Chapter 41 (None)

Fuqing Palace.

Consort Zhao held silver scissors in her hand, slowly and meticulously pruning the camellias. The weather was cold, making it difficult for the camellias to bloom. The flowers, originally the size of a small bowl, now had petals spread out, no different in size from a wine cup.

Granny Huang stepped forward with a red copper hand warmer and said with concern, "Your Highness, be careful not to get cold hands. Let me do it for you."

"It's not that cold. If you sit still with nothing to do, your body will fall apart," Consort Zhao said casually.

Originally, Consort Zhao was in charge of both the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau and the Imperial Palace Bureau. After handing over the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau, she was no longer as busy as before. She rarely went out and focused solely on taking care of Xiao Yunjue.

Even so, Consort Zhao took the hand warmer, handed the silver scissors to Granny Huang, and looked at the neatly trimmed camellias in the basin.

Granny Huang only trimmed a few leaves and said, "The flowers in the garden are in short supply this year. Look at these flowers and trees, they're not as good as they are each year. Last year the weather was much colder, and the flowers bloomed much better than this year."

The artisans who planted the flowers and trees in the garden were all carefully selected and were all skilled in planting flowers and trees. If it is that the plants are not the same as those in the garden, then it is because they are different from the root.

Consort Zhao chuckled softly but did not speak.

She had already noticed something was wrong with Yuan You, and her decision to bring out the Imperial Chamber Bureau without hesitation was also related to this.

Huang Mama glanced at Consort Zhao's expression and said, "Your Highness, the old lady sent word a couple of days ago that she misses you and the Second Prince wants to come and pay his respects to you."

Consort Zhao frowned, her displeasure evident, and said, "I told her long ago that things are not peaceful in the palace or the court. They should keep a low profile and not cause trouble! Send someone back to her. If she dares to cause trouble, don't blame me for abandoning her!"

Seeing that Consort Zhao was angry, Granny Huang quickly replied, "Your Highness, please calm down. The old lady is only concerned about Your Highness."

Fang Sideng's death was suspicious, and Consort Zhao did not believe that Consort Gao could have died from charcoal poisoning. However, she had no evidence, so she had to be extremely cautious with every step she took, remaining steadfast in the face of any eventuality.

Thinking of her family's foolishness, Consort Zhao felt disgusted and did not want to talk about it anymore.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor treats that woman in Fanying Pavilion very differently," said Granny Huang with a forced smile after a moment's hesitation.

Consort Zhao reached out and fiddled with the petals, her expression indifferent, and said, "Granny Huang, look at this flower. Whether it blooms in spring or winter, it only blooms for one season. Have you ever seen a flower that can bloom for a long time?"

Granny Huang agreed, "I'm worried that if that person gets pregnant, things might be different."

Consort Zhao said, "So what if you're pregnant? Raising a child isn't that easy. If you can have a smooth pregnancy and delivery, and if the child grows up smoothly, it depends on the good deeds of your ancestors."

Pregnancy is a difficult ten months for women, and childbirth is a brush with death. Many babies die young, even in the royal family.

"The sun is setting. Let's move them inside later. These flowers are quite precious." Consort Zhao said, looking at the sun on the horizon, as she walked into the house.

Granny Huang hurriedly gave the order, and at that moment a young palace maid stepped forward and reported, "Granny, Consort Li has come to see Her Highness."

Consort Zhao paused upon hearing the maid's words, smiled, and said, "Bring them in."

Granny Huang hurriedly nudged the young palace maid, "Her Majesty has given the order, hurry up and go."

The young palace maid hurriedly went outside, and Granny Huang followed Consort Zhao into the warm pavilion in the corridor to add charcoal and boil water.

Consort Li quickly entered and curtsied gracefully. The two hadn't seen each other for quite some time, and Consort Zhao was as warm and welcoming as ever, beckoning her over and saying, "Come and sit down."

After serving the tea, Granny Huang dismissed the palace maids. Consort Li sat on the brocade cushion, took a sip of tea, and said, "I was afraid Your Highness would be too busy, so I didn't come to disturb you. It's so comfortable here, Your Highness; even the tea tastes exceptionally sweet."

Consort Zhao laughed and said, "You greedy thing, it's as if you don't even have tea to drink there. If you really like it, I'll have someone wrap a tea cake for you to take home and eat."

"Your Majesty is so generous, then I won't stand on ceremony." Consort Li was unpretentious and took another sip of tea, saying with emotion, "I went to Fanying Pavilion before and had a cup of tea from Consort Jiang. The teacup was a celadon cup, and the tea was a dragon and phoenix tea cake. I felt as if I were in front of the Emperor."

Emperor Yuanming loved to drink dragon and phoenix-shaped tea cakes, and almost everyone in the harem knew about them, especially the glazed teaware.

In Fuqing Palace, there were also cups and saucers with glazed decorations and dragon and phoenix-shaped tea cakes. Emperor Yuanming had not visited for quite some time, and the teacups were covered in dust.

Consort Zhao favored white porcelain and Rizhu green tea. The initial bitterness followed by sweetness of green tea, paired with a white porcelain cup, created a beautiful and clear contrast.

Hearing the provocation in Li Jieyu's words, Consort Zhao couldn't help but smile. Without even raising her eyelids, she focused on drinking her tea and simply said, "It's just a matter of different personal tastes and preferences."

Consort Li smiled and said yes, but her eyes darkened. She put down her teacup, took the purse from her waist and handed it to her, saying with a smile, "I have obtained a few South Sea pearls here, all of the highest quality. South Sea pearls are precious, and only Your Majesty's beauty is worthy of them."

Consort Zhao raised her eyebrows. Consort Li, like her, loved pearls. Consort Li had reluctantly brought out her favorite pearls because she knew that her attempts to sow discord had failed.

The South Sea pearls in the purse were all round and plump, and remarkably, they were all about the same size, each slightly larger than a thumb.

Consort Zhao placed the purse on the table and continued to smile as she sipped her tea, never asking any further questions.

Seeing this, Consort Li bit her lip, steeled her heart, and said, "Your Majesty, I have been to Fanying Pavilion. They are determined to take over the garden as well. When Your Majesty was in charge of the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau, there was never any mishap. My elder brother was always very grateful, and so am I. I hope Your Majesty will continue to be in charge of the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau."

Consort Zhao, holding her teacup, asked curiously, "Does Fanying Pavilion intend to seize the garden?"

"Jiang Meiren's father has been an official for many years, but he is still just a minor county magistrate. Her brothers have not even passed the imperial examinations. Her grandchildren are all grown up, and her son does not have a proper job. The whole family depends on Jiang's father for a living. Jiang's father is getting old. When he closes his eyes, how will this family survive?"

Consort Li looked at him with disdain and said, "Currently, Fan Yingge is in favor, and my brothers might be able to get a favor through him. If Father Jiang gets promoted, he can get a position as a physician in one of the Six Ministries. The position in the Yu Ministries would be the most suitable."

Although it was just speculation, Li Jieyu's analysis made some sense. The garden had made a mistake, and Jiang Ling was currently in favor; now was a golden opportunity to weaken the Jiang family. If she were in that situation, she would definitely do the same.

However, Li Jieyu was too impatient.

Consort Zhao's expression was unreadable; she simply sipped her tea leisurely and casually said, "The affairs of the previous dynasty are none of your business."

The Zhao family was short of money, and the joke of being offered as tribute became common knowledge. Consort Zhao had received many favors from her, yet now she pretended to be nonchalant!

Consort Li gritted her teeth, a flash of resentment and ruthlessness crossing her eyes. Consort Zhao had cultivated her influence in the palace for many years and knew a great deal about the imperial gardens. She paused, then said defiantly, "Rather than giving my elder brother's position to the Jiang family, I would rather give sixty percent of it to Your Highness."

Consort Zhao slowly put down her teacup, and said with a half-smile, "I can't help you with what Consort Li has told me. For matters concerning the previous dynasty, you should ask the Emperor."

Consort Li stiffened, lowered her eyes for a moment, and said, "Seventy percent. Over the years, my elder brother has not received much silver. Your Highness must know where a portion of it went."

The smile on Consort Zhao's face faded, and she stared coldly at Consort Li, remaining silent for a long time.

*

The gardens found flowers and trees from somewhere, and daffodils, daphne, wintersweet and other flowers were placed all over the palace, making the winter solstice festive and lively.

Before Emperor Yuanming's Winter Solstice Heaven-worshiping ceremony, one had to fast, bathe, and change clothes. Meat and sexual relations were forbidden.

After several days of exhaustion, Emperor Yuanming was finally able to take a breather. As soon as the banquet ended, he went straight to Fanying Pavilion.

The winter night was long. After dinner, Jiang Ling sat idly on the couch for a while. When he saw the rice cakes on the table, he suddenly perked up and said, "Wenjuan, lift the lid of the incense burner. Let's bake rice cakes and share them to spread good fortune."

Wenjuan smiled and agreed, saying, "Rice cakes are easy to cause indigestion, so you should eat less of them, my beauty."

Jiang Ling had eaten a lot in the evening and wasn't hungry at the moment. He said, "I won't eat much; I'm just doing this for fun."

Wenjuan took out the rack, and Aruo Fanghe came into the house together. The group of them stood in front of the incense burner and started roasting. Before long, the rice cakes started to bubble and emit a fragrant aroma.

"It would be even sweeter if you added a layer of honey," Jiang Ling said regretfully.

She doesn't usually eat sweets, and there's no honey kept in her room. A'Ruo volunteered to go to the kitchen to get some, but Jiang Ling stopped her: "Never mind, it's already this late, let the kitchen staff rest too."

The lanterns in Fanying Pavilion were dimly lit. Emperor Yuanming walked into the side hall, circled around to the corridor, and looked at the lights on the windows of the east room. A smile unconsciously appeared on his face. He did not have anyone announce his arrival, and had Huang Liang and his group of personal eunuchs wait outside. He went to the door of the side room alone.

Upon hearing Jiang Ling's words, Emperor Yuanming asked in confusion, "Why do you want the kitchen staff to take a rest?"

Upon seeing that it was Emperor Yuanming, Jiang Ling couldn't help but frown and hurriedly stepped forward to greet him: "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

"How could I not come?" Emperor Yuanming glared at her, glanced at the rice cakes on the incense burner, and waved to Wen Juan and the others, "Take them out quickly!"

Wenjuan and the others quickly carried the rice cakes out along with the incense burner. Jiang Ling, seeing the rice cakes that were about to be eaten fly away, cursed inwardly, "What an annoyance! Coming here to ruin the holiday!"

Emperor Yuanming had anticipated that she would secretly curse, so he snorted and said, "Eating and drinking should be done in moderation. You have already had dinner, so it is not appropriate for you to eat rice cakes."

Jiang Ling respectfully agreed, but inwardly rolled his eyes: "You know, I'm not stupid. Why would I force myself on someone who's already full? If you're so eager to be a father, go be the father of your own children!"

Emperor Yuanming was used to his good intentions being misunderstood and was not angry.

These days, when facing court officials, envoys, and members of the royal family, Emperor Yuanming seemed to only recognize their faces, but in reality, they were complete strangers.

Hearing her voice after so long, and feeling the power to control everything, made him feel as refreshed as drinking ice water in the middle of summer.

"Have all the winter plum blossoms been made into sachets again?" Emperor Yuanming asked with amusement, noticing that there were no flowers in the room.

"Yes," Jiang Ling replied dryly, thinking to himself, "He came all this way so late, his intentions are obvious to everyone, yet he's still asking all sorts of questions. Go wash up quickly, and I'll sleep with you so I can get some rest!"

Although the words were crude, they pleased Emperor Yuanming. He felt a sudden itch in his heart, forced himself to sit and drink a couple of sips of tea, coughed, and said expressionlessly, "It's getting late, and I'm tired too. Let's rest."

Jiang Ling's lips twitched slightly, and he muttered "pretentious" under his breath before going to wash up.

Emperor Yuanming washed up quickly and lay on the bed waiting expectantly. Jiang Ling stepped onto the footrest, and without regard for his composure, he reached out and pulled down the bed curtains, then pulled Jiang Ling down onto the bed.

Jiang Ling hadn't gotten to eat rice cakes earlier, and although she absolutely had to, she was very unhappy about being lectured. She didn't move, intending to experience the raw pleasure of Emperor Yuanming's visits to his concubines.

Emperor Yuanming noticed the difference in Jiang Ling's demeanor and was immediately disappointed. He restrained himself, but ultimately his skin wasn't as thick as hers, and he didn't ask. Recalling the things she had done with him, he fumbled around in a flustered manner.

"Good heavens, it's not like I'm eating pig's trotters!" Jiang Ling couldn't stand it anymore, so she pulled him up, led him, and followed her happy path.

With her guidance, Emperor Yuanming gradually improved. Fireworks flashed before his eyes, and the commotion subsided.

Jiang Ling immediately got up from the bed, put on his undergarments while standing on the footstool, curtsied, and took his leave.

Emperor Yuanming lay there, gazing intently at Jiang Ling, his teeth chattering. Once his breathing had calmed, he went to the washroom to clean himself.

Back in the bedroom, Emperor Yuanming sat on the edge of the bed, his brow furrowed, wondering where she was resting if she wasn't resting on the couch in the side room.

Emperor Yuanming pondered for a moment, then got up and went to the west room. He saw her wrapped up in a long strip, lying on the narrow couch, already emitting even, deep sleep.

"She can really sleep!" Emperor Yuanming was speechless for a moment, but seeing that she would roll off the bed as soon as she turned over, he couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

"Get up and go to bed." Emperor Yuanming stepped forward and whispered in Jiang Ling's ear.

Jiang Ling's ears itched, so she scratched them and groggily opened her eyes. Seeing it was Emperor Yuanming, her brows furrowed involuntarily. She struggled to sit up and mumbled, "What business does Your Majesty have with me?"

Emperor Yuanming glared at her and said, "Isn't it amazing that you're not afraid of falling off your bed while you're asleep? Go to bed now."

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor. According to the rules..." Jiang Ling suppressed her drowsiness and said politely. Before she could finish speaking, Emperor Yuanming pulled her up.

"My word is law!" Emperor Yuanming interrupted Jiang Ling irritably, glancing at her and secretly cursing her for being pretentious.

She has the nerve to talk about rules; she's the most unruly person in the world!

Unable to disobey the imperial decree, Jiang Ling could only roar and curse in his heart: "You dog of a man, so annoying! Why don't you go back to your big dragon bed to sleep?"

After several attempts, Emperor Yuanming began to understand the situation.

In the past, after he had favored his concubines, they were all sent away and not allowed to stay overnight.

She appears to follow the rules, but in reality, she does the same things as him.

Emperor Yuanming made up his mind to ignore her insults.

As the supreme emperor, how could he possibly offer himself up to her for pleasure only to be ruthlessly discarded by her!