Return of the Swallow

Translated by: etvolare

“I’ve heard about it before,” Pang Xiao smiled, “and there’s only so many imperial manors around the capital. I just didn’t pay much attention to it.”

“Since he’s readied it for us, he must’ve picked one you weren’t familiar with,” Qin Yining sneered. “He’s probably made his own arrangements there.

“However, we don’t need to worry about today. The emperor’s already gone this far, he’s only one step away from his goal. For the sake of his reputation, we’ll definitely be safe tonight.”

Hearing that, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but pull her closer and kiss her hand. He’d planned on comforting his wife, but she’d just taken all of the words out of his mouth.

It had to be said, having a wife as smart and knowledgeable as Qin Yining was truly a blessing for someone like him, always on the run and never able to spend a day in peace.

The wagon slowly rolled to a halt outside the manor. Palace servants sent to staff it quickly flung open the gates to reveal eunuchs and maids kneeling in two rows around the walkway.

“Greetings to the Faithful Prince and Princess Consort of the First Rank!” 𝐟𝓇ℯ𝒆we𝒃𝘯𝒐νe𝑙.co𝚖

Pang Xiao found the ostentatious display hilarious and whispered next to his wife's ear, “Are you tired? Ignore all that for now, let's go in and rest up first.”

Qin Yining nodded with a smile. When she saw Pang Xiao step off from the carriage, she also raised the curtain to alight. However, Pang Xiao took her hand as soon as she reached out and pulled her into a bridal carry, striding into the manor.

The maids and eunuchs didn’t dare recklessly raise their heads and observe their masters. Eyes were resolutely trained on the ground, so all they saw was a pair of black boots striding past. Only when they heard footsteps fade into the distance did they finally dare, keeping their heads down as they shuffled into the manor in lines.

Qin Yining was uncomfortable with Pang Xiao carrying her into the manor at first, but slowly felt a little more at ease when she saw that no one dared look at them. She rolled her eyes at him and whispered with a beet red face, “It’s not like my legs are injured, there’s no need for this.”

“Your legs aren’t injured, but you haven’t been able to eat or sleep well this entire journey. Just looking at you makes my heart ache. It’s just a few steps, so let me do it for you.”

His words only induced further shyness. Qin Yining decided that what she couldn’t see didn’t count and closed her eyes, leaning in and dozing into his chest.

Their entourage arrived in the main hall of the main building before long.

A dignified senior palace maid of roughly thirty years old stepped forward with a curtsey. “Your Highness, His Majesty has instructed for you and the princess consort to reside in the main building. Everything has already been readied and prepared.”

Pang Xiao felt this maid looked a bit familiar and asked her about it.

“In response to Your Highness, this servant is Lanchi and previously served in the empress dowager’s palace.”

Pang Xiao nodded; he did remember seeing her on his visits.

Lanchi was indeed part of the empress dowager’s household, but she'd also been the head overseer for the Grand Princess of Anyang before she married Ji Zeyu. When the princess later set up her own household outside of the palace, Lanchi hadn’t gone with her for some reason, and instead stayed with the empress dowager.

“I hadn’t expected His Majesty to arrange for Auntie Lanchi to come, this prince is overcome with gratitude and fear. This prince cannot thank Auntie Lanchi enough for taking care of my wife.”

Lanchi dipped in a curtsey, gently protesting the compliments and calling the other servants forward. Together, they brought Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s group into the main hall.

Although the Great Zhou capital was located further south than Tatar, it was still overall considered to be in the north. As such, the weather was a bit chilly though the days approached the fifth month of the year.

Braziers burned in the primary hall of the main residence, filled with fine, glittering charcoal that wafted smokeless heat. Everything was neat and orderly, the room adorned in a luxurious and cozy fashion.

Pang Xiao carefully set Qin Yining on the padded platform in the bedroom and turned his head to address the crowd of servants, “My consort is quite far along in her pregnancy and prefers quiet. There is no need to enter and serve us unless you receive other orders. Lanchi is enough.”

The servants withdrew with sounds of acknowledgement, and they all heaved a sigh of relief when they were out of the room. Thank goodness they didn’t have to stay in the same room with the Faithful Prince of the First Rank!

Lanchi wore a smile as she directed the servants in properly adjusting the room for their masters before giving orders to prepare food.

Pang Xiao narrowed his eyes slightly before ordering, “Have them prepare food for the others first. The palace will be sending over imperial physicians, and my consort’s needs must be consulted with them first.”

Lanchi’s steps paused as she immediately grasped the prince’s meaning. The palace servants were not to tamper with Her Highness’ food. He was still a valued subject in the emperor’s eyes, else there wouldn’t have been such a grand welcome nor so many palace servants sent to serve them in the manor. Imperial physicians would’ve also never been sent to Her Highness otherwise.

“Of course, this servant will follow His Highness’ orders,” Lanchi hastily assented. “This servant wouldn’t dare to neglect Her Highness’ diet in the slightest.

Instead of responding immediately, Pang Xiao looked down solemnly.

Lanchi was still dipped in a curtsey, one foot behind her, head down and bent from the waist. Her calf was close to spasming from cramps, but she knew she had to maintain her position no matter how much she shook. She could feel Pang Xiao’s razor-sharp stare stabbing into her back, and for a second, she even thought she’d be dragged outside and executed on the spot.

Just as Lanchi was about to burst into terrified tears, a soft feminine voice sounded from beside her. “Alright, now what are you doing?”