Chapter 149: Falling Ill

“Understood.” The groom slowed the speed of the carriage. 

Up ahead, Qin Yining’s lip were tightly pursed, even while she shared a carriage with her mother. That man was simply too domineering, and never did anything with her consent! Thankfully he spent most of his days in Great Zhou. Wouldn’t she die of anger if he lived in Great Yan? 

Although her thoughts were more along the lines of a sulky pout, the laughter and gentleness in Qin Yining’s eyes couldn’t be concealed. This was more than enough to immensely worry née Sun. With how the situation had progressed, Qin Huaiyuan had yet to outwardly oppose any of these developments. Pang Xiao had confessed his affections with such fanfare today, so would she really have such a violent son-in-law in the future?

Pang Xiao escorting the carriage back to the Qin Manor ended up alarming everyone back at the manor. Meanwhile, a huffy empress had summoned Elder Statesman Cao to her palace and dismissed everyone in preparation for a thorough interrogation.

“What’s with that park, father?! You didn’t even tell me that you were building it and then refused to tell me who you gifted it to. What’s going on here, father??”

Statesman Cao wasn’t irritated to be questioned by his daughter thus. Only, his tone was suspiciously low as he responded, “I look to Your Majesty to show tolerance in this matter.”

Although the empress was in a hot fury, she knew exactly how capable her father was, and didn’t dare throw too much of a fit. She concentrated her emotions into a stern frown. “Father, why did you give a park to the Faithful Prince of the First Rank?”

Statesman Cao shook his head. “I originally gave it to someone else and only just found out today that it’s been given to the prince. I was just about to go call on my recipient to ask why.”

“Oh? What kind of person has the right to enjoy such an exquisite yard?” The empress had only asked out of absent curiosity, but inspiration struck after the words were formed. She leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Is it… her?”

The statesman nodded. “Except, I never thought that the vaunted princess of the Tatars would seek to curry Pang’s favor.”

The empress tightly compressed her lips, her brow becoming more tightly knit with each passing second. 

“This isn’t a good development,” she murmured. “The Tatars are cruel, ruthless, and devious. Anari isn’t a kind soul, and that Siqin at her side appears even more like the wily sort. Our cooperation with them is supposed to be the greatest of secrets. The emperor absolutely can’t find out about this, or you and I will have tragic ends, father. What if Anari tells Pang about our partnership? Wouldn’t that give Pang something to hold over our heads?”

“I too worry about that, but you needn’t concern yourself with the matter, Your Majesty. I’ll take care of it. The Tatar princess may want to keep the two of us in check, but that’s much easier said than done. I’d never once appeared when Spring Portrait Garden was being built, so no one knows our family built that yard. But the emperor may ask nonetheless, so please divert him well, Your Majesty.”

“This seat naturally understands the gravity of the situation. Don’t worry, father.”