Chapter 60 Entering the Palace
After Qin Hong left, Qin Lie stood there for a while before returning to the banquet to apologize to the Empress, saying that his leg injury had relapsed and he needed to leave the palace early.
He left his seat under the empress's reproachful gaze, but instead of leaving the palace directly, he turned into a secluded palace halfway there.
The residences of the imperial concubines were mostly planted with flowers; some loved chrysanthemums, others loved plum blossoms, all emphasizing elegance.
The palace was planted with trees, but they were not rare or precious species.
With the new dynasty newly established, many of the former palace servants had either died or fled, leaving this remote palace uninhabited and unmaintained.
The imperial city had changed hands several times and been looted many times. The palace had long been ransacked, with only a few tables and chairs covered in dust, no longer resembling its former appearance.
Only these trees, indifferent to rise and fall, joy and sorrow, grow lush and verdant where no one cares.
Qin Lie almost missed the swing deep in the shadows of the trees, which is now mottled and cracked.
However, there are still gauze curtains tied to the rope. Although they have faded, one can imagine what a pretty young girl must have been sitting on them to make such a useless decoration.
Qin Lie unconsciously reached out and pushed it, as if someone were sitting on it, his movements extremely gentle.
.
When Qin Lie arrived at Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was examining the large characters that Qin Huan had practiced.
Seeing Qin Lie come over, she beckoned him to come and watch together. "Although his wrist strength is still insufficient, it is clear that he has put his heart into it. He is just still young. Our Huan'er is truly gifted. He is not even five years old yet, but he can already recite the Three Character Classic and the Rules for Students fluently."
Qin Lie said, "It's just the Empress Dowager's good intentions."
The Empress Dowager was displeased. "I really don't like hearing what you said. Although a strict father and a kind mother are good, you are too harsh on Huan'er. We rarely see each other, and when we do, you either scold him or give him the cold shoulder. You never praise him once!"
Qin Lie looked at Qin Huan, only to see him looking at him timidly.
In the past, when he was filled with resentment, he couldn't stand seeing those eyes that were so similar to hers. The child was afraid of him, and when she saw him, she was like a mouse seeing a cat, timid and shrinking, which made him even more disgusted.
He beckoned, and Qin Huan cautiously came over. He awkwardly patted the child's head and said, "Well written."
Qin Huan was not happy; he remained fearful and could only manage a forced smile, which looked worse than crying.
Qin Lie's face darkened again.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager ordered the palace servants to take Qin Huan away, and then said to Qin Lie, "It takes more than one day for ice to freeze three feet deep. With your usual ruthless attitude, how can you expect the child to be affectionate towards you?"
Qin Lie paused for a moment, then said, "It's my fault."
The Empress Dowager joked, "This is truly a case of the sun rising in the west; I can't believe I've heard you admit your mistake."
She sat back on the couch, leaning against the cushions. "At today's palace banquet, did you take a fancy to any young lady?"
Qin Lie said, "No."
The Empress Dowager had anticipated this and advised, "Although your mother is sometimes a bit haphazard in her actions, she has done an excellent job in this matter. It was one thing for you to be away fighting all day, but now that the country has been pacified, you should think carefully about your own marriage. It would be inappropriate for such a large Prince Duan's mansion to be without a mistress."
She sighed, “Hui Niang has been gone for almost ten years, and even Huan’er’s mother… is no longer here. Why are you going on like this? The children are growing up. Shuo’er is eleven or twelve years old this year. If it weren’t for your mother’s social engagements and matchmaking for them, would they all have to rely on your father’s arranged marriages in the future? It would be an arranged marriage, and we wouldn’t know who to choose.”
Seeing that Qin Lie remained silent, the Empress Dowager softened her tone and asked in a low voice, "Do you have some concerns in your heart?"
Although she had lived in the deep palace for a long time, she was not as ignorant of the affairs of the court as the Empress, and naturally knew about the struggle between the Crown Prince's faction and the Prince Duan's faction.
His two grandsons, one known as the God of War, conquered most of Daxian's territory, while the other was skilled in politics and managed state affairs with great efficiency. This is why the two sides were so disapproving of each other. The Prince Duan's faction looked down on the Crown Prince for being unable to fight effectively, while the Crown Prince's faction felt that without the Crown Prince's command of supplies and provisions, how could the Prince Duan have achieved such great military exploits?
Having two such capable princes is a blessing for the emperor, but it could also easily lead to disaster.
Besides the Prince Duan faction and the Crown Prince faction, there were two other forces in the court that could not be underestimated: one was the old officials from the previous dynasty, and the other was the emperor's old subordinates. The former had intricate relationships with most local officials, while the latter enjoyed the emperor's utmost trust.
Anyone with discerning eyes would agree that Princess Duan must have come from one of these two factions.
It remains to be seen what Prince Duan will ultimately choose.
Based on Qin Lie's actions upon returning to the capital, the Empress Dowager guessed that he did not want to escalate the conflict with the Crown Prince to the point of open hostility.
That's why I have reservations.
She advised, "You can't keep not getting married because of these concerns. If you fancy someone, just tell me, and I'll propose for you. Let's see who dares to gossip!"
She spoke these words sincerely, yet she couldn't hide her selfish motives. She added, "When the Cheng family went to the palace last time, I saw a maid who looked and acted much like Hui Niang. I asked her and found out she was Hui Niang's half-sister. I heard that Yin Rong lives with her in the Cheng family and they get along very well. But her background is rather low, so taking her as a concubine wouldn't be a disgrace."
She said this on purpose because she was convinced that Qin Lie would never take Hui Niang's sister as a concubine, and that if he were to marry her, he would offer her the position of principal wife.
The Empress Dowager surely knew what the Cheng family was thinking when they deliberately raised such a daughter.
In the past, she might have felt deep resentment, but at this moment, she only hoped that Qin Lie would see her, rekindle his past feelings for Hui Niang, and live a peaceful life, so that he wouldn't drive her to the brink of madness like he did a few years ago.
Moreover, once he marries the daughter of the Cheng family, he will not receive the support of the princess's maternal family, and he will be less of a threat to the crown prince.
Although she favored Qin Lie, she secretly preferred the Crown Prince to succeed to the throne.
If nothing else, the change of the crown prince would inevitably be accompanied by bloodshed, and what chance would the deposed crown prince have?
Only if Qin Lie yields and the Crown Prince is magnanimous can both of them be spared.
Both are her flesh and blood; as their grandmother, how could she bear to see them kill each other?
Moreover, with the constitution newly established, turmoil is the greatest threat.
For the sake of the Qin family and for the sake of the Grand Constitution, Qin Lie had no choice but to suffer.
Qin Lie finally spoke, his eyes fixed on the incense burner emitting wisps of smoke, "My grandson is not without children, why must he marry?"
The Empress Dowager asked, "Then why don't you marry? She's just a woman. If you like her, go visit her often. If you don't, you can keep her with wealth and honor. Lie'er..." She sighed, almost implying, "If you don't marry, the people in the court and the palace will be restless. Only if you marry will there be peace and quiet."
Qin Lie understood what she meant. As long as he didn't marry, he would inevitably be suspected, guarded against, and tried to win her over.
On the contrary, he married her openly and generously, which was the only way to make his marriage public.
Even Qin Hong understood this, which is why he said earlier that he would eventually get married and the royal palace needed a princess.
It's not just the Prince's mansion that needs a princess consort. The entire court and even the Emperor are waiting to see who he chooses so they can decide how to treat him in the future.
Since he has been biding his time for so long, the most appropriate thing for him now is to follow the Empress Dowager's wishes and marry the Cheng family's daughter into his family.
It is both reasonable and does not make people think that he is deliberately avoiding the limelight or that he is scheming.
This was also the purpose of his visit: to ask the Empress Dowager to arrange a marriage for him. — The Empress Dowager always made the best choices; even Hui Niang was chosen for him by the Empress Dowager, and she was impeccable in every way.
But as the words were about to come out, the image of the swing in Chonghua Palace flashed before his eyes, as if he were possessed.
He seemed to have his soul stolen, drifting into the air, watching his own body as his mouth opened and closed.
"When I was fighting against the Song rebels, I met a woman who was quite kind to me... I wish to marry her, and I hope Your Majesty will grant my request!"
.
Lingyi stayed in her room for several days, but neither Xie Yu nor the Sixteenth Princess came over, and even Qin Lie was nowhere to be seen.
Just when she was almost completely disheartened, she received news that she was to enter the palace.
She had doubts but dared not disobey the imperial decree. After carefully dressing up, she went out.
Once inside the carriage, she saw Qin Lie sitting there in a python robe. She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to go in or back out. It was only after Qin Xiaoshan urged her from outside that she lowered her head and went in, sitting in the seat furthest away from Qin Lie.
Qin Lie hadn't seen her for several days, and this was the first time he'd seen her dressed so formally. She was wearing extremely solemn clothes, her hair was neatly combed, her fair face was tense, and she was clutching a silk handkerchief tightly in her hand, showing how nervous she was.
The two had parted on bad terms and hadn't seen each other for several days. She avoided him like the plague whenever she saw him. He was still angry, but seeing her like this, his anger dissipated. He took her hand and chuckled, "You grew up in the palace, how come you're more nervous than me? This trip is just because the Empress Dowager and the Empress want to see you. We'll just have a few words and then come back."
Lingyi tried to pull her hand away, but he wouldn't let go. Helpless, she could only let him hold it. "Why would they want to see me on a day that isn't a holiday?"
Aside from those who were summoned for their special closeness to the noble ladies of the palace, noblewomen only entered the palace during festivals.
Could it be that although she and Qin Lie were sworn enemies, she got along extremely well with the Empress Dowager and the Empress?
Qin Lie said, "Although we are married, because you are a princess of the previous dynasty and have a special status, we have never officially named you a princess. Therefore, I have specially found you a new identity. This time, we are going to the palace to go through the formal process. After the emperor bestows the marriage upon you, you will be the rightful Princess Consort of Duan, no longer Princess Yongjia."
He took out a piece of paper from his pocket, on which was the birth date and time of the new identity, the names of her parents, and so on. It was written in great detail, including when and where she met Qin Lie, as if such a person really existed in the world. Even her childhood playmates and daily pastimes were written clearly, which showed that a lot of effort had been put into it.
Lingyi glanced at it briefly before putting it down, her expression not very pleasant.
Qin Lie then said, "There is really too much information on it. It doesn't matter if you can't remember it all at once. Just remember your name, your parents' names, and where you live. I will answer the rest. No one will make things difficult for you."
Lingyi turned her face away, and Qin Lie said softly, "I know it's hard for you to accept right now, but all of this is for our future. Once you become the Princess Consort of Duan..."
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly asked, "Why must I become the Princess Consort of Duan? And why must I even abandon my own surname and given name just to become this princess consort?"
Qin Lie felt she was too naive and wanted to escape out of fear, so he patiently explained, "If you don't become a princess, how can you stay with me for long? Do you expect me to be willing to grovel and be subservient to her after I marry my principal wife?"
“It doesn’t necessarily have to last,” Lingyi said calmly. “Since I don’t have a formal title yet, things are actually easier. After all, we already dislike each other, so why not separate now?”
Ever since he inexplicably begged the Empress Dowager for a favor, Qin Lie's heart has been burning with excitement these past few days, just like when he was twelve years old, eagerly awaiting his father and elder brother's return from their border patrol. Knowing that they would bring back the famous horses from beyond the Great Wall that he had always dreamed of, he was so excited that he couldn't sleep all night.
He worked tirelessly to create a new identity for the princess, and even personally selected her "parents."
At this moment, her words felt like a bucket of ice water being poured over his head.
His face turned ashen. "If you don't want to be the Princess Consort of Duan, what do you want to be? Madam Xie, or Madam Song?"
By the end, he was practically gritting his teeth. He grabbed her and pulled her close, demanding fiercely, "Speak!"
Ke Lingyi didn't know what to say. She didn't even understand what he was saying. She just looked at him with her clear, innocent eyes.
Qin Lie had never felt so powerless in his life. When she lost her memory, he thought it was God's mercy.
But it was merely to make him understand what sweetness was, and then to plunge him into an even deeper, bottomless abyss from which he could never escape.
He felt a chill run through his body and didn't even notice when the carriage stopped until people outside urged him a few times, at which point he came to his senses.
Wang Dexi, the chief eunuch of Cining Palace, was waiting at the palace gate early in the morning to welcome Prince Duan and his future wife.
However, the journey back was filled with an eerie atmosphere.
It was clearly a favor that Prince Duan had requested, and today he brought the person to the Empress Dowager for inspection, but in reality it was just a formality. At a time when he should have been feeling smug, he kept a cold face. It was not like a wedding, but a funeral procession.
Looking at this prospective Princess Consort, she was indeed beautiful; he had rarely seen such a stunning beauty in his more than twenty years in the imperial court and harem.
Yet, this girl from such a humble family was about to rise to a high social status, and there wasn't a trace of joy on her face.
Because of these unusual things, he momentarily overlooked the strange feeling he had when he met the prospective Princess Duan.
It wasn't until they reached the Cining Palace that they realized this soon-to-be princess, despite her humble origins, possessed a grace and poise far surpassing that of the other concubines and princesses in the palace. Indeed, these concubines and princesses had only been in the palace for a few years and were naturally unfamiliar with palace etiquette. While the older palace women outwardly showed respect, they often mocked her behind her back.
It is rare to see such a noble person today, who is so flawless. He doesn't seem to be of commoner origin, but rather as if he has grown up in the palace since childhood.
The moment this thought arose, it was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in my ears.
Wang Dexi was startled, and cold sweat had soaked half of his body.
What do you mean by commoner background? This future princess is actually the seventeenth princess of Chonghua Palace!
She was still very young when she left the palace, which is why he didn't recognize her at first.
Let alone not recognizing him, even if you gave him ten heads, he wouldn't dare to think this way!
The seventeenth princess, Princess Yongjia, was betrothed to the current Prince Duan.
But who doesn't know that she later married Song Pingkou, became a concubine, and had children?
I heard she's dead—which isn't surprising, since it was Prince Duan who led the troops to attack Zhuozhou; no man would let a woman like that live.
But how did she end up by Prince Duan's side again? And in this capacity no less?!
It couldn't be that they looked alike—even noble ladies in the capital couldn't imitate the mannerisms of a real princess from the past.
Wang Dexi, a shrewd man, had managed to become the Empress Dowager's confidant from the previous dynasty to the present, believing he had long since figured out her temperament.
Thinking of how the Empress Dowager would fly into a rage later, his old back bent deeply, and he sighed inwardly.
Unexpectedly, after the two men went in, the Empress Dowager did not fly into a rage. At first, she was just surprised. When she recognized them, she remained silent for a long time. Later, she asked Lingyi a few simple questions, such as what day she was born and who else was in her family. Lingyi answered them one by one.
The Empress Dowager listened absentmindedly, then looked at Qin Lie and asked meaningfully, "Have you gotten what you wanted now?"
Qin Lie hadn't said a word since entering, except for bowing. Upon hearing this, he stood up to express his gratitude: "Grandson thanks the Empress Dowager for her grace."
The Empress Dowager said quietly, "Like drinking water, only the person drinking knows whether it is hot or cold. You asked for it yourself, and you will have to bear the consequences of your own actions, whether you live well or poorly in the future. You can't blame anyone else."
Qin Lie lowered his head: "Grandson understands."
The Empress Dowager paused for a moment, then looked at Lingyi. "Before you came, I happened to obtain a copy of the sutra, which I was planning to offer before the Buddha. Perhaps this is your destiny, so you may offer the sutra on my behalf."
Lingyi was terrified and hurriedly declined, but how could she refuse? In the end, she was led by the palace servants to the small Buddhist hall at the back.
As soon as she left, the Empress Dowager's face darkened, and she said to Qin Lie, "Are you really that bold, believing I can tolerate her?!"
Qin Lie said slowly, "Grandmother will always grant her grandson's wish."
The Empress Dowager was exasperated: "Look at yourself! I really don't know if I've done you a favor or a disservice!"
Qin Lie pursed his lips, still vaguely retaining the stubborn and defiant look he had when he was a teenager.
Since his elder brother's early death, the Empress Dowager had not seen him with this expression for more than a decade, and her heart softened again.
"Enough! Enough!" she sighed. "Children and grandchildren are all debts. I'll risk my old bones and go to your mother to mediate. Otherwise, when you go there, I don't know how we'll handle things if she gets angry."
Qin Lie felt guilty, "It's all because my grandson is willful, causing Grandmother to go to so much trouble for me."
The Empress Dowager thought to herself, if he truly felt guilty, why would he use such manipulative tactics against her?
There was no point in saying anything more at this point. She sighed inwardly, ordered her palanquin to be prepared, and got up to go to the Empress's palace.
After the Empress Dowager left, Cining Palace became quiet. Qin Lie sat for a while, but Lingyi still hadn't returned, so he got up and walked towards the back hall.
As soon as I stepped out of the main hall, I heard her soft voice.
He quickened his pace and passed through an archway, where he saw her and a man, head to head, half-squatting on the ground talking.
The person was none other than Huan'er, who should have been studying in the Imperial Study. For some reason, he appeared in Cining Palace and happened to run into Lingyi. The two of them were even in such an "indecent" position together.
Fearing that Huan'er would expose his identity by calling him "Father" in front of Lingyi, Qin Lie gave a wink to the palace maid who saw him, and then retreated back behind the archway.
These two were incredibly childish, actually looking at ants on the ground.
Huan'er built a circle with soil, put osmanthus cakes inside, and wanted to raise a bunch of ants to play with.
It's impossible to keep them alive. Not only do the ants refuse to settle in the circle, but they also carry the osmanthus cake back to their own nest.
Huan'er was very angry: "I even brought them osmanthus cakes, why do they still want to go out?"
Lingyi looked at the unusually busy ants, then looked up at the sky. "It's probably going to rain soon."
Huan'er asked, "How did you know?"
Lingyi blurted out, "When ants move house and snakes cross the road, heavy rain is coming soon; every farmer knows that."
Huan'er asked, "Are you a farmer?"
Lingyi paused for a moment, then shook her head: "No."
"How did you know?"
Lingyi herself was also puzzled and didn't know how to answer.
Huan'er then asked, "Have you ever seen a snake?"
Lingyi said, "No."
Huan'er's face immediately fell. "I've never seen it either. There's nothing in the palace. I heard that some people outside the palace can wrap snakes around themselves and play with them. I want to see it, but my great-grandmother won't let me leave the palace."
The thought of that scene sent a chill down Lingyi's spine.
Huan'er watched all this, and the little boy spoke with a big voice, "Don't be afraid, if the snake doesn't behave, I'll shoot it dead with an arrow!" He puffed out his chest, very proud: "My archery skills are excellent! Even my little royal uncle can't compare to me!"
Little Imperial Uncle, Great-Grandmother...
Lingyi asked, "Is your father His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com