The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1629 - 1624: Qi Le, the Person
Lady Gao narrated at length.
Back then, the Qi Family’s twin beauties were famous in the Capital City.
Especially Qi Le, unmatched in beauty and skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Because the Capital City had an open atmosphere at the time, noble women could still ride and hunt, and Qi Le was a leader among them.
Her poems were widely acclaimed by the scholars of the Capital City, and even masters praised her paintings highly.
At palace banquets, her musical performances could move seasoned battlefield generals to tears.
Needless to say, her skills in chess were also exemplary.
Every year when the Emperor went hunting and played in the outskirts with civil and military officials and their wives, Qi Le was skillful in archery and horseback, never returning empty-handed from the hunt.
One year, Qi Le even led noble women and young noblemen from the Capital City in a competition, winning the first prize and presenting a hunted deer to the late Emperor.
At that time, Qi Le was unquestionably the leader among the noble women of the Capital City, respected by everyone.
Even the princesses and noble ladies from the royal family gave way to Qi Le.
Someone once said that Qi Le was the most precious and dazzling gemstone in the Capital City.
Such an outstanding lady naturally attracted many admirers.
Not to mention the young noblemen from outside, even several princes of the late Emperor admired Qi Le immensely.
There were also rumors that Qi Le’s birth characters were extremely auspicious, signifying an imperial destiny.
With such rumors, the princes were even more determined to win Qi Le’s favor.
Logically, such high-profile behavior should not have left a good impression in the palace, but Qi Le seemed to have a unique charm.
Those who met her, regardless of gender, would come to like her.
Not only did the late Emperor regard her differently, but even the imperial concubines treated her with respect.
At that time, Qi Le got along well with the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince.
These three princes were also strong contenders for the throne.
All three were determined to win Qi Le, yet she navigated effortlessly between them.
Even the late Emperor seemed pleased with the situation, allegedly saying privately that whichever prince Qi Le favored, he would bestow marriage upon them.
People speculated whether the late Emperor also believed the rumor of Qi Le’s imperial destiny and thus allowed her to choose among the princes.
Could it be that the one Qi Le chose would be made the next Emperor?
With such speculations, Qi Le became even more sought-after.
Lady Gao was three or four years younger than Qi Le; at that age, she was still considered a child.
However, Lady Gao recalled that her mother, County Monarch Rongyi, took her to the palace several times, where they often encountered Qi Le, who was always accompanied by several princes.
The Qi Family was also immensely prestigious in the Capital City due to Qi Le.
After all, anyone could see that without mishaps, Qi Le was set to become the next Empress.
Later, when she joined County Monarch Rongyi in the palace, she overheard the Empress Dowager mention slyly that Qi Le and the Third Prince were quite fond of each other and that the late Emperor might soon bestow marriage.
However, the Empress Dowager only hinted at it and didn’t speak outright.
County Monarch Rongyi knew the seriousness of the matter, remembered it quietly, and advised Lady Gao not to speak of it.
Having grown up in the most elite circle of the dynasty, Lady Gao naturally understood what could be heard and repeated and what couldn’t.
But after seeing it a few times, it was true that the Third Prince’s presence around Qi Le significantly increased, and they didn’t shy away from having fun in the palace, appearing as a perfect couple.
That year, during the late Emperor’s fiftieth birthday festival, surrounding small nations sent envoys to congratulate him.
The largest tribe from the Grassland was sincere, sending their King’s Crown Prince with gemstones, cattle, sheep, and various gifts, all the way here.
This Crown Prince was also an exceptional figure, quickly befriending several princes and dukes after arriving.
Since he was adept at horseback riding and archery, he often took the top prize at hunting events hosted by the princes, drawing much attention.
Later, it was said that the Crown Prince expressed to the late Emperor his admiration for central plains culture and, having seen the central plains’ prosperity and ladies, wanted to marry a noble lady from the central plains, ensuring eternal friendship between the two nations.
The late Emperor was very pleased and intended to gift a noble lady from the royal family to the Great Prince of the Grasslands.
However, the Great Prince requested to marry Qi Le.
The late Emperor flatly refused, saying Qi Le was prepared as a daughter-in-law for his son.
After being refused, the Great Prince made outrageous remarks, claiming that only the world’s most eminent men were worthy of a good girl like Qi Huan and shouldn’t be dictated by the Emperor.
He stated that Qi Huan should choose the one she fancied among the top men of the world.
The late Emperor was furious, but given the Great Prince was there to congratulate him, he refrained from acting out.
An aide explained the domestic customs and stated that the Emperor’s sons were naturally the best and most formidable men.
The Great Prince returned to the embassy, disheartened.
Logically, since the late Emperor had made a statement, anyone sensible would avoid involvement.
Yet, the Grassland Great Prince was relentless, persistently entangling himself with Qi Le.
Annoying not just the princes but also unsettling the young noblemen.
Some even blamed Qi Le, accusing her of not maintaining propriety and failing to keep distance from the Great Prince, resulting in the current state.
If Qi Le knew how to avoid suspicion and didn’t meet with the Great Prince, such issues wouldn’t arise.
Qi Le remained indifferent, entirely unconstrained.
After the longevity festival, all envoys from various countries returned home, save for the Grassland Great Prince, who stayed in the Capital City.
The incident occurred during a palace banquet, the day Lady Gao was to attend with County Monarch Rongyi but was unwell, so she stayed home.
County Monarch Rongyi attended alone and returned in a dire mood.
Lady Gao asked if something had happened, but County Monarch Rongyi just held her, not saying a word, insisting she not ask anything.
Later, when Lady Gao recovered, she vaguely heard that during the banquet, Qi Huan breached palace etiquette, offending the Empress Dowager, leading to her expulsion from the palace, ordered to reflect at the Qi Residence.
A few days later, news came from the Qi Family that Qi Huan had fallen ill suddenly and passed away.
It was said the illness was contagious; her remains couldn’t be preserved, incinerated, leaving only ashes hastily buried.
But Lady Gao knew something was amiss. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Because before, County Monarch Rongyi intended to marry her into the palace, her relationship with the Empress Dowager would ensure marrying a prince, leading to a life of honor and wealth without worries.
After that day, County Monarch Rongyi never mentioned marrying her into the royal family, instead seeking a suitable husband outside.
Over a month later, the Third Prince fell ill, reportedly from the cold caught at the palace banquet, and even the Imperial Physician couldn’t cure him.
Meanwhile, the Great Prince of the Grasslands and the Grasslands Delegation quietly left the Capital City.
Soon after, the old master of the Qi Family was summoned back, and within a year, he offended the late Emperor, leading to an imperial decree to confiscate the family’s assets.
Upon hearing this, Wang Yongzhu was internally shocked but maintained his composure, asking, "Since Qi Le is dead, how is it related to the Qi Family’s confiscation?"
Lady Gao coldly laughed, "Qi Le didn’t die! She eloped with that Great Prince of the Grasslands!"
