Yuan Qingling didn't hear too clearly, only heard him dismiss her.
She respectfully took her leave, holding the south pearl as she left the Hall of Heaven and Earth. Xi Mama happened to come out just then, after feeding Fu Bao, and waved the maids to take away the bowls.
"Is Consort Yuan heading back to Cining Palace?" Xi Mama said. "This old servant will go with you."
Yuan Qingling looked at Xi Mama's slightly stern face. This old mama had helped her during her most difficult times, and she was grateful.
As they walked forward, Xi Mama smiled and said, "Why did His Majesty suddenly bestow two strands of south pearls on Consort Yuan? These south pearls are precious indeed, with only three or four strands presented as tribute each year, most given to the Empress Dowager and Empress, Consort Xian did get one strand, but there really weren't enough to go around."
"Oh," Yuan Qingling responded absentmindedly.
Xi Mama glanced at her and said, "Consort must not think this old servant meddlesome, Consort Xian is Consort Yuan's proper mother-in-law, Consort Yuan should try to please Consort Xian, these two strands of pearls are the same, why not respectfully offer one strand to Consort Xian?"
Yuan Qingling was preoccupied, but when she heard Xi Mama say this, she replied, "Mama's words make sense, I'll send someone to deliver it later."
Xi Mama smiled and said, "This old servant happens to be heading that way, why don't I help Consort Yuan deliver it?"
"Then I'll have to trouble Mama," Yuan Qingling handed over a strand of pearls to Xi Mama, her eyes flashing slightly, "Just say it's my respectful offering to Consort Xian."
"Very good!" Xi Mama took them and glanced at Yuan Qingling, "Then...Consort Yuan can return to Cining Palace first."
"Alright!"
Yuan Qingling had walked two steps when Xi Mama suddenly called her back, "Consort Yuan!"
Yuan Qingling looked back, "What is it?"
Xi Mama looked at her, hesitation flashing in her eyes, but eventually she just said lightly, "You know the way back?"
Yuan Qingling gazed at her silently, "I know it."
Xi Mama nodded and slowly turned away. Yuan Qingling stood unmoving, watching as she took step after step in the opposite direction.
"Mama!" This time it was Yuan Qingling who called her back.
Mama halted and slowly turned back, puzzlement in her eyes, "Consort Yuan?"
Yuan Qingling looked at her and said softly, "Thank you!"
"This...old servant doesn't dare accept thanks." Xi Mama was startled.
"My wounds healed so quickly because you helped me. I'll remember your kindness, Yuan Qingling." Yuan Qingling looked at her, enunciating each word clearly.
Xi Mama stood stock still like a stone statue, a distant look in her unfocused eyes.
Yuan Qingling turned and left.
Her heart was full of confusion, hoping it wasn't what she suspected.
Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to trust anyone again.
She returned to Cining Palace in a restless mood. The imperial doctor had just finished treating Yuwen Hao's wounds and left.
Yuwen Hao must be in great pain, his face was pale.
She sat there numbly, unconsciously placing the remaining strand of pearls on the table. Seeing her come in looking dazed, Yuwen Hao asked, "Why the long face? Upset about something?"
Yuan Qingling retorted irritably, "Can you say something nice for once?"
Yuwen Hao's brows furrowed. Eh? She's become so bold lately, even dares to talk back to him?
But seeing that she did seem very out of sorts, he also grew concerned, "Did something happen with Imperial Grandfather?"
"No, everything's fine!" Yuan Qingling replied.
Reassured, Yuwen Hao noticed the pearls on the table, a little surprised, "Did Grand Empress Dowager award those to you? These are top grade south pearls."
The south pearls tribute from Ryukyu, only Grand Empress Dowager has them, not even Empress Dowager. So they must be a gift from Grand Empress Dowager to her.
But Yuan Qingling said, "No, Father Emperor awarded them."
Yuan Qingling hid the IOU matter.
Yuwen Hao was very surprised, "Awarded by Father Emperor?"
Yuan Qingling nodded. After a moment of silence, recalling Xi Mama's actions, she raised her head to look at him and asked, "Prince, do you trust me?"
Yuwen Hao looked at her, "Why ask this?"
"Just answer me, do you trust me or not?"
Yuwen Hao straightened his neck to look up at the ceiling beam. Trust her? Not trust her?
Although she'd saved him before, the despicable things she'd done were too vile. He would never trust Yuan Qingling.
Yuan Qingling said softly, "No matter what happens later, please believe me and stand on my side."
"What's going to happen? Or what other outrageous things have you done again?" Yuwen Hao turned and said severely.
Seeing the sharp light in his eyes, Yuan Qingling knew it was nearly impossible to gain his trust.
She gave a cold laugh, "Why do you assume it's something I did instead of something others intend to do?"
Yuwen Hao was extremely irritated, "Can you stop causing trouble for this Prince?"
Yuan Qingling turned her head away, "It's Chu Mingcui who keeps making trouble."
Yuwen Hao's expression immediately darkened, "Shut up, you're unworthy of mentioning her!"
The palace instantly quieted.
Their gazes locked for a moment, a flash of regret in his eyes, but it was fleeting, to be replaced by cold cruelty again.
Yuan Qingling was aggrieved and angry, yet still managed a smile, "You're right, I'm unworthy!" Taking the pearls in one hand, she strode out.
She was too upset.
Last night she had sought his warmth and sense of security. She had foolishly thought there would at least be a period of peace and basic trust between them, but it turned out she was just wishful thinking.
Even if she gave her life to him, it wouldn't compare to one gentle smile from Chu Mingcui.
She left without knowing where she was headed, and could bump into Emperor Ming Yuan if she rashly charged out of the library palace.
Fortunately she discovered a side door and slipped out that way, ignoring her still painful wounds as she raced to the imperial gardens. A pebble on the ground tripped her and she kicked it away forcefully without thinking.
The pebble flew into the flower bushes.
"Ow!" A head poked out from the bushes, a young man whose angry expression was thunderous. "How dare you attack this Prince!"
Seeing she had mistakenly injured someone, Yuan Qingling's anger evaporated. Looking closely, the round faced, stout figure wore black clothes and held half-eaten chicken leg in his hand, grease smeared around his mouth contrasting with his furious expression.
She thought for a bit and recognized this person as the second prince of the current Emperor Ming Yuan, Prince Sun Yuwen Du.
Prince Sun Yuwen Du was the most unambitious of all the princes, holding no court position, just an idle prince. His mother was Concubine Shu.
She apologized, "Sorry, Prince Sun, I didn't know you were hiding in the bushes...eating chicken."
Prince Sun also recognized her and said interestedly, "Consort Chu, I heard you dined alone with Father Emperor last night."
Yuan Qingling's eyes flashed. It seemed that dining alone with the Emperor had truly offended many people, even the normally indifferent Prince Sun had come to ask about it.
She said lightly, "That is the case."
Prince Sun took a big bite of the chicken leg, greasy juices flying everywhere. He stepped closer and asked while chewing, "What dishes did you eat? Were they tasty? Did he make you thousand layer beancurd? I heard he awarded Uncle Prince a braised pork elbow, let me tell you, the braised dishes in the palace are better than even the best chefs outside can make. Next time you dine alone with Father Emperor, could you ask him to award me a dish?"
His eyes shone brightly, looking at her expectantly.
