TFSRITA Chapter 47

He lazily blinked, his impatience making him reluctant to deal with the Empress Dowager.

As for the Empress Dowager…

Not long ago, Ji Yecheng sent someone to collect the evidence that Song Yu had gathered, using it to eliminate a group of corrupt officials. As a result, there were numerous vacancies in the court, leaving other officials, including several local magistrates, to temporarily fill the gaps.

An official from the Jiang family was among those dismissed, severely injuring their standing. The Empress Dowager personally sought out Ji Yecheng, pleading for leniency toward the Jiang family, but he turned her away, which caused her to fall ill from the stress.

If it hadn’t been for the pressure from the court, Ji Yecheng would not have reluctantly sent a physician to tend to her, and she would still be unwell.

After a difficult recovery, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet arrived.

At every banquet, the Empress Dowager would wait in a place where Ji Yecheng was likely to pass, hoping to accompany him.

Although he always ignored her, at least they were together.

However, this time, she waited as usual but, shortly after arriving, heard a eunuch report that Ji Yecheng had already gone ahead with Yan Qing.

Her face turned pale with anger, and she returned in frustration, not wanting to attend.

Yet, after returning to her palace, she waited a long time without seeing a single eunuch or maid come to summon her. The Empress Dowager’s heart sank; she felt discouraged for quite a while. Her chances to see Ji Yecheng were limited, and he was a man who disregarded the rules—he never visited her out of obligation, and whenever she went to see him, she was often met with a closed door.

After enduring her discontent for some time, she finally came out.

As soon as the Empress Dowager arrived, everyone naturally bowed. However, the first thing she noticed was the two people sitting without moving.

While it was understandable for the Emperor to disregard her, many were reluctant to bring her up as she was not his biological mother. But what was Yan Qing doing there?

With the help of her attendants, the Empress Dowager stepped forward and said firmly, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Everyone stood, finally facing the Empress Dowager.

At that moment, Yan Xiang’s expression slightly stiffened.

How had his daughter become so rebellious since entering the palace?

Although His Majesty had decreed that no one needed to bow to anyone, wasn’t it better to at least put on a show of respect at this time?

Yan Qing pretended not to see, delicately lifting a lightweight wooden spoon with a piece of taro Mama Qian had placed on it, slowly eating it.

The taro, stewed with beef, was soft and flavorful, the meat juices absorbed into the taro, creating a delicious taste that melted in her mouth.

She savored her food leisurely while the Empress Dowager watched with great discontent. Finally, she settled into her seat and smiled at Yan Qing, “You look radiant today, but you seem to have lost a lot of weight. It’s clear that this recent illness has taken quite a toll on your health.”

Yan Qing sipped a cup of warm water, listening with a puzzled expression. What did she mean by that?

Ignoring her reaction, the Empress Dowager turned to Yan Xiang, “Minister, as the ruler of a nation, the Emperor is no longer young. When the late Emperor was of His Majesty’s age, the eldest princess was already three years old, right?”

Yan Xiang replied, “Indeed, Your Majesty. The late Emperor fathered the eldest princess when he was seventeen. At this age, she was exactly three years old.”

The Empress Dowager nodded. “I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the Guifei, but His Majesty currently has no children. Minister, you should advise the Guifei that it’s normal for a young girl to be reluctant, but it’s only fair to share the affection with all the concubines in the harem. Besides the Guifei…”

The Empress Dowager went on, laying down her arguments, causing Yan Xiang to nod repeatedly.

He remained calm; as a father, he understood his daughter well enough. She didn’t like Ji Yecheng, so sharing the affection wouldn’t harm her and could even bring benefits to the other concubines’ families.

However, midway through her discourse, she was interrupted by Ji Yecheng’s deep voice: “Whom I choose to favor is my business. Do you want me to heed your words?”

The Empress Dowager paused, her smile faltering. “Your Majesty, you jest. I only wish to see you with grandchildren soon…”

Ji Yecheng sneered, “Haven’t you produced any offspring yourself? If you want grandchildren, maybe you should start by having a son.”

The court officials gasped in shock.

This was harsh even for someone used to Ji Yecheng’s sharp tongue during court meetings. Watching him confront the Empress Dowager left their faces pale as they lowered their heads, silently drinking.

They hadn’t heard anything, so they hoped not to be implicated!

And it proved that there was always a sharper tongue than the last.

The Empress Dowager’s face turned ashen, looking like a scorned woman as she glared at Ji Yecheng. But soon, her gaze turned to the innocent-looking Yan Qing, and she declared, “Your Majesty, since the late Emperor’s passing, I have always regarded you as my son…”

“I have a biological mother, and you are merely twelve years older than me.” Ji Yecheng drank heartily, his cheeks flushed with wine, his eyes slightly dazed, enhancing the allure of his peach blossom eyes. “I wouldn’t mind if the Empress Dowager remarried.”

The Empress Dowager: “!!!”

“Your Majesty, please think this through!” This time it wasn’t the Empress Dowager, but the court officials who were adhering to the rules.

The notion of the Empress Dowager remarrying was unprecedented.

The Empress Dowager’s face paled with anger, but realizing Ji Yecheng was in a prickly mood, she refrained from saying more, maintaining the image of a wronged victim.

Yan Qing watched, almost applauding. Ji Yecheng’s combativeness was truly impressive!

Facing the officials, he didn’t back down but furrowed his brow, throwing his wine cup to the ground with a crash. “Get up, or you’ll kneel here until court!”