Chapter 39: A Chance Encounter

"What are you saying, Princess? I had originally planned to pay my respects to the Imperial Noble Consort at Chengfu Palace in a couple of days. Once I’d finished speaking with her, I would have had plenty of time to accompany you for conversation and a meal. It’s just that I’ve been run off my feet these past two days, and with the Empress Dowager’s health failing, I’ve been delayed and unable to find the time to visit you. You know how sudden and severe the Empress Dowager’s illness has been, and since her constitution has always been frail, we’ve kept the gates of Cining Palace locked and turned away all visitors. Otherwise, how could I bear to leave you to attend your lessons alone for so many days? If I had known you were missing me so much, how could I have had the heart to leave you out there by yourself? There, there, don’t worry. Within two days at most, once the Empress Dowager’s health improves slightly, I will certainly go to Chengfu Palace to pay my respects to the Imperial Noble Consort, and then we can have a proper talk."

Because the Empress Dowager had been recuperating, Wen Qiao had ordered the gates of Cining Palace shut, strictly refusing all visitors—a measure she had implemented ever since the Crown Prince’s last visit.

Her reasoning was twofold: first, to ensure the Empress Dowager was not disturbed during her recovery; and second, to prevent other factions within the palace from planting their spies.

It went without saying that there were informants from various concubines throughout the palace. She lacked the immediate power to root them all out, a matter she would eventually have to leave for the Emperor to address. For now, all she could do was tend to the Empress Dowager’s health. As long as she was there, no filth from the palace would ever touch the Empress Dowager or harm her again.

Just as she had anticipated, after the Crown Prince left, Wen Qiao had sealed the palace gates. Consequently, the princes and princesses had been unable to enter Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager for days.

In truth, Wen Qiao had her own selfish reasons for keeping the doors locked. If the detestable Crown Prince were to show up again, she would be forced to plaster on a fake smile and engage in pleasantries with him.

The very thought made her feel nauseated.

Although she had initially intended to get close to the Crown Prince and make him fall for her, every time she laid eyes on him, she was haunted by the memories of her past life. She simply couldn't move past it; the sight of him triggered a visceral, physical reaction of disgust.

If she had any other choice, she would never involve herself with him again. She only wanted to settle the grievances of her past life so she could begin anew, free from the weight of that lingering bitterness.

However, as long as she remained in the palace, her departure date remained uncertain. Frequent encounters with the Crown Prince were inevitable, which was why she kept herself confined within Cining Palace—both to care for the Empress Dowager and to avoid that insufferable man.

Furthermore, Wen Qiao saw clearly through Wen Qi’s motives: she was merely trying to curry favor with the Empress Dowager to secure some personal gain. If the Empress Dowager were still the same cold, distant grandmother from her previous life, Wen Qiao wouldn't have bothered. After all, despite their blood ties, she had never felt any affection for the woman. If they hadn't reconciled early in this life, Wen Qiao likely would never have felt any sense of belonging in this palace.

Fortunately, things were different now. She had the love of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and she had gained a sincere friend in Xiao Yunshu. Compared to her past life, her current days were infinitely better.

She was not a greedy person; she was content with the life she had now.

She couldn't help but wonder: if she had been this fortunate in her past life, would she have met such a tragic end?

"That’s more like it! I knew Sister Qiao loved me best. How could you bear to leave me all alone every day with no one to talk to? Well, since you’re here, let’s finish the tutor’s lesson this afternoon. When you’re free after class, I’ll take you to Chengfu Palace for a stroll."

Watching the intimacy between Wen Qiao and Xiao Yunshu, Wen Qi ground her teeth in frustration. She felt deeply unsettled, though she had no recourse but to keep her resentment hidden inside.

Seeing Wen Qiao smile and accept Xiao Yunshu’s invitation, Wen Qi lowered her head, her long lashes veiling the true emotions in her eyes.

A strange feeling washed over her again, as if everything Wen Qiao currently possessed rightfully belonged to her. Yet, she had no memory of ever being friends with the Sixth Princess. She just felt an instinctive, irrational sense that these things should have been hers. The Sixth Princess gave her a deeply unsettling feeling.

***

In reality, it was no wonder Wen Qi felt this way. In her past life, she had stolen everything that belonged to Wen Qiao; some of those things Wen Qiao had simply never retrieved. Now, as the rightful owner, Wen Qiao was merely taking back what was hers.

To Wen Qi, however, despite her lack of memories from that past life, she still carried an ingrained sense of superiority. She felt that everything Wen Qiao now possessed was rightfully her own.

But clearly, no one cared about Wen Qi’s thoughts, as all eyes were on Wen Qiao and Xiao Yunshu. Many princesses breathed a sigh of relief to see the two finally seated, fearing that Xiao Yunshu might stir up trouble for them next. Although Xiao Yunshu was favored and often arrogant, she was generally considered reasonable. Seeing the near-confrontation between Wen Qi and Xiao Yunshu, the others had kept their heads down, terrified of being caught in the crossfire.

When the Empress Dowager awoke and discovered Wen Qiao was not in Cining Palace, she learned upon inquiry that she had gone to the Imperial Study. She said nothing; Wen Qiao had her own life, and she didn't believe the girl should be stifled in Cining Palace just for her sake.

It was better that Wen Qiao had things to do, so she wouldn't have to watch her frail, sickly body and force a look of unconcern while hiding her inner anxiety.

Time passed quickly, and soon the lessons at the Imperial Study concluded. Because Wen Qiao needed to return to Cining Palace to check on the Empress Dowager, she did not accompany Xiao Yunshu to Chengfu Palace for a meal.

Xiao Yunshu understood and did not press the matter, instead thoughtfully having her own maid escort Wen Qiao back to Cining Palace. Only after Wen Qiao’s figure disappeared from sight did she turn back toward Chengfu Palace.

"Princess, this servant truly does not understand. What is so special about the Sixth Miss Wen that you treat her with such favor? If she is truly sincere in her friendship, that would be well and good, but I fear she may have ulterior motives, and you will be the one hurt in the end."

It was Xiao Yunshu’s personal maid who spoke. She had expected that Xiao Yunshu, being the headstrong and arrogant person she was, would fly into a rage at having her decisions questioned. Instead, Xiao Yunshu patted the maid’s hand with good humor. "I know you mean well, but I have gone so many years without a true confidante. Sister Qiao’s temperament is exactly to my liking. Moreover, I don’t believe she is a bad person. It feels good to have someone who thinks of me. Besides, Sister Qiao had a hard life, so I want to help her. But remember this: I treat her well because she treats me well. I approached her initially because she is beautiful and shares my temperament. If she ever turns against me, you must remind me to be careful, so I am not truly deceived."

Xiao Yunshu spoke with a hint of playfulness, but her two maids had grown up alongside her; they knew when she was being serious and when she was joking. They nodded solemnly.

Xiao Yunshu said nothing more. She didn't let the small incident weigh on her mind and continued humming a tune as she headed to Chengfu Palace.

Meanwhile, after leaving her studies, Wen Qiao had intended to rush back to Cining Palace, but to her surprise, she was intercepted by Xiao Minghe. Wen Qiao’s brow furrowed immediately, but she quickly smoothed her expression, remembering her plan.

The transformation happened in a heartbeat. Had Xiao Minghe not been so confident in his own charm, he might have been baffled. Even so, he seemed slightly confused by her behavior.

"My apologies, Cousin. Someone appeared so suddenly, I thought it was just another careless palace maid. Had I known it was you, I wouldn't have been so startled."

Wen Qiao spoke softly, glossing over her earlier reaction. Xiao Minghe nodded, seemingly satisfied.

It did make sense—it was his sudden appearance that had caused her to frown. Surely, she didn't dislike him.

***

Xiao Minghe felt a surge of triumph. Look at that—as soon as she realized it was him, her expression changed entirely. Did that not mean she had feelings for him?

It was no wonder he and Wen Qi had been a pair in their past life; with their capacity for self-delusion—one thinking Xiao Minghe was interested in her, the other thinking Wen Qiao was interested in him—they were a match made in heaven.

"It is nothing, Cousin. Do not blame yourself. It was indeed my fault for appearing so suddenly and catching you off guard. I apologize. The truth is, you haven't been to the Imperial Study these past few days, and I guessed you were at Cining Palace attending to the Empress Dowager. But with the palace doors locked to visitors, I tried to visit several times but could not get in. Since I happened to see you today, I wanted to ask how Her Majesty is faring? Has she improved?"

In reality, he only asked to find out when she would return to her studies.

Only then would he have opportunities to interact with her.

If she stayed locked away in Cining Palace indefinitely, when would he ever make substantive progress? Even if he could wait, the battle for the throne could not.

He had no genuine feelings for Wen Qiao; he only coveted the pair of earrings she possessed. If he knew for certain she liked him, he wouldn't be so anxious, but this uncertainty made him deeply uncomfortable.

Besides, what did the Empress Dowager’s life or death matter to him? Her health was irrelevant; nothing was more important than the throne.

If Wen Qiao knew what was passing through Xiao Minghe’s mind, she would have sneered.

He was exactly as he had been in her past life: selfish, cold, and utterly ruthless. He pursued only what benefited him, with infinite patience for his own gain, yet he wouldn't blink an eye if a relative died right in front of him.

That she had been blinded by such a heartless man in her previous life and helped him ascend the throne was a regret that burned within her. If he managed to take the throne again in this life, she would cast her name aside! It would be a waste of her rebirth. Hadn't Heaven granted her this second chance specifically to defy fate and avoid the path she had walked before?

"The Empress Dowager is indeed better, though she is still quite lethargic. I am truly worried, so I wish to stay by her side as much as possible. Today, seeing that she had shown significant improvement and was resting, and that there was nothing else for me to do at Cining Palace, I came to the Imperial Study for the afternoon. Even in just these few hours, I feel I have learned so much. Cousin, you and the others study with the Grand Tutor at the Imperial Study every day—you must learn even more, don't you?"

Wen Qiao blinked, looking at Xiao Minghe with an air of naive innocence. The atmosphere had been pleasant enough, but at the mention of "you and the others," Xiao Minghe’s hand, hidden in his sleeve, tightened into a fist.

That "others" was quite pointed—who else could it be but him and the Fifth Prince? If anyone else had said it, he would have taken it as a jab at him. But coming from Wen Qiao, he found nothing wrong with it, assuming she was simply curious out of her own simple-mindedness.