Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 96

Coming out of Lingyun Taoist Temple, Xiao Yu glanced at Qin Ling. “Has your anxiety dissipated?”

Qin Ling looked up at him, a sudden suspicion crossing her mind. “What the Taoist said just now, was it instructed by Your Majesty in advance?”

Xiao Yu raised his hand and fiercely tapped her forehead, shouting, “You speak to me of living well, but your thoughts never align with what you say. If not for today, I wouldn’t have known that these things consume your mind. Rectifying wrongful cases and eliminating disasters—are these calamities in your eyes?”

His tone was too heavy, causing Qin Ling to flinch instinctively. Changing her tone, she replied, “I don’t think like that…”

“And how do you think, then?” Xiao Yu’s voice rose again.

Qin Ling didn’t have a loud voice. She was feeling somewhat guilty. Seeing he was truly upset, she hurriedly reached out to grasp his sleeve, explaining, “I won’t think about it anymore…”

Qin Ling’s skin was delicate, any knock leaving a mark. After being struck so “heavily”, her entire forehead turned red, resembling the aftermath of a slap.

Observing this, Xiao Yu’s tightly furrowed brow instantly relaxed. After a brief silence, he gave a very light sigh and took her hand proactively. “Let’s go back.”

Xiao Yu’s arm was around her slender shoulders as they rode on horseback. Their pace slowed considerably from before, the howling wind from earlier now absent. He spoke softly, “I am of royal blood, but not the direct heir. Under Father’s knee are two favored sons, making the tripod unsteady. I never had hope. That year, the empress dowager allowed me to choose a marriage as a political gesture, and I chose you.”

“You and Second Young Master He grew up together, thinking of marrying each other. I knew this from the beginning. If we trace everything back, it has nothing to do with you. I forcefully took over my throne and my wife.”

His words were succinct, carrying an immense sense of earnestness, but Qin Ling wasn’t sure how much to believe. She remained silent, her gaze fixed on the hand holding the reins. His palm was broad and sturdy, exuding wealth and nobility. Yet, upon closer inspection, it was covered with old calluses and scars, much like the man himself—speaking calmly and composedly, betraying no emotions. However, the pressure of his thumb could shatter the jade ring he wore.

It was her first time truly understanding him.

He felt for her deeply, yet he would never express it directly.

Why must he navigate such a convoluted path?

As the strong wind blew, Qin Ling turned to meet his gaze. Today, she was dressed casually, her glossy black hair tied up high with a headband, her face devoid of makeup, save for a hint of crimson at the corners of her eyes.

“What Your Majesty said is not accurate.”

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow. “What’s inaccurate?”

“Your throne and your wife,” Qin Ling smiled faintly, “aren’t entirely forced.”

Xiao Yu instantly tightened his grip on the reins, frozen in place as her words trailed off. The dusk had settled, and at the horizon, it seemed a round, orange moon had descended. The sound of hooves abruptly halted, imprinting upon the twilight. The distant silhouette of the palace buildings gradually became clearer.

***

With the tacit approval of the empress dowager, the Ministry of Rites proceeded naturally with the marriage between Princess Changning and the Duke of Zhen.

Initially, Xiao Yu and Su Huai’an had different plans regarding the identity of Su Huai’an, but a massive fire in Mount Li completely disrupted their strategies, rendering their plans void. Though courtiers might criticize Su Huai’an, having the title of the Duke of Zhen made them cautious in their remarks.

As summer drew close, cicadas wheezed in the arid heat, followed by several storms that shook loose the last few pomegranate flowers from the branches. After one night, the weather warmed, and autumn began to stir, adorning the glazed tiles with verdant greens and red hues.

Seven days later, Xiao Lianyu was allowed to enter the palace to express gratitude. Xiao Yu had intended to say something to her initially, but observing her submissive demeanor, he waved it off, saying, “The empress dowager claims illness; you don’t need to pay respect to Cining Palace.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu glanced at the two children and added, “Take them to the Jingren Palace.”

Xiao Lianyu had initially planned to take her children to thank the zhaoyi, but hearing the emperor mention it made her uncomfortable. How different things might be if the empress were still present?

Having grown up in the palace, Xiao Lianyu navigated the palace’s layout effortlessly, reaching the Jingren Palace in no time.

A young eunuch announced the arrival of Princess Changning before immediately bowing and leading the way.

A gentle breeze adorned the curtains with fluttering flowers in the dappled sunlight under the eaves. Upon hearing that it was Princess Changning, Qin Ling swiftly set aside her book and rose to greet her. As she approached, she noticed the two children standing beside her and brightened up, “Come, sit down. Zhu Lan, prepare some tea.”

Initially, Xiao Lianyu had shown a respectful attitude toward Zhaoyi Qin. Still, she refrained from being too familiar, considering that familiarity can be deceiving when it comes to knowing someone’s true intentions. However, after the incident at Mount Li, she suddenly understood why the emperor favored Zhaoyi Qin alone. She and her sister-in-law were remarkably similar.

Entering the hall, Xiao Lianyu smiled gracefully, “Changning is here today to express her gratitude. Without Your Ladyship’s assistance at Mount Li, who knows what would have happened. My lady, please forgive Changning for her ignorance.”

Qin Ling replied, “Princess Changning is too kind.”

Xiao Lianyu nodded and directed her attention to the two children, “Be good, pay your respects to Her Ladyship.”

Su Lingyi and Su Youlin approached Qin Ling step by step, bowing respectfully and saying in unison, “Lingyi and Youlin pay their respects to Your Ladyship.”

Qin Ling’s gaze instantly fixated on the two children before shifting away. Su Lingyi wore a moon-white upper garment paired with a lake-blue skirt adorned with hairpieces similar to Princess Changning. Her eyes were large and round, her fair skin almost translucent, charming anyone who beheld her with her snow-like cuteness.

As for her older brother… Qin Ling glanced at him, her eyes curving into a smile. Su Youlin was simply too much like Xiao Yun.

[T/N: It was often mentioned that Xiao Yun resembles the emperor. It was mentioned that Su Youlin resembles Su Huai’an. So either this passage meant that they are “alike” in their demeanor or that Xiao Yun actually resembles Qin Ling in some aspects and coincidentally shares them with Su Youlin.]

It felt quite desolate in the vast palace, with only Xiao Yun as the sole prince. Suddenly, having two children of similar age, Qin Ling quickly turned and asked someone to bring the eldest prince over.

The three little figures faced each other for a moment. Su Lingyi and Su Youlin bowed again, “Youlin and Lingyi pay their respects to Your Highness.”

Although the children’s nannies were seasoned palace attendants, impeccable in their manners, the children themselves trembled slightly during the bow. They had lived most of their lives in the mountains. Besides the princess, the nannies, and the guards, they had rarely interacted with outsiders and had never been to this part of the palace.

Su Lingyi’s gaze toward Xiao Yun carried a hint of avoidance, subtly stepping behind her brother.

Xiao Yun blinked and adhered to protocol, “Many thanks for your courtesy.”

Qin Ling and Princess Changning observed the three little ones performing their greetings, suppressing their urge to chuckle.

While the adults chatted, the nannies led the children toward a pond in the Jingren Palace to see the carp. However, before reaching the pond, Su Lingyi tripped over her feet and fell forward, landing on the ground with a thud.

It might not have hurt much, but being a child with thin skin. Her mouth trembled as she looked at Xiao Yun and immediately burst into tears.

Once the floodgates opened, it was like a river rushing forth, utterly unstoppable. The hairpin on her head clinked as tears streamed down her cheeks, her expression utterly heartrending.

Su Youlin was used to it, but Xiao Yun was alarmed.

Xiao Yun quickly crouched down, helping her and asking softly, “Does it hurt? Is it painful?”

Su Lingyi blinked, dropping a few more tears, “It hurts… it hurts.”

Following her mother’s usual approach, Xiao Yun bent down and blew on her hand, “Does it still hurt?”

Su Lingyi nodded, “My leg… it’s my leg that hurts…”

Xiao Yun was about to blow on her leg when the nannies swiftly pulled Su Lingyi up.

At this moment, Xiao Yun began to taste the responsibility of an elder brother, not yet aware that these two children before him, along with the unborn one, would cause him endless trouble in the future.

Qin Ling and Xiao Lianyu arrived upon hearing the commotion. The princess lifted Su Lingyi, saying, “Let me look.”

Tears streaming down her face, Su Lingyi whimpered, “It hurts… Mum… Lingyi hurts… sniff…”

The surrounding servants all knelt in unison, “We deserve death; please, Your Highness, punish us.”

The princess said, “Get up, she’s the same at the princess’ residence, tumbling around all day. You all know who she takes after.”

Su Lingyi widened her eyes, tears shimmering, seemingly unable to believe her mother would say she resembled someone who tumbled around.

Qin Ling suppressed a smile; who could she resemble? Her older brother had always been steady and had never tumbled around.

Before the princess left, Qin Ling returned inside and retrieved a pair of jade pendants, placing them in Changning’s hands. “I asked someone to carve these for me.”

Seeing the two jade pendants in Qin Ling’s hands, Xiao Lianyu’s eyes widened completely.

“Y-Your Ladyship personally asked someone to carve them?”

Qin Ling nodded, “Is there a problem?”

Xiao Lianyu’s heart raced as she impulsively remarked, “Please excuse my rudeness!” She reached out towards Qin Ling’s face, rubbing it a couple of times and pinching it a bit, regretting she hadn’t brought alum powder.

Qin Ling leaned back, “Princess Changning, what are you doing?”

Xiao Lianyu gestured for everyone to step back, gazing at Qin Ling’s face and murmuring to herself, “Right, you don’t need to create an exact replica…”

Qin Ling lowered her head to look at the jade pendants, “What’s wrong about these pendants?”

Xiao Lianyu called Su Youlin and Su Lingyi over, taking a pair of jade pendants from each of them and placing them in Qin Ling’s hands.

Both pairs of pendants were made from creamy-white jade. Qin Ling looked at Su Huai’an’s handwriting, and a faint smile curved her lips. She and Su Huai’an also had a pair of jade pendants, hand-carved by their father, also made from creamy-white jade. The patterns on the base, at least seventy percent resembled each other.

She had subconsciously chosen this type of jade; surprisingly, they were similar to Su Huai’an’s.

Xiao Lianyu pursed her lips, watching her, and tentatively spoke, “Your Ladyship…”

Considering the Taoist’s words at Lingyun, Qin Ling cautiously said, “Changning, there are some things I need to discuss with you privately.”

Xiao Lianyu nodded in agreement.

Even though Qin Ling had quickly explained the crucial matters, they ended up talking for more than two hours. Xiao Lianyu entered the palace during the period of chen (7-9 AM), and suddenly, it was already the period of si (9-11 AM).

Speculation and recognition were two different things. Xiao Lianyu stared at Qin Ling, utterly bewildered. Memories surged like a torrent.

Her mother saying she didn’t have that mole, the emperor being so fond of her, the fire at Mount Li that made her extend a helping hand when she felt isolated and helpless. Countless moments had made her believe that the empress was returning, but the person before her was seventeen, of pure lineage, the daughter of the Grand Scribe Qin Wang, selected to enter the palace, favored by the emperor—every aspect made her doubt.

She had never imagined a tale of coming back from the dead.

“I always thought such extraordinary things might be a disastrous sign, so I didn’t plan on saying…” Qin Ling looked at her, “Do you blame me for keeping it from you?”

A wave of bitter emotion surged in Xiao Lianyu’s eyes. She shook her head and hugged her, “How could I? Sister-in-law, after enduring so much suffering, your return is a blessing!”

Qin Ling tilted her lips, looking at her, “You’ve got quite the talent too, raising two children up in the mountains…”

Xiao Lianyu wiped her eyes, saying, “Sister-in-law, wait here. I’ll call those two back.”

But as Su Youlin and Su Lingyi stood before Qin Ling again, Xiao Lianyu suddenly felt lost…

How should they address Qin Ling? Elder Aunt?

T/N: Family members are addressed differently depending on whether one is from the father’s or mother’s side of the family and the rankings in the family (older or younger).

Since Xiao Yu is Xiao Lianyu’s older brother, in a normal situation, Xiao Lianyu’s children should address Qin/Su Ling as gugu (Mother’s older brother’s wife; in most translations, “Big Aunt” or “Elder Aunt”). However, since the brothers and sisters married each other and Qin/Su Ling is also Su Huai’an’s younger sister, they could also address her ah yi (Father’s younger sister’s wife; in most translations, “Little Aunt” or “Younger Aunt”).