After the people from Prince Cheng's residence left, steward Wu Yang hurriedly directed the servants to follow Qin Shu's instructions to store all the betrothal gifts, though they couldn't actually throw them directly onto the main street as Qin Shu had ordered. After some thought, Wu Yang had the gifts loaded onto a carriage and transported intact to be placed outside Prince Cheng's residence.
Outside the hall, Wan He knelt silently weeping. Qin Shuang, having finished her own crying, stepped forward and urged Wan He to rise first.
Inside the room, Hu Shi anxiously said, "Marquis, what should we do? By tomorrow morning, everyone in the capital will know about this! She's already engaged to the Xue family—how can we handle this situation?"
Qin Shu's face was ashen, and he remained silent for a long while. His silence left everyone else in the room quiet as well.
After a considerable time, Qin Shu glanced at the sky outside. It was completely dark, making it impossible to enter the palace at that hour. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he reopened them, his gaze was calm and resolute. "I will send a message to the palace first. As for the specifics, we'll discuss them tomorrow. I will go to the palace first thing in the morning. You must go to the Xue residence early tomorrow and say... say that Prince Cheng has taken a liking to Qin Xiang, and there's nothing we can do. Ask Lord and Lady Xue to be understanding..."
Hu Shi quickly interjected, "But we need to go to the Marquis Anyang Manor."
Qin Shu sighed. "Going to the Marquis Anyang Manor isn't urgent. It's better to first enter the palace and clarify the matter with the Crown Prince."
He then looked toward Qin Guan, who was standing by the door. "Guan'er, you go to the Marquis Anyang Manor first thing tomorrow morning. Explain the circumstances to the Grand Princess; I believe she will understand. We will visit the manor after noon."
Qin Guan promptly agreed. Qin Shu stood still, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the room. "There will inevitably be rumors in the capital over the next few days. Pay no attention to them." He then looked at Qin Shuang and Qin Guan. "From today onward, Qin Xiang is no longer a member of the Qin family. The two of you were closest to her—remember my words."
Qin Guan nodded, while Qin Shuang, not daring to defy Qin Shu, quickly nodded as well.
After a moment of silence, Qin Shu suddenly looked outside. "There's a maidservant who stayed behind? Have her come in."
Qin Shuang patted Wan He's hand reassuringly, and only then did Wan He wipe her tears and enter the room, immediately kneeling on the floor.
Qin Shu returned to his seat in the main chair, his cold, stern gaze fixed on Wan He.
Although the situation was beyond repair, he needed to understand clearly how it had unfolded. Only then could he provide a thorough explanation when he met with the Crown Prince and the Empress.
"You accompanied the Fifth Young Miss to Weishan. When did she become involved with Prince Cheng? Explain in detail!"
Wan He was sobbing uncontrollably, but Qin Shu's piercing gaze left her no choice but to speak. She steadied herself, wiped her tears again, and began, "The Young Miss and Prince Cheng became involved the day before we returned... no, wait, it was two days before that. That day, the camp had just resumed the grand hunt. The Young Miss attended the evening banquet with the Lady. On the way back, a servant bumped into her and gave her a jade pendant. I discovered it the next morning while attending to her. The Young Miss forbade me to ask about it, so I didn't dare say anything. Later, I found out...""The day before our return, the Empress led the womenfolk out of the camp for a spring outing. Young Lady didn't wish to follow and returned midway. She was taking me back to her own tent when we unexpectedly encountered Prince Cheng waiting at the entrance. At the sight of His Highness, Young Lady immediately appeared deeply aggrieved, yet Prince Cheng spoke gentle words and coaxed her to accompany him to his quarters."
"I was led to a small tent and know not what passed between Prince Cheng and Young Lady. However, when she emerged from his quarters that evening, she declared that Prince Cheng had promised her the position of secondary consort, commanding me never to breathe a word of it."
Wan He promptly prostrated herself on the ground. "This humble maid... only knew Prince Cheng stands exalted, unaware this matter would harm the Marquis household. Since Young Lady forbade me to speak, I dared not utter a word..."
Hu Shi's face paled slightly. So that was why Qin Xiang couldn't be found that day - she had gone to Prince Cheng's tent. A man and woman alone together for an entire afternoon... one could well imagine what transpired...
Hu Shi heaved a long sigh. "This... this is truly a calamity! She was carefully raised by Third Brother and his wife, how could she... As the legitimate daughter of the third branch, how dare she consort with Prince Cheng..."
Qin Chaoyu felt both furious and contemptuous. Her Third Uncle was capable of the most heinous deeds, so it came as no surprise his daughter would turn out this way. Qin Xiang's ambition to climb higher wasn't remarkable in itself, but it had obstructed her own relationship with the Crown Prince. While angered, she couldn't help being somewhat astonished by Qin Xiang's audacity. Both were willing to stop at nothing to achieve their aims, but Qin Xiang's failure lay in lacking favorable circumstances, geographical advantage, and human harmony. Thus, she could only be expelled from the Qin clan.
Torn between rage, resentment, and slight astonishment, Qin Chaoyu felt too conflicted to voice the contemptuous thoughts in her heart. She regarded Wan He coolly. "Since your young lady goes to enjoy wealth and honor at Prince Cheng's residence, why don't you accompany her?"
At this question, Wan He knelt and pressed her forehead to the ground once more. "This humble maid dares not. My lowly status doesn't permit me to partake in such glory. Having betrayed my mistress, I beg the Marquis to allow me to return to Jinzhou to serve Third Madam."
Qin Chaoyu sighed softly. "Even you can comprehend this reasoning, yet your mistress could not. The Qin clan shares both honor and disgrace. Though you served your mistress, you remain a servant of the Qin household. That you didn't follow her in betraying the clan is commendable. The journey to Jinzhou is long and difficult..."
Qin Chaoyu looked toward Qin Shu, who nodded and said, "You may remain if you wish. For now, attend Sixth Young Lady."
Upon hearing this, Wan He promptly kowtowed three times before rising to wait outside.
Qin Guan and Qin Shuang exchanged glances, their eyes filled with complex solemnity.
Qin Shu sighed. "Very well, this matter doesn't concern you. Tomorrow, my wife and I will handle it. Those who need to attend the yamen should go, and those who should remain home reading or doing needlework may continue as usual. It's not such a grave affair. Now, my wife and I wish to speak privately. You may all withdraw—"
Qin Yan led the younger generation out. Walking together in silence, none spoke.
After a moment, Qin Yan sighed. "I never imagined it would come to this—"
Qin Xiang had already been restless back at Cloud Mist Mountain. Who could have foreseen she would not only repeat her performance but carry it all the way to Prince Cheng's residence? Qin Chaoyu smiled faintly. "What I fear is that ours might not be the only heart harboring sky-high ambitions here."Qin Yan raised his brow slightly upon hearing this, while Qin Shuang and Qin Guan both paused in their steps. Qin Yan glanced at the two of them and said, "Little sister, don't speak carelessly. After today's events, our household must unite our efforts even more."
Qin Chaoyu gave a noncommittal smile and turned to leave first. Qin Yan hesitated slightly as he looked at Qin Guan and Qin Shuang. "Don't overthink it. After what happened today, she won't have an easy time explaining herself to the Crown Prince and the Empress either. She probably said that out of anger."
Qin Guan curved her lips into a smile. "Third Brother, don't worry. We understand."
After saying this, Qin Guan led Qin Shuang away. Once they had walked some distance, Qin Shuang whispered, "What did Eighth Sister mean by that?! Does she think I also..."
"No, she probably wasn't referring to you."
Qin Guan was quite certain. She had noticed Qin Chaoyu's gaze when she spoke - she had looked at Qin Yan, Qin Ye, and Qin Shuang, but deliberately avoided looking at her. Wasn't that clear enough?
As for Qin Yan saying Qin Chaoyu spoke out of anger...
Qin Guan didn't believe that. Yet when she tried to recall if there had been any recent friction between her and Qin Chaoyu, she couldn't think of anything. After pondering it several times without result, she simply stopped thinking about it and advised Qin Shuang, "Don't concern yourself with it. After all, we share the same family name. Let's wait until this matter with Qin Xiang passes."
Qin Shuang's eyes reddened again. "With Qin Xiang gone like this... doesn't she fear those high and mighty people will devour her!"
Qin Guan sighed. "She must have considered that, yet she still went. This was her choice. In life, we make many choices, and even blood sisters may grow apart. She left the Marquis Manor today - from now on, it depends on her own fortune."
After comforting Qin Shuang a few more words, the two parted ways, with Wan He naturally following Qin Shuang.
......
Early the next morning, news that Prince Cheng had taken the fifth young lady of Loyal Marquis Manor as his concubine indeed spread like wildfire throughout the capital. Yan Che was summoned to the Empress's palace without knowing about this matter.
"Your son pays respects to Mother Empress. May I ask why you have summoned me?"
Zhao Shuhua sat on the daybed by the window and gestured with her chin to the maid beside her upon hearing this. The maid handed a short letter to Yan Che. "Your Highness the Crown Prince, please look—"
"This letter was delivered last night when you had already retired. The servants below sent it to me. Take a look - it was sent in by the Loyal Marquis."
Yan Che didn't know what had happened. Hearing that the Eastern Palace staff had ultimately sent the letter to the Empress's palace, he felt a flash of stifled anger, but soon his attention focused on the letter.
After reading just a few lines, Yan Che's brows furrowed together. "This! What is Prince Cheng trying to do?!"
Zhao Shuhua smiled faintly. "What is he doing? Trying to disgust you, of course!"
Servants brought up two cups of hot tea. Zhao Shuhua picked up her teacup and skimmed the white foam with the lid. "But it doesn't really matter. It's just a niece from a Marquis's household, after all..."
Zhao Shuhua's tone was light and casual. After saying this, when she was about to drink her tea, she suddenly lost interest. Closing the lid with a snap, she put the teacup down. The death of a niece from a Marquis's household wouldn't be of great consequence, but Prince Cheng's open action like this was challenging the Eastern Palace and her, the Empress - and that displeased her."Qin Shu will surely come to the palace to see you later. I won't meet him myself - you receive him instead. Ask about the circumstances behind this matter, then let it pass. After all, it wasn't Qin Shu's intention to act this way. At this critical juncture, maintaining harmony is paramount. The Imperial Observatory sent the divination results for auspicious dates yesterday. In my opinion, an earlier date would be preferable. What do you think?"
Yan Che had already folded the letter and nodded. "Everything shall be arranged according to Mother's wishes."
Zhao Shuhua inclined her head. "That settles it then. Return to the Eastern Palace now - Qin Shu might already be waiting for you there."
Yan Che bowed and took his leave. When he returned to the Eastern Palace, he indeed found Qin Shu waiting outside. Seeing Yan Che, Qin Shu hurried forward to pay his respects. Yan Che glanced at him expressionlessly before walking past him toward the main hall of the Eastern Palace.
Qin Shu's heart sank at this reception. Tang Fu, who was following behind, smiled and said, "Marquis, no need for such formality. Please follow His Highness inside. The Crown Prince has just returned from Her Majesty the Empress's chambers."
Qin Shu showed proper courtesy toward Tang Fu, cupping his hands in salute before entering the main hall.
Upon entering, Qin Shu immediately said, "Your Highness, I've come to beg forgiveness—"
The Crown Prince took his seat behind the desk, his handsome face shadowed. "The Marquis refers to Prince Cheng taking your fifth niece as his concubine?"
Qin Shu nodded. "Precisely this matter. Last night, Prince Cheng suddenly sent someone to propose marriage. My niece is naive and inexperienced, having just arrived from Jinzhou. She doesn't understand the ways of the capital. It turns out she had previously accepted a jade pendant from Prince Cheng. With this private exchange between them, Prince Cheng's envoy was certain I wouldn't dare refuse to hand her over. And my foolish niece actually believed she could enjoy wealth and status by entering Prince Cheng's household, so she was willing to go with him. I... in my anger, I disowned her from the Qin family and let her go to Prince Cheng's residence."
After speaking, Qin Shu lowered his eyes. Yan Che remained seated behind the desk, silent for a long while. Qin Shu's heart pounded fiercely, soon breaking out in cold sweat. Only then did Yan Che finally speak. "Prince Cheng came prepared, and your niece was ignorant. This isn't your fault. After all, she's just a niece - the Marquis need not take it to heart."
Qin Shu looked up and saw that Yan Che indeed showed no obvious anger. He breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you for Your Highness's understanding. However, with this incident, I fear some unpleasant rumors may spread."
"What is there to fear from rumors? They're nothing but the usual gossip. We've never been short of such talk over the years - it causes no real harm to the Eastern Palace." Yan Che spoke slowly, his face unsmiling. "The Marquis should focus on preparing Chao Yu's wedding arrangements. The ceremony will likely take place before July."
A light appeared in Qin Shu's eyes, and he quickly assented, though he added, "I wonder about Her Majesty the Empress..."
Yan Che paused briefly. "Mother already knows. However, she says this matter is of little consequence."
Though Yan Che spoke lightly, Qin Shu's heart immediately tightened. If the Empress treated this matter so casually, that was actually worse. But glancing at Yan Che, Qin Shu knew it wouldn't be appropriate to inquire further. He hurriedly took his leave. Once he stepped out of the main hall, the bright daylight outside made Qin Shu relax. For some reason, every time he entered the Eastern Palace he felt particularly oppressed - even someone like him had to maintain constant vigilance.
......
When Xue Qingshan woke to broad daylight and went to the front courtyard, he discovered that visitors had already arrived at his home.After calling over a young servant to inquire, the servant cheerfully replied, "Young master, it's the Lady of the Loyal Marquis Manor who has come."
The servant was delighted because his young master was destined to marry the young lady of the Loyal Marquis Manor!
However, Xue Qingshan frowned slightly. He and the cousin of the Loyal Marquis Manor had only exchanged preliminary betrothal gifts; the formal ceremonies had not yet taken place. Why would the marquis's wife visit now? Moreover, given the vast difference in their families' statuses, if anyone were to pay a visit, it should be his parents instead.
Thinking this, Xue Qingshan sensed something amiss and strode toward the front courtyard.
The Xue residence, though not large, was exquisitely elegant. The front courtyard consisted of two sections. Xue Qingshan entered through a side gate and reached the rear hall. As soon as he stopped, he overheard voices from the front.
In the main hall, Hu Shi and Old Master Xue sat in the host seats, while Xue Qingshan's mother sat to the left.
Hu Shi said with a bitter smile, "We truly never expected things to turn out this way. Xiang'er is both beautiful and virtuous, but Prince Cheng has taken a liking to her, and there's nothing we can do. Because of her father's circumstances, Prince Cheng could only offer her the status of a concubine. Even so, we couldn't oppose him. Last night, Prince Cheng sent men to the marquis manor—it was practically a forcible seizure. The marquis had no choice, but now we must apologize to you, Master Xue. Our families had already reached an agreement, and now this has happened... it's truly..."
Hu Shi spoke with genuine emotion. Old Master Xue's face paled slightly. In his youth, he had only risen to the rank of a minor fourth-grade military officer—inferior even to a fifth-grade civil official. The marquis manor was a prestigious and powerful family, and the Xues had been marrying above their station. Now, with Prince Cheng snatching their future daughter-in-law, how could they possibly compete?
Though Old Master Xue felt humiliated, he dared not oppose either the marquis manor or Prince Cheng's residence. His son was still serving in the Garrison Battalion, and any misstep could ruin his prospects. "Prince Cheng has always acted boldly in the capital..."
Old Master Xue hesitated before continuing, "Madam, there's no need to apologize. This was an unexpected turn of events, and it's not the marquis manor's fault. If anyone is to blame, it's Prince Cheng for his arrogance!"
Knowing that the marquis manor sided with the Crown Prince, Old Master Xue spoke without restraint. Indeed, his words visibly eased Hu Shi's expression. He went on, "It's just a pity for Miss Qin. To be taken like this, who knows what her future holds? It seems we were not destined for this blessing."
In the rear hall, Xue Qingshan frowned as he listened. Though his father's official rank had not been high, he had campaigned with several veteran marquises in the capital, which was how this match had been proposed. The marriage was indeed an upward match for their family, but the Qin young lady, burdened by her father's crimes, had few better options. At the time, Xue Qingshan had thought that since Miss Qin came from a scholarly family, he must prepare the wedding meticulously to avoid any breach of etiquette. How could such a sudden change have occurred?!
Prince Cheng seizing the cousin of the Loyal Marquis Manor as a concubine?!
His father and mother might believe this, but he did not!
If it were truly an open seizure, given the marquis manor's status, whether they sought help from the Crown Prince or the Emperor, they could not only protect their cousin but also deal a heavy blow to Prince Cheng—and Prince Cheng would not be foolish enough to walk into such a trap!
Yet the concubinage had still happened...
Xue Qingshan frowned deeply. Could it be that Prince Cheng had used some underhanded method?But if this were truly the case, would the Loyal Marquis Manor swallow such a hidden grievance? The current Loyal Marquis holds significant power at court, and his daughter is set to become the Crown Princess. With both the Crown Prince and the Empress on their side, it would be no difficult matter for the Loyal Marquis to seek justice for his niece. To weakly allow his niece to be taken away like this was hardly the Loyal Marquis’s style!
Xue Qingshan turned and left the rear hall, instructing his servant, "Go to Xingle Ward immediately and investigate whether anything unusual has happened at the Loyal Marquis Manor in the past two days."
Xingle Ward was where the Loyal Marquis Manor was located. Investigating now might indeed uncover something.
The servant accepted the order and departed. Xue Qingshan felt it improper to eavesdrop from the back for too long, so he returned to his study. Once there, however, he grew restless. He decided to take up his sword and practice, assuming the servant would take at least an hour or two to return. Yet, in barely the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, the servant was back—
"Young master! There’s no need to go to Xingle Ward—I’ve already found out!"
The servant, sweating profusely, reported, "Before I even reached Xingle Ward, I overheard people on the street saying that last night, Prince Cheng took a concubine, and the woman was none other than the Marquis’s niece! They also said the two had long been involved in a secret affair…"
Xue Qingshan wiped the sweat from his face, his eyes darkening swiftly. That such damaging rumors about the Marquis’s household were circulating even before reaching Xingle Ward clearly indicated intentional spreading of the gossip.
A secret affair… He wondered whether this was orchestrated by Prince Cheng alone or if the young lady herself was complicit!
Though thinking this, Xue Qingshan understood the marriage was now impossible. Glancing at the sword in his hand, he pondered for a moment before suddenly saying, "Go check if the Madame of the Marquis’s household has left. If she hasn’t, relay this to the master…"
Xue Qingshan whispered instructions. The servant, initially startled, hurried off to the front courtyard. There, he found Hu Shi still present—she had come to offer an apology and naturally wouldn’t leave immediately after speaking. Under the pretext of serving tea, the servant murmured a few words into Old Master Xue’s ear. The old master’s expression shifted slightly, and he whispered back, "Was this the young master’s order?"
The servant nodded emphatically before withdrawing.
Hu Shi faintly overheard the words "young master" and guessed that Xue Qingshan had learned of the matter. She grew tense, but after a moment of awkward hesitation, Old Master Xue suddenly asked, "Might I ask, madam, if there is still a niece in your household?"
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