Chapter 10: The Empress Has Changed

Bi Gui sighed.

“Should General Zhuge be seen like this by Her Highness?”

Once imprisoned, the Three Departments would undoubtedly subject him to interrogation.

Yet Zhuge Shi had watched the Crown Princess grow up.

If Wen Changying saw his injuries, it would surely spark another dispute.

“Send the imperial physician to treat him.”

After a pause, Xie Genghe instructed, “Find some matters for the Ministry of Justice these days; do not interrogate Zhuge Shi for now.”

Bi Gui bowed and withdrew.

Xie Genghe lingered only briefly in the courtyard before departing.

He was indeed very busy.

...

In the blink of an eye, the New Year festival arrived.

The snow in Bianjing had completely ceased, and palace attendants cleared the snow early to facilitate the arrival of the nobility for the banquet.

Yesterday, Bi Gui personally delivered newly made palace garments.

Magpie helped Wen Changying change and prepare.

Before the bronze mirror, both mistress and servant were somewhat dazed.

“I feel that Her Highness is different from before.”

When dressing her earlier, her appearance had been bright and charming, her brows and eyes full of laughter and ease.

Now, no amount of makeup could conceal the exhaustion and weariness.

She exuded a lifeless, heavy aura.

Wen Changying unconsciously reached out to touch her reflection, attempting to lift her mouth and eyes into a smile.

No matter how she tried, the image of her former self was nowhere to be found.

“Let’s go.”

Wen Changying rose. “Better not be late again and face reproach.”

At first, she had been unaccustomed to palace life.

Though the feast officially began at the hour of the Rooster, many insisted on arriving at the hour of the Monkey.

Even the Emperor and Empress Dowager would sometimes be a few moments late.

Xie Genghe explained that this was order.

But Wen Changying only knew that punctuality was respect.

She had been late a few times early on and was criticized by the Empress Dowager and other consorts.

Though Xie Genghe defended her, she could not escape their strange looks.

Today, she wished to avoid trouble.

The palace banquet was held in Baijing Hall.

Wen Changying declined the sedan chair, choosing to walk to clear her mind.

Little did she know, this would mark her as powerless and insignificant.

At a corridor corner, a woman in pale yellow blocked her way.

“Let this lady pass first!”

“Who is this illegitimate daughter, arriving with just a maid?”

Song Qingyan arrogantly leaned forward. “I’m in a hurry to enter the palace, not here to quarrel with you!”

“What’s your problem? This is our Ta—”

Wen Changying noticed her unfamiliarity and stopped Magpie from announcing their identity.

Her expression unchanged, she reminded, “The sedan chair must stop at the front hall entrance; from there, one must proceed on foot. You’re not early enough; it will be crowded further ahead. Better disembark here.”

She had thought the woman merely a passerby.

Wen Changying lifted her foot to continue.

Unexpectedly, the woman jumped down and blocked her way.

“Who do you think you are, trying to boss me around? Do you know who I am?”

The other was rude; Wen Changying no longer intended to endure it.

She furrowed her brow to speak when Cheng Yu’s sedan chair passed by.

Seeing the numerous palace attendants following Cheng Yu, Song Qingyan hurriedly pulled Wen Changying back.

“What are you staring at? That’s definitely the Crown Princess’s sedan chair coming from the Eastern Palace, accompanied by so many attendants. You want to block her way?”

Wen Changying was speechless.

She looked up; Cheng Yu sat upright, eyes straight ahead, composed.

The escort was indeed more befitting of a Crown Princess.

Once the chair passed, Song Qingyan released her grip with a cold snort.

“Don’t think I’m helping you.”

Wen Changying remained silent.

Song Qingyan grew annoyed. “What are you pretending? You’ve come all this way without even a sedan chair. You’re probably among the lowest ranks at this banquet.”

“If you’re willing to apologize humbly, I might reluctantly take you to sit up front.”

Wen Changying found it amusing. “What front?”

Song Qingyan held up five fingers.

Wen Changying understood.

The fifth row.

Only slightly better than the lowest seventh row.

She appeared to be the daughter of a certain Minister of the Six Ministries.

Not wishing to argue, Wen Changying nodded.

“If we don’t hurry, we’ll be late.”

With that, she led Magpie forward.

“Forget it! Just think of it as practice,” Song Qingyan grumbled behind, quickly catching up.

Upon reaching Baijing Hall, Wen Changying intended to proceed to the main seat when Song Qingyan suddenly grabbed her hand.

“I promised to take you to the fifth row. Let’s go.”

Before Wen Changying could react, she was seated.

Calmly, she withdrew her hand.

Sitting here was fine—not having to witness the insincere performances of those around her.

Few present were regular palace visitors; few recognized her.

So, after two quarters of an hour, no one had identified her.

...

Soon, Cheng Yu entered.

Song Qingyan immediately tidied her clothes and stepped forward with a smile.

“Crown Princess, I just saw you on the road; even through the sedan curtain, your grace was unmistakable...”

Before she finished, someone mocked aloud.

“Song Xiaowu, are your eyes failing? That’s not the Crown Princess, that’s Cheng, the Eastern Palace attendant!”

Song Qingyan was stunned.

Recalling the escort she had seen, it was indeed quite grand.

Could the Crown Princess’s escort be even more elaborate?

Embarrassed, Song Qingyan wished she could disappear.

“Don’t mention her. Even I feel that Cheng is the one who should be standing beside the Crown Prince.”

“Exactly! Cheng is dignified and poised, the epitome of noble ladies in the capital. But suddenly, an obstacle appears...”

Others tried to smooth over the conversation.

Cheng Yu smiled lightly. “You seem unfamiliar; is this your first time entering the palace?”

“I just made a mistake. Fortunately, Her Highness did not hear,” Song Qingyan said timidly. “I grew up in Xiangcheng and was recently brought to Bianjing.”

She awkwardly added, “My father was newly appointed commander of the Mounted Guard and serves in the Ministry of War.”

Wen Changying immediately understood Song Qingyan’s situation.

The families of newly appointed generals were sent to Bianjing as hostages.

Just as she had been.

Brought here at six years old without parental care, she had made many mistakes.

Cheng Yu showed no sign of disdain. “Miss Song, please take your seat.”

Song Qingyan stepped back awkwardly.

From her direction, Cheng Yu also saw Wen Changying.

Her expression shifted slightly as she approached strangely.

Song Qingyan thought she was about to be punished and nervously knocked over a wine cup.

Wen Changying steadied her to prevent the wine from staining her dress.

“Your humble servant greets the Crown Princess.”

“Your seat is at the front; please move there.”

Song Qingyan’s neck stiffened; she dared not move recklessly.

She certainly did not think Cheng Yu was kneeling to her.

So the one she had arrogantly led in—

Was the real Crown Princess?!

The thought of what she had just said made Song Qingyan wish she could be reborn anew.

Cheng Yu wore a look of alarm.

“What was just said by the ladies was unintentional. Your Highness, please do not take it to heart. I have no intention of offending or usurping.”

Wen Changying crushed a grape, juice splattering.

Before she could speak, Cheng Yu hastily apologized.

Afraid others might suspect her to be petty.