Princess Changle

the王爺在府中嗎？"林寒答道：“王爺今早陪同清塵公子出城去了，至今未歸。是否…請鎮南王明日再來？”定王府上下對鎮南王毫無好感，特彆是當初王妃墜崖一事更是讓卓靖、林寒等人耿耿於懷，自然不希望葉璃再去見鎮南王。Ye Li put down Mo Xiaobao and smiled faintly, "No need. We are in the Dingwang Mansion now. If I...101. Princess Changle

101. Princess Changle

Early in the morning, Ye Li received an imperial edict from the palace summoning her by Empress Dowager’s order. Actually, Emperor Moxiuqing had already shown great patience by not calling for her immediately upon their return to the capital. Given Ye Li's current status, apart from the emperor, empress, and dowager empress, no one else in the entire city could casually summon her anymore. However, the dowager empress was now effectively under house arrest by Emperor Moxiuqing. Last time when Ye Li entered the palace, something happened that made it possible for the Prince of Ding to refuse an imperial summons to see his wife. Hence, she had been summoned in Empress Dowager’s name.

The empress summoned Ye Li under the pretense of a flower appreciation event. It was said that the crabapple flowers were blooming beautifully in the Imperial Garden, so the empress ordered all members of the royal family and high-ranking officials’ wives to welcome the Prince of Ding's wife and also enjoy the flowers. Seeing the lush blooms in the Imperial Garden, Ye Li vaguely recalled that this year’s grand floral festival was already over. She smiled slightly, realizing she had been too busy with matters outside the palace to remember such an important event for the noble ladies of the capital city. When Ye Li needed to enter the palace, Moxiu堯 didn't care whether he received an invitation from Empress Dowager or not and followed her directly. This was clearly a show of distrust towards the royal family. Despite being furious with a darkened face, Emperor Moxiuqing couldn’t say anything. After all, no one had yet uncovered the truth behind the disappearance of the Prince of Ding’s wife.

"Prince of Ding, I promise your wife will be safe here. Don't you trust me anymore" Empress Dowager Huajiao observed their arrival and covered her mouth with a smile. However, when looking at Ye Li, she felt more admiration and envy than before, thus teasing the couple with a friendly smirk. The Mo and Hua families were close to begin with, and Moxiu堯 had no bad feelings towards the empress, so he responded calmly: "Liyi doesn’t enjoy crowds usually; there are many things she hasn’t been taught in our family. Since I was idle today, I decided to accompany her here. Please don't blame me." Ye Li felt somewhat uncomfortable with Moxiu堯's overt display of affection and glanced at him sideways. However, Moxiu堯 remained composed and gentle as usual, earning praises from the noblewomen present while making even more women envy their relationship. Huaxiang standing beside Empress Dowager gave a sly smile upon seeing this, causing Ye Li to secretly glare at her.

"Prince of Ding, your presence here is already an honor for me, but... all who are here today are ladies; you may make them uncomfortable if you stay," Empress Dowager Huajiao said with a teasing smile. "Therefore, Prince of Ding, why don’t you take a walk elsewhere and not disrupt my floral feast" Princess Zhaoyang sitting beside her also smiled: "Empress, what you say is correct. Back when the second young master of the Prince of Ding’s family appeared, half of the ladies in the capital were enchanted. Moxiu堯, better leave to avoid causing a stir here; with Empress and me around, could your wife possibly be harmed" The usually cool Princess Zhaoyang seemed unusually cheerful today, even cracking jokes that made all noblewomen present blush and lower their heads shyly.

Observing everyone's varying expressions, Ye Li couldn’t help but smile inwardly. She whispered to Moxiu堯: "If you have something to do, please go ahead. I’ll be fine."

Moxiu堯 nodded and said softly: "I need to see the Emperor first; then we can return home together afterward."

Ye Li nodded in agreement, and only after Moxiu堯 bowed out of the gathering did Empress Dowager Huajiao and Princess Changle dismiss him. Huaxiang gave Ye Li an ambiguous wink with a suggestive grin—such public displays of affection were truly infuriating...

After sending off the eye-catching Moxiu堯, Ye Li took her seat at the first empty spot next to Empress Dowager. Zhaoyang Princess smiled kindly at her from across the table, but the princesses beside her did not share that warmth. This made Ye Li somewhat exasperated; she had no particular feelings towards Princess Ronghua, but it seemed this princess looked down on her very much as Prince of Ding’s wife. When Ye Ying was around, most of Princess Ronghua's attention would focus on her instead, but now that Ye Ying was gone, the attention shifted back to Ye Li again. Seeing her disdainful look, Ye Li couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly: Did this princess realize how much of her future she might be controlling

"Imperial Concubine Yun has arrived! Consort Wang is here!" Just as Empress Dowager Huajiao was about to speak, a sharp voice announced the arrival from outside. The empress frowned slightly; clearly, she wasn’t pleased with these visitors.

Before long, two elegantly dressed women approached gracefully. The leading woman had a delicate and flirtatious appearance with a touch of coquettishness in her demeanor. Although the other woman beside her was merely plain-looking, she exuded charm through her graceful eyes. They both bowed respectfully and said, "Your concubines greet Empress Dowager." These two were favored consorts of His Majesty; Yun Fei was even among the four principal consorts. Apart from Ye Li and the two princesses, everyone else had to rise to pay their respects. The empress glanced at them with a cool expression and said, "You may stand up. Why did Yun Fei and Wang Zhaorong come" Yun Fei smiled and said, "Your concubine regrets disturbing Your Majesty's leisure time. But... your humble servant and my sister heard that the Marchioness Consort of Ding is here as well today. We have long admired her reputation, so we asked His Majesty to allow us to pay our respects to Her Ladyship." Yun Fei spoke in an innocent manner, but she also subtly informed everyone that she had come at the emperor's command and specifically to meet with the Marchioness Consort of Ding. Normally, without an invitation, even palace consorts couldn't visit the empress casually. With her words, she exonerated herself from any offense towards the empress while highlighting the emperor’s affection for her.

"I respectfully decline your honorifics, Yun Fei," Ye Li said with a faint smile, without showing any intention to rise and salute. The Yun family and Wang Family were staunch supporters of Emperor Mo Jingqi; Empress Dowager did not gain his trust. Lady Liu was indifferent in nature, so if the emperor wanted to probe Ye Li’s character, he would naturally send Yun Fei.

Yun Fei was slightly startled as she turned her head to examine Ye Li sitting by the side. Most women tend to harbor a certain animosity towards those more accomplished than themselves. Previously, when Yun Fei wasn’t very favored, she hadn't met the Marchioness Consort of Ding either. However, in recent days, she had heard quite a few things about the Marchioness Consort of Ding. The Yun Family was originally loyal to the emperor, and now that the emperor abandoned the Ye Family, he supported Yun Fei’s family while treating her with great affection. Although Yun Fei didn’t dare provoke Empress Dowager or Lady Liu by overestimating herself, she no longer cared much about ordinary people. Therefore, she paid extra attention to Ye Li, whom the emperor seemed to be wary of. She had expected to see a lady as regal and magnificent as Empress Dowager or as elegant and aloof as Lady Liu. Yet when Yun Fei turned around, she saw a woman in light green robes with intricate patterns of silver thread and paeonia flowers sitting beside the empress, her black hair casually tied up, adorned with two pearl tassels. Compared to other elegantly dressed noblewomen, this lady appeared more graceful and casual. It was hard for people to connect her with the legendary woman who led two thousand Black Cloud Cavalry soldiers and guarded the border city. Moreover, it was unimaginable that Ding Wang seemed extremely affectionate towards his wife, whom Yun Fei had seen before. The current Marchioness Consort of Ding was beautiful but seemed less radiant than Su Zuodie in appearance.

"So this is the Marchioness Consort of Ding Empress Dowager, may I sit beside Her Ladyship Your humble servant has long admired her elegance and would love to chat with the Wang妃娘娘，臣妾能否與定王妃坐在一起？臣妾仰慕定王妃風采已久，很想和王妃好好聊聊呢。”雲妃壓下了心中的不解，笑容嬌豔明朗，讓人無法拒絕。皇後看了她一眼，淡淡道：“既然如此，你和王昭容就坐定王妃下手吧。”

雲妃眼神微閃，麵上卻還是歡喜的應了聲，拉著王昭容在葉璃身邊的位置做了下來。雖然坐在葉璃的下首讓她心中不甘，但是卻也知道定王妃是不會給自己讓座的。或者說就算定王妃真的起來給她讓了坐她也未必就真的敢坐下去。

貴婦間的聚會本就是大同小異，隻不過今天有許多人都帶著一些彆的心事罷了。等到人到得差不多了，皇後便親自起身帶著眾人前往禦花園賞花。禦花園裡果然是百花爭豔雖然已經是初夏景色卻絲毫不輸春天。貴婦們三三兩兩的坐在一起閒聊賞花，葉璃等幾個身份高的自然是跟在皇後身邊。在花園裡走了一圈，皇後領著眾人道禦花園中的涼亭坐下，皇後才含笑問道：“定王妃很少進宮，看看這宮裡景色如何？”葉璃笑道：“自然是富貴雍容宛如仙境。”皇後掃了她一眼道：“你也跟本宮說起客套話了，富貴雍容是真的，宛如仙境卻是…哪個仙境會是這樣子的？”語氣中略呆了一些厭煩和無謂，搖了搖頭笑道：“要我說還是順其自然的好，這宮中景緻精美至極，但是這東一簇西一簇的湊到一塊兒，倒是讓人有些眼花繚亂。定王府本宮可是去過，想必十分得王妃的心意？”

定國王府麵積很大，但是佈置的卻十分舒適幽雅，卻是讓葉璃很是喜歡。昭陽公主也點頭附和笑道：“皇後孃娘說的是，本宮還小的時候也時常愛在定王府逗留，每次都捨不得回來呢。”

葉璃淺笑道：“娘娘和公主過譽了，定王府代代都是武將，免不了粗陋一些，我和王爺也都不愛熱鬨，隻是圖個清靜罷了。”

雲妃坐在葉璃身邊，好奇的道：“臣妾聽皇上說定王妃在永州曾經鎮守永林協助守將抵擋黎王叛軍才保的碎雪關平安，王妃能跟咱們講講當時的是事麼？原來王妃竟然也身懷武功，難怪去年竟能以一箭之威嚇得西陵公主失魂落魄呢。”葉璃淺笑道：“雲妃娘娘說笑了。不過是王爺擔心我的安危學了幾招粗淺功夫罷了。鎮守永林的是邊關的將士們，並非葉璃之功。”王昭容笑道：“王妃太謙虛了，臣妾也聽皇上說起過呢。皇上還說若不是王妃之功隻怕碎雪關早已失守，王妃可是用功與大楚江山的。可惜臣妾們久居深宮不能如王妃一般為大楚出力，真是生平憾事。”

“咦？王昭容也想要為大楚出力麼？不如我去求父皇將你送去邊關為大楚出力好不好。王昭容這麼忠心大楚，父皇一定會很高興的。”亭外傳來清脆的聲音，眾人回頭看見穿著一身粉色衣裙的長樂公主眨著明亮的眼睛笑嘻嘻地看著王昭容。

王昭容勉強一笑道：“公主說笑了，臣妾…手無縛雞之力……”即使受寵了，家裡重用了王昭容依然不敢招惹這位長樂公主。長樂公主可是皇後唯一的女兒，也是整個大楚皇室唯一的嫡出。雖然墨景祁對皇後並不寵愛卻也十分尊重，這個單純可愛的公主更是他所寵愛的。要是長樂公主真的跑去禦書房裡亂說一通自己可就麻煩了。

Princess Changle rolled her eyes and disdainfully glanced at her, saying, "You still speak nonsense. This princess thought that you were too embarrassed to tell the Emperor about it. Since Prince Ding is also in the study right now, this princess will go help you plead with Father. Perhaps he will agree because of your loyalty."

“Changle, stop causing trouble,” said the Empress displeasingly as she saw Princess Changle’s uncouth actions. Princess Changle made a funny face and walked into the pavilion whereupon she bowed formally to her mother and two aunties. “Daughter pays respects to Mother and greets Aunt Wangfei,” said Princess Changle with a smile, referring to Concubine Yang as ‘Aunt’. Concubine Yang reached out to pull Princess Changle closer and said smilingly, "It has been quite some time since I last saw you, little princess. You have grown into a fine young lady." Ye Li smiled along with the others. She had not seen Princess Changle for more than one year but indeed she had grown considerably from what Ye Li remembered seeing outside of Palace Yao Hua. At least she did not look like someone who would climb into shrubs anymore. Princess Changle clearly still remembered Ye Li, and she winked at her while hugging Concubine Yang.

Concubine Yun smiled as she saw the princess being spoiled by Concubine Yang and said, "Princess, we were hoping for Wangfei to tell us about commanding troops in Beicheng. Princess doesn’t want to listen"

The princess’s eyes glittered with a bright smile as she said, “This princess is ladylike and would never pry into other people’s privacy. Only those evil women who always scheme against others would do such a thing. Don’t you agree, Concubine Yun” A forced smile appeared on the kind-looking face of Concubine Yun. "Of course Princess is a lady," she said.

Princess Changle harrumphed and turned to her mother with a request in her voice, “Mother Consort, may I invite Wangfei and my cousin to play”

The Empress smiled and replied, "That depends on whether Wangfei is free or not. You’re already quite old, pestering people for fun all day long… What do you think you look like" Princess Changle said smilingly, “I like Wangfei.” The Empress turned to Ye Li with a smile and said, “This girl is so naughty that she would have embarrassed any other woman. I’m sorry.”

Ye Li smiled and replied, "How could it be Princess is pure and kind. It’s an honor for me to please the princess. Where do you wish to take me"

Princess Changle left Concubine Yang’s arms happily as she pulled Ye Li with one hand while dragging Hua Tianxiang by her other hand, running out of the pavilion. "Come along," said Princess Changle. While Ye Li was agile enough and it didn’t matter to her, Hua Tianxiang stumbled along behind the princess. The Empress helplessly ordered a servant to follow them.

Princess Changle dragged both women around in the imperial garden until they reached the rear of the northwest corner where a cluster of artificial hills were situated. Seeing that no palace people had followed, Princess Changle was relieved and grumbled softly, "These guys are so annoying. They follow us everywhere."

Ye Li said smilingly, “They’re following you because of orders from Empress and Emperor. Otherwise, they would be punished for losing you.” Princess Changle waved her hand and said, "You don’t need to worry about it. My mother is a good person who wouldn’t punish palace people without reason. But these guys are annoying, and they like to tell my father and other consorts what I say. So I hate them. Come along with me."

Princess Changle climbed up the artificial hills smilingly as she said to both women, "This place is huge. We can hide here and they won’t be able to find us."

Ye Li looked around at the cluster of hills which were indeed big enough for them to hide inside if they really wanted to do so. However… “Princess, what are you going to do up there”

Princess Changle looked back at her and touched the bun on her head adorned with a string of pearls, saying, "Uncle Dingwang said that some bad women made you unhappy, so he asked me to hide you somewhere until he comes to pick you up. Oh right… Aunty Xiangxiang wanted to talk to you about something."

Ye Li was at a loss for words—hide her She dared bet that Mo Xiuyao did not say anything like this to Princess Changle. Turning slightly, she looked at Hua Tianxiang who was equally surprised. Princess Changle harrumphed and turned back around to continue climbing up, "Who am I My father wants to marry Aunty Xiangxiang off to Beirong. I asked the nanny about it and she said that Beirong is a very bad place with people being coarse and barbaric without anything delicious there. I went to Uncle Dingwang for help but he told me that Auntie Dingwang has the final say on this matter, so we can talk about it now. Come up here."

The two of them had no choice but to follow her up. Indeed, there was a place in the middle of the artificial mountain where someone could hide, judging by how quiet it was, people must use it often. Sitting on top of the artificial mountain, Ye Li smiled and said, "So, Princess wants me to stop Tianxiang from going to Beirong"

Princess Changle looked at her with pleading eyes, "Will you agree"

Ye Li smiled sweetly, "What benefits will I have by agreeing"

Princess Changle pondered for a moment and replied, "I can give all my treasures to you. I have many treasures, which were all given to me by Father. Mother said that they are very valuable items. How about it"

"Changle…" Hua Tianxiang's eyes reddened—she naturally did not want to marry into Beirong either. However, both she and her parents knew clearly that even if Ye Li intervened, the Emperor had already given full responsibility to Auntie Dingwang. If he really wanted her to go for a political marriage, even Ye Li would be powerless against it. It was simply to make Ding王府 take on the reputation of offending Hua Family. Therefore, neither her grandfather nor grandmother intended to speak with Ye Li from the start, and she herself did not wish to trouble Ye Li unnecessarily.

"Why doesn’t Princess want Tianxiang to go for a political marriage"

Princess Changle bit her lip corner as she looked at them, hesitating after some time before saying somewhat uncertainly, "Mother said… only princesses can go for political marriages. But we don't have an appropriate princess now, so someone else has to be chosen instead. Mother says that this… is a matter of the royal family. I... am still young, if not I would go for the marriage myself… If Aunty Xiangxian goes away, my grandmother and uncle and aunt will be sad. My aunt even cried in front of mother…" Princess Changle spoke haltingly, but both understood what she meant—she believed that Tianxiang was suffering on her behalf by going to Beirong for a political marriage, so she was anxious to ask Ye Li to stop it. Finally having finished speaking, Princess Changle looked at her hopefully and said, "Dowager Dingwang, can you please not make Aunty Xiangxian go for the political marriage"

Ye Li smiled faintly and nodded, saying, "Sure, I promise."

—— Author's Note —— wrong is also the matter of Nanzhao royalty and its citizens, and has nothing much to do with outsiders like us."Princess Anxi had been governing well over these years, benefiting the common folks a...