H! GVCP Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Where is Everyone?

"What kind of garbage is this! I am merely under house arrest, and those dog-servants in the Imperial Kitchen already dare to fool me with such low-grade stuff!"

Princess Qing'an flew into a rage at today's meal. She grabbed the arm of a nearby palace maid and pinched it hard; the maid’s face turned pale with pain, yet she dared not do anything.

Seeing this, the other palace maids trembled with fear, trying their best to shrink their presence for fear that Princess Qing'an would target them next.

The reason Qing'an had not flipped the table was not because she couldn't, but because she didn't dare to.

The confinement was an order personally issued by Emperor Jianyuan. With the Emperor's approval, the Empress Dowager had sent a disciplinary Momo to Princess Qing'an.

*A Momo is an elderly lady in the palace that teaches discipline, serves beside high ranking consorts and people with status, they can also be in family of prestige like a Duke, Marquis household. The ones from the palace are literally hot cake in that time. 

This Jiang Momo had been by the Empress Dowager's side for many years and commanded great prestige; even ordinary concubines had to show her some respect.

At first, Princess Qing'an didn't take Jiang Momo seriously. But after she smashed two vases and was held down by Jiang Momo to have her palms whipped, she chickened out.

The Empress Dowager hadn't sent someone just for show, she truly felt that Qing'an had shamed the Royal Family, which was why she sent Jiang Momo to punish her.

The more Princess Qing'an thought about it, the angrier she became. 

As a dignified Princess, she was actually forced by that little bitch Yu Lingzhao to suffer such great grievances in her own palace!

Tears fell like a string of broken pearls, row after row.

When Jiang Momo returned from paying her respects at the Empress Dowager’s palace and saw Princess Qing'an sitting at the dining table crying, her face immediately turned stern.

"Princess, why are you not eating?"

Jiang Momo looked at Princess Qing'an with a deep voice. Having followed the Empress Dowager for many years, she knew deeply how much the Empress Dowager valued the Royal reputation. 

In coming to tutor Qing'an, she had brought her full authority.

Hearing Jiang Momo's question, Princess Qing'an felt even more aggrieved. She just kept crying without saying a word.

Jiang Momo sensed something was wrong. Previously, Princess Qing'an would talk back and argue with her, but this time she said nothing—there must be something fishy.

"You, speak." Jiang Momo pointed randomly at a small palace maid. The maid immediately knelt down, so flustered that she couldn't speak clearly.

But as a veteran who had been immersed in the palace for many years, Jiang Momo understood the maid’s meaning: roughly, that the food was not to the Princess's taste.

Jiang Momo didn't say anything more to Princess Qing'an. Instead, she called the food-testing maid to test the dishes for her.

Princess Qing'an watched Jiang Momo test the food and stopped crying, pouting as she watched the process.

After Jiang Momo finished testing the dishes, she wiped her mouth unhurriedly and said to Princess Qing'an, "This old servant has tried it. The food is indeed a bit lacking in freshness..."

"I am only under house arrest! I haven't been thrown into the Great Prison!"

"The Imperial Kitchen sent this stuff that even a dog wouldn't eat because they intend to starve me to death! Fine, I want to see Royal Father! Let Royal Father kill all of you lowly servants who look down on people!"

Upon hearing Jiang Momo admit that the food wasn't good enough, Princess Qing'an erupted instantly, sweeping a pile of bowls and plates off the table.

The dishes crashed to the floor with a loud clatter, smashing right in front of Jiang Momo. 

One of the flying shards even grazed the back of Jiang Momo's hand, drawing blood.

Qing'an’s heart skipped a beat, and she felt a sudden surge of fear. 

But her pride as a Princess was paramount, so she forced herself to maintain her composure and glared at Jiang Momo.

Jiang Momo remained as steady as a mountain, even though things had been hurled at her, she didn't even blink. 

Once Princess Qing'an had finished her tantrum, she said slowly, "Princess, mind your decorum. Regarding the matter of the meals, this old servant will report it to Her Majesty the Empress; I certainly will not allow the Princess to consume these again."

As soon as Jiang Momo finished speaking, palace maids stepped forward to clear the mess on the floor and the untouched food on the table.

Princess Qing'an truly felt some dread toward Jiang Momo, but she desperately did not want to be confined. 

There were still more than two months left, how could she live through this!

"I want to see Royal Father! I want to see Royal Father!"

Jiang Momo watched Princess Qing'an screaming and shouting with a cold, indifferent expression, as if she were looking at a piece of trash.

Provoked by this look, Princess Qing'an’s fire was instantly extinguished.

Only then did Jiang Momo say slowly, "His Majesty issued a clear decree long ago. For these three months, the Princess must remain strictly confined and relearn Royal etiquette. If you do not learn well, the day the Princess leaves the palace will be much further off."

Princess Qing'an’s face turned pale. Seeing Jiang Momo’s cold and serious demeanor, she knew the woman wasn't joking. Her hatred for Yu Lingzhao grew even deeper.

It was all Yu Lingzhao's fault! If it weren't for Yu Lingzhao, how could she have fallen to such a state today!

Just wait—once her confinement is lifted, she will definitely make Yu Lingzhao pay!

Princess Qing'an bit her lip, her defiance written all over her face.

Jiang Momo didn't care. The young Princess still had a temper, but it was still early days; she would slowly teach her to behave.

In the palace, the one thing that was never lacking was 'methods.'

On the day they received the Emperor's permission, Yu Qizhi and He Xuan selected a few people and rushed toward the capital at full speed.

In the end, it was impossible to keep the truth from the Princess Consort of Zhennan. Upon learning her beloved daughter was injured, the Princess Consort was consumed with rage; the Prince of Zhennan almost couldn't hold her back.

Fortunately, Yu Lingzhao’s express letter arrived, recounting the events once more. She explained how she had schemed to get Princess Qing'an punished and clarified that her injuries weren't serious and were mostly a smokescreen. Only then did the Princess Consort calm down.

However, she still sent her trusted confidante, Cui Momo, to accompany He Xuan into the capital. 

After all, she was a veteran who was well-acquainted with the situation there.

He Xuan had no objections to this, and naturally, Yu Qizhi didn't either. 

The group set off.

He Xuan and Yu Qizhi were traveling fast; they were now about half a day’s journey from the capital.

To hide his identity, Yu Qizhi remained in disguise throughout the journey, wearing a mask and staying by He Xuan’s side, playing the role of a guard named Yan Lou.

Only Cui Momo and two trusted followers who came along knew Yu Qizhi’s true identity.

After traveling swiftly, they reached the capital's city gates and found Guan Xiao waiting there.

He Xuan spurred her horse forward a few steps, looking at Guan Xiao with confusion: "Guan Xiao, why are you here? Where is Zhaozhao?"

Guan Xiao cupped his hands in greeting. "The County Princess said that by her calculations, the Heir's Consort should be arriving, so she sent me to welcome you."

Hearing this, He Xuan laughed. She was born with a heroic air, and every gesture carried a sense of gallant spirit.

"Then let’s go."

With Guan Xiao there to receive He Xuan, entering the city became very simple.

In truth, the guards at the city gate didn't dare stop them anyway. 

With their travel permits, credentials, and her status as the Heir's Consort of the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, they were immediately welcomed into the city.

He Xuan and Yu Xiaoyan were childhood sweethearts, so she had naturally watched Yu Lingzhao grow up and felt an indescribable affection for this younger sister.

She only had a few 'little monkeys' (rowdy boys) at home, how could they be as interesting as a sweet, soft young girl?

Just as she entered the gates of the Prince's Mansion, she saw a beautiful figure running toward her.

He Xuan tossed her riding crop aside and opened her arms with a smile to welcome the young girl into her embrace, holding her firmly and even giving her a little lift to weigh her.

"You've lost weight!" He Xuan felt a pang of heartache as soon as she saw her sister, and in her heart, she cursed Princess Qing'an all over again.

Yu Lingzhao smiled and took He Xuan's arm, sweetly calling her "Eldest Sister-in-law," then glanced behind her.

Didn't they say Second Brother was coming along too? 

Where is he? 

— 

Author's Little Scene: 

Eldest Sister-in-law: Dammit! My sister has clearly reached the point where she’s only eating three meals a day; she's grown pitifully thin!

Zhaozhao: You're too kind, it's only because Eldest Sister-in-law loves me too much. [Looking around everywhere for Second Brother]

Third Brother: Eldest Sister-in-law has no room in her eyes for me. [Squatting in the corner drawing circles on the ground]

>>H! GVCP Chapter 27