Shen Yi wiped away Qin Su’s tears, her eyes lowered.
Qin Su held Shen Yi’s fingertips, feeling their warmth, and smiled, “An Ping, rest early.”
Shen Yi nodded, and Qin Su arranged her in her chamber. Shen Yi slept on the bed while Qin Su slept on the couch, separated by a screen.
As the moon passed the treetops, Qin Su still lay awake, listening to the faint breaths coming from behind the screen, her mind wandering.
Reaching out, Qin Su watched as the moonlight fell into her hand, a rare moment of contemplating the future beyond the throne.
At dawn, Chi Shui stood at the door but before he could speak, it opened from inside, revealing Qin Su dressed neatly, “Do not disturb her.”
After instructing Chi Shui, Qin Su proceeded to morning court.
Before morning court ended, Shen Yi woke up. Rubbing her eyes, she was attended to by Chi Shui who stood by her bedside.
“Miss Shen is awake?”
Shen Yi looked at Chi Shui, nodded awkwardly, and glanced towards the screen, searching for Qin Su.
“Her Highness has gone to morning court. I will assist Miss Shen with dressing.”
Chi Shui understood Shen Yi’s thoughts and spoke.
“Does the princess also need to attend morning court?”
Shen Yi was puzzled.
“Now that the princess oversees the country, it is natural to attend morning court. Her Highness has instructed that Miss Shen can have her breakfast first upon waking, without waiting for her.”
As Chi Shui helped Shen Yi with her clothes, she relayed Qin Su’s instructions. Normally, after morning court, if there were still matters to attend to, Qin Su might stay in the study, and might not return until noon.
Shen Yi agreed, saying no more.
Indeed, there were matters to attend to during morning court. News had come from the East Sea that Jin Lie had prepared to withdraw. The negotiations with the Jin State Duke had been successful, and Jing Guo had officially become part of the Da Yong territory.
It was good news, but looking at the empty cities, no one in the court could muster a smile. Moreover, the plague remained unresolved despite numerous attempts. Many physicians had been sent, but the epidemic was still rampant and difficult to control. For now, segregation and control measures were in place, but it was only a temporary solution, and a cure for the plague had yet to be found.
“Your Highness, there’s another matter I need to report. It’s been raining heavily this June, and although the dams in Jiangnan have been reinforced, the heavy rains this year, coupled with the previous years’ exploitation by the Jiangnan officials, have left the people struggling to survive. Could we reduce the taxes in Jiangnan this year and give the people there a chance to recuperate?”
Qin Su pondered for a moment, “Granted, the taxes in Jiangnan for this year are waived.”
“On behalf of the people of Jiangnan, I thank Your Highness for your benevolence!”
Qin Su raised her eyes. Prime Minister Shen wanted to speak up against Qin Su’s decision but met Qin Su’s gaze and remained silent.
“I have a question, Your Highness. The Third Prince, Qin Heng, has fled in fear of punishment and has yet to be found. Shouldn’t we issue a warrant for his arrest to bring him to justice as soon as possible?”
The Minister of Justice asked. The matter regarding the Third Prince was known throughout the court, and with substantial evidence, it was a sealed case, not to mention that, the Third Prince had even fled, aggravating his crime.
Qin Su contemplated for a moment, “People have been dispatched to pursue him. Let’s wait for further updates.”
Everyone understood Qin Su’s words, and there was no need for further discussion. The Third Prince’s target was Qin Su, and he had caused Miss Shen from the Shen family to disappear for so long. According to Qin Su’s temperament, she should have dealt with it early, but unexpectedly, she was lenient, even delaying the issuance of the arrest warrant for two days.
Some miscellaneous matters prolonged the morning court, and later, Prime Minister Shen and others accompanied Qin Su to the study to discuss matters such as Jiangnan’s taxes. By the time each matter was dealt with, it was almost noon.
“Thank you for your assistance with Ping’er, it’s been quite a hassle.”
After discussing official business, the officials left, and Prime Minister Shen took a step slower, bringing up the matter of Shen Yi to Qin Su.
“This is within the palace’s purview, Prime Minister Shen need not worry.”
Qin Su hadn’t slept well last night, coupled with the exhaustion from the morning court, she visibly appeared tired.
Prime Minister Shen had intended to use the opportunity to ask Qin Su to bring Shen Yi back to the Prime Minister’s residence, but seeing Qin Su’s response, she didn’t know how to proceed and could only thank her before leaving.
After everyone had left, Qin Su looked at the memorials on the dragon desk, feeling a headache coming on, both physically and mentally exhausted.
“Your Highness, would you like to have your meal?”
Chi Shui stayed at the Zhengyang Palace to attend to Shen Yi, while Qin Su had Shi’er attendants by his side.
Checking the time, one of the attendants asked.
“I have no appetite. Any news from the Zhengyang Palace?”
Qin Su not only had no appetite, but she also felt a bit nauseous now, feeling suffocated.
“Chi Shui sent word that Miss Shen has awakened, had her breakfast, and is currently practicing calligraphy in Your Highness’s study, so there’s no need to worry.”
Having been by Qin Su’s side for quite some time, Shi’er had learned a thing or two from Chi Shui.
“Very well, relay the message to Zhengyang Palace to send the meal. I have other matters to attend to and won’t be returning.”
Qin Su rubbed her temples, feeling overwhelmed, “I’ll rest for a while, call me in an hour.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Shi’er acknowledged and left.
Qin Su lay on the couch, rubbing her temples, and closed her eyes.
In the Zhengyang Palace, Shen Yi listened to Qin Su’s words and lowered her eyes to the table full of food in front of her. “Her Highness must be very busy?”
“Miss Shen, Her Highness has the responsibility of overseeing the country, naturally, she has to work hard,” Chi Shui replied as she served food to Shen Yi.
After having lunch alone in the room and feeling bored, Shen Yi decided to go for a walk. But as soon as she reached the Imperial Garden, a group of people approached her.
Chi Shui frowned. “Miss Shen, let’s go back.”
Shen Yi looked at Chi Shui in confusion, not understanding what was happening.
Just as she hesitated, Concubine De and her entourage noticed Shen Yi and headed straight towards her.
“This is Concubine De,” Chi Shui reminded Shen Yi in a low voice.
Seeing Concubine De approaching, Shen Yi didn’t know what to do and stood there.
“Isn’t this Miss Shen? Is it unnecessary for you to pay respects to this palace?” Concubine De’s temper had already flared the past few days because of the Third Prince’s matter. Now seeing Shen Yi here, not paying respects, added to her anger.
“Please forgive Miss Shen, she was injured and has amnesia, she doesn’t remember these things for now, she hasn’t had the chance to relearn etiquette, she didn’t mean to offend Concubine De,” Chi Shui explained, sensing that Concubine De was deliberately causing trouble.
After hearing Chi Shui’s explanation, Concubine De’s gaze towards Shen Yi became more sarcastic. “Ridiculous, what amnesia? I see it as nothing but an excuse. Since Miss Shen doesn’t understand etiquette, I might as well teach her a lesson.”
“Concubine De! Miss Shen is a guest of the Zhengyang Palace!”
Seeing Concubine De approaching Shen Yi, Chi Shui couldn’t bear it anymore. She stepped forward to block Concubine De and Shen Yi, disregarding the etiquette.
“How dare you!” Concubine De raised her hand and slapped Chi Shui on the face. Chi Shui didn’t dodge and took the slap head-on.
“Dare you to use the Zhengyang Palace to oppress others? Let your master come and talk to me!”
Concubine De was now desperate to find Qin Su but couldn’t. She knew that Qin Su was framing the Third Prince Qin Heng, trying to use the opportunity to get rid of him.
Without the prince’s support, if the family rises again, what would be her fate alone in the deep palace?
Or perhaps Qin Su never intended to give them, mother and son, a way out from the beginning. Now that her only son was gone, why should she continue to yield to Qin Su as before?
In the end, Qin Su was just a princess now. If it weren’t for the Emperor’s favor towards her, why would everyone in the palace respect her so much?
Concubine De ordered Shen Yi to be taken away, regardless. She was Concubine De now, Qin Su’s senior. With the Emperor not in the palace, Qin Su couldn’t punish her.
Thinking about the news of the Third Prince’s death that she had just received, hatred surged in Concubine De’s eyes. “Invite Miss Shen to have tea in the palace, is it so difficult?”
The people around Concubine De were ready to take action. Chi Shui and the others didn’t hesitate anymore. The guards appeared and drew their swords, pointing at the people in Concubine De’s palace.
“Concubine De, think twice before acting. The Zhengyang Palace is not like the harem. Harem’s ways don’t work in the Zhengyang Palace.”
Chi Shui’s face bore clear marks of the slap, but she didn’t step back. She looked at Concubine De coldly.
“Alright! Alright!”
Concubine De looked at the guards around her with drawn swords, her face contorted. “The Emperor is still here! How dare the Zhengyang Palace act like this, bringing weapons into the inner palace, it’s outrageous!”
“If Concubine De has any objections, she can find the Emperor.”
Qin Su’s voice came from behind Concubine De. Everyone’s gaze shifted to see Qin Su, dressed in wide-sleeved black robes, approaching quickly. She heard what Concubine De said just now.
“What is Concubine De trying to do?”
Qin Su stood in front of Concubine De. In the harem, apart from the Emperor and Empress Jin, she didn’t need to bow to anyone.
Seeing Qin Su arrive so quickly, Concubine De sneered. “Princess, how imposing you are. Miss Shen didn’t even offer me respect. I just wanted to teach her some manners and invite her for tea. Your people from the Zhengyang Palace drew out their swords. Does that mean the palace is under your control now? Has Da Yong already fallen into your hands, Princess?”
“Please ask Empress Jin to come and judge.”
Qin Su looked at the insane Concubine De in front of her. She couldn’t intervene in harem affairs, but it didn’t mean that no one was in charge.
Concubine De’s eyes flashed. She had forgotten about Empress Jin.
While waiting for Empress Jin to arrive, Concubine De knew she had no way out. She felt despair and madness, looking at Qin Su, “Alright! Qin Su! Let’s all die! Let’s all die!”
Qin Su sensed something was wrong. Before she could react, she saw Concubine De take out a bowl of soup from a nearby palace maid’s tray and splash it around.
“It’s sulphuric acid!”
Chi Shui’s eyes widened as she watched the palace servants falling to the ground in agony after being splashed. She turned to shield Shen Yi.
Qin Su was standing in front of Concubine De, but her reaction was faster. She raised her wide sleeves to block the liquid, avoiding being splashed.
Amidst the cries of pain, Concubine De laughed and rushed towards Qin Su. With swift movements, Qin Su drew her sword, stabbing Concubine De’s heart. As the long sword was pulled out, blood gushed out like a fountain, splattering everywhere. Concubine De stared wide-eyed at the blood before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
When Empress Jin arrived, she saw that scene. She stopped in her tracks, stunned for a moment.
Qin Su put down her sleeve, which had blocked the sulphuric acid and the blood stains, and frowned. She glanced at her tattered sleeve and then at Shen Yi’s stunned expression, distracted.
“Why don’t you send Miss Shen back to the palace?”
Chi Shui also reacted and covered Shen Yi’s eyes, leading her back to the Zhengyang Palace.
Empress Jin also came to her senses and walked to Qin Su’s side, saying, “I heard that Concubine De has gone mad. Your Highness, are you injured?”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am not injured. However, how should we handle Concubine De’s madness?” Qin Su glanced at her tattered sleeve and then at the wailing palace attendants around her, frowning.
Shi’er stood by Qin Su’s side and said, “Your Highness, Empress Jin, Concubine De previously went to the study to bring Your Highness some desserts, but since Your Highness was taking a nap, we did not let Concubine De disturb you. However, unexpectedly, the food box contained vermillion oil, such a toxic substance.”
Empress Jin waved her hand and said, “First, take these palace attendants to treat their wounds, and thoroughly investigate the matter of Concubine De’s vermillion oil, as for Concubine De’s death, let’s say she went mad and fell into the lake. As for the palace attendants present… take care of them, handle it cleanly.”
Having managed the harem for many years, if Empress Jin’s methods weren’t strong, she wouldn’t have been able to maintain her position. With a series of orders, someone came to clean up the mess.
Qin Su glanced at Concubine De’s body on the ground and remarked, “Third Brother is more ruthless than lucky.”
“In that case, it’s best to resolve this matter as soon as possible,” Empress Jin said, glancing at Qin Su’s disheveled appearance. “Your Highness looks startled. You should go back and change your clothes.”
“Yes, thank you, Your Highness.”
Qin Su knew that she could leave the matter to Empress Jin and didn’t linger, leading her people back to Zhengyang Palace.
As soon as she entered the gate of Zhengyang Palace, Qin Su saw Shen Yi standing in the courtyard, waiting for her return.
Hiding the bloodstained sleeve, Qin Su stopped a few steps away from Shen Yi. “An Ping, why aren’t you resting in the house? Were you frightened just now?”
Shen Yi’s gaze was fixed on Qin Su. Qin Su wore a black robe, but the heavy bloodstains were still visible.
“I’ll go change first.”
Qin Su couldn’t bear her current appearance being seen by Shen Yi’s clean eyes. She bypassed Shen Yi and headed towards the clean pond.
Chi Shui, who was also splattered with acid, had changed her clothes and came out to see Qin Su walking towards the clean pond with a grim face.
“Miss Shen, what’s going on?”
Chi Shui didn’t know what had happened, and seeing Shen Yi standing dumbfounded in place, she asked.
Shen Yi now felt like her mind was blank, with only the blood-red scene from earlier in her eyes. “Someone… died just now?”
Chi Shui remained silent. She knew that such a scene was too cruel for Shen Yi, and in the past, Qin Su had always avoided letting Shen Yi see such things, but unexpectedly, an accident occurred today.
“It’s also for Her Highness’s safety. That person had already gone mad.”
Shen Yi nodded slowly. She sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard, supporting her head with her hands, her brows furrowed.
“Miss Shen, what’s wrong with you?”
Chi Shui was startled and hurried to support Shen Yi.
Shen Yi didn’t know what was wrong with her. She just felt a headache, so severe that it made her consciousness blur, and then she fell into darkness.
In the clean pond, Qin Su had just entered the water when she heard someone shouting from outside, “Miss Shen has fainted!”
Without hesitation, despite being soaked, Qin Su put on her clothes and robe and went out.
Chi Shui was standing in the courtyard, while Shen Yi lay motionless on the stone table.
“What’s going on?”
Qin Su walked to Shen Yi’s side and gently shook her, but there was no response.
“I had a few words with Miss Shen just now. She sat down with her head propped up and then fainted.”
Chi Shui didn’t dare to move Shen Yi recklessly, so she could only wait for Qin Su’s instructions.
Qin Su lifted Shen Yi. “Go fetch the imperial physician! And send someone to inform Hua Xi!”
Carrying Shen Yi, Qin Su headed toward the main hall and gently placed her on the bed.
Seeing Shen Yi still frowning even in her unconscious state, Qin Su felt anxious. “An Ping, don’t scare me.”
Resting her head on Shen Yi’s arm, Qin Su wasn’t sure if it was related to the injury on Shen Yi’s head. Shee adjusted Shen Yi’s head to avoid pressing on the wound.
The imperial physician arrived. When he came, Qin Su stepped aside to let the physician check Shen Yi’s pulse.
The old physician frowned and examined her pulse for a while. “Your Highness, there’s something I’m not sure if I should say.”
“Just say it.” Qin Su had no time for idle chatter. She wanted to know what was wrong with Shen Yi.
“Well,” the old physician withdrew his hand, “Miss Shen has a head injury, and coupled with her existing condition, she shouldn’t be subjected to too much stimulation. Her emotions shouldn’t be overly agitated, which likely caused her to faint this time.”
“What’s there to hesitate about? Just tell me if you have any solutions.”
Qin Su also had a sense of guilt. “I think Miss Shen is more suitable for recuperating quietly. Zhengyang Palace is not a suitable place for recuperation.”
The old physician lowered his head. He was always prone to offending people with his words, so he usually stayed in the physician’s office and honestly prepared medicine there. Unfortunately, this time, he was brought over while treating the plague in Jing Guo. Many of the other physicians had left halfway, leaving him here.
He had heard that the Eldest Princess had a volatile temper, so the old physician wiped his sweat silently and stood still, waiting for Qin Su’s orders.
After a while, Qin Su remained silent.
“Do you need to get medicine?” Chi Shui asked the old physician nearby.
The old physician nodded, and Chi Shui promptly took the person out to prepare the prescription and decode the medicine.
Qin Su stood by the bed, looking at Shen Yi, who lay on the bed with a pale face, took a deep breath, and said, “Lan Ying, go to Yunzhai Tower and say that I want to see Kong Zhai.”
Lan Ying didn’t ask much and left to carry out the order.
Concubine De let Qin Su know what kind of consequences her stubbornness could bring. Perhaps from the beginning, she shouldn’t have brought Shen Yi into the palace for her selfish reasons.
That was just the beginning. With just the Third Prince and Concubine De, they could already do such crazy things. In the future, there would still be the Fourth Prince, the Sixth Prince, the Seventh Prince, the Eighth Prince, as well as the Virtuous Concubines, the Good Concubines, and so on.
The harem was destined to be full of crises. Everyone knew how important Shen Yi was to Qin Su. Putting Shen Yi in the palace was no different from throwing her into a fire pit.
Qin Su didn’t know if she could protect Shen Yi, or the next time, or any other time. If she happened to be late one time, what would be the consequences?
Rather than letting Shen Yi become a living target in the capital, Qin Su would rather temporarily separate from her.
“Summon Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen to the palace.”
With a firm decision in her mind, Qin Su ordered someone to bring Prime Minister Shen and his wife into the palace.
After all, Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen should also know about sending Shen Yi away.
Hua Xi came to the palace first. After checking Shen Yi’s condition, which was consistent with what the old physician said, she also agreed to let Shen Yi leave the palace.
“It can be done like this,” Hua Xi thought of another good idea. “Qin Su, you can quietly send Miss Shen away first, then find someone whose figure is similar to Miss Shen’s in the capital to impersonate her. This way, no one will notice, and it can also serve as bait, killing two birds with one stone.”
After hearing Hua Xi’s suggestion, Qin Su nodded. “You’re right, but where can I find someone with a figure similar to An Ping’s?”
“You can leave that to me. I have the art of disguise, and my figure is similar to Miss Shen’s, see…”
Hua Xi volunteered and turned around in front of Qin Su.
“No, find someone else.”
Qin Su knew the danger of it. She didn’t want Shen Yi to take risks in the capital, but it didn’t mean she was willing to let Hua Xi take the risk. Once something went wrong, it would endanger lives. It was not easy to have Hua Xi, a divine doctor, protecting her. Qin Su couldn’t afford to waste her talents.
As they were discussing, Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen arrived.
Qin Su greeted Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen, and after they took a look at Shen Yi, Qin Su asked them to come outside the screen and told them about her decision.
“I know it’s my fault that An Ping is in trouble, but now the most important thing is An Ping’s safety.”
After hearing Qin Su’s words, Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen fell silent for a while. Of course, they knew that Qin Su was in a precarious position now. There were probably many people who wanted Qin Su’s life openly or secretly. Once they couldn’t do anything to Qin Su, Shen Yi Qin Su’s side would undoubtedly suffer.
Although the couple couldn’t bear to let their daughter leave, thinking about the safety of their daughter, after careful consideration, they nodded.
“We’ll follow your arrangements. As long as Ping’er is safe.”
The three reached a consensus, but they didn’t see that behind the screen, Shen Yi’s eyelids twitched slightly.
Prime Minister Shen couldn’t stay in the palace for long, but Madam Shen couldn’t rest assured about her daughter, so she stayed in the palace and took care of Shen Yi for a while. After the medicine was decocted and ready, she fed Shen Yi and felt relieved only when she saw Shen Yi waking up.
After Madam Shen left, Qin Su looked at Shen Yi, who was sitting by the window lost in thought, contemplated for a while, and finally spoke.
“An Ping, do you miss your master?”
Hearing Qin Su’s voice, Shen Yi turned her head, “I want to find my master.”
Surprisingly, Shen Yi brought it up herself, and Qin Su couldn’t help but feel relieved. But looking at Shen Yi’s eyes, she felt like there was something she couldn’t understand as if something was different.
“An Ping, if you go find your master, will you still think of me?”
Sitting across from Shen Yi, Qin Su watched Shen Yi’s gaze following her movements and asked with a smile.
Shen Yi just looked at Qin Su without speaking.
Qin Su felt like she had asked too much, smiled, and shook her head, “Then can I escort you to your master?”
This is a fan translation, the novel does not belong to me. Support the author by donating to the site linked on the synopsis page. You can also donate to me if you appreciate my work and help get the funds to donate to the authors. I would also appreciate it if you left a comment!
Baihe Tales 