Chapter 6, "A Letter".
Chapter Six: The Cousin ==
The next day, the sky was clear and the air was fresh, and everything was bright and beautiful.
In the back garden of Prince Cheng's mansion, the maids gathered together and discussed while sweeping the floor, "Have you heard? The Princess just dealt with Granny Sun and Manager Lin of Pearl Pavilion."
Everyone had naturally heard about this, and since it involved the mistress of the Prince's mansion, another maid spoke up: "Although Mama Sun is usually arrogant and domineering because of the Imperial Concubine in the palace, and looks down on people, no one in this mansion dares to be rude to Mama Sun to her face. Unexpectedly, the Princess Consort took action and directly sent her to the estate."
"That's because Granny Sun was greedy. She embezzled so much money and gambled it all away. The Princess only sent them to the estate, which is already considered kind. However, I heard that when the Princess dealt with Granny Sun and Manager Lin, His Highness sent someone to say that the Princess is the mistress of the manor and can manage anything in the manor. It's clear that His Highness likes the Princess very much, which is why he protects her like this."
"The princess is of noble birth, beautiful and talented, and has a good temperament. No wonder His Highness likes her."
The princess was beautiful and pleasing to the eye. After taking over the management of the household, the servants received an extra string of cash each month. With such a good mistress, how could the servants not like her?
Just then, a soft, sweet voice came from behind, "What are you talking about?"
Everyone was startled and hurriedly bowed to the newcomer, saying, "This servant greets Miss Qin."
Dressed in a pale yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), the delicate and gentle Qin Sisi approached with her maid. "I just heard you talking about Granny Sun and Manager Lin. What happened to them?"
The two maids exchanged a glance and said somewhat awkwardly, "Actually, it's not a big deal. It's just that the accounts of Pearl Pavilion are not right. Her Highness the Princess found out that the lost money was embezzled by Granny Sun. Manager Lin knew about it but kept it a secret. Now, Granny Sun and Manager Lin have each received twenty strokes of the cane and have been punished by being sent to the estate."
Pearl Pavilion is one of the four major industries under the Cheng Prince's Mansion. It sells gold and silver jewelry, jade and agate. Many high-ranking officials and nobles in the court like to visit Pearl Pavilion after court, not to mention the ladies and young ladies in the capital. They are all regular customers of Pearl Pavilion. Pearl Pavilion is doing well and naturally has a lot of money. This is why Sun Mama was able to embezzle so much silver without being discovered.
Qin Sisi's brows furrowed, and she gripped the handkerchief tightly in her hand. "What did you say the housekeeper said to my cousin's wife just now?"
The maid spoke in a steady voice: "The steward went to the main hall on His Highness's orders. I heard that His Highness's exact words were that the Princess Consort is the mistress of this mansion, and that the Princess Consort can make all the decisions regarding the affairs of this mansion."
Everyone in the Prince Cheng's mansion knew about Cousin's feelings for His Highness. Before His Highness was married, everyone guessed that Cousin would become the Princess Consort, after all, Cousin's status was not low, she was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yiyong's family and the niece of the Imperial Concubine. But now that His Highness is married, given Cousin's status, she certainly does not want to be a concubine.
So the situation was inevitably a bit awkward, but no matter how awkward it was, they had to side with the princess.
Qin Sisi's expression turned pale. "I see. My cousin and his wife have such a good relationship."
After saying this, Qin Sisi dismissed them to go about their business. The large courtyard was now empty except for Qin Sisi and her maid. The courtyard was filled with blooming flowers, their fragrance filling the air, a scene of vibrant spring. But Qin Sisi had no time to care about the beauty of the scenery; her mind was consumed by the maid's words. Qin Sisi broke off a plum blossom branch, "Do you think my cousin truly loves her?"
Tao'er couldn't bear to see her mistress sad, so she comforted her, "Miss, you're overthinking it. His Highness and the Princess have only been married for a month. How deep can their feelings be? I heard that Prince Nanqiong and his envoy will be leaving the capital soon. The reason His Highness is indulging the Princess so much is probably just for show."
Qin Sisi felt much better and smiled slightly. "Let's go and greet my cousin-in-law."
"Yes, young lady."
At that time, at the back gate of Prince Cheng's mansion, Granny Sun, who had been beaten twenty times, and Manager Lin were "invited" out. After being beaten, Manager Lin walked with his body bent, silently carrying the lightest of bundles on his back. Granny Sun was so badly beaten that she could not even walk. She held her waist and glared resentfully at the green-tiled and vermilion-colored mansion, saying, "Pah!"
Even though the evidence against her for embezzling money was irrefutable, she was still indignant. If the person who punished her had been the Imperial Concubine or His Highness, she would have tolerated it. But the person who punished her was the newlywed Princess, and His Highness was so protective of her.
Just as Mrs. Sun was feeling indignant, a voice stopped her, "Mrs. Sun, please wait."
A smile immediately appeared on Madam Sun's face. She was one of the people beside Miss Qin. "Isn't this Miss Tao'er?"
“Mama Sun, our young lady just learned that you and Manager Lin were punished and sent to the estate, so she specially sent me to see you off.” As she spoke, Tao’er took out a purse from her sleeve and handed it to Mama Sun, sighing, “Speaking of which, Mama Sun is an old servant of our Prince’s Mansion. She even served by the side of the Imperial Concubine before. Even if the Princess is very angry, she wouldn’t dare to treat Mama Sun like this, right? So our young lady said that if there is an opportunity in the future, she will definitely find a way to let Mama Sun and Manager Lin return to the Prince’s Mansion.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Sun was overjoyed and forgot even the pain of being beaten with a board. "Miss Sun is truly kind-hearted and compassionate, unlike... who disregarded the dignity of the Imperial Concubine and drove my husband and me out of the Prince Cheng's residence."
“Our young lady heard about this, so she sent me to see Granny Sun off. Granny Sun has worked in the Prince’s mansion for nearly fifteen years and has made great contributions. If the young lady has any way, she will definitely help Granny Sun and Manager Lin return to the Prince’s mansion.”
Madam Sun: "Then I'll trouble Miss Qin to help me think of a way. If I ever return from the estate, I will follow Miss Qin's lead."
Little did Tao'er know that this was exactly what she was waiting for. Tao'er stepped forward, took Sun Mama's hand, and said with a smile, "This servant will convey Sun Mama's message to you, Miss. Please rest assured, Sun Mama."
***
As soon as Su Wanyue got up, Qin'er lifted the curtain and came in, "Your Highness, Miss Qin has arrived."
Su Wanyue had just woken up and was still a little dazed. It took her a while to realize who she was talking about: the Imperial Concubine's niece and the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yiyong's mansion.
Qin Sisi was led by the servants to Chunlan Garden for tea. Hearing footsteps, she stood up and saw Su Wanyue, who was lightly made up and had sleepy eyes. Her eyebrows and eyes had a hint of spring, and she was a beautiful and elegant woman. "Greetings to my cousin-in-law."
"Sister Qin, please get up quickly." Su Wanyue stepped forward to help Qin Sisi up, and with a smile, she asked the servants to bring out the pastries. "These are some pastries made in the small kitchen. Sister Qin, you can try them."
Qin Sisi was taken aback. Judging from the punishment she gave to Mama Sun and Manager Lin, Qin Sisi thought that this cousin-in-law must be a difficult person to get along with. After all, which of the princesses in the royal family wasn't spoiled and arrogant? Her attitude left Qin Sisi at a loss. Logically, shouldn't she be wary of her and not very warm towards her because she didn't want her to get close to her cousin? And shouldn't she put on a weak and helpless appearance to please her, get along with her, and in turn gain her cousin's pity?
How come this delicate and fragile person has now become the other party?
Qin Sisi was completely bewildered and for a moment forgot why she had come. Tao'er gently tugged at Qin Sisi's sleeve, "Miss."
Qin Sisi smiled, picked up a pastry, took a bite, and said, "The pastries in my cousin's house must be the most delicious. Actually, I should have come to the Prince's Mansion to greet you a long time ago, but I was not feeling well a few days ago, so I couldn't come. I hope you won't mind."
Before Nanqiong and Beili became husband and wife, Qin Sisi and the current Crown Princess were known as the "Twin Beauties of Shengjing". She had been a princess's companion since childhood and was childhood sweethearts with her cousin. Although her cousin had always been quite indifferent to her, her family background and talent were more than enough to make her a suitable candidate for the position of Princess Consort. She always thought that she would be the one to become Princess Consort. However, at the beginning of the year, a court official proposed a marriage alliance between the two countries. In order to show its sincerity, Nanqiong was willing to marry Princess Weiyang to Nanqiong. The person who would marry Princess Weiyang was naturally her cousin, who was unmarried among the princes and was also skilled in both literature and martial arts.
When Qin Sisi learned of this, she fainted from crying and went to the palace to see Consort Qin. Consort Qin only told her maid to tell her one thing: this marriage was related to the friendship between the two countries and she had no room to interfere. Therefore, Qin Sisi's words were true.
"Of course not." Su Wanyue smiled and shook her head. "Has Miss Qin had breakfast yet?"
Not yet.
So Qin Sisi had breakfast at Chunlan Garden and talked with Su Wanyue for a long time. Just as she was about to take her leave, she heard the voice of a maid outside bowing: "This servant greets Your Highness."
Qin Sisi was overjoyed and didn't want to leave. The next moment, Xiao Yu, dressed in a dark brocade robe with gold patterns and a majestic and elegant appearance, walked in. Qin Sisi curtsied and said, "Greetings, cousin."
Su Wanyue was somewhat surprised that he came at this time, and curtsied to him, "Your Highness."
Xiao Yu raised his hand and personally helped Su Wanyue up. Seeing this, Qin Sisi gripped the handkerchief in her hand tightly, her brows furrowed and her eyes downcast. Her cousin had never been so gentle with any woman before.
Not long after, a servant came in to announce that lunch had been prepared and that His Highness and the Princess Consort could move there.
Seeing that her cousin had no intention of inviting her to stay for a meal, Qin Sisi had no choice but to leave with Tao'er.
After lunch, the servants came forward to serve tea and fresh fruits. Su Wanyue liked tangerines, so Qin'er peeled one for her and handed it to her. Xiao Yu hadn't left, and Su Wanyue wondered what he meant by coming at this time.
Just then, Xiao Yu pulled out a letter for her, his voice deep and pleasant, "Your brother left the capital this morning. Before he left, he said he had a letter to give you."
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