Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 64

Outside the carved window, the sun gradually set after the dense fog, while Qin Ling and Su Huai’an continued to speak in hushed tones.

Su Huai’an’s face was serious as he spoke slowly, “Most of the evidence that identified the collusion of House Zhen back then was true, except for the weapons. They didn’t directly come from Dantai Yi’s hands. After the 14th year of Yongchang era, the court strictly controlled weapons. Supplies like horses, working ox, and crossbows were restricted even in the tribute and trade markets. Not to mention the formulas for gunpowder, torpedoes, the art of metallurgy, etc., which were jointly responsible for by the Ministry of War, Ministry of Industry, and Ministry of Revenue. Even Dantai Yi, who had been in disguise as a loyal and righteous minister for eleven years, couldn’t get his hands on these.”

Qin Ling asked, “Are you implying… there is a spy within the court?”

Su Huai’an replied, “The profits from selling weapons are immense. Even if they don’t have intentions of treason, they might not be able to resist the temptation of Qi State’s vast wealth. It could involve more than one person.”

After pondering momentarily, Qin Ling said, “Obtaining raw materials, forging weapons, and then smuggling them out. This operation would cause quite a stir. There aren’t many places in the capital that could pull this off.” In other words, it could only be the Xue, He, Chu, and Mu families.

Su Huai’an nodded and said, “I have seen the account book of the weapon smugglings, but unfortunately, I didn’t get my hands on it. The spies from Qi State took it before I could. When they raided, I only managed to salvage one torn page.”

“A torn page?”

“Yes,” Su Huai’an explained, “That torn page had a seal on it, bearing the surnames Xue, He, Chu, and Mu.”

Qin Ling gasped, “So you’re saying that the noble families may have all profited from selling weapons back then?”

“So I discussed with the Marquis of Chun’nan and proposed spreading false information, claiming that I have a weapon trading account book in my possession.”

Qin Ling murmured, “No wonder… there are so many unresolved cases in the Ministry of Justice, but your wanted posters are posted all over the capital. So, all four families are confirmed to be involved?”

“At first, I only suspected the Xue family. After all, Xue Xiangyang’s second younger brother once held a position in the Ministry of War. But…” Su Huai’an paused and continued, “During my return to the capital this time, when I intentionally leaked my whereabouts at the cemetery, I didn’t expect that besides the Xue family taking the official route to carry out orders, the other families were secretly investigating me as well.”

Qin Ling fell silent and whispered, “The account book is bait. You used yourself as a lure, once they took the bait, it would prove that the seal is authentic, implicating all four families in the past case. In that case, no one in the capital knows the truth from four years ago, nor do they know Dantai Yi’s true identity.”

Su Huai’an nodded, “Nowadays, His Majesty has far more power than before. All the families fear getting burned, so even if they know it’s a trap, they would still destroy that account book.”

After speaking, Su Huai’an rubbed her head and said, “Ah Ling, I won’t let the crown prince’s maternal family get accused of treason.”

Mentioning Xiao Yun, Qin Ling’s expression eased, and she softly said, “Brother, Yun’er can recite the Thousand Character Classic now.”

Su Huai’an looked at her, feeling a tinge of sadness. How great.

Qin Ling sniffed and advised, “This can’t be rushed. Your safety is the most important.”

Su Huai’an replied, “Don’t worry, I’m currently serving in the Hanlin Academy. No one will come looking for trouble.”

“Hanlin Academy!?” Qin Ling exclaimed, “Did you pass the imperial examination again?”

Su Huai’an tilted his head and smiled, “Hmm,” he replied, “The top scorer.” 

Qin Ling glanced at the mask beside her, then looked at Su Huai’an, incredulously asking, “The top scholar who stood in front of the Gongyuan on the 17th day of the 8th month last year during the provincial examination results announcement, was that you? Huai… Huai Jing?”

Su Huai’an was taken aback and recalled the day of the provincial examination results announcement. He vividly remembered the girl wearing a veil who tore down the wanted posters and tremulously asked, “Collaborated with the enemy and committed treason. He should be put to death, why is this person still on the wanted poster?”

Suddenly, Su Huai’an realized, “So that girl was you.”

Qin Ling’s eyes and brows curved as she said, recalling the familiarity she felt when she saw the mask earlier. It turns out that they had already met.

Qin Ling looked at him and said, “You’re really bold, daring to directly serve as an official in the capital.”

Su Huai’an fell silent momentarily, chuckling self-deprecatingly, “That person taught me that offense is the best defense. The more dangerous it is, the safer it becomes.”

That person was Dantai Yi. The imperial preceptor of Qi State who taught him how to read and write, taught him the ways of being an official and a subject. But who could have imagined that behind these years of nurturing, there were remains of a father and a mother who died with unresolved grievances, leaving the Su family in sorrow.

The two of them remained silent together.

“When I was in Qi State, I almost caught him, but he still managed to escape,” Su Huai’an clenched his fists tightly. “Ah Ling, he understands me too well.”

Everything Su Huai’an learned after the age of twelve was taught by Dantai Yi. He knew what Su Huai’an was thinking, understood him completely. Su Huai’an loathed this feeling with all his being.

Su Huai’an took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, “Ah Ling, do you know? I’m certain that he is in the capital right now, but I still can’t find him.”

Qin Ling placed her hand on top of Su Huai’an’s, saying, “Brother.”

Su Huai’an locked eyes with her.

Qin Ling spoke slowly, “It has been fifteen years, and we have grown older. The truth will eventually come to light. We made it through back then, so waiting a little longer won’t hurt.”

Su Huai’an looked at her and suddenly felt immensely relieved. “You seem to have truly grown up, Ah Ling. Tell me the truth, are you doing well in the palace? Has the empress dowager caused you any trouble?”

Of course, Qin Ling couldn’t answer that question truthfully. But if she said everything was fine, it would seem like she only reported good news and concealed the worrying news.

She pondered momentarily and replied warmly, “I’m doing well in the palace, but… you know, there are many rules and regulations, and it’s not easy to feel at ease. But luckily, Yun’er is accompanying me.”

Just then, the door creaked open. As soon as the door was pushed open, the siblings simultaneously stood up, their expressions as if the sky had suddenly changed and a storm was imminent.

Xiao Yu stood at the doorway, seeing them both bowing in greeting again. For a moment, his heart felt colder than ice. Did she dislike the rules in the palace, or did she dislike him?

Only then did Qin Ling glance at the window and mutter to herself, “Not good.” The night was enveloped in darkness, with the moon hanging high. They had actually left the emperor waiting for so long…

Qin Ling approached Xiao Yu and whispered, “I momentarily forgot about the time.” Xiao Yu looked at her lowered gaze and gentle demeanor, and his brows relaxed slightly. “It’s alright, there’s no rush.”

“The palace gates will be locked soon. It’s better for us to go back early,” Qin Ling quickly fastened the inner court attendant hat onto her head.

Xiao Yu said, “Then I will bring you out another day.”

Qin Ling immediately nodded in agreement, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu turned his head and looked at Su Huai’an, “I’ll take her back first. We’ll meet again in the future.”

Su Huai’an bowed and said, “I respectfully see off Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu held Qin Ling’s hand and walked toward the Chuihua Gate.

Su Huai’an slowly straightened his posture, watching their receding figures. His eyes gradually moistened, and only when the two of them disappeared did a faint smile appear on his face.

No matter how many years passed, he would always feel that his family, Ah Ling, had been deceived and taken away.

***

Qin Ling followed Xiao Yun into the carriage.

The two of them seemed to have returned to a long time ago, with one person on the left and one person on the right. There was still enough space between for at least two more people to sit.

The carriage slowly made its way toward the palace.

The night in the capital was dark, with the lanterns starting to illuminate the surroundings. Qin Ling gently lifted the curtain of the carriage, looking back. The night wind brushed against her face, and her thoughts flew like the scattered strands of her hair.

She remained lost in her thoughts for a long time, unaware of what she was contemplating.

Xiao Yu glanced at her without saying a word.

Suddenly, he felt that every movement she made, even the strands of her flowing hair, seemed to express her reluctance to return. Every flower and blade of grass in Prince Jin’s residence remained the same as before. The peach blossoms she liked had bloomed, yet she didn’t even spare a glance back.

[T/N: I thought the ‘return’ here meant the place, but it is more like ‘returning back to their good old days’]

Xiao Yu had fair skin, light eyebrows, and sharp features. His eyes lacked softness and were never gentle. A few creases appeared on his forehead when he frowned, displaying impatience.

When Qin Ling turned around, she met his gaze. Seeing his displeased expression, she softened her tone, “Did I delay Your Majesty in handling state affairs today?”

“No,” Xiao Yu unfastened a token from his waist and handed it to her, speaking softly, “If you want to leave the palace in the future, it will be the same as before.”

Qin Ling pushed it back to him, contemplating it for a moment. She didn’t sound overly distant or polite, “If I want to leave the palace, I’ll just inform Your Majesty. But please take back this token.”

Hearing her tone, a slight hint of surprise crossed the man’s brows.

However, it was only natural for an emperor’s gift not to be taken back. He spoke softly, “Keep it.”

Qin Ling looked at the token in her hand, suddenly raised her head, and looked into his eyes, “There is something I want to ask Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu replied, “You may ask.”

“How did Your Majesty recognize me?”

She and Su Huai’an had grown up together since childhood. Su Huai’an had only let his guard down after they faced each other, discussed countless things, and compared numerous details. But Xiao Yu hadn’t asked anything.

Xiao Yu’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. “Didn’t I tell you? I’ve met Si Yue. You bought a performer back home, wasn’t that obvious enough?”

Qin Ling looked at him skeptically. “And before that? Why did Your Majesty suspect me? Where did I give you any reason to doubt me?”

Qin Ling believed that she never revealed any flaws, whether it was her eating habits, her way of speaking, or her skills in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Not to mention hers was such a bizarre situation. There shouldn’t have been such rapid suspicion.

Xiao Yu’s tone was indifferent. “We have been husband and wife for many years. How could I not recognize you?”

Qin Ling remained silent.

It was already late when they returned to Jingren Palace.

Xiao Yu thought she must have felt uneasy today, so he didn’t return to Yangxin Hall at night and stayed in Jingren Palace instead.

Words are often spoken when the night is quiet.

Xiao Yu raised his hand and extinguished the candle. In the instant the room became dark, Qin Ling suddenly turned around.

Immediately after, the man’s scorching chest fit seamlessly against her back, embracing her tightly. His lips brushed against her ear, and it seemed like an eternity had passed, so long that the warmth of his breath tickled Qin Ling’s ears. 

Finally, he spoke, “Ah Ling.”

Another bout of silence followed.

Qin Ling felt as if she could hear the increasingly rapid beating of his heart.

“Do you resent me?” Xiao Yu’s Adam’s apple moved slightly.