Chapter 8: The Year We Saved the Marquis's Daughter

"Mother, take good care of yourself."

The old madam had meant to step forward and say something.

But seeing the imperial authority in my bearing, she merely swallowed and dared not speak.

She no longer dared cause Mother or Gu Lingjia the slightest discomfort.

She could only keep her head down and behave.

The day Gu Lingjia came to the palace for the banquet, the sky was clear. Only the morning wind was a little strong.

I brought a cloak and waited beneath the eaves to greet her.

The instant I saw her, I handed it over and tied the strings myself.

"It's still cold at this hour. Put this on."

Wrapped in its warmth, she reached out and hugged me.

"It's so good to have a big sister!"

I smiled and took her to my palace to see my adopted son.

"You haven't met my son yet, have you? The Seventh Prince has grown quite a bit plumper lately."

Still tiny, he babbled indistinctly and crawled toward my lap.

I gathered the chubby baby into my arms.

Gu Lingjia poked his round face gently with a finger.

His plump cheeks were adorable.

He was at his most lovable age.

She took the necklace she'd prepared and put it around his neck.

"A first-meeting gift from your aunt."

After we'd talked for a while, the flower-viewing banquet was about to begin.

Gu Lingjia had dressed with particular care that day.

She was beautiful to begin with. The Empress had also mentioned her to the Crown Prince, describing her as gentle, virtuous, and the best choice for Crown Princess.

When he met her, he was warm and courteous.

Blushing, she approached him with an old book held in both hands.

"I hear Your Highness has been searching for this treatise on statecraft. I was fortunate enough to find it. Please accept it."

I'd gone to considerable trouble to prepare that gift for her.

Whether the match succeeded would depend on today.

Fortunately, the Crown Prince had no wish to rebel against his mother's arrangements.

He was very satisfied with her choice, accepted the book, and chatted happily with Gu Lingjia.

Delighted, the Empress announced their betrothal on the spot.

When I saw Gu Lingjia out of the palace, she held my hand, reluctant to part.

"Big Sister, we'll be able to see each other every day again."

Was that why she'd decided to marry the Crown Prince?

Amused, I stroked her head.

"Yes. Every day."

After she married into the palace, she came to my chambers daily to talk.

I taught her how to manage palace servants.

Later, the Emperor died, and the Crown Prince ascended the throne.

The Empress became Empress Dowager. Gu Lingjia became Empress.

I was made a Dowager Consort, and the Seventh Prince became Prince of Qi.

I'd thought I would have to accompany him to his fief.

For Gu Lingjia's sake, the new Emperor chose the fief closest to the capital.

The Empress Dowager said,

"The Prince of Qi is still young. You may return to the capital often and stay for a while, either in the palace or at your family home."

With her permission, I frequently returned for a few days, mostly staying at the marquis's residence.

My two little brothers were now four or five.

Mother had them for company, and the marquis treated her very well.

"Lingyi, my good daughter!" she said. "If you hadn't saved the Empress all those years ago, I could never have lived as well as I do now."

She felt fortunate indeed that she'd listened to me that year and helped save Gu Lingjia.

Now her eldest daughter was a Dowager Consort. Her second was Empress.

Her elder son was heir to the marquisate. Her younger son was also the marquis's legitimate son.

To escape Mother's influence, the old madam had fled to live on a country estate of her own accord.

I patted Mother's hand.

"Mother, you deserve everything you have today.

"You're the one who taught me to do good without asking what the future might bring."

After Gu Lingjia became pregnant, she often summoned me to keep her company.

The Empress Dowager also frequently invited me to the palace to talk.

Money. Status. A son.

I'd fled disaster and come to the capital all those years ago. With a life like this now, what more could I want?

As for men…

The Empress Dowager thought it a pity that I was widowed so young.

Whenever someone presented her with male favorites, she secretly shared a couple with me.

"You've followed me wholeheartedly. Naturally, whatever I have, you should have a share too."

I nodded and accepted without worry.

For the rest of my life, all I had to do was live as comfortably as I pleased.

— THE END —

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