That morning, Qi Daiyu surprisingly did not sleep in—ever since morning greetings were no longer required, she hadn't gotten up early a single day except for important holidays.
In fact, she wasn't just awake; she hadn't slept at all last night.
She had suffered from insomnia.
The feeling was strange. Clearly, she was already familiar with Mrs. Wan and the Old Dowager. Clearly, she could now normally address Mrs. Wan as "Mother." Yet, the thought of returning to the Qi Residence still made her nervous, utterly unable to sleep.
Sighing, Qi Daiyu simply got up.
In the outer chamber, Lizhi heard the movement and came in. "Your Highness?"
"Let's wash up," Qi Daiyu said.
Thus, half the courtyard sprang into activity—some carrying water, others fetching the morning meal.
Qi Daiyu rinsed her mouth and washed her face, letting Dongzao do her hair. When it came time to choose jewelry, despite a box full of dazzling ornaments, Qi Daiyu felt none were suitable.
The palace maids exchanged glances. Her Highness seemed a bit odd today.
Finally, after her hair and makeup were done, she faced the dilemma of choosing clothes.
Beautiful garments were laid out one by one, but Qi Daiyu only shook her head.
In the end, it was Yanhe who suggested, "This servant remembers that a few years ago, Madam Qi sent a bolt of crimson brocade into the palace. It was made into a wide-sleeved gown, which was also brought along this time. Would Your Highness like to try it on?"
"Mm."
Once she put it on, Qi Daiyu immediately felt it was right. She had many clothes, and this wide-sleeved gown had only been worn once. It still looked as good as new. With her delicate, cool beauty, the vibrant crimson did not clash but rather resembled a touch of vermilion blending into pure white snow, lending the snow itself a hint of radiant glow.
Yanhe knelt to adjust Qi Daiyu's skirt, asking with a smile, "Is Your Highness perhaps feeling... apprehensive about returning home?"
Qi Daiyu was taken aback. Apprehensive about returning home? Her current state of mind did indeed have that flavor.
After the noon meal, the edict permitting the journey finally arrived from the Emperor.
Surrounded by a crowd of attendants, Qi Daiyu, along with Siyu, exited through the main gate of the princely residence and boarded the carriage.
The entire procession for the home visit was magnificent.
Guards cleared the way, followed by eight eunuchs holding plaques that read "Make Way, Do Not Gaze," and eight palace maids carrying lanterns and scattering flower petals. Behind them was the Green Phoenix Carriage, befitting the consort rank.
The interior of the carriage was spacious, equipped with a tea table, a low couch, and other necessities, even including a separate partitioned space for answering nature's call.
Behind the Green Phoenix Carriage were twelve more carriages, all laden with gifts bestowed by the Emperor for the Qi family. Twelve carriages were also the maximum for the consort rank; the Empress's procession would have sixteen.
Such a spectacle had already drawn many commoners to watch. They dared not make noise, only using their eyes to express their inner excitement. Many children couldn't help but point at the guards, then look back at their parents.
The Emperor had specifically assigned Qi Chuchu to escort them. Naturally, Qi Chuchu wouldn't miss the chance to boost his sister's prestige. He directly deployed his subordinates from the Tiger Guard Battalion as the escort. Each elite soldier from the Tiger Guard was burly and imposing, and sitting atop their horses, the effect was incredibly imposing!
No wonder they captivated the children.
But the most eye-catching was at the front of the procession: the Eldest Prince, seated on a white horse.
The Eldest Prince was stoutly built. To support his weight, the white steed beneath him was also a carefully selected, robust horse. Already tall, the Eldest Prince on horseback truly stood out from the crowd.
To show off his might, the Eldest Prince had specially strapped a spear to his back today.
His physique and bearing, seen from a distance, made him look exactly like a general returning victorious from battle.
Only, this general's face looked a bit too youthful.
Unaware of the commoners' inner doubts, the Eldest Prince was feeling quite pleased with himself.
Ever since his Imperial Father entrusted him with escorting Consort Hui for her home visit, he had been discussing with the Crown Prince and the Third Prince how to casually display his own awe-inspiring majesty. It had taken considerable effort to come up with this image.
Heh heh, they must all be utterly intimidated by this Prince, right? the Eldest Prince thought smugly.
"Big Brother must be feeling so smug right now!" Siyu used a term she learned from Qi Daiyu. "It must have been Second Brother who coaxed him into it. He doesn't even consider how his build makes that spear on his back look like a short stick—not imposing at all! Mother, don't you think so?"
Siyu received no response and turned curiously. "Mother?"
Only then did Qi Daiyu snap back to attention. "Hmm?" She hadn't been listening to Siyu at all.
"What's wrong with you? You've been off since early morning..." Siyu's words suddenly halted as she looked toward the screen partitioning off the chamber pot area at the back of the carriage.
Qi Daiyu followed her gaze. Beneath that screen, a pair of red embroidered shoes was visible.
It should have been a frightening scene, but Qi Daiyu revealed a helpless smile. "Eldest Princess?"
The next moment, a head peeked out from behind the screen. It was indeed the Eldest Princess.
"Elder Sister! How are you on the carriage?" Siyu laughed in delight.
The Eldest Princess unceremoniously sat down beside Siyu. "You'll be away for several days. I'd be so bored all alone! I don't care, I'm coming to the Qi Residence too!"
She looked pleadingly at Qi Daiyu.
Qi Daiyu hesitated. "Wouldn't this be against protocol..." Siyu could accompany her because Siyu was registered under her name. Legally, Siyu was her daughter, going to the Qi family to visit her maternal grandparents. If the Eldest Princess also went to the Qi Residence, it wouldn't be a home visit but an imperial inspection. The Qi family would have to drop everything to receive Her Highness, the Eldest Princess.
"That's why I sneaked onto the carriage! We can just say I'm a little palace maid attending to you, Consort Hui!"
Qi Daiyu: "..."
The Qi family weren't fools. Besides, the Eldest Princess's demeanor and attire clearly marked her as no ordinary person.
Eldest Princess: "The commoners don't need to know! Consort Hui, don't worry, I've already told Imperial Father!" Although it was via a note sent by Zhuyi, and she hadn't received a reply yet.
"He agreed!" No reply counted as agreement, right?
Qi Daiyu: "...Very well."
Ever since the Eldest Princess resolved to join the Red Tassel Guard next year, the Emperor had been practically spoiling her rotten lately. He wouldn't get angry over such a small matter.
The procession began to move slowly. The princely residence wasn't far from the Qi Residence, just a journey through two main streets.
And these two streets were lined with commoners.
A consort's home visit was a rare sight, a spectacle usually only seen by the capital's residents. Now they in Jiangning could witness it too! Thus, every household came out to watch the excitement, eager to see how beautiful a palace consort truly was—were they really like celestial maidens descending to earth, as the operas said?
Inevitably, the commoners found it difficult to catch a glimpse of Qi Daiyu's true appearance, not just because of the distance. The palace maids and eunuchs shielded her completely. Qi Daiyu was like a precious, delicate golden canary, protected by the cage of protocol.
In contrast, the Eldest Princess and Siyu had much more freedom, observing the Qi family with natural and poised grace.
"Your subject (Your subject's wife) pays respects to Consort Hui!" Qi Caishang led the assembled family members in kneeling and bowing.
Qi Daiyu did not reach out to help him up. This was a necessary part of the protocol. If Qi Caishang didn't perform it, the censors would surely submit a memorial impeaching him the very next day.
But watching the white-haired old lady also kneel before her, Qi Daiyu's eyes reddened. She couldn't help but think of a famous scene from a classic novel she had read in her past life.
So, this was how it felt.
"Rise," Qi Daiyu said, forcefully suppressing the emotions within her.
Next, a eunuch began to read the imperial edict and congratulatory address, a process that took a full quarter of an hour before the main formalities were finally completed.
At this point, everyone except the guard detachment could return. The guards would surround and protect the Qi residence until the provincial family visit concluded and Qi Daiyu returned to the Prince's mansion.
Of course, the eunuchs and palace maids attending to Qi Daiyu were still to follow her.
Thus, Qi Daiyu finally stepped into the Qi family home.
Upon reaching the main hall, it was now her turn to pay respects to the old lady, Qi Caishang, and Mrs. Wan.
She had no psychological burden about it and was just about to kneel when a pair of large hands stopped her.
Looking up, it was Qi Caishang.
Over the years, the letters exchanged between Qi Daiyu and Qi Caishang, if stacked, would be taller than the Eldest Prince. Yet, their actual face-to-face meetings had been limited to a few distant glimpses during palace banquets. Speaking this closely was a first.
This was also the first time Qi Daiyu had examined her "nominal father" at such close range.
With just one glance, Qi Daiyu was certain the original body's beauty was inherited from Qi Caishang. It wasn't that Mrs. Wan was unattractive; her features were of a dignified, broad type, not quite aligning with the current era's aesthetic preferences.
Qi Caishang's appearance, however, could be praised as "handsome" in any era.
Even now, at an age where he could be a grandfather, he not only lacked a single white hair but also had very few wrinkles. Qi Caishang disliked facial hair and thus was clean-shaven, making him look even younger.
Qi Daiyu suddenly recalled a rumor she had heard in Jiangning these past two days: "In the west city dwells Master Qi, with jade-like countenance and graceful bearing, a gentleman fair ladies seek."
This "Master Qi"... could it possibly be referring to Qi Caishang?
While Qi Daiyu was observing Qi Caishang, he was also studying her.
His daughter was thin... well, actually, not really.
His daughter's constitution looked frailer... well, actually, it seemed much better than before.
His daughter had grown... even more beautiful than in her childhood.
Heh, truly his daughter.
It was just her temperament... Qi Caishang's heart gave a slight tremble. Compared to before she entered the palace, she had changed far, far too much.
Qi Caishang still vividly remembered the day his eldest daughter entered the palace—her expression, full of grievance and stubbornness, fear and reluctance, like a young fawn, begging for her parents' protection yet also wanting to do something for them.
His Yu'er... Her mother had caught a severe chill while pregnant with her and stubbornly refused medication. She was born safely after a scare, but with a congenital weakness from the womb. The family felt they had wronged this child. Though their means were modest, they raised her as a precious jewel, never letting her do a single chore, not even allowing her to touch cold water. Due to her delicate health, she was hardly allowed outside and had little social interaction, which fostered a timid and sensitive nature. She was especially unable to bear grievance; when wronged, her tears would fall as if the whole world had betrayed her, making one's heart ache so much they'd wish to pluck the moon from the sky to offer her.
Raised this way, apart from her upbringing and manners, she wasn't much different from the young ladies of wealthy households.
And precisely because she was raised so well, her beauty not obscured by labor, she caught the eye of nobility during the selection and was chosen as a Talented Lady for the Crown Prince.
When he learned his eldest daughter had been selected, aside from his reluctance, Qi Caishang initially wasn't overly worried. In his view, his Yu'er was so lovely in appearance, inspiring instant pity; she was born to be cherished. How could the Crown Prince not like her?
Sure enough, once the Emperor ascended the throne, Yu'er was conferred the title of Jieyu! This rank was not low, showing the Emperor must have been quite fond of Yu'er.
Yet, for some reason, the letters sent into the palace stopped receiving replies. And as fewer and fewer messages came out from the palace, the dread in Qi Caishang's heart grew heavier and heavier.
But his official rank was too low, so low that he couldn't even find connections to inquire about his daughter's situation within the palace.
Then, immediately after, Old Master Qi fell gravely ill, and the household's income could no longer cover its expenses.
The old master's illness was critical, and he kept thinking of his granddaughter in the palace. Qi Caishang considered sending another letter; if his eldest daughter could reply with a few words of concern to ease the old master's mind, it would be good.
Who could have known that the letter sent in sank like a stone in a lake.
The night Old Master Qi passed away, he was still murmuring about his granddaughter in the palace.
At that time, Qi Caishang felt a trace of resentment, thinking Yu'er probably saw the family as a burden and looked down on them now.
It took a long time for this feeling to fade.
It wasn't until the incident with Qi Chuchu's former wife occurred, and the family was truly at its wit's end, that Qi Caishang swallowed his pride and wrote to his daughter to borrow money. He might usually be shameless and thick-skinned, always seeking small advantages and benefits, but that was always based on knowing the other party was doing well. He had no clarity at all about Yu'er's circumstances.
Fortunately, that time, Yu'er replied.
With thoughts surging, Qi Caishang looked at this daughter who was both familiar and strange, filled with profound emotion.
Well, of course. After spending so many years in a place like the imperial palace, how could her temperament not change?
But whether she changed or not, what did it matter? She was still his daughter.
