Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 50

In the eighth month, someone impersonated the name of a daughter from the Xue family and bought a performer for eight hundred taels at the Qingfeng Building.

“A young lady of a noble family bought a performer and brought her back to the house?”

What nonsense is this!?

Consort Xue picked up a lotus cake in front of her, took a bite, and then put it down with displeasure. She said, “Regarding this matter, has the Jiang family given an explanation?”

Madam Xue said, “The wife of Minister Jiang personally came to apologize, saying it was a misunderstanding. Since they claim it was a misunderstanding, I can’t hold onto it. However, as for the marriage, it will be terminated…”

“It’s better to terminate it. Did the person who impersonated the daughter of the Xue family get found?” Xue Lanyi sneered and asked, “And what happened next?”

Madam Xue shook her head. “I sent someone to inquire, and I only heard that the performer is called Si Yue, who used to be famous in Guangzhou Prefecture.”

Consort Xue flicked her wrist and whispered, “Since you’ve gathered information, why not capture the performer and interrogate her?”

“The performer has already returned to Jiangnan,” Madam Xue sighed. “This matter is quite strange. The performer is not from the capital, so it’s normal that she left. But when I traced the origin of the eight hundred taels, I discovered that the pawnshop where it was redeemed has also disappeared from the capital. I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but in any case, all the leads have gone cold, and the person hasn’t been found.”

Upon hearing this, Consort Xue’s right eyelid twitched. She narrowed her eyes and asked, “Did you inform my brother about this?”

Madam Xue shook her head and said, “Your brother has been in a bad mood lately, so I didn’t mention it to him.”

Consort Fei asked, “What’s wrong with him?”

“What else could it be? It’s all because of that remnant of the Su family…” Madam Xue lowered her voice. “A while ago, your brother heard that Su Huai’an appeared in the capital and abandoned his position in the Ministry of Justice. He chased after him to the south, disregarding everything, but still couldn’t capture him.”

Consort Xue couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Why is he so fixated on Su Huai’an? What a stubborn person! How did he become the Minister of Justice with that block for a head? If I were Su Huai’an, I would never return to the capital in my lifetime.”

“Indeed, Your Ladyship. Let’s just enjoy the play,” Madam Xue chuckled, inwardly sighing. These two truly lived up to being siblings. Xue Xiangyang in the family also scolded Xue Lanyi in the same manner.

That woman with a block for a head who knows nothing about vying for favor. How did she end up entering the palace?

After the play ended, the empress dowager bestowed tea once again.

Consort Xue’s fingertips rubbed against the edge of the teacup, and she took a deep breath. She said, “Sister-in-law.”

“Yes, Your Ladyship.”

Consort Xue pressed down on her right eyelid, which had been twitching uncontrollably. She spoke slowly, “No matter how I think about it, something feels off about that matter. When you go back, please inform my brother and ask him to thoroughly investigate that performer and the pawnshop.”

[T/N: Right eyelid twitching implies a bad omen coming]

Madam Xue said, “Is it necessary to make such a big fuss over a performer?”

Consort Xue turned her head slightly and whispered in her ear, “There aren’t so many coincidences in this world. Ever since the Su family rebelled, the court has been arresting spies every day. If there’s something wrong with that person who impersonated the daughter of the Xue family, it’s inevitable that it will cause trouble in the future. Moreover, Sister-in-law, think about it. What unmarried girl would spend eight hundred taels to buy a performer and bring her back to the family? Something is amiss here. Why would someone buy a performer? Could it be that they want to learn acting at home? In my opinion, there is something suspicious about that performer.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Xue felt a sense of incongruity and seriousness in the matter. “When I return home today, I will discuss this matter with my husband.”

Consort Xue nodded in agreement

***

After the palace banquet ended, Princess Changning left through the palace gates.

The carriage traveled through the streets and stopped before Princess Changning’s residence. Xiao Lianyu bent down and got off the sedan chair.

Just as she stepped onto the stairs, she noticed a wanted notice posted in front of her residence—a wanted criminal from the court, Su Huai’an.

She took a deep breath, tore off the wanted notice, turned around, and trembled as she shouted, “Who dares!?”

Qing Yu, the palace maid who supported Princess Changning’s arm, said, “Your Highness, please calm down.”

Xiao Lianyu lowered her head, looking at the portrait in her hand. Memories flooded her mind one after another. Suddenly, she turned around and said to her close guard, “Go to the Ministry of Justice immediately and relay a message to Lord Xue. Ask him what is the meaning of this wanted notice being posted in front of my residence! Who gave them the authority!?”

The guard nodded and said, “I will carry out your command.”

“Wait!” Xiao Lianyu added, “Also, tell him that Lord Xue is welcome to come and search Princess Changning’s residence with a search warrant if he hasn’t found enough evidence. Bengong will cooperate.” Having said that, Xiao Lianyu walked into the residence without looking back.

There had always been people plotting against Princess Changning’s residence.

The curtains hung, the red gate protected delicately, and the painting hall was filled with infinite serenity. Everything seemed unchanged, yet everything seemed different.

In the sunlight filtering through the curtains, Xiao Lianyu sat in front of the Fulan Hall, lost in thought. After a long while, she took a flute, closed her eyes, and gently played it. The sound of the flute wafted softly, carrying a mixture of resentment and longing, as if crying and expressing deep emotions.

In a fleeting moment, with her eyes open, she seemed to see Su Huai’an dressed in a crimson peacock-patterned official robe, holding a folding fan, leaning against the railing, and softly saying, “Your Highness, didn’t you say there were assassins in your residence? Where are the assassins?” After that, he slowly walked towards her, helplessly saying, “Why did you deceive me again?”

Xiao Lianyu’s finger paused, murmuring to herself, “It was you who deceived me…”

Suddenly, a gust of wind arose, and everything before her eyes turned into dust, scattered by the wind.

Xiao Lianyu’s finger paused, the flute’s sound abruptly stopped, and she watched as the wanted notice was swept into the air by the wind, then slowly descended to the ground. Gazing at the figure in the painting, she couldn’t help but recall the day when Xue Xiangyang rushed into the court.

On that day, the capital city was particularly gloomy. Su Huai’an took off his official robe and black gauze hat, neatly folded them and placed them on the table, and said his final words to her, “Your Highness, close your eyes later. Don’t look.”

He didn’t allow her to look, so she closed her eyes and didn’t look.

Even when the sound of chains rattled, resounding in her ears, she didn’t open her eyes.

Qing Yu quickly walked over, picked up the wanted notice, took out a handkerchief, and wiped away the tears on Xiao Lianyu’s face. “Your Highness, why are you crying again?”

If Qing Yu hadn’t said anything, she wouldn’t have even realized that she was crying.

Xiao Lianyu took the handkerchief. “I’m fine.”

Qing Yu held her hand and said, “Lord Su is clearly still alive, but there has been no news from him. Your Highness, aren’t you resentful at all?”

Xiao Lianyu raised the corner of her mouth and whispered, “Qing Yu, you don’t understand him.”

He was such a proud person. How could he appear before her as a criminal?

No news is the news he gave.

“I’m tired. Go prepare some water. I still have to go to the palace tomorrow.”

Qing Yu bowed. “Yes.”

The next morning, while Xiao Lianyu was having breakfast, Qing Yu hurriedly entered the room and said, “Your Highness, Eunuch Zhang personally delivered a message. The empress dowager wants you to go to the palace.”

Xiao Lianyu furrowed her brow. “What for?”

Qing Yu said, “The empress dowager wants you to look at the list of consorts.”

“Didn’t I say she should discuss this matter with my imperial brother yesterday?”

Qing Yu stammered, “Eunuch Zhang said that His Majesty approved.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lianyu slammed her chopsticks on the table with a loud snap. “Prepare the horse.”

***

After the morning court session, Xiao Yu presided over political affairs in the Yangxin Hall, with Marquis of Chun’nan, Lu Ze, also present in the hall.

Eunuch Sheng walked down the steps and smiled at Huai Jing, saying, “Lord Huai, please, His Majesty is summoning you.”

Huai Jing expressed his gratitude, then entered the Yangxin Hall and performed the kneeling ceremony, saying word by word, “This official, Huai Jing, paying respects to Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu dropped his brush and directly said, “Please rise quickly.”

Lu Ze, being quite astute, fetched a chair for him and whispered, “Everyone has left, it’s just us. Lord Huai, please take a seat.”

Huai Jing looked at him and said, “Thank you, Marquis.”

Lu Ze rubbed his nose and whispered, “Impressive, I couldn’t even hear a trace of your old voice. Where did you learn this skill? How long does it take to learn? Can you teach me?”

Huai Jing frowned and glared at him.

Lu Ze placed his hand on Huai Jing’s shoulder and whispered, “But you should work on your gaze. I am the commander of the Imperial Guards, while you are merely a seventh-rank official. Show some respect…”

Xiao Yu rubbed his temples and helplessly said, “Yanqing, let’s get to the main point.”

Huai Jing handed over the documents in his hand and slowly began, “Your Majesty, I have recently…”

Before he could finish, a familiar voice was heard from outside, “Eunuch Sheng, I’d like to meet Imperial Brother.”

Eunuch Sheng raised his hand to stop Xiao Lianyu’s approach and said, “Your Majesty is currently discussing matters with Commander Lu. Your Highness, please wait until the period of you (5-7 pm) to enter.”

The three individuals inside the hall fell into silence.

Lu Yanqing raised his eyebrows at Huai Jing and whispered, “What should we do?”

Xiao Lianyu, outside the door, said, “Lu Yanqing is also inside? In that case, I don’t think I should wait. Eunuch Sheng, please inform them of my arrival.”

[T/N: Lu Ze’s courtesy name is Lu Yanqing]

Eunuch Sheng hesitated, “But… Your Highness, wouldn’t this put me in a difficult position?”

“Just inform them, that’s all. If my imperial brother doesn’t want to see me, I won’t trouble you.”

Eunuch Sheng took a deep breath. She was indeed the princess cherished by the late emperor, disregarding all rules and conventions.

He bowed and entered the hall, mustering his courage to say, “Your Majesty, Princess Changning is outside, seeking…”

Xiao Lianyu raised her voice slightly, feigning sadness, “Changning has urgent matters to discuss with Your Majesty.”

Fine.

Xiao Yu sighed heavily, “Let her enter.”

Huai Jing immediately stepped aside.

Lu Ze looked at the man before him, who remained unfazed, and couldn’t help but give him a thumbs-up silently in his mind.

Princess Changning’s pearl hairpin gently swayed with her steps.

“Changning pays respects to Imperial Brother.”

Xiao Yu said, “Speak up. What brings you to seek Us?”

Xiao Lianyu didn’t beat around the bush either and went straight to the point, saying, “Changning has come to discuss the matter of selecting a consort.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Ze suddenly coughed, his face turning red.

Xiao Lianyu looked at him and asked, “Lord Lu, is your throat bothering you?”

Lu Ze shook his head and said, “It’s nothing, I’m fine.”

Xiao Lianyu spoke seriously, “Brother, Changning doesn’t want to marry. I hope you will revoke the decree.”

Xiao Yu replied, “We have already agreed to the empress dowager’s request to select a consort. Take a look at the candidates.”

“Brother!”

Lu Ze cleared his throat and said, “Your Highness, in my humble opinion, since we are selecting a consort, it would be better to take a closer look. Our dynasty has many outstanding and talented young men. Perhaps there might be someone who catches your eye? Princess Changning, take a look. This is the newly crowned top scholar of this year, Huai Jing. He is also a talented individual.”

Xiao Lianyu turned her head and glanced at Huai Jing, sizing him up from head to toe, and coldly said, “What does it have to do with me?”

Xiao Yu pinched the bridge of his nose and said, “Alright, We only asked you to select a consort, not force you to marry. Changning, you can leave for now. We’ll discuss this matter another day.”

No matter how willful she was, Xiao Lianyu had no choice but to comply with the emperor’s decision. She pinched her palm, her eyes red, and turned around, brushing past the man who nodded beside her.

After a while, Xiao Yu stood up and walked to Huai Jing’s side, asking, “Are you really not going to say anything?”

Huai Jing adjusted his sleeve and lowered his gaze, saying, “It’s not the right time yet. Let’s wait.”

Xiao Yu patted his shoulder gently and whispered, “I advise you not to wait.”