Meanwhile, the Qin old dowager, who had oh-so-complicated relationship with Pang Xiao, was shown a seat across from the empress. The matriarch sat in the front, followed by née Sun and the second madame, and then Qin Yining and the seventh miss.
Their host didn’t bother fulfilling any of his duties, eating and drinking as he pleased while ignoring the ladies. And since the empress was a guest, she couldn’t do anything that would overstep the limits of propriety. She finally understood that agreeing to come inside for a tour had simply been inviting humiliation on herself! The Great Zhou prince was now taking advantage of the situation to deliver a hearty face-slapping, but she could do nothing in return!
She hadn’t suffered such treatment in many years. If the emperor had been present, she would’ve long since flung herself into his embrace for a good cry. But for the moment, she could only mutely endure it all under a veneer of calm.
Apart from the empress’ family, everyone else felt a secret thrill to see Pang Xiao treat the empress this way. These titled womenfolk appeared respectful and fearful on the surface, and even fawned adoringly on her at times, but all secretly cursed their liege as a trampress under their breath.
How many loyal subjects had the trampress harmed for no reason, all because she enjoyed the emperor’s favor? Great Yan wouldn’t be in these dire straits if it wasn’t for her! And so, to a one, they all felt that Pang Xiao was much easier to the eye when they looked again at the legendarily cruel god of war. Plus, he’s not bad looking at all. How rare.
“If the seating here lacks interesting things, madames and ladies, feel free to walk around.” Pang Xiao waved a careless hand as he addressed the group. But really, who would dare wander around the yard when the empress’ expression spoke of armageddon and extermination? Although no one here liked the empress, they all had a healthy wariness of her access to the emperor’s ear.
When Pang Xiao saw how no one dared move and the mute suffering written all over the empress’ dark expression, he found the situation quite funny. “Never mind that if no one wants to enjoy themselves in the park. It’s actually perfect that all of Great Yan’s highly prestigious womenfolk are present. You all can bear witness for me today.”
Everyone, including the empress, focused on Pang Xiao while Qin Yining’s eyebrow started to twitch. Something wicked this way comes…
The prince was already beaming at the crowd. “This prince has newly come into possession of this park. It used to have another name, ‘Spring Portrait Garden’. Does anyone know why this prince changed it to ‘Ning Park’?”
A daughter’s given name was a private, family matter. So even though those present were all fellow women, they only knew each other’s surname and placement in the family hierarchy. As a result, they usually called each other Second Miss Zhang or Senior Madame Wang. Only the closest of friends would know each other’s given names.
Therefore, they didn’t immediately understand the prince’s words, but given the rumors between him and the Qin fourth miss, they had a couple of pretty firm suspicions.
“This prince has rampaged through battlefields for many years, hands deeply stained with blood. This prince’s heart has long since turned to stone, never thinking that there would be a day when it would be besotted with a girl. However, the girl this prince now admires has a ‘Ning’ character in her given name. Even though the girls of her generation all have this character, apparently there were those who said she wasn’t worthy of the name when she first returned to the family, that she wasn’t worthy of being listed in the family book.”
Pang Xiao cast a sidelong glance at the old dowager. The mute recipient reddened involuntarily as cold sweat broke out over her body.
“But in this prince’s eyes, there is no one who is worthy of this character! As such, this prince has renamed the premises ‘Ning Park’ for two reasons. One, in honor of her given name, and second, to call upon the peaceful meaning behind this character. This park is now bestowed upon her in front of all of you. This prince promises her a life of tranquility, free from worries and years of quiet happiness. So it is witnessed.”
Pang Xiao walked up to Qin Yining and bent down to peer at the girl’s extremely flushed face. He chuckled softly. “There’s no other meaning behind this gift. It’s just for your own amusement. Do you like it, my dear Yi?"
* * *
Chapter 147: Continued Pursuit
Chapter 147: Continued Pursuit
Qin Yining sat primly in the rose seat [1] as Pang Xiao bent even closer to her. Their faces were extremely close to each other, and she could almost smell the fragrance that she knew to be unique to him.
Her heart suddenly skipped a beat, then started to pound furiously. Rosy clouds flitted to her cheeks, and her eyes seemed to glisten ever more strongly with irritation. This person is so…
She almost couldn’t discern her feelings towards Pang Xiao anymore. She was angry at how brashly he just charged in, doing things his way, but deep in her heart of hearts, she couldn’t help but be moved.
But, but. If she really did accept this park just like this, the emperor would definitely suspect her father of treasonous thoughts, let alone the offense the trampess would take. She had no right to decide whether she was going to tie her fate with Pang Xiao, because in her hands were also the fates of the entire Qin family.
At this moment, Qin Yining was suddenly struck by a notion. How nice would it be if Pang Xiao wasn’t from Great Zhou, or if relations between their two countries weren’t so awkward? Or, wouldn’t it be nice if I wasn’t a Qin daughter and he not Pang Zhongzheng’s son?
There was just much too much between the two of them.
Pang Xiao on the other hand, wasn’t willing to miss the slightest ripple in her emotions. He watched her intently, the reddened cheeks and wide eyes a silent witness to how much she was moved. However, the gradually dimming look and subconsciously pursed lips also expressed her helplessness and recognition of the greater picture. He was no fool, he immediately understood her concerns.
Indeed, Qin Yining rose and looked straight at the prince to answer righteously, “There can be no rewards without services rendered. I have absolutely no relationship with Your Highness, so how can I accept such a valuable gift? Please, retract your order.”
Such a firm rejection awoke the ladies from the fantasies that’d erupted of that ardent confession. Those with a clearer understanding of national matters understood what the Qin fourth miss had done. Of course, there were still some who cursed her as a stupid fool.
What kind of person was little Prince Pang? It was the accumulated fortune of eight generations that he would deign to show favor in such a fervent way! How dare she reject him so callously with something like ‘I have absolutely no relationship with Your Highness’?! Wasn’t she afraid that the prince would hack her to pieces in a sudden fit of fury?
The atmosphere froze, and just as née Sun rose to her feet out of worry that Pang Xiao would wring her daughter’s neck in a momentary surge of anger, the prince burst out laughing.
“You still don’t think much of me, huh? My poor self-esteem is being trampled into the dirt because of you.” He’d actually dropped the formal usage of ‘this prince’.
“Please watch your words, Your Highness.” Qin Yining frowned. “I’m sure you have a clear understanding of matters between us now. We do not walk the same path, please respect these boundaries.”
“It doesn’t matter if we walk different paths. I’ll come walk yours. I like you and want to make you happy, but that’s my own business and nothing to do with you.”
Qin Yining’s eyes widened out of sheer disbelief. Exactly how thick-skinned was this prince!? How is he able to say all this with a straight face in public and in front of an audience?!
“My dear Yi, I would never force you to do anything you don’t like. Think about it, when have I ever forced you into anything?”
A memory of that unsolicited kiss rose unbidden in Qin Yining’s mi
nd. Her cheeks flushed red all over again and she itched to blow a raspberry straight into his face.
For all his perception, Pang Xiao didn’t quite see that blush and continued smilingly. “This park is merely a trick to see you smile. If you still don’t want something in the future, I won’t force you into accepting it. But please bear with me just this once. I had the land and residence deeds made out to you this morning, and your Grand Steward Zhong will probably deliver it by the time you return.”
“You…” The girl was flabbergasted.
“Alright, alright, it’s my bad.” Pang Xiao bent down again in order to see her expression clearly. He drank in every twitch and crinkle of her face, and softened his tone. “Don’t be angry, alright? It’s just this one time. I won’t be like this in the future.”
Qin Yining found it difficult to connect the gently cajoling man in front of her, trying with all his might to make her happy, with the unblinking killer demon that the rumors spoke of. It was precisely because this iron-hearted, domineering person was so soft and gentle to her that it moved her heart.
The prince’s actions in readying the contract first and then shoving it into her possession cleared most of the suspicion from her and her father, and shouldered a lot of the unnecessary blame as well. She was the one who’d profit from it, but the outside world would harangue him for forcing her into this. She looked at the prince with a complicated gaze, unable to give voice to further words of rejection.
Pang Xiao was smiling happily, absentmindedly noting the resemblance between her and the snowy Riceball. Her ears even stick out the same way. He really wanted to stroke her head, but knew that his high profile announcement right now had already successfully intimidated certain people. Unsightly criticism would spring forth if he went overboard. There’s plenty of opportunities in the future, so no need to be in a rush now.
He once again took his seat at the head of the table, while Qin Yining returned to her original seat, deep in thought. The empress’ expression had long since become the epitome of unsightliness. The emperor doted on her, yes, but he was never this tender and loving towards her.
Additionally, the emperor was a geezer as old as her father, and in stark contrast, the Faithful Prince of the First Rank was a young, fine specimen. The emperor had bestowed Oft Spring Garden to her not too long ago, but Qin Yining had just received the much superior Ning Park! And it’d be one thing if the Qin fourth miss was a vixen who’d hooked the prince, but even a fool could see that between the two of them, the prince was the one on the back foot!
The empress had completely lost in the contest of men and face, and even her most confident attribute, her looks, was a few shades weaker in the face of Qin Yining blooming like a rose in spring. The imperial majesty clenched her teeth, forced to seethe silently even as she nursed a belly full of grievances.
“Everyone, do as you wish. This prince has other matters to attend to and will be leaving now.” Pang Xiao rose and ignored the empress, smiling only at Qin Yining before leaving with Huzi.
The caretaker in charge of the park bowed to Qin Yining. “Mistress, His Highness has instructed this humble one to take your orders in the future. This servant kowtows to the mistress.”
Well now, the park that the raging empress wanted to hold a banquet in was now Qin Yining’s! The womenfolk’s gazes flitted between Qin Yining and the empress, their looks… interesting.
Qin Yining also felt like Pang Xiao had handed her a hot potato, but with how the cards had fallen, she couldn’t push this off to someone else. She wasn’t the type to shirk from responsibility. Plus, the empress’ livid expression was quite the amusing picture.
“You may rise.” Qin Yining indicated her assent with a smile and curtsied to the empress. “All shall be as Your Majesty desires.”
The empress glared at Qin Yining’s pretty, young face. The girl was so charming that it made her teeth ache. After a long moment, the empress spat out, “We return to the palace!”
She whirled angrily and stalked off, Cao Yuqing and Madame Cao in hot pursuit.
The noble ladies hadn’t eaten a bite of the banquet and now had tramped around on the mountain paths for long enough that they didn’t remain behind either. The group quickly rushed off in the empress’ footsteps. Meanwhile, Qin Yining placidly sent the empress off with her eyes and then nonchalantly took her original seat. She poured a cup of wine and sipped at it while her eyes turned to those who’d remained.
The old dowager, née Sun, second madame, and seventh miss hadn’t left. It was just as well, because to the empress, they were clearly in cahoots with Qin Yining. And now, the old dowager no longer knew how to treat her granddaughter.
But moments later, a shrewd light suddenly shone from the Qin matriarch’s eyes. “Granddaughter Yi, just what is your relationship with little Prince Pang? Were you keeping him company when you went to Xihua?”
* * *
A particular type of ancient Chinese chair that’s smaller and more lightweight than usual.
Chapter 148: I’ll Hold It Up For You
Chapter 148: I’ll Hold It Up For You
Those words caused the second madame to frown fiercely and the seventh miss duck her head out of embarrassment.
Née Sun could finally take no more. She shot to her feet with a slam of her hand on the table. “Are these words that the old dowager should be saying to her granddaughter?! Is this how a grandmother behaves?!”
“What does it have to do with you how I act as a grandmother?! Look at the good daughter you’ve raised and how dirty she’s become before even marrying and leaving the house! Seducing men in broad daylight! And with so many in the city witnessing it, am I wrong to ask her about things as the titled old dowager of the house?”
“You!!” Née Sun was so enraged that she wanted to tear the old dowager’s tongue right out of her mouth. “Have a conscience when you speak! It wasn’t darling Yi’s desire to go to Xihua for the peace talks, you know full well how and why she ended up going! If I’d known that the old dowager was going to slander my daughter this way, I shouldn’t have let her go, no matter the danger it posed to the Qins! So many men couldn’t step up for the good of the country, so why did my daughter have to be sacrificed instead?!
“And now a pure and innocent girl has to be pointed at and gossiped about like this. Even you, her own grandmother, hesitate to believe her. Put your hand on your heart and ask yourself if what you’re doing is truly right! Yes, you ask rightly. You’re quite amazing. You gave birth to Qin Meng, a fine son, so how could you ever be wrong? We’re the ones who are wrong! We should’ve defied the imperial order in the beginning and tossed all you Qins on our funeral pyres!”
“Well, I never! Née Sun, you think you have a silver tongue, don’t you?! I’ll go to the ancestral hall and divorce you right now for slandering your mother-in-law like this!”
“You’ve wanted to divorce me for a long time now! You couldn’t do it before, so let’s see how far you get now! I have a paramount rank title now and there’s a tablet erected in my honor outside the Qin Manor. Divorce me?! Dream on!”
“You unfilial bitch!”
The old dowager and née Sun were now openly shrieking at each other, startling the second madame and seventh miss so much that they forgot to pull the two sides apart and convince them to back down. On the other hand, Qin Yining was much more composed. She pulled née Sun a few steps away and helped her mother sit, handing her a cup of tea.
“Don’t be angry, mother. The old dowager is such a good grandmother. It’s the first time I’ve seen any grandparent talk about their granddaughter this way. I need to thank her for this lesson, so don’t be angry, mother.”
Qin Yining had thought things through. Open hostilities had erupted between her and the old dowager ever since the matter of née Sun’s execution. She no longer looked at the old dowager with any hope, and as a result, didn’t mince her words anymore.
The old dowager snorted. “Just answer
my question. As the matriarch of the family, I consider all of the girls’ futures. I’ll make plans for you too, so don’t you be ungrateful!”
“Many thanks for your good intentions, Old Dowager. But it rather seems that you’re making plans for the business opportunity represented by the prince instead. You want to sell your granddaughter off at a good price in order to maximize the benefits for the Qin family, am I right?”
The old dowager erupted, stabbing a finger in Qin Yining’s direction.
“You wild, rebellious brat!” She raged. “Strutting and throwing your weight around, are you?! Don’t go forgetting your surname after a few compliments from little Prince Pang! Take a look at yourself in the mirror! Do you really think the prince would look twice at you if it wasn’t for the Qin family?!”
“Who is so bold as to surmise this prince’s thoughts?” Huzi lifted the bamboo curtain from outside the pavilion.
Pang Xiao had changed into a dark blue outfit suitable for the moment, his hair combed into a ponytail that trailed down his back. Compared to his restrained gentility from earlier, his appearance now seemed much more like an unsheathed blade.
The old dowager was completely taken aback by Pang Xiao’s reappearance and rose, at a loss for words.
Pang Xiao carefully sized up the Qin matriarch and smiled. “It looks like the rumors are true. You really don’t treat darling Yi well.”
It was just a run-of-the-mill statement, but it made the color drain from the old dowager’s face.
She was deathly afraid of Pang Xiao, not just because of his infamous reputation, one so pervasive that it made children stop crying and bussing, but because Qin Huaiyuan had once plotted against and eliminated Pang Zhongzheng. It was because of this that she refused to believe Pang Xiao’s motives regarding Qin Yining were as simple as mere affection.
One did not suffer to share the same plane of existence as a father’s killer. The old dowager firmly dismissed any possibility that Pang Xiao had forgotten the events of the past. How would her family be able to endure his revenge? Even the emperor bowed his head in front of Pang Xiao these days, much less the Qins!
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