Chapter 9: If There Is A Chance, I Can Take You To The Rivers And Lakes
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
New names:
申公公/申德云-Shen Gonggong(Eunuch Shen)/Shēn Déyún
颖贵妃 (Yǐng Guìfēi) - Noble Consort Ying
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Li Qiubai released Meng Chang'an satisfactorily and stepped back to the original position, gently urging, "Why are you still standing there? Get on the carriage quickly!"
The coachman witnessed such a scene with his own eyes, but he did not even dare to speak out loud, for fear that he would disturb affection and charm between the Princess and the Prince Consort.
After all, the scene by the pillar moments ago, from certain street angles, seemed like they had already kissed.
The Princess' noble demeanor truly earned admiration from everyone.
It was only when the Princess approached the carriage that the astonished coachman reacted. He quickly placed a stool by the carriage, ready to assist the Princess in boarding.
After Li Qiubai got into the carriage, Meng Chang'an followed closely.
However, unlike the calm and composed demeanor from earlier, in this moment of solitude, Young Master Meng seemed a bit more restrained. Once on the carriage, she didn't dare to look directly at the Princess and instead surveyed the carriage's interior.
Yuechu, who was excitedly watching the bustling scene at the main gate just now, calmly led the attendants back to their positions. She instructed the soldier leading the horses to start the journey.
She was afraid that she would disturb the solitude of the two people, so she did not dare to sit in the carriage with the Princess as usual, instead, she huddled in the small compartment between the carriage and the coachman's seat. She consciously and proactively closed the carriage door for the two inside, saying, "Your Highness, Prince Consort, rest well. I will call you when we reach the palace gate."
"Mm."
After a faint response, Li Qiubai turned her head and looked teasingly at Meng Chang'an: "Why are you silent? Were you not eloquent just now?"
With that, Meng Chang'an shifted her gaze from the small wooden table placed in the middle of the carriage to the Princess. She said with a hint of resentment, "Your Highness, you are holding a grudge too much! It was initially just a playful jest..."
Was it not just teasing each other? What is there to feel guilty about?
Li Qiubai's lips curled slightly as she teased, "Have you forgotten? The ancients said, 'Only villains and women are hard to deal with'."
No matter how Young Master Meng misunderstood, the Princess did not offer further explanation. She casually leaned back on the soft cushion behind her and gestured to the girl across the wooden table, "Come, sit beside me. We are about to enter the palace, and there are some things I need to discuss with you beforehand. So you w ill not be confused after entering the palace, and people will not take advantage of you without your knowledge."
Seeing Li Qiubai's expression turning more serious than before, not seeming like she was joking, Meng Chang'an cautiously changed her position, stood up, sat beside her, and walked around the wooden table.
"Alright, go ahead."
Meng Chang'an had just settled into her seat when the Princess, who had been sitting upright, suddenly softened and collapsed, resting her head on Young Master Meng's thighs, and lying comfortably on the soft cushion.
Meng Chang'an: "..."
After holding back for a while, Young Master Meng couldn't help but mutter, "So, you called me over because you needed a pillow?"
Unfortunately, the person currently resting on Young Master Meng's legs remained indifferent. She even kicked off her shoes, casually propped up her legs, and adjusted to a more comfortable position.
"Some matters take a while to explain, and even this Princess gets tired. Of course, leaning on a meat pad like this is more comfortable," she said confidently.
That's quite reasonable.
Meng Chang'an smiled helplessly.
The carriage moved smoothly. Although the Princess didn't risk falling while lying like this, Meng Chang'an instinctively put her arm around the person's shoulders for safety and indulgently said, "Alright, alright. You are the Princess, and you are right about everything!"
Li Qiubai couldn't help but raise the corners of her mouth.
Within the harem, relationships are intricate, and many matters cannot be openly discussed. Therefore, Li Qiubai merely gave Meng Chang'an a brief introduction to the general relationships between the imperial Princes and their maternal relatives.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Even with this simple explanation, it took the entire journey.
Meng Chang'an quietly listened along the way, only speaking up with a few questions when she didn't understand. This approach created a harmonious atmosphere between the two, helping Meng Chang'an forget the initial embarrassment.
By the time they reached the palace gate, Meng Chang'an had gained a rough understanding of the current situation in the court and the harem.
"Your Highness, we have arrived."
As the carriage couldn't enter the palace gate, Yuechu had to call for someone to assist them.
The sedan chair was already prepared and waiting in front of the palace gate. When Li Qiubai and Meng Chang'an dressed appropriately and disembarked, Eunuch Shen, who had been waiting by the sedan chair, immediately approached with a warm smile, bowing to both of them, "This humble servant greets Your Highness and Prince Consort. Allow me to congratulate you in advance."
Li Qiubai lightly chuckled and extended a hand to the newcomer, "Eunuch Shen, no need for formalities. Why do you have the time to run to the palace gate today? Should you not be by the Empress Dowager's side?"
The newcomer was none other than the trusted aide by the current Empress Dowager's side, Eunuch Shen, Shen Deyun. He served as the steward within the Yong'an Palace where the Empress Dowager resided. Normally, he accompanied the Empress Dowager and rarely went out on separate business.
"Oh, Your Highness, you may not be aware. The Empress Dowager was anxiously awaiting your arrival in the palace and did not want to bother you directly, so she dispatched this humble servant to wait at the palace gate. This way, she could see you at the earliest possible moment, preventing any delay caused by your admiration of the scenery on the way."
Having said that, Shen Deyun slightly bowed and gestured with five fingers towards the direction of the sedan chair, respectfully saying, "Your Highness, Prince Consort, please."
Since Shen Deyun was being so considerate, Li Qiubai naturally accepted. With a slight nod and a smile, she took Meng Chang'an's hand and led the way, walking ahead.
As Shen Deyun personally saw the two onto the sedan chair, he bent down, approaching Li Qiubai's side. In a hushed tone, he said, "The Empress Dowager instructed this servant to remind Your Highness that the matron who was sent to officiate the wedding ceremony at the Princess' residence has already returned to the palace. She brought back the bridal handkerchief from the residence. The Empress was furious upon seeing it, claiming that Your Highness brought disgrace to the royal family. Curiously, Noble Consort Ying and a few other consorts were present in the Empress' palace at that time. They seem to be waiting for you together. Please be cautious, Your Highness."
Heh, is this considered bringing disgrace to the dignity of the royal family?
Li Qiubai concealed her emotions and quietly expressed gratitude, "I appreciate Empress Dowager's and Eunuch Shen's concerns."
Shen Deyun didn't say much either. He smiled faintly and withdrew, following closely beside the sedan chair. In a sharp voice, he called out, "Depart!"
It is not difficult for Young Master Meng, who is sitting next to her, to feel the changes in the Princess' mood.
The Princess had already mentioned inside the carriage earlier, that the Empress, the mother of the current Fourth Prince, was currently maneuvering for her son's position in the Eastern Palace, where the position of the Crown Prince had not been settled. The woman was undoubtedly making plans for her own son.
Now, the one who has the best chance to compete with him for the position of the Crown Prince is the Princess' brother. These two royal siblings, without the protection of their mother, were undoubtedly seen as thorns in the eyes of the Empress.
In this bustling environment filled with gossip, and being in the depths of the palace, Meng Chang'an dared not speak much. She could only gently squeeze the hand she held in hers. After the Princess recovered from her pain and returned to her senses, Meng Chang'an dared to approach and quietly asked, "Are you okay?"
The undisguised worry in Young Master Meng's eyes actually calmed the rising hatred in the Princess' heart.
Li Qiubai felt a warmth in her heart. With this, even if she recalled those unpleasant past events, she wouldn't feel as unhappy.
"Do not worry." Li Qiubai curved her lips, pretending not to notice Meng Chang'an's concern. She casually said, "As long as I am here, nothing will happen to you."
Meng Chang'an hesitated in her words and ultimately held back what she wanted to say. She changed her expression and said, "Oh, then I will thank Your Highness in advance."
After saying that, she released the Princess' hand, leaned against the guardrail of the sedan chair, supported her head with her hand, and enjoyed the scenery along the way.
Entering the palace gates felt like entering the depths of the sea. Although the scenes in the palace were magnificent, the hearts of the people inside were unfathomable, adding a touch of coldness to these grand buildings.
Although the Princess smiled slightly and sat gracefully, the inherent indifference on her seemed impossible to escape Meng Chang'an's keen eyes.
Young Master Meng couldn't stop sighing. At this moment, she couldn't help but miss the Princess who used to lounge carefreely in the carriage, teasing people with her legs crossed.
She even felt that the Princess at that time was the real Li Qiubai, not the one currently wearing a mask and forcing a smile in front of others.
"Do you not like the palace?"
After a long time, a light and ethereal voice whispered into Li Qiubai's ears.
She slowly raised her head, gazing through the beaded curtain towards the highest tower in the distant palace. Looking at the Wangyuan Tower* that even the layered buildings couldn't block, she murmured softly, "Yes, the deep palace is like a cage. Who would like it?"
*far-seeing tower, telescope tower, not sure if it's the name of the tower or just a description, maybe some kind of an observatory, not really sure
At that moment, the loneliness in Li Qiubai seemed to be magnified countless times, making it difficult for Meng Chang'an to feel the joy that she should have as someone about to leave.
Perhaps the contrast was too obvious, and Meng Chang'an couldn't help but feel a bit of heartache. She subconsciously said, "If there's a chance, I can take you to roam the rivers and lakes. It is much more interesting than the palace, it is not boring at all. I am sure you will like it."
Li Qiubai couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
In this way, she withdrew her gaze from the Wangyuan Tower and moved it to Young Master Meng beside her.
"Alright." The princess gradually lifted the corners of her mouth, displaying a bright smile. "You better keep your word."
Indeed, this young master was known for keeping promises.
Silently affirming this in her mind, Meng Chang'an smiled faintly and nodded. "It is a deal!"
Not long after that, the sedan chair arrived at the front of the Yong'an Palace.
Guided by Shen Deyun, who had received instructions from the Empress Dowager, they entered the Yong'an Palace. Passing through numerous corridors, they halted in front of the main hall.
Before they could enter, a sharp voice emanated from behind the wide-open doors.
"From what this humble concubine observes, the Second Princess has truly disgraced the dignity of the imperial family this time. Who has ever heard of a young lady losing her chastity before marriage? If this matter spreads, how will His Majesty maintain his dignity in the future!"
As the words fell, another person added, "This concubine also agrees with Concubine Li's sensible words. Today, I dare to express a few more opinions. Back then, the late emperor should not have allowed the Second Princess to accompany the army on the expedition. Women, after all, should not expose themselves to the outside world. A lady like the Second Princess, who has been accustomed to wandering outside, is inevitably a bit wild in temperament. That is why such a disgraceful incident occurred, bringing shame to the imperial family!"
Upon hearing this, Meng Chang'an's expression darkened.
These individuals dared to insult her family in her presence. Could it be that they thought that she, the young master of the Demonic Sect, had a good temper?
Author's Note:
Meng Chang'an: Young-Protect-Sister-In-Law-Master Meng is now online!
Princess: Bah, it's Protect-the-Wife.
