Return of the Swallow c1-644

by Edited by Deyna up to chapter ~100.

  Hatred flooded Qin Yining’s reddening eyes, but she had to keep her emotions in check because the emperor was here.

  Li Qitian clandestinely observed the two of them, so amused that he wanted to break out into howls of gleeful laughter.

  “Wise younger brother, do you know why We’ve summoned you here today?”

  Pang Xiao bowed and responded with cupped fists. “In response to Your Majesty, your subject does not.”

  “No?” Li Qitian smiled. “We had thought you would understand what’s going on when you saw the Qin miss. We ask you this, did you carry her off into your manor to dishonor her?”

  Pang Xiao glowered darkly at Qin Yining. “In response to Your Majesty, this subject didn’t carry her off.”

  Chapter 338: Confrontation In Person (II)

  Qin Yining’s eyes widened, her lips trembling so much from anger that she was unable to unable to utter a single sound.

  Li Qitian savored the response. “Oh? You didn’t carry her off?”

  “No at all,” responded Pang Xiao confidently. “She threw herself at me.”

  “You, you…” Qin Yining couldn’t even form a full sentence in her fury. Tears trickled down her face like pearls from a broken necklace. She choked out in the voice of a small, injured animal. “You go too far!”

  Pang Xiao’s back was proudly ramrod straight; he cast only sidelong glances from the corners of his eyes to look at the girl. She was just a lowly ant in the dust, completely unworthy of a single iota of attention from him. The expression on his chiseled face was all the colder because of this contempt; the jeering curve to his lips heralded mockery that spewed forth every time he spoke, consigning her to the bottom of an unfathomable abyss.

  Qin Yining’s body trembled like the branches of a tree besieged by the storm—a pitiable sight.

  Li Qitian coughed, looking at Pang Xiao knowingly with a teasing expression.

  The prince seemed to sense it as he turned to look back at the emperor, tenderness and hate that hadn’t been retracted in time flashing through his eyes. He also coughed, but to cover up the awkward moment as he’d realized Li Qitian had been looking right at him.

  Meanwhile, the emperor felt as merry and content as if he’d drank a bowl of hot soup during the winter solstice. All of this was vastly more entertaining than a production of the opera ‘Romance of a Hairpin’!

  He could tell that Pang Xiao did have a sliver of feelings for Qin Yining, but that sliver wasn’t strong enough to overcome the hatred of his father’s murder. That meant Li Qitian could officially be at ease in activating the Qins as a balancing force at court. He wouldn’t have to worry about the Qins forming a faction with Pang Xiao.

  Speaking through her tears, Qin Yining knelt. “Your Majesty, please see to that justice be done! He denies it to my face and even twists the truth! This subject didn’t, didn’t voluntarily…” Any woman would be shy about the words to come, as evidenced by the girl’s flaming red face.

  But it was impossible for Li Qitian to harshly punish Pang Xiao at this juncture.

  The prince was his only confidante in the council, and there would be plenty of use for Pang Xiao in the future. The emperor wouldn’t allow the prince’s reputation to be damaged like this. Although Pang Xiao’s actions that day were common knowledge, Li Qitian still wanted to show imperial bias.

  Besides, was a man supposed to turn on the pomp and circumstance when asking for the hand of his enemy’s daughter?

  Obviously, this line of thought was off-limits when speaking to Qin Yining. She was the daughter of Qin Huaiyuan after all. It wouldn’t look too good if he neglected her due to favoring Pang Xiao too much.

  “We will investigate this carefully. You are dismissed for now.”

  Caught in mid-sob, Qin Yining lifted her head to look at Li Qitian. Hurt and sorrow flashed through her eyes, but headstrong insistence wouldn’t be tolerated in front of the emperor. She could only curtsey and follow the order. “This subject takes her leave.”

  Li Guanwen led Qin Yining back out of the imperial study.

  Pang Xiao couldn’t help but turn his head to track her departure. He didn’t collect his thoughts until the eunuchs had firmly closed the inner doors to block the cold air coming from outside. He righted his stance to meet Li Qitian’s teasing smile.

  “Your Majesty, what are you looking at?” asked the prince awkwardly.

  “It seems my wise younger brother has fallen into a honeyed trap.” There was only the two of them inside the hall, so the emperor’s tone was much warmer than usual. “Don’t blame Us for not warning you, that little beauty is a rose with thorns. Be careful not to prick yourself.

  “Having some affection for her is one thing, just treat her as a toy. Don’t sink in too deep. Don’t forget how General Pang… anyways, what kind of beauty can’t us brothers get our hands on? You need to think of your reputation as well. Don’t give people something to talk about.”

  Li Qitian’s words seemed to have come out of nowhere, but the provocation within was very plain to hear.

  Though Pang Xiao could see right through his sworn brother’s intentions, he nodded in agreement without anything flickering through his face.

  “How would your subject really do anything to her?” he bit off. “I will not suffer those who killed my father to live! Those I flayed back in the day weren’t enough to sate the call of vengeance. The origin of this evil hasn’t been uprooted yet!”

  The response made Li Qitian fall silent.

  If Pang Xiao truly dug his heels in and decided to oppose Qin Huaiyuan, then the emperor’s plan for balance at court would be ruined. This was the least desirable outcome, not to mention that Qin Huaiyuan was actually someone with real talent to his name. Li Qitian really did appreciate true talent.

  Did I overdo it with the provocation just now?

  Seeing the expression cross Li Qitian’s face, there was nothing in Pang Xiao’s heart other than clear understanding of the situation. He had fully seen through this ‘brother’ of his.

  But outwardly, struggle and resignation vied in his face. He finally conceded with consideration, “I know that Your Majesty values talent, and that Qin Meng does have a good thought or two rattling around his brain. I will do as Your Majesty wishes and refrain from starting anything with him. Of course, that doesn’t apply if they’re the ones to stir up trouble first.”

  Li Qitian nodded with satisfaction after receiving this promise. “With your fame, how will they dare try anything at all? But the Qins have arrived at the capital with the exception of Qin Meng. The men We’ve sent out haven’t found anything at all. This really is a headache. Hopefully no accident’s befallen Qin Meng, hmm?”

  Yet another probing.

  “Perhaps he got lost when he was separated. Who knows? Maybe the heavens know of his deep sins and have meted justice on my behalf!”

  The response displeased Li Qitian, but it confirmed that the Qins wouldn’t be friends with the Pangs. The emperor didn’t want to dwell on this and changed the conversation to discussing matters of policy after Pang Xiao had entered the council.

  By now, Qin Yining had washed her face in the side hall, smoothed some lotion over her face, and redone her hair.

  Those who serve in the palace are attentive, alright!

  Her attitude was exceedingly cautious since the head eunuch himself was attending to her. Li Guanwen wanted to make friends with her, so they treated each other with extreme politeness and goodwill.

  When she’d cleaned herself up, she clambered into a covered cart for use inside the palace and left escorted by young eunuchs.

  It was a bit chilly inside the vehicle, which was a perfect environment for her to calm down and collect her thoughts.

  Suddenly, the slow-moving, wax wallpapered cart stopped.

  “What is it?” asked Qin Yining out of curiosity.

  No one responded.

  Alarm clanged in the girl’s heart, and she was just about to lift the curta
ins for a look when they were lifted from the outside.

  Two young girls dressed in opulent clothing stood in front of the carriage.

  One of them was wreathed with a dignified and noble air; the other dressed in red was a familiar face, the Princess of Anyang. Standing next to her was a young, married woman in the prime of her beauty. [1]

  The young woman was of average height, but had a full figure. A cape with a red, fox fur collar was flung around her shoulders, making a set with the rabbit-fur hand warmers of the same color, embedded with rubies, around her hands. Her makeup was exquisite, her lips glistening and full. Though she was a bit older than Li Helan, her looks firmly crushed those of the princess’.

  Who out of high society could stand side-by-side with the princess and walk about freely in the palace?

  Li Helan smiled. “Don’t feel at odds, Miss Qin. It’s rare that we have a girl of a similar age entering the palace. Big sister Lu and I had some free time and came to visit when we heard you were here.”

  Evidently, they were familiar enough that Li Helan called the young madame ‘big sister’, instead of just madame. Young Madame Lu didn’t think anything untoward of the honorific either, and was seizing up Qin Yining with curiosity.

  * * *

  1. The idiom used for this also means she’s 24 years old, but it felt kind of weird just writing that from one glance.

  Chapter 339: The Unrestrained Madame Lu

  The curiosity in the young madame’s eyes was very straightforward, and in fact, rather predatory. The air of pure arrogance wrapped around her eclipsed Li Helan’s, and it was apparent from her bearing that this woman had been born with a golden spoon in her mouth. She was one blessed by heaven, fortune, and luck, and had likely never known any disappointments in her life.

  These thoughts ran through her head as Qin Yining alighted and curtsied to the two.

  As the eldest princess, Li Helan accepted the Qin fourth miss’ greeting with natural aplomb.

  However, the young madame showed equal lack of reaction. Instead of returning the curtsey, she merely lifted her forehead and looked inattentively at Qin Yining.

  “I’ve long since heard that the Qin miss’ looks are beyond compare. Seeing it for myself today… she outshines even me. It really is…” Red lips made a moue, unable to find an appropriate phrase of description. The young madame still didn’t find her reaction awkward. Smiling faintly, she imparted with the air of one conferring a favor, “You may call me Madame Lu.”

  This was indeed a woman with an influential family. Married woman usually took the surname of their husband.

  Qin Yining looked down and responded smoothly, “Madame Lu.”

  “Mm.” Madame Lu seemed quite satisfied with Qin Yining’s show of meek acceptance. A contemptuous lilt curved her lips when she took another look at the Qin girl’s plain outfit. “No wonder the Princess of Anyang always makes you out to be a stunning fairy. She’s used to exaggerating things—even someone as fragile as me is an immortal in her eyes. I was thinking we’d be running into a village girl today.

  “But it seems there really are beauties such as you in this world! Even the coarseness of your dress barely conceals your comeliness. I can only imagine the sight you presented when your father had a high position in Great Yan and you wore fine silks. What a pity that I won’t ever have a chance to witness that spectacle.”

  Surprised and bewildered, Qin Yining raised her eyes to look at Madame Lu. She was certain this was her first time meeting the young madame, but why did the latter’s words bristle with spears and clubs? Every one of them sought for a painful spot, and the last line especially jinxed the Qins to never come up in the world again.

  This kind of conversation was unpleasant indeed.

  Perhaps Madame Lu was close to the princess and thus striking out on her friend’s behalf? That was plausible.

  But here they were, in the depths of the palace. Qin Yining’s status was less than the two in front of her, so she didn’t dare linger for long. They obviously weren’t going to get along, and she wasn’t so soft that she would just stay where she was and take the hits.

  Therefore, she politely took her leave.

  Li Helan smiled. “Alright, we can meet again next time.”

  “Many thanks to Your Highness.” Qin Yining curtsied and saw through all the courtesies before climbing into the small carriage again.

  Li Helan and Madame Lu stepped off to the side. When the small vehicle had travelled far into the distance,, Madame Lu spoke again, “It looks like the eldest princess sometimes misreads things as well. This girl looks like she’ll stay firmly within her boundaries. She’s so weak and passive that I can’t even muster the strength to pinch her.”

  Li Helan arched a brow, but smiled gently. “Perhaps this seat really did read her wrongly. I was just thinking that someone who could mesmerize a hero like big brother Pang must have her merits.”

  “Oh?” Curiosity struck the young madame as her eyes glinted. “I heard that the Faithful Prince of the First Rank carried her off back to his manor. Is that actually true?”

  “That’s right, that really did happen. I was a guest at the Pang Manor a few days ago and saw her there.”

  “And what was His Highness’ attitude towards her?” Madame Lu’s tone grew a bit urgent.

  Li Helan chuckled. ‘You know what big brother Pang is like. But he does seem to treat her a bit differently.”

  “The prince must be a man who clearly separates love and hate. He must have done that because he wants to take revenge for his father’s death.“ A flush of red tinged Madame Lu’s cheeks. “To be honest, my late husband and the prince were old friends. I met him a few times. He’s a hot-blooded, true man. He’s not the sort to be infatuated with a little girl.”

  “If the madame says so, it must be so.” Li Helan smiled. “But this seat grew up with big brother Pang and we know each other best. Since young, I’ve never seen him treat any girl in such a special way.”

  Irritated by Li Helan’s intimate nickname for Pang Xiao, Madame Lu lost her patience.

  “Incidentally, the princess is betrothed to someone else already. Seeing that you’ve called me sister for so long, I’ll be a busybody for just a moment. You’re engaged to the Marquis of Northern Stability and will be a Ji daughter-in-law in the future. But whenever you speak of the prince, it’s big brother Pang this and big brother Pang that. What will the marquis think of that? Or is it that you haven’t given up on the prince yet?”

  The last line was delivered in a flippant tone, and Madame Lu emphasized it with a soft tap of her red nail on Li Helan’s rouged cheeks.

  Li Helan’s mood took a sour turn when she first thought of her aggravating marriage, then of the person who occupied her thoughts day and night. The impulse to jeer back spurred her, “This seat wouldn’t trouble big sister Lu to worry on my behalf. I hear that two new male companions have arrived at your manor, and they’re twins to boot. Though they’re equally handsome, their tempers aren't as pretty. Apparently, they refuse to serve big sister properly. You should look to your own household affairs first.”

  Madame Lu didn’t feel the least bit embarrassed to be pointed out that she had her own harem. She nodded instead. “All men are the same in bed, no matter how they look. It’s just a matter of how strong they are. The new twins are too young and naive. They can’t seem to relax enough to serve a woman, so they’re very boring. They’ll need to undergo much more training before they can be of use.”

  No matter how open Li Helan was, she was still an unmarried girl. She flushed beet red at hearing the madame’s response, her feelings a complex mix of embarrassment and others.

  But she didn’t forget her goal.

  “It sounds quite reasonable to hear big sister Lu talk about it. I wonder how many men in the world are as strong, handsome, and dashing as big brother Pang? He’s skilled in both martial and civil subjects. I really wonder what kind of girl he’ll be wedded to in the futur
e.” Yearning suffused Li Helan’s tone.

  An incessant itch was present in Madame Lu’s heart when she thought of Pang Xiao. She’d once invited him to traverse the peaks of pleasure with her, but he couldn’t be bothered to give her the time of day. After losing that amount of face, she hadn’t wanted to talk to him afterwards.

  The Qin girl they’d met earlier had been carried off into his manor. Even if he’d humiliated her out of a desire for revenge, they’d surely done the deed already! To think such a sweet deal would fall into Qin’s lap, and her sincere invitation would be declined…

  Madame Lu snorted and didn’t even offer a farewell before striding off.

  Li Helan smirked mockingly at the young madame’s swiftly vanishing figure, quietly cursing the other for being a cheap bitch before she set off back to the Palace of Benevolent Piety.

  Qin Yining had left the palace by now, but didn’t immediately return to the inns. She sat in the carriage with Bingtang, waiting in a quiet alley not too far from the palace. Jiyun was sent out to see if Pang Xiao had come out yet.

  The prince didn't leave until two hours later. Jiyun led him to the carriage.

  The curtains lifted to admit Pang Xiao’s easy leap. He flashed a grin. “The wait must’ve been unbearable.”

  He brought with him a blast of cold air, startling the unprepared Qin Yining into a few coughs after taking a breath in.

  Pang Xiao hurriedly let down the curtains and asked nervously, “Did you catch a cold after going back last night?” He placed a large hand on her forehead and relaxed when he found that she wasn’t feverish. “It’s dreadfully cold in the capital, of course you’re not used to it yet. In the north, a single water drop will freeze before it hits the ground. Things won’t be as convenient for you in the inns as they were in the manor.”

  He shook his head, regret plain on his face. “If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn't have played along with you. So what if I kept you in my manor?”