I Am This Type of Woman

“Since the title has already been mentioned, the fief should also be discussed,” the Empress, always respected by His Majesty, spoke, as she was allowed to in such non-political settings. “How about a fief of one thousand two hundred households? What do you think, Your Majesty?”

“The Empress speaks wisely,” Emperor Yunqing agreed immediately.

The Emperor and Empress's regard for Ban Hua caught the attention of many. His Majesty was usually parsimonious with titles. The legitimate daughters of the current Junwangs (Princes of the Second Rank) at most received the title of Xianzhu (Lady of the First Rank) or Junjun (Lady of the Second Rank). Some imperial relatives didn't even have a title and relied on the annual silver, grain, and cloth distributed by the Palace Treasury.

While the court officials felt that the Emperor and Empress's favor towards Grand Princess's granddaughter was excessive, they also felt a sense of reassurance.

The reason His Majesty took such good care of the Ban family was because the Grand Princess had once helped him.

Following a grateful emperor always brought peace of mind. Who would want to serve an emperor who abandoned his benefactors after they had served their purpose?

His Majesty's benevolence would surely be recorded in future history books.

Participating in a single hunt had resulted in a higher title and a larger fief for Ban Hua. This was a joyous occasion. So, the day after returning home, the four members of the Ban family went to the Grand Princess's residence to share the news.

“Is His Majesty in a good mood recently? He actually raised my rank twice,” Ban Hua stood beside the Grand Princess, personally brewing tea for her. “He even increased my fief.”

“A promotion is always a good thing,” the Grand Princess accepted the tea brewed by her granddaughter, her face beaming with smiles. “Why have you been coming here so often lately? Are the snacks here better than those at the Marquis’ residence?”

“Granddaughter misses you, so I came to see you,” Ban Hua hugged the Grand Princess's arm. “Why don’t you come stay at the Marquis’ residence for a few days?”

“I wouldn’t dare live with you two mischievous monkeys. I wouldn’t have a moment’s peace,” the Grand Princess refused without a second thought. “The servants at the Princess’ residence are very attentive. If your family misses me, you can come visit. After all, we don’t live far apart.”

Nine years ago, after the passing of her husband, the Prince Consort, she had moved to the Grand Princess' residence alone, under the pretense of mourning him.

She missed her son, but she had to do this.

The current Emperor was a contradictory man. He always desired others' kindness, yet he was prone to suspicion, while also craving praise for his benevolence. She had watched him grow up. He thought his thoughts were unfathomable, but he didn’t know that having witnessed two changes in imperial reign, she was certainly capable of judging character.

“Mother…” Yin Shi held genuine respect for the Grand Princess. When she first married Ban Huai, influenced by outside rumors, she had harbored reservations. Coupled with her own family's lack of support and a highly respected mother-in-law, she had truly believed her life held no hope.

Unexpectedly, despite her high status, her mother-in-law treated her exceptionally well. Her father-in-law, though a military general, was also reasonable and generous. After her own mother's death, only after marrying into the Grand Princess's residence did she gradually experience the joys of life.

The year her father-in-law passed away, she saw her mother-in-law’s grief for the first time. Shortly after, her mother-in-law had them move into the Marquis’ residence, while she resided alone in the Grand Princess's residence. Yin Shi always felt there was more to the story from that time, but she didn't dare ask, or even think too deeply about it.

After her daughter had that strange dream, she felt a sense of closure.

Titles weren't important. As long as the family was well, the days ahead wouldn't be so difficult.

But her mother-in-law…

Her daughter's dream didn't include her mother-in-law, but her daughter had been visiting frequently. Yin Shi harbored a growing unease within her heart.

“Daughter-in-law, all these years, you’ve been taking care of Shuiqing and the two children. You’ve worked hard,” the Grand Princess held Yin Shi’s hand, gently patting the back of her hand. “If it weren’t for me, you could have married a better man than Shuiqing.”

“Mother, I am your son, your own flesh and blood!” Ban Huai looked at the Grand Princess with exasperation. Other mothers protected their sons, but why was he treated like an outsider?

“If you weren’t my son, a fine woman like Linghui wouldn’t have married you even in your dreams,” the Grand Princess glared at her son. “We women are talking, what are you, a man, interrupting for?”

Ban Heng, standing beside them, gloated at his father. As one of the lowest-ranking men in the Ban family, hadn't his father grasped the reality yet?

“Mother, how can you say that? My Lord treats me extremely well. There are many good men in the world, but how many remember what I like to eat, what I like to use?” Yin Shi’s unease intensified. “My mother passed away early, and you treat me like your own daughter. In my heart, you are not my mother-in-law, but my mother. Please don't say such things again. It pains me to hear them.”

“I don’t have a daughter. After you married into this family, you became my daughter,” the Grand Princess smiled gently. “Even if I did have a daughter, she probably wouldn't be as good as you.”

“Alright, I won’t say these things to upset you anymore,” the Grand Princess pulled Yin Shi up by the hand. “Come, let’s have lunch. We have two new cooks, and their skills are excellent. You must try their food.”

“Okay.” Yin Shi smiled, looking at the Grand Princess's rosy cheeks, thinking perhaps she had been overthinking.

After staying at the Grand Princess' residence for two days, the four members of the Ban family returned home, laden with gifts.

Ban Hua and Yin Shi rode in the same carriage. Ban Hua noticed her mother seemed lost in thought, even her posture had become more subdued.

“Hua Hua,” Yin Shi suddenly spoke, “Why have you been visiting the Grand Princess’ residence so often lately?”

“Ah?” Ban Hua was taken aback, then shook her head honestly. “I don’t know. I just miss Grandmother.”

“Then… go visit her more often when you’re free,” Yin Shi smiled. “Your grandmother is lonely staying in the Princess’ residence alone. She will be very happy when you visit her.”

Their courtyard was always kept clean and tidy, as if they had never left during these nine years. The Grand Princess's residence used to be so lively. Her grandfather enjoyed teaching Hua Hua martial arts, and the three of them, always made the Grand Princess laugh heartily.

Now, her grandfather was long gone, and the four of them had moved out, leaving only the Grand Princess alone in the spacious and desolate Princess’ residence.

“Okay,” Ban Hua nodded immediately. “I’ll bring Heng Di along too.”

“Good child.” Yin Shi smiled, saying nothing more. Ever since her daughter had that strange dream, she had been worried about her daughter's emotional state. She didn't want to restrict her with rules and etiquette anymore. Let her be happy for as long as she could.

“Injustice!”

As the Ban family's carriage traveled down the road, a middle-aged woman in mourning clothes and a veil suddenly rushed out. Two thin and pitiful children followed behind her, kneeling and crying.

“What’s going on?” Ban Huai lifted the carriage curtain. Seeing the three people kneeling in front of his carriage, crying for justice and kowtowing, he felt a headache coming on. The Marquis’ residence guards blocked the carriage, preventing the suspicious trio from approaching.

“My Lord, I have been wronged! I beg you to redress my grievances!”

She held up a petition with the large character "冤" (wronged) written on it. The character, written in what appeared to be blood, whether human or animal, looked rather unsettling. Ban Huai couldn't help but lean back. “What is this all about?”

“Oh, righteous Lord, please save my husband! The magistrate of Tong County disregarded human life, colluding with other officials. My husband died unjustly!”

Ban Huai coughed, beckoning an attendant. “Where is Tong County?”

“My Lord, Tong County is in Xuezhou,” the attendant whispered. “The Governor of Xuezhou is Zhao Zhong.”

“Zhao Zhong…” Ban Huai narrowed his eyes, thinking for a moment. “Isn’t that Zhao Erlang (Second Young Master Zhao)?”

Attendant: “Indeed, it is the Zhao family’s Second Young Master.”

Speaking of which, their family had a history with the Zhao family. Ban Hua had been betrothed to Zhao Sanlang (Third Young Master Zhao) in their infancy. Unfortunately, after Zhao Sanlang's premature death, the engagement was naturally dropped. Over the years, the Ban and Zhao families still interacted, but their relationship was not as close as before.

“My Lord!”

Seeing that Ban Huai hadn't responded to her, the middle-aged woman cried even more pitifully. “My Lord, please have mercy and help me!”

“Wait!” The woman’s cries gave Ban Huai a headache. “If you have grievances, you should go to the Ministry of Justice or the Court of Judicial Review.”

The middle-aged woman froze, not expecting him to refuse her outright without even offering any polite words.

“I’m just an idle Marquis with no real power. My words carry no weight. Even if I take you to the court, no one would bother with me,” Ban Huai waved his hand. “Instead of wasting time here, you should go to the Court of Judicial Review and strike the grievance drum.”

Without waiting for the woman to react, he instructed the guards to move the three aside and departed in his carriage.

The woman crying for justice: …

The onlookers: …

This was the first time they had heard a nobleman openly admit to having no real power and influence.

Ban Hua lifted the curtain, looking at the middle-aged woman who seemed to be still in shock as the guards carried her away. She felt something wasn't quite right.

“What are you looking at?”

“The woman who was crying for justice just now.” Ban Hua thought for a moment. “I think she’s a bit strange.”

“Of course, she’s strange,” Yin Shi sneered. “A woman seeking justice for her deceased husband, traveling all the way to the capital, would surely be weary and exhausted. Two children who have lost their father would be distraught and grief-stricken. Do you think they fit that description?”

Ban Hua lowered the curtain. “So she was lying to us?”

“What she’s doing isn’t important,” Yin Shi’s expression was calm. “What’s important is that we are aware of it.”

“Oh.”

Ban Hua nodded, looking enlightened. She lifted the curtain again and saw someone riding a horse towards them.

This person had a delicate, almost feminine face, hair tied up with a jade crown, and dressed in black robes. The hems of the robes shimmered with light, revealing embroidered auspicious clouds, a subtle detail added by the embroiderer.

Author's Note:

Ban Huai: Don't come to me for anything. I'm a wastrel~

ʕ◉ᴥ◉ʔ

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