Chapter 052: Malice

Empress Jiang was at her wit's end, her heart worn thin from worrying about her son and the troubles between him and the Wu family. Yet, on such an occasion as today, even if the young lady from the Wu family truly lacked propriety, it would not do to so brazenly humiliate them. She quickly ordered her chief palace maid to convey an imperial pardon, relieving Wu Qingqiong from her punishment of kneeling.

As she hurried to send the message, Jiang Yuzhi, seated beside the venerable lady of the Pingguo Duke’s household, attempted several times to speak, but was silenced by the matriarch of the Jiang family.

Wu Qingqiong, having received Empress Jiang’s pardon, rose with the help of Magnolia, wiping her tears as she walked toward the Changchun Palace. By then, Lady Meng, worried and uneasy, had come searching for her, already overhearing the whispers along the way, her anxiety written in the beads of sweat on her brow.

“Mother!” Upon seeing Lady Meng, Wu Qingqiong threw herself into her embrace, her composure finally crumbling as she wept loudly, attracting sidelong glances from passersby.

“There, there, stop crying now!” Lady Meng soothed her with a few gentle words, pulling her aside to a secluded path in the garden, dabbing at her tears and coaxing her for some time before the girl was calmed, if only temporarily.

Wu Tan, upon returning, said nothing of the incident, and Lady Meng also kept it from the matriarch. Though the elderly lady noticed Wu Qingqiong’s swollen eyes and suspected trouble, given they were in the palace, she chose to feign ignorance.

That evening, the banquet—where men and women sat together—was held in the Chaoyang Hall. Seating was arranged according to the rank of each household and the wives of court ministers. Those like Wu Tan, who were present merely by virtue of their family’s status, found themselves placed at the far end, near the entrance, their seats also ordered by household rank.

Today, with envoys from neighboring states and foreign tribes in the city to celebrate the emperor’s birthday, the hall was packed, the ceremony grand. At the end tables, Wu Tan and her companions came ostensibly to partake in the birthday banquet, but could scarcely glimpse the emperor’s face from afar. They followed protocol at the start—kowtowing and offering wine with the officials and noble ladies—then settled for polite conversation with those nearby.

As for who sat near the emperor and what was spoken at the inner tables, such matters were beyond their concern.

At the banquet, Wu Tan was seated beside Wu Qingqiong. After her misadventure that afternoon, Wu Qingqiong was subdued, her spirits low, quietly eating her meal to minimize attention from the whispers and pointing fingers around her.

Wu Tan, ever thick-skinned, and knowing these rumors had nothing to do with herself, cared little. The emperor’s birthday fare was delicious, and she leisurely picked out dishes to her liking, savoring her meal.

As the feast wore on and she was nearly full, she hesitated between eating more or setting aside her chopsticks when the sound of girlish laughter drifted from behind the pillar—several girls seemed ready to leave early.

Wu Tan, ever discreet at such gatherings, did not so much as turn her head. But a young lady seated three tables away stood up to greet the group: “Your Highness, Princess Lin’an, and Lady Changping, are you heading out for a stroll?”

From within, Princess Lin’an and Lady Changping of the Qingyang Princess’s household emerged, arm in arm, chatting and laughing, their moods bright.

Princess Lin’an paused, glancing at the nearby tables, recognizing several faces, and casually remarked, “There are so many people in the hall, the smell of wine is giving me a headache. My sister Xun and I are returning to Huayang Palace for tea. If any of you find yourselves bored, do join us!”

“Really? The princess is inviting us to Huayang Palace for tea?” The young lady was delighted, her excitement palpable.

Several others immediately stood and joined her.

At the innermost table, Concubine Xian Zhao glanced over, saw the girls gathered and laughing, and paid them no mind, turning instead to continue her conversation with Empress Jiang.

In no time, four or five girls had responded, eager to follow Princess Lin’an.

The seats of Huo Yunhua and Huo Yunhao were two tables away from the Wu sisters. Wu Tan, still not looking back, watched Huo Yunhua’s reaction from the corner of her eye.

Huo Yunhua had been sitting quietly, but upon seeing Princess Lin’an invite the girls out, could not remain still and rose to greet her.

“Your Highness!” She forced a smile and curtsied.

Princess Lin’an, recalling the chaos Huo Yunhua had caused at her coming-of-age ceremony, was not fond of her and eyed her contemptuously, mocking, “Oh, it’s you! Why are you stopping me? If you’ve been wronged, I won’t go out of my way to comfort you or plead your case.”

The previous incident had never been fully resolved—no one could prove whether Wu Tan had harmed her or Huo Yunhua had injured herself. Princess Lin’an simply disliked Huo Yunhua’s act of feigned frailty before Xiao Yun, and so her words were laced with ridicule. For the sake of Xiao Yun’s status, she refrained from naming him directly to embarrass Huo Yunhua.

Several girls who had witnessed that ceremony burst into laughter at her words.

Huo Yunhua, her composure faltering, clenched her sleeve to maintain her manners, still unwilling to give up her attempt to ingratiate herself: “We seldom have the chance to visit the palace, and have yet to see its night scenery. Today is His Majesty’s birthday, and Your Highness is one of the hosts—perhaps we might all go out together for a stroll?”

The girls exchanged glances; in truth, the suggestion of touring the palace at night was more tempting than merely having tea at Huayang Palace.

Princess Lin’an, indifferent by nature, nevertheless could not abide Huo Yunhua, and immediately scoffed, “I said I’m inviting you ladies to Huayang Palace for tea—did you not hear? If you wish to come, do so; if not, stay here. When did it become your place to direct matters in my presence?”

Her rebuke left no room for dignity.

Huo Yunhua’s face burned crimson as she stood rooted in place.

With a cold snort, Princess Lin’an strode past her toward the exit, the surrounding girls whispering and laughing at Huo Yunhua’s expense.

Wu Tan, recalling her chance encounter earlier that afternoon, saw Huo Yunhua’s determination to force herself into Princess Lin’an’s company despite the humiliation, and could foresee trouble brewing tonight in Huayang Palace.

She cared little for meddling in others’ affairs, but was curious to see what chaos Huo Yunhua could stir in the palace by her own hand, her mind whirling with speculation...

Seeing she could not deter Princess Lin’an, Huo Yunhua hesitated, then grit her teeth and resolved to follow. Her gaze happened to fall upon the Wu sisters at their table.

Her eyes flickered with a hint of malice, and she called out, “Will the Misses Wu not come along?”

Her words were laced with unmistakable provocation.

—Extra Notes—

Hmm, Huo Yunhua is about to unleash her grand scheme...

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