Ch 5: When the Wild Goose Returns

Because of the empress’s sudden stomach pains, Qing Yan was led to a side hall to rest.

Half an hour later, someone came respectfully to escort her back to the side palace.

Once they returned, General Li dismissed everyone else. His expression was solemn as he said, “The Emperor of Yi has ten princesses but not a single prince. So this child of the empress’s is extremely important to him. There likely won’t be another summons today. Rest and wait for news. I’ve arranged for someone to watch for any movements inside the palace.”

“We’re troubling you, General,” Wen Xi said.

General Li nodded and didn’t say more.

Just as he was about to leave, he paused, his gaze falling on Qing Yan.

For a brief moment, he was struck by a strange illusion—Qing Yan’s face seemed to transform into that of Shi Lingwu: radiant, graceful, and alluring.

“General?” Qing Yan asked, confused.

General Li’s eyes dimmed. He came back to himself and simply said, “It’s nothing,” before turning and walking out.

He stood under the eaves outside, squinting at the vast stretch of clear blue sky.

He found himself once again thinking of Princess Huachao—the woman who haunted his thoughts day and night.

It was a deep regret of his, not being able to see Princess Huachao in the luxurious red wedding robes she was meant to wear.

“I wonder how she’s doing now…”

But then he thought again: the Princess he loved, marrying into Yi Kingdom, trapped in palace intrigues and inner court battles—that would’ve been no different than falling into a pit of mud.

Now that she had found someone she loved, surely she had no desire to be immortal—only to live as a pair of lovebirds with her beloved. That alone was a blessing.

General Li turned to leave, instructing his men to gather information from the palace.

He had many things to take care of.

He had gambled with the lives of over a hundred people on this mission for the sake of the woman he loved. He had to proceed with extreme caution—there could be no room for error.

Inside the room, Qing Yan and Wen Xi sat silently, unmoving.

Both of them let out a breath, feeling the exhaustion of barely having escaped a disaster.

They both knew this was only the first hurdle.

After a long while, Wen Xi returned to her usual composed demeanor and rose to prepare a meal.

When the dishes were served, Qing Yan straightened her back, sitting with perfect posture.

She used silver chopsticks to pick up just a few grains of rice at a time, placing them delicately into her slightly parted lips, chewing with quiet elegance.

Wen Xi glanced at her and was satisfied.

Setting down her own utensils, she said, “You eat first. I’m going to speak with General Li.”

“Okay,” Qing Yan replied, raising a small cup to sip from it gently.

As soon as Wen Xi turned her back, Qing Yan’s eyes followed her cautiously.

Wen Xi stepped through the doorway and turned to close the door—at which point Qing Yan instantly lowered her gaze.

The moment the door shut, Qing Yan set the tiny cup down and, with lightning speed, began scooping food from every plate into her bowl, piling it high like a little mountain.

She lowered her head and stuffed spoonful after spoonful into her mouth.

Her mouth was small and couldn’t take much at once, so very quickly her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk’s.

The silver chopsticks clinked against the porcelain bowl with a crisp, lively sound.

—She was starving.

In the palace, several imperial physicians had thoroughly examined the empress and prescribed a calming prenatal medicine.

Emperor Wen He sat by her bedside, gently stroking her hand with concern. “Do you feel any better now, my queen? You have no idea how worried I was just now.”

“Your servant is ashamed,” Empress Su replied, looking at the emperor with deep affection.

Then her brows furrowed slightly, and a trace of hesitation flickered in her eyes—soon replaced by a soft sigh.

The emperor made a sound of concern and asked with deep tenderness, “Mi’er, what’s the matter? If something is troubling you, speak freely. I’ll take care of it—whatever it is.”

“It’s strange… I don’t even know why,” said Empress Su softly. “But the moment I saw that princess from Tao Kingdom, my heart just… started racing uncomfortably.”

Her trusted attendant, Nanny Jiang, blurted out, “Could it be… some kind of bad spiritual clash?”

Empress Su continued, “Eyes like that… who can say whether it’s a blessing or a curse?

I’m not too concerned for myself, but I worry she might bring harm to the little prince in my belly.”

The emperor stiffened.

As Empress Su looked at him with pleading eyes, as if asking him to make a decision, the emperor suddenly felt a vague pang of guilt. He looked away.

“Your Majesty!” Empress Su scolded gently, pouting just slightly in mock irritation.

“Fine, fine,” the emperor said hurriedly. “Don’t worry, I’ll summon the national diviner to the palace and ask about this strange eye color of hers.”

Though she knew full well the emperor was brushing her off, Empress Su still leaned against his arm with a contented look on her face.

How could things in this world ever go so smoothly?

What Empress Su did today was nothing more than stopping Emperor Wen He from naming a consort on the spot.

That night, a sharp scream pierced the tranquility of Huafeng Palace, startling the entire inner court—and soon after, the whole palace.

Emperor Wen He rushed over, and imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau arrived at a run.

Concubines and consorts from all the other palaces also rose, fully dressed, waiting for news.

Empress Su had been caught in a night terror. Terrified, she huddled in the corner of her bed, clutching her belly and mumbling nonsense.

Something about “strange eyes,” and “protecting the little prince”…

Emperor Wen He’s expression changed.

For the next three days, Empress Su was sleepless each night, repeatedly crying out in pain from her belly.

A gloomy air hung over the entire palace.

As Emperor Wen He passed through Chaolu Garden, he saw his daughters laughing and playing in the courtyard. His brow remained tightly furrowed.

He was thirty-six this year, yet he had no prince—only princesses.

As the ruler of a nation, that was an unforgivable weakness.

Sitting on the dragon throne, he was not unaware of the gossip among the common folk.

Many said: Emperor Wen He is utterly useless. Can’t do anything right. If not for Prince Zhan supporting him, he would’ve been ousted long ago.

He knew it well—knew he was not as capable as his ninth brother.

Can’t do anything right?

Not even produce a son?

He had so many concubines in the palace, yet all had borne daughters. Was that truly his fault?

Thankfully, everyone said the empress was carrying a boy this time…

Emperor Wen He sighed and headed toward Huafeng Palace.

Before he could enter the inner chambers, Imperial Physician Zhao came out, having just completed a routine check of the empress’s pulse, and knelt to offer greetings.

The emperor paused for a moment before asking, “You’re certain the empress is carrying a prince?”

“Your Majesty, pulse-taking cannot guarantee the child’s gender with complete accuracy,” Zhao replied. “However, based on the pulse and Her Majesty’s physical condition, there’s an eighty to ninety percent chance it’s a boy.”

Suddenly, the doors of the inner hall slammed open. Empress Su appeared in the doorway, her long hair disheveled, her face pale as snow.

Physician Zhao quickly retreated.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she raised her voice: “Your Majesty, have you still not made up your mind?

For the sake of bringing that enchantress into the palace as a consort, you would ignore the safety of your own wife and son?

Would you disregard the entire empire?!”

“I’ve spent every moment not attending court at the empress’s side these past few days. Since that day, I haven’t even seen Princess Huachao. Why do you accuse me so?” Emperor Wen He replied.

“Then will Your Majesty promise not to allow that witch into the palace?” the empress pressed.

“This…” the emperor sighed, “She is a princess of Tao Kingdom, who came here through a marriage alliance. Should I simply send her back? That would be a diplomatic insult, possibly sparking war…”

“She’s marrying into Yi Kingdom, but that doesn’t mean she must marry you!“ Empress Su’s eyes were red with anger and grievance.

“Tao Kingdom isn’t some barbarian land offering up beauties as tribute. This is a strategic alliance. Tao Kingdom’s strength is on par with ours. She is a royal princess—if I randomly marry her off to some court official, it would be seen as demeaning her, a snub to Tao, and would ruin the alliance. Not marriage, but enmity would result.”

Empress Su curved her lips into a cold smile and said, “I have a suitable candidate in mind.”

“She’s a princess—we also have a prince.”

“Yi only has one prince of non-imperial blood, your uncle Prince Xingyuan. As for the others—” Emperor Wen He suddenly froze.

“That’s right,” Empress Su said. “The one I mean is your ninth brother—Prince Zhan.”

“N-Ninth brother…?” Just moments ago, Emperor Wen He had been speaking with confidence, but now he stammered.

Then it hit him. “That won’t do. Ninth Brother is already engaged. Have you forgotten? He’s betrothed to your cousin Xingyuan’s eldest legitimate daughter.”

“That engagement was arranged by you.”

“Yes,” Emperor Wen He nodded, “but Ninth Brother was never satisfied with that arrangement. I had to practically beg him, and even then he only agreed reluctantly.

Later, because he went into seclusion to take vows in my place, the marriage was delayed.

Now you want to—”

“Your Majesty,” Empress Su interrupted. “Ninth Brother’s standards are impossibly high—”

Even if all the women under heaven were lined up before him to choose from, he might not find a single one to his liking.

But Princess Huachao’s looks truly were exceptional—even I, a woman myself, find her extremely beautiful.

Perhaps she might catch Ninth Brother’s eye?

Besides, back then, Ruqing pestered me to arrange that marriage for her. I was indeed the one who insisted on it. Your Majesty may have persuaded Ninth Brother to agree, but it was clear he was never satisfied with the match.

That marriage strained the brotherly bond between Your Majesty and Ninth Brother for no reason. Why not take this opportunity to go along with the tide and dissolve the original engagement?”

“This…” Emperor Wen He hesitated.

The image of Princess Huachao appeared in his mind—the moment he’d first seen her, standing below the throne, slowly lifting the red gauze from her face…

He stroked his chin, hesitating. “But Ninth Brother went to Yongzhou Temple in my place to pray and fast for the late emperor and for Yi Kingdom. He vowed to remain there for three years. It’s only been two and a half. If we make the Princess wait another six months in the side palace, Tao Kingdom may grow suspicious.”

“Then we can go through the formalities first. Hold a wedding ceremony, have them bow to Heaven and Earth—and then send Ninth Brother right back to Yongzhou Temple.”

“You mean to have them complete the wedding, remove the red ceremonial robes, and immediately put on monk’s robes again? Not even consummating the marriage? Straight back to the temple?”

“That is exactly what I mean.”

“Absurd!”

Emperor Wen He bellowed, pacing furiously inside the hall.

To marry such a stunning beauty and not even consummate the marriage before heading off to chant scriptures for another six months? What torment for a man!

Empress Su said nothing, silently caressing her stomach.

Emperor Wen He bent slightly, bracing his hands on the table. After a long pause, he finally said, “Let me think it over. Perhaps… there’s another way.”

In the following days, the chaos in Huafeng Palace quieted, and the rest of the palace relaxed slightly.

Although General Li had dispatched men to gather information, being in a foreign country made things difficult.

By the time word reached them, five or six more days had passed.

“What?”

Wen Xi looked at General Li in shock. “The palace intends to marry the princess to Prince Zhan?”

Qing Yan stared at him in stunned silence, holding her breath for an answer.

She watched General Li slowly nod his head.

Her hand, which had been bracing against the edge of the table, trembled. Her whole body seemed to wilt. She staggered back and dropped heavily to the floor.

Wen Xi turned to look and saw Qing Yan’s small, palm-sized face drained of all color—utterly stunned.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Wen Xi hurried over to help her up.

She was used to Qing Yan always smiling. To see her like this was a rare sight—and quite unsettling.

“I really won’t be marrying the emperor?” Qing Yan grabbed Wen Xi’s hand, her eyes full of hope.

“In my opinion, marrying into the prince’s manor is far better than entering the palace,” Wen Xi said seriously.

“But I want to go into the palace!”

Qing Yan’s voice was nearly a wail, but her eyes were too dry for tears, swollen and stinging.

Did she volunteer to take the princess’s place just to chase glory and wealth?

Was she vain, dreaming of triumphing in the back palace through cunning and favor?

General Li looked at her with a faintly contemptuous shake of his head.

Wen Xi’s expression turned serious. “The emperor is twenty years older than you, with many concubines already. Empress Su is powerful and jealous. The inner palace is treacherous, full of schemes for favor—what’s so good about that?”

Qing Yan sniffled twice, sulking. “Isn’t the emperor known for growing bored of women quickly?

The more concubines, the better! I’ll keep my head down, and soon he’ll forget all about me. I’ll avoid pregnancy, avoid fighting for favor—why would anyone want to harm me?

Then I’ll cozy up to the empress—massage her shoulders, rub her legs, I’m great at that! Maybe I’ll make a few sisters who like to chat and drink wine.

Food and clothes delivered daily, no worries about survival.

Wouldn’t that be a great life?”

Just the thought made her happy.

Her eyes curved in a smile, and her dimples deepened.

She clutched Wen Xi’s hand, beaming. “Sister Wen Xi, then we could live out our days in peace in some quiet palace courtyard, never lacking food or warmth!”

Wen Xi was speechless.

Even General Li began to look at Qing Yan oddly.

But now—now they had to tell her she was to marry Prince Zhan?

Qing Yan’s expression instantly collapsed. She lowered her head, completely crestfallen…

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