“Yes, I suppose the Empress Dowager is aware that Qing’er is a concubine-born daughter of the household. Though she is betrothed, it is to the Sun family, the nephew of the Empress. Yet, my status remains unwelcome in my father’s home, so I…” The Empress Dowager’s expression shifted as Wanqing noticed the Prince of Ning beside her also looking at her in surprise.
With a faint, helpless smile, she turned to explain.
“Oh, so it’s that Sun boy. Very well, I grant your request. Eunuch Hua, go inform the Emperor…”
Wanqing’s words suggested she was thinking of her future. Though the Empress Dowager sighed inwardly at how such an extraordinary young woman had been preemptively claimed by the Sun family, she nodded in agreement and immediately instructed a eunuch beside her to relay her wish to the Emperor—that Wanqing be granted the title of County Princess.
Watching Eunuch Hua depart on her orders, the Empress Dowager stepped forward with a warm smile to help Qing’er rise.
“Child, I am genuinely fond of you. Even if you only asked for a title, in a few days, when I see the Emperor in person, I will have him grant you the title of Princess. Since we share such a bond, I shall bestow upon you the status of a Princess. When you marry into the Sun family, they will not dare slight you and will treat you with the utmost respect. Take this token. Should you ever face trouble or uncertainty, bring it to the palace, and I will stand by you.”
Her eyes filled with sorrow and deep affection as she spoke. The elderly woman then unfastened a yellow tassel from her waist and handed it to Wanqing, who accepted it with reverence and grace. The Empress Dowager gazed at her tenderly.
“Qing’er thanks Your Majesty for your boundless kindness. Should you ever feel lonely, you need only summon Qing’er, and no matter where I am, I will come to keep you company…”
Though Wanqing did not know whether the Empress Dowager’s affection stemmed from genuine fondness or from seeing her as a reminder of her own late mother, she was deeply moved by the elder’s heartfelt care and support. Bowing low, she expressed her gratitude before adding:
“Only you, child, understand my heart. Rise now, rise. I am weary and wish to visit Chen’er’s mother. I shall not detain you further. Chen’er, in a few days, it will be your mother’s memorial day. Remember to come to the palace and offer incense. You may withdraw now. Eunuch Hua will soon bring the imperial decree to the Marquis’s residence.”
Wanqing’s words struck a chord of melancholy in the Empress Dowager’s heart. Though she held the highest status, she was still an elderly woman who, like any other, longed for the companionship of younger generations and to be remembered.
Touched, the Empress Dowager’s eyes reddened slightly as she helped Wanqing to her feet. Remembering another matter, she addressed them both. Watching the Prince of Ning and Wanqing bow before turning to leave, she called out a final reminder to the Prince. Only after he acknowledged her words did she dismiss them.
As the two exited the palace, Wanqing couldn’t shake the image of the Empress Dowager’s lonely, desolate expression as she bid them farewell. A pang of sorrow twisted in her heart.
“Judging by Her Majesty’s demeanor, aside from our mother, neither the Emperor nor the current Empress seems to care for her much, nor do they spend time with her…”
Walking beside the Prince of Ning, Wanqing murmured softly, her voice tinged with sadness as she recalled the Empress Dowager’s forlorn expression.
“Indeed. Since Mother passed, Father rarely visits her. The Empress has never been on good terms with her, and Prince Xiu seldom pays his respects either. The vast palace is empty save for her and a handful of eunuchs and maids. Though it pains me to see her so lonely, I cannot be with her every day…”
The Prince of Ning sighed in agreement, his thoughts drifting to their grandmother’s age and the happier days of their childhood when their mother was still alive. The contrast with the present loneliness weighed heavily on him.
“What of Prince Xiu? Does he not visit her?”
Thinking of the other prince in the palace—the son of Empress Sun and their younger half-brother, now thirteen or fourteen—Wanqing couldn’t help but ask.
“As children, he often accompanied me to pay respects to her. But after Mother’s passing, his days were consumed by studies, horsemanship, and military drills under the Empress and the Sun family’s supervision… At times, I envy ordinary families, where harmony and peace reign. That is true happiness and comfort…”
The Prince of Ning’s voice grew heavy with melancholy as he spoke of Prince Xiu, his gaze distant and wistful.
“Such is the life of royalty. Let us not dwell on it. With us by her side, Her Majesty will surely find solace. After all, she has given me a token to enter the palace freely. Whenever she feels lonely, I will go to her.”
Wanqing shared her brother’s yearning for a peaceful family life. The struggles within the palace mirrored those in their own household—once united, now fractured. Though her sisters and Concubine Xu remained with their father, his loneliness and weariness were all too evident.
“Qing’er, having you back is a blessing. Like Her Majesty, I once believed I had been abandoned by all. Now I know we still have each other—and her. With you both, I am no longer alone.”
The Prince of Ning spoke with deep emotion, recalling his three years of solitude after his leg injury. His gratitude shone in his eyes as he looked at her.
“Silly brother, no need for formalities with your own sister. Why have Honglian and Qingfeng come in?”
Wanqing chided him affectionately, then frowned as she noticed Honglian and Qingfeng entering. They were supposed to wait outside the palace. Something must be amiss.
“What is it?” The Prince of Ning’s brow furrowed slightly as he and Wanqing approached the two.
“Young Mistress, Matron Xu has regained consciousness.” Seeing their solemn expressions, Honglian hesitated but relayed the news in a hushed tone.
“Truly? Let us return to the Marquis’s residence at once!”
The siblings’ faces lit up with joy at the news. Without delay, they hurried off with Honglian and Qingfeng.
But just as they reached the palace gates, a eunuch called out to them from behind.
“Eunuch Gao, what brings you here?” Recognizing him as one of the Emperor’s attendants, the Prince of Ning’s expression turned cold. The timing of Matron Xu’s awakening and this summons was too coincidental.
“This servant acts on His Majesty’s orders. The Emperor has heard of Lady Mu’s remarkable skill in treating the Empress Dowager’s headaches. Today, Her Majesty no longer requires acupuncture. His Majesty wishes Lady Mu to return tomorrow to attend to his own ailments.”
The eunuch bowed respectfully as he delivered the Emperor’s message.
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