will be laughing at them by the New Year.”

Qin Ying listened silently. At that moment, the Empress Dowager turned her attention to Princess Yongning. “Why was Yongning brought here? She only comes out for brief moments each day. At this hour, she should be taking her medication.”

Xiao Mei replied, “She rarely gets out, and earlier, she went to pay respects to the Empress, where I happened to see her. She seemed eager to play with me, so I brought her out for some movement. I’ll take her back now.”

Xiao Mei prepared to escort Yongning away. Yongning rose, performed her courtesies, and quietly took her leave. She was calm and silent, appearing slightly dull.

Qin Ying looked at Princess Yongning, her gaze slightly deepened. Princess Yongning had been frail since birth, plagued by illnesses from a young age. As she grew older, her mental faculties remained less than normal. However, with her older brother being established as the crown prince and the Cui family wielding great power, she was ultimately guaranteed a life of wealth and privilege.

When Xiao Mei returned, lunch was served, but Qin Ying found the meal distasteful. Her original self had been straightforward and careless, capable of endearing herself to elders and forming a genuine closeness with the Empress Dowager. Yet she struggled to replicate that warmth. The Empress Dowager and Li Qiong noted the change in her temperament—partly surprised, but also finding her demeanor to suit better that of a refined lady of a noble household. After lunch, Qin Ying accompanied Li Qiong and her daughter out of the palace.

Walking along the palace path, Li Qiong led her maids ahead while Xiao Mei walked alongside Qin Ying. As they strolled, Xiao Mei glanced at Qin Ying and suddenly whispered, “I’ve said it before—the Cui family heir would never think highly of you. It’s truly pitiable that the daughter of a mere imperial physician has outshined you. If I suffered such humiliation, I’d surely feel disheartened for some time.”

Who would have expected the supposedly graceful and kind Princess Chaohua to voice such cutting words?

Qin Ying glanced at her, unwilling to engage in a verbal spat. Seeing Qin Ying’s silence, Xiao Mei softly added, “Actually, you’re deeply cherished by the Empress Dowager. If you implore her, she might appeal to His Majesty for you again. After all, this predicament is all due to Imperial Consort De. Even if His Majesty agrees, she simply refuses—”

T/N: Imperial Consort De is Imperial Consort Cui, Cui Muizhi’s aunt.

Qin Ying narrowed her eyes slightly. Xiao Mei appeared dignified and gentle in front of others, carrying herself with elegance and nobility, often showing care for Qin Ying as a cousin. Yet, behind the scenes, she enjoyed provoking Qin Ying into making a scene, highlighting Xiao Mei’s poised demeanor as a royal bloodline’s exemplar of grace and distinction.

Over the past two years, Xiao Mei’s reputation in the capital had flourished. People hailed her as the epitome of noble women, a model of refinement. Her reputation as a talented individual had even reached foreign envoys. Much of this acclaim had been bolstered by Qin Ying’s unwitting contrast.

In the past, Qin Ying would have been easily incited by Xiao Mei’s provocations. But today, she turned abruptly and called out, “Imperial Consort De—”

Xiao Mei froze in her tracks, her face turning pale. She nervously clutched the handkerchief hidden in her sleeve, unsure whether Imperial Consort De had overheard her words. Her palms were clammy with sweat. Yet, she soon realized something was amiss—this palace path was long and quiet. If Imperial Consort De’s entourage were indeed present, why hadn’t she heard any sound?

Xiao Mei spun around in a panic, only to find that apart from her own maid, there was no sign of Imperial Consort De anywhere. Furious, she glared at Qin Ying, “You tricked me?!”

Qin Ying couldn’t help but smile at Xiao Mei’s reaction. “Don’t be angry, don’t be angry. You mustn’t be angry. If someone were to see Princess Chaohua in a dispute with the County Princess Yunyang, it would be far too unseemly. You’re regarded as perfect in every way—the ideal noblewoman everyone praises. Surely, you wouldn’t stoop to my level, would you? Otherwise, how could you continue to be held as a paragon among noblewomen?”

Flustered by Qin Ying’s words, Xiao Mei glanced around to ensure no onlookers were present. Gritting her teeth, she muttered, “You…”

Qin Ying’s smile vanished, and she interrupted, “I’m simply suggesting you refrain from such petty schemes in the future. If others were to discover your true face, wouldn’t their eyes pop out in shock?”

Xiao Mei’s face turned alternately pale and red. She had always managed to manipulate Qin Ying to her advantage, driving her to either leave in frustration or engage in a heated argument. The more Qin Ying argued, the more she appeared foolish and impulsive, contrasting Xiao Mei’s poise. But today, Qin Ying’s sharp and composed response left her at a loss.

Seeing Xiao Mei’s growing irritation, Qin Ying shook her head in mild exasperation and walked toward the palace gates. The Empress Dowager’s summons seemed to genuinely involve matchmaking plans for Qin Ying. At seventeen, Qin Ying felt too young for marriage, but if the Empress Dowager issued an order someday, how would she handle it? And though she had narrowly avoided a crisis this time, what lay ahead?

These thoughts troubled Qin Ying, and Xiao Mei’s small drama was not worth her attention. Once outside the palace gates, Qin Ying bid farewell to Li Qiong and boarded her carriage back to the Jinwu Guards Office.

Hongxiu was still at the Jinwu Guards Office. When Qin Ying returned, Hongxiu had already completed her testimony and was waiting in a side hall.

A moment earlier, Xie Xinglan had been nowhere to be seen, but the next moment, he arrived hurriedly. He gave her a once-over to check if she was missing any limbs and asked, “Is there any good news regarding County Princess Yunyang?”

Qin Ying replied with some exasperation, “Just accompanying the Empress Dowager for lunch. Since Hongxiu has finished her testimony, I’ll take her back to the residence. She’s still seriously injured and needs a few more days of rest to recover fully.”

Xie Xinglan nodded in agreement. Once Qin Ying left with Hongxiu, his expression turned inscrutable.

Xie Jian suddenly appeared from the side and said, “The County Princess has turned down marriage proposals for Cui Muzhi three times in the past. Now, it seems her feelings for him have waned. She probably won’t refuse in the future, right?”

Xie Xinglan furrowed his brows and abruptly instructed, “Go investigate the recent activities of Prince Xuanping’s household.”

Xie Jian was momentarily stunned. “You’re going to check for the County Princess?”

Xie Xinglan gave him a chilly glance before turning and heading to the Jinwu Guard’s dungeon. Xie Jian wiped his forehead, feeling increasingly unable to comprehend what his master was thinking.

Meanwhile, Qin Ying, accompanied by Hongxiu, arrived outside the Marquis’ residence, only to see a familiar carriage parked at the entrance. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Lu Roujia. At the same moment, Lu Roujia noticed Qin Ying as well. She disembarked from the carriage, approached Qin Ying, and said directly, “County Princess, regarding the matter from last time, I’ve made my decision.”

Qin Ying felt a slight tension in her chest. “And what have you decided?”

Lu Roujia took a deep breath and resolutely replied, “I’ve told my father that our family’s status is too low to match the Marquis of Changqing’s household. I’ve asked him to go to the Marquis’ residence to decline this marriage proposal formally.”

Qin Ying let out a long sigh of relief. “It’s good that you’ve come to terms with it. But now that the engagement is being canceled, will the Lu family face any trouble?”

Hearing this, Lu Roujia’s expression darkened. “My father has been unwell these past few days and resting at home. When I mentioned this matter to him, he showed no reaction on the surface, but his condition worsened. If he truly has to visit the Marquis’ residence, it will have to wait until his health improves slightly in a few days. I’m unsure if the Lu family will encounter trouble, but I think it’s still not too late.”

Qin Ying felt truly relieved. “Let’s go inside and talk—”

The two entered the residence together, with Bai Yuan supporting Hongxiu as they followed behind. Lu Roujia glanced at Hongxiu’s injuries, and upon inquiry, learned that Qin Ying had solved yet another new case.

As they walked to the front courtyard, Qin Ying inquired about Physician Lu’s health. Lu Roujia explained, “It’s an old ailment—joint pains aggravated by the cold wind. Whenever the weather cools, he suffers from severe pain, and in the past two days, he’s had difficulty even walking.”

Hearing this, Qin Ying casually remarked, “If he has trouble walking, how did he manage to visit Prince Xuanping’s residence to check on their health?”

Lu Roujia looked puzzled. “Visit Prince Xuanping’s residence? Aside from the trip to Earl Zhongyuan’s residence, my father has only gone to the Imperial Hospital once for his duties in recent days. Otherwise, he’s been staying home and has not left for consultations. County Princess, could there be a mistake?”

As soon as Lu Roujia finished speaking, Qin Ying paused in her tracks. The Imperial Hospital had only one Physician Lu—had Madam Liu just lied in front of the Empress Dowager?