Volume Four: Opulent Splendor Like a Dream, Waters Flow East
Unexpected Complications
My woman, who dares to marry her?
“What’s going on? Explain clearly.” Qin Junlan’s anger rose, but she tried to keep herself as calm as possible.
This matter came too suddenly, catching everyone off guard. Even Yun Jin was quite surprised. This Ziquan had no dealings with Liu Qianxun; if it were said that Bai Ruoxi was to be given to him, it would be understandable. Why would they suddenly want to bestow marriage on Liu Qianxun? But Liu Qianxun wasn’t surprised at all. Was she too cold-hearted, or just indifferent to everything?
She was excessively calm, this composed demeanor, as if she could anticipate everything. If so, Liu Qianxun was a terrifying woman. Yun Jin looked at her with some unease.
The Chief Eunuch dared not conceal anything and could only report truthfully, “The Empress Dowager wants to appease the Yi clan, to celebrate the black and white affair. She intends to arrange a marriage for Lord Ziquan.”
“Then why would she set her eyes on Xun’er?”
“The Empress Dowager originally thought Lord Ziquan and the young princess were always on good terms. These two are a talented man and a beautiful woman, and the young princess is also the younger sister of the Southern Garrison King, truly a match of equal status. So she found the princess to speak about it, but unexpectedly, the princess shouted and said she wouldn’t marry.”
Qin Junlan narrowed her eyes. This mother was truly painstaking. The Yi family had lost power in the court, Ziquan was the only court official, and only of the fifth rank. If he formed a marriage alliance with Bai Yifei, he would have military backing. In the future, forming the power of both the Bai and Yi families, the Yi surname family would not decline.
Mother was truly working her heart out for the family’s power. Qin Junlan didn’t understand why she cared so much about the family’s rise and fall.
“Then what?” Qin Junlan pressed. The Chief Eunuch swallowed, softened his tone, and said: “It’s heard that the young princess and Lord Ziquan had a big argument. Lord Ziquan then sought an audience with the Empress Dowager, claiming that the person he liked was not the young princess. The Empress Dowager then asked who it was.”
The Chief Eunuch paused after speaking, looking fearfully at Liu Qianxun. Yun Jin also guessed a thing or two from his expression. “Could it be that the person Quan’er likes is Xun’er?”
“That’s correct, Princess Consort is wise.” The Chief Eunuch exhaled, fearing that saying these words himself would incur royal anger.
Yi Ziquan indeed fell in love with Xun’er at first sight. Qin Junlan recalled his gaze that day and could sense it. “So Empress Mother wants to find Xun’er to discuss marriage?” Qin Junlan’s voice grew increasingly cold, making people feel chills down their spines.
“This old servant dares not speculate arbitrarily. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.” Although he knew the truth was so, he couldn’t continue along with Qin Junlan’s words. Not only would it be arbitrary speculation about the master’s intentions, but it would also anger the Emperor.
Qin Junlan’s hand hidden in her sleeve tightly clenched, pinching until pain transmitted from her palm. Seeing this, Liu Qianxun hurriedly came forward to hold her hand, gently caressing and separating her fingers, fearing she would hurt herself. Qin Junlan’s anger gradually subsided, her heart also settling considerably. She grasped Liu Qianxun’s hand tightly in return, cradling it in her palm.
“Thank you for your trouble, Chief Eunuch. Xun’er will go with you now.” Liu Qianxun responded calmly. She was indeed too indifferent, her attitude of indifference towards everything made Yun Jin feel her thoughts were even more difficult to guess, always feeling she was not ordinary.
Liu Qianxun knew Qin Junlan was suppressing her anger and didn’t want to put her in a difficult position. In this palace, when Yi Qinghuan was the Empress Dowager, her status was always second only to one and above ten thousand others. But when she was Qin Junlan’s mother, she was above everyone, and Qin Junlan had to fulfill her filial duty.
Anyone could be offended, but not Yi Qinghuan. Just right, she wanted to take this opportunity to meet the person who had caused her mother such misery back then.
“I will go with you. I want to see who in this world has the fate to marry you!” After saying this, she held Liu Qianxun’s hand and resolutely walked out of the imperial study.
Fengqing Palace
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Yi Ziquan waited anxiously on both sides. He only wanted to make it clear that he didn’t want to marry Bai Ruoxi. Without love from either side, there was no way to accomplish a marriage. He hadn’t even dared to dream of marrying Liu Qianxun. She was such a beautiful existence in the clouds; just being able to look up at her, occasionally having the fortune to catch a glimpse, was enough to satisfy him.
He hadn’t expected the Empress Dowager to accommodate him to such an extent. Perhaps not being able to save her family had always been a burden on her heart. So she was trying every means to make up for that regret in this way.
“Aunt, perhaps we shouldn’t mention this matter anymore. After all, your nephew has just met the princess.” Yi Ziquan was anxious and uneasy. If the Empress Dowager used her power to force this, wouldn’t it go against his wishes?
“What? Just because you’ve only just met, you can’t form a marriage? You have talent, looks, and you have me. How can you not be good enough for a Liu Qianxun?” Yi Qinghuan had not yet emerged from the grief of losing her family. Yi Ziquan had now become her solace, and she wanted to use every means to be good to him.
“Your nephew just feels it’s too sudden. After thinking it over, I still feel we should respect the princess’s own wishes. If she’s unwilling, I don’t want to force her.”
“Coward! Not an ounce of manly spirit!” Yi Qinghuan angrily slammed the teacup on the table, water spilling from the cup. Qiushui hurriedly took out a silk handkerchief to wipe it for her. “Empress Dowager, please calm down. You know Lord Ziquan’s character. He’s always been kind and considerate of others. It’s understandable that he’s flustered when facing the person he likes.”
Yi Ziquan pursed his lips, not daring to speak further.
“Her Majesty arrives, the Wise Princess Consort arrives, Princess Qinghe arrives.”
“Hmph… such a grand entrance. I summoned her alone, yet she brought both the Emperor and Jin’er along.” For some reason, Yi Qinghuan harbored resentment towards Liu Qianxun. It was bad enough that she didn’t come to pay respects upon entering the palace, but she also shared the same surname as Liu Zhu. Even more unforgivable was that she had stolen Qin Junlan’s heart and even gained Qingyu’s favor, being adopted as her daughter. She wanted to see what capabilities this Liu Qianxun actually possessed.
The three of them kowtowed and paid their respects to her. Yi Qinghuan lightly raised her hand, “You may all rise.”
Her gaze remained fixed on Liu Qianxun. As she slowly rose and slightly lifted her head, directly looking at Yi Qinghuan, the sound of a porcelain teapot shattering was heard. As Yi Qinghuan stood up, in her distracted state with a hint of fear and surprise, she inadvertently knocked over the teacup.
“You!” She looked at Liu Qianxun in disbelief, momentarily seeing Liu Zhu from years ago. How could Liu Qianxun’s brow and eyes be so similar to Liu Zhu’s? But upon closer inspection, their appearances weren’t similar, just those eyes, that aura, was too alike.
“What’s wrong, Empress Mother?” Qin Junlan asked with concern.
“Perhaps Empress Mother is… happy to see Sister Xun’er for the first time,” Yun Jin stepped forward to help her sit down.
Yi Qinghuan finally understood why the aloof and cold-hearted Qingyu would adopt her as a daughter. Heh, after so many years, even just a young woman who somewhat resembled Liu Zhu could make Qingyu extend her love and adopt her as a daughter.
“Xun’er entered the palace without paying respects to the Empress Dowager, deeply knowing her fault, and requests the Empress Dowager’s punishment.” Liu Qianxun knelt again in obeisance. Yi Qinghuan looked at her without speaking, and also did not ask her to rise.
Seeing Liu Qianxun still kneeling, Qin Junlan felt distressed and wanted to speak up in her defense, but was stopped by Yun Jin, who slightly shook her head at Qin Junlan. She poured a fresh cup of tea for the Empress Dowager, and with a faint smile said: “Mother, Sister Xun’er is still kneeling. Surely you didn’t summon her today just to have her kneel in punishment?”
“So you also know you didn’t come to pay respects to me?” Yi Qinghuan seemed to want to make things difficult for her, and also wanted to see how Liu Qianxun would handle it.
Yun Jin could have responded to this, as it was she who told Liu Qianxun to wait a few days before coming to pay respects, but she didn’t speak up. She also wanted to see how Liu Qianxun would resolve this predicament, and whether she possessed the wisdom to survive in the palace. At such a moment, it was not appropriate for Qin Junlan to interject from the side. Openly defending Liu Qianxun would only make her the target of everyone’s arrows.
Yun Jin understood Qin Junlan and knew she wouldn’t take such a risk.
“Xun’er is guilty of not paying respects to the Empress Dowager. Several times I wanted to come but hesitated, not daring to step forward. The palace turmoil has just passed, and Her Majesty is reorganizing the court. The Empress Dowager, as the mother of the nation, presides over the inner palace and sets an example for the whole country. Moreover, coinciding with the family’s mourning, Xun’er is just a small princess of an outside surname who has newly entered the palace, without an imperial surname or substantial family background. It’s truly difficult to compare the affairs of the state and the Empress Dowager’s concerns with my situation. Xun’er dared not come to disturb, only silently wishing in her heart for the Empress Dowager’s health and well-being, waiting until everything settled before coming to ask for forgiveness.”
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“Eloquent. You may rise,” Yi Qinghuan seemed unable to find flaws in Liu Qianxun’s words. Indeed, she was not an easy one to deal with. Even more devastatingly beautiful than Liu Zhu was in the past, no wonder everyone was infatuated with her.
“Thank you, Empress Dowager.”
Qin Junlan stepped forward quickly to help her up. Liu Qianxun just gave her a pleasant smile, indicating that she should not worry.
“How old is Princess Qinghe, has she been married yet?” Yi Qinghuan asked deliberately, taking a light sip of tea.
“Just twenty, not yet married.” As Yi Qinghuan asked, she answered lightly.
A hint of a smile twisted at the corner of Yi Qinghuan’s mouth. That deep understanding of palace intrigue and superior air made Liu Qianxun feel uncomfortable. Thinking of how her mother had been persecuted by her in the past, Liu Qianxun felt an impulse to take her life, but if not for her coercion, how would her mother have been possessed by King Chong, and there would be no herself today.
The karma between people is like a cycle of reincarnation. Who would have thought that the grudges from twenty years ago would still make Yi Qinghuan feel uneasy to this day.
“If that’s the case, how about I betroth you to my nephew Yi Ziquan?”
“Impossible!” Before Liu Qianxun could open her mouth, Qin Junlan’s face darkened.
“The Princess hasn’t even spoken yet, why is the Imperial Daughter so anxious?” Yi Qinghuan’s intention for this trip was to kill two birds with one stone: firstly, to cut off Qin Junlan’s thoughts, it would be best if Liu Qianxun could be married off or find a way to get her out of the palace; secondly, to compensate Yi Ziquan for the pain of losing his father and having his family’s property confiscated.
“The Princess is Aunt’s adopted daughter. To casually arrange a marriage for her right after she enters the palace seems too arbitrary.”
“Is the Imperial Daughter accusing Mother of being arbitrary?”
“Your child doesn’t dare. Your child merely feels that Mother’s decision still needs careful consideration.”
Qin Junlan’s words were sharp and unyielding. In this matter, she would not allow Yi Qinghuan to manipulate as she pleased. For a long time, she had interfered too much in her affairs. She could tolerate many things, but would never accept her casually arranging Liu Qianxun’s marriage.
“This Grieving One is asking the Princess!” Yi Qinghuan also became angry. Ever since this emperor met Liu Qianxun, she had become increasingly defiant towards her. In the past, she had never refuted her like this. Immediately, her prejudice against Liu Qianxun deepened.
“Imperial Sister, Mother, arranging a marriage is a joyous occasion. Why the need for anger? I think little sister has her own decision in mind.” Yun Jin was always able to defuse the mother-daughter conflicts at just the right moment. She also successfully shifted their attention towards Liu Qianxun.
“For such a major matter as marriage, of course I must consult my adoptive mother. Xun’er doesn’t dare to make decisions on her own. Please forgive me, Empress Dowager.” Liu Qianxun’s words again pushed the situation towards Yi Qingyu. This Yi Qingyu was the Empress Dowager’s weak point. The two sisters had been estranged for many years. Surely she wouldn’t ask someone to go to the loquat forest to invite Yi Qingyu?
“Hmph~ If This Grieving One were to issue an imperial decree for the marriage, would you also use Qingyu as an excuse to defy the order?”
“Mother!” Qin Junlan’s voice slightly raised. Seeing her so aggressive, she turned sternly towards Yi Ziquan, “Yi Ziquan, releasing you was already a great favor from Me. Yet you’re still greedy and want to marry the Princess. The Princess was personally bestowed her title by Me. You didn’t come to report to Me first, but went to Mother instead. What is the meaning of this?”
“This humble servant knows his crime, this humble servant…” Yi Ziquan was inwardly lamenting repeatedly. He truly had no way to defend himself. How did he end up becoming the wedge between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, and also leave a bad impression on Liu Qianxun?
“Imperial Daughter! Why do you need to frighten Ziquan? This was all This Grieving One’s idea!”
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Mother and child confronted each other, an argument about to erupt at any moment. This time, Qin Junlan was determined not to comply with Yi Qinghuan. She coldly said: “Ziquan, Jin’er, withdraw. Xun’er, return to Qixia Palace first!”
“Yes…”
“Elder Sister Jin’er, Xun’er will take her leave now.”
“Mm.”
Liu Qianxun walked out of Fengqing Palace, letting out a slight breath. Dealing with the palace people was truly quite exhausting; just the elaborate etiquette alone made her feel it was overly complicated. Fortunately, due to her early years of immersion in Changning Mansion, she understood a bit. Combined with her naturally high awareness and the basic etiquette she learned from Yuan Xi, she wouldn’t be discourteous to others.
“Princess, the Emperor has ordered that henceforth, when you enter and exit Qixia Palace, Chen Qing will protect you.” Li Yue, carrying Qin Junlan’s decree, waited outside the palace. Qin Junlan, after much consideration, feared she might be troubled by the Empress Dowager. In order to know her whereabouts and situation at the first moment, she had Li Yue convey this intention.
“This humble servant Chen Qing pays respects to the Princess.”
Liu Qianxun was speechless. Was Qin Junlan’s action meant to monitor her or to protect her? Or perhaps, it was both.