This was Jiaofang Hall, after all.
Who would have the audacity to make such a loud disturbance here?
Ling Jingshu and Ling Jingyan exchanged a glance and, without meaning to, both looked up at the same time. Unfortunately, seated as they were in the corner with layers of people blocking their view, they could not make out what was happening at the entrance of the main hall.
Amid the music of strings and flutes, a young woman’s voice could be faintly heard: “…I demand to see Her Majesty the Empress, let me in…”
The voice sounded somewhat familiar.
Ling Jingshu’s heart stirred, a thought flashing through her mind.
Could it be that Commandery Princess Fumin had come?
If it truly was Commandery Princess Fumin, then she deserved credit for her courage—daring to force her way into Jiaofang Hall!
Seated upright on her phoenix throne, Empress Xu’s smile quietly faded, a flash of anger passing through her eyes.
“Mother, who could it be making such a disturbance outside the hall?” Princess Changping said with a frown, looking displeased. “Your daughter shall go out at once and see who this audacious person is, and send them away, so as not to spoil Mother’s enjoyment.”
Empress Xu’s lips curved into a cold smile. “There’s no need. Today I would like to see for myself who dares to force their way into Jiaofang Hall.”
As she spoke, she shot Princess Changping a glance and said flatly, “Changping, no matter who it turns out to be, you are to simply watch obediently. You are not permitted to plead on their behalf!”
Princess Changping’s smile froze, and she answered in a low voice, accepting the order.
…
At a time like this, who else could possibly be in the palace, bold enough to make a scene outside Jiaofang Hall demanding to see Empress Xu, other than the impulsive and reckless Commandery Princess Fumin?
Although the news of Empress Xu’s intention to grant Commandery Princess Fumin a marriage had not yet spread widely, it was naturally no secret to Princess Changping.
Commandery Princess Fumin had been spoiled and overbearing since childhood, holding herself in extremely high regard, and acting without any restraint. She had never hidden her infatuation with Wei Yan. Princess Changping had advised her several times, both openly and subtly, but Commandery Princess Fumin simply would not listen. Just a few days earlier, she had even gone to the Imperial Medical Academy to seek out Wei Yan.
Wei Yan had managed to avoid her in time, leaving her with nothing to show for her trouble. Yet somehow, Commandery Princess Fumin had then found the audacity to go and request an audience with Empress Xu, declaring her feelings and even begging the Empress to arrange a marriage between herself and Wei Yan…
It was simply courting disaster!
Empress Xu had been furious inwardly, though her expression betrayed nothing of it. She had spoken a few comforting words to Commandery Princess Fumin and then ordered someone to escort her back to the commandery princely residence.
Commandery Princess Fumin had mistakenly believed that her actions had moved Empress Xu, and the very next day she went to Princess Changping’s residence, eagerly recounting the whole affair to her.
Princess Changping looked at the self-satisfied Commandery Princess Fumin and said with deep meaning, “Fumin, may you fend for yourself from here on.”
Commandery Princess Fumin had paid no mind whatsoever to this vague and cryptic remark.
Two more days passed, and Empress Xu summoned Princess Consort Rong into the palace.
When Princess Consort Rong returned to her residence, her face was utterly stricken. Commandery Princess Fumin, who had been waiting eagerly for good news, learned from her mother’s own mouth the dreadful news that she was to be married off far away to the border, and fainted on the spot.
After waking, Commandery Princess Fumin cried and made a scene, even shouting that she would go into the palace to demand an audience with Empress Xu.
Though Prince Rong and his consort doted on their daughter, they understood Empress Xu’s nature all too well. Once she had spoken, the matter was already settled beyond recall. Fearing their daughter might cause trouble, Princess Consort Rong had entered the palace alone today, and before doing so had specifically ordered servants to watch over Commandery Princess Fumin.
Unfortunately, all this effort had been in vain.
Commandery Princess Fumin had, after all, forced her way to Jiaofang Hall.
…
The commotion outside the main hall grew louder and louder, no longer able to be drowned out by the music and dancing.
Inside the hall, everyone began whispering and discussing the matter quietly among themselves.
Seated below Empress Xu, Princess Consort Rong listened as the cries of “I want to see Her Majesty the Empress!” grew louder and louder outside, her lips trembling slightly, her face growing paler by the moment.
That Fumin!
She had been told time and again, over and over, to stay quietly at home, and yet she would not listen. To think she had actually run all the way to Jiaofang Hall… how was this to be resolved now?
Empress Xu suddenly raised her voice. “Let the music and dancing stop for now.”
The music of strings and flutes abruptly ceased, and the dancing girls came to a halt as well.
The main hall fell utterly silent.
The shouting outside grew all the more shrill: “I want to see Her Majesty the Empress!”
It was impossible for anyone to pretend not to hear it!
Everyone exchanged glances. A few who understood what was happening instinctively turned their gazes toward Princess Consort Rong.
Princess Consort Rong’s face turned ashen, and gritting her teeth, she rose to her feet to beg forgiveness. “Please forgive this transgression, Your Majesty! Fumin is young and ignorant, impulsive by nature. She has not been well these past few days, so this concubine did not bring her into the palace with me. I never imagined she would lose control of herself and run into the palace alone. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and forgive Fumin this once.”
Such formal, face-saving words—not even a fool would believe them.
For Commandery Princess Fumin to cause such a commotion, there had to be something more behind it!
Since it had nothing to do with themselves anyway, watching such a spectacle was far more entertaining than the soft, languid singing and dancing. Everyone widened their eyes, afraid to miss even the smallest detail.
Ling Jingshu was among them. She held no fondness whatsoever for Commandery Princess Fumin, but Empress Xu’s ruthless and overbearing manner inspired even greater revulsion in her.
Empress Xu let out an “Oh,” her expression caught somewhere between amusement and indifference. “Fumin truly has the temper of a child. You wouldn’t let her come into the palace, so she ran here herself. Very well, since she’s already here, let her come in.”
If Fumin were truly allowed into Jiaofang Hall, there was no telling what kind of trouble might unfold.
Fine beads of sweat broke out on Princess Consort Rong’s forehead, and she pleaded humbly, “Fumin is still unwell. If she comes into the hall, it would be terrible if her illness were to spread to others. This concubine will go out at once and scold her into going home.”
A flicker passed through Empress Xu’s eyes, but she said nothing.
Princess Consort Rong did not dare raise her head, nor did she have the courage to meet Empress Xu’s gaze, cold sweat continuing to seep down her back.
Worst of all, Commandery Princess Fumin would not quiet down for even a moment outside the main hall, continuing to shout that she wanted to come in.
Though only a short moment passed, it felt unbearably long to Princess Consort Rong.
At last, Empress Xu spoke up unhurriedly. “What you say is not without reason. With so many people in the main hall today, it wouldn’t be good for the illness to spread to anyone, whoever it might be. Go out and have a few words with her.”
“A young lady ought to be chaste, composed, and refined—always being so impulsive and reckless simply won’t do. Fumin will be sixteen after the new year, and it’s time for her to marry. It would be best if she corrected this habit of hers going forward.”
These words left Princess Consort Rong’s heart cold as ice.
Empress Xu was utterly resolved to go through with Fumin’s marriage!
“Your Majesty speaks truly.” With circumstances beyond her control, Princess Consort Rong forced a humble smile. “This concubine will be sure to relay every word to Fumin.”
With that, she hastily bowed and, under the strange looks of everyone present, hurried out of the main hall.
Empress Xu’s laughter rang out again right on cue. “Let the music and dancing resume!”
In an instant, the music began again. Everyone resumed talking and laughing as if nothing had happened, continuing to enjoy the performance.
Empress Xu’s gaze swept over the faces of the crowd, finally settling on Ling Jingshu in the corner, a glint of unreadable meaning flashing in her eyes.