The Child I Raised Has Been Reborn - Chapter 27.2

In the spring, when flowers bloomed across the palace grounds, the Emperor practiced archery, hitting the pear blossom targets with unerring accuracy.

The palace attendants clapped and cheered. Wu An, standing beside the Emperor, handed her another arrow and reminded her, “Your Majesty, the recent incident involving the three officials reveals the Grand Princess’s intentions. She has no desire for you to assume full imperial authority. Her past affection for you was merely a facade to justify her power grab. If you remain too merciful, you risk being deposed.”

The Emperor’s equestrian archery skills were exceptional. In moments, the wall was adorned with numerous pear blossom petals. After a moment’s thought, she replied, “That won’t happen. As long as Consort Dowager An remains alive, she wouldn’t dare act against me. But my maternal uncle is right; I have been too merciful.”

“I know nothing of what transpires within the Grand Princess’s Residence. Your Majesty, I suggest arranging a marriage for her. What do you think?” Wu An gripped the arrow, its fletching pointing directly at the petals on the wall, his eyes darkening with malice. “I’ve heard the Grand Princess is peerlessly beautiful and favors women. There are countless eligible young ladies in the capital. Sending a loyal confidant into her residence would be an excellent strategy.”

“Uncle doesn’t understand Sister’s temperament. If she doesn’t like something, she won’t even glance at it. But Mingshu of Jade Spring Tower caught her eye. I’ve investigated her background—pure and untainted. You should give her a try.” The Emperor narrowed his eyes, watching petals drift in the distance, a sinister smile curling his lips. After a long pause, he suddenly loosed an arrow that brushed past the petals and flew past.

He sighed wistfully. “What a pity I missed, Uncle. Let Mingshu live for now.”

Wu An paused. “You also like her?”

“Of course. Who doesn’t adore a delicate little girl?” The Emperor chuckled. “Especially someone as fragile and vulnerable as Mingshu. Too bad Sister comes first. Otherwise, I’d have her begging for mercy beneath me right now, clinging and clinging.”

Wu An smiled. “If Your Majesty likes her, you should bring her back to the palace. As the Son of Heaven, women flock to you. Why share?”

The Emperor’s willingness to yield to the Grand Princess revealed his genuine wariness of her influence.

Unfazed, the Emperor casually set down his arrow and gazed at the azure sky. “All I want is her body. What’s the point of her heart?”

Wu An chuckled softly, clasped his hands in a bow, and replied with a smile, “I understand, Your Majesty. Your words are most wise.”

The Emperor snorted softly. “Keep an eye on her. The Grand Princess has cultivated a formidable network over the years, and uprooting her would be no easy task. It’s far simpler to eliminate her outright. Once her faction loses its leader, I’ll bestow favors and grace upon them. What difference will a dead woman make to them?”

The Emperor’s sinister cunning was amplified a hundredfold by the bright sunlight. Even Wu An felt a shiver of fear. “It will be difficult to approach the Grand Princess directly,” he murmured.

“Mingshu is a weak link,” the Emperor replied. “The Grand Princess’s Residence reported that she took Mingshu out of the city today.”

Wu An immediately understood. “I understand. I’ll send someone to test Mingshu’s loyalty at once.”

Alone in the vast pear orchard, the Emperor lost interest in archery after his shots began to stray. He kicked a pear tree in frustration, then had a sudden idea. Gathering some pear blossoms, he ordered them to be dried in the sun.

No sooner had he given the command than a minister arrived to request an audience.

Vice Minister of Justice Zhao Xin hurried into the garden, stunned by the scene before him. The walls were pocked with arrow marks, and fallen pear blossoms carpeted the ground in white.

He bowed deeply. “Something has happened to the Grand Princess at River View Tower.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. “Is she dead?”

“No, Your Majesty. A young girl was poisoned, but Your Highness has already sealed River View Tower.”

“Let’s go take a look,” the Emperor declared, suddenly intrigued. He hurried back to the palace and changed into civilian attire: a graceful, subdued gown in somber hues, her hair adorned only with a pair of feathered hairpins that gave her an ethereal, celestial aura, largely concealing her imperial dignity.

An imperial procession, with attendants preceding and following, had barely exited the palace gates when they encountered Commandery Princess Long’an’s carriage.

Qin Jianhan climbed into the carriage and, noticing the Emperor’s unusual attire, grinned mischievously. “Your Majesty looks like a celestial maiden today.”

“Your taste is impeccable. Come, sit,” the Young Emperor said defiantly, shifting to make room beside him. As soon as she approached, he pressed, “How did you get into the palace? I heard Sister sealed River View Tower to capture the assassins. Do you know what’s going on?”

Qin Jianhan, dressed in practical, masculine attire with her sleeves rolled up, looked unconvinced. “It’s just a pleasure house girl.”

The Emperor’s expression turned dark and enigmatic. “I never thought your aunt would be so easily bewitched.”

“She’s a woman too, susceptible to carnal desires,” Qin Jianhan retorted impatiently. “Ever since Consort Dowager An returned and reclaimed her authority, the Chen and Zhou families have been constantly coming to me for money.”

Those people are just insatiable. It’s the Grand Princess who owes them, not me, Qin Jianhan.

It’s utterly infuriating.

Unaware of her thoughts, the Emperor leaned against the carriage wall, pondering the day’s events. She nudged Qin Jianhan with her elbow. “A-Han, did you do it?”

“Does Your Majesty take me for an ungrateful person?” Qin Jianhan retorted disdainfully, a wave of resentment surging within her. She continued plaintively, “Ever since the incident with the Duke of Xinguo’s Residence, Her Highness, the Princess, has lost all trust in me. The people at the Grand Princess’s Residence are adept at currying favor based on one’s standing, and my position has deteriorated significantly. And that marriage arrangement… just thinking about it gives me a headache. Your Majesty, please help me.”

The Emperor pursed her lips uneasily. Qin Jianhan was her spy planted within the Grand Princess’s Residence, and abandoning her now would be difficult. The Emperor was truly in a bind. “Sister says if I take you as my consort, she’ll depose me as Emperor. You must endure this a little longer. Once I assume full imperial authority, I’ll bring you into the palace.”

Watching the Emperor’s cowardly demeanor, Qin Jianhan felt her stomach churn with disgust. Her aunt, born of a concubine, possessed such noble bearing, while the Emperor, born of the Empress herself, was so thoroughly cowed she couldn’t act at all. Truly useless.

For now, only the Emperor could stand against the Grand Princess. Qin Jianhan had no choice but to endure.

“Your Majesty must understand my pain. Because of Zhao Lan, even Aunt has disowned me.” Qin Jianhan clung to the Emperor’s hand, pressing her entire body against hers. As she breathed in the unique scent of royalty, her resentment burned hotter. “If Your Majesty were to abandon me too, I would truly be homeless.”

The Emperor frowned. “Was Zhao Lan’s case handled improperly? How did she find out about the death?”

“It’s strange. After Zhao Lan’s death, I never visited the Villa again. Aunt must have discovered it through someone’s guidance. The city gate reported that she suddenly left for the Villa that night. Your Majesty, I suspect there’s a mole within your ranks.” Qin Jianhan’s tone turned solemn, but her gaze remained as affectionate as ever.

“A mole…” The Emperor murmured, deep in thought. “You killed Zhao Lan, so the mole must be one of your people.”

“No, Your Majesty is mistaken. Aunt only knows Zhao Lan is dead, not where she’s buried. If it were my man, he would have secretly informed her. This suggests the problem lies with someone close to you.” Qin Jianhan spoke with unwavering conviction.

The Emperor was instantly bewildered. The mole issue was more complex than she’d anticipated. If Qin Jianhan could buy off Sister’s adopted daughter as a spy, Sister, being equally cunning, would surely have considered this possibility.

“Rest assured. We will investigate this thoroughly.”

Qin Jianhan remained worried. “The mole must have told Aunt about our relationship,” she said. “Otherwise, she wouldn’t treat me so cruelly. Your Majesty, I’m being suspected because of you. You can’t just ignore me. You should know that I belong to you. If I marry someone else, that… that would be a loss of face for you.”

The Emperor felt as if his ears were buzzing with incessant chatter, making him irritable and unwilling to respond. Yet she wore such a pitiful expression, looking wronged and anxious.

She subtly withdrew her arm from Qin Jianhan’s grasp, pretending to ponder deeply. Finally, she frowned and said helplessly, “It’s not that I’m ignoring you. Sister is suffocating me with her pressure. Do you have any ideas to rein her in? Or… or perhaps once I take full control of the throne, marrying you will be a simple matter of speaking the words.”

Qin Jianhan’s heart ached with anger at these words. The Emperor refused to act and was now shifting the responsibility onto her. “You’re the Emperor,” she retorted. “Do you truly fear she’ll depose you?”

“Of course I do,” the Emperor replied, his eyes narrowing into a sly smile as he cupped Qin Jianhan’s chin and kissed her. His eyes gleamed with smug satisfaction.

Qin Jianhan’s spirits soared. The sweetness of the kiss lingered on her lips like honey from locust flowers, a sweetness she didn’t want to let go of.

Upon arriving at the Grand Princess’s Residence, the first thing they saw was the imposing sight of armored soldiers standing guard at the entrance, spears in hand. Their solemn, awe-inspiring presence made passersby hesitate to even glance up at them.

The Emperor stepped out of the carriage, stunned speechless by the sight of the soldiers stationed at the Grand Princess’s Residence. Their imposing presence far surpassed that of the Imperial Guard. She took a few steps forward, her curiosity piqued. “Who is the Commander of the Grand Princess’s Residence? Why hasn’t she entered court service?”

Someone who could train such a disciplined force should be serving the court.

Qin Jianhan pondered the question for a moment before replying, “The Commander is a woman of extraordinary martial skill. She seems to have come seeking the Grand Princess’s reputation.”

The Grand Princess’s renown had long spread far and wide. Scholars and literati who came to seek her out could have formed a line stretching to the city gates, and Yi Wenxia was among them. When she first arrived, she faced discrimination, but the Grand Princess broke convention and accepted her, entrusting her with command of the entire garrison.

Jianhan remembered vividly that Wenxia’s martial prowess remained unmatched to this day. It truly was a waste that she hadn’t entered court service.

The Emperor’s curiosity grew. He nudged Jianhan. “Go fetch the Commander. We wish to meet her.”

Qin Jianhan also wanted Wenxia gone. Over the years, her presence had always complicated matters. With Wenxia gone, she could finally gain an advantage.

Without further thought, she hurried away.

******

In her chambers, the Grand Princess attended to Mingshu. After the physician prescribed her medicine, he left to prepare the decoction. Xinzhi, Mingshu’s personal maid, dared not leave her side, remaining by her bedside at all times.

The Emperor approached the Grand Princess’s Residence as if taking a leisurely stroll, examining its construction. The grandeur was unmistakable, devoid of feminine adornments, exuding a bold and heroic spirit at every turn.

The imperial dignity permeated the air, the residence radiating the majesty of the imperial family. Its magnificent beauty, like surging waves, overwhelmed the senses in an instant.

As he entered the courtyard, the copper bells on the eaves chimed in the wind, their harsh clanging shattering the serene beauty of the estate.

The Emperor couldn’t help but scoff, “Who thought of this?”

A maid glanced up and replied, “Miss Zhao personally hung them.”

The Emperor, puzzled, asked, “Which Miss Zhao?”

The maid hesitated before answering, “The eldest daughter of the former Duke of Xinguo.”

“Ah, her. What terrible taste.” The Emperor chuckled, dismissing it as a clumsy addition. After his brief amusement, he paid it no further mind.

Below the colonnade, the physician brewed the medicine, its bitter aroma so overpowering that it made breathing difficult. The pungent smell drifted into the courtyard on the breeze.

Upon entering the Grand Princess’s residence, the Emperor immediately noticed her engrossed in a book. Curious about its contents, he quietly approached. Before he could get close, Sister looked up, her calm, unruffled eyes reflecting his figure.

“Your Majesty, when did you arrive? Why was I not informed?” Qin Tangxi closed the book, her gaze sweeping indifferently over the maid behind the Emperor.

Terrified, the maid fell to her knees and bowed her head in apology. “Your Highness, please forgive me. His Majesty instructed me not to announce his arrival.”

The Emperor fell silent, offering no word of support for the maid. He flipped open the book on the table and discovered it was a Buddhist scripture.

The Grand Princess was known for her refined and detached nature, yet no one in court remained untainted. “Has Sister grown weary of worldly affairs?” he taunted mockingly.

Qin Tangxi remained silent, waving her hand to dismiss the maid. She took the book from the Emperor’s hands. “Just passing the time.”

“Sister’s idea of passing the time is quite intriguing,” the Emperor remarked, his eyes gleaming as he settled into the seat of honor. “Having been confined to your residence for so long, you still managed to become the target of an assassination attempt. You must have offended quite a few people.” Seeing her troubled expression, he pressed further, “Is Sister worried about the person who drank the poisoned tea meant for you?”

It was truly amusing that her ever-composed elder sister could fall into someone else’s trap. Fortunately, someone had stepped in to protect her.

Qin Tangxi said, “She’s just someone from the Pleasure House. Why would I care?”

“True enough. There are so many women in the Pleasure House; they won’t miss her. Sister, you’re not getting any younger. Why don’t I arrange a marriage for you? What kind of partner do you want? Gentle or refined? Given your stern nature, perhaps a passionate woman would be just the thing to balance you out.” The Emperor’s thoughtful gaze remained fixed on the Grand Princess.

“Your Majesty would do better to focus on state affairs. You needn’t concern yourself with my personal matters.”

The Emperor wasn’t surprised by her response. It was strange; men of his age already had countless beauties by their side, yet the Grand Princess Protector of the Nation’s Residence remained as austere as a convent.

Though officially called the Grand Princess’s Residence, outsiders might mistake it for a Buddhist nunnery.

“Sister, do you have feelings for the woman who took the poison for you? Why don’t I arrange a marriage for you? However, a woman from the Pleasure House wouldn’t be a suitable match for you. People would gossip, and you wouldn’t be able to endure the disgrace.”

The Young Emperor chattered incessantly, like a man possessed by the spirit of loquacity, his words grating on the nerves. The Grand Princess endured it silently until she finally rose and said, “Your Majesty worries too much. Once Mingshu recovers, I will personally escort her home.”

“Sister, are you so heartless?”

“I am not heartless. Today, she is simply fortunate.”

The Emperor didn’t believe her. After a probing look, he ventured, “If Sister doesn’t care for her, might I ask you to give her to me?”

Qin Tangxi’s heart ached, her eyes turning frosty. “Pleasure houses are vile places. Your Highness should practice self-restraint.”

“Sister, aren’t you afraid your words will hurt her feelings?” The Young Emperor’s eyes sparkled with glee.

“Your Majesty, it’s getting late. I’ll escort you back to the palace.” Qin Tangxi evaded the Emperor’s probing gaze, handing the Buddhist scriptures to a maid and whispering, “Take good care of Miss Mingshu. No one is to approach her until I return.”

The maid accepted the scriptures and murmured her agreement.

After giving her instructions, Qin Tangxi impatiently shooed the Young Emperor out of the Grand Princess’s Residence. He clung to her, begging to see Wenxia.

Resigned, she led him to the training grounds.

******

Throughout the day, dangers piled up, and Mingshu’s soul wandered between heaven and earth.

Unconscious, Mingshu dreamt of the Ducal Residence from long ago; a majestic estate. At the gate, she saw her mother and father, and the Grand Princess, who had come to offer her congratulations.

The princess, still in her youthful years before the icy majesty of adulthood had settled in, possessed a gentle grace like flowing water, her every gesture as radiant as peach blossoms in spring.

As soon as Her Highness stepped down from her carriage, she approached the child, skillfully lifting her into her arms. “What books have you been reading lately?” she asked with a smile.

“Many books,” the child replied.

The princess frowned slightly, her gentle gaze softening. “Sister has never read a book called ‘Many Books.’ Tell me what it’s about. If it’s interesting, I’ll read it too.”

“No, I read many different books.”

“Many different books? Has the title changed again?”

“Sister is teasing me. If you keep teasing me, I’ll get very ugly, and no one will want me anymore.”

The princess’s smile remained radiant, her delicate features radiating warmth, indulgence, and a hint of playful mischief. “Then, when you grow up, will you want me?”

Want you? Mingshu suddenly understood. She had been the foolish one all along.

Watching those two figures merge into a single shadow, her heart suddenly ached, waves of pain crashing over her.

The pain made her curl into a fetal position. Beside her, urgent voices called out: “Miss, Miss…”

Slowly, she opened her eyes. Xinzhi’s anxious face swam into view. “I’m not dead,” she muttered.

Xinzhi’s tears turned into a relieved smile as she wiped her cheeks. “No, the doctor said you—”

I drank so little, it shouldn’t be a problem. It’s just…

Mingshu recalled the Grand Princess’s words, and a wave of disgust washed over her. The Grand Princess despised the filthiness of the Pleasure House, but even more so the thought of her lady being defiled by the Emperor.

Xinzhi hesitated, wanting to say something, but Mingshu paid her no mind, her stomach still throbbing as if being slashed by a knife.

After a while, footsteps echoed outside the room, followed by the formal greetings of attendants: “Your Highness, Your Highness.”

The Grand Princess had arrived.

Qin Tangxi felt her mouth go dry. She ordered tea to be prepared and entered the room to find the figure on the couch already awake.

It was as if they were looking at each other across a lifetime.

The young girl’s frail body was barely visible beneath the blankets, but her pitch-black eyes shone like stars in the night, illuminating the darkness around her.

She smiled. “Awake?”

Xinzhi stole a quick glance at her, then bowed and withdrew from the room.

As the Grand Princess approached, Mingshu’s anxiety surged again. Her long, curved eyelashes fluttered rapidly as she instinctively tried to burrow deeper under the covers.

Qin Tangxi seized Mingshu’s exposed hand, noticing its stickiness. She frowned. “Does it still hurt?”

Without waiting for a response, she reached under the covers to feel Mingshu’s lower abdomen.

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