When Chu Muqing and the others returned to Chuxiu Palace, Concubine Rong, the Old Madam, and the First Madam were chatting together. All three of them appeared quite happy, but Chu Muqing noticed that the First Madam’s smile did not reach her eyes. After thinking for a moment, she realized that Concubine Rong and the Old Madam must have sent the First Madam away earlier so the two of them could talk privately.
If it were merely a casual mother-daughter conversation, there would have been no need to send the First Madam away, unless the matter concerned her directly. But what business could possibly concern the First Madam and the Yongding Marquis’s household right now?
A sudden thought flashed through her mind.
It must be about the Third Prince’s marriage or rather, Concubine Rong discussing with the Old Madam the possibility of the Third Prince marrying a young lady from the Yongding Marquis’s household.
However, if Concubine Rong were acting as she did in her previous life and intended to choose Chu Shuran, there would have been no need to hide anything from the First Madam. After all, that marriage would only benefit her completely. But now that they deliberately sent her away, it was obvious they didn’t want her to know just yet. Either they feared she might ruin things, or Concubine Rong had not yet decided on the person.
In this life, things had changed. Concubine Rong did not immediately settle on Chu Shuran, and the only change was her, Chu Muqing. She had told the Old Madam that the Duke of Dingguo would soon return to the capital, and the Old Madam would surely inform Concubine Rong.
Judging from the situation now, Concubine Rong had clearly confirmed that Duke of Dingguo would indeed return. She was now hesitating because she wanted both the well-trained Chu Shuran for the Third Prince and the military power of the Duke of Dingguo’s household.
If she guessed correctly, Concubine Rong would wait until the Duke returned to the capital to observe the Emperor’s attitude toward the Duke’s household and also the Duke’s attitude toward her.
Chu Muqing sneered inwardly. Concubine Rong and the Third Prince certainly had good plans, but in this lifetime, she would never again allow the Duke of Dingguo’s household to become entangled in the bloody struggle for the throne.
“You’re back? Was the Imperial Garden beautiful?” Concubine Rong asked with a smile when she saw them enter.
Truly, Concubine Rong deserved her reputation, remaining firmly in power for years in the harem. Chu Muqing did not believe for a second that she knew nothing about what had just happened in the Imperial Garden. Though only a few people had openly witnessed it, the harem was the fastest place for news to spread. Who knew how many eyes were secretly watching?
If not, Cui Nong would never have dared to try smearing them. If Chu Muqing had let Cui Nong say what she wanted then and Concubine Shu fanned the flames, the rumor that the young ladies of Yongding Marquis’s household had forced a palace maid to death would have spread through the noble households of the capital before they even left the palace. In just a few days, everyone in the capital would believe the Yongding Marquis’s daughters to be vicious.
Of course, Concubine Rong would likely not allow such rumors to spread freely, after all, her fate was closely tied to the Yongding Marquis’s household. But Chu Muqing would never place her hopes in someone else’s hands. What if Concubine Rong failed against Concubine Shu this time? She could not afford such a risk, everything must remain within her control.
The moment the incident occurred, someone must have already reported it to Concubine Rong, yet she chose to remain still, clearly wanting to observe how the young ladies of the Yongding Marquis’s household would handle it.
“Your Highness, the Imperial Garden is naturally beautiful, but some palace maids are truly annoying,” Chu Sichun quickly replied, seizing the opportunity. That maid named Cui Nong had truly angered her, and she wanted to complain to Concubine Rong.
Chu Shuran had originally wanted to speak, but seeing Chu Sichun jump ahead of her, she paused and stayed silent, resentment stirring in her heart. This fool who couldn’t utter a word back in the garden now spoke faster than anyone.
Only Chu Muqing stood quietly to the side, showing no intention of speaking.
Concubine Rong looked slightly surprised. “What happened?” she asked.
Then Hongyu stepped forward and explained everything clearly from start to finish. As expected of Concubine Rong’s trusted palace maid, she recounted the situation thoroughly, without exaggerating and without leaving anything out.
After hearing it, Concubine Rong first said with affectionate pride, “So the prince even came into the palace today.”
When Chu Sichun heard Concubine Rong mention the Third Prince, she was just about to keep talking when she saw Chu Shuran softly say, “Yes, we really must thank the Third Prince for today,” her tone carrying a young girl’s shy sweetness.
Ever since she was old enough to understand, the First Madam had told her that although there had once been a childhood engagement joke with the Marquis household, as long as nothing unexpected happened, she was destined to become the Third Prince’s consort. Over the years, she had worked hard in every aspect for the sake of that position. The role of the Third Prince’s Consort should rightfully belong to her.
“This is simply what he ought to do,” Concubine Rong said as she looked at Chu Shuran. “I heard from Hongyu that you pleaded on behalf of those two little palace maids in the end?”
Delighted, Chu Shuran felt her heart lighten. It seemed her intervention had indeed worked, and Concubine Rong likely saw her as kind and pure now. Smiling gently, she replied, “I only thought they were still very young and couldn’t bear to see them punished too harshly.”
Concubine Rong nodded without commenting further. Then she noticed that Chu Muqing had not uttered a single word all this time, so she deliberately asked, “What does Muqing think?”
She didn’t specify about what, but Chu Muqing knew she was referring to the two palace maids.
Looking at Concubine Rong, Chu Muqing slowly said, “His Highness the Third Prince’s decision could not have been wrong, and Second Sister’s plea on their behalf shows her kind heart.” She paused before continuing, “But I feel they were indeed too bold. Your Highness might consider keeping them here in Chuxiu Palace as the lowest-ranking palace maids, as a warning to others.”
At her words, Concubine Rong let out a smile whose meaning was hard to read. “Then we’ll do as you say.”
The Old Madam and the First Madam’s expressions immediately changed. The Old Madam thought Chu Muqing was unbelievably bold to dare speak so recklessly before Concubine Rong. The First Madam, meanwhile, felt certain Chu Muqing truly was her nemesis, daring to openly contradict her beloved Shuran. She was furious and already planning to deal with Chu Muqing once they returned home.
Chu Shuran, hearing Chu Muqing’s words, was stunned. She had thought Chu Muqing had some sense, but how could she dare say such a thing in front of Concubine Rong without fearing the impression she might leave? Clearly she had overestimated her, she was just as foolish as Chu Sichun.
Chu Sichun, however, felt rather satisfied. She had thought the punishment for those palace maids was too light to begin with, so this outcome suited her just fine. At least Chu Muqing had finally done something she didn’t dislike.
After they chatted a while longer, the Old Madam said it was time to leave. Concubine Rong initially wanted to keep them for dinner, but the Old Madam declined, saying it was already getting late. Hearing this, Concubine Rong didn’t insist.
As soon as they left the palace, the Old Madam shot Chu Muqing a fierce glare before boarding the carriage with the help of the First Madam.
Seeing this, Chu Sichun sneered. “Eldest Sister, you shouldn’t try to stand out where you shouldn’t. Truly, someone from the countryside can’t get on the stage.” The last part she muttered more quietly, likely remembering how she’d suffered for saying similar things before, yet unable to hold her tongue.
Chu Muqing smiled and replied, “Naturally, I could never outshine Fourth Sister.”
Chu Sichun was furious again, stomped her feet, glared at her, and climbed into the carriage first.
Chu Shuran followed, secretly looking forward to returning home. No doubt Chu Muqing would not end well today.
Beside her, Bai Zhi worriedly whispered, “Miss…” She had also noticed the Old Madam’s look just now.
Chu Muqing smiled reassuringly. “It’s fine. Get in the carriage.”