# Chapter 3: Cryptic and Incomprehensible
影杉 entered the room, carefully observing Wei Yang's expression, and said in a low voice: "His Majesty has important matters to attend to tonight, so he will be staying at the Yaoji Palace."
Wei Yang finally couldn't bear it any longer. She casually tossed the white jade teacup from her hand, and tears burst from her eyes.
She was the eldest princess of Yu Kingdom, the only daughter most beloved by her father. She had left her parents to marry into the neighboring kingdom. Before this, she had never left Tianjin Jing. Now she could only return to Tianjin Jing once a year to visit family. She was already deeply homesick, but her husband not only failed to comfort and care for her, but had been cold and distant. Moreover, today she had learned about her husband's past lover—how could she not be devastated? She'd only been married for just over a month; how was she supposed to face the days ahead?
"Princess..." Ying Shan didn't know how to comfort her, so she could only stand by, wringing her hands.
Wei Yang sobbed, then buried herself under the covers and fell asleep face-first.
Ying Shan sighed softly and withdrew.
They said Yuanliao received snowfall every year, with a climate much colder than Yu Kingdom. Wei Yang had felt a flutter of joy at the thought—now she'd have the chance to see beautiful snow every year!
But ever since arriving here at the beginning of spring, all she'd experienced was cold and dampness.
As they passed by the Langjing Garden, Wei Yang slowed her pace.
"Princess, what's wrong? Aren't we headed to the Imperial Uncle's residence?" Ying Shan whispered.
"Let's explore this place first." Wei Yang stepped onto the veranda and entered the Langjing Garden.
The spacious grounds with red walls and yellow tiles were maintained daily by palace maids who dusted away every trace of dirt, keeping the garden pristine. The maids seemed to have rarely encountered outsiders and didn't know Wei Yang's identity. They simply bowed silently. Wei Yang smiled and nodded, then entered the inner courtyard. The garden was elegantly refined, dressed in warm golden hues. She sat in a chair in the front hall, feeling weary and lost.
A young maid, still quite幼稚 in appearance, brought tea forward. When Wei Yang reached for it, the girl grew flustered, and the rattling of porcelain splashed hot tea all over Wei Yang.
"Ah!" Ying Shan exclaimed angrily. "How could you be so careless?" She glared at the young maid while dabbing at Wei Yang with a handkerchief. "Your Majesty, are you burned?"
The maid, hearing she served the Queen herself, hastily dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Your Majesty, I... I..."
Wei Yang wiped herself dry, smiling. "It's nothing. Don't be afraid—stand up. I was actually thirsty. Please bring me another cup."
"Are you sure you're not burned?" Ying Shan's tone carried a hint of reproach.
"No, don't worry." Wei Yang smiled. Soon the young maid returned, carrying tea and walking reverently in tiny steps.
Ying Shan took the tea and passed it to Wei Yang.
"This tea is quite fragrant. Where is it from?" Wei Yang took a small sip. The tea was subtly sweet with lingering aftertaste.
"It was a tribute from Anqing City last month." The maid replied.
Wei Yang was startled. "Who sent this?"
The maid脆生生地 replied: "His Majesty had someone deliver it. He asked us to keep it carefully, because Princess Jinyin will be returning in half a year."
"Does His Majesty often send things here?"
"Yes, Your Majesty sends someone every few days with things—all things Princess Jinyin likes."
A bitter smile curved Wei Yang's lips: for over a month of marriage, he had sent nothing to the Rongxi Garden. "What's your name?"
The maid lifted her head, her large eyes sparkling bright. "Little Yu," she轻轻 answered.
Wei Yang liked her sprightliness very much. So she softened her tone and asked: "Little Yu, could you tell me what kind of person Princess Jinyin is?"
Tears still lingered on Little Yu's face, but now her eyes curved into a smile. "Princess Jinyin is the greatest beauty under heaven. She's like a heavenly fairy—her voice is beautiful, her temperament is kind, and she's so善良. There's no one in Yuanliao City who doesn't love her." Her tone turned wistful. "When she left for the Deng Kingdom, so many servants cried. We all couldn't bear to let her go."
Wei Yang was silent.
Little Yu continued: "Princess Jinyin is radiant and radiant, so kind and amicable. She's always smiling. But when she narrows her eyes, General Xia becomes all clingy and apologetic, like a little child."
Ying Shan burst out laughing.
Wei Yang's heart grew heavier. "Little Yu, before Princess Jinyin left, did His Majesty come here often?"
"Hmm..." Little Yu seemed to be trying hard to recall. "Before Young Master Xiangguang met his misfortune, Young Master Mandu and General Xia also lived here. His Majesty would come sometimes. General Cheng came almost every day." She pointed toward the back courtyard. "If it got late, he'd stay in the Inner East Wing. Prince Penghong and Princess Consort also came often, but the moment Princess Consort arrived, General Xia would slip out to hide."
Wei Yang's brow relaxed slightly. "Why does he hide from Princess Consort?"
Little Yu giggled. "Because the moment Princess Consort arrives, she scolds him. General Xia always wears a long face while being lectured. So the moment he hears Princess Consort is coming, he'd climb over walls to escape."
Wei Yang couldn't help but smile: How could this legendary cold-blooded and ferocious commanding general have such a cute side?
Seeing the Queen was happy, Little Yu became even more free with her words. "Actually, Princess Consort is a very nice person, especially approachable with the servants. She's just got a sharp tongue. Prince Penghong goes along with everything she says. She'd say one thing and the Prince wouldn't dare say two. When General Cheng sees her, he's also panic-stricken. If he can't escape, he gets lectured until he's soaked through with sweat. Princess Jinyin dotes on General Cheng though, treating him like her own younger brother, so every time she intercedes for him."
Wei Yang smiled. "Princess Consort is that formidable?"
"She really is. Even His Majesty respects her. When Princess Consort says something, His Majesty answers: 'What Sister says is right.' When she says another thing, His Majesty answers: 'Zhangzhou will certainly do so.'" Everyone says that among the four most powerful men in Yuanliao City, they're all like little children before her. She's just like the mistress of Yuanliao..."
"Don't speak nonsense!" Ying Shan hastily stopped her, startling the girl who looked at Wei Yang不知所措.
Wei Yang had a hint of doubt in her expression, but she still smiled gently at Little Yu. "Ignore her, continue."
Little Yu realized she'd spoken wrong: This woman before her was the true mistress of Yuanliao. She carefully murmured: "Your Majesty, I didn't mean it that way. It's just that when His Majesty was in Dudong, he already held Princess Consort in great esteem, so..."
"I understand." Wei Yang smiled humbly, then asked: "Oh, what about Young Master Mandu?"
Little Yu's expression turned despondent. "Young Master Mandu was so adorable. His Majesty, Prince Penghong and Princess Consort, and General Cheng—they all came mainly to see the young master." She paused. "But after the incident, General Xia took him back to Zhongbi Manor, and General Xia himself rarely comes anymore."
Wei Yang nodded, understanding that the "incident" she referred to was the death of Princess Jinyin's son, Young Master Xiangguang, and Young Master Mandu being poisoned and falling ill. Wei Yang contemplated for a moment, then asked: "Little Yu, how did Young Master Xiangguang die?"
Little Yu suddenly dropped to her knees in panic. "Your Majesty, I don't know, I really don't know."
Wei Yang exchanged a glance with Ying Shan, bewildered. "What are you afraid of?"
Little Yu hemmed and hawed, refusing to speak.
"Come on, just say it. Her Majesty is just asking..." Ying Shan urged.
Absolute silence filled the front hall. After a long while, Little Yu stammered: "After the young master died, the Princess's personal maid Sister Hopu took her own life... I, I heard the other palace maids say the young master was poisoned by Sister Hopu..."
The breeze lifted the silk curtains of Langjing Garden, incense lingered, Wei Yang's hands grew cold, her face ghastly pale. She turned and grabbed Ying Shan's hand, casting a fearful glance at this empty, humanless Langjing Garden—how many grievances and conspiracies had occurred here? Wei Yang felt her hairs stand on end. She breathed slowly, then stood up. "Ying Shan, let's go."
Wei Yang entered the Imperial Uncle's residence, but the usual maids didn't rush out to greet her. Instead, she heard two men arguing and cursing, mixed with some women's feeble attempts at mediation.
"Your Majesty, it seems the Imperial Uncle's family has troubles. Perhaps we should come another day," Ying Shan whispered.
Wei Yang nodded. Just as she was about to retreat, a young and handsome man strode out with a dark expression—it was Qu Xue, the eldest son of Qu Zhenlie.
Seeing Wei Yang, Qu Xue was stunned. His expression softened slightly as he clasped his hands in greeting. "Your Majesty, my apologies. The residence is in disarray today. The hospitality is lacking."
Before Wei Yang could return the greeting, Qu Tian rushed out. "Brother! Don't leave!" She hurried over, bowed to Wei Yang, then grabbed Qu Xue tightly. "Brother, you've upset Father to no end! Where are you going now? Are you going to find that woman again?"
"I know I've brought shame to the Qu family by living at her place. Since Zhongshan hasn't returned yet, what's wrong with me staying at the Protector General's mansion?" Qu Xue said angrily.
"Then Father will be even more furious! Didn't he forbid you from associating with Brother Zhongshan?" Qu Tian stomped her foot.
"Who does he think is a good person? Everyone else is scandalous, only he's morally superior!" Qu Xue glared, then turned to leave.
Qu Tian clung to him desperately. "Brother! Just listen to Father! In two days General Xia will be back too. If you're staying at the Protector General's mansion, that would be even worse..." Qu Tian stopped abruptly. Qu Xue also seemed to have considered something, and fell silent.
Wei Yang quickly smiled. "Since your family has matters to attend to, I'll take my leave. Qu Tian, please convey my regards to Uncle and Aunt."
Qu Tian nodded repeatedly, her face full of guilt.
Wei Yang led Ying Shan back. "Your Majesty, why does everyone here speak so cryptically?" Ying Shan said.
Wei Yang was equally puzzled: Why did everyone have different things to say about that Xia Mancheng? What kind of person was he really?