For reasons he could not explain, Tao Yanzhen found himself believing those words. Perhaps Prince Xuan truly could do as he promised.
“I hope Your Highness will keep your word. I have disturbed you today—another day, I shall host a banquet at my residence to make amends. Your servant takes his leave.”
Tao Yanzhen came and went like the wind. Except when speaking gently to Jun Ning, he treated everyone else the same way.
Once Tao Yanzhen had departed, Cang Ying could no longer hold back his indignation on behalf of his lord.
“Your Highness, what kind of performance are those siblings putting on? Just now, you should have let me throw him out!”
“He is Jun Ning’s brother. If you had driven him out, by tomorrow the matter would be known to all. How it would be spread, neither you nor I could control.”
“This…” Cang Ying had not thought of that. He only felt Tao Yanzhen had insulted his lord and thus deserved to be beaten.
“Enough. Let us treat today’s incident as if it never happened. Tonight, send men to guard outside Pingkang’s residence. If you see Xiao Yunjie’s people, do not report to me—kill them outright.” Xiao Moyuan’s voice remained gentle. Ignoring the words themselves, anyone would have thought him a mild and virtuous gentleman.
Cang Ying answered while supporting his lord toward the door.
“At night, you will personally keep watch. If you see Prince Jing, knock him unconscious and bring him back.”
“Yes… ah—ah?” Cang Ying had just begun to reply when he suddenly realized what he’d heard. He hadn’t misheard, had he? His lord had ordered them to knock out Prince Jing himself!
“What is it?”
“Your Highness, Prince Jing is still a prince and your younger brother. Wouldn’t doing this be somewhat improper?”
Xiao Moyuan thought for a while, then nodded. “You’re right, it is improper. Counting the days, Cang Liu should be returning soon. Affairs in Yongzhou are complex, and since you’ve never left the capital since childhood, why not go there for some training?”
Cang Ying’s heart gave a hard jolt. He quickly replied, “Your servant will follow Your Highness’s arrangements in all things. If Prince Jing appears, I will certainly knock him unconscious and deliver him before Your Highness!”
Xiao Moyuan’s lips curved faintly. After stepping into the long corridor, he released Cang Ying’s hand and walked forward alone.
Cang Ying wanted to step up and support him, but Xiao Moyuan stopped him.
“Stand there, and tell me how to walk.”
There was little he could do for Jun Ning. Even though the marriage proposal had been initiated by her, she was a woman. If, on the wedding day, her husband needed to be supported just to walk that short distance, tongues would wag.
Xiao Moyuan knew Jun Ning did not care what others said—otherwise, she would not have agreed to marry him. But as a man, he wanted to do what he still could, to preserve some dignity for her.
…
Jun Ning had just seen Qing Táo off. She had barely returned to the manor and had not yet had time to drink a cup of tea when Steward Kang summoned her to the main hall. There she discovered her father, hands clasped, chatting and laughing with a eunuch dressed in a blue robe embroidered with intricate patterns, a wide belt cinched at his waist.
Jun Ning glanced around and saw that all the concubines, illegitimate sons, and daughters were present.
“Jun Ning greets Father.”
At the sound of her voice, the eunuch turned around, and Jun Ning saw his face clearly.
“Second Miss Jun, this old servant pays his respects.” Zhao De’s attitude toward the other concubine-born daughters was indifferent, but toward Jun Ning it was markedly different. Earl Pingkang noticed this and his mind filled with speculation.
It must be understood that Zhao De’s attitude toward a person often reflected, to some extent, the emperor’s own attitude. Now that Zhao De treated Jun Ning in this way, could it mean the emperor privately held her in high regard?
“Earl Pingkang, Second Miss Jun has arrived. Let us now proclaim the imperial decree.” Eunuch Zhao produced the edict.
Jun Ning and the others knelt together with Earl Pingkang. “Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The daughter of Earl Pingkang, Jun Daoyuan, named Jun Ning, is of virtuous character, outstanding appearance, gentle and proper. She greatly pleases Us. Now my fourth son, Prince Xuan, has reached the age of marriage. It is fitting to select a virtuous and refined lady as his consort. We deem the Jun family’s legitimate daughter and my fourth son Prince Xuan to be of one heart. Therefore, I grant the Jun family’s legitimate daughter as the principal consort of Prince Xuan. The two shall marry on an auspicious day. Thus decreed!”
Eunuch Zhao’s voice rang loud and clear until the final word, after which he presented the edict to Jun Ning.
“Second Miss Jun, please accept the decree.”
“Your servant’s daughter accepts the decree. Long live the Emperor.”
“Earl Pingkang, the decree has been read. You need not remain kneeling.” Zhao De lifted his whisk and bent down to help Earl Pingkang rise.
Everyone exchanged glances, puzzled.
Was that all? They remembered clearly that the emperor had personally said the concubine-born elder daughter would be given to Prince Jing. Why was there no decree for that?
“Eunuch, could it be that another decree was forgotten?” Earl Pingkang glanced at Madam Lou, then forced a smile and asked tentatively.
Zhao De frowned, displeased. “Earl Pingkang, you jest. I have served His Majesty for many years. Though I am old, I am not so feeble as to forget how many decrees His Majesty has issued.”
“You misunderstand, Eunuch!” Earl Pingkang waved his hands quickly, lowering his voice to explain: “That day, His Majesty promised my concubine-born eldest daughter to Prince Jing as a secondary consort. Yet today you did not read such a decree. That is why I asked. Please do not take offense.”
“Secondary consort??” Eunuch Zhao looked utterly confused.
Jun Ning, standing aside, observed. His reaction did not seem feigned. Could something have changed in between?
As Earl Pingkang spoke with Zhao De, Jun Ning noticed Jun Qingnian and Madam Lou beside her. After glaring at her, they turned anxiously toward Zhao De.
At last, Zhao De seemed to understand Earl Pingkang’s meaning. After a pause, he replied: “It seems Earl Pingkang has misunderstood His Majesty’s intentions.”
“Eunuch, what do you mean by that?”
“Prince Jing’s principal consort is the legitimate daughter of the Grand Tutor. On the day of the wedding, it is naturally impossible to bring a concubine into the household at the same time. As for your concubine-born daughter…” Eunuch Zhao paused, then raised a hand to point at his own head before continuing: “She may not be particularly bright. It was only because she went up on stage together with Second Miss Jun that day that she had the chance to receive a reward. Now, being allowed to enter Prince Jing’s residence as a concubine is already an immense favor from His Majesty.”
With every word Eunuch Zhao spoke, Jun Qingnian’s face grew paler. Especially when he pointed to his head—she staggered several steps, and if Madam Lou had not supported her, she would have collapsed to the floor.
Eunuch Zhao seemed to think she was not yet desperate enough, and added one final blow: “On the day Prince Jing marries his princess, a small sedan chair will be sent to Earl Pingkang’s residence to fetch the concubine-born young lady. She will enter through the side gate of the prince’s household. That will be the end of it.”
“I… I see. Many thanks for informing me, Eunuch.” Earl Pingkang clung to his last shred of composure, careful not to let Eunuch Zhao notice anything amiss.
“In that case, I shall take my leave.”
“Safe travels, Eunuch. Steward Kang, see Eunuch Zhao out.”
Once Eunuch Zhao departed, Jun Ning had no desire to remain in the foul atmosphere of the main hall, surrounded by these sordid people. But just as she turned to leave, a vicious palm strike suddenly swept toward her from behind.