When Qinglan heard the Empress Dowager say this, she felt that something was wrong. If she had complained to the Empress Dowager like this before, the Empress Dowager would have been very angry and scolded Jiang Yuwei with her. Why did it seem like she was blaming her now?
Thinking this, Qinglan spoke with reddened eyes:
“Grandmother, you make it sound so easy. After I marry into the General’s Mansion, I will inevitably have to see Jiang Yuwei all the time. I really don’t know what to do now, so I thought I would come to the palace to ask you.”
A hint of impatience flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes.
“I’ve met Jiang Yuwei before. She doesn’t seem like the type to cause trouble. If you’re afraid of her, just don’t provoke her.”
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager glanced at Qinglan's expression.
"And that shop, just let her manage it. You've been spoiled since you were little, and your mother passed away early. No one has ever taught you how to manage a household properly."
The Empress Dowager paused and continued:
"Instead of worrying about not doing this well or that well, it's better to do nothing and let others take the blame."
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Qinglan was speechless. She felt something was amiss. On the surface, the Empress Dowager seemed to be teaching her about being a wife, but upon closer examination, she felt that the Empress Dowager was siding with Jiang Yuwei.
So, Qinglan swallowed hard and said:
“Grandmother, I understand the reasons you are giving, but people’s words are a fearsome thing. If I let Jiang Yuwei manage the household affairs of the General’s Mansion after I marry into the family, I’m afraid that people outside will spread rumors again.”
The Empress Dowager took a sip of tea and said calmly:
"Managing the household affairs is a thankless task. If Jiang Yuwei wants to manage it, let her continue. After all, she is a concubine of the General's Mansion, and her status is not much different from yours. No one can find fault with her. Managing the household is something that the capable should do more of."
Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Qinglan clenched the handkerchief in her hand. She was unwilling to accept this; she hadn't even taken charge of the household yet, so how could the Empress Dowager know that she was incompetent?
Maybe after I marry into the General's Mansion, I can manage it better than Jiang Yuwei.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Qinglan sideways and slowly spoke:
"Qinglan, you've always been someone who refuses to admit defeat. You're still young, so you probably don't understand yet that managing the household affairs is no easy task. People are never satisfied."
Seeing that the Empress Dowager wasn't going along with her at all today, and had no intention of standing up for her, Qinglan lost interest in staying. So she smiled and said:
"I have kept all of Grandmother's words in mind. Now that I have gone to the palace to talk with Grandmother, all the knots in my heart have been untied."
As she spoke, Qinglan poured a cup of tea for the Empress Dowager.
"It's getting late, and Qinglan shouldn't stay here and bother the Empress Dowager any longer. I'll head back now and come see you another day."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager glanced at Qinglan, waved her hand, and then picked up her teacup to drink tea again.
Upon seeing this, Qinglan quickly stood up, bowed, and took her leave.
As soon as she got into the carriage, Qinglan angrily tore at the handkerchief in her hand.
"What's wrong with the Empress Dowager today? Why isn't she speaking up for me? I already told her that Jiang Yuwei bullied me, but she didn't even try to stand up for me. Humph, I don't think she truly cares for me; she's just putting on a show!"
Qinglan muttered to herself as she angrily threw the handkerchief in her hand away.
"Hmph, no one's helping me, looks like I'll have to figure out a way out for myself!"
Having said that, Qinglan lifted the curtain and instructed Yangliu, who was following outside:
"Turn around! Head to Jingweifang!"
Yang Liu quickly agreed and instructed the driver to turn around.
Qinglan led her group to Jingweifang, but did not get off the carriage. Instead, she sent Yangliu to inquire whether Young Master Qiu was at Jingweifang today.
Yang Liu entered Jingweifang and came out shortly after.
“Princess, I just went in and inquired. Young Master Qiu is currently drinking alone in a private room on the second floor.”
Qinglan smiled faintly, reached out to adjust the hairpin in her hair, looked at Yangliu, and asked:
"Yang Liu, look how messy my makeup and hair are."
Yang Liu smiled and shook her head.
"It's not messy at all, it looks very nice, Princess."
Princess Qinglan was satisfied with these words and got off the carriage. She entered Jingweifang and went straight to the private room on the second floor.
As soon as Yang Liu pushed open the door, she saw Young Master Qiu, reeking of alcohol, pouring wine from a flask into his mouth.
Qinglan frowned and looked at Yangliu, instructing her:
"You stay outside."
Then, he went in and snatched the wine pot from Young Master Qiu's hand, frowning as he said:
"Young Master Qiu, what are you doing? Why are you drinking like this?"
Young Master Qiu squinted at the person in front of him, muttering to himself:
"Qinglan, Qinglan, is that you, my Qinglan..."
Seeing his expression, Qinglan guessed he must be drowning his sorrows in alcohol after hearing the news of her engagement. So she smiled faintly, sat down, put down her wine jug, and gently took Qiu Gongzi's hand, saying softly:
"It's me, Young Master Qiu. I've come to see you."
Upon hearing Qinglan's voice, Young Master Qiu shook his head vigorously, then looked closely and saw that the person in front of him was indeed Princess Qinglan. He immediately became half-awake.
Looking down again, he saw Qinglan's delicate little hand tightly gripping his own. He was startled and quickly pulled his hand back, patting his cheeks to try and calm himself down.
"Princess Qinglan, you, you, how did you get here?"
Seeing this, Qinglan chuckled:
"Young Master Qiu, we've known each other since childhood, are you still shy?"
As she spoke, Qinglan poured herself a cup of wine using the wine pot that Young Master Qiu had just drunk from. Before Young Master Qiu could stop her, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.
Young Master Qiu stared blankly as Qinglan drank from her wine jug, his already flushed face turning even redder.
Qinglan raised her head, her eyes red-rimmed, and looked at Young Master Qiu, choking back tears as she spoke:
“Young Master Qiu, I really have no one to talk to, so I came to you. Now, only you can sit down and listen to what’s on my mind.”
Upon realizing how important he was to Qinglan, Young Master Qiu became nervous and looked at her solemnly, saying:
"Qinglan, you will always have a place in my heart. If you want to talk to me, come to me anytime. I am your best friend."
Qinglan looked at Young Master Qiu with deep affection.
"Right now, I feel really choked up. The Empress Dowager just arranged my marriage with General Ning, and then General Ning led his troops to war, leaving me alone in the capital to endure Jiang Yuwei's schemes. If I had known it would turn out like this, I would rather die than agree to this marriage."
As she spoke, Qinglan began to shed tears.
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