Ex-Girlfriend – Chapter 37

by Little Panda

Volume 2: Power Over Court and Country

The Deposed Empress 12

Covering The Heaven With One Hand

It’s no wonder the elderly woman misunderstood – Xin Lan’s hair was styled in a married woman’s bun, and Qu Zhi’an was holding her hand. At first glance, wouldn’t anyone think Xin Lan was Qu Zhi’an’s wife?

Qu Zhi’an first froze, her face turning slightly red. She mumbled a response and looked at Xin Lan, seeing no objecting reaction from her, then led her to sit down on the stool.

What reaction could Xin Lan have? Being mistaken for someone else, she showed no sign of discomfort, sitting naturally in the chair while waiting for Qu Zhi’an to order two bowls of wonton [dumpling soup].

Qu Zhi’an, after sitting down and seeing Xin Lan’s calm demeanor, didn’t know why she herself felt shy. She internally scolded herself once, then after acknowledging the elderly woman, waited for the wontons to be served.

Qu Zhi’an wasn’t wrong – this place’s wontons were indeed delicious.

The aroma drifted to Xin Lan’s nose, making her remove her veil.

In the white porcelain bowls, the soup was clear and bright, the wontons were packed together, each with thin skin and plenty of filling, sprinkled with some green onions – looking extremely appealing.

When the elderly woman brought over the wontons and saw Xin Lan’s face, she paused in surprise, directly praising Qu Zhi’an’s good fortune in marrying such a beautiful young wife.

Qu Zhi’an felt that embarrassed feeling surge up again at her words, secretly glancing at Xin Lan from the corner of her eye, while maintaining a composed face and expressing thanks.

Xin Lan smiled faintly without speaking, like a gentle and reserved young lady. But Qu Zhi’an knew she was just too lazy to speak, busy scooping up wontons with her spoon.

After finishing breakfast, the sky was already bright.

The sun shining on people brought some irritating heat.

Qu Zhi’an wiped the light sweat from her forehead and led Xin Lan toward the teahouse.

In this scorching summer, the shaded areas inside the teahouse were relatively cool. Ordering a pot of cold tea and several plates of refreshing pastries, sitting there listening to the storyteller share interesting tales, a whole morning could easily pass by.

Xin Lan ate the tea snacks while listening to the storyteller narrate tales of love and hatred, showing some interest.

This life was indeed much richer than staying in the Cold Palace, or rather, much more fulfilling than when the original owner was still the empress.

The storyteller today was telling tales of romance. In these theatrical stories, regardless of the era, everyone likes when there’s a status gap between the couple, whether it’s ancient wealthy young ladies with poor scholars, or modern office workers with domineering CEOs.

Today he was telling the story of a young theater performer [xìzi, derogatory term for actor] and a military general.

The theater troupe was performing, and a small beggar would secretly watch the performer every day. The kind-hearted performer pitied the beggar’s lack of food and clothes, so secretly helped him. However, the troupe leader discovered this and beat the performer severely. Later, when the performer was on stage again, a rich young master touched the performer’s hand, and the beggar saw this and started hitting wildly.

The audience below made sounds of concern, saying this little beggar would surely suffer. Sure enough, the storyteller continued, the little beggar was beaten by the rich young master’s servants and thrown into the mountains, where there were many wolves and wild dogs. When the performer heard about this, the beggar child was already nowhere to be found.

The performer secretly ran out, walking the mountain paths despite their fear, searching all night but couldn’t find the beggar.

The storyteller told it extremely well, portraying the performer’s image vividly, as if one could really see the delicate performer stumbling along, searching the mountains inch by inch.

Xin Lan showed no expression, drinking cold tea and listening, her face showing neither sadness nor joy, seemingly unmoved.

Qu Zhi’an initially felt some sympathy, but seeing Xin Lan’s manner, that feeling of pity somewhat disappeared.

“Lan’er, don’t you find this story moving?”

Qu Zhi’an boldly used this form of address, feeling much more comfortable after saying it.

Xin Lan merely raised her eyebrows at Qu Zhi’an’s way of addressing her, silently permitting it.

“It is moving, but perhaps I’ve been cold-hearted for so long that I’m no longer affected.”

This feeling was probably the indifference of the strong towards the emotions between the weak.

It wasn’t that Xin Lan wasn’t touched at all; she just sighed, thinking that if one were stronger, they wouldn’t suffer so much for this kind of love.

It’s like people born into wealthy families will never understand why some people would argue bitterly over items worth just a few hundred dollars, eventually breaking relationships.

This comparison might not be entirely appropriate, but it was true.

Xin Lan couldn’t be a character in the play [put herself in the story’s position], so naturally wouldn’t be moved by it.

Qu Zhi’an wanted to argue that Xin Lan wasn’t cold-hearted, but couldn’t find the right words at the moment, only stubbornly believing in her heart that this person was actually very warm.

She always gave her a sense of security, even when just sitting there in silence.

The feeling about her was complex – it wasn’t self-restraint, nor was it indifference. If one had to find a word to describe it, it would be contemptuous dignity [looking down from high position].

Because she was in such a lofty position, she felt detached from worldly matters, yet she wasn’t without temper – sometimes as vivid as an ink-wash landscape painting [traditional Chinese painting style].

This thought seemed somewhat absurd, yet felt true.

After sitting in the teahouse all morning, Qu Zhi’an took Xin Lan to a well-reputed restaurant she had visited before. They ordered fine wine and dishes, drank and ate a little, and when the sun began to slant, Qu Zhi’an took Xin Lan to the lakeside.

Lotus-picking women sat in pointed small boats, weaving through lotus flowers, picking lotus pods, wearing pretty hats woven from broad lotus leaves on their heads. The swaying, abundant green created a cool relief in the summer day.

Qu Zhi’an rented a small boat, helped Xin Lan aboard, and rowed along the waves into the depths of the lotus lake.

Lying in the boat looking up, the sky seemed especially blue, with white soft clouds floating leisurely, very peaceful.

The clean lake water reflected the bright sky, occasionally carrying bird calls from unknown sources, as white waterfowl flew across the lake surface, creating small ripples.

Qu Zhi’an reached out to pick a lotus pod and placed it in Xin Lan’s hand.

“Yanyan really knows how to enjoy life. Seeing how skilled you are, do you often come to this place?”

“I’ve only been here twice. The first time I came, I found it unforgettable. This is indeed a good place, though I don’t always have leisure time to come here. Today was a good opportunity, so I brought you here to escape the summer heat.”

“That’s thoughtful of you.”

Xin Lan was never one to be stingy with gratitude; she recognized others’ kindness in her heart.

“Yanyan.”

Xin Lan watched the person sitting at the boat’s edge playing with the cool lake water, and called out softly.

“Hmm?”

“Would you like to taste what it’s like to have power over the court and country?”

Qu Zhi’an’s body trembled at these words, but she didn’t lose composure. She thought carefully before giving her answer.

“I only wish to reach a position where I can protect you and support any action you take.”

These words made the listener extremely happy. Xin Lan peeled a lotus seed and placed it at Qu Zhi’an’s lips.

“Having found such a friend, what more could one ask for?”

When night fell, Xin Lan returned to the palace.

Sitong and Chunyue hadn’t seen Xin Lan all day and felt uneasy. Only when they saw Xin Lan return did that heavy stone in their hearts finally drop [felt relieved].

They didn’t ask where their master had gone, just one asked if she had eaten dinner, while the other poured cold tea.

“Master, the Empress came looking for you during the day. This servant said you didn’t sleep well yesterday and were taking a rest, so she left.”

“Did she say why she was looking for me?”

“She didn’t mention it, only said she would come again tomorrow.”

Xin Lan nodded, indicating she understood.

Xin Long coming to find her could only be about the Emperor and the Xin family’s matters – given the current situation, most likely the latter.

As it happened, she also had some things to discuss with the original owner’s father, the Left Minister.

Once a woman marries, it’s not good for family members to visit too often, especially when married into the imperial palace. Visiting is not easy unless one is particularly favored by the Emperor’s grace.

Obviously, the Emperor didn’t want Xin Long to meet with the Xin family members frequently, but if she used missing her family as a reason, the Emperor couldn’t easily refuse.

Xin Long paced in the palace. Being young, she couldn’t hide things in her heart well. Today her mother had come to the palace and told her some things that made her anxious, yet she couldn’t show it in front of others, so she hurried to find her aunt, but her aunt was resting and shouldn’t be disturbed.

The matter wasn’t extremely urgent. Even in her naivety, she knew the Xin family was declining. Even if she frantically told her aunt about this matter, what could be changed?

She sat dejectedly in the chair, deciding to tell her aunt tomorrow.

“Mingxiang, am I useless, unable to help with anything?”

“Master must not belittle yourself like this. Let’s do what we can as humans, and listen to heaven’s will.”

Mingxiang consoled softly, patting her young master’s back.

Xin Lan didn’t know her young niece was currently worried sick and dispirited. Although she had just returned from outside the palace, she had no time to rest.

She had other things to do – things that were part of a plan she had laid out early on.

When the moon rose to the willow treetops [poetic expression for early evening], it was time for the buildings of Qin and Chu [euphemism for entertainment establishments] to open their doors to guests.

Dong Huaxi changed into casual clothes and walked on the street, his mood not good, his face gloomy.

Today His Majesty had summoned him to the palace and severely scolded him, saying an assassin had entered last night without the Imperial Guard knowing anything.

Fortunately, the assassin wasn’t too skilled, only slightly wounded him, and fled hurriedly, fearing detection.

Dong Huaxi immediately knelt down to apologize. Fortunately, the Emperor didn’t pursue the matter too far, saying it wasn’t convenient to publicize this widely now, lest others with ill intentions take action, only telling him to strengthen the patrols.

He understood His Majesty’s concerns – if this matter spread, those who wanted to bring him down would certainly use this opportunity to make His Majesty punish him. His Majesty had personally promoted him to his current position, how could he allow such a thing to happen?

Dong Huaxi was both frustrated and ashamed. After strengthening the defenses and changing the guard rotation, he came out to drink away his troubles.

He had a flower who understands words [poetic term for courtesan] at the Red Sleeve House. He had wanted to redeem her, but he had a tiger mother [domineering wife] at home. If he really brought the courtesan home, wouldn’t it cause an uproar? He had no choice but to let his understanding flower stay in that place of vice, visiting her when he had time.

Thinking this, Dong Huaxi quickened his pace.

In the Red Sleeve House, the smell of makeup powder and alcohol mixed together, brewing an intoxicating fragrance.

Seductive music played from the strings, making listeners feel dazed.

Xin Lan watched the woman put away the silver money and stood by the window.

“Then I’ll trouble you, miss.”

“Please rest assured.”

LP: Re-translated on December 22, 2024