Chapter Sixty: The Flower Falls

  The war in the southwest finally ended with the victory of the Great Zhou, recovering the long-lost territory, which was a great honor for a dynasty and an emperor. On the day of returning to the court, Xuan Ling Da Hang rewarded the merits, it was also the time when his brother's achievements were renowned. The military general became famous in one battle, and his brother was granted the title of Feng Guo General, and was also awarded the honor of marriage, which could be considered as a young man achieving success. Of course, it was also the most prosperous time for King Xuanji of Runan and the Murong clan.

  Xuanji enjoyed the favor of Emperor Taizong, riding horses in the imperial city. Murong Jun, the father of Empress Hua, was promoted to Duke of Jiayue of the first rank. His eldest son, Murong Shisong, became Baron Jingping, and his second son, Murong Shibai, became Baron Suiping. Empress Hua's mother, Lady Huang, also received special attention and was granted the title of Madame Pingyuanfu of the second rank, comparable to the mothers of the four consorts. Later, Empress Hua was also promoted to Madame Huahua of the first rank. With her family's military achievements and her control over the six palaces, she enjoyed Emperor Taizong's favor and had everything going in her favor, with the only regret being that she had no children.

  After recovering from her illness, Mei Zhuang gradually became less willing to go out. She was also indifferent to Xuan Ling's favor and would not see him unless summoned. Now that the situation is so pressing, Mei Zhuang can no longer restrain herself and has finally lost her patience.

  That day, Mei Zhuang came to my palace, coming suddenly. The eunuch outside had just finished reporting when she walked in directly, without even being supported by a palace maid. I saw that her face was pale and uncertain, greatly different from usual, and knew that she must have something to say, so I ordered everyone to leave.

  Her eyebrows were tightly pursed, her lower lip was bitten, her chest heaved with agitation, and her face turned crimson with anger and resentment.

  I poured a cup of Bi Luo Chun in front of her and softly asked: "Sister, what's wrong?"

  Mei Zhuang held the tea cup but didn't drink, amidst the wafting tea fragrance her complexion was somewhat hazy, after a long while she resentfully said: "Empress Hua..."

  I glanced at her sideways and whispered: "Sister, it's Mrs. Hua..."

  Meizhuang couldn't bear it anymore, the teacup in his hand shook violently, and the tea splashed everywhere. Meizhuang clenched her teeth and spat out fiercely: "Xi Huafu?! I can only regret that I don't have a good father or brother to fight on the battlefield, so as to take advantage of this cheap person!"

  I slowly got up, teasing a white parrot on the golden frame, and smiled slightly: "Sister, don't be too angry. Lady Hua's appearance is so stunning, but somehow I think she looks like Empress Yu's style?"

  Furrowing his brow in puzzlement, he muttered to himself: "Lady Yu E?"

  I added some food and water for the parrot, gently stroked its crest and slowly said: "Madam Yu E was the birth mother of King Yunnan, younger sister of Marquis Boling. In the tenth year of the Longqing Emperor, Marquis Boling plotted a rebellion, and Madam Yu E was deeply implicated, dying in sorrow without honor." I smiled faintly: "For this reason, Madam Yu E didn't even receive the title of Imperial Concubine, and to this day is still not allowed to enter the Ancestral Temple to receive incense and offerings."

  Mei Zhuang bitterly smiled: "How could the Murong family possibly rebel?"

  I smiled slightly: "Why bother with rebellion? Being a high-achieving official who intimidates the ruler is enough. Besides, they wouldn't dare to, and even if they did, the King of Qi would not allow it."

  Meizhuang finally had a smile and said, "I also have some news. In recent years, the King of Runan has been getting more and more arrogant, scolding civil officials in court, and his mansion is extravagant and greedy. The public and private sectors are criticizing him, and many officials are making accusations to the emperor, but the emperor just smiled it off and treated him even better."

  I smiled and didn't answer. When I was young, I read "Zuo Zhuan" and came across the story of "Zheng Bo Ke Duan Yu Ying". Jiang Furen favored her youngest son Shu Duan and wanted to replace Zhuang Gong with him. Zhuang Gong repeatedly indulged him, and his ministers advised him, saying "Those who often act unjustly will eventually perish, just wait for now." It wasn't until Shu Duan provoked the public's anger and became full of evil that he was killed in one move. Although later generations looked down on Zhuang Gong's behavior towards his younger brother, from a strategic point of view, this was actually quite good.

  Xuan Ling recently made a casual remark, asking me about the matter of King You of Ruo Nan's madness. I simply took out a volume of "Zuo Zhuan" and read aloud to him the story of Duke Zhuang. Xuan Ling smiled and said: "Your intention is exactly in line with my heart."

  Everything is now fueling the fierce fire, all for one sentence "Zi Gu Dai Zhi".

  I smiled wryly and lowered my head, "The abscess has to fester to a certain degree before it's good to cut it out. Let it develop fully, the deeper it festers, the cleaner it can be dug out." Seeing Mei Zhuang's thoughtful expression, I changed the subject: "Sister seems to have been quite cold towards the Emperor lately."

  Mei Zhuang smiled faintly: "How can I be charming and delightful? The Emperor only summons me when he wants, and dismisses me when he's done."

  I slowly calmed down my smile and only said one sentence: "Without the emperor's favor, how could sister bring down Empress Hua? The less favored you are, the easier it is for people to look down on you. Sister has experienced this before, do I need to repeat it again?"

  She slightly opened her bright eyes, with a hint of a smile that was not quite a smile, and said: "You really hope I'll be favored?"

  The weather at the end of April is a bit hot, and the fragrance of flowers is also overly sweet. A branch of white peony leans against the window screen, blooming to its fullest, and spring will pass like this. The room is quiet, with only the faint sound of the golden chain on the parrot's foot. In the eyebrow-shaped teacup, the green tea soup resembles a pool of water, shining brightly like a piece of jade. My heart feels slightly cool, and after a moment, I say: "Do I hope to see you being neglected?" I calm down for a moment, "Sister seems to have been distant from me lately, is it because I'm pregnant that's making her sad?"

  Meizhuang shook her head: "I didn't, don't worry." She said: "You and I are still the same as before. What you say, I remember in my heart."

  I escorted Mei Zhuang to the outer gate of Yi Men, where the spring light was fine and clear. The red palace walls cast a long shadow across the courtyard, while peonies and rhododendrons bloomed everywhere like brocade and mist. Mei Zhuang wore a crimson silk dress with embroidered peach leaves, walking amidst the resplendent scenery. A gentle breeze blew from all sides, and I couldn't help but feel that her figure added a hint of desolation to the scene, evoking a sense of melancholy in the fading spring light.

  Every year in May, I would go to the Taiping Xing Palace to avoid the heat and return to the palace before Mid-Autumn Festival. This year, due to the lingering epidemic among the people and the fear of disturbance, and with many government affairs still pending after the war, I stayed in the Zidi City, which also spared me and Du Liangyu from the hardships of traveling while pregnant.

  Chun'er's death has left me disheartened for a long time. Mei Zhuang rarely goes out except to receive imperial edicts, and Ling Rong is even more reluctant to see people after losing her voice. She seldom comes here, but only Jing Fei still comes to visit from time to time.

  Xuan Ling feared that I would harm my body and the child in my womb with such depression, so she tried every means to make me smile. She sent over many new and interesting things, and also ordered the Nei Wu Fu to find a white parrot for me to play with. Moreover, she promised that three days later, she would allow my newlywed brother to bring his wife to the palace to meet me.

  The three-day deadline is approaching quickly.

  That day, early in the morning, Brother had finished his driving and brought Sister-in-law Xue Qiantao to my palace.

  Elder brother and sister-in-law knew that I had just been promoted to Guigong, so as soon as they saw me, they asked me to sit down with a smile: "Greetings, Concubine Gui."

  My eyes grew hot, I quickly turned my face away to grab a handkerchief and wipe it clean, with a smile all over my face, I personally helped them up and said: "It's rare to come once, if you're so formal and distant, won't that make me sad?"

  Then he ordered someone to offer me a seat and I asked: "Are Father and Mother both well?"

  "Brother said: 'Father and mother are both well. Today, I came to the palace and specially instructed me to ask for peace on behalf of my brother for the two elderly people.'"

  My eyes turned red, and I nodded: "I'm fine in the palace, as long as my parents are healthy and strong, I can rest assured. Brother, when you go back, be sure to tell my parents to take good care of themselves, and I'll be at peace."

  Sister-in-law made another bow: "It's all thanks to the blessing of the empress. When Father and Mother heard that the empress was pregnant and had just been newly appointed as the master, they were overjoyed and didn't know what to do with themselves. The mother has been praying day and night at home for the empress, wishing her a son in one move."

  I took a close look at this sister-in-law, as it was her new marriage, she wore a single-color gold-embroidered cloud-patterned red satin skirt with a hundred butterflies and flowers, just like her name, exactly like a branch of bright red peach blossoms. Not exceptionally beautiful, but looking very auspicious, pleasant to see, and very likable.

  I nodded secretly, Ling Rong's temperament was subtle and gentle as water, but my sister-in-law had a straightforward personality, and even in her glance, she was elegant and refined, with the demeanor of a noble lady. It seemed that she could take charge of the affairs of the Zhen manor and share some of the burden with her mother. I found it quite pleasing to think about, so I said: "Sister-in-law's father, Minister Xue Congjian, has a reputation for being an honest official. Although I am in the inner palace, I have long heard about him. The Emperor often says that if everyone were as honest as Minister Xue, the court would be at peace."

  "Sister-in-law humbly said: 'The Emperor's kindness and concern, Father will certainly devote himself to the imperial court.'"

  I smiled and said to my brother: "Brother, now that you're an official in the imperial court, you should learn from your father-in-law."

  Her brother smiled slightly, but it was her sister-in-law who turned around and gave him a bright smile, revealing her pearly white teeth. At this, her brother's face turned red.

  Before my brother arrived, I was still a bit worried. His sister-in-law was someone he had never met before, and I was afraid that the couple would not get along and lose their harmony in the future. At the time, I chose her from among many people, first because her father had a good reputation, and secondly because I had heard some things about my sister-in-law when she was in the boudoir, and knew that she was an easy-going person. However, choosing someone without meeting them was ultimately a bit rash. Now it seems that I worried for nothing. Such a smiling and talkative woman, even if there were no feelings at first, would eventually be harmonious in the long run.

  "Brother pointed to the food box on the table and said, 'Mother said that sister is pregnant and may not have an appetite. These dishes were made at home and brought here, they are all sister's favorite foods when she was at home.'"

  I smiled and accepted, and ordered Zhu Na to go to the kitchen.

  Just then, Ling Rong sent over Ju Qing with some gifts for my brother and his bride as a wedding congratulatory gift. They were eight pieces of the finest palace satin, Snow Muslin and Cloud Brocade, even the goose-yellow silk labels had not been removed. These satins were all embroidered with gold and silver thread flowers, shining brightly. Ling Rong having lost favor now, these gifts must have been her most precious possessions, I felt very grateful in my heart.

  "Master's young master originally wanted to come in person, but his body is really not good, so he sent the slave over. The young master said that the slave would like to congratulate Master Zhen and Madame Zhen on their hundred years of harmony, early birth of a noble son; also ask the two to ask about the health of Old Master Zhen and the old lady."

  Elder brother and sister-in-law both knew that those who could bring gifts were people who had gained favor in front of the imperial concubines, yet they were so polite. Hurriedly helping up Ju Qing, he said: "I dare not accept your gift, young lady."

  I feel a slight sense of melancholy, and it seems that Ling Rong has always had intentions towards my elder brother. Now, to say the words "a perfect match for a hundred years, with an early noble son" is unbearable.

  "Doesn't An Mei have a good body?"

  "Master Xiao's wind chill has not yet recovered..." Hu Qing was originally someone from my palace, seeing me quietly smile and stare at her, how could she not understand, hurriedly said: "There is nothing to hinder, Labor Adult remembers hanging."

  "Please rest assured and take care of your illness, young master."

  Sister-in-law saw the heavy gift, slightly revealing a puzzled expression. I hastily said: "This An Mei Ren and I entered the palace together, before entering the palace she had stayed at my house for a short while, so it's especially thick."

  Soon after, Baozhai also sent someone to deliver a gift of tribute, all of which were fine silks and satins, beautifully crafted.

  I stayed with my brother and sister-in-law for lunch, and also stayed with my sister-in-law to talk about some personal matters. I told her all about my brother's likes and dislikes, as well as his daily habits, and asked them to be loving to each other. I also said: "Brother is very busy with work now, please try to understand him and take good care of him."

  Half a day passed, and I had already become very close to my sister-in-law. She personally opened the jewelry box and took out a pair of night pearl earrings. The earrings were just a new style from the palace, nothing special, but the night pearls were worth a thousand gold coins. "Sister-in-law has just arrived at our house," she said, "these pearl earrings can barely meet her standards, let's use them to adorn her makeup." She also ordered someone to bring out some jade and silk as a gift, and asked my brother and sister-in-law to take it back home together.

  At night, she removed her makeup and called in Huanbi and Liuzhu. She distributed the various items brought by her brother and sister-in-law during the day to them, and divided the rest among the others. Then, she kept only Huanbi behind, took out a white jade ring with a sheep's fat pattern, and said: "Those things you and Liuzhu both have, this is what Father asked Brother to bring specifically for you. Father said he was afraid that in the future, your private savings would not be rich enough when you leave the palace." I personally put it on her finger, smiled and said: "Actually, Father was also overthinking. It's just that Father regretted not being able to bring your mother's memorial tablet into the family temple, nor could he publicly acknowledge you, so you should understand Father more."

  Her eyes were slightly red, and tears sparkled in her eyes: "I never blamed Dad."

  I sighed and said, "I will definitely make arrangements for you in the future and resolve your worries." Xuan Bi nodded lightly.

  I recall the events in the palace, and think of Chun'er's death, leaving the house empty. My heart is sorrowful and unhappy. I push open the window, the night sky is like water, the pear blossoms are falling profusely like a heavy snowfall, covering the courtyard with a layer of white. The spring breeze gently caresses my face, the fallen petals float down slowly.

  I sighed softly, and it turned out that the day the flower bloomed was also the day it fell. The blooming and falling of flowers are nothing but the shallow and unintentional touch of the Spring God Dongjun.