Ruyi nodded and flashed a smile of gratitude at the granny servant before slipping off. Qin-mama remained beneath the covered hallway. There was no need to go inside; anyone unrelated to the situation about to develop would be soon dismissed anyways. She didn’t need to stick her nose in this.
Qin Huaiyuan made a beeline for the center of the house and was greeting with the sight of Cao Yuqing, Qin Huining, and the sixth miss either sitting or standing around the old dowager. The three rose to make their greetings when they saw the master of the house return. The old dowager cheerfully got off the luohan bed and grabbed her son’s hand.
“Meng’er’s back! It’s good that you’re back, absolutely wonderful!”
Qin Huaiyuan bowed to his mother and briefly examined her. He saw that her cheeks were flush with good health and her complexion seemed to be just as hearty as usual.
“Have you been well, mother?”
“Good, good. I’ve just been worried about you. Look at you, you’ve gotten so much skinnier after this trip. We need to get some good health back in you.” The old dowager smiled at Cao Yuqing. “I was just telling Yuqing what you like to eat. She said that the days are getting warmer and that it’s time to prepare summer clothes for you.”
Due to how time intensive handmade clothes were, the manor would usually start working on clothes a season in advance.
Qin Huaiyuan looked blandly at Cao Yuqing. “There’s no need for you to spend effort on this, the senior madame will naturally oversee it all.”
You’re just a concubine, don’t overstep your station.
Cao Yuqing’s smile dimmed as the color began draining out of her face. However, she maintained her slight smile. “It’s not a trouble at all. These are all part of this concubine’s duties.”
“Your duties?” Qin Huaiyuan helped the old dowager sit down on the redwood luohan bed that had been made up with brand new baby-blue cushions. He laughed softly. “And here I thought your duties were in the palace and not the manor.”
Cao Yuqing’s face turned a mottled red from indignation as she glared at Qin Huaiyuan. She couldn’t understand why he was suddenly displaying this attitude towards her. But self control returned in a breath as she looked down and made a docile curtsey. “Don’t be angry, my lord.”
Meanwhile, it was the old dowager’s turn to blanch when she saw how her son was treating née Cao. This was née Cao! The empress’ sister, Elder Statesman Cao’s oldest daughter! She kept throwing significant looks to her son, but Qin Huaiyuan seemed to not see any of them and in fact, leisurely sat down with a cup of tea.
Anxious irritation rose in the matriarch and she went to support Cao Yuqing herself, helping her to a nearby garden stool. “Good child, don’t mind him. He’s just confused at the moment, I’ll lecture him properly.”
However, Qin Huaiyuan spoke up right after the old dowager. “You may all leave first. I have words to speak with my mother.”
The shivering Qin Huining and sixth miss felt like they’d received an imperial pardon. They quickly made their curtsies and departed. Cao Yuqing however, hesitated and cast a look at Qin Huaiyuan before leaving.
There was soon no one else in the house. The old dowager rebuked her son worriedly when she saw how pitiful née Cao looked. “Meng’er, what are you doing? How can you treat née Cao like this right after your return?”
“Treat her like this? As a concubine, she schemed to trick her superior, the official wife, into the palace. I haven’t even taken her to task for that act. Can I not even obliquely admonish her?”
“Don’t forget, her surname is Cao!”
“Her surname is now Qin.”
The old dowager pointed at Qin Huaiyuan. “You wicked child! Don’t you forget what kind of people her sister and father are! Who knows what will happen if you don’t keep those two happy!”
“I know that mother worries constantly about me out of love.” Qin Huaiyuan helped his mother sit down again and poured some more tea for her. “But please understand that I am a husband and a father as well.” This was as blatant as he would be.
Changes flickered rapidly through the old dowager’s face as a scowl crossed her face. She started to curse, “I knew that that bitch née Sun and brat Qin Yining would cause trouble behind my back! What have they made up or accused me of this time?”
The more she thought about it, the more like a victim she felt. Her voice choked up. “Née Sun challenged imperial authority and your precious girl wanted to go save her! It would’ve been better for that idiotic woman with no brains to die a clean death. At least she wouldn’t have dragged you down with her! I’m your mother, the matriarch of this family. Was I to allow the stinking fish that’s née Sun to mess up the entire pot of soup?!”
“Be calm, mother,” Qin Huaiyuan responded with a lowered head. “Your loving desire to protect me is the same as mine for daughter Yi. You might’ve forgotten how grandmother made life difficult for you back in the day. Father doted on his concubine at your expense, his wife. Have you forgotten how you spent everyday in tears when father raised née Jiang to extreme heights? Or what your son did then?”
Even as she burned with anger, these words reminded the old dowager of the pain of her youth and how Qin Huaiyuan had protected her as a child.
“What mother hated most then was grandmother’s lack of kindness and benevolence, all in the hurried pursuit of fame and accomplishment. But now look, how are you different from grandmother back then?”
“You unfilial son! I’m doing all this for you!”
“Then for me, mother, please consider your son’s reputation. I cannot bear the name of an ungrateful cad who dotes on a concubine at the expense of my wife. I hold one of the highest positions possible in the nation and now have the additional one of marquis. In terms of Great Yan’s fortunes, your son has reached the peak, and has nothing further to strive for. I’ve always conducted myself so that my behavior would be beyond reproach and allow others nothing to criticize. I pray that mother will no longer act of your own accordance like this.”
“Well, well now! You think I’m just in the way now?!”
“Mother, you know what I speak of, so why turn the subject to something else?” Qin Huaiyuan looked straight at the old dowager. “Daughter Yi and née Sun will be staying outside for a short while. I won’t be involved in this, so do as you see fit, mother. As for née Cao, those are matters that stay between us, so please don’t interfere in the future.”
Qin Huaiyuan bowed and left. The old dowager’s tears finally spilled over when she saw him walk off. “This unfilial son, unfilial son! Just what have I done to deserve this?!”
Qin-mama, Jixiang, and Ruyi curtsied to Qin Huaiyuan from beneath the covered hallways. They also had a servant accompany him out with an umbrella. Qin-mama took in a deep breath of the moist air and patted her cheeks, putting her expression in order before going in to comfort the old dowager.
Although the conversation between mother and son had been a private one, no wall in the world was airtight. The second and third branches of the house soon learned of what had happened, and both madame of those branches felt some schadenfreude when they heard the details. They’d long since had enough of the old dowager’s habit of fawning on those in power.
Setting the Qin Manor aside for now, the Court of State Ceremonial was currently welcoming a noble guest. The Court of State Ceremonial was a central government agency under the Ministry of Rites that was, amongst its other duties, also in charge of court receptions of foreign dignitaries. Its minister was currently showing the Great Zhou envoy into the main hall.
Lian Shenjie was dressed casually and walked in with a ramrod straight posture. The minister was fearfully reporting to him, “The Faithful Prince of the First Rank from your noble nation arrived a step early. He’s already waiting in the Flower Hall for you to partake in the banquet together. I’ve prepared an exquisite banquet and the specialty song and dances of my nation. I hope the lord envoy will feel s
o inclined as to join us.”
When he heard that Pang Xiao was also present, a trace of fear appeared on Lian Shengjie’s face. But when he thought of his orders, he comforted himself once more. And the minister’s mention of song and dance had been enough to send his heart lurching lewdly. With singers and dancers, the people of this nation wouldn’t be barbarians now, would they? He wouldn’t have to fear long and lonely nights here.
They entered the Flower Hall as they chatted, drawing a sideways glance from Pang Xiao as he sat in the head seat. “So it’s Sir Lian.”
* * *
Chapter 129: A Crisp Slap
Chapter 129: A Crisp Slap
“Who else would it be, if not for me?” Although Lian Shengjie’s response sounded firm, one could hear how dry his throat was if they listened carefully.
Pang Xiao snorted with laughter when he took another look at Lian Shengjie’s oh-so-solemn face and then promptly ignored the newcomer. His slender, limber fingers picked up a gold-rimmed, white porcelain wine cup. A beautiful maid with a pretty smile immediately appeared by his side with a copper jug.
The amber nectar sloshed into the cup, sparkling in its radiance, immensely rich and fragrant to the nose. The maid’s red lips were upturned slightly as she looked carefully at Pang Xiao’s handsome face. Two spots of color instantly appeared on her cheeks as she looked shyly downwards.
Lian Shengjie was highly envious of the scene in front of him. He couldn’t help but swallow hard as he hesitantly took a few steps forward. Pang Xiao didn’t care at all as he flung his head back to drain the cup. His Adam’s apple bobbed and the curves of his hard chin added a few hints of roguishness and dominance to his being.
The maid’s cheeks grew even redder and she looked ready to pour even more wine, but Pang Xiao took the jug from her. He waved his hand to dismiss her and looked sideways at Lian Shengjie again, remarking lazily, “Sir Lian must have received the emperor’s decree, or your courage wouldn’t have grown to the point where you don’t even bow upon seeing this prince."
This caused Lian Shengjie to finally unglue his eyes from the beauty. He trembled once all over when he met Pang Xiao’s sharply mocking look and almost sank to his knees.
“Ahem. This, this official is naturally here with the emperor’s decree, not like some people who are here on a private trip.” Lian Shengjie spoke with a fair amount of trepidation. Fear had been beaten into his bones, and his body unconsciously tensed all over whenever he saw Pang Xiao. His back ached in sympathetic phantom pain even as he looked at the prince.
Pang Xiao smirked down at him, arching his brow as he pointed at a random empty seat. “Have a seat, why remain standing? This prince didn’t punish you to stand.”
Lian Shengjie flushed a furious red as anger flooded his mind, burning away some of his earlier trepidation. He stiffly took a seat in front of Pang Xiao. When the minister of the Court of State Ceremonial saw that the two Great Zhou delegates didn’t seem to like each other very much, his hands grew clammy from sweat. He was deathly afraid that the two would start fighting at the drop of a hat. If such a thing happened on his watch, the emperor would surely find great fault with him.
He breathed a quiet sigh of relief when Lian Shengjie took his seat without further ado, and gave orders for the accompanying officials to sit as well. The minister also indicated for the banquet and performances to begin.
Pleasing strains of music rose elegantly from the orchestra as lithe, young dancers wearing sheer veils turned and twisted in pleasing forms. They appeared slightly ethereal in the opulent and magnificent Flower Hall. The scene was further elevated by the sumptuous delicacies laid out on red, peony embroidered, brocade tablecloths that decorated the tops of the square tables on the sides. [1]
Lian Shengjie was enjoying the fine wine and delicious food served by beautiful palace servants. His eyes were drawn to the elegantly performing girls and he felt quite comfortable and at ease. All of his previous tension and nerves had completely drained out of his body.
Pang Xiao caught sight of Lian Shengjie’s undisguised leering from the corner of his eyes. He took the wine jug from the maid serving him and watched the performance with an exceedingly frosty look. The seductive scene that played before him didn’t seem to register at all.
The minister and other Great Yan officials all had their own speculations when they saw the vastly different reactions from Pang Xiao and Lian Shengjie. But they didn’t dare involve themselves in the fight between the two, and could only mutely keep them company.
After a few rounds of wine, Lian Shengjie had completed relaxed and his emotions started rising because of the alcohol.
“Y-your Highness, y-y-you made a private trip… to Great Yan. What, what do you think your crimes w-will be?” What should’ve been a strongly imposing statement came out in a stammer as the wine tangled his tongue.
Pang Xiao responded lazily. “The peace talks were a success and the two nations are now friends. This prince is just walking around. What kind of crime is that?”
“You’re just irrationally making things up! As the general of the Valiant Tigers, how would you not know of the importance of your position? His Majesty hasn’t allowed you to make any such excursion, but you made that decision for yourself! Don’t you know that you’ve already angered the emperor?!” The alcohol rushing to Lian Shengjie’s head gave him the boldness to slam his hand hard on the table.
The music and dancing instantly ground to a halt as attendees shook from the sudden display of fury from Lian Shengjie. The minister didn’t dare become involved in Great Zhou matters, so he quickly rose and slipped away with his men.
What had been a lively scene of celebration was now eerily quiet. Pang Xiao didn’t seem inclined to speak, instead just taking a sip of wine. Lian Shengjie snorted derisively at the silence.
“Not speaking means you’re afraid! Let me tell you something, Pang Zhixi, it’s not the first day that your arrogance has grated upon our ears! You’ve always been disrespectful to us old officials of Northern Ji. We serve His Majesty, but you still look down on us and sneer at us. You use violence against us and curse at us. But it’s a good thing the emperor is wise and noble and has seen through your cockiness!”
“Are you quite done yet?” Pang Xiao lazily dug at his ears.
“The emperor bade me ask you why you’ve come to Great Yan instead of returning to the capital! So answer!”
“The usual chain of command may be discarded in the field of battle.” Pang Xiao put down the wine jug, causing it to clink lightly against the table. “Besides, I have my own reasons.”
Lian Shengjie continued to laugh coldly when he saw that Pang Xiao didn’t erupt in his usual immense rage. So what if he had the command medallion of the Valiant Tigers? So what if the Valiant Tigers were so fierce that one of them could counter ten foes? Even if Pang Xiao was a prince, he still had to bow his head in front of the emperor and fear the old Northern Ji officials and the strong Dragon Rider troops of the Marquis of Northern Stability, Ji Zeyu!
When Great Zhou had trampled Northern Ji, Pang Xiao’s Valiant Tigers had acted as the vanguard and had led from the front during each slaughter and act of violence. He’d dragged out officials who had surrendered and slowly sliced pieces off of them to feed the hounds. That vicious cruelty had become a trademark that horrified the Northern Ji officials. They were now under the Great Zhou banner, but they still viewed Pang Xiao as the reason for the fall of Northern Ji.
How would they not hate Pang Xiao? Even the emperor was wary of Pang Xiao’s military strength. Ji Zeyu’s growing Dragon Riders was the sharpest weapon that could counteract the Valiant Tigers. And yet, Pang Xiao didn’t know how to keep a lower profile and continued his cocky ways, doing whatever he would, whenever he wanted.
As a surrendered Northern Ji official, Lian Shengjie had long since felt that Pang Xiao was a thorn in his side. And now that the prince could only respond with some platitude like ‘the usual chain of comm
and may be discarded when in the battlefield’, he really felt so delighted that he could nearly float to the rafters!
“Don’t be proud of yourself for too long.” Lian Shengjie laughed heartily. “Take it from your old brother, rein yourself in some. If you explain yourself well to me now, I can put in a few words for you in my report back to His Majesty. Otherwise, you won’t even know how you die. Not to mention, it’s not me who wants to know why you’re in Great Yan, but the emperor.”
The man propped himself up on the square table and leaned forward as if to listen carefully, but his supposed sincerity was belied by the mockery writ clear across his face. “Well? Come on now, tell me.”
Pang Xiao had been smiling downwards all this time as he played with the gold rimmed wine cup. Huzi by his side had long been purple with indignation. The guard was absolutely itching to charge up and wring Lian Shengjie’s neck.
When Lian Shengjie saw that Pang Xiao was still remaining silent, he leaned a few degrees even more forward and smiled jeeringly.
“And why aren’t you talking? You said that you have your ‘reasons’, so what are those maaaaarvelous reasons?”
Smack! rang out crisply. Lian Shengjie clutched his swollen cheek with disbelief as he stared at Pang Xiao, stunned.
“What the hell are you?” Do you have the right to listen to this prince’s words?” Pang Xiao rose to his feet, looking down loftily at Lian Shengjie’s face, which was now alternating through different colors. The alcohol had been slapped clean out of the man. When he recalled how he’d mocked Pang Xiao earlier, he stumbled back a few steps, still holding his cheek, as if this would somehow save him from another strike.
Pang Xiao couldn’t be bothered with him and strode straight out of the Flower Hall with Huzi.
Lian Shengjie grimaced at Pang Xiao’s departing figure, roaring, “You! You won’t hop around for long! You’ll be crying one day, sooner or later!”
The situation had been witnessed in full by the minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. In fact, all of his men had surreptitiously plastered themselves against the doors right after they’d left, using the cracks as peeping holes. They scattered into the palace before making a report to the emperor.
Return of the Swallow c1-644 Page 83