Chapter 53

Chapter Fifty-Three

For several days in a row, Li Longji didn’t come to see me.

Not only Dongyang, even Xiazhi felt a bit anxious. Seeing the sky finally clear outside, she urged, “It’s been raining these past days and Madam has been sitting inside all the time. Today is finally sunny—why not go out for a walk?”

I understood her worry and thought a walk would be nice. Just as well, the matter with Li Chengqi had been settled, and Wang Yuanbao had already reached an agreement with the Hu merchants, starting with inns and eateries. I don’t know exactly how Li Chengqi spoke with him, but in any case he submitted fully and willingly promised that however large the Wang family’s business grew in the future, the profits would always be split three to seven. He must have seen through the root cause of the Zou family’s downfall long ago and finally understood the need to align with the court’s powerful families.

“Go have them make preparations,” I said, then felt it sounded wrong. “Forget it, no preparations. Go inform the Prince of the Prefecture and tell him I’m just going out for a stroll.” Xia Zhi acknowledged and left at once. I changed into plain clothes, doing my best to look like an ordinary woman.

By the time I arrived, I saw Wang Yuanbao greeting people inside. I stood outside watching for a while; just from the way he talked to guests and the low-toned way he reprimanded his servants, the line about having followed Master Zou since childhood didn’t seem an empty boast. Realizing that, I finally relaxed inwardly and couldn’t help but feel grateful to heaven for sending me such a man.

I was thinking this as I walked in. Someone immediately came over to greet me; Xia Zhi replied with a few words, and he quickly noticed where we were. He hurried over to welcome us: “Madam looks well—would you like me to find a quiet spot?” I nodded and smiled, “Thank you.” After that there was no more small talk. He promptly had a sharp young man lead us to a window-side table on the second floor, quiet and bright.

“This place is really nice,” Dongyang said after I took my seat and glanced around. “How did you find it, Madam?” I answered casually to brush it off: “My concubine told me.” She made an “oh” sound. “Now I remember—Madam mentioned that Yonghui’s birth mother had some Hu ancestry.” I nodded, and Xia Zhi came up to say the dishes had been ordered.

I was a little curious and was about to ask what they were when more people seemed to be coming up the stairs. I thought it was the fellow who had shown me the way earlier poking his head out, repeatedly warning, “Madam, mind your step,” which made me even more curious. As I looked over, the noble party also climbed up—none other than Yuanyue and the elder and younger Cui ladies, who had previously met me once.

I froze for a moment, then stood and bowed, saying, “Princess Consort.”

Likewise, she looked somewhat surprised; even the elder Mrs. Cui couldn’t help but stand there stunned. She stared at me for a moment before the younger Mrs. Cui finally said, “What a coincidence today — you just moved out of the palace, and I’ve never seen you before.” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry; I truly couldn’t tell if she was genuinely foolish or pretending, bringing up that incident the moment we met.

Yuan Yue looked at me thoughtfully: “How did madam know to come here?” I smiled, “I was just out for a walk and happened to come in.” She didn’t seem to fully believe me, but she didn’t press further, only saying, “Since you’ve met an old acquaintance, why not join us at the same table? Would that be agreeable?” When she finished, the two Cuis showed the first hints of reluctance.

The woman who had shown us the way, seeing that we were acquainted, immediately smiled and excused herself, leaving the rest of us standing opposite one another. Her gaze was gentle and questioning as she looked at me, but there was a streak of suspicion in her eyes. Perhaps she knew this place was connected to Li Chengqi, or already understood that Li Chengqi was Wang Yuanbao’s pillar of support — in any case, at this moment, I must have become a thorn in these women’s eyes.

The difference was that the elder and younger Mrs. Cui resented the punishment back in the pavilion, while she would probably be thinking of many more things.

Everyone had their own thoughts. I was hesitating whether to nod when Dongyang suddenly tugged at my sleeve, and I found myself looking at her for no reason. Dongyang pouted, shot a cold glance at the two Cui ladies, and I suddenly remembered that she had been there the year we were driven out of the pavilion in the palace.

“What? Madam is still waiting for someone?” Yuan Yue suddenly broke the silence, smiling as she pressed the question.

Forget it, it was inevitable.

I sighed inwardly and shook my head. “It’s just me. If the princess doesn’t mind, I’ll sit with you.” Before I finished speaking, Dongyang lowered her voice and said, “Last time when we saw the two madams, they said Madam’s rank wasn’t high enough and kicked her out of the pavilion to stand in the rain. Surely they won’t make her stand and accompany the meal again today, will they?”

It sounded like she was reporting to me, but her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.

I rubbed my temple and looked at her, “The Princess Consort of Shouchun is here — how can you be so undisciplined?”

The senior Cui was slightly angry, but after a glance from Yuanyue, she immediately lowered her head obediently, not daring to say more.

Yuanyue only smiled and reached out to take my hand, saying, “Come to think of it, the madam and I have been old friends for years; today let’s not be formal.” With that she immediately led me to sit first.

Only after she was seated properly did the two of them sit down together.

Just from watching them like that, I already understood that she was no longer the weak, helpless person she used to be.

Now there are a dozen or so women in the Shouchun princely mansion. Although she is the principal wife, she only comes from the fallen Northern Wei Yuan family, yet she’s managed to make the Cui clan obey so completely… It seems she truly is Li Chengqi’s lawful wife, and they grew up knowing each other; even without children, their harmony must be so perfect that the distinguished ladies submit so readily.

Thinking this, she felt numb inside and quietly instructed Xia Zhi to pour tea for them.

Yuan Yue, having heard Xia Zhi say the dishes were already decided, didn’t object and said to just add a few more. Then she naturally looked at me and smiled, “I didn’t know the madam has met the Cui sisters—sounds like there might have been some misunderstanding?”

I smiled and explained, “It’s really nothing. As the princess said, it was just a misunderstanding. It’s been so long there’s no need to bring it up.” The two Cui women looked at me coldly, not saying a word. Yuan Yue, seeing I remained quiet, turned to the younger Cui and asked, “Come on, tell us—how did you offend Lady Wu?”

I was about to steer the conversation away when the younger Cui spoke up. “Back when my sisters first entered the palace, they didn’t know Lady Wu. One day there was a sudden downpour, and when they took shelter in a pavilion they found a few palace maids crowding inside. The pavilion was small, so they had to step out to hold umbrellas and wait a bit… Later the Prince even punished us by making us kneel in public because of that.”

Yuan Yue made a soft noise of acknowledgment, and the younger Cui immediately fell silent and lifted her cup to drink tea.

Only then did she look at me again. “I didn’t expect it would be so long before I learned of this and Lady Wu suffered for it.” Her gaze was gentle, but there was a layer of cold over it, and the bite of her words clearly rested on the first half of that sentence. Ever since Dong Yang misspoke, I had expected she’d ask; I could only shake my head and smile, “It’s nothing.”

Fortunately, Yuan Yue, mindful of the elder and younger Cui ladies being present, didn’t press the matter further. She only smiled and changed the topic, chatting with me about Li Longji’s younger son and occasionally asking if I had any pregnancy signs.

These days it was strange—no matter who it was, everyone would bring it up.

I could only brush them off, saying my health wasn’t good and I was on tonics; maybe there would be good news in a year or two. Xia Zhi frowned at the side listening, while Dongyang anxiously added, “The Commandery Prince has mentioned it several times too, he’s truly worried.” I shot her a sullen look—this child really feared I’d be wronged, afraid others would think I’m not favored.

Yuan Yue found her amusing, only smiling and nodding in agreement: “Back when you were in the palace, the Prince of Linzi treated your lady like a treasure. From the looks of it now, it’s likely even more than before.” Dongyang was about to continue, but I warned her with a glance, and she obediently clamped her mouth shut.

It had started as a casual outing, but I hadn’t expected to end up spending over an hour with several of his female relatives. Come to think of it, this was my first time eating like this; all these years, riding on Li Longji’s favor, it seemed that apart from him, no other women in the household had ever shared a meal with me.

I held the teacup, my eyes unconsciously drifting toward the bustling street.

Back at the residence, Li Qing seemed to have been waiting for a long time. When he saw me appear, his face immediately brightened: “Madam, you’re back.” I looked at him in surprise. “What’s happened?” He shook his head with a smile. “As for the Prince’s matter, I’m not at liberty to speak. Madam should just go to the backyard stables.”

Seeing his expression, I guessed it wouldn’t be anything bad and finally breathed easier. “Next time something’s up, you’d better start with ‘Madam, great news,’ or ‘Madam, terrible news—’ ” I saw he didn’t understand, so I winked and continued, “so that whenever you get nervous I don’t assume something’s wrong in the household and end up unable to enjoy any good news.”

Only then did he realize I was joking and immediately bowed to apologize.

I only then instructed Dongyang to return and had Xiazhi accompany me to Li Longji’s place. After we passed through a small path and there was no one around, Xiazhi suddenly looked at me with concern: “Madam, if you don’t wish to, perhaps you’d better go back to your room and rest.” I glanced at her: “Why do you say that all of a sudden?” Xiazhi was silent for a long time before she continued: “Ever since you left the wine house, you’ve been smiling—you’re still smiling now.”

Those words were like a sharp blade, suddenly cutting the taut string at my heart.

I only paused for a moment, rubbed my face with both hands to ease the stiff smile: “What’s wrong with smiling?” She didn’t dare speak. I went on: “It’s fine, I’m just not used to it. Next time I’ll spend more time with the other women in the residence and naturally I’ll get used to it.” She opened her mouth as if to say something then stopped and looked at me, but I didn’t give her the chance and hurried across the path.

By the stables, Li Longji was pacing back and forth in boredom. Hearing the noise, he suddenly looked up, strode over, seized my wrist, and led me toward the stables: “I thought you’d come back to have lunch with me—had me waiting for nothing.”

I hurried to keep up with him and nearly tripped; only then did he slow down. Before I could match his pace, I felt my body go light — he had scooped me up in his arms and was carrying me across his chest. “This way you won’t fall,” he said.