Chapter 19

Chapter 19

Before the hour of the tiger (3-5 a.m.) the next day, Ye Shuang was already awake. The sky outside was still dark. Since Xiao Lin had an early court session, she also needed to arrive early at Kunning Palace to await her summons.

When they set out, the sky was just showing the first silvery light of dawn. A few breakfast stalls were scattered along the street, and few pedestrians were about. The empty streets echoed only with the rumble of carriage wheels on cobblestones.

They had loaded the necessary items onto the carriage early. Xiao Yin was responsible for driving, while Xiao Lin sat to Ye Shuang’s right, and Nanny Liu sat opposite her.

Ye Shuang was so sleepy she could barely keep her eyes open, but her headdress was heavy, and she dared not slack off. She had to sit up straight and proper, resting with her eyes closed.

Halfway through the journey, the carriage stopped by the roadside.

Ye Shuang jolted awake. "Huh? We're here? So soon?"

Xiao Lin shot her a glance but said nothing.

Shortly after, the carriage curtain was lifted, and two warm *shaobing* were handed in.

Xiao Yin had gotten down to buy two *shaobing*. Xiao Lin took them and handed one to her.

"My court session will run late, and you'll be speaking with Her Majesty. Have something to eat first."

Ye Shuang took it. The *shaobing* was warm, and her first bite revealed plenty of powdered sugar.

Her eyes lit up. "It’s sweet!"

Xiao Lin lifted his gaze to her. "Not to your taste?"

"No, I thought *shaobing* were always savory. I didn’t expect sweet ones to be quite good too."

Xiao Lin said nothing more, and the carriage continued on its way.

Ye Shuang finished one *shaobing* quickly and seemed still hungry. She licked her lips and glanced at the *shaobing* in Xiao Lin’s hand.

Following her gaze, Xiao Lin noticed she was eyeing his *shaobing*, which he had only taken a couple of bites from and was still mostly uneaten. With no other choice, he broke off half and offered it to her.

Ye Shuang smiled sheepishly. "This doesn’t seem right."

"Take it. Don't want you fainting in Kunning Palace later and me getting accused of mistreating my wife."

"..."

"There are refreshments at the Waiting Court. I'll have something to eat when I get there."

Only then did Ye Shuang stop being polite and accepted the *shaobing*.

After finishing the *shaobing*, she dozed off again in the carriage. In her drowsy state, Xiao Lin shook her awake. The carriage had already arrived at the palace gates. The two got out, and Xiao Yin carried Nanny Liu’s things, following behind. The guards at the gate recognized Xiao Lin and let them pass.

"Greetings, Marquis!"

Xiao Lin nodded in acknowledgment and went straight in.

Once inside the palace gates, Xiao Lin turned to leave, but Ye Shuang quickly grabbed him. "Where are you going?"

Xiao Lin looked puzzled at his sleeve, which Ye Shuang was holding onto. "I’m going straight to the Waiting Court and catch some more sleep."

Ye Shuang didn’t let go, seeming to have something on her mind.

Xiao Lin raised an eyebrow. "Don't you know the way to Kunning Palace?"

Ye Shuang shook her head earnestly.

"Right, you've never been to the palace before." Xiao Lin had no choice but to escort Ye Shuang to Kunning Palace first before returning to the Waiting Court to await the court session.

Ye Shuang waited outside Kunning Palace for the summons. Xiao Yin delivered the items and then returned to wait outside the palace gates, while Nanny Liu stayed with her.

Before long, an older palace maid in brown court attire came out and bowed to Ye Shuang. "Her Majesty the Empress is still dressing. Please wait in the side hall, Lady Marquis."

Ye Shuang and Nanny Liu were then led by the maid to the side hall.

After a short wait, the Empress was ready and sent someone to summon Ye Shuang.

Ye Shuang straightened her appearance and followed the maid inside.

Kunning Palace was not as extravagant as she had imagined. Palace attendants stood at intervals, but the hall was exceptionally quiet. Despite over a dozen people present, not even a cough could be heard.

Ye Shuang couldn’t help but feel nervous. She walked with bowed head to the designated spot, where she performed a formal salute respectfully and presented the gifts she had brought.

The Empress, seated behind a curtain, spoke softly to excuse her from formalities, offered her a seat, and had plenty of tea and snacks prepared.

"You must be starving after coming so early. Have something to eat and a cup of hot tea first."

The Empress spoke with a smile, her tone very kind.

Ye Shuang replied that it was no trouble, saying it was her duty to come early, and thanked the Empress for assigning Nanny Liu to her. The Empress smiled and urged her to drink tea.

Ye Shuang did not touch the snacks but took a sip of tea before setting the cup down.

The Empress then asked her, "Have you been settling in well lately? If there are any issues, you can always discuss them with Nanny Liu. She’s an experienced hand by my side."

Ye Shuang assured her that everything was fine. The Empress asked a few more questions, all about ordinary matters, and Ye Shuang answered each in turn. After several such exchanges, she gradually began to feel less tense.

Then the conversation turned to more serious matters, and Ye Shuang quickly sat up straight to listen.

"The reason I summoned you to the palace, besides meeting you, is that there’s an important matter at hand. The New Year is approaching, and His Majesty wishes to host a palace banquet to entertain close court officials. The preparations are quite complex, and I truly lack the energy to manage it all. So, I thought perhaps you could assist in organizing it."

Ye Shuang promptly stood up. "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. Shuang'er is deeply grateful. However, I lack experience in preparing banquets, and a palace banquet is unlike an ordinary family feast. I fear I may not be up to the task and would fail to live up to Your Majesty’s trust."

"Don’t worry. There’s no fixed protocol for this palace banquet. In the first two years after the empire was stabilized, we avoided extravagance and did not hold banquets. Now that the situation is stable, His Majesty wishes to host a proper one this year. To be honest, I’m not particularly skilled in these matters either. Back when we were in the princely residence, these affairs were mostly handled by Princess Jing. This year, she will be in charge again, and I hope you can learn from her. I wonder if you’d be willing."

At this point, Ye Shuang could not refuse. She had no choice but to brace herself and agree. "Then Shuang'er humbly accepts your command."

The Empress was pleased. "In that case, during this period, you may go to Jing Palace. Don’t worry, Princess Jing is very easy to get along with. She will come to pay her respects shortly, so you can meet her first."

Ye Shuang acknowledged the instruction and sat down to have some snacks. Since Xiao Lin had not yet finished his court session, she could not leave so early.

After a while, a nobly dressed woman entered the hall, her status evident at a glance.

Ye Shuang guessed that this was likely Princess Jing.

After entering, the Princess did not look at Ye Shuang but first paid her respects to the Empress. Only then did she rise and turn her attention to Ye Shuang.

"And who might this sister be?"

Ye Shuang hurriedly introduced herself. "Ye shi of the Marquis of Yongding residence, greeting Princess Jing."

Princess Jing’s eyes flickered, her expression subtle. She discreetly assessed Ye Shuang while reaching out to help her up. "There’s no need for such formality, sister. Please, rise quickly."

Ye Shuang stood up and sidestepped Princess Jing's helping hand.

Princess Jing's expression stiffened for a moment but was quickly concealed, replaced by an even more radiant smile. "I've always wanted to meet you, sister, but I've been too busy and never had the chance. The affairs of the princely household are just too numerous—oh, I’m swamped from morning till night! Unlike you, sister, who is blessed with good fortune. The Marquis of Yongding can’t bear to let you take on any burdens."

"Your Highness, you flatter me. The Marquis thinks I'm too unrefined and prefers I not involve myself too much in the affairs of the household. The capable should handle more work—managing the many matters of the princely household naturally keeps you extremely busy. How could I take up your time?"

Princess Jing stepped forward and took Ye Shuang’s hand. "I’ve heard that you are virtuous, wise, and uniquely gifted, sister. Now that I’ve met you, I see it’s true." Still holding Ye Shuang’s hand, she turned toward the Empress. "I took an immediate liking to sister. Mother, why didn’t you summon her to the palace earlier? We’ve missed so much time."

Princess Jing spoke with a constant smile, though it didn’t reach her eyes.

The Empress also smiled. "The two of you should have met long ago." She then brought up the palace banquet to Princess Jing.

Princess Jing paused, released Ye Shuang’s hand, and pondered for a moment before saying, "Mother, you’ve considered this well. Sister, come over in the next couple of days. I’ve been tied up with banquet preparations, and your arrival will help share the load. I’ve been worried about being tied down—with you here, you’ll be a great help!"

Ye Shuang couldn't help but offer a few more words of praise.

The group sat and chatted a while longer before Princess Jing took leave of the Empress, explaining that new fabrics had arrived at the residence and she needed to go back to take inventory.

Ye Shuang stayed seated a bit longer. The Empress again asked how things were between her and Xiao Lin.

Ye Shuang hadn’t expected the Empress to bring this up again and was caught off guard. She stammered out a few responses like "quite well," "acceptable," and "the Marquis treats me very well."

The Empress fell silent for a long while before waving her sleeve to dismiss most of the palace staff, leaving only one personal maid and Nanny Liu.

Even if Ye Shuang were slow on the uptake, she knew this likely meant they were about to discuss something not meant for outsiders. She grew uneasy, wondering where she might have slipped up.

As she fidgeted nervously, the Empress spoke: "I know a little about the situation between you two. Ling’er went through such traumatic events in his youth—it’s inevitable his temperament would be a bit unusual. But he’s actually a good child. The hurdles between you are something you’ll have to overcome yourselves."

Ye Shuang didn’t fully understand but hesitantly agreed.

Just then, Xiao Lin arrived after court to pay his respects to the Empress. The Empress said no more, giving the usual advice before allowing them to leave.

After the two had departed, the Empress rose and emerged from behind the curtain, gazing silently at Ye Shuang’s retreating figure for a long time.

"Has Madame been thinking of Miss Lin again?" Sun, the palace attendant who had served the Empress since childhood, saw through her mistress’s thoughts at a glance.

The Empress looked wistful. "This girl is so much like Wan’er back then—just as stubborn."

"The Marchioness of Yongding is innocent and kind-natured, truly rare. It’s no wonder Madame looks out for her so much."

"It’s just that her temperament is almost too good—I fear she may not withstand hardships." Concern flickered in the Empress’s eyes.

"With Madame’s protection, what could go wrong! Besides, isn’t the Marquis there? He wouldn’t let his own wife be mistreated!"

"I’m afraid there are some matters even I am powerless to change. Otherwise, back then, I wouldn’t have been unable to protect Wan’er."

Sun quickly tried to comfort her: "Madame, please don’t grieve. Take care of your health."

The Empress stood for a while longer and sighed. "Enough, I’m tired. Help me inside to rest."

Sun respectfully assented and parted the beaded curtain.

A figure in bright yellow royal robes turned and went inside, her silhouette lonely and desolate.

Sunlight streamed into Kunning Palace, casting pillars of light. The hall was lavish but empty, leaving only the gentle sway of the beaded curtain.