Chapter 20 The princess's heart was made of flesh and blood, yet it was also biased...
After the first month of the lunar calendar, the cold winter came to an end. Looking at the bright sunshine and the melting snow outside, the Empress slowly put down the book in her hand, turned her head to look at Shen Yujiao, who was drawing flower patterns for her, and her expression was exceptionally gentle.
She said softly to Shen Yujiao, "You silly child, I've told you to go back and rest early. I'm much better now, why do you need to keep me company like this?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Yujiao glanced at the Empress, her eyes full of girlish charm: "Mother, do you find me annoying?"
Having said that, she picked up the completed flower pattern, gently blew on the ink, then sat down next to the Empress with the paper, turned her head and asked, "Is Mother satisfied with this one?"
Although the Empress was helpless, she smiled as she took the flower pattern, and said reproachfully, "These days, you're quite the spoiled brat. I was just trying to be kind to you, but how come you hear my words as disdain?"
Her gaze shifted to the depicted peony, and she exclaimed in amazement, "Your brushwork is truly exquisite; this peony is painted so lifelike!"
Shen Yujiao smiled upon hearing this, "It's because the flowers here are so beautiful that I was able to describe them." Seeing the Empress looking at her, she continued, "His Highness the Crown Prince is still in the Imperial Study. Even if Jiaojiao goes back, she'll be alone. It's better for her to stay here with the Empress. She can even have lunch at the Kunyi Palace's small kitchen."
"You," the Empress affectionately pinched the tip of her nose, "the kitchen in the Eastern Palace is full of imperial chefs, do you think you'd go hungry?"
"Your Majesty, I just think the food here tastes better."
After spending these days together, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law have become like mother and daughter. When the Empress is in a good mood, Shen Yujiao will also act coquettishly with her. Although she doesn't know if the Empress truly cares for her, Shen Yujiao is very invested in this.
Not to mention that now that she has become the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, she must fulfill her duties as the Crown Princess. Just considering the strict system of imperial power, she also needs to find a reliable patron to lean on.
Fortunately, they share a common bond. The Empress only has one child, Crown Prince Chen, and she hopes that Shen Yujiao can change the Crown Prince's temperament. Because of this, the Empress will not make things too difficult for her, the new daughter-in-law.
Secondly, as the Crown Princess, Shen Yujiao is indeed deeply favored by the Empress. Not to mention that her daughter-in-law is presentable in every aspect, she was seriously ill a few days ago. If it weren't for the Crown Princess, Kunyi Palace would probably be in chaos.
Now that she sees her frequently entering the palace to pay her respects and keep her company, the Empress no longer has any dissatisfaction with this daughter-in-law. If she had to say something... the Empress's gaze gradually descended, finally settling on Shen Yujiao's slender waist.
"Jiaojiao, it's been over two months since your wedding with Chen'er, and your health..."
Shen Yujiao's smile froze instantly. She raised her hand to cover her mouth, trying to make her words sound natural: "Mother, rest assured, I understand. Your Highness and I are naturally concerned about this matter."
Hearing this, the Empress felt much relieved, but still added, "If Chen'er is too busy with official duties, you should tell your mother that he has indeed had too many responsibilities these days. In any case, the imperial heir must be the priority—"
"Oh, Mother," Shen Yujiao quickly supported the Empress's arm, then pointed outside and said, "Look, the sun is shining brightly today, why don't I accompany you for a walk in the Imperial Garden?"
Seeing her like this, the Empress assumed it was just a young lady's shyness, so she smiled and shook her head without saying anything more. Then, turning her head and seeing that the sunlight was indeed quite nice today, she nodded: "Very well, it has been a long time since I've gone out for some exercise."
It was midday, the time of day with the brightest sunshine. Shen Yujiao helped the Empress stroll slowly through the Imperial Garden. Although the scene of hundreds of flowers blooming in the height of summer was not visible, one could still see a bit of vitality in the garden.
"Spring came early this year." The Empress nodded in approval as she looked at the branches that were already showing some green.
“Yes, that means this year is a vibrant year for our Great Xia.” Shen Yujiao now speaks auspicious words with ease.
The two walked and chatted, and the atmosphere was very harmonious. After walking for a while, the Empress became a little tired. Seeing this, Shen Yujiao helped the Empress back. When they reached a passageway, everyone suddenly heard a scolding voice coming from the other side of the moon gate. The sharp voice made the Empress frown instantly.
"Are you blind? What are you doing running around with that thing in your hand? Do you know how much gold this dress of mine costs? Are you out of your mind? How dare you bump into me?"
Just hearing that one whiff of those harsh words was enough to make one feel uneasy. Seeing that the Empress intended to step forward, Shen Yujiao quickly followed. But when she passed through the moon gate, she was taken aback.
Behind the door stood Princess Yongjia, surrounded by a group of palace maids. Several stood behind her, while two others stood opposite her, each supporting a small palace maid. They exuded an imposing aura, and the supported maid was thin and frail. It was easy to tell from a distance that this was another palace maid who had offended Princess Yongjia.
However, even for a royal princess, such humiliation of a palace maid was utterly disgraceful. Upon approaching, Shen Yujiao vaguely recognized the maid's appearance and, in utter disbelief, called out, "Yong'an?"
Upon hearing this, the young palace maid slowly raised her head. Her cheeks were swollen and red, and her eyes were filled with tears. When she saw who it was, she quickly lowered her head again. The others also turned to look when they heard the voice. They saw that it was the Empress and Shen Yujiao, and they all knelt down to pay their respects, their words filled with fear.
"Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress and Your Highness the Crown Princess."
"Insolence!" The Empress's first words were filled with rage. Her gaze was fixed on the palace maids who had just lifted Princess Yong'an. "Who gave you the audacity to lay a hand on a princess of the imperial family?"
The two palace maids were already terrified, and could only instinctively beg for mercy, saying, "Your Highness, spare our lives, we..."
Before the two women could finish speaking, a maid from Kunyi Palace stepped forward and slapped them on the left and right. Shen Yujiao quickly stepped forward to help Yong'an, who had already fallen to the ground, up. In an instant, the scene was chaotic.
Seeing her maid being beaten, Princess Yongjia's face turned ashen. However, when she met the Empress's gaze, Princess Yongjia couldn't help but shrink back. Although she was usually arrogant because of the Emperor's favor, she had indeed failed in her words and actions this time. She could only curtsy and say, "Yongjia greets Your Majesty."
Seeing that she was still unwilling, the Empress did not tell her to get up, but asked in a deep voice, "Yongjia, do you still remember your identity?"
“I remember…” Princess Yongjia’s expression was evasive.
"Then how could you lay a hand on your own sister?" The Empress stared at her and asked again, "What exactly did Yong'an do to deserve such humiliation in front of all the servants?"
“She—” Princess Yongjia wanted to turn her head to look at Princess Yong’an, but she saw that Yong’an was being half-held in Shen Yujiao’s arms and standing next to the Empress. In that instant, her sharp gaze softened, and she lowered her head again without saying a word.
Seeing that she didn't speak, the Empress also stopped talking. The group stood there until Princess Yongjia, who was bowing in greeting, could no longer stand and fell to the ground.
“Princess Yongjia, your words and actions have been inappropriate. I hereby issue this decree: from today onwards, you are to be confined to your quarters for one month. You are not permitted to leave the palace for any banquets, large or small. If you disobey, the confinement period will be extended by one month.”
“Your Majesty the Empress—” Princess Yongjia suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with disbelief. Even though the Empress had been disrespectful to her all these years, she had never been punished so severely. How could she punish Yong’an, the daughter of a mere beauty, by confining her to her quarters?
Princess Yongjia's face finally showed remorse, and she no longer had the same imposing manner she had shown before. When she spoke again, her tone was even more pleading: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me this time, considering that tomorrow is my brother's birthday."
Tomorrow is the second day of the second lunar month, the birthday banquet of Prince Huan. Princess Yongjia naturally did not want to miss it, but the Empress did not care what day it was. She swept her phoenix eyes over and said sternly, "Why haven't you taken the princess back yet?"
As soon as she said this, several maids and servants came forward and helped her up. Ignoring her cries, they carried her away from the Imperial Garden. As the cries faded into the distance, the Empress felt a headache coming on. When she turned her head and saw Princess Yong'an looking away, she couldn't help but sigh, "Yong'an."
"Here, I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress..."
The little girl stood up from Shen Yujiao's arms, staggered forward two steps, and before she could even bow down, she swayed to the side and fainted at the Empress's feet, causing chaos to erupt once again.
When the Emperor learned of this, Princess Yong'an had already been taken back to Kunyi Palace by the Empress. As soon as he arrived, he smelled an extremely strong medicinal odor. Seeing that the Empress and Shen Yujiao were about to bow to him, he waved his hand and said, "No need for that. How is Yong'an now?"
"She just took her medicine and is asleep again." The Empress was helped back to her chair by Shen Yujiao. Her face was unusually pale. When the Emperor saw this, he first sighed and then asked about the ins and outs of the matter.
After enduring for a long time, the Empress finally couldn't hold back any longer and reported the events that had occurred in the Imperial Garden to the Emperor in just a few words.
"Yong'an only bumped into Yongjia in the Imperial Garden. He wasn't paying attention while walking and dropped the lunchbox he was carrying. The food juice inside splashed onto Yongjia's skirt, which caused all this trouble..."
After hearing the whole story, even the emperor, who had initially been somewhat biased towards Yongjia, couldn't help but slam his fist on the table.
"This is utterly absurd!"
Because the noise was too loud, Shen Yujiao subconsciously looked at Princess Yong'an in the inner room. Seeing that the little girl had not been woken up, she lowered her head again.
Seeing the Emperor so angry, the Empress didn't say anything more. She had punished Princess Yongjia today because she was the legal mother of all the imperial heirs, but now that the Emperor knew, she didn't want to interfere in the matter anymore. After all, Yongjia had always been the Emperor's favorite, and if she punished her too severely, she didn't know how the Emperor would feel sorry for her after he calmed down.
But the emperor was in a fit of anger. Hearing that the empress had ordered a one-month confinement, he felt it was not enough. He originally wanted to say that she should be confined for six months, but in the end, he changed it to a three-month confinement.
The Empress was not surprised at all. The Emperor always treated Yongjia's mistakes lightly. She said in a calm tone, "Your Majesty, Yong'an has been frightened and there is no one to take care of him at Consort Rong's place. Why don't you let the child stay in my palace for a while?"
As the legal mother, the Empress's words were impartial, and the Emperor, feeling guilty towards his daughter, naturally agreed.
Upon hearing the news, Consort Rong nearly fainted. After recovering slightly, she went to Kunyi Palace to pay her respects to the Empress. The Empress was quite annoyed to see her crying with tears streaming down her face.
"Is there no one in your palace who can be ordered around? Yong'an is a noblewoman, how can you make her go to the imperial kitchen to fetch her meals herself?"
Consort Rong's almond-shaped eyes were red and swollen from crying, and upon hearing these words, she couldn't stop the tears from flowing: "Your Majesty, it's all my fault, it's all my fault..."
The Empress grew increasingly annoyed by her constant crying and accusations of being a concubine. She slammed her hand on the table and said, "Where is she? I'm asking you."
"Your Highness, Your Highness..." Consort Rong clutched her chest, looking like a sickly beauty, as if she were about to faint again at any moment. "Your Highness has not been feeling well these days. Bing'er in the palace couldn't leave because she had to brew medicine for you. It was because the Princess felt sorry for you that... cough cough cough..."
Realizing that she had behaved improperly in front of the Empress, Consort Rong covered her mouth and coughed lightly for a while. Her face turned pale and lost most of its color.
"Is there only one palace maid left in your palace now?"
"Your Majesty, there was originally one more, but because she reached the age before the New Year, she was released from the palace. The new person has not yet been assigned by the Imperial Household Department."
"Alright, alright," the Empress said, rubbing her forehead. "I will have the Imperial Household Department send you a few servants later. Yong'an will stay in Kunyi Palace these days, so you don't need to come over unless you have something to do."
Upon hearing this, Consort Rong's expression became even more sorrowful, but she still respectfully kowtowed to the Empress to express her gratitude. After she left, the Empress felt a severe headache and signaled to Shen Yujiao that she did not need to stay with her, and returned to her palace alone.
Shen Yujiao curtsied and watched the Empress leave. Then she went straight back to the side hall and sat down slowly beside Princess Yong'an's bed. She reached out and gently held the girl's thin little hand. Seeing that the little girl was still restless in her sleep, she coaxed her softly, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, Yong'an, have a good sleep."
Once you're asleep, no one can hurt you anymore.
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