Chapter 32: The Scheme

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Wen Qiao hadn’t really been thinking much until she heard the Empress Dowager speak, and suddenly a plan formed in her mind. Wasn’t the Crown Prince after the pair of earrings she possessed? Why not play along, pretending to have feelings for the Crown Prince, only to deal him a heavy blow when the time came?

Wen Qiao schemed silently, completely unaware of the Empress Dowager’s ambiguous glance at her.

“The Crown Princess should be a young lady who is dignified and graceful. This matter is no trivial affair—it concerns the very foundation of the nation. The Empress Dowager’s anxiety cannot hasten the process. Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince’s status is exalted; it is only natural that the Emperor has yet to find a suitable bride. The marriage of the Crown Prince is not merely a family matter but a state affair, and thus requires careful consideration.”

Lady Song, standing nearby, smiled as she spoke. The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement and cast another glance at Wen Qiao.

Noticing the Empress Dowager’s gaze, Lady Song secretly chuckled inwardly but kept her expression neutral. Wen Qiao merely smiled faintly, her mind elsewhere, seemingly lost in thought.

Some days ago, Lady Song had speculated that the Crown Prince might have some connection with Wen Qiao, and it appeared the Empress Dowager thought the same. This pleased Lady Song greatly.

Princess Changle was like a daughter to her, no less than her own child, but fate had been cruel—forced to marry the Marquis of Yongning. It was as if she had been bewitched. Though those events were behind them, Lady Song still lamented their tragic outcome.

She shared the Emperor’s belief that Princess Changle’s death was not simply due to childbirth complications. Wen Congqing’s words might deceive the simple-minded Empress Dowager, but to fool the rest required careful scheming.

Naturally, Lady Song hoped for a better future for Wen Qiao. Marrying the Crown Prince would place her under the watchful eyes of both Emperor and Empress Dowager, unlike Princess Changle’s plight, where evidence of foul play was never found despite the Emperor’s secret investigations.

Soon after, Xiao Minghe entered, followed closely by Wen Qi. Xiao Minghe’s tall and sturdy figure completely shielded Wen Qi from view.

At first, Wen Qiao had not noticed Wen Qi's entrance, as she had been preoccupied with her own thoughts. But upon hearing the Crown Prince arrive, her scheme resurfaced painfully. She looked up and saw Wen Qi shrinking behind the Crown Prince. Quickly, she feigned surprise.

“Seventh Sister, why have you come along? His Highness the Crown Prince is busy. My sister is spoiled at home, which is why she insisted on coming. If she has caused any offense, I hope His Highness will forgive her. Seventh Sister, you must apologize to His Highness immediately. How can you delay His Highness’s time? This is truly inconsiderate.”

Wen Qiao spoke first, anxious to pin the blame of impropriety on Wen Qi before she could say anything.

Wen Qi gritted her teeth in anger but dared not reply. After all, it was she who insisted on following Xiao Minghe to the Palace of Compassionate Tranquility. To complain now would only be her own fault and make her appear guilty.

“Not at all. Miss Wen Qi is lively and lovely—how could she be a burden? The Empress Dowager is still ill. I only just learned of this and hurried here. I heard that Miss Wen did not return to the Marquis’s residence yesterday, so I thought to come and see her. I brought Miss Wen along. I hope the Empress Dowager does not find my visit presumptuous.”

Knowing the Empress Dowager’s usual dislike for strangers, it was surprising that the Crown Prince would bring Wen Qi here. Whether it was due to his lack of discretion or the Empress Dowager’s tolerance of him, such a bold act was unexpected.

Wen Qiao did not dwell on it, as it was not directly related to her. She awaited the Empress Dowager’s response.

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Though the Empress Dowager’s face showed nothing, her eyes narrowed slightly, revealing some impatience.

“No harm done. Since you’ve brought her, what can I say? If Seventh Miss wishes to speak with Qiao, let Qiao take her out to look around. Crown Prince, I have matters to discuss with you.”

Wen Qiao sensed the Empress Dowager’s unspoken intent—she wanted everyone else to leave so she could speak privately with the Crown Prince. After a respectful bow, Wen Qiao prepared to leave. Wen Qi was reluctant to part from Xiao Minghe, but with the Empress Dowager’s command, she could not disobey. Pouting, she followed out.

Lady Song dismissed the palace maids and eunuchs as well and closed the chamber door.

“Crown Prince, you are no longer young. The Emperor is busy with state affairs, thus neglecting your matter. Now, you have reached the age to marry and cannot spend every day buried in books. It is better to have someone close to care for you. If you have a young lady in mind, bring her to me. I will consider her carefully, and then discuss with the Emperor.”

Whether due to illness or concern, the Empress Dowager showed unusual care about the Crown Prince’s marriage. Even Xiao Minghe was surprised by her words.

“Grandmother, I have not yet considered such matters. If I rush to marry now and it proves unsuitable later, what then? Besides, I am at the age for study. If I marry the Crown Princess now, I may become distracted. Should I fail in my studies or neglect the Crown Princess, it would be my fault.”

The Empress Dowager agreed after pondering and relaxed her urgency. Before the Crown Prince left, she called him back, her expression hesitant.

“Your Aunt Changle passed early. Qiao was recently found by the Marquis’s household and still needs your care. I see good in her. You are my grandson; I would never harm you. Besides, she is intelligent. If she manages household affairs, others need not worry. Spend time with her and observe closely.”

Had Wen Qiao been present, she might have thought the Empress Dowager intended harm. But the Empress Dowager did not know what Xiao Minghe might do in the future. To her, these words were for Wen Qiao’s benefit, and Wen Qiao would not resent her.

But to Xiao Minghe, these words sparked a different reaction.

He had intended to approach Wen Qiao to obtain the earrings left by the late Emperor to Princess Changle. Hearing the Empress Dowager’s acceptance, he immediately hatched a plan.

When the Empress Dowager asked if he had a young lady in mind, he hesitated, knowing Wen Qiao was just recalled from the countryside and might not be accepted. Also, as Crown Prince, his marriage was a state matter, not solely his own decision, so he refrained from speaking casually.

He did not expect the Empress Dowager to harbor no prejudice against Wen Qiao’s rural origins. This was fortunate for him; with her approval, obstacles would be fewer. Even if the Emperor or Empress objected, the Empress Dowager could advocate on his behalf.

The Emperor was unlikely to object, but the Empress might require persuasion.

Thinking thus, Xiao Minghe bowed to the Empress Dowager.

“Grandmother, I too find Miss Wen intelligent and kind. I have had little contact with her—only yesterday I happened upon her leaving the Minister’s study and spoke with her briefly. Perhaps she is indifferent or too young to care about such matters. I know this cannot be rushed, so I intend to care for her, lest she suffer in this unfamiliar palace.”

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled happily.

She felt indebted to Changle. Changle’s only daughter was precious, and the Empress Dowager feared she had not given enough to compensate for her guilt, so she wanted to give her more.

For women of this era, marrying well and securing a good husband was the greatest blessing. Secretly, she thought uniting Wen Qiao and Xiao Minghe was beneficial for Wen Qiao.

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What she did not know was what Xiao Minghe might do in the future.

Hearing Xiao Minghe’s words, she believed he had genuine feelings for Wen Qiao. Wen Qiao’s inability to see this was likely due to her youth.

Moreover, marrying the Crown Prince would make her Crown Princess, and later Empress upon his ascension—the most exalted position beneath the Emperor. For Wen Qiao, this was a favorable future. Even if their relationship later soured, power would remain in her hands, allowing her a more comfortable life.

“Very well, I am glad you think so. Qiao is stubborn and headstrong, often obstinate. I fear if disputes arise between you, you should yield to her youth and not quarrel over trivial matters. After all, she is your Aunt Changle’s daughter; you should call her cousin, not Miss Wen. Otherwise, others might think you old-fashioned.”

The Empress Dowager, pleased, joked to ease the mood.

She thought she was acting for Wen Qiao’s good but neglected to ask Wen Qiao’s own feelings. Privately, she believed marrying the Crown Prince was beneficial.

Wen Qiao remained unaware of this. If she knew, she might have been horrified.

But Wen Qiao already had a plan—once the Crown Prince truly favored her, she would strike him hard.

Yet this was difficult. The Crown Prince, self-centered, was unlikely to entrust all his affections to anyone. Even with his past liaison with Wen Qi, not all his feelings lay there. Achieving her plan was harder than killing Xiao Minghe.

“Grandmother, rest assured. Cousin is young, sincere, and endearing. I have no quarrels with her. I am grateful she speaks to me and pity her hardships.”

Xiao Minghe deliberately lowered himself to gain favor with the Empress Dowager, who was increasingly pleased.

Although Xiao Minghe was of marriageable age, Wen Qiao had just reached maturity. The Empress Dowager hoped to keep her in the palace longer. Wen Qiao was staying due to ill health; once recovered, she would return to the Marquis’s residence.

The Empress Dowager was reluctant to part with her and pondered how to keep Wen Qiao near.

Since no one in the Marquis’s household held Wen Qiao’s heart, having her close allowed the Empress Dowager to watch over her and protect her from harm.

The Empress Dowager’s thoughts raced. Noticing Xiao Minghe still standing, she waved him off.

“I am old and distracted, forgetting you are here. Crown Prince, return to your studies. My health is no concern. Remember what I said today, and my heart will be at ease. Qiao’s fate is hard; I want her to be happy. You are my grandson, and I trust your character. If you grow fond of Qiao, you will cherish her. Enough idle talk—go study. Your father will surely inspect your work later.”

The Empress Dowager’s gentle manner and calm temper made her beloved by many princes and princesses who sought her out. Yet their own mothers kept them strictly guarded, often disliking such contacts.

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