“Oh? What is it? Speak, We will listen to anything you have to say.” Li Qitian arched a brow.
“Royal brother, Lan’er doesn’t want to live in the princess manor. Will you give our approval for me to live with the prince consort? We’ve lived apart since our wedding night and can’t even see each other. We don’t have any of the happiness that ordinary married couples have.”
The emperor sat upright and asked with new intensity, “Is this your idea, or did the prince consort teach you to say so?”
Chapter 367: Plotting for a Meeting (I)
Alarm bells rang in Li Helan’s heart, but nothing showed on her face. She blinked docilely and pouted, “Lan’er and the prince consort is a married couple. It’s all the same no matter who makes the request. Besides, doesn’t royal brother know that the prince consort is so sparing with his words it’s like his lips are glued together?”
Li Qitian flashed a smile. “Never mind. It’s not like We don’t know your temper. Your ideas come one after another. If you move into the prince consort’s manor, there might be criticism levied at him as soon as you set foot inside. You’re a princess. It won’t do for others to comment behind your back that you don’t follow the rules.”
“Royal brother.” Li Helan pulled on Li Qitian’s hand and shook it cutely. “Just show Lan’er some love! Besides, what do comments from outsider matters when it comes to Lan’er’s happiness?”
The emperor frowned slightly and peeled his sister’s hand off of his.
“Lan’er! Listen to Us!” he intoned. “Do you want people to mutter behind our backs that We are an emperor from the dirt who took Our throne with the help of farmer rebels?”
Li Helan quailed inwardly. As much as she didn’t want to accept things, she didn’t dare murmur another word in protest.
That kind of condemnation hadn’t ceased ever since Li Qitian’s revolutionaries of justice had taken Northern Ji. Though Great Zhou was now in her fourth year of establishment, and the Northern Ji officials all looked like they’d submitted, there were many who still remarked that the Zhou government was illegitimate.
Li Qitian cared most about his reputation, so he had strict standards for everything that pertained to the palace. He was deathly afraid of giving more fodder to the rumor mills.
A strange sort of sorrow welled up in the princess’ heart.
He who had doted on her the most before now no longer treated her preferences as first priority. Her royal brother’s heart was filled with too many other concerns: reputation, position, and power. All of them were more important than her; a younger sister was nothing at all.
Such were the considerations of an emperor and the grief of a princess.
Twinges of guilt assailed the emperor when he saw Li Helan lower her head piteously, not whispering another word.
He really did love his sister at the end of the day. He might be forced to use her in some aspects, but he was willing to compensate her when it came to demands he could satisfy.
“Forget it. Though you moving to the prince consort’s manor is unrealistic, We will have a few words with Ji Lan. Will that do?”
The princess started, then looked up with shining eyes.
As long as Li Qitian was still willing to compromise for her—that was a sign that she hadn’t fully lost her royal brother’s love.
“Royal brother is best to Lan’er!” A merrily beaming Li Helan shook Li Qitian’s arm. “The prince consort will naturally be willing to be closer with Lan’er as long as you give the word! Royal brother’s words are an imperial decree. If he doesn’t listen to you, you can punish him severely!”
“You silly girl.” Li Qitian tapped her forehead, amused by the antics. “So you like Prince Consort Ji that much? Didn’t you like Pang Zhixi before?”
“Nuh uh.” A blush flitted over Li Helan’s cheeks and she lowered her head bashfully. She didn’t dare say that at present, she also liked Pang Zhixi very much.
Seeing his sister thus, Li Qitian was even more certain of her feelings for Ji Zeyu.
It was no wonder, given Ji Zeyu’s looks, talent, and power. He was in no way inferior to Pang Xiao. Didn’t girls of Li Helan’s age like handsome men like Ji Zeyu the most? Since they were now husband and wife, it was understandable that her thoughts had turned to him.
However, this situation wasn’t what the emperor wished to see.
He sighed. He did have a burdened conscience when facing Li Helan, but no emotion would deter him from business at hand.
“Your Majesty, the Faithful Prince of the First Rank seeks an audience,” called in Li Guanwen from outside the doors.
Li Helan blinked, then was overcome by delightful surprise. She hadn’t had a chance to see Pang Xiao ever since that day. They had such a great shared destiny in bumping into each other here!
Observing the princess’ expression carefully, Li Qitian came to certain realizations based off of her reaction. It looked like his plan of arranging a meeting between Pang Xiao and Li Helan had been right on the money.
Otherwise, if Li Helan’s attentions were all transferred to Ji Zeyu, then his previous arrangements would’ve all been for naught!
“Show him in.” The emperor’s resonant voice echoed in the imperial study, pulling an obviously daydreaming Li Helan back from her surprise.
Eunuchs pushed open the door as soon as his command sounded.
Pang Xiao strode in quickly with impressive momentum, sporting a dark-purple, tightly cuffed-sleeve robe. A small, purple-gold crown sat in his hair. “This humble subject greets Your Majesty!”
Being naturally tall and limber, his brocade robe further offset his natural air of nobility. The pair of phoenix eyes set under sharply angled eyebrows needed only to flick a glance at Li Helan to send her into captivated infatuation.
Absence really does make the heart grow fonder! A day away feels like three seasons. Now that she’d seen Pang Xiao, any bad feelings she’d had were all swept away.
“…Lan’er!”
The princess abruptly came back to her senses when she heard her brother’s exhortation. She lifted her eyes and, when she met impatience hidden in her brother’s eyes, realized with a shock that her mind had wandered off again.
“What are you thinking about?” the emperor pressed. “Are you feeling unwell because you’ve caught a cold?”
“Nothing of that sort, royal brother. Lan’er is very well.” Li Helan smiled at Pang Xiao. “Big brother Pang’s robe today is very nice.”
Pang Xiao quickly raised a cupped fist salute. “This subject wouldn’t dare.”
The princess snuck a quick peek at her brother before continuing, “We grew up together. Didn’t I always call you that? Royal brother doesn’t mind. Do you, brother?”
The princess’ cutely requesting look elicited a wave of distaste in Li Qitian.
He couldn’t be bothered to investigate why Li Helan was so frivolous. He’d reached his goal, so he didn’t want to delve further into things.
Therefore, he smiled with extreme gentleness and admonished in a mild tone, “This is nonsense. How are the times now like they were before? You should be addressing Pang Zhixi as Your Highness. Not to mention, you’re already married. Ji Lan and Pang Zhixi are the best of friends. What will Ji Lan think if you call Pang Zhixi with the same name as before?”
Blushing ferociously, Li Helan didn’t have a response to that. She couldn’t help but shoot a sidelong glance at the prince to gauge his reaction.
She was afraid of seeing distaste and also afraid of seeing sheer indifference.
Naturally, she saw the latter.
Pang Xiao stood with his hands at his sides, a picture of respectful obedience. He wasn’t affected in the least by Li Helan’s words and didn’t think anything of her at all.
Her joy at seeing him was made no more by his coolly indifferent attitude.
Li Qitian knew what to do after seeing the two this way. “Lan’er, you are dismissed. We have business with the Faithful Prince of th
e First Rank.”
“Understood.” The princess took her leave, but not without casting some lingering looks at Pang Xiao’s lanky and handsome back before she did.
Li Qitian chuckled when the doors to the study closed. “Don’t mind that. The girl’s been spoiled rotten by the empress dowager, but there’s not a bad bone in her body.”
“Not at all. The princess is innocent and straightforward with a pure heart. What would this subject mind?”
Chapter 368: Plotting for a Meeting (II)
Though those were Pang Xiao’s words, it was crystal clear that Li Helan did have some designs on him. But she was just a little girl. How would she dare be so straightforward if there wasn’t someone supporting her?
The prince knew that this was yet another Li Qitian ploy to worsen the relations between him and Ji Zeyu. The emperor was deathly afraid that the two would ally together against their liege.
In all honesty, if Pang Xiao himself was in Li Qitian’s spot, he’d also worry about his two strongest generals uniting together. Except, he wouldn’t do things in such an ugly fashion.
One could enact stratagems, but one should not lose sight of their morals.
However, Pang Xiao also knew that this was the only recourse available to Li Qitian at the moment. The imperial majesty couldn’t afford to break out into open hostilities with the prince.
Meanwhile, Pang Xiao had his darling Yi thinking up counter plans for him—with one already seeing success in enabling him to avoid all risk and safely enter the council.
He was now Li Qitian’s only confidante in the Grand Secretariat. The emperor needed his vote to enact any policy, so he wouldn’t force Pang Xiao to the edge of the cliff.
My dear really is my lucky star! Happiness flooded his heart whenever he thought of her.
As Pang Xiao remained in the study conversing with Li Qitian, Li Helan stood in the garden outside, looking expressionlessly at the tightly shut doors.
Li Guanwen stood under the covered hallway, at the head of a group of eunuchs. He focused entirely on fascinating floorboards, registering no one else’s existence in sight.
Nonetheless, who would be blind to Li Helan’s mournful resentment?
Serving at the emperor’s side, the head eunuch saw and knew much more than usual folks. He usually kept it all to himself. Now seeing Li Helan so plaintive, he could only sigh inwardly for the princess.
Once someone was part of His Majesty’s schemes, one had to be a good pawn in order to live long. Otherwise, there was never a happy ending in store.
How had a minor eunuch such as he become the de facto chief of the imperial household?
Because he understood that loyalty was of utmost importance in serving the emperor, and being biddable of close secondary priority. The princess looked like she would defy her imperial brother at any moment, putting her in a dangerous situation indeed.
As everyone’s thoughts kept them quiet company, sounds of Pang Xiao taking his leave travelled forth from the study.
Li Guanwen hastily led the young eunuchs in opening the doors, then bid another to present the prince’s brocade cloak that was topped with a gray, squirrel-fur collar.
Accepting his cloak, Pang Xiao casually flung it around his shoulders and exchanged some pleasantries with the head eunuch. Keeping his eyes strictly forward, the prince descended the exposed platform before the hall and made to leave.
When he brushed past the princess, he didn’t spare a single glance for her.
In the interim, Li Helan’s gaze had been firmly glued to Pang Xiao. Lovestruck, she stared at him and didn’t come back to herself until he left turned out of the front gates, leaving her line of sight.
Pang Xiao had left just like that!
He didn’t even look at me!
Flames of fury crackling to life, Li Helan gathered her skirt in her hands and chased after the prince.
Equipped with long legs and sensing that the princess was following him, Pang Xiao quickened his pace.
Pursuing her quarry with palace maid Hexiang, Li Helan had just closed a bit of the distance when the prince sped up again. This was when she realized that Pang Xiao was purposefully walking this fast in order to avoid her!
“Big brother Pang!” Li Helan called softly, unable to believe that Pang Xiao would ignore her.
But like he didn’t hear, the prince didn’t turn back at all.
Much put-upon suffering flooded the dams of her heart, threatening to drown her whole!
Why!
Why treat her this way!
Ji Zeyu treated her icily and her royal brother didn’t care about her happiness. Her royal mother even encouraged her to listen more to her brother, as if Li Helan wasn’t her own person, but just someone’s accompaniment, a tool!
And now, even Pang Xiao treated her this way!
“Big brother Pang!” Li Helan’s voice rose out of outrage and grievance. Her shout was so loud that it sent a layer of melting snow cascading down from the hallway roofs. The eunuchs and maids in the passageways jumped in fright, but quickly lowered their heads and retreated when they saw it was the princess.
And yet, Pang Xiao continuously marched forward, paying absolutely no attention to her.
Skirts in hand, Li Helan called out as she ran, “Big brother Pang! Pang Xiao! Stop right there!”
Huffing and panting, her hairpins and hairstyle were all askew, but her voice crescendoed to new heights with each yell.
A frown crossed Pang Xiao’s face, so tight that it almost turned his forehead into knots. How could Li Helan be so unbridled and uncircumspect in the palace?! She might not care for her own dignity, but he still had his friendship with Ji Zeyu to think of!
He abruptly stopped and spun around, fixing a frosty look on the princess.
Out of breath, Li Helan’s hair was knotted with the gold and pearl tassels of her hairpins. Sweat beaded her face, turning the imperial presence into a dearly bedraggled sight. However, her eyes shone more brightly than usual, full of indignation and affront.
“Big brother Pang! Why did you ignore Lan’er!”
Pang Xiao repressed an eye roll and responded respectfully, “In response to Your Highness, this subject was pondering over His Majesty’s instructions just now and was lost in thought. I didn’t hear you.”
This was an impeccable excuse that Li Helan could find no fault with!
“Alright, very good!” She gnashed her teeth for a long while. “This princess hereby orders you to take me to a tavern and have a drink with me! Do you hear me?!”
The prince smiled faintly. “This subject hears you, but Your Highness must certainly be joking. If you wish to drink, seeking out the prince consort is the most appropriate course of action. Who am I to do so? Please don’t joke at my expense, Your Highness.”
“Who are you?? You ask who are you to me?!”
Pang Xiao adroitly took a few steps backwards, as if avoiding the plague. “Do stop joking, Your Highness. This subject has no association with the princess. Your words and actions go against common propriety. Others might misunderstand if they see this. Even if Your Highness doesn’t care about your own reputation, this subject does about mine.”
“You! Just what has this princess done to you, for you to avoid me like you’re fleeing a terrifying monster!”
“I would request the eldest princess to not pester me endlessly. His Majesty’s orders are urgent. This subject takes his leave.” Pang Xiao mercilessly raised a cupped fist salute, turned on his heel, and left.
Li Helan wanted to chase on, but Hexiang quickly pulled her to a stop. “Don’t be impulsive, Your Highness. This is a public passage in the palace. Many come and go, and there’s a variety of people who pass by. What if this makes it into the prince consort’s ears? Won’t that give rise to further misunderstanding? Please think twice, Your Highness!”
Weeping like the rain, Li Helan wiped her eyes with her hands. “What do I care? One after another, all of them don’t care about
me! No one would shed a single drop for me even if I die right now!”
“Please don’t say that! You’re the princess, the purest of royalty, the treasured pearl of the empress dowager and the emperor. Who wouldn’t care about you?”
“Piss off! This seat doesn’t need you sticking your nose in my affairs!” Li Helan flung off Hexiang’s hand and walked off, her face in her hands.
Hexiang watched her mistress walk off, sighing and shaking her head with a frown. Even she, a servant, could see to the truth of these things. Why did the princess remain so obtuse? This interlude was going to become public knowledge again.
Or, that’s probably exactly what the emperor wants?
The maid shook her head rapidly, chasing away everything she shouldn’t be thinking. She was just a servant. She had no right to inquire about the affairs of the masters. Only in obediently toeing the line would she keep herself safe.
And yet, secrets never remained secret in this world.
It took less than half a day for word to get out that the Princess of Anyang had blockaded the Faithful Prince of the First Rank in the palace, weeping and professing her love.
Chapter 369: Widespread Tittle-Tattle (I)
The rumors and hearsay in town had yet to make it into Qin Yining’s ears. She was currently ensconced in a jewelry shop with née Sun.
“Mother, I don’t need such a precious jewelry set at my age. I won’t be able to bring out its value even if I do wear it.”
Qin Yining pushed a silk box lined with vermilion swan down back towards her mother. Inside sparkled a full set of sixty-four exquisite, gold filigree pieces inlaid with rubies. The larger pieces ranged from pendants to tasseled hairpins, while the smaller ones covered ear studs to rings. Every ornate piece glittered in the sunlight, defining opulent magnificence itself.
“But I think it’s perfect for mother.” The girl picked up a ruby hairpin that swung with a gold and pearl tassel. She held it up to née Sun’s upswept hair with a smile. “See, perfect indeed. Mother’s skin is so fair that the ruby offsets it perfectly. Your status is also the best background for these lavish pieces.”
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