Chapter 22
Chapter Summary: Returning to Beijing.
"Well, thank you very much, Your Majesty," Yu Jing replied calmly, letting out a quiet sigh, her mind heavy with worry. The Third Princess is about to enter the palace; things are likely to get busy from here on out.
"Mother." Qi Jin called out softly when he saw Yu Jing looking lost in thought.
"Hmm." Yu Jing came back to her senses, turned her head to look at Qi Jin, and asked in her eyes.
Qi Jin met Yu Jing's eyes, tugged at the corners of his lips, and shook his head. A Yu quickly had a chair brought over and placed it next to the small table. Qi Jin sat down and looked out at the courtyard with Yu Jing.
All sorts of books, big and small, filled the nearly entire courtyard. Upon seeing this, Qi Jin sighed, "When I used to come to Cining Palace to pay my respects, I only thought that the Empress Dowager had many books on her shelves. Now it seems that I was thinking too little."
Yu Jing twirled the teacup in her hand, absentmindedly replying slowly, "It's just sitting there, I don't look at it often anyway."
"Not at all, Your Majesty is so learned that even I am far from being able to match you."
Yu Jing was too lazy to waste time with Qi Jin's nonsense, so she just gave a forced smile, which was her way of agreeing. She then looked at the books filling the courtyard with worry.
"In a few days, Mother will be setting off for Wanjiang Mountain to pray for blessings. Has Mother seen the gift list submitted by the Ministry of Rites? Is there anything else that needs to be prepared?" Qi Jin asked.
"No need, Your Majesty is too kind." Yu Jing replied, then stood up and prepared to walk towards the inner hall. "If Your Majesty has nothing else to attend to, you may leave now."
"Yes, then I shall take my leave." Qi Jin also stood up, bowed slightly, and watched Yu Jing enter the hall.
Back in the inner palace, Yu Jing had completely lost her earlier excitement. She leaned lazily against the couch, gazing absently at the green curtains. After a while, A Yu came into the inner palace and said to Yu Jing, "Your Majesty, we just received news that Lord Zheng will arrive in the capital in a couple of days."
"Yes, I understand. You may leave," Yu Jing said.
"Yes," Ayu replied and withdrew.
Zheng Junshan was demoted to the right and returned to the capital in glory. The news had already spread far and wide even before he arrived in the capital. Today he was to enter the palace to meet the emperor. Yu Jingxing lay on the couch in a daze. He had slept lightly last night and woke up very early this morning.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Ayu's voice drifted in through the palace gates, muffled and indistinct.
"Come in." Yu Jing responded, lifting the covers and sitting up.
The rain started last night and the pattering sound never stopped. The sky outside was gloomy, and the only light coming from the flickering red candle inside the house.
Ayu led the people in, and Yu Jing skillfully washed her hands, letting them serve her by wiping her face and applying cream. Yu Jing closed her eyes, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Where is Xie Xuan? Didn't he go on duty today?"
"I spoke with Lord Xie yesterday, and Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, understanding your hard work, allowed you to go home and rest for two days. Lord Xie did not work today, so Your Majesty can rest assured."
"That's good." Yu Jing breathed a sigh of relief.
"What would Your Majesty like to wear today?" Ayu asked, and several palace maids behind her stepped forward with clothes for Yu Jing to see. Yu Jing was annoyed and randomly pointed to one.
After finishing her makeup and having breakfast, Yu Jing sat back down at her desk. A little while later, she heard a noise outside.
"Your Majesty, Miss Zheng has arrived." Xiao Ting's voice reached her ears. Yu Jing felt her whole body stiffen; she hadn't felt this nervous in a long time. She steadied herself slightly and replied, "Let her in."
"Yes, Miss Zheng, please."
Yu Jing sat upright at her desk. Footsteps gradually rose, followed by the sound of a beaded curtain being parted, the clinking of pearls and jade creating a crisp, melodious sound. Yu Jing's gaze traveled from bottom to top, first catching her eye a persimmon-colored silk skirt, its hem fluttering with each step. Next came a mutton-fat jade pendant; the persimmon color, though not as vibrant as true red, looked lively and lovely. A pair of pearl earrings dangled around her neck, swaying gently, further emphasizing its long, fair shape. Her face was oval, small and delicate, with large, bright eyes. She exuded a lively yet dignified, refreshing and clean aura.
Zheng Leqing seemed very happy to see Yu Jing, but she still maintained proper etiquette. She walked up to Yu Jing, bowed and greeted her, saying, "This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"Get up and sit down," Yu Jing said with a smile.
Since Sheng Hua likes Zheng Leqing very much, she must treat her differently from others.
"Ayu, serve tea," Yu Jing instructed, turning her head slightly.
"Yes," Ayu replied, giving a wink to the palace maid standing in the distance.
"It has been a long time since I last saw Your Majesty the Empress Dowager. You seem to have grown even younger and more beautiful," Zheng Leqing said to Yu Jing with a smile after she sat down.
Her voice was crisp and sweet, like a jujube in early autumn. Her words were also charming; no wonder everyone in the palace knew that Sheng Hua liked her, even though they weren't related. If it weren't for her mission, Yu Jing would probably have wanted to be close to her too. Beautiful and sweet-talking, who wouldn't like her? Thinking about it this way, it's understandable that Xie Xuan liked her. But alas, they were destined not to be together.
Thinking of this, Yu Jing felt a pang of regret. They were such a perfect match, a golden couple, yet they weren't a good match. It was truly a pity.
"I heard that Your Majesty the Empress Dowager was assassinated last winter. Is she well now? I was worried for a long time when I heard about this, but unfortunately I am not in the palace and cannot serve Your Majesty by your side." Zheng Leqing continued, looking very worried, which made Yu Jing feel a little embarrassed. "She is well now, Leqing, there is no need to worry."
"Yes, Your Majesty is well, so I am relieved."
“Oh, by the way, when I passed through Yunzhou, I found a novel item in a shop that I think Her Majesty the Empress Dowager would like.” Zheng Leqing said, turning to look at the maid beside her.
Yu Jing watched as the maid took out a delicate little box from her sleeve. Ayu took it from Zheng Leqing and presented it to Yu Jing, who then opened it.
A small, openwork gold sphere, adorned with a delicate gold chain, was exquisitely carved with floral and bird motifs and inlaid with white jade. Yu Jing reached out, picked up the chain, and examined the sphere closely for a while. There was a clasp in the center of the sphere, seemingly designed to be opened. Yu Jing gently pried it open, revealing the internal structure: a semi-circular container fixed within the sphere. It gently shook, but the opening always faced upwards, no matter how it was moved.
Yu Jing stared at it for a while, then looked at Zheng Leqing and asked, "What is this?"
"A sachet," Zheng Leqing replied.
"Place some of the Empress Dowager's favorite light fragrance in the middle, hang it at your waist, it's unique and beautiful, and leaves a pleasant scent with every step. It looks more novel than other sachets." Zheng Leqing said this, and Yu Jing could immediately understand; it was indeed an exquisite item.
"Yueqing is so thoughtful," Yu Jing said, waving the sachet in her hand.
"It is only right for her to be the Empress Dowager," Zheng Leqing replied with a smile.
After accepting the sachet, Yu Jing found herself speechless. After all, the person truly acquainted with the Third Princess was Sheng Hua, not her. However, the Third Princess knew how to keep conversation going, telling Yu Jing about her experiences in Shuozhou and her observations along the way. Her stories were quite interesting, and Yu Jing didn't find them boring at all. Time passed quickly, and soon it was noon. After saying her goodbyes to Yu Jing, Zheng Leqing rose to take her leave.
Yu Jing watched Zheng Leqing get up and breathed a sigh of relief, just as she was about to leave the inner hall. Unexpectedly, she suddenly turned around and looked at Yu Jing.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that Your Majesty will be departing for Wanjiang Mountain to pray for blessings in a few days. May I accompany Your Majesty?"
Yu Jing's heart sank, and she was stunned for a moment. She looked up and met Zheng Leqing's eyes, and replied, "Leqing, you have just returned to the capital from Shuozhou. You must have had a long and tiring journey. This trip to Wanjiang Mountain to pray for blessings is a long one. You should rest well in the capital. As for praying for blessings, sincerity is key."
There was no kindness in Yu Jing's eyes, only resistance. Zheng Leqing understood this the moment she met Yu Jing's gaze, especially after Yu Jing's words. Zheng Leqing felt inexplicably wronged. She felt that after she had been away from the capital for some time, Sheng Hua was no longer as doting on her as before. If it were before, Sheng Hua would definitely have agreed to such a small matter with a smile.
"Yes." Zheng Leqing gave a slight curtsy in response and turned to leave.
The rain was still falling outside, the sky remained overcast, and the distant mountains were shrouded in a hazy mist, their outlines obscured.
“Miss Zheng, the rain is quite heavy. Let me have someone escort you to the palace gate.”
"Okay, thank you, Aunt Ayu." Zheng Leqing was in a bad mood after being rejected by Yu Jing, but when she heard Ayu say this, she forced a smile and thanked her.
"Xuan'er".
Upon hearing Li Wei's voice, Xie Xuan stood up from his seat and replied, "Mother."
"Aren't you going to Wanjiang Mountain to pray for blessings with the Empress Dowager in a couple of days? I've made two new spring clothes for you. Try them on." Li Wei said, while calling to the maid behind her to bring the clothes in.
Xie Xuan glanced at them; one was dark purple, the other raven blue. Before he could react, he heard Li Wei gently urge him, "Hurry up and try them on to see if they fit. If they don't fit, your mother will take them to be altered right now and get them ready before you leave."
"Alright." Xie Xuan replied, taking off his outer robe as he did so, "Mother, there's no need to rush. I have plenty of spring clothes. I can just pack a few when the time comes."
"You only care about your work. When will you ever pay more attention to your own marriage?" Li Wei scolded playfully.
Xie Xuan paused, realizing Li Wei's purpose in making him a new year's shirt: "Mother, no rush, my elder sister isn't married yet."
“You’re just like your older sister, you’re always causing trouble.” Li Wei reached out and poked Xie Xuan’s forehead.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Xie Xuan stopped talking and quietly tried on the clothes.
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