Chapter Twenty-Two
In the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager looked at Qing'er kneeling before her, her heart sinking deeper and deeper. Fu Erkang, the Fu family, Consort Ling—how dare they all be so audacious! Did they really think I was too old to care? How could she not see through the Fu family's schemes? Marrying a princess and being elevated to a bannerman—she was nothing more than a bondservant; only because a concubine supported her had she become a titled lady. Previously, because she wanted Consort Ling to balance the harem, she had turned a blind eye to Consort Ling's actions, never expecting that Consort Ling would actually target her.
Qing'er knelt on the ground. The accusation of "violating the imperial harem" from Granny Gui had terrified her. She...she hadn't done anything wrong! She had only been standing with Fu Erkang in the snowy landscape; there hadn't been the slightest transgression. Qing'er mustered her courage and looked up at the Empress Dowager. Meeting the Empress Dowager's cold eyes, the word "It's all over" suddenly flashed through Qing'er's mind.
The Empress was summoned to Cining Palace by the Empress Dowager. Throughout the journey, the Empress wore an anxious expression, yet her pace was anything but fast. Upon entering Cining Palace, the Empress had to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager immediately instructed Granny Gui to support the Empress. Although four months pregnant, her belly appeared as large as if she were six months along. If the imperial physicians hadn't checked her pulse several times, confirming only one fetal heartbeat, the Empress Dowager would have thought the Empress was carrying twins. If both twins were princes, it would be disastrous. However, the imperial physicians had confirmed that the Empress was carrying a prince, which naturally delighted the Empress Dowager. Seeing the Empress arrive, and noticing her prominent belly, the Empress Dowager's mood improved considerably.
"Qing'er, tell me what exactly happened." After offering the Empress a seat, the Empress Dowager sternly questioned Qing'er.
Qing'er opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say. Qing'er naturally knew that the Empress Dowager was her backer in the palace, and she also knew that if she hadn't been raised by the Empress Dowager, she would just be a lowly concubine. Kneeling on the ground, Qing'er thought it over and over, gritting her teeth as she recounted how Dongxue, the maidservant of Consort Ling, had brought her things, continuing until last night. After finishing her story, Qing'er lowered her head. She knew that doing this might offend Consort Ling, but she could only protect herself now. The charge of "violating the inner palace" that Granny Gui had mentioned was too heavy, so heavy that Qing'er wanted to die.
The Empress Dowager listened to Qing'er's words. Although she had long known that Qing'er had a good relationship with Consort Ling, she never expected Qing'er to...
The Empress showed no reaction, simply sitting and listening. She assumed the Empress Dowager had already devised a plan, and that summoning her was merely because the Empress Dowager was still in charge of the harem. The Empress had long suspected that Qing'er and Consort Ling had been in contact, and since it didn't affect her, she naturally didn't bother. However, she hadn't expected Qing'er to tell Consort Ling everything. Cautiously glancing at the Empress Dowager's expression, the Empress felt she had to say something. "Qing'er, how dare you! Where has the Empress Dowager ever treated you badly?"
"I'm getting old," the Empress Dowager sighed, her voice filled with weariness. "Empress, tomorrow have a member of the Qi Prince's clan come to the palace to bring Qing'er back, bestow upon her the title of Doro Gege, and betroth her to the Fu family! The royal family cannot have any scandals."
"Empress Dowager, Qing'er knows she was wrong. Qing'er will never dare to do it again. Please forgive Qing'er this time!" Qing'er was stunned when she heard that the Empress Dowager was going to send her back. Qing'er knew clearly that the things her father and mother had left behind were in the hands of her relatives. If she were to get married in the palace, her belongings would naturally not be lacking. But if she were to get married there, coupled with such a "scandal," she was afraid...
The Empress looked at Qing'er and her mind stirred. Then, seeing the Empress Dowager's expression, the Empress hesitated. "Empress Mother," she said, "Qing'er is too young to discern right from wrong. Over the years, you have protected her very well. And Consort Ling is such a gentle person; it's inevitable that Qing'er will mistake her for her mother. Qing'er is an obedient child, and now that she has hurt you, you are anxious."
Qing'er looked at the Empress. The Empress, knowing she had sided with Consort Ling, was actually speaking up for her. Looking at the Empress's calm face, Qing'er lowered her head. It was the Empress speaking for her, the Empress who valued rules above all else, the Empress who was always right and wrong. Qing'er thought carefully. How many people knew she and Fu Erkang had enjoyed the snowy night together? Fu Erkang wouldn't have spoken of it in the palace; entering the inner palace was a capital offense. She had only told Consort Ling. With this in mind, the clever Qing'er could easily understand the reason. Qing'er kowtowed deeply to the Empress Dowager, "Empress Dowager, Qing'er knows this matter concerns a palace scandal. Qing'er knows the protection you have shown me over the years. Without you, there would be no Qing'er. I have no way to repay you, yet I have further tarnished your reputation. I am willing to die to cleanse the palace of this scandal."
The Empress Dowager sighed heavily. Having raised Qing'er for so many years, how could she not have feelings for her? It was only in recent years, upon discovering Qing'er's connections with Yanxi Palace, that her affection had waned somewhat. But the Empress Dowager still loved Qing'er's intelligence and thoughtfulness.
"Your Majesty, the Fu family are bondservants. Let alone marrying a princess, even marrying a palace maid would be an honor for them. How could Your Majesty bear to betroth Qing'er to the Fu family?" The Empress pointed at Qing'er in a nonchalant manner.
Qing'er was stunned. A bondservant, haha, a bondservant, that's utterly ridiculous. She'd seen so many women in the palace over the years, and even a princess like Duoluo had never married a bondservant. A titled Lady, haha, she'd assumed that someone granted the title of "Title Lady" must be of high birth, but she never expected…
The Empress looked at Qing'er's unpredictable expression and found it amusing. This was the gentle Consort Ling.
The Empress Dowager sneered. "Consort Ling, I can elevate you, or I can keep you cold." Thinking this, the Empress Dowager patted the Empress's hand. Although the Empress was straightforward, she knew the rules; after a few reminders, she understood how to distribute favor—good for her. Considering that she herself had promoted the Empress, yet had kept her cold all these years, the Empress Dowager felt a pang of guilt. "What does the Empress think should be done?" she asked.
"In my opinion, those gossipy people should naturally be dealt with. And how can a mere guard be allowed to enter and leave this inner palace? The eunuchs are far too negligent. They actually... didn't even notice." The Empress deliberately paused.
The Empress Dowager nodded. This eunuch was far too lax; he hadn't noticed anything all night in the Cining Garden. If it were an assassin… The Empress Dowager shuddered. "Granny Gui, go and fetch the Emperor for me." If the Empress Dowager had only felt a little angry and sad before, now she was utterly furious.
~~~
Before coming to Cining Palace, Emperor Qianlong was in Changyuan Palace. Although Consort Yun, who rarely went out, had heard about the "long talk on a snowy night." When Consort Yun mentioned this, Granny Xia was worried that she might say something outrageous, but to her surprise, Consort Yun spoke very seriously, "Your Majesty, this servant feels unsafe. How could a man enter the inner palace and have a long talk all night?"
Despite the rumors circulating in the harem, Emperor Qianlong, who had been busy with official duties all day, was truly unaware of what had happened there. Upon hearing Consort Yun say that a man had entered the harem, Qianlong immediately became uneasy, frowning, "Granny Xia, what is it that worries Consort Yun?"
"Your Majesty, Consort Yun heard from your servants that a princess and her guards spent the night enjoying the snow in the Cining Garden," Xia Mama replied respectfully to the Emperor's question.
Upon hearing the name Cining Garden, Emperor Qianlong realized that Qing'er was the only princess residing there. A guard—how dare a mere guard enter Cining Garden! Just as Qianlong was still furious, Gui Mama appeared, saying that the Empress Dowager was inviting him to Cining Palace.
He rushed from Chang'an to Cining Palace, where he saw Qing'er kneeling, the Empress looking exhausted with her pregnant belly, and the Empress Dowager filled with rage. Qianlong tapped his hand and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
The Empress struggled to her feet to pay her respects to the Emperor, but Qianlong quickly helped her up. The Empress Dowager nodded, observing their actions. Consort Ling needed to be kept in check; the Empress had been helped up by the Empress Dowager, and because of this incident, the Empress had calmly defended Qing'er. The Empress Dowager was very satisfied with the Empress. Seeing the harmonious relationship between the Emperor and Empress now, the Empress Dowager felt her anger lessen somewhat.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Qing'er, kneeling on the ground, kowtowed to the Emperor.
Qianlong had just listened to what Granny Xia said. Although she didn't explicitly say it was Qing'er, he could guess that it was her. So he became much colder towards Qing'er. How could a proper princess chat with a guard who had broken into the inner palace? He should have shouted for an assassin long ago.
The Empress noticed the change in Qianlong's attitude towards Qing'er. She had no intention of winning Qing'er over; she had just spoken up for Qing'er because she sensed a slight reluctance from the Empress Dowager towards her.
"Your Majesty has been frightened," Qianlong began to comfort his mother.
The Empress Dowager shook her head and sighed. "Your Majesty, this guard who barged into the inner palace must be dealt with, otherwise I will not be at ease!"
"I will certainly punish these lackeys severely." Qianlong immediately followed the Empress Dowager's words and turned to Qing'er, "Qing'er, which guard is it?"
"Fu Erkang." When Qing'er uttered this name, she no longer hesitated as before.
Emperor Qianlong was stunned. Who was Fu Erkang? He remembered him clearly—the nephew of Consort Ling. What had Consort Ling said back then? She had no children of her own, so she considered her cousin's child as her own, and wanted to find him a job. Seeing Consort Ling's pitiful yet stubbornly strong appearance, he had softened and agreed. He never expected…
The Empress Dowager listened to Qianlong's words, her face as cold as ice. "Nonsense! What is the background of Consort Ling's cousin?"
"A bondservant!" Qianlong replied casually, but then seemed lost in thought. Looking at the Empress Dowager's cold face, Qianlong sensed something was amiss, but couldn't quite grasp it. Seeing the Empress's face turn green as well, Qianlong thought more carefully. A bondservant, Consort Ling's child… Qianlong's face darkened. After all that, Consort Ling was saying he was a bondservant!
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