Chapter 4: Welcomed at the Palace Gate
Page 1/3
“Madam, the Fifth Miss has already gone and sent for the doctor. As for Master...” This is just too cruel. It’s one thing if it was Concubine Meng, but isn’t the Sixth Master the master’s own flesh and blood?
After a sleepless night, Lady Qiu sat wearily by the bed, her face haggard.
“This is such a calamity, wet nurse. I truly regret it!”
Wet nurse Kang looked at her mistress with deep sympathy. “Madam, you must pull yourself together and quickly find a way to stop Master. That old madam... she’s just a meddlesome old woman!”
Lady Qiu gave a bitter smile. “Enough. He probably had this plan in mind long ago and just took advantage of yesterday to bring it up. Whatever you do, don’t let Brother Ting find out. Let him continue studying at the academy in peace. If anything happens in the mansion, just say I’m ill and tell them to take it up with Master.”
She decided to let it go.
“Madam, you can’t do that. This household is the result of your hard work. You cannot truly ignore it. In a few days, there will be a joyous event at the mansion…”
The wet nurse’s words reminded Lady Qiu of Zhao Jiao’s words.
“Wet nurse, go downstairs and instruct the servants: if Fifth Miss tries to leave the mansion today, turn a blind eye and let her go. Also, if anyone from the Lu family comes to visit in the next two days, inform me immediately!”
After saying this, Lady Qiu paused for a moment, then gave a sheepish smile. What was wrong with her? She found herself believing this absurd notion to some extent.
The doctor had been summoned, the medicine prescribed, and before Xu Guodong returned from court, Zhao Jiao was ready to leave. She was now utterly weak, powerless even to bind a chicken. If Xu Guodong truly locked her up, she wasn’t sure if she could get out.
“Take good care of everything. If anything happens to Concubine or Brother Jun before I return, don’t blame me for being ruthless. If you doubt me, just try it!”
At some unknown moment, Zhao Jiao had produced a small knife. Speaking, she raised her hand and thrust the knife directly into the table with such force that her hand trembled numb.
The servants in the room were instantly terrified, their legs going weak as they cried out they dared not.
Upon hearing what Zhao Jiao had done, Lady Qiu was also shaken. “Why would she brandish a knife? Good heavens... Wet nurse, is this really the same Fifth Miss as before?”
Kang was equally frightened. “After facing life and death, people’s temperaments do change... that’s normal. Madam, from now on, we must be more careful!”
This was frightening indeed!
“Alas! Forcing such a timid child to become like this... Wet nurse, is someone secretly following her?”
Could it really be that she had gone to the Prince’s residence? When had this girl become entangled with such a noble?
Could it all be nonsense?
“Someone is following her. How else would Madam know she planned to go out today?”
Lady Qiu nodded. “She said so yesterday…”
Well, let’s wait and see.
Half an hour passed before the messenger returned with news. Fifth Miss had not gone to the Su Prince’s mansion but headed to the palace gate.
“What is she trying to do? This is impossible. She shouldn’t have been allowed to leave. How could I have been so deluded…”
Lady Qiu nearly fainted in fright. It was too late to stop her; she could only wait anxiously for news.
By comparison, Yun Xiang, who accompanied her, was even more tormented.
“Miss, this is no place for us. Let’s leave quickly!”
Page 2/3
Yun Xiang’s legs were weak, and she was close to tears.
“Why can’t we come here? Ten yards outside the palace gates, ordinary people can come and go freely. Yun Xiang, if you have such little courage, then go serve Concubine. Following me will scare you to death one day. Listen carefully: if you want to keep following me, you must obey me completely, never question my decisions, and never act on your own. If you can’t, then don’t serve me anymore once we return to the mansion. Think about this carefully and give me your answer before we return.”
At the palace gate, Zhao Jiao stood gracefully, her bright red dress striking against the wind and snow.
She had chosen this red deliberately, so no one could miss her.
Yun Xiang finally quieted, trembling slightly, unsure if it was from cold or fear.
She didn’t even react when Zhao Jiao took the umbrella from her hands.
Zhao Jiao held the umbrella and walked toward the palace gate against the wind and snow. The person she was waiting for had arrived.
Yesterday on Wutong Street, she had heard some rumors about Su Wang: he had returned to the capital because of a dream the emperor had… It was said that Su Wang had no interest in court affairs and was always among the first to leave after court sessions, much like a student eager for school to end.
Suddenly, a woman appeared at the palace gate, her red dress and white umbrella impossible to ignore.
As she gracefully approached Su Wang, the officials present stopped and stared.
Curiosity was a natural human trait.
It was her?!
Looking at the woman approaching him, Yin Su Mo felt for the first time the prickling sensation of unease.
“Greetings, Your Highness! Yesterday I said I’d come find you. Knowing you hadn’t left court, I waited here. Are you cold, Your Highness? Let me warm your hands…”
Zhao Jiao smiled sweetly as she offered her hand warmer and thoughtfully moved the umbrella toward Yin Su Mo.
Yin Su Mo hesitated briefly, then returned the smile and accepted the hand warmer and umbrella.
Very good!
After today, Yin Su Mo would add another romantic episode to his record!
“It’s so cold. You should wait at the mansion. Let’s go.”
He accepted this charade.
“Your Highness, please wait. There’s no steward at home now. When I left, my father was at court and I hadn’t had a chance to inform him. He’s just finished, so I want to tell him so he won’t worry.”
She deliberately spoke loudly, drawing the attention of the officials watching the spectacle.
Is this woman from an official family? Whose daughter is she?
They escorted her right to the palace gate. Is a good event imminent?
But no one had heard anything before…
Yin Su Mo’s smile deepened, but his grip on the umbrella handle tightened.
Leaning forward slightly, he whispered near Zhao Jiao’s ear, “If you try to use me, you may not be able to bear the consequences.”
Page 3/3
Sure enough, they had investigated her background. They saw through her attempt to use him to resolve the marriage issue. No merchant family, no matter how wealthy, would dare provoke a royal prince. Meanwhile, Xu Guodong was merely a sycophant chasing power. The choice between the prince and a merchant was obvious.
Zhao Jiao didn’t back down but stepped closer.
Mimicking him, she tiptoed and whispered softly, “What is Your Highness saying? This girl does not understand.”
This scene made the crowd blush, many quickly averting their eyes.
The world is truly going downhill…
Let’s see whose daughter this is, shamelessly cozying up to a man in public like this!
Before Yin Su Mo could respond, Zhao Jiao drew back and walked toward a confused Xu Guodong not far behind.
Only when Zhao Jiao called out “Father” did Xu Guodong dare to confirm.
“You… are Fifth Miss?”
Look at that, such a cheap father, not recognizing his own daughter about to be married.
Zhao Jiao nodded, smiling without warmth in her eyes.
“Father, I have some matters to discuss with Su Wang. I forgot to tell you last night.”
Xu Guodong’s ears burned under the gaze of his colleagues. Fifth Miss? Su Wang? What on earth was going on?
“Then I shall go.”
Zhao Jiao turned gracefully.
Her eyes flickered, catching sight of someone whose footsteps faltered briefly before recovering.
This subtle detail did not escape Yin Su Mo’s sharp eyes.
As Zhao Jiao approached, Yin Su Mo suddenly called out to the crowd.
“Fourth Brother!”
Fourth Prince Yin Changli frowned and stepped forward.
“This is becoming more and more improper—outside the palace gates… don’t go too far.” He glanced at Zhao Jiao and added, “Today is Princess Nian Zhao’s birthday; the Emperor’s aunt is hosting a rare banquet. Don’t spoil her mood.”
Zhao Jiao’s body wavered slightly, but Yin Su Mo’s quick hand caught her arm.
“Alright, I will come later.”
Yin Changli nodded and, before leaving, cast another glance at Zhao Jiao.