Ch 11: When the Wild Goose Returns

Su Ruche was close with her younger brother Su Hongfang, so naturally, she didn’t like how Qing Yan was speaking. And being used to her own noble status, she disliked Qing Yan’s commanding attitude even more.

The thought that Duan Wucuo might marry Qing Yan first made Su Ruche feel nauseated.
She wanted nothing more than to ruin Qing Yan completely.

But there was no choice—stealing the position of Princess Zhan from Qing Yan would certainly be easier than taking it from her own sister.

So, for now, she could only stomach the disgust and help push Qing Yan into marrying Duan Wucuo.

She said, “All right. If not today, there’s always next time. No need to worry, Sisters. But we can’t just keep hiding here—there are so many guests outside. We can’t risk raising suspicion. We’ll come up with a better plan another day. Besides, since the princess will be staying in the capital, it’s best to meet more people today while there’s a chance.”

Su Ruqing casually replied, “When the princess becomes a noble consort in the future, there’ll be no need for her to reach out to anyone.”

Su Ruche paused, then gave an awkward smile.
“You’re right. That was careless of me.”

The Su sisters had already begun to form different assumptions—or perhaps different hopes—regarding Qing Yan’s future.

“Why not just finish it all in one go today?
As a foreign princess, she can’t just enter the palace freely. After today, seeing His Majesty again will be nearly impossible.
The only question is—does the princess dare take the risk?”

Su Ruqing spoke with resolve.

Su Ruche’s eyes flickered as she asked first, “Sister, what’s your idea?”

“His Majesty always naps at Consort Shu’s quarters in the afternoon.
As someone from Yi Kingdom, it’s not impossible for Princess Huachao to get lost on her first visit to the palace. Consort Shu’s palace isn’t far from here.”

Su Ruche quickly objected, “That’s far too risky.
Even if the princess doesn’t know the palace, it wouldn’t make sense for her to end up at Mirror Flower Palace during a banquet at Yuexi Palace.
And how would we handle the guards there?
Besides, we might have already stirred suspicion today. Shouldn’t we be more cautious?”

She shook her head repeatedly, clearly disagreeing.

Of course, she didn’t want Qing Yan to meet the emperor and actually become a consort.

Su Ruqing had been hesitant at first, but now her mind was made up.

She said,
“Everyone knows Consort Shu and the Empress don’t get along.
If not for Her Majesty back then, Consort Shu’s child wouldn’t have died.”

“Sister! Watch your words!”

Su Ruqing pressed on without fear,
“Huachao is working with us. That makes her one of us.
If she’s going to enter the palace, it’s better she learns about its filth early on.
Consort Shu’s always been trying to place people around His Majesty.
If our princess makes the first move and aligns with her against the Empress, she’ll definitely agree to help.”

“But… still… I think it’s too reckless.
Far too reckless!”

The sisters began to argue.

Qing Yan rested her chin in her hands and silently watched the two bicker.

Wen Xi stood behind her, face expressionless.

“Princess, what do you think?”
Unable to come to an agreement, the Su sisters turned to Qing Yan.

Qing Yan asked,
“What do I do?
Just wait for His Majesty and then try to seduce him?
I don’t think I know how…”

Su Ruche jumped in,
“Exactly. The princess isn’t even prepared.
It really is too hasty.”

Su Ruqing gently took Qing Yan’s hand and said,
“The princess is beautiful. Just walk up to His Majesty, smile at him—and that’s enough.”

Qing Yan imagined Emperor Wen He’s large, round face.

Su Ruqing made it sound so simple, but Qing Yan knew—it still came down to throwing herself into his arms.

She frowned, feeling a little repulsed.

Suddenly, a different image flashed in her mind: Duan Wucuo’s smiling gaze.

She didn’t know why, but her foot suddenly tingled. That strange, numbing sensation crept back from her memory, making her feel it all over again.

Qing Yan’s shoulders shuddered.

Better one sharp pain than prolonged agony. Seeing Prince Zhan every day was simply too terrifying.

She truly didn’t want to see that inexplicable jinx ever again.

Qing Yan nodded—vigorously.

So what if it meant seduction?

If it meant earning a peaceful life in the Cold Palace someday, she could endure it.

Back then, it was because she wouldn’t endure that she ran away from the life she had known for years—turning Qing’er into Qing Yan.

Su Ruqing let out a breath of relief. Su Ruche’s smile faded a little.

The three split up, each assigned a task.

Su Ruqing went to see Consort Shu. Su Ruche, as the birthday girl, had to entertain the guests.

As guests offered their congratulations, Su Ruche grew increasingly uneasy.

She hesitated, unsure whether she should inform Duan Wucuo again.

Would a second message make him think she had ulterior motives?

But even if she didn’t notify Duan Wucuo, she was determined to sabotage Su Ruqing’s plan.

Meanwhile, Qing Yan strolled through the garden like any other guest, once again drawing curious glances from many.

She kept her expression calm and walked exactly as Wen Xi had instructed her countless times—poised and elegant—while quietly admiring the scenery of Yuexi Palace from the viewing corridor.

Of course, she also ate a fair share of the delicate pastries on the small side tables.

Wen Xi lowered her voice, “Something’s off.”

“Mhm…” Qing Yan nodded. “I’ve thought it through carefully.
It’s possible that Prince Zhan being at Ouhe Lake was just a coincidence—he’s always been strange and hard to read.
But it’s far more likely someone from the Su sisters tipped him off.
Princess Zhenxian is desperate to marry Prince Zhan—she’d love to see me get sent into the palace.
So the one who tattled can only be Princess Zhenshan.
As for why? I’ve no idea.
Maybe the sisters don’t get along, and she wanted to mess with her elder sister on purpose.”

“They’re using you.” Wen Xi said grimly.

Qing Yan glanced around to make sure no one was watching, then took a big bite of a pickled goose meatball. She covered her mouth with her sleeve as she chewed and swallowed, saying,
“Isn’t it mutual use?”

Wen Xi glanced sideways at Qing Yan’s carefree face.

For a moment, she couldn’t tell whether Qing Yan was being hopelessly naïve or whether she truly had everything under control.

“Princess Huachao.”

Qing Yan had just reached out for another goose meatball when someone called her. She subtly changed course and picked up a small rose pastry instead.

“From afar, I saw the princess sitting alone. I hope I’m not intruding on your peace,” said the girl, stepping closer.

Wen Xi bowed slightly and explained in a low voice,
“This is Cheng Muxin, eldest granddaughter of the Left Chancellor.”

Qing Yan smiled warmly and invited Cheng Muxin to sit with her.

As soon as she did, the noble ladies who had long been curious about Qing Yan also came over to greet her.

Soon, another girl arrived, surrounded by other young noblewomen.

“That’s Tao Ningxin, the Right Chancellor’s youngest granddaughter,” Wen Xi whispered.

Qing Yan understood immediately—these two were clearly rivals.

Though Cheng Muxin and Tao Ningxin weren’t openly hostile, both represented powerful families. On the surface, they exchanged sweet “sisterly” greetings, but in truth, they had been comparing themselves to each other since childhood.

What appeared to be a group of girls chatting was actually a quiet competition between Cheng and Tao.

At first, all eyes had been on the foreign princess with violet eyes. But soon, the back-and-forth between the two chancellor’s granddaughters stole the spotlight.

Qing Yan was happy to be left alone. She smiled, listening to their half-understood chatter, not caring whether she could follow the conversation—and happily sneaked in several more pastries.

“Did the princess sleep late today and miss breakfast?” someone asked.

Qing Yan followed along and said, “Yes, yes. I’m not used to the local climate, slept poorly, so I woke late.”

Immediately, the other girls started offering caring advice, recommending Yi Kingdom recipes and remedies to soothe her stomach and body.

Qing Yan listened earnestly and didn’t reach for more snacks.

When the midday banquet began, the girls all took their seats according to rank.

Once seated, Qing Yan found herself next to different people and could finally eat in peace.

But every time she reached for something, Wen Xi would let out a quiet cough—so little Qing Yan could only stare longingly at the distant delicacies, unable to eat more.

Nibbling her small portion, she silently counted how many dishes at the banquet she hadn’t tasted before. She memorized their appearance so she could try to find them again later.

Before she was satisfied, a maid from Su Ruqing’s side came to summon her.

She brought Wen Xi along and quietly regrouped with the Su sisters away from the crowd.

Su Ruche was smiling brightly.
“No issues with Consort Shu,” she reported.

Su Ruqing looked at her sister with gratitude.

Though they had disagreed earlier, her sister had clearly meant well—and in the end, had gone with her to persuade Consort Shu personally.

The three of them, accompanied by a few maids, quietly made their way along a little-known path from Yuexi Palace toward Mirror Flower Palace.

Duan Wucuo stood hidden in the shadows, watching their sneaky figures.

The Eighth Princess looked up as if wanting to speak, but before she could say anything, Duan Wucuo lifted her by the collar and carried her toward the other side of Mirror Flower Palace.

The Eighth Princess was Consort Shu’s daughter.

Inside the palace bedchamber, all was quiet. Clearly, Consort Shu had sent away the attendants in advance. Only an older matron remained, waiting for them.

The matron asked them to wait. A young palace maid came out from inside and whispered something into her ear. The matron nodded toward Su Ruqing and led them inside.

Qing Yan followed behind the Su sisters, finally beginning to feel uneasy.

She was only supposed to pretend to be a princess. Why did she now have to perform this bedclimbing seduction act?

Just outside the inner chamber, Su Ruqing grabbed Qing Yan’s hand nervously and said, “Don’t be afraid, Princess.
His Majesty is already asleep. Once you climb in from the foot of the bed and lie beside him, everything will be settled when he wakes.”

Qing Yan took a deep breath. She had escaped death a few times already—now she just wanted to live properly.

Tiptoeing, she silently slipped into the inner chamber.

Su Ruqing dismissed Wen Xi to wait outside, then opened her palm.

“Sister, what’s that?” Su Ruche asked.

“Love-incense,” Su Ruqing replied.

Su Ruche froze slightly, already having an idea.

Such things weren’t uncommon in the harem.

Su Ruqing gripped her sister’s hand tightly, her eyes tinged with madness.
“I can’t wait any longer. I’ve already waited far too long for Prince Zhan! If I can’t marry him, I’ll go insane!”

Her voice trembled.

“I won’t allow any accidents. Only if Princess Huachao really gives herself to His Majesty will the Empress drop the idea of marrying her to Prince Zhan. The Empress only thinks of herself—she never considers her own sister!”

“But… if Princess Huachao finds out what you did someday…” Su Ruche’s gaze flickered.

“I don’t care anymore!”

“Alright, alright—I understand.
But this isn’t something you should personally do.
Let Chun Chi handle it.
And since the princess just went in, to avoid raising suspicion, we should wait before releasing the incense.”

Su Ruqing gradually calmed down.

She nodded and handed the love-incense to Chun Chi.

As the mistress, it was an unspoken rule not to do it herself.

“Good sister, thank you for worrying about me.
Today is your coming-of-age ceremony. You’ll be missed out front.
If you’re gone too long, Mother will start looking.
Go back—I’ll handle things here.”

Su Ruqing said.

“That’s what I was thinking too.”
Su Ruche looked once more at the closed chamber doors and smiled,
“Wishing you good news soon, Sister—may all your wishes come true.”

Su Ruqing nodded slowly.

Just before leaving, Su Ruche gave Chun Chi a meaningful glance.

She looked back at her sister one last time, steeled herself, and walked out.

Once Su Ruche had gone, Su Ruqing didn’t stay waiting outside the inner room either. She went to the room next door.

She waited anxiously, until she suddenly heard a man’s snoring.

Startled, Su Ruqing turned toward the bed behind the screen.

Click! — the sound of a lock falling.

Su Ruqing jolted upright, cold sweat breaking out all over.

Chun Chi poked a hole in the paper window and blew the incense inside.

But—this was not the Emperor Wen He’s usual nap room.

It was the next-door room where Su Ruqing herself waited.

At that very moment, little Qing Yan tiptoed inside the actual bedchamber, lifting her skirt like a sneaky little turtle, inching toward the bed.

Her brows scrunched up tight as she slowly raised her head to look at the man lying there.

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