The Prince Consort Returns!
The Huren Literary Summit concluded with Top Scholar Ling Dao as the winner. Even Wang Fengli voted for him. Apparently, the Top Scholar's talent lay in calligraphy and portrait painting rather than poetry.
The Emperor beckoned to him, and he approached, bowing reverently.
"Again, you have brought glory to our Jin Empire. I will reward you with the mandate of Lord Ling!"
Ling Dao seemed to be pleasantly surprised. He bowed at once.
"Thanks to your majesty for your bestowal!"
The Emperor nodded with a big smile on his face.
"I see you must have come across Zuo Pie Zi," he said.
"Yes, your majesty. This young one came across Senior Zuo during my wanderings,"
"How could you convince him to make you a fan?" The Emperor was curious.
"Well, we had a wager. Senior Zuo lost to me at chess, so he had to make me a fan,"
"Let me see it,"
Ling Dao presented the exquisite fan and the a eunuch collected it from him and brought it to the emperor.
"As always, marvelous," the Emperor examined the fan.
*Taper like the palm tree,*
*Strong as the oak*
*Zuo Pie Zi*
"I wonder what day Senior Zuo will come to our Jin Empire!"
Ling Dao examined the emperor's face. He really seemed to want to see Zuo Pie Zi.
"Top Scholar Ling Dao, I want to have a word with you," the domineering crown prince opened his mouth.
"Yes, your highness?"
Wang Fengli left the dais and pulled Ling Dao after him.
He stopped in an empty garden.
"Why does the crown prince want to see me?"
"I am looking for Long Ao Tian."
Ling Dao raised his eyebrows.
"Lord Long? I heard he left Jin Empire before I arrived."
"Tell him to return the prince consort to Jin Empire before I find him, or he'll never have descendants in this life!"
Ling Dao was shocked.
"I'll correspond with him," he nodded, "but I really don't think Miss Xiao is with him!"
"Where is she then?"
"Miss Xiao is definitely in Jin Empire! She'll turn up soon," Ling Dao smirked, "if you will excuse me, your highness,"
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Ling Dao's fans went on a rampage the following morning! He had left Jin Empire in the middle of the night! Amidst the riots that his fans were wrecking, Xiao Tao Qi slinked into the Xiao Manor, finding her family packed up and ready to leave for Western Jing.
"Tao-er!" General Xiao ran to his daughter, "you're finally back! You had us all worried!" He hugged her tightly. Xiao Taoqi was shocked. Over General Xiao's shoulder, she could see Qing Guo's face contort in jealousy. Xiao Taoqi smirked at her.
"Taoqi, you must be good now. Don't cause the crown prince a lot of problems. But you can always come to Western Jing if you want."
Wang Fengli, who had received news the moment Xiao Taoqi stepped foot in the Imperial Capital, hurried over to the Xiao Manor at once. It was the first time he was meeting his consort in person. Even though he came in a hurry, he did not forget to tidy up his appearance, and any young lady would swoon when they saw him. Not Taoqi, though. Every single one of her male identities surpassed the crown prince when it came to prettiness. But while Long Ao Tian, Physician Tang and Scholar Ling Dao were carefree and playful, Wang Fengli was immovable and possessed the unique charisma of a solider.
"Greetings to the crown prince," the Xiaos greeted Wang Fengli at once.
"Please rise," Wang Fengli had his eyes on the Xiao young miss, who pretended not to see him.
"Xiao Taoqi," he had no choice but to call her name.
"What?" Xiao Taoqi glared at him, "hey, don't get ahead of yourself! I, Xiao Taoqi have my life in my own hands! No one can dictate to me, so don't think you've found yourself a wife! I'll just run away again and you won't be able to find me!"
General Xiao was shocked.
"Taoqi! It's the Emperor's mandate! Disobeying the emperor's mandate is treason!"
"I didn't say I was going to disobey," Taoqi sneered, "but it'll take a whole lot of work on his part!"
Wang Fengli's heart calmed down. He had long since resolved in his heart to do anything to obtain Taoqi's love. He blessed that matchmaker wherever she was!
Taoqi was cursing the matchmaker wherever she was! How dare her match her with this ugly guy! Wait till I get my hands on you, Hong Niang! You better run far!
Wang Fengli took a step forward and took Xiao Taoqi's hands in his own.
"I will not disappoint you,"
"You've already disappointed me!" Xiao Taoqi snatched her hands back, "how dare you send my family away to Western Jing, to the rebels?!"
"General Xiao and I have conquered them. Western Jing is safe now,"
"Hmph! Who are you kidding? I'm telling you, if anything happens to my family, I'll not let you off!"
"Taoqi, nothing will happen to us," general Xiao reassured her, "don't worry,"
"Fine!" Xiao Taoqi went around and hugged them all, staring from Madam Xiao, her brothers Xiao Ni and Xiao Ke, and Qing Su.
"Sis, if the crown prince bullies you, just send for Ke and I!" Xiao Ni whispered into his sister's ear. Xiao Taoqi patted his head, smiling.
"Sister can take care of herself!"
"Don't expect me to day goodbye to you," Xiao Taoqi made a face at Qing Guo.
"Who cares for your goodbye anyway?!" Qing Guo retorted. General Xiao and Madam Xiao sighed. The two girls had never gotten along.
"Xue Er!"
"Yes, miss!" Xue Er was happy that her young miss was back.
"Let's go!"
She strode out of the Xiao Manor and got into Wang Fengli's carriage without waiting for him. The crown prince bade the Xiaos farewell before stepping out.
He stood in front of the carriage.
"Xue Er, come down."
"Why?" Xiao Taoqi shot back.
"She will ride with Feng Xie." Wang Fengli replied.
Xue Er glanced at her miss once before getting down from the carriage and joining Feng Xie on horseback. Wang Fengli happily sat down next to his consort. Xiao Taoqi shot up from beside him as if she'd been stung and sat down opposite him. The crown prince smiled at her actions.
"We'll first go to greet my mother and father, then we'll return to the Eastern Palace,"
"Hmph," Xiao Taoqi snorted.
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The Empress changed into a flowing red hanfu when she heard that the crown prince and prince consort were on their way. She ordered her maids to prepare tea and light snacks as well, and waited in the gazebo, reading one of Ling Dao's works.
"Greetings to Imperial Mother!"
"Greetings to your majesty!"
The empress rose to receive them. She gazed at Xiao Taoqi and was satisfied. Extremely beautiful, and with good manners. She was really the best choice.
"Tao-er, please refer to me as mother, like Fengli!" The empress smiled.
"Except your majesty says so, it would be presumptuous of me," Xiao Taoqi replied humbly. Wang Fengli raised an eyebrow. Did another spirit enter his consort?
"Here, here. Have a seat!"
They sat down. Xiao Taoqi curiously glanced at the surroundings. The empress was a woman of taste.
Tea was served.
"I heard that the Xiaos have left for Western Jing today. You must be lonely, right?"
Xiao Taoqi lowered her head and said nothing.
"Don't worry. I am your mother now. If anyone bullies you, just come to me,"
Xiao Taoqi glanced at Wang Fengli, smirking lightly.
"What if it's him?"
"Fengli will never treat you unfairly," the Empress reassured. Xiao Taoqi sneered in her heart. If the empress had said something else, she would have actually liked her a bit more.
"Will you go see the empress dowager?" Wang Caihong asked the crown prince.
"That would be after the wedding. The mountains are treacherous during this season,"
Wang Caihong nodded and left the matter there.
"So which auspicious date have you chosen?"
Wang Fengli glanced at Xiao Taoqi.
"What do you think?"
"Why not let's ask Lord Long?" Xiao Taoqi intentionally got on his nerves.
As expected, Wang Fengli's face turned dark at the mention of Long Aotian's name. That he had found his consort didn't mean he had forgiven the man!
"I'll ask the sages," Wang Fengli decided, "don't worry about that, mother,"
"You must make adequate preparations. Nothing must go wrong,"
"Of course," Wang Fengli nodded.
"Good. Tao-er, I'll give you two of my nannies to help you. And I've also sent to the Palace Workers Bureau for your maids in waiting,"
"I already have Xue Er," Xiao Taoqi said.
"Haha," the Empress laughed, "she can never be enough! Do you know how much work it is, taking care of the prince consort?"
Xiao Taoqi shrugged.
"It's settled, then. When will you go to pay your respects to the Emperor?"
"We'll go meet father at court tomorrow," Wang Fengli replied.
"Hmm, that's fine,"
"Then excuse us," Wang Fengli helped Xiao Taoqi up and they both bowed to the empress. They left shortly afterwards.
"The Lady Xiao is really the perfect match for the crown prince!" The empress' nannies exclaimed when the prince and his consort left.
"Lady Hong Niang has done well. She will definitely be the one to select a wife for Fengjiu and Fenglan as well," the empress smiled.
"Oh, before I forget. Nanny Zhen, you will serve the crown prince consort from now on,"
Nanny Zhen was shocked.
"But -- but this one has been by your side all my life--! I really can't leave you, your majesty!" Nanny Zhen cried, holding the empress leg.
The empress sighed, then smiled.
"I knew you would say that. Fine then. Nanny Chun, you go instead,"
"Yes, your majesty!" Nanny Chun was very happy. She would get to serve the future empress as well! What luck! She scoffed in her heart at Nanny Zhen. When this empress died, she would be out of work!
"Good. You must train her well, even though there is not much for you to do. Just watch over her,"
"Yes, your majesty!" Nanny Chun grinned widely, "I will serve the prince consort well!"
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The Eastern Palace was peaceful. Wang Fengli dropped Xiao Taoqi there and told her to familiarize herself with the surroundings. He left soon afterwards.
Xiao Taoqi noticed Feng Xie first.
"Who are you?"
Feng Xie went down on one knee.
"I am Feng Xie, your highness! I am responsible for your safety!"
Xiao Taoqi shrugged.
"You may rise,"
Feng Xie rose. The prince consort was different from many noble ladies that she had come across. Feng Xie already liked her very much.
"Xue Er, let's take a look around!"
There were four Chambers in the Eastern Palace, Wang Fengli's office, a library, a gazebo, a garden and a covered walkway that linked them all. Xiao Taoqi asked Feng Xie which of the chambers Wang Fengli resided in, and chose the one farthest from it.
Her belongings were moved in by the serving chamberlains. Their leader, Ling Hao, introduced himself.
"Your highness, I am the steward of the Eastern Palace. I'm looking forward to serving you,"
So far, Xiao Taoqi noticed that everyone working in the Eastern Palace seemed to be sensible people. She relaxed, as it saved her a lot of trouble.
"Miss--" Xue Er moved close to Taoqi, "aren't you going to bring our own people in?"
"I've been considering it," Xiao Taoqi shrugged, "but the servants here are all good,"
"But they are loyal to the crown prince!" Xue Er urgently said.
"Oh, that?" Xiao Taoqi stroked her cheek, "I see. No problem. I'll ask Du to bring in Fu Yin and the others,"
Xue Er was very happy. She had missed her friends very much.