“This king understands. But disturbing Your Ladyship is due to this king’s failure to discipline his household. Shall this king send someone to escort you back to the palace?” Facing these two formidable figures, Xun Yi’s head truly ached. Only by getting them to leave one by one could he resolve the mansion’s issues—after all, family scandals should not be aired outside.
The Wise Noble Consort smiled warmly and rose, taking Wei Xiao’s hand along the way. She said calmly, “County Princess, the palace has new chefs from Jiangnan; the flavors are decent. Why not come to the palace with this palace? It has been a while since you last saw His Majesty.”
Wei Xiao knew arguing further would not allow them any involvement. But she specially handed the medicine bowl to Xun Yi with sarcasm. “Your Highness, if you cannot even manage your household, how can you govern the country?”
Xun Yi glared at her. Gazing at the long-cold medicine in the bowl, rage blazed in his eyes. He could not smash it, and as he turned, he nearly collided with the hurrying Zi Jin. He recognized her as Changqing’s personal maidservant. Suppressing his inner fury, he said coldly, “What are you doing here again?”
“This servant came to deliver the medicine dregs. I just came from the kitchen—fortunately, I got there quickly, or the dregs would have been dumped.” Zi Jin hurriedly placed the dregs on the table and turned to hurry back to Tangqing Courtyard.
Her seemingly panicked words carried a deeper meaning: the dregs might have been destroyed. Xun Yi increasingly felt the inner residence was restless. He summoned the steward, handed him the medicine bowl, and could no longer contain his anger. “This king told you to watch Changqing more closely. Now poison in her medicine, and you knew nothing? Yuyin, after so many years as steward, do you think this king is too lenient?”
It was like the city gates catching fire and the fish in the moat suffering—Yuyin exactly. He glanced at the still-composed Qin Jingyu and said, “Your Highness, the inner residence is no longer under my management now. You cannot blame me. I handle the front courtyard without mishaps.”
At this point, Qin Jingyu could no longer stand steady. She had not expected Yuyin to be so cunning and sly. Burning with resentment but unable to vent now, she stepped forward. “Father-in-law, this is your daughter-in-law’s fault. Once back, I will certainly investigate thoroughly and give Changqing a proper accounting.”
The Wise Noble Consort’s earlier words had already hinted obliquely, and Xun Yi was no fool—he understood the implications. But with no evidence yet, he could say little, though his tone grew colder. “No need for you to investigate. This king will do it himself. You just manage the mansion well. If this king hears anyone speaking of whether Changqing is legitimate or illegitimate again, their tongue will be pulled out.”
Some things he was not unaware of, merely powerless to handle. Now spurred by Wei Xiao, he would make time even if there was none.
He instructed for about a week later—no, he checked the time; it was still early, so he went alone to Tangqing Courtyard.
At that moment, Xun Changqing had not yet woken from her afternoon nap. He paced around the courtyard once and overheard some servant gossip.
Two maids were slacking off in a corner, enjoying the shade. One said, “I want to go out to see my mother, but the Heir Apparent Consort won’t let anyone from Tangqing Courtyard leave. What did our princess ever do to her? Rationing our things is one thing, but not even letting us out.”
“Not letting us out is nothing. A few days ago, even the young general who escorted the princess back wasn’t allowed in, called idle riffraff not permitted to enter freely. She must think our princess doesn’t handle affairs and is ill besides. Right, if you want to go out, ask the princess; she’ll agree.”
“Better not; don’t add to her troubles. The physician said to rest well. With all this about legitimate or illegitimate, even she feels awkward in the mansion. Without the princess title, she’d be trampled without recourse…”
“Hush… Don’t say it. The prince forbade talking about this. If you want to go out, find Sister Zi Jin; she goes out on errands sometimes and can take you along. It’s not a big deal.”
The two rose, brushed the dust from their backs, and headed back to the room to resume work.
Xun Yi’s expression changed. At that moment, Zi Jin came out and bowed, inviting him inside.
Xun Changqing had just woken, her face pale, her long hair not yet combed and scattered over her shoulders. After putting on an outer robe, she came out of the inner room. Seeing Xun Yi, surprise flickered in her eyes, and she smiled faintly. “How come you are here? Are you not busy today after returning?”
Her faint smile brimmed with obvious delight. Seeing her pale lips, Xun Yi felt a pang in his heart. He affectionately stroked her head and sighed, “Your temperament is just like your mother’s.”
Xun Changqing’s heart skipped a hard beat. Her body swayed just after rising, her face growing even paler. “Who do you mean? Are you finally willing to tell? I thought Mother was some woman who could not see the light of day.”
Her faint resentment clearly startled Xun Yi. Facing those external rumors, no resentment would make one a Buddha. He said helplessly, “What is there to hide? I just feared troubling you. Now that you want to know, Father will tell you everything.”
