“This lady is…?” The young man’s voice was a bit hoarse as he kept his gaze focused on Qin Yining.
The butler responded respectfully. “It’s Prime Minister Qin’s daughter here to see the prince.”
The young man played with the tassel of the satchet at his waist and smiled. His hands left the sachet for a moment to cup together in a salute of respect. “Hello Miss Qin.”
“Greetings to the gentleman.” Qin Yining responded politely as well.
“You wish to see the prince? Then come with me.”
Qin Yining’s eyes flicked upwards in quick surprise. She could see the young man’s self assured expression through the white veil, and more interestingly, the lack of objection from the butler as well. This should be a master of the manor. Judging from his age… possibly the Prince of Ning’s son? But he didn’t call the prince “royal father”, and used the reference of “the prince” instead. She quickly thought of the son who’d been adopted by the emperor and had been an imperial prince for less than a year. It was the same boy who’d been summarily returned to the Prince of Ning after one of the emperor’s concubines had a boy. This “highness” was an imperial prince, but not really. Could one call him the son of the prince then? But he’d been adopted by the emperor. He certainly was in a very awkward position.
Even as she thought, Qin Yining trailed behind the young man, with Ruilan, Qiulu, and Steward Zhong bringing up the rear. They headed through the main doors, circled past a large, man-made pond, through an artificial mountain and into a residence.
A horizontal board hung in the main hall, with the characters for benevolence carved on it. A painting of eight horses hung beneath it, overlooking a long table of fragrant rosewood. A lazurite vase, filled with fresh flowers, was placed on either end. A brass, perforated brazier sat in the middle of the table, filling the air with the faint scent of pine oil and sandalwood from an unknown incense mixture. The young man strode across a gleaming floor of black marble and made a beeline for the head seat. “Please sit, miss.” He indicated with a smile.
Qin Yining further confirmed her earlier thoughts when she saw the young man comfortably occupy the main seat of the hall. She smiled in thanks and took off her hat, occupying one of the side seats. Ruilan, Qiulu, and Steward Zhong all took silent places behind her.
The young man started visibly when he saw Qin Yining’s face and immediately looked down with a cough. “You must be the daughter that Prime Minister Qin just found?”
“That would be me.” Qin Yining was a bit nervous. She was afraid that the young man would ask about the purpose of her visit. After all, discussing the matter of Miss Tang and actually requesting her return from the Prince of Ning were two wholly different things. If she talked about it with anyone else, it’d be easy for others to misunderstand it as a criticism of the prince.
Therefore, she purposefully averted her eyes and focused on some brushwork hung on the wall in front of her, then looked at the painting of eight stallions above the main seat. The painting was one of eight handsome, wild horses galloping over the plains. There was no artist name or seal to it. The young man’s eyes kept wandering back to her face, and he initiated conversation with a smile when he saw her interest in the painting. “What do you think of this painting?”
Qin Yining was stumped. She hadn’t studied paintings much and could only answer with a dry cough, “It’s a nice painting."
The young man had thought that she’d studied paintings, and so was rather surprised to receive such an uninspired reply.
Qin Yining realized that her response had been too insincere when she noted the young man’s expression. She coughed. “The horses are very life-like, but I’m certain that the painter has never seen a real herd of horses.”
The youth was very surprised and rose to study the work. He turned to her, curiosity in his voice, “What makes you say that? I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
Qin Yining blinked in puzzlement when she saw how earnest the young man was. She said softly, “I grew up in the wilderness and was once saved by a herd of wild horses much like this one. Thus, I know a little bit of what horse herds are like.”
The young man had long since heard the story of Prime Minister Qin’s daughter being swapped at birth and wandering around outside for fourteen years. But now, his interest was thoroughly piqued. “If you don’t mind, please elaborate. What was the herd of wild horses like?”
Qin Yining dimpled. “I was attacked by wild wolves one year and was on the run through the woods. In the middle of my frantic escape, I happened to run into a herd of wild horses grazing on the plains. I charged towards them without thinking because I was so afraid, and there was no one around to save me. The lead mare saved me then.” [2]
She seemed to be able to see that striking chestnut wild mare of her memories as she spoke, as her smile grew simultaneously bigger and gentler. “The lead mare of the herd is just like the one running in the middle of the pack in this painting. Taller, with a longer mane, she was very fit, dashing to and fro with brave grace. She’s the one who protects the herd in emergencies and has even dared to fight wolves. Back then, I survived because the lead mare led the others in creating a defensive galloping circle when I led the wild wolves over.”
She walked to the tilt her head up at the painting, putting her three paces away from the young man. “The horses in this painting are handsome and very life-like, but the painter put the lead mare in the middle of the herd to heighten her looks. But in a real horse herd, the lead mare’s place is the front. The positioning is completely off, which is why I said that the painter must’ve never seen a real horse herd in the wild.”
The young man nodded continuously and turned to Qin Yining with an ardent look on his face. Yet when he met her clear eyes, he quickly averted his own, his ears burning. “You have such a rich breadth of experience, it’s I who’ve learned something today.”
Qin Yining quickly shook her head. “Your words are too much, sir. I haven’t studied painting at all, and so can only see the good in this work. Otherwise, my words are but random gibberish. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“You’re too polite, miss.”
The two were exchanging pleasantries when a servant came in to report, “His Highness is here.”
Moments after he spoke, a random patter of footsteps sounded in the hallway. They didn’t have long to wait before a man of roughly fifty stalked in from the rear hall. He was exceedingly tall and strong, and was garbed in an eggplant-purple silk robe. A small, golden crown perched on his head. [3] His sideburns and beard obscured his features, but he walked with great vigor. The Prince of Ning was not alone, though. He was actually holding a tantalizing woman dressed in pale-green chiffon in his arms. When the Prince of Ning entered the front hall, his eyes lit up upon seeing Qin Yining. When he saw the young man, he laughed and lifted his hands in a cupped fist salute.
The young man politely returned the gesture. “Miss, I won’t disturb your conversation with the prince.” He made a genteel bow and headed into the back through the openwork screen.
It was the prince’s turn to occupy the main seat, and he did so. He pulled the seductively smiling lady over to sit on his thighs, eliciting a giggle. He turned his attention fully to Qin Yining, and spoke in a low, resonant voice, “You’re Qin Meng’s daughter, hmm? What business do you have with this prince?”
* * *
A very innocuous description for a hat made of six panels of fabric. Popularized in the Ming Dynasty, it symbolized all beneath the heavens as one.
Mares are actually the leaders of wild horse herds!
These are Chinese crowns, which aren’t like the big Western crowns. These are more used to hold a man’s hairstyle up.
Chapter 36: Audacious in the Extreme
Chapter 36: Audacious in the Extreme
Ruilan and Qiulu immediately started sweating profusely when they saw the prince. They were two maids who’d never seen grand occasion
s before, and even the highly worldly Steward Zhong was so afraid that he couldn’t lift his head.
Prince of Ning’s tyrannical reputation was known to everyone. He had an air of violence about him as he personally fought in battles. His voice was low and carried, making those who heard it tremble and shiver. No one dared look at him easily because of his position and his strength.
And now, the prince knew full well that he was meeting a girl who’d yet come of age, but was holding a beautiful concubine in his arms and roving his large hand over her breasts, squeezing and fondling them until the concubine giggled breathily. It was exceedingly lascivious, and his dismissive attitude went without saying.
Any other noble girl would be both angry and fearful at this, wanting to put some distance between herself and the prince. Even a man would’ve felt humiliated. But Qin Yining maintained her cool composure, as if she hadn’t seen what the prince was doing and made a prim curtsey.
“Good tidings to Prince of Ning. This girl is née Qin, the only child of Prime Minister Qin. I’ve just taken over the Institute of Luminous Grace. As its new owner, I’m here on behalf of Miss Tang.”
“You’ve certainly got some nerve!” The prince snorted in laughter. “And here I thought Qin Meng has an interesting daughter who admires this prince’s strength and is here to offer herself.”
The concubine in his arms chuckled delightedly at this. Qiulu and Ruilan were outraged, but they didn’t dare say anything. They only lowered their heads and didn’t know what to do. Steward Zhong had broken out into a cold sweat and was starting to regret asking Qin Yining for help. How could I have let a girl be humiliated like this by the prince?
Qin Yining didn’t even frown. She just pretended she hadn’t heard those words. “Prince of Ning is indeed strong and your heroic name known to all. I grew up in the countryside, but even there heard of your heroic feats when leading our armies against Great Zhou. It is truly worthy of great admiration.”
The prince hadn’t thought that not only would he fail to scare away the girl, she’d clap a grand title on him instead. He was even more amused by this and leaned forward, despite holding a concubine in his arms. He laughed heartily.
“Well said! I just can’t stand those Great Zhou cretins who usurped their dynasty’s throne under the guise of overthrowing a tyrant! It’s not like they’re that moral and righteous either!”
Qin Yining also smiled while Ruilan, Qiulu, and Steward Zhong heaved sighs of relief. Just when they thought that Qin Yining would continue plying the prince with over-the-top compliments, she suddenly changed the topic. “But Your Highness, do you know that your heroic name will be ruined if Miss Tang remains in your hands?”
The somewhat relaxed atmosphere began to draw taut again with these words. The prince frowned fiercely and his beard shook from rage. He bellowed in ringing tones, “How dare you!”
Steward Zhong shook all over and cold sweat poured out. The two maids felt their knees go weak as they sank to the ground.
Qin Yining laughed lightly. “I wouldn’t have dared come today with this request if I didn’t have some guts myself. Your Highness is noble and awe-inspiring and naturally knows the situation in Great Yan. All talk of Great Yan dominating the war and always being victorious is just bluster.
"I once spent time in Liang and the cities bordering Great Zhou, and know of the scenes of desolation and bleak hunger there. The nobles in the capital are frogs in a well, safe and sound in their little haven, and blithely unaware of the suffering outside. But with Your Highness’ experience and wits, surely you can tell that Great Yan is destined to fall one day?”
Even Steward Zhong lost his nerve at these words and sank to his knees. The prince’s expression had darkened and he was glaring blackly at Qin Yining. “You, girl, how dare you! How dare you curse my Great Yan! Believe me when I say that I can have you cut to a million pieces anytime and not even have to notify your father for it!”
Qin Yining’s heart also quailed when she saw that the prince was in a towering rage. But the arrow was notched to the bow, and she had to draw it back to release it.
She bent her knee. “Your Highness is so enraged because I speak the truth. I say this not to deride Great Yan. If there is a day when the country falls, I will not scrabble desperately after life either. I say all this for Your Highness.” Qin Yining’s eyes were sparkling with the radiance of the stars.
“Your Highness knows well that there will come a day when the enemy troops are at our gates. Since the dawn of time, there have always been temptresses at the sides of rulers who have lost their way. The downfalls of Daji and Taizhen are possibly the future of the empress. Master Tang is a criminal today who attempted to murder the empress, but he may become a martyr and hero in the future for attempting to rid the world of evil! The world would certainly be a different place. Then how will Your Highness fare?”
Qin Yining trailed her head down at this point, stemming her flood of words. She had voiced her argument plainly. It was up to the prince now to decide. Whether or not she succeeded, she had tried her best.
Meanwhile, Prince of Ning was musing over Qin Yining’s little speech. Her words had been very clear. If there really came a day when Great Zhou’s armies were at the gates, with the cowardly and incompetent emperor they had, the son of heaven would certainly pin all the blame on a scapegoat, claiming they were a scourge to nation and people.
The empress who had utterly mesmerized him back in the day would be the most likely candidate. Once she was given up, her fate was sealed and so too would the Cao clan become criminals, never to make their way up in the world again.
If that day did come, then perhaps Great Yan would be on the brink of death. Just like Qin Yining said, all would be overturned then and a new world order established. As part of the royal family, life wouldn’t be as easy for him then as it was now. Those Clearist wolves and tigers couldn’t do anything to him now even though he was holding onto the Tang daughter, but in the future? Prince of Ning had always been aware of all this.
What he hadn’t anticipated was a young girl able to think so far and deeply ahead, and possess enough courage to voice such treasonous words in front of him. She wasn’t doing it for herself either, but to save someone else. It looked like this girl wasn’t just a pretty trophy. She was someone with depth, wisdom, and valor. Admiration flashed through the prince’s eyes as he looked at Qin Yining.
On the other hand, his continued silence put everyone on edge. A faint sheen of sweat coated Qin Yining’s palms. She could feel the prince’s knife-like gaze scouring her, as if wanting to take her very skin off. Of course she was afraid, but since she’d decided to save the person, she wouldn’t back down.
A beat later, the prince responded coldly, “Miss Tang is indeed in my hands. What do you want with her after taking her? Send her back to the Royal Academy?”
Qin Yining was inwardly delighted. There’s hope yet! She thought for a moment. “The matter has become so large, I don’t intend on returning Miss Tang to the Royal Academy anymore. If Your Highness really does give her to me, I’ll keep her with me as my maid. As for how to explain things to the Royal Academy, I trust that they won’t dare attempt anything given Your Highness’ prestige, as long as you are willing to give her to me.”
Miss Tang would be targeted by Grand Preceptor Cao if she wandered around outside, so she’d still lose her life in the future even if Qin Yining saved her today. Qin Yining was the prime minister’s daughter after all, so those who would wish Miss Tang ill would have to think twice.
The prince laughed heartily when he heard this, so loudly that dust almost came drifting down from the rafters. He smacked the pert buttocks of the concubine in his arms. She understood what he wanted her to do and sashayed into the rear hall.
The group in the main hall heard the patter of multiple footsteps before long. They lifted their heads to see two maids accompanying a small nun past the openwork screen. The nun had a small frame with full
cheeks and large eyes. She was quite adorable, and the large convent robes hung loosely on her, making her seem like a child playing dress up in adult clothing.
The prince smiled when he saw the little nun. “Niece Meng, [1] did you hear what was said just now?”
The little nun turned to Qin Yining with a sweet smile, her two dimples very apparent. “I heard it all. Thank you big sister for your good intentions.”
“And are you willing to be a maid for this big sister?”
“Big sister Qin is a good person and full of heroism. I am all by myself now and even more unlikely to be the noble daughter of old. I’ve come to terms with the situation I’m in. Since I can’t return to the nunnery or go to the Royal Academy, I’m naturally willing to go with big sister Qin and treat her as my mistress. I will serve her faithfully for the rest of my days to repay the debt of gratitude I owe to her.”
The prince nodded, his voice so gentle it was as if he was another person entirely. “Miss Qin, this is Tang Meng, the daughter of the administrative assistant of the Imperial Academy of Medicine, Master Tang. I can see that you have a sincere heart, and are possessed with courage and wit. You should be able to protect her well. I give her over to your care then.”
He smiled tenderly at the little nun. Tang Meng returned his smile and knelt down properly, commending a grand gesture of gratitude. “Niece Meng thanks Your Highness for your shelter these days. You have suffered hits to your reputation because of me. I have no way to repay you.”
Return of the Swallow c1-644 Page 26