By order of the Qinglong Emperor, Song Tingchen led the Song Family Army to guard the East Palace, sealing it so tightly that not a drop of water could pass through. Every person entering or leaving the East Palace was subjected to thorough inspection.
The final checkpoint to the inner courtyard was personally guarded by Song Tingchen, with Liu Qingyin assisting at his side.
Liu Qingyin’s injuries had not yet healed, and Song Tingchen had initially not intended to bring her along today.
But Liu Qingyin stood before him, delicate as a willow swaying in the wind, her voice clear and gentle. “Brother Tingchen, while you can thoroughly inspect the men entering the inner courtyard, what about the women?”
“Although the matrons of the East Palace are diligent, oversights are inevitable. With me here, it will be more secure. Young women being inspected by me won’t feel humiliated.”
A soft, graceful smile graced Liu Qingyin’s face. “The Crown Princess’s labor is a joyous occasion. It would be unfortunate if unpleasantness arose during the inspections.”
At this, Song Tingchen said no more.
Liu Qingyin had always been meticulous. With her presence, the risk of unauthorized individuals entering the East Palace to cause trouble during the Crown Princess’s labor was further minimized.
After inspecting a group of people, a beautiful woman with a slightly protruding abdomen, supported by two maids, approached the inner courtyard with a smile.
She was stopped as usual for a detailed inspection.
The beautiful woman regarded Liu Qingyin with patience, her voice tender and ethereal, carrying a faint, elusive quality. “With the Crown Princess in labor, it’s only right for you to be cautious, miss.”
“My maids and matrons have already been inspected. There’s no issue.”
Several matrons nodded to Liu Qingyin, indicating that the maids were clear and could be allowed passage.
Liu Qingyin pressed her red lips together. The beautiful woman’s skin was excessively pale, whiter than fresh snow by two shades.
She observed the woman wearing a turquoise long jacket with a diagonal collar, covering her skirt so its full color was hidden. However, the embroidery on it was primarily bright yellow, complemented by dark blue.
Due to the chilly weather, the woman was also wrapped in a thick plum-colored cloak.
At first glance, she appeared no different from an ordinary woman.
Liu Qingyin bowed slightly to the woman and gestured toward a sealed room nearby. “The Crown Princess’s labor is a matter of great importance. Please accompany me for a more detailed inspection.”
The beautiful woman nodded agreeably, her voice drifting in the wind and snow. “Very well.”
She followed Liu Qingyin inside.
The woman’s pale, almost translucent hands untied her cloak. After repeatedly inspecting her and confirming she carried no concealed objects for assassination, Liu Qingyin helped her fasten the cloak again.
Noticing a thin red mark on the woman’s neck, Liu Qingyin frowned, her gaze probing deeply into the other’s eyes. “What happened to your neck, madam?”
Perhaps because the woman’s skin was so exceptionally pale, the fine red line on her neck appeared strikingly vivid and conspicuous when she removed her cloak.
Like a lone red plum blossom blooming in a world of ice and snow.
Eye-catching and jarring.
The beautiful woman smiled gently, her voice light and calm, as if discussing a trivial matter. “Once a woman is with child, troubles often follow.”
“There will always be those who wish for neither your safe delivery nor the well-being of your child.”
Liu Qingyin pursed her lips. This was indeed true—in the conflicts between wives and concubines in the inner courtyard, it was not surprising for someone to use iron wire in an attempt to strangle another when things turned vicious.
Moreover, childbirth for women was like passing through the gates of hell.
One only needed to look at the current situation in the East Palace to understand.
Even before the Crown Princess had gone into labor, such caution was already being exercised.
Once the Crown Princess entered the delivery room, the atmosphere in the East Palace would only grow more tense and solemn.
Liu Qingyin lowered her gaze and escorted the elegant lady out of the room, allowing her to enter the inner courtyard.
She glanced at Song Tingchen and silently lowered her head again. Though she had considered striking up a conversation with him, she thought better of it, given the many ears around. Besides, if she were to bring up the difficulties of childbirth, it might remind him of Su Tan.
After all her careful efforts, she had no intention of letting those two rekindle their old flame.
As the saying goes, speak of the devil and he shall appear. Before Liu Qingyin could even utter a word or finish the thought in her mind, the next moment, she saw a figure she never wished to lay eyes on again.
An involuntary look of disgust surfaced in Liu Qingyin’s eyes.
It was that discarded woman, Su Tan, again!
Why did she have to haunt them like a lingering ghost?
In these troubled times, Su Tan’s brazen appearance at the East Palace made Song Tingchen frown deeply. His gaze fixed on Su Tan, his tone carrying a trace of irritability he himself hadn’t noticed. “What are you doing here?”
Su Tan ignored Song Tingchen. She produced an invitation and handed it to the East Palace matron.
The matron’s expression instantly turned reverent, and she hurriedly guided her. “Miss Su, please come this way.”
Liu Qingyin’s face changed. Her fingers unconsciously clenched tightly in her palms as she stared fixedly at the matron, stepping forward to block Su Tan’s path.
“Wait!”
Though Liu Qingyin wore a smile, her eyes were tinged with gloom. Digging her nails into her palms, she said, “Mama Qin, everyone entering the inner courtyard must be thoroughly checked. How is it that when it comes to Sister Su Tan, no inspection is required?”
Never mind anything else—Su Tan was carrying such a large bundle!
Who knew if it contained daggers or poison!
Mama Qin paused, then explained to Liu Qingyin, “On Miss Su’s invitation, the Crown Prince himself wrote that Su Tan, daughter of Duke Dingguo, may enter the inner courtyard without inspection. Should anything happen, His Highness will take responsibility.”
“It also bears the Crown Prince’s seal.”
Liu Qingyin’s fingers clenched even tighter, her eyes revealing a flicker of resentment.
Song Tingchen’s jaw tightened, his gaze colder than the falling snow.
At this moment, he and Liu Qingyin were alike, both staring intently at Su Tan’s retreating figure.
As if they could bore two holes through her back with their stares.
Liu Qingyin lowered her head, sensing the icy aura emanating from Song Tingchen. Her eyes flickered uncertainly as she remarked with thinly veiled sarcasm, “Sister Su Tan really isn’t the same as she used to be.”
“Since her return to the capital, both the Crown Prince and His Highness Prince Chen seem to treat her as an honored guest.”
Song Tingchen’s gaze remained cold. He didn’t respond to her comment but withdrew his gaze. Su Tan had been maneuvering among the imperial descendants lately, likely making plans for Su Jinghong.
He found it both laughable and exasperating.
How could there be someone like Su Tan in this world, who couldn’t distinguish between closeness and distance? She exhausted herself for her nephew yet neglected her own son.
His expression impassive, he said, “Focus on the inspections. Don’t let irrelevant people or matters distract you.”
Song Tingchen’s voice drifted into the wind and snow. A timely snow promises a good harvest, and today’s snowfall was exceptionally heavy. The Director of the Imperial Observatory also remarked that a child born these two days would be like a sacred unicorn descending to earth—a heavenly blessing.
If the Crown Princess were to give birth to the imperial grandson, the political landscape of the court would surely shift once more.
At this thought, Song Tingchen furrowed his brow deeply.
Su Tan seemed determined to align with Prince Chen and the Crown Prince’s faction. But if what Liu Qingyin had said earlier proved true, and Xiao Xiao became entangled in this—his expression darkened like ink, his gaze slowly shifting to where Su Tan had stood moments before.
He needed to find an opportunity to speak plainly with Su Tan.