Concubine Xiao could not bring herself to be angry; she sighed. “Alright, it’s all over now – don’t talk about it anymore. I am at fault for cooping you up these few days in the palace.”
“Then, Imperial Mother, could you promise me one thing?”
“What is it?”
“Since Sister Yu isn’t going to be betrothed to Qujiang, then could you speak to Imperial Father about allowing Sister Yu to leave the palace? I know she doesn’t like this place at all!” Her voice was full of desperation.
Concubine Xiao’s chest tightened – Jing Xuan would surely cry if she knew that she plotting to marry Kong Yu to the Crown Prince and would hence spend the remaining of her life in this palace. Concubine Xiao had no choice but to lie, “Alright, Mother promises you to ask your Imperial Father to allow her to leave.”
“Really?” Jing Xuan’s eyes lit up.
Concubine Xiao nodded. She smiled and turned, only just noticing the servants still kneeling on the floor. “Rise, all of you.”
“Thank you, Your Ladyship.”
“Go and inform the kitchen to make a few appetisers and dishes the Princess loves.”
“Yes!” The two servant girls hurried off.
Jing Xuan sat up in bed, a sincere smile spreading across her ghastly pale face. The heavy weight lifted from her chest upon hearing that Kong Yu did not need to take her place in Qujiang, and could even possibly leave the palace for good.
Not long after, Kong Yu arrived alongside the appetisers the kitchen sent; she had immediately hurried over from Shaoxian Hall upon hearing of Jing Xuan’s injury. Concubine Xiao took Kong Yu’s hands in hers, a motherly expression plastered on her face. “Huiwen, you must have suffered the last few days. But it’s good that everything is over now. Look at Xuan’er – she never fails to worry me. Come and spend more time with her; the two of you are of similar age, so there must be many things to share and talk about.”
Kong Yu nodded calmly.
Concubine Xiao patted Kong Yu’s hands, nagged a little more about Jing Xuan, and left. The servants in the Hall finally heaved sighs of relief.
Jing Xuan hopped off the bed, pulling Kong Yu over to sit with her on the mattress. “Do you still blame me, Sister Yu?”
“Silly girl, I’ve already said this many times – it’s not your fault.”
“But-”
Kong Yu cut her off, “It’s alright, speak no more of it.”
Jing Xuan looked down with a forlorn expression, then raised her head up again, “Oh! Sister Yu, Imperial Mother just promised me that she would ask for Imperial Father’s permission for you to leave the palace and go home.”
Kong Yu was not excited despite the good news; she merely nodded.
“What’s wrong? Did you not want to leave the palace, Sister Yu?” Jing Xuan was puzzled.
Of course she wanted to leave – she wanted to leave right now. But, she was well aware of the kind of person Concubine Xiao was. Allowing her to leave the palace so easily? There was no way! However, Kong Yu did not want to disappoint Jing Xuan, so she gave her a warm smile, “Of course it would be great to leave the palace.”
“Don’t worry Sister Yu! Since Imperial Mother has promised me, she will definitely deliver.” Jing Xuan was confident, her mood lifting; she began to snack on the appetisers. Her appetite had improved compared to the last few depressing days in the palace.
She did not notice Kong Yu’s expression darkening.