Chapter 97: Tearing Off the Mask

Proofreader : Mim

 

Madame Qi and the Heir of Zhenbei Marquis, facing each other, suddenly felt a chill run down their spines.

If the Zhenbei Heir had merely slept with a common woman, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. Whether the woman could enter the household would entirely depend on Madame Qi’s willingness. However, if the Heir had been involved with a palace maid, even the most humble of the cleaning servants, the situation became vastly different.

Palace maids are chosen from virtuous families, carefully selected from the common folk to serve in the palace. If fortunate, they may catch the Emperor’s eye and rise like Consort Lian, ascending to a position of power and being served by others. In essence, while palace maids might hold little power and may never see the Emperor in their lives, they still belong to him. No other man is allowed to touch them.

 

If a palace maid is bestowed upon a prince, she becomes a potential concubine to that prince. However, the Zhenbei Heir had now slept with a palace maid intended for the Crown Prince, right under the nose of the Crown Princess, and been caught in the act.

 

What kind of fate awaits someone who dares to steal women from the Emperor or his sons?

 

The Heir’s legs grew weak as he glanced nervously at the Crown Princess. He saw that she was maintaining a stern expression, dignified like a goddess in a temple, and quickly lowered his gaze. Too fearful to vent his anger on the unexpected presence of the palace maid, the Heir turned his rage toward his wife instead.

 

“You shrew! How can you behave like this in front of the Crown Princess?”

 

Madame Qi was furious, but aware of the Crown Princess’s presence, she had to restrain herself. Lowering her voice, she asked bitterly, “And you dare blame me? What are you doing in the inner palace? And with a palace maid, no less?”

 

The Heir, equally frustrated, racked his brain to recall what had happened. “Wasn’t it your message? You said Sister Rong had twisted her ankle and couldn’t move, so I rushed over!”

 

“What ankle injury? When did Sister Rong send such a message?” Madame Qi replied, a realization striking her, causing her to exclaim in shock, “Wait, where is Sister Rong?”

 

Realizing she had spoken too much, Madame Qi immediately covered her mouth, but it was too late. Chu Jinyao, standing calmly outside the bamboo curtain, heard her and smiled faintly, “What is Miss Qi up to now? It seems that not only are the Heir and his wife bold, but they also have some remarkable schemes. Let’s go. Heir, Madame, we should head to the Empress to explain everything clearly.”

 

“Crown Princess!” Madame Qi panicked, instantly adopting a servile tone, pleading desperately, “It was our fault today. Please, Your Highness, show mercy, and let’s pretend this never happened!”

 

“How can that be?” Chu Jinyao looked at Madame Qi with a subtle smile in her eyes. “This palace maid was given by the Empress herself. It’s not for me to decide what happens to her. As you said earlier, women must be virtuous and accommodating. Now that this palace maid has had a connection with the Heir, we must report everything to the Empress so that she can arrange a proper status for her. Don’t you agree, Madame?”

 

Madame Qi’s face stiffened. She tried to force a smile but failed repeatedly. This palace maid was a gift from the Empress to the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince hadn’t yet taken her in. Though not ideal, if the Crown Prince were willing to sweep this matter under the rug, and if the Crown Princess, as the mistress of the household, were to settle it discreetly, it could still be covered up. After all, with thousands of palace maids in the Imperial Palace, who would notice if one disappeared after the trip to the Summer Palace?

 

But would Chu Jinyao be willing to play along and smooth things over for them? That was a laughable thought. Where was the desire for harmony and understanding when they and Qi Rong had been scheming against her? Maintaining her earlier pleasant tone, Chu Jinyao smiled, “Madame Qi, your virtuous reputation truly earns my admiration. However, I cannot make the decision in this case. Since this palace maid came from the Empress’s palace, we should leave it to her to decide. Let’s go. Servants, help the Heir and Madame tidy themselves up. We shall go to the Empress now to seek her judgment.”

 

Madame Qi continued to beg, trying to plead for leniency from Chu Jinyao, but the Crown Princess was adamant. She was resolute in fulfilling Madame Qi’s earlier wishes of taking this matter to the Empress.

 

At that moment, a eunuch quietly approached Chu Jinyao, whispered something in her ear, and she turned to see Qin Yi standing by the lotus pond, casually watching the lotus leaves sway in the breeze.

 

Chu Jinyao immediately left the troublesome couple behind and quickly walked toward Qin Yi.

 

“Your Highness,” she greeted him in a low voice, “what are you doing here?”

 

Qin Yi’s face was cold, a look Chu Jinyao had never seen on him before. In front of her, he had always been calm, composed, and smiling, making her forget how he had appeared when they first met. Realizing his expression was too severe, Qin Yi deliberately softened his gaze and asked, “Did I scare you? Don’t worry, it’s not directed at you. Honestly, I haven’t been this angry in a long time. Let’s deal with those idiots first.”

 

Knowing now wasn’t the time for conversation, Chu Jinyao nodded. She wasn’t afraid of Qin Yi’s mood, but rather curious about what Qi Rong had said to provoke him so much.

 

When Madame Qi and the Heir saw Chu Jinyao leaving suddenly, they followed her line of sight and were horrified to see the last person they wanted to face. The couple’s faces instantly turned ashen. They knew that while the Crown Princess might show some leniency, the Crown Prince would not. Now that Qin Yi had appeared, the situation was beyond salvage.

 

Immediately, palace guards forcefully dragged the couple along, whether they liked it or not. Madame Qi, who had been in a violent scuffle with Erhua moments earlier, had her hair in disarray, and the Heir, barely having time to adjust his clothing after rising from the mat, looked just as disheveled. This unseemly couple was marched unceremoniously to Empress Xiao Qi’s palace.

 

Since the incident with the dancing girl and Wang Mingci, Empress Xiao Qi had been keeping a low profile, staying in her chambers to avoid further embarrassment. She was casually stirring a bowl of fresh lotus seed porridge when she heard a commotion outside. Frowning in annoyance, she asked, “What is happening here? Who dares to be so disruptive in my palace?”

 

A young palace maid hurried forward, trembling as she knelt before the Empress, “Your Majesty, it’s the Zhenbei Heir and Madame. They’ve been brought here.”

 

Startled, Empress Xiao Qi immediately put down her porridge and rushed outside. Upon seeing the scene before her, fury welled up within her. “Outrageous! Who dares lay hands on my nephew?”

 

“Such rage, Your Majesty. Perhaps you should first ask what exactly your accomplished nephew has been up to,” Qin Yi said coldly as he entered the palace, with Chu Jinyao following closely behind.

 

Seeing the Heir and Madame Qi standing there, looking thoroughly guilty, Empress Xiao Qi’s anger grew. She shouted, “What is the meaning of this?”

 

At that moment, Erhua was also brought in, kneeling before them with flushed cheeks, her hair messy, and her clothes wrinkled. She clearly looked as if she had just woken from a springtime nap. Empress Xiao Qi squinted, recognizing the palace maid she had sent to the Crown Prince, and asked through clenched teeth, “You, explain what’s going on here.”

 

“Your Majesty, please seek justice for me,” Erhua implored, her eyes still watery from her recent sleep, exuding an irresistible charm. “I don’t know what happened. When I woke, I found the Heir lying next to me. Before I could figure it out, Madame came in, shouting and hitting me. I… I am innocent.”

 

“Improper behavior in broad daylight, in the palace, disheveled and dishonorable, and even involving a palace maid,” Qin Yi began listing the offenses to the Empress. “Is this what you call keeping him around for? Is this what you taught him, Empress?”

 

Empress Xiao Qi had initially found the story hard to believe, but as she looked at her nephew and his wife’s evasive eyes, her anger surged. “Is this all true? You… you are a bunch of worthless fools!”

 

Both the Heir and Madame Qi, their faces flushed with embarrassment, immediately dropped to their knees. Empress Xiao Qi, clutching her chest in anger, nearly collapsed as palace maids rushed forward to support her. As Empress, her own family had committed such a scandal, and even worse, Qin Yi had caught them in the act. This, after the recent debacle with Wang Mingci, was another blow to her already weakened position in the Emperor’s eyes.

 

Her anger was interrupted by the arrival of another person. Following Qin Yi’s signal, Xiao Linzi pushed Qi Rong into the room.

 

“Rong’er!” Madame Qi, still kneeling, gasped upon seeing her, excitement flashing in her eyes. She wanted to rush forward but held back, knowing the Empress was still furious. Instead, she said in a restrained tone, “Where have you been? This is all a misunderstanding. Tell the Empress the truth.”

 

“Misunderstanding?” Chu Jinyao echoed with a slight chuckle. Caught in such a compromising position, and they still called it a misunderstanding?

 

Madame Qi felt a wave of embarrassment, but they had all been acting on Qi Rong’s plan. Now that the scheme had backfired and ensnared the Heir, they needed her to explain everything.

 

Qi Rong, face flushed with shame, had no words to offer, but the palace maids around her firmly escorted her into the spotlight. Empress Xiao Qi, rubbing her temples from the stress, asked, “What’s wrong, Rong’er?”

 

Qi Rong fidgeted, unable to speak. Qin Yi sneered, “Of course, she’s too embarrassed to say. But if she won’t, I will. What she has done today is a disgrace to the memory of the late Empress Wenxiao.”

 

At Qin Yi’s signal, Xiao Linzi displayed a tray containing the tea and incense Qi Rong had prepared, flanked by other incriminating items. “If you’re curious about what she’s done, Empress, take a look for yourself.”

 

The art of seduction isn’t limited to brothels; it is often honed even more finely in noble houses and royal courts. One glance at the incense, and the Empress knew what had been at play. Her fury boiled over as her vision blurred with rage. “You… you disgraceful fools, every last one of you!”

 

Qi Rong was mortified. Having had the audacity to confess her feelings to Qin Yi was one thing, but to be exposed in such an embarrassing manner, in front of so many people, was unbearable. Tears streamed down her face, and she began sobbing uncontrollably.

 

Her tears triggered panic in Madame Qi, who saw the whole situation unravelling and also began to cry, desperately trying to clear her family’s name. Not wanting to be left out, Erhua, ever opportunistic, saw her chance and also burst into tears, trying to secure her future by appealing to the Heir’s sympathies.

 

With three women crying in unison, the room descended into chaos. The Empress was so furious that her hands trembled, speechless for a moment. But the crying wouldn’t solve the issue. Qin Yi, annoyed by the wailing, looked at Chu Jinyao. With a slight step forward, she gently addressed them, “Ladies, if crying could solve everything, then by all means, cry your hearts out. But it won’t. Let’s resolve this matter first, and then you can cry later.”

 

The Qi family’s faces turned ashen. Ignoring their murderous glares, Chu Jinyao calmly continued, “First, let’s address Erhua. Madame Qi, you’ve repeatedly preached about a woman’s virtue and magnanimity, so it’s clear that you must be very understanding and accommodating. Since the Qi family is related to the Crown Prince, and since this affair would bring disgrace to His Highness if it became public, I propose that we cover this with a silken bedspread and allow the Heir to take Erhua back with him. I’ll take the blame, and we can keep Erhua’s involvement here hidden. So, Madame, how will you settle her status?”

 

Madame Qi was speechless. She understood the situation. As the Crown Prince’s maternal family, their disgrace would also affect the Crown Prince, so Chu Jinyao was offering them a way to cover it up. But how should they settle Erhua’s position now?

 

Madame Qi glared at Erhua’s seductive appearance, filled with rage. It was an ironic twist—having lectured Chu Jinyao all along about being accommodating, she now found herself having to do just that. With gritted teeth, she replied, “Thank you, Your Highness, for your magnanimity. I am not a petty woman. I will ensure that this woman is properly taken care of in our household.”

 

“Good,” Chu Jinyao nodded approvingly, adding with a helpful tone, “After all, she was a palace maid, given by the Empress. Madame, make sure to give her the dignity and respect she deserves.”

 

Madame Qi’s nails nearly dug into her palms, barely holding back her fury.

 

With Erhua’s matter settled, Chu Jinyao turned her attention to Qi Rong. Chu Jinyao, well aware of Qi Rong’s scheming behind her back, could hardly let her off easily for attempting to trap Qin Yi. Having already passed her peak anger, Chu Jinyao was now eerily calm. “Now, as for Miss Qi,” she began, her gaze fixed on the mortified girl, “I still don’t understand how she ended up here. Care to explain?”

 

Qi Rong’s face turned beet red, then paled to a deathly white. The strict rules governing a woman’s virtue were well-known, and for Qi Rong to have employed such vile methods would tarnish the entire family’s reputation. Even Empress Xiao Qi, who had prided herself on her family’s impeccable values, felt utterly humiliated.

 

“Enough,” Empress Xiao Qi interjected, struggling to maintain control. “Rong’er is still an unmarried girl. I will handle this matter myself. The Crown Princess need not intervene.”

 

Chu Jinyao glanced at the incense burner and the scattered items, her gaze shifting to Qi Rong before turning back to the Empress. “Of course, Your Majesty. The Zhenbei Marquis household is known for its exemplary discipline and virtuous upbringing. It is only right that Your Majesty handle this family matter yourself. I’m sure the outside world will admire and respect your family’s exemplary conduct. Isn’t that so, Your Majesty? Madame?”

 

The words were carefully laced with mock praise, yet each one cut like a knife. Empress Xiao Qi, priding herself on discipline and morality, was now faced with the complete disgrace of her family. Today, her family had committed not just one, but two major scandals. As Empress, Empress Xiao Qi always used propriety and discipline as a way to control Chu Jinyao, but now, with such a scandal, she was effectively slapping herself in the face.

 

Empress Xiao Qi glared at Chu Jinyao, suspicion flickering in her eyes. Could Chu Jinyao be mocking her own tarnished history—her entanglement with her brother-in-law and her pregnancy before marriage? The thought ignited a dangerous fury in Empress Xiao Qi, and her gaze grew sharper, almost as if she wished she could pierce Chu Jinyao with it.

 

Chu Jinyao met her gaze unflinchingly. Incensed by Chu Jinyao’s defiance, Empress Xiao Qi sneered, “You’re growing bolder by the day, daring to challenge your mother-in-law so openly.”

 

“Not as bold as Miss Qi,” Chu Jinyao responded coolly.

 

“Outrageous!” Empress Xiao Qi’s face twisted in rage.

 

This was clearly Chu Jinyao’s domain, and though Qin Yi had stayed quiet for much of the exchange, his displeasure deepened at the Empress’s outburst. He opened his mouth to speak, but Chu Jinyao subtly gestured for him to hold back.

 

Then, addressing Empress Xiao Qi directly, Chu Jinyao said calmly, “I’ve always respected Your Majesty, and even in this matter, I’ve tried my best to shield the Qi family from public scandal. However, Miss Qi’s behavior has been less than respectful, and now it seems she has engaged in actions unbecoming of a proper young lady. Your Majesty has always led the Six Palaces by virtue and dignity, but what about your own family?”

 

“You… you…” Empress Xiao Qi stammered in fury.

 

“It’s getting late,” Chu Jinyao continued, showing no signs of slowing. “I must return to pack at Qide Hall, so I’ll leave Your Majesty to instruct your family as you see fit. Oh, and since Miss Qi’s behavior has been improper within the palace, I doubt it would be appropriate for her to remain here any longer. If Madame and Miss Qi wish to leave the palace, they should do so soon.”

 

Without waiting for a response, Chu Jinyao gracefully gave a farewell bow to the Empress, then turned and walked toward Qin Yi.

 

“Your Highness,” she murmured softly.

 

Qin Yi nodded, rising to his feet and taking her hand. Neither of them bothered to acknowledge the Empress or her disgraced relatives as they left, walking side by side out of the palace.

 

Behind them, they could hear the furious ranting of Empress Xiao Qi, mingled with the sobs and protests of Madame Qi and the others, creating a chaotic scene.

 

Since the incident with Wang Mingci, a quiet rivalry had simmered between Chu Jinyao and Empress Xiao Qi. Although both maintained outward politeness, today, all pretense of cordiality had been abandoned. After this, their enmity was undeniable.

 

Having vented her frustration, Chu Jinyao felt much lighter. Still, because the Qi family was, after all, related to Qin Yi, she had shown some restraint. Otherwise, she would have aired the entire scandal publicly. But she had at least gained one significant advantage: from now on, Empress Xiao Qi had no right to meddle in the affair of the Eastern Palace.

 

As they walked further from the palace, Qin Yi glanced at Chu Jinyao with a smirk. “You were on fire today. Daring to openly mock her like that.”