Chapter 15: Traffic Jam

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After a long wait, Wen Qiao finally finished tidying up, and Wen Qi thought they were ready to set off. Unexpectedly, several plates of pastries were brought out again.

“Miss, have a few bites to fill your stomach. Once we enter the palace, we won’t have a meal until noon.”

Naturally, Wen Qiao had no chance to sit with Wen Qi, who was still by her side. Wen Qiao ate the pastries while flipping through a book in her hand, and Wen Qi couldn’t help but speak up.

“Before, I didn’t know that Sixth Sister needed to eat something before school. Why didn’t you just eat a little while getting your hair done earlier? It’s just a little food to fill you up. If not, you could have eaten something on the carriage later. You don’t want to delay our departure by eating now.”

Wen Qi was anxious, but Wen Qiao was not.

“Yesterday the tutor assigned us some reading. Since I started learning late, I have to work harder than the others. I was reading while getting my hair done just now — didn’t you see? Besides, once we’re on the carriage, I won’t have time to eat. It would just make a mess inside. The closer we get to the study, the more I need to read, so that when the tutor quizzes me, I won’t get hit on the hand.”

Unexpectedly, Wen Qi wasn’t scared by these words; instead, she became more spirited.

“That’s true. Sister hasn’t studied much before, probably doesn’t know many characters and is naturally afraid of the tutor’s hand. Although I’m not very smart either, I have been practicing calligraphy since I was little, so reading should be easier for me than for Sister.”

Wen Qiao ignored her. Wen Qi felt like punching a cotton ball—frustrated but unable to vent it.

Wen Qiao’s image in this life was indeed like that: just returned from the countryside, where there were naturally no conditions for studying. It was reasonable to think she was illiterate. But who would have guessed that Wen Qiao was someone who had lived two lives and been reborn? Not only could she read, but she was also well-versed in poetry and literature. She just didn’t want to show off after entering the palace school, to avoid attracting attention. She even had to play dumb, pretending she didn’t understand many things.

Even so, the tutor praised her for being smart and quick to grasp knowledge.

It was uncertain whether Wen Qi, who had only studied for two years to learn literacy at the Hou Mansion, would still be so confident after entering the palace and witnessing the intensity of the princes and princesses’ studies.

But Wen Qiao was no pushover and certainly wouldn’t remind her. Let her indulge in her own world. When she got slapped in the face by reality, she would realize how ridiculous she was.

Wen Qiao leisurely ate until half full, drank a cup of water, and then called for Hua Ping and Dai Qiao to leave together.

Wen Qi had gotten up early and hadn’t eaten anything. She came to Wen Qiao’s courtyard, where Wen Qiao was busy with her own matters and even ate snacks in front of her. Though the snacks were dry, Wen Qi couldn’t help swallowing several times.

Damn Wen Qiao! No wonder she came from the countryside—no sense at all, just eating and eating.

“Sister, next time we should leave earlier. Won’t it be late to arrive this time?”

Wen Qi’s tone was naturally less gentle, for neither Wen Congqing nor Wen Zehan nor anyone else from the Hou Mansion was here. She had no reason to pretend; although she had wanted to maintain her image in front of Wen Qiao, she just couldn’t hold back and let her frustration out.

But then she thought, her gentle side was reserved for certain people. Wen Qiao was a girl who wouldn’t fall for that, so there was no need to pretend in front of her, especially since she disliked Wen Qiao. This tactic was quite effective against Wen Qiao, so she didn’t want Wen Qiao to know.

“If Seventh Sister is anxious, just leave first. The Ministry of Rites hasn’t opened yet. When I arrive at the palace gates, the princes and princesses will come one after another. I usually leave at this time and arrive just right.”

Wen Qiao looked at Wen Qi with a gaze both innocent and strangely puzzled, which stifled Wen Qi. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Wen Zehan approaching and quickly lowered her head, squeezing out a few tears.

“It’s all my fault. I didn’t mean anything else, just wanted to remind Sister. If I had known Sister had it all planned, I wouldn’t have said anything.”

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Wen Zehan saw nothing but his beloved, gentle Wen Qi, being bullied by Wen Qiao and crying with her head lowered. Without a word, he strode forward.

Wen Qiao felt somewhat baffled at first, but seeing Wen Zehan coming angrily, she understood what had happened.

“Wen Qiao! It’s Wen Qi’s first day entering the palace with you. She doesn’t know much. She only meant well to remind you. Even if you think it’s unnecessary, you shouldn’t bully her!”

Dai Qiao, who had been silent for a while, now saw an opportunity and stepped forward to stand in front of Wen Qiao.

“Third Young Master, you don’t know the full story. Sixth Miss said nothing; it was Seventh Miss who came early this morning. Our Miss was just starting to freshen up. We usually leave at this time, but Seventh Miss kept urging, saying we’d be late. I’ve followed Sixth Miss studying for days; she always leaves at this hour and arrives at the Ministry of Rites perfectly on time. There’s no need to leave earlier!”

Wen Qi sniffled and began to deploy her “innocent and helpless” act, seeming to plead, “Please don’t fight over me.”

“Third Brother, I’m fine. It’s true I came a bit early. It’s my first time entering the palace this early. I just thought, since it’s my first day, arriving early might make a good impression on the tutor. I wanted to review the material for today. Also, I was afraid something might happen on the way and delay me. I didn’t mean to interfere with Sixth Sister’s plans; it was my fault for meddling. You don’t need to speak for me.”

Wen Zehan felt even more protective of Wen Qi.

He had gotten up early today to see her off, not expecting that Wen Qiao would already be on the carriage and Wen Qi would be crying below. If he had known, he would have come anyway—he couldn’t let his sister suffer.

After all, Wen Qi had only him in the mansion who truly cared for her. She was practically alone in the entire Hou Mansion. How could he bear to see her wronged?

“Did you hear that, Wen Qiao? Wen Qi was only worried about you, and you treated her like dirt! Wen Qi, where are Chun Tao and Xia Mei? Did you come into the palace alone?”

Wen Qiao hadn’t noticed Wen Qi didn’t bring her maids and hadn’t asked. Wen Zehan’s immediate observation showed how close they were as siblings.

“It’s my first day entering the palace, so I wasn’t sure if I could bring anyone. The palace is full of nobles, and I was afraid Chun Tao and Xia Mei didn’t know the rules and might offend someone, causing trouble for Father. I don’t want to be like Sixth Sister, who’s so capable that the Empress Dowager personally sent palace maids to serve her. If Chun Tao and Xia Mei were from the palace, they could have come with me.”

Sure enough, hearing about the Empress Dowager’s favor, Wen Zehan, the protective brother, was a bit riled up.

“Wen Qiao, as the elder sister, you should watch over Wen Qi once inside the palace. Have Chun Tao and Xia Mei come over soon so you can enter together. Don’t leave Wen Qi alone without anyone to care for her. You, on the other hand, have two maids with you. Why don’t you help Father by making things easier?”

Wen Qiao suddenly thought she must have been a fool in her past life. With someone like Wen Zehan around, she had been trying hard to curry favor with him, afraid he might get angry and kick her out of the mansion.

Now it seemed that as long as Wen Congqing was sane and wanted to survive in the capital, he would never hand over the mansion to Wen Zehan. Otherwise, one day someone might say “exterminate the whole clan,” and even after everyone was buried, they’d dig up the graves.

However, Wen Congqing wasn’t that stupid before. Wen Qiao wondered if, watching Wen Zehan’s disgusting stupidity every day, he would still favor this childhood sweetheart’s son.

“Idiot.”

Wen Qiao said only two words and turned to enter the carriage, leaving Hua Ping and Dai Qiao standing outside.

Hua Ping bowed and said, “Third Young Master, Seventh Miss, it’s already a bit late. If Seventh Miss wants to wait for Chun Tao and Xia Mei, our Miss will set off first. You’ll have to take the carriage into the palace yourself.”

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Hua Ping was composed and spoke without Dai Qiao’s fiery tone.

“What? Father gave you a carriage, and you really think Wen Qi can’t enter the palace without you? Fine, go ahead. I’ll have Wen Qi ride my carriage into the palace!”

Before Wen Zehan finished speaking, Wen Qiao had already ordered the driver inside the carriage to start, meaning his last words were directed at a carriage that had already left.

“Hey!—”

Wen Qi wanted to take a few steps forward to chase, but Wen Zehan held her tightly, and she couldn’t break free.

Wen Qi ground her teeth in anger.

Did she not know how far it was to the palace? The reason she insisted on following Wen Qiao inside was to ride the new carriage their father had bought her! She had heard it was lined with soft cushions and very comfortable. Besides, entering together meant the palace maids and eunuchs would recognize Wen Qiao, who was a big favorite of the Empress Dowager. Being greeted by them was a pleasure! Most importantly, studying inside the palace was to be with the princes and princesses. With Wen Qiao accompanying her, if any nobles asked who she was, Wen Qiao wouldn’t ignore them and leave. This was her first chance to mingle with such high-ranking people, and she needed a mediator.

Now that Wen Qiao had left, not only was her plan ruined, but everything she had prepared was ruined!

She had planned to enter the palace alone, without anyone by her side, making herself appear more fragile and pitiful by contrast with Wen Qiao. It was also to show the nobles that Wen Qiao had taken her place as soon as she returned.

Though the nobles might not notice such small things, if even one did, it would be a gain for her. Besides, going without two maids was not a big deal; she could manage herself for a day. Yet Wen Zehan kept nagging in her ear.

“It’s okay, Wen Qi. I’ve already sent for Chun Tao and Xia Mei. You can ride in my carriage into the palace. I’m not going out today, so I don’t need it. Don’t ever humiliate yourself like this again, and you don’t have to wait for Wen Qiao. Whenever you want a carriage, just tell Third Brother. I’ll get one for you.”

If it weren’t for Wen Zehan’s uselessness mixed with some usefulness, Wen Qi would have scolded him out of frustration. Seeing him so earnest and caring, even with all her complaints, she swallowed them to keep her carefully crafted image intact.

“Thank you, Third Brother.”

Wen Qi forced a smile, uglier than her tears, which made Wen Zehan even angrier.

“It’s all that damn Wen Qiao’s fault for making you suffer this early. Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to teach her a lesson. She won’t get away with this.”

Wen Zehan kept persistently talking, while Wen Qi barely responded, just nodding along. He thought she was just too hurt to talk, not realizing she was deliberately avoiding him, which made him feel even more sorry for her.

But Wen Zehan was right. Soon after, Chun Tao and Xia Mei arrived, and Wen Qi hurriedly got into the carriage, urging the driver to go faster.

Unfortunately, they encountered many ministers on their way to court. Many carriages were stuck, unable to move, making Wen Qi anxious.

The class session at the Ministry of Rites coincided with the ministers’ court attendance time. Everyone should have known this, but Wen Zehan hadn’t considered it. Wen Qiao had timed her departure to avoid the crowds, so she was never late. Today, because of Wen Zehan’s delay, time was tight. Wen Qiao kept urging the driver to hurry, managing to pass through the most congested areas before the ministers arrived.

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