Duanhua once told her that the pathway to wealth and honour in the Imperial Harem was fraught with difficulty. Now, it seemed her words had come true; she had no road left to tread.
Qin Luan stood before the gates of the Qin Residence for a long time before finally departing. She stepped slowly down the street, her elongated shadow stretching out beneath the setting sun. She thought to herself, she had a family, but she felt rootless, like a seaweed drifting aimlessly in the ocean.
She didn’t know whom to blame. This result, for a traitor’s daughter, wasn’t actually that bad. You could even say she was fortunate.
Yet, all the paths she wanted to take and the people she desired, were blocked off, none were within her reach.
She liked Zhou Gu, but she couldn’t like him. She wanted to follow Su Rong to Nanchu, but he declined. She wanted to become the Crown Prince’s secondary wife or even a concubine, but he wouldn’t allow it. Xie Lin, who she didn’t want, was delivered to her instead. There were many other things she didn’t want, but they were all thrust upon her.
If life was a bitter drink, then from the downfall of her family, she had tasted bitterness from within and without. All that she asked for seemed hopeless.
Walking along the streets of the city, every street was familiar yet filled with an air of strangeness. She realized, ever since her family fell, she was locked in the Eastern Palace, she rarely got to wander outside, let alone enjoy the scenery. It had been a long time since she last felt at ease.
The streets were filled with horse-carts, with people passing her by. Many would turn to glance at the beautiful Qin Luan. Seeing the palace emblem on her waist, they would hastily move aside, giving her way.
Qin Luan walked on, oblivious to it all, street after street.
Until a luxurious carriage pulled up in front of her and a familiar voice rang out, "Lady Qin?"
Qin Luan turned her head abruptly and saw the familiar face of Duanhua in the carriage. She stared at Duanhua, shocked.
Duanhua looked her up and down, "It’s getting late, Lady Qin. Why are you wandering around the city?"
Qin Luan didn’t have anything in hand, it seemed like she was aimlessly strolling and her expression was blank.
Regaining her composure, she respectfully responded without any formalities, "Lady Duanhua."
Duanhua leaned against the carriage, tilted her head, and observed her, "Isn’t the Eastern Palace busy today? Why does Lady Qin seem so free?"
Qin Luan didn’t answer, but looked at Duanhua and suddenly asked, "Have you had dinner, Lady Duanhua? If not, may I have the honour of treating you?"
Duanhua was taken aback, "You want to treat me? Why?"
Qin Luan replied, "To congratulate you, Lady Duanhua."
Duanhua understood, "Oh, you mean that. Indeed, it’s worthy of your congratulations. However, I hope I don’t have to pay a price for that meal? Otherwise, I won’t dare to eat it easily."
Shaking her head, Qin Luan responded, "No, there’s no need for that. Tomorrow, I will set off for Nanchu and you don’t have to worry. We may not meet again, hence, consider it a farewell."
Duanhua widened her eyes, "You’re going to Nanchu?"
Qin Luan nodded, "Yes."
Duanhua suddenly seemed intrigued, "Alright, then get in and we’ll find a place to eat."
Duanhua took Qin Luan to the Guest Welcoming Pavilion. After they ordered dishes and wine in a quiet room, the waiter left after serving the food and closing the room’s door.
Duanhua observed Qin Luan, puzzled, "Why did you suddenly decide to go to Nanchu?"
Qin Luan replied directly, "My elder brother wrote asking after me. The Crown Prince has granted me permission to leave the Eastern Palace."
Duanhua blinked at her, "I thought you...."
"You thought I wouldn’t leave the Eastern Palace?" Qin Luan laughed, "I thought so too."
She took a breath, "There’s no place for me in the Eastern Palace. I don’t want to be an ordinary court lady for all my life. I don’t have your good fortune, Duanhua."
Duanhua muttered under her breath, pointedly saying, "Qin Luan, you sound a bit sour with that remark. I remember you were quite a proudly arrogant person. If it were the old you, you wouldn’t have said such words."
Qin Luan’s face stiffened, and she felt a bitterness welling up inside her, "You said that was the old me. Times have changed."
Duanhua hummed in agreement, staring at her and made a guess, "You’re going to Nanchu not out of your will, right? Did the Crown Prince drive you away?"
She didn’t believe that she could see Qin Luan’s internal struggle whilst the Crown Prince, such an intelligent man, could not.
"Yes," Qin Luan acknowledged, not caring that Duanhua was privy to her embarrassments. "Today, the Crown Prince gave me three options. I chose to go to Nanchu."
Duanhua was immediately curious, "What are the three options?"
Qin Luan remained silent.
Duanhua immediately said, "If you don’t say, I can always ask the Crown Prince. He will tell me about this trivial matter to satisfy my curiosity."
Suddenly, Qin Luan burst out laughing, "Duanhua, do you know what is the most arrogant thing about you? You always follow your heart’s desires, but there are always people who satisfy your whims."
Duanhua replied, "Not always." She glared at Qin Luan, "Have you forgotten how I’ve been entangled with Zhou Gu for many years? He never indulges me."
"True that." Qin Luan fell silent.
"Hey, are you going to talk or not? If you don’t want to say it, you shouldn’t have brought it up in the first place. It’s really annoying you arouse my curiosity but keep quiet about it." Duanhua scolded her.
After pausing for a moment, Qin Luan emotionlessly detailed the three choices the Crown Prince had offered.
Upon hearing Qin Luan, Duanhua realised that none of the options involved staying in the Eastern Palace. A sweet sensation filled her heart and she gazed at Qin Luan with delight, "Hey, there’s no use being envious of me. I just happen to have really good luck, even my parents say so."
Qin Luan felt that Duanhua could be truly annoying at times, and she wished she could shut her up.
She asked, "Aren’t you confined to the Princess Residence studying etiquette?"
Duanhua answered, "Yes, the wet nurse gave me a day off today as a reward for learning well." After almost half a month of confinement, Duanhua was eager to get some fresh air. She had been strolling around the streets all day and even in the evening, she didn’t want to return to the residence.
"The Crown Princess has a lot to learn. Do you think you can handle it, Duanhua?" Qin Luan looked at Duanhua, wondering how many people would have thought that the position of Crown Princess would fall upon her. Just a year ago, she was known as the annoying, easily dismissed Duanhua; but now, she had been formally engaged by imperial edict to the Crown Prince. She was no longer the subject of criticism and complaints. Were they aware how many people in the city regretted not having been nicer to her, fearing they might fall into her crosshairs in the future? Trying to build a rapport now would be futile.
"I don’t know if I can handle it but the Crown Prince said he wouldn’t be too demanding. He would help me." Duanhua was very relaxed and in good spirits, she teased, "Qin Luan, are you really envious of me?"
Qin Luan nodded with a deadpan expression, "Yes, I am envious."
Duanhua laughed victoriously and personally poured Qin Luan a cup of fruit wine, "Well, there’s no use being too envious. What kind of person is my Crown Prince? There are so many women that others have sent over the years to the Eastern Palace, but he hasn’t touched any. Even if I didn’t become the Crown Princess, it wouldn’t be your turn. So, don’t blame me, and don’t torment yourself. Just let it go."
Her words were indeed aggravating, but Qin Luan knew they were true.
Holding the wine cup, Qin Luan clinked her glass with Duanhua’s, "You’re right, Lady Duanhua. As time goes by, I will take your suggestion to heart and stop tormenting myself."
Her journey was still long and it wouldn’t end at the Eastern Palace.
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