Chapter 5: Shou Ta Yi Bing "A Tale of Love and Loyalty"
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
Shou Ta Yi Bing "A Tale of Love and Loyalty"
Chapter 5:
Sincerity
Inside Han Ning Palace, Pei Qing had just coaxed Xiao Ji'an to sleep and sat quietly beside him.
She had been worried about him being frightened, but Xiao Ji'an had actually held her hand to comfort her. The child was brave, but Pei Qing was still scared.
If the Southern River army had arrived even a moment later, the three of them would have been at the mercy of the Prince Yu faction's blades.
“Your Majesty.”
While Pei Qing was lost in thought, Zhi Lan gently called her, “I will assist you with your cleansing.”
Pei Qing remained as she was, her hair disheveled, and her clothes stained with blood. She was rarely so disheveled; since entering the palace, she had adhered strictly to palace rules and etiquette, mimicking her sister in every action, speech, and manner, because her sister never made mistakes.
Zhi Lan helped her into the inner chamber, assisting her in removing her clothes and letting down her long hair.
“Zhi Lan, are you injured?”
Recalling how Pei Qing had thrown herself on her, Zhi Lan's eyes reddened, and she shook her head, “No, I am fine. I wasn’t injured at all.”
Pei Qing nodded, and after a moment of silence, she asked, “How is His Majesty?”
“Your Majesty need not worry. His Majesty is well. The traitors involved in the coup have been dealt with on the spot, and the Southern River army now handles the palace defenses.”
“However...” Zhi Lan hesitated.
“What is it?”
“Your Majesty, Prince Nan Chuan is also a member of the imperial family and holds significant military power. With the capital now under his control, might there be danger to His Majesty and the Crown Prince?”
Pei Qing sighed softly. Zhi Lan, having been by her side for so long, always seemed to think of things together with her.
She asked, “Is Prince Nan Chuan staying in the palace?”
Zhi Lan nodded. “He is staying in the East Palace’s main hall. That… that is the place where the Crown Prince is supposed to reside. It was a gift from the late Emperor when His Majesty was appointed as Crown Prince.”
But that’s how he always was. He would take whatever he liked without asking anyone.
Pei Qing changed her clothes, redid her hair, and even applied some distant mountain green and rouge by herself.
Zhi Lan was puzzled; Her Majesty never liked to adorn herself. She even thought that naturally beautiful people didn’t need makeup. But now, with her makeup done, she was truly stunning to the point of being breathtaking.
“Zhi Lan, stay with Ji’an for me.”
Zhi Lan was surprised. “It’s so late. Your Majesty, are you going out alone?”
“Yes.” She gave a brief reply and didn’t elaborate.
It was she who had written to ask for him. If she didn’t go to find him tonight, things would be different by tomorrow. If he became angry, it would be dangerous for both His Majesty and the child.
In the cold night, Pei Qing walked step by step, lost in thought. Was this like lifting a rock only to drop it on her own foot? In a moment of life and death, she had thought of him. After the crisis, she couldn’t help but be wary of him.
The East Palace, which had originally not been close, now seemed to be reached so quickly. Before she even got close, she could hear the noise of soldiers drinking and making merry at the door. They were talking about Southern River beauties and singing Southern River songs.
Chu Li was the first to see her. As soon as he called out, "Empress," the surroundings immediately fell silent.
In the middle of the night, what could the Empress be doing here alone without any attendants?
A group of people looked at each other in confusion as the beautiful Empress walked into the prince's chamber amidst an atmosphere of suspicion.
As Chu Li shut the door behind her, Pei Qing heard the gasps and sneers from outside. In the dead of night, she had entered a man’s private quarters under the gaze of many.
Decorum and dignity had been abandoned the moment she stepped in.
She closed her eyes briefly and walked inside.
By the bed, a strikingly handsome and devilish man was casually leaning against the bedpost. Clearly recently bathed, he wore only a black silk robe without any fastenings, exposing his well-built physique and a fearsome scar on his chest.
He was wiping a knife that was stained with blood, making it impossible to clean thoroughly. Upon suddenly catching a whiff of a fragrance, Xiao Yuan turned his head.
Pei Qing almost immediately averted her gaze. One glance was enough to recognize him.
But Xiao Yuan wasn’t like that. He stared at Pei Qing unabashedly, and she could feel the intensity and disdain in his gaze.
After a moment, Xiao Yuan suddenly smiled, “The Empress arrives and says nothing, which makes me quite anxious.”
His voice hadn't changed; Pei Qing had recognized it from the time in Han Ning Palace. However, his tone had shifted from cheerful and straightforward to one filled with disdain and provocation.
Pei Qing lowered her head, “I… came to thank Prince Nan Chuan for leading the troops to protect us.”
Xiao Yuan continued to wipe his knife, seemingly ignoring her words.
But Pei Qing knew he could hear her, so she continued, “The prince has shown concern for family ties and for the Emperor and Ji’an. On behalf of His Majesty and Ji’an, I thank the prince. With the prince’s protection, there will surely be no more attempts at a palace coup.”
Her tone was gentle but carried a hint of underlying meaning. She thanked him for saving them while also expressing doubt about his intentions.
Xiao Yuan sneered, “So, the grievances and pleas in your letter, all the promises made, no longer count?”
Seeing him stand up, Pei Qing took a step back.
Xiao Yuan’s expression turned cold. Pei Qing knew he was about to lose his temper, so she lifted her skirt, knelt down, and her voice trembled slightly, “As long as the prince agrees not to harm His Majesty and Ji’an, everything in the letter will be honored.”
At this moment, the mother of the nation was prostrating at his feet, trembling and helplessly pleading with him.
This feeling seemed quite satisfying.
Xiao Yuan licked his lips, dragged his knife to her face, and lifted her chin with the blade. As expected, her eyes were like pear blossoms with tears, tender and pitiful.
The knife tip slid along his gaze, probing into her neckline, sharp and cold, making her shiver.
Xiao Yuan patiently counted, then sneered.
“Is this your sincerity, Empress, with so many layers of clothing?”
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