In the blink of an eye, three more days passed. The door to the ancestral hall remained tightly shut. It was as if the entire Manor had forgotten Zhao Qihuang was there. Every day, aside from meals, Zhao Qihuang lay sprawled on the chaise lounge, reading the romance novels she had gathered. Occasionally, she would let Xiao Hong and the others in to chat, enjoying a rather pleasant time.
That afternoon.
Zhao Qihuang was engrossed in a tragic novel, wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief from time to time.
With a creak, the ancestral hall door was pushed open.
Silhouetted against the light, a slender figure entered. It was Zhao Qiyun, wearing a fashionable pink gauze dress that made her face look like a peach blossom, her eyes and brows radiating barely concealed smugness.
“Oh, Sister certainly seems to be living comfortably.” Zhao Qiyun’s voice shattered the hall’s tranquility.
Zhao Qihuang didn’t even lift an eyelid, merely turning the page with her fingertips, and replied coolly, “Thanks to you, Younger Sister, it is indeed peaceful here.”
Zhao Qiyun choked on her indifferent attitude, growing furious. “So what if your Fate is good? What can you actually do?”
Zhao Qihuang lazily glanced at her, replying carelessly, “Not much. Just eating better, dressing better, using better things, living better, and having a higher status than you. That’s all.”
This retort rendered Zhao Qiyun speechless. She walked up to Zhao Qihuang and looked down at her imperiously. “You are nothing but a pretty vase—nice to look at, useless otherwise.”
Only then did Zhao Qihuang bother to pull her gaze from the novel. A half-smile curved her lips as she slowly said, “Not everyone is qualified to be a vase. With your appearance, Younger Sister, I doubt you could even be near the base of one.”
“You!” Zhao Qiyun gritted her teeth. Remembering the purpose of her visit, she changed the subject, covering her mouth with a laugh. “I bet Sister doesn’t know this yet, does she? At the Spring Blossom Banquet, Crown Prince Li Mingxiao’s eyes were glued to me while I played the zither.” She paused for effect. “Among all the noble ladies present, aside from Liu Wanru, I was the most dazzling.”
As she boasted, Zhao Qihuang’s eyes gradually welled up. She sniffed lightly and used her handkerchief to gently dab away tears.
Seeing this, Zhao Qiyun was ecstatic. Zhao Qihuang was actually crying—hit where it hurt… Since Zhao Qihuang had been brought back from the old residence, she had lived under her tyranny every day. Finally, she had a chance to hold her head high.
Zhao Qiyun’s smile widened. She leaned down, moving closer to Zhao Qihuang. “Don’t be sad, Sister.” She patronized, “A person still needs genuine talent and knowledge. How long can you rely solely on a pretty face and status? Unlike me, while I wouldn’t dare say I master every art, my skills in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting are presentable. Crown Prince Li Mingxiao even praised me…”
Just as she was rambling excitedly, Zhao Qihuang suddenly lifted the corner of her lips, her voice carrying the slight nasal quality of someone just woken up. “I finally finished reading this novel today.”
Zhao Qiyun was stunned, not catching on. “What did you say?”
Zhao Qihuang didn’t answer. Instead, she stood up and reached out, grabbing Zhao Qiyun’s wrist.
“What are you doing?” Zhao Qiyun was startled by the grip, utterly confused.
Zhao Qihuang immediately swayed, using the leverage of Zhao Qiyun’s hand to collapse straight toward the floor. With a soft *thud*, accompanied by the crisp sound of porcelain shattering, the novel in Zhao Qihuang’s hand also fell. Zhao Qiyun sensed something was wrong and subconsciously tried to flee, but it was too late.
“What is it? Commandery Princess!”
Wet nurse Wan, who was guarding outside, heard the commotion and rushed the door open. She saw Zhao Qihuang lying prone on the ground, a shattered teacup beside her, the tea soaking her skirt. Zhao Qiyun stood frozen next to her, her hand still held in an awkward position.
Wet nurse Wan’s expression changed. She hurried forward to help Zhao Qihuang. “Commandery Princess, are you alright? Did Third Miss push you?”
Zhao Qihuang turned her head sadly, the corners of her eyes still slightly red. Wet nurse Wan immediately scowled at Zhao Qiyun, her tone full of disapproval. “Third Miss, how could you lay hands on the Commandery Princess!”
Zhao Qiyun was both angry and anxious, stomping her foot in protest. “I didn’t! Who pushed her? She did it herself…”
“Third Miss, perhaps you should leave now.” Wet nurse Wan coldly cut her off, her tone now stern. “If the Commandery Princess suffers any injury, the Old Madame’s wrath is not something you can afford to bear.”
Zhao Qihuang’s demeanor utterly shocked Zhao Qiyun. Wasn’t she only capable of relying on her status to bully others? When had she learned such underhanded tricks? Seeing Wet nurse Wan’s expression of complete belief in Zhao Qihuang, a surge of anger blocked Zhao Qiyun’s chest, tightening her throat. She pointed at Zhao Qihuang, trembling with rage, only managing to squeeze out, “You… you…”
“Third Miss, please.” Wet nurse Wan urged in a deep voice.
Zhao Qiyun furiously flung her sleeve and stormed out.
Inside the ancestral hall, Wet nurse Wan cautiously examined Zhao Qihuang. “Commandery Princess, are you truly alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”
Zhao Qihuang allowed herself to be helped up, slowly rising to her feet and dusting off non-existent dirt from her skirt. She lifted her phoenix eyes, which still held a hint of moisture, and looked at Wet nurse Wan, her tone carrying a trace of petulant complaint.
“Wet nurse Wan, please don’t look for any more tragic novels for me in the future.” She rubbed her eyes. “They made my eyes ache from crying.”
Wet nurse Wan: “…If the Commandery Princess is fine, this old servant will take her leave.”
Zhao Qihuang waved her hand, dismissing her.
Once the outsiders were gone, Xiao Hong, who had been waiting in the corner, quickly stepped forward and helped Zhao Qihuang sit back down on the chaise lounge. While efficiently clearing up the broken porcelain, she couldn’t help but whisper, “Commandery Princess, why did you deliberately fall just now?”
Zhao Qihuang took the warm cloth Xiao Hong offered, slowly wiping her still-reddened eyes, a faint, intrigued smile playing on her lips.
“Didn’t they say my Fate is linked to the Empress? I just wanted to see,” she continued, her voice laced with casual languor, “if I suffer a grievance here, will the Empress in the palace also feel ‘uncomfortable’?”
She wanted to test exactly how “effective” this theory of Destiny truly was.
Xiao Hong’s heart jumped, and she dared not ask further. The Commandery Princess’s thoughts were never something servants could presume to guess.
***
Late that same night, Glory and Longevity Hall was brightly lit. The Old Madame was being helped by the head wet nurse to prepare for bed when a burst of hurried footsteps sounded outside.
“Old Madame, someone from the palace is here!” a young maid gasped, rushing in to report.
The Old Madame frowned. “Such panic! Where are your manners? Bring the visitor to the front hall to wait a moment.” She tidied her attire and proceeded to the reception hall.
Just then, a familiar Chief Eunuch was ushered in by the head wet nurse, his expression solemn. “This servant greets the Old Madame.” The Chief Eunuch bowed deeply.
“Eunuch, there is no need for such formality. Visiting so late—has something happened to the Empress?” A subtle unease settled in the Old Madame’s heart.
The Chief Eunuch’s face was heavy. He lowered his voice and reported, “To answer the Old Madame, this evening, Noble Consort Fang tragically suffered a miscarriage. The Emperor was furious, chastising the Empress for failing to govern the inner palace strictly and neglecting the Imperial Heir. He has ordered the Empress confined to Fengkun Palace to reflect upon her mistakes.”
The Old Madame’s fingers tightened, gripping the arm of the maid beside her. “The Empress has been confined?”
The Chief Eunuch continued, “This servant was sent on the Empress’s orders. Her Majesty requests that the Second Miss of your Manor enter the palace to stay for a few days to keep her company.”
Hearing this, the Old Madame’s heart lurched. She suddenly remembered something, and her face instantly paled.
Zhao Qihuang! That girl was still locked up in the ancestral hall undergoing punishment!