Chapter 4: The fickle nature of human nature

Jiang Mei was not the only woman he took into the palace!

Jiang Mei was the precious concubine that Xu Heng cherished dearly, as if she were fragile and fragile. He also had Consort Shu and Consort Wan, each one of whom was his darling...

Thinking about it this way, it seems the emperor has several more hearts and livers than an ordinary person. Things are cheap when there's plenty of them, and cheap things are inexpensive; therefore, it's clear the emperor's heart and liver are the least valuable things in the world.

Now, Wang Yuying can calmly recall and joke about it without a ripple in her heart, something she couldn't do before. She remembers the first time she heard that Xu Heng had slept with another woman, her reaction was to laugh it off. She believed in herself and Xu Heng, convinced that it was slander and a divisive tactic.

But later, Wang Yuying saw the woman that Xu Heng had hidden in the secluded Qingyin Palace. Many years later, she still clearly remembered that the woman was wearing a pleated skirt with a tortoise-shell pattern, sandalwood in color, and cut very loosely, but it still couldn't hide her pointed belly, which was just sticking out. This showed how long Xu Heng had kept it a secret.

Wang Yuying's beliefs crumbled rapidly, and a chill began at her feet and spread throughout her body.

She stared intently at the woman's belly. How did this child come about?

She couldn't help but imagine Xu Heng's intimate moments with women, and her heart ached as if it were being torn apart.

Stop thinking about it, please stop thinking about it, she heard the cry from the bottom of her heart, but she just couldn't control herself and kept thinking about it more and more carefully.

Wang Yuying was seeing hallucinations all around her, with beads popping and clattering wildly, making her dizzy and her ears ring. She also saw arrows piercing her heart.

She turned around and headed straight for the Imperial Study. Although the woman had already confessed, she still wanted to hear Xu Heng explain that the child was not his and that it was a misunderstanding.

She believed him only if he denied it.

Wang Yuying's chest heaved, her hands and feet trembled, and she stumbled as she ran, accidentally bumping into a pillar twice.

When Wang Yuying arrived at the Imperial Study, Xu Heng was discussing politics with his ministers. Unable to wait any longer, she stepped forward and openly questioned him.

The courtiers were stunned and looked at each other in dismay. She remembered that Zheng Yangzhi was also present, glancing at her with a mocking smile on his lips.

What made Wang Yuying most desperate was Xu Heng's reaction. Apart from helplessness, panic, and a little bit of anger and shame, nothing else could be read on his face.

"You may all leave now." As he dismissed the officials, he turned his head away, not daring to look at them, much less at Wang Yuying. He waved his hand slightly, without even waving his sleeves; every movement was filled with guilt and shame.

Once only the two of them remained in the imperial study, Xu Heng hurriedly grabbed Wang Yuying's hand and explained—he said that the imperial heir was crucial to the safety of the nation, and since ancient times, an emperor without a son to inherit the throne would inevitably face calamity. He could not fail his ancestors and the nation, so he chose a fertile palace maid who would give birth to an imperial heir, then remove the mother and keep the child, claiming to the outside world that it was Wang Yuying's son.

Because Wang Yuying didn't react, Xu Heng became so anxious that his face turned pale. He raised his arm and pointed to the sky, swearing that he had absolutely no feelings for that palace maid and that he was only trying to alleviate the internal and external troubles of the court and for the long-term benefit of the country.

He lowered his hand, met Wang Yuying's gaze, and said in a deep voice, "Yingniang, believe me, a king's word is his bond."

What a fine saying, "A ruler's word is his bond!"

Wang Yuying trembled so much she couldn't speak, her body and mind were cold, and every inch of her skin was covered in goosebumps. She remembered that when they were in the northern frontier, every year on the Ghost Festival she would accompany Xu Heng to pay respects to his birth mother whom he had never met. He would pour out his sorrow and difficulties as an adopted son to her, seeking solace from her, and he would also recount in detail the fear and trepidation he felt when dealing with the Empress Dowager, as if walking on thin ice, and all the sordid personal grievances he harbored.

He understands everything, yet now he wants to give her a child born to another woman!

This was incredibly cruel to her and the pregnant woman in Qingyin Palace!

Wang Yuying leaned towards Xu Heng, craned her neck, and screamed like a madwoman, her voice cracking: "What a fine way to say 'leave the mother and keep the child,' Xu Qilang! Have you forgotten Empress Dowager Zhangyi?"

Qilang was Xu Heng's childhood name, meaning "the Qilin brings a son".

Xu Heng's birth mother never received any official rank or title until her death; Empress Zhangyi was posthumously honored by him after he ascended the throne.

Wang Yuying couldn't stand being insulted. For every bit of trouble he caused her, she would retaliate in kind. She blurted out some harsh words: "I think she'll be brought back to life by your anger even in the afterlife!"

Xu Heng was taken aback at first, then his face turned pale and then red. He gritted his teeth and squeezed out, "How can you be so mean and vicious!"

Wang Yuying's mocking smile froze, and she felt even colder.

Ultimately, the emperor and empress parted on bad terms.

That night, for the first time, Xu Heng did not return to Funing Palace to sleep; according to reports, he went to Qingyin Palace.

Wang Yuying sat alone all night. It was only February, and the palace was still heated by an underfloor heating system, but it couldn't alleviate the cold. She placed her hand on the bed, and waves of cold air assaulted her arm. Looking around, she wondered how she, at only twenty years old, had become someone whose palace lanterns were bright, whose silk curtains were cold, and whose thin quilts couldn't withstand the chill of the early morning.

Wang Yuying found it meaningless, moved out of Funing Palace, and never returned.

But she still couldn't help but worry about Xu Heng and miss him. Even before he showed up, she was easily swayed by her own wild thoughts.

She couldn't explain it, she couldn't articulate it, and she even looked down on herself a little—she was actually waiting and hoping that Xu Heng would come to apologize in Kunning Palace.

Xu Heng entered Kunning Palace the next day. Upon hearing that His Majesty had arrived, Wang Yuying was immediately filled with envy and bitterness. Just as she was about to scold him for making her wait for three days, she saw Xu Heng glaring at her angrily, his lips pursed, his face ashen, completely different from what she had expected.

Before Wang Yuying could even react, Xu Heng berated her for being an unworthy empress, lacking any tolerance for others, and for using poison to abort the child. The woman in Qingyin Palace was also in critical condition.

“Two lives lost, Empress, you are truly ruthless.” Xu Heng stared at her, gritting his teeth.

Wang Yuying's mind was buzzing, and her chest began to heave violently again. She hadn't done it, but because of her indignation and agitation, she couldn't organize her thoughts into a coherent and reasonable sentence.

She offered a few rambling explanations, which were utterly unconvincing, and Xu Heng naturally didn't believe her, so he turned and left. Wang Yuying regretted her poor communication skills and carefully prepared her words in Kunning Palace, rehearsing them several times until she was clear and articulate before going to explain to Xu Heng, only to be turned away at the door.

"Your Majesty, please go back. His Majesty has ordered that he will not see you," Qingfu advised her. "Wait a few days and let His Majesty calm down."

Perhaps she still harbored hope for their relationship, because she went back and waited. How long had it been since she last saw Xu Heng? Half a year? Seven or eight months? Or more than a year?

She heard that the man from Qingyin Palace was later rescued, but he still didn't come to see her.

As time passed, Wang Yuying's memory gradually became blurred, or perhaps because the waiting time was too agonizing, she deliberately forgot it.

Until the Northern Barbarians sent their tribute to the palace for the new year.

The Northern Barbarians had always been a vassal state of this dynasty, paying tribute every year. They were located right next to the northern border and were rich in rubies, sapphires, and jade. Most of the headdresses they presented were made from these treasures.

Fluorite is the least valuable of these.

But Wang Yuying had a particular fondness for the lake blue, star blue, distant mountain purple, and wild chrysanthemum purple mixed in the fluorite. Everyone in the palace knew that whenever tributes arrived, the Empress would pick out the jewelry inlaid with fluorite first, regardless of whether it was hairpins, earrings, or bracelets.

That year, a dazzling array of jewelry was presented to the Kunning Palace, but not a single piece was inlaid with fluorite.

That's impossible.

Hugu Xumi, the King of the Northern Di, was a good friend she and Xu Heng made in the northern frontier. Knowing that she was fond of fluorite, Hugu sent her a lot of it every year.

"Why isn't there any fluorite stone powder among this year's tribute?" Wang Yuying asked directly.

The head of the clothing and the head of the accessories knelt at the lower end: "Your Majesty, there are indeed none this year."

Just as Wang Yuying was about to give up, she noticed Si Shi touching his nose, a gesture only someone with a guilty conscience would make. She immediately frowned and demanded loudly, "Is that really true? Speak!"

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!" Si Shi immediately knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly. "The tribute of fluorite has all been taken by Consort Mei."

"Consort Mei?" Wang Yuying murmured blankly, wondering where such a person came from in the palace.

The head of the clothing department and the head of the decoration department confessed in trembling voices that Xu Heng had actually taken Jiang Mei into the palace!

A chill swept through the land again, and Wang Yuying began to feel cold all over, shivering as if she had caught a cold. When she heard that Jiang Mei was staying at Fuyu Palace, she angrily stormed over to her door.

Before stepping over the threshold, she looked up at the plaque above and became even angrier—Fu Yu, how dare he give away a palace with her name on it to someone else!

That person was still Jiang Mei!

Upon entering, Wang Yuying confronted Jiang Mei, demanding to know why she had stolen her fluorite. Jiang Mei seemed stunned, remaining silent for a moment before her face turned deathly pale, tears streaming down her face: "Sister's accent is heavy, I don't understand."

Upon hearing this, Wang Yuying was furious. How could Jiang Mei not understand? When Wang Yuying had just met Xu Heng and was not yet married, Jiang Mei would affectionately take her arm and answer every question she asked.

Zheng Yangzhi, however, ridiculed Wang Yuying for her unconscious border accent when speaking Mandarin, saying it was a vulgar country accent, unfit for refined speech.

Jiang Mei was also present at the time. She wasn't truly unable to understand; she was implying something!

Enraged, Wang Yuying berated Jiang Mei, and in her fury, she pointed a finger at Jiang Mei's face.

"Stop!" came a sharp shout.

The palace servants and eunuchs of Fuyu Palace deliberately did not announce their arrival. When Wang Yuying heard the familiar voice and turned around, Xu Heng was already standing at the palace gate with a livid face.

Just as he uttered the word "stay," Jiang Mei covered her face and fell to the ground, as if Wang Yuying had not pointed at her face, but rather raised her hand to slap her down.

Wang Yuying glanced at Jiang Mei, then at Xu Heng, and then back at Jiang Mei, realizing that with her back to the door, Xu Heng couldn't see what she had just done.

If the eyes cannot see, they naturally cannot distinguish clearly.

Wang Yuying was parched and frantic with worry, while Jiang Mei was in tears. Xu Heng brushed past Wang Yuying and ran to help Jiang Mei, who immediately threw herself into the emperor's arms: "Your Majesty—"

Consort Mei wept, but each word was clearly enunciated: "Your Majesty, I know my status is lowly, and I am neither favored by Your Majesty nor by Her Majesty the Empress. I dared not choose the finest items, but only picked the cheapest and most common fluorite, intending to leave all the rare treasures to Her Majesty the Empress, for only Her Majesty the Empress could afford them. I meant well, but I never expected..."

Jiang Mei suddenly broke down in tears, unable to continue speaking: "I know nothing, I understand nothing..."

She closed her eyes and raised her chin, as if she were about to cry herself to death. Xu Heng quickly hugged her tightly: "Mei Niang!"

Jiang Mei slowly opened her eyes: "It was my fault..." She struggled to crawl toward Wang Yuying, tears streaming down her face, "I apologize to Your Majesty the Empress..."

A gentle breeze sways the willows, pear blossoms weep in the rain; a beauty's tears always evoke pity. If Wang Yuying were to witness such a scene now, she would surely think: to be beautiful, one must wear mourning clothes. Jiang Mei should wait until Xu Heng dies before she cries; her white mourning clothes, adorned with endless tears, would be even more captivating.

Then, as she thought about it, she probably couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Unfortunately, at that time, Wang Yuying had not yet developed the good mentality of enjoying the excitement. She couldn't believe that Jiang Mei would pretend to be weak and bite back. How could a person be so scheming and treacherous?

"You acted well!" she cursed, pointing at Jiang Mei's face, her anger rising but unable to utter a word.

Jiang Mei covered her face in Xu Heng's arms, while Xu Heng looked up at Wang Yuying, seeing her pointing finger and her angry eyes. He frowned and sighed, "Mei Niang doesn't understand anything, so just forgive her."

Does he really believe that?

Wang Yuying suddenly felt a salty, fishy taste rise to her throat; she might really have been so angry with Xu Heng that she vomited blood.

"She did it on purpose! She knew it!" Wang Yuying screamed hysterically.

Xu Heng frowned even more deeply, and his tone hardened: "Don't always assume malice in others. Mei Niang really doesn't understand; she meant well."

Wang Yuying called Jiang Mei by her full name and persisted in criticizing her acting. Finally, she regained some composure and explained several details of cause and effect to Xu Heng as evidence.

Surely he'll believe me now?

Wang Yuying looked at Xu Heng, but saw a hint of impatience flash across his face: "I told you not to use fabricated evil words to slander and judge people. If I were to be like you, suspicious and wicked, wouldn't that mean I would say that you love these tribute items and jewelry every year, but do you care about the fluorite or the person who gave it to you?"

Wang Yuying was startled, then her blood ran cold. Years ago in the northern frontier, she, Xu Heng, and Hugu Xumi enjoyed the snow and drank together, finding common ground and drinking until nightfall. When the firewood in the house ran out, Xu Heng went to the woodshed to fetch some, leaving her and Hugu to continue toasting. Then, she suddenly glanced at the door and saw Xu Heng standing there with firewood in his arms, his face icy cold.

After Hugu left, he ignored her for several hours. It was only when Wang Yuying took the initiative to make peace that he realized Xu Heng was jealous for no reason.

Although her relationship with Hugu was open and honest, Wang Yuying promised Xu Heng that she would never be alone with Hugu in private again.

So much time had passed that she had long forgotten about it, but she never expected that Xu Heng would still remember it and hold a grudge.

Those words must have been bottled up in his heart for a long time for him to be able to express them so fluently.

Wang Yuying turned around and raised her hand, her wide sleeves fluttering: "Fine, I don't want any of the tributes. I'll give them to you two adulterers!"

She walked out of the palace without looking back. Xu Heng heard the vulgar words of adulterers and adulterous women, and the veins on his temples throbbed again, but he still abandoned Consort Mei and strode after Wang Yuying.

He grabbed her wrist in the square in front of the Fuyu Palace: "Don't run away, let me finish what I have to say."

Wang Yuying pressed her tongue against her teeth, raised her eyebrows to her temples, and listened to what he had to say.

Xu Heng lowered his head and sighed, looking earnest and earnest: "The Empress Dowager has been very ill for the past six months and is nearing her end. It has been Mei Niang who has been taking care of her. In her final moments, she only wishes to see me take Mei Niang as my concubine, so that she will have no regrets." Xu Heng paused, then hesitated, "I agree to the Empress Dowager's request."

Feeling his hand being pulled away from the wrist, Xu Heng quickly grabbed it firmly: "I have only fulfilled the Empress Dowager's wish. I have never touched Mei Niang, and I will never touch her in the future."

"Then why was she confined to Fuyu Palace?" Wang Yuying asked rhetorically, her voice still trembling.

Xu Heng sighed and said softly, "This is also the Empress Dowager's wish. She knows that I will rarely spend time with Mei Niang in the future, so she hopes that she can live happily, relieve her loneliness, and find some joy. Only Fuyu Palace has plum blossoms, so Mei Niang chose this place."

Without hearing a response from Wang Yuying, Xu Heng added, "You know, when I was a child, I fell into the water and was saved by Mei Niang. Giving Fuyu to her is my way of repaying her."

The words went in one ear and out the other; her thoughts were still on her mother's wishes. Xu Heng's biological mother had died long ago, and the "mother" he spoke of was his adoptive mother, Empress Dowager Jiang, whom he had fought alongside Wang Yuying and her husband for years, ultimately forcing her into a Buddhist hermitage to live a vegetarian life.

Now he's showing filial piety again.

Wang Yuying suddenly found her previous actions of fighting for him and playing the villain in front of the Empress Dowager to be utterly ridiculous.

She laughed at herself and at Xu Heng, snorted coldly, forcefully pulled her arm out of Xu Heng's grasp, and walked away with a flick of her sleeve.

A note from the author:

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