The Fourth Lady novel Chapter 57

Chai Yiyun had no choice but to explain what had happened at the talent conference to Su Ming and Su Yan.

Su Ming clearly knew in his heart, what kind of child Ning Siyao raised Su Qingyan into. But in the end, she was still his elder brother's daughter. He didn't like that child, that's why he was always indifferent with how Ning Siyao raised her.

But now, when he heard her say that kind of thing, he kept feeling that she seems to have become different than before.

"Second brother, what's wrong?" Su Yan, seeing Su Ming lost in thought, asked. "Don't tell me you really think the fourth girl is possessed, which is why she has become like this now?"

"Third brother, just look at her behavior just now. Her every move is nothing like the original fourth girl. Think about it, if the fourth girl has been concealing herself all this time, then I'm afraid the Su manor will get wrapped up a disaster!" Su Ming looked to Su Yan and said with serious look, "The look in that girl's eyes towards us was clearly full of resentment. That brimming hatred, blaming us for not treating her well all this time."

"Then what should we do now?" Su Yan looked to Su Ming with a serious expression, "If elder brother knew, he would definitely not forgive that girl either."

"Third brother, you have to know, elder brother is far away in Qinzhou and has also been greatly courteous to us. But in the end, he's also very protective, and if he were to find out that his daughter is being bullied by us like this, he would definitely blame us." When Su Ming thought of Su Yun's temper, he knew it would be a headache. Afterwards, he could only temporarily suppress this matter for a while; perhaps by the time Su Yun returned, Su Qingyan would have already forgotten about this matter.

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When Chunyuan entered the palace the next day, she told Hongjia Emperor what had happened at the talent conference from beginning to end. Hongjia Emperor had always respected this paternal aunt of his, and furthermore Xuanyuan Yuzhen and Murong Jingxuan had also reported matters regarding the talent conference to him as well.

However, what he found most ridiculous was that Cui Chujun's son would be scared into wetting himself. If this got out, Donghe would really lose face.

And listening to Chunyuan say this, he felt it was even more interesting and vivid.

"Then for Royal Aunt to have come today, must be to ask for the imperial edict." Hongjia Emperor looked to Chunyuan and said, "Since that's the case, I also want to meet this girl as well." With that said, he ordered the eunuch next to him to draft an edict to promote Qingyan's status into a Junzhu*, bestow her a Junzhu manor, and permit her to have freedom in marriage.

(*TN: A title meant for 'Princesses' that are not the children of an emperor, but perhaps a daughter of a vassal king or ruler, or nieces to the emperor. Here though, Qingyan would more be considered a honorary Princess, where she is granted the same title as though that are born into it.)

"Hong'er, do you really think I only came to ask for an imperial edict?" Chunyuan looked to Hongjia Emperor and gently spoke, "That Su Yun stands guard in Qinzhou all year long, only able to return home at the end of the year. Seeing that there's nothing major happening at the borders this year, why not issue an imperial decree to let that General Su return early. I feel that girl's life at the manor isn't easy."

"Aunt, ever since you returned from Nanchen, I've rarely seen you like a girl this much. If aunt likes it, then I will permit that Su Yun to return to the capital early." Hongjia Emperor looked to Chunyuan with a smile.

The elderly Chunyuan was the previous Emperor's only younger sister. This aunt has also been very good to him ever since he was small. If it wasn't for her help, he probably wouldn't have been able to sit on this throne.

"Hong'er, hearing you say that, I feel reassured." Chunyuan said as she bowed to Hongjia Emperor, "Then I'll go see Ran'er again. Ever since Xianyi Empress died, you've probably never seen her face again."

When Imperial Consort Qilian Yuran was mentioned, Hongjia Emperor felt a strange sadness in his heart. Ever since Nanchen's former Empress Qilian Qingyan passed away five years ago, Qilian Yuran's Jiaofang* Palace never opened up for him ever again.

(*TN: The name translates to 'Pepper Room'; in the Western Han dynasty this was the name of the Empress's residence, and since, other dynasties have also used it as such. The name comes from the pepper and mud mixed paint that's painted on the walls to keep warmth and produce a pleasant aroma. This says a lot about her status despite not being the Empress.)

Qilian Qingyan's death, he had no power to change. But he also couldn't bring about casualties among the people of the two countries for the sake of an already deceased Empress, even if he really liked that niece. He could only watch as she died.

"Aunt, if you can comfort Ranran, I will be happy. The matter with Xianyi Empress, I've let her down." Hongjia Emperor looked to Chunyuan and helplessly said, an endless sorrow showed through his tone.s

"Don't worry, Ran'er will understand." Chunyuan said as she patted his hand.

Hongjia Emperor watched as Chunyuan left his Zhaoyuan Palace, but when he flipped open his documents* his mind was filled Qilian Yuran's grieving face.

(*TN: Memorials to the Emperor, folded in accordion style.)

In the end, he succeeded the throne, yet he ultimately couldn't give her a future.

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When Qingyan was resting in her room, someone from the front yard came to inform her that Eunuch Zhang was sent by the Emperor, and wanted Qingyan to personally come accept the imperial edict.

When she thought of what Chunyuan had said, she was slightly surprised that Chunyuan would mention what they had agreed upon previously to Hongjia Emperor this soon.

After tidying her appearance, Qingyan took all her servants with her and headed to the front courtyard. She saw Eunuch Zhang standing in the main hall, with Su Ming, Su Yan, and the others already respectfully kneeling there.

When Eunuch Zhang saw Su Qingyan, he immediately knew that this young girl with the unusual demeanor must be the Su fourth miss Chunyuan Princess spoke of.

"Greetings, Leyi* Princess." Eunuch Zhang looked to Qingyan and said in a sharp tone.

(*TN: Her title translates to 'happy harmony')

Qingyan immediately went to help up Eunuch Zhang, "You're someone popular by the Emperor's side, how could I be worthy of Eunuch Zhang's bow." Qingyan looked to him with a bright smile.

"My, Leyi Princess, what are you saying. My eyes are never wrong." Eunuch Zhang looked to Qingyan and felt something akin to fondness towards her.

Those in the palace that looked down on the servants didn't know that as long as Eunuch Zhang opened his mouth, Hongjia Emperor will favor which women of the back palace. But those women all looked down on him, so he could only look down on those women as well.

After Eunuch Zhang read the imperial edict, he looked to Qingyan, "Leyi Princess, accept the edict then."

"I humbly thank his Majesty for his great kindness, may his Majesty live for tens of thousands of years." Qingyan said as she knelt her head down to the ground, then stood up to accept the edict.

"His Majesty has said that the Junzhu manor is near Chunyuan Princess's Xiexiu Hall. If you like, you are free to enter and leave the Princess's residence as you please." Eunuch Zhang patted Qingyan's hand as he said this.

Su Ming and Su Yan wanted to have Eunuch Zhang stay for dinner, but Eunuch Zhang left without saying a word more. In the end, Su Ming still blamed Qingyan for not persuading Eunuch Zhang to stay for a meal.

"Second uncle, don't you know, Eunuch Zhang is most trusted by his Majesty. It's not possible for him to stay for a meal." As she said this, she turned and left without looking back, as if she particularly despised everyone there.

"Just look at that attitude of hers, she only got a granted a title of a Junzhu." Ning Siyao watched Qingyan's retreating figure in the distance and angrily said.

"If you have the that kind of ability to get our daughter a title of a Junzhu granted, then I will thank the heavens!" Su Ming glanced to Ning Siyao before turning to leave.