Su Xiaoqi and Du Yiyi both thought Zhang Yu’s casual remark about going to gather more information and reporting back later was just that—a casual remark, and neither of them took it seriously.
However, not long after she left, Zhang Yu returned.
This time, the excited expression was gone from her face, replaced by a look of solemnity.
“Princess Huian was so frightened she fainted. The Eldest Princess is furious. She slapped Princess Qionghua right in the imperial palace, in front of the Empress, and even used a hairpin to slash her face.”
“What, what?” Du Yiyi momentarily thought her ears were playing tricks on her. She busied herself by vigorously digging at her ears, but the expressions on Zhang Yu and Su Xiaoqi’s faces told her she hadn't misheard.
The Eldest Princess had actually resorted to physical violence, and in the imperial palace, in the presence of the Empress.
Su Xiaoqi thought Du Yiyi was scared, but it turned out Du Yiyi had startled her.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, the Eldest Princess is truly mighty. As expected, she is the Emperor’s most favored princess.”
“Yiyi, don't speak rashly. This is a matter of the imperial family; it’s not for us to discuss casually.”
They had heard the news, but it had only passed through Zhang Yu’s lips and entered their ears. It absolutely could not come from their own mouths.
“Sister Xiaoqi, what are you so nervous about? We are in the Duke’s mansion. Who in this entire capital would dare to plant spies in our Duke’s mansion?” Du Yiyi was very confident.
While it might be different elsewhere, the Duke’s mansion was a unique existence in the capital.
Therefore, Du Yiyi wasn’t worried about such matters at all.
Su Xiaoqi, however, instinctively looked at Zhang Yu.
Seeing that Zhang Yu’s face showed no other expression, she finally felt at ease.
She asked where Princess Huian and the Eldest Princess were now.
“They have already returned to the Eldest Princess’s mansion.”
Su Xiaoqi nodded, then suddenly said, “Yiyi, I’m going to the Eldest Princess’s mansion.” She was worried about Princess Huian.
Princess Huian was already timid by nature. Now, having been dragged to the imperial palace for a confrontation, she must be exhausted, frightened, and heartbroken.
Who knew what she might do now.
“I’ll go with you.” Just as Su Xiaoqi was worried about Princess Huian, Du Yiyi was also worried about Su Xiaoqi going to the Eldest Princess’s mansion alone.
Especially now that the Eldest Princess’s mansion was in such disarray.
“Yiyi, you don’t need to come. I can go by myself.” Su Xiaoqi held Du Yiyi back, thanking her for her kind offer.
“I am going to see Princess Huian. She is timid, and too many people might frighten her. I’ll keep her company, or try to guide her, in case she does something rash.”
“Oh, alright.” Du Yiyi knew Su Xiaoqi had a point. Her own temperament was not as gentle and flowing as Su Xiaoqi’s, making her better at comforting people. If she saw Princess Huian’s weak and easily bullied demeanor, she would likely yell at her in frustration, which would only make things worse.
Thinking this, she abandoned the idea and told Su Xiaoqi, “Then be careful. Among them, Prince Ning is the Minister of Justice, most trusted by His Majesty, and the only prince with real power. The other is the Eldest Princess, the Emperor’s most beloved daughter. Their two mansions are in a serious conflict right now. If you go, do not get yourself into trouble.”
Su Xiaoqi nodded. She was only going to see Princess Huian and wouldn’t do anything else. After all, everyone had known at the flower-viewing banquet that Bao Ge’er from the Eldest Princess’s mansion liked her.
“As for the Prince Ning’s mansion, with someone like Princess Qionghua, there’s no loss in not associating with them.”
Seeing that Su Xiaoqi had a clear understanding and her own judgment, Du Yiyi felt relieved. She then instructed Zhang Yu to take good care of Su Xiaoqi and not to blindly inquire about news upon arriving at the Eldest Princess’s mansion, lest she displease the easily angered Eldest Princess.
Though Du Yiyi’s words were blunt, Zhang Yu understood she was acting in the best interest of her mistress and herself, and bowed in acknowledgment.
After settling things with Du Yiyi, Su Xiaoqi went to the Pine Bamboo Courtyard.
However, the Old Madam was still napping and had not yet woken up. Su Xiaoqi greeted the wet nurse attending to her before departing.
Leaving the Duke’s mansion, she headed straight for the Eldest Princess’s mansion.
Ever since yesterday, when Steward Xu had told her that she had been blocked at the gate by the doorkeepers for not sending a letter of invitation in advance, the Eldest Princess had given her a waist token.
This token was made of golden-thread nanmu, engraved with the crest of the Eldest Princess’s mansion. With it, she could come and go from the Eldest Princess’s mansion at any time without fear of being stopped.
Indeed, upon seeing the token, the doorkeepers immediately performed a deep bow and respectfully ushered her into the mansion.
She quickly reached the main courtyard. As soon as she entered, she heard crying and the Eldest Princess’s scolding. It seemed she was scolding Princess Huian, or perhaps people from the Prince Ning’s mansion. The commotion was considerable.
Just as she hesitated about whether to enter immediately, she saw Princess Huian rush out crying, not looking where she was going, and almost tripping over the high threshold.
“You, Huian, you, useless thing, all you do is cry, cry, cry.” The Eldest Princess was extremely agitated and furious.
Su Xiaoqi felt a little awkward, standing at the entrance for a while before gathering her spirits to go in and pay her respects.
“Xiaoqi has arrived.” The Eldest Princess greeted her weakly. She leaned on a couch, propping her head with her hand, massaging her temples, her face etched with fatigue. It was evident she had endured a great deal of running around and hardship that day.
Su Xiaoqi stood for a moment before voluntarily offering to examine her.
“This is just an old ailment; it’s nothing serious. You’ve troubled yourself to come all this way.”
Su Xiaoqi was slightly taken aback by this. Steward Xu, seeing that Su Xiaoqi seemed unaware, assumed the news had not yet reached her and explained, “On the way back from the palace, Your Highness felt palpitations and was quite unwell. This servant sent someone to your mansion to fetch you. It seems this person had just left not long ago when you arrived. What a coincidence.”
Hearing this, Su Xiaoqi finally understood what the Eldest Princess meant. It turned out she had felt unwell and had already sent someone to ask for her. However, since Su Xiaoqi was not at home but at the Duke’s mansion, she had missed the messenger.
This was for the best. She had come somewhat abruptly and was worried about explaining herself to the Eldest Princess. After all, she had just learned of her secret troubles through unusual channels, which made Su Xiaoqi feel slightly uncomfortable.
Just as she was contemplating how to explain so that the Eldest Princess would believe she hadn't come intentionally but by chance, it was now perfect. She didn’t need to make excuses. She simply nodded inwardly, stating that although she wasn’t home, she had received the message and hurried over.
As she spoke, she had already taken on her role as a physician, checking the Eldest Princess’s pulse. She felt it carefully, and the conclusion was, as usual, that her palpitations were severe. Coupled with the excessive anger, this had caused her heart to beat faster, leading to discomfort. After all, the heart had its own rhythm; beating too fast or too slow was not good.
This time, she did not prescribe the usual common herbal medicines. She realized that the Eldest Princess’s condition, while seemingly ordinary, was actually quite serious. Furthermore, her temper was quite bad, and she easily became angry. If this continued, it might soon be beyond saving.
She retrieved a spirit medicine from her spatial dimension and broke off half of it for the Eldest Princess to take, instructing her to rest well. As soon as the medicine entered her throat, it felt like cool spring water, sweet and refreshing, spreading throughout her limbs and bones. The relief was so profound that the Eldest Princess couldn't help but sigh and curiously ask what medicine it was.
“Medicine that suits Your Highness’s condition,” Su Xiaoqi replied with a smile. After taking the medicine, the Eldest Princess felt much better and had the energy to chat with Su Xiaoqi.
“Xiaoqi, yesterday’s matter…” The Eldest Princess hesitated, then spoke.
Su Xiaoqi’s heart fluttered slightly, and she quietly waited for the Eldest Princess to finish her sentence. She anticipated what the Eldest Princess was about to say, and she suspected she might not like hearing it.