Panic
After Qiao Siyu and Qiu Yan lifted the bed curtains, they saw Ping An sitting motionless on the bed, like a stone sculpture.
"Your Highness, Qiu Yan said you wanted to see me?"
Ping An turned her head and stared at Qiao Siyu for a while before smiling gently and saying, "It's nothing serious, I just wanted to ask if you're getting used to being in the palace."
Qiao Siyu was puzzled when she saw that Ping An's smile did not reach her eyes. After she fabricated a background that was somewhat similar to Ping An's but seemingly unrelated, Ping An clearly regarded her as one of his own kind. Why did he become wary of her after just one trip?
"Your Highness, I have only just entered the palace, how would I know if I am used to it?"
Hearing this answer, Ping An smiled.
She reached out and gently stroked Qiao Siyu's face, whispering, "Yes, you've only just entered the palace, and he's already fallen for you so much. That's wonderful, so wonderful..."
Despite saying that, Ping An felt an indescribable sadness in her heart.
It wasn't pain or ache, but a dull, suffocating feeling, like something was blocking her airway. It wasn't so bad that she couldn't breathe, but every breath was incredibly difficult.
She frowned, slowly sat back on the bed, and groped her chest with both hands, as if trying to take her heart out to see where the problem was, but she couldn't take it out. She could only curl up in a ball with a confused, helpless and uneasy look on her face.
Seeing Ping An's posture and recalling what she had just said, Qiao Siyu had a sudden realization.
—It turns out that Ping An thought something had happened between her and Cui Shenzhi.
Qiao Siyu felt a headache coming on.
Didn't Cui Shenzhi say he had explained things clearly to Ping An? What happened? Whose fault was it? Did Cui Shenzhi mention her when he explained? Or did Ping An misunderstand? Ping An is so wary of her right now, it's not easy to ask. It seems she needs to find some time to ask Cui Shenzhi.
At the same time, Ping An's mind grasped at a 'lifeline' amidst the chaos.
She wanted to gain power and wealth through Cui Shenzhi, and Qiao Siyu was someone she specifically sought out to curry favor with Cui Shenzhi. Of course, she wouldn't be upset because Cui Shenzhi and Qiao Siyu had a falling out.
She only loves herself, money, and power, and only wants to climb the social ladder. So, her distress is naturally due to seeing Cui Shenzhi possess supreme power, enjoy boundless wealth, and have whatever he wants. This jealousy is what makes her feel distressed.
Thinking of this, she didn't even care about her shoes and ran out barefoot. Qiao Siyu and Qiu Yan quickly picked up her shoes and followed her.
Upon arriving at the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, Ping An barged in without waiting for the eunuchs to announce his arrival.
Ignoring the surprised and bewildered expressions on the faces of several ministers in the hall upon seeing her bare feet, she loudly proclaimed to Cui Shenzhi, "Cui Shenzhi, I want to attend court! I want to participate in matters of state!"
Choi Shin-ji took the shoes from Qiu Yan's hands, bent down to put them on Ping An, and agreed amidst the surprised looks of the ministers.
*****
Ping An made this trip just for the purpose of attending court. Cui Shenzhi agreed, and her goal was achieved. She didn't say or do anything unnecessary. She put on her shoes, turned around, and left, leaving Cui Shenzhi with the disapproving gazes of the ministers.
Cui Shenzhi knew that what he was doing was somewhat impulsive, but people's hearts are biased. Ping An was his wife and the girl he loved. He couldn't refuse Ping An's request, and he didn't think Ping An would do anything detrimental to the court.
"My lords, rest assured, Ping An has no experience in politics, but she is a kind and intelligent girl and would not joke about important matters of the court."
The ministers expressed some doubts, not because Ping An was a descendant of Cui Sugong, but simply because Ping An had never been involved in court affairs, and who knew what kind of trouble she might cause.
Not to mention Cui Shenzhi's obedient attitude towards Ping An. What if he is really confused and tries to appease his wife with important court matters?
However, since nothing has happened yet, and on the surface, peace is the key to the succession to the throne, the ministers could not say anything. They could only leave the Qianqing Palace and immediately go to find Huang Yuandao. Therefore, when it was time for dinner, Cui Shenzhi did not go to find Ping An, but instead dined with Huang Yuandao.
Seeing the serious expression on Huang Yuandao's face, Cui Shenzhi smiled and ladled out a bowl of chicken soup, handing it to him.
"Sir, please rest assured, I will not treat matters of national importance recklessly."
"Shenzhi, I might have believed you a year ago, but I won't now. Putting everything else aside, just look at your status as an emperor's son-in-law, who is full of obstacles. You tell me it's to prevent future troubles, but isn't she involved in this at all? Isn't this a matter of national importance?"
“Sir, this matter is inextricably linked to Ping An, but I am not acting recklessly.” Cui Shenzhi stood up, cupped his hands to Huang Yuandao, and explained, “I was able to sit on the throne without royal blood thanks to your years of teaching and the care I received from the court and the harem. But is it because of me? No, it is because everyone thought I was the late empress’s child, but I am not. Ping An is.”
"The reason I am who I am today is because I took Ping An's place, enjoying everything that should have belonged to her while standing on her blood and tears. This is what I owe her. My teacher taught me that kindness must be repaid and debts must be settled. I have to repay her."
"Moreover, sir, Ping An is a good girl. I believe that if she had grown up under your guidance, like I have, and with the protection of the imperial court and harem, she would have become a monarch even better than me. I took away her future and gave her the peace that should have been hers. How can that be considered reckless?"
Huang Yuandao looked at Cui Shenzhi, his feelings complicated, and remained silent for a long time without saying a word. It wasn't until he was about to leave the palace that he looked at Cui Shenzhi with an approving gaze.
"Shenzhi, you are better than me."
"Back then, I thought it was Shen's fault regarding the affair between the deposed Consort Shen and the Emperor Emeritus, but you thought it was the Emperor Emeritus's fault. Now, regarding your affair with her, I think she has gained a great benefit, but you have suggested another possibility for her. I pride myself on teaching without discrimination and treating everyone equally, but now it seems that I am not as good as you."
After saying this, Huang Yuandao did not mention Ping An's attendance at court again and turned to leave.
Cui Shenzhi cupped his hands in greeting and watched Huang Yuandao leave before returning to his bedchamber to find Ping An.
Perhaps it was because so much had happened that day, even though it had only been a short time since dinner, Ping An was already sitting on the bed, but she hadn't fallen asleep yet.
Upon seeing Cui Shenzhi's arrival, she was taken aback for a moment, then whispered, "Qiuyan, you must be tired. Go and rest. Let Siyu serve you."
Qiu Yan had no idea what Ping An was thinking, and left as instructed.
Qiao Siyu knew that Ping An had misunderstood, so she made an excuse to avoid coming.
*****
The next morning, Ping An unconsciously snuggled into Cui Shenzhi's arms, habitually wrapped her arms around Cui Shenzhi's neck and acted coquettishly. Then she saw Qiu Yan, Qing Ya, and... Qiao Siyu smiling at them from the bedside.
She quickly regained her senses, pushed Cui Shenzhi away, went to the bedside, and whispered, "Qiuyan, help me wash up and change. Siyu, you stay here and serve Shenzhi."
After saying that, Ping An fled as if he were escaping, leaving behind Qiao Siyu with a bitter expression and Cui Shenzhi with a puzzled look.
Cui Shenzhi didn't understand. Hadn't he explained things clearly to Ping An? He and Ping An had a very harmonious time last night, so why was Ping An like this when he woke up?
Qiao Siyu sighed and explained, "Your Majesty, His Highness thought that something unspeakable had happened between you and me."
Choi Shin-ji was a little confused.
"My heart is only set on peace; how could I possibly betray her!"
“Your Majesty, could you tell me what you said to His Highness yesterday? His Highness didn’t seem to think there was anything between us before he left the palace yesterday, and he didn’t seem to notice anything unusual when he returned. But after you spoke to His Highness, whenever His Highness saw me, he seemed to be convinced of what had happened. There must have been something wrong when you were explaining things to His Highness.”
Cui Shenzhi quickly repeated what he had said to Ping An yesterday.
Qiao Siyu frowned after hearing this.
Choi Shin-ji's explanation was correct, sincere, and clear. There was no reason for An Ping to misunderstand.
No, she can't look at it from her own perspective; she has to put herself in Ping An's shoes.
After pondering for a moment, Qiao Siyu said with some helplessness, "Your Majesty, your explanation is correct. The problem lies with His Highness."
"Your Highness still doesn't believe you."
“She didn’t believe you were telling the truth. She felt that you had ulterior motives or were deliberately trying to deceive her, so she subconsciously started looking for evidence. I, who had just entered the palace and had spoken with you in front of her, naturally became that ‘evidence’.”
"Then I'll go explain to Ping An!"
Before he could finish speaking, Cui Shenzhi hurriedly got out of bed, but Qiao Siyu stopped him.
“Your Majesty, it’s no use trying to explain to Her Highness. She doesn’t believe you, and no matter how you explain, she will only think you are trying to cover up the truth.”
"Then... then if I were to grant you and Lin Yimo a marriage now, would Ping An believe that there's nothing between us?"
Although Qiao Siyu knew the timing was wrong, she couldn't help but feel a little swayed by Cui Shenzhi's suggestion.
She quickly regained her composure, forcing back the corners of her mouth to remain calm, and said, "This method is feasible, but then I won't be able to stay by Your Highness's side to keep an eye on His Highness's condition. Let me think of another way."
Cui Shenzhi agreed with a worried expression.
*****
Ping An was changing clothes with Qiu Yan's help, and when she saw Qiao Siyu, she was somewhat surprised.
"Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to serve Shenzhi?"
Qiao Siyu curtsied and replied, "His Majesty said that he had served Qi Kang enough, so he sent me out to serve Your Highness."
Ping An lowered his eyes and smiled, neither confirming nor denying.
Qiao Siyu stepped forward and took over the work from Qiu Yan. While changing Ping An's clothes, she said softly, "Your Highness, let me tell you about Lin Yimo and me."
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