Lanting

Capítulo 9

I looked up abruptly and stared into his eyes. He paused, then softened his tone, "You... how can I repay Seventh Prince with a legitimate wife?"

I smiled faintly, "Fourth Brother... there won't be a next time. I'm sorry to have troubled you."

He stared at me, lost in thought, and murmured, "When I held you, I realized how light you were, as if a gust of wind could blow you away."

I didn't understand what he meant and stared at him with a puzzled look.

"Zhao'er..." he suddenly called my name, his voice low and hoarse, yet tinged with a hidden pain.

I stayed in the manor for four or five days and didn't go anywhere. Last time I came back from the Fourth Prince's manor, Lu Li mocked me for causing trouble everywhere. I was so angry that I didn't leave my room for several days and "fell ill" in bed.

"Sister-in-law, how have you been these past few days?" Sixth Sister-in-law held my hand and sighed, "I've been so bored these past few days."

"I'm fine, I'm just so angry." I rolled off the bed and sat next to my sixth sister-in-law. "I'm just wondering, I did help his brother and sister-in-law, so why did he accuse me of causing trouble?"

Sixth Sister-in-law chuckled, "It's just concern, you were angry for a moment. I heard from Fourth Sister-in-law that you were so focused on covering the child's mouth that you choked on the smoke several times. If it had been later, it might have really been..."

"I didn't think much about it at the time, but looking back, it's really scary." I sighed. "How has Fourth Sister-in-law been these past few days?"

"What's so good about it? Fourth Brother scolded her for being a bad housekeeper and for not being able to keep an eye on the children, letting them run into the kitchen and cause trouble. It's been years since Fourth Brother has been so angry with Fourth Sister-in-law, so this must be a serious matter."

I hung my head, the image of my fourth brother calling my name flashing through my mind—his cold face, though filled with unbearable pain. Thankfully, my fourth sister-in-law arrived, breaking the awkward silence. After that, Lu Li also came and took me back. On the way, we argued, and I haven't seen his sour face since.

"What are you thinking about now?" Sixth Sister-in-law squeezed my hand. "Hurry up and pack your things. Come with me to the palace. The Emperor has been talking about you a lot these days. He's really worried about you. He asked me to check on you this morning. If you're feeling better, he'll take you back. Today is the eighth day. It's customary to go back to the palace to serve your mother. You haven't been to Consort Ding's place yet. Hurry up and pack your things. Don't keep Consort Ding waiting."

After some commotion, I was pulled into the sedan chair by my sixth sister-in-law.

After getting off the sedan chair, Sixth Sister-in-law went to Consort Shu's place, while I was led by a palace maid to Consort Ding's Changchun Palace.

As soon as I stepped through the threshold of Changchun Palace, I heard a burst of laughter and chatter inside; it was very lively.

I bowed to each of them, but when I got to Fourth Master, I just kept my head down, my face burning, and I didn't dare to look at him.

When Consort Ding saw me, she smiled and offered me a seat. "Ever since I met you in Huainan that year, the Emperor has never forgotten the sweet dumplings you made. He always talks to me about how good you are. He hasn't forgotten your skill, has he?"

I smiled slightly. "I apologize for making a fool of myself in front of the elders back then; it was something I couldn't really show off."

Consort Ding turned her head and called a maid to bring over a small brocade box. She took my hand and said, "Good child, this pendant is for you. You and the fourth prince's wife each get one. Don't say that I, as your mother-in-law, am favoring either of you." Her words were half-joking, which made me feel much more intimate.

I quickly knelt down to thank them for the reward.

My fourth sister-in-law turned around and pulled me, her face gentle, "Are you feeling better, sister-in-law?"

I nodded hastily, thinking to myself that it was nothing to me.

Fourth Sister-in-law sighed, "I'll have to thank you properly with Qing'er later. That child is only three or four years old, and she's always causing trouble."

I smiled and didn't say anything.

"Our master is really angry this time. He not only scolded me, but also moved all the kitchens, big and small, to the outer courtyard. He's had a livid face for days, scaring me so much that I don't dare breathe in the mansion. Luckily, you're alright, otherwise if Seventh Brother had started making a scene, I wouldn't have survived." Fourth Sister-in-law complained all the way, glancing at the silent Fourth Master from time to time.

Just then, a figure walked in from outside the hall. After a closer look, it was recognized as Lu Li.

He entered the hall, bowed to Consort Ding, and sat down directly on the wooden chair next to me.

"Is Mother's cold any better?" he asked respectfully.

"I'm sure you've been thinking of me. A few days ago, I summoned the imperial physician to prescribe some medicine, and now that the weather is getting warmer, I'm feeling more and more comfortable every day." Consort Ding looked at him with a peaceful expression. She truly felt indebted to this youngest son who hadn't been by her side since he was a child.

Chapter Nine: Astonishment

After dinner, Consort Ding summoned me to the palace alone.

She quietly chanted sutras before the Buddha, her voice calm, "Although my seventh son has a peaceful face, I, as his mother, can't fathom the depths of his heart. From now on, I'll have to rely on you to take care of him."

"Yes," I replied softly.

"The first time I saw you, I knew you were a steady and proper young man. Your fourth sister-in-law and you are both sensible. I am probably much more fortunate than other concubines in terms of wives."

Consort Ding smiled faintly and continued, "Everyone in the palace says that I chose you, but that's not true. I have no power over that. This marriage was arranged by the Empress. I have no background in the palace; my only advantage is these two children. A son's status depends on his mother. Because of me, my son has suffered a lot of injustice in the palace. I thought that marrying a princess and having the support of the Prince of Huai was a blessing only princes with high-ranking mothers could enjoy. I never expected my son to have such a blessing... I don't understand the political marriages of the royal family, but I do understand some matters of love and affection. There are some things you should understand to some extent. Seventh Prince has been by the Empress's side since childhood, and he and Xi Wen can be considered childhood sweethearts. The Emperor once intended to match them up. However, the Empress mentioned you to me. Over the years, I have received a lot of care from the Empress, and I also thought about Seventh Prince's future, so I agreed. Because of this, that girl Xi Wen couldn't understand it and married Eighth Prince in a fit of pique. The Empress and I have always felt indebted to her... From now on, you should turn a blind eye to her relationship with Seventh Prince."

I stepped out, pushed open the door, and was surprised to see Lu Li standing straight in the doorway.

He didn't look at me. He simply said, "The car is waiting at the door..."

Then I went inside. I said my goodbyes and left. He and I walked through the long corridor in the wind and snow. It was the first time I had ever walked such a long distance with him.

Leaning against the carriage on the way back home, I didn't even have the energy to think.

Once again, he inadvertently noticed Lu Li. This time, he didn't fiddle with the jade pendant; he was just lost in thought the whole way.

"What are you thinking about so intently, sir?" I asked casually, not expecting an answer.

He actually raised his head, his tone not like an answer, "Tomorrow, my fourth brother and I are going on a long trip, it will probably take more than a month, the manor is relying on you."

"Wow, that's rare indeed, you managed to say so much in one go." I said with a disdainful expression, but a fleeting sense of pleasure crossed my mind.

"Do you always have to be sarcastic whenever you talk to me?" He frowned slightly. "Aren't you usually so composed in front of others? What? You don't even bother to pretend when you see me?"

I sneered, "Sir, don't think of me like your brothers' wives. They're all so shrewd and composed. I can't match their ability to keep things hidden. So can't you think of me in a simpler way?"

Your words have always been a mix of truth and illusion.

"Oh, are you praising me, sir?"

After getting out of the car, I went into the main hall with him. The servants lit the lamps and then left. I guessed that Lu Li had something to tell me, so I stood aside without moving.

"You can bring a family member on this trip," he suddenly said. "Would you like to come along?"

"If you let me go, I'll go with you. But I advise you to bring Yiling with you, so we don't get annoyed seeing each other every day. I'll have Yiling prepare to go right now."