Heaven's Proud Daughter 004. Visitation

  Wan Zhaoyi held six-month-old Baili Qi in Qingzhao Palace and cried until she was out of breath.

  What's wrong with her? As a third-rank imperial concubine, can't she even bear to give up a blanket?! But that wicked slave Chen Zheng actually dared to disregard her status and the young prince's crying, and ordered someone to roll up and take away the golden silk blanket under Ke'er!

  At the repeated persuasions of the palace maid beside her, she wiped away her tears. Her beautiful face was full of hatred: "Go and invite His Majesty to come over for Ben Gong!"

  With a queen mother like her who can bully even eunuchs at will, what future is there for Ke'er?

  But she is just a princess, Your Majesty praised her two days ago, saying that among all the children, Ke'er looks most like him!

  "Your Ladyship, please hear me out." The clever and quick-witted eldest auntie stopped the palace maid who was about to leave and comforted Empress Wan, "Although Your Ladyship has given birth to a young prince after only being in the palace for over a year, there's still a long way to go. Eunuch Chen has been serving His Majesty for many years and can speak on his behalf to some extent. You don't need to make an enemy out of him. Moreover, you don't have to quarrel with Princess Gao Yang who just returned to the palace over such a small matter. Why not use this opportunity to gain a reputation for being magnanimous in front of His Majesty?"

  Finally, she said with deep meaning: "There are many people in this palace who can't bear to see you well, and they would be delighted if something were to happen to you..."

  Wan Zhaoyi's heart skipped a beat, considering her seniority and the power of her maternal family, she was indeed inferior to others. Her child was still young, and they had not yet established themselves in the palace. If she rashly offended the emperor's trusted advisors...

  Even if it's not for herself, she must consider the future of her child! "Auntie is right, I was too shallow."

  "Someone come! Take the cloud-green jade that His Majesty rewarded a few days ago to Princess Gaoyang, it's considered as this palace's apology for unintentionally 'taking' something from the princess." Even if she is precious, she will still have to leave the palace and get married, and who knows, maybe she'll even be sent far away. Let's see how long she can keep being arrogant!

  Inside Chong'an Hall, Emperor Jing'an Baoli Xiqi, who was past the age of forty, sat in contemplation facing the national documents arranged on the dragon case.

  The country of Xiang is vast, standing tall in the central plains of the nine states. It is the political center of the entire continent. Although it may not be as militarily powerful as the state of Yan, its politics and culture are harmonious and peaceful, with merchants from various countries coming and going, creating a prosperous and flourishing capital.

  These are naturally incomparable with the humid south of Jin and the desolate and remote northern desert country.

  And next month is Qing Er's coming-of-age ceremony. The purpose of the princes of Mo and Jin sending their sons to Yanjing at this time is even clearer.

  "I report to Your Majesty, Princess Gaoyang has returned to the palace."

  A sudden joyful sound disturbed his thoughts, Emperor Jing'an raised his head and saw the little eunuch standing respectfully at the foot of the stairs, with a delighted expression.

  Qing'er returned to the capital ahead of schedule? Emperor Jing'an's hand, which was holding the national letter, suddenly tightened, and the innocent shallow smile in his eyes immediately replaced the entanglement in his mind.

  In an instant, the seated figure stood up, and a faint flush of excitement appeared on his stern face, "Prepare the carriage!"

  Out of the Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Jing'an's normally steady footsteps actually had a slight tremble. When he arrived at the Bao Yi Palace, the emperor who had never changed color in front of millions of brave soldiers unexpectedly felt hesitant in front of the vermilion-painted gate of the palace.

  The little eunuch behind him took the initiative to step forward and knock on the door, and the people in Bao Yi Palace opened it with a loud voice. When they saw Emperor Jing'an, they were shocked and lost their color, "See your majesty."

  "Get up!" Emperor Jing'an waved his hand and stepped forward, asking anxiously: "Where is the princess?"

  His voice was too urgent, his eyes seemed to penetrate the entire Bao Yi Palace, and in the first moment, he found the daughter he had been thinking about for a long time.

  The eunuch hastily replied: "Replying to Your Majesty, the princess returned and went straight to her bedroom to rest."

  Jing'an Emperor's footsteps suddenly stopped as he was about to enter the palace. Since returning from Mount Lei, Qing'er must be extremely exhausted; had he come too hastily?

  He hesitated and stood still outside the courtyard.

  A familiar voice that had not been heard for two years sounded, and Baili Siqing slowly opened his eyes, only to see the crystal curtain hanging high with a slight tilt of his head.

  Transparent and crystal clear water droplets hung one by one, under the shining of fine sunlight, like the dense stars in a summer night sky, sparkling and dazzling.

  ……

  "Your eyes are so bright, just like...just like..." The poverty of language made her suddenly unable to find the words to describe those eyes, and she could only secretly fret about why she wasn't like other imperial sisters who sat properly in the Chuyang Hall reading books, always finding excuses to skip school and escape the palace.

  She suddenly pointed to the crystal lamp inside a nearby shop, "Yes! Just like that!" Clear and pure, without any impurities.

  She lowered her head in shame, this thing is so ordinary, and she has no knowledge.

  "Is that so?" The north of the city was windless, but he seemed to be floating like a swan feather, his smiling eyes curved and hid all the prosperity. Obviously not a member of the royal family, yet he was so elegant and composed, every move, made her who had been trained in court etiquette since childhood also feel inferior.

  ……

  "Don't worry, from young to old, whatever I want, Father Emperor will satisfy me!"

  ……

  Baili Siqing suddenly grasped the golden pendant sword by the bed, the uneven dragon pattern carved on the sword rubbed against her palm, but due to the thick calluses, she didn't feel a hint of pain.

  After a long time, the Jing'an Emperor finally took another step forward outside the palace and ordered in a low voice: "You all stay outside, I'll go take a look."

  Baili Siqing immediately released his grip on the sword and calmly closed his eyes as if nothing had happened.

  The footsteps of Emperor Jing'an were very light, afraid of waking up the person inside, and even quietly gazing at the girl on the couch through the crystal curtain.

  Still the same as before, boots were taken off early and placed far away from the bed. As for sleeping, I still didn't like to put down the bed curtains.

  But this is also good, can clearly see her sleeping face. High nose, red lips, white complexion blooming with peach blossoms' beauty.

  The light refracted from the crystal gently hit her face, adding a hint of sharpness to her newly matured features.

  The corners of Emperor Jing'an's eyes were slightly moist, and the portrait sent from Lai Mountain Palace was less than a tenth as good as the real person.

  He gazed intently at Baili Shichen, as if he wanted to carve her appearance into his mind and heart a thousand times, ten thousand times. Through this delicate face, he seemed to see far away again.

  His gaze was too focused and too fleeting, the usually calm Baoli Qing suddenly turned over in bed, leaving his thin and slender back to him.

  Jing An Emperor was taken aback, the affectionate smile on his lips had not yet spread when he saw the golden pendant sword quietly placed beside the bed. His pupils suddenly contracted violently, and his feet involuntarily took a step back.

  Everyone saw the emperor enter the palace with a joyful face and come out with an ugly expression, and they all lowered their heads and dared not to investigate.

  "Let's go!" Emperor Jing'an said weakly.

  Listening to the footsteps that were getting farther and farther away, Baili Qingcheng slowly turned around, his gaze falling back onto the golden pendant sword, a hint of mockery suddenly curving up at the corner of his mouth.