The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 112 Bloodthirsty
In the capital city, at the Qin Mansion of the Minister of Works.
Madam Zhu was in the room selecting hunting outfits for Qin Xi, preparing for the upcoming winter hunt. The weather had grown particularly frigid. Madam Zhu wasn’t choosing anything flashy or extravagant, instead, she focused on anything that appeared warm and thick.
“Young Mistress,” called out Liu Mama as she lifted the curtain at the door.
Qin Xi suddenly froze, lowering her left hand, which was about to pop a melon seed into her mouth. She narrowed her eyes at the old servant who had just paid her respects.
“Liu Mama, haven’t I told you to call me ‘Young Lady Xi’ and my sister ‘Young Lady Lin’?”
“Yes, yes, forgive my poor memory,” Liu Mama responded quickly, bowing repeatedly.
Qin Xi turned her head and noticed that Madam Zhu, who was standing at the round table, was looking up and watching her. Qin Xi grinned and walked over.
“Mother.”
Madam Zhu glanced at Qin Xi with a sigh of exasperation, “You always have so much to say.”
Qin Xi, still cracking melon seeds, casually sat on a low stool across from her mother.
“The servants at Eldest Sister’s mansion address me and Qin Lin like this. Doesn’t it sound better?”
Madam Zhu ignored her, continuing to examine the lining, fabric, and stitching of the winter clothes carefully.
Qin Xi, seemingly unfazed, continued on her own, “If we hadn’t split from the Qin Mansion, it wouldn’t be Qin Nian taking the second spot in the family, it would be me.”
Madam Zhu shot her a sideways glance.
“If we hadn’t split family, you and your foolish ideas would’ve had us enduring even more from Old Madam and Song Mei, and all the tricks from Qin Nian. You think we haven’t suffered enough?”
Qin Xi laughed, standing up and playfully clinging to Madam Zhu’s arm, rocking it as she pouted, “Yes, yes… Splitting was the right decision. So much better!”
Her eyes finally fell on the winter clothes in her mother’s hands, and she remembered the real reason she had come in the first place.
“By the way, Mother, Qin Lin still wants to go to the winter hunt. Pick out a few more outfits for her.”
“Make sure to choose some pretty ones. She always looks so old-fashioned, not like a young girl in her prime.”
Madam Zhu paused her actions, turned to look at Qin Xi, and frowned, asking, “She’s not fully recovered yet. What’s she going for?”
Qin Xi popped a melon seed into her mouth and mumbled, “Who knows? Maybe she wants to eat venison hotpot too?”
Qin Xi suddenly looked up at Madam Zhu, her eyes sparkling, “Mother, how about we have hotpot tonight?”
“Eat, eat, eat. All you think about is eating.” Madam Zhu tapped Qin Xi on the head.
“Ouch, ouch, I’ll get out of your way then…” Qin Xi covered her head and ran out.
After Qin Xi left, Mama Liu closed the curtain, keeping the cold outside.
Madam Zhu frowned slightly, sat down slowly on a low stool beside her, and pondered.
Yesterday, Qin Lin fell into the Taiye Pool and was rescued by the Shizi of the Duan Wang Mansion. This news spread quickly.
Since this morning, several official wives who usually looked down on her and didn’t even give her a second glance had either come in person or sent someone to inquire if there was any good news in their mansion.
Madam Zhu denied it outright.
Good news?
The Shizi of the Duan Wang Mansion already has a legitimate wife. Madam Zhu didn’t think it was a good thing for her daughter to be involved with a married man.
And Madam Zhu wasn’t that naive. The Shizi of the Duan Wang Mansion, a member of the imperial family, wouldn’t jump into the lake to save her daughter for no reason.
Madam Zhu was already suspicious, and according to what Qin Xi just said, Qin Lin, despite being ill, insisted on going to the winter hunt…
Qin Lin is not usually a girl who loves fun and excitement.
Madam Zhu, having lived for half a lifetime, could sense that something was off.
Something was going on between Qin Lin and the Shizi of the Duan Wang Mansion.
Thinking of this, Madam Zhu immediately got up and went to Qin Lin’s courtyard.
————–
Qin Lin held a leisure book in her hands, leaning against the headboard.
There were a few knocks on the door outside, “Lin Lin.”
Qin Lin looked up, “Mother, please come in.”
Madam Zhu pushed the door open, frowned, and glanced around the room, “Where are the maids?”
“I wanted to be alone for a while.” Qin Lin put down the book and looked at Madam Zhu.
Madam Zhu didn’t miss Qin Lin’s action and said helplessly, “Reading again, be careful not to strain your eyes.”
Then Madam Zhu turned around and closed the door.
Qin Lin frowned slightly. Qin Xi and her mother usually acted carelessly, but closing the door? What did her mother want to say?
Madam Zhu walked to Qin Lin’s embroidered couch, sat on the low stool that Qin Xi had just moved over, glanced at Qin Lin’s face, and nodded.
This action was exactly the same as Qin Xi’s earlier.
“Mm, your complexion looked good.”
Then there was a moment of silence.
When Madam Zhu was young, she had also been a young lady in the boudoir. Being asked such things by elders easily stirred up rebellious feelings in young girls.
Madam Zhu had come over impulsively and really didn’t know how to start this conversation.
Seeing her mother hesitating and struggling, Qin Lin softly said, “Mother, if you have something to say, just say it.”
Madam Zhu took a deep breath and then looked at Qin Lin and spoke, “Lin Lin, you know your mother speaks directly and doesn’t beat around the bush.”
“Tell your mother, what’s going on between you and the Shizi of the Duan Wang Mansion?”
“Are you going to the winter hunt because of him?”
Madam Zhu asked a series of questions, but Qin Lin just lowered her eyes and remained silent.
Seeing that Qin Lin didn’t deny it, Madam Zhu felt uneasy.
Was there really something going on?
Madam Zhu’s anger flared up instantly, and she began speaking rapidly, “Lin Lin, although you were more educated and smarter than your mother, you were still just a sixteen-year-old girl.”
“I told you, no matter how smart a person is, they become a fool when they fall in love. I wondered if you were starting to become foolish.”
“Did you know that the Shizi of the Duan Wang Mansion had just married his Shizifei?”
“Didn’t you hear people say that the Shizi had admired the Shizifei for many years?”
“The Shizi of the Duan Wang Mansion has a legitimate wife. If he entangled with other women, they could only be concubines, secondary wives, or mistresses.”
“Weren’t they all just concubines?”
“A man’s momentary interest was enough to make you lower yourself to be a concubine?”
Madam Zhu’s chest heaved as she spoke up to this point, then she paused to catch her breath before continuing, “All these years, I didn’t let your father take concubines, not because I was jealous, but because which good daughter from a respectable family would be willing to become a concubine?”
“If there really was one, she was either a pitiful person of low birth with no choice or someone with many schemes.”
“If she is a pitiful person, I would feel embarrassed to bully her after she entered the household. If she is someone with many schemes, then I would have to spend all my time in the inner courtyard playing tricks to compete for the man, and I wouldn’t be able to focus on making money?”
Madam Zhu reached out and took Qin Lin’s hand, gently stroking it, “Lin Lin, although our family wasn’t extremely wealthy, it wasn’t difficult to find a respectable family that was less well-off than ours.”
“We’ll use power and money to suppress that person, and he won’t dare to take a concubine. If he really has the guts, we’ll divorce him.”
Qin Lin heard Madam Zhu’s words and burst into laughter.
Madam Zhu glared at Qin Lin, “What are you laughing at? I’m serious.”
“I’ll send a big gift to the Duan Wang Mansion to repay the favor of the Shizi saving you.”
After saying this, Madam Zhu got up and prepared to leave, but Qin Lin grabbed her sleeve, “Mother…”
Madam Zhu turned to look at Qin Lin, her anger rising, “Are you anxious now?”
“Child, your mother won’t harm you. You’ve read so many books, where did all that knowledge go? Why can’t you understand?”
“Mother.” Qin Lin’s face turned serious, and her tone lowered, causing Madam Zhu to stop speaking immediately.
Qin Lin solemnly said to Madam Zhu, “Mother, after what happened yesterday, there might be many eyes watching our mansion right now.”
“If we are to repay the favor to the Duan Wang Mansion, we can’t do it in the name of our mansion.”
“Mother should go to Taizifei and, in the name of the Taizifei, send this gift and repay this favor.”
Madam Zhu also quickly realized, wondering how she had let her anger cloud her judgment.
“Yes, yes, if I were to send gifts directly to the Duan Wang Mansion, who knows how people might gossip about us.”
Madam Zhu’s gaze softened a little as she looked at Qin Lin, “It seems you haven’t lost your senses yet.”
Madam Zhu thought of something else, “And the winter hunt?”
Qin Lin turned her gaze back to the curtains, fully understanding the reasoning her mother had explained.
Qin Lin replied softly, “Mother, I know what to do.”
Madam Zhu let out a light sigh, tucked Qin Lin in a bit more securely, and then turned to leave the room.
After leaving the courtyard, Madam Zhu headed straight to the storeroom.
She needed to pick out two gifts, but this was something she was skilled at.
————
Grand Scholar An Mansion.
After entering the mansion, An Yanxi was immediately invited to her father, An Shifeng’s study.
Upon entering the study, An Yanxi noticed that not only her father was present, but also her elder brother. She felt a bit puzzled, was something going on?
“Father, Brother.”
“Yanxi.”
After exchanging greetings, An Yanxi took her seat.
“Father had someone summon me back to the residence. Is there something you wish to discuss?”
An Wenjing sat at a tea table, making tea. He glanced briefly at An Yanxi before shifting his gaze away.
The Grand Scholar, An Shifeng, paused for a moment behind his desk before slowly speaking, “Yanxi, you didn’t attend yesterday’s ice-skating banquet at the Xi Garden with Shizi?”
An Yanxi lowered her gaze slightly. So, it was about this…
Indeed, ever since Qin Yan’s ceremony to be officially titled as Taizifei, An Yanxi had not stepped out of her mansion. Given her current status, she would encounter Qin Yan on many occasions, where she would be obliged to bow and respectfully address her as “Taizifei.”
An Yanxi had feigned illness yesterday to avoid going to the Xi Garden. She wanted to minimize situations where she would have to face circumstances that made her uncomfortable.
The only sound in the otherwise quiet study was the occasional soft clinking of tea being brewed at the tea table in front of An Wenjing.
After a brief silence, An Shifeng spoke again, “Yanxi, I understand some of the burdens you carry from the past.”
“But what must be let go, you should let go. Life is long, and you’re a smart girl. You should find your way out of this and start building your own life.”
An Shifeng’s tone became slightly more serious, “Yanxi, remember, you are now the Shizifei of the Duan Wang Mansion, a member of the imperial family. At imperial banquets, you must attend with Shizi. You cannot allow rumors to spread.”
An Yanxi paused for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
After leaving the study, An Wenjing and An Yanxi strolled slowly together through the courtyard. When they reached a rock garden, they heard the playful laughter of a few young ladies coming from ahead.
At that moment, in a nearby pavilion surrounded by several plum trees, the second daughter of the An family, An Suyue, and a few noble ladies from the capital were admiring the hunting outfit An Suyue had newly made for the winter hunt.
“Second Young Lady’s hunting outfit is truly beautiful.”
“The color complements Second Young Lady’s fair complexion so well.”
“Exactly, exactly…”
“I wonder if, after this year’s winter hunt, His Majesty will still hold the banquet at the Southern Palace in Xishan like in previous years. The plum forest between the Northern and Southern Palaces is the most magnificent and beautiful in all of the capital.”
An Yanxi and An Wenjing, uninterested in eavesdropping on this conversation, were about to turn and leave. However, the next sentence stopped An Yanxi in her tracks.
“I’m afraid not. The Southern Palace is now the residence of Princess Zhaoren. We likely won’t have the privilege of seeing it anymore.”
An Wenjing frowned and looked back. Was Yanxi really that sensitive to the mention of “Princess Zhaoren”?
The young ladies in the garden continued their chatter, “I heard that after yesterday’s ice-skating banquet, the newly appointed Taizifei, Princess Zhaoren, ordered several young masters and ladies who offended her to be thrown into the icy waters of Taiye Pool. Apparently, one young lady nearly lost her life because of it.”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, the Taizifei is only fortunate to have her status. With such cruelty and ruthlessness, how can she be worthy of that position?”
“Exactly…”
……
“Hey, Suyue, I heard you ran into His Highness Taizi at the Xi Garden yesterday?”
An Suyue’s face flushed slightly, “I just accidentally twisted my ankle, and His Highness kindly gave me a hand.”
“Ohhh…”
The young ladies glanced at An Suyue with knowing smiles, their expressions full of teasing implications.
If Song Zhi had heard this, he would surely have asked her, “What exactly did His Highness help you with?”
———–
Upon hearing this, both An Wenjing and An Yanxi’s expressions darkened. The two emerged from behind the rock garden.
“Young Master, Eldest Young Lady,” the servants in the garden immediately greeted them, and the young ladies in the pavilion, including An Suyue, quickly stood up and bowed.
The young ladies blushed slightly, knowing full well why they were getting close to An Suyue and what their real purpose was in coming to the Grand Scholar Mansion.
An Wenjing, the eldest son of the An family, was a strikingly handsome man with a bright future ahead of him, and he had yet to discuss any marriage arrangements. Many unmarried ladies in the capital harbored hopes toward him.
An Yanxi’s cold gaze swept across the group, finally landing on An Suyue. She spoke in a stern tone, “An Suyue, I need to have a word with you alone.”
An Suyue tilted her head slightly, looking a bit innocent.
The other young ladies, perceptive enough, quickly gave their respectful farewells and left the scene.
An Yanxi stepped into the pavilion and chose a low stool opposite An Suyue to sit down.
An Suyue also sat back down, waiting to see what her elder sister, now the Shizifei of the Duan Wang Mansion, intended to lecture her about.
Meanwhile, An Wenjing turned and walked away. Just as he passed the rock garden, the steward hurried up to him, “Young Master, Lord Song from the Taizi Mansion has arrived. He’s already been invited into the reception hall.”
An Wenjing frowned, recalling what An Suyue had said earlier. A sense of unease filled him, and he immediately headed toward the reception hall.
———–
In the pavilion, An Yanxi didn’t bother with pleasantries and went straight to the point, “I advise you, don’t entertain thoughts you shouldn’t have.”
An Suyue tilted her head in confusion, her expression seemingly innocent.
“What is Sister saying? I’m afraid I don’t understand…” She dragged out her words, sounding slightly provocative.
An Yanxi looked at her coldly and said in an icy tone, “You’re young, but you certainly aren’t naive. You know exactly what I mean.”
“Don’t even think about scheming for the Taizi’s favor.”
At these words, An Suyue chuckled.
“And what identity are you using to warn me?” she asked mockingly.
“As the eldest daughter of the Grand Scholar Mansion? Or as the Shizifei of the Duan Wang Mansion?”
An Suyue’s lips curled into a sarcastic smile.
“Sister couldn’t achieve something, so you assume I can’t either?”
An Yanxi’s expression darkened, and she immediately stood up, brimming with anger.
An Suyue remained calm, raising her hand to examine her nails painted in red lacquer. She spoke leisurely, “Sister, don’t be so quick to get angry. If you have time to waste on this, maybe you should focus on your own affairs.”
An Yanxi frowned.
Seeing this, An Suyue continued, “It seems Sister is still unaware?”
“Yesterday, your husband, the Shizi of the Duan Wang Mansion, performed a heroic act at Taiye Pool, saving a lady in distress. It’s already being talked about as a romantic tale.”
“In such freezing waters, your dear husband didn’t hesitate to jump in. If those two had nothing going on, I wouldn’t believe it.”
“Sister, do you believe it?”
As An Yanxi rode back to the Duan Wang Mansion in her carriage, Suyue’s words kept echoing in her mind.
There had been rumors among the servants that Feng Subei might have a mistress elsewhere…
Could it be that the rumors weren’t baseless after all?
———-
After An Yanxi left, An Suyue’s smug expression didn’t last long before she was summoned to her father, An Shifeng’s study.
Inside the study, An Suyue greeted her father and brother. Upon seeing their stern, dark expressions, unease crept into her heart.
An Shifeng didn’t invite An Suyue to sit. Instead, he spoke with a serious tone, “Your mother has been absent from the mansion for years, so there are things only I, as your father, can tell you.”
“Although parents and matchmakers traditionally decide marriage, I will make an exception this time. Tomorrow, I will have portraits of several noble young men sent to you. You can take a look and see if any are to your liking.”
An Suyue’s eyes widened in shock, “What? Father…”
An Shifeng continued, “As for the winter hunt, you will not attend. Stay in the residence and prepare for your marriage.”
An Suyue wanted to protest, but the cold and authoritative look in her father’s eyes silenced her. Swallowing her words, she left the study, feeling disheartened and resigned.
————
After An Suyue left, An Wenjing and An Shifeng sat facing each other, playing a game of chess. As An Shifeng placed a piece on the board, he sighed deeply.
“The Taizi actually handled such matters himself. Once, twice… I’m losing face as it is.”
“The Taizi must still hold some regard for my old reputation, sparing my daughters from too much disgrace.”
An Shifeng sighed again. “Thankfully, this hasn’t reached the hands of the Taizifei. Otherwise, even if they survived, they would be stripped of their dignity.”
An Wenjing raised his head, somewhat puzzled by his father’s statement.
An Shifeng narrowed his eyes slightly, pausing his movements. “Princess Zhaoren, Qin Yan, is such a young woman, yet she once held the position of the City Lord of Gu City. Wenjing, you cannot imagine how shocked I was when I first learned this.”
An Wenjing, of course, understood as he had been equally astonished when he found out.
An Shifeng continued, “I’ve served through two reigns, and I’ve seen all sorts of people.”
“The City Lord of Gu City… Do you think Qin Yan’s hands are free of blood?”
“The Taizifei always presents herself as aloof, but I suspect it’s merely due to her status, restrained by imperial power. In the capital, she must suppress her true nature.”
The study fell silent for a moment before An Shifeng spoke again, more slowly, “Since His Highness Taizi chose her as his taizifei, it’s a matter of national and a matter of imperial family affairs.”
“As officials, our duty is to do our part and refrain from getting involved in matters we shouldn’t speak of.”
An Shifeng looked intently at An Wenjing. “None of you are making things easy, and you, it’s time you also start considering marriage.”
An Wenjing nodded, replying, “Yes, Father.”