Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 67

Qin Ling said, “Qin Suizhi from the Imperial Bodyguards.”

Lu Ze raised his eyebrows, full of doubts. He looked back at Xiao Yu and said uncertainly, “Your Majesty…”

Only then did Xiao Yu see clearly the contents of Qin Ling’s letter. After guessing her mind roughly, he said, “Just do as she says.”

The emperor gave his order, and Lu Ze could only bow and accept it.

Lu Ze took a few steps before turning back and looked at Qin Ling, asking, “Is there no problem with the content of the letter, Your Ladyship?” 

Qin Ling replied softly, “Rest assured, Marquis, the letter does not mention anything it shouldn’t.” 

“I’ve said too much.” Lu Ze bowed and excused himself, then left.

After Lu Ze’s departure, the three people in the hall exchanged glances. Even though they didn’t say anything, they all had the answer in their hearts.

Shallow foundation in the capital, and with his parents deceased and no wife or siblings, Qin Wang’s eldest son served in the Imperial Bodyguards, and his eldest daughter was a favored concubine in the palace. There was no more suitable candidate than Qin Wang, just like it had been in the former Duke of Zhen’s household.

The Imperial Bodyguards’ efficiency was fast. Fortunately, Qin Suizhi was on duty today, so it took Lu Ze less than an hour to return to the Yangxin Hall.

Lu Ze presented the letter to Qin Ling, saying, “Guard Qin asked me to deliver this to you, Your Ladyship.”

Qin Ling took the letter and opened it directly.

Perhaps due to the time urgency, Qin Suizhi briefly mentioned Jiang Lanyue’s condition and assured her he would take care of everything at home. In Qian’an, the person overseeing Jiang Lanyue was Qin Suizhi’s trusted confidant, who would send a message to the capital every half month.

Since leaving the capital, Jiang Lanyue had been in a state of depression. On the one hand, all her hopes for the first half of her life had been shattered, and on the other hand, the Wen family kept causing trouble for her. Until the early days of the second month, she fell seriously ill and suddenly went insane.

“She went insane on the early days of the second month?” Qin Ling murmured, “Then why is Dantai Yi still staying in Qian’an? Was I mistaken?”

Xiao Yu spoke up suddenly, “There’s another possibility.”

“What is it?”

“Besides the Jiang family in Qian’an, there’s also the Wen family,” Xiao Yu explained slowly, “Before Qin Suizhi entered officialdom, he was considered a merchant and had been holding the Wen family’s business. The Wen family is a local family in Qian’an, with businesses all over the north, including their own inns, pawnshops, and restaurants. But the most important thing is that the Wen family has its own fleet of carriages and horses. After Qin Suizhi joined the Imperial Bodyguards, he couldn’t leave the capital without authorization, so part of the business should have been handed over to Qin Wang.” Xiao Yu knew so much about Qin family affairs because he had investigated Qin Ling before.

“With the fleet of carriages and horses, it would be much more convenient for him to transport things.” Su Huai’an furrowed his brows. “If that’s the case, him targeting the Qin family is no longer a coincidence. What does he want to transport with those carriages and horses?”

“The most pressing issue now is confirming that Dantai Yi is indeed Qin Wang.” They all understood that if they caught the wrong person, it would scare away the real Dantai Yi and make it harder to find him.

“Dantai Yi is cunning,” Lu Ze said. “If we confront him directly, he will vanish without a trace. If we handle him according to the rules, everything will be exposed, and the noble families will be on guard.”

How to confirm Qin Wang’s identity without raising any suspicion was indeed a challenging problem.

Su Huai’an suggested, “Let me find an opportunity to meet him.”

Lu Ze responded, “Absolutely not. He knows you best, and you must not reveal your identity.”

“This requires careful planning; there must be a way.”

Upon hearing this, Qin Ling clenched her fists. If Dantai Yi had already become Grand Scribe Qin, where had the real Qin Wang gone? Had he completely disappeared, or worse, met a tragic end?

Qin Suizhi and Qin Rong lived under the same roof as Dantai Yi. If something unexpected happened, would the Qin family suffer a disastrous fate, just like what happened to the former Duke of Zhen’s residence?

She couldn’t wait for careful planning.

Lu Ze and Su Huai’an couldn’t meet Qin Wang openly, but she could.

“Your Majesty, may this concubine be allowed to return home to visit her family?” Qin Ling looked at Xiao Yu and said, “This concubine has recently been promoted in status, so it wouldn’t be unusual to return home now. If I can personally meet him, I will surely find a way to confirm his identity. I hope Your Majesty will grant this favor.”

In accordance with the customs of the former dynasty, once a woman entered the palace, she could never return home in her lifetime. Even if her family members passed away, she would need to seek the empress’ permission and receive her grace to have a meeting outside the palace. The Great Zhou Dynasty seemed more lenient in this aspect, allowing the concubines to visit their families every year, but there was a prerequisite for that—it required favor from the emperor.

Upon hearing that she wanted to return to the Qin residence, Xiao Yu’s expression immediately turned serious; without consideration, he said, “You should quickly dispel such thoughts.”

Qin Ling anxiously said, “Your Majesty, may I have a few more words?”

Xiao Yu’s brows furrowed slightly, and he coldly stared at her. It was the demeanor of a sovereign to a subject. Any other person would not dare to speak so bluntly anymore. But Qin Ling had to dare.

She looked at Xiao Yu and said every word distinctly, “Since Dantai Yi has ambitions, he won’t easily reveal himself before achieving his goals. If tonight’s speculation is correct, then according to what I said, Dantai Yi has become the fake Grand Scribe Qin. I remember everything from two lifetimes, and once he is in the light, I am in the shadows…”

Xiao Yu interrupted her, saying, “Have you considered the possibility that he might recognize you?”

“Such an absurd notion of resurrection, who would believe it?” Qin Ling met his gaze and retorted, “Didn’t Your Majesty not recognize me at first as well?”

Xiao Yu slammed the table, looking down on her from a higher position.

With that noise, Lu Ze’s mind buzzed, and he could only hear one phrase repeating in his head—resurrection.

Who had died, and who’d been reborn?

His knees weakened, and he looked helplessly at Su Huai’an, but Su Huai’an remained expressionless, not a hint of surprise in sight.

Lu Ze took a deep breath. No one had told him, not even a warning. What did this all mean?

Silence reigned inside the Yangxin Hall.

Xiao Yu addressed Su Huai’an and Lu Ze, “You may withdraw for now. We shall discuss this matter another day.” 

Su Huai’an and Lu Ze bowed, “We take our leave.”

As the doors closed, Xiao Yu saw that Qin Ling wanted to say something more, and his tone became even more stern, “Have We been too lenient with you?” 

Qin Ling knelt before him, “I misspoke just now.”

Xiao Yu didn’t ask her to rise.

Qin Lian said, “Your Majesty, you just said that if something is fake, it’s fake. No one can achieve perfection. I understand Dantai Yi, and I also understand Qin Wang’s habits. Just give me a few hours to test him thoroughly.”

“Even when the consorts return to their families, the Guards must accompany them. Nothing will happen.”

“Although I didn’t grow up in the Qin residence, I have received their grace. I cannot sit idly by while the Qin residence suffers.”

As though he hadn’t heard, Xiao Yu said, “Starting tomorrow, you no longer need to come to the Yangxin Hall.”

Eunuch Sheng received the emperor’s hint and quickly brought in a bowl of medicinal soup, saying, “It’s getting late, Your Majesty should take the medicine.” Then he retreated a few steps back.

Qin Ling locked eyes with Eunuch Sheng, then looked at Xiao Yu, “Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell?”

Xiao Yu didn’t respond, nor did he look at her. Instead, he set the spoon aside and lifted the bowl.

Seeing that Xiao Yu was resolute about not letting her return to the Qin residence, and even kneeling couldn’t change his mind, she stood up and gently touched his wrist, “Your Majesty…” Her affectionate intentions couldn’t have been clearer.

Xiao Yu remained unmoved, staring at her firmly, “I don’t need your care. Don’t waste your efforts.” Having said that, he drained the bowl in one go.

Qin Ling looked at the empty bowl, stunned. Then, she spoke again, “Your Majesty, what’s bothering you?”

A moment of silence followed.

Suddenly, Xiao Yu untied the jade belt around his waist, removed his dragon robe in front of her, and unbuttoned his white undershirt. He slightly leaned forward, locking eyes with her. 

The man’s chest was strong and sturdy, his shoulders broad, and his waist narrow and slender. He bore an uncanny resemblance to the one in the past in Qin Ling’s memories, except for the deep scar on his chest.

Qin Ling frowned, asking, “How did you get that scar?”

“Do you remember Yang Di?”

Qin Ling nodded. Yang Di was one of the most capable aides in Prince Jin’s residence before. It was his suggestion that led to their marriage.

“I thought I knew him inside out, but four years ago, he unexpectedly attacked me with a knife on the battlefield.” Xiao Yu looked at her and said, “Underestimating one’s enemies is a grave mistake. You think you understand Dantai Yi, but you know nothing about his recent actions.”

As he finished speaking, Qin Ling suddenly held one of his fingers, “Your Majesty, listen to my plan. There’s no rush to make a decision.”

Xiao Yu looked at her; his breath momentarily hitched, but alas, his heart was tougher than his body. He straightened his collar and spoke softly, “There’s no need to discuss this matter further. I’ll escort you back to Jingren Palace.”

The night dew was heavy as Qin Ling followed Xiao Yu with a lantern made of sheep horns, both of them in silence.

The Yangxin Hall was in the west, while Jingren Palace was in the east. They passed through Kunning Palace along the way, and Qin Ling closed her eyes throughout the journey.

Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks.

Not hearing footsteps behind him, Xiao Yu turned back.

The light from Qin Ling’s lantern cast a faint yellow glow, illuminating the blue stone bricks under their feet. Xiao Yu noticed that just behind her was Kunning Palace. They had stood before that latticed window—

The autumn chill was faint, and the door curtain felt cool.

He seemed to see her sitting on the bed, pregnant with his child. He had never dared to think about it—how she endured every night, from the time he left for war to the birth of Xiao Yun.

The columns in front of Kunning Palace seemed like shackles on their hearts.

Xiao Yu’s Adam’s apple moved slightly. “Ah Ling, let’s go.”

Tears welled up in Qin Ling’s eyes as she softly said, “In my previous life, I lived with regrets until the end. In this life, can Your Majesty trust me once?”

Xiao Yu knew all too well that she was doing this on purpose. She purposely stopped at Kunning Palace and brought up the past.

But he couldn’t bear to hear her say more.