Volume One, Chapter 3: Put Away These Eyesores

On the twenty-first day of the eleventh month in the eleventh year of Changzhao, heavy snow was falling, and all of Northern Qi lay beneath a veil of white. Within Chengfeng Palace, several wintersweet blossoms had already opened.

Xiao Qingyu sat by the window, gazing blankly at the snowy scene outside.

She seemed to have completely put Li Chaoyang’s return out of her mind. Yet when her eyes happened to drift to the portrait hanging on the wall, that familiar figure surfaced before her once more, vivid and clear.

"Lingzhu, put all these annoying portraits away at once," Xiao Qingyu said with a frown.

"Has Your Highness grown tired of this painting?"

Xiao Qingyu said irritably, "That face is certainly enough to steal one's soul, but what a dreadful temper he has."

Before she had finished speaking, a maid hurried in to report, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! His Majesty is flying into a rage in Yonghe Palace!"

Xiao Qingyu’s brow furrowed. She rose at once and ordered, "What is it? Lingzhu, come with me to take a look."

Lingzhu took up a cloak and draped it over Xiao Qingyu.

They pushed open the door and stepped out into the snow. Lingzhu held an oilpaper umbrella over Xiao Qingyu to shield her from the falling flakes.

When they arrived outside Yonghe Palace, before they had even entered, the sharp crash of a teacup shattering reached their ears.

Xiao Qingyu’s expression changed. She immediately barked, "Stop!"

Xiao Qingshan abruptly froze. A moment later, a somewhat guilty voice sounded. "...Imperial Sister?"

He also set down the teacup in his hand.

"Xiao Qingshan, what are you doing?"

Broken shards of teacup were scattered across the floor. Consort Liu, Liu Ran, was kneeling at the side, her head bowed low, tears glistening in her eyes.

Lingzhu stepped forward, helped Liu Ran to her feet, and settled her into a chair beside her.

"Tell me, exactly what happened!"

Xiao Qingshan beside her remained silent.

Seeing that he would not speak, Xiao Qingyu said, "Ziqiu, you tell me. What happened?"

"Replying to the Grand Princess, my lady carefully embroidered a sachet for His Majesty today and presented it to him with great joy. But who would have thought that His Majesty... His Majesty only looked at it once before losing his temper and saying the sachet was too ugly..." As she spoke, Ziqiu’s voice grew softer and softer.

"Oh? What kind of sachet could be called ugly? Bring it here and let me see!" Xiao Qingyu said,伸ing out her hand to Ziqiu.

Ziqiu hurriedly rose and handed the sachet to Xiao Qingyu.

Xiao Qingyu took it and examined it carefully. The sachet bore a pair of lifelike mandarin ducks, stitched with exquisite needlework and bright, vivid colors. It was clearly a splendid piece of embroidery; there was no way it deserved to be called "ugly."

"Hmph. Let Lingzhu look at it as well and see what she thinks of this sachet. The embroidery is superb, the design beautiful, far better than anything I could make. And yet you call it ugly and fly into such a rage over it. Shouldn't you apologize to Consort Liu?"

At this, Liu Ran gently shook her head and said softly, "Your Highness, let this matter go..."

Xiao Qingshan also realized that his behavior had indeed been somewhat excessive. Slowly lowering his head, he wore an ashamed expression. "Today was indeed my fault. I should not have been so rash. It was all my doing. I frightened my beloved consort."

A faint smile appeared on Liu Ran’s face. "As long as Your Majesty likes it, that is enough."

"If he ever does you wrong again, come to me without hesitation!" said Xiao Qingyu.

"Thank you, Grand Princess," Liu Ran replied, curtsying lightly.

When Xiao Qingyu returned to Chengfeng Palace, she had barely stepped through the gates before pointing at Xiao Qingshan’s nose and scolding him, "Was it because the Chancellor embarrassed you in court today that you took out your temper on Consort Liu?"

Xiao Qingshan frowned slightly and replied with some impatience, "Imperial Sister, why must you keep defending Consort Liu? The Chancellor is her father. Perhaps she and the Chancellor are secretly conspiring behind my back, plotting something improper."

Xiao Qingyu snorted softly. "Since the day you ascended the throne, Consort Liu has entered the harem. Why did the Chancellor not send his legitimate daughter, Liu Yan'er, into the palace, but instead send the neglected Liu Ran to your side?"

"Imperial Sister has seen everything she has done for you with her own eyes. She was already unloved in her family home, and after coming to this palace she still has to endure your temper. How pitiful."

"Even so, that is a matter between father and daughter. What does it have to do with me? Besides, her father is the Chancellor. Of course I will not give her a pleasant face."

"From now on, do not lose your temper at her without reason. Otherwise people will say you are heartless and ungrateful."

"I understand, Imperial Sister. I will heed your teachings from now on."

Xiao Qingyu turned and picked up a food box from the table. "A few days ago, Cousin brought back some local delicacies from the Western Sea. Try them."

Xiao Qingshan took it curiously, picked up a piece, and put it into his mouth, chewing carefully. "You are still the best to me, Imperial Sister!"

"If you like them, take as many as you want."

"These were all brought back for you by Cousin."

"It does not matter."

"Then I will return and review the memorials first."

After Xiao Qingshan left, Lingzhu said, "Your Highness, why do you trust Consort Liu so much?"

"When Qingshan ascended the throne, I sent people to keep watch over Liu Ran. I can see from her eyes that she truly has Qingshan in her heart. If she meant to harm him, she would have had far too many chances already. I believe she will not hurt him."

"Qingshan is still young. He does not understand. Once he grows older, he will know."

"Go and summon Cousin."

"Yes."

After receiving the message, Zhao Huainian hurried over.

"Greetings to the Grand Princess," Zhao Huainian said as he approached and bowed.

"There is no need for such formality from the prefectural governor. Please rise," Xiao Qingyu said with a smile, gesturing for him to stand.

Zhao Huainian rose and handed the bamboo basket in his hand to Xiao Qingyu. "Your Highness, this was specially instructed by my father for me to bring to you. It is all food you enjoy."

"Thank you for your uncle's thoughtfulness. Please sit and speak."

After Zhao Huainian was seated, Xiao Qingyu asked, "During this trip to the Western Sea, did you notice any unusual behavior from Xiao Tingyu?"

"To my knowledge, he has actually started doing business there, and it seems to be going quite smoothly. He has already made a considerable sum of money. Aside from that, I have not noticed anything else unusual."

Xiao Qingyu frowned slightly. After pondering for a moment, she said, "This Xiao Tingyu... back then we went to great lengths to drive him to Shu. I thought he would be quiet for a while, but I did not expect him to have such ability. We must keep a close watch on him and absolutely give him no chance to return to the capital."

Then Xiao Qingyu changed the subject. "How has Uncle been of late? Is his health well?"

Zhao Huainian quickly replied, "Thank you for Your Highness’s concern. My father is hale and hearty. Everything is fine; there is nothing to worry about."

After saying this, Zhao Huainian felt it was time to leave, so he rose and cupped his hands. "If there is nothing else, this humble minister shall take his leave."

Before leaving, Zhao Huainian reminded her, "Please take good care of your health, Your Highness."

Xiao Qingyu nodded lightly. "Lingzhu, see Governor Zhao out for me."