Chapter 15: Take A Nap With Me
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Amid Young Master Meng's daydreaming, the Empress Dowager had already pulled out an ancient book from the bookshelf. After flipping through a few pages casually, and still not seeing any movement of her picking up a pen, the Empress Dowager then spoke up to remind: "You, child, how come you are suddenly lost in thought when everything is fine?"
In this way, Meng Chang’an suddenly came back to her senses.
She hurriedly picked up the pen on the inkstone and continued to write in the blank space. Meng Chang'an pursed her lips and lied: "It is nothing. I was just curious about the use of these Buddhist scriptures after copying them. Unexpectedly, this thought led me to unintentionally be distracted.”
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager not only didn't probe further but also patiently explained to her, "Your marriage to Qiu'er should be a joyous occasion. But San'er's fate is still uncertain, and her mother is currently praying for her in the Buddhist hall. As a grandmother, I should not show too much favoritism. It is just idle work to transcribe a few Buddhist scriptures to send to Consort Jing, this is also considered as doing my bit for that child."
Once again hearing someone mention the unknown fate of the Third Princess, Meng Chang'an couldn't help but sigh.
However, before Meng Chang'an could consider how to console, she heard the Empress Dowager continue, "After all, back then, it was supposed to be Qiu'er as the elder sister going for the marriage alliance. But at that time, Qiu'er had already set her heart elsewhere. Shuyao, that child, was afraid her elder sister would regret not being able to be with her beloved for life, so she took the initiative to undertake the marriage alliance. In this light, if it were not for her, you would not have been able to marry Qiu'er now. Ultimately, as the elder brother-in-law, you should be the one to thank that child properly."
In recent years, the Great Chang Dynasty has faced continuous warfare, with small southern regions taking advantage of clashes with other countries and surprisingly causing the loss of three cities in the past two years.
To prevent the disintegration of the Central Plains, the court reluctantly agreed to the proposed marriage alliance with Nanjiang*, temporarily quelling the turmoil in the south.
*Or Southern Border or Southern Xinjiang
Li Qiubai ranks second, while Li Shuyao ranks third. The imperial family only has these two princesses. If it weren't for Li Shuyao volunteering, the marriage alliance would have fallen upon Li Qiubai.
Upon hearing this inside story for the first time, Meng Chang'an couldn't help but sigh deeply.
Quietly thanking the Third Princess on behalf of her elder brother in her heart, Meng Chang'an continued transcribing the Buddhist scriptures at hand. Sincerely responding, she said, "Your Majesty's words make sense. Thinking about it, indeed, I should properly thank the Third Princess."
"Yes, it is good that you understand."
With just a faint sigh, the Empress Dowager said no more.
Transcribing Buddhist scriptures requires a tranquil mind. Despite Meng Chang'an's inner turmoil, after transcribing several passages, she had to calm her mind.
Those disturbing thoughts that troubled Young Master Meng's mind were eventually successfully pushed aside after copying one passage after another.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"The time is almost up. It is better to have lunch before continuing," said the Empress Dowager.
Upon hearing this, after finishing the current passage, Meng Chang'an consciously put down her pen.
"Your handwriting..."
Before Meng Chang'an could stand up, the Empress Dowager, standing beside her, slightly leaned in and pointed to the ink marks in front of Young Master Meng that hadn't dried yet.
"It looks quite bold. They say a person's handwriting reflects their character. Based on this, you seem quite proud normally?"
Meng Chang'an was momentarily perplexed, unable to decipher the deeper meaning behind the old woman's words that betrayed no emotion, leaving her unsure of how to respond.
"Given your temperament, it does not seem like you are willing to be a stand-in either."
Before Meng Chang'an could consider how to respond, the Empress Dowager straightened up, first circling the desk and heading out, gesturing for Meng Chang'an to follow.
"Earlier, this Dowager already mentioned to you: Qiu'er has long been devoted to someone. Since you are the one in her heart, when did you meet her? How did you meet? How did your bond form? Why has this never been heard before?"
These consecutive questions rendered Young Master Meng speechless.
Alright, no matter how dense Young Master Meng might be, she could summarize the Empress Dowager's consecutive questions into one: Who are you exactly?
Unfortunately, whether it was the overt query or the implicit undertone, not one of these questions was something Young Master Meng could answer.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager didn't insist on hearing her response. Noticing the distress evident on Young Master Meng's furrowed brow and recalling her granddaughter's tenderness toward this person, the Empress Dowager softened her expression.
"Never mind, let us have a meal first."
Although not a fierce interrogation, this sudden turn of events startled Young Master Meng.
Unlike the jests with Shen Deyun, the Empress Dowager's dignified aura unintentionally exerted a certain pressure.
Walking closely beside the Empress Dowager, Young Master Meng dared not say much, timidly asking, "Shall we call Her Highness?"
At this moment, Young Master Meng felt that among the women in the harem, only the Princess was the most agreeable company.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, Young Master Meng longed for the Princess, who was always full of smiles.
However, Young Master Meng's pitifully anxious appearance inadvertently amused the Empress Dowager.
Mm, this person even knows to ask about the Princess. It seems that girl is not just protecting this person for nothing.
Regardless of her inner thoughts, the Empress Dowager's words remained extremely cold.
"No need to call her. Why bother? That girl never had the habit of eating after drinking. Let her sleep peacefully."
"Oh..."
Young Master Meng felt disappointed, hanging her head and obediently trailing behind the Empress Dowager, trying to diminish her presence, afraid the Empress Dowager might suddenly ask more unanswerable questions.
Fortunately, after leaving the study, the Empress Dowager fell silent.
The silence along the way provided Meng Chang'an with some time to contemplate.
If what the Empress Dowager said was true, when did the Princess and her elder brother get acquainted? Why had she never heard of the Princess when meeting her brother before?
Thinking about this, Young Master Meng couldn't help but inwardly curse her elder brother a few times, a heartless and ungrateful man...
Shen Deyun had arranged lunch according to the time. When Meng Chang'an crossed the threshold into the dining room with the Empress Dowager, steam was still rising from the dishes on the table.
"Let us eat first. Our palace always has simple meals. Prince Consort, please do not disdain it."
With six dishes and a soup, although not as luxurious as the meals of other concubines in the palace, compared to the common people, it could still be considered rich.
"How could that be? Your Majesty is jesting."
After confidently seating herself beside the Empress Dowager, Meng Chang'an didn't show any reserve and began picking up the dishes with her jade chopsticks.
Mm, as long as you do not ask about my identity, everything would be fine.
However, before Meng Chang'an could take a few bites, the uninvited Princess appeared at the door.
After seeing the person clearly, the Young Master's eyes suddenly lit up.
“Oh, you can still get up after drinking Shuyao's wine?"
Unlike Meng Chang'an's inadvertent surprise, the Empress Dowager seemed unsurprised.
Before Young Master Meng could speak, the Empress Dowager playfully said, "What, is Qiu'er afraid that this Grandmother will eat your Consort? Even when you are drunk, you still remember to come find your Consort?"
Regardless of the Empress Dowager's teasing, Li Qiubai remained composed, showing no hint of embarrassment.
“That is not so, I just happened to be hungry, and heard Imperial Grandmother was having a meal, so I followed the scent here."
With a light chuckle, Li Qiubai walked straight to the table and naturally sat down beside Young Master Meng.
After seeing this, Shen Deyun quickly arranged another set of bowls and chopsticks and served a bowl of rice for the Princess.
Regardless of the Princess’ casual remarks, the fatigue evident on her face couldn't escape Young Master Meng’s eyes.
Even if Young Master Meng is rather dull, at this moment, she somewhat understands why the Princess came here dragging her weary body.
During this touching moment, unexpectedly, Young Master Meng showed some rare thoughtfulness. She took the initiative to serve the Princess, rising to prepare a bowl of lotus seed soup and handing it directly to her.
"Drink some soup to warm yourself up first! It will also help you sober up!"
Li Qiubai curved her lips, took the lotus seed soup, scooped a spoonful, tasted it, and praised, "Mm, it is so sweet."
Having said that, she continued scooping several more spoonfuls until almost half of the bowl of lotus seed soup was gone.
Seeing her enjoyment, Young Master Meng unconsciously lifted the corners of her mouth.
The more the Empress Dowager looked, the more sour she felt, finally unable to resist rolling her eyes, "Did you not always dislike sweet food? When you were young, no matter how we persuaded you, you never drank with us. Now suddenly it is delicious?"
Hearing this, Meng Chang'an couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
Li Qiubai, however, remained calm and composed, just lightly smiling as she replied, "Actually, it is only recently that I have grown fond of this sweet taste. Moreover, one needs to occasionally have a bowl of sweet soup to truly appreciate its flavor. Drinking it regularly, like Imperial Grandmother, inevitably makes it cloying."
"Enough of your nonsense, you girl full of nonsense."
The Empress Dowager secretly glared at her, pretending to be angry, "Hurry up and eat. Finish quickly so you can take your Consort back; I do not want you always worrying about whether I will make things difficult for her*!"
*I'm not sure if it's a typo but 她(ta) is written which means she/her, which means the Empress Dowager not only knows she's a substitute but also that she's a girl. This is the first time they (except for Li Qiubai and Yuechu) addressed her as a girl
She dared to assure herself that, looking at her granddaughter's hopeless appearance, even if she drank sweet soup personally made by her Consort for a lifetime, she wouldn't say it was cloying.
If you can even tolerate the taste, then there really is nothing you can't tolerate.
In the eyes of the Empress Dowager, the granddaughter who's married away is like spilled water, now had her elbows outward* and not as considerate as she was in her childhood.
*to be selfish, or to help/side with others rather than your own family/friends/countrymen, etc.
The Empress Dowager, who had intended to find an opportunity to cautiously approach Young Master Meng, suddenly felt disheartened. To avoid further discomfort, after lunch, she sent the two back and returned to the study alone.
Hmph, it is better for you to be out of sight!
Young Master Meng, unaware of the Empress Dowager's thoughts, assumed that the arrival of the Princess had alleviated the Empress Dowager's uneasiness toward her. Relieved of the invisible pressure the Empress Dowager imposed, Young Master Meng felt a weight lifted off her shoulders.
On their way back to Peach Blossom Garden, with no one around, seeing the Princess repeatedly furrowing her brow, Young Master Meng finally couldn't resist blurting out the words she had been holding back for a long time: "Did you come all this way despite feeling unwell because you are worried about me, Your Highness?"
Young Master Meng had a smile on her face, seeming to be in a reasonably good mood.
It is rare for the Young Master to have such an awareness. The Princess was very pleased and quickly took advantage of the situation to add fuel to the fire: "Yes, I even came to pick you up before I could even drink the sobering soup specially prepared by someone. It is because I was afraid that you would be chewed to pieces with no bones left, so how are you going to repay me?"
The smile on Meng Chang'an's face almost froze.
Your Highness, when did you rub elbows with street rogues and learn their rascal behavior?
However, considering the Princess’ warm-hearted gesture just now, coupled with the surprise she felt upon seeing her earlier, Young Master Meng ultimately chose to indulge the Princess' extravagant behavior.
"How would Your Highness like me to repay you?"
With this, Li Qiubai stopped contentedly, raising an eyebrow and smiling, "I am tired, cannot walk anymore."
Understanding the implied meaning behind her words, Meng Chang'an couldn't help but chuckle. She instinctively walked in front of her, half bending her back, and said, "Then, come up, I will carry you back!"
Without hesitation, the Princess obeyed, decisively hopping onto the back of the Young Master. After tightly encircling her neck, she leaned in between her hair and took a deep breath.
The faint fragrance made the Princess feel happy both physically and mentally.
Thus, Li Qiubai closed her eyes contentedly, whispering softly while lying on the Young Master's back, “Seeing you being so considerate, I will not make things difficult for you. I am quite tired anyway. How about taking a nap with me in my chambers as a way of repaying?”
Upon hearing this, Meng Chang’an almost stumbled.
In broad daylight, are we really going to share a bed...?
Recalling the seductive demeanor unknowingly revealed by the Princess when they first fled the Peach Blossom Garden, Meng Chang'an found it hard to calm her emotions again.
