By now, no one could fail to see that Princess Huaifu had come to back Bai Qingqing. While Consort Xian kept a smile plastered on her face, inwardly she was grinding her teeth, silently counting every moment of this humiliation against Bai Qingqing. If not for her, would Huaifu have gone out of her way to embarrass her in public?
Seeing Consort Xian’s face turn ashen and her lips pressed shut, Huaifu finally let the matter drop and turned to Bai Qingqing, speaking to her in a soft, affectionate tone. Consort Xian watched from the side, seething. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would have the imperial edict of marriage delivered to the Bai residence. Not a day more would she wait.
“The incense you sent me earlier—I liked it very much. I’ve grown tired of everything the palace offers. But yours was refreshing, and perfectly to my taste. So I’ve decided to reward you.”
Huaifu made no attempt to hide her fondness for Bai Qingqing, then smiled playfully. “Can you guess what I’ll reward you with?”
“I wouldn’t dare presume, Your Highness.”
“Well, as it happens, Consort Xian and I were thinking along the same lines. You’ve come of age—it’s only natural that marriage should be considered. But since I like you so much, I’d rather you marry someone you like. So I asked my imperial brother to grant you a special favor: from this day on, you have the right to decide your own marriage. No one may interfere unless you wish it.”
Bai Qingqing stood frozen in place, stunned, staring at Huaifu in disbelief. Huaifu simply smiled back at her. “What are you waiting for? Give thanks.”
With a thud, Bai Qingqing dropped to her knees. Her mind was still in a daze. Could it be real? Had the Princess truly done this for her? Cut the problem at its root so cleanly, so decisively? Was this really happening?
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“This is impossible!”
Consort Xian lost control and shot to her feet. “The Emperor already promised me—”
“Shhh.” Huaifu raised a single finger and curved her eyes into a serene smile. “She’s giving thanks. Let’s not interrupt.”
Bai Qingqing bowed deeply, her gratitude sincere. Even after she stood, she still couldn’t quite believe it. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Consort Xian’s face—and what a sight it was.
Only then did Huaifu turn to Consort Xian with calm composure. “What’s this, Your Grace? Such a strong reaction—could it be that you’re happy for Qingqing too?”
“How could His Majesty grant such a favor?”
“Why, naturally, because I asked for it. If Your Grace doesn’t believe me, you’re welcome to go ask him yourself. He should still be in the Hall of Qian and Kun.”
Consort Xian’s face turned the color of wilted greens. If Huaifu dared say this in public, it was almost certainly true.
Though she had already received the emperor’s promise, if Huaifu had interceded… then her request would surely be pushed aside.
From the corner of her eye, she glanced at Bai Qingqing. Her molars ground so hard they groaned. What skill did this girl possess to make Huaifu go so far for her?
Huaifu mentioned that the imperial edict would soon be delivered to the Duke of England’s household. After chatting with Bai Qingqing for a while, she said she was tired and ready to return.
Bai Qingqing accompanied her out. When no one was around, she wanted to kneel again to express her gratitude.
But before she could, Huaifu caught her with her own hands. “It’s just a small favor. Everyone says my imperial brother spoils me to no end—how could he refuse such a simple request? It’s nothing.”
But Bai Qingqing knew it was far from nothing. “Your Highness’s grace—Qingqing will never forget it.”
Huaifu took a lotus hairpin inlaid with pearls from her own hair and carefully pinned it into Bai Qingqing’s. She gently smoothed her hair, her smile carrying a depth and sorrow far beyond her years.
“What I may never have in this life… to witness someone else possess it with my own eyes—that is enough.”