Chapter 31: A Visit

Regardless of who eventually ascends the throne, these ladies have no intention of fighting or scrambling for power. They are content to serve as mascots and live out their lives peacefully in the capital.

The students below were lost in their own thoughts, but Wen Qi’s mind had suddenly sparked back to life. Wen Qiao was here yesterday, so she couldn’t be sure if the Crown Prince had come specifically for her. But today, with Wen Qiao absent, she refused to believe that the Crown Prince, living in the same palace, could be unaware that the Empress Dowager was feeling unwell and that Wen Qiao had gone to the Cining Palace to attend to her.

Believing the Crown Prince had come specifically for her, Wen Qi lowered her head, assuming a shy and bashful expression.

After assigning tasks to the students, the tutor stepped out and advised the Crown Prince, "Your Highness, I have heard that your academic schedule is heavy and you study diligently. If there is nothing pressing, it would be better to return to the Imperial Study to review your lessons. There is nothing left here that I can teach you, and your progress is far ahead of these princes and princesses; staying here is merely a waste of your time."

The tutor did not know why the Crown Prince had lingered here for two consecutive days. Guided by his sense of duty as an educator, he offered this advice. After all, his relationship with the Crown Prince was decent, and should the Prince ascend the throne, even if his status did not rise significantly, it would at least remain stable. Having a deep cultural foundation, he hoped to remind the Crown Prince of his status and discourage him from wandering aimlessly. He feared that if the Emperor were to find out, the Prince’s standing might suffer—a prospect the tutor wished to avoid.

He only held a good relationship with the Crown Prince because, years ago, he had competed with the Prime Minister for the position of the Crown Prince’s mentor. Whenever the main tutor was absent, the Prince would come to him with questions, and he would explain them patiently. However, he knew little of the Fifth Prince and had little contact with him; should the Fifth Prince ascend the throne, it would not bode well for him. Thus, seeing the Crown Prince idling away his time made him anxious.

Logically, the Crown Prince studied the arts of governance and statecraft. Many ministers had been critical of the Emperor’s decision to have the Fifth Prince study alongside him, but as the Emperor remained firm, they eventually ceased their objections. The Crown Prince, however, knew that the Fifth Prince was indeed learning the same material. This was the source of his anxiety, driving him to capture Wen Qiao and secure the pair of earrings in her possession—a key to commanding the armies and ensuring he held onto power.

The Fifth Prince was significantly younger, and even if he entered the court later, he would trail behind. By the time the Crown Prince’s political factions were fully matured, his younger brother would be no match for him. How could a novice in court compete with a brother whose wings were already fully spread? Yet, having been at the school for only two days, he had already been admonished by the tutor. If he returned again, it would look far too deliberate.

The Crown Prince could not explain his motives to the tutor, nor could he openly discuss his intentions regarding Wen Qiao. Swallowing his words, he offered a respectful bow, muttered an acknowledgment, and turned to leave.

This left Wen Qi feeling deeply frustrated. Blaming the "stubborn old man," she felt he had ruined her chances; had he not intervened, the Crown Prince would surely have waited for her to finish her studies, allowing her a chance to speak with him. Now, she had no idea where to find him.

However, the Crown Prince did not depart immediately. Having scanned the room earlier, he realized Wen Qiao was truly missing. Assuming she had stepped out for an errand and would soon return, he crouched in an inconspicuous corner outside the school for the entire afternoon. No one from the Imperial Study came to fetch him back to his lessons. Had Wen Qiao been there, she surely would have noticed this detail, but Wen Qi was so fixated on how to approach the Prince that she remained oblivious to such nuances.

No one came to retrieve the Prince because the Emperor had been preoccupied with state affairs and could not monitor the two brothers constantly. Furthermore, the Crown Prince was known for his volatile temper and ruthless nature; those who offended him were often executed on a whim. Who would dare to advise him as they did the Fifth Prince? A single wrong word could cost them their lives.

The servants assigned to the Crown Prince, save for his inner circle, envied those serving the Fifth Prince, who was treated well and lived in safety. The Fifth Prince’s gentle temperament and warm demeanor made people feel at ease. Consequently, many servants were happy to facilitate the Fifth Prince’s needs, knowing he would remember their kindness and even reward them during holidays. This made it very easy for the Fifth Prince to move about the palace.

Gifted and quick to learn, the Fifth Prince earned the tutor’s constant praise. In contrast, the tutor felt increasingly helpless regarding the Crown Prince’s studies, sensing that his lessons no longer resonated. The Crown Prince had closed himself off, feeling his position threatened by the Emperor’s decision to have Xiao Zuo study with him. His academic progress had plummeted, yet the tutor, bound by his duty, persisted in trying to guide him. Perhaps the Prince, self-assured in his status, felt he had learned enough and had grown lax.

After waiting until classes ended without seeing Wen Qiao return, the Crown Prince felt a wave of disappointment. Just as he was about to leave, he saw Wen Qi emerge. Adjusting his attire, he approached her. He knew Wen Qi was Wen Qiao’s sister, but he was unaware of their strained relationship, hoping instead to use her as a bridge to Wen Qiao. He did not realize his actions only deepened Wen Qi’s misunderstandings.

"Seventh Miss Wen, why is the Sixth Miss not here for her lessons today?"

After exchanging pleasantries, the Crown Prince finally inquired about Wen Qiao. Wen Qi, though initially pleased to speak with him, felt a pang of resentment at the mention of her sister. Still, she curtsied and replied, "Replying to Your Highness, the Sixth Sister went to the Cining Palace yesterday. I heard the Empress Dowager was feeling unwell. She did not return to the Marquis’s estate last night, and she did not come to class at noon today. Perhaps she is busy helping out at the Cining Palace. May I ask why you are looking for her? If it is a minor matter, you may tell me, and I shall relay it to her."

Since no one present knew of their poor relationship or Wen Qiao’s hatred toward her, Wen Qi feigned a close bond, hoping to extract information about the Prince’s true intentions. If he truly desired Wen Qiao, she had to find a way to intervene; she would not allow Wen Qiao to gain both the favor of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, and now the Crown Prince as well. If that happened, what place would remain for her in the estate? Besides, she had already staked her claim on the Crown Prince.

"Oh, it is nothing of great importance," the Prince replied. "I was close to Aunt Changle in my youth, and now that she has been gone for so many years, I simply wished to speak with my cousin. It is a pity she is not here today. Is the Empress Dowager’s condition grave? I have been so busy with my studies that I have neglected matters outside the study. The palace servants are becoming bold, failing to inform me of such a significant event. Had I known, I would have visited the Cining Palace much earlier."

"I do not know the specifics," Wen Qi said, "only that the Sixth Sister did not return home. However, I believe the Empress Dowager’s condition is not dire; with so many imperial physicians in attendance, surely it cannot be too serious." She hoped to discourage the Prince from going, fearing he would encounter Wen Qiao there.

But she knew her words carried little weight. It was filial duty for the Prince to visit his grandmother. "Regardless," the Prince insisted, "I must go and pay my respects. Since I know now, it would be improper not to. I shall head to the Cining Palace. Please excuse me, Seventh Miss. You should return to your estate; it is not safe for a young lady to be out too late."

Seeing she could not stop him, Wen Qi decided to accompany him. It would save her the trouble of visiting alone, which might seem abrupt, and it would ensure she was present when he met Wen Qiao. "In that case, Your Highness, might I accompany you? I, too, wish to check on the Sixth Sister."

The Crown Prince hesitated, then nodded. "I assume you and your cousin are close. I only fear the Empress Dowager dislikes being disturbed by outsiders; she may not welcome your presence."

Wen Qi remained undeterred, forcing a smile. "It does not matter. I am grateful that you would allow me to join you, Your Highness. If we cannot see her, it is quite understandable—she is always so busy."

The Crown Prince felt a surge of relief knowing Wen Qiao was still in the palace; he had feared she had committed some offense and been cast out. Throughout their walk, Wen Qi tried to appear shy and charming, but the Crown Prince was entirely preoccupied with thoughts of Wen Qiao, leaving Wen Qi frustrated yet powerless.

"Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince has arrived," Nanny Song announced softly. The Empress Dowager was still resting in bed, a requirement strictly enforced by Wen Qiao to aid her recovery.

"How curious. Let him in," the Empress Dowager said. Wen Qiao lowered her gaze, masking her emotions as she helped the Empress Dowager sit up, propping her against the headboard.

"The Crown Prince is no longer a child," the Empress Dowager mused to herself. "I do not know what the Emperor is thinking, not having arranged for a devoted companion to attend to him by now."