Qin Luan collapsed with illness.
It was her first time falling ill since coming to the Eastern Palace. The Housekeeper hastily summoned a doctor while the palace maids looked after her attentively. Despite this, Qin Luan’s condition persisted for half a month.
Yan Huisheng casually inquired and ordered, "If she does not improve, use my token to summon the Imperial Doctor for her."
Under the Crown Prince’s instructions, the Housekeeper eventually consulted the Imperial Doctor during the worst two days of Qin Luan’s sickness. Visiting her residence multiple times a day, the situation only alleviated when the medicine started to take effect, reducing her fever and gradually improving her condition. Only then did the Housekeeper release a heave of relief.
The diagnosis from the Imperial Doctor: frustration in her heart.
At a leisurely moment for the Crown Prince, the Housekeeper seized a gap, delicately conveying this to Yan Huisheng.
Yan Huisheng arched an eyebrow, "Frustration in the heart?"
The housekeeper nodded, "This was the consensus among both the doctors of Daliang and the Imperial Doctor from the Imperial Medical Bureau. They stated that Lady Qin’s thoughts have been suppressed, turning into frustration. The suppressed frustration for an extended period led to her rapid sickness."
"So it seems it’s a case of heart disease," observed Yan Huisheng. "Go and ask her if there’s anything she desires."
The Housekeeper obediently acknowledged his command.
However, just as the Housekeeper was about to depart, Yan Huisheng stopped him suddenly, "Never mind. I will personally ask her once she’s recovered."
The Housekeeper hurriedly acknowledged his command once again.
Half a month later, Qin Luan had recovered and resumed her duties in Yan Huisheng’s study.
Upon seeing her, Yan Huisheng put down the official documents in his hands and asked, "Lady Qin, Lord Xie Lin informed me that he wishes to marry you, but was gently rejected by you?"
Qin Luan turned pale and lowered her head, "I am unworthy of Lord Xie Lin."
Staring at her, Yan Huisheng spoke, "Your brother, Qin Ruo, is now a Fifth-ranking Official in Nanchu. Although the Qin Family was wrongly accused in Daliang and has yet been vindicated, if you wish to marry Xie Lin, I can make an exception for you. It has nothing to do with you, it’s simply because Xie Lin has made distinguished military achievements. If he wishes to marry you, I will grant my approval."
Qin Luan shook her head, repeating her earlier statement, "I am unworthy of Lord Xie Lin, how can he exchange his military merits for me?"
Yan Huisheng stared at the top of her head, realising something, "You want to go to Nanchu, don’t you?"
He remembered that originally, she wanted to leave with Su Rong to Nanchu, but instead, Su Rong chose to take her brother.
Raising her head to look at Yan Huisheng, Qin Luan inquired, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, does the Princess dislike me? Originally, she did not agree to take me to Nanchu. If I go to Nanchu now, will that annoy her?"
"No, it won’t," Yan Huisheng replied. "Since your brother has written to me and has stated that the princess agrees to it."
"The Princess?" asked Qin Luan somewhat taken aback.
Yan Huisheng explained, "She is now a Princess as the heirs of Nanchu have been selected."
Nodding, Qin Luan momentarily fell silent then softly added, "Your Highness, if I wished to be a Consort at Your Highness’s side, what would Your Highness’s answer be?"
Yan Huisheng’s eyes narrowed, "Impossible."
A look of disappointment passed over Qin Luan’s face as she lowered her gaze, "Your Highness, do you mean you would not agree to my request or it’s not possible for all women?"
Maintaining an indifferent expression, Yan Huisheng stated, "In my life, there will only be a Crown Princess and a Queen. There will be no Consorts, No Maid of Honor, and no Concubines, nor will there be six Palaces filled with Concubines."
Qin Luan looked up suddenly, staring at Yan Huisheng in astonishment.
Yan Huisheng’s face remained calm, devoid of any emotion. "So you have three options: one is marrying Xie Lin, another is leaving the Eastern Palace and starting your life, for which I can let you go early. The last path is to obey your brother and let him take you to Nanchu. In the future, your family members of the Qin Family would all move to Nanchu. You don’t need to stay alone in Daliang."
Yan Huisheng added, "Given your brother’s ability and winning the favor of the princess, he could end up becoming a First-ranking Official in the future without question."
"What about me? If I go to Nanchu, I won’t be able to enter the court as an official, and I can only rely on my brother, so the only path left would be marriage, right?" asked Qin Luan.
At this moment, she did not refer to herself as a servant.
Yan Huisheng didn’t mind her disrespect, looking at Qin Luan, "Have you ever thought about why the Princess did not take you to Nanchu? To my understanding, she has numerous women who have proven their abilities under her. Logically speaking, if she initially asked to take you and then request your brother from me, I would have agreed. However, she did not."
Qin Luan instinctually shook her head.
Looking at her, Yan Huisheng asked, "You really don’t know?"
Under Yan Huisheng’s gaze, Qin Luan seemed to realize something, her face gradually turning pale.
"It seems you know now," Yan Huisheng asserted, "She cares about Zhou Gu, yet you covet him. Naturally, she was not willing to have you around her. She’s inherently clever. Other people might not see it, as you carefully hide your inner thoughts, making them hard to detect, but she did."
Qin Luan’s face turned paler.
"When you first arrived at the Eastern Palace, Zhou Gu asked me to give you extra care. I used you to test Zhou Gu, which led me to realize you have feelings for Zhou Gu, although he remains oblivious to this," Yan Huisheng said. "You are an intelligent woman. Now that the princess consented to your brother’s request, it showcases her regard for your brother, extending this courtesy toward him. Going to Nanchu and marrying someone is the best path for you."
"Even if I had feelings but would never act on them, and even if I’ve long put it behind. The princess still can’t tolerate that?" Qin Luan’s mind roiled.
Yan Huisheng replied softly, "You should ask these questions in front of her. She would be the one able to provide the answers."
Qin Luan closed her eyes, lowered her gaze, "So, after today, Your Highness, you would also not tolerate me in the Eastern Palace?"
"Correct," Yan Huisheng affirmed, "You should not have harbored feelings for me."
Qin Luan fell silent for a while before slowly speaking, "I accept my brother’s suggestion to head to Nanchu. I wonder if Your Highness has made any arrangements? As a woman traveling alone, it could potentially be dangerous. I do not know how to proceed."
Yan Huisheng nodded, "I will send someone to accompany you. If you have recovered fully, you can depart tomorrow." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
Qin Luan nodded, "Can I depart from the Eastern Palace today? I wish to visit the Qin Residence, which was taken away."
"Yes."
Lowering her body, Qin Luan said, "I shall depart now. Tomorrow morning, I will set off. Thank you for your care over the past year, Your Highness."
Waving his hand dismissively, Yan Huisheng replied, "Convey my greetings to your brother."
"I will." Qin Luan curtseyed and took her leave.
Exiting the Study, Qin Luan swayed a little. After a moment, she collected her thoughts and slowly walked away from the Prince’s Study.
The Crown Prince didn’t give her the slightest hope, just like Zhou Gu. So, why should she stubbornly stay in the Eastern Palace? Moreover, she doesn’t have the ability to maintain her place forcefully
Indeed, going to Nanchu is the best path for her now.
Qin Luan quickly left the Eastern Palace, going towards the sealed Qin Residence, whose seal had already faded with time.
She stood in front of the entrance to the Qin Residence, reminiscing the past when she was carefully nurtured by her mother into the finest maiden in Daliang. It was merely to set the stage for a future marriage alliance, in hopes of entering a good family and marrying a good husband. Whether it was to be the Crown Princess or Prince’s Concubine Consort, she had considered both in private. However, she never thought that her father would become involved in a case, be used by others, causing the downfall of the Qin Family.
Now, when did her mindset alter? From marrying a person she loves, to her standing high above and no longer bowing her head.
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