Hollow Paper Doll, Amber Prison of Light 3 (16)
The day of the Guo family’s wedding banquet arrived quickly. Prime Minister Su also received an invitation; however, Gu An, in his mischievous way, made sure Su Qingtang was included among the invitees from the City Patrol Division.
He was not like his foolish younger brother, Gu Quan. He believed that His Highness did like Miss Su, but because Su Qingtang’s heart voice was too easily revealed, the Crown Prince must have felt she was overestimating herself.
Su Qingtang looked at the two invitations with the same address and finally came to a conclusion: she would go with the City Patrol Division.
“Why? Your father isn’t worthy anymore?”
Prime Minister Su looked displeased. It was rare that the City Patrol Division had a rest day, and he had planned to take his wife and daughter out for a stroll. Although he wasn’t exactly eager to have Su Qingtang spoil his private time with his wife, being rejected still made him unhappy.
Su Qingtang quickly went over to massage his shoulders, acting all sweet and obedient. “It’s not that, Father. Your seat is too close to the front—everyone’s attention will be on you. The City Patrol Division sits at the back—it’s easier to slip away if I need to. Besides, I already promised Yiyuan we’d go shopping together!”
Madam Su looked at her daughter’s lively expression and helped to smooth things over. “Alright, dear, isn’t having me with you enough?”
Su Qingtang immediately added playfully, “Exactly! You have the beautiful Lady Su by your side—what more could you want?”
“Go, go, go! Just looking at you is annoying!” Prime Minister Su scolded, but he was clearly enjoying the shoulder massage, his eyes half-closed in contentment.
Madam Su smiled. “Tangtang, make sure you stay close to Yiyuan and Xiao Li, alright?”
Previously, because of her involuntary heart voice, they had worried that young Su Qingtang might be treated like a monster. Now, with the emperor and crown prince’s protection, no one dared to blame her for it. In fact, people might even think her ability came from some magical treasure bestowed by the emperor.
And with her current title under the City Patrol Division, even the boldest would think twice before offending her.
Her mother didn’t care for fame or power for her daughter—she only wanted her to live happily.
“Got it, Tangtang understands.” Before she could finish her little act, Yiyuan’s voice came from outside: “Miss, Xiao Hei is here.”
That meant Gu An and his group had arrived to fetch her.
“Father, Mother, I’m leaving!” Su Qingtang called as she dashed off.
Prime Minister Su looked at his carefree daughter and sighed. “Dear, with Tangtang acting like this, will His Highness even take a liking to her?”
Madam Su took a sip of tea. “Who cares if he does or not? Tangtang wasn’t wrong—there isn’t only one dragon in the world. Dragon pearls may be precious, but there will always be dragons willing to give them. I’ve already sent people out to search.”
That was the shared thought between the couple. The royal family might currently favor Su Qingtang because of the Su family’s ancestral merits, but such favors fade quickly. They needed to plan ahead for her future.
“Now that you mention it,” Prime Minister Su said as he boarded the carriage, “I haven’t heard any of Tangtang’s strange thoughts lately.”
Madam Su paused. “You’re right… maybe it’s nothing. She hasn’t talked to Grandpa Banyan Tree much recently—maybe she’s just too busy at the Patrol Division?”
“I’ll talk to her tonight,” Madam Su said gently. “She shouldn’t overwork herself.”
The Guo family’s wedding banquet was grand and bustling. The guests included not only officials and nobles but even members of the royal family—like Princess Baoshu and the Crown Prince, Yin Guhuai.
“Princess Baoshu is here?”
“Not just her—the Crown Prince too…”
The crowd began to stir, their gazes shifting toward the front where the Prime Minister sat.
Su Qingtang’s rumored intention to win the prince’s heart was no secret, and gossip had twisted it into all kinds of outrageous tales.
Now, with Princess Baoshu and the prince attending the wedding of the Grand Chancellor’s eldest daughter—whose younger sister had once been a popular candidate for the prince’s harem—the situation was charged with speculation.
Madam Su, seeing the dishes in front of her, felt grateful that Su Qingtang had chosen to sit with the Patrol Division at the back.
Prime Minister Su placed a piece of meat in her bowl and said lightly, “It’s fine. Our Tangtang bravely pursues love. That’s a fair way to see it. Besides, don’t forget—in her eyes, even the Crown Prince might not compare to the roasted chicken from Tianxiang Pavilion!”
Madam Su nodded knowingly. “Still, contact those distant relatives of yours. The sooner, the better.”
Even if it was a pretense, she didn’t want her daughter stuck with such a label.
“Alright,” the Prime Minister agreed at once.
Princess Baoshu, of course, was given special treatment. She had a private room, with a stream and rock garden just outside. From her seat by the window, she could enjoy the scenic view.
“Princess Baoshu,” a soft voice called—Guo Mingxin. She had only sent the princess an invitation on a whim, never expecting her to come—and with the Crown Prince no less.
Princess Baoshu smiled as she entered her reserved chamber, admiring the decor. “Miss Guo, you’ve been most thoughtful.”
Yin Guhuai followed at a short distance. The setup clearly catered to his royal sister’s tastes; though the furnishings weren’t of the highest luxury, every detail showed care.
“The feast will begin soon,” Guo Mingxin said shyly after sneaking a glance at the prince. “Please wait a moment, Your Highness, Princess.”
Once she left, Yin Guling asked, “Well? What do you think?”
Yin Guhuai feigned ignorance. “Think about what?”
“I mean her manners—graceful, poised, gentle. Suitable.”
“Then why don’t you bring her back as your personal maid, Sister? It’s rare someone pleases you,” he replied lazily, avoiding the topic.
Yin Guling didn’t take offense. Watching him fidget restlessly, she said, “Wait. I’ve already reported this to Father and Mother.”
That meant more noble ladies would be arriving soon.
Yin Guhuai’s brows furrowed. “Sister, I only agreed to come because of Qi Ruheng. Must you push this further?”
“Yes.” Her tone turned cold. “No one touches what belongs to me. No one investigates them either.”
Yin Guhuai made as if to stand, but Yin Guling continued, “I also invited Miss Su. I heard she went to ‘Wang Family Village,’ didn’t she?”
He caught the threat in her words. “So what?”
“Just wait—you’ll see. These young ladies are all fine candidates.”
The princess calmly sipped her tea, eyes on the tranquil view outside.
As the sun sank, the room grew dim. Guo Mingxin came in to light the candles and conveniently stayed inside.
Su Qingtang, who had stepped out for a while, was found at a wine kiosk. Following a Guo servant’s lead, she arrived outside the chamber.
Seeing her puzzled expression, Yin Guhuai immediately guessed the situation. No matter how many ladies were present today, Su Qingtang would always be the last to arrive.
“Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince, and…” Su Qingtang looked up at the dignified woman before her—elegant, noble, and calm, her features resembling the prince’s but even more like the empress’s. It wasn’t hard to guess her identity.
“Princess Baoshu.”
After greeting her, Su Qingtang remained kneeling, suddenly recalling that without permission, she wasn’t allowed to rise under the Great Yi Dynasty’s laws. So she held her position.
Yin Guhuai immediately understood—this wasn’t about a match; his sister wanted to listen to Su Qingtang’s heart voice.
This girl couldn’t keep even her smallest thoughts quiet—so what would she reveal now?
Seeing Yin Guhuai’s uneasy expression, Yin Guling finally spoke leisurely, “You may rise. My royal brother has met many young ladies today; the night has nearly fallen.”
The room was silent again. Yin Guhuai was surprised—Su Qingtang had actually managed to stay quiet this time.
Then, she gracefully stepped forward, light-footed but poised, and after turning once before him, asked with a bright smile, “What does His Highness think of Qingtang? Do I please Your Highness’s eyes?”
Smack! The sharp crack of a teacup hitting the table broke the silence. “The Prime Minister’s daughter is quite bold!”
Su Qingtang turned slightly toward the princess. “It’s a meeting of matches, Your Highness. Of course, we must look carefully.”
Guo Mingxin interjected quickly, “Miss Su didn’t mean any disrespect. Perhaps, from working together in the City Patrol Division, she and His Highness are just… more familiar.”
That explained her casual tone and behavior.
Yin Guhuai’s gaze snapped toward Guo Mingxin, cold and cutting.
Princess Baoshu beckoned her forward. “Perhaps. It’s not impossible. Royal brother, you and Miss Su…”
All eyes turned to the Crown Prince. Yin Guhuai didn’t wish to answer, but Princess Baoshu smiled faintly. “Miss Su is still unmarried, correct?”
“I don’t like her,” Yin Guhuai said flatly, though his eyes instinctively sought Su Qingtang’s face—dreading to see disappointment there.
“Were it not for Father’s decree, I would never have crossed paths with her.”
At least half of those present looked satisfied with that response. Princess Baoshu didn’t hide her approval. “Good. And if one day—”
“If I regret it, I’ll kneel from the Eastern Palace all the way to the Prime Minister’s Manor.”
He’d cut off his own retreat with that line.
Prime Minister Su and the Grand Chancellor arrived just in time to hear it. The Prime Minister couldn’t hold back a bitter laugh. “Very well, Your Highness speaks truly. It was Qingtang who overstepped.”
He took his daughter’s hand gently. “Tangtang, let’s go home. Your mother’s waiting in the carriage.” He had guessed this would happen the moment Yiyuan told him that the princess’s people had summoned her. The royal family—they were all cold-hearted wolves.
After politely bidding farewell to everyone, Su Qingtang left.
In the carriage, she rested quietly in her mother’s arms. “Mother, Tangtang doesn’t want to go back to the City Patrol Division anymore.”
Madam Su held her tighter. “Alright, we won’t. You—” she tugged her husband’s sleeve, “go tell His Majesty that Tangtang’s resigning. What’s that tiny salary even worth?”
Prime Minister Su rubbed his sore ear, heart aching for his daughter. “Fine. I’ll tell him at court tomorrow.”
When they returned to the manor, Su Qingtang walked alone under the moonlight back to her room. She didn’t even touch her favorite fried chicken.
Yiyuan, watching her quietly, packed up the food and said gently, “It’s alright. There’ll be someone better than the Crown Prince one day. Don’t overthink it.”
Su Qingtang turned over in bed and closed her eyes. The shut door blocked out the last trace of light.
In the darkness, she opened her eyes again—
—and a frail, aged voice whispered by her ear:
“You are not Tangtang. Who are you?”