Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 53

It had been two days since Qin Ling claimed to be sick and refused to leave her residence. Regardless of who asked, both Zhu Lan and Zhu Xin responded similarly: Jieyu Qin was ill, emotionally distressed, and bedridden. But in reality, she was just buying time for Qin Suizhi. Qin Ling knew very well that Qin Rong’s marriage was not going well.

Just after the period of mao (5-7 am) had passed, a pale light appeared in the sky. Zhu Xin opened the door and said, “My lady, a letter has arrived.” Qin Ling immediately sat up and opened the letter.

As her eyes scanned the ten lines, a heavy weight was finally lifted from her heart.

Clutching the letter, Qin Ling headed toward the side hall.

At that moment, Qin Rong was drinking porridge.

The flesh on Qin Rong’s face had visibly thinned these past two days, and she looked increasingly weary. Qin Ling sat beside her and spoke slowly, “Sixth Young Master Chu and Ninth Miss Luo have exchanged engagement cards. You know about this, right?”

Qin Rong’s hand holding the porcelain spoon stiffened, and tears fell into the porridge with a patter.

Qin Rong recalled her first secret meeting with Chu Jiangya. Chu Jiangya had entrusted her with a fan, and a small note was hidden inside the fan handle. He had invited her to meet him at a teahouse, claiming to offer guidance on her poetry. In reality, it was she who had set up this poetry affair with Chu Jiangya.

She had “accidentally encountered” Chu Jiangya at a poetry gathering. They had brushed past each other, and she deliberately dropped her poetry collection before him. She knew that Chu Jiangya would pick it up for her because that collection was his own work.

Chu Jiangya, as she had expected, fell for her ploy. As he picked up the dropped poetry collection, neatly folded sheets of paper were hidden within. Each sheet contained a poem she had written imitating Chu Jiangya—not stunning, but interesting enough.

Blushing, she told him not to read them, but he had seen every single one.

Chu Jiangya neatly stacked the papers expressing the girl’s admiration, placed them back into the poetry collection, and returned them to her. When she received it, she softly said, “The style is different. I’m afraid it’s not as refined as yours, sir.”

Upon hearing this, his brows relaxed, and he spoke softly, “Miss, your poems are quite good. If you are willing, I would be honored to offer you some guidance. Your penmanship will surely flow like a river in the future.”

She looked up into his eyes.

Where could she find a better mentor than him?

In no time, Chu Jiangya became her teacher. They mainly corresponded through letters, refraining from overstepping their boundaries. That day was the first time Chu Jiangya met her in person. Although she had some lingering unease, the temptation of being the wife of the legitimate son of the Chu family and the distinguished top scholar was simply too great. After much thought, she decided to go alone.

Qin Rong, let’s take the gamble, she said to herself.

Sometimes, love between a man and a woman requires no words. Just a few glances are enough. She knew that Chu Jiangya liked her, and his impatience was evident.

Inside the teahouse, there was only him in the private room. When the man smiled, an indescribable charm emanated from him.

Under the bright sky and white sun, she, as a girl from a respectable family, never intended to engage in such activities with him. But by then, she had already considered herself half a member of the Chu family. Unable to withstand the relentless pursuit and the whispered sweet nothings, she reluctantly gave in.

The events of that day were vividly etched in her mind.

She cried while Chu Jiangya patted her shoulder, urging her to endure a little longer. Though the process was unpleasant, Chu Jiangya tenderly fed her a few cold sugar pills afterward, saying they would soothe her hoarse voice. He smiled and said that Rong’er needed to stay hydrated.

At that time, she only felt that this man was captivated by her, and there was an indescribable sweetness in her heart. But now, in her sober state, she suddenly realized that if Chu Jiangya truly liked her, why couldn’t he wait for the proper rituals and ceremonies?

“Second Sister, have you thought it through?”

Still hesitant, Qin Rong lowered her gaze as she replied, “Yes…”

She had come to a realization, but that didn’t mean she could truly let go. Even though the true face of Chu Jiangya was right in front of her, the words of love from the past still lingered in her ears.

Repeatedly, she questioned herself, could it all be false?

Qin Ling said, “Last year, during the election, I met that girl Ninth Miss Luo. She appears pure and kind-hearted, but she is not easy to get along with. If you were to enter the Chu family as a concubine, she would undoubtedly become a source of trouble. She won’t be able to tolerate the things that have happened between you and Sixth Young Master Chu.”

Qin Rong murmured, “But since my reputation is completely ruined, if I don’t become his concubine, what kind of family can I find? Even if I marry someone else, how will they treat me?”

Qin Ling handed Qin Rong a letter Qin Suizhi wrote and spoke slowly, “Eldest Brother has arranged a marriage for you. Wu Long is a successful candidate in the military examination, and his hometown is in Wucheng. His parents passed away in the earthquake in Liaodong thirty years ago, and he has two younger brothers to support. Although his family background is not prominent, he has a decent appearance and is known for his honesty and kindness. He is also a close friend of Brother. The wedding is scheduled for the seventh month this year. You can live a good life, and he will treat you well. If you agree, a dowry will also be provided.”

Even though Qin Ling praised Wu Long, in Qin Rong’s heart, a low-ranking warrior from a humble family could not be compared to the charismatic Sixth Young Master Chu.

Qin Rong clenched the letter, trembling, “Both parents deceased? If my sister truly favors me, why would she let me marry a ninth-rank official who manages horses and carriages in the countryside? If you want to settle our past grievances, you should say it outright instead of resorting to such humiliation.”

Qin Ling almost burst into laughter out of anger. “Humiliation? Do you know how much effort and money your brother has put into this marriage arrangement?”

Gritting her teeth, tears welling up in her eyes, Qin Rong replied, “He’s just doing it for…”

“If your surname weren’t Qin, would he even bother?” Qin Ling’s anger was evident. “One’s reputation in ruins. Look deep into your heart and ask yourself if it is unjust saying that about you.”

Qin Rong blushed under the scolding. “But I am the daughter of the Grand Scribe, a proper official’s daughter. And I have my talents and beauty…”

“Talents and beauty,” Qin Ling interrupted, saying, “Go to the brothels and see who you can compare with there regarding talents and beauty. What does a woman’s reputation mean? I only fear that your restless and vain nature will tarnish the clean reputation of the Wu family!”

Qin Rong suddenly burst into tears. “No! Mother said that a woman’s marriage is like reincarnation. How her life turns out depends on this. Sister has gained favor in the palace. How could you understand the difficulties I face?”

“Your mother struggled her whole life, but what did she achieve? She used all her cunning in the first half of her life and suffered in the latter half.” Qin Ling calmly watched her and said, “I’ve done everything I can do for you. You can choose between the two paths in front of you. If you really don’t want it, I will cancel this marriage. But from now on, no matter what humiliation you endure in the future, I won’t interfere anymore.”

Qin Rong wanted to agree but couldn’t help but speak again, “Does Sixth Young Master Chu truly have no feelings for me at all?”

“Your own heart knows the answer better than anyone.”

Qin Rong wiped her tears with her sleeve and said, “I’ll marry.”

Qin Ling sighed in relief and said, “Zhu Lan, take the waist token and immediately send the Second Miss back home. Don’t delay for even a moment.”

Zhu Lan bowed and said, “Yes, I will go right away.”

***

Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager Chu leaned on the carved purple sandalwood couch with inlaid copper patterns, closing her eyes to rest. Hearing footsteps, she straightened up and asked, “How are things going?”

Eunuch Zhang smiled and said, “The marriage with Ying’s  residence has been settled. Your Ladyship, please rest assured.”

Empress Dowager Chu was furious when she heard about the fake relationship between Chu Jiangya and Qin Rong. But now, hearing that the engagement between the Duke of Chu’s residence and the Duke of Ying’s residence had gone smoothly, she felt relieved. “It’s fortunate that Sixth lang made preparations in advance. If Qin Rong had conceived a child, I wouldn’t know how to explain it to the Luo family.”

The preparations mentioned by Empress Dowager Chu referred to the pills that Chu Jiangya had fed Qin Rong after their encounters. Those were not just throat-soothing pills but specially formulated contraceptive pills, sweet in taste but potent in effect.

From the beginning, Chu Jiangya had no intention of letting Qin Rong get pregnant. He simply considered it as a means of entertainment.

Eunuch Zhang said, “Your Ladyship, please don’t get angry. Excessive anger can harm your health. If it weren’t for Second Miss Qin having lofty ambitions, there would be no need for Sixth lang to deal with her personally.”

The Chu family’s plan to manipulate the Qin family started with Qin Ling raising the eldest prince.

The Qin family had few heirs, and Qin Suizhi was dedicated to his duties in the Imperial Guards, making it difficult for him to have children. Thus, the Chu family set their sights on Qin Rong. The Chu family had arranged for an illegitimate son from their family to get close to Qin Rong, but unexpectedly, while the Chu family was plotting, Qin Rong also had her own ambitions.

Qin Rong held herself in high regard and sought to climb higher and marry into a noble family. How could she not spare Chu Jiangya, a talented scholar and top scorer in the imperial examinations, a second glance?

But how could Qin Rong’s little schemes, chance encounters, poetry collections, and intentional display of literary talent escape Chu Jiangya’s notice? Chu Jiangya was only drawn to Qin Rong due to her decent appearance, which aroused his desire, and that’s why he chose to use a plan against her. As for developing feelings, it had never happened.

“Enough.” Empress Dowager Chu’s hand paused as she sipped her tea and spoke softly, “Summon Jieyu Qin.”

Eunuch Zhang hesitated and said, “I’ve heard that Jieyu Qin is so ill that she can’t even get out of bed. If she…”

Empress Dowager Chu coldly interrupted Eunuch Zhang’s words, “I want to ask her about her sins. Even if she can only crawl, she will crawl over from Jingren Palace.”