Chapter 58: The Family’s Roles

Chapter 58: The Family's Roles

The next day, the entire household was to enter the palace to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday. Cheng Yian rose early.

Second Mistress Wang, who had always been close to the Empress Dowager, got up early to prepare, dressing herself in full regalia. She also called over her daughters-in-law, sons, and daughters to inspect them carefully, fearing any oversight.

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is very meticulous and does not tolerate mistakes. Remember, once you enter the palace, be prudent in your speech and conduct, avoid stirring up trouble, and answer truthfully. Her Majesty abhors deceit..."

After a lengthy and detailed briefing, she noticed that Cheng Yian seemed distracted and couldn't help but frown.

"Lu Xusheng's wife, what's wrong with you?"

Cheng Yian was feeling down. In the past, Princess Minglan would always send a missive every five days, but today there was no news. Under normal circumstances, she would have gone to the Cheng family to ask her father for details, but today, being the Empress Dowager's birthday, she was unable to get away. Cheng Yian was somewhat absent-minded.

"I didn't sleep well last night and was a bit distracted. Please don't blame me, mother-in-law."

Second Mistress refrained from saying more. The main branch of the family was not eligible to enter the palace, and the third mistress was not well-acquainted with the Empress Dowager, so she didn't dare to bring the younger generation. Thus, only the second branch and the third mistress from the Lu family entered the palace to offer their congratulations.

Fifth Miss Lu Shuzhi entered the palace, her face lit up with a smile.

Her brother was a trusted confidant of the emperor, and both the emperor and empress cherished her. Her mother was a daughter of the Wang family, and the Empress Dowager also esteemed her highly. Once she entered the palace, Lu Shuzhi became one of the most noticed young ladies.

The members of Lu Duke's mansion arrived early and were escorted directly to Cining Palace by the palace attendants.

The birthday banquet was held in Shou'an Palace, located to the west of Cining Palace.

Not everyone had the privilege to enter Cining Palace and kowtow to the Empress Dowager.

The third mistress kowtowed outside before proceeding to Shou'an Palace to wait.

Lady Wang led her daughters-in-law, sons, and daughters into the main hall of Cining Palace.

Upon entering, the Crown Princess was serving tea to the Empress Dowager.

Second Mistress first led the younger generation to kowtow to the Empress Dowager, wishing her boundless happiness and longevity. The Empress Dowager, tired of such formalities, simply waved her hand to signal them to rise.

"You are like my own niece, no need for such formalities."

In front of the Empress Dowager, Second Mistress lost her usual air of authority and became very gentle.

"It's not about formalities, but the children are all thinking of you. They have embroidered something for you, hoping to show their filial piety. Please do not disdain it."

After speaking, she instructed the palace attendants at the door to present the birthday gift. It was a two-zhang-long embroidery of a hundred longevity symbols, exquisitely crafted. Second Mistress had hired artisans from Suzhou and Hangzhou, who spent half a year completing it. The younger generation of the Lu family had only helped by pulling some threads and embroidering a few flowers and birds, thus fulfilling their part.

This embroidery was of great value, mounted on a screen, and would surely be very impressive.

The Empress Dowager liked grand and luxurious items.

"Very good, the children have put in a lot of effort."

She then ordered the maids to give each person a reward and had seats arranged.

Lu Xusheng had recently made a stir in Jiangnan, and the Empress Dowager was well aware of it. Such achievements would be recorded in history. If Lu Xusheng could be used by her, the Crown Prince would have no trouble ascending the throne.

The Empress Dowager looked at Cheng Yian with mixed feelings.

"Lu Xusheng's wife has been married for over half a year, still no good news?"

When the Empress Dowager posed this question, the most nervous were not Cheng Yian and the Second Mistress, but the Crown Princess sitting beside them.

Cheng Yian had barely settled into her seat before she rose again, and the Second Mistress answered for her first,

"Your Majesty, she is not yet pregnant. My niece has also worried, but later she realized that having a child depends on fate, so she stopped worrying."

While speaking, the Second Mistress glanced at the Crown Princess, and indeed saw the Crown Princess's expression soften slightly.

The Empress Dowager was most troubled by two things at the moment: one was the Crown Prince's ascension to the throne, and the other was the Crown Prince's heir.

The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess had been married for several years, but unfortunately, the Crown Princess had shown no signs of pregnancy. In hopes of an heir, the Crown Princess had even arranged for the Crown Prince to take several concubines. Unfortunately, the vast Eastern Palace had only a baby princess, with no male heir in sight.

As for the birthday celebrations, the Empress Dowager had no interest in them. She simply hoped the Crown Princess would give her a great-grandson.

But there was none.

The Second Mistress's comment about children depending on fate was meant to comfort the Empress Dowager.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager said no more,

"Xiang Yatou is playing by the Linxi Pavilion. You children go over there, and let your mothers stay here to chat with me for a while."

Hearing this, the Crown Princess rose and led Cheng Yian and the others away.

The third young master, Lu Jisheng, had to attend the banquet in the outer court. Hearing that her cousin Wang Yunxiang was by the Linxi Pavilion, Lu Shuzhi immediately headed there. The Second Mistress instructed Bai Shi to watch over her sister, so Bai Shi followed.

Only the Crown Princess and Cheng Yian remained.

After the Empress Dowager's earlier question, the Crown Princess and Cheng Yian could be seen as "kindred spirits in misfortune."

"Does the second mistress often pressure you as well?"

The Crown Princess knew the Second Mistress's temperament well—strict and hardly gentle with her daughter-in-law.

Cheng Yian chuckled, "A bit of nagging is unavoidable. But with our Duke of the State away from the capital, I am a capable woman without the means to act."

The Crown Princess was amused by her last remark,

"I hadn't realized you were so carefree."

Cheng Yian thought of her past life's struggles to conceive, which had been filled with heartache and tears,

"Sometimes, not having a child is not a bad thing."

If she had had a child in her past life, wouldn't she have been stuck with Fan Yulin forever?

Hearing this, the Crown Princess's expression faltered, and her steps slowed.

Despite her noble status and seemingly glorious life, her heart was heavy with bitterness.

Twenty-one years ago, after the late Emperor's incident, the Empress Dowager, in order to consolidate the Crown Prince's position, set her sights on the Duke of Qin's household.

At that time, the country was still in mourning, and the Duke of Qin's household had just welcomed their eldest granddaughter. They dared not hold any banquets, but the Empress Dowager actually left the palace with lavish gifts and placed the coral bracelet she had worn at her own wedding on the baby's wrist.

Conspiracies could be guarded against, but open schemes were hard to thwart.

The newborn baby was betrothed to the one-year-old Crown Prince.

Her grandfather, who had always been cautious and self-preserving, was thus forcibly dragged onto the Crown Prince's ship by the Empress Dowager.

For over twenty years, the Crown Prince had treated her exceptionally well, but the weight of her responsibilities was overwhelming, and the long absence of a child had subjected her to immense pressure from both within and outside the court, leaving her feeling suffocated.

Cheng Yian detected a shadow of sorrow in the Crown Princess's eyes.

In her past life, the Crown Princess had never borne a child and eventually died of illness in the Eastern Palace. After her death, the Duke of Qin's household decisively cut ties with the Crown Prince and remained neutral. This action directly fueled the Crown Prince's rebellious ambitions.

Cheng Yian remembered that in her past life, when her mother-in-law was grinding her down, the Crown Princess had repeatedly comforted her. When the Empress Dowager made things difficult for her because of Lu Xusheng, the Crown Princess had also repeatedly helped her out. She was an exceptionally gentle and compassionate woman.

Cheng Yian genuinely did not want to see her ensnare herself and eventually die of depression in the deep palace.

She had experienced the pain of childlessness, and she understood.

"I've heard that children are deeply intuitive. They will come at the most appropriate time. If they don't come, there must be a reason."

Hearing this, the Crown Princess's eyes brimmed with tears, and she turned to look at Cheng Yian intently.

"Really?"

"Yes," Cheng Yian said, boldly grasping her wrist. "Your Highness, you must believe me. Don't punish yourself. You are a phoenix, and phoenixes can soar in the sky."

A phoenix cannot be caged.

The Crown Princess's gaze shifted to the vast blue sky, and she felt a sense of longing.

How marvelous it would be if one day she could break free from the palace.

In any case, Cheng Yian's brief words had deeply comforted her, and the Crown Princess's inner turmoil eased significantly.

"An An, you are so kind and wise. Spending time with someone as wise as you makes me feel wiser too."

"Your Highness is too kind. It's just that I have had similar troubles, so I often console myself this way. Did you know? I once read a story about a woman who initially couldn't conceive and was deeply troubled. Five years later, she discovered her husband had been keeping a mistress on the side. Just think, it was a blessing the child never came, or she would have been stuck in that mess. Since reading that, I've never worried about children again."

The Crown Princess smiled upon hearing this.

"That does make sense."

The two strolled for a while, and a palace servant hurried over from Shou'an Palace, saying there was something that required the Crown Princess's attention.

The Crown Princess had to turn back to Shou'an Palace.

Cheng Yian watched her depart, hesitated briefly, and then made her way to Linxi Pavilion.

There were two gardens in the palace: one was the Imperial Garden, where the emperor and his consorts played and relaxed, and the other was the Linxi Pavilion. To avoid the imperial concubines disturbing the Empress Dowager, a courtyard was built in front of the Cining Palace for the Empress Dowager to relax.

Many young men and women had gathered here, all of whom were juniors who had come to the palace to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday.

Cheng Yian really didn't want to come, but since the Empress Dowager had spoken, she had no choice but to come, fearing that the Empress Dowager would hold it against her.

From a distance, she could see Wang Yunxiang and Lu Shuzhi sitting at a round table in the Linxi Pavilion, laughing and chatting, surrounded by many young ladies. Below, some young masters were cooling off in the woods.

Cheng Yian had no intention of joining the crowd and planned to find a quiet place to sit. Bai Shi, sitting on a beauty couch under the corridor ahead, saw her and immediately waved her over, so the two sisters-in-law sat together.

Since the last time Wang Yunxiang provoked Cheng Yian and was publicly humiliated by Princess Minglan's people, Wang Yunxiang had not left her house for half a year. It was only after Princess Minglan went south that she dared to show her face again.

The Empress Dowager intended for her to marry Cui Han, realizing the grand plan of a Cui-Wang alliance. In the past, Wang Yunxiang had been very fond of Cui Han, but now that Cui Han had a notorious reputation, Wang Yunxiang was somewhat reluctant. However, she dared not defy the Empress Dowager's wishes, so she tacitly accepted the marriage.

Now they were just waiting for the Cui family's response.

Today, the Empress Dowager also summoned Cui Han to the palace to have him evaluate Wang Yunxiang, so that the marriage could be finalized.

That's why the young men and women gathered at the Linxi Pavilion.

After chatting with Lu Shuzhi for a while, Wang Yunxiang suddenly spotted Cheng Yian in the crowd and had a thought.

"I need to excuse myself."

Lu Shuzhi followed her gaze and saw Cheng Yian, "You're not going to pick a fight with my sister-in-law, are you?"

At first, Lu Shuzhi wasn't fond of her sister-in-law, but over time, she grew to appreciate Cheng Yian's easy-going and generous nature.

Wang Yunxiang smiled lightly, "Your brother is now a household name. Even if I had three heads and six arms, I wouldn't dare to mess with your sister-in-law. I'm just going to the restroom, and I'll be back soon."

Lu Shuzhi, trusting by nature, believed her, "Then hurry back." She continued playing Five in a Row with the other girls.

Wang Yunxiang left the Linxi Pavilion and made her way along the stone path through the corridor towards Cheng Yian, bowing to her.

"Cousin-in-law, it's been a while. You look as radiant as ever."

Cheng Yian sensed her ill intentions and slowly stood up, acknowledging her with a slight bow, "Miss Wang, what brings you here?"

Seeing Cheng Yian's indifferent tone, Wang Yunxiang wasn't annoyed but instead became more enthusiastic.

"I remembered that my cousin has made significant achievements in the south, and I haven't congratulated you yet. So I came to pay my respects. Once my cousin returns victorious, you'll be the center of attention in the capital."

Cheng Yian found Wang Yunxiang's expression quite strange.

It didn't seem like she was mocking, but it certainly wasn't exactly a sincere congratulation either.

It was as if she was deliberately setting her up for a fall, waiting to see her fail.

"It's too early to talk about achievements; he hasn't returned yet, and the south isn't yet secure," Cheng Yian replied indifferently, her suspicions slightly aroused.

Seeing that Cheng Yian wasn't biting, Wang Yunxiang was somewhat disappointed.

She had been staying at the Cining Palace lately. Last night, while getting up in the middle of the night, she overheard the Empress Dowager talking to the old matron about how Lu Xusheng hadn't been heard from for three days and whether he had succeeded, realizing that something had happened to Lu Xusheng.

With Lu Xusheng in trouble, Cheng Yian would become a widow, and Wang Yunxiang was eager to witness Cheng Yian's misery.

"Cousin-in-law, don't say that. It sounds like my cousin might not return. Once he does, his achievements will be unquestionable, won't they?"

Cheng Yian had been on edge these past few days. Seeing Wang Yunxiang's look of anticipation, she guessed that Wang Yunxiang might know something.

Even she hadn't received any news, yet Wang Yunxiang seemed to have some information, suggesting it came from the Cining Palace, likely tied to the Empress Dowager herself.

Cheng Yian deliberately raised her voice, confronting her,

"Miss Wang, what do you mean? You keep talking about whether my husband will return or not. From your tone, has something happened to him? Why are you so eager to confront me?"

Suddenly, many eyes in the garden turned towards them.

Wang Yunxiang was instantly panicked.

If this got out and reached the Empress Dowager's ears, she would surely know that Wang Yunxiang had eavesdropped on last night's conversation.

Wang Yunxiang felt like the world was crashing down.

"What are you talking about? I'm just here to congratulate you!"

Cheng Yian scoffed. "Everyone in the capital knows about our feud. Who would believe you're here to congratulate me?"

Wang Yunxiang felt like she was under the gun.

"You..."

Just then, she caught sight of a tall figure approaching from the end of the corridor. Wang Yunxiang, as if seeing a savior, immediately teared up and went to meet him.

"Mr. Cui, please help me! Cheng Yian is picking on me!"

The planned marriage between the Cui and Wang families was common knowledge.

Wang Yunxiang's behavior made it obvious she was the Wang family's choice to marry Cui Han.

Cui Han glanced briefly at Cheng Yian standing at the corner, then looked at Wang Yunxiang before him, his lips suddenly curling into a smile.

"In this world, you're the one who bullies others. Who could possibly bully you?"

His words silenced the crowd, then laughter erupted.

Wang Yunxiang's expression shifted from shock to embarrassment, then to complete humiliation.

"You... how can you say that!"

She covered her face and stormed out of the pavilion.

Cui Han had humiliated her, so why would she still marry him?

When the Empress Dowager heard the news, she was furious. Originally hoping for a marriage alliance with the Cui family, the Empress Dowager, seeing Cui Han's disdain, punished Wang Yunxiang with ten lashes and sent her back home.

Cheng Yian felt increasingly uneasy. After her meal, she hurried out of the palace to the official district to find her father. But as she approached Donghua Gate, she spotted a man in a crimson robe standing tall against the wind.

Seeing him, Cheng Yian's eyes filled with tears, and she rushed over, lifting her skirt.

"Dad, any news about Lu Xusheng?"

Her usually composed daughter now had tears in her eyes. Cheng Mingyu, seeing her distress, quickly gestured to the carriage.

"Get in the carriage."

He held the curtain open for his daughter to enter first, then climbed in after her.

Cheng Yian, having wiped her tears, looked at him eagerly. "Tell me, quickly."

Cheng Mingyu had planned to keep it from Cheng Yian, but with the leak from the Empress Dowager, he had to come clean.

"Xusheng has been missing for three days now."

Cheng Yian's face changed.

"What about the Thirteen Guards?"

Cheng Mingyu shook his head. "No word from them either."

Seeing Cheng Yian's pale face, he immediately softened his voice to comfort her.

"An An, don't worry. I sent people south last night. We'll find him. Trust the Thirteen Guards. If they were lost, we'd know. No news means they're on a secret mission."

"What kind of secret are you talking about?" Cheng Yian asked with suspicion. "Dad, did he tell you anything before he left? Do you know something?"

Cheng Mingyu was taken aback by how sharp his daughter was. She could piece together the truth with just a little clue. Instead of letting her guess wildly, he decided to come clean. Cheng Mingyu replied,

"Lu Xusheng's trip south is also about drawing out an assassin. If I’m not wrong, that person has shown up, but he’s a tough one to handle. The disappearance probably has something to do with this."

Cheng Yian closed her eyes.

In her past life, Lu Xusheng died from his old illness flaring up and was assassinated. The assassin must be this person. If Lu Xusheng is doing this on purpose, at least she can feel a bit more at ease.

"I understand, thank you, Father."

The emperor was still waiting for Cheng Mingyu, so he couldn’t stick around for long. Before stepping out of the carriage, he told her, "You have to trust me, kid. Don’t believe any rumors about things I haven’t told you, got it?"

Cheng Yian said, sounding hurt, "Then don’t just give me the good news and leave out the bad."

Cheng Mingyu laughed, "I won’t make that mistake again."

"An An, how about staying at the Cheng residence for a bit?" He was worried his daughter would dwell on things too much at home.

Cheng Yian shook her head. The main branch included her grandmother, along with her brother and sister-in-law. She couldn’t fake a smile, and she didn’t want to bring others down.

Cheng Mingyu didn’t insist.

"Don’t worry, I’ll keep you updated on the news from Jiangnan every day."

Hearing this, Cheng Yian felt a weight lift off her chest, and she instinctively hugged his arm.

"Father, you must keep your word!"

Her slim wrist wrapped around his arm, her eyes shining with a rare sense of reliance.

A warm feeling washed over Cheng Mingyu. He gazed at her for a moment, then couldn’t resist patting her head.

Cheng Yian seldom got this close to him. She gave a shy smile and quickly released him.

Cheng Mingyu stepped out of the carriage and rode off toward the palace. Cheng Yian watched him leave, then suddenly spotted another carriage heading her way.

The carriage curtain was pulled back, revealing a familiar face.

"An An!"

Cheng Yixin called out to Cheng Yian.

Cheng Yian quickly lifted the curtain and smiled at Cheng Yixin,

"Elder sister."

"An An, I heard about what happened at Linxi Pavilion. I'm worried about you being alone in the Lu family. Come stay with me at the He family for a while."

With so much on her mind, it was hard to stay calm. Having family around would help ease her worries.

Cheng Yian didn't want to return to the Cheng family, so going to the He residence was the best choice.

"Think of it as a way to relax!" Cheng Yixin urged.

Cheng Yian was moved. In her previous life, she was alone in Yizhou, with no one to confide in when things happened. This life was different; she had so many family members by her side.

She didn't refuse Cheng Yixin's kindness.

"Then I'll be imposing on you, sis."

Cheng Yixin promptly brought Cheng Yian to the He household, telling Ru Lan to go back to the Lu family and pack up.

"You know, you don't really need to pack. I've got a bunch of new clothes, and since we're about the same size, you can wear mine."

Cui Jie'er was buzzing around her aunt, and seeing the child, Cheng Yian felt much more relaxed.

"Where am I staying?"

Cheng Yixin replied without hesitation, "You're staying with me in the main house."

Cheng Yian was shocked. "If I stay, are you kicking your husband out?"

Cheng Yixin laughed. "I just want to have a good chat with you."

"Besides, I've already had his stuff moved to the study in the front yard." Seeing Cheng Yian still looking stern, she suddenly said seriously, "An An, I want to see what it's like without him around. We've never been apart since we got married. Sometimes being too close isn't great; we need some space."

Cheng Yian went quiet.

Cheng Yixin insisted, so she had no choice but to take her niece to play.

Meanwhile, He Qingyun got home and heard his sister-in-law was here. He just stopped by the back yard to say hi before heading to the study.

For two days straight, He Qingyun stayed in the study, feeling really relaxed.

Not having to deal with certain things, he felt refreshed and clear-headed.

Even when a servant brought tea, he asked about Cheng Yian, "How's my sister-in-law doing?"

The servant blinked and replied, "I heard from Matron Tan in the tea room that since Your Grace from the Lu family got here, the main house has been full of laughter, and our lady is really happy."

"That's good."

The emperor had given He Qingyun an old painting to fix the day before. He Qingyun had been thinking about it for a while and still didn't know where to start. Today, since he had the day off, he planned to take a closer look, so he spread the ancient painting on the desk and examined it carefully.

At noon, the trees were still, and the wind had stopped.

The sun on the first day of May was particularly scorching, shining brightly on the white courtyard. The female servants and maids had all retreated to the inner corridor to rest.

Cheng Yian accompanied her little niece for a nap in the east chamber.

Cheng Yixin, having finished her household chores, returned from the rear courtyard to the main room.

Outside, it was quiet, with only the sounds of cicadas and birds.

She suddenly remembered He Qingyun.

For these three days, she hadn't paid much attention to He Qingyun, only hearing that the emperor had given him another task, so he must be busy.

She had never been apart from He Qingyun for so long, and her heart felt unsettled, as if she couldn't let go, so she decided to visit the front courtyard.

It was just the right time at noon when no one was around. Cheng Yixin didn't call for any maids and walked alone along the corridor to the study in the front courtyard.

Passing through the Chuihua Gate, to the east was her father-in-law's courtyard, and to the west was He Qingyun's study.

As she reached the corridor, the dozing servant by the door didn't notice her, and Cheng Yixin didn't wake him either, gently lifting her skirt and stepping inside.

He Qingyun was a man of great refinement and elegance, with many green plants in his courtyard, all neatly trimmed. A bamboo grove stood behind the study, and suddenly a warm breeze came, the bamboo rustling, lending a refined air to the scene.

Cheng Yixin entered the study courtyard but saw no one along the corridor.

This was strange, as there were usually no fewer than five or six people serving here.

Even if the sun was scorching, it made no sense for everyone to slack off and leave the place deserted.

Was it because she had been focusing on that matter recently, leading to a lack of discipline in the household?

Cheng Yixin, with a stern face, strolled up the corridor. Just as she turned the corner towards the main room, she suddenly caught the sound of unusual noises from within.

At first, Cheng Yixin didn't react, but after listening carefully for a few more moments, her face turned as pale as snow.