Chapter 007

Since the death of Empress Yuan, the position of Empress has been vacant for many years. Now the six palaces are without a master, and most of the important affairs of the harem are handled by Concubine Zhuang of Chengqian Palace and Concubine Jing of Changle Palace.

Concubine Jing was one of the first women to follow Emperor Zhanghe, and was always respected by him. Moreover, Concubine Jing and Empress Yuan always had a harmonious relationship. Therefore, when the Empress passed away, Emperor Zhanghe gave the Empress' only legitimate son, Zhao Youze, to Concubine Jing to raise.

He was Jiashan's only brother, even though he was born blind.

Jiashan sat in Changle Palace and picked up a plate of Poria cocos cake on the table and ate it.

"In the whole palace, only the pastries here are the best," Jiashan said with a smile as she wiped away the crumbs from her mouth with a handkerchief, "No wonder my father likes the queen."

Concubine Jing was already over thirty years old. Her mother's family was not very noble. When Emperor Zhanghe had not yet been appointed as the crown prince, Concubine Jing was just a concubine in the palace. However, because Concubine Jing had a gentle character and had been with the emperor for a long time, she finally waited for the day to be named a concubine.

Compared to Concubine Zhuang's arrogance and aggressiveness, Concubine Jing's temperament is gentle and considerate, and she is more demure. She is quite popular in the palace.

Hearing Jiashan's bold joke, Concubine Jing just showed a kind smile. She glanced at Jiashan and said, "You little girl, you are making me feel cramped."

Jiashan smiled slightly, her lips raised slightly: "Your Majesty treats my fourth brother as her own son. Only with you can Jiashan dare to make such a joke."

Hearing her talking about "fourth brother", Concubine Jing's eyes unexpectedly became gentler.

"Yuan Kang is a good boy," Jingfei lowered her head and drank a sip of hot tea. Her words seemed to carry the residual warmth of the tea leaves. She said, "A few days ago, he was still talking about you in my ear."

Jiashan also smiled.

Since her mother passed away, the closest person to her in the world, besides her father, is her younger brother. Yuankang is Zhao Youze's childhood name. Because he is the first legitimate son of the empress, he must be worthy of the word "Yuan". As for the "Kang" at the end, it may be the expectation of the late empress for his life.

Unfortunately, this expectation was not achieved in the end.

In the previous life, Zhao Youze was forced to death in Shoukang Palace by Concubine Zhuang, who had become the Queen Mother. When Jiashan arrived, she didn't even see her younger brother for the last time.

Thinking of this, Jiashan's pupils turned blood red, making him look extremely charming.

She lowered her head, and by taking the snack, she hid the hatred that flashed across her face. Jiashan asked, "What did Yuankang say to the Empress about me?"

"You two are siblings," Concubine Jing said with a smile, "How can he say anything bad about you in front of me?"

Just as he finished speaking, a man came running cautiously from the palace gate. He was thin and frail, and there was a palace maid beside him who was carefully supporting him.

His face was white, and although he still looked like a child, his features were extremely beautiful and clean. His nose was high and beautiful, and there was always a gentle smile on his lips.

The only pity is that his eyes, which are 50% similar to Jiashan's, have lost all their sparkle. Only round pupils remain, which are dark in color.

"Your Highness, please walk slower," the maid who was holding him said flatteringly after paying respect to Jiashan and Jingfei. "Your Highness heard that the eldest princess was coming, so he ran over in a hurry. I almost couldn't catch up with him."

When Jiashan saw her brother standing in front of her, who was not even as tall as her shoulders, she suddenly remembered that the last time she saw him, he had grown up and was already half a head taller than her.

It’s great that I can see my father and my fourth brother again.

Zhao Youze had already turned sideways and took the initiative to call out, "Sister."

Although he couldn't see, he could identify Jiashan's position very accurately. Even after he arrived, before Jiashan said a word, Zhao Youze walked towards Jiashan's position.

"Yesterday I made a bet with Concubine Jing. I said that my sister would definitely come to see me today, but Concubine Jing didn't believe me." Zhao Youze raised a gentle smile on his lips. He turned his head and pointed accurately in the direction of Concubine Jing and said, "Look, Concubine Jing, am I right?"

"Yes." Jing Fei said with a smile, "Sister and brother are connected by heart, and Yuan Kang is smart, so he guessed it right."

Zhao Youze smiled shyly.

Jiashan stood up, walked over, and gently touched Zhao Youze's head. His hair was fine and soft, and seemed a little cool to the touch.

Jiashan put one hand on his shoulder and carefully held his hand with the other hand: "Brother, you seem to have grown taller. In a few years, our Yuankang will also become a man who can stand tall and proud."

Although they were born of the same mother, Jiashan rarely did such intimate actions. Zhao Youze's ears turned slightly red. He whispered, "The queen said that I am eleven years old this year and I should be taller."

"But..." Zhao Youze stretched out a hand and unconsciously touched upwards until he touched Jiashan's face. He smiled and said, "Sister is still taller than me. When I am taller than both Sister and the Queen, I will be able to protect you."

There was still some immaturity in his tone, but it made Jiashan feel sad.

She recalled the methods and excuses that Concubine Zhuang used to force A'di to death in her previous life - he committed suicide just to protect them.

Jiashan's eyes flickered. She lowered her head and gently pinched Zhao Youze's little face. She smiled and said, "Sister brought gifts for you and Qinghe. Let Suyu take you to choose. Can you help Qinghe pick a few that she likes?"

Princess Qinghe is the only daughter of Concubine Jing, one year younger than Zhao Youze.

Zhao Youze nodded, and immediately Su Yu led him out.

Only when Zhao Youze's figure completely disappeared from Jiashan's sight did she look downcast and whisper, "Dan Cui, take the others down. I have something to say to the queen alone."

Dan Cui said yes, and the palace maids in Changle Palace looked at Concubine Jing together. When they saw Concubine Jing nod, they came out in a stream.

Seeing Jiashan's serious expression, Concubine Jing couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong?"

Jiashan took a few slow steps and came to sit beside Concubine Jing. "Your Majesty is not an outsider, so I will tell you the truth."

Concubine Jing looked at her seriously.

Jiashan's eyes were slightly dim, but her face was full of calmness. She said in a clear voice: "A few days ago, I received a letter from my mother's uncle. They said that there is a doctor named Kong in Jiangnan who is good at treating eye diseases."

Concubine Jing's expression was slightly sluggish. She silently picked up the teacup and took a sip of the fragrant tea.

"You know, my brother's eyesight is a congenital problem. The doctors in the palace are helpless. For so many years, not to mention him, even I dare not hold any hope." Jiashan bowed her head slightly, and she said thoughtfully, "But the Pei family's words this time are very clear. I think that after all, I will share the joys and sorrows with Yuankang for the rest of my life, so I should not miss it."

Jing Fei looked at her implicitly: "What do you mean?"

Jiashan looked at Concubine Jing without blinking. She said softly, "There are many gossipers in the palace, and it is easy for them to cause trouble. I wonder if I can take Yuankang to Changchun Temple to live for a while."

"Next month, my mother will have passed away for nine years." Jiashan sat upright, seeming to be sad and sighing, "My father has always valued you. Jiashan would like to ask you to help me put in a few words in front of my father."

Concubine Jing just listened to her quietly until Jiashan finished speaking, then she slowly put the teacup in her hand back on the table.

"If this is true," Concubine Jing said softly, "I will naturally do my duty."

Jiashan felt warm in her heart, and a big stone was finally put down. She let out a long sigh of relief.

Concubine Jing had no sons, only a daughter, Qinghe. Even if she could give birth to a prince in the future, there was Zhao Youze, the first son, in front of her, and Zhao Youcheng, the eldest son, behind her.

Her children, no matter what, could not get past these two.

Zhao Youze was brought to Jingfei's lap when he was two years old. It is said that the grace of raising a child is greater than the grace of giving birth to him. If Zhao Youze can cure his eyes, Jingfei will naturally be able to gain status through her son.

Helping Jiashan is no different from helping herself.

That night, Emperor Zhanghe happened to stay in Changle Palace.

Concubine Jing picked up Jiashan's words and tactfully brought up the matter with Emperor Zhanghe.

"Next month is the anniversary of the Queen's death. The eldest princess told me today that she wanted to take Yuankang to Changchun Temple to live for a month to accumulate blessings for the Queen."

Emperor Zhanghe was leaning on Concubine Jing's knees, and she was gently pressing the acupuncture points on his face. Hearing Concubine Jing's words, Emperor Zhanghe slightly opened his eyes and frowned: "Why didn't she tell me herself?"

Concubine Jing smiled and lowered her voice, "After all, Jiashan has not yet left the palace. How can I tell Your Majesty about this matter?"

"You also know that she is unmarried," Emperor Zhanghe snorted when he thought of Jiashan's marriage. "If an unmarried princess lives in the palace, how will others view her when she returns?"

Concubine Jing sighed: "Yes. I told the princess the same thing. But in the end, I also felt sorry for her filial piety."

"Jiashan didn't say it explicitly, but..." Concubine Jing hesitated for a moment. She used a little force to press the acupuncture points on Emperor Zhang He, but her tone was soft, "I can see that the princess may also want to take this opportunity to take His Majesty the Fourth Prince out for a walk."

"They have been separated since childhood, and the Fourth Prince can't see them," Concubine Jing's fingertips were slightly hot as she whispered, "When the princess leaves the palace and the Fourth Prince leaves the palace to build a mansion, it will be difficult for them to live together again."

Concubine Jing's voice was soft and low.

At this moment, the night was already pitch black, with only one candle still quietly lit.

Emperor Zhang He's eyes were half open and half closed, and he pursed his lips. The imperial majesty that looked down on the world in broad daylight seemed to be gradually fading from him.

His breathing was calm, and he looked like a real person, a father with children.

Emperor Zhang He had a calm expression. He turned his head and slowly said, "In that case, let's agree to her request."

"I order Zhan Yanqing to go to Changchun Temple with the two of them." Emperor Zhanghe said, "With the Jinwu Guards by my side, I can feel at ease."

After hearing the emperor's words, Concubine Jing said nothing more and just said quietly, "Yes."

A few days later, news spread that Emperor Zhanghe agreed to let Jiashan and Zhao Youze go to Changchun Temple to pray for Empress Yuan.

Madam Zheng sighed as she packed Jiashan's luggage: "Your Highness has never left the palace, why are you suddenly asking His Majesty for such a request?"

"I can't let go of my mother, and I can't let go of Yuankang." Jiashan said bluntly.

She saw Madam Zheng packing several large bags for her, so she stopped her and said jokingly, "I'm only going to stay for a month. I'll be back after my mother's death. I'm not getting married, so why would I need so many clothes?"

Madam Zheng said worriedly: "The princess has never suffered..."

"The temple emphasizes simplicity and purity," Jiashan interrupted her softly, "Don't bring those unnecessary gold hairpins and jewelry, lest they disturb the purity of the master."

Nanny Zheng had no choice but to nod.

While there were no outsiders around, Jiashan quietly held Madam Zheng's hand tightly and said, "I'm not in the palace these days, and I still have to rely on you for the affairs of Fengyang Pavilion."

"Especially Hanzhu." Jiashan's tone softened.

Thinking of the fact that the princess had mentioned that Hanzhu might have a connection with Chengqian Palace, Nanny Zheng's eyes sank and she nodded firmly at Jiashan.

Seven days later, Zhan Yanqing brought a small group of Jinwu guards to escort Jiashan and Zhao Youze to Changchun Temple, a quiet place on Wuhua Mountain near the capital.

The head of Changchun Temple was not an outsider, but Emperor Zhanghe's half-sister, Princess Ruyang.

Princess Ruyang's husband was Fu Yi, the eldest son of Marquis Yongding. Unfortunately, Fu Yi died in battle at an early age, and the Marquis Yongding's mansion was devastated by a case that year.

Princess Ruyang did not want to remarry, so she simply became a nun in Changchun Temple, also with the intention of praying for Fu Yi.

Emperor Zhanghe had six sisters. Princess Ruyang and Emperor Zhanghe were not born of the same mother, so Jiashan did not see her very often. But Ruyang was her aunt after all. When she heard that Jiashan had brought Zhao Youze, Princess Ruyang had prepared two courtyards for them early and went to the gate of the temple to greet them.

Jiashan got off the carriage and quickly returned the greeting: "Yuankang and I came here without permission and disturbed your peace."

Princess Ruyang was the same age as Concubine Jing, but she was dressed very simply, like someone who was not from the secular world. She smiled and said, "What are you talking about? Changchun Temple has never been so angry before. Besides, your mother and I had a close personal relationship. I am so happy that you are so filial."

Jiashan pursed his lips and smiled.

Several female officials took Jiashan and Zhao Youze to their respective courtyards. When they arrived, it was just before noon. After a while, someone came to invite Jiashan to have lunch at Princess Ruyang's place.

Dancui and the others had just packed up Jiashan's things when Jiashan said, "I'll be right there."

Princess Ruyang's courtyard is as clean and elegant as she is.

There is a laurel tree and a plum tree planted in the south corner, and there is a lush bamboo forest behind the house. At this time of year, only a few flower buds are exposed on the branches of the plum tree, but the osmanthus flowers are blooming one after another, and the fragrance of golden osmanthus is very pleasant.

Jiashan smiled and smelled it, and couldn't help saying to himself, "Aunt is in such a good mood."

She slowly stepped into the house, only to find that Princess Ruyang had invited someone else besides her.

The man was standing with his back to the light. His slender figure, deep eyes, black hair, and snow-white face made him look like a graceful and elegant person.

Jiashan's smile faded. She stood there for a while and then said in a clear voice, "What a coincidence! It turns out that Master Zhan is here too."