Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 72

The heavy darkness of the night gradually faded, and a faint dawn broke on the horizon, casting a pale light on the paper-covered window. The inner chamber was bathed in a cold, clear radiance. The imperial edict for the marriage had already been issued, and Princess Changning needed to express her gratitude to the empress dowager today. Xiao Lianyu freshened up and dressed, so irritated that she skipped breakfast and went straight to the palace. Her stomach was churning with anxiety.

She waited outside the Cining Palace for less than 15 minutes when Eunuch Zhang hurriedly arrived and greeted her with a bow, “Empress Dowager was still resting, but as soon as she heard you were here, she immediately got up.”

“If Mother is still resting, I can wait a little longer,” Xiao Lianyu replied.

“No need to wait, please enter the hall,” Eunuch Zhang urged.

Xiao Lianyu entered the hall with a smile. Empress Dowager Chu greeted her warmly, “Changning, come closer.”

Xiao Lianyu walked over, paid her respects, and spoke softly, “Changning pays respects to the Imperial Mother.”

The empress dowager patted the seat beside her, saying, “No need for excessive formalities; please, have a seat.”

Xiao Lianyu remembered the mountains of gifts piled up at the princess’ residence yesterday, and she curved her lips into a crescent moon shape as she spoke gently, “There were so many gifts, such as deer antler and millennium Lingzhi mushrooms. Mother, how can you reward Changning with so many things?”

Empress Dowager Chu held her hand and replied, “You, my dear, take good care of your health. Even though the wedding is scheduled for next year, time will pass in the blink of an eye.”

Xiao Lianyu nodded and said, “Changning understands.”

Empress Dowager Chu spoke slowly and deliberately, “Your marriage is settled; the heavy stone in the my heart has finally been lifted.”

Xiao Lianyu looked at the empress dowager, feeling both amused and tearful, “Mother, you speak as if Changning couldn’t find a husband.”

Empress Dowager Chu also chuckled, “Aijia advised you to arrange your engagement earlier for your own good. By the way, do you know that the hunting event is scheduled for next month?”

“Changning has heard of the hunting event,” Xiao Lianyu said, puzzled. “What’s wrong?”

Empress Dowager Chu explained, “In recent years, the border has been restless, and the common people have had a tough time. The Mongolian envoy’s visit to the capital will likely seek an alliance. Throughout history, forging relationships through marriage has been common. If they offer a marriage proposal, it would be acceptable, but if it’s the other way around, Changning, as a princess of Great Zhou, how can I not consider your position?”

Although Xiao Lianyu didn’t believe for a moment that her brother would send her away for marriage, when the empress dowager mentioned it, she still held the empress dowager’s hand in gratitude and replied, “In the past, Changning was ignorant, causing Mother to worry.”

Xiao Lianyu turned to the side and poured tea for the empress dowager, saying, “Mother, please have some tea.”

Empress Dowager Chu accepted the tea and casually sipped, “Do you know where the hunting event will be held?”

Xiao Lianyu tilted the tea lid and said, “Hasn’t it been decided yet?”

Empress Dowager Chu said, “The Ministry of Rites suggested going to the villa at Mount Jun. The architecture there is exquisite and grand, surpassing anything in its vicinity.”

Xiao Lianyu responded, “This hunting event is intended to showcase our country’s prestige; Mount Jun seems like an excellent choice.”

“But the Minister of Revenue argues that Mount Jun is too far from the capital, a three thousand-mile journey. Aside from the difficulty of moving the troops there, the expenses would be substantial. He suggests Mount Qi or Mount Li might be more practical,” explained Empress Dowager Chu.

Xiao Lianyu was taken aback.

Empress Dowager Chu fixed her gaze on Xiao Lianyu and slowly asked, “Changning, in your opinion, which is better, Mount Qi or Mount Li?”

Xiao Lianyu tightly held the teacup and hesitated before responding, “Mother, for matters of state like this, it’s best for Changning not to decide. Besides… I don’t even remember what Mount Qi Imperial Villa looks like anymore. If I have to choose, I think Mount Li Imperial Villa is better.”

Empress Dowager Chu nodded thoughtfully, saying, “True. When the late emperor visited Mount Qi that year, you were only five or six years old. It’s understandable that you don’t remember.”

As Xiao Lianyu left Cining Palace, she felt disoriented. As she approached the Ximen Gate, she coincidentally encountered Su Huai’an from the court.

Su Huai’an was dressed in a dark purple court robe with peacock patterns, adorned with a simple golden belt. He held several rolls of Ministry of Justice case documents. Xiao Lianyu gazed at his figure, momentarily lost in thought.

Their eyes met, and Su Huai’an walked directly toward her, bowing respectfully, “I greet the princess.”

The unfamiliar voice brought Xiao Lianyu back to reality, and she chuckled, “Congratulations, Lord Huai, in just a few days, you’ve gone from being a seventh-rank editor in the Hanlin Academy to a Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Justice. What an impressive rise in rank.”

Xiao Lianyu wore a smile on her face, but in her heart, she couldn’t help but curse: This son of a humble family really dares to step on her to climb up. He just searched her mansion with Xue Xiangyang and then quickly advanced in position. In terms of shamelessness, he truly lives up to the title of a top scholar.

“Thank you for your kind words,” Su Huai’an replied, bowing his head. He asked softly, “Is the princess heading back to the mansion?”

Ignoring his attempts at courtesy, Xiao Lianyu turned and walked away. Su Huai’an silently followed behind her, looking at the pearls swaying on her head, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.

However, just as they left the palace gates, Su Huai’an spotted the young attendant who had appeared on her bed that day. His gaze turned cold instantly, suddenly feeling that he should be thankful for holding a scroll in his hand today, not a sword.

The young attendant drew back the carriage curtain and bowed to Xiao Lianyu, saying, “Princess, please be careful.”

Xiao Lianyu spoke softly, “Xun lang, didn’t I tell you not to wait for me like this?”

Su Huai’an frowned and stepped forward, asking, “What did you just call him?”

“Xun lang,” Princess Changning shook her fan, looking at Su Huai’an seriously, enunciating each word clearly, “His name is Fu Xun, courtesy name Ziyuan. Lord Huai, did you hear it clearly this time?”

[T/N: lang is a symbol of closeness. It literally means ‘(male) youth’]

Su Huai’an had a hint of anger in his eyebrows, “Princess!”

Xiao Lianyu maintained her smile and pointed at Fu Xun’s shoulder with her fan, “Come in, sit with me.”

Fu Xun paused, avoiding Su Huai’an’s gaze, and bowed before entering the carriage.

As the carriage rolled away, Su Huai’an’s heart sank. He halted the carriage, pulling back the curtain.

Xiao Lianyu did not expect him to be so audacious. A trace of sharpness flashed in her beautiful eyes, “Outrageous!”

Su Huai’an met her gaze and spoke slowly, trying to calm his tone, “Princess, there’s already an engagement between us. Sharing a carriage with an outsider today, I find it inappropriate…”

“Inappropriate?” Xiao Lianyu sneered and interrupted him, “Since the imperial edict has been issued, Lord Huai should know his position. Between us, we observe the etiquette of sovereign and subject. Your concern of ‘inappropriateness’ is what’s truly inappropriate.” She continued, “Are you aware of this?”

Su Huai’an’s Adam’s apple moved slightly, and he took a deep breath, “Yes.”

Xiao Lianyu glanced at the hand tightly holding onto the curtain, speaking deliberately, “You know, and yet you overstep. Lord Huai, are you knowingly and willfully breaking the rules?”

Seeing no reaction from him, Xiao Lianyu added, “Let go!”

Su Huai’an stared at her as if no one else existed, firmly gripping the curtain.

Do you like looking at me that much? Xiao Lianyu smirked and once again used her fan to point at Fu Xun’s shoulder, speaking softly, “Xun lang, I want to eat grapes.”

The carriage of Princess Changning was exquisitely made, and on either side, there were chilled fruit platters.

Fu Xun immediately picked a grape from the platter and skillfully peeled it.

Imperial princesses were accustomed to having meals served to them, and clothes handed to them, and they were picky and difficult to serve. Su Huai’an had peeled grapes for her before.

Su Huai’an watched as Fu Xun offered the tender green fruit to her lips.

Just as her vermilion lips were about to close around it, Su Huai’an abruptly let go.

The curtain fell slowly, separating their gazes.

After a while, Xiao Lianyu expressed her satisfaction, “Return to the mansion. No one is to stop it.”

Su Huai’an watched the carriage move farther and farther, holding his breath, lips pressed together like a blade.

Xue Xiangyang watched Su Huai’an’s stiff back, unable to help but glance at the sky. Surprisingly, today’s sky resembled the color of green mushrooms in the wilderness—a shade lighter than blue and darker than green.

[T/N: The color green is often used as a symbol of ‘being cheated on’]

Princess Changning was known for her arrogance and stubbornness, seeking vengeance for even the slightest offense. Today, Su Huai’an had certainly tasted her authority.

Xue Xiangyang shook his head and approached Su Huai’an, saying, “Lord Huai, don’t get into a spat with Princess Changning. Let’s return to the Ministry of Justice.”

***

Jingren Palace.

A heavy rain was pouring down, the continuous patter of rain making everything feel exceptionally lethargic.

Xiao Yun was already curled up on the bed as the lanterns were being lit, clutching his fists and occasionally furrowing his brows, apparently dreaming about something.

Qin Ling couldn’t resist gently patting his small backside, letting out a yawn, and preparing to sleep beside him. Zhu Lan gently opened the warm pavilion door and whispered, “His Majesty is here.”

Qin Ling mouthed, “I know,” and slowly got up.

Qin Ling walked out of the warm pavilion, feeling a gentle breeze against her face, and a light mist on the ground.

Zhu Xin held up an oiled-paper umbrella and helped Qin Ling put on a garment from behind, saying, “Although the weather is hot, it’s still raining. My lady, please be careful not to catch a cold.”

Qin Ling nodded.

Returning to the inner chamber, Qin Ling greeted Xiao Yu, “Greetings to Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu looked at her and replied, “Come.”

Qin Ling walked over and sat beside him. Xiao Yu, as usual, recounted the events of the court to her.

After discussing the hunting location, Xiao Yu wiped his hands with a towel and asked, “Is Yun’er asleep?”

Qin Ling nodded, “Yes, he just fell asleep.”

“Is his stomach still hurting?”

“He’s feeling better.”

The mother and son rarely parted since Qin Ling’s trip home. Xiao Yun would either miss his mother or have an uncomfortable stomach. He would surely stir up trouble during the evening. He had been clinging to Qin Ling for several days now.

Before an hour had passed, the sound of footsteps outside the door approached as expected. Zhu Xin said to Eunuch Sheng, “Gonggong, His Highness has woken up again and is asking to see the lady. Is this appropriate?”

Eunuch Sheng smiled awkwardly, “Why don’t Miss Zhu Xin go and console him first before seeking Momo Yuan’s help?”

Hearing the commotion outside, Qin Ling got up and tentatively asked, “Your Majesty, should I go and check on him?”

Xiao Yu looked at her sharply, piercing through her intentions, “What do you want to check? It’s clear you’re deliberately avoiding me.”

Qin Ling blinked, feigning innocence, “Your Majesty, what do you mean?”

“Don’t you know?” Xiao Yu grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace. “Are you planning to maintain the sovereign-subject etiquette forever, or are you waiting for Yun’er to grow up, then leave the palace and seek your own freedom?”

Qin Ling avoided his gaze, saying, “I haven’t thought about such things.”

“You haven’t thought about it,” Xiao Yu lightly chuckled.

The eerie atmosphere between them had been going on for more than just a day or two. While discussing official matters was fine, something felt off with her whenever they were alone.

In the past, they could spend the night together, but these days were different. When talking, she would occasionally glance out the window as if waiting for Xiao Yun to call her. Xiao Yu would have suspected collusion between the mother and son if that little guy weren’t three and a half years old.

Every detail from the dream was vivid in his mind. He had initially wanted to give her some time, but these past few days, he suddenly saw through it all. If he didn’t confront her, she could go on like this forever—passive, not refusing, and not taking responsibility.

“I truly haven’t thought about it,” Qin Ling said.

Xiao Yu untied her waistband with one hand and leaned over, pressing her onto the bed. His hands gripped her hips firmly as he asked, “Then what are you thinking about?”