The Qin men however, were immensely put out. Was the emperor still trying to make a Qin daughter into his mistress?
When Weichi Yan finally left, Qin Yining, Jiyun, and Qiulu wordlessly turned in for the night.
At the same time in the Regal Phoenix Palace, Empress Li Yanyan was sitting cross-legged on the luohan bed next to the window, gazing off into space in her crimson-red pajamas.
Li-mama, a servant who’d been at Li Yanyan’s side before the marriage, tried to comfort in low tones. “Don’t think too much, Your Majesty. The emperor must be worried about the sheer number of commoners at Xuan Su Temple. He rushed there in case any trouble broke out. No matter how beautiful that Qin wench is, she’s just a nun now. The emperor made her that himself, so what trouble could she possibly stir up? No matter what, you’re empress now.”
Li Yanyan trailed her undecorated hand down the long locks hanging in front of her chest, plaintive bleakness in her eyes.
“Though that’s the case, His Majesty’s heart is still with that girl. Starting with the selection, I’ve seen how differently the emperor treats née Qin. I’d thought that I only had the life to be an imperial consort and couldn’t vie with née Qin. But the heavens pitied me and I am the emperor’s only official wife. Since the heavens have gifted me such an illustrious husband, why do they not bring his heart back after the wedding…”
Warmth and heartache suffused her heart when Li Yanyan thought of the emperor’s delicate features, genteel bearing, and warm smile.
The royal couple was about to turn in for the night and were exchanging sweet nothings when a eunuch suddenly reported that something had happened at Xuan Su Temple. The emperor had left her without another word…
Li Yanyan’s burning heart had been plunged into an icy cavern.
She knew that her husband wasn’t hers alone. But it was one thing for the imperial consorts and concubines to vie with her, and something else entirely when a nun did so as well!
She picked up a mirror and assessed her soft features beneath the candlelight. When she thought of Qin Yining’s face, one so stunning that even fellow women envied her, ruefulness and jealousy surged in the empress’ heart. What friendliness she’d felt for the Qin fourth miss before were no longer.
“It looks like I must let her know what her true position is.”
Li-mama smiled with lowered eyes. “You are the mother of the nation, Your Majesty. Most certainly you can teach a small nun a lesson. Besides, the Prince of Ning’s life hangs in the balance. The only one who can be commander-in-chief and take on Great Zhou is your father. The emperor has much to rely on the duke for. And you are the duke’s beloved daughter, so the emperor will naturally treat you differently.
Li Yanyan’s only response was a smile tinged with resignation and pride for backing from a strong family.
At this time, a young eunuch reported from outside, “Your Majesty, the emperor has returned to the palace.”
Li Yanyan rose quickly. “Hurry, get ready to receive His Majesty.”
The eunuch hastily blurted out the rest of his message when he saw how excited the empress was. “In response to Your Majesty, the emperor has gone back to the Hall of Moral Cultivation. He says that you don’t have to wait for him.”
The empress’ smile froze. It took a tremendous amount of effort to keep her disappointment under wraps and wave a demure hand instead. “I see. You are dismissed.”
Does he not even want to see me after visiting née Qin…
Flames of jealousy threatened to set Li Yanyan on fire.
News of the holy girl setting up an altar to petition the heavens was soon public knowledge.
Grand Steward Zhong, a disguised Huzi, and Mu Jinghu in blue robes set off before the sun rose, making their way to the royal residence.
They’d thought that they’d set off early, but a crowd was already gathered at the main doors when they arrived. It was apparent that these people had come even earlier.
Just waiting around was quite boring, but they’d lose their spots if they walked off. They could only converse lowly to pass the time and wait for the ceremony to begin.
A slight drizzle started just past the hour of the dragon. It didn’t grow heavier, but neither did it stop. It just continued on in irritating fashion.
There was no place to stay out of the rain, but everyone refused to leave. Thankfully it was the dead of summer, so a slight drizzle wasn’t too unbearable.
Time passed slowly until the main doors were open and someone called out, “Everyone, don’t push or shove. The same rules apply. Someone will repeat the holy girl’s words, so it’s all the same whether you’re in the temple or not. Don’t step on each other and don’t barge into the holy girl…”
Everyone was here to see how their holy girl would petition the heavens, so those at front set a frantic pace in. The ones at the back wanted a good spot as well. Steward Zhong, Huzi, and Mu Jinghu were jostled this way and that. Someone bumped their hats off and another tugged on their clothes. Huzi even came close to losing his fake mustache.
The three spent a good deal of effort before securing a place on the bridge. They could glimpse a hundred nuns sitting in a circle on the square in the distance. An altar and sacrifices were already set up.
* * *
Chapter 252: Coincidence
Chapter 252: Coincidence
Taken aback at the scene, Huzi whispered, “What a set up!”
Steward Zhong felt an inexplicable sense of pride. “Naturally.”
The miss was someone who normally didn’t make a fuss, but she stunned and amazed when she did decide do something. Now that she was a holy girl, she would be the best of holy girls.
“The hour has arrived!” Someone sang out, prompting ceremonial music to start.
As the rain drizzled on, a Qin Yining clad in snow-white chiffon slowly strode out from the inner hall, surrounded by eight nuns wearing gray. She was followed by the young emperor wearing golden robes with dragons soaring on them.
The people knelt at the sight and called out loudly, “Greetings to the emperor! May the emperor live ten thousand years! Long live the emperor!”
Heroism blossomed in Weichi Yan’s heart and he had the urge to pen an intrepid, dauntless poem for the nation. He raised a hand and looked down at Qin Yining.
The girl was already standing in front of the brazier. She lit three sticks of incense and placed them within the brazier, making mystical finger gestures that she’d just learned from a Taoist. Her slender, white fingers flew adroitly through them, deepening the sense of spirituality.
What was most remarkable was that the sticks of incense burned at a speed visible to the naked eye. They were consumed in a quick moment.
“Disciple née Qin greets the gods above and respectfully requests that the gods point out the true way!”
Low chants of scripture from a hundred nuns started in unison after these words, rippling out in waves and imbuing further piousness to the occasion.
Huzi, Steward Zhong, and Mu Jinghu saw a white-clad Qin Yining step forward and dance in mesmerizing unison with the eight nuns behind her. They brandished wide sleeves and shifted through outlandish moves, raising their arms in the same arcs, turning and stepping in time. Qin Yining’s skirts flew in the wind. She actually seemed like she might go flying away on the breeze.
They honored the heavens and then the earth. The scene was so very strange, but also reverently beautiful.
Huzi silently clucked his tongue. The future princess consort knows how to dance for the gods?
And naturally, the people’s high regard of their holy girl deepened even further. After seeing the quick burning of the incense and a beatific dance honoring the heavens, those in the crowd put their palms together and prayed.
Afflicted by nerves, Qin Yining almost made the wrong steps a few times. Thankfully, she had a photographic memory, so she retained all of the moves, even though she’d just learned the dance. Though stiff and unpra
cticed, none of the people knew any better, so her dance was still passable.
She finally stumbled to the ending beats and the nine women touched their foreheads to the ground at the same time, kowtowing to the altar.
Another nun off to the side lit a piece of paper with symbols scribbled on it, chanting an incantation as he did so.
In the small drizzle, the paper burned more hotly than usual. Halfway through, a gust of wind swirled the rest upwards to finish reducing into ashes in the air. The scene seemed to indicate that the gods had indeed felt the people’s sincerity.
With a murmured reminder from a nun, Qin Yining rose and bowed. “Many thanks for the heavenly pointers. This disciple is overcome with gratitude.”
Sighs of relief filtered through the crowd. The people turned hopeful eyes to the altar.
Having observed the entire process, images of Qin Yining’s slender waist and dancing skirts still filled Weichi Yan’s eyes. His heart was afire with passion.
When Qin Yining rose, the hundred nuns parted to the sides, opening a walkway for the emperor. Weichi Yan strode down the red carpet, his eyes only on the girl.
The people only saw the elegant poise of their young emperor in hushed conversation with the holy girl. The son of heaven was wreathed in smiles and the holy girl responding respectfully with lowered eyes. It was such a wondrous sight for sore eyes.
Whispered conversations flared up. “The emperor is so handsome. He and the holy girl form such a perfect couple.”
“Yeah.”
“If it wasn’t for us and the safety of the nation, the emperor would’ve married the holy girl already.”
“And isn’t that right. The holy girl was supposed to be the empress and can only spend the rest of her days in a temple because of us.” Opinions flew every which way. Everyone was immensely grateful to the emperor and holy girl and felt that they made a perfect couple.
Steward Zhong basked in shared glory. His boss had more than enough talent to be the empress! Good on them for recognizing true value when they see it!
Huzi however, was almost apoplectic with indignation.
How can that moron compare with my master? And only Qin Yining is worthy of my master’s knowledge and martial skill. He’s a hero of the ages! Are these people blind or dumb?? They must be saying this because they’ve never seen my master before!
A cowardly, stupid emperor was enough to overawe them. If they saw Pang Xiao, wouldn’t they fall to their knees to worship a god??
Weichi Yan and Qin Yining were actually just chit-chatting.
“You dance very prettily. We didn’t know you even knew how to dance.” Weichi Yan’s volume was as loud as a mosquito’s.
Qin Yining breathed back, “In response to Your Majesty, that wasn’t a dance. I don’t know how to dance and was forced to do this by the circumstances.”
“Why did the incense burn so quickly?”
“That’s special incense we bought from jianghu conmen. It’s supposed to burn that quickly and is perfect for special occasions like these.”
Just as the two spoke, the drizzle that’d precipitated for an hour slowly halted. The sky cleared up as breezy winds shifted the thunderclouds away, and even a rainbow arched through the firmament.
Qin Yining and Weichi Yan raised their heads to look blankly at the rainbow.
Qin Yining: This rainbow has some really good timing!
Weichi Yan: It looks like Qin Yining really can protect the nation’s fortunes. Everything she takes cares of is handled smoothly. The rainbow in the sky is a sign that the heavens show her favor.
Everyone in the crowd was beaming happily. What was a most natural phenomenon after the rain glowed and glittered in the people’s eyes.
Qin Yining took a few steps back and stood next to the nuns. This was Weichi Yan’s cue to start his part of the show.
He called out, “My people. Master Xuan Su has already told Us of what the heavens have said. We will take action according to the heavenly words and will resolve the issue of food for everyone!”
Joy seized the crowd and some even cried with emotion. Foreheads touched the ground. “Long live the emperor!”
Weichi Yan returned to the hall as the imperial guards and bodyguards directed traffic out of the temple.
Having found new hope, the people left happily. A coincidental rainbow after the rain pushed the altar ceremony to new heights of sanctity.
As soon as they exited the temple, Mu Jinghu announced, “I won’t be going back with you. I’m going to keep my promise. That emperor is still very infatuated with the fox’s wife, so be careful.”
Huzi raised a cupped fist salute to Mu Jinghu. “Many thanks to Sir Mu.”
Mu Jinghu responded in kind and vanished into the crowd.
Steward Zhong and Huzi left together, and the bustling square slowly returned to a peaceful quiet.
Meanwhile, Li Yanyan, an observer of the entire situation, stopped with a deep frown and balled up fists. She didn’t even noticed when her nails dug into her hand.
* * *
Chapter 253: Arrival of the Empress (I)
Chapter 253: Arrival of the Empress (I)
Qin Huaiyuan and the Duke of An, Li Mian, had been waiting for a while in the main hall. Both walked up to make their greetings to the emperor when Weichi Yan and Qin Yining entered the room.
Weichi Yan was still immersed in the excitement of a mass of docile commoners and auspicious phenomenon from the skies. The recent dejection that’d hung over him due to the missing silver had been swept away. He waved an easy hand and commanded lightheartedly, “You may rise.”
“Many thanks to Your Majesty.” Both men rose and took a few steps back.
Weichi Yan turned back to look at Qin Yining and thanked gently, “It’s all thanks to you that the heavens imparted positive phenomenon today.”
Qin Yining didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
A rainbow after the rain was the most natural thing ever. How did it turn into some good sign for the emperor? He was really being too superstitious.
The girl sank to her knees. “This subject would never dare. The heavens sent an auspicious sign because the son of heaven is in Great Yan. I am just a girl and Your Majesty knows as well that I know nothing of the mystic arts. Everything I did today was pure show. How would I be able to command the heavens to send good fortune?”
Describing everything she’d done today as pure show sent Weichi Yan into hearty laughter. His affection for the girl reached new heights.
Even if she felt nothing for him, she was loyal to her liege. She didn’t leverage the status of a ‘holy girl’, one that the people had bestowed onto her, to trick anything out of him. Instead, she’d told him the truth early on. She’d told him what was real and what was purely to keep the people calm.
For a newly ascended emperor like Weichi Yan, Qin Yining’s honesty, Qin Huaiyuan’s unparalleled stratagems, the Prince of Ning’s willingness to sacrifice himself for his country, and the Duke of An’s genuine sincerity were his greatest backing.
With those in hand, it was the first time since taking the throne that Weichi Yan felt that he wasn’t alone, that he could vie with Great Zhou and put up a good fight.
“No matter what, you’ve accomplished a great deed today. You’ve helped Us calm the people and thought of a way to resolve the food shortage crisis. Tell Us, what should you be rewarded with, hmm?” Weichi Yan helped the girl up with both hands, his tone warm and light. He drew out the ending note of his response, infusing it with a few degrees of pampering.
The Duke of An lowered his head, his ears twitching.
Qin Huaiyuan looked down with a frown and no reaction.
Qin Yining took two steps back and made the bow of a Taoist nun. “Your Majesty bestowing Xuan Su Temple onto me is already favor enough. I wouldn’t dare ask for more.”
It’s favor enough that you didn’t force me into a marriage and let me live quietly in this residence!
&nb
sp; Weichi Yan didn’t hear the double meaning to her words at all. He smiled. “We must carefully ponder what to grant you. Mundane gifts of gold and silver are simply too crass.”
Qin Yining lowered her head, itching to burst out with: I’m an ordinary person. If you really must give me something, give me crass gold then!
Obviously that couldn’t be said. She could only continuously retreat and minimize her existence.
Weichi Yan’s admiring gaze lingered for a moment longer before turning back to the men. “Elder Statesman, beloved subject Qin, let’s return to the palace to discuss important matters.”
“We hear and obey.”
The emperor cast another fond look at the Qin fourth miss before leaving with everyone.
Qin Yining sent them off with a respectful bow. Still maintaining the bearing of a Taoist master, she left the grand hall with Jiyun and Qiulu. She responded with a polite incline of the head to each nun that greeted her along the way.
Only after the trio climbed the long staircase, passed the flower-hung gate, and set foot into the rear hall halfway up the mountain did Qin Yining heave a long sigh. Taut back muscles could finally relax and she murmured, “It’s finally over.”
“Indeed. We made it through in the end.” Jiyun and Qiulu were also covered in nervous sweat.
The three were about to change their clothes when a guard from outside piped in. “Reporting to the honored master, a noble guest has arrived.”
Qin Yining stopped from disrobing. “Who is it?”
“In response to the honored master, the noble guest isn’t allowing this servant to raise a fuss and requests that the master step out in welcome.”
A ‘noble guest’ who could make an imperial guard tremble and hold his tongue…
Qin Yining had several guesses of her own and quickly went downstairs, kneeling in the middle of the square. She called out crisply, “This subject respectfully welcomes Your Majesty!”
Li Yanyan had been waiting around the corner with Li-mama, head maids Yuegui and Yueji, head eunuch Liu Bao, and a dozen other palace servants. She’d refused to come in until Qin Yining personally came out to welcome her in.
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