Chapter 106 Gui Zi'er: I'm making this decision on behalf of my mother; she doesn't want to see...
Xun Shutai and Cheng Lingdian came to the Princess's residence to pay their respects, but were turned away at the door.
When the news reached Xie Yuan, it was like a fishbone stuck in his throat.
Since Sheng Yu'an discovered discrepancies in the land accounts of Pingsha County, the accounts of various prefectures and counties have become increasingly chaotic. Xie Yuan reprimanded the Ministry of Revenue and the Secretariat several times, but the accounts were too complex, and the more anxious he became, the harder it was to investigate.
Xie Yuan buried himself in mountains of official documents all day long, even forgetting about the matter of the retired emperor moving the palace.
Zheng Hechuan reported: "Your Majesty, someone from the imperial palace has come and said that the Emperor Emeritus wishes to see the Princess."
Xie Yuan asked in surprise, "Has Father Emperor already moved to the temporary palace?"
Zheng Hechuan said, "Your Majesty, you ordered the Imperial Guards to escort the Emperor Emeritus to Yanzhi Mountain three days ago. You were so busy that you forgot."
Xie Yuan glanced out the bright window. It was past noon, and for no apparent reason, his mouth felt dry. He picked up the cold tea on the imperial desk and drank it all.
Zheng Hechuan said, "Your Majesty, this servant will have someone bring the meal."
Xie Yuan placed the vermilion brush back on the brush holder. It was time for the Phoenix Palace to prepare the meal, but when he thought of the Empress's lukewarm attitude even when she expressed her gratitude, he felt that going uninvited would be asking for trouble.
"Go to Zhaohua Palace." (From Consort Shu's palace.)
Before leaving, remembering that Zheng Hechuan had just mentioned that the Emperor Emeritus wanted to see Jiang Ning, he said, "Go to the Princess's residence and inform her that Jiang Ning should go to Yanzhi Mountain to pay her respects to the Emperor on my behalf when she has time."
Zheng Hechuan replied, "Yes."
In the pond of the Princess's back garden, some fish fry had been released, and a few fallen leaves floated on the surface. Yuanrong was scooping them up with a net. The back garden had been turned into a vegetable garden, with several melon vines creeping along the path. A few eunuchs were setting up bamboo trellises to guide the vines onto them.
Hsieh Wen-Chun fed Rou-Chia a slice of melon, watching her slowly chew and swallow.
"With Roujia like this, the imperial physicians in the palace are too afraid of death to prescribe any medicine that is gentle and nourishing, which is of no benefit to her. There may be skilled doctors in the common people who can cure dementia, but unfortunately Zhu Ying has gone to war with the army. Rong Jun, send someone to post an imperial notice at the four city gates and in the East and West markets to see if anyone will come to take it down."
Rong Jun cupped his hands and said, "Yes." He then sent someone to do it.
After gathering the withered leaves, Yuan Rong set up the net against the wall and said, "Your Highness, do you really not intend to take any responsibility for the Agriculture and Sericulture Bureau?"
Xie Wenjun took a handkerchief and wiped the melon juice from Roujia's lips. "I'm happy to have some peace and quiet."
Yuan Rong said, "You asked Miss Qin to remind Sheng Yu'an to check the accounts of Pingsha County. Yan Tianshu is really calm. The governor of Pingsha County has been beheaded. In terms of the amount of land fraudulently obtained, it should belong to the Yan family, but they are not in a hurry."
Pingsha County was the hometown of Yan Tianshu, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
“People can’t let go of that sliver of hope until they’re about to die.” Xie Wenjun glanced at the fish swimming in the pond and said, “Fire two carp out of the pond and send them to the Imperial Observatory. Tell them that they’ve been working hard delivering the weather divination tablets every day, and that this is a reward for the Imperial Observatory.”
Two carp were delivered, and Yan Tianshu immediately felt like he had found a lifeline, insisting on personally going to the Princess's residence to express his gratitude.
Xie Wenjun met him in the flower hall. As soon as he entered, Yan Tianshu knelt down and kowtowed deeply.
"Please, Your Highness, save my life."
Xie Wenjun said, "It is the Emperor who ordered a thorough investigation into the land tax. The Yan family's land tax has long been neglected. When things are peaceful, I turn a blind eye, but now that there is war, the Yan family is leaking money from the national treasury. How can I save you?"
Yan Tianshu said, "Your Highness has been in charge of agriculture and sericulture for many years. If Your Highness does not save me, I will lose my head. Your Highness is rewarding me with a carp, and I am willing to repay you."
"A little land accounting can be settled easily; it's not difficult. Supervisor, please rise and speak."
Yan Tianchu was filled with gratitude and stood up, lifting his robe.
"Your Highness, what do you think of this matter?"
Xie Wenjun offered Yan Tianshu a soft stool and served him a cup of Zisun tea. "I would like to ask the Supervisor first, how many days has it been since Father Emperor moved the palace, and what about the guest star?"
"A guest star?"
"How is it?"
Yan Tianshu answered truthfully: "Your Highness, the guest star's light is weak, but it is still stronger than the imperial star, and there are still signs that it will drive out Ziwei and take its place."
Just as I expected.
Xie Wenjun remained silent for a long time.
Yan Tianchu pondered why the eldest princess had suddenly become interested in the guest star. Suddenly, an idea popped into his head, and the teacup in his hand became unsteady.
In the sweltering heat of June, Yan Tianchu was drenched in a cold sweat.
Xie Wenjun said, "With the Supervisor's abilities, this guest star could simply not exist."
Yan Tianshu thought for a moment and said, "This humble official understands."
Xie Wenjun asked, "When the Emperor inquired about this matter, what was the Supervisor's response?"
"His Majesty is busy with war and land taxes, and has no time to inquire about the guest star. If he does inquire about it in the future, the guest star will be weak and not worth worrying about."
“That’s good.” Xie Wenjun said, “Lord Yan, those lands in your hometown that are registered under the names of tenants, you should give them up as they should. I will find a way to cover up the accounts that have already been investigated. You should go back to your hometown as soon as possible to clean them up. If you wait any longer, I will not be able to save you.”
Yan Tianshu said, "Does Your Highness mean... that we're just going to give it away for free?"
Xie Wenjun said, "A few acres of land, is it more important than the heads of Yan Jianzheng's family of over a hundred people?"
Those are thousands of acres of fertile farmland and paddy fields, how could it be just a few acres...
Yan Tianshu cut off a large chunk of flesh.
But that's all we can do.
No sooner had Yan Tianshu left the residence than someone from the palace arrived. Xie Yuan had sent Zheng Hechuan in person. Fifty bolts of brocade, a bushel of pearls, and a jade ruyi were unloaded from the carriage as a gift for the Princess's residence.
Zheng Hechuan conveyed the Emperor's decree.
As was customary, Yuan Rong slipped a gold ingot into Zheng Hechuan's arms. Zheng Hechuan thanked her, saying, "This servant thanks the Princess for the gift."
Xie Wenjun said, "Roujia is too young. Since leaving the palace, the servants have not been able to serve her well. When Eunuch Zheng returned to the palace, he asked the Emperor about her well-being. I took the liberty of bringing Roujia to my residence to be raised. Please do not be offended, Emperor. After my sister-in-law gives birth to a legitimate son, I will bring Roujia to the palace to pay her respects."
Zheng Hechuan replied, "Yes, Your servant obeys."
The imperial edict had only been posted twice when it was ordered to be torn down.
Rong Jun's men brought the person who had accepted the challenge back, and outside the mansion they encountered Zheng Hechuan, who was on his way back to the palace.
Zheng Hechuan stopped the man and asked, "Who is this person?"
The guard said, "It is the doctor that the eldest princess invited to the mansion to treat Princess Roujia."
Xie Wenjun was slightly surprised that the person who accepted the challenge was Pei Danxing from Jiuhua Mountain Villa in Liangxi City, but Pei Danxing did not show any surprise, as if he had expected to see who she was there.
"We met once in the past, and I am so grateful that the Princess and the General found out the murderer who killed my entire Pei family. I will never forget your kindness."
Xie Wenjun said, "I was not in my right mind at the time, and she agreed to it, so there's no need to thank me. Why is Doctor Pei also in Yongdu?"
"Also there?"
"During the Wanhe Festival, Miss Ye won first place in the medical competition, and the Emperor made a special exception and allowed her to enter the Imperial Medical Bureau."
"This humble subject has come for my wife," Pei Danxing said, bowing respectfully. "May I first take the princess's pulse?"
Roujia let Xie Wenjun roll up her sleeves, place them on the table, and cover them with a handkerchief. After taking her pulse, Xie Wenjun asked, "How is it?"
Pei Danxing said, "The princess's illness can be cured, but to what extent it can be cured depends on fate."
"What's the worst?"
"Able to speak and take care of their own food and clothing."
This is already quite remarkable.
Xie Wenjun nodded in agreement, "I will repay you handsomely once Roujia is healed."
Pei Danxing said, "This humble commoner does not seek money."
"Seeking an official position?"
"I ask for nothing. I only ask that Your Highness grant me permission to take A-Yuan back to Liangxi."
Xie Wenjun said, "If Physician Ye wishes to resign and return to his hometown, I grant his request."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Xie Wenjun arranged for Pei Danxing to stay at the Princess's residence. The next day, Pei Danxing went out to prepare for his needs and returned two days later.
Xie Wenjun led Roujia out of the city and headed towards Yanzhi Mountain.
The palace was heavily guarded, with eight guards at the main gate alone. Xie Yuan dispatched two hundred imperial guards to patrol the palace in shifts, but there were not many people serving the palace.
When Emperor Xuanyuan saw Xie Wenjun again, he leaned against a half-withered old osmanthus tree and stood there in a daze for a long time.
The former emperor's spirit has vanished, leaving only a face full of desolation and vicissitudes.
Only six years.
He aged so quickly.
A yellow leaf twirled down and landed right in Emperor Xuanyuan's outstretched palm.
"I thought you wouldn't come to see me."
Xie Wenjun bowed and greeted, "Father."
She waited for Emperor Xuanyuan to say something—whether it be a question or a jeer. In the end, he said nothing, but pulled up his sleeve and brushed the stone bench under the osmanthus tree for Xie Wenjun. He was still wearing his bright yellow casual clothes, the color faded, and the cuffs were frayed.
"Please sit down."
They were extremely distant.
Xie Wenjun ordered someone to take Roujia elsewhere so that she could sit facing Emperor Xuanyuan.
The old servants who used to serve Emperor Xuanyuan were still there, boiling water and brewing tea, and they were quite attentive. The tea served was aged tea, but there were also new tea cakes, which were to be saved for the guests.
“These days, I often dream of your mother. She is playing the zither under this osmanthus tree. I call to her, but no matter how I call, she does not answer me. Jiangning, I will soon be going to see your mother, and I also want to see you again.”
Emperor Xuanyuan suddenly remembered something, "Wait a minute."
Emperor Xuanyuan left Xie Wenjun under the osmanthus tree, then went into his bedchamber alone and brought out a prayer flag, which he held in his arms as if it were a priceless treasure.
"This banner is a sacred object of Bei Yong, presented as a tribute by the Second Prince of Bei Yong. With it, I can see your mother again. I long for your arrival, yet I fear you won't come; if you don't come, I'll have no one to say these things to. Back then, I was still an unappreciated prince, and the Rong family wanted to send your mother to Bei Yong for a political marriage. It was my brother and I who went to their door to snatch her away..."
Xie Wenjun listened as he recounted the past in a stream of words.
She thought she should feel pity.
But she didn't. She listened calmly as Emperor Xuanyuan recounted all this, as if listening to an utterly boring play. When he was tired of talking, Xie Wenjun said, "When I was young, my mother and I also waited anxiously for Father to come to Yaohua Palace."
Emperor Xuanyuan dared not look Xie Wenjun in the eye.
"I was preoccupied with state affairs at that time and felt guilty towards you and your daughter. But I never neglected your needs for food and clothing..."
"When Father Emperor moved to the temporary palace, did my elder brother ever lack Father Emperor's food and clothing?"
After a moment of silence, Emperor Xuanyuan choked up.
Only now does he realize that having enough food and clothing doesn't guarantee a sense of belonging. Years of neglect, even with daily comforts, were nothing more than enduring monotony and boredom.
The prayer flags were soaked with water, and tears kept dripping down.
“When my brother sent Roujia to the Imperial Garden, I saw that the servants had embezzled the food, fruits, and money that were sent from the palace. Roujia was picking up sour fruits that had fallen by the well to fill her stomach. I have also experienced such days.”
Emperor Xuanyuan looked up in disbelief.
"Your Majesty believes that you are truly busy with state affairs and may not have paid attention to these trivial matters in the inner palace, or perhaps you have tacitly approved of Consort De's actions. Such indifference is nothing short of indulgence. Her maternal family has fallen into ruin and she is all alone in the deep palace, with no relatives or friends. The Emperor's favor is the only thing she can rely on. Your Majesty has given her the title of Noble Consort, yet you allow her to be bullied. Does Your Majesty still remember that she was a renowned talented woman when she was still a young lady? Your Majesty is too noble and unwilling to use those means of vying for favor to win the Emperor's favor, nor does she want to disturb His Majesty's ears with the slightest dispute over palace expenses. She pretends to be pitiful and begs Your Majesty's mercy. Day after day, year after year, she hopes that Your Majesty can recall the affection she shared in her youth."
"She waited for her father for half her life."
"Aunt Jingge said that the Empress Dowager's dying wish was to go on a marriage alliance."
Xie Wenjun snatched the banner from Emperor Xuanyuan's hand and tore it in two along the grain.
"Jiangning!"
The sound of tearing cloth came suddenly, and Emperor Xuanyuan watched helplessly as the prayer flag was ripped in the middle. He gathered the two pieces of cloth together and wept uncontrollably.
"Your Majesty, I'm making this decision on your behalf. She doesn't want to see you."
Xie Wenjun got up to leave, saying, "The wind will pick up on the mountain after sunset, so let's go back inside. From now on, in addition to the palace allowance, I will send extra. Father, you can spend your remaining years here. I take my leave."
As I turned around, dusk was just beginning to fall over the osmanthus tree.
The afterglow illuminated the delicate petals of the golden osmanthus, revealing a scene from twenty years ago when Xie Wenjun leaned against the gate of Yaohua Palace, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her father, the Emperor.
Author's note: Thanks to Tom for the shallow-water torpedo.
Second update. Enjoy reading!
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