Chapter 57 Strange Things
But Zhuang Dongqing didn't need to say anything more.
Snap—
The heavy sound of a teacup being slammed down on the coffee table interrupted Consort Tao's words.
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Yes, it was Cen Yan who placed it.
Consort Tao was also taken aback for a moment, then looked at Cen Yan, her smile freezing for a second.
Cen Yan calmly replied, "My mother and I will take care of these matters; the Dowager Consort need not worry about them."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Is it... not a good way to say it like this?
Consort Tao: "Oh, oh, look at me..."
"really."
"These should all have been planned by the Dowager Consort; I have overstepped my bounds."
Zhuang Dongqing hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.
Cen Yan scrutinized Consort Tao for a moment, then suddenly said, "Consort Tao has always been indifferent to other people's business. When did you start caring about my marriage?"
Consort Tao's smile faltered, and she lowered her head.
Zhuang Dongqing felt that strange feeling again, one that she couldn't quite put her finger on.
Cen Yan: "Since you've brought it up, let me ask you this: who wrote the document requesting an imperial decree for marriage that was sent from your fiefdom to the capital?"
Consort Tao's eyebrows twitched slightly, and she asked blankly, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Cen Yan: "I've wanted to ask for a while, but it's your first day here, and I didn't want to offend you right away."
Consort Tao thought for a moment, then hesitated and asked, "Is there something wrong with it?"
"There are too many to list, it just depends on where you're asking."
"What..." The Empress Dowager hesitated, her expression surprised, but after a moment, she calmed down and said, "Then may I decide what to do?"
"Aren't these all under the third brother's control?"
Consort Tao lowered her head subconsciously.
Cen Yan: "It is your family's business to make the decisions. Just give me your name, and I will pass the message back to him. He will handle it himself."
Whether the handling of the matter suits his wishes is another matter entirely.
But it doesn't matter. If it's handled incorrectly, we can just keep sending messages. In the end, he has to give his approval before this matter is considered over.
Consort Tao seemed to want to say something, her lips opened and then closed, finally saying only, "I found it among the retainers, but I don't quite remember. I'll ask the people around me later, and once I confirm it, I'll have someone report it to you."
Cen Yan: "That's for the best."
The scene immediately fell silent.
Zhuang Dongqing vaguely sensed that the atmosphere had changed.
He was not good at talking, so he lowered his head and drank his tea.
The imperial concubine also drank tea.
Cen Yan waited for her to put down her teacup before continuing, "The document requesting an imperial decree, was it written by your mother who sent someone to find you?"
Consort Tao nodded hesitantly.
Cen Yan: "The third brother doesn't know about this?"
Consort Tao's eyes flickered: "He... shouldn't he tell a junior about the affairs of his elders... right?"
Cen Yan: "Next time, just tell him and let him handle things properly. You and your mother have been living separately for almost four years. When your father was alive, he didn't expect you to be subservient and obey him in everything. There's no reason why you should be controlled by him now that your father is gone and you live in two different places."
Consort Tao: "I didn't..."
"I know, you just haven't put your heart into it."
Consort Tao immediately fell silent.
Zhuang Dongqing sensed the atmosphere becoming increasingly mysterious, so she silently picked up a piece of pastry, choosing to remain a proper outsider.
After a moment of silence, Consort Tao lowered her eyes and said, "She is, after all, the principal wife."
Cen Yan acted as if he hadn't heard, and changed the subject, "Isn't it time for Third Brother to be crowned?"
From Zhuang Dongqing's perspective, Consort Tao suddenly gripped the hem of her dress with her fingers, then slowly relaxed.
"yes."
"Have the host and the crowning ceremony been arranged?"
"I've thought of a few."
"Tell me about it."
Consort Tao slowly announced her name, but her punctuation was a bit strange. Zhuang Dongqing couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she could vaguely sense that it wasn't smooth.
Cen Yan nodded after listening, "It's fine with me, you decide what to do."
Consort Tao: "I'm just afraid we won't be able to invite them..."
"Then send me a message, and I'll have someone take care of it."
Consort Tao's eyes lit up immediately, and she nodded, "That would be excellent."
Zhuang Dongqing then realized that Consort Tao had dark eyes, which were different from Cen Yan's.
Inherited from the old prince?
Maybe.
But can eye color be inherited?
Zhuang Dongqing doesn't remember clearly; he only studied medicine for less than half a year, so his studies weren't very in-depth.
His mind wandered for a moment, and when he came back to his senses, the atmosphere in the room had returned to its original state. Tao Taifei asked, and Cen Yan answered.
They were all just casual greetings, but... it seemed like the topic had completely avoided him?
Zhuang Dongqing didn't want to listen to the rocket-like wedding ceremony anymore. He was happy to be at ease. As long as he wasn't called on, he sat quietly to the side, treating himself as a decoration, so as not to remind Consort Tao of him and say something shocking.
When Cen Yan felt it was about time, he took the initiative to say, "Now that both of the Dowager Consorts of the Prince of Dingxi's residence have arrived, the news will surely be reported to the palace today, and we'll see when His Majesty will summon us."
Consort Tao clenched her handkerchief tightly.
Cen Yan: "I will send someone to inform you of the process. Just follow the steps. There's nothing else to worry about."
Consort Tao nodded, then hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
Cen Yan stood up: "That's all I wanted to say. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to my courtyard to handle official business."
"Okay, go ahead and do your thing."
Zhuang Dongqing stood up, and Consort Tao also rose to see them off.
As she was leaving, Consort Tao greeted him with a smile, as if she had seen him again.
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Okay, that's strange.
*
On the way back to the east wing, Cen Yan noticed Zhuang Dongqing was lost in thought and asked, "Is there anything you want to ask me?"
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Does Consort Tao not want to enter the palace?"
Cen Yan: "No, she's afraid of His Majesty."
Zhuang Dongqing: "?"
Zhuang Dongqing looked at Cen Yan in surprise, receiving a reassuring gaze in return.
Zhuang Dongqing: "Afraid of... what?"
"Only she knows the answer."
Oh, this.
Cen Yan: "Is that all you want to ask?"
Yes, but I don't know where to ask.
It felt strange, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Zhuang Dongqing scratched his head, and after a long while, he managed to stammer out, "It seems that the Dowager Consort is quite concerned about you?"
Cen Yan laughed.
Zhuang Dongqing was baffled by the laughter.
Cen Yan: "If you say so, then so be it."
"Nothing else?"
Zhuang Dongqing hesitated for a moment, then heard Cen Yan say, "Okay, I understand."
Zhuang Dongqing: "What do you know?"
Cen Yan teased, "You know our Qingqing, but you haven't noticed anything wrong yet."
"..."
Damn it, I've been seen through!
Zhuang Dongqing's cheeks puffed out, and Cen Yan laughed heartily. He wasn't in a hurry, and just squeezed Zhuang Dongqing's hand, saying, "It's okay. Ask Liu Qi again when you've thought it through. It'll be the same."
"..."
That's exactly what he thought!
With a dazed look in his eyes, Cen Yan reached out and pinched his cheek again. Zhuang Dongqing wanted to scold him, but he really didn't have the confidence.
Oh well, whatever.
*
The next day, Consort Tao sent some local specialties from her fiefdom to the east wing.
She didn't come herself; she sent a maid to deliver it.
It's amazing that Zhuang Dongqing was also included, and none of Cen Yan's trusted confidants were left out either.
Aside from this little incident, it seemed as if Consort Tao had completely disappeared from the Prince's residence that day. If Zhuang Dongqing hadn't already seen her, she wouldn't have realized that there was another elder in the residence.
The Empress Dowager's side has been quiet for several days.
Occasionally, Granny Ge would come to see Liu Qi to discuss some of her daily needs.
No one came to the Empress Dowager's side that day either.
In one or two quiet moments, Zhuang Dongqing would have the illusion that the two imperial concubines had not yet arrived.
Two days later, Zhuang Dongqing met with Consort Tao twice more.
We talked about Cen Yan.
Zhuang Dongqing felt that Consort Tao was concerned, but also felt that it wasn't entirely true.
It wasn't until the second time that I realized, "She still wants to ask about marriage?"
Liu Fu: "Oh, that makes sense!"
"Otherwise, why would I ask you where your parents are now and what your plans are for the future?"
"If you put it that way, it makes sense."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Is she... concerned about Cen Yan?"
Liu Fu: "Then why doesn't she just ask the Prince?"
Good question.
That makes so much sense!
Zhuang Dongqing hesitated and said, "I'm afraid the prince will get impatient?"
Liu Fu muttered, "I think the Prince treats her quite well. She has everything that the Dowager Consort has."
Cen Yan treated her quite well, but...
Something flashed through Zhuang Dongqing's mind, and she suddenly understood something.
Zhuang Dongqing: "You said next time she comes to me, I'll go along with what she said, how about that?"
Liu Fu: "?"
Zhuang Dongqing clapped her hands. "That's it, I'll give it a try."
*
Zhuang Dongqing thought there was no chance before the two imperial concubines entered the palace.
Unexpectedly, His Majesty fell ill, and the day for the audience was postponed for several days, giving Zhuang Dongqing time to come.
Before meeting the Emperor, Consort Tao visited the East Wing again, mainly to inquire about the appropriate attire and accessories, and whether they exceeded the prescribed limits.
Zhuang Dongqing felt that they would probably strike up a conversation again.
As expected.
Then, Consort Tao greeted him.
The first time they chatted, it didn't seem like much, but after a few more times, Zhuang Dongqing noticed that Consort Tao's greetings were very formulaic.
It seems like there's a fixed path.
...
After seeing off Consort Tao, his suspicions were somewhat confirmed.
In the afternoon, the two imperial concubines entered the palace. Cen Yan was on duty today and had gone to the Dali Temple early in the morning.
However, within the Prince's residence, Cen Yan did not actually restrict the two Dowager Consorts from contacting Zhuang Dongqing. As long as it wasn't the first time he exerted pressure from a superior position, Cen Yan would simply nod and say nothing when he heard them or their servants come to the east wing.
Waiting at the entrance of the Prince's Mansion, watching the carriages of the two imperial concubines drive away, Zhuang Dongqing finally caught up with the busy Liu Qi.
Yes, with the arrival of the imperial concubines, the affairs of the Prince's mansion have increased, and Liu Qi has been busy for several days.
Zhuang Dongqing didn't want to make a big fuss about looking for him, so this was the best time.
Liu Qi: "What's wrong?"
After entering the east wing, Zhuang Dongqing looked around to make sure no one was there before saying, "I have something to ask you about Consort Tao."
"Young Master, please speak."
"Is she... not really concerned about anything?"
Liu Qi smiled, an awkward smile.
"Young Master, you've discovered it."
Liu Qi thought for a moment, "No, it's not that. There are still things I care about, like..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Youngest son?"
Liu Qi choked for a moment, then burst into laughter again, though the smile was rather helpless.
"Young Master, how did you discover that?"
Zhuang Dongqing did not answer, but asked again, "I noticed that the Prince wasn't very polite to her either. Has there been any trouble before?"
Liu Qi subconsciously looked around and shook his head.
"No."
It is or it isn't, it doesn't count...
This answer is quite... intriguing.
Knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, Liu Qi led Zhuang Dongqing to the outer room of the main house, made him sit down, poured them each two glasses of water, and then started talking.
"After the quarrel between the master and the Dowager Consort, actually..."
"You know, when people are young, they always care about their parents' affairs."
Zhuang Dongqing: "So?"
Liu Qi: "So, after the Dowager Consort said in person that she was not the master's biological mother, the master turned around and went to the Dowager Consort Tao's courtyard to ask her."
Zhuang Dongqing: "She denied it?"
Liu Qi: "No, she admitted it."
Liu Qi still remembers the scene from that year very clearly.
"My lord just had a fight with the Dowager Consort, and at the time... he was very heartbroken..."
"Can you imagine the scene of a mother and child reuniting?"
Zhuang Dongqing thought about it and found it quite touching.
Liu Qi: "Anyway, the process was pretty good. Consort Tao was gentle and never did anything too extreme. She even cried for a while when she recognized her master."
Is the word "even" being used in the wrong context?
Zhuang Dongqing subconsciously realized it.
How should I put it? When a son who was adopted out a long time ago is recognized again, he will be emotional and cry, right?
However, Liu Qi's next words cleared up his doubts.
Liu Qi: "Master also...cried."
"They're all quite heartbroken."
"Moreover, the Dowager Consort treated the master and the princess so differently since childhood. Under those circumstances, how could she not be heartbroken when she saw her own mother?"
"After recognizing each other, the Empress Dowager was exhausted from crying, so she coaxed her master to sleep on her bed for a while."
"This matter caused quite a stir at the time. Before the master questioned the Empress Dowager, he hadn't been able to sleep well for several days."
"When Consort Tao said that, the master complied and soon fell into a deep sleep."
Zhuang Dongqing: "?"
I feel like the main event is what comes next.
His feeling was right.
Liu Qi continued, "After the master's breathing became even, Consort Tao wiped away her tears and asked me to go find the old prince."
"I thought... Anyway, I went..."
"Then when the old prince arrived, the master was no longer in Consort Tao's room. I didn't realize something was wrong at the time."
"But then I heard Consort Tao say,"
She said,
"Her mistress has already sent someone to take her back to the Dowager Consort's courtyard. She was unaware that Your Majesty had come to find her."
"The child was already promised to be raised by the Dowager Consort, and she will not try to take it back. I hope the old prince can step in to resolve this matter and prevent any misunderstanding between the master and the Dowager Consort."
"If the Empress Dowager minds, she can choose not to see the master in the future."
Zhuang Dongqing: "Huh?"
Liu Qi lowered his eyes and added, "After I finished speaking, even the old prince was stunned."
“I remember that at the time, Consort Tao pressed the corner of her eye, waited for a while, and then wanted to invite the old prince to the inner room to talk.”
"The reason is that the third young master will be back from his studies soon, and it wouldn't be good if he heard that."
Zhuang Dongqing: "..."
Zhuang Dongqing: "???"
No, isn't this about Cen Yan?
"Then, after Cen Yan woke up, he found that his biological mother had sent him back to his foster mother's place, wouldn't that mean..."
Liu Qi nodded, let out a long sigh, and said, "Yes, it's disheartening, isn't it?"
Zhuang Dongqing imagined it for a moment, then fell silent.
After a long pause, Zhuang Dongqing hesitated before asking, "Then, did Consort Tao say anything afterward?"
Liu Qi: "When I left, the Third Young Master had just returned from school. I... saw Consort Tao asking him about his studies. The Third Young Master asked why I was there, and Consort Tao said..."
The master and the third young master did not have a good relationship when the master was young. The third young master always liked to compete with the master and wanted to be superior to him.
As Cen Yan's close attendant, the Third Young Master naturally knew him.
"She said I came with the old prince, but she didn't know either."
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