A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 61

Miss Qingdai

Various Clashes

Stars twinkled, scattered like the reflection of the Milky Way. Inside Yunxi Chamber, a gentle, delicate-looking woman sat before a zither table, her pale hands resting lightly on the strings. The music of her zither was melodious and slow, flowing from her fingertips straight into the listener’s heart.

            

Once one entered its peaceful, intoxicating realm, the melody proved deeply relaxing and tranquil. Miss Qingdai wore a pure white brocade dress embroidered with drifting blossoms, her waist tightly bound. Her wrists, neck, and shoulders all gave off an aura of fragile helplessness—a classic little white flower¹.

Her appearance wasn’t exceptionally stunning—perhaps about sixty percent as beautiful as the courtesan in her brother-in-law’s household—but her innocent, almond-shaped eyes, petite nose, and demure smile that showed no teeth, combined with the sorrow between her brows, could firmly capture anyone’s gaze. She possessed a delicate, fresh vulnerability, like a pear blossom bathed in rain.

“Miss Ye, this one is County Princess Qingyang’s fiancé,” Shen Hetang said. “I’ve come to learn a few things from you, so let’s stop the music here.”

            

This girl probably didn’t entertain guests often and didn’t know how to exchange pleasantries. Shen Hetang had learned her surname, Ye, from Shen Yunshu. She intended to bluff the girl now, extracting as much information as she could.

Upon hearing Shen Hetang’s words, the music of the zither slowly drifted to a halt. The girl finally raised her head to look closely at Shen Hetang before speaking in a soft voice, “Young Master looks exceptionally handsome. Qingdai wishes you both a harmonious union of a hundred years and the early birth of a child.”

Shen Hetang studied the girl intently. Her expression didn’t seem feigned; instead, she appeared genuinely happy for the County Princess. What was going on? Had she guessed incorrectly?

            

“Miss Qingdai, I also know a bit about your relationship with the County Princess,” Shen Hetang said. “Now that you’ve ended up here in Wanxiang Pavilion, the County Princess also wishes to take you away from this place. It’s just…”

She deliberately cut herself off mid-sentence, her eyes flickering with a complex look as if she had some unspeakable difficulty.

“Please return and tell the County Princess not to worry about a commoner woman like me any longer,” the little white flower said, her tone finally carrying a trace of a different emotion. “I’m not worth the County Princess’s painstaking efforts.”

            

“But if she truly washes her hands of you, the madam of this Wanxiang Pavilion will surely force you to receive guests sooner or later,” Shen Hetang replied. “When that time comes, will you truly resign yourself to such a fate?”

Without someone to shield her, wouldn’t this pitifully tender little white flower be torn to shreds?

“But what’s the point of dragging her into this?” Qingdai’s eyes grew slightly red as she spoke. “She already dislikes me, yet now she must constantly maneuver on my behalf. I’ve let her down.”

            

“Disliked you? Where’s that coming from?” Shen Hetang asked, breaking down the little white flower’s defenses step by step, eager to uncover more of the inner truth.

“I was originally an adoptive daughter taken in by the Prince,” Qingdai began. “My mother and Prince Rui were childhood sweethearts once. Unfortunately, her family fell into decline, and she was unable to marry him, so they each went on to establish their own families. But those good times didn’t last. When I was eight years old, my parents met with mountain bandits on their way back to their hometown and lost their lives. I was left a motherless, fatherless orphan.

“After Prince Rui learned of my plight by chance, he brought me back to the prince’s manor. However, the relationship between him and the Princess Consort had never been harmonious, and she actually suspected that I was the Prince’s illegitimate daughter. The cold feelings between them only grew more estranged.

            

“I was young then, but I could still read people’s expressions. Knowing that the Princess Consort and the County Princess disliked me, I always walked on eggshells and tried my best to please them. But it was no use. The County Princess still disliked me, all because the Prince would always give me the best things first.”

Qingdai’s voice was distant and ethereal, as if she’d drifted back into her past memories. Shen Hetang listened quietly, making no move to interrupt.

“She’s two years younger than me, but she never treated me as a sister,” Qingdai said, shaking her head helplessly. “Sometimes she’d order me around like a servant, but I never got angry with her. Any gifts the Prince gave me, I’d pass on to her. Yet she still disliked me.”

            

Shen Hetang felt that what she said was true, yet something still seemed to be missing. Did they really have a bad relationship? That wasn’t what Shen Yunshu’s investigation had uncovered. If so, what was the girl’s motive for trying to distance herself from the County Princess? Was she acting this way because of my status as the fiancé?

“Miss Qingdai, as far as I know, the County Princess isn’t particularly willing to marry this one,” Shen Hetang said slowly, observing the other girl’s minutest reactions with every word. “Yet there seems to be some unavoidable reason forcing her hand. Do you know what it is?”

“She’s… unwilling?” Qingdai murmured thoughtfully. “But the Young Master seems like an excellent match. Even if she’s unwilling now, she’ll surely come around in the future.”

            

“Miss Qingdai, appearances can be deceiving,” Shen Hetang replied, throwing up a smokescreen. “This Shen isn’t necessarily a good person.”

“She…” Qingdai paused. “Young Master Shen, I know my own status is lowly. From this day forward, I won’t have any further contact with the County Princess. Please don’t let my presence affect your opinion of her.”

Her tone carried a trace of anxiety that was hard to detect.

            

“Don’t you wish to leave this place?” Shen Hetang finally brought out her trump card. She refused to believe that any girl trapped in a brothel wouldn’t want to escape. “If you’re willing to trust this Shen, then this Shen will certainly find a way to get you out of Wanxiang Pavilion.”

Sure enough, the little white flower’s eyes brightened for a brief instant, only to return to their quiet state immediately after.

“Thank you for your kind intentions, Young Master,” Qingdai replied, still maintaining her detached, desireless composure. “But Qingdai currently has no plans to leave.”

            

Her refusal to budge made things rather tricky for Shen Hetang. She suspected that Miss Qingdai was the very hostage the Dowager Empress was using to threaten the County Princess. Otherwise, with the County Princess’s high status, rescuing a common courtesan from a brothel should’ve been as easy as turning over her hand.

Yet this girl claimed their relationship was average. Why, then, would she be the County Princess’s vulnerability? Shen Hetang was missing the crucial thread that could pierce through the fog. Could it really be solely due to her status as the Prince’s adoptive daughter? That hardly seemed worth such a massive sacrifice from the County Princess.

Seeing that Miss Qingdai was unwilling to say more, Shen Hetang decided it was about time to head back. A single trip to Wanxiang Pavilion had only made matters more complicated. Sigh. If all else fails, I’ll just have to tail the County Princess later. I’m bound to find an opening eventually. Once there’s an opening, a solution will follow.

            

With no other choice, Shen Hetang took her leave. Her silver had been spent, just like that.

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A few days later, the Dowager Empress summoned them both again to select an auspicious date for the wedding, hoping to use the opportunity to let them bond and foster some affection.

As people grew older, they loved nothing more than playing matchmaker for the younger generation, enjoying the lively and festive atmosphere. However, she also feared that if she pushed too hard, she’d end up displeasing her granddaughter.

            

Her youngest son and daughter-in-law had died at the hands of avenging barbarians, sacrificing their lives for the nation. Now that only her granddaughter remained, she truly wished for the girl to find a good home and a reliable partner.

But this child’s temperament was becoming more and more eccentric and willful. If she didn’t keep a close eye on her and guide her choices, there was no telling what sort of trouble the girl might stir up.

As for the second young master of the Shen family, he had been soft-tempered and easygoing in his youth. Now, after tempering himself in the military camp for several years, he was far superior to those pampered young men in the capital who had never even stepped outside the city gates.

            

It was only because she saw that both of them lacked interest that she’d delayed asking the Emperor to issue the imperial decree. She wanted to give them some time to get to know each other first. Although she had no intention of choosing anyone else, she didn’t want to force them into a miserable, resentful marriage either.

Meanwhile, Shen Hetang had no choice but to accompany County Princess Qingyang to the Imperial Palace once more.

Today, she wore a moon-white robe with a round collar, a leather belt adorned with a golden cicada clasped around her waist, and black leather boots on her feet, looking exceptionally handsome and elegant.

            

Stepping slowly out of her sedan chair, County Princess Qingyang had also cast aside her usual black cloak. Today, she wore a pale green printed cape over a deep blue mamian skirt².

Even the half-fringe of bangs she usually let hang down had been neatly swept up to the top of her head. Her hair was adorned with a jeweled hairpiece and a hairpin crown, which complemented the ruby dangling against her forehead, presenting an aura of immense nobility.

If it weren’t for the fact that both of them wore sullen expressions on their handsome faces, they would’ve looked remarkably well-matched. It was their temperaments that were entirely at odds, giving off a distinct vibe of being a couple destined for mutual misery from birth.

            

With such a heavy tragic vibe surrounding them, it was no wonder even the Dowager Empress could see that there was absolutely no spark between them.

After exchanging greetings, they bypassed any excessive pleasantries. Having likely reached a point of exhaustion from putting on an act, a strange sense of familiarity had somehow developed between them.

“Come, come, sit, both of you,” the Dowager Empress said, her smile so wide she could barely close her mouth when she saw them enter. She didn’t care about the awkward tension between them; she only saw a handsome young man and a beautiful young woman, a sight that naturally brought joy to her heart.

            

“Thank you, grandmother,” and “Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty,” their voices rang out in unison, delighting the elderly matriarch.

“Come quickly and look at the date this grieving widow has chosen for you. How does the twenty-eighth of next month sound?” the Dowager Empress asked happily, pointing to the date marked auspicious for marriage on the almanac.

“The twenty-eighth of the eleventh month is just before the new year, a busy but festive time when there’re fewer official duties. Grandmother will surely see you married off in grand style,” the Dowager Empress chatted on to herself.

            

“Imperial Grandmother, preparing the Six Rites³ and the Naji⁴ in just thirty to forty days is far too rushed. I fear there’ll be oversights!” Zhao Lanyin argued, listing her objections one by one.

“The nannies in the palace are all highly capable. You don’t need to worry about that; just leave it to Nanny Yu and the others with peace of mind,” the Dowager Empress dismissed her concerns.

“Empress Dowager, if your humble servant may speak, my late father, Shen Yao, passed away less than three years ago,” Shen Hetang said, finally remembering a trump card today. She’d completely forgotten that she was still in her mourning period⁵! While Shen Yunshu’s period of acute mourning had passed, her own three-year period was not yet complete. “Your humble servant doesn’t wish to wed during the mourning period.”

            

Upon hearing these words, both the Dowager Empress and the County Princess looked toward Shen Hetang. The difference was that one frowned inwardly, while the other harbored a secret joy.

“Oh, look at this grieving widow’s muddled old head. General Shen did indeed pass away just over two years ago. I’ve truly been remiss!” the Dowager Empress said, pressing her palms together.

“It’s of no matter. It’s your humble servant’s fault for not informing you sooner,” Shen Hetang replied respectfully.

            

“However, it’s always right to have the marriage officially arranged first. As for the date, we can push it back a little. What do you two think?” The Dowager Empress appeared to be asking for their opinions, but in truth, Shen Hetang had no right of veto, and the one person who actually had the power to reject the marriage remained silent.

“Your humble servant will defer entirely to the Empress Dowager’s decision!” Shen Hetang replied directly. She was utterly exasperated. This woman just refuses to reject the match! And I can’t very well say outright that I look down on the County Princess, can I?

Pushing the wedding date back by half a year was her limit. In such a short time, she really couldn’t think of a valid reason to reject the marriage. It concerned the face of the imperial family, so she had to think twice before uttering a single word.

            

Seeing that Shen Hetang had compromised so easily, Zhao Lanyin swept her narrow phoenix eyes over her, her gaze filled with dissatisfaction.

It’s not my marriage alone, Shen Hetang thought to herself. If you, her biological granddaughter, won’t even resist, do you expect me, an outsider, to do it for you?

If we’re going down, we’re going down together. Neither of us gets to play the coward.

            

“Then tomorrow, this grieving widow will have the Emperor bestow the marriage decree to seal the match. Let’s set the date for May or June of next year. The scenery is at its most beautiful during that season,” the Dowager Empress said with a face full of joy.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Lanyin could no longer sit still.

“Imperial Grandmother, since it’s for next year, there’s still time to have the Imperial Astronomical Academy select an auspicious date. Let’s inform Imperial Uncle only after the exact date is finalized, shall we?”

            

After running in circles, the conversation wound right back to where it started.

“Recently, your granddaughter has also been dreaming of Father and Mother constantly. I was thinking… why don’t I take General Shen to the Imperial Tombs⁶ to let Father and Mother see him? They must give their approval first. Please, Grandmother?” The County Princess had gone so far as to drag her deceased parents into the matter.

Shen Hetang felt slightly more at ease. In the end, it was their deceased elders who carried the weight of it all.

            

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Upon exiting the Dowager Empress’s quarters, both of them looked physically and mentally exhausted. Dealing with the Dowager Empress was indeed backbreaking labor.

“I say, wouldn’t it be better if we were honest with each other?” Shen Hetang said after careful consideration, deciding to mount a direct attack. “I’m a person who prefers straight talk. You’re clearly unwilling, so why don’t you reject the marriage?”

“General Shen isn’t necessarily eager to tie yourself to this single tree of mine, yet you didn’t resist either, did you?” Zhao Lanyin replied. Over the past several days, she’d also realized that this person surnamed Shen was likely acting a part with her. It must’ve been quite a struggle for him.

            

“Could the reason the County Princess refuses to reject the marriage be related to Miss Qingyao?”

Once they’d stepped outside the palace gates, Shen Hetang stopped and stared intently at County Princess Qingyang as she spoke.

She couldn’t afford to drag this out any longer. She needed to bring Chenyu over as soon as possible; she was truly uneasy leaving her there alone.

            

Hearing Shen Hetang strip away the outer layers of the matter without a shred of disguise, Zhao Lanyin glared at her with a murderous look, as if she wanted to devour her alive.

“You investigated me?” she asked in a low, furious whisper.

“Forgive my bluntness, but it’d be best for the two of us to put our cards on the table,” Shen Hetang replied, bypassing the question and instead bargaining with Miss Qingyao’s safety. “If it’s truly because of her, I can help you rescue her. I’m sure the County Princess can weigh which is more important.”

            

Upon hearing this, the County Princess, who’d been bristling like a fighting cock just a moment ago, instantly deflated.

“Sigh, how much do you know?” Zhao Lanyin asked, tilting her head.

“This Shen did indeed meet with Miss Ye once,” Shen Hetang said. “When she heard that I was your fiancé, she even wished us a harmonious union of a hundred years. Since she truly cares for you as a jiejie, we really ought to figure out a way for her!” Shen Hetang had seen through some of the secrets, but after being dragged back and forth by this woman for so long, she simply wanted to needle her a little.

            

“A harmonious union of a hundred years? She’s truly as pure and kind as ever, hmph!” Zhao Lanyin drawled in her usual elegant tone, but beneath her eyes lay a surging, hidden fury.

She’d already been struggling so hard to hold out on her own, yet the other person acted like a block of stone, feigning ignorance and constantly dousing her with cold water. But perhaps she couldn’t blame anyone else for this; she could only blame herself for acting up so outrageously in the beginning…

“The County Princess had better transfer Miss Qingdai somewhere else as soon as possible,” Shen Hetang advised with genuine sincerity. “Otherwise, if the madam can let her receive me today for the sake of silver, she can let her entertain someone else tomorrow for even more silver.”

            

“She dares?” Zhao Lanyin’s brows arched upward, her manner haughty and arrogant.

“Why wouldn’t she dare? Didn’t I just see her myself?”

At this, Zhao Lanyin was left temporarily speechless!

            

“What plan could you possibly have?” After a long silence, Zhao Lanyin compromised. The Dowager Empress had handed down an order strictly forbidding the madam from allowing her to redeem the girl. An arm couldn’t twist a thigh; she was truly powerless.

“As long as I can get her out of there for you, you’ll go and call off our engagement, finding some excuse on your own. How about it?” Shen Hetang bargained.

“This is all for that little delicate wife of yours, isn’t it? You’ve really gone to extraordinary lengths for her!” Only now did Zhao Lanyin begin to find this person rather interesting.

            

“Just tell me whether you agree or not,” Shen Hetang said, absolutely certain in her heart that the other wouldn’t refuse.

“Deal!” As expected, the County Princess’s eyes brightened significantly.

Having taken on this major task, Shen Hetang immediately thought of someone who might serve as her breakthrough point. However, she’d likely have to go and act a bit spoiled with Shen Yunshu. As her biological older sister, Shen Yunshu wouldn’t abandon her to her fate in a moment of life and death.

            

Meanwhile, her mood thoroughly improved, the County Princess changed into male attire and made her way through various twists and turns to sneak into Wanxiang Pavilion.

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