Chapter 166: The News

Chapter 166: The News

In Jinzhou, at the governor's residence.

On the Emperor's first day in the city, officials, nobles, and scholars from all over the city came to pay their respects. It was not until the second day that there was time to tour around.

The Governor of Jinzhou, wise and middle-aged with a broad and kind face, was dressed in a scholar's robe, smiling and leading the way ahead, as he was to accompany the Emperor in casual attire.

They first inspected the situation at the Jinzhou Salt and Iron Administration, then visited the academy to examine the state of education, and finally toured the city to gauge the public sentiment. After spending five or six days at the Governor's residence, the Emperor planned to move to Xiuyong County to pay homage to the Empress Dowager.

Naturally, the officials of the city had prepared a lavish banquet for the Emperor, ready to respectfully send him off early the next morning.

It was late evening, and the Governor's residence was brightly lit. Consort Yishun left the temporary resting room of the Second Princess and asked her attendant Su Jin in a low voice, "Has Princess Huaiqing retired for the night?"

Su Jin shook her head and replied, "After Princess Huaiqing and the Second Princess watched a shadow puppet show, they went to the front courtyard to find the Emperor. They said they wanted to present a folding fan bought today to His Majesty. They have just returned from the front and probably haven't retired yet."

Consort Yishun nodded and asked further, "Did Lady Fu go to the front courtyard?"

"Not yet," Su Jin replied in an even softer voice, "I heard that His Majesty not only did not summon Lady Fu to serve him tonight, but also refused all the beauties arranged by the officials."

"His Majesty will leave tomorrow for Wutai Mountain to pay homage to the Empress Dowager. Such occurrences are usual," said Consort Yishun calmly, turning towards Princess Huaiqing's room, "Let's go, we'll see how Princess Huaiqing is doing."

"Yes," Su Jin answered, bowing her head and walking ahead with the lantern to lead the way.

She maintained a respectful demeanor, staying silent throughout the journey, not wanting her own presence to worsen her mistress’s mood. Having followed Consort Yishun from the Luo residence to the imperial city, how could she not know that Yishun's current calm was just a superficial mask?

Her mistress had gone to great lengths to persuade the Second Princess to accompany her on the southern tour, securing a place in the entourage. Yet, throughout the journey, His Majesty had not summoned her once, seemingly treating her as just a caretaker for Princess Huaiqing and the Second Princess. How could this not chill the hearts of those who served her closely?

It was worth noting that even Lady Fu, who was not very favored in the palace, had been summoned by His Majesty before.

With only two consorts accompanying the Emperor, Lady Fu's exclusive favor might seem a minor issue, but the apparent complete loss of favor for her own mistress was a much more serious matter.

"The mistress has only the Second Princess as her child and no prince by her side. Although she holds a respectable position as a fourth-rank Consort Yishun in the Emperor's harem, Su Jin knew in her heart that her mistress was far from content with this."

"Who's that?"

Consort Yishun suddenly spoke, pulling Su Jin back from her thoughts. She glanced quickly towards Princess Huaiqing's room and replied, "I can't see the face clearly, but judging by the hurried steps, she doesn't seem trained in palace etiquette. She must be a maid from this residence."

To accommodate the Emperor, the former Governor had moved his entire family to another residence, leaving the spacious Governor's mansion entirely at the Emperor's disposal, with only a few maids and servants remaining.

"If she's a maid from this residence, why did she rush away upon seeing us with the lantern?" pondered Consort Yishun.

Adopting a concerned expression, she approached Princess Huaiqing's room and asked the young palace maid standing guard, "Has Princess Huaiqing retired for the night?"

The palace maid bowed and replied, "The Princess has already rested."

Consort Yishun nodded, about to say something, when the intricately carved wooden door was gently pushed open. A palace maid in azure attire stepped out, bowing to Consort Yishun and softly asking, "Is there any urgent matter that brings Consort Yishun here at this hour?"

Recognizing the maid as Xia Chan, Consort Yishun smiled and said, "No, just checking to see if Princess Huaiqing is sleeping peacefully. The Second Princess had trouble falling asleep after watching the shadow puppet show today."

"Thank you for your concern, Consort Yishun," Xia Chan replied with a smile. "The Princess is indeed still energetic tonight. We just had the maids from the Governor's residence bring a calming agarwood ball. She's lying down now."

"Is that so?" Consort Yishun spoke softly, "Then I won't disturb her further. If there's anything concerning Princess Huaiqing, Xia Chan, you can come find me."

"Yes," Xia Chan responded, bowing her head.

After Consort Yishun and her entourage left, Xia Chan returned to the room and informed the reclining Princess Huaiqing, "Your Highness, Consort Yishun has left."

Princess Huaiqing hummed in response, then asked, "Xia Chan, is what Aunt Liu's messenger said true?"

Xia Chan sat at the bedside and tucked in the blanket, speaking softly, "It's true. But, Your Highness, the Princess of Guiren County is quite cunning. Now that there's no Empress Dowager or Empress to support her, I agree with Aunt Liu. It's best if we stay out of this matter."

The 'Empress' she referred to was naturally the deposed Empress Wang.

After hearing this, Princess Huaiqing was silent for a while before saying, "Tomorrow, I accompany Father to Xiuyong County to pay homage to the Empress Dowager. I'll make a decision after I meet her."

Xia Chan paused, holding the blanket corner, and gently said, "Your Highness, as a princess, you really don't need to get involved in these matters."

"I understand," Princess Huaiqing turned over, her back to Xia Chan, her voice barely concealing a choke, "But every time I close my eyes, I think of Mother."

Xia Chan gently stroked her tender shoulder, trying to smile, "Your Highness, if the Empress were still with us, she would surely wish for you to be happy and carefree as the most untroubled little princess."

"What's the point of saying that now? Are you more afraid of Father or the Empress?" Princess Huaiqing suddenly lost her temper, grabbing the blanket to cover her head, "Get out!"

Xia Chan sighed silently, respectfully responding with a "Yes", lowered the bed curtains, dimmed the candle with a hairpin, and quietly left the room.

The room fell into a momentary stillness. The person curled up under the bed curtains stirred, sat up, and stared blankly through the thin gauze at the dimly glowing silk lantern shade.

She could no longer sleep in darkness; each night, she needed the light of a candle and the scent of calming incense to drift off to sleep.

"Sister Xia Chan..."

Princess Huaiqing murmured in her throat, talking to herself, "Mother, what should Wanyi do?"