Chapter One Hundred and Eleven Flying Gracefully
The lights in the western hall suddenly extinguished. Only the night luminous pearls on the stage and the flower lanterns floating on the water provided illumination, as though in the world, there only existed the woman on the stage.
The music of the ancient qin quietly started, and the person on the flower stage moved. The red sleeves seemed to cut through the dark night, flying in the air like ripples in the water. The flower stage slightly trembled and the red-clad woman moved with it, suddenly starting to spin as though what was under her feet wasn't the unsteady flower stage floating on the water, but the solid ground.
The bells at her ankles rang out in the darkness, striking deep into the soul, again and again striking He Heng's appreciation.
Qu Qing Ju was dressed entirely in red. It was a pure vermilion. No jewelry, no jade, other than a string of bells on her ankles, she had no adornments on her body. The night wind blew in through the open windows, lifting up the silk curtains in the room, and also the vermilion dress. The flexible waist suddenly stopped, and then a back flip. The red sleeves drawing out a circle in the air. In the blink of an eye, the person was reclining on the flower stage. Flower petals slowly floated down, falling on the steaming water, and creating charm for the amazing dance.
At some unknown time, a pipa appeared in Qu Qing Ju's hands. She slowly stood, her right foot slowly curling, her fingertip gently flicking, her neck slightly raised, like a goddess taking a flight to the heavens. Even though there was a moving smile on her face, but it stirred fear in the onlooker that she would suddenly leave.
He Heng couldn't resist walking forward, and saw Qu Qing Ju's eyes swirl as she started to dance and play the pipa at the same time. After the song ended, a red silk rope suddenly fell down from the top. Qu Qing Ju wrapped her hand around the rope and with a push of her feet, she managed to fly off the flower stage in the midst of a rain of flower petals.
"Qing Ju!" He Heng pushed aside layers of silk. When he saw the faintly smiling person reclining on the bed, his heart jumped. He muttered: "The ancients talked about one 'dancing the "Feathered Coat and Rainbow Skirt" with a breeze in her skirts.' It's only today that I know what it meant."
Qu Qing Ju turned around, changing to lean on the bed, her eyes bewitching as she asked: "Is Emperor satisfied with my dance?"
"A dance that overturns the state," He Heng walked next to the bed, reaching to pull out the jade hairpin in her hair, his voice husky as he replied: "To have such a woman, in this life what else do I need to ask for?"
The wind started, the sleeves slightly swayed as though it stirred He Heng's heart. He couldn't resist gathering Qu Qing Ju in his embrace. Such scenery, such beauty, his heart was tangled like hair, and there was nothing else that could enter his eyes.
The servants all waited outside Kui Yuan Palace. No one knew what had happened inside Kui Yuan Palace. Some of the attendants that had cooperated with Qu Qing Ju in her dance had all left when Qu Qing Ju stopped dancing. The moment the doors to the western hall closed, it also closed on the romantic night of the Emperor and Empress.
The moonlight was still there, the people were still the same, but to Mu Jin and the group of people waiting outside, if the Emperor hadn't appeared out of the western hall now, then it meant that before the sunrise tomorrow morning, the Emperor wouldn't come out.
Mu Jin turned to look at the western hall. Not just Emperor, even her, a woman, when she saw the Empress in that vermilion costume had been dumbstruck.
Perhaps, there really were women in this world that might be the most beautiful in the world, but they didn't have the ability to entice others, like Empress did.
When Qu Qing Ju woke up, the sky was turning pale. She looked at the man who was holding her, and reached out to brush aside the strands of hair in front of the face. Two pairs of eyes met, and she found the other was already awake, his eyes incomparably warm.
"Awake?" He Heng reached to brush through Qu Qing Ju's hair, smiling as he asked: "Call for the servants to come in?"
Qu Qing Ju yawned and looked outside the window through the layers of silk. She lazily leaned her head on He Heng's chest: "Don't want to get up."
"A beauty in the arms, I don't want to get up either," He Heng's hand gently slid across Qu Qing Ju's back, and unwillingly and discontentedly sighed, "I finally understand the reason behind 'from now, the Emperor will not have morning court'."
"Emperor is willing to be the incapable ruler, but I'm not willing to be that calamitous demoness," Qu Qing Ju pinched at his waist, and got up to throw the red outer garment casually over her body. She flung her head of soft and smooth hair, revealing her pale legs as she walked through layers of silk to enter the hot spring, the red robe spreading out in the water.
He Heng dressed and when he walked next to the water, he saw her swim around in a circle with seductive poses. He turned to grab a large and clean towel, squatting down and reaching with his hands, urging: "Come up, it'll be cold when you get out of the water."
Qu Qing Ju swam in front of him. She looked at the hands he had reached out with, and suddenly pulled, dragging He Heng into the water.
Ming He and the others that had been waiting outside the hall heard the sound of something landing in the water inside, and then the laughter of the Emperor and Empress. They could only quietly bend down even more and bury their heads even lower.
The end result was that He Heng managed to arrive at court almost ten minutes late. But it was such a short gap that no one thought more about it. The only thing that the officials couldn't understand was why the Emperor was in an exceptionally good mood. Even his voice as he decreed to investigate corrupt officials was softer than usual.
The officials thought in puzzlement, was the Emperor expectant of the upcoming birthday?
At the end of the ninth month, the envoys of the minor countries started to arrive in Jing City. They were placed to live in the visitor palace that was set aside for guests. Even though it was a palace, it wasn't connected with the Imperial Palace, but was constructed on a certain wide and clean street. That same street was also home to many noble families.
After the envoys arrived, they quickly sent their cards to He Heng. However, it was the Ministry of Rites' officials that saw them. If they wanted to see He Heng in person, they had to wait for the birthday celebration.
When it was time for the country of Jing to arrive, it caused a portion of the people to gather on the side of the street. They held curiosity for the carriages from another land. Even more, they had heard that a beautiful princess was sitting in the grand carriage. Such alluring gossip, even if they didn't see the person, it was enough to see the carriage.
The envoy from Jing was settled down in the Jiao Xiang Compound of the visitors palace. After moving in, the imperial son and princess of Jing, and the envoys from other countries mutually exchanged greetings, sought out news about the city of Jing before they returned to their compound.
Dai Rong looked at the teacup in her hand, her voice slightly awed: "Da Long is so prosperous and glorious, even a teacup like this would be something in our Jing that everyone would fight over. But here in Da Long, it's just something common." A smile formed on her beautiful face, "I heard from others that said that the new Emperor is extremely handsome and is a very capable ruler. Also, he doesn't have many women in the hougong. Such a rare kind of emperor."
"But I heard that the Empress of Da Long is as beautiful as a goddess, kindhearted and in love with His Majesty the Emperor," Tu Er seemed to have seen through his meimei's mind, indifferently playing with a bracelet of agate, "It makes one admire."
"There is no man in this world that doesn't want something new," Dai Rong smiled carelessly, her expression extremely confident, "The past Emperors of Da Long, they all had many beauties in their hougong."
Tu Er shrugged, and spreading out his hands, he declared: "Alright, I won't stop you from whatever you will do. If you make His Majesty the Emperor mad, and lose the right to succession, it would be a great event for me."
"My good gege, there isn't a man that would neglect a beautiful woman," Dai Rong's index finger slid across her red lips, "Just wait and see. I will become Jing's greatest Empress."
"Since you insist on doing so," Tu Er put down the agate bracelet in his hands and spread them, smiling: "I hope you succeed." When he finished, he smiled and walked out of the room, turning to return to his own rooms."
"Princess, what does the imperial son mean?" A female attendant behind Dai Ron frowned as she asked, "would the imperial son try to set you up?"
"Don't worry, gege isn't so stupid as to fight with me in front of His Majesty the Emperor. That wouldn't be of benefit to Jing's reputation," Dai Rong set down the cup in her hand, "Even more, mother favors me more. More people are willing to listen to me. If he wanted to scheme against me, he doesn't have many helpers."
Thinking about the Empress that Tu Er mentioned, she snorted. Most of the women of Da Long were in the mold of being virtuous. For a time, a man would find it interesting. If they had to always face such a kind of women all the time, it would be strange if they didn't get sick of it.
If she could use her beauty to obtain the favor of His Majesty the Emperor, she would get the throne, and also get more benefits for Jing from Da Long, why shouldn't she do it?
So what if there was an Empress, would the Emperor remain pure as jade for her?
In the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace, Qu Qing Ju was teasing Tun Tun to reach and grab the small drum in her hand. Seeing his head sway about with the drum, and reaching out to grab, she smiled as she pushed the small drum into his hand. Then she saw Tuo Tuo clumsily shove the drum into his mouth.
Qu Qing Ju didn't stop him. Seeing his toothless mouth smear the drum with saliva, she took a handkerchief to wipe his face. Then she reached out to rub his back. Finding that his temperature was normal, she lifted Tuo Tuo up, "Tun Tun, say ma."
"Ah,"
"Ma."
"Ah,ah."
Seeing Tun Tun smile ignorantly at her, Qu Qing Ju couldn't resist kissing his face repeatedly, "Tun Tun, tomorrow is your father's birthday, say ma."
"It's my birthday, why should he first call you?" When He Heng came in, he heard the words and helplessly walked in front of his son. He reached out to poke his son's face. Seeing him duck into his muhou's arms with a dark face, his eyebrow raised as he remarked, "This brat knows how to hide."
"Don't poke," Qu Qing Ju slapped aside his hand, "Rough hands and feet, it'll harm his skin."
"He's not tofu and can't be touched," He Heng resentfully took his hand back. Seeing Tun Tun reach with his plump hands to lie on Qu Qing Ju's body, he asked; "Why do I feel that he is much closer to you?"
"He lived in my belly for more than nine months," Qu Qing Ju shot him a glare, "If you can give birth to a child, he will be close to you."
He Heng rubbed his nose. He felt that he couldn't challenge a woman's power and status in this field, and only responded: "En, it's good that the child is close to you. It means that this child will be a filial one." Finishing, he took the advantage to rub his son's butt.
Qu Qing Ju handed the child to the nursemaid and sat down on the chair with He Heng. She knew that many envoys from subordinate countries were arriving tomorrow and asked: "Have all the envoys arrived?"
"All here. Even the one from Du Han managed to arrive four days earlier," He Heng thought and then added, "The imperial son and princess from Jing also came. I heard that they caused quite a fuss."
Qu Qing Ju raised an eyebrow, arguing: "A beauty's entrance should be grand."
He Heng smiled. Then he objected: "As a subordinate country, they should act like one. What host would like a loud guest that overwhelms them?"
Qu Qing Ju listened to his tone of voice and detected that the envoy from Jing had done something to make him unhappy so she asked: "What did they do?"
"I heard they created a furor when they entered Jing City and then came in in a twelve horse carriage," He Heng's brow furrowed, "xiandi hasn't yet passed away for three years yet, but they are already dancing and singing, they have no sense of propriety."
Qu Qing Ju finally understood. Even though it was already past the mourning period, but it was very likely that when the envoys of the subordinate countries arrived and expressed their allegiance, they certainly expressed their grief at the passing of xiandi. So the country of Jing's behavior was lacking to He Heng.
A twelve horse carriage … when He Heng was still a wang ye, he could only use an eight horse carriage. Were the imperial son and princess of the country of Jing even nobler than a wang ye of Da Long?
Didn't the information on the country of Jing say that the Hu Guo Princess was beautiful, good at dancing and singing and peerlessly intelligent? Why was it that her actions seemed to rub He Heng the wrong way?
Or was it that, this was the tactic that the Hu Guo Princess was using to attract the new emperor's attention?
Such a pity. Regardless of her real intentions, her ploys were being performed in front of blind people. It also made He Heng discontent.
It really … made people feel sympathy.
The feathers coat and rainbow skirt dance (霓裳舞衣曲) originated in the Tang Dynasty when Tang Xuan Emperor dreamed of going to the Palace of Heaven and saw the goddesses dance. He took inspiration from that to compose a song and dance suitable to perform in the palace. Later, Yang guifei was one of those who did the performance. Additionally, the phrase comes from the Song of Everlasting Regret.
Little bit of knowledge: Pear blossoms are white, Chinese apple (haitong) blossoms are red. A far more colloquial metaphor is "An old bull eating tender grass". The phrase originates with a poet who teased his relatively old friend for taking a young concubine. The pear blossoms represent the white hair of the man, the red apple blossoms the young woman.
And now onto the story!
Chapter One Hundred and Twelve
The day of the Emperor's birthday, all the attendants of the palace made themselves one hundred and twenty percent alert. No one dared to slip up. If they managed to mess up in front of their superior, even if they didn't die, they would be torn off half a body of skin.
The palace maids and taijian under the supervision of the Department of Household Affairs perfectly arranged everything from clothing to food. Even the Luan He Hall itself was washed again and again. The white jade steps outside were wiped so clean that even a speck of dirt couldn't be found.
"Today's weather is really good," A blue-clad taijian raised his head to look at the sun hanging in the sky, and in a lower voice, said to his partner beside him, "Hey, have you heard yet how beautiful the princess of Jing is? She's planning to present a dance at the banquet."
"There's nothing strange,' his partner used the cloth in his hand to carefully wipe the pillars of the corridor, "Just a princess from a minor country, is she worth you being so curious?"
"I think your brains are made out of a wood. A normal princess, why would she present a dance out of the blue in front of the Emperor?" The blue-robed taijian proclaimed hatefully, "That one's thoughts aren't simple."
"Isn't there still the Empress?" His partner bent to wash clean the rag in a basin, "Just a pellet sized country's princess, there's nothing to gape about."
"No matter how good a woman is, they can't compare to a new … …"
"Who is speaking nonsense?" A steward taijian wearing deep blue rippled robes walked over with a group of young taijian behind him. He pointed expressionlessly at the blue-robe taijian, "Drag him down, drag him down. Presuming to comment on his zhuzi, sparing his life will only make other people's lives harder."
Before the blue-robe taijian could beg for mercy, his mouth was stuffed and he was dragged down. His partner was already collapsed on the ground in fear.
"You at least know your bounds," the taijian steward rubbed his hairless chin. He waved his hand, "Continue working. If I hear something I shouldn't hear again, the one just now is the lesson. By that time, don't blame me for not warning everyone."
"What's going on here?" Jin Zhan, wearing a water blue palace dress, saw a taijian being dragged from far away. When she neared, she found that the taijian and palace maids present all had abnormal expressions on their faces. She asked, "What did that taijian do just now?"
"Good day, Jin Zhan guniang," When the steward taijian saw Jin Zhan, a smile instantly appeared on his face. He went forward to bow to Jin Zhan, "Does Jin Zhan guniang have something to order us to do?"
Jin Zhan saw the steward taijian wasn't willing to speak on the taijian that had been dragged away and didn't persist. She opened: "The Empress said, everyone has worked hard. After a little while, everyone can go to the kitchen to receive a bowl of lily porridge to warm up. The weather of the tenth month is cold at night."
"Thanks to the Empress for her grace," The steward taijian instantly gave a grateful expression. He made a full bow in the direction of the back end of Tian Qi Palace and then said a few more compliments regarding the Empress before stopping.
Jin Zhan didn't stay for long. After some polite chit-chat with the steward taijian, she left.
The steward taijian watched her back and sighed. Right now, the Empress's side was splendid. If he could join in on the Empress' side, he wouldn't still be a steward. It was a pity that the people surrounding the Empress were like a metal barrel. It was hard for an average person to even show their face in front of the Empress.
Others said that the Empress was kind and generous, but based on his experience of serving more than twenty years in the hougong, the Empress wasn't a simple person. Earlier, when Chang De Gong Fu had fallen, her reputation hadn't been affected but became even better. That wasn't something that any woman could do.
Then there was the earlier matter of Han liangdi's accidental death. Everyone knew that it was caused by the cooperation of Shu gui taifei and Ping cairen. The Empress was only washed of suspicion due to the heavy defenses of Tian Qi Palace.
But he felt that the matter wasn't that simple. Many people in the hougong knew that the two Empress Dowagers and Shu gui taifei were at odds. After the new Emperor ascended the throne, Shu gui taifei's people had been cleaned out. It wouldn't have been easy to cooperate with Ping cairen.
Then, who was the person that made it easy for them to act together?
The steward taijian's shoulders trembled. He didn't dare to think further. As a tiny steward, he should obediently fulfill his duties. He already lost his manhood, he didn't want to lose his life as well.
"Niangniang, do you think that this is appropriate?" Yu Zan and Yin Liu brought out the mirrors and let Qu Qing Ju gaze at her front and back. They asked cautiously, "Is there any place lacking?"
Qu Qing Ju's index finger lightly swiped over the red flower on her forehead. She smiled, complimenting: "Very beautiful, Yu Zan's skills are getting even better."
Taking out a phoenix in flight buyao from her jewelry box to insert into her hair, Qu Qing Ju slowly stood: "The hour is late, let's go to the main hall to meet the Emperor."
After He Heng changed his robes, he heard that the servants report that the Empress had arrived. He didn't hesitate and let the servants welcome the Empress in, himself standing in front of the large mirror for a crowd of palace maids and taijian to attire him.
"Greetings to Emperor," Qu Qing Ju walked behind He Heng and examined him from top to bottom, "Handsome, with a natural character that all will sigh over. The ancients talked of a pear blossom that suppresses the apple blossoms[i], the Emperor is worthy of this line."
The palace attendants in the room, upon hearing the Empress tease the Emperor, jumped in fright but didn't dare to show any signs on their face.
"With a pearl on the side, I appear like dirt," He Heng wasn't angry hearing the words. Instead, he smiled and turned to look at Qu Qing Ju dressed in a vermilion floor length phoenix robe with wide sleeves, "With Qing Ju here, everything else in the world is nothing."
The palace attendants quietly lowered their heads. So the Emperor and Empress were playing a game of 'you-compliment-me, I-compliment-you'. As servants, they will act as though they were deaf.
The lights of Luan He Hall shone brightly. Those who were able to attend and sit in the hall, scornful all of them were full of joy, as though it was their birthday. He Yuan sat beneath He Ming, lazily swirling and concentrating on a finely crafted porcelain wine pot. He occasionally took a draw, a slightly sardonic smile on his face.
The people sitting here, how many of them were really happy due to the Emperor's birthday? It was just a play that everyone knew of, but each person deceived themselves. If they couldn't fake it to others, they still needed to fake it to themselves.
"The Emperor has arrived, the Empress has arrived."
He turned to look and saw the Emperor and Empress holding hands as they walked in from the doorway. One wearing a black robe bordered in red, one wearing a vermilion floor length dress. The picture was beautiful. The hand he had on the wine cup slightly froze and then he stood with the others in kneeling to welcome the Emperor.
Seeing the vermilion dress slide across his eyes, he felt as though something was sliding across his heart, sour and difficult to bear, as though his breath was caught, the suffocation making his head ring.
"Everyone rise" He Heng and Qu Qing Ju held hands as they sat down on the wide two-person chair. With a slight smile, he said, "Just one of zhen's birthdays. To trouble everyone here, zhen really feels grateful."
Everyone hurriedly kowtowed and expressed that the Emperor was exaggerating. They really sincerely were happy for the Emperor and were loyal etc etc.
After the officials did the three bows and nine kowtows to congratulate He Heng on his birthday, He Heng bestowed the seats. Then it was the envoys from all the subordinate countries to enter the hall to offer their tributes.
Qu Qing ju noticed that there was great care in the order the subordinate countries came in. It seemed the earlier the envoys of the countries came in, the more they were favored by He Heng.
After seven or eight subordinate countries offered their gifts, Qu Qing Ju finally heard the name that she was interested in.
"The country of Jing's Imperial Son Tu Er, and Princess Dai Rong for an audience!"
"Summon!"
Qu Qing Ju looked with a smile towards the door and saw a male and female wearing clothing of a different culture come in. It seemed that both of them were very young. Two servants followed behind them.
"Tu Er and Dai Rong of the country of Jing congratulates His Majesty the Emperor. May you live a long life, and Da Long be prosperous and flourishing." Dai Rong walked into the center of the hall and gave a local greeting with all her grace. Thinking that her Jing was the second last to enter the hall, she felt dissatisfied. Even a small country like Wei was put in front of her Jing country. The Rites' officials of Da Long might be underestimating them too much.
Qian Chang Xin looked at the Emperor. Seeing the Emperor slightly raise his hand, he hollered: "Excused, rise!"
"Thanks to the honored His Majesty the Emperor and Empress." Tu Er also made a bow and stood up together with his sister. He took advantage of his movement to quickly glance at the Empress. He saw a woman who was even younger than his meimei, wearing a grand robe brighter and redder than a fresh flower. This was the first time he saw a woman more suited than his meimei to wear a red dress.
"You two have come such a long distance. Zhen is very grateful to the two of you," He Heng raised a hand, "Please sit."
"The honored Your Majesty the Emperor is too polite. To be able to come celebrate your birthday, it is this one and meimei's great fortune. This one's mother has prepared a birthday gift for Your Majesty the Emperor and hopes that Your Majesty the Emperor will like it." Tu Er turned to take the gift box from the hands of his servant behind him and raised it with both hands, "Please, honored Your Majesty the Emperor, take a look."
Qian Chang Xin walked down the nine steps of stairs and took the gift box from Tu Er's hands. He first quickly opened it to see if there was any poisonous gas or concealed weapons before bowing and presenting the box with both hands in front of He Heng.
He Heng took over the gift box. Inside there was a mutton-fat jade pendant carved into the shape of two lotus flowers on the same stalk. He closed the box, remarking: "The ruler of Jing has spent effort. Please sit."
Tu Er couldn't see any of He Heng's emotions from his face and could only sit down with his sister. Because of the flutterings in his heart, he didn't even notice what the country of Duo Han that came after them had sent.
Since there were birthday wishes from the envoys of subordinate countries, naturally there had to be dances that showed the prosperity of Da Long. Many of the envoys, when they saw the beautiful dances of Da Long's dancers, forgot to even take up their chopsticks, their faces full of awe. It satisfied many of Da Long's officials' vanity.
Qu Qing Ju looked at He Heng beside him and found that his expression was extremely calm, as though the state of the envoys didn't please him. She nodded inside. These envoys might belong to the subordinate countries, but they were all nobility from those countries. None of them would show such their inexperience just because of a dance.
It was deliberately pretending to act so ignorant to please the people of Da Long.
To be able to be an envoy, it required a thick skin.
"Your country's dance moves one's heart. This little woman wants to show everyone a dance from Jing. Will Your Majesty the Emperor allow it?"
Like this one, her skin wouldn't be thin. Qu Qing Ju looked at the Hu Guo Princess dressed in red who had spoken and the smile on her face grew wider.
Chapter One Hundred and Thirteen The Prosperity Blinds One's Eyes
No one felt surprised by the princess of Jing's proposal. There were even officials who gave dubious smiles that they thought they hid well, as though they knew what the princess of Jing was thinking and were waiting to see a good show.
A princess of a minor country giving a dance of her own initiative in front of this many people. No one would believe that she didn't have any ulterior motives. But right now, the Empress was still present. This method that this princess of Jing took was too straightforward. To try to seduce the Emperor in front of the Empress, was this because she was confident in her beauty, or just that she didn't have any brains?
After He Heng heard the request from the princess of Jing, he didn't immediately agree, but turned to look at Qu Qing Ju. It was as though he was asking her if she was interested in the dances of a different culture.
"Ben gong has heard that the country of Jing's Hu Guo Princess' beauty is the most beautiful in the countries and can dance the world's most beautiful dance. Today, seeing the princess, if we cannot see the princess dance in our palace, it would be such a pity." Qu Qing Ju gave a dignified smile, "Please, Princess, dance."
Dai Rong didn't think that the person who would speak would be the Empress of Da Long and not His Highness the Emperor. She first froze for a beat before standing and bowing, responding: "Great thanks to the Empress, this little woman will display her meager talents." She took off the boots on her feet, and the large robe on her body, revealing a grand attire full of exoticness.
When the men and women present saw her actions, they were slightly shocked. But thinking about the cultural differences between countries, they didn't reveal their reactions blatantly. But inside, they couldn't resist comparing this Hu Guo princess to the dancers. Because in this type of setting, the noblewomen wouldn't lower themselves to display their talents, but would use dancers instead to raise the mood.
Also … the most beautiful dance in the world? A pellet-sized country dares to boast so. It was really ignorant and narrow minded.
Qu Qing Ju looked at the bare arms and flat stomach that Dai Rong showed after she took off her outer robe and smiled slightly as she raised the teacup. Her gaze swept across the Jing country's musicians who had been invited in, and leaned to whisper into He Heng's ear: "This princess of Jing's waist looks so enticing, it's like a willow branch. It makes one want to go and touch." What she said was the truth. This Hu Guo Princess might have skin that was slightly tanned, it didn't comply with the sense of beauty of the men of Da Long but her features were extremely beautiful, and her figure also extremely hot. She was like a very flavorful pepper. Not a necessity, but when one looked, they couldn't stop thinking about wanting to have a taste.
He Heng carelessly looked at the woman who was twisting her waist like an eel. He thought back to how Qu Qing Ju looked when she had been flying dressed in red and laughed lightly in her ear: "Compared to Qing Ju, she's only just so." In his mind, this Hu Guo Princess did have some attractiveness, but it wasn't something that was rare in the world. On the other hand, it was the intangible charm that Qu Qing Ju showed during her dance that moved his heart. A tasteful woman is like old wine. The more one tasted, the more flavor there was to savor. And not like this kind of strong spirit where there was some taste at first taste, but if more was drank, how was it different from the rotgut liquor sold on the streets?
Dai Rong's movements became even more provocative, like a poisonous viper that unconsciously attracted the gaze of many males. When they looked at her moving waist, there were only two words in their mind, "beautiful creature."
As the drums beat faster, the bare feet of Dai Rong spun even faster. The second the drums stopped, she made a pose with her hands together and one of her feet slightly curled, as though a seductive goddess suddenly took away all her magic, and once again became a noble princess.
He Heng had just focused on talking with Qu Qing Ju and didn't pay any serious attention at all to how this Hu Guo Princess had danced. Seeing her finish, he raised his hand: "This dance of the princess of Jing's truly has a certain style. What do you think, Empress?"
"Emperor is right," Qu Qing Ju smiled as she followed, "The princess is as beautiful as the burning sun. How about ben gong gives that red jade hairpin from ben gong's stores to the princess? It would really mean that this hairpin won't be neglected."
"Many thanks to the honored Your Majesty the Emperor and Empress," Dai Rong saw that He Heng didn't seem to be attracted by her dancing. She did feel regretful but her opinion of He Heng became higher. A man that wasn't easily swayed by beauty, it made her feel that he was more of a challenge than normal men, "But it is one of Empress' favored objects. This one can't take away something from the other."
"The princess is too polite," Qing Qing Ju smiled faintly as she touched the golden phoenix buyao in her hair, "Or does the Princess looks down on ben gong's hairpin?"
"This one doesn't dare," Dai Rong saw that the Empress didn't have a good expression and hurriedly bowed, replying: "Many thanks for Empress' gift."
"No need to be polite," Qu Qing Ju's smile eased, "Ben gong has heard that the queen of your country has been ill lately. Earlier, ben gong has heard many of the queen's wise deeds and is very admiring of her. When Imperial Son and Princess return, please give ben gong's goodwill to the queen."
Hearing the Empress mention his mother, Tu Er also stood up, and stopped beside his meimei. He respectfully made a bow: "Many thanks for Empress' concern. If mother knows of this matter, she would definitely recover due to happiness."
Qu Qing Ju smiled: "Imperial Son is too serious. It does seem that both of you are giants among men, who is the eldest and youngest?" She raised a teacup to sip at the surface of the tea, her tone extremely calm, as though she was only casually asking.
"Empress, this one is the eldest," Tu Er remembered that he seemed to have called Dai Rong by meimei in the hall already. Even without the appellation, Da Long should have already known who was the eldest already due to their envoy status. But since the Empress was asking it right in front of him, then he could only obediently reply.
"So that's how it is," Qu Qing Ju nodded, turning her head to speak to He Heng, "Didn't the queen have a matter for Emperor to decide? Qie feels that right now is a good time. All the major officials and the envoys from the countries are here, it's fitting to settle the matter."
By this time, everyone present became silent, their gaze flickering between Tu Er and Dai Rong. Even though everyone knew what matter the Empress spoke of, but no one had thought that the Empress would boldly take up the topic. But knowing that the letter had been written by the Jing's Queen, it was normal for the Empress to have viewed it.
"If Empress hadn't mentioned it, zhen would've almost forgot," He Heng naturally didn't need to spend much time on such a small matter. Furthermore, he was partial to Tu Er as the successor. The kind of woman that Dai Rong was had too much ambition. For the Da Long Dynasty, it didn't need a subordinate country's ruler to have such great ambitions, "Not long ago, the Queen of Jing had sent a letter to zhen hoping to pick a successor between the two of you. Based on what zhen has seen, both of you are very able. It really is hard to make a decision."
By now, the officials who had received presents from Dai Rong beforehand didn't dare to speak. They weren't dumb. Just now, the Empress had implied that the Imperial Son Tu Er was the elder, and Dai Rong Princess was the younger. If they were so blind to help speak for Dai Rong Princess, wasn't that working against the Empress?
"Emperor, Imperial Son and Princess are both di, but there is the order of seniority. Wei chen thinks that Imperial Son Tu Er should be made Crown Prince." The Duke of Zhong Yi stood and raised his hands in a fist, declaring, "If none of the heirs have done anything wrong, the best choice is the eldest among the di."
Once the Duke of Zhong Yi's words came out, many of the senior officials came out to second it. None of them abandoned their standpoint just because Dai Rong was a gorgeous woman.
"Since that is the case, zhen will title Imperial Son Tu Er as the Crown Prince, and write an Imperial Decree for the envoys to take back to Jing to read," He Heng lowered his head slightly, revealing an approving expression, "Since the matter is settled, the banquet will continue."
Dai Rong didn't think that the position of Crown Princess would slip away so silently. Before coming here, mother had clearly implied that the Emperor of Da Long favored her, but at this time, she couldn't see any sign of protection from the Emperor?
She was the most favored and popular princess of Jing. Even her mother had used "Hu Guo" as her title. But why did His Majesty the Emperor turn away and establish her gege?
Tu Er didn't think that the position of Crown Prince would come so suddenly. He first dropped in a daze for a few seconds before remembering to kneel and give thanks. He didn't know if he was thinking too much but he felt that if the Empress hadn't said what she had just said, maybe this position of Crown Prince wouldn't have been delegated to him.
But why did the Empress help him?
He suddenly stared with a complicated expression at his meimei who was kneeling beside him. He had heard that Empress of Da Long was very appreciative of able women. If meimei hadn't given this dance, and became slightly close with the Empress, would he have what he did now?
Earlier, he had said that meimei would use the wrong methods, but she persisted in believing that all the women of Da Long were gentle and virtuous. Why didn't she think, even the women of Jing had many different personalities, so how about the vast and abundant Da Long? Where in this world would there be women who were all the same?
Meimei had lost because she was too egotistical and overconfident. She didn't believe in the sincerity of the feelings between the Emperor and Empress. But this Imperial Couple before them, they were not what she had expected. Perhaps, this is the so-called fate?
Even as the birthday banquet finished, Dai Rong Princess still hadn't recovered from the blow of losing her position as successor. When the banquet had ended, and she had walked out of Luan He Hall to feel the cold wind and saw the exploding fireworks in the sky, she finally slowly woke up. She really failed. Gege already became the successor recognised by the Emperor of Da Long.
What was the use of a princess who couldn't succeed the throne? After returning to the country, she could only find a fuma, and then have children, and then slowly age away in the Princess fu… …
Those kind of days were too scary. She wanted to be the high up queen. If she couldn't be queen, wouldn't the pride she had before become a joke?
Raising her head, she saw the blinding fireworks. She had heard that it wasn't difficult to make this kind of fireworks but the crucial step was the dosage used. Her country couldn't produce it so they had to spend much wealth buying it from Da Long. So unless it was an important occasion, they wouldn't use such valuable objects, and couldn't have such a show of such duration like Da Long.
It was just a birthday of an emperor yet they would have a fireworks show for this long. By now, the banquet attendees had dispersed, but they still continued to set them off, as though those things were worthless, that even a child on the street could light one and play.。
A prosperous and flourishing Da Long, a poor Jing.
Dai Rong Princess' steps paused. She turned to look at the majestic and luxurious Luan He Hall. Even the jade steps and pillars outside the hall were so tasteful and extraordinary. Then how lavish were the days of the women who lived in the Imperial Palace?
Not far away, a procession held beautiful lanterns as they escorted an unbelievably beautiful phoenix carriage. Following behind the carriage were pretty palace maids dressed finely. Such an extravagant scene made her slightly dazed. She couldn't resist asking a guard outside the Luan He Hall: "Who is sitting in that beautiful carriage?"
The guard saw that it was a princess of a subordinate country and politely answered: "That is the phoenix carriage of the Empress. Because the Empress had already left with the Emperor, so most of the phoenix carriage's attendants have left together with the Imperial Carriage."
This kind of procession when there was no one inside? Dai Rong Princess felt astonishment. If the Empress was sitting inside, then how grand would the scene be?
Was this the life inside the Imperial Palace of Da Long? No wonder mother had always talked about how rich and prosperous Da Long was. She had thought it was just mother exaggerating. Coming to Da Long personally, she finally knew that the actual Da Long was even more prosperous and marvelous than her mother had said.
She watched dazedly as the phoenix carriage proceeded further away, and couldn't help but falling into a trance. If she could also live this kind of luxurious life in the future, it would be wonderful.
Right now, she couldn't become the future ruler of Jing, but if she could become an Imperial fei in Da Long and live such a sumptuous life, it also wasn't a bad choice.
Didn't they say that the women the Emperor of Da Long favored were even more honored than the Empress? If she could become that woman that was even more honored than the Empress, by then, would she still have to send gifts to flatter the minor officials of Da Long? The throne of Jing wasn't anything. Even if gege became king, when he met her, he would still have to bow to her. Moreover, even the Empress wouldn't dare to use such a proud attitude towards her.
Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen I am Yours.
The incident of the princess of Jing giving a dance at the birthday banquet very quickly spread throughout Jing. Many people who liked to gossip began to speculate on how was the princess' dance, how beautiful she was. There were even people who started to say that the Emperor was going to take the princess into the hougong.
The people of Jing had seen many things and naturally guessed that the Jing princess hadn't simply offered a dance, rather, she wanted to display herself in front of the Emperor. A woman trying hard to show off her attributes in front of another man, if she didn't have any other motives, it was a bit suspicious.
At one time, the rumors about the princess from Jing increased. Some said that they saw the Jing princess buying jewelry at certain stores, and then incense at another store. All of the rumors had one similarity, the princess of Jing was very beautiful and could steal a soul with a glance.
The rumors became stronger and stronger. It gradually became how devastatingly beautiful Dai Rong Princess of Jing was, and how in love she was with the Emperor. But the Emperor was obstructed by the Empress and had to painfully stop himself from taking Dai Rong Princess into the hougong.
The Empress had already been married for two or three years to the Emperor, she even had a child, but she really was too overbearing by occupying the Emperor and not allowing him to take other fei.
Some men felt that the Empress wasn't virtuous enough. Other women had slightly sour hearts and said the Empress wasn't generous enough. By the end, Dai Rong Princess became that innocent and beloved woman and the Empress was the evil wife who used her position to bully the princess.
When the rumors from outside passed into Qu Qing Ju's ears, she was playing with Tun Tun and his small drum. When she finished hearing Huang Yang's report, her face held mirth as she remarked: "Such a good story. When did the Emperor take pity on this beauty that is Dai Rong Princess, and when did he have to endure abandoning her?"
When the room heard the words, the people all held their breath as they stood, afraid that the Empress would get angry.
"The Emperor is master of Da Long, he doesn't need to hesitate if he wants to take a woman. Control the court, balance the hougong?" Qu Qing Ju sneered, "Only a useless emperor will rely on women to govern the court. Ben gong thinks that the people who spread these rumors have ulterior motives."
An unfounded rumor, but it affected both the court and the hougong. Even some of the senior officials that He Heng placed importance were involved in the rumor. Those senior officials became the rebellious officials who had taken control of the court, and herself, the Empress, was the mastermind in the shadows, while He Heng was the trapped and suffering Emperor.
There were many noble families in Jing. Usually when something happened, there were many different versions, yet this time, all of the rumors were so similar, so it meant that someone certainly was manipulating them in the background. The main targets were her and Zhong Yi Gong Fu. If He Heng felt even a hint of dislike for her, then when the rumors streamed into his ear, that bit of dislike would become a lot.
The tactic wasn't clever but very useful. It ruined her reputation, affected the reputations of the strong officials in court, and was also involved the subordinate countries. Right now, the envoys from all the superior countries were still in Jing. If this Dai Rong Princess returned peacefully and safely to the country of Jing like this, what would the envoys of the subordinate think?
Thinking all this, Qu Qing Ju frowned. She watched as Tun Tun's fat hands finally grabbed the rattle-drum, and laughed because of the sounds he made. Her brow steadily smoothed out, and as she rubbed Tun Tun's face, she said: "Since there are so many rumors, let's make them even livelier."
Huang Yan hesitated: "Niangniang means to … …"
"Right now, there are suddenly rumors spreading around Jing, and it happened just after Emperor's birthday. Is it that people are deliberately spreading rumors? This kind of movement will shake the support of Da Long itself, it is too terrifying," Qu Qing Ju sighed, "As a citizen of Da Long, I really feel hatred for this kind of person."
When Huang Yan heard the words, his eyes lit up, and he instantly responded: "Nucai understands."
Half a day later, some of the people in Jing became suspicious. Everyone knew how virtuous and kind the Empress was and how deep her love was with the Emperor. The Emperor had even written on the coronation decree that the Empress was a blessing from the heavens. How was it that after just a few days, it became the Empress was jealous, and the Emperor and Empress were only pretending to be together and weren't really in love? And as for the officials who had been harmed by the rumors, they all had done good things for the public, how did they all become rebels?
Was it those people with ulterior motives that deliberately spread those rumors, wanting to harm the Empress and the other upright and honorable daren? Then who was the person manipulating the rumors, were they enemies of Da Long, or traitors to Da Long itself?
The city of Jing never lacked for intelligent people. The stronger the original rumors became, the more they felt suspicious. When the speculation came out, they threw out many suspects, such as traitors, people from the subordinate countries, Dai Rong Princess who wanted to enter the hougong, the Qin Family who was at odds with the Empress, and the brothers of the Emperor.
Slowly, more and more people began to doubt the past rumors and started to feel righteous indignation. They started to roll up their sleeves to find the true mastermind. As to whether they were really angry, or just wanting to get in on the fuss, it depended on what each spectator thought.
In the Imperial Study, He Heng looked at the major officials under him. They were all the "rebel" officials who had been in cahoots with the Empress in the rumors. Thinking about the ridiculous rumors, He Heng smiled as he comforted: "Aiqing doesn't have to blame yourselves. Zhen never cares about this kind of false rumors. Zhen has eyes to see what kind of people you all really are, and won't just listen to the rumors."
Tian Jin Ke stepped forward with a grave face. He raised his hands in a greeting as he responded: "It's chen who is useless and has caused these kind of rumors to spread, harming the reputations of Emperor and the Empress. Please, Emperor, punish us." He was the Junior Justice of the Supreme Court. Even though he didn't have a direct connection with the matter, there was still some related points..
Commander Sun of the Imperial Guards felt his heart shrink. As one of the "traitorous officials who cooperated with the Empress," he wasn't just a target of the rumors, it was possible that he would be punished by the Emperor because he didn't manage to stop the rumors in time. When Tian Jin Ke had asked for punishment, he knelt down preemptively. He was directly connected to the matter.
"Zhen has already said that aiqing doesn't have to blame yourselves," He Heng stood from the Imperial Table and personally helped them back up, "You are all pillars of the country. Zhen is still hoping that you can do more things for Da Long, and won't punish you for such a trivial matter."
The hearts of the people presents warmed. To be able to have such a wise ruler as the Emperor, it really was their good fortune as officials and subjects. For the moment, many of the old men's eyes were filled with tears, and they all knelt down to thanks the Emperor for his benevolence. Inside, they became even more resolute that they had to clear up the matter. Even though it became a minor matter due to the trust of the Emperor, they wouldn't tolerate this happening again.
"The only thing that zhen is extremely worried about is that the Empress, originally a virtuous person, has been falsely accused by people with malicious aims," He Heng sighed, "Daren must all thoroughly and diligently find out the mastermind behind the scenes to restore justice for aiqing and the Empress."
"Emperor, please don't worry, chen will thoroughly investigate this matter," Commander Sun bowed as he responded, "By now, many people in Jing have already noticed the malicious aims of the villain in the shadows. Not many people still believe the rumors. The virtuousness and kindness of the Empress will not be stained by others."
Luo Chang Qing raised an eyebrow at Commander Sun. Who said that soldiers had no brains? Look how well this one flattered. He raised his head to peek at the Emperor and, as expected, saw that the Emperor's smile had grown wider. He went forward a step, interjecting: "By now, many people in Jing are suspicious of the princess of Jing, Duo Han and … the wang ye. Wei chen thinks due to how generous Emperor has been to the wang ye, they wouldn't have done such distasteful things."
Luo Chang Qing dared to say this because, one, the rumors were not beneficial to the solidarity of the Imperial House, and two, because his granddaughter was married to Cheng Wang. But no matter what, his suggestion wasn't wrong.
He Heng nodded, agreeing: "Zhen's brothers are all honest people, zhen believes that they aren't that kind of people."
Not long after the daren left the Imperial Study, many of the people in Jing knew of the words the Emperor had said and were deeply moved by the depth of friendship with which the Emperor treated the wang ye. They also felt if the wang ye weren't loyal to the Emperor, then they were really cruel and unscrupulous people.
In Cheng Wang Fu, He Ming finally breathed a sigh of relief when he finished hearing the servant's report. He walked into the room of the wang fei who was in her confinement period. Seeing that she was holding their child, he smiled and asked: "Is Wang'er still asleep?"
Luo Wen Yao saw him coming in with a smile and gave the child to his nursemaid, "Did something good happen?"
He Ming faithfully narrated the events and sighed at the end: "Emperor and Empress treat us so well, but I am limited in what I can do for Emperor."
"Wang ye and the Emperor are blood brothers. Feelings cannot be calculated like this," Luo Wen Yao urged, "A few days ago, Mu Jin, one of the Empress' attendants, had specially come to visit qie, and told me a lot of things. Is this because the Empress expects qie to pay her back for all of this?"
"I had thought too narrow-mindedly," He Ming went forward to hug her, not caring about the unclean state she was in due to her confinement. He said ruefully, "With Yao Yao here, I don't feel sad at all."
Luo Wen Yao laughed quietly, the happiness on her face clear for all to see. She had the fidelity of her husband and a son, what reason did she have to not be happy?
In the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace, Qu Qing Ju took down her hairpins and jewelry. Rubbing her shoulders, she said: "The days are getting colder."
Jin Zhan and Yu Zan sorted the hairpins and jewelry to be placed away in their boxes. Mu Jin used a rhinoceros horn comb to brush Qu Qing Ju's hair. Hearing that, she replied: "It's already deep autumn, the weather always changes quickly now."
"That's so true, winter is almost here," Qu Qing Ju curled her lips, "I heard that the winters of the country of Jing are especially harsh. Once it enters the winter months, it's all wrapped in silver silk, I wonder what it looks like."
"The country of Jing is a poor place. When it's winter, the people don't have good days," Mu Jing's hands were brushing her hair at a perfect pace. She smiled, saying, "Nubi doesn't know much, but feels if the people of the country of Jing saw the prosperity of our Da Long, they wouldn't want to leave."
"Really?" Qu Qing Ju took off the jade bangle on her wrist and suddenly smiled, declaring, "Not willing to leave, then they should stay here."
Mu Jin's hands stilled. She didn't know what the Empress meant. Hesitating, she asked: "Whys hould such people stay here, wouldn't it make more trouble for others?"
"Peaceful days will make people forget the beauty of the past," Qu Qing Ju smiled, "Remaining doesn't have to be a good thing. You have to know that the prosperity of others doesn't have to be yours. You dare to scheme against others, then you have to know that others will scheme back."
When He Heng arrived at the rear hall, Qu Qing Ju had already changed into her sleep robes and was leaning on the bed as she read. He furrowed his brows, going forward to reproach: "Reading so late, it'll harm the eyes."
Qu Qing Ju closed the book in her hands. She smiled, answering: "Just bored, waiting for you to come back to sleep."
Just those words were enough to make He Heng's heart move. He took off his own clothing and made a feast of the beauty.
Afterward, the two of them lay in satisfaction on the bed, Qu Qing Ju on He Heng's chest, "I saw that your mood hasn't been well these few days. Is it because of those words outside the palace? It's just rumors. When the people get bored, they won't pass it on anymore. It's not worth it to be affected by those things."
"For whom am I getting angry on behalf of?" He Heng smiled helplessly, "The rumors are targeted towards you. I can't not be angry."
"These people are targeting me, that means that they hate me inside," Qu Qing Ju smiled, replying, "Only daring to attack from the back, it means that there are many things these people have to consider. Why should I care for such people?"
"Well, look how clearly you think," He Heng smiled. Then suddenly his tone turned cold, "I have already found the people in the shadows."
Qu Qing Ju stared with wide eyes at him, looking curious, "Who are they?"
"The Qin Family and the princess from Jing," He Heng sneered, "That these people from two sides can work together, they really have skill."
Qu Qing Ju stared blankly and then hummed: "I just knew that Dai Rong Princess is interested in you. To do such things for you, she really is in love."
"In love after just one meeting?" He Heng gathered her in his arms, "Don't accuse me wrongly. What she's in love with is my position, not me. I'm innocent."
The tips of Qu Qing Ju's feet stroked on the front of his feet: "Regardless, this Dai Rong Princess is interested in you. But why is the Qin Family meddling in this matter?"
He Heng sighed helplessly: "Did you forget that the Qin Family wanted to send someone into the hougong?"
Qu Qing Ju displayed an expression of realization. A beat later, she teased: "If you were just a wang ye, there wouldn't be this many women looking at you."
Even though he was happy at the possessiveness his woman had towards him, the words just didn't seem right. Was it only his position that attracted others?
"No, that's not right. Even if you are a wang ye, there would be many women looking at you," Qu Qing Ju's brow furrowed as she mused, "Really want to lock you up, and not let anybody else see you."
This complaint made He Heng's heart beat faster. He flipped to push her under him, gently kissing Qu Qing Ju's ear: "I, originally, am yours."
Qu Qing Ju's eyes stared at his. Seeing his two eyes filled with emotion, she reached around his neck.
"En, you are mine."
Chapter One Hundred and Fifteen A Liberal Culture
Waking up in the morning, Qu Qing Ju looked beside her. The space had become empty, the light coming in through the windows. She rubbed her forehead as she got up. It seemed to be late in the morning.
The palace attendants waiting outside heard the noise from inside, and quickly came in with the washing tools. They served her to get out of bed and change. After everything was prepared, she then sat in front of the table to sedately eat the morning meal.
"Mu Jing, how many days until Cheng Wang Fei's confinement ends?" When the child was one month old, they would have a month-old banquet. She didn't need to personally go, but it would be good to prepare what she needed to give.
"About ten more days. Is niangniang worried about what to give for the month-old banquet?" Mu Jin handed over a handkerchief for Qu Qing Ju to wipe her hands and then a lotion for Qu Qing Ju to rub on. After entering autumn, the wind became stronger. If the hands weren't taken care off, they wouldn't look good after a few days.
"En," Qu Qing Ju rubbed her hands against each other and sighed, "The wives of the noble families, this back and forth isn't something easy. Any other person, I can hand off for someone else to do, but not Cheng Wang Fei." Thinking some more, she eventually had them prepare things that would help a woman recover and things that infants could use. For other people, she only had to give things that looked good. But she and Luo Wen Yao had some feelings between them, so she naturally had to repay her for her sincerity.
"Today's weather is good to take a walk." Qu Qing Ju thought for a second, "Let the nursemaid take His Highness Imperial Son out to walk as well."
Mu Jin hurriedly let the others prepare. She saw that the Empress' expression didn't seem right and couldn't resist asking: "Niangniang, should the phoenix carriage be prepared?"
"No need, we'll just walk outside," Qu Qing Ju stood to walk to the door. The warm sunlight spilled onto her body, making her dazed for an instant. She raised her head to look at the sky and turned back and saw that the nursemaid had already carried Tun Tun over. Smiling, she said: "Let's go."
When the Empress set out, even though there wasn't a troop of servants before and after her, there were still many attendants that followed. Even more, there were quite a few servants that were there to take care of Tun Tun. Qu Qing Ju walked over the white jade bridge over the lotus pond and entered the Imperial Gardens. Looking at the blooming chrysanthemums, she suddenly realized that autumn had really arrived.
Passing by a pavilion, Qu Qing Ju stopped walking. She turned back to look at that pavilion in the midst of the flowers, asking with a raised eyebrow: "Winter last year, didn't Han liangdi sing there for the Emperor?"
Mu Jin didn't know why the Empress would suddenly mention Han liangdi. She looked at the pavilion, nodding: "Niangniang, what is it?"
"Nothing," Qu Qing Ju sighed, seemingly in regret, "Just rueful. Almost a year has passed in the blink of an eye. Time passes so quickly."
"Niangniang doesn't have to think about these things," Mu Jin smiled as she supported Qu Qing Ju's wrist, "nubi heard the black chrysanthemums over there have flowered well. Do you want to see?"
"No, Tun Tun is still little, it's not good to be too close to the flowers," Qu Qing Ju pointed to a stone table near a fake mountain not far away, "Let's go sit there. We can also soak in some sun."
Tea and pastries quickly were put on the stone table. A soft cushion was put on the stone bench. Qu Qing Ju sat down on the bench. Seeing Tun Tun looked around at the surroundings with wide eyes, she knew that he was curious about the outside scenery so she let the nursemaid carry him to see the surroundings. Listening to his happy cries, she couldn't resist laughing: "Children are just children, anything can make them happy."
"His Highness is clever," Mu Jin put out a cup of hot tea for Qu Qing Ju then turned to give a hand bell to His Highness the Imperial Son. Seeing him happily grasp the hand bell, she remarked happily, "His Highness grips it so steadily and can wave it around. He really has strong wrists."
"Almost half a year old, it isn't strange that he can grasp things," Qu Qing Ju smiled as she informed, "Not long from now, he should be able to crawl."
Mu Jin smiled as she bowed: "Niangniang, don't laugh at nubi for making a fuss. Nubi thinks anything that His Highness does is good."
Qu Qing Ju laughed at her words. When she turned her head, she saw a procession that surprised her. She asked with a furrowed brow, "What is going on there?"
Mu Jin looked into the distance and saw Ming He leading some womenfolk around the Imperial Gardens. Most of the womenfolk were the furen of the envoys of the subordinate countries, but the princess from the country of Jing was also among them.
"Nubi will go ask," Mu Jin bowed, and turned to walk in the direction of Ming He and the others.
Because several of the furen of the officials and the princess had looked forward to seeing the Imperial Gardens of Da Long, Ming He had to, under the imperial order, serve them to tour the Imperial Gardens. But thinking about the rumors from outside about the princess of Jing and the Empress, his heart was bitter. If the Empress saw, he didn't know what would happen.
Just when he was thinking it inside, he saw Mu Jin coming over when he raised his head. He sighed inside, but forced a smile onto his face. He went forward a few steps, exchanging bows with Mu Jin: "Where is Mu Jin guniang coming from? The Empress can't be without your service."
"Ming He gonggong is exaggerating," Mu Jin smiled and looked at the womenfolk behind him. She gave a shallow bow: "Nubi Mu Jin greets everyone."
These women might not have recognized Mu Jin but all knew that there was a high ranked palace maid called Mu Jin that was especially favored by the Empress. Additionally, when they saw that Ming He's attitude towards Mu Jin was especially friendly, they were certain to Mu Jin's identity. Then they all gave slight smiles, and exchanged some pleasantries with Mu Jin using their basic knowledge of Da Long language.
"Because all the furen has never toured the Imperial Gardens, so nucai has been ordered by the Emperor to accompany the furen to walk the garden," Ming He said with a faint smile, "Didn't think to encounter Mu Jin guniang."
"Niangniang is drinking tea up front. She saw you leading the women into the garden so she let nubi come ask," Mu Jin's gaze swept in the direction of the princess of Jing, her smile not changing as she responded, "Since gongong is busy, I won't disturb any further." It seems that the Emperor didn't think much of the furen of the envoys. Otherwise the one receiving them wouldn't be Ming He. At the very least, it would be a noblewoman of some significant status or a furen from the Imperial House.
"Since the Empress is here, we should greet the Empress," The furen of the envoy from Dong Yu said in a respectful tone, "If it wasn't that the Hu Guo Princess that especially asked, we wouldn't have the good fortune to enter the palace for a tour. To greet the Empress, it is our good fortune."
Mu Jin smiled as she looked at the Dong Yu envoy's furen. This envoy's wife said what seemed to be a normal and casual sentence but in reality it was expressing goodwill towards the Empress. She followed with a smile, answering: "Nubi doesn't dare to make a decision. Please, honored guest, wait for nubi to inform the Empress."
Watching Mu Jin walk towards the fake mountain in the front, Dai Rong couldn't help looking more at the fake mountain. When her movements were spotted by Ming He's eyes, he thought scornfully, country ignoramuses are country ignoramuses. Just this kind of scheming, any palace maid in the hougong is stronger than her. It seems that the country of Jing was one generation worse than the previous.
When Qu Qing Ju heard Mu Jin's report, her brow slightly furrowed, "A special request from the princess of Jing?" Having said that, she couldn't resist snorting, "It seems that she is exceptionally interested in our Da Long's hougong. Alright, let them come. Ben gong wants to get to know this princess of Jing."
She looked at Tun Tun who was still playing with the handbell and said to the nursemaids: "Take Tun Tun back to the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace, don't let anyone casually near His Highness."
The nursemaids obediently left, not even turning to look back.
Hearing that the Empress was willing to see them, the wives of the envoys all gave smiles. They were highly ranked in their own countries, but compared with the noblewomen of Da Long, they weren't really anything. Once they came to the City of Jing, they carefully managed their speech and conduct. Whenever they met a noblewoman from one of the noble families, they were extremely courteous. The fact that the Empress was willing to meet them, it was a happy unexpected occurrence.
The procession followed in Mu Jin's footsteps next to the fake mountain when they saw a woman dressed in a white floor length dress embroidered with red flowers lazily sitting on the stone table. Her black hair was restrained in a beautiful and exquisite feitainji, all of her hair ornaments and jewelry were finely made. But what made them lose their focus the most wasn't the grand decorations, but the Empress' own composure and beauty. Just a glance was enough to make them feel inferior, but at the same time, they felt it was appropriate that the Empress of Da Long should be this noble and beautiful, that it was natural that they couldn't compete with the Empress. When they saw the Empress, they couldn't find any jealousy, only admiration and reverence.
"Chenfu is the furen of Dong Yu's prime minister, greets the honored Empress."
The womenfolk came up one by one to pay their respects to Qu Qing Ju. They all gave the full greetings of their own countries. Before their arrival, Qu Qing Ju had learned a basic understanding of their customs and politely allowed the womenfolk to take a seat.
"The country of Jing's Dai Rong greets the honored Empress," This was the first time that Dai Rong saw the Empress at such a close distance. She examined Qu Qing Ju from top to bottom. Even though she wasn't willing, she still had to admit that this Empress was somewhat beautiful.
"Hu Guo Princess doesn't have to be this courteous," Qu Qing Ju indicated for her to sit, "ben gong remembers you. Your dance in Luan He Hall was very beautiful."
"Didn't think that Empress would remember this one, this one isn't worthy," Dai Rong's face was full of bashfulness, "Coming to the Imperial Gardens for the first time and being able to encounter Empress, it really is our great fortune."
"You all like to mention fortune, but ben gong feels that it is destiny," Qu Qing Ju smiled as she raised a teacup, "Everyone, come taste our Da Long's tea. It isn't anything rare, but the taste is still good."
"Da Long's tea is worth a thousand gold in our countries, it is very valuable," The furen of the envoy from Dong Yu smiled as she took a drink, "The tea that the Empress has, it really is a rare and seldom one."
"If you like it, when you return, take some back," Qu Qing Ju smiled as she responded, "Coming from so far away to celebrate Emperor's birthday, it must have been hard."
"His Majesty the Emperor is brave and outstanding. To celebrate His Highness the Emperor's birthday, there is no hardship," Dai Rong put down the teacup, smiling and said, "His Majesty the Emperor is a god in my country of Jing. All the people of Jing would never find it hard for our gods."
"Ah," Qu Qing Ju raised an eyebrow at Dai Rong, "Then all of Jing is full of loyalty for my Da Long.
"Of course, my Jing's heart towards Da Long is like shining like the sun and moon," Dai Rong's eyes met Qu Qing Ju's, "this one believes that the honored His Majesty Jia You will be one of those wise rulers seen once in a thousand years.""
The two's eyes met in the air. Qu Qing Ju found that the other had a pair of beautiful eyes. She gave a faint smile: "As the Empress of Da Long, I'm very grateful for the loyalty that the people of Jing feels towards Da Long."
Da Rong followed: "So, as the Hu Guo Princess of Jing, I'm willing, for the honored His Majesty Jia You Emperor, to become his fei."
Qu Qing Ju laughed out loud. She had heard that the culture of country of Jing was extremely liberal, and the relationships between men and women were relaxed. Hearing Dai Rong's words today, she finally understood what a liberal culture was like.