Chapter 5
“Mother Consort,” I forced myself to squeeze out tears from the corners of my eyes and softly called out to Consort Qi, “Consort Liu and Sister Mingzhen are deeply bonded as mother and daughter. So… am I to be sent to Northern Di?”
Only then did Consort Qi come to herself and turn to look at me.
My eyes shimmered with tears as I met her gaze, forcing a bitter, desolate smile.
Consort Qi was taken aback, and subconsciously raised her hand to wipe away the tear stains on my cheek.
“Don’t be afraid,” she lowered her voice and spoke to me, “Empress Your Highness will not let Consort Liu have her way.”
After saying this, she awkwardly patted the back of my hand, as if to comfort me.
Sure enough, just as these words were spoken, Empress Your Highness spoke up.
“Consort Liu, I sympathize with your motherly love and have allowed you to make a scene. But, a scene is just a scene. Mingzhen’s journey to Northern Di is already decided, there is no room for change.”
“Do not continue to make trouble. Take the Eleventh Princess back to your Qixia Palace and prepare yourselves.”
“Empress Your Highness!!”
Seeing the Empress unmoved, Consort Liu panicked.
She scrambled toward the Empress, trying to grab her robe, crying out hoarsely, “Are you forcing us mother and daughter to our deaths?”
“Silence!”
A single look from the Empress.
Nanny An understood immediately, stepped forward, and pinned Consort Liu to the ground by her shoulders.
“As a consort of His Majesty, look at yourself now-do you still look like a consort should? Is it because I have been too lenient that you have become so unruly?”
“Nanny An.”
“This old servant is here!”
“Send Consort Liu and the Eleventh Princess back to Qixia Palace. Until the matter with Northern Di is settled, Consort Liu is not to step out of Qixia Palace!”
“This old servant obeys!”
Nanny An lifted Consort Liu up from the ground.
The main hall of Guang’an Palace echoed with Consort Liu’s anguished cries and the Eleventh Princess’s repeated calls for her mother consort.
As the commotion reached its peak, suddenly someone called from outside the door: “An imperial decree from His Majesty!”
Immediately after, Yu Junhe, the chief eunuch at the emperor’s side, entered with a group of junior eunuchs in tow.
Upon entering the hall, Yu Junhe respectfully saluted the Empress: “Empress Your Highness, I bring His Majesty’s decree.”
The Empress rose.
Everyone in the hall stood up.
Yu Junhe bowed slightly, his voice loud and clear: “His Majesty decrees, considering Old Master Liu’s advanced age and unwillingness to see his great-granddaughter married far away, the Eleventh Princess shall remain in Shangjing. The Sixth Princess will go to Northern Di in her place.”
After reciting the decree, Yu Junhe lowered his eyes and explained to the Empress: “Old Master Liu is nearly eighty years old. Early this morning, he came to the palace to plead with His Majesty, and His Majesty agreed to fulfill the old man’s wish.”
The Empress nodded: “I understand His Majesty’s intentions.”
Yu Junhe bowed again, then led the eunuchs out in an orderly line.
The imperial decree had been issued.
The matter was settled.
Mingzhen, having escaped disaster, wept in Consort Liu’s embrace.
After such a commotion, the Empress was weary and waved us away.
On the way back, Consort Qi said nothing. Not until we entered Muchen Palace did she finally speak, pausing between sentences: “It is not that I did not try my best.”
“His Majesty has personally issued the decree. A ruler’s word is not to be taken lightly. There is no room for change. You must prepare to go to Northern Di.”
I replied, “Yes, Mother Consort.”
I bid farewell to Consort Qi as usual, my steps steady as I returned to my own Weihua Hall.
Lixue and Haitang followed behind me, wiping their tears. “Princess, are we really going to Northern Di?”
“No,” I told them, “I will go alone. You do not need to come with me.”
The two of them sobbed, covering their faces and crying.
I slumped on the beauty couch by the window, staring blankly into the courtyard.
From the very beginning, I knew in my heart that the scales of victory were constantly shifting, and the chips I held were pitifully few.
I had considered that I would lose.
Yet, despite having prepared for the worst countless times, I still could not imagine… how I would survive, alone, in a land of tigers and wolves.
Mother, it seems… I will be able to see you soon.
I buried my head in my arms, blinking away the dampness gathering at the corners of my eyes.
The only thing I wanted to do now was to see Mother one last time.
However, just as I was about to set out, the document sent from Northern Di was pierced by the sword of the Third Prince.
“The mighty Sheng dynasty, with tens of thousands of iron-blooded men-how could we allow mere barbarians to trample us?”
The Third Prince requested to lead the army, vowing to drive out Northern Di, reclaim lost lands, restore the border, and rebuild Dongjian City.
The emperor pondered for half a day before replying, “Granted.”
The royal army set out, gone for a year, and returned victorious, fulfilling their oath.
The people lined the streets to welcome them.
The emperor was greatly pleased and conferred the title Prince of Zhenbei upon the Third Prince, granting him residence in the Zhenbei Prince’s Mansion.
I never expected to see the Third Prince again, but he came to visit under the moonlight.
The luxurious robes that once symbolized his nobility were gone, replaced by the sturdy armor of a young general.
He stood outside my hall, his posture as strong as a pine.
I was so astonished that I forgot to invite him inside or ask his purpose.
He said, “Sixth Princess, I have repaid Cui Cairen’s life-saving kindness from years ago.”
I replied, “It is not enough.”
The two words from my lips caught the Third Prince off guard.
He was stunned for a moment, then his expression returned to normal, and he calmly asked me, “Sixth Princess, what do you want?”
I looked up at him.