Female Consort Chapter 53: Rebirth

The wooden carving was taken away by Qiu Che, and Li Qingwu didn’t ask for it back.

The next morning, just as expected, Qiu Che found another exquisitely wrapped gift box on her bedside. Inside was a carving knife, identical in every detail to the one from her past life.

This particular type of knife was sharp yet compact and could extend or retract. The design was novel, making it ideal for wood carving.

Its clever construction also made it quite suitable for self-defense.

Thinking of Yao Tai’s many whimsical ideas, Qiu Che could guess whose suggestion Li Qingwu had followed in designing this gift in their previous life.

Neither of them mentioned what had happened the night before. Li Qingwu, too, seemed to have finally given up her relentless pursuit of answers.

They returned to the courteous, distant way they had treated each other in the beginning.

Li Qingwu’s shop had undergone some renovations and had officially been open for just over a month. She started with clothing, capitalizing on novel styles, and word of mouth soon spread among the noblewomen and young ladies of the capital.

Within a month, profits were already considerable. The brightly colored, fashion-forward garments gradually set off a trend throughout the city.

The good news was that Li Qingwu was counting so much money every day her hands were nearly cramped. The bad news was that with "Zhu Yan" growing too popular, it inevitably began to cut into others’ profits. Some grew resentful and began spreading rumors throughout the capital.

Some claimed the owner of the shop was a married woman who had no intention of properly managing her household and instead ran a business to swindle people out of their money.

Others said the clothes were made from poor materials, with chaotic designs, some even baring arms and legs like the kind worn by brothel girls. And yet they dared to sell these to respectable women, it was practically indecent!

These rumors quickly spread like wildfire, and business at Li Qingwu’s shop took a sudden hit.

Even though many noblewomen clearly understood that Zhu Yan was being deliberately targeted, the gossip still made them hesitant to step through the door again.

What they didn’t know was that the woman they called “Madam Zhu Yan” was actually the Princess Royal of the current dynasty.

Qiu Che couldn’t offer much help when it came to this matter. She simply frowned when she heard the rumors.

They had many enemies, but…

Now that Minister Wu was also in a precarious position under the emperor’s scrutiny, he likely wouldn’t dare stir up such baseless trouble again.

Qiu Che could only think of one person, someone who knew the true owner of the shop and also had the power to spread rumors on such a wide scale: the emperor himself.

Though he outwardly favored Qiu Che, even as he expressed his satisfaction, he couldn’t help but regard her with a measure of wariness.

And the one person he believed he could still control, Li Qingwu, was now showing signs of independence.

Qiu Che suspected the emperor feared that if he let things go any further, both women would slip completely out of his grasp.

So he decided to suppress Li Qingwu’s momentum first, to remind her that the life she now enjoyed was all thanks to his generous favor.

Qiu Che shared her suspicions with Li Qingwu. The latter wasn’t surprised, clearly having guessed as much already.

Their eyes met in silence.

It seemed there was no avoiding the upcoming autumn hunt.

September 1st, Day of the Imperial Hunt, clear skies.

According to official records, the emperor set out with his two sons, his ministers, and their families in a grand procession toward the southern hunting grounds of Jinzhou.

Among them were Minister Qiu, then still serving as Chief Minister of Court of Judicial Review of Judicial Review, and his wife, Princess Lehe.

The night before departure, Yao Tai sought them out.

"Are you sure you want to go?" she asked.

There was a subtle trace of concern in her expression. Qiu Che noticed it and exchanged a glance with Li Qingwu, who then asked, “…Why?”

"I’ve been reading the stars," Yao Tai said, half-jokingly, "and this journey seems ill-fated. If you insist on going, why not bring me along?"

Qiu Che gave her a once-over. “…You?”

Yao Tai might have a head full of whimsical ideas that often helped them break through conventional thinking, but in terms of actual ability, she couldn’t even fend off a chicken.

She wasn’t even as capable as Li Qingwu, who had, under Qiu Che’s guidance, become rather proficient.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been so easily overpowered by Yuan Fu back then.

Yao Tai picked up on her meaning but wasn’t offended. She just chuckled and said, "No need to protect me, just take care of yourselves."

Li Qingwu understood Qiu Che’s concerns and responded just as tactfully, "If something really goes wrong and you’re with us, we won’t be able to leave you behind."

They were not the type to abandon an ally.

Yao Tai raised a brow. “You think I’ve been chatting with Young Master Yang all this time for fun?”

“His father is none other than the famed Prince Zhao, whose name echoes across the land. And though Yang may look like a scholar, he’s no weakling. He can protect me just fine.”

Li Qingwu understood then.

She glanced at Qiu Che, a trace of helplessness in her expression.

Qiu Che noted the rare liveliness in her face and gave it a brief thought. “Suit yourself.”

So Yao Tai departed ahead of them and arrived near the Jinzhou hunting grounds a day in advance.

The Nan Yuan hunting grounds were vast, slightly larger even than the Imperial City. It had been built during the reign of the late emperor.

Qiu Che had come here several times in her past life, following the Li family, though that had been several years later in this timeline.

To her memory, nothing major had happened during that year’s autumn hunt.

Yet Yao Tai’s inexplicable look of worry kept flashing in her mind along the way.

Qiu Che had always found Yao Tai mysterious, as if she knew things ahead of time. But her predictions were never quite right.

In her past life, not a single one of Yao Tai’s forecasts had come true.

Maybe, as Yao Tai herself claimed, she really was just a half-baked fortune-teller.

Thinking this, Qiu Che shook her head and looked forward.

The royal banners fluttered high in the air, and the entire procession was surrounded by tight Golden Guard security.

There was no sign of danger.

It took half a day to reach the hunting grounds. After everyone settled into the camp, the emperor donned the ceremonial armor reserved for imperial hunts.

As his representative, Li Shi was the first to mount his horse, bow in hand. Surrounded by the Golden Guard, he led a few trusted young officials into the depths of the forest.

He had intended to invite Qiu Che to join, but women were not allowed into the hunt.

Qiu Che, worried Li Qingwu might be in danger if left alone, quickly declined with the excuse of feeling unwell.

Li Shi gave her a long, meaningful look, but said nothing. He turned and rode off.

On the surface, neither of them said much, but as soon as they entered the room, Li Qingwu let out a sigh.

“You don’t have to be so cautious around me… I can protect myself now. If you’re really that worried something might happen to me, I could go stay with Yao Tai.”

Most of the Southern Hunting Grounds stretched across the mountains, and conveniently, there was a Daoist temple located there. Yao Tai had arrived a day early and was currently staying at that temple.

“You turned down the Emperor so directly,” Li Qingwu paused, then said softly, “I’m afraid he’ll hold it against you because of me.”

Qiu Che had wanted to say: But I’m not at ease.

But thinking it over, she realized Li Qingwu wasn’t wrong.

She’d been overly fixated on the so-called “crisis” hinted at in Yao Tai’s words. But with so many eyes around them now, it wasn’t realistic for her to remain at Li Qingwu’s side constantly.

Li Qingwu had hardly had a chance to enjoy herself lately. If she stayed glued to her the entire time, it would only be inconvenient.

So, her lingering worries were soon overruled by reason.

She thought to herself, she really had let that recent confession from Li Qingwu scramble her mind. When it came time to think clearly, her brain stalled.

They both fell silent for a moment. In the end, it was Qiu Che who sighed and compromised.
“I’ll go speak to His Majesty later… Just be careful.”

Li Qingwu nodded. “Alright.”

The first three days of the autumn hunt passed without incident.

But Qiu Che did notice something curious, every time the Emperor returned, he showed no signs of exertion. His quiver never lacked arrows, and yet he always came back with a full haul.

Then there was Commander Cui Wenshen of the Embroidered Guard, silent and grim, who came back each time looking a bit worse for wear.

Qiu Che understood.

Oh. So he’s just a glory-hound who likes to show off.

At one point, the Emperor summoned Li Qingwu for a private conversation. The Embroidered Guards were stationed heavily outside, no one knew what was said.

But it was clear that the talk had not gone well. The father and daughter parted on bad terms.

Li Qingwu came out looking calm, but the Emperor wore a thunderous expression. His gaze swept past Qiu Che as if deep in thought.

Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he stormed back inside.

That night, the two of them still slept in the same bed. Yes, even after everything that had happened, neither of them brought up the idea of sleeping separately.

During these few days of the hunt, they had always shared a bed, sleeping with their feet touching.

Qiu Che asked her what the Emperor had said.

Li Qingwu was silent for a long time.

Just when Qiu Che thought she wasn’t going to answer, Li Qingwu’s next words snapped her drowsy mind into full alert.

“He told me to poison you.”

Qiu Che gave a breathless laugh. She knew Li Qingwu wasn’t the type to follow such orders blindly. And since she was openly saying this now, she had clearly refused.

Still, Qiu Che couldn’t help but feel a little tense.

“What did you say?”

Li Qingwu gave a quiet chuckle.

“I told him I have feelings for you. I couldn’t do it.”

But this time, Qiu Che couldn’t bring herself to laugh.

She had her back to Li Qingwu and couldn’t see her expression, but her voice sounded much calmer than the first time she’d confessed.

Qiu Che hesitated, wondering, was it too late to pretend she’d already fallen asleep?

But Li Qingwu didn’t wait for a reply. After saying that, she went silent again.

Only Qiu Che was left in the dark, listening to the sound of her own heartbeat, louder and louder.

The rest of the night passed in silence.

On the fourth day of the autumn hunt, disaster struck.

The Emperor went out hunting that day with only two of the princes. Qiu Che stayed behind at the hunting camp.

Li Qingwu, having spent the last three days in the camp, had mostly been with the young noble ladies, embroidering and chatting idly about domestic affairs.

Worried she might be bored, Qiu Che had sent a flying message yesterday, asking Yao Tai to take her on a stroll near the Daoist temple.

With some free time today, Qiu Che had gone with Wu Yiqi to a clearing at the foot of the mountain for some sparring practice.

When news of Li Qingwu’s accident reached her, she was in the middle of withdrawing her dagger, and nearly slashed Wu Yiqi’s face.

Wu Yiqi jumped back, startled, but he had no time to scold her for her heavy hand.

He turned to see a guard he didn’t recognize, his black uniform was soaked with blood from a chest wound.

Pale-faced, barely able to stand, the man dropped to his knees the moment he saw Qiu Che.
“Your Grace!”

“Her Highness has been taken, he said he’ll only release her if you come in person.”

Qiu Che sheathed the dagger Li Qingwu had gifted her not long ago, one she’d grown quite fond of. Her expression was icy as her eyes flicked to the man’s wound.
“...Do you know who it was?”

Fu Feng’s lips trembled. His face was twisted with regret and rage.

“It was Yuan Fu. The former Commander of the Imperial Guard.”

If it hadn’t been him, there’s no way the Princess would’ve been taken from his hands.

As disgraced as Yuan Fu might be, he had still once commanded the Imperial Guard. His martial skill was a level above Fu Feng’s.

Wu Yiqi exclaimed, “He’s not dead?!”