Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 49

“Ah Ling, nothing will change for you in my presence.”

For Qin Ling, this sentence was like forcibly reopening a healed scar and sprinkling a pinch of salt on it.

Qin Ling was annoyed by this sense of empathy, annoyed that this long-forgotten old matter had to be reheated in such a strange way.

She turned her head and looked at her past self, unable to help but sigh at her innocence. Whatever he said, she believed.

The “nothing will change” in the emperor’s words and her own were different from the very beginning.

She remembered that the Su family’s military strength increased from 50,000 to 60,000 after the ceremony. As her belly grew, the infamous reputation of monopolizing the favor of the harem spread further. The memorials piled up in the Yangxin Hall, and she often couldn’t see him. Before long, Li Yuan received favor…

People in the palace said that the Emperor doted on her. Hearing that Consort Li liked orchids, he bestowed a garden full of them. Even Consort Li’s maternal family received the emperor’s care.

After Consort Li received the favor, Empress Dowager Chu held her hand and said, “Ah Ling, aijia knows that you are a sincere child, but we should never let rumors go unattended. Tomorrow is the first day of the lunar month. You will accompany aijia to Lanruo Temple to pray for the emperor’s blessings and bring back a statue of Guanyin for Consort Li along the way.” The dowager smiled and added, “If Consort Li could be a bit more obedient, the children in both of your bellies could grow up together. It would be livelier…”

After returning with the statue of Guanyin, the rumors finally subsided.

Thinking of this, Qin Ling held her breath and sat up.

Why bother with all this?

Su Ling is dead. She died three years ago and can never come back to life.

Only when Empress Su passes away and the Su family falls can the world tolerate Xiao Yun’s existence.

Qin Ling rubbed the corners of her mouth, put on a standard smile, and turned to look at the man. She was about to greet him as usual when suddenly she sensed that something was off about him.

Xiao Yu frowned, clutching his chest, his breathing becoming heavy.

“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?” Qin Ling supported Xiao Yu, her face full of concern. “Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell? Shall I call the imperial physician?”

“No need…” Xiao Yu stared blankly at the person before him, reliving scenes from three years ago.

Since the first year of Yanxi, the northern border had been restless, with incidents escalating. He knew that a war with the State of Qi would eventually break out, so Su Jingbei recruited soldiers and purchased horses, and he provided funds and provisions. Just as Empress Dowager calculated, the power imbalance led to troubles within the court.

Wang Chongyang, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, held account books in his hand, kneeling in the Yongxin Hall, and spoke word by word, “I, Wang Chongyang, was personally promoted by Your Majesty. Without Your Majesty, I would have turned into a pile of bones long ago. Today, even if I have to risk my life, I will speak my mind. The Su family’s loyalty and merits over the past hundred years are commendable, but the Duke of Zhen now not only controls military power but also holds the judiciary through Su Huai’an. Moreover, the empress, who carries Your Majesty’s only bloodline… The entire court is busy dealing with the Su family. If this continues…” Wang Chongyang’s hands trembled slightly as he clenched his teeth. “What is the difference between the Su family and the Chu family of the past?”

The Su family, the Chu family.

Even Prince Yan said these words before his death.

“…Third Brother, don’t you think the Su family today is similar to the Chu family back then?”

“In this lifetime, you will either end up becoming ungrateful, lonely, or be ruined by the Su family’s hand.”

That year, he was so arrogant, thinking that… He neither wanted the Su family to become like the Chu family nor to become a solitary individual. But in the end…

At this moment, Xiao Yu felt a surge of blood in his chest and couldn’t help but cough twice.

Qin Ling quickly stepped forward, poured a cup of water, and handed it to his lips. “Your Majesty, drink some water.”

Xiao Yu took the cup and looked at Qin Ling’s concerned expression. Suddenly, he felt that all the previous probes were meaningless. Given her personality, how could she be like this if she remembered everything?

Xiao Yu took his time to stand up.

Qin Ling raised her head to tidy up his clothes. In the silence, she suddenly heard Xiao Yun whispering outside, “Momo, has Imperial Father and Consort Mother… not woken up yet?”

“Your Highness, please wait…”

Unable to resist, Qin Ling followed the voice and said to Xiao Yu, “It’s still early today. Your Majesty might as well have breakfast before leaving.”

Xiao Yu nodded.

As they opened the door, Xiao Yu and Qin Ling saw the little figure before them.

He bowed with both hands and looked up, saying, “This son pays respects to Imperial Father… and Consort Mother.”

Each word was uttered in a childish voice.

The cold and stern eyes of the man instantly softened with a smile.

He bent down with a smile and lifted the child onto his shoulders. The little prince instinctively reached out his hand toward Qin Ling. Although she knew he wouldn’t let his son fall, she still reached out and touched hands with Xiao Yun.

The newly risen warm sun cast a slanting light on them, the gentle spring breeze blowing, causing Eunuch Sheng to shed tears of emotion.

***

After having breakfast, Xiao Yu left Jingren Palace. When he was about to get on the carriage, Eunuch Sheng cleared his throat and said, “Your Majesty, Princess Changning has returned to the capital.”

Xiao Yu’s gaze was dim and unclear as he whispered a sentence, “Is that so?”

Princess Changning had just returned to the palace, and the empress dowager immediately organized a flower appreciation banquet.

Some time ago, Xiao Yu had a falling out with the empress dowager due to Jieyu Qin’s injury. To appease the empress dowager, this flower appreciation banquet was held on a grand scale, with all the influential ladies and noble ladies in the capital attending to join in the festivities.

Although it was just a flower appreciation banquet, Eunuch Zhang went the extra mile to please the empress dowager. He even set up a stage in the Cining Garden and invited famous actors from the capital.

The road was filled with drifting willow catkins as the gentle spring breeze blew. The women entered the Cining Garden, chatting and laughing along the way.

After they exchanged greetings and took their seats, on the empress dowager’s right sat the main wife of the Chu family, while on her left was Princess Changning, who had recently returned to the capital.

After a series of drumbeats, a young boy slowly walked up to the stage. He took a rope from his waist and casually swung it twice before tossing it into the air, where it caught onto a high wooden stake. He then pulled it back with force, ensuring it was securely fastened. With a leap, the boy traversed the rope like a peerless martial arts prodigy, walking through the air and even performing a somersault in the middle.

Empress Dowager couldn’t help but touch her chest in awe.

She motioned with her hand, and Eunuch Zhang immediately approached, saying, “What are Your Ladyship’s orders?”

The empress dowager said, “These performers are truly talented. Reward each of them with two taels of silver.”

Eunuch Zhang smiled and replied, “This servant will see to it right away.”

After enjoying these fantastic acrobatic performances, Eunuch Zhang prepared a play that had recently gained fame outside the palace—Spring River Banquet.

“Spring River Banquet” depicted the stories of matchmaking during early spring.

With a red curtain drawn and smoke swirling, a female actress in wedding attire stepped forward. Lightly tapping the sandalwood clappers, she slowly unveiled her veil. Accompanied by the sound of a flute, she gracefully danced, reciting a verse that expressed the anticipation of a young girl about to be married.

Before she finished singing, the matchmaker appeared on stage and loudly joined in, saying, “Young Lady!”

“Hey,” the actress turned her head.

The matchmaker sang, “The renowned Third Young Master Gao from the Gao family is out there. I wonder if you would like to meet him?”

According to the marriage customs of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the spring season was always the busiest time for matchmakers. Currently, there was a lot of talk about marriages in the capital. Watching this scene, the main wife of the Chu family leisurely remarked, “After watching this play, it suddenly reminds me of my sixth son. It truly worries me.”

Empress Dowager Chu smiled and said, “Isn’t the Sixth lang just recently passing the imperial examination? What has he done to bother you?”

The sixth son, Chu Jiangya, was also this year’s top scholar.

“He’s already twenty-three and still unmarried,” said the Chu family’s main wife. “How can I not worry?”

Empress Dowager Chu teased, “If that’s the case, then I should be worried as well.”

Chu family’s main wife echoed, “What is the Empress Dowager worried about?”

Empress Dowager Chu raised her hand and pointed at Princess Changning’s nose. “What else could it be if not this girl?”

Princess Changning turned to the side and spoke softly, “What did Changning do to bother you?”

Empress Dowager Chu huffed lightly, saying, “You went to reside in Mount Li for three years. If it weren’t for me sending people to invite you three or five times, who knows how many more years you would have stayed on that mountain!”

“But Changning has returned now, hasn’t she?”

Empress Dowager Chu spoke with concern, “Changning, you’re already nineteen. Look, you’re on the verge of entering your twenties. It’s time to settle the matter of marriage.”

As she finished speaking, Qin Ling glanced at Princess Changning.

In fact, Princess Changning had become much thinner compared to before.

Qin Ling still remembered how Princess Changning used to call her “Sister-in-law” and playfully pry into the details of Su Huai’an.

Changning’s gaze stiffened, and she spoke slowly, “Mother, you know about Changning’s condition. It’s just…”

“You have just returned, so there’s no rush for marriage. Just find a candidate and settle down,” Empress Dowager Chu continued, “Even the emperor, before his passing, was concerned about your lifelong matter. If you truly understand, this time don’t refuse.”

Everyone in the palace was astute. No matter who it was, they had to yield to Empress Dowager Chu’s words. She intentionally used the late emperor to pressure Princess Changning.

Knowing it was intentional, what could they do?

Filial piety is the utmost virtue in one’s conduct. Under such a label, even if Princess Changning didn’t want to marry, she could only nod.

“Changning will not forget.”

“You can rest assured,” Empress Dowager Chu took her hand and said, “Mother will definitely choose a husband who suits your heart.”

Princess Changning lowered her eyes and said, “Regarding the matter of choosing a husband, it would be better for Mother to inform Imperial Brother first.”

At the mention of the emperor, a flicker passed through Empress Dowager Chu’s eyes. In recent years, the emperor had been suppressing the Chu family in various ways. Everyone knew that Empress Dowager and the emperor did not get along, but they managed to maintain a superficial harmony out of filial piety.

Now, Xiao Lianyu’s words were equivalent to publicly humiliating the empress dowager in front of everyone. It was not a light matter.

Empress Dowager Chu said, “Changning, speak your mind to Mother. Do you have someone in your heart?”

The fact that Princess Changning had someone in her heart was thought-provoking. Everyone in the capital knew how much Xiao Lianyu liked Su Huai’an. Princess Changning had been chasing after him relentlessly, using all sorts of means, at the Supreme Court.

As for Su Huai’an, the unassuming gentleman, he always seemed to be caught by Xiao Lianyu.

The romantic affair between a princess of the imperial family and a deputy of the Supreme Court was a topic that brought joy and gossip both inside and outside the palace.

Even without a marriage certificate, Su Huai’an was already considered the acknowledged future husband.

However, before the imperial decree for their marriage arrived at the Duke of Zhen’s residence, news from the border arrived…

Xiao Lianyu casually said, “Mother is joking. Changning has been residing on the mountain due to illness. How could she have such thoughts?”

Empress Dowager Chu said, “Alright, let’s not discuss this matter anymore. Let’s watch the play.”

The sound of the zither continued, and the matchmaking scene was not yet over.

Meanwhile, Xue family’s main wife leaned in and whispered to Xue Lanyi, “Speaking of this matchmaking, I have something to tell you, my lady.”

Xue Lanyi rubbed her temples absentmindedly and said, “Just say it, Sister-in-law.”

“Recently, the Jiang family is arranging a marriage for their young master, and it seems they have approached our Xue family.”

“Jiang? Which Jiang?” Xue Lanyi asked.

Madam Xue replied, “It’s the son of the Minister of Revenue, Jiang Chengyuan. Jiang Wu.”

“Oh, the Jiang family is doing well.” Xue Lanyi remarked. “What does my brother think about this marriage?”

Madam Xue sighed, “The Jiang family is prestigious, and they have the emperor’s favor. Moreover, the fifth miss and the sixth miss are also of marriageable age, so the match seemed plausible. But who would have expected that the young master of the Jiang family would mistake someone for the bride from our Xue family.”

Xue Lanyi frowned and asked, “What do you mean by mistaking someone?”

Madam Xue explained, “He claimed that our Xue family had bought a courtesan for eight hundred taels of silver and brought her home as a bride. He even spoke of it in detail. But when I inquired about it, there was no such thing.”

Buying a courtesan and bringing her to the residence? What is this about? Could it be that someone is using the name of the Xue family to do something outside?” Xue Lanyi wondered.

Madam Xue nodded, “That’s what I thought too.”

Curiously, Xue Lanyi asked, “When did this happen?”

Madam Xue replied, “It was…around the eight-month last year.” It was before the selection of talents.