Chapter 23: The Return of a Rival in Love

By mid-afternoon, as expected, a matron in her thirties or forties arrived at Chaoyun Palace, accompanied by several palace maids. According to Xiao Hui, this matron had grown up within the palace walls and had served many consorts, making her exceptionally skilled in matters of attire and adornment.

First came the bath, then the change of clothes and the elaborate hairdressing. The whole process took so long that by the time it ended, the sky was already dark.

Feng Qiuji had heard that Ling Zetian had already returned and was currently in the imperial study discussing some affairs with his ministers. She decided to take a look at the evening banquet preparations in the main hall.

The place was still being set up; busy palace maids and eunuchs were arranging the dishes and fruit. Feng Qiuji’s arrival caused quite a stir—realizing she might be getting in their way, she decided it would be better to step outside and return with Ling Zetian when the time came.

No sooner had she stepped out than she saw Ling Zexin outside, chatting with a refined and exquisitely dressed beauty.

Whose daughter could she be? In truth, Ling Zexin was not a bad person overall—just a bit of a flirt and fond of amusements. In terms of looks and bearing, he certainly held his own, being a prince of royal blood beyond dispute.

“Sister-in-law.” Just as Feng Qiuji was about to slip away, she heard his voice behind her.

“Where’s your brother?” Seeing him leave the beauty to come over, Feng Qiuji felt obliged to speak with him.

“When did the two of you get so close? Was it that night…” Ling Zexin’s tone carried a hint of teasing. From what he’d seen that night, it seemed something had happened between them, though having Anuo present made that less likely.

“Why do you care so much?” Feng Qiuji feigned annoyance. With people coming and going outside the hall, this boy really had no sense of time or place.

“Oh, sister-in-law, why so fierce? My brother is in the study discussing important matters. He should be along soon.”

“Then go help tidy up and finish the arrangements.” With that, Feng Qiuji was ready to make her escape. Since there was still time, she might as well go back for a nap.

She hadn’t gone far when she encountered someone else—a man in a striking dark red robe. Feng Qiuji found the color most peculiar, but had to admit that few could carry it off. Only someone of his stature, physique, and bearing could truly do justice to such finely crafted attire.

“Your Majesty the Empress, it has been a while.” Ying Xuanyu folded his bone fan and saluted her with a smile, his manner courteous and respectful.

“Master Ying, you are too polite. I did not expect to meet you in the palace today. I must count myself truly fortunate.” Feng Qiuji returned the greeting with a slight bow and a gentle smile. “A while”—wasn’t it just half a month ago? But with so many people present today, it was best to observe proper decorum and avoid giving anyone grounds for gossip.

“I am engaged in some major business in the capital these days, so I’ll be staying for ten days or half a month. His Majesty knew I had arrived and specially invited me to the palace for a talk.” Ying Xuanyu explained the circumstances. Today, Feng Qiuji wore delicate makeup, her attire both elegant and stately, quite different from when he’d last seen her—she truly was a sight to behold.

“Since when did you start speaking so formally?” Ling Zexin, feeling ignored, came up and threw an arm around his friend’s shoulders. The two had indeed not seen each other for a long time. “You’re not getting any younger—how come I haven’t heard of you taking a wife yet?”

“Aren’t you also without a principal consort? And you have the nerve to ask me?” Ying Xuanyu cast him a look, then burst out laughing.

“There are plenty of highborn young ladies in the palace tonight. See that one—” Ling Zexin gave a nod, and Feng Qiuji followed his gaze. The beauty from earlier now stood outside the hall; noticing Ling Zexin looking her way, she smiled and nodded politely in return. “Well? Not bad, right? She’s sixteen, daughter of a general. Though born into a military family, she’s been proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting since childhood. There’s just one brother in the family. He’s twenty, already married with a son. His wife’s family is…”

As Ling Zexin went on with endless details, Feng Qiuji couldn’t help but feel speechless. Was he conducting a census? He even knew the entire household’s situation down to the last detail—it was truly exasperating.

When he finished, Ling Zexin appraised Ying Xuanyu, then clapped his hands. “Ah, a general’s daughter still seems a bit beneath you. You need someone of even higher rank.”

“My marital affairs are none of your concern. You’d better worry about your own.”

As the two chatted enthusiastically, Feng Qiuji intended to slip away, but Ling Zexin’s next question caught her attention.

“By the way, did you come to the capital alone this time?”

“No, I brought my youngest sister.”

Youngest sister? Instantly, the image of Sakura Luo surfaced in Feng Qiuji’s mind—wasn’t that her?

“Master Ying,” Feng Qiuji interrupted their conversation, “do you mean your sister, Sakura Luo?”

“Yes.”

“And where is she now?”

“She said she was going to find His Majesty…” Ying Xuanyu replied quietly, glancing at Feng Qiuji’s face. As expected, her expression changed.

“That Sakura Luo—she actually chased him into the palace.” Fuming, Feng Qiuji stormed off in search of Ling Zetian.

He seemed to have been in the imperial study for quite some time. Was he really discussing state affairs, or meeting with some beauty in secret?

Midway there, Feng Qiuji saw, in a pavilion not far away, a young woman in pink and, standing beside her, a man dressed in brilliant yellow imperial robes.

Who else but Ling Zetian would dare wear the dragon robe?

Feng Qiuji was instantly furious. This woman really was relentless.

“Luo’er, this is the jade pendant you secretly left behind last time. You’d better take it back.” Smiling, Ling Zetian handed her the jade pendant. “Such an important thing—you shouldn’t give it away lightly.”

“Of course I wouldn’t give something so important to just anyone. But this is a token of affection I gave to my imperial brother. Since I’ve given it, how could I take it back?” Sakura Luo shook her head, her smile radiant as she looked at Ling Zetian.

“There are countless consorts in my palace,” Ling Zetian said with a laugh, “and a young girl like you can hardly compare with them.”

“If imperial brother would marry me, I’m sure I’d make you fall in love with me.” Youth can be brazen; Sakura Luo’s eyes lit up as she made her vow.

“As long as I’m here, there’s no place for you!” Feng Qiuji could bear it no longer. She rushed forward, snatched the jade pendant from Ling Zetian’s hand, and stuffed it back into Sakura Luo’s. “Take this and go find your brother.”

Seeing Feng Qiuji arrive, Sakura Luo was instantly displeased. She’d finally managed to steal a moment alone with Ling Zetian, only for Feng Qiuji to come and ruin it—infuriating!

“With such a rude, reckless woman as you, how could you be worthy of my imperial brother?” she sneered, looking at Feng Qiuji with open disdain.

At this moment, Feng Qiuji truly wanted nothing more than to fight her.

When had Ling Zetian ever smiled at her like that? Even if she added up all the times, he smiled more at Sakura Luo in a single moment than he ever had at her. For herself, he only ever frowned. Glancing at the silent Ling Zetian, Feng Qiuji suddenly felt like a deflated ball, all her fight gone.

He could like whom he wished, do as he pleased—she had no power over that. Why should she waste her energy bickering with someone who had nothing to do with her? Yes, perhaps Sakura Luo was right. She wasn’t worthy of Ling Zetian. Since that was so, she might as well play her part as empress quietly and stop stirring up trouble, which would only tarnish her own image.

She gave Sakura Luo a final look, then left without a word.

“Brother, what’s wrong with sister-in-law?” Ling Zexin and Ying Xuanyu, having just arrived, saw Feng Qiuji walk past them wordlessly, her lips pressed tight, and couldn’t help but ask.

“She seems jealous,” Ling Zetian replied with a faint smile, watching Feng Qiuji’s retreating figure before leaving the pavilion himself.

“Imperial brother…” Sakura Luo called out, unable to stop herself as he walked away. She wanted to follow, but Ying Xuanyu held her back.

“Luo’er, the emperor will never be yours, so stop pestering him and ruining their marriage, all right?” Ying Xuanyu sighed, rubbing his brow in exasperation. No one could rein in this little sister of his.

“I’m not! Imperial brother is very good to me—he must like me more than the empress.”

“He’s only good to you out of regard for our family and for me. Otherwise, he wouldn’t bother with you at all.” Ying Xuanyu really didn’t know how to reason with her—she truly was hopelessly stubborn.

“Who would have thought my elder brother would be so sought after now?” Ling Zexin, who had listened in on the whole scene, finally understood what was going on and laughed. “It seems being emperor makes a man much more attractive.”

Hearing Ling Zexin’s voice, Sakura Luo finally noticed him standing nearby. She looked him up and down, then turned to Ying Xuanyu. “Brother, who’s that?”

“That’s Sixth Prince Ling Zexin. You’ve never met him since you’ve never left home.” Ying Xuanyu introduced her to Ling Zexin, “This is my father’s youngest and most cherished daughter, Sakura Luo.”

“Little Luo, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to your guidance in the future.”

“Hmph.” Seeing the rakish, irreverent smile on his face, Sakura Luo clearly had no desire to acknowledge him. Having grown up with her brother, she could instantly tell what sort of man Ling Zexin was just from his expression and that “Little Luo.”

“Luo’er, mind your manners.” Ying Xuanyu rebuked her sternly. His little sister had been spoiled by their parents and family—she acted like she owned the place, even in the palace.

“Don’t block my way.” She shot Ling Zexin a glare and left.

She had always disliked those playboys who frequented pleasure houses. Her brother was an exception, but as for others, she would never give them the time of day.

(A brief aside: Comrade Sakura Luo makes her appearance once again—ha ha~)