Chapter Ninety Six
The news that the Empress was pregnant quickly travelled from the hougong to the court. On the second day, many officials' wives sent congratulatory messages to the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace, expressing the joy the entire court felt towards the pregnancy of the Empress.
Qu Qing Ju carelessly flipped open a note. The main idea was that the entire court heard that the Empress was pregnant and couldn't contain their joy, couldn't eat, couldn't sleep and had to write of their joy, and wrote a whole pile of good wishes before finishing with greetings to the Empress Dowager, Emperor, Empress etc etc
The content of the messages weren't different, but what they expressed was the same. It was, us common people, we're happy today.
Qu Qing Ju knew that the people had been keeping watch over her belly. If she gave birth to a son, it was the di eldest son. In the future, even if the other feipin had children, they couldn't shake the eldest son's position.
Thinking of her body now which was only sixteen, and was raising another little life, she felt complicated. And then she couldn't help but have another bowl of rice.
The Empress Dowagers of the two palaces had already let the servants deliver a whole pile of useful and useless things over. Especially Empress Dowager Wei. She seemed to want to stuff the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace full, sending over pile after pile of stuff. Qu Qing Ju started to wonder if Empress Dowager Wei still had anything left in her personal stores.
"Empress, Jin An Princess had someone send congratulatory gifts into the palace," Huang Yang held a list as he entered which he gave into Qu Qing Ju's hand. "Her Highness Princess Royal also said to wait until the flower banquet tomorrow to have a good chat with you."
Qu Qing Ju flipped the list. The things listed avoided stuff that might cause trouble. It could be seen that Jin An Princess Royal had the intentions to become closer but was worried of getting into trouble. Putting the list to one side, Qu Qing Ju smiled, "Go tell the messenger, say that ben gong will remember and to let Jin An Princess come early tomorrow."
Jin An Princess Royal and her, originally it had been half friendship, half beneficial. The way they interacted now, it was the best. Jin An Princess Royal might be female, but Qu Qing Ju felt that she was very decisive in her conduct. When she had separated from the Count of Bei Lu, she was unhesitating and didn't show any weakness. In the end, she had protected the reputations of the princess of the Imperial House, and captured titles for her children. In reality, if the Princess Royal and the Count of Bei Lu hadn't separated, her children might not have the same rank as they did now.
After that, Jin An Princess expressed goodwill to He Heng and clearly distanced herself from lao da and lao san's family. The action seemed reckless, but it was much easier to obtain the good opinion of He Heng that way. No one liked people who backstabbed. In the very end, Jin An Princess' step was right. Now, she was the most free, most important princess, the Princess Royal, of all of xiandi's daughters. Even if she didn't have a fuma now, who in Jing would underestimate her?
A woman as skilled as her, it was no wonder that an emperor as unjust as Qing De Emperor was soothed by her to not care about traditions and make her the Princess Royal. Even Qu Qing Ju herself didn't think she could do as well.
"Empress, Cheng Wang Fu sent gifts."
"Empress, the Duchess of Zhong Yi sent gifts."
Qu Qing Ju spent the whole morning looking at different lists. She sighed. It wasn't an insignificant number of officials' wives that were qualified to send gifts to her. She didn't know how much had been just placed into the stores without a word.
"Empress, Rui Wang Fu sent gifts."
The presents from Rui Wang Fu came relatively late. Qu Qing Ju had been preparing to use the noon meal when the people delivered it. She casually flipped open the list and was slightly shocked. Did Qin Bai Lu really prepare this for her? Thousand year ginseng, Tian Shan snow lotus, hundred year knotweed and so on. Things like cultivating bangles, and other valuable objects had been stuffed in. When she finished reading the list, Qu Qing Ju felt that Qin Bai Lu wouldn't be this good to her. Something along the line wasn't right.
"Who sent this list?" Qu Qing Ju folded up the list in her hand, her brow furrowing as she asked, "Ben gong has always been at odds with Qin Bai Lu, when has she been so good to me?"
"Empress, you are the Empress now. How can Rui wang fei compete against you now?" Huang Yang responded, "This list was personally sent by the steward of Rui wang Fu, He Fu Er. It shouldn't be wrong."
"Right now, the Emperor is investigating the old case of Jiang Nan. Rui Wang sending so much over, he must have other intentions," Qu Qing Ju just remembered that the court was in the middle of the case of Jiang Nan. Rui Wang Fu sending so much over, were they thinking for her to have some pillow talk?
That was funny. She, an Empress that the Emperor put importance on, would be stupid enough, for just this paltry amount of stuff, to go beg for mercy for Rui Wang, wasn't that was seeking suicide, being tired of living?
The matter was overlapping with the court so the servants attending Qu Qing Ju cleverly didn't follow up. This was a quality that Qu Qing Ju was satisfied with. In this world, no one liked other people saying things they shouldn't by their ear.
In the Imperial Study of Tian Qi Palace, He Heng finished reading the memorandum on the case of Jiang Nan, his face grave as he drummed his fingers. A long time later, he ordered: "Summon the Duke of Zhong Yi for an audience."
When Tian Jin Ke came to Tian Qi Palace, He Heng had finished all of the memorandums on the desk. Seeing him come in, he called: "Beloved Official Tian doesn't have to be courteous. Zhen has called you today to discuss the matter of Rui Wang."
Tian Jin Ke hesitated before replying: "The evidence has been conclusive for the case of Jiang Nan. This subject doesn't know what the Emperor means."
"In his life xiandi liked zhen's sandi the most, so zhen doesn't want his life. But the case is truly frightening. Zhen, as a ruler, cannot tolerate such things to happen," he sighed, "It's hard to fulfill both righteousness and loyalty."
Hearing that the Emperor had spoken to such lengths, Tian Jin Ke couldn't even pretend to not understand. He immediately responded: "Rui Wang's crimes are serious, but these cases were committed mostly by his subordinates who couldn't not moderate themselves and are not directly linked with Rui Wang. Wei chen thinks that Rui Wang is guilty but not guilty of death."
"Then you say, how should zhen determine Rui Wang's crimes?" He Heng looked at Tian Jin Ke below, mocking, "At the very least, he is zhen's brother. Zhen doesn't bear for him to live too bleakly for the rest of his life."
Tian Jin Ke's heart jumped, fine sweat dotting his forehead. The Emperor, at such an age, had such a manner, it was truly shocking: "This subject doesn't know."
"Fine, zhen won't bother you," He Heng didn't keep going at the question. His tone suddenly became light, "Now Empress is pregnant. She had always been close to your furen. In the future, if your furen doesn't have any major matter, then come to the palace to keep the Empress company."
Hearing the Emperor mention such a matter, Tian Jin Ke naturally happily complied. His niece was still very young. As an elder, he was happy she was pregnant and could steady her position as Empress but was worried she would be inexperienced and become worried, and frightened due to pregnancy.
"Zhen doesn't have anything else. You are excused." He Heng said with a faint smile.
Tian Jin Ke saw the relaxed expression on the Emperor's face as though he wasn't affected by the case of Jiang Nan and left unworried. When he passed through the gates of Tian Qi Palace, he thought in puzzlement, did the Emperor only summon his to ask about the matter of Rui Wang?
But why did he feel that it wasn't right?
In Rui Wang Fu, He Yuan raised a wine cup to take a sip. He looked lazily at Gao Duo on his side whose face was full of worry. He smiled, asking, "What, ben wang isn't worried, but why are you even more uneasy than ben wang?"
"Wang ye, now that the evidence for the Jiang Nan case has all been presented to the Emperor, if the Emperor would try to take your life, you have no way out," Gao Duo sighed, suggesting, "Why don't we think of another way?"
"Think of what?" He Yuan snorted, "If he wants to kill, then kill. The winner as king, the loser as outlaw. Now that he is the Emperor, even if he didn't have the evidence of the Jiang Nan Case, he could still easily sort me out."
"But has wang ye thought of the people on the fu, and Shu gui taifei still waiting for you to receive her out of the palace? If you get in trouble, what about them?" Gao Duo sighed.
"Don't worry, He Heng wants to settle accounts with me, but the hypocrite he is, definitely won't leave behind a bad name. The lives of everyone in this fu will remain," He Yuan lowered his face, throwing his head back to drink to the bottom of the cup, "Even more, the Empress is now pregnant, he wouldn't bear to start killing."
How did the matter relate to the Empress? Gao Duo looked in puzzlement at He Yuan. Seeing that his face wasn't pleasant, he didn't dare to use the Emperor's name and responded: "If that's the case, wang ye, why don't you take advantage of the chance and save yourself?"
"I can't hide forever," He Yuan careless threw away the cup in his hand, "don't waste any more attention for ben wang. Ben wang knows, you can leave."
Gao Duo looked at the wine cup rolling on the floor and left in helplessness. When he came out of the gate, he saw Rui Wang Fei standing at the door, and lowered his head, making a greeting.
Qin Bai Lu didn't pay attention to him. She only stared at the gate of the building, as though the person inside was an enemy of hers.
"Wang fei?" Ru Hua saw that wang fei's expression wasn't good and carefully urged, "It's cold in autumn, let's go back to the room."
"Now he doesn't even want me to meddle in the matters of houyuan," Qin Bai Lu grimaced as she spoke. Then her expression became malevolent, "The congratulatory presents for the Empress' pregnancy, he didn't even ask me, the wang fei, before sending it off. This wang fei that I am, what's the meaning?"
"Zhuzi, don't be angry, let's return." Ru Hua reached to pull Qin Bai Lu. This was the doorway to the main building. What would happen if wang ye heard?
"Humph," Qin Bai Lu snorted, holding Ru Hua's hand as she left in discontent. It wouldn't matter if she didn't leave. By now, wang ye practically didn't go to her rooms, and didn't let her enter his.
Chapter Ninety Seven Overestimating Oneself
At Court, as the speaker recited the contents of the investigation, the officials listened with wide eyes and gaping mouths. They didn't think Rui Wang would have committed so many crimes.
"Rui Wang, do you have anything to say?" He Heng calmly looked at He Yuan standing below, "When fuhuang was alive, he was extremely good to you. Why did you have to commit such major crimes?"
"If Emperor wants to kill subject-di, then do as you wish. There's no need to talk so much," He Yuan did not beg for mercy. His face was full of scorn as though He Heng, sitting at the top, was just a joke, "If fuhuang really cared for me, then I wouldn't be standing here today. By saying this much, you just want to proclaim me disloyal and unfilial."
"Zhen has never thought that way," He Heng sighed, "We were almost born at the same time, and had played together as children. Zhen doesn't bear to kill you. Even more so, many of the acts were committed by your subordinates, and aren't seriously connected to you."
He Yuan furrowed his brows and then sneered. He wanted to see how He Heng would deal with him.
The officials looked at the expressions of the two brothers. On one hand, they were moved by the feelings of the Emperor, on the other, they felt helpless at Rui Wang's arrogance. Rui Wang had been arrogant and despotic in Jing for many years. Even now, with such undeniable evidence, he was still so unmanageable.
"Pass zhen's decree. Rui Wang exhibited unruly behavior, and forfeits his salary for five years. He allowed his subordinates to smuggle salt, and buy and sell official posts and titles. Zhen hurts at heart but as xiandi once told zhen to hold fraternal affection, zhen doesn't bear to but still has to punish. From this day forth, Rui Wang cannot enter court, is demoted from Qin Wang to Jun Wang, deprived of his salary for five years, and will write a list of his own crimes to be posted on the city gates of all the regional capitals of Jiang Nan. The wealth that was seized from the Jiang Nan case will not be taken into the Treasury. Zhen will personally send it to Jiang Nan so it can be used to fix roads and construct bridges in order to benefit the people of Jiang Nan." He Heng had a disappointed face as he stood, "Qing can all leave."
"The Emperor is wise, this subject asks to be excused," Everyone knelt to send the Emperor off, becoming even more respectful of the new Emperor.
The Emperor did not take Rui Wang's life, did not erase him from the Imperial House's lineage. That was due to fraternal love. The Emperor punished Rui Wang, used the wealth seized to construct infrastructure for Jiang Nan, and asked for him to write his own apology letter to post on the gates of Jiang Nan's cities, it was so the Emperor didn't want to fail the people. It really was a win all around, with no flaws.
This move seemed to look as though it was protecting Rui Wang, but on reflection, it was actually stomping Rui Wang to the ground. A wang ye who couldn't attend court, a wang ye who wrote his own crimes to present to the world. He wasn't a risk, and would become a blemish in history. In the future, people would most likely praise the Emperor for being loyal and righteous.
A ruler with such cunning, as subjects, they naturally had to be more cautious in their work. If they made the Emperor angry, even in death, they may not have a good name.
He Yuan quietly stood in the empty Grand Hall. The Emperor on the dragon chair had left, the officials beside him had also left. He looked calmly at the surroundings. A long time later, he smiled lightly: "To kill without a trace, as expected of my good brother."
"Your Highness," The little taijian who guarded the Great Hall carefully walked in front of him and informed in a small voice, "It's closing time."
Looking at the taijian whose legs were quivering, He Yuan smiled, "What, ben wang is very frightening?"
The young taijian knelt with a bang and started to kowtow, pleading: "Forgive me, forgive me, wang ye."
"Alright, stand up," He Yuan didn't look at the taijian as he walked to the doorway leading into the hall. When he turned back, he saw the taijian was still kowtowing, and laughed out loud, "Don't be afraid, ben wang won't ever stand here again."
The taijian froze. A beat later when he dared to look towards the doorway, he only saw the shining sun outside. Rui Wang had disappeared.
He patted his knees as he stood, mumbling to himself: "Still thinks he's the same Rui Wang, such arrogance."
The hougong was very busy at the moment because Qu Qing Ju had invited the wives of officials third-grade and up into the palace. Those who couldn't get out of the bed were the only ones in Jing who couldn't come.
This was the first time the Empress had invited the titled women into the palace. No matter what the Empress was intent on doing, the people under didn't dare to slight her. Some thought that since the Empress was pregnant, she wanted to pick di daughters from the families of officials to enter the palace as fei to serve the Emperor. However, those who wanted to seize the opportunity took along the unmarried di daughters of their family, and smart people came alone, unwilling to even mention their daughters.
Which woman in this world wanted to find other women to share their husband? Disregarding the fact that the Empress hadn't known she was pregnant when she had sent out the decree, even if she had known, based on the affection between Emperor and Empress, they wouldn't benefit if they sent their daughters in, and would offend the Empress instead.
They also should think about where the Empress was living now. It was rumored that the Emperor had disliked the smell due to the new renovation of Kui Yuan Palace and specially made a decree that, until a month after the Empress has given birth, she was not to move out of the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace.
The wife and the husband were living together. For a qie to blindly interfere, wasn't that just begging for punishment?
Qu Qing Ju didn't feel any different even though she was now pregnant. When she reached the Imperial Gardens in her phoenix carriage, the people who should have come had arrived. Once she got out, the crowd knelt.
"Furen, don't be so courteous. Please rise," Qu Qing Ju looked at the different varieties of chrysanthemums placed in the garden. She smiled, teasing, "Ben gong has met you all before. Furen, don't be restrained with ben gong just because the location has changed."
The wives gave their thanks and sat down according to their ranks. Very quickly, taijian started to place rare chrysanthemums onto the pedestal previously constructed in the middle for the women to see. Each pot of chrysanthemums would be brought up for a time, and then the next one would be even more beautiful.
No matter if they were really amazed or just acting, they continuously gave their compliments, as though the chrysanthemums weren't of mortal hands and had been given down from the gods.
Qu Qing Ju slowly drank a cup of date tea. She wasn't allowed to drink any other kind, not even ginseng. Red date tea was the only tea that was good for her and the embryo, so she had gradually started to change her diet.
"This one is interesting," Qu Qing Ju pointed at a pot of flowers where the back was white, and the inside was purple. She had once had such a flower, but she never knew the name. Because of her busy job, she never spent much time caring for it, and the flower, once it bloomed, wasn't as beautiful.
"Empress, this chrysanthemum is called the "Fragrant Young Phoenix". Because the petals are as beautiful as a phoenix, so it received this name." The taijian that had been holding the flower answered with joy. Originally, he had thought that this pot wasn't eye-catching and thus, wouldn't receive the favor of the Empress. Who knew that it was the only one the Empress would ask about? It was a blessing from the ancestors.
"'Fragrant Young Phoenix'?" Qu Qing Ju mused for a second, "That's a good name. Mu Jin, reward."
After seeing the Empress admire that flower, the wives followed in complimenting it, making this somewhat commonplace flower become rare.
"This female subject has only seen chrysanthemums in the books, the plum blossoms are jealous of its fragrance. Today, borrowing the good fortune of Empress to view so many chrysanthemums, it is really this female subject's luck," A girl wearing a light yellow short dress said in a moderately loud voice, "The 'Golden Dragon Leaping Clouds' was also extremely beautiful."
Qu Qing Ju looked at the person who spoke. It was a girl, about fifteen or sixteen. She had a simple shuang ping ji, but that made her seem even more youthful.
"For zhen, that 'Jade Phoenix Cloud' was the most beautiful," He Heng, followed by a crowd of attendants, walked towards the direction where Qu Qing Ju was standing. He looked at the girl who spoke, "Whose family are you?"
"This female subject is the di granddaughter of Grand Duke Jing, Qin Chao Yun, greets Emperor," The young girl saw the Emperor inquire and stood with a calm face. She gave a full bow to He Heng, "This female subject spoke nonsense, and let the Emperor hear a joke."
Qu Qing Ju saw Qin Chao Yun's elegant posture and gave a small smile. Wasn't Grand Duke Jin Qin Bai Lu's grandfather, then wasn't Qin Chao Yun, Qing Bai Lu's sister or cousin? But the looks, the conduct, it was more pleasing than Qin Bai Lu.
"En, you spoke too much," He Heng calmly concluded, "There's so many elders present, there's no reason for you, as one of the younger generation, to speak."
Qin Chao Yun seemed shocked that the Emperor would say such a thing to her. She stilled, then with a normal expression, she responded: "The teachings of Emperor, this female subject will remember in her heart."
En, this conduct was much better than Qin Bai Lu. If a normal person had been admonished by the Emperor like this, she would have been red all over. But she acted as though the Emperor was teaching for her benefit. Qu Qing Ju sighed. It looked like the Qin Family did have some women with high attack power. Qin Bai Lu and Wei Ran Lu's mother only counted as the failures of the Qin Family.
He Heng felt a bit surprised. He couldn't help but look again at Qin Chao Yun. She didn't seem to have deliberately dressed up, but her appearance gave others a feeling of elegance. It didn't stain the Qin Family's reputation. When his gaze fell upon a pair of pearl embroidered slippers, he took away his gaze, his voice even colder: "Zhen isn't instructing you, but reminding you. At the very least, you were born of an educated and noble family so your conduct cannot stain the reputations of the noble families."
Everyone could hear that the Emperor didn't seem to like the Qin Family. They remembered that Rui Wang's wang fei was a daughter of the Qin Family, and didn't have a good relationship with the Empress. They instantly understood. This Qin Family had married a daughter to Rui Wang Fu. The result was that Rui Wang fell. So they wanted to shove a daughter into the palace. They really did think everyone else was stupid and couldn't see what they wanted.
Some of the furen examined Qin Chao Yun's appearance and thought scornfully, just these looks, and she wanted to seduce the Emperor. Could she even compare to a finger of the Empress?
The Duchess of Zhong Yi, Tian Luo shi took a sip from a teacup, uncaringly commenting: "The reputation of the daughters of the Qin Family is good, but the rare ones who haven't learned well, it's of no benefit to their reputation."
The people beside her, hearing it, instantly agreed, provoking the Duchess Dowager of Jing's face to pale in anger.
He Heng didn't look at the women, turning to walk towards Qu Qing Ju. Look at the time, the flower banquet should be finishing now.
Chapter Ninety Eight
As He Heng walked up to her, Qu Qing Ju prepared to stand and properly greet him but was stopped when he gently pushed on her shoulder: "There's no need, zhen just came from muhou's palace, and came here to take a look."
Hearing that, Qu Qing Ju responded: "It had been planned for muhou to also come here, but who knew that the two of them would say that due to the complexity of the palace affairs, they wouldn't be able to attend this flower banquet." As she spoke, a hint of guilt appears on her face, as though it was her fault that the two Empress Dowagers were so busy.
"You're pregnant now and it's not necessary to do those burdensome matters," He Heng smiled as he sat down beside her, "Both muhou will understand." Towards the two Empress Dowagers, he was confident of their abilities.
Earlier, he had asked the taiyi. They said that during a woman's pregnancy, she can't be exhausted, and can't be angry, or else it would harm the body and the child. That was a big no-no.
Hearing He Heng say so, Qu Qing Ju smiled, "This is escaping from frustration into relaxation."
Even though he was sitting at the front of a crowd of women, He Heng wasn't the slightest bit unsettled. He even managed to disregard the womenfolk sitting below, full of ease as he chatted with Qu Qing Ju about some small matters, acting as though the other people were also pots of flowers.
Using a gap in the conversation, Qu Qing Ju looked down. All of the womenfolk seemed to be comfortably engaging in conversation with those beside them. The atmosphere hadn't cooled because the Emperor had arrived. They tried very hard to make the Emperor feel welcomed.
Qu Qing Ju felt that she couldn't waste the time of the womenfolk present and said: "Originally, everyone was to stay for a meal before leaving, but ben gong is pregnant. The taiyi has reminded many times not to sit long in the first three months so today, we won't keep everyone. To have neglected everyone so, ben gong hopes for everyone's understanding."
The womenfolk who had children stood in succession, thanking the Empress for inviting them as they mentioned that it was important to be careful in the first trimester. They also said that the Empress and the embryo inside were full of good fortune, and would smoothly coast and meet auspicious events along the way.
Qu Qing Ju smiled and let them leave. Before they left, she took another look at Qin Chao Yun. A pretty beautiful young girl. She knew how to show herself off. But it was a pity that she wore such plain clothes, but her slippers exposed her true nature.
If a person had to act, then they had to make it more realistic. Except for the normal hairpins, the plain clothing, how could she forget about her slippers?
The embroidered shoes of unmarried girls were frequently changed. Especially the kind that were encrusted with agate or pearls. Because it wasn't easy to clean, the pearls and agate would fall apart or the color would be wrong. So after they wore it once, they wouldn't wear it again. This caused families who didn't have the wealth to not frequently wear that kind of slippers.
This was where Qin Chao Yun had failed. If she had really preferred plain adornments, why would she wear that kind of slippers?
She might have had some schemes, some bravery but was still too inexperienced. It wasn't enough in front of He Heng.
Jin An Princess Royal had originally planned to privately talk with Qu Qing Ju after the banquet. But seeing the Emperor protect her so, she felt she didn't need to say those things and smiled as she left with the other womenfolk.
After the womenfolk left, the two of them returned to Tian Qi Palace to eat. Each dish was tested by a taijian before they started to eat.
The meat and vegetables of the dishes were perfectly complementing and all of them were beneficial to a pregnant mother and her child. Qu Qing Ju didn't like how the dishes became slightly less flavorful but still ate a lot.
After the meal, He Heng went to the front hall. Qu Qing Ju leaned back on the recliner, calmly asking: "The people who brought their di daughters into the palace, have you remembered all of them?"
"Niang niang, don't worry," Mu Jin put a thin blanket over her, "There were only a few families who took their unmarried daughters into the palace, nubi remembered them all."
Qu Qing Ju nodded. She was confident in Mu Jin, "The Qin Family is very fortunate to still be an educated noble family. Doing what they have done, it doesn't look anything like what a noble family would do." She wasn't very clear about the Qin Family, but based on what she knew about educated and literary families, weren't they elegant, respectful, modest yet not false? Why was it then, when it came to the Qin Family, it seemed that they were ruining the reputation of all literary families? Wasn't that morally wrong?
"Empress, you might not know," Jin Zhan, who usually had the most information, interjected, "Nubi heard that the last Grand Duke Jing was a man of great character. Who knew that the heavens were jealous and he died before thirty without even a son. They could only pass the title to his shu di's son, who is the present Grand Duke Jing. The Grand Duke Jing's personality is weak and usually listens to the Duchess of Jing. In the past, it wasn't visible, but the Qin Family are more and more restless. If this continues, they might not be able to keep their label of a literary family."
"If that's the case, does it mean that the present Qin Family isn't considered as orthodox?" Yin Liu thought about how Rui Wang Fei acted, asking, "Since they aren't orthodox, Rui Wang Fei also acts like this?"
"Yes, thinking about it this way, Rui Wang Fei's branch is shu." Mu Jin gasped ruefully, "No wonder Rui Wang Fei is like that."
Even though she held a suspicious attitude regarding the division due to blood, Qu Qing Ju finally understood another matter. No wonder the conduct of the Qin Family was so short-sighted. So the real decision maker was a woman in the house. One had to know, in this time, no matter male or female, if they stayed in the home the entire time and didn't try to understand what was happening outside when they sent out orders, it was easy to make a wrong decision.
The inner compound easily restricted a person's knowledge and judgment.
When He Heng returned to the front hall, he abruptly dug out the list of the female candidates that the Department of Household Affairs had presented, "Rui Wang's conduct has become confused, one of the causes is that Rui Wang Fei could not restrain him. Zhen doesn't bear for didi to have a person who doesn't serve him with the entire heart, and specially bestows some female candidates to serve in Rui Wang Fu in hopes their conduct can move Rui Wang." After speaking, he then circled four names from the listed twenty eight, and let Qian Chang Xin leave with his words to send them to Rui Wang Fu.
These four female candidates didn't seem to be of significance, but in reality, their paternal homes were all in Jing. Even though they weren't of exceptional families, they still had some standing in Jing City, and they had done some things which He Heng didn't like. So when he sent the four girls to Rui Wang Fu, he felt very good.
He Heng put the list to one side. Right now, he didn't have any interest in taking a fei. In the past, he felt that the variety of beautiful women by his side was flowers on the gold, but now he felt, regardless of how many there were, if they weren't satisfactory, they just took up space.
"Come, send down the order, bestow every one of the female candidates in Tuan Fang Hall a pair of gold bangles for their dowry. Three days later, they can return to their homes for marriage so they don't have to stay in the palace."
By making such an order, the Emperor was explicitly telling others he had no intentions of taking the female candidates as feipin so he's allowing them to go home to marry of their own initiative.
The female candidates were sent home to marry on their own, the Empress was pregnant, then who would serve the Emperor? The people in the palace started to have thoughts, seemingly forgetting the lessons of the past.
Qin Bai Lu listened to the servants report on Qu Yue Su's sorry situation, her mood light. She rewarded a handful of copper to the clever-tongued yahuan. Raising a teacup, she said to Ru Hua beside her, "I just want to see, without wang ye's favor, how long she would survive."
Ru Hua saw the mirth on wang fei's face and said helplessly: "Wang fei, nubi heard that today at court, wang ye was ……"
"His matters has nothing to do with me," Qin Bai Lu smiled coldly, "Right now, I can't even run the inner compound, much less what happens outside."
Seeing wang fei's expression, Ru Hua understood. Wang fei still might not know that wang ye had been demoted and banned from court. This matter was extremely serious. If wang fei's state was seen by wang ye, would there be another fight?
"Ben wang's affairs naturally doesn't have anything to do with you," He Yuan strode in from outside. He didn't look at Qin Bai Lu and Ru Hua's expressions, and sat down at the front, faintly remarking, "Right now, your Qin Family has put their hats for the Emperor, how would they even look at ben wang?"
Qin Bai Lu's face instantly darkened. He Yuan's words were ugly, but it wasn't unsubstantiated. If he said it, then it meant that the Qin Family really did want to arrange someone to enter the palace.
He Yuan lightly laughed, "You really believe your Qin Family's daughters are goddesses that everyone falls in love? Your Qin Family might not find it embarrassing, but ben wang feels embarrassed for you." His fingers gently tapped on the arm of the chair, mocking, "Also, if you say that you have nothing to do with ben wang's affairs, why don't you pack up and go home? Ben wang will definitely ask for a divorce from the Emperor."
Qin Bai Lu's heart jumped. She looked at He Yuan, trying to find even the slightest hint of humor on his face. But his face didn't seem to be joking.
"Wang ye ……qie was personally decreed by xiandi to be your wang fei, you cannot treat me this way," Qin Bai Lu stammered, "You can't divorce qie."
"Even if xiandi was here, if ben wang wanted to divorce you, then it will happen. Even more so, now that xiandi isn't here," He Yuan looked frigidly at her, "Get out, ben wang doesn't want to see you."
The rims of Qin Bai Lu's eyes reddened, she bowed and prepared to leave when she saw He Fu Er rush in, and then he said something which made it harder for her to endure.
Why would the Emperor bestow a few concubines down, and accuse her of not serving wang ye well? Qin Bai Lu felt that her face was burning like someone had slapped her, burning with pain.
He Yuan didn't care for her, only ordering He Fu Er to lead the people over for him to take a look.
Qin Bai Lu looked at He Fu Er as he trotted away. She felt as though a basin of cold water had poured over her, freezing her from head to toe.
Chapter Ninety Nine Decay
The four candidates who had been bestowed by the Emperor were all taken in. Only after they had become yiniang did the people of the wang fu find out the shocking reality – wang ye had been demoted. Since he wasn't a qin wang anymore, the allowances in the fu and the number of servants had to decrease. The size of the wang fu had to shrink so some people were going to be thrown out.
Just as the servants were worried for their future, they heard another piece of news. Wang ye had been banned from court, and his salary was to be docked for five years. Additionally, he had to admit his crimes in writing to the public.
The servants who had been reluctant to leave the palace weren't reluctant anymore. They waited for the notice to come so they could find a new employer. As for the taijian and palace maids who had came out of the Department of Household Affairs, they wanted to go back to the department to be assigned again. They would rather find another master than to serve one who had no future. At the very least, anything would be better than now.
Qin Bai Lu hadn't thought that such an event would happen. She listened to Ru Hua recite the happenings, and choked for a long time before stammering: "Didn't he want to divorce me? Now that he's like this, how can he divorce me?!"
Ru Hua sighed in helplessness. Not speaking of the ego that wang ye had, even if a normal person heard what wang fei had said, they would have been angry. In the beginning when wang fei just entered the wang fu, she rashly sorted out the concubines in the fu. When wang ye said a word, the two started to fight there and then, a subject of much mockery by the servants in the fu.
Now that it was like this, wang ye and wang fei had nothing to say to each other, and wang ye had lost power. Wang fei should be thinking of how to comfort wang ye or secure the people of the houyuan. But she was rejoicing in the misfortune. To keep going like this, would there be any feelings left?
Seeing Ru Hua wanting to speak but kept restraining herself, Qin Bai Lu uttered coldly: "Since wang ye doesn't want me to manage anything in the wang fu, then whatever happens in the fu, I don't need to spend the effort for nothing. If anyone begs to see me, just say that I'm ill."
"Yes, wang fei." Having served wang fei for almost a decade, Ru Hua was clear about wang fei's personality. She wouldn't have appreciated any more conversation. She bowed and silently stood to one side.
But Qin Bai Lu couldn't remain calm for too long. Because the Qin Family had passed on the news that her cousin had been reproached by the Emperor in front of all the noblewomen. Earlier, she had called in sick to avoid attending Qu Qing Ju's chrysanthemum banquet, so she hadn't thought such a thing would happen.
Listening to the cause of the matter, Qin Bai Lu was irritated. No wonder wang ye would speak of her Qin Family's daughters that way. So it had been because of this. It was also no wonder that her paternal family hadn't sent in their cards to her. So they had wanted to climb on the high branch that was the Emperor. She was only a failed wang fei, what use did she have?
After managing to clearly figure out the matter, Qin Bai Lu felt her heart becoming cold. Both her family and her husband were like this. She had no hope left in her life. Thinking about the pregnant Qu Qing Ju, she lowered her head to touch her own empty belly. She didn't understand why all the good things of the world happened to Qu Qing Ju. A good popo, a good husband, a good birth, even more, she would soon have a child.
Who said that the heavens had eyes? Some people lived well and others didn't.
"Ru Hua, pass my orders, Qu shi is seriously ill. To prevent her from infecting others, she will not live in Xi Ce Yuan. Today, she will move to the Xi Ping Zhai in the western corner to recuperate." She didn't believe all the women of the Qu Family would be lucky.
Ru Hua heard wang fei's sinister order, and shook slightly, "Nubi will send it down right now."
Coming out of the zhengyuan, she looked at the large building and for some reason, felt a gust of cold enter from her back into her heart.
Qu Yue Su, who had been sick on the bed, watched as the servants of the fu roughly pack up her things and piled them in the middle of the room. She hated Qin Bai Lu for being cruel and hated herself because she couldn't do anything to the loathsome servants.
After the things in the room were packed up, one of the mamas came up and jerked off the blanket on her, coldly announcing; "Qu ce fei, you should get up. Wang fei has ordered for you to move to Xi Ping Zhai before midnight. Nubi will have to offend you here." She easily pulled Qu Yue Su from the bed, who was dressed in her undergarments.
Qu Yue Su was seriously ill and couldn't tolerate her handling. Her body froze and she started to cough. As she covered her mouth, she looked hatefully at the mama, wanting to eat her flesh and break her bones.
"Ce fei, don't look like that at nubi. Nubi isn't the one at fault," The mama waved her hand saying to the other yahuan behind her, "What are you doing standing there? Help ce fei change."
When Yao Xi carried a bowl of hot medicine to enter the Ce Yuan, she coincidentally saw Qu Yue Su being pulled out of the room by two mamas, wearing a repulsive colored dress, her hair falling messily behind her back, cutting an extremely sorry figure, "What are you doing to ce fei?!" She put the bowl onto the ground and tried to rush forward to push aside the mamas dragging ce fei.
"Yao Xi guniang, this is wang fei's order, you shouldn't interfere," The mama who was in command sneered, "If you make a fuss, I can only assume you are angry at wang fei and deliberately opposing wang fei's command."
Yao Xi stilled. She was panicked and angry as she went forward to support Qu Yue Su, coldly asking: "What do you mean mama, that it is wang fei's intention for ce fei not to be properly attired?"
The mama twisted her mouth and then responded: "Yao Xi guniang should say less. I'm old and can't hear anything." She waved her hand for the servants to drag Qu Yue Su away. Yao Xi could only follow.
The Xi Ping Zhai's name was better than the room. Yao Xi knelt by the bed with red eyes, looking at her mistress who was unnaturally flushed, kowtowing as she said: "Zhuzi, nubi will ask for wang ye to come, wang ye will save you."
"There's no need to go, wang ye won't come," She looked at Yao Xi who was crying in hurt, smiling, "Don't cry, everyone has to make the journey." She had been ill originally, and after suffering such an ordeal, she wouldn't survive.
"Zhuzi, don't say that, you will get better," Yao Xi went forward to grasp Qu Yue Su's hand, "Nubi will go make medicine for you, you'll get better after eating it."
Qu Yue Su shook her head. In a daze, she seemed to have seen the beautiful lanterns at the riverside at the Lantern Festival, the bustling and tight crowds, and Qu Qing Ju and the Emperor holding hands. She muttered: "That originally belonged to me, it's mine … … Qu … … Qing Ju, why … …"
Her voice gradually grew smaller and finally faded in the silence of the room. Yao Xi looked at the motionless person on the bed and cried out loud.
"Wang fei, Qu ce fei of Xi Ping Zhai has passed." Ru Hua entered the room and saw wang fei was reading a book by the window. She went forward to report in a small voice, "Yao Xi, the servant of Qu ce fei, hopes to see wang ye."
Qin Bai Lu flipped a page, her head not lifting as she rejected: "Let her go beg He Fu Er, I can't make the decision."
Ru Hua saw that wang fei didn't want to speak and could only retreat. Looking at Yao Xi waiting at the door, wearing plain clothing and her bright red and swollen eyes, she revealed a conflicted expression, not knowing how to tell her.
"Wang fei said that she hasn't been in charge of the household recently. If you want to see wang ye, then go find Chief Steward He," Ru Hua furtively looked at the surroundings and quickly stuffed a pouch filled with silver into Yao Xi's hands before acting normal as she returned to the zhengyuan.
Yao Xi slowly stood up. Looking at the pouch in her hand, she walked blankly towards the main building. No matter what, zhuzi had served wang ye for a length of time. Would he not even let the person be properly buried after death?
He Yuan had a beautiful woman in his arms as she served him wine. As he became drunk, he let another beauty play the zither to raise his spirits. He drank until he was almost senseless, and couldn't even see clearly.
"Wang ye, Qu ce fei has passed away." He Fu Er reported at his side, "Yao Xi, who served ce fei, asks for an audience."
"Who is Qu ce fei?" He Yuan placed a kiss on the face of the beauty in his arms. As the woman laughed, he frowned, "Gone is gone, why tell ben wang?"
"Wang ye, Qu ce fei is Empress' half-sister," he Fu Er saw that wang ye was drunk and could only pour tea as he added, "Many people are looking from the outside." No matter how it really was, they should make it appear better.
"The meimei of the Empress," He Yuan pushed away the beauty in his arms, rubbing his forehead to clear his mind. He took a long draw of the tea He Fu Er handed over, "If that's the case, then make sure the servants won't slight her, and bury according to protocol."
Not slighting yet according to protocol. That would be difficult. He Fu Er thought but didn't show any of it. Thinking about whom to appoint to carry out the affair, he praised, "Wang ye can take care of her, it's her good fortune. This one will get someone to do so."
He Yuan sneered: "If she wasn't Empress' meimei, ben wang wouldn't have spent the thought."
He Fu Er changed: "The fact that Qu ce fei had a jiejie who is the Empress, it is her good fortune."
"Alright," He Yuan gave a yawn, "According to you, then isn't it the Empress' misfortune to have a sister like her?"
He Fu Er laughed dryly. He knew that wang ye was drunk and didn't dare to reply.
"Leave," He Yuan once again gathered the beauty beside him into his arms, "don't disturb ben wang."
There were many women in Rui Wang Fu. It wasn't a major matter for a ce shi to die but this ce shi was the Empress' meimei. So they had to find someone to report it into the palace. The news first passed to the Department of Household affairs, then the department would report to the Empress. But, according to emotional reasoning, this matter should have been reported to the Empress directly. Yet, according to protocol, Qu Yue Su was only a ce shi. Such an unlucky minor matter shouldn't ever have passed to the Empress. In the end, He Fu Er pondered for a long time before finding a circular way.
Qu Qing Ju had been perplexed upon hearing that the junior supervisor of the Department of Household affairs had asked for an audience. At the moment, she wasn't in charge of palace affairs so why was the supervisor running to her?
When she finished reading the announcement of death that the supervisor had presented, she felt conflicted inside. She held the letter, but didn't know what to say. In her impressions, Qu Yue Su was a talented and beautiful woman. She could have married into a good family, but she had to run with her ambitions and picked a wrong path, ruining her life.
If she hadn't become a concubine of Rui Wang Fu in the beginning, and instead married a son of a noble family, then she wouldn't have lost her life.
Weakness could harm one's life, that was the original Qu Qing Ju. Greed could ruin a woman, that had been Qu Yue Su. The former was pitiful, the latter was lamentable.
"Empress," the junior supervisor of the Department of Household Affair saw the Empress' expression wasn't well and his heart jumped. He didn't know what the Empress was thinking.
"You are excused," Qu Qing Ju put down the letter in her hand, waving her hand, "Huang Yang, take some people with you to Rui Wang Fu, and burn some incense for ben gong to Qu ce fei, and add some paper money and candles."
It was lamentable as a concubine, but as a wife, how many women were happy?
In this era of one wife and many concubines, women were fated to sacrifice themselves in history.
Chapter One Hundred
"Empress, this is what the Emperor ordered nubi to deliver to you."
Qu Qing Ju looked at the objects the palace maids held and saw that it was clothing and shoes suited for a pregnant female. She smiled, commenting: "It must have been difficult for Emperor to take all this trouble." Even though the palace maids on her side had already made many pieces for her, she would remember He Heng's goodwill.
Mu Jin saw the palace maids out to the doorway of the hall. When she came back, she found that everything had already been sorted away. She assumed Qu xiaojie's death a few days earlier had affected the mood of the Empress, and went forward to ask: "Niangniang, nubi heard the taiyi say that when the embryo is three or four months old, there would be movements. Have you felt anything?"
"Really? Ben gong had thought it was an upset stomach," Qu Qing Ju had been very interested in the fetus in her belly. She rubbed her chin, pondering, "No wonder I kept feeling strange movements in my belly."
"If it was an ailment of the digestive system, Dean Du would have already found it," Mu Jin opened the windows in the room, looking at the appearance of the sky, "Nubi sees that the weather is well, niangniang could take a walk."
Lu mama, who had been standing silently at one side, looked out the window and nodded: "Mu Jin guniang is right. Right now, His Highness has been in niangniang's belly for more than three months. Appropriate walking would be beneficial for you and His Highness."
Lu mama had been He Heng's decreed pregnancy mama. She was extremely knowledgeable about pregnancy. For Qu Qing Ju, she was an encyclopedia of pregnancy. From movement to diet to thinking, she knew everything.
"Since Lu mama says so, then let's walk," Qu Qing Ju touched her face, and took Jin Zhan's hand to stand up from the recliner.
Mu Jin placed a fox skin cape to Qu Qing Ju before allowing Qu Qing Ju to walk outside.
The weather at the beginning of winter wasn't very cold. Qu Qing Ju uneasily pulled at the cape on her body, taking in the sun that had no heat. Giving a yawn, she asked: "Heard yesterday that Emperor punished a palace maid, do you know what happened?"
Mu Jin and Jin Zhan exchanged a glance. In the end, it was Mu Jin who spoke: "Nubi isn't very clear but only heard that the Emperor found that the attire of the maid broke protocol. It provoked the Emperor's temper and he flared out." They had been afraid that this matter would affect the mood of the Empress and hadn't told her. Even though they hadn't said anything to niangniang, how did niangniang know?
Qu Qing Ju knew what they were thinking, lazily pointing out: "Ben gong is pregnant, many people in the hougong are having thoughts. Now, even the palace maids have other ideas."
"Niangniang, it doesn't matter what they think since Emperor isn't interested in them. What you should do now is rest and take care of the fetus. Why should you waste attention on these people?" Mu Jin urged, "Futhermore, niangniang, you are Empress, can anyone overtake you?"
"Naturally, I won't waste attention on these people," Qu Qing Ju curled her lips in a smile, looking at a corner in front of her, "But there are those people who come to hinder ben gong's eyes."
Mu Jin and Jin Zhan simultaneously followed Qu Qing Ju's gaze. Their faces both darkened. It was Han liangdi and the Emperor standing together as they talked. Looking at the smile on Han liangdi's face, it was as though she had found a treasure.
Seeing the scene, the two looked worriedly at the Empress and found the smile on the corner of the Empress' mouth had grown wide. Her eyes though, had grown cold. Mu Jin couldn't resist saying, "Niangniang, maybe the Emperor just coincidentally encountered Han liangdi."
Qu Qing Ju snorted. There weren't that many coincidences in the world, and not that many emperors who would keep themselves pure for a woman. The previous dynasty had Yu Ming Emperor and he had been extolled for a few hundred years. It could be seen just how rare the love of an Emperor was, one in a few hundred years.
Han liangdi hadn't thought she would coincidentally encounter the Emperor in the Imperial Gardens. She looked bashfully at the upright figure of He Heng, asking in a soft voice: "Emperor, qie has learned a new song a few days ago, does Emperor want to listen?"
"Han liangdi's voice is like a oriole in a valley. Zhen hasn't heard you sing for a time," He Heng saw a pavilion nearby and pointed at it, "How about you sing for zhen today?"
Han liangdi was so happy she almost couldn't disguise her expression. Following behind the Emperor and watching as he sat, she said: "Qie will disgracefully present."
"Cutting by candlelight by the western window, the moonlight silver frost, asking when next month she would return, but saw that she was at another place… …"
Ming He, standing by He Heng, listened and then sniffed his nose. The song seemed as though Han liangdi was trying to invite favour from the Emperor?
"She doesn't see the others tears, and doesn't know of the other's hurt … …"
When the song ended, Han liangdi's eyes were slightly red as she pretended to be unaffected and bowed to He Heng: "Qie's voice isn't as good as it was once, sorry to have disappointed the Emperor."
"En, Han liangdi's songs are as pleasing to the ear as before, zhen……" He Heng glanced outside the pavilion and his eyelids jumped, "Zhen thinks that these matters of music, it's fine to play with occasionally, but shouldn't pay too much attention to these things. Right now, you are a fifth-grade liangdi. It isn't very dignified to practice singing all day. In the future if you want zhen to listen to a song, you can let the Department of Music rehearse and then let zhen see.
She hadn't thought she would hear such a thing. Han liangdi instantly choked. Even the tears that had almost brimmed out were choked down,
"Emperor's words are too harsh. Qie feels that Han liangdi's songs are very good, and the people of the Music department cannot compare." Qu Qing Ju held Mu Jin's hand as she walked into the pavilion. After she walked in front of He Heng, she was going to bend in a greeting but was held up by He Heng.
"If you like it, then let Han liangdi go back and practice more. In the future, you and zhen can listen together," He Heng supported her to sit beside him, placing a stack of pastries in front of her, "Or you can let Han liangdi sing now. Zhen remembers that Han liangdi had a "Tan Lian Fu" that she sang well."
Qu Qing Ju smiled enchantingly, her eyes flickering before resting on Han liangdi. After thinking for a short while, she shook her head, rejecting: "No, it's alright. It's just as Emperor has said, Han liangdi might not have a high rank but she is one of the feipin of the palace. To let her sing for qie, it is too humiliating."
"You are the Empress who mothers the world. There's no humiliation in her singing for you," He Heng slightly raised his chin as he looked at Han liangdi, "Han liangdi, what do you say?"
"To be able to sing for Emperor and Empress is qie's good fortune," Han Qing He forced out a warm smile and bowed to Qu Qing Ju, "Please niangniang, allow pinqie to sing for you." She felt half of her heart was freezing and the other half was boiling. The turmoil was extremely painful, but she had to make herself a singer.
"Peach blossoms are bewitching, pear blossoms white, only the lotus blossom……"
Qu Qing Ju gave a yawn and lazily leaned on He Heng's shoulder, muttering: "Today's weather is so good, it makes people sleepy."
He Heng knew that after a woman became pregnant, she was easily drowsy. He reached around her back to let her lean more comfortably. The other hand slowly held a teacup that he sipped from as he frequently lowered his head to look at Qu Qing Ju leaning on his shoulder.
Han Qing He looked at the scene and for some reason, felt her throat hurt, as though singing one word was extremely difficult. By the end, even she didn't know how she sang.
"Stop," He Heng said in a small voice, "Empress is asleep, don't disturb her." He bent down to lift the person leaning on his shoulder. Then he took a deep breath, pretty heavy.
His empress looked beautiful and had a thin waist. Even three months pregnant, her belly wasn't visible. But when he lifted her, he found that she was much heavier than in the past. It did seem that what she ate everyday was effective.
Thinking that Qu Qing Ju's belly would get bigger in the next few months, he couldn't help but furrow his brow. By that time, he didn't know how much Qu Qing Ju would endure. Even sleep would be difficult then.
"Emperor, why don't nucai get someone to bring the sedan?" Seeing the situation, Ming He came forward to ask.
"No need," He Heng firmly held Qu Qing Ju, "This place isn't far from Tian Qi Palace."
"Yes," Ming He complied and dropped to follow behind with a bent body. He prepared for the possibility of the Emperor's hands faltering, he would use his body to cushion the Empress. From there to the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace, it was a somewhat horrifying experience for him.
"Respectfully seeing off Emperor and Empress," Han Qing He watched as the Emperor carried the Empress down the stairs of the pavilion. When she couldn't see their figures anymore, she finally angrily threw the cups from the table. What did the Empress mean, that she, Han Qing He, was born to be a singer?
They were all the Emperor's women, yet she had to sing for the other to hear!
"Zhuzi," The palace maid behind her was frightened by her actions. Scanning the surroundings, she sighed when she saw no one was around, urging, "Don't be angry outside, be careful since the walls have ears."
"Right now, she's pregnant and can't serve the Emperor but she's still holding onto the Emperor and not letting go. Even like this, many people are praising her for being virtuous, pah!" Han Qing He's anger couldn't be restrained. In the recent days as she bullied Feng Zi, she forgot her bounds and also forgot her identity.
"Zhuzi!" The palace made was so frightened her legs grew weak, kneeling in front of her, "Stop talking, that will get your head chopped off!"
"Stand up, why do I only have people as stupid as you serving me," Han Qing He breathed heavily. Seeing the person beside her pale in fright, she slowly calmed down, "Return!"
Such a good chance to get close to the Emperor had been ruined by Qu Qing Ju just like that. It was enough to make people hate!
Qu Qing Ju had her eyes closed as she leaned into He Heng's embrace. Hearing his ever heavier breaths, she opened her eyes when they neared Tian Qi Palace. She looked confusedly at the surroundings, before raising her head to look at He Heng, "Emperor?"
"Awake?" He Heng stopped walking, lowering his head to look at the woman with a confused face in his arms, "You fell asleep. I'm taking you back to the palace."
"I'm much heavier now, set me down," Qu Qing Ju urged, "Emperor, how could you carry me this entire way? It's too tiring."
"It's nothing," He Heng tightened his grasp, "Don't fuss, we're almost there. Zhen will carry you back."
Qu Qing Ju buried her head in his chest, muttering: "So embarrassing."
"I've seen you in more embarrassing situations," He Heng laughed out loud, "But it's true that you are much heavier now."
Qu Qing Ju pinched at his waist, sniffing: "Well, whose fault is that?"
"My fault, my fault," He Heng continued to take large steps forward, not at all affected by Qu Qing Ju's pinch, "Heavier is good, I like you heavier."
The crowd of people following behind silently pushed their heads lowered. They expressed that they hadn't heard anything.
……Of course, they also didn't see the fawning act of the Emperor as he tried to win favor with the Empress.