Female Consort Chapter 63: Audience with the Emperor

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“You and Uncle Jiang didn’t secretly plan this memory loss thing to fool me, did you?”

Li Qingwu was holding her hand at that moment, using her support to carefully step down from the carriage.

Before them stood the towering gates of the capital.

The city patrol guards, long sabers at their waists, lounged around in small groups, chatting lazily and casting scrutinizing glances at passersby.

Li Qingwu’s smile was hidden beneath her veiled hat. Her voice was quiet, just loud enough for Qiu Che to hear. “Of course not.”

“Maybe he just assumed I’d really lost my memory because I was unconscious for so long.”

“When did you actually wake up?”

Like her, Qiu Che wore a veiled hat. She held Li Qingwu’s hand and turned to walk with her toward the city gate.

Li Qingwu wore a pair of white magnolia shoes that she’d bought on the way back, an old style popular even before foot-binding had become the norm.

Once the foot-binding custom had taken hold, these shoes had nearly vanished from the market. Embroidered shoes designed for bound feet became essential for women with so-called "golden lotuses."

But with the recent enactment of new laws banning foot-binding, just a single decree written in black ink on yellow paper, it had already started quietly reshaping the lives of the common people.

The most noticeable change was that cloud-toe shoes and white magnolia shoes had once again become all the rage among the populace.

Having grown used to the restrictive embroidered shoes, Li Qingwu found this new pair refreshingly liberating.

The only trouble was she kept forgetting that her feet had long since healed, there was no need to walk in such small, mincing steps anymore.

To help correct this habit, Qiu Che had taken to walking hand-in-hand with her these past few days. Whenever her steps grew too dainty, Qiu Che would give her hand a gentle tug.

Once, when Li Qingwu fell behind, Qiu Che tugged a little too hard, causing her to stumble slightly.

It wasn’t a big deal, but it still annoyed her a little. She complained, “Can’t you be a bit more gentle, Aning?”

Qiu Che earnestly asked, “What counts as gentle?”

Caught off guard by her seriousness, Li Qingwu felt a bit embarrassed. “Like… maybe just a little squeeze of the fingers or something…”

The more she spoke, the softer her voice became, until her ears turned crimson.

But the moment she finished speaking, Qiu Che lightly squeezed her fingertips.

It was soft and ticklish.

Not like a reminder.

More like… flirting.

Even after Li Qingwu had mostly unlearned her old walking habit, neither of them mentioned letting go.

And now, in broad daylight, under the gazes of passing pedestrians, Li Qingwu's face turned red, but she didn’t let go of Qiu Che’s hand.

After a moment’s thought, she said honestly, “...I was only awake for a short while. The moment I got up and stepped outside, I saw all of you.”

Qiu Che chuckled softly. “So you decided to fake amnesia right then?”

“No,” Li Qingwu replied, “It was after you said I didn’t need to go back just yet…”

The Princess losing her memory might not shake the court, but it could easily become a weapon for others to attack Qiu Che with.

Li Qingwu didn’t want to be her weakness, she refused to become Qiu Che’s liability. Even if the amnesia was fake, no one else could know.

She had originally planned to tell Qiu Che the truth the night before they returned to the capital.

Until then… she’d let herself enjoy this fleeting dream, this brief escape from the world.

But the effects of this “amnesia” had turned out even better than she expected.

So much so that, despite it being nearly ten days since that fateful kiss, she still hadn’t dared ask Qiu Che what it meant.

You say you don’t like me, and yet you kissed me.

But if you do like me, then why did you always avoid my gaze and gently reject me before?

This is fine. Just like this.

Even if Qiu Che was merely indulging a whim, finding her amusing while “amnesiac” and wanting to give it a try, that was fine too.

Everything else, Li Qingwu reminded herself again, don’t overthink it.

Qiu Che laughed again, the sound light but unreadable.

Li Qingwu didn’t press for the meaning behind it, because by then, they had reached the city gates.

One of the patrol guards leered lazily. “Broad daylight and you’re wearing veiled hats? Take them off. Show your travel documents.”

The others snickered and exchanged glances, their eyes roaming over Li Qingwu with barely disguised lust.

They couldn’t see her face, but her bearing and figure were enough to suggest that she was an extraordinary beauty.

Qiu Che, dressed again in chest-binding wraps and adopting her usual “male” appearance and posture, was spared the same attention thanks to her height and demeanor.

But even veiled hats couldn’t shield them from such invasive stares.

Without a word, Qiu Che tightened her grip on Li Qingwu’s hand and shifted slightly to shield her from their gazes.

Her eyes were cold, but her voice was calm, almost gentle. “We don’t have travel documents.”

The guard frowned. “No papers and you want into the capital? You’re not fugitives, are you, ”

Before he could finish, the tall, slim “man” in green robes reached into her sleeve and flashed something before their eyes, speaking steadily: “You recognize this, don’t you?”

It was an imperial token.

They’d used it to pass through every checkpoint on the way.

After her last case, the emperor had granted it to her as a sign of favor, and hadn’t revoked it, even after her disappearance.

When she’d fallen off the cliff, the token had still been in her sleeve pouch. True to its origin, it had survived completely unscathed.

It wasn’t especially powerful, its only use was to allow unimpeded access to restricted palace areas.

But that alone was enough. The guards, being from the capital, instantly recognized it and paled.

One of them blurted out, “How do you have an imperial token?!”

Qiu Che paused.

Then she lifted the edge of her veiled hat, revealing part of her face. Her gaze was calm, and her voice slow and steady. “Because I am the Minister of Court of Judicial Review, and the only remaining Prince Consort in Great Xia. Is that sufficient?”

The guards were stunned. “Lord Qiu?! That’s impossible, ”

Wasn’t Lord Qiu, that young official who held a fourth-rank position, missing for nearly two months?

He wasn’t dead?

One of the guards glanced at the woman she was subtly shielding and was shocked to realize that with her otherworldly bearing… if someone said she was the Princess, it wouldn’t be hard to believe.

He opened his mouth to say something, but the lead guard quickly grabbed his arm, stopping him.

He was the first to step aside, bowing low with a respectful tone, though his expression still held traces of shock. “Welcome back to the capital, Your Highness, Lord Qiu.”

The others followed suit, hurrying to bow and echo: “Welcome back, Your Highness, Lord Qiu!”

Their backs were damp with cold sweat. They dreaded the possibility that Qiu Che would report them to the emperor for their earlier impropriety, she was in His Majesty’s good graces, and if he found out they’d ogled the Princess, he might crush them without a second thought.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem inclined to pursue it.

Still, the commotion at the gate had already drawn attention. People in line began whispering, curious about the sudden delay.

When the guards bowed and addressed the pair, the murmuring grew louder, like a rising tide.

“So it’s the Princess and the Prince Consort… wait, who with who?”

“Weren’t they supposed to have died falling off a cliff? How are they back all of a sudden…”

“We common folk never know what’s really going on with those high-ranking types…”

“Lord Qiu’s a good man. A few years ago, my grandfather lost ten mu of land to corrupt officials and got so mad he fell ill. They sold our land off. Lord Qiu remembered. Just a few months back, the court compensated us with a hefty sum. When we heard he was missing, my parents were heartbroken… It’s good he’s alive. That’s what matters.”

“I’m more curious, is that veiled lady really the Princess everyone says is the most beautiful woman in the land? Can’t even see her face…”

“Who cares if she’s pretty… haven’t you heard? She’s the daughter of a woman from the Southern Tribes…”

“Come on, it’s not like bloodline punishments are still a thing these days.”

“No! My second aunt’s granduncle from Jinzhou said it’s heating up again down south. If war breaks out, there’ll be another draft. My son might have to go fight! Those damn Southerners, using venomous snakes in battle. One bite, and not even a god can save you!”

They whispered, assuming no one could hear, but Qiu Che’s sharp ears picked up every word from afar.

Most were watching like spectators at a show. A few were simply impatient after waiting so long.

As Qiu Che led Li Qingwu steadily into the capital, they could still hear the occasional mutter from behind:

“Are they going in or not? I need to get supplies for my shop back home…”

Li Qingwu paused.

Beneath the veil, Qiu Che couldn't see her expression, but instinctively felt that she was hiding something.

Though she was smiling, her words came across as oddly perfunctory: “If it really came down to marching and warfare, there’s nothing I could do to help, nor anything I could stop. Of course I’d only be concerned about you.”

A reasonable enough excuse.

So Qiu Che let it go.

At the Princess Residence, they’d already received word that the two were returning. Yu Yan and Fu Ling had originally planned to go to the city gate to greet them, but it was Yu Ming who stopped them.

“We can’t let anyone know that we already knew the young mistresses were safe.” That was Yu Ming’s exact phrasing.

If word got out, it would give certain people a reason to start spinning tales and conspiracies.

After some convincing, the group finally agreed to change the welcoming location from the city gate to the front gate of the residence.

Judging by the time, it should be soon. The group waited anxiously by the door, listening intently for a knock.

Right on cue, a young servant, sent to the city gate under the pretense of buying supplies, came running back, breathless as he banged on the front gate.

Peeking through the crack, and seeing it wasn’t the two ladies, the others quickly hid, leaving only Yu Ming to straighten her clothes and act as though she was just arriving at the door. She opened it, frowning in feigned irritation. “What’s got you in such a rush? Where are your manners?”

The young servant quickly stood up straight and stammered out, “The Princess... and Her Highness’ husband, they’re back!”

“They’re back?” Yu Ming feigned confusion. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

“It’s not nonsense! Not at all!” The servant pointed outside, eyes wide with excitement. “They’re already on the road back to the residence! I heard the city patrol call out their names with my own ears! It’s Her Highness and the consort! There’s no mistake!”

Thanks to Qiu Che’s deliberate nurturing, Yu Ming now had quite the flair for acting. Her expression shifted naturally, from shock to overwhelming joy, with an ease that could’ve won her an award.

She raised her voice and shouted, “Yu Yan! Yu Yan, !”

Yu Yan had been waiting impatiently. The moment she heard the call, she rushed over. “Sister!”

“The young master and madam are back!” Yu Ming exclaimed. “Quick, go inform Madam Wang, why are you standing there like a statue? Hurry!”

But Yu Yan just stood there, dumbstruck.

Yu Ming huffed, “Forget it. Can’t count on you. I’ll go tell her. You stay here and wait!”

With that, she lifted her skirt and sprinted off.

Soon after, Fu Ling and Fu Feng appeared one after another, each pretending they’d only just heard the news.

Yu Ming had timed it perfectly and soon returned in a hurry. Not long after, Madam Wang came out, her face filled with joy, supported on either side.

Under the eager gaze of all present, the two familiar figures finally came into view.

As they neared the gate, the two women simultaneously removed their veils.

It had been two months, and yet the faces were still the same, familiar and unchanged.

Fu Ling was the first to cry out, her composure completely breaking down as she ran forward and threw herself into Li Qingwu’s arms, sobbing, “Your Highness!”

“I thought I’d never see you again… wuwuwu…”

Yu Yan also began to cry uncontrollably, but she didn’t dare throw herself onto her mistress. She could only stand to the side, sniffling with her lips quivering.

Li Qingwu caught Fu Ling in her arms, smiling helplessly. “Aren’t I back now?”

In order to hold Fu Ling, the two women’s clasped hands naturally came apart.

Qiu Che’s gaze flicked to Fu Ling’s arms wrapped tightly around Li Qingwu. Before the latter noticed anything, Qiu Che spoke casually, “Why is everyone gathered here?”

Madam Wang’s eyes welled with tears as she stepped forward and took both of their hands. “You two… If you were safe, you could have at least sent word. I waited so long… but as long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.”

Of course, they had sent word.

But with so many maids and servants present, there was no telling whether someone might be a spy for another faction.

Madam Wang wasn’t the scheming type. This line was something Yu Ming had instructed her to say ahead of time, meant for any spies within earshot.

Qiu Che explained, “We were injured… only just recovered enough to travel. We rushed back as soon as we could. It was wrong of us to let you worry.”

After a few more pleasantries, they used the excuse of Madam Wang wanting to speak with them privately to dismiss the other servants.

No one objected. They all bowed and retreated with genuine relief and joy.

Their mistresses had returned safe and sound, which meant the Princess Residence was stable again, and they didn’t need to scramble for another household to serve. For the servants, it was wonderful news.

No one noticed that the young servant who had delivered the news also wore a smile of heartfelt relief as he slipped out of sight.

But Qiu Che caught a glimpse of him leaving, and her brows furrowed slightly. “Yu Yan.”

Yu Yan was still sobbing, careful not to wipe her nose anywhere inappropriate for fear of being scolded by her mistress. So she sneakily dabbed her tears and snot on Fu Feng’s robe.

Hearing Qiu Che’s call, she sniffled and answered, “Yes, mistress?”

“Who was that boy?”

“That’s Anan, the kitchen runner from the back courtyard. He’s one of the longest-serving servants in the house,” Yu Ming answered before Yu Yan could. She had a better memory for these things, having managed the household for some time.

She lowered her voice. “Mistress, is there something wrong with him?”

Qiu Che didn’t give a definite answer. “Yu Yan, keep an eye on him.”

Yu Yan immediately sniffled again and took the opportunity to quietly distance herself from Fu Feng. “Understood.”

Fu Feng stood silently, watching Li Qingwu and Fu Ling embrace, feeling a weight lift from his chest, after all, it had been his failure in protecting them that put both mistresses in danger.

During the long days without news, he had even considered taking his own life to atone.

But if he died, then Fu Ling, his biological sister, would be left all alone in the world.

He hadn’t been able to go through with it.

Fortunately, they were both still alive.

Snapping out of his thoughts, he noticed his robe felt damp at the hem, as if someone had splashed water on it.

He looked up in confusion, only to see Yu Yan had somehow moved far away, her expression calm and composed, though streaks of tears still marred her face.

Fu Feng: “…”

No need to guess. It was definitely Yu Yan.

The two women planned to bathe and change before doing anything else.

Madam Wang accompanied them, though she mostly just listened while they spoke.

Because she was there, they couldn’t hold hands again. They could face anyone else without hiding, but in front of Qiu Che’s birth mother, who also happened to be one of the few people who knew her true gender, they both felt awkward.

Unspoken yet mutual, they avoided any overly intimate gestures.

“You suspect that servant Anan is a problem?”

“Our pace wasn’t slow,” Qiu Che replied. “There’s only one route from the city gate to the Princess Residence. For him to avoid us without me sensing him… he either intentionally kept out of my range, or there’s something wrong.”

“If it was intentional, then it’s a problem.”

“You may not have noticed,” Qiu Che continued, “but if he had really run all the way back, his steps would be a little unsteady. But he wasn’t. His breathing was calm.”

Li Qingwu asked, “Whose man could he be?”

Qiu Che countered, “Who do you think?”

They spoke casually as they walked, as if chatting about nothing important. Even if someone was secretly observing, it’d be impossible to tell they were talking about identifying a spy.

Li Qingwu answered honestly, “Too many possibilities.”

“Such as?”

“Fath, the Emperor? Prime Minister Wu? The Crown Prince? Or maybe someone from your father’s side?”

Qiu Che nodded, then shook her head. “Not the Emperor. If he wanted to plant someone, he’d just send an Imperial Guard. No need for all this subtlety.”

“The Crown Prince and my father are even less likely. The Crown Prince doesn’t have the brains or the means to place someone in my household,” she said flatly. “And my father? Hah.”

Just that single chuckle carried all the mockery in the world.

If even the Crown Prince couldn’t do it, then her idiot father had no chance at all.

“Then it’s Prime Minister Wu?”

“Could be,” Qiu Che said, “or maybe not.”

Li Qingwu caught on. “You’re not planning to expose him?”

Qiu Che gave her an approving glance, but then noticed her blush and sudden pause in breathing.

Afraid Madam Wang might notice something, she quickly turned her head and looked straight ahead. “We’re casting a long line to catch a big fish.”

Li Qingwu nodded in agreement. “Rather than arrest him and invite more spies in, it’s better to let him stay. That way, everything he does is under our watch.”

They shared a knowing look.

And with that, the conversation ended.

What they didn’t expect was Madam Wang, who had been listening the whole way, to smile and say, “You two really do make quite the couple.”

If she didn’t know her daughter was a girl, she might’ve gone ahead and tried to matchmake them.

As soon as the words left her mouth, both young women fell into an awkward silence.

Neither denied it, but the air between them grew faintly tense.

Without missing a beat, Qiu Che smoothly changed the subject. “Mother, we'll freshen up first. Please wait for us in the study.”