Xu Qiu’er felt angry. While he could dismiss the past, there were things that couldn’t be forgotten.
Pushing Long Hanjie away, she maintained her composure and softly said, “Your Highness, don’t be late.”
Long Hanjie rinsed his mouth, and Xu Qiu’er helped him put on the court beads brought by Xiao Rong’zi. For the first time, there was no tension between them. Just as Long Hanjie was about to speak, he heard an announcement: “Reporting to the Prince and Princess, palace maid Bingr from Consort Ningxin’s palace requests an audience.”
Long Hanjie frowned, his mood dampened. “Tell her to go back,” he said displeasedly.
Xu Qiu’er interrupted, “Let her come in. She wouldn’t come here without urgent matters. It’s probably near her mistress’s delivery time.” Her words, though unintentional, described Long Hanjie precisely, forcing him to recall unbearable memories.
“Your Highness, please save our mistress! Your Highness…” Bingr knelt and grabbed Long Hanjie’s leg. Stunned, he kicked her away, saying, “Have you no shame? Can’t you see the Princess is here?” His voice was laced with threat.
Bingr looked surprised at Xu Qiu’er and cried, “My mistress is about to give birth. Princess, please help…”
Though speaking to Xu Qiu’er, her eyes remained fixed on Long Hanxie.
Xu Qiu’er sighed, “Prince, go and see.”
Long Hanxie stood up, “You are the Princess; you should go. I need to attend court and won’t go.”
His words drained the color from Xu Qiu’er’s face. Long Hanxie realized his mistake and awkwardly added, “I mean, send someone to invite the Imperial Grandmother.”
Everyone in the palace knew the Princess feared hearing a woman’s childbirth cries. Last year, when a royal concubine gave birth, the Princess fainted at the screams. How many such pains could she endure?
Xu Qiu’er weakly nodded, “Forgive me, I’m not feeling well and won’t see you off.”
She drifted away, and Bingr frowned at the scene. Surprisingly, Long Hanxie went directly to court.
Xu Qiu’er knelt before the Buddha shrine, chanting, “Flower not flower, mist not mist, midnight comes, dawn goes…” On the eighth repetition, her prayer beads broke, scattering everywhere. She thought bitterly: How to forget her child’s death by his hands? How to forget her suffering? How to forget her parents’ death? Long Hanxie, tell me, how do I forget?
She screamed, “Tell me how to forget!”
The last words were wrenched from her soul.
Outside the tent, soldiers bustled about.
They had just fought a battle yesterday, and this was a moment to boost morale. Everyone’s face was filled with pride. Hao Li walked out of the tent and entered the main commander’s tent. Rong Jun Wang signaled the deputy generals to retreat and asked Hao Li in a low voice, “Do you know how much effort I put into getting that thing? Even your ancestors didn’t have it. Who is it for?”
Hao Li laughed, “When did my uncle start caring about my personal life?”
Rong Jun Wang was puzzled, “When did you become interested in women? Didn’t you always say women are just playthings?”
Hao Li smiled: “This is different.” Rong Jun Wang studied Hao Li’s focused expression and said, “I hope it’s not what I’m thinking…”
Hao Li asked, “What is Uncle thinking?” His calm face belied the sarcasm in his eyes.
Rong Jun Wang grabbed Hao Li’s shoulders tightly: “You know, don’t you?” Fear and panic crossed his face. Hao Li laughed softly, “Uncle is joking. Hao Li knows nothing,” and lowered his eyes, unwilling to discuss it further.
Rong Jun Wang tried to explain, “It’s not what you think, your A’ma…”
“Enough…” Hao Li interrupted, speaking coldly, “I have only one A’ma, the one living in the Ping Wang mansion.”
Whatever Uncle says, Hao Li doesn’t know and doesn’t want to know. Rong Jun Wang remained silent, feeling uneasy, sensing something might happen. He thought he needed to discuss this with the Emperor after keeping this secret for over twenty years.
Long Hanjie stopped the eunuch, walking into the outer hall where Xu Qinger’s angry scolding could be heard. He sneered, thinking Binger’s words weren’t entirely true. From his perspective, Qinger still had strength. Remembering Qiu’er lying in bed unable to get up, he narrowed his eyes as Xu Qinger said, “What’s the point of a child who’s already dead? My son just landed, wanting to ruin whose life? Unable to raise a child himself…”
Binger sighed, trying to stop Xu Qinger. When Xu Qinger saw Long Hanjie, she softened: “Your Highness, you’ve come to see this concubine. This concubine was about to die if you hadn’t come…”
Long Hanjie said coldly, “Enough. Does mocking others’ pain make you so excited?” He was full of disappointment.
Gongmin Jinyu was wearing all white today. Xu Qiu’er pointed to a chair and said, “Jinyu, sit down.” Gongmin Jinyu sat down as instructed. Feeling uncomfortable under Xu Qiu’er’s gaze, she asked, “Your Majesty, did you want to ask me something?”
Xu Qiu’er leaned on the couch: “I’m curious about what you’re thinking.”
Gongmin Jinyu was puzzled: “What does Your Majesty mean?”
Ning’er brought in freshly brewed Dahongpao tea and then withdrew. Xu Qiu’er picked up a cup and gestured for Gongmin Jinyu to drink, saying, “This is this year’s tribute tea. Try it.”
Gongmin Jinyu took the cup and said, “Good tea.”
Xu Qiu’er said, “The tea is good, but who dares to say it’s not when it’s sent to the Emperor? I’m just a neglected concubine. Why would a clever person like you help me?” She smiled faintly.
Gongmin Jinyu replied, “Your Majesty’s future glory will be beyond today’s imagination. A wise bird chooses its tree, and a loyal minister chooses his master. I’m simply finding my own path.”
Xu Qiu’er laughed, “How do you know about my future prosperity?”
Gongmin Jinyu said, “I can glimpse some of Your Majesty’s intentions. Dare I ask, will you be content to remain unnoticed forever?”
Even if you have a young prince and princess, will you still be trapped by misfortune?
Xu Qiu’er looked outside and asked, “Do you think the sky will change?” Gongmin Jinyu replied mysteriously, “Soon. The sky is about to change.”
“Someone, prepare my clothes. I’m going to the Fu Qiu Hall,” Qing Ya said, stroking her belly. Tao’er supported her and fastened her cloak. As they approached the Fu Qiu Hall’s entrance, Qing Ya noticed the newly planted rose tree. The blooming flowers improved her mood and she smiled, asking, “Where did you get these? They’re beautiful.” Since becoming pregnant, she had developed a love for flowers.
A young palace maid tending to the rose tree laughed, “Concubine Qing, you’re joking. This wasn’t brought by our mistress but sent by the Prince. Look, my hands are almost ruined…” Her smile was bright, but Xiao Rong’zi pinched the maid, who realized her error and lowered her head, saying, “This servant spoke out of turn.”
Qing Ya’s expression remained unchanged, and her previous smile vanished. She picked a blooming flower branch, then dropped and crushed it underfoot, saying casually, “Even the most beautiful flowers will wither one day.” She then entered the inner hall.
Xiao Rong’zi glared fiercely at the maid, who stepped back in fear. “Useless thing. Don’t you know that servants should watch their words?”
The maid tearfully begged, “Please forgive me this time. I was wrong.”
Xiao Rong’zi walked away, thinking the servant lacked basic awareness.
Ning’er helped Qing Ya sit down. “Please wait, our mistress is changing clothes.” Qing Ya nodded. Tao’er, her maid, stared hungrily at the red, crisp fruits on the table.
