Return of the Swallow

in front of her, trying with all his might to make her happy, with the unblinking killer demon that the rumors spoke of.
It was precisely because this iron-hearted, domineering person was so soft and gentle to her that it moved her heart.

The prince’s actions in readying the contract first and then shoving it into her possession cleared most of the suspicion from her and her father, and shouldered a lot of the unnecessary blame as well.
She was the one who’d profit from it, but the outside world would harangue him for forcing her into this.
She looked at the prince with a complicated gaze, unable to give voice to further words of rejection.

Pang Xiao was smiling happily, absentmindedly noting the resemblance between her and the snowy Riceball. Her ears even stick out the same way. He really wanted to stroke her head, but knew that his high profile announcement right now had already successfully intimidated certain people.
Unsightly criticism would spring forth if he went overboard. There’s plenty of opportunities in the future, so no need to be in a rush now.

He once again took his seat at the head of the table, while Qin Yining returned to her original seat, deep in thought.
The empress’ expression had long since become the epitome of unsightliness.
The emperor doted on her, yes, but he was never this tender and loving towards her.

Additionally, the emperor was a geezer as old as her father, and in stark contrast, the Faithful Prince of the First Rank was a young, fine specimen.
The emperor had bestowed Oft Spring Garden to her not too long ago, but Qin Yining had just received the much superior Ning Park! And it’d be one thing if the Qin fourth miss was a vixen who’d hooked the prince, but even a fool could see that between the two of them, the prince was the one on the back foot!

The empress had completely lost in the contest of men and face, and even her most confident attribute, her looks, was a few shades weaker in the face of Qin Yining blooming like a rose in spring.
The imperial majesty clenched her teeth, forced to seethe silently even as she nursed a belly full of grievances.

“Everyone, do as you wish.
This prince has other matters to attend to and will be leaving now.” Pang Xiao rose and ignored the empress, smiling only at Qin Yining before leaving with Huzi.

The caretaker in charge of the park bowed to Qin Yining.
“Mistress, His Highness has instructed this humble one to take your orders in the future.
This servant kowtows to the mistress.”

Well now, the park that the raging empress wanted to hold a banquet in was now Qin Yining’s! The womenfolk’s gazes flitted between Qin Yining and the empress, their looks… interesting.

Qin Yining also felt like Pang Xiao had handed her a hot potato, but with how the cards had fallen, she couldn’t push this off to someone else.
She wasn’t the type to shirk from responsibility.
Plus, the empress’ livid expression was quite the amusing picture.

“You may rise.” Qin Yining indicated her assent with a smile and curtsied to the empress.
“All shall be as Your Majesty desires.”

The empress glared at Qin Yining’s pretty, young face.
The girl was so charming that it made her teeth ache.
After a long moment, the empress spat out, “We return to the palace!”

She whirled angrily and stalked off, Cao Yuqing and Madame Cao in hot pursuit.

The noble ladies hadn’t eaten a bite of the banquet and now had tramped around on the mountain paths for long enough that they didn’t remain behind either.
The group quickly rushed off in the empress’ footsteps.
Meanwhile, Qin Yining placidly sent the empress off with her eyes and then nonchalantly took her original seat.
She poured a cup of wine and sipped at it while her eyes turned to those who’d remained.

The old dowager, née Sun, second madame, and seventh miss hadn’t left.
It was just as well, because to the empress, they were clearly in cahoots with Qin Yining.
And now, the old dowager no longer knew how to treat her granddaughter.

But moments later, a shrewd light suddenly shone from the Qin matriarch’s eyes.
“Granddaughter Yi, just what is your relationship with little Prince Pang? Were you keeping him company when you went to Xihua?”

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