Chapter 51 (None)
With the state ceremony before him, Jiang Ling nodded in return. Emperor Yuanming raised his hand and smiled, "Please sit down, please sit down. Today is a day for you and your daughter to reunite. There is no need for such formalities."
"Since there's no need for such formalities, why didn't you say so earlier? How hypocritical!" Jiang Ling thought to himself as he thanked her.
Emperor Yuanming glared at Jiang Ling in anger, but seeing Jiang Wenxiu's helpless expression, he couldn't help but want to laugh.
Neither father nor daughter were good with words. Jiang Ling's features bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Wenxiu, about 60-70%. Watching them was like watching a puppet show.
Jiang Wenzheng sat upright, his body tense, a nervous smile on his face. He said, “Don’t worry, my beauty. Your mother is in good health and can still eat two large bowls of rice at every meal. Your elder brother can eat four large bowls, and his waist is getting thicker every year. Your sister-in-law eats less. My nephew, Xiaolang, is already five years old and has started learning to read. My niece, Nannan, is three years old, well-behaved, has a good appetite, is strong, and is already half a head taller than Xiaolang.”
Jiang Ling listened with a smile, unsure how to respond for a moment.
What a useless family!
Jiang Wenxiu continued, "The tabby cat and tiger that you kept when you were young passed away two winters ago. Your mother had me make a small bamboo basket and told your eldest brother to dig a hole and bury it on the edge of a field next to the river. There are fish in the river and big rats in the field. It won't go hungry even underground."
Emperor Yuanming sat expressionless, glancing subconsciously at Jiang Ling. Seeing that she seemed engrossed in listening, he couldn't help but raise his hand to his forehead.
Jiang Wenxiu talked about the dead cat and the flowers that the previous magistrate had planted in the back office. "I pulled up all the flowers and planted cabbage, radishes, water spinach, scallions and leeks. Snails are better than geese, and spring leeks smell the best. It's a pity we can't eat them this year."
Emperor Yuanming shifted his body and couldn't help but say, "The capital city has no shortage of spring chives and snails."
"Your Majesty is right. The capital has a river, and in spring, there is no shortage of snails and spring chives." Jiang Wenxiu hurriedly bowed and apologized.
Jiang Ling sneered inwardly: "You don't know anything. The local produce is different everywhere, so of course it tastes different. Fish and snails that grow in stinky ditches are worlds apart from those that grow in clear mountain springs."
Emperor Yuanming's head began to throb; this father and daughter were truly infuriating in tandem. Jiang Wenxiu, as an official, rambled on and on about trivial matters, eating and drinking.
However, Emperor Yuanming could not openly reprimand her. After all, Jiang Ling was an imperial concubine, and it would be inappropriate for Jiang Wenxiu to discuss official business with his daughter and other relatives.
Emperor Yuanming, fearing that Jiang Wenxiu would continue, said, "Magistrate Jiang has had a long and tiring journey. He should go back and rest first. In a couple of days, he can go to the Ministry of Personnel to receive his assignment."
Jiang Wenxiu respectfully agreed. Jiang Ling's scalp tightened, and he couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, what mission did Father go to the Ministry of Personnel to receive?"
"Didn't I tell you that before?" Emperor Yuanming glanced at Jiang Ling, his petty nature mirroring her words, and cursed her inwardly: "She's just like a pig, all she does all day is eat and sleep!"
It seemed that Physician Li was doomed. Jiang Ling, relieved that Jiang Wenxiu had been able to get a job at the imperial garden, said no more.
Emperor Yuanming then said, "If you miss her dearly, just send someone to summon your mother and sister-in-law to the palace to see you."
Jiang Ling said "hello," and seeing Jiang Wenxiu bow and take his leave, he stood up as well, inwardly complaining, "Oh, how considerate! Did he move me with his own kindness? If he's so considerate, let me leave the palace! I can leave whenever I want!"
Emperor Yuanming ignored Jiang Ling's cursing and swearing; since she was not going to leave the palace anyway, he simply pretended not to hear. Seeing Jiang Ling leave with Jiang Wenxiu, he stopped her with a stern face: "Wait a moment, I have something to say to you."
Jiang Ling bid farewell to Jiang Wenxiu, saying, "Father must be tired from the journey, and Mother and Sister-in-law must be exhausted too. Go back and rest well first. Once you're settled in the capital, I'll summon Mother and Sister-in-law to the palace."
Jiang Wenxiu was merely a minor county magistrate and had no right to request an imperial decree for Lady Xue. Consort Li was currently holding a funeral, and although only officially titled ladies were allowed to enter the palace to mourn, Lady Xue and the others were required to go to the Xiefang Pavilion to kowtow and pay their respects once they entered the palace.
Jiang Ling was very stingy; she had no intention of letting Xue Shi and the others kowtow to Consort Li.
After seeing Jiang Wenxiu off, Jiang Ling asked, "What business does Your Majesty have with me?"
Emperor Yuanming twisted his neck and said unhappily, "What, can't I keep you here?"
Jiang Ling hurriedly said, "This is the Imperial Study. Concubines of the inner palace are not allowed to enter or leave at will. I am afraid that this is against the rules, so I dare not stay any longer."
Emperor Yuanming bluntly exposed Jiang Ling's words: "Heh, when I summoned you to the Imperial Study earlier, why didn't you remember the rules?"
Jiang Ling bowed her head in fear and apologized, "Your Majesty, I am foolish and confused. Please forgive me."
"Let's go." Emperor Yuanming's expression softened when he saw that she hadn't cursed him behind his back. He stood up and walked around the imperial desk. "When it's lunchtime, you will have lunch with me."
Jiang Ling followed Emperor Yuanming to Qionghua Pavilion, secretly cursing him: "Since it's lunchtime, you can't even afford a proper lunch and are kicking people out of the palace. Stingy, miserly!"
Emperor Yuanming had been scolded by her for being stingy countless times, and he was so tired of hearing it that he didn't even bother to look up.
Upon arriving at Qionghua Pavilion, palace maids and servants brought hot water into the room. After the two washed up, Huang Liang led people to bring lunch.
Looking at the food on the table, Emperor Yuanming deliberately said to Huang Liang, "Go to the imperial kitchen and see if there are any snails or leeks. Have them prepare two dishes and serve them to you."
Huang Liang hurried to the imperial kitchen, where Emperor Yuanming smiled and said, "How could I possibly wrong Consort Jiang, who can't even taste snails and leeks in the palace?"
Jiang Ling pretended not to know and simply bowed to express her gratitude: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your reward."
"Hmph." Emperor Yuanming gave a faint hum, picked up his chopsticks and said, "Let's eat first, or the food will get cold."
Emperor Yuanming disliked the heat, so the incense burners in Qionghua Pavilion had long been removed. Jiang Ling, who disliked the cold, had icy palms and sipped her hot soup slowly, waiting for her snail and chive soup.
Soon, Huang Liang presented a soup made of tender leeks, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms, saying, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Kitchen only has leeks, and has never had snails. This servant has already sent someone to buy some outside the palace. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Emperor Yuanming was not angry. He said, "Never mind, we'll send some more to try during the Qingming Festival."
Huang Liang withdrew, and Emperor Yuanming laughed, "Consort Jiang, you'll have to bear with it a little longer. In a while, you can eat snails that are even fatter than geese."
The Three-Crispy Soup was delicious and Jiang Ling loved it. She casually said she didn't dare, and focused on enjoying the delicious food on her plate.
Emperor Yuanming frowned when he saw Jiang Ling engrossed in eating and said, "The smell of chives is strong, you should eat less."
There were few tender chives in the Three Crispy Soup, and Jiang Ling had already picked them all out and eaten them. She obediently agreed and picked up the fish to eat.
After rinsing his mouth and drinking tea, Emperor Yuanming took a few steps, then turned back to his bedroom and said, "Let's rest now."
"To flaunt one's lewdness in broad daylight only makes it more obvious," Jiang Ling thought to himself, rolling his eyes.
Emperor Yuanming did not actually intend this; he rose early in the morning and was prone to drowsiness in the spring. If he did not rest well at noon, he would feel dizzy and groggy all afternoon.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yuanming could not suppress his desire. He took off his clothes and got into bed, then stretched out his arm and pulled Jiang Ling into his embrace.
"Ugh!" Emperor Yuanming turned his head away, disgustedly covering Jiang Ling's face and pushing him back, saying with annoyance, "You smell like chives!"
Jiang Ling rolled into the dragon bed and said, "Your Majesty's bestowed dishes are too much for me to accept. Onions, leeks, and garlic are all considered meat, with strong odors. After eating them, I simply cannot bear to smell any bad breath!"
Emperor Yuanming was speechless. He hardened his heart and, holding his breath in anger, dragged her out again and said fiercely in her ear, "If I eat you, it will be as if I've eaten meat!"
Jiang Ling didn't care about taking a midday nap; she was free anyway and could sleep anytime.
Adhering to the principle of prioritizing enjoyment, Jiang Ling looked down on Emperor Yuanming's old tricks and took the initiative.
Gradually, Emperor Yuanming forgot about the smell of leeks and indulged in extreme pleasure.
Afterwards, Emperor Yuanming held Jiang Ling tightly, reluctant to let go, his heart pounding, and murmured affectionately, "Don't move, lie down with me for a while."
"Your Majesty, this is against the rules..." Jiang Ling felt uncomfortable being hugged, and habitually used the rules as an excuse.
"If you dare mention rules to me again, I'll teach you a lesson!" Emperor Yuanming said through gritted teeth.
Jiang Ling stopped moving, shouting in frustration, "This is so annoying! How can I sleep like this! No! Let me go! Don't come any closer! I'm going to scream for help! Heh heh, even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to save you. Scream your lungs out..."
As he continued shouting, Jiang Ling drifted off to sleep. Emperor Yuanming, still hearing Jiang Ling's incessant chatter, soon fell into a deep sleep as well.
Having slept soundly, Emperor Yuanming rose refreshed. Jiang Ling, clutching the bedding, looked dazed, as if he hadn't fully woken up.
Emperor Yuanming was in a very good mood. He looked her over carefully and felt a pang of tenderness. He said softly, "You should rest. I still have some matters to attend to at court. I will return in a while and accompany you to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers."
Jiang Ling had no interest in the Imperial Garden and unmovedly shuffled out of bed, saying, "Your Majesty is busy..."
"Here you go again." Emperor Yuanming chuckled in exasperation, interrupting Jiang Ling. He pondered for a moment, then said, "I will accompany you to the Imperial Garden."
"The Imperial Garden?" Jiang Ling was not fully awake yet. She tilted her head and asked vaguely, "The Imperial Garden is outside the palace. May I leave the palace?"
“The Imperial Garden is also within the Imperial City, so it doesn’t count as truly leaving the palace. To leave the palace, one must pass through the Imperial City gates.” Emperor Yuanming’s eyes were as gentle as spring water, and he couldn’t help but lean over and kiss Jiang Ling’s lips.
Jiang Ling subconsciously raised her hand to wipe her face. Since the Imperial Garden was still within the Imperial City, she had little interest in it.
Emperor Yuanming glared angrily at Jiang Ling's actions. Not only that, but she was also unyielding, which made him furious. He said with a dark face, "I hereby order you not to leave Qionghua Pavilion even a step, and to wait for my return before accompanying me to the Imperial Garden for a visit!"
"Yes, Your Majesty." Jiang Ling replied sleepily, no longer in the mood to scold him, and lay down.
Emperor Yuanming was then satisfied. After thinking for a moment, he added, "Don't sleep too long, or you won't be able to sleep at night."
"So annoying!" Jiang Ling pulled up the covers and covered her head.
Emperor Yuanming then went to wash and dress properly before leaving Qionghua Pavilion. Zhang Shan bowed and whispered a few words to Huang Liang.
Huang Liang was slightly taken aback, quickened his pace to catch up, and said, "Your Majesty, Consort Duan of Cuiwei Pavilion was frightened, and Physician Wu was summoned to treat her. Physician Wu said that Consort Duan is pregnant and came to report the good news to Your Majesty."
Emperor Yuanming had few children, so the news of Consort Duan's pregnancy greatly pleased him.
However, Emperor Yuanming frowned, "Why was Consort Duan so frightened? Could it be that her servants were not attending to her properly?"
Faced with Emperor Yuanming's questioning, Huang Liang looked troubled and stammered, inwardly lamenting his predicament.
They were all Emperor Yuanming's favorite concubines, and he dared not offend any of them!
Emperor Yuanming's face gradually darkened, and Huang Liang hurriedly lowered his head, forcing himself to answer truthfully: "Duan Cairen said that she was frightened by Consort Jiang."
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