Chapter 172: Obstruction

Chapter 172: Obstruction

Tui Chen Villa.

Around the hour of Xu, Princess Huaiqing suddenly, holding a pillow, knocked on the Second Princess's door.

A maid opened the door and respectfully ushered her in.

The Second Princess, groggily sitting up in bed, asked, “Sister, is something the matter?”

“Can’t sleep, so I came to sleep with you,” said Princess Huaiqing with a smile.

Without waiting for the Second Princess to respond, Princess Huaiqing climbed onto her bed and told the night-duty maid, “You may leave, I have something to discuss with my sister.”

The maid dared not object, quietly replying “Yes,” and left the room.

That single sentence instantly dispelled the Second Princess’s drowsiness.

She remembered how in the past, she and the Second Prince, raised under the deposed Queen Wang, were fondly looked after by Princess Huaiqing, who often took them out to play despite their young age.

But ever since the downfall of Queen Wang, the once straightforward and endearing Princess Huaiqing had changed.

The Second Princess thought about Princess Huaiqing’s unusual interest in Princess Guiren earlier that day and sighed inwardly, softly asking, “Do you have something to tell me, sister?”

“Yes,” Princess Huaiqing nodded, snuggling into the blankets next to the Second Princess, her tone wistful, “Second Sister, do you want to see those gourd lanterns Miss Sui mentioned today?”

The Second Princess, surprised that Princess Huaiqing brought up this topic, recalled Miss Sui's words and smiled, “I’ve heard about the lanterns on the river during the Lantern Festival, but I've never seen them in the palace. It would be nice to see Xiuyong’s Dragon Boat Festival gourd lanterns. However, we're leaving early tomorrow and probably won’t have the chance.”

“Yes, it’s a pity. When we return to the palace, I'll ask Father to have someone make gourd lanterns for us, to float in Taiye Pond or Suoyue Pond! Not just us two, but our younger sisters, brothers Lang, Xuan, Xin, and Shuo can join in too…” Princess Huaiqing mumbled, her voice trailing off as she fell into a peaceful sleep.

The Second Princess thought Princess Huaiqing would ask their father to stay a few more days, as it would be easier to help Princess Guiren if they did, but Princess Huaiqing didn’t seem to have that intention.

The Second Princess relaxed her brows, pulled up their blankets, lowered the bed curtains, and closed her eyes.

The weather was getting warmer, but Tui Chen Villa, situated at the foot of a mountain, remained pleasantly cool. The night-duty maid, dozing off in the antechamber, suddenly jolted awake, bumping into the wooden table.

Someone was coming.

She put on her robe and peeked outside, seeing someone with a lantern approaching her direction.

“Is the Second Princess asleep?”

Recognizing the voice as Su Jin, a senior maid of Empress Yishunyi, the maid sighed in relief. Whether in the palace or outside, Empress Yishunyi often sent someone to check if the Second Princess was sleeping well.

She whispered, “Sister Su Jin, the Second Princess had already gone to bed, but Princess Huaiqing suddenly came over to sleep with her. They talked for a while, but now they should both be asleep.”

“Princess Huaiqing?” Su Jin repeated softly, then said, “I’ll take a look.”

Handing the lantern to the maid, she quietly opened the door, not lighting it, and gently entered the room by the moonlight.

The bed curtains were drawn open, and the soft silk blankets were kicked to the foot of the bed, with only a small part covering the bed.

Su Jin observed the princesses’ deep slumber, quietly picked up the silk blanket, covered them again properly, tucked in the corners, lowered the bed curtains, and then quietly left the room.

“If you're too sleepy, drink some herbal tea. Drink less on the carriage tomorrow,” Su Jin advised the night-duty maid sternly, “Check on the princesses periodically and make sure they are well-covered.”

“Yes, I understand,” the maid quickly replied, watching Su Jin leave the courtyard.

After leaving the courtyard, Su Jin hurried to Empress Yishunyi’s quarters and reported in a low voice, “My lady, Princess Huaiqing suddenly went to sleep with the Second Princess. I just checked, and they are both sound asleep.”

Empress Yishunyi, sitting at the dressing table combing her hair, frowned slightly upon hearing this.

Princess Huaiqing visiting the Second Princess tonight was probably not out of sisterly affection. Yishunyi hadn't missed the way Princess Huaiqing looked at Princess Guiren at Mount Wutai yesterday. Moreover, she had seen Eunuch Anjing overseeing the eunuchs checking the palace attendants in each courtyard in the evening.

What had happened here?

Was there someone extra, or was someone missing?

She heard that His Majesty had sent an imperial physician to check on Princess Guiren yesterday, but His Majesty clearly showed no particular interest in that princess…

With thoughts whirling, she suddenly asked, “Is Xia Chan, who always follows Princess Huaiqing, also at the Second Princess’s place?”

Su Jin was slightly startled and quickly replied, “I didn’t see her, so she probably isn’t there.”

Yishunyi then asked, “What time is it?”

“It’s the second watch of Hai (between 9-11 PM),” replied Su Jin.

Yishunyi nodded and instructed, “Since Princess Huaiqing came over suddenly, she likely didn’t bring any change of clothes. The Second Princess’s clothes won’t fit her either. We're leaving early tomorrow, so go to Princess Huaiqing's quarters now with some attendants and fetch some dresses.”

After speaking, she added in a lower voice, “Be careful and check if there’s anyone in Princess Huaiqing's room who shouldn’t be there. If there is, go find Eunuch Anjing immediately.”

Su Jin nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the task, “As you command, my lady.”

She took a young palace maid with her, carrying a lantern to Princess Huaiqing’s quarters. The night-duty attendants let her in without objection, and Su Jin smoothly entered the courtyard.

For this southern tour, everything was kept simple, and each master and mistress had few attendants. Su Jin recalled that Princess Huaiqing only had Xia Chan and another senior maid named Wu Tong, along with four junior maids and two young eunuchs.

The two young eunuchs guarding the courtyard gate were the ones who led Su Jin to the outer room, where she saw Xia Chan, her hair undone, stepping out.

Standing at the door, still open, Xia Chan was tying her robe, saying, “Wu Tong was on night duty today. How could she forget the princess’s clothes.”

Su Jin smiled, “It’s no trouble, Xia Chan. I’ve come to get them. Sorry to disturb your rest.”

“It’s all for our masters, how could it be a disturbance?” Xia Chan waved her hand, “Come on, the princess’s dresses are in the main room. I’ll take you there.”

Su Jin nodded with a smile, but the young palace maid following her suddenly whispered, “Sister Su Jin, I’m a bit thirsty…”

Sujin's brow furrows, about to turn back and scold her, but Xiachan stops her, pointing towards the half-open door behind, "There's chilled tea on the table inside, go have some. Just be careful not to wake the others."

Then he said to Sujin, "Let's go get the clothes."

Sujin, having little to add, thanked Xiachan and followed her to the main house.