The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

The next morning, the two left the palace early to return to their parents' home.

Qingwan's branch of the Zhaojia clan was not a prominent clan. Her grandfather, Eheli, was only a vanguard officer. Therefore, their family only rose to prominence in Marhan. Consequently, Marhan's residence was not close to the Forbidden City, so the two abandoned the sedan chair and chose a carriage to go to Marhan's residence.

Yinxiang rode outside on horseback, while only Qingwan, carrying the scent of wood, was inside the carriage.

Qingwan looked through the crack in the car window at the people passing by outside, and felt inexplicably nervous, her palms sweating.

Mu Xiang, who had grown up with her since childhood, naturally noticed her nervousness. She took her hand and gently wiped the sweat from Qing Wan's palms with a handkerchief she carried, comforting her:

"Master, please don't be nervous."

Qingwan looked down at Muxiang's movements and said, "I didn't feel anything when I was on edge in the palace a few days ago, but now that I'm going back, I feel like these days have been a dream, all hazy and indistinct."

I wonder how my parents are doing, and I don't know when I'll see them again after this trip back.

Mu Xiang slowed down her movements even more: "The master and madam love you so much, they are at ease knowing you are doing well."

Besides, how long can the Princess Consort stay in the palace? It will be fine once the Prince establishes his own residence. At that time, you can make your own decisions and go back to visit often.

For now, the Fujin (principal wife) doesn't need to get too involved in the affairs of our courtyard. Once she has her own residence in the future, the Fujin will be much busier.

"Princess Consort, please relax. If you keep this up, you'll eventually break down."

Qingwan smiled and said, "You're right. If we go back like this, I'll be worried."

When they arrived at the Minister's residence, Malhan and the others were already waiting outside the main gate.

The two had barely landed and stood still when Marhan led the others to bow down: "Greetings to the Thirteenth Prince, greetings to the Thirteenth Princess Consort."

When Qingwan saw Malhan bowing, she unconsciously took two steps back and turned her head away, as if in doing so she could avoid the bow.

Mu Xiang, who had been watching her closely, stepped forward to support her and softly called out, "Madam."

Qingwan shook her head to indicate that she was alright. Fortunately, Yinxiang had his back to her, and the people in front of him were all looking down, so no one noticed anything unusual about her.

In just a short while, Yinxiang had already stepped forward to help Marhan up: "My lord, please get up quickly. Our relationship is not what it used to be."

Marhan said he dared not, but Yinxiang's strength was immense, so Marhan had no choice but to get up.

She looked up again at Qingwan behind Yinxiang and saw that she looked alright, so she turned around and hurriedly led the two of them into the mansion.

The Zhao family's house wasn't large, so the two of them didn't even need a sedan chair. They went straight to the second gate, where Li Jia was already waiting. Upon seeing Qingwan, her eyes reddened, and she quickly bowed. Qingwan was about to step forward to help her up when Yinxiang had already made his move:

"Mother-in-law, get up quickly."

Seeing Yinxiang's actions, Qingwan also stepped forward and took Li Jiashi's arm: "Um, let's go in first, it's not good to leave the Thirteenth Prince standing outside."

“Yes, yes, it was my oversight. Your Highness, please don’t be offended. Let’s go inside right away.” Li Jia hurriedly stepped aside and led the two of them toward the main hall with Marhan.

Yinxiang smiled and said, "My mother-in-law and Qingwan have a deep mother-daughter bond." He then entered the room.

After exchanging only a few words, Malhan led Yinxiang to the study in the front courtyard, where other members of the Zhaojia clan were also present.

After Yinxiang left, Li Jiashi took Qingwan's hand and asked, "How have you been these past few days? Have you suffered any grievances? Have you met the thirteenth prince's two half-sisters? Are they easy to get along with? And that concubine, will she cause you any trouble? What is the thirteenth prince's attitude towards the two of you?"

Although the Thirteenth Prince has visited the residence twice in recent days, I have not been allowed to see him. He only speaks with your father, and your father cannot directly ask about your situation.

The Thirteenth Prince did tell your father that you're doing well in the palace, but he's always worried about you unless he sees you in person.

Qingwan felt a warmth in her heart as she listened to Li Jia's rambling words of concern. Then, noticing that Li Jia mentioned that Yinxiang had arrived at the Minister's residence, she asked in confusion, "Does that mean the Thirteenth Prince came a few days ago?"

Li Jia nodded: "Yes, both times they came when your father was home. They went straight into the study and I don't know what they talked about. Your sixth brother-in-law was also there."

Qingwan nodded upon hearing this: "It's probably a matter of state affairs, which we can't get involved in, so don't worry."

Whether I was in the palace or not, both princesses were kind people. My daughter had just entered the palace and was completely clueless. It was thanks to the two princesses that she was able to take care of her.

Whether it's Your Highness or not, Consort Min passed away early, and Consort Hui, who raised the Thirteenth Prince, has her own daughter-in-law. I only need to occasionally go to Consort Hui to pay my respects.

As for that concubine, you needn't worry about her at all. She's just a concubine, it's no big deal, I can handle it."

Qingwan slowly told Li Jia about what she could say in the palace until Li Jia's expression gradually relaxed.

Finally, Lady Li Jia couldn't help but sigh: "Being betrothed to a prince is a great honor for our family, but it's just that we're not a good match. Among all the princes' wives now, our family isn't the best, yet we've been paired with a favored prince."

Although it was arranged by His Majesty, I'm always worried that the Thirteenth Prince might have some complaints about you.

If the Thirteenth Prince truly makes you lose face because of that concubine, your father and I can't say a word to him. He has no one to control him, so even if you suffer injustice, you'll have nowhere to turn for help.

Qingwan could only gently persuade Li Jia: "Don't worry, these days, the Thirteenth Prince has been very good to our daughter. He speaks to her in a gentle and soft voice, and I don't see any dissatisfaction. Even the concubine who gave birth to our eldest daughter, I think the Thirteenth Prince treats her normally."

Qingwan didn't say this to comfort Li Jia. Judging from the past few days, she felt that Yinxiang simply didn't care about the inner palace. However, this indifference wasn't just directed at others, but also at her.

A while later, Jingwan and Qingwan's sister-in-law came in. The two of them thought that Qingwan and Li Jia had something to say to each other, so they went out under the pretext of checking the kitchen and only returned now.

The group sat together and talked until the banquet began.

The return visit to one's parents' home cannot be past noon. After the banquet held at the mansion, it was almost time for Qingwan to bid farewell to her parents.

On her wedding day, she was accompanied by ladies-in-waiting who served as officials, and although she was reluctant to part, she had to hold back her tears.

Now, sitting alone in the carriage, no one was watching over her, and tears streamed down her face. When Yinxiang got into the carriage, he saw Qingwan with her head down, wiping away tears, without making a sound.

He came on horseback, but after having a few drinks, he didn't plan to ride back, so he got into a carriage. When he saw Qingwan's appearance, he took out a clean handkerchief from his sleeve and tried to hand it to her.

However, Qingwan was crying so hard that she didn't notice Yinxiang's actions, so Yinxiang had no choice but to reach out and wipe away Qingwan's tears.

He had never done this kind of work before, and he was used to drawing a bow and shooting arrows. He didn't know his own strength and smeared Qingwan's face with a handkerchief.

Qingwan felt uncomfortable because of him, and was in a bad mood. She snatched the handkerchief away in annoyance and wiped her tears herself, not forgetting to say:

“I am the master’s wife, not the three little dogs he keeps in the yard. At least the master can be a little more at ease. If I am disfigured, when I go out tomorrow, it’s not just me who will lose face.”

Yinxiang withdrew his hand, looked at Qingwan's slightly flushed face, and said awkwardly, "I just wanted to wipe your tears, but I didn't expect your face to be so delicate. I just did that, and your face turned red." As he spoke, Yinxiang made a couple of hand gestures.

He continued, "Besides, this is the only pressure I apply when I wipe my face, and my face isn't even red."

After saying that, he even touched Qingwan's face to feel the texture.

Qingwan angrily turned her face away and looked at herself in a mirror in the well-equipped carriage.

Seeing her like this, Yinxiang shook his head helplessly and also found an antique to play with in his hands.