Chapter 43 A Chance Encounter, Protecting You (Part 5) Background
But now, with the fall of the Ling Dynasty and the change of dynasties, the old friendships seem so fragile in the face of national hatred, family feuds, and the shifting of power. She no longer dares to, and cannot, acknowledge this "old affection."
She stepped forward as instructed, her heart heavy with indescribable sorrow. She knelt once more on the soft brocade cushion beside the Empress Dowager's chair, her brows lowered and eyes lowered, her posture exceptionally submissive, awaiting her question.
"Good child." The Empress Dowager leaned slightly forward, her well-maintained hand gently resting on her shoulder, her tone full of pity, "You are a young lady, raised like a golden branch and jade leaf, how have you managed all these years? Have you suffered any injustices? If so, please tell me, and I will stand up for you!"
As she spoke, the Empress Dowager gestured to a stern-faced old nanny standing behind her. The nanny understood and silently brought over a cup of freshly brewed hot tea, handing it to Ye Yixiang.
Ye Yixiang accepted the white jade teacup with both hands. The moment her fingertips touched the cup, her heart skipped a beat—the teacup was shockingly hot, far beyond the normal temperature for serving tea! She instantly understood that this was also a test, a punishment, a silent warning. She dared not show it on her face, but could only secretly exert force, her fingertips gripping the cup tightly, letting the scorching heat penetrate the thin porcelain wall, burning her still sensitive and painful fingertips that had just been bandaged. The excruciating pain spread all the way, yet she couldn't even allow her fingertips to tremble.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager," she said in a steady voice, without a trace of abnormality, her eyes still lowered, "I am well, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is very kind to me."
The Empress Dowager's gaze seemed to casually sweep over her hands, which were steadily holding the teacup. Seeing the clean gauze wrapped around her fingertips, her tone turned to concern: "Oh, what happened to your hands? Are you injured?"
"Your Majesty, it was all my own carelessness. I fell off my horse yesterday and got injured, but it's nothing serious," she replied softly, downplaying the whole thing.
"Look at you, child, why are you always kneeling to talk? Get up and sit on this chair." The Empress Dowager seemed to only then notice her posture, her tone reproachful as she pointed to an embroidered stool below her.
Despite the excruciating pain in her ankles and fingertips, Ye Yixiang thanked the emperor before Chun Tan quietly helped her sit down on the embroidered stool.
Once she was seated, the Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Xiao Mo, who stood quietly to the side. Her kind smile remained unchanged, and her tone was still gentle, but she asked about a crucial matter concerning the political situation of the court and having far-reaching implications:
"Shaoheng, how's the investigation into the Lu family case going? Is it really connected to the Right Tuqi King of the Northern Di?"
Xiao Mo's expression turned solemn. He stepped forward, cupped his hands, and reported cautiously, "Your Majesty, this matter involves many aspects and has many suspicious points. I am still investigating it intensively. As far as I know, it is true that the Right Tuqi King of the Northern Barbarians infiltrated our territory under the alias 'Lu Qingyuan,' but the specific details have not yet been fully clarified. Once I have investigated all the relevant points, I will immediately submit a memorial to Your Majesty and the Emperor in detail."
After hearing this, the Empress Dowager slowly nodded, her fingertips gently twirling a string of lustrous jade prayer beads on her wrist.
The Lu family...
Ye Yixiang's lowered eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly.
It seems that the Empress Dowager summoned her today not simply to reminisce or question her about yesterday's fall, but clearly to make her hear this discussion about the Lu family.
Although her mother-in-law often criticized and made things difficult for her when she was in the Lu family because of her sensitive status, the Lu family's naive younger sister always called her "sister-in-law" whenever she saw her, with an innocent and cheerful smile. She really shouldn't have been involved in this terrible disaster.
Consort Lan interjected at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty, you are wise enough to know that Lu Qingyuan is indeed a general of our dynasty who has made great contributions in battle. His mother is my sister, and we are blood relatives. I believe there must be some unknown secrets involved, and I hope Your Majesty will investigate this matter thoroughly."
Xiao Mo's expression remained unchanged, but his words became increasingly cautious. He cupped his hands and replied, "What the Imperial Concubine said is indeed true. According to my investigation, Madam Lu was pregnant with twins back then."
"However, in the old customs of the previous dynasty, twins were often regarded as an ominous sign that would bring disaster. Madam Lu, with a loving mother's heart, could not bear to harm her own flesh and blood, so she secretly ordered her trusted confidants to send one of the infants to the Northern Barbarians in order to protect him."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Consort Lan, her tone calm yet carrying a profound meaning: "Consort, I remember that your younger sister was once bestowed the title of princess by the previous emperor because of her outstanding appearance and gentle nature, and was sent to the Northern Di for a marriage alliance in exchange for peace on the border."
Xiao Mo said, "After Modu Chanyu died, according to the old customs of the Northern Di, Lady Lu was unwilling to marry her husband's younger brother and suffer humiliation. That's why the former emperor managed to bring her back and marry her into the Lu family. If we follow this logic, then whether the bloodline of the twins is purely from the Central Plains is probably... also a matter of debate."
Consort Lan's face paled slightly, and she quickly stood up, her voice trembling with barely perceptible sobs: "Mother... my sister made a great sacrifice back then, marrying far away for the sake of our country and its borders. I never imagined she would suffer such... inhuman humiliation in the Northern Barbarians."
"As for who the father of the child she was in her womb was... Your Majesty, I really don't know the details."
Xiao Mo then took over the conversation: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager and Your Highness the Imperial Concubine, regardless of their lineage, I have verified that the real Lu Qingyuan did indeed die heroically five years ago in a conflict with the Northern Di, defending our country's territory."
"The current Right Tuqi King of the Northern Barbarians, Geshu Che, somehow learned that General Lu looked very similar to him, so he took the opportunity to impersonate Lu Qingyuan. Over the years, he has been lurking in our army, rising step by step through disguise, while in reality he has been collecting intelligence for the Northern Barbarians. His intentions are despicable."
Ye Yixiang was terrified, her fingertips curling slightly inside her sleeve.
The real Lu Qingyuan...
Her first husband, in name only, had died five years ago? Was the "Lu Qingyuan" she met in the small village actually Ge Shuche in disguise from the very beginning?
That once valiant young hero, before he could truly shine, was buried on the battlefield... An indescribable sense of sorrow and absurdity gripped her.
"Such a deep-seated scheming mind, lurking for so many years, truly cannot be allowed to live." The Empress Dowager's eyes suddenly sharpened, her tone revealing a chilling killing intent, but then her expression softened as if she were sighing, "It must have been difficult for that child Shuo Qing, with his meticulous mind and painstaking efforts, to finally expose and capture this cunning Northern Di prince in one fell swoop."
Mentioning Chu Huaili, Consort Lan's face immediately broke into a genuine smile, but deep in her eyes lay a trace of undisguised heartache and guilt: "What Your Majesty says is true. But... I always feel I owe this child a great deal..."
"If you feel indebted, then don't just talk about it." The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Lan, her tone leaving no room for argument.
"We should summon him to the palace more often and show him more concern, especially regarding his marriage. We should take good care of him. That way, we won't... let any shady people dare to get close to him."
As she spoke, her gaze seemed to casually sweep over Ye Yixiang, who was kneeling with her head bowed. The hints and warnings in her eyes were like ice picks, sending chills down Ye Yixiang's spine.
Consort Lan gave a sheepish smile, tinged with helplessness: "Your Majesty, you know his stubborn and foul temper, don't you? Just a few days ago, he argued with His Majesty in the Imperial Study over... over some old matters, which enraged His Majesty. Now, I'm a little afraid to mention these things in front of him."
"That's because the Emperor spoke incorrectly; he didn't understand how to consider a child's feelings." The Empress Dowager's tone was calm, yet carried an authoritative air. "We'll have the Ministry of Rites choose an auspicious day to formally register Shuo Qing in the imperial genealogy, recognizing him as a member of the family. As for his former wife from the common people,"
She paused, then said meaningfully, "A marriage arranged by parents, through matchmakers, with formal betrothal and proper formalities—that's what makes a wife! What else matters?"
After saying that, she stopped looking at Ye Yixiang's suddenly pale face and turned her gaze to Xiao Mo, who had been standing quietly to the side. Her face regained its kind and dignified appearance. "Shaoheng, you are not young anymore. Do you have a girl you like? If so, just say so. I am in a good mood today and will make the decision for you."
Xiao Mo immediately bowed, his words earnest and impeccable: "Your Majesty, the case of the Northern Di spies has not yet been thoroughly investigated, and the hidden dangers on the border have not been eliminated. I have no heart for my family, nor dare I trouble Your Majesty with such unfinished matters."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was not angry at all. Instead, she smiled with admiration and nodded repeatedly: "Good, good! With his heart set on the court and his selflessness, our dynasty is truly blessed to have such a talented young man as Shao Heng. Heaven is truly protecting our dynasty!"
After praising Xiao Mo, she abruptly changed the subject, her gaze returning to Ye Yixiang. She sighed softly, her tone filled with affection and感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both pity and regret):
"Speaking of which, Yunrao's grandmother was my closest friend when I was young. According to seniority and friendship, she should call me Empress Dowager."
She looked at Ye Yixiang, her tone becoming even gentler, "Yun Rao, how about today, I formally adopt you as my goddaughter, so that you can rightfully return to the imperial family? What do you say?"
Ye Yixiang's heart pounded with alarm bells. She quickly rose from her seat and knelt on the ground again, her voice filled with just the right amount of fear and humility: "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager's grace is boundless, and I am deeply grateful! However, I am of humble status and a criminal, and I dare not presume to presume upon the royal family and tarnish the imperial reputation. I beg Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to rescind your decree!"
"Sigh...you child, you are always so sensible that it breaks my heart." The Empress Dowager sighed helplessly and waved her hand. "Very well, since you insist on doing so, I will not force you."
Her tone shifted, becoming firm and protective, "However, this child is someone I've watched grow up since she was a child. In my heart, she's practically my granddaughter. Now, I absolutely cannot stand by and watch her be bullied!"
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