Young widow in her boudoir

Yin Qinrong stroked a white Persian cat in her arms. "Do you know that my younger brother was released from prison this time because the Crown Prince intervened, but in reality, it was Lord Pei who secretly helped him..."

"The Dali Temple has strict laws and regulations, and even members of the royal family cannot interfere with criminal law at will. Without Lord Pei's approval, even if the Crown Prince holds the power of the Eastern Palace, he cannot easily get someone out of the Dali Temple's prison."

Xie Rutang lowered her eyes and remained silent.

Yin Qinrong gazed at the jade hairpin that the Second Master had given her, which was placed near her temple. The hairpin was simple and elegant, just right for her, a widow, to wear in the mansion.

The woman smiled, her crimson lips conveying a profound meaning.

"Do you know why Lord Pei gave you this hibiscus hairpin?"

Upon hearing the Crown Princess's words, Xie Rutang sensed something was amiss, and her heart sank.

Yin Qinrong looked at her with pity, but as she spoke, her beautiful eyes held a smug contempt that came from taking advantage of her father's favor, as if she didn't take her seriously at all. "Not long ago, the Crown Prince built a new hibiscus garden for me in the East Palace, and all the plants he moved there were rare varieties."

"Though the flowers are beautiful, they are not as good as those that have been cultivated in the old garden for a long time."

Even her sighs were incredibly beautiful, and the sunlight seemed to favor her.

She paused in stroking the cat, then looked over with a captivating allure. "Speaking of which, did Madam Shen also love Furong before?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Rutang's palms began to turn cold.

Everyone knows that the famous Crown Princess of the capital has a unique love for hibiscus flowers.

So, Pei Zhiheng gave her this jade hairpin with dangling pearls and lotus blossoms only for Yin Qinrong's sake?

It's hard not to wonder if he has any ulterior motives, like loving someone because of their family.

After a long while, she bowed slightly to the Crown Princess, her tone neither humble nor arrogant: "I am not aware of the origins of this jade hairpin. If the Crown Princess has any doubts, she may wish to ask the Second Prince herself."

Yin Qinrong's delicate face changed color, and her gaze turned cold.

I never expected that the woman, who looked so weak and helpless, would retaliate against me so calmly.

Then the palace maid beside her shouted, "Insolence!"

"Her Highness merely said one thing to you, yet Madam Shen launched into such a long tirade. Does she have even the slightest sense of hierarchy or propriety?"

Xie Rutang bit her lip upon hearing this, but was not intimidated by the reprimand. Her back remained straight, and she slightly bowed her head and bent her knees. "This humble woman dares not. As a widow, I naturally know how to respect the imperial family and abide by the rules of hierarchy."

"If Your Majesty feels this is inappropriate, perhaps you should ask Lord Pei to speak to you in person, so that I may know whether or not this hairpin should be accepted."

She frowned, knowing that she had no right to question Pei Zhiheng, nor was it worth it. She and he had no feelings for each other; they were just lovers for a month.

Even so, when Yin Qinrong said those things to her just now, her heart was still stung.

A morning breeze swept through the alleyways, bringing a touch of coolness.

Yin Qinrong did not react. She looked at Xie Rutang and just smiled contemptuously, as if Xie Rutang was not even qualified to stir her emotions.

Having given her sufficient guidance, Yin Qinrong boarded her carriage and departed. The brocade-colored gauze curtains of the carriage slowly descended, shutting out the bustling city streets and alleys outside.

Xie Rutang was left alone at the entrance of Dali Temple.

……

Yin Qinrong returned to the East Palace.

The palace walls are vermilion, and there is an artificial pond in the East Palace. The palaces are scattered with carved beams and painted rafters, and the pavilions are tall and spacious.

Thinking of Xie Rutang, whom she had met on the street earlier that day, Yin Qinrong frowned.

Pei Zhiheng, a man of such brilliance and elegance, was given the opportunity to get close to a widow. How could she not despise and loathe Xie Rutang?

The hall was filled with the fragrance of incense. Yin Qinrong went back to her room to change into a light dress. As soon as she lay down on the spring couch, a palace maid brought her some precious lychees that had been transported from Lingnan.

Yin Qinrong had no heart to savor it. Her fingers, stained with the juice of balsam flowers, were a bright, vibrant red. She gently massaged her throbbing temples, a deep, unyielding worry etched on her brow. "Where is the Crown Prince?"

Palace maid: "The Crown Prince is still in the outer study reviewing official documents. He just called several officials in for a meeting."

Yin Qinrong's expression grew increasingly grim. "What has the Crown Prince been doing lately?"

She was asked to tell him all of Li Guan's recent activities.

Since Yin Qinrong married Li Guan, Li Guan has always treated her, the Crown Princess, with indifference.

Li Guan was the crown prince of the country, and his thoughts were even more profound and unfathomable.

The boy was made crown prince at the age of six and lived in the imperial palace since childhood. He was more dignified and composed towards the court officials and won a good reputation in the court. He was recommended by the old officials and has now cultivated a lot of followers.

The palace maid pondered for a moment, carefully recalling the events of the past few days, before turning back to say, "Your Majesty, these past few days, apart from attending the morning court every day, the Crown Prince first goes to Kunning Palace to accompany the Empress, and then goes to the Emperor's court to listen to His Majesty's teachings on the way to govern the country. After returning to the East Palace from the palace, he spends most of his time in the outer study."

"During the day, the Crown Prince deals with all sorts of memorials submitted by the Six Ministries, and occasionally summons a few noble families for a chat. By the end of the day, the Crown Prince hardly has a moment to rest. If there is anything different... it is that the Crown Prince has collected a few folk paintings and keeps them in his room."

So trivial and complicated.

After listening, Yin Qinrong did not notice anything unusual or suspicious, and felt slightly relieved.

She let out a soft sigh on the boudoir. She had seen the paintings that the man had recently collected; they were said to be by Daolian Jushi, a scholar admired by the literati of the capital.

But when she went to the study to look at his beloved paintings, she still couldn't figure them out.

After their marriage, she and Li Guan's married life remained cold and distant for many years. Meanwhile, the Empress and the ministers continued to try to fill the man's harem with beautiful concubines and exotic beauties, causing her constant resentment and worry.

However, Yin Qinrong did not want Li Guancha to know that she was secretly investigating his whereabouts.

Li Guan detested his wife's secret inquiries and prying into his whereabouts. If the man found out, it would inevitably create estrangement between the couple.