Could it be that sending me was Princess Hexin's original intention? This thought suddenly popped into Mingwei's mind when she saw Princess Hexin's confident smile.
No, it can't be... Mingwei secretly comforted herself. The Chengping Marquis's mansion was far less prestigious than the Huan'an Marquis's mansion. Although she was no longer a concubine's daughter, in terms of status, she was far inferior to Su Xuan! What did she have that could be used against her?
"Ah Xuan, go and check on my second sister for me." Mingwei was afraid that Yang Huiniang and her sister would use some insidious means to get back at Su Xuan, so she hurriedly said, "My second sister has only been in the capital for a short time and is still very unfamiliar with things. You must stay close to her and make sure she doesn't embarrass herself!"
Mingxi should stay by the old lady's side. As long as Su Xuan is under the watchful eyes of the elders, nothing will go wrong.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Su Xuan's eyes. She was about to refuse when Ming Wei winked at her, the unwavering determination in her eyes rendering Su Xuan speechless. She knew that going to Consort Shu's territory would make her a prime target, and she might cause some trouble.
"Don't worry!" Su Xuan finally nodded, and said softly, "You should come back soon too, the old lady is probably looking for you!"
Princess Hexin chuckled upon hearing their conversation. Half-jokingly, she said, "You two sisters are so close, like one person. Seventh Sister was just helping me change a dress, but you two act like you're in a dragon's den or a tiger's lair! You two really can't be separated for a moment. Are you planning to marry into the same family after you get married?"
Mingwei and Su Xuan blushed slightly. "Princess..."
"I know you two are close!" Princess Hexin said with a smile, her face showing no anger. "I promise to bring your Awei back safe and sound!"
Although Princess Hexin was joking, Mingwei and Suxuan couldn't say anything more after the conversation had gone this far.
Yang Ciniang and Yang Huiniang left with Su Xuan, while Mingwei followed Princess Hexin, who didn't bring any maids, to Consort Shu's palace.
Throughout the journey, Princess Xin didn't say anything else but discussed needlework with Mingwei, inquiring about Mingwei's daily preferences, from her favorite snacks to her favorite books—a very comprehensive range. However, Mingwei didn't relax despite Princess Xin's deliberate attempt to lighten the mood; instead, she became even more wary.
Once inside Consort Shu's palace, she would be the fish on the chopping block, while everyone else would be the butcher!
******
"Seventh Sister, wait a moment, I'll go see if Granny Tang is here!" Princess Hexin winked playfully at Mingwei and smiled, "Granny Tang keeps all my hairpins, jewelry, and clothes in the palace."
Mingwei felt the explanation was a bit abrupt, but she had no choice but to accept it.
“Princess, please go ahead. I’ll wait for you here.” Ming Wei said gently, “Please go quickly!”
"There are a few koi here, no less than those in the Jade Wave Pavilion. If you're bored, you can go and take a look!" Princess Hexin said, then smiled apologetically at Mingwei before lifting her skirt and heading west.
Mingwei looked around at her surroundings. This was a side hall within Consort Shu's palace. When she and Princess Xin led her in, it was a winding path, and they hadn't encountered even a couple of maids along the way. If it were today's flower-viewing banquet, the senior maids would naturally be serving Consort Shu; there was no reason for them not to remain in Consort Shu's palace!
Princess Hexin had just summoned her to help her change clothes, but in the end she was left to wait here in vain. There must be something fishy going on!
Mingwei hesitated for a moment, but knew this was not a place to linger. As Princess Hexin had said, there was a large, white porcelain fish tank in the southwest corner of the side hall; presumably, the koi she had mentioned were inside. Mingwei didn't impulsively rush over to look, but stood quietly for a while.
Then she seemed to hear footsteps.
Whoever came, it was never a good thing to see her standing there alone! No one was beside her; she had no relation to Consort Shu, and she stood there so abruptly in Consort Shu's palace…
Princess Hexin could never have imagined the intricacies of the situation, yet she still left her alone here!
Thinking of this, Mingwei hurriedly and quietly took a few steps back. Princess Hexin probably thought it was her first time visiting Consort Shu's palace and that she wasn't familiar with the layout. Plus, Princess Hexin deliberately took a roundabout route and chatted with her as they entered. How could Mingwei possibly remember anything?
But the one thing she hadn't expected was that Mingwei's body was already inhabited by Tang Wan's soul. However, while Tang Wan might not be an expert on the palace, she knew how to get out of here! She knew to find a crowded place; standing here all alone, she felt incredibly guilty.
Mingwei made a decisive decision to leave. She slowed her pace, lifted her skirt, and walked slowly out of the side hall.
But she didn't turn back the way she came. She vaguely remembered a small path that led to the outside of Consort Shu's palace. She could just say she didn't know the way and wandered out randomly to cover it up.
Shortly after Mingwei left, a man dressed in the dark blue robes of a prince, slightly drunk, staggered in. Two burly eunuchs followed behind him. When they entered, the courtyard of the side hall was deserted.
"What kind of work is He Xin doing!" the man cursed. "How come they're all like this! It's one thing if Yang Huiniang is incompetent..."
"Your Highness, please calm down." The gray-robed eunuch said respectfully, "The princess has already brought the person here and just sent word. This servant will go find the person right away!"
The newcomer frowned, waved his hand somewhat displeasedly, and nodded in agreement.
"How can even He Xin be so careless in her work!"
******
Mingwei had no idea what kind of calamity she had escaped; she never imagined that the Prince Cheng's heir had set his sights on her.
Anyway, she was going to pretend to be lost, so she'd have to wait a while longer to get back. With that thought in mind, she unconsciously strolled onto a street that looked somewhat desolate.
It felt as if she had just left the palace yesterday. Although thirty-six years had passed, she felt an extraordinary familiarity with every blade of grass and every tree here. It was as if… Mingwei felt a little dazed, as if nothing here had ever changed!
Things have changed, but people are no longer the same.
Mingwei couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself; this word was indeed correct.
Lifting her skirt, Mingwei slowly walked inside, her emotions growing stronger with each step. As she entered, she saw a somewhat desolate courtyard with a massive locust tree, its canopy as thick as a man's embrace, its branches forming a giant umbrella that almost completely covered the yard. Beneath the tree stood a swing, quietly nestled in its canopy.
Upon seeing the swing, Mingwei immediately burst into tears. It was the swing she had once ordered to be erected!
After entering the palace, she often felt bored in Qionghua Palace, and she would frequently encounter Rong Duo's concubines in the Imperial Garden, which annoyed her. One day, she accidentally discovered this secluded courtyard, and she began to regard it as a paradise where she could breathe fresh air.
The roses and crabapple trees that she had carefully planted are still there, as are the two pomegranate trees.
She had been longing to eat a pomegranate that had borne fruit, but before the following year, she died in the cold palace…
Mingwei took out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears, blinking hard a few times to hide the glistening moisture. Someone could come looking for her at any moment; if she cried, she really didn't know how she would explain herself!
Despite her reason telling her to leave quickly, Mingwei found herself slowly walking towards the swing, almost against her will.
The moment her hand touched the swing, she was unaware that a pair of eyes were already glued to her from afar. Their gaze held a complex mix of sorrow and joy.
"Ah Wan..." Her voice was extremely low, as if it were choked with sobs. "Is it you? You've come back?"
"If it weren't for you, how would I have ended up here..." The voice grew even lower, sounding somewhat lost and dejected.
Mingwei reached out and gently pushed the swing, which creaked and groaned, clearly indicating that it had been in disrepair for many years. A bitter smile slowly crept onto her lips as she let her hand fall limply from the swing. She lowered her eyes, a strange smile on her face.