A Concubine's Competitive Life in the Prince's Household-Chapter 170
Sun Qingmei quickly stood up, her delicate features unable to conceal her joy: "Really?"
The steward of the Marquis’s household nodded: "The Marquis has returned to the capital. Following protocol, he first went to the palace to pay respects to His Majesty. After the audience, the Marquis and Military Advisor Zhao will return to the residence together."
Sun Qingmei beamed, her heart pounding.
She and Shangguan Xuan had grown up together. On their wedding night, Shangguan Xuan had been ordered to the border to quell the rebellion. Before leaving, he had entrusted her: ["My lady, this journey is long, and I do not know when I shall return. Please take care of my family in my stead."]
After Shangguan Xuan’s departure, Sun Qingmei had kept his words close to heart, bearing the heavy responsibilities of the Marquis’s household on her slender shoulders.
She had not failed him.
Suppressing her excitement, Sun Qingmei instructed the steward: "Have the bedding in the master’s chamber changed. Send the kitchen staff to the market for fresh clams—prepare the Marquis’s favorite wine-steamed clams. Oh, and Military Advisor Zhao is coming as well?"
The steward replied: "Indeed. He played a crucial role in the campaign against the Yue Kingdom rebels. His Majesty has summoned him to the capital, likely to bestow rewards."
Sun Qingmei had heard of Military Advisor Zhao. It was said he hailed from humble origins but excelled in crafting weapons.
She added: "Take two maids and prepare the Danfeng Courtyard in the east wing for Military Advisor Zhao’s stay. Assign two clever maids to attend to him—we must not neglect our hospitality."
The steward acknowledged and left to carry out her orders.
Shen Wei had just finished her bowl of red date and snow clam soup and was about to take her leave when the steward mentioned "Military Advisor Zhao." Alarm bells rang in her mind.
Was this Zhao Qing, likely a fellow transmigrator, friend or foe? Shen Wei decided to investigate.
Using "admiring the flowers" as an excuse, she lingered in the Marquis’s residence for another hour, patiently awaiting Zhao Qing’s arrival.
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...
In the solemn and imposing Chang’an Palace of the Great Qing court, the frail emperor received Shangguan Xuan, the Marquis of Southern Garrison, and Military Advisor Zhao Qing, who had returned to the capital to report on their campaign.
The old Marquis of Southern Garrison was bedridden and frail, unable to eat or drink. Shangguan Xuan had inherited his father’s title and military honors, becoming the new Marquis.
"Cough, cough..."
A raspy cough echoed through the hall.
The elderly eunuch attending the emperor hurriedly brought ginseng soup, which the emperor sipped. His temples were streaked with white, and his aged gaze shifted to Zhao Qing, who knelt on the floor.
After a long pause, the emperor sighed: "You have served with merit. Your disguise as a man is no crime. We bestow upon you the title of Princess of Pingyang, with the court’s provisions—rise, you need not kneel."
Zhao Qing kowtowed nervously: "Th-thank you, Your Majesty."
Her lips curled in barely concealed delight.
To masquerade as a man and serve as a military advisor was technically deceit against the throne. Yet by confessing her true identity, she had not only escaped punishment but was even ennobled.
It was an unexpected rise to prominence.
The emperor coughed twice and said to Shangguan Xuan: "It grows late. Return to your residence and see your wife. No doubt she has missed you."
All of Yanjing knew that Shangguan Xuan had departed on his wedding night, leaving his bride alone. Lady Sun had since managed the household with grace and diligence, earning widespread praise.
The emperor, being reasonable, had no intention of delaying their reunion.
At this, Zhao Qing’s eyes flickered with a trace of grievance. Shangguan Xuan dropped to one knee and declared firmly: "Your Majesty! Military Advisor Zhao has fought alongside me, offering strategies and sharing hardships. Our hearts are already one. I beg Your Majesty’s permission to take Zhao Qing as my principal wife! As for Lady Sun, she may remain as an honored concubine—I shall ensure her lifelong comfort."
A deathly silence fell over Chang’an Palace.
The emperor was stunned; even the eunuch’s expression turned complicated.
"Preposterous!" the emperor rebuked.
Sun Qingmei came from a military family—her father had died in battle, her brother had succumbed to illness on the road to Yanjing. She was the last of her line, and the emperor himself had arranged the marriage to honor her family’s sacrifices.
And now Shangguan Xuan wished to demote her?
Shangguan Xuan dropped to both knees, kowtowing three times with a thud: "I beg Your Majesty’s mercy!"
The emperor, incensed, drank two more gulps of ginseng soup.
Touched by Shangguan Xuan’s sincerity, Zhao Qing also knelt and produced a scroll from her sleeve: "Your Majesty, these are my designs for a weapon called the [composite bow]. It requires little strength yet delivers lethal force—even a sheltered maiden could wield it. I offer this invention in exchange for Your Majesty’s blessing on our union."
The emperor’s brow twitched. He motioned for the eunuch to retrieve the scroll.
In his youth, the emperor had campaigned extensively. A glance at the schematics left him astonished.
Such an ingenious bow?
Shangguan Xuan smiled tenderly at Zhao Qing. This was the woman he loved—brilliant, brave, and gifted, unlike the pampered noble daughters of Yanjing.
After a pause, the emperor rolled up the scroll.
Calmly, he said: "Zhao Qing’s contribution is significant. But Shangguan Xuan, your wife has upheld your household with dedication. If you insist on marrying Zhao Qing, We decree she shall be your equal consort."
Shangguan Xuan protested: "Your Majesty! A-Qing is my only wife—how can she share the title?"
The emperor, weary, waved his hand: "We are fatigued. All of you, leave. The edict for the equal consort will be delivered to your residence in due time."
Gritting his teeth but not daring to disobey, Shangguan Xuan led Zhao Qing out of Chang’an Palace.
By noon, the early winter sun cast warmth over the palace, dispelling its usual chill. The emperor coughed violently, his throat coppery with blood, before spitting a dark clot.
"Your Majesty!" The eunuch panicked, shouting, "Summon the imperial physicians!"
The emperor raised a hand, his gaze lingering on the weapon schematics. "Send for Prince Yan," he ordered.
...
...
The Marquis’s carriage rolled through Yanjing’s bustling streets. Zhao Qing lifted the curtain, marveling at the sights outside.
Hawkers peddled wares, colorful goods dazzled the eye, and crowds thronged the prosperous capital. The women strolling the streets wore elegant dresses, their skin like polished jade, carrying faint traces of perfume.
Liangzhou, battered by frontier winds, could never compare to this splendor. Zhao Qing clenched her sleeves in determination—she would stay in this wealthy city!
"A-Qing, try this—it’s Weiyanji’s crabapple blossom pastry." Shangguan Xuan opened an exquisite box. His attendants had fetched this popular delicacy, beloved by Yanjing’s ladies.
The pastries resembled blooming red crabapple flowers—visually stunning, crisp, and sweet.
Zhao Qing took a bite, her eyes lighting up. "Delicious!"
Shangguan Xuan smiled adoringly. "If you like it, I’ll have it delivered daily. There’s also a renowned rouge shop here—their face powder is said to enhance one’s beauty. I’ll send for some tomorrow."
Zhao Qing blushed. "My lord, you spoil me." free𝑤ebnovel.com
Shangguan Xuan clasped her hand. "You endured hardships with me in Liangzhou. I won’t fail you. Don’t worry—I won’t let you be an equal consort."
