Volume 4 Chapter 5 The Old Friend Arrives (Part 2)

  Fang Ruo nodded and said, "The empress is a sensible person and should know that the Empress Dowager has been in seclusion for many years, not asking about worldly affairs. She herself is also weak and ill, but her mind is still clear. There are some things that the Empress Dowager cannot help with, and can only understand but not intervene, especially when it involves the previous dynasty." Fang Ruo's expression stiffened slightly, and she said reluctantly, "This past month, the Emperor has been in a bad mood and does not allow anyone to mention the empress. That day in Jing Fei's Yunxiao Hall, Jing Fei was chatting with the Emperor when she casually praised Xunyue Emperor's daughter for looking like the empress. The Emperor became enraged, smashing his teacup and accusing Jing Fei of being treacherous and intentionally bringing up a guilty woman. The empress knows the Emperor's temper, and it's rare for him to get angry over trivial matters. It can be seen that he was truly furious. At the time, I was serving by their side and was almost scared out of my wits, only daring to pick up the broken teacup pieces. The Emperor has always been polite and respectful towards Jing Fei, never using such harsh words against her before. Jing Fei was also frightened, taking half a day to regain her composure, only knowing to kowtow and admit her guilt."

  I was in a hurry, the weather in November, my back was almost sweating. If Rong Yue's mother had an accident, then my Rong Yue would really have no one to rely on. Thinking of this, my expression changed at once, and I asked hastily: "What happened next?"

  "Fang Ruo hastily comforted her, saying: 'Don't worry, Princess. After all, Empress Jing has a certain status and prestige from the past. Although the Emperor scolded her a few times, deducted two months' worth of salary, and didn't speak to her for several days, the princess still went to see her every day. As the saying goes, 'seeing each other brings affection', Empress Jing also knows how to please the Emperor, and eventually things calmed down.'"

  I let out a huge sigh of relief, but upon further thought, I felt that something wasn't right. I asked carefully: "Empress Jing isn't such an impulsive person, how could she have casually mentioned me in front of the Emperor? Who else was there at the time?"

  "Fang Ruo had no choice but to say, 'At that time, Princess Qi was also present. It was because Princess Qi said a sentence "All the children look very much like their parents", the Emperor did not say anything at the time. Perhaps Empress Jing also wanted to evoke some of the Emperor's old feelings for her daughter, so she said this sentence, which provoked the Emperor to erupt immediately.'"

  I secretly thought that over the years, there weren't many people who had been eyeing Empress Jing with envy, she was almost uncompetitive. Later, after Empress Hua's death, Empress Jing even more stably occupied her position as a second-rank imperial consort, and her carefree days increased, inevitably making others underestimate her path. Thinking of this, I couldn't help but feel anxious.

  Fang Ruo saw my furrowed brow and knew I was worried about something, so she hastily said: "With Jing Fei's cleverness and years in the palace, others can only take advantage of her once, and it's impossible to take advantage of her again. So, Your Highness can rest assured that Jing Fei will definitely protect the princess. Moreover, this time Jing Fei has not fallen out of favor with the emperor, which is also thanks to the princess. Jing Fei is a very understanding person, of course she knows to support and protect each other, so she won't take the princess lightly."

  I finally put my heart at ease, smiled and said: "Indeed, I was also overly nervous, making a fool of myself. Empress Jing's experience is old and steady, I am at peace."

  Fang Ruo slightly hesitated and smiled faintly with a hint of reluctance: "Moreover, Empress Jing has been in a high position for so long, yet she still doesn't have any children."

  In my heart, it's like a clear mirror. In the sighs of Jing Fei, I also feel an inexplicable comfort that is hard to express. "Because she has no children, so she will treat Rouyue well and regard her as a treasure. Just like Princess Duan treats Emperor Yi."

  "It's just like loving one's own eyeballs." Fang Ruo said affirmatively.

  I felt a slight melancholy, like the autumn wind blowing gently through the curtains, with leaves rustling, "But now the Emperor often stays at Concubine Jing's place, and if one day Concubine Jing gives birth to something, my position as Empress will inevitably be demoted..."

  Fang Ruo's voice was low and gentle, "Although the Emperor often goes to Jing Fei's place, he rarely stays overnight. After all, Jing Fei is not considered the most beautiful, and there are An Fen Yi and Qi Pin, who is good to be with? Moreover, before Jing Fei was promoted to Shu Yi, she lived in Hua Gong Palace with the former Empress Hua." Fang Ruo's tone was meaningful and slightly strange, her usually warm eyes had a hint of sadness and sympathy, "She won't have any more children, will she?"

  I was shocked and suddenly understood. "Huan Yixiang?!" I was stunned for a moment, and after a long time, I let out a long sigh: "The city gate is on fire, and the fish in the moat are affected. The fish are innocent! Does Jingfei know herself?"

  Fang Ruo shook her head, "I don't know. The imperial physician only said that Empress Jing's body was not suitable for pregnancy. Empress Jing had been kept in the dark and had even considered taking a risk to get pregnant, but her body had already been damaged. How could she possibly get pregnant just because she wanted to take a risk? In the end, it was impossible, so it was all for naught." Fang Ruo's eyes flashed with a hint of moisture, filled with regret, "Empress Jing was a good person, unfortunately, her luck was thin and she was implicated by others. At that time, Empress Jing was still a fourth-rank imperial concubine, not yet a third-rank, so she couldn't open her own palace or take charge of affairs on her own. She had to live with Consort Hua Gui. You know how powerful Consort Hua Gui's influence was back then." Fang Ruo composed herself, speaking sorrowfully, "Otherwise, although Empress Jing was kind, there were many consorts in the palace, each vying for favor, and how could the Emperor always give her a high position and frequently visit her?"

  The sorrow in my heart suddenly cannot be said, how pitiful is Jing Fei. And at that time, there were so many concubines living with Huagui Pin in the same palace, and those implicated were not just Jing Fei alone. I asked: "So who else was implicated along with Huagui Pin back then?"

  "Fang Ruo sank into thought for a moment, "Only Jing Fei." She saw that I didn't understand and said, "Hua Gui Pin is not an idiot either. Although Hua Gui Pin was favored, it wasn't exclusive favoritism. Among these people, Jing Fei was still very much loved. After Hua Gui Pin's miscarriage, she became annoyed whenever she saw anyone, so she moved out the few young masters who were living with her at the time. However, she also feared that at this moment, the Emperor would rekindle his old feelings for Jing Fei, so she simply reported to the Empress and had Jing Fei move into her own residence in Bao Xiu Palace, which was under her own watchful eye. At the time, Hua Gui Pin was so favored that even the Emperor didn't dare to easily go against her wishes. Even the Empress herself went to personally persuade her, saying that Hua Gui Pin's temperament was stubborn and hard, and only Jing Fei could get along with her, so Jing Fei had no choice but to leave."

  My eyelids twitched suddenly, and my heart sank. The queen knew the power of Huan Yixiang's medicine! I was shocked, "How long did she stay?"

  "There will always be a year, anyway." Fang Ruo's eyes drooped slightly, "The noble and virtuous Princess Huagui was well aware of it. When she lived in her palace, Concubine Jing also suffered a lot of humiliation and hardship. It wasn't until a year later when Princess Huagui was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort Huagui and Concubine Jing was promoted from Imperial Concubine to Noble Lady that she was able to escape the situation. However, her body had already been damaged."

  My heart is racing, Huan Yi Xiang, Huan Yi Xiang! Every time I think of it, the intense anger and sorrow of Empress Hua's death are still vivid in my mind. She died for the secret of Huan Yi Xiang. That wall full of blood, like a tree of bright peach blossoms, has startled me awake on countless nights when I couldn't sleep.

  Fang Ruo didn't change her expression, but softly said: "Empress Duan and Empress Jing have nothing to do with this. That Mu Yan Hua Fei was indeed very wicked!"

  My throat tightened, and I almost blurted out - Empress Hua naturally had a lot of evil deeds, but what about her? She clearly knew the effects of Huanyi Xiang, yet she still let Concubine Jing go to Miao Xiugong. Even after that, she has always treated Concubine Jing with such courtesy and respect, as if her hands had never been stained with a single drop of blood, just coldly smiling and watching from the sidelines.

  It's no wonder that even though Consort Jing was granted the title of imperial consort, assisted in governing the six palaces, and received favor, the Empress could remain so calm and composed, not taking it to heart. Apart from Consort Jing being intelligent and not liking to show off, it was also because she knew that Consort Jing, who had no childbearing abilities and wasn't particularly favored, didn't count as a rival in her eyes.

  My cold sweat dripped down my back, as if some insect's feet were scratching, itching and pricking on my skin, almost to the point of pain.

  Fang Ruo's voice became softer and more determined, firmly suppressing me, "You must remember, it was the Empress Dowager who committed evil deeds, and only she did so, having nothing to do with others."

  Cold sweat stuck to my hair. The queen's mind is so deep, I can hardly resist. Even the clever and wise Empress Jing was deceived. From her using a single piece of the former empress's old clothes to easily force me to this point, her cunning and cleverness are evident... The fear in my heart sank heavily, as if there was a heavy lead block in my stomach, sinking so much that it hurt.

  I suddenly thought of someone, "Then, can Tong Fei know about it..."

  Fang Ruo hesitated for a moment, then said, "Not necessarily." She thought for a while, "Even if she knew, it's none of her business. With Princess Duan's cold temperament, she would know but not speak."

  Deep-seated fear firmly gripped me, my Meng Yue, my Meng Yue... what if the Empress Dowager harbored murderous intentions towards her...... no...... I simply couldn't bear to imagine.

  My face must have turned deathly pale, with a desperate and hopeless gaze. Rong Qi subconsciously supported me, softly saying: "Wife..."

  I barely managed to calm down, but how can I calm down... Meng Yue, my only child...

  Fang Ruo grasped my hand tightly, her ten fingers exerting force. "Don't worry, Your Majesty, the princess will be fine. There's Empress Jing and Consort Shen as well." She spoke softly: "I'm not saying this to make you sad or anxious, but to make you understand that it's really impossible to act rashly now. At this critical juncture, although you've been expelled from the palace and can't return, there are still many people who care about you, like the Empress Dowager and Consort Shen, as well as others. You must understand this." The Empress Dowager will certainly protect you, but you should also be clear that if you only think of revenge or something else, the first to bear the brunt will be the princess. Since you want to protect the princess with all your might, then the princess is destined to be your constraint."

  Her words were extremely gentle, yet relevant and clear. I held Fang Ruo's hand tightly, involuntarily grasping it. My heart felt empty, as if everything had been hollowed out, and I just wanted to grasp something real. I clutched Fang Ruo's hand tightly, my fingers turning white, without feeling any pain.

  Fang Ruo thought it was painful, but she didn't make a sound. She gently patted my hand and said sincerely: "Today, I am the most heartbroken. On that day, I was your teacher and servant, personally serving you as you entered the palace. I watched you gain favor and rise to prominence, expecting you to become one of the four consorts soon. But suddenly, you were banished to Ganlu Temple for cultivation, with no hope for the rest of your life. I don't know how many tears I've shed in secret. Now that I'm serving Empress Dowager, I must think of ways to help you, as a token of my service to you." Her voice dropped lower: "The bodies of Young Master Zhen and his wife have been taken care of by Wen Gong and Shen Jieyu, who have found a way to raise funds for their burial. You should not grieve excessively, first because the dead cannot be brought back to life, and second because your family members are now scattered and living their own lives."

  Thinking of my sister-in-law and Zhi Ning's miserable death, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my heart, as if a snow-bright steel needle had pierced the already festering wound, piercing so deeply that dark red blood gushed out.

  Anling Rong!!!!!

  I'm so angry I could spit blood!

  Her gaze was fixed on me, "The times are not what one wishes! You may not be willing to accept it, but you must - not for your own sake!" Her eyes, like two glittering jewels, shone with a faint, suppressed light. "Although Lord Zhen and young master Zhen are far away from you, they have also reached a place of safety - and at present, the people who can be taken care of right in front of one's eyes are the most important!"

  I bit my lower lip, the metallic taste of blood unnoticed. I only felt a warmth spreading to my collar, one drop, another drop, falling onto my dark grey robe like small crimson flowers, silent and soft. Xiang Yu hastily fetched a handkerchief to wipe it for me. I waved my hand to signal her not to bother.

  After a long time, perhaps after a very long time, I calmly raised my hand to wipe away the blood from my lips. My voice was hoarse, even to myself unexpectedly so, as I said: "Alright. Let's just say it's for Huanyue and also for those who are still alive. I promise you, even if I still hate someone, hate them to the bone, I won't act rashly." I cleared my throat, "Aunt knows my temperament, she absolutely wouldn't do something without being certain."

  Fang Ruo's smile unfolded bit by bit, warm and soothing. At this moment, except for her, no one else dared to speak such heartfelt words in front of me, not even if they were instructed by the Empress Dowager.

  I forced down a mouthful of tea to soothe my parched throat, and said slowly: "Also please tell the Empress Dowager that I will be cultivating in Ganlu Temple from now on. As for the Princess, if the Empress Dowager is willing to take care of her, then it would be the Princess's good fortune."

  Fang Ruo is just being kind. As for the Empress Dowager, it's just a transaction. I'm using my own safety to exchange for her careful care of Meng Yue, and also using my own safety to exchange for the peace of mind of the imperial concubines.

  "Actually, your current status is already the best guarantee. Since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the kings who have left the palace to practice while in power, except for you, are all high-ranking officials, such as the former empresses and concubines Yang Shu and others. None of them returned to the palace, let alone those low-ranking concubines who were not even mentioned. So, it's certain that you will spend the rest of your life here. For those who don't like seeing you in the palace, this is also a reassurance. As time passes, things will slowly fade away and get better. After all, to be honest, there are countless annoying things in the palace, who has the energy to keep an eye on you?"

  I also didn't say anything and just said: "It's all right."

  Fang Ruo finished speaking and smiled as she opened a package wrapped in soft silk, saying: "Take a look at this, daughter. Is it good or not?"

  But it was a set of baby clothes, with shirts, pants, socks, bibs, bellybands, and everything for spring, summer, autumn and winter. My eyes grew hot, and I choked out: "Is this Mengyue's clothing..."

  Fang Ruo nodded with a hint of a smile, "That's right. In two more days, it will be the Empress's full moon day, and the Emperor said that we must make good arrangements for it. These clothes are all rewards given to the Empress."

  My heart felt both sour and hot, as if I had suddenly swallowed a mouthful of scalding soup, which accumulated in the center of my throat, with a burning pain in my lungs.

  My Mengyue is going to be full moon in two days. As her mother, I haven't seen her since she was born.

  "Ah!" exclaimed Yulan, picking up the dress. "The fabric is excellent, I'm afraid it's a new tribute from Jiangning and Shu."

  Fang Ruo praised: "After all, it's the good eyesight of Gong Yu. This summer dress is made of soft silk from Jiangning, which is very absorbent and breathable, making it cool and comfortable to wear in the summer. The winter clothes are made of Ming Guang brocade from Shu, with bright colors and new patterns, looking elegant and beautiful. The Emperor specifically instructed that the lining of the clothes must be made of plain silk, so as not to damage the delicate skin of the princess. Anyway, the Emperor's intention is to do whatever is good, making the Imperial Household Department rummage through all the good things, as if they want to take out all the good stuff."

  I couldn't help but touch these clothes. The soft texture of the fabric, it feels gentle and comfortable to the touch. The small clothes, shoes, and socks, everything is small, not even filling one's palm. Rose purple, water ripple red, bean sprout green, bright yellow, grape green, gemstone blue, woven gold embroidery, each one is beautiful, each one is exquisite.

  Fang Ruo accompanied with a smile: "Because the emperor had something to say first, which of the princesses and young masters in the palace was not willing to curry favor? Those long-life golden locks and auspicious treasures were piled up like mountains, and Empress Jing called out that she couldn't bear it. Xin Gui Bin even joked that Empress Jing had profited from the emperor's favor and had made a huge fortune."

  Yue smiled and said, "It's no wonder that Xin Guifei would say such a thing. When her daughter, the Shu He Empress, was born, due to the pressure from the Huai Fei, it was done very quietly and simply, even the Wen Yi Empress at that time only followed the rules. As for our Meng Yue Empress, it's already considered quite good."

  I gently and carefully stroked the fabrics that would soon wrap around my child, feeling both affectionate and distant. As her birth mother, I couldn't even get closer to her than these fabrics could, embracing her. I turned around and carefully wiped away the tears that were about to flow from the corners of my eyes, softly sighing: "Poor me as a mother, there's nothing worthy that I can give to my child for their full moon celebration."

  Seeing me sad, he hurriedly comforted: "What are you saying, my lady? You are the birth mother of the princess, and this love for your daughter is already the best and most precious. If the princess knew you were so worried about her, she would definitely be very happy too."

  I couldn't help but sigh and say, "What's the point of me being so heartbroken? As long as her father treats her this well, that's all that matters. I have to tell you the truth, even if the Emperor is strict with me, he's really good to Rouyue." I continued, "Also, thank the Empress Dowager for me, she went to such great lengths to get these things for me to see, just so I'd know how much the Emperor loves the Princess and I can finally be at peace."

  Fang Ruo smiled and said, "Since the princess has already understood the empress's kindness, I will definitely convey her gratitude to the empress when I return." She slightly tilted her head and suddenly asked, "Does the princess still write?"

  I was taken aback for a moment and asked: "What?"

  Fang Ruo smiled and said, "In the past, when you were copying Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager, she always praised your handwriting, saying it was not only beautiful but also large and clear, making it very comfortable to read. She only said that your handwriting lacked a bit of flair. Now that you are cultivating in Ganlu Temple, why don't you copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager again? It can be a way to practice your calligraphy and pass the time. I will come to Ganlu Temple once a month to collect the scriptures. Please, take one month as the deadline, and copy the scriptures for the Empress Dowager's blessings." After finishing speaking, she looked at me deeply and added, "The Empress Dowager said that only if you personally write the scriptures with your own hand will they be effective; otherwise, they won't count."

  There are so many Buddhist scriptures in the palace, why bother coming all the way to Ganlu Temple to ask me for them.

  However, I thought for a moment and suddenly understood. So I bowed deeply and said: "Please thank the Empress Dowager for her concern, Mo Chou will definitely do his best to copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager and pray for blessings from above."

  Fang Ruo smiled and nodded, adjusting the silver hairpin on her bun. She stood up and laughed: "It's good that you understand, mistress. The sky is getting late, I should also go back and report."

  I stood up and said: "I'll see Aunt out."

  Several curious girls gathered outside the door, peeking in. Seeing the crowd, Fangru stopped and said: "Please go back, madam, it's cold outside." She deliberately raised her voice and said: "The empress asked you to copy the Buddhist scriptures, and we slaves will come to collect them every month. Please do your best to copy them for the empress."

  I knew she was saying it for the sake of those girls, so that I wouldn't suffer any bullying or injustice. I hastily smiled and let her pass, and only felt at ease when I saw her walk far away.