Chapter 11: She Is The One I Love
New names:
沈如玉 - Shen Ruyu
沈如颖 - Shen Ruying
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This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"I did not expect that the Empress would be so well-informed. Even the little things in this Princess’ residence cannot escape your ears."
Not waiting for Meng Chang'an to ponder how to respond, nor for the Empress Dowager to continue her questioning. Seated alongside the Empress on the raised couch, Li Qiubai looked at her with a smile that wasn't quite a smile and continued, “However, Your Majesty, rest assured. The assassin has been captured, and the residence guards are rigorously interrogating them. Surely, the mastermind behind this will soon be exposed. When that time comes, regardless of the mastermind's intentions, simply by trespassing into this Princess’ residence at night and framing my Prince Consort, I will not let it go easily.”
Without showing any annoyance, the Empress casually leaned against the armrest of her chair. She casually blew on the teacup at hand, then took a sip before speaking slowly, “Tsk, Your Highness, does that mean you think someone would deliberately risk their life to break into Your Highness’ residence just to falsely accuse your Prince Consort.”
Li Qiubai smirked coldly, "So, according to Your Majesty's thoughts, do you really believe I would disregard innocence and have an affair with another? Allowing a thief to share a bed with me?"
The Empress narrowed her eyes and sat there holding the teacup, meeting Li Qiubai's gaze. Observing the Princess' hidden sarcasm and restrained resentment in her eyes, the Empress finally chuckled silently.
At that moment, tension hung in the air, and the impending conflict seemed ready to ignite at any moment.
"Enough, stop quarreling, I am tired," sighed the Empress Dowager wearily, rubbing her brow, putting an end to the confrontation between the two. "Both of you, leave now. Let Qiu’er and the Prince Consort accompany me for lunch."
Unable to witness the spectacle, Consort Ying felt disgruntled and interjected, “Imperial Mother, but we have not finished discussing matters concerning your upcoming birthday..."
"The matters of my birthday can be discussed later. Let us end it here for today. Tonight's palace banquet marks Qiu’er's return and also celebrates the Grand Prince's* victorious return. The Empress should go back and make proper preparations. We would not want any mishaps due to inadequate preparation, tarnishing our royal dignity in front of the courtiers."
*I translated this as the Crown Prince in Chapter 5 (changed it) but the term used is 大皇子 (dà huángzǐ), a title that could be given to the eldest son of the Emperor or the son with the highest nobility, though he can eventually be the Emperor, he is not technically the Crown Prince 太子 (tàizǐ).
Even though the Empress was essentially dismissed by the Empress Dowager, she maintained an unruffled demeanor, calmly stating, "Yes, then I shall take my leave today."
With the Empress's departure and no performers left, Consort Ying had no reason to linger around for the commotion.
Having been chastised by the Empress Dowager earlier, Concubine Li harbored some discontent towards the Empress and saw no reason to foolishly involve herself in the heated exchanges between the two.
After a while, several concubines had already successively left. Even the palace servants were driven away by Shen Deyun.
Although the troublemakers were no longer here, Meng Chang’an still couldn't relax much under the Empress Dowager's penetrating gaze.
"Qiu'er, now that everyone is gone, can you tell grandmother who this person really is?"
This morning, before leaving home, Young Master Meng had vowed to Ye Chi that she could at least hold on until her elder brother was found without revealing her identity, but she suddenly felt a bit uncomfortable upon hearing this question.
On the other hand, Li Qiubai was calm, gazing at Young Master Meng who was pretending to be calm, her mouth gradually curving upward.
"She*, she is the one I love."
Meng Chang’an's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this response.
She couldn't understand what Li Qiubai meant by her words, so she could only think that she was casually speaking to the Empress Dowager.
As expected, after the Empress Dowager heard this statement, she didn't pursue it further. She just wearily closed her eyes, rubbed her forehead, and said, "I am tired, you take the Prince Consort around the palace for a stroll."
Li Qiubai lowered her eyes, didn't say much, and just faintly replied, "Mm, then Your Majesty, rest well. This imperial granddaughter will take her leave for now."
After Li Qiubai left with Meng Chang'an from the hall, the Empress Dowager reopened her eyes and instructed Shen Deyun, who was standing by with bowed head, in a low voice: Go and investigate which people in this martial world know the art of disguise, enough to make the fake look real. Also, find out where they are now.”
Shen Deyun was momentarily stunned and asked: "Does Your Highness mean that the Prince Consort today might really be fake?”
Only then did the Empress Dowager softly explain: “A person can change their appearance but not their nature or way of life. When His Majesty bestowed the marriage, I already sent people to investigate. The Young Master of the Qingyang Clan has always been steady and never acts rashly. Such a person shoulders great responsibilities and would never act impulsively for the sake of pride like the husband today did. It was merely an impulsive action to stand up for Qiu'er.”
Considering this, Empress Dowager couldn't help recalling Li Qiubai's focused and earnest expression when she mentioned her beloved, along with the tender emotions concealed in her eyes. She sighed helplessly, weakly waved her hand, and changed her statement, “Forget it, no need to investigate further. Let it be. The children will have their own fortune. If that person can make that child happy, it does not matter who he really is.”
Meanwhile, Noble Consort Ying, as she left with the Empress, quietly asked the Empress, "Elder cousin, why do you think the Empress Dowager seems to protect those two even if she might know the false identity of the Prince Consort?"
"Tsk, she is not protecting the Prince Consort, but our Princess."
Noble Consort Ying was puzzled and continued to ask "If that is the case, why bother going today and upset the Empress Dowager unnecessarily?"
Empress Shen Ruyu, the daughter of the current Prime Minister, was highly intelligent. On the other hand, Noble Consort Ying, Shen Ruyu's cousin, Shen Ruying, lacked such intellect. Her position as Consort owed much to the Empress's guidance and support behind the scenes.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Shen Ruyu had always taken good care of her cousin. Seeing her curiosity, she patiently explained: "Do not worry, it will not be in vain. Words always spread very quickly in the palace. Today's altercation in the Empress Dowager's chamber will surely reach the Emperor's ears. The Emperor has always been suspicious, he will inevitably harbor doubts about the Prince Consort's identity. Furthermore, with the current widespread talk about the kidnapping incident involving Lady Ye Wuyou, the master of Wushang Palace, at tonight's palace banquet, this Prince Consort will not receive a favorable reception.”
So, Shen Ruying suddenly realized: "Therefore, today's farce is simply a means to disclose some information to His Majesty! Since today, the Second Princess and the Prince Consort have openly shown they are on the same side, then the Prince Consort and the Second Princess are bound together in honor and disgrace! Perhaps, even the Grand Prince might incur His Majesty's wrath as well!"
Only then did Shen Ruyu curl up her lips with satisfaction and say with a sneer: "Yes, I do not know how that child became less clever as she grew up. She dares to commit such a crime of deceiving the Emperor. If she can be brought down so easily, it really would not be interesting."
It is a pity that Young Master Meng at this time had no idea about the twists and turns hidden in the hearts of the women in the palace, let alone what storms awaited her tonight. She thought the crisis of today was resolved and, quite relaxed, strolled around the Yong'an Palace with the Princess.
Yuechu had always been considerate, constantly creating opportunities for the two to be alone, and now she consciously trailed behind them with attendants.
With no idle people around, Meng Chang’an had no reservations and directly praised, "Your Highness is truly remarkable! Just a sentence dispelled the Empress Dowager's concerns!"
"You're overthinking it. The Imperial Grandmother simply saw through it but did not speak about it."
Although the Princess was amused by Young Master Meng’'s puppy-like appearance, her words ruthlessly shattered the young master's fantasies.
"I lost my mother at a young age. The Imperial Grandmother saw my pitiful state and brought me to the Yong'an Palace to raise me. She has always treated me extremely well, indulging me beyond measure. So, even if she already knows the answer in her heart regarding today's matter, on the surface, she will still pretend not to know. Wait for her to calm down, then she can comfortably accept your identity as the false Prince Consort. In all likelihood, she will not make it difficult for you."
Meng Chang'an didn't notice the change in how the Princess addressed herself*, nor did she notice the gradually shortening distance between them. She worried, "But those noble ladies still seem to suspect me."
T/N: in the earlier paragraph, the Princess referred to herself as regular ‘I’ (wo) and not the royal ‘I’ (ben gong)
Regardless, even if they suspect, even if they are convinced you are a false Prince Consort without evidence, as long as Father considers you as such, they will not cause much trouble. Palace gossip is one thing, but if it goes public and disgraces Father, they will not benefit. So, as long as no concubine wishes to upset Father, none will step forward."
Meng Chang'an frowned, sensing something amiss but unable to tell it. "However..."
Before Meng Chang'an could inquire further, the Princess took her arm and guided them deeper into the Peach Blossom Garden in the Yong'an Palace.
"All right, do not think too much at such a young age. The hearts of people in the harem are treacherous, not something a person as naive as you can easily understand. Just relax for now. As long as I am here, I will definitely protect you."
Meng Chang'an took the Princess’ promise as a polite way to silence her, not taking it too seriously. Instead, she pondered over the word "naive."
Why do I always feel like the naivety mentioned by Your Highness sounds like mocking my foolishness and dullness?
Li Qiubai was momentarily stunned, then burst into laughter, teasing, "If you insist on interpreting it that way, then I have no choice. I will just laugh at your foolishness and dullness as you wish."
Meng Chang'an: "..."
So, did she just end up shooting herself in the foot?
Rarely seeing the pitiful and frustrated look on Young Master Meng's face, the Princess couldn't help but laugh even more.
In a daze, she couldn't help but think of every detail of the days when she was young and spent time with Young Master Meng in the desert. Then she looked at this person’s completely forgetful and careless appearance, she couldn't help but give Meng Chang'an a resentful look.
"But, sometimes, you really are foolish, silly, and dull."
Meng Chang'an: ???
How did things suddenly turn to the Princess disliking her?
