Chapter One Hundred and One The Trust of the Emperor
"Niangniang," Fine sweat beaded Huang Yang's forehead as he looked in trepidation at the Empress who was partaking in her meal. He didn't even dare to breathe hard, as though any movement would enrage the Empress.
"What is it?" Qu Qing Ju slowly ate a bowl of chicken porridge. Matched with the crisp pickled cabbage, it was flavourful. She saw Huang Yang refraining from speech in a panicked manner as she rinsed her mouth with the tea that Jin Zhan handed over and wiped her mouth with a handkerchief from Yin Liu, "Say it, what has made you so panicked?"
Huang Yang dropped to kneel at Qu Qing Ju's feet: "Han liangdi was found this morning in the lotus pond of the Imperial Garden, already swollen."
Qu Qing Ju stilled. Han Qing He died?
"How can you mention such a matter in front of niangniang?" Mu Jin's brows furrowed. Now that niangniang was pregnant, this kind of matter would scare niangniang and the small Highness in her belly, "Shut your mouth."
"It's fine," Qu Qing Ju's left hand slowly caressed her slightly upraised belly, "Your expression wouldn't be this terrible for this kind of minor matter. Is it related to the cause of Han liangdi's death?"
Huang Yang saw niangniang's calm composure and could only say through gritted teeth: "The people of the Department of Household Affairs found a white jade hairpin on Han liangdi's body. Someone recognized that it was niangniang's."
When Jin Zhan and Yu Zan heard the words, their faces paled in fright. The clothing and hair ornaments of niangniang were under their management. If niangniang's things were lost, the most suspicious people would be them. The two knelt down, faces terrible as they said: "Niangniang, nubi wasn't able to look after the ornaments properly and begs for mercy."
Qu Qing Ju laughed out loud, motioning for the two to stand up. Then she stood, uttering: "Such a cold and desolate month but such a good play. They could even find the white jade hairpin that ben gong had lost half a month ago. Since right now, it's the two muhou who are in charge of the hougong, let us go visit Fu Shou Palace. Ben gong is very curious about this matter."
Huang Yang looked in puzzlement at the Empress. Niangniang didn't even seem to be the slightest bit angry.
Mu Jin was perplexed and then recovered, "That's so true. Huang Yang, go prepare the phoenix carriage. From last night, the snow had been coming down. Zhuzi is pregnant with His Highness. She can't endure the wind."
"Yes," Huang Yang cheerfully stood and turned to let the servants prepare the phoenix carriage.
In Fu Shou Palace, the two Empress Dowagers, He Heng, Jin An Princess Royal, the three other feipin and the main and assistant supervisor of the Department of Household Affairs were gathered for the matter of Han liangdi's drowning.
Empress Dowager Wei's expression finished listening to the report the palace maid kneeling had reported. With a grave face, she repeated: "You mean to say that yesterday in the late evening, Han liangdi went out of her residence alone. An hour later, you felt that it was strange, and started to search with the other servants and eventually found Han liangdi's corpse?"
"Yes," The one that answered was Han liangdi personal maid. She looked frightfully at the room full of powerful people, "Before zhuzi left, she said … …"
"What did she say?"
"Said that if the Empress could put importance on her, then in the future, she would receive the Emperor's favor." When the palace maid finished speaking, she pressed her forehead to the floor, so afraid she trembled all over.
"According to what this palace maid says, the one who invited Han liangdi out was Empress, and then the Department of Household Affairs found the Empress' hairpin on Han liangdi's body," The corners of Empress Dowager Wei's lips drew back, her voice scornful as she concluded, "Meaning that the Empress murdered Han liangdi?"
He Heng's brows furrowed as he asked: "Muhou, Qing Ju is the Empress of a country. Why would she try to kill an unimportant minor feipin?" Last night, he had slept in the front hall of Tian Qi Palace, and hadn't been together with Qing Ju, but he believed that Han liangdi's death had nothing to do with Qu Qing Ju.
Hearing her son unconsciously call out her erxi's name in front of so many people, Empress Dowager Wei raised an eyebrow at him before responding; "Aijia is very suspicious of the matter as well."
"Empress Dowager, Emperor," The palace maid's voice shook: "It was because half a month ago, zhuzi had sung for the Emperor in the gardens, and had been found out by the Empress. Not long after that, people started to shortchange zhuzi's allowance. Zhuzi went out last night to see the Empress because there was no other way for her to survive. Please, Empress Dowager and Emperor, give zhuzi justice."
"Yesterday in the evening, it started to snow. The Empress is already three months pregnant. She would go visit Han liangdi in the snow and somehow managed to push Han liangdi into the lotus pond," Jin An Princess snorted, "After doing all that, she wouldn't have detected that she had lost something, just returning to rest in the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace. She is too vigorous."
"Nubi didn't say that the Empress did it," The head of the palace maid shrunk back as she stuttered, "And nubi thinks that it could have been a servant … …"
"Outrageous. How can zhen not be clear about when someone enters or leaves zhen's residence?" He Heng slammed the table, "Tian Qi Palace has guards and secret bodyguards at all times. Not just the Empress, even the normal palace maids and taijian's entry and exit would be recorded. You couldn't slander the Empress so you turn to slander Empress' people. What is your purpose?"
The palace maid clearly hadn't thought of that flaw. She had been taken into the palace by Han Qing He from the wangfu and didn't know that the security of Tian Qi Palace was that stringent. A beat later, she started to bang her head continuously: "Nubi doesn't mean anything, and asks for Empress Dowager and Emperor to investigate thoroughly."
Empress Dowager Wei raised a teacup as she looked icily at the kowtowing palace maid. She didn't care that the maid's forehead was bleeding and turned to say to Muhou Empress Dowager: "Not even these people, even us sisters had entered the palace for a few years before knowing of the matter. The daring villain, who has plotted to harm the palace fei and slander the Empress, is truly evil."
"That's so true. Aijia had been Empress for more than a year after entering the palace before finding out that there are hidden guards in Tian Qi Palace to protect the Emperor," Muhou Empress Dowager smiled mockingly as she raised her head, her gaze sweeping over the three of Jiang, Feng, and Luo. "But in the past, no one dared to frame aijia. The younger generation is much more courageous."
Jiang, Feng and Luo couldn't sit and walked together to kneel at the center of the hall. Until the matter had been solved, all three of them were suspects. But the consequences of the enormous crime of plotting to harm the Empress and the palace fei would reach even their families. Could they bear to suffer the outcome?
"Alright, you three don't have to kneel," Empress Dowager Wei set down the teacup, "Regarding Aijia's erxi, aijia is very clear. She isn't a person who would do such a thing. Even if she did, she wouldn't act so stupidly. Aijia doesn't care why the person is so reckless, but if they could admit it themselves, aijia won't act against her family. But when aijia finds out personally, don't blame aijia for being ruthless."
The main and vice supervisors of the Department of Household Affairs, by this time, had realized that the two Empress Dowagers and the Emperor were protecting the Empress. The three had worked together for many years and didn't need to exchange a look to know what the others were thinking.
The main supervisor of the department stepped forward; "Emperor, Empress Dowagers, nucai has just found that Han liangdi showed traces on the back of the head from being hit with something heavy. From the impact and the location, the criminal must be shorter than Han liangdi, and is a female. The Empress is slightly taller than Han liangdi, and pregnant women cannot lift heavy objects so the criminal cannot be the Empress. Nucai has also looked at the record from yesterday to today of the entrance and exit records of Tian Qi Palace. There are no suspects among the palace maids and taijian that attend the Empress. From this, it can be concluded that the Empress is certainly unconnected to the matter of Han liangdi.
He Heng nodded, his face softening: "It seems someone wants to hit two birds with one stone." His gaze swept across the three feipin, his gaze landing on Luo Yin Xiu and Feng Zi Jin who were shorter than Han Qing He, his face darkening again, "Catch all of the palace maids and taijian that serve Luo guipin and Ping cairen, and interrogate each one."
"Emperor!" Feng Zi Jin crawled forward, "Qie is innocent, Emperor!"
Luo Yin Xiu looked at the overly excited Feng Zi Jin and continued to keep her head down.
"Emperor, the Empress asks to see you." Ming He came in to report.
"Allow," He Heng's fierce expression instantly became gentle. When Qu Qing Ju entered, he couldn't resist standing and supporting the person to sit beside him, "It's snowing outside, why did you come?"
"Just heard that Han liangdi passed away, and qie's hairpin was coincidentally on her body. Qie couldn't stay away," Qu Qing Ju frowned slightly, "Qie's hairpin was lost half a month ago. It was that time when qie fell asleep in the Imperial Gardens. The location was unknown. Emperor had then specially bestowed qie a set of cat's eye hairpins as a replacement. Who knew that it would be found at Han liangdi's body."
He Heng remembered. Half a month ago, he and Qu Qing Ju heard Han liangdi sing and then Qu Qing Ju feel asleep. Afterwards, he had carried her back to Tian Qi Palace before they had discovered that two hairpins had fallen off. On the second day, he had gotten Ming He to deliver a box of hair ornaments decorated with cat's eye stones to the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace. It seemed that the white jade hairpin was one of the two that had fallen off before.
"Don't be angry, zhen knows you aren't connected with the matter," He Heng patted the back of the hand, "Zhen will definitely send someone to investigate and clear your innocence."
Qu Qing Ju sighed and nodded her head slowly. She looked in apology at the two Empress Dowagers: "Erxi is extremely unfilial to have made both muhou worried."
"This matter has nothing to do with you," Muhou Empress Dowager said, "Empress, you are just too naïve. This hougong always have those of malicious and daring thoughts. Aijia and your muhou have been in the hougong for so many years, but really haven't seen tactics as stupid as this one. To keep such a person in the hougong, aijia wouldn't feel safe."
"That's so true. You are pregnant, don't waste attention on such matters. Aijia is here for anything and won't let them slight you." When Empress Dowager Wei finished talking, she said to He Heng, "Take the Empress away quickly. Such unlucky matters shouldn't dirty one's ears. You two, don't worry, aijia and jiejie will certainly uncover the truth. You should leave here now."
He Heng stood and bowed to the two, "This son has no attention to spare for the matters of the hougong and has to trouble the two muhou."
"Leave, leave," Empress Dowager Wei waved her hand, shooing them off like she was hurrying away ducks. After the Emperor and Empress left, she gave a cold smile, calmly ordering: "For anyone suspicious, use heavy torture. Aijia doesn't believe that it can't be found out."
She swept a cold gaze at He Heng's three feipin: "This hougong will not tolerate women who think themselves clever!"
…
The three of Jiang, Feng and Luo couldn't help but shudder. Jiang Yong Yu's face was solemn as she bowed respectfully: "Thanks Empress Dowager for instructing."
Empress Dowager Wei slightly nodded her head at her, and then said to Feng and Luo who were still kneeling: "Before the matter is solved, you two will stay in the Sheng Shen Zhai behind Fu Shou Palace to reflect, and will save aijia from having to put people to watch you."
"Yes." Luo Yin Xiu respectfully gave a kowtow. She was clear that the Empress Dowager was cutting off their escape route. But since she didn't do it, what did she have to be afraid of?
Note for readers: Feng Zi Jin is mentioned in the chapter as both Feng Zi Jin and Ping cairen. Cairen is her rank, "ping" is her title. Usually, titles are a sign of favor from the Emperor, and with a title, you are ranked a little bit higher than someone who would be the same rank as you. Han Qing He does not have a title, so if she was also a cairen, Feng Ji Zin would be a little tiny bit higher.
Of course, "ping" is calm, peace, and average so it's more of a warning from He Heng in this case.
Chapter One Hundred and Two East and West
In the place that was the hougong, there were many secrets. It was possible that there wouldn't be a trace of what you had done. The crucial aspect was how high you climbed and how steady you stood.
The two Empress Dowagers ordered the Department of Household Affairs to use torture. The people who served Luo Yin Xiu and Feng Zi Jin all went through the process. It didn't take their lives but it made people unable to even plead for death. Unable to endure the last cycle of torture, a palace maid called Zhu Yu spilled it all, even revealing what her zhuzi had done in the wang fu.
"Aijia did wonder how a feipin, who didn't even have a secure position, could kill someone and remain undetected. So there was someone who helped," Muhou Empress Dowager read through the confession and handed it to Empress Dowager Wei sitting beside her. She sighed, exclaiming, "This Feng shi is too bold."
Empress Dowager Wei scanned the confessions, so angry that her face became red. She wasn't one who showed what she felt, but what the confessions revealed was shocking and infuriating. Especially when the criminal was someone she had personally picked for her son out of the female candidates.
"Come, lead Luo guipin and Ping cairen here," She suppressed her anger and sighed at Muhou Empress Dowager. "We should have known earlier. Aijia shouldn't have arranged for such a cruel woman to serve at the Emperor's side." No wonder Heng'er and erxi had been residing everyday but still didn't have any children in the past. It must have been the poison which harmed the body and it took about half a year to recover from.
"Meimei, you should not blame yourself. You can only see a person's appearance but not their hearts," Muhou Empress Dowager comforted, "It was lucky that it wasn't more serious. It was the heavens that protected them. But since this matter has been solved, should we tell Emperor and Empress?" Such a major matter, the Empress poisoned when she had been in the wang fu, it wasn't right not to inform them.
"This kind of major incident, we can't conceal it from the Emperor and Empress," Empress Dowager Wei had recovered her composure, "Also, send someone to lead Shu gui taifei and Rui Wang over."
"It should be like this," Muhou Empress Dowager nodded. This matter was related to Shu gui taifei.
As they talked, Feng and Luo came in. Just two days in Sheng Shen Zhai but both of them looked much more fragile. Luo guipin still managed to keep her posture but Ping cairen was a sorry figure. Both eyes were dry and unfocused as though she hadn't slept for two whole days.
"Come, give Luo guipin a seat." Muhou Empress Dowager's lips curled. Even though she was smiling, others could still feel her imposing dignity.
"Thanks, Empress Dowager of both palaces," Luo Yin Xiu released a breath inside. To let her sit now, it meant that the matter had been investigated. She was clear that she had nothing to the matter but was afraid that others would wrongly accuse her. After seeing the present situation, she had nothing to worry about.
Qu Qing Ju heard that the two Empress Dowagers had called for her and He Heng to Fu Shou Palace, and looked in shock at He Heng who had been playing a match of weiqi with her: "Muhou has investigated the matter this quickly?"
He Heng naturally wouldn't inform her of the various strategies the Department of Household Affairs had, and only set down the stone in his hand. He smiled, answering: "In this world, when something is done, then a trace will be found. You have to know that in this world, there isn't a case that cannot be solved. It's only whether someone will seriously investigate it."
Qu Qing Ju agreed with He Heng's words. People always talked, the best way for others not to find out was to not do it, so it was better to not commit malicious acts.
Seeing her face full of approval, He Heng stood, adding: "Since muhou wants to see us, let's go take a look at Fu Shou Palace." He ordered for a servant to bring a fox skin cape and then made Qu Qing Ju put on a thick rabbit-skin hand muff before leading her out of Tian Qi Palace.
Coming out of Tian Qi Palace, Qu Qing Ju felt the harsh winter wind blow into her face. The snow on the road had been swept away by the taijian but the roofs and the trees were full of snow. She took in a breath, "Such heavy snow."
Reaching to pull the collar of her cape higher to cover her face, He Heng helped her onto his own carriage. Once the two of them settled, he replied: "Now, it's the twelfth month. It's normal to have this much snow."
Even though she had seen the heavy snow of Jing City last year, Qu Qing Ju had a special feeling for snow. It was most likely due to the fact that she lived in the south and always read of the people making snowmen in the language books and had been disappointed that she couldn't make one herself.
Not being able to obtain something that other people told them about from when they were little, most people would be stubborn in their attachment.
Qu Qing Ju occasionally lifted the curtain as the Imperial carriage traveled and saw the palace maids and taijian kneeling on both sides of the road. Snow was still falling, the ground was cold, but those people knelt with their backs straight, not a hint of slacking.
As they entered Fu Shou Palace, He Heng saw Feng shi kneeling in the center of the hall. Kneeling behind her was a few pale-faced palace maids and taijian. His expression darkened and held hands with Qu Qing Ju to bow to the two Empress Dowagers before sitting to the side.
The ground and walls of Fu Shou Palace were heated. Qu Qing Ju had taken off the fox skin cape but still felt hot. Using her hand to slightly pull at her clothing, she looked at Feng Zi Jin kneeling on the ground, asking: "Muhou, what is going on?"
"These years, this Feng shi has been very brave. Emperor, Empress, take a look," Empress Dowager Wei handed Chun Yu's confession to He Heng. Seeing her son's face become colder, she knew he was angry, and sighed, "It's muhou who has to apologize for arranging such a villain beside you."
"Muhou cannot say that. Feng shi is malicious and adept at disguising herself. Is that muhou's fault?" He Heng furiously slammed the confession onto the table beside him, "It was zhen who was blind to have kept such a woman like this for so many years."
"Emperor!" Feng Zi Jin knew that the matter had been exposed and looked discontentedly at the furious Emperor, "If it wasn't that Emperor had to marry her, and favor her, why else would qie have to do such things?"
Seeing the hand that Feng Zi Jin pointed at her, Qu Qing Ju raised an eyebrow. The marriage had been decreed by Qing De Emperor and He Heng who decided to marry the bride, so why did it become all her fault in the end? If she had the ability, she should be trying to kill Qing De Emperor and He Heng, what was the point of poisoning the original Qu Qing Ju?
"Empress was the wang fei who xiandi decreed. Emperor and her are in deep love, it's the natural order of the world. You are just a small qieshi who, in jealousy, decided to plot against the Emperor. You poisoned wang fei in the wang fu, murdered Han liangdi after entering the palace and framed the Empress. Such a frightening person, and shameless to be angry at the Emperor for marrying. It is very funny," Empress Dowager Wei smiled icily, "So many shiqie in this world. If they were all like you, wouldn't the world end?"
"Shengmu Empress Dowager, you were only a feipin too. Didn't you have times when you had been discontent, but you still became the high up Shengmu Empress Dowager?" Feng Zi Jin raised her head to stare directly at Empress Dowager Wei, scornfully asking, "What's wrong with qie? We're all women, how is Qu Qing Ju nobler than me?"
"A villain like you cannot compare to Shengmu Empress Dowager," Muhou Empress Dowager looked coldly at Feng shi babbling nonsense, "Both in appearance and morals, you cannot compete against Shengmu Empress Dowager. In the past when aijia was still Empress, Shengmu Empress Dowager respected aijia at every turn, and didn't slight aijia who did not receiving any Imperial favor. The Emperor she raised is intelligent and thinks of the people. Becoming Shengmu Empress Dowager, it is the will of the heavens. A woman such as you who dares to poison the wife, how can you compare? You are full of nonsense."
Muhou Empress Dowager's words defended Shengmu Empress Dowager from all angles and told other people that she was approving and in great favor for Shengmu Empress Dowager to sit and rise at the same height as her. She even pushed the matter onto the fate of the heavens, flattering both Empress Dowager Wei and the Emperor and explicitly expressed her position.
When she heard the speech, Qu Qing Ju finally understood how Muhou Empress Dowager, in all these years without the favor of the Emperor and with no son of her own, managed to keep her seat and why Qing De Emperor hadn't ever thought to dispose of her. Her attitude and tactics, such an understanding woman. But just like Empress Dowager Wei, she hadn't met a reliable man, it was so regretful.
She turned her head to look at He Heng. As expected, his expression had relaxed, clearly very satisfied and grateful for Muhou Empress Dowager's words.
"Emperor, Shu gui taifei and Rui Wang have arrived."
"Summon."
"Er chen greets both muhou, greets huang xiong, huang sao." When He Yuan entered the hall, he calmly bowed to the four people as though he didn't see the people kneeling.
This was the first time Qu Qing Ju saw He Yuan after He Heng had ascended the throne. Due to the fact that she didn't like He Yuan in the first place, she hadn't looked at him when he entered. But once the other spoke, she felt that He Yuan felt wrong, as though he went from a delusional youth to a steady yet silent uncle. The change was so drastic that she felt suspicious that the person in front of her and the He Yuan of the past were two different people.
When Shu gui taifei saw Feng Zi Jin kneeling on the ground, her expression became slightly ugly. Before she could speak, Muhou Empress Dowager threw the confession in front of her, "Shu gui taifei, look at that!" If Empress Dowager Wei had done that, others might have said that she was arrogant. But if Muhou Empress Dowager did it, then it was right.
He Yuan looked at the confession that landed on the ground, and then at his mufei, whose expression had changed. He then knew that mufei had done something in the hougong that the Empress Dowager had found out. When he bent down to pick up the paper, and saw that Ping cairen and mufei had cooperated to kill Han liangdi to frame the Empress, his calm face became white. He turned to look at Shu gui taifei, "Mufei?"
Shu gui taifei didn't dare to look at her son. She apprehensively declared to the two Empress Dowagers: "This throne should belong to my son. Why is it that you can live here?!"
"Stop her mouth!" Muhou Empress Dowager commanded darkly, "Shu gui taifei, aijia thinks that you should be more careful. The Emperor ascended the throne properly and rightly. When xiandi made his will, all the advisors had been present. Your misrepresentation of the facts won't be tolerated!"
"Mufei is ignorant, er chen begs both Empress Dowagers to spare her life!" He Yuan watched as his mufei was held down by two mamas, a handkerchief stuffed into her mouth. He gritted his teeth and knelt in front of He Heng, "Please, Emperor, punish lightly."
Qu Qing Ju had been sitting by He Heng's side. Looking at a once willful and brazen person kneeling in front of her, she felt a strange sense of pity.
When Shu gui taifei saw it, she couldn't stop shaking her head. Tears of panic fell down as she couldn't speak. No one would recognize that just a year ago, she had been the Shu guifei, the most favored of the hougong.
Ten years west, ten years east. But Shu gui taifei and He Yuan hadn't thought that this day would happen.
Qu Qing Ju couldn't help but look at the two Empress Dowagers and found that their expressions were frightfully calm, as though Shu gui taifei and He Yuan were putting on an unfunny play in front of them and they were criticizing from high up.
She couldn't help but touch her belly. If she was Shu gui taifei, she wouldn't want to see this either.
Chapter One Hundred and Three Who Misunderstood Whom
"The crimes that Shu gui taifei have committed cannot be forgiven. Rui Wang, you are asking for mercy for Shu gui taifei, but have you thought of the innocent Han liangdi and the framed Empress?" Muhou Empress Dowager saw that He Yuan's forehead was bleeding from kowtowing before demanding coldly, "Should we not punish her because she is gui taifei?"
He Yuan stopped kowtowing. He turned to look at the mufei that was being held by the mamas and with a humble attitude, declared: "Mufei is er chen's elder. If she has committed a crime, it should be assumed by erchen."
"Injustice has a beginning, a debt has an owner. If the offenses of the elders are assumed by the younger generation, are there still any laws?" He Heng put down the teacup, frowning, "If all the people in Da Long Dynasty are like you, how can zhen rule the world?"
"Feng shi plotted to kill fei and framed the Empress. She has malicious conduct and is bestowed five feet of white silk," He Heng indifferently declared, "The Feng clan, due to not properly teaching their daughters, are removed of their title and for three generations, cannot enter the court as an official."
"Emperor, please give a favor, Emperor," Feng Zi Jin didn't think that the Emperor wouldn't care about past feelings, and even her paternal family would be affected. She wanted to kneel in front of He Heng but was dragged back by two palace maids who pressed her into the ground.
"Emperor!" Feng Zi Jin was so panicked she started to sob. She wanted to beg for mercy but her mouth was stuffed so she couldn't talk.
He Heng looked coldly at her, no emotion in his eyes as though she was just a stranger.
"Drag her down, don't leave her here to disturb others," Qian Chang Xin saw the Emperor's expression and motioned to the person beside him. Very quickly, others dragged Feng Zi Jin away.
Sitting at the side, Luo Yin Xiu watched Feng Zi Jin dragged down like an animal and couldn't help but shudder. Her eyes when they looked at Qu Qing Ju became even more worshipping.
Qu Qing Ju pinched a piece of pastry in her hands. Even in this noisy situation, she still had the interest to eat pastries. Detecting that Luo Yin Xiu was looking at her, she smiled at the other. Seeing the other lower her head in awe, she smiled carelessly and watched the farce in front of her with indifference.
He Yuan raised his head to look at the three people that controlled his mufei's life. He felt powerless. There hadn't been another time when he had felt this hopeless. Kneeling helplessly on the ground, he dazedly stared at the clean floor.
"Emperor, Shu gui taifei might have been accomplices with the criminal Feng shi, but it really wasn't her that sent someone to kill Han liangdi. Qie thinks that even though Shu gui taifei's crimes cannot be forgiven, they aren't worthy of death." Qu Qing Ju wiped her mouth, her gaze sweeping across Shu gui taifei, "Why don't muhou and Emperor spare Shu gui taifei's life?"
"Oh? What is Empress thinking?" He Heng heard Qu Qing Ju speak and turned to look warmly at her.
"Qie heard in the time of xiandi, Shu gui taifei frequently served by his side. If that's the case, why not let Shu gui taifei go guard the Imperial Tomb, to pray for xiandi every day and reflect," Qu Qing Ju smiled as she looked at the two Empress Dowagers, "How about that?"
A woman as used to luxury as Shu gui taifei going to the Imperial Tomb, wasn't that even more uncomfortable than death? Empress Dowager Wei looked at her erxi. Seeing her sincere attitude, it didn't seem that she was purposefully making it difficult for Shu gui taifei. Empress Dowager Wei thought she was thinking too much. She turned to inquire of Muhou Empress Dowager, "What does jiejie think?"
It hadn't been a year since xiandi had passed. If they took care of Shu gui taifei now, some people might gossip. Sparing Shu gui taifei's life but sending her to stay at the harsh Imperial Tomb, it was the best choice. Muhou Empress Dowager looked in approval at Qu Qing Ju. It was perfectly normal that the Emperor was able to fall in love with her: "Aijia feels that it is very good. When xiandi had been alive, he had been very much in love with Shu gui taifei. We have all served xiandi, and aijia doesn't bear to take your life. It's good for you to go serve xiandi. At the very least, if xiandi knew in the underworld, he certainly would be comforted."
He Yuan hadn't though the person that managed to keep his mufei's life in the end was Qu Qing Ju. He looked towards Qu Qing Ju, making a full formal bow; "Thanks Emperor, thanks muhou, thanks … huang sao."
Hearing the obvious pause in He Yuan's words, Qu Qing Ju knew the other wasn't willing to bow to her. But she didn't care. Smiling slightly as she waved her hand: "San shu doesn't have to be so courteous."
However, He Heng looked at He Yuan with a complicated expression before standing and declaring: "Since the case has been solved, zhen will take Empress back to the palace. It's been cold recently, both muhou should take care."
Empress Dowager Wei and Muhou Empress Dowager both smiled and nodded. Empress Dowager Wei replied: "Aijia knows, you two should also be more careful."
Qu Qing Ju and He Heng walked out of Fu Shou Palace. Seeing a yellow plum tree bloom beside the road, she took a breath, the cold wind and fragrance entering her nose: "This scent is so nice."
"If you like it, then get someone to go to the plum gardens every day to pick fresh ones to put in the room," He Heng held her warm hand, "I don't dare to move this one."
"Who said I wanted to pick the flowers here?" Qu Qing Ju peeked at him from the corner of her eyes, "I'm not Emperor. I'm not interested in any flowers."
"Why do I find the words strange?" He Heng laughed lowly, disregarding Qian Chang Xin and Mu Jin holding the umbrellas for them from behind. Looking forward, he abruptly declared: "My hougong really is just only you, do you still not know?"
"Just like Yu Ming Emperor of the previous dynasty?" Qu Qing Ju asked him with a smile.
"Qing Ju, I will never become Yu Ming Emperor, and you won't become Zhao He Empress." He Heng looked with a solemn expression at Qu Qing Ju. Before she could react, he twisted his head, "I'm going back to the front hall." Finishing, he quickly rushed off, even leaving the Imperial carriage to Qu Qing Ju.
Watching as He Heng rushed off, Qu Qing Ju's lips curled but there was no mirth in her eyes. Behind her, Mu Jin detected that her mood wasn't right and handed the umbrella to Jin Zhan, carefully supporting her, "Zhuzi, let's go back to the palace."
Qu Qing Ju saw Mu Jin's caution and laughed silently: "It's fine. The Imperial carriage of the Emperor, the Emperor isn't here, I can't ride it. You all can accompany me on the walk back."
Mu Jin looked at the clean swept road head and looked at the shoes on the Empress' feet. She hesitated before motioning for Yu Zan to come forward, the two of them right and left, protecting the Empress in the middle.
"Huangsao, please wait."
Qu Qing Ju returned her head and saw He Yuan walked in front of her, bowing deeply, professing: "Thanks, huangsao for just now asking for mercy for chen di's mu fei."
"San shu doesn't have to be this polite. Ben gong didn't ask for leniency, but spoke the truth." Qu Qing Ju slowly walked forward. Seeing He Yuan maintain a distance three strides away from her on the right behind her, she didn't know what the other was doing. But she didn't speak.
"No matter what, today's favor, chen di will remember," He Yuan placed his hands behind his back, his pale face turning ruddy from the cold wind. He looked at the side profile of Qu Qing Ju, "The fact that mufei is alive is due to the Emperor's generosity."
Qu Qing Ju stopped walking, turning her head to look at He Yuan's expression. She found the other was sincere and hesitated before asking: "Ben gong doesn't understand why Shu gui taifei would spend the effort to deal with ben gong, is it of benefit to her?"
"She was proud for a lifetime, and couldn't tolerate failure," He Yuan laughed at himself, "Mufei and I dreamed for so many years. Waking up, not everyone can bear it."
Mother and son were pretty brazen and proud in their dreams.
Qu Qing Ju continued to walk. Occasionally, palace maids and taijian would be encountered and they would all move aside and kneel, "If a person doesn't dream, then they wouldn't have done anything. San shu, have you regretted what you once did?"
He Yuan looked deeply at her: "Maybe regretted once, but now, everything is settled and it isn't important."
The delusional person finally healed. Qu Qing Ju felt that he had jumped from his delusional stage of life into the elderly stage, his mentality had changed very rapidly. She remembered the last time she was near He Yuan. That was on Rui Wang Fu. At that time, his delusional state had been very serious.
"History is the best teacher," Qu Qing Ju smiled, "It's good that san shu can think clearly now."
"Drinking, listening to songs, and being idle all day is good," He Yuan thought about the days he lived now. He didn't have to go to court, didn't have to manage any other matters, didn't have to pay attention to the cards others sent. Closing the doors of the wang fu, he could amuse himself in any way, "Carefree like an immortal."
Qu Qing Ju didn't know why He Yuan was saying such things to her, but he didn't seem to be implying anything. She could only reply, "Those days are very admirable."
"Huangsao must also like leisurely days," He Yuan's smiled, allowing the snow to fall on his head and shoulders.
Qu Qing Ju turned to see his state. She still remembered the first time she went to Rui Wang Fu, she had been in the sedan, He Yuan had been standing like this, black hair, fox skin cap, youthful.
When they neared Tian Qi Palace, He Yuan stopped. He bowed again to Qu Qing Ju: "Does Empress know the ending of Yu Ming Emperor and Zhao He Empress?"
Qu Qing Ju's eyebrow raised slightly: "The historians of the previous dynasty recorded that the feelings between Yu Ming Emperor and Zhao He Empress was stronger than gold. After Zhao He Empress died due to illness, Yu Ming Emperor died not long after due to heartbreak. In the end, they were entombed in the same coffin. Not born at the same time but to die in the same coffin, isn't that the final ending?"
"Huangsao might not know that Yu Ming Emperor in his later life had relations with a palace maid. When it was discovered by Zhao He Empress, Zhao He Empress had a heart attack and died. Yu Ming Emperor regretted it greatly, but the deceased cannot be revived and it was too late to repent. Even though the two were buried together after Yu Ming Emperor's death, where was the meaning? In the end, the two didn't leave behind a heir and the successor was Yu Ming Emperor's didi's son, what kind of fulfillment is that?" He Yuan raised his hand, concluding, "The reality of a story is often harsher than the books. So Yu Ming Emperor and Zhao He Empress weren't perfect. Chen di asks to be excused."
Qu Qing Ju looked at his back. She suddenly smiled a beat later. It seemed that He Yuan had heard what she and He Heng had talked about. But was he explaining on He Heng's behalf or reminding her to not believe the Emperor's monogamy?
Or maybe both? He might not be willing for her to be hurt over what He Heng had just said and didn't want her to believe in the Emperor's monogamy which would cause her hurt in the future?
But, why was He Yuan so good-hearted to remind her? Was it to repay her for saving Shu gui taifei's life?
"Emperor?" Qian Chang Xin didn't understand why the Emperor had rushed back to the front hall. He carefully brushed off the snowflakes on He Heng's shoulders, tentatively asking, "Before going to Fu Shou Palace, you said you want to have a meal with the Empress. So should the servants prepare now?"
He Heng nodded unnaturally. He rubbed his slightly reddened ears, saying: "Right, go see if the Empress has returned. If she has, come back and tell zhen. Zhen hasn't finished the weiqi match with her."
"Yes," Qian Chang Xin left in helplessness. Since he was thinking of the Empress, then why did he just leave, was he teasing the Empress? The thoughts of the Emperor, it was hard to guess.
In the room, He Heng played with the pouch at his waist. The embroidery wasn't as good as the handiwork of the embroidery women, but it was his most favored possession.
Thinking about Qu Qing Ju, he couldn't resist touching his still blushing ears. A man saying words of love seriously, it was slightly embarrassing.
Chapter One Hundred and Four This Was Good
The temperature of winter mornings were especially cold. The Imperial Guards guarding the palace doors drew in a cold breath but didn't dare stomp their feet to warm themselves. Watching the officials who usually preferred to ride a horse, sit on the sedan, the guards whose faces were paralyzed from the cold felt envious.
"Hey brother, did you hear that Ning Wang is coming back to court?" The two Imperial Guardsmen that were changing shifts walked out of the palace gates, one of the brawny men said in a low voice as he looked at the surroundings, "I heard yesterday many people had sent up a memorandum to the Emperor about such a matter."
The slightly thinner and taller one gave a superior expression: "It is certain that Ning Wang would return to court. Xiandi was partial to Rui Wang so he locked Ning Wang on the outside. Now that it's cold, the Emperor is kind and honest, it's natural that he would summon Ning Wang back. Just watch, in three days, Ning Wang will be summoned back to court by the Emperor."
The brawnier one rubbed his head, laughing honestly: "You're right. Rui Wang did such large mistakes, but the Emperor didn't take his life due to fraternal love. So it should be the same for His Highness Ning Wang." If he had a say, Ning Wang was really mistakenly accused and locked up. Maybe the assassination had been done by Rui Wang. It was just that xiandi was partial and used Ning Wang as a shield.
The thinner and taller one saw his mentality and didn't speak further, sighing inside. The twists and turns of the thoughts of those in the Imperial Family, whether it was fraternal friendship or anything else, it had nothing to do with them guards. Now that Ning Wang was returning to court, Rui Wang had become a powerless jun wang. These two had been at odds from the beginning. Rui Wang had been arrogant and offended countless people. One of those victims had been Ning Wang. There would be a reckoning for Rui Wang now.
On the court, all the officials were discussing the matter of Ning Wang's return to the court. Some said since that Ning Wang had been locked under xiandi's orders, the Emperor shouldn't change it. Some said that Ning Wang now knew his mistake and was brothers with the Emperor, it was right for him to return to court to help shoulder the burden for the Emperor, and that was all the reason to summon him to court.
In reality, everyone knew that it was suspicious that Ning Wang had been locked up by xiandi. Some suspected that Ning Wang had been a scapegoat pushed out by xiandi for Rui Wang. But now, no one dared to mention that thought, and only fought over whether Ning Wang should return to court or not.
Those that were at odds with Ning Wang naturally didn't want Ning Wang to return but there were people who supported Ning Wang's return. Those of keen eyes found that among those that supported Ning Wang's return were many of the conservative faction. So these people started to think about the Emperor's intentions.
By now, Ning Wang's power base had been swept clean. Those officials that had been close to Ning Wang were suppressed completely by the officials that the Emperor favored, and some became part of the conservative faction. Was the Emperor trying to show the world he had fraternal love?
The Duke of Zhong Yi who had once proved Ning Wang's guilt in front of xiandi suddenly changed his stance. The main idea was that Ning Wang had repented and changed for the better, he could make up for his offenses by returning to the court and working for the Emperor etc etc.
The Duke of Zhong Yi and Luo Chang Qing, a pair of sly father and son-in-law, always followed the Emperor. Now that the two of them expressed their outlook, everyone understood the Emperor's position. As morning court progressed, no one dared to oppose this matter.
"Since all the daren have asked for zhen's da ge to return to court, zhen is very comforted. In the past, da ge as the eldest had been very attentive to zhen and siblings. Now that zhen is Emperor, thinking of da ge living in the bitter cold mountain cold, it is difficult to sleep. For da ge to return to court to help lessen the burden for zhen, it is a good thing." He Heng exclaimed: "Duke of Zhong Yi, why don't you personally go and bring Ning Wang back to Jing."
The Emperor saying that Ning Wang was attentive of his brothers, wasn't that telling everyone he didn't believe Ning Wang ordered the assassinations?
"Chen will obey," Tian Jin Ke knew that the Emperor wanted Ning Wang to owe him a favor. He was very grateful inside for the goodwill that the Emperor held towards the Tian Family. After he made a deep bow to the Emperor on the dragon chair, he retreated to one side.
At this time, many people's hearts were sour. Thinking about the four months pregnant Empress in the palace, they admired the other's good life.
Deep in the palace, Qu Qing Ju was reading through a pile of cards. Seeing that it was close to the new year, even though they couldn't celebrate extravagantly because of the passing of xiandi, they still had to hold celebrations. Those who sent in messages were noblewomen of significant status, such as Cheng Wang Fei, Rui Wang Fei, and the duchesses and marquesses. She randomly flipped open one. The beginning was wishing good fortune for Emperor and Empress, and a gift list was inserted behind.
As to what was to be bestowed down to them, naturally there were people serving Qu Qing Ju who would spend the time to organize it. All Qu Qing Ju needed to do was listen to them recite the list.
"Niangniang, how about resting a while," Mu Jin saw the Empress give a yawn and suggested, "Nubi will sort the list before reciting it to you later."
"There's no need," Qu Qing Ju waved her hand. Looking at the sky outside, "It's almost noon, the Emperor is coming to eat later. Get the kitchen to prepare."
"Yes," Mu Jin indicated for Yin Liu to order the kitchen and gathered the cards that Qu Qing Ju read to one side.
"I heard that Rui Wang and Rui Wang Fei's relationship is extremely terrible and has made an uproar in Jing," Qu Qing Ju held the card from Rui Wang Fu, "Rui Wang Fei is still an imperial wife, how could she fuss like that?"
"Empress, even you heard?" Jin Zhan sighed, "Even before the Emperor ascended, there was already news that the two were frequently fighting. It's gotten worse. Nubi has even heard that Rui Wang has said he was going to divorce Rui Wang Fu which made the Qin Family very angry."
'The Qin Family' wasn't a good phrase to Qu Qing Ju. She suddenly thought of Wei Qin shi, inquiring: "I remember that Wei Ran Shuang's mother is one of the Qin Family, how is Wei Ran Shuang right now?"
Jin Zhan revealed a devious smile: "She doesn't count as one of the Qin Family, just a distant cadet branch of the Qin Family. After Shengmu Empress Dowager sent someone to reproach Wei Qin shi, Qin daren made a match for Qin guniang on his own, but because of xiandi's passing, the marriage has been delayed."
"At the very least, she's the Emperor's cousin. If she married, her husband's family wouldn't dare to treat her unwell," Thinking about Wei Ran Shuang's fragile act, Qu Qing Ju raised an eyebrow. Hopefully, after Wei Ran Shuang married, she wouldn't keep acting so pettily.
"Who knows what her family is thinking, she's not a good person anyway." Jin Zhan scornfully twisted her mouth. She still remembered that Wei Ran Shuang had wanted to be the Emperor's qieshi.
"That was said well," He Heng had a smile on his face as he strode in. He glanced at Jin Zhan before proclaiming, "A woman like that, she really isn't a good person."
"Emperor!" Jin Zhan and the others were so frightened their faces were pale, legs soft as they knelt down. She hadn't thought that the Emperor would hear her words. What would happen if the Emperor thought the Empress was jealous, why did she act like Yin Liu and couldn't control her mouth now?
"Stand up, zhen knows you all protect Empress," He Heng waved his hand, evidently not caring what Jin Zhan said. He walked in front of Qu Qing Ju and bent down. Seeing a cup of red date tea in front of her, he said, "I read some medicine books a few days ago. They said that a pregnant woman who drinks too much red date tea would increase blood circulation and it isn't good for the body." Finishing, he pushed the red date tea to one side.
When did he start studying that area? Qu Qing Ju looked at him, smiled and asked, "Then what should I drink?"。
"Drink a small amount of Long Jing and Bi Luo Chun every day. Slightly seeped is good for the heart. I have flipped through many books, they all say the same," Finishing, he made Qian Chang Xin go find the Imperial Tribute tea from his stores."
Qu Qing Ju didn't have much interest towards tea, but since the other put so much effort in, she wouldn't waste the other's goodwill. Complying with He Heng, she didn't touch the cup of red date tea, "Emperor is so busy lately, how was there time to look at all this?"
"I don't feel secure in putting you and child into another's hands. Occasionally looking through medical books in my free time helps pass the time," His gaze moved to the teacup and dryly coughed once before informing, "I just heard you mention the Wei Family biaomei. You don't have to waste effort on her. Zhen heard that the person she is engaged to isn't in Jing city. Wei Qin shi's card has been blocked by muhou."
"She's Emperor's relative, I won't waste effort on her," Qu Qing Ju smiled with a tilted head, "Today, I had the kitchen make a pearl pigeon soup. Emperor has to have a taste."
Knowing that his Empress was changing the topic, He Heng saw the even brighter smile on her face, and could only smile and shake his head, ordering the servants to serve the meal.
The food in the palace on the surface was set down, but the raw materials differed within the standards set down. The little kitchen Qu Qing Ju had almost equalled the Imperial Kitchen in terms of product. This was disregarding He Heng who frequently got the Department of Household Affairs to send things over to Qu Qing Ju.
After the noon meal, He Heng leaned on the recliner as he read, Qu Qing Ju leaning on him as she played with a jade nine ring chain. A short while later, she untangled the chain in her hand, yawning as she threw it to one side. She twisted her body to place her head on He Heng's thigh, "So boring."
He Heng looked at her slightly swelling belly, cautiously putting his hand on top. Occasionally, he could feel the small movements of the little life within. He smiled, asking: "What do you want to play, I'll have them prepare."
"Nothing I really want," Qu Qing Ju's hand moved back and forth on his leg, "Why don't you talk about what you thought when you first saw me."
"At that time, you were wearing heavy makeup and didn't dare to look at me. I really thought I had married a weak and timid wife," He Heng rested his hand on her back, allowing Qu Qing Ju to mess around on his leg, "I'm very happy you managed to overcome the poison Feng shi fed you. Otherwise, I would never know that a man and woman can be together like this."
Qu Qing Ju's hand stilled. She didn't know what to say. A beat later, she asked: "If I hadn't made it through?"
He Heng gripped her hand tightly that she felt some pain: "There isn't anymore 'if'. The result is that you are here, zhen is here."
"This is very good," He Heng placed her hand on his face, sighing, "To have Qing Ju accompany zhen, it's zhen's greatest luck."
There was nothing in being alone at the top, so each dynasty, each generation of emperor would have women that they favored. It was only because they couldn't find what they wanted with the bodies of the woman they favored, so they would continue to look for the next one.
He knew that the woman lying in his lap was the one he wanted.
But, he also knew that in this woman's heart, he wasn't that important.
However, they still had a long time, and time would slowly change everything.
Therefore, this was very good.
Chapter One Hundred and Five Fated
Halfway through the night, Qu Qing Ju suddenly woke up from her dreams, the cramping in her legs unbearable, as though something had twisted her foot tendon and was swinging on it.
"Qing Ju, what is it?" He Heng suddenly awoke from his slumber and saw that the forehead of the person beside him was dotted with sweat. From the light casted by a candle in the corner of the room, he saw that even the colors of her lips had changed, and paled himself, hurriedly calling for a servant.
A commotion later, Qu Qing Ju's cramps disappeared under the massage of the pregnancy mama. She rubbed her forehead tiredly. She felt that she was very drowsy but couldn't fall asleep.
"Emperor, please don't worry. When a woman is pregnant, hand and foot cramps may occur. If care is taken with the diet, it will subside in a while." The pregnancy mama saw that the Emperor didn't have a happy expression and informed cautiously, "Normally, if someone massages niangniang, it can help relieve the symptoms."
He Heng's face cleared slightly. Seeing Qu Qing Ju's tired state, he ordered: "Zhen will get the nurses from the Imperial Hospital for this matter. You can all leave." He didn't understand medicine but knew that a person had many acupuncture points. If a wrong spot was pressed, it was deleterious to the mother and the fetus.
The pregnancy mama, Mu Jin and the others carefully left. After leaving the room, they finally took a breath. The Emperor's expression had been very dark, so frightening that they didn't dare to breathe.
"Can't sleep?" He Heng kept on patting Qu Qing Ju's back and seeing that she didn't fall asleep, he asked, "Still uncomfortable?"
Qu Qing Ju shook her head and changed positions: "Can't sleep."
"What is it?" He Heng pulled the blanket up and wrapped it more securely around the two of them, "I'm not having morning court tomorrow so we can talk now." Tomorrow, it was the start of sealing the pen and the break from court. In reality, He Heng still had a pile of things to do but to comfort the person beside him, of course he wouldn't say those things.
Qu Qing Ju felt that she didn't have any desire to talk, but looking at the other's spirited state, she could only respond: "Talk about what?"
"Anything will do," He Heng forced down the urge to open his mouth in a yawn, "Like your childhood, or what things you like."
Qu Qing Ju stared for a beat before sighing: "I don't remember much from my childhood. Before, I didn't have many chances to leave the compound. When I grew older, only jiumu would take me to meet others, but I couldn't spend all my time with jiumu. The relationship between Tian Family and the Qu Family became antagonistic after that. So from birth, life was like that, there's not much to talk about."
"Liang shi was truly horrid," He Heng lovingly ran his fingers through Qu Qing Ju's hair behind her back, "Xiandi hadn't done many things for me. This entire life, the only good things he did are two matters. One is you, the other is the succession edict."
"I can't compare to the succession edict. In this world, this is only one succession edict, but there are hundreds of thousands of women," Qu Qing Ju squirmed and changed her position to put her head at He Heng's neck, "Liang shi was horrid, but my father was the true culprit. My mother died of unknown causes and father was in a rush to welcome a new wife. If it wasn't for jiujiu and his family, I'm afraid that even my dowry would have been very meager. If I really had married that shoddily, then what reputation would I have had with the Imperial House?"
"The family of the Duke of Zhong Yi is very good," He Heng said a beat after hearing her words, "In this world, there are men like your father, but there are couples who are together for their lives."
Qu Qing Ju's lips curled. Was He Heng telling her that he wasn't the same kind of person as the Duke of Chang De?
"There are women in this world who like hearing pretty words, but there are also those who only see reality," She put a hand on his chest, "Coincidentally, I am the latter. I don't like hearing what people say, only like seeing what people do."
"Doing is better than seeing?" The smile on He Heng's face grew wide, "I'm very comforted by how smart Qing Ju is."
He was afraid that she wouldn't like to hear him, and also wouldn't like to see what he did.
On the twenty ninth day of the twelfth month, the court pen was sealed. Except for those who had to be on duty in each ministry, the other people had gone home to pass the year. But even so, those officials weren't truly idle. They were proactively finding out whose family received gifts from the Emperor and which families were able to attend the Imperial Family's year-end banquet.
This was the first year since the new Emperor had ascended the throne. Those who received gifts from the Emperor meant that those people, at the very least, had caught the Emperor's eyes. It would have been strange if no one in Jing cared about them.
So from the twenty ninth to the thirtieth day, there were gifts coming out of the palace. Those who received them were ones such as Cheng Wang and the Duke of Zhong Yi. Aside from the luck character and spring couplets from the emperor, there were gifts from the two Empress Dowagers and the Empress. Some, such as the Right Minister Right, Ning Wang, Rui Wang, and Minster Luo, also received some gifts.
As for the others' families, some people received the Emperor's character, some received the Empress' gifts but they didn't have the honor to receive gifts from the four big personages. However, at this year end, all the officials in Jing City understood one thing. That was, you could only eat if you followed the Emperor.
The year banquet was on the thirtieth day. Other than the members of the Imperial House, only families who had a first-rank title were lucky enough to be able to enter the palace to enjoy the banquet, such as the Duke of Zhong Yi and the two heads of the two Empress Dowager's paternal families.
Qu Qing Ju and He Heng sat together at the very front. Due to her pregnancy, she didn't drink any wine. In front of her was a "phoenix returning to the nest" soup. Basically, it was a chicken stuffed inside a pig's stomach and then cooked using an old pot, but the taste was good and fitting to drink in the winter.
The people below knew that the Empress was pregnant and no one was foolish enough to toast her. So halfway through the banquet, she had been idle.
"The Empress' belly is so round and smooth. Chen fu thinks this child must be male." Qin Bai Lu raised a wine cup, stood and said to Qu Qing Ju, "Chen fu toasts niangniang, and wishes that niangniang will give birth to a son soon and stays young forever."
The Empress was already pregnant. Wishing for her to give birth to a son soon, wasn't it not appropriate? Luo Wen Yao furrowed her brows, and followed in standing and raising her wine cup, "Chen fu wishes Empress to stay healthy and have a good year."
Qu Qing Ju grasped the wine cup from her side. Mu Jin poured her a cup of water. She raised the cup towards the two people: "Many thanks to both dimei. Since I can't drink now, I have to use water in place of wine to thank both of you."
He Heng placed a duck's tongue into Qu Qing Ju's bowl, smiling as he declared: "Everyone here isn't an outsider so zhen isn't afraid everyone will laugh. Zhen and Empress are both young and feel the sex doesn't matter."
Everyone followed in agreeing, and along the way, praised both Emperor and Empress. The major idea was that no matter if it was an imperial son or daughter, they would certainly be the recipients of Emperor and Empress' good genes, and in the future, would become one that would stun the world.
Qin Bai Lu couldn't believe that the Emperor would so brazenly protect Qu Qing Ju to the point that he would say in front of all those people that he didn't care whether it was a boy or girl. Did the Emperor not want someone to carry down the line?
"In the future, zhen and Empress will have many children. To guess whether each one is a boy or girl, that would be zhen and Empress bringing trouble upon ourselves." He Heng roared with laughter, self-mockingly adding, "Zhen doesn't want to go to such trouble."
Everyone naturally followed in laughing, but their hearts were scared witless. What the Emperor just said, it seemed to mean that he was only going to have children with the Empress only.
It must be that they heard wrong!
Qu Qing Ju raised an eyebrow at He Heng. Seeing he was smiling as he listened to the flattery of the people below, she lowered her head to continue drinking soup.
Wei Qing E and He Qi sat together. She looked dazedly at Qu Qing Ju dressed in a purple wide sleeved dress embroidered with a hundred birds bowing to a phoenix. She couldn't believe her eyes and ears. The Emperor was really willing to favor only one woman, and was even willing to have only her have children?
She thought about the tongfang that the other officials had sent over after they returned to court. Even though she had shared in the hardships with wang ye and wang ye treated her much more closely, didn't he still take the women that others gave as tong fang?
Was it really true that this world had a man that was faithful, and this man was the Emperor as well?
Wei Qing E slowly took her gaze back. Strangely, her gaze fell on Qin Bai Lu. Qin Bai Lu's expression wasn't well. Rui Wang beside her didn't seem to pay any attention to her. The two sat at a two-person table but their atmosphere wasn't any different from strangers.
It was no wonder then that Qin Bai Lu was that jealous of Qu Qing Ju. As a woman, she could understand what the other thought, even she was slightly jealous of the Empress. She had the status, she would almost have a child, and she even had the fidelity of her husband. And this woman who had everything didn't even need to be kind or generous, didn't need a high birth but still lived better than all of them.
"What are you looking at?" He Qi pulled her sleeve under the table, warning in a small voice, "Don't copy lao san's wang fei's stupidity. I heard the Emperor doesn't like that one and already bestowed down a few beauties to Rui Wang Fu.'
Wei Qing E's heart jumped. Her brow creasing, she asked: "Wasn't it said that the Emperor didn't keep any of the female candidates?"
"He didn't keep any, but that doesn't mean that he can't bestow them to other people," He Qi swirled the wine cup in his hand, flicking a look in the direction of He Yuan, "Lao san was too arrogant in his conduct, but that one of his isn't a peaceful one. I heard that in the past, she had done many things to offend the Empress. The way the Emperor dotes on the Empress, would he spare that one of lao san's?"
"The Emperor wouldn't …" Wei Qing E's tongue twisted. The Emperor wouldn't manage such matters.
"Don't see only his appearance, he's ruthless," He Qi pushed his voice so quiet that only the two of them could hear, "How that Qu ce fei's of lao san passed away, there's a lot that went on there."
Wei Qing E gripped her wine cup tighter. Then a woman who could keep a man like that in the palm of her hand, how scary was she?
In that instant, the look that Wei Qing E gave Qu Qing Ju was as though she was seeing a devastatingly beautiful demoness.
Qu Qing Ju didn't know that she had been levelled up to demoness. She gave a yawn and ate the fruits that had been cut up. She occasionally exchanged words with the noblewomen as the year banquet slowly came to a conclusion.
At precisely midnight, the fireworks exploded outside the hall, dying half of the hall red.
Qu Qing Ju looked outside the hall and managed to see one of the fireworks burst, impossibly beautiful.
"Like it?" He Heng reached out a hand to her, "I'll accompany you outside to see."
Qu Qing Ju gave him her hand. The two walked out of the hall holding hands and stood at the tall stage outside the hall. They watched as bud after bud of fire bloom and then wither, beautiful as though it was a dream.
Behind the two were the people who had come to attend the banquet. Everyone saw the hands of the Emperor and Empress entwined together. Under the fireworks, the figures of the two were like a painting.
Wei Qing E stood next to He Qi. Her gaze was fixed on the Emperor and Empress' hands that hadn't let go from beginning to end. She seemed to once again see the last evening of the year one year ago, as Qu Qing Ju, clad entirely in red, walked down step by step from those stairs, and the Emperor, still a wang ye then, couldn't resist going forward to support Qu Qing Ju.
It seemed that she had never forgotten that scene, and it was deeply embedded in her heart.
The fireworks then, it was still as bright and attractive as today, but what she could remember was the hand the Emperor couldn't help but reach out.
Maybe some things were fated.
Like her and He Qi, Qu Qing Ju and the Emperor, Qin Bai Lu and Rui Wang.