Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen A Heavy Blow
The words of Dai Rong shocked many people. Especially Ming He. He felt his legs weaken. If he had known that this Hu Guo Princess was this bold, today, he wouldn't have done this. If the Empress thought that he had deliberately ushered the person in front of her, then would he have any more good days to live?
The furen of Dong Yu's envoy stared with shock and wide eyes. She used the teacup to conceal her open mouth. She couldn't resist looking at the Empress, how would the Empress resolve this matter?
Qu Qing Ju was slightly surprised at the actions of Dai Rong to recommend herself into the Emperor's bed, but she quickly calmed down. She had heard before about the liberal nature of the country of Jing. Even though she hadn't thought that this Dai Rong Princess would speak so blankly of the matter, but it wasn't as though she would lose her composure due to it. Elegantly putting down the teacup in her hands, she used a handkerchief embroidered with a beautiful design to wipe her lips: "Where does the Princess' words come from? If you are in love with the Emperor, why not tell him, instead of telling ben gong?"
"This one heard that the Empress of Da Long has the power to manage the hougong. Then the expansion of the hougong should be your duty. This one telling you of the matter, it should meet protocol," Dai Rong Princess stood from the bench and gave a full bow in the style of Da Long to Qu Qing Ju, "Dai Rong sincerely is in love with the Emperor and begs Empress to fulfill this request."
Dai Rong's actions were nothing but forcing the Empress to admit her position. At the side, Yin Liu and the others were gritting their teeth, but due to their status, they stood quietly at the side.
The other furen of the envoys from subordinate countries felt awkward inside. Many of them had heard the rumors from before but knew very well how suspicious the rumors were. But they hadn't thought that this Dai Rong Princess actually had an interest in His Majesty the Emperor of Da Long. Right now, they regretted coming with Dai Rong Princess to tour the gardens. Such an incident as this, they didn't know what expression was appropriate for this situation.
"Dai Rong Princess isn't wrong, ben gong has the power to expand the hougong," Qu Qing Ju smiled as she stood, looking from up high down at Dai Rong bent in front of her, "but ben gong is Emperor's wife, and naturally cannot neglect Emperor's wishes and randomly take other women into the palace. If Princess truly is in love with the Emperor, you should confess to Emperor. If Emperor is willing to take you into the palace, ben gong naturally is happy for the palace to have another woman to serve the Emperor."
Dai Rong didn't think the Empress would push the matter to His Majesty the Emperor. After a slight pause, she said: "If that's the case, then please, Empress, act on behalf of this one to express this true love to the Emperor. This one will thank Empress here and now." Finishing, she lifted her skirts and knelt. Even more, she put out a posture of prostration.
Ming He saw the princess of Jing's almost wretched-like actions and looked undetectably at the Empress. Right now, the Emperor should be leaving court. He didn't know if Xiao Gan Zi would manage to lead the Emperor over. If this matter wasn't solved correctly, it would blow up. Thankfully, the conduct of the Empress was steady and dependable. If one step was wrong, right
"If it is sincere, then why let others tell about it, wouldn't that tarnish that true feeling?" Qu Qing Ju went forward a few steps, reach a hand in front of Da Rong, and smiled widely, "Princess, please get up. The country of Jing might be a subordinate country of Da Long, but you are still a princess of a country, how can you give such a big greeting to ben gong?"
When the furen of Dong Yu's envoy heard it, she felt embarrassed on behalf of Dai Rong. The Empress' words mocked her for lowering her status and being shameless. A princess, regardless of how small the country was, it was still a country. Her conduct represented the country. Right now, she was kneeling and begging just so she could enter the hougong of Da Long to become a feipin. If the Queen of Jing knew of the conduct, what would she think?
Dai Rong had a high opinion of herself but she wasn't stupid. Naturally, she heard the implication in Qu Qing Ju's words. Looking at the hand that the other offered to her, she said in a respectful tone: "Don't dare to trouble Empress." And then she stood. She sighed somewhat tragically, "This one is a woman, when would there be a time to meet the honored His Majesty the Emperor. It's just a futile hope to expect to accompany him."
"Princess has only seen the Emperor only a few times, but lost her heart. It really is deep love, and ben gong is very shocked," Qu Qing Ju's face gave a few hints of mirth, was scornful yet proud, "If that's the case, why don't ben gong give you a chance for you to tell of your desires to the Emperor?" When she finished speaking, her eyes looked towards the side of the fake mountain. There, standing, was He Heng dressed in the black dragon robes. The other's face was so calm, it was scary.
Dai Rong seemed to detect that someone was behind her. When she turned to look, she hadn't thought it was the Emperor. She first stilled and then reacted, given a sweet smile and a graceful bow: "Greetings to the honored Your Majesty the Emperor."
The other furen of the envoys all followed in standing and making their bows. They were all married women and naturally knew how to read expressions. So it only took just a rough glance and they were able to see that the Emperor's expression wasn't too good, and seemed to be indistinctly angry.
The atmosphere seemed to returned back to when Dai Rong Princess recommended herself as a feipin. He Heng walked to sit down next to Qu Qing Ju. He glanced at the princess of Jing dressed seductively and said in a heavy tone: "Furen, please rise."
Dai Rong, who had been preparing to stand, swayed in her place. She hesitated but in the end still maintained her posture in greeting. He Heng didn't seem to have seen her, and exchanged a few words with the furen of the envoys before become silent and only drinking tea on the side.
The envoys' furen didn't know whether they should leave or sit at this time. They furtively looked at the princess of Jing who was still locked in her position and didn't dare to breathe. They were all minor subordinate countries. If they encountered any disasters, they had to rely on Da Long to give aid. No one dared to be disrespectful in front of Da Long's Emperor. Not to mention, even if the Emperor of Da Long found a reason to take one of their lives, they didn't dare to say anything.
Thankfully, the generations of Emperors of Da Long were not tyrannical, so these years, the subordinate countries had relatively peaceful days. But if they really made the Emperor angry, other than the fall of their country, they had no other road to walk.
Qu Qing Ju was also aware the atmosphere wasn't good and said: "Why did Emperor come over?"
"Zhen heard you came to walk in the garden and came to look," He Heng's tone softened greatly. He glanced at Qu Qing Ju and saw her expression was normal, and not angry due to the actions of the princess of Jing before he smiled and added, "Zhen will wait to eat the noon meal with you."
When the furen of Dong Yu's envoy heard this, she couldn't help but feel disdain towards Dai Rong. The Emperor and Empress of Da Long were in a harmonious relationship, but this Dai Rong Princess was greedy and vain, wanting to enter the hougong of Da Long. It really was both stupid and shameless. Right now, she was a princess of Jing, so the Empress was still courteous to her. If she became one of the feipin of the hougong, with the weak strength that Jing had, if the Empress wanted to sort her out, the Empress would not have the slightest concern while doing so.
"Just now, qie has heard something very touching from the princess of Jing. Is the Emperor interested in listening?" Qu Qing Ju looked cheerfully at He Heng, "after qie heard it, qie was extremely shocked."
"The successor for the country of Jing has already been settled. Due to the separation of genders, zhen and the princess of Jing, have nothing to discuss," He Heng put down the teacup, speaking icily, "Your Highness Princess, if your country has something to discuss with my Da Long, then please let your country's Crown Princess to have an audience."
"Emperor, this matter has nothing to do with state matters," Dai Rong looked at the frigid eyes of the Emperor of Da Long. She already felt regret inside, but since the words had been spoken, she had to continue, "It's this one that is in love with Emperor, and begs for Emperor to take pity."
Qu Qing Ju's eyebrows jumped and she raised a teacup to hide the corners of her lips that rose up.
"Zhen heard that the country of Jing is extremely liberal. Seeing the princess today, it does live up to the rumors," No pity was found in He Heng for the beauty of Dai Rong and her humble posture. He looked at her and said, "The love of the princess, zhen appreciates, but zhen is only in love with the Empress and has no intentions of taking another into the hougong."
"This one doesn't beg to be able to receive the Emperor's favor, but only to be able to serve Emperor," Dai Rong's eyes brimmed with tears as she looked at He Heng, "is that also not possible?"
"There are countless women in the world in love with zhen, so does zhen have to take pity and take them into the hougong?" He Heng's voice became forceful, "If zhen did so, it is not beneficial to oneself nor the person zhen is in love with. Zhen appreciates the intentions of the princess, but asks Princess not to mention this matter again in the future."
If the words were spoken more clearly, it would be "There's many women that like me in the world, but do I have to take all of them into the palace, isn't that disgusting myself?"
Dai Rong didn't think that when she had said those words, the Emperor would so ruthlessly reject her. He even compared her to other vulgar women, as though she wasn't different from other women.
She almost didn't dare to look at the faces of the other furen of the envoys. Because even without looking, she knew that they were laughing at her inside. Because the husbands of these women lost their focus after seeing her, and fawned over her. So these women were jealous of her, and hated her.
"Emperor, the Crown Prince of Jing asks for an audience, His Highness Cheng Wang asks for an audience." Qian Chang Xin seemed to have not seen this farce and with a peaceful expression walked over, disregarding Dai Rong on the way who was still kneeling on the ground.
"The Crown Prince of Jing?" He Heng glanced at Dai Rong. With a dark face, he responded, "Let the Crown Prince of Jing return. Tell him if the country of Jing still wants Da Long to continue to support them, then to show sincerity. Zhen doesn't lack for women, and even more, isn't interested in the women of Jing. Also, tell si di to wait in the Imperial study for zhen. Zhen will be there shortly."
Those words were like a heavy slap to Dai Rong's face. She didn't dare to think when the words reached the country of Jing, how the citizens would think of her. And didn't dare to imagine if the country of Jing was neglected by Da Long due to her, how bad the situation would be.
"If that's the case, then Ming He, continue leading these honored guests through the garden. Ben gong should be returning to the palace," Qu Qing Ju smiled as she stood, telling He Heng, "Since Emperor has other matters, then go early. Qie will wait for you to return to eat."
"Alright, zhen will be quick," He Heng lowered his head slightly at the envoys' furen before leaving with a procession of attendants behind him. From beginning to end, he didn't look again at Dai Rong.
Qu Qing Ju walked in front of Dai Rong, smiling as she said: "Princess, please stand. The Emperor is always like this, hope the Princess doesn't mind."
"This one doesn't dare," Dai Rong felt that even her bones were cold. She trembled with fear as she bowed to Qu Qing Ju, "Respectfully sending off Empress."
"En," Qu Qing Ju nodded and took Mu Jin's hands as she turned and walked away.
The furen of the envoys watched as the Emperor and Empress left, then scornfully looked at Dai Ron. One of the furen shook her head, remarking: "Aiya, such a pity."
A few others followed in laughing. The sound of laughter passed into Dai Rong's ears, piercing and nasty, but she was helpless.
The chapter title is a Chinese idiom that you can search up in Google. It refers to a shrewish wife bellowing, and the husband who is henpecked.
Have you guys forgotten some people? They come back~
Chapter One Hundred and Seventeen The Lioness from Hedong Roars
Sometimes, rumors spread very quickly. Such as the new rumor of the love and hate between Dai Rong Princess and Jia You Emperor. The main idea was that Dai Rong Princess coveted the prosperity of Da Long, and not wanting to return to the poor country of Jing, tried all she could to become one of the Emperor's feiqin. Even more extreme was that Dai Rong Princess recommended herself in front of the Emperor and Empress. But who knew that she was rejected multiple times by the Emperor. Due to her actions, the Emperor became dissatisfied with the country of Jing and even rejected the request from the Crown Prince of Jing for an audience.
There were others that said it was previously Dai Rong Princess who targeted the Empress and the honorable officials because she wanted to enter the palace as fei, so she specially spread rumors to blight the Empress' reputation.
In the subconsciousness of the people in the Jing City of Da Long, they looked down at the kind of small country that was Jing. Previously, when they gossiped about how exceptional Dai Rong Princess was, no one ever said that Dai Rong Princess was better than the Empress, they were only speculating that the Emperor wanted something fresh and fancied Dai Rong Princess.
When what had happened in the Imperial Palace reached the ears of the people of Da Long, there was an explosion. The princess of Jing was shameless, the Emperor didn't even want the princess when she recommended herself, she couldn't compare to a finger of the Empress. Maybe she had nothing inside, and wanted to grab onto their Da Long. Furthermore, others started to say that this princess of Jing had ulterior motives and wanted to enter the Imperial Palace of Da Long to give birth to a son and take Da Long's throne, to conquer Da Long's lands.
When Tu Er, wearing the attire of the country of Jing, came back to the guest palace from the outside, his face was extremely nasty. He angrily burst into Jiao Xiang Yuan and saw Dai Rong venting her temper at a maid. He shouted: "You still have the time to be angry, our Jing has been completely humiliated by you!"
"Don't shout at me, you aren't the ruler of Jing yet," Dai Rong had been embarrassed by He Heng and hadn't calmed down. After hearing Tu Er use a critical tone whilst speaking to her, the embarrassment inside turned into anger, "Don't think that because you are now the Crown Prince, you can order me around. It's too early for that!"
"I don't want to order you around," Tu Er angrily kicked aside the bench in front of him, pointing at Dai Rong, demanding, "But think of what you have done since you came into Da Long's Jing City. Has the prosperity of Da Long really blinded your eyes?"
"Yes, what's wrong if I'm blinded by Da Long's prosperity?" Dai Rong defended with red eyes, "I am the most beautiful woman of Jing, the most favored daughter of mother. Why can't I live the most luxurious life? The feipin of Da Long aren't as beautiful as me, why can't I enter the palace?"
"Because the Empress is stronger than you!" Tu Er shouted. Seeing his meimei refusing to change, his voice was frigid as he continued, "I already told you. The Imperial Couple of Da Long are deeply in love. The feipin in the hougong is nothing more than decorations. Comparing yourself to the feipin, that means you also know that you can't compare to Da Long's Empress."
"Where can I not compare with her?!" Dai Rong was furious, her voice growing in pitch, "Because she's from Da Long's nobility?"
"You're wrong. The Empress isn't Da Long's nobility," Tu Er scornfully looked at his meimei who thought herself clever. "When you and the Qin Clan allied to scheme against the Empress, didn't you ask about the Empress' birth? The Empress' mother died early, her father and stepmother were not loving and have been demoted and lost their home. Her family is a stain on her. But even so, the Emperor treats her the same. Even to the point, that on the coronation decree, he wrote that the Empress was peerless in the world and to have the Empress was a blessing from the heavens. But you, where did you get the confidence to think you were better than the Empress?"
Dai Rong shook her head as she rejected: "No, the Qin Family said that the Emperor treats the Empress well only because of the Tian Family, so it's impossible!
"The Tian Family has a good reputation but no real power. All they have was given to them by the Emperor. Did you think that Da Long's Emperor is a useless and stupid ruler?" Tu Er snorted, "My pitiful meimei, you were tricked by the Qin Family."
Dai Rong froze. A beat later, she looked in disbelief at Tu Er: "Why do you know so much about Da Long, you …" Did he already scheme for the position of Crown Prince beforehand, so that's why he knew so much about Da Long?
"You are finally smart for once," Tu Er saw that she had finally reacted and smiled as he walked in front of her, "I'm not like you, so spoiled by mother that I can't distinguish important matters from other ones. I understand better than you what is called circumstances, what is putting effort on crucial matters. Therefore, you lost, my pitiful meimei."
Dai Rong staggered. For what seemed to be the first time, she looked at her useless and average gege, but after looking at the other's slightly smiling face, she couldn't say anything.
In Tian Qi Palace, Qu Qing Ju smiled as she looked at the men and women kneeling by her feet. One of those in a worn sky-blue robe was a woman she was familiar with. She played with a jade scepter in her hands and sighed, lamenting: "Ben gong hadn't thought that your Qin Family was also involved in the rumors around Jing. If it wasn't for the Emperor's investigation, perhaps ben gong would still be in the dark." Speaking thus far, she turned to smile at He Heng sitting by her side, "Bai Lu at least was zhouli for two years with ben gong. The Qin Family is too ruthless."
"If the Empress wants to kill or torture, you don't need to say these things …" Before Qin Bai Lu could finish, her mouth was covered by a matron beside her. The matron kowtowed with a pale face, "This criminal woman hasn't taught her daughter properly. Please, Emperor and Empress, forgive her."
Qu Qing Ju watched as Qin furen kowtowed to plead for her daughter, yet Qin Bai Lu was still staring at her with a face full of hatred. She couldn't help but sigh; "Qin Bai Lu, ben gong just doesn't understand why you would hate ben gong. Ever since we met for the first time, it was always you who deliberately made things difficult for ben gong. When has ben gong ever schemed against you?"
Qin Bai Lu took away her mother's hand, and smiled scornfully: "It's natural that you don't understand why I hate you. But that year, if xiandi hadn't suddenly changed his decision when he decreed the marriages, our positions would be switched. The person sitting would be me, the person kneeling at the bottom would be you."
By this time, the members of the Qin Family were so frightened, their faces were the color of dirt. Qin furen didn't dare to stop her daughter's mouth anymore, and could only tremble as she knelt at the side.
When Qu Qing Ju heard something this hilarious, she instantly laughed out loud. She didn't have any more interest in talking with Qin Bai Lu. How strange was her brain that she would push all the misfortunes onto her. Qu Qing Ju did not believe that she herself had such great abilities. Or was it also her who'd ordered He Yuan to divorce Qin Bai Lu?
How xiandi decreed the marriage, it was xiandi who made the decision. Could she have forced xiandi to make a decision?
"Once, zhen only thought that the present Qin Family was just vulgar, but didn't think that they even didn't have no brains at all," He Heng, who had been silent the entire time, glared icily at Qin Bai Lu, "Just a thing like you dares to compare to Empress, it is laughable."
"But that year, if xiandi didn't marry her to Emperor, then she would be Rui Wang Fei. Even if I couldn't enter Emperor's eyes, she wouldn't be your woman," Qin Bai Lu's smile carried hate and insanity, "Do you think that I'm the only person like this? You're wrong. Even He Yuan is regretful about the decreed marriage. Right now, he's thinking about Emperor's good Empress!"
By now, the members of the Qin Family wanted to strangle Qin Bai Lu. If it wasn't for the furen of the head of the family, who was strong in her conduct, they wouldn't have tolerated a divorced woman living in their ancestral home. If they knew beforehand that she would say such insane things, do insane things, even if they had to start a conflict, they would have sent her away rather than let her drag down the entire clan.
He Heng's face was frigid as ice. No man was willing to hear about how his beloved woman was being thought of by another man. Furthermore, this man had nearly taken over his position.
"Have you ever heard of destiny?" Qu Qing Ju calmly looked at Qin Bai Lu, as though she was looking at a stray dog. "You said that xiandi changed the partners that we were decreed marriage to. That means, in xiandi's heart, I was the person most suited to Emperor, I am the woman fated for the Emperor. You can be jealous of ben gong, hate ben gong. Ben gong just received the Emperor's love. What can you do to me?"
Qin Bai Lu had pushed all of their conflicts onto He Yuan. Then, Qu Qing Ju would purposefully distort it into Qin Bai Lu being jealous of her receiving the Emperor's affections. The two matters seemed to be the same matter, but the feeling it gave others was quite different.
She wanted He Heng to know. The person she wanted to capture was him. The person she paid attention to was him. Only like this would there be no danger left hidden. It would even increase the trust and affection He Heng had towards her.
"Even the heavens helped ben gong, what do you have that can compare to ben gong?" Qu Qing Ju turned to look at He Heng. As expected, she saw that he was already smiling. She glared at him, mouthing "womanizer" before turning to declare at Qin Bai Lu, "You are discontent that you lost to ben gong, and cooperated with the princess of Jing to purposefully spread rumors to malign the reputations of me and the officials of Da Long. Such malicious aims. It's no wonder that even the heavens helped ben gong become the woman of the Emperor. If you had become the Empress of Da Long, wouldn't have the world fallen into chaos?"
"You!" Qin Bai Lu hadn't thought Qu Qing Ju would give such a speech. She opened her mouth to start cursing but Qin furen by her side unexpectedly threw a heavy slap on her face, throwing her onto the ground.
"Shut up!" Qin furen sobbed, "You faithless, unfilial daughter. Do you want to kill our entire family?"
Other than the crying of Qin furen, there were no other sounds in the hall. Qin Bai Lu covered her face, not looking at her own mother, but at the Emperor and Empress sitting in front of her, her eyes full of hate. Grabbing out the sharp silver hairpin out of her hair, she suddenly stood and rushed towards Qu Qing Ju.
"Niangniang!" On the side, Mu Jin was so frightened that she threw herself from behind Qu Qing Ju to halfway across Qu Qing Ju. There was a sound of porcelain breaking, and then she heard a smothered grunt from nearby. Then the entire hall started to make a racket.
Raising her head in puzzlement, she saw Qin Bai Lu lying on the side in a sorry state, the Emperor in front of the Empress, one of the corners of his robe creased.
"Emperor, are you alright?" Qu Qing Ju stood, her face fearful as she examined He Heng from top to toe. She released a breath, and then in a voice filled with anger, she shouted, "What are you doing, there's so many people, what are you doing in front of me?!"
The entire hall instantly became silent, all those that were shocked, that had been pushing Qin Bai Lu down, been asking for mercy. At one point, it was as though their necks were being strangled so that they were unable to make a sound.
"There's so many people in the hall, who let you go in front of me, showing off how long your legs are?! Ah! Do you not have regard for your life, who needed you to save me, I'm not an idiot, would I have just sat for her to stab?! Do you have brains?! Ah!"
Mu Jin stared with wide eyes and mouth at the Empress flipping out. As she watched the Emperor unconsciously step back as the Empress ranted at him, her shoulders couldn't help but shake as she swallowed.
At the side, Qian Chang Xin, Ming He and the others also stood with dumbstruck eyes. Who had seen the Empress be so valiant?! Who had even seen the Empress scold the Emperor? As the personal attendants of the Emperor, they should stop the finger that the Empress was poking onto the Emperor's chest, should reproach the Empress for her disrespectful conduct, but … for some reason, they didn't dare speak, and didn't dare to even breathe loudly.
"Go away!" Qu Qing Ju kicked aside the head of the Qin Family who had been kneeling at the very front, scolding, "They all said your Qin Family is an educated family, but look at what you've done. No sense of propriety, uncivilized conduct, disloyal, and immoral. Calling the Qin Family an educated family, it brings shame to the word educated! Qin Bai Lu's outrageousness, it was all because of how you all spoiled her!"
After the Qin Family was criticized, they finally managed to react. All of them banged their heads on the ground, begging for the Emperor to spare their lives. For their family to have someone who'd tried to kill the Empress, that was a serious crime worthy of killing off their nine generations.
"Qing Ju…" He Heng reached out to hold Qu Qing Ju's hands and discovered her hands were slightly trembling. He gave an ingratiating smile, "Don't be angry, don't be angry. Anger is bad for your health."
Qu Qing Ju pushed away his hand, directly sitting back on the chair. She picked up a teacup and lowered her head to drink, not looking at him again.
Qian Chang Xin and Ming He silently retracted their left foot which they had mustered up the courage to extend out. Since even the Emperor who had been scolded was full of smiles, as servants, what could they say?
But the Empress when she was angry was really too frightening. Not even the roars of the lioness from He Dong could compare.
"The daughter of Qin Family is of ill conduct and dared to kill the Emperor and Empress. Heaven itself will not tolerate such behavior. Capital punishment will occur in three days." He Heng saw Qu Qing Ju was refusing to acknowledge him and sat down beside her, ordering in an icy voice, "The Qin Family didn't teach their daughter well, reckless and dared to slander Empress and officials of court. All are to be jailed and sentenced at a later date."
"Spare us Emperor!" Before the members of the Qin Family could plead for mercy, others covered their mouths and dragged them down. As for Qin Bai Lu who tried to kill Qu Qing Ju, she had been kicked unconscious by He Heng and didn't stir when she was dragged off."
"Leave," He Heng looked at the interior of the hall and waved his hand. After everyone else had left, he gathered Qu Qing Ju in his arms, "Don't be angry, I know that you were worried about me."
"Who's worried about you?!" Qu Qing Ju pushed him. Seeing that it was futile, she didn't waste any more energy, allowing him to embrace her.
"A silver hairpin, even if it entered the body, wouldn't be fatal. Furthermore, as I once said to you, I practiced martial arts. Would I have no way of dealing with a woman?" He Heng gently patted her back, "You already scolded me, so don't be angry, alright?"
"What would have happened if it hit your organs?" Qu Qing Ju frowned as she declared, "I don't want to be a widow so young!"
"Alright, I know I was wrong. Don't be angry. Let's go see Tun Tun, he's certainly missing us." Even though he had been scolded, He Heng felt happy. If it wasn't out of concern for him, based on Qing Ju's normal behavior, she wouldn't have acted so inappropriately.
It was somewhat useless point, but this feeling was still really … refreshing.
"All of you take care to control your mouths," Qian Chang Xin looked at the palace maids and taijian who'd came out of the hall. Even if they were all close attendants of the Emperor and Empress, he still had to say the words, "If there is the slightest leak of what happened, you don't need what's on your necks any more."
Everyone gave their agreement. Mu Jin looked with trepidation at the hall behind her, and couldn't resist wiping the fine sweat on her forehead.
Empress was really very …amazing!
Chapter One Hundred and Eighteen
The Qin Family was imprisoned, and the eldest di daughter of the Qin Family who had once been Rui Wang Fei was decreed to be beheaded. Many people were speculating that this outcome, in addition to the fact that Qin Bai Lu had tried to kill the Empress, was related to the previous rumors that had been spread throughout Jing.
But disregarding all that, it was true that the conduct of the Qin Family in recent years had gradually lost the literary and scholarly style of the educated families. There were even some storytellers who said that the present head of the Qin Family was a shame on the ancestors of the Qin Clan.
Some reminisced on the conduct of the Qin shi in the past. When they returned, they used the matter of the Qin Family to teach their descendants so they did not walk the same road as the Qin Family.
When Dai Rong heard that Qin Bai Lu was to be publicly beheaded, she was so scared that she didn't dare to step outside. More than anyone, she knew as to what had really happened. In the beginning, when she and Qin Bai Lu had plotted to wreck the reputation of the Empress, Qin Bai Lu had told her many things about the hougong of Da Long. She hadn't thought that this matter would be uncovered so quickly and that Qin Bai Lu, the mastermind, couldn't even keep her own life.
On the day of Qin Bai Lu's execution, the autumn air was refreshing and many came out to watch. But until the moment just before she was executed, no one had come to send her off.
She looked blankly at her surroundings, and suddenly saw a man on a white horse behind the crowds. She stilled, tears suddenly streaming out of her dull eyes. At thirteen, her heart had moved for this man; at fifteen, she had married him; at seventeen, she had been divorced by him; at the moment before death, the one she saw was still him.
The black cloth covered her eyes. She twisted her head, wanting to have one more glance at him. In the end, she couldn't escape the executioner blocking her eyes. She heard the sound of cursing and mockery. Even though she concentrated, she didn't hear his voice.
That year at the palace banquet, if she didn't encounter him, that would have been good.
The only thing to blame was that at that time, she was too young, and that the stunning beauty of He Yuan had taken her time.
Maybe, who she really hated wasn't Qu Qing Ju or Qu Yue Su. All her hate, it really came from discontent, the discontent she had towards him. If a person could live their life again, she would become a normal woman, marry a normal man. Either rich or poor, but at least she could receive a portion of feelings that belonged to her.
Just like Qu Qing Ju, who had a man that protected her, and someone she could rely on for an entire lifetime.
"It's time, proceed!"
The noon gold sun shone off the blade the executioner raised, scattering bits of silver light. The brawny man took a mouthful of liquor and blew it over the large blade. Then he slowly raised it, and swung down hard.
A smile appeared at the corner of Qin Bai Lu's lips, as though she once again saw the bright youth at the palace banquet. Then, the world plunged into darkness.
The hand that He Yuan held the reins with, tightened and then slowly relaxed. He pulled on the reins to turn the horse, not looking at the executioner's platform. He gave a sigh, ordering: "He Fu Er, get someone to bury her properly."
When people were executed, if there was no family to take their corpse, they would be thrown into a mass burial ground in the end. Although he didn't have feelings for her and in the end, there was only mutual dislike, He Yuan hadn't reached the stage where he could see his former woman die without a coffin.
He Fu Er saw his master's expression wasn't well and hurriedly indicated for the people behind him to collect Qin Bai Lu's body, "Wang ye, the sun is fierce right now. Let's return to the fu."
He Yuan raised an eyebrow at him: "Let's go."
He Fu Er rushed up to take hold of the reins, guiding the horse in the direction of the jun wang fu. When he was going to turn around a corner, he couldn't resist turning back to look at the executioner's platform that was now cleared of the crowd. A person executed at noon. After being shone at by such a strong sun, even the soul might have disappeared.
But attempting to kill the Empress, she really had courage. No wonder the Emperor would give out such a decree. She really did it to herself. It was lucky that wang ye had divorced her a long time ago. Otherwise, even the jun wang fu would have been affected by her.
Dai Rong didn't dare to go to the place where Qin Bai Lu had been executed. Hearing that Qin Bai Lu's corpse had been collected by people from Rui Jun Wang Fu, she sat restlessly in her room. If someone walked outside her room, she became so scared that she would tremble.
The Emperor would even order to execute a daughter of a noble family like Qin Bai Lu. If he found evidence of her participating in the rumors, what would be her outcome, and would the country of Jing also be involved?
She now regretted working together with Qin Bai Lu. How dumb was she to believe the words of a woman who had been divorced by the Imperial House?
After taking a drink of cold tea to suppress the terror in her heart, as the teacup left her lips, Dai Rong saw her maid push open the door and come in with a face full of panic to report: "Princess, His Majesty the Emperor of Da Long summons you and Crown Prince."
The teacup in her hand dropped to the floor. Dai Rong stood up in fright. Through the doorway, she could see a taijian of Da Long standing outside. She staggered and forced out a smile: "Wait for me to change…"
"Please, Princess, don't waste time. Emperor and Empress are both very busy. Princess should hurry to enter the palace." Qian Chang Xin walked inside, his face expressionless as he whipped the duster in his hand, "Princess, please."
Dai Rong recognized him as the personal taijian of the Emperor of Da Long and didn't dare to offend him. She forced a smile and followed Qian Chang Xin out of the room. When she went outside, she saw Tu Er was also wearing his normal clothes, his expression unwell.
"Crown Prince, Princess, please," Qian Chang Xin raised an eyebrow, "Don't make the Emperor wait."
Seeing Qian Chang Xin's attitude, the uneasiness Dai Rong had inside grew even more until she couldn't seem to breathe.
When they had entered the Imperial Palace and they followed Qian Chang Xin and the others into Tian Qi Palace, Dai Rong could hear the sounds of the Emperor and Empress talking from outside the door. After Qian Chang Xin went in to report, the sounds of conversation stopped. She walked in amidst the cold stares of the palace maids and taijian in the surroundings.
Qu Qing Ju was playing with a kaleidoscope. Seeing Dai Rong and Tu Er enter, she handed to the kaleidoscope to a palace maid and resumed a proper sitting posture. After the two made their greetings, she only drank tea silently, allowing He Heng to converse with the two of them.
"Zhen heard that Hu Guo Princess was very close to Qin shi, what does Princess have to say?" He Heng looked coldly at Tu Er and Da Long. Just one sentence was enough to frighten the two into kneeling on the ground. He looked at the two people kneeling in front of him, his expression still ugly, "In the past, the country of Jing was one of the subordinate countries that Da Long put importance on, but your conduct has made zhen extremely disappointed."
When Tu Er heard the words, his face became scared. He quickly made a full bow, replying: "The honored His Majesty the Emperor, my Jing's loyalty to you can be seen by the heavens. Please, Your Majesty, don't lightly believe the rumors!"
"Whether or not it's just rumor, both of you should know very well" He Heng thought about the rumors that had gone through the city of Jing and what Qin Bai Lu had done, his brow furrowing, "Zhen only wanted to hear how the country of Jing will give my Da Long an explanation."
Tu Er's forehead already had sweat forming. He gritted his teeth and gave a kowtow: "Your Majesty, we are willing to increase our tribute by two-tenths to show our loyalty to Da Long."
"My Da Long doesn't lack for those kind of things," He Heng coldly sneered, "If zhen's Empress and the court officials had been harmed by the rumors, even if the country of Jing was flattened, it still wouldn't calm zhen's anger!"
"Please, Your Majesty, don't be angry!" Tu Er's sweat slid down his face to land on the ground but he didn't dare to raise a hand to wipe. He went forward two steps, begging, "Chen's sister is ignorant, please, Your Majesty, have mercy! Please have mercy!"
Qu Qing Ju looked at the sorry state of Tu Er. Even Tu Er was calling himself a subject in front of them. It could be seen that Tu Er had no other solutions left. She hadn't wanted to join this matter, but He Heng had to call her over. Reality proved it, she didn't like seeing others kowtowing to her.
"Your Majesty, all the wrongs are this subject's wrongs. It was this subject that was greedy for the wealth of Da Long, and has nothing to do with the people of Jing. Please, Your Majesty, spare the people of Jing. Dai Rong is willing to endure all of the punishment," Dai Rong thought about how poor the country of Jing was. They couldn't bear the pressure of a tribute that was two-tenths higher. Even if she didn't want to admit it, she had to confess that she had done something wrong, "Please, Emperor, spare Jing. Jing is a poor place. Our people have no more strength to endure war and increased yearly tributes."
Hearing that, Qu Qing Ju looked again at Dai Rong. At this critical time, this Hu Guo Princess wasn't stupid to the bone and finally knew how to protect her people.
In reality, how many people in the world could resist the temptation of wealth and prosperity?
He Heng looked indifferently at the pair of siblings, entirely unmoved. This was between countries. His priority was protecting the interests of his country before he had the time to divide some sympathy to other people. He was the Emperor of Da Long, not the Emperor of the country of Jing.
Their standpoints were different, so how would there be sympathy?
"Since Princess knows that the country of Jing cannot stand zhen's rage, then why do such a daring thing?" He Heng threw what had been discovered in front of the two siblings, "If zhen ordered the army to Jing, it is for your crimes, Hu Guo Princess."
Dai Rong didn't dare to look at those things, only fearfully begged: "This subject was possessed, this subject is willing to be punished. Please, Emperor, spare the people of Jing." She didn't want to think about it. If Da Long really sent their army, how would mother and the people of Da Long look at her. Would it be disappointment? Anger? Or would it be hatred?
"Emperor, this subject is willing to use her life to apologize for the offense. Please, Emperor, spare the innocent people!" Dai Rong knelt with a straight body, looking at the exceptional yet ruthless Emperor. There was no sign of the initial seductiveness on her face now. She looked at Qu Qing Ju who had been silently drinking tea and walked towards her on her knees. Dai Rong gave a heavy kowtow, "This subject was ill-mannered and offended the Empress. Please, Empress, give punishment."
Qu Qing Ju looked down at Dai Rong for losing her composure in her greed for prosperity, was offended by her and Qin Bai Lu for spreading rumors to slander her. But right now, Dai Rong seemed to have given everything up, and became the country of Jing's Hu Guo Princess, willing to use her death to make up for her mistakes rather than harm her people.
People who knew their wrongs were more soothing to the eyes than people who stubbornly didn't change even into death. The most important factor was that Dai Rong was a princess of the country of Jing, and not one of Da Long's citizens. One Jing was easy to deal with, but if other subordinate countries started to rebel due to this matter, then even if it wasn't hard for Da Long to deal with all the countries, it still wasn't a good thing.
An unnecessary war happening to the common people, it was a disaster.
"Emperor, why don't we send a letter to the Queen of Jing about the matter and let her give an explanation to our Da Long?" Qu Qing Ju put down the teacup and opened, "The matter has already passed, I don't want a war to start because of me."
He Heng sighed: "But if the rumors had really caused bad consequences, then what?"
"I know the intentions of the Emperor," Qu Qing Ju smiled, "I'm a lazy person. I don't like to care about what's happening at court, but I know one thing, the people are the ones who suffer in wars."
A beat later, He Heng nodded: "Zhen understands what you wish for. This matter will be handed to the Queen of Jing so she may give an explanation to Da Long."
The historian at the side recorded the actions of the Emperor and Empress, "The tenth month of the first year of Jia You, the princess of Jing offended the Empress, the Emperor was angry and wished to raise an army against Jing. The Empress urged against, saying that the people suffered in war. The Emperor heard this, and the anger disappeared."
Chapter One Hundred and Nineteen The Song Ends, The People Leave
At the end of the tenth month, the weather was already very cold. Each of the subordinate countries were preparing for their journey back to their own countries, so before departure, Da Long held a banquet and invited all the envoys from the subordinate countries.
He Heng didn't mention the matter of the country of Jing again in front of Qu Qing Ju. She didn't ask either. There wasn't a rule in Da Long that the hougong couldn't participate in politics but she was very clear of her own limitations. A person who couldn't even finish memorizing "The Art Of War", it was better if they didn't go out into the world to wreck the people.
She had been a manager in her previous life. She knew how to use the desires of other people. Knew how to grasp another to benefit herself. This was the little smarts that belonged to her. But she was self-aware and knew what she was good at, and what she wasn't.
Just like when Feng Zi Jin took advantage of Han liangdi to harm her, she went along with the plan and used it to take care of a woman who was constantly scheming against her. Shu guitaifei had already moved out of the hougong, the two Empress Dowagers were at odds with her so how could they allow Shu gui taifei's people to remain in the palace?
The fact that Shu gui taifei had been implicated in the matter was due her scheming in the background but the greatest influence came from the two Empress Dowagers. They simply used Feng Zi Jin and Han liangdi to pull Shu gui taifei into the mud, to make her life worse than death.
She had guessed the intentions of the two Empress Dowagers so she allowed Feng Zi Jin to pull the crime onto her body, and then watched as she dug her own grave and lost her life.
What person, after they'd developed, would still tolerate their opponent who'd once bullied them? History had the story of the "human swine"[i], here, there was the living lesson that was Shu gui taifei.
As she sat in the phoenix carriage and passed by the pavilion Han liangdi once sang in, Qu Qing Ju tightened her arms around Tun Tun. Her eyes steadily became calm. She wouldn't allow herself to fall to the end that Shu gui taifei got!
"The Empress has arrived!"
Passing through the main doors of Luan He Hall, the vermillion phoenix robe slid silently across the carpet. She disregarded the envoys kneeling on both sides with the officials. Walking to the bottom of the nine jade steps, she bowed to He Heng: "Greetings to the Emperor."
"Quickly rise," He Heng stood from the dragon chair. Seeing Qu Qing Ju walk up the jade stairs, he held her hand to sit down. Qu Qing Ju turned to look at the people still kneeling, announcing: "Everyone, please rise."
"Thanks, Emperor. Thanks, Empress."
Qu Qing Ju smiled and tilted her head. After the people stood, she took away her gaze and turned to stare at He Heng. She continued: "Having made everyone wait, ben gong will self-penalize with a cup." She raised the plum wine in front of her, and using her sleeve to hold the winecup, she threw her head back to drink.
No one really dared to let the Empress drink a cup as penalty like that and followed in raising their own cups to drink. The Emperor had arrived first but he wasn't angry at the Empress' actions. They don't have to meddle in other people's business even more.
"Zhen's son was just crying in Fu Shou Palace. The Empress had no other way but to turn back," He Heng explained with a smile, "It's the duty of parents. Once the child is crying, we can't sit still."
Fu Shou Palace. That was the place that Shengmu Empress Dowager lived. His Highness Imperial Son was crying unstoppably over there, did something happen? If it had just been normal crying, would the Empress make a special trip there?
Everyone felt that something was fishy about the matter. However, after seeing that the Emperor and Empress looked normal, they presumed that it wasn't a major incident and smiled as they took up the topic of childrearing. Even the officials who didn't interact with their own children usually suddenly seemed to become a multi-talented househusband, as though they had personally raised their children.
The mood of the banquet instantly rose. The dancing and songs continued. People toasted and changed cups. It was very harmonious.
He Heng asked quietly at Qu Qing Ju's ear: "Are the two Empress Dowagers alright?"
"Just a shock," Qu Qing Ju raised a winecup. She had a smile but her words were cold, "The people of muhou were cautious. Those things had been found before they could get near Tun Tun. This person of Shu gui taifei hid too deeply, even the two muhou hadn't found them out."
Originally when she had been preparing to travel to the farewell banquet at Luan He Hall, she had met Ding mama of Fu Shou Palace right as she came out of the door to notify her of the matter. Immediately, she lost interest in Luan He Hall and turned to travel to Fu Shou Palace.
The two Empress Dowagers were women who were skilled, and they'd quickly found the person, even uncovering the fact that Shu gui taifei was behind it. She hadn't thought that even though Shu gui taifei had been sent to the Imperial Tomb, she was discontented ehough to have planned such a major attack before leaving.
"What were the things found?" He Heng's face became dark.
"Some dirty blood. It must have been the bloodstains of a person seriously ill. But I'm afraid that Shu gui taifei's person didn't know that anything Tun Tun uses, I'll get them to inspect even a handkerchief before usage," Qu Qing Ju smirked, "I heard that Shu gui taifei's life at the Imperial Tomb is extremely lavish. Since she's so dissatisfied, I have already ordered for them to decrease her allowance, and that each year except for the Mid-autumn Festival, no one is allowed to disturb her peace. When a woman gets old, if her temper is still so fiery, then she needs peaceful days to calm her emotions. I think that Shu gui taifei will soon know how good peaceful days are."
A destitute lifestyle, the people were all dumb and deaf. She wanted to see how Shu gui taifei will live in the future. If she died, that was letting her off too easy. If she couldn't make Shu gui taifei understand what regret was, how would she be at ease?
He Heng heard the meaning in her words and didn't expand further on the topic. He knew just how fierce women were when they were protecting their children. Just like in the past when muhou had protected him using every scheme so that no one could hinder them.
"To hear the Imperial Words and see the Honored Your Majesty the Emperor, and to see the prosperity of Da Long, it wasn't a wasted journey. Envoy of Duo Han, Ah Ji Ka wishes for Da Long to flourish for a thousand years," As the envoy for Duo Han, Ah Ji Ka knew he wasn't favored by Da Long so he put his own status very low when he entered the city of Jing this time in hopes that the people of Da Long believed that Duo Han was sincere in their allegiance to Da Long.
"Many thanks to Ah Ji Ka da ren's lucky words," He Heng raised a winecup towards Ah Ji Ka and took a sip of wine.
Ah Ji Ka saw him drink the wine he toasted and his face became joyful: "Chen represents the people of Duo Han and toasts you. The loyalty of my Duo Han to Da Long can be witnessed by the heavens." He threw his head back and drained the cup. Then he flipped the cup. Not a drop spilled out, "If Duo Han betrays the oath, then let the Heavens send down disasters to punish us."
"Zhen receives the loyalty of the people of Duo Han," He Heng smiled as he finished off the wine in his cup, "Zhen will remember Ah Ji Ka's oath today."
After Ah Ji Ka sat down, he looked smugly at Tu Er and Dai Rong sitting below him. With the actions of this Dai Rong Princess beforehand, his Duo Han wasn't the most horrid subordinate country in the hearts of the people of Da Long. It seemed that he should be grateful to this beautiful princess.
Dai Rong saw the smug smile on Ah Ji Ka's face and a grimace appeared on her own. She raised her head to look at the Emperor and Empress sitting at the top of the nine jade stairs. It was these two people who made her understand what was really regret, what was fear and what was prosperity.
At last, her gaze landed on He Heng's smiling face. To this young emperor, her heart had really moved. Humane, kind, charismatic, and full of true love for the Empress. But it was a pity that the true love didn't belong to her.
Tu Er saw his meimei was still gazing at the Emperor of Da Long and demanded with a frown: "Meimei, haven't you given up yet?"
Dai Rong grimaced: "There's no giving up. From beginning to end, he never even properly looked at me." It was this man who made her understand that not everyone loved her. Maybe the reason that the people of the country of Jing loved her that much, aside from her beauty, was her identity.
She was a princess of the country of Jing. Even if she might not be the future ruler of Jing, but she was still a hope for the future of Jing. She received their devotions but what she had wanted was the prosperity of Da Long. If the people of the country of Jing knew of her actions, how disappointed would they be?
She should be grateful to the Empress of Da Long. If it wasn't for this exceptional Empress, she might not be able to sit in this hall, and the country of Jing would be expecting the iron hoof of Da Long.
Stupidity once in a lifetime was enough. Her position didn't allow for her to keep being stupid, and even more, continue to make mistakes. Otherwise, the result might be the damnation of Jing.
"This subject toasts the honorable Empress a cup, and wishes for the Empress and Emperor's love to be stronger than gold and everything be smooth," Dai Rong stood and raised a winecup at Qu Qing Ju, "This subject is grateful for the honorable Empress for giving this subject the chance to grow up. Please, Empress, receive this subject's sincere bow." She made a bow towards Qu Qing Ju that in Jing, carried the meaning of goodwill and respect, and then drained the wine.
Qu Qing Ju looked at Dai Rong below. In just a few days, this Hu Guo Princess had rapidly grown up. She couldn't see a hint of the past self. It was like a fragile and spoiled girl had become a strong woman. Not many people could make such a change. Was it Qin Bai Lu's death that shocked her awake? Or was it the lives of the people of the country of Jing that made her understood what was responsibility?
But no matter what, Qu Qing Ju accepted Dai Rong's toast. She smiled and raised a winecup, responding: "Every person has a time when they are wrong. The crucial part is whether or not they could turn back, if they could understand. Ben gong hopes for the friendship between Da Long and the country of Jing to continue for a long time, and the people of Jing to live long and secure lives."
"Many thanks for the lucky words of the honorable Empress. My Jing, generation after generation, will always be loyal to Da Long!" Dai Rong's eyes became red. She knew that this was the Empress promising that Da Long wouldn't send soldiers into Jing. She switched for another cup of wine and unhesitatingly drank it down.
On the day the envoys left, the autumn winds were blowing and wild chrysanthemums were blooming all over the suburbs of the city of Jing. Qu Qing Ju and He Heng stood on the tall city gates, watched as the envoys made a three bow nine kowtow greeting to them before gradually leaving in the carriages. The carriages slowly went further away, and disappeared into the horizon.
Qu Qing Ju brushed aside the hair that had been blown free by the wind. She sighed, stating: "The song ends, people leave, flowers blooming over the entire city so it isn't that lonely."
He Heng saw her expression was slightly depressed and held her hand to lead her down off the tower: "Some people leave, some come. It's all good when we are still at the original place."
Qu Qing Ju turned to look at him, a clean smile at the corner of her lips. It was faint, but very real.
[i] 人彘: The "human swine" is the story of the Consort Qi. Emperor Gaozu, the founder of the Han Dynasty was extremely favoured and her son a contender for the throne. Consort Qi tried to persuade the Emperor many times to crown her son and her ambitions were well known. Empress Lu (who also had a son) was her opponent. In the end, the court supported Empress Lu's son who succeeded the throne and Prince Ruyi had to leave for his own lands as wang. However, Empress Lu, now Grand Empress Lu, wanted mother and son dead. Her own son, the new Emperor, kept his brother, Prince Ruyi, with him constantly to prevent his mother from putting in poison or assassination attempts but ultimately failed. Then the Grand Empress chopped off Consort Qi's limbs, took out her eyes, sliced off her ears, and ruined her voice before putting her in a latrine.
This is technically the last chapter, but there are three epilogues so there is more to read.
Feng and huang are the male and female mytical birds that make up fenghuang so feng seeking huang is actually a man pursuing a woman.
Chapter One Hundred and Twenty Feng Seeks Huang
When the plum blossoms of Da Long were just blooming, snow the size of goose feathers began to land in the city of Jing. The entire Jing city was enveloped in a layer of silver silk. Qu Qing Ju, dressed in a fox skin coat, stood under the leaves and reached out to hold the icy snowflakes.
Watching the snow fall, she didn't seem to be as excited as she once had been. It was like anything else beautiful. No matter how beautiful, it was just like normal once one got used to it. She took her hand back and focused on the snowflake on her hand. It did seem to have six petals and was extremely beautiful upon inspection.
She used a handkerchief to wipe away the snowflake on her hands and grasped a hand pot, "It's Rui Wang's wedding tomorrow. Nothing can go wrong with what is to be bestowed tomorrow."
"Niangniang don't worry, nubi has already closely inspected them," Mu Jing saw the Empress wasn't trying to catch snowflakes anymore and put up an umbrella to block the flying snowflake for her. In a small voice, she suggested: "Niangniang, the wind is heavy here, let's go back."
Qu Qing Ju nodded. She pulled on the red fox skin cape on her body and slowly walked into the vermillion corridors. The palace boots made muffled sounds as they stepped on the stone slabs. She expressionlessly travelled through the long corridors, past a moon door, saw the taijian that was sweeping the snow, and having finally learned to disregard their distorted backs, and sat down on the comfortable and grand phoenix carriage.
"Proceed!"
The phoenix carriage swayed slightly and then started to slowly move. As they travelled through a patch of plum trees, she pushed aside the silk curtain and saw the a branch of red plum blossoms peeking out from the walls. She could barely detect the faint scent of the plum flowers. The phoenix carriage slowly proceeded. In her vision, that blooming red plum flower gradually distanced itself and then it couldn't be seen.
She suddenly felt depressed, and put down the curtain. For some reason, she suddenly remembered the instant when she first opened her eyes in this world. A painting of red plum blossoms had been hanging on the wall. The writing of the woman at the corner of the art had been graceful and refined, just like the plum flowers in that yard. Not as grand as other flowers, but there was a delicate fragrance.
"Greetings to the Empress," The speed of the phoenix carriage slowed. Qu Qing Ju heard a somewhat familiar voice. When she lifted the curtain, she saw a woman bent beside the phoenix carriage. After a second, she finally responded, giving a faint smile and acknowledging: "Luo guipin, please rise."
"Many thanks to Empress," Luo Yin Xiu straightened her body. She didn't stare at Qu Qing Ju's face, only submissively looking at the ground.
"It's so cold out, why isn't guipin travelling on a step-carriage?" Qu Qing Ju looked at the worn fur cape on her body. Her brow furrowed and then she ordered, "Huang Yang, go take a look in the Department of Household Affairs and see if they slighted guipin. If someone was reckless enough to shortchange their superiors, then it's thirty blows."
Luo Yin Xiu bowed again: "Thanks for Empress' concern. Pinqie is fine."
Qu Qing Ju understood the rules of the palace very well. Gaze at the higher ups and step on the low ones. Flattering those who were favored. In the time of xiandi, they even dared to short-change the Empress, more less Luo Yin Xiu who had no favor or power. Thinking about it, she said in a slightly heavy voice: "The carriage, furnishings and food that a third-rank guipin should have, ben gong believes the people of the Department of Household Affairs should understand. Huang Yang, go tell them. If they can't figure out those things, they don't need to stay in their duties."
"Yes," Huang Yang performed a bow and then another to Luo Yin Xiu before leaving.
"It's late, I should return to the palace, guipin should return too," Qu Qing Ju gazed at Luo Yin Xiu's docile manner and put down the curtain, blocking off the gaze Lui Yin Xiu raised.
The phoenix carriage travelled away. The yahuan beside Luo Yin Xiu, Shu Wen, watched as the carriage became fuzzy in the snow and moved the umbrella over Luo Yin Xiu's head, commenting in a small voice: "Zhuzi, Empress is still this warm to others."
Luo Yin Xiu turned her head to look in the direction the phoenix carriage was travelling. Over there was the Tian Qi Palace of the Emperor and Empress. She gave a slightly indifferent smile and sighed, remarking: "If I want to easily live out the rest of my life, the only one I can rely on is the Empress." So, she would deliberately wear old clothing to encounter the Empress at this place so the Empress could understand her circumstances.
The days of the hougong were difficult. It was lucky that she encountered an Empress that was relatively kind. If it was anyone even a bit more callous, she didn't know what her days would be like.
The character for "happiness" was pasted all over Rui Jun Wang Fu. The guest streamed in. Even those Rui Jun Wang had fallen in power, but this marriage had been decreed by the Emperor. If they didn't come to congratulate, wouldn't it become embarrassing the Emperor?
But what they found unexpected was that Rui Jun Wang didn't refuse any of the toast. After the wedding banquet, he was almost completely drunk. Thankfully, the guests remembered that Rui Jun Wang was the groom. Along with Cheng Wang's protection, they didn't dare to make it too extreme.
He Qi had never been at peace with He Yuan. He watched as He Yuan drank as though it was water, not wine and scoffed. If he didn't know better, he would have thought his good didi was drinking away his sorrows. He glanced at lao si who was blocking wine for lao san and sighed. Who would have thought that lao si would have become the second proudest person among the four brothers?
Seeing the other people didn't dare to force it too much, He Qi picked up the wine pot and held a wine cup as he walked in front of He Yuan who had drank enough that his cheeks were red. He asked sarcastically: "San di, we are brothers. Today is your good day. How about us brothers drink a few cups?"
He Yuan carelessly raised his wine cup, smiling and answering: "Da ge's wine, didi has to drink." Finishing, he took over the fine wine pot and wine cup. Pouring a full cup and swallowing it all, he swirled the empty cup and recited, "Lan Ling's wine with tulips, the jade bowl becomes amber. It makes the owner and I drunk, and forget where is home. Today, there is wine and there is drunkenness, didi toasts gege."
He Qi hadn't expected that He Yuan was even more blunt than he was. Before he could react, the other had drained another cup. It instantly made him lose interested in forcing him to drink. If the person being force was even happier than the person doing the forcing, where was the meaning?
When others saw the scene, they all assumed that Ning Wang was purposefully forcing Rui Jun Wang. Thinking of the battles between the two brothers over the years, no one was stupid enough to involve themselves and silently drank.
When He Ming saw the scene from the side, for some reason a certain secret rumor came to mind. It said that san ge had some affections for the Empress. Realizing that he was thinking about something he shouldn't be thinking, He Ming hurriedly shook his head. There hadn't been any relationship between san ge and huang sao, so san ge wouldn't have any affections for huang sao. It was just the two had almost been married so other people personally slandered them.
Seeing that san ge was totally drunk, He Ming could only support him back to the houyuan. The bride's veil hadn't been taken off, the cups of wine hadn't been exchanged. If the groom was so drunk that he was unconscious, then it was too unsightly.
He Qi didn't stop He Ming. In waning interest, he watched as He Ming supported the other away and turned to leave Rui Jun Wang Fu. Looking at the thick layer of snow on the streets outside, he exhaled and said to his attendant behind him: "So uninteresting, let's return."
He and lao san had fought for some many years but in the end, the throne hadn't landed on either of their heads. Thinking about it this way, it was very ironic.
He Yuan supported himself using the door and staggered over to the wedding bed. Looking at the woman with a veil of dragon and phoenix entwined, he took over the stick and took off the veil. His eyes changed and he muttered: "Such beautiful brows."
That year on the jade steps under the fireworks, that crimson-clad woman had been also so bright, brows like the sun, bright that one couldn't resist looking just a few more times.
Taking out the wine cups, his drunken eyes were smiling. The arms of the two crossed and his voice was hoarse yet full of satisfied mirth: "Then let us be together for a hundred years and not separate even when our hair turns white."
Lu Yu Rong looked at the handsome man smiling at her and her heart jumped. Her cheeks became flushed. She took the wine cup the other handed over and as he watched gently, she drained the wine cup.
He Yuan reached to push her into his arms, his smile touched yet tender: "So good, so good."
Her hand trembled slightly but in the end she slowly embraced this man. The snowy night was long yet short, but for her, it was better than imagined.
The red candles of Rui Jun Wang Fu burned for the entire night, just like it was burning a beautiful dream, beautiful yet illusory.
In Tian Qi Palace, Qu Qing Ju was laying in He Heng's arms when she suddenly woke up from her dreams. Outside the window, weak light lit up the window silk. Listening to the sound of snow outside, she felt incomparably tranquil, her bed incomparably warm.
"Go to sleep," The voice of the man beside her was fuzzy as though he hadn't woken from his dreams. But his arms familiarly pulled her back in, as though he had done it countless times, practiced and matter-of-fact.
Qu Qing Ju smiled, placing her head on the man's chest and slowly closed her eyes.
The second year of Jia You, the Eldest Imperial Son was named by the Emperor as "Yao"[i]. "Shi Ming – Explaining Heaven"[ii] had "Bright, shining, light illuminating". The "Shijing – Style of Kuai"[iii] also said "The sunrise is bright."
Just this name, it was enough to show the expectations of the Emperor to His Highness the Eldest Imperial Son. In this world, was there anything more important than light?
And then the Empress moved out of the rear hall of Tian Qi Palace and moved to Kui Yuan Palace. Some became to speculate, was the Emperor finally going to move his eyes onto the other women in the hougong?
But who knew that the Emperor would eat and sleep in Kui Yuan Palace? No other woman in the hougong was favored. The love between Emperor and Empress became even deeper, almost becoming a legend of Da Long about the love between Emperor and Empress. But right now, the idea wasn't still there. Who knew just how long this deep love of the Emperor would continue?
Right now, the two Empress Dowagers in the hougong didn't express an opinion. Certain senior officials wanted to express their opinions but didn't dare to provoke the Emperor's anger. So the Emperor only favoring the Empress, no one wanted to say anything. Perhaps the people of the entire world wanted to see how long it would take for this good play of the love between Emperor and Empress to end.
No matter how beautiful a play was, it would always have an ending. They really didn't believe that there was an Emperor that was faithful to his love in the world. The Emperor and Empress who had a love stronger than gold in the previous dynasty, didn't their ending turn out terribly?
On the tallest stargazing tower in the palace, Qu Qing Ju looked at the clear blue sky and reached up to block the blinding sunlight. She suddenly asked: "Mu Jin, what do you think that cloud would change into?"
Mu Jin tilted her head up to look at the white cloud. Before she could respond, she saw the Emperor at the bottom stairs below the two. At a glance, she knew he was coming to find the Empress: "Niangniang, the Emperor has come."
Qu Qing Ju lowered her head. Watching the man that was hurriedly climbing up the stargazing tower, a smile appeared on her face.
Mu Jin looked again at the beautiful pale cloud and thought carelessly, the clouds originally were things that changed constantly. Who knew what it would change into? But that bright sun. It would rise each day, and set down like normal.
He Heng came up the tower. Looking at the woman dressed in a crimson phoenix robe in the sunlight, he suddenly thought of a poem called "Feng Seeks Huang."
"I saw a beautiful woman, after seeing her, it's unforgettable. If I don't see her each day, the thoughts become crazy. I'm like that feng bird flying high up in the sky, trying to find the huang bird in the world… …"
"I hope my conduct is matching to yours, so we can hold hands together. If the marriage is not allowed, it's a death sentence for me… …"
The smile of a beauty is unforgettable in this lifetime, a downfall in this lifetime.
[i]耀: bright, glorious
[ii]释名 -释天: Shiming is an ancient Chinese Dictionary. Explaining Heaven is the very first chapter.
[iii]诗经桧风: Shijin is an ancient collection of poetry. Kuai style is one of the fifteen types of poetry describe in the Airs of the States.