Xiao Ju rushed in, saying, “Miss, take Little Ge Ge back. The palace is in an uproar now.” Xu Qiu’er, startled, blamed herself for Little Ge Ge’s carelessness in wandering off and decided to ask Qingfei to send someone to pick her up.
Since children usually become clingy after waking, it was better to have someone come for her.
Upon hearing that Little Ge Ge was in the Crown Prince’s wife’s palace, Xu Qing’er cried out, accusing her of harming Little Ge Ge, and clung to Long Hanjie, demanding justice. Stunned by the news, Long Hanjie decided to personally retrieve Little Ge Ge.
Xu Qing’er followed, crying that Little Ge Ge might have already fallen victim to the Crown Prince’s wife’s poison.
As Long Hanjie entered, he saw a warm scene: Little Ge Ge sleeping in Xu Qiu’er’s arms, her small hand clutching Xu Qiu’er’s clothing. He thought that Little Ge Ge could actually be this gentle and blamed himself for being overly suspicious, resolving to cultivate a better relationship with his daughter.
Before he could finish his thoughts, Xu Qing’er screamed, “Xu Qiu’er, how dare you harm such a small child!”
Long Hanjie’s gaze fell on Little Ge Ge’s swollen face.
Xiao Ju’s heart sank as she realized she had forgotten about the injury. She glared at Xu Qing’er, who looked at Xu Qiu’er with a satisfied expression.
The passage continues with complex interactions between the characters, revealing tensions, suspicions, and emotional manipulations in the palace setting.
Xu Qiu’er would not have minded, but hearing him say this made her heart race and blood rush to the softest part of her heart.
Xu Qiu’er bit her lip to prevent tears from falling, tasting blood as she raised her head and said to Long Hanlie with a slight smile, “Indeed, this concubine is guilty. I failed to protect the young prince, who only glimpsed this world before perishing. I am incompetent.” Some palace maids began to cry, recalling that unforgettable day. Xu Qiu’er continued, “In a few days, Sister Qingya will enter the palace. What I could not do will be taken over by her in serving the crown prince.” She looked at Xu Qing’er’s mirthless mouth and added, “It’s quite a coincidence that both my sister and I have ‘Qing’ in our names. How will they distinguish us in the future?”
Xu Qing’er remembered her title was Qingfei, but the new arrival would also have ‘Qing’ in her name. The palace could not have two ladies called Qingfei, so one would inevitably be demoted. Xu Qing’er was furious; she had already been granted her title—how could it be given to someone else? Though she felt somewhat prepared, her heart felt blocked, suffocating her.
The crown prince’s wedding was approaching, and the palace buzzed with activity as the ten-mile bridal procession looked magnificent.
The bride would kowtow to the emperor the day before, with the wife-conferring ceremony to follow the next day. Hu Qingya, dressed in a pink gown, smiled softly while serving tea to Xu Qiu’er. Observing Hu Qingya, Xu Qiu’er thought that Qingya was extraordinary—not just beautiful, but captivating. “Xu Qing’er, you’ve met your match this time,” she mused.
“Please rise quickly, sister. Your courtesy might overwhelm me,” Xu Qiu’er said.
Hu Qingya was helped up and responded, “Sister entered the palace to serve the crown prince before me, so I should pay these respects.” Xu Qiu’er found herself fond of Qingya; the palace was stifling, with secrets, but this woman seemed pure. She held Hu Qingya’s hand warmly, saying, “Good sister, come visit me sometime so we can chat.”
Deep down, Hu Qingya looked down on Xu Qing’er. Why should she visit a concubine first? After paying respects to Xu Qiu’er, she left the palace, awaiting the wedding. While acknowledging Xu Qing’er, Hu Qingya chose to bypass her residence after paying respects to the emperor, empress, and the crown prince’s wife.
Xu Qing’er furiously smashed the vase given by the crown prince, feeling bitter about her status and future.
Swallowing her tears, Xu Qing’er looked aggrieved at Long Hanjie, who hugged her, saying, “I only have you left…” Regarding the title of Qingfei, Hu Qingya knew this was Xu Qing’er’s title. Though she originally didn’t like it, she wanted to make Xu Qing’er unhappy. The empress, having to turn a blind eye to her niece’s insistence, let it go. Hu Qingya aimed to make things difficult for Xu Qing’er because Xu Qing’er was the favored concubine who could threaten her position and because she simply disliked her.
In the pavilion, Hu Qingya watched koi fish swimming in the lake, leisurely throwing fish food. “Sister, you seem to be in a good mood today.” Upon hearing the voice, she threw all the fish food into the lake and pounced on the newcomer, shouting, “Brother…” Hao Li steadied her, laughing, “You’ve gained weight again. Be careful or Hanjie won’t be able to carry you.”
Hao Li, looking at his sister’s pure face, felt somewhat dazed.
His sister had been spoiled by their parents since childhood and was always unrestrained. Now that she had entered the palace, things would be different. His sister’s temperament… He saw Hu Qingya waving her hand in front of him. Hao Li laughed, “What is it?”
Hu Qingya giggled, “Brother must have someone he likes now, looking so distracted.” They exchanged a glance and burst out laughing. Hao Li pinched her smooth cheek and said, “Yes, brother has someone he likes in his heart.” His sister’s eyes widened. He added, “The person in brother’s heart is our Qingya.”
Unwilling to be teased, Hu Qingya puffed out her cheeks. Suddenly, she remembered, “Oh right, brother, I’ve seen Xu Qiuer.”
Hao Li looked at her, “Qingya, what brother wants to tell you is that Xu Qiuer is not your opponent.”
The Prince’s Grand Wedding –
This wedding was magnificent, with ten miles of red dowry. Hu Qingya, dressed in red and wearing a veil, was led by Long Hanjie to kneel and pay respects to the Empress Dowager, Emperor, and Empress. Then, she served tea to the Prince’s wife, Qiu Fei. In the grand hall, Xu Qiuer sat high up. As the Emperor was unwell, the Empress returned to the inner palace after Hu Qingya’s greetings.
Xu Qiuer, dressed in purple, smiled and took the cup from Hu Qingya, signaling Xiao Ju to hand over the prepared red envelope. Hu Qingya received it under the matron’s guidance. Xu Qiuer stood, raised her wine cup, and proclaimed: “Congratulations to the Prince and Qing Fei, wishes for the Emperor’s swift recovery.” She drank the entire cup.
The nobles, princes, and officials focused on her, their cheers so loud even the Emperor in the inner palace could hear. After drinking, Xu Qiuer pretended to be drunk and was supported down by Xiao Ju. Xu Qinger, feeling overshadowed, glared at Xu Qiuer’s retreating figure. Resentfully, she approached the Prince with a wine cup. “This concubine…” she choked up, then smiled at Long Hanjie, tears falling, “wishes the Prince and his wife an early birth of a noble son.”
Xu Qinger’s face stiffened, becoming increasingly unsightly. She clenched her hand, her nails digging into her palm. Those outside could see the tension inside, noting the significant difference in demeanor between the two women.
Qiu Fei’s words blessed both the Prince and the Emperor, affirming her worth as the Prince’s wife. That evening, Long Hanjie stayed in Qing Fei’s palace.
September –
