Her Power and Favor Span the World

Chapter 92

That crazy thought kept growing even after Yuan Lunwen left.

Yuan Qingling checked the medicines in her medicine box - anesthetics, gauze, hemostatics, dopamine for resuscitation, atropine, and some other odds and ends.

No dagger, she could borrow one from Xu Yi.

With everything ready, all that's left was investigation.

She wanted to investigate where Marquis of Huiding liked to hang out, which routes he would take and when, how many guards were around him, what weapons they carried.

Xu Yi felt the Princess Consort had been acting very strange recently, borrowing a dagger from him one moment, asking if he had any concealed weapons the next, and then asking what's the most prominent feature of a man.

He could let the first two questions slide, but for the last one he really couldn't bring himself to say it - a real man's most prominent feature should be well-developed pecs and then a Treasure Dragon down below, right? The Princess Consort was just too innocent.

Then one day, he saw the Princess Consort leave through the back door in a brand new set of men's clothes, without Lv Ya or her two maids in waiting.

He felt it was odd, but was too embarrassed to ask. If consorting with women was Her Highness' indulgence, it would be too awkward to ask about it.

The next day, the Princess Consort went out again with two buns, and was gone the whole day until nightfall before returning.

On the third day, it was the same.

Xu Yi felt it was necessary to inform the Prince Consort.

After the swelling subsided, Yuwen Hao immediately went to the Jingzhao Prefecture residence to take up his new post as the prefect.

With new administration, a thorough reshuffle was necessary. With dozens of officials major and minor in the prefecture, and intricate web of conflicts and relationships, factions and backstabbing intrigue, it was not an exaggeration at all.

Yuwen Hao had to familiarize himself with all matters as quickly as possible, and was busy from dawn to dusk.

When he returned home that day, Xu Yi came to him and said, "Your Highness, the Princess Consort has been acting very strange recently."

Having sustained injuries, Yuwen Hao had no interest at all in hearing about his consort Yuan Qingling, "This King does not wish to hear the words Princess Consort or Yuan Qingling."

Seeing the fatigue in His Highness' eyes, Xu Yi swallowed back what he wanted to say, "Oh."

Tang Yang pulled Xu Yi aside and asked, "How has the Princess Consort been acting strange?"

Xu Yi said, "Over the past few days the Princess Consort has been dressing up as a man when going out, leaving early in the morning and only coming back late at night."

"Has she been withdrawing money?"

"No, she took along steamed buns and a flask of water."

Tang Yang also found it odd, "Did you ask Lv Ya or the maids in waiting?"

"I did. Her maid said the Princess Consort was looking for some medicine to present to His Majesty the Retired Emperor, saying that his birthday was coming up soon, right? But she didn't allow them to follow, afraid it would ruin the surprise."

"The Princess Consort has been acting very peculiar recently." Tang Yang thought it made sense - everyone attached great importance to the Retired Emperor's birthday. If the Princess Consort presented a treasure to delight His Majesty, it would also benefit His Highness.

Still, to be prudent, Tang Yang said, "From now on when the Princess Consort goes out, secretly follow her, but don't let her discover you."

"Understood." Xu Yi acknowledged.

After Tang Yang went back in, he told Yuwen Hao, "The Princess Consort is preparing a gift for His Majesty the Retired Emperor's birthday."

Yuwen Hao snorted. "She's showing off her skill at courting favor."

After investigating for several days, Yuan Qingling found out that Marquis of Huiding liked to go to Qingcheng Pavilion to listen to singing and music.

However, he did not go at fixed times, only dropping by whenever he was free and happened to pass by the pavilion. He did not go every day, usually after returning from the military camp, he would stop by the pavilion to listen to a few songs.

At first Yuan Qingling was not able to go in, because listening required giving tea money and tips, and she did not have any silver on her, so she could only pace around outside waiting.

Marquis of Huiding would ride back to the city, usually with just two men. These two men wore swords on their waists, with stern expressions, one accompanying him inside to listen, the other waiting outside.

Today, Yuan Qingling brought silver and went inside to listen to the singing.

Dressed in aqua blue men's clothes, sash around the waist, smooth glossy hair tied up in a headband, face without any powder or rouge, yet with naturally rosy lips and white teeth, clear and elegant brows, every move brimming with feminine charm.

However, she had deliberately painted her brows a bit thicker, the ends flying up, adding a hint of masculinity to the gentle beauty.

She had practiced diligently at home with Xu Yi on how to walk like a man, binding her chest, straightening her back, steady strides. Xu Yi wore a sword, but she had opted for a folding fan instead. A scholar's outfit coupled with a warrior's gait did not look out of place.

She was slightly delayed today because Yuan Qingping said she was returning to her parental home, so Yuan Qingling kept her company through a meal, seeing the melancholy in Yuan Qingping's eyes, she comforted her with a few words.

When she arrived at Qingcheng Pavilion, she was delighted to see one of Marquis of Huiding's attendants waiting outside, meaning the Marquis must be inside.

After waiting for so many days, she could finally get close to Marquis of Huiding. Yuan Qingling's heart pounded wildly - apprehension, fear, and elation all intermixed.

She cleared her throat and strode in arrogantly with a scholar's swagger.

At a glance she spotted Marquis of Huiding sitting in the front row wearing a black floral brocade robe. Beside him stood another attendant, both watching the singing girl on the stage.

The singing girl was very handsome, singing while casting amorous glances. Her voice was clear and sweet, infused with tender feelings.

Yuan Qingling found a seat not too far from Marquis of Huiding and sat down. The Tea Service Master came over with tea and refreshments. Yuan Qingling casually tipped him a few copper coins and he bowed in thanks before leaving.

As Yuan Qingling sipped her tea, she secretly glanced at Marquis of Huiding from the corner of her eyes. She saw him with eyes lightly closed, fingers gently tapping the armrest, a picture of enjoyment.

He had the looks of a man in his thirties. His brows knitted together in a prominent frown when his eyes were closed, clearly a man quick to anger.

His skin was a bronze hue - very fashionable by modern standards.

With a squared face, full forehead, thick brows - yet the stray brow hairs gave him a very fierce look at first glance.

Suddenly he opened his eyes, and they flashed like blades. Yuan Qingling's heart skipped a beat and she hastily averted her gaze, looking at the singing girl instead.

Just then, the melody abruptly changed to the mournful tones of a pipa. The air seemed to take on a desolate exotic bleakness, like weeping and wailing, sad and stirring, as the singing girl's slender white fingers plucked the strings of the pipa. Her red lips parted and she began to sing, "The swirling sands have aged my looks, leaning by the wooden door pining, my general, do you glance back..."

The weeping beauty plucked at the heartstrings, piercing the heart and soul. The sorrowful notes she sang softly stirred a tender ache in Yuan Qingling's heart. For a moment forgetting she was here to observe Marquis of Huiding, overcome by reminiscence, her eyes grew moist.

She gazed longingly at the pipa in the singer's hands, past scenes surging up at the plucking of the strings.

When the song ended, she still lingered, lost in thought.

Unbeknownst to her, Marquis of Huiding's gaze had at some point shifted to her face - a passing glance at first, but then he looked intently.

Sensing his gaze, Yuan Qingling gave a startled glance. Their eyes met and her heart thumped wildly. She quickly looked away and grabbed her teacup to take a big gulp, feeling the liquid slide down her throat.

Watching the motion of her swallowing, watching that delicate neck, Marquis of Huiding smiled meaningfully.