Chapter 104: The Emperor

Chapter 104: The Emperor

Jiang Hui, after her afternoon rest as usual, was supported by Qiu Kui and Wan Song as she took a few rounds around the octagonal table.

Qing Feng was reporting the news from Fengyi Palace, saying, "…She indeed bears a resemblance to our master. The Empress talked with her for a long time, even invited her for a meal, and then had Qing Mammy escort her out through Chaoyang Gate."

Shan Zha's eyebrows rose high in disbelief, gripping the feather duster in her hand tightly, trying hard not to hurl the rosewood and jade pine welcoming figurine on the table to the floor, and gritted her teeth: "Bah! What nonsense!"

This time, Autumn Kui refrained from scolding her for her unbridled tongue.

Jiang Hui's face remained calm, her brows not flickering in the slightest, showing no irritation at the remark.

After completing her walk and sitting on the soft chair, she took a small sip of warm water handed to her by Wan Song and slowly said, "His Majesty allowing the Empress to summon Miss Song suggests that the Empress Dowager must have done something that made it difficult for His Majesty to dismiss her outright."

Even if she resembles her, the Emperor wouldn't be interested in a nine-year-old girl.

Hearing this, Autumn Kui softly said, "Does the master mean that His Majesty will grant her some favor or title?"

Jiang Hui nodded, "Unmarried and of common birth, at most she'll be nominally titled as a county princess."

"But..." Shan Zha, still indignant with flushed cheeks, said, "Master, the Empress must be planning to use her for something. What if, when she's older, His Majesty sees her..."

She wisely held back the second half of her sentence, having learned from the punishment she received last time at Ge Mammy's.

"Shan Zha, what kind of man do you think His Majesty is?" Jiang Hui said with a faint smile, her tone cool, "If a beauty resembling me appeared before him, his first reaction would likely be to investigate her thoroughly, and his second thought—"

Her eyes were calm, "—would be to eliminate her."

"Moreover..." Jiang Hui turned towards the window, her gaze distant, "What His Majesty likes is not this mere shell."

Jiang Hui always knew that the Emperor's fondness for her was not like his interest in other consorts, based on beauty, talent, or anything else entertaining. What he needed were mere diversions.

The Emperor cherished the Jiang Hui of his youth, the unreachable, radiant, and serene Princess of Anning County, a fixation.

But he once couldn't say it, and later, dared not.

And for Jiang Hui, it mattered little whether she heard it or not.

The Empress Dowager still didn’t understand her own son, much like her rash venture into witchcraft, full of a mother’s almost arrogant desire to control her offspring.

"The Emperor allowing himself a dalliance with youthful affections is already extraordinary. How would he let anyone else glimpse into his heart? He is an Emperor, not a young master from a storybook."

"If Miss Song remains compliant, she can enjoy a life of wealth and honor. But if her ambitions are too great, the more she resembles her, the quicker she may meet her end."

"However, I suppose the Empress won't resist the temptation. If she appoints Miss Song as a county princess, the Empress will surely send a few knowledgeable maids to serve her... That will be the opportunity."

"The next day, Lady Linping visited the Empress in the palace."

"Lady Linping, as dignified as the Empress, sat on a soft chair and said to her daughter, 'I've received some news recently.'"

"News?" The Empress was startled, asking in confusion, "What news?"

"In a low voice, Lady Linping, seeing only Chunyan and Xiachan in the inner chamber, said, 'I've heard that His Majesty has hidden someone in Prince Cheng's mansion.'"

The Empress, unconcerned, replied, "Mother, you're worried about that?"

"The Empress was indifferent to how many people the Emperor had. As long as they posed no threat to her position, she remained the virtuous and dignified mother of the nation."

"Lady Linping sighed, 'My child, that's Prince Cheng's mansion. He didn't bring the person directly to the palace but kept them there. Isn't that worth your concern?'"

"'Mother, you worry too much,' the Empress said, sitting up. In a low voice, she added, 'Recently, the head of the Shengxing Bureau has been handling affairs outside the palace. Since you mentioned someone hidden in Prince Cheng's mansion, he must be there.'"

"And," she continued, serving tea to her mother, "the Empress Dowager once took a little girl as her adopted daughter in Jinzhou, who now lives in Prince Cheng's mansion. Don't be alarmed by every rumor."

"Lady Linping, taken aback, grabbed her daughter's hand, 'The Shengxing Bureau? I... I had people scout around Prince Cheng's mansion, but they found nothing. Is that... alright?'"

"'Scout?' The Empress's voice rose slightly, then she calmed down and reassured her mother, 'It's fine, we haven't done anything wrong. Don't send people again. If there's anything in the future, come to the palace and discuss it with your daughter.'"

"'Alright,' Lady Linping, realizing she almost caused trouble, quickly agreed."

"After a while, she added, 'My child, you asked me to visit the palace. Is there something important?'"

"The Empress smiled, 'It's nothing major. The imperial selection is due next year, and I suspect His Majesty won't make a big fuss. He'll likely only invite daughters of officials. Mother, when you return, discuss with father about sending another girl from our clan into the palace.'"

"Send someone?" Lady Linping hesitated, speaking frankly, "Is there still no sign of pregnancy? Shall we try a different prescription?"

The Empress shook her head and sighed, "Mother, since the second prince's jade tablet has not been changed, he's only considered a half-legitimate son. But he is still from the House of Changping Marquis, and His Majesty..."

She lowered her voice and continued, "His Majesty would not wish the Zhao family to become the maternal family of two emperors."

Lady Linping's expression grew solemn as she whispered, "Alright, I'll discuss this with your father when I return home."

"It's best to choose someone from a side branch, with a less prominent family background," the Empress advised.

"I understand," Lady Linping nodded seriously, conversed for a short while, and then stood up to take her leave.

Not long after Lady Linping left, An Jing arrived at the Fengyi Palace with a bright yellow imperial decree. After paying respects to the Empress, he reverently handed her the decree, saying, "Empress, His Majesty requests your seal."

As it involved the grace of bestowing titles on women, the phoenix seal was naturally required.

The Empress took it, unfolded the decree to see that indeed Miss Song was conferred the title of Gui Ren County Princess, without any fief but only a stipend of rice. However, the arrangement that followed...

Sent to Xiu Rong County?

The Empress, maintaining her composure, said, "Gui Ren County Princess is still young. Sending her to Xiu Rong County, isn't that lacking in care?"

An Jing, with his round, plump face, smiled respectfully, "Empress, I too do not understand His Majesty's intentions."

The Empress knew there was no room for negotiation, nodded her head, and said to Chunyan, "Go fetch the phoenix seal."

On the 4th day of the 9th month in the second year of the Jianzhao era, the newly titled Gui Ren County Princess traveled in a sedan chair pulled by two horses, escorted by a small troop of guards. They left the capital through the Guang'an Gate, heading towards Xiu Rong County in Jinzhou.

Xiao Xing, sitting by the carriage window, lifted the curtain to look outside for a long time, then turned to Song Ran and said, "Miss, no, County Princess, once we arrive in Xiu Rong, will His Majesty bestow a residence upon us?"

"A residence?" Song Ran, with her eyes closed, leaning in the corner of the carriage, spoke softly, "Of course. After all, I am being sent to Xiu Rong by His Majesty to pray and observe filial piety on behalf of the Empress Dowager."

"Then..." Xiao Xing lifted the curtain again to glance back the way they had come, sounding reluctant, "Will we ever return?"

Song Ran opened her eyes in the shadowed corner of the carriage and gently said, "Now that I am titled a county princess, this nominal imperial brother of mine should take care of my future marriage. When that time comes…"

As she spoke, her voice trailed off into a murmur, almost as if talking to herself.

Xiao Xing's gaze shifted slightly, concealing the envy in her eyes. She let the carriage curtain fall back into place, remaining silent.