Chapter 8
When Lin Xiao left the palace, he had initially thought of trying to persuade the Empress Dowager a bit more. Qi Junmu was the emperor now, and the blood of Emperor Jing flowed in his veins. If there were a rift between the Empress Dowager and him, it would not only look bad but also give those with ulterior motives something to exploit.
In Lin Xiao's view, those with ulterior motives included the dull and foolish Prince Rui, Qi Junyan; the world-renowned Prince Ping, Qi Junyou; and even Qi Junzhuo, whose reputation was so obscure that people called him an omen of misfortune.
They were all sons of Emperor Jing, and each had, to varying degrees, the qualifications to become emperor. If the Empress Dowager and the emperor fell out, the advantage would go to all of them.
Lin Xiao mulled over these thoughts, but seeing the exhausted look on the Empress Dowager's face, he ultimately did not speak the words of advice.
Some things, he could say when the Empress Dowager was still a consort. But now that she was the Empress Dowager, he had to be three times more cautious with his words—neither upsetting her nor giving anyone a handle to use against him.
In the end, Lin Xiao left the imperial palace without saying anything more. He thought to himself that thankfully, his wife, Yue shi, could speak frankly with the Empress Dowager. Tomorrow, when Yue shi entered the palace, she could try to persuade the Empress Dowager.
[In ancient China, a married woman was commonly addressed by her natal family's surname + 氏 (shì) as a formal marker of her original lineage. Here, Yue shi means a woman born into the Yue family.]
After Lin Xiao left, the Empress Dowager felt that Renshou Palace was terribly desolate. Though silver charcoal was burning in the palace, she still felt unbearably cold.
For a moment, a deep confusion filled the Empress Dowager's eyes. She had, in fact, taken in Lin Xiao's words.
If she argued too much with the emperor, it would be bad for both her and the emperor. Her status as Empress Dowager existed only because of the emperor.
Now she even began to wonder: if the emperor truly became estranged from her, what would she do? If she had to go back to living as she did when Emperor Jing was alive—facing empty palace day and night, unable to speak a single careless word or show the slightest extra expression—then what was the point of even being the Empress Dowager?
The Empress Dowager was lost in these thoughts when Ruyan entered carrying tea. She observed the Empress Dowager's expression and said softly, "Empress Dowager, this is this year's new Mo tea, your favorite. The temperature is just right now—please have a taste."
The Empress Dowager looked up, saw her, and said, "Ah, it's you, Ruyan." Her tone carried a hint of loneliness. "At a time like this, you're the only one who comes in to keep me company."
Ruyan gave a faint smile, her features serene and gentle. "The Empress Dowager's kindness to this servant—this servant has always remembered it in her heart. If the Empress Dowager is in low spirits, it is only because we servants have not attended to you well enough."
The Empress Dowager was amused by her words, and her face brightened like a flower.
Seeing her in better spirits, Ruyan breathed a deep sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, back at Qianhua Hall, Qi Junmu's emotions were running high. In his previous life, when he had been deeply disappointed in the Empress Dowager, he had once spoken similar words.
At that time, though he had not regretted his words, there had been a trace of unease deep in his heart. Now, however, his mood was thoroughly refreshed.
He even felt some regret. Back then, in order to spare the Empress Dowager's feelings, he had given in again and again. He had yielded so many times that whenever a dispute arose, the Empress Dowager would simply put on a cold face and wait for him to bow his head.
In the end, their falling out had been rather unpleasant, and people both inside and outside the court were gossiping about it.
What had happened now was much better. He had nipped this kind of trouble in the bud. Of course the Empress Dowager was upset—anyone would be. But Qi Junmu felt that this bitter medicine had been well worth administering.
Ruan Jiqing stood to the side, feeling that the emperor's expression was twisted in a strange way—as if he were both furious and deeply satisfied. He dared not speak, dared not ask, and simply stood there staring expectantly.
Qi Junmu raised his eyes and happened to catch Ruan Jiqing's tangled expression. He found the man's choices and conduct that day fairly acceptable.
So the emperor said coolly, "Go to my private treasury later and pick out something you like as a gift from me. I recall you like gold. I remember there are a few gold melon-seeds in the treasury. I'll give you ten."
Ruan Jiqing was delighted to hear of a reward—but when he heard it was only ten gold melon-seeds, his joy was mixed with indignation. He knew that the emperor's private treasury had been passed down through generations.
By the time of Emperor Jing, the treasury had been most richly stocked.
Emperor Jing had been cruel to others but exceedingly kind to himself. The treasury was full of fine things. Ruan Jiqing remembered that besides the gold melon-seeds, there were the twelve zodiac animals made of gold, carved with lifelike precision. And more importantly, they were heavy—very substantial.
It was a pity the emperor was so stingy, unwilling to part with those little gold horses and little gold tigers…
Despite all his inner muttering, Ruan Jiqing's face was full of gratitude. He wept with gratitude, as if he had truly never seen gold in his entire life.
Qi Junmu knew he was putting on an act, and since Ruan Jiqing's performance was amusing, he let it pass. "If you're so happy, go cry somewhere else. Don't clutter up my sight here. Also, have some of the best-grade wound medicine sent to the two guards who were flogged today. Give each of them silver as well. Tell them that when their wounds have healed, they are to report for duty in my presence."
This was a proper command from the emperor. Ruan Jiqing hurriedly accepted it with a respectful voice. Though at that moment he still did not know the two guards' names, backgrounds, or statuses, he knew that before long, the emperor would surely have the information he wanted.
After Ruan Jiqing left Qianhua Hall to deliver the emperor's orders, Qi Junmu dismissed everyone else inside the hall. He then lay lazily on the lounging couch, his expression unreadable.
At that moment, his mind was completely blank—thinking of nothing.
Ruan Jiqing was, after all, quite capable. Within the time it takes to burn one incense stick, he had returned to report.
After giving his report, Ruan Jiqing looked at the emperor with a face full of hesitation—clearly he had something to say.
Qi Junmu raised an eyebrow. "If you have something to say, just say it. Why all this stammering?"
"Your Majesty," Ruan Jiqing said carefully, "this servant has just heard that the Empress has put on her formal court robes and gone to the Empress Dowager's palace to beg forgiveness on Your Majesty's behalf."
Although he said "heard," he had still sent someone to verify the situation. It was true. That was why he dared to speak to the emperor about it.
As it happened, the Empress was still kneeling at the gate of the Empress Dowager's Renshou Palace.
Qi Junmu: "…"
Then he laughed. A clear sneer showed in his handsome brows. "Formal robes? Begging forgiveness on my behalf? Does the Empress think my reputation is too good as it is?"
The implication—that he was deeply displeased with the Empress—was unmistakable. Ruan Jiqing quickly knelt and said, "Your Majesty, this servant believes the Empress only feared there might be a rift between Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager."
"Is that so?" Qi Junmu let out an undisguised scoff. Then he said lazily, "Go to Renshou Palace and tell the Empress, who fancies herself acting on my behalf, that since when have I needed her to do anything for me? Now she puts on formal robes to beg forgiveness for me. What next—will she attend morning court on my behalf?"
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