Yesterday, Shen Qingtang celebrated her coming-of-age ceremony, and Crown Prince Xiao Chengyu personally visited the Marquis residence to deliver the gifts prepared by the Empress.
Early this morning, Shen Qingtang entered the palace to express her gratitude to the Empress.
As she approached the vicinity of Kunning Palace, she saw Aunt Qingci, the Empress’s attendant, pacing back and forth at the palace entrance with a slight frown.
Spotting Shen Qingtang, Qingci hurried over as if seeing a savior: “Young Mistress, you’ve finally arrived.”
Shen Qingtang paused, a look of surprise in her eyes: “Aunt Qingci, has something happened?”
Qingci guided Shen Qingtang into the hall, her voice lowered: “Young Mistress, you may not know this, but yesterday the Imperial Household Department delivered the tribute of Eastern Pearls. Her Majesty selected a few according to protocol and distributed the rest among the palaces. Unexpectedly, Consort Xue complained to the Emperor, saying Her Majesty gave her the ‘leftovers.'”
“The Emperor believed Consort Xue’s one-sided account and reprimanded Her Majesty over this matter…”
Shen Qingtang felt indignant upon hearing this: “How outrageous! Consort Xue, relying on the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s favor, grows increasingly domineering! Does she think she can surpass the Empress?”
A trace of heartache flickered in Qingci’s eyes. “Her Majesty didn’t defend herself at all, but she hasn’t eaten a single meal since last night…”
She looked at Shen Qingtang. “Her Majesty has always doted on you the most. Seeing you will surely lift her spirits.”
Shen Qingtang nodded: “Don’t worry, Auntie, I understand.”
Entering the main hall of Kunning Palace, they saw the Empress reclining on a daybed by the window, gazing blankly outside, unaware that someone had entered the hall.
Despite her troubled mood, she still wore the bright yellow palace attire, her hair impeccably styled, the gold and kingfisher-feather phoenix hairpin exuding the Empress’s dignity.
“Your Majesty, the young mistress is here,” Qingci approached quietly and curtsied.
Hearing “young mistress,” the Empress finally snapped out of her thoughts.
She turned her head, a faint smile finally gracing her tense lips as she beckoned to Shen Qingtang: “Tangtang is here? Come to your aunt’s side.”
Shen Qingtang quickly walked over, wearing an obedient smile. “Auntie, Tangtang has come to see you!”
Reaching the Empress, she deliberately twirled lightly in her crimson dress, the large camellia flowers embroidered on the skirt blooming with her movement, vivid and lively.
“Look, Auntie, I’m wearing the dress you gave me! It fits perfectly. Thank you, Auntie!”
Naturally graceful and elegant, the crimson gown enhanced her spring-morning beauty, making her appear even more slender and graceful.
Like a suddenly blooming camellia, she added a vibrant splash of color to the solemn and dignified Kunning Palace.
The Empress smiled and nodded: “Lovely, our Tangtang has grown even more beautiful.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she paused hesitantly: “But the coming-of-age gift I prepared for you was a gold filigree jade jewelry set. I didn’t have anyone prepare a dress.”
Shen Qingtang also looked puzzled: “But this dress was delivered to the Marquis residence along with Cousin’s gifts.”
Yesterday, the Crown Prince had brought many valuable gifts, and this dress was among them. Since it fit her perfectly, she naturally assumed it was from her aunt.
Hearing this, a flicker of understanding passed through the Empress’s eyes, and she smiled: “It must have been prepared by your cousin. The Crown Prince has always been aloof, but he’s willing to put in extra thought for you, his cousin.”
“But your cousin should know better—you’re already of age, and he’s still giving you dresses. Though he’s always doted on you, perhaps he didn’t think much of it.”
Shen Qingtang suddenly understood and nodded obediently: “So that’s how it is. When I see cousin later, Tangtang must properly thank him.”
The Empress pulled Shen Qingtang to sit beside her and asked with concern: “By the way, Aunt heard there was a small incident during your coming-of-age ceremony. What happened?”
Shen Qingtang’s eyes flickered slightly as she somewhat embarrassedly lowered her dark eyelashes: “It was nothing serious. I just drank too much fruit wine at the banquet and accidentally got drunk.”
What she didn’t mention was that after waking up, she seemed to be able to hear other people’s thoughts!
Both her aunt and cousin were people who treated her extremely well in this world, and she never kept secrets from them. But this matter was somewhat special, and she hadn’t figured out how to explain it yet.
The Empress smiled and tapped her forehead: “You little glutton, don’t be so greedy with drinks from now on.”
Seeing that the Empress no longer forced smiles as before, Shen Qingtang quickly wrinkled her little face and acted coquettishly: “Aunt, Tangtang was in such a hurry to enter the palace to pay respects to you this morning that I haven’t eaten breakfast yet. My stomach is growling with hunger now.”
Looking at her niece’s charmingly naive appearance, the stifling anger that had been pent up in the Empress’s chest all night seemed to be gently swept away by a refreshing breeze, gradually dissipating.
She pinched Shen Qingtang’s cheek: “You, even after coming of age, still know how to act spoiled just like when you were little.”
Saying this, the Empress turned to Qingci and instructed: “Have the meal served, and add a few of Tangtang’s favorite dishes – Longjing Shrimp and Crab Meat Tofu.”
Only then did Qingci breathe a sigh of relief, quickly acknowledging the order before going out to have the palace servants serve the meal.
Chapter 1: The Crown Prince Cousin’s Inner Thoughts (Page 2/2)
Before long, the meal was served.
During the meal, Shen Qingtang ate in small bites while recounting amusing incidents that had recently occurred in her household.
The Empress laughed frequently, her tone joyful yet tinged with a hint of melancholy. “If Tangtang could enter the palace every day to keep Aunt company, Aunt would be overjoyed.”
Shen Qingtang was eating Longjing Shrimp when she suddenly heard the Empress’s inner thoughts echo in her ears: If only Tangtang were my daughter… Or if Tangtang had been chosen as the Crown Princess back then, I could see her every day.
Her movements paused, and she stared blankly at the Empress.
Crown Prince Cousin had always regarded her as a younger sister; their relationship was purely fraternal, with no romantic feelings whatsoever.
Moreover, she was already betrothed.
Why would Aunt have such a strange idea?
The next moment, the Empress’s inner thoughts drifted over again, carrying a sigh and a trace of reluctance: Forget it, forget it. This palace may appear prosperous and splendid, but in reality, it’s filled with scheming and filth… How could someone as innocent as Tangtang survive in this place that devours people without spitting out the bones?
Besides, although the Crown Prince treats Tangtang well now, who can say what the future holds…
Shen Qingtang’s hand tightened around her chopsticks, and she quickly swallowed the shrimp in her mouth.
She said obediently, “If Aunt misses Tangtang, just send a message. Tangtang can come to the palace often to visit you!”
Seeing the brightness in her eyes, the Empress’s lingering melancholy gradually faded, leaving only a heart full of tenderness.
Just then, a palace attendant entered and respectfully announced, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence at Shoukang Palace.”
The Empress’s smile faded slightly, and she sighed softly. “Tangtang, take your time eating. Aunt will step out for a while.”
Shen Qingtang quickly set down her chopsticks. “Shall Tangtang accompany Aunt? When we reach Shoukang Palace, Tangtang can wait outside.”
The Empress shook her head. “No need. Stay peacefully in Kunning Palace. If you need anything, just ask Qinghe.”
Shen Qingtang also knew that the Empress Dowager disliked her aunt and, by extension, her as the “Empress’s niece,” so she did not insist.
She said with concern, “Then Aunt, please don’t overexert yourself. Your health is what matters most.”
The Empress affectionately ruffled her hair, instructed Qinghe a few more words, and then left with her attendants for Shoukang Palace.
The hall fell silent instantly. Shen Qingtang had lost her appetite and asked the attendants to clear the table.
Outside, the spring scenery was lovely. She asked Qinghe to fetch a copy of Among the Flowers Collection and sat at the white jade table outside the hall, flipping through it.
Worried that she hadn’t eaten enough for breakfast, Qinghe brought tea and pastries. Shen Qingtang nibbled on the treats while reading.
It reminded her of her childhood in the Eastern Palace, where Crown Prince Cousin would accompany her while she read, even placing shelled pine nuts by her hand.
Lost in her thoughts, the familiar sound of footsteps suddenly reached her ears.
Shen Qingtang looked up just in time to see Crown Prince Xiao Chengyu approaching her.
His eyes were dark and intense, his features deep and handsome, his stature tall and upright. His jet-black hair was tied with a jade crown, and he wore a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with a dark silver flowing cloud pattern. As he moved, the patterns shimmered faintly, exuding an air of noble elegance.
Shen Qingtang immediately set down her book, stood up, and curtsied, her smile both obedient and affectionate. “Cousin, greetings. Are you here to pay respects to Aunt? She just left for Shoukang Palace.”
Xiao Chengyu let out an “Mm” and sat down quite naturally beside Shen Qingtang. “When did Tangtang enter the palace?”
“As soon as the palace gates opened this morning, Tangtang came,” Shen Qingtang leaned in closer and whispered, “Does Cousin know what happened in the palace yesterday?”
Xiao Chengyu nodded and said lightly, “Consort Xue’s younger brother overstepped regulations by building a mansion, showing no regard for the law. I had his home raided last night.”
He scoffed lightly, “Consort Xue must have gotten the news by now. She’s probably throwing a fit before the Empress Dowager as we speak.”
Shen Qingtang’s earlier frustration vanished instantly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Xiao Chengyu. “Cousin is truly amazing!”
Xiao Chengyu savored Shen Qingtang’s closeness, his gaze drifting from her radiant, delicate face down to her scarlet collar, his thin lips curling into a faint smile. “The color of this gown suits Tangtang perfectly.”
Shen Qingtang happily adjusted her exquisite sleeves, then suddenly asked, “By the way, did Cousin prepare this gown for Tangtang?”
Xiao Chengyu replied casually, “I didn’t know what Tangtang would like, so I had the palace attendants prepare a few things. Do you like it?”
Just as Shen Qingtang was about to nod and say she did, she suddenly heard Xiao Chengyu’s inner thoughts: Tangtang looks absolutely stunning in the clothes I gave her, so beautiful it’s hard to look away. What a pity I can’t see how that crabapple-embroidered scarlet undergarment looks on her…
The smile on Shen Qingtang’s face instantly froze.