Chapter Sixteen: The Fourth Prince

Lady Shu sat by the window, her posture upright, gazing idly at the well-trimmed greenery outside. In this moment, she was entirely at ease, her mask for the outside world discarded—revealing her as nothing more than an ordinary woman.

Qi Zhen lifted the door curtain and entered, placing the tray she carried upon the table before speaking softly, “Your Ladyship, His Majesty has specially instructed the Imperial Kitchen to send this to you. It is freshly stewed blood bird’s nest. He urges you to drink it while it’s hot.”

Lady Shu let out a short, mocking laugh, propping her chin in her hand. Her tone was tinged with irony, “With my health, no matter how many tonics I take, it will make no difference. What’s the point?”

Qi Zhen approached her, a look of earnestness on her face as she replied, “How can you say that, Your Ladyship? Over the years, you have taken good care of yourself. With steady nourishment, you are no different from anyone else.”

Though Lady Shu spoke so, her actions betrayed her words. She obediently picked up the bowl and sipped the bird’s nest, her brow furrowing instinctively at the taste. No matter how many years passed, she could never quite grow accustomed to the faint fishiness.

Noting her mistress’s tranquil mood, Qi Zhen chose her words carefully. “Your Ladyship, the Fourth Prince asked me to plead on his behalf. He promises never to act rashly again. He hasn’t seen you in days and wishes to pay his respects.”

Lady Shu set the bowl down, her expression growing stern. “Do not soften your heart for him. Of all people, you know best the weight of the responsibilities on his shoulders. He is clever—too clever. If I don’t keep him in check, there’s no telling what he might become.”

Qi Zhen looked abashed, for she had watched the prince grow up herself and could not help but indulge him a little. “But Your Ladyship, the Empress Dowager and the Princess will soon return to the palace. The Fourth Prince should spend more time with them. Keeping him confined like this cannot go on.”

Lady Shu’s frown eased slightly, though her resolve remained firm. “He may come out when he is willing to yield to the Third Prince. Are there any messages from their side?”

Qi Zhen, though reluctant to see the prince treated so, answered softly, “Your Ladyship, it is said the Empress Dowager has fallen ill, and their return will be delayed by a few days.”

Lady Shu turned, her eyes sharp as she fixed Qi Zhen with a severe look. “Kneel.”

Startled, Qi Zhen knelt at once, bewildered.

Lady Shu’s voice was cold as frost. “What did I say before? No matter the urgency, I am to be informed of all news from that side. The Empress Dowager’s illness is grave; if I had not asked, would you have kept it from me?”

Qi Zhen shook her head in panic. “I only thought the Fourth Prince’s matter was of greater importance. Besides, by the time the message arrived, the Empress Dowager was out of danger.”

Lady Shu could understand her partiality, but would not permit such omissions in the future. “You have served at my side for years and ought to know my temperament. Regardless of what appears between the Empress Dowager, the Princess, and myself, they are not to be slighted by you. If you cannot heed my words, you need not serve me any longer.”

Qi Zhen quickly kowtowed, her voice trembling with fear. “Spare me, Your Ladyship. I will never again delay delivering news.”

Lady Shu’s gaze remained icy, like thorns pressing in, until Qi Zhen seemed about to collapse. Only then did she turn away.

With a seemingly careless air, Lady Shu asked, “Is the Princess unwell?”

So, it was as always; the mistress’s heart was most concerned for the Princess. Qi Zhen, though feeling for the Fourth Prince, dared not say more and replied softly, “The Princess is only weary, looking a little drawn from lack of rest. She will recover once she’s had proper sleep.”

Lady Shu was satisfied. “You may rise. I do not care whom you favor, but if you ever harm the bond between the siblings, I will never forgive you. You know my disposition.”

Qi Zhen nodded at once. “Rest assured, Your Ladyship. I only wish both young masters well.”

“As for the Empress Dowager, whatever she does to me, you must say nothing. I know my place. In this world, she alone truly cares for the Princess. Never let the Princess be hurt.”

Qi Zhen, though not entirely ruled by emotion, voiced another concern. “Your Ladyship, both young masters from the Marquis of Yongyi’s household have gone to the palace retreat. Might this not appear too conspicuous? I fear it will give rise to idle gossip.”

Lady Shu sighed. “I only wish to be cautious. If you ask me, those sons of the Marquis are hardly worthy of the Princess. Having them go fetch her is just to show the sharp-eyed ladies of the capital: the Princess is not without support. One day, she will have to mingle and engage with others.”

“Your Ladyship’s thoughts are all for the Princess’s good. If only the Princess could know.” Qi Zhen spoke from the heart.

Lady Shu smiled indifferently. “I do not need her gratitude. One day, she will see for herself. With me as her aunt, she shall have a life of happiness. Go and summon the Fourth Prince.”

Qi Zhen was delighted; it was enough that Lady Shu was willing to see the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince, Wei Qizheng, was practicing his calligraphy at his desk. Though only twelve, he showed no childishness. Anyone who had seen Wei Baofu would have noticed the resemblance between the siblings, though the prince’s features were more resolute.

Prince Lian, his father’s brother, and the Emperor were siblings. It was not surprising for the cousins to look alike. The prince’s brow was furrowed, his demeanor earnest. Xiao Dongzi, standing by grinding ink, looked half-asleep.

Suddenly, footsteps approached. The Fourth Prince looked up, guessing who it might be. Seeing Aunt Qi Zhen, he broke into a wide, boyish grin and hurriedly set down his brush.

Qi Zhen, about to bow, was quickly helped up by the prince. “Aunt, have you come to tell me that Mother will see me?”

Qi Zhen smiled and nodded. “Your Highness, when you see Her Ladyship, admit your mistake. She punishes you for a reason. True, the Third Prince provoked you first, but you shouldn’t have struck him. It’s fortunate Consort Yao is under house arrest by order of His Majesty. Otherwise, your mother would have even more trouble.”

The Fourth Prince did not shirk responsibility. “It was indeed rash of me this time. Do not worry, Aunt. I’ll speak properly with Mother.”

Qi Zhen, looking at the boy who now stood almost as tall as herself, smiled with relief. “Then come with me to see Her Ladyship.”

As they left together, Xiao Dongzi wiped his mouth and hurried to follow. Lady Shu did not tolerate carelessness; one misstep in service could earn a beating.

Inside the inner chambers, the boy who had been all cheer straightened at once, standing with solemn dignity to bow before his mother. Lady Shu, though strict, was not unkind.

“Rise. Do you know what you did wrong?” Lady Shu was always direct with her son—only by tempering him could he become truly useful, while a daughter could never be spoiled too much.

Wei Qi was clever, occasionally stubborn but not unreasonably so. He answered respectfully, “I struck first, leaving evidence—my first mistake. I defied your teachings and contradicted you—my second. I will remember and not repeat these errors.”

Looking at her son, Lady Shu’s heart softened, yet she knew only strict discipline would make him grow.

“There is another mistake. Have I not told you, a man must know when to yield and when to stand firm? What grievance would it have cost you to apologize openly to the Third Prince? In doing so, you show your father that you know your errors and respect your brother. The Third Prince must then respond with magnanimity. When the Noble Consort’s confinement ends, you will have an explanation ready.”

The Fourth Prince was not truly unreasonable; his temper had simply flared in the moment. Now that the matter had passed, he would not stubbornly persist—his mother would not indulge him.

“Your lesson is just, Mother. I will apologize to Third Brother at once. But may I have lunch with you today?”

Lady Shu saw through the boy’s little schemes but did not mind indulging him a little—one must grant some sweetness, after all.

“Mother, I heard that Grandmother and Sister are returning. Is there anything I should do?”

The Fourth Prince was not ignorant of all matters. Lady Shu had hinted at some things, never speaking plainly, but he remembered what she’d told him: in this world, he and his sister were each other’s truest kin.

Perhaps it was this idea, instilled from a young age, that made him feel protective of Wei Baofu, his elder sister, as someone wronged and needing his care. Thus, he did not resent her return.

This pleased Lady Shu greatly. The prince was still young; she could not tell him everything yet. For now, the most important thing was to foster affection between the siblings.

“There is nothing you need to do. The Empress Dowager may dislike me, and because of that, may also be cold toward you. But remember, they are your kin. Do not grow estranged from them. Take your time getting close—do not hide your affection for them from others.”

The Fourth Prince was puzzled. “If people spread rumors, I worry it could drag you into the storm.”

Lady Shu smiled faintly. “You fear they will say His Majesty’s true affection is for Princess Lian, and that I am merely a substitute? The truth is known to His Majesty and even more so to me. By being close to your sister, you show the world you have nothing to hide. If you flinch away, that only shows a guilty conscience.”

The Fourth Prince nodded. He had many doubts, but since his mother said nothing more, the time was not yet right. Knowing too much now would do him no good. Though her thoughts ran deep, he trusted that his mother would never harm him.

In time, all truths would come to light—or perhaps, his sister knew more than he did. He did not resent Wei Baofu; in this palace of masks, to have someone close could only be a good thing.

“Don’t waste time. Go and do what you must,” Lady Shu instructed, allowing no nonsense.

The Fourth Prince did not delay, promptly grabbing Xiao Dongzi and striding out. Xiao Dongzi, already out of breath and still panting from his earlier run, was nearly dragged along, exhausted by the pace his young master set.