TJAIP Chapter 26

“Clank!” A teacup fell to the ground, shattering into several pieces.

The Dowager Empress stood up calmly, “I trembled, clean it up.”

“Yes,” the palace servant hurriedly knelt.

The Dowager Empress glanced at the broken teacup and turned to enter the inner chambers.

A few days passed, and the Emperor still hadn’t summoned any of the women from the harem, and the Dowager Empress hadn’t intervened either. Naturally, the Empress still sat unmoved in Jingyang Palace, and the entire harem remained eerily calm.

On such a hot day, few had the interest to visit any gardens. Zhuang Luoyan certainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to wander around; even the most perceptive could tell the Dowager Empress was intent on getting involved in the harem’s matters, but the Empress was pretending not to notice, and the Emperor wasn’t too eager either.

A few days ago, a bold little concubine had tried to ingratiate herself with the Dowager Empress, but yesterday, the Empress had reprimanded her for her errors, showing her ruthless side. The Emperor did not comment on the matter, further emphasizing the point.

“Your Highness, people from Kang’an Palace have come to pass on a message. The Dowager Empress invites you to come this afternoon to listen to a play,” Yunxi entered quietly and lowered her voice. “I hear many of the ladies have been summoned.”

“A play?” Zhuang Luoyan raised an eyebrow. The stage shows were never as interesting as those happening behind the scenes. What could the Dowager Empress be up to with such a gathering?

“Since the Dowager Empress has extended the invitation, how could I not go?” Zhuang Luoyan lazily stood up. “I’ll rest for a while, and you can call me when it’s time for lunch.”

Tingzhu and Yunxi exchanged a glance. Seeing their mistress untroubled, they felt there was no major issue and withdrew to prepare.

“Who else has the Dowager Empress invited?” Shu Guifei reclined on a beauty couch, two palace maids attending her. Her voice had taken on a lazy tone.

“Replying to Your Highness, the invitations include the Empress, Xianfei, Ningfei, Roufei, Xu Zhaorong, Ye Shurong, Su Xiuyi, Zhao Chongyi, Yan Guipin, Jiang Xianpin, Lin Pin, and Ye Ronghua,” Lingsha replied carefully.

“There are quite a few people,” Shu Guifei chuckled softly. “But the Dowager Empress even invited Lin Pin?”

“Perhaps, since she invited the demoted Ye Ronghua, she also invited Lin Pin to divert attention,” Lingsha suggested.

“Who knows what she’s up to,” Shu Guifei opened her eyes and sighed. “In any case, this is just another play between her and the Empress, and we can enjoy the show.”

After lunch, Zhuang Luoyan had herself properly dressed and boarded the palanquin, heading towards the Dowager Empress’s Kang’an Palace. The sun was scorching, and she shielded her forehead from the sunlight, squinting at the procession ahead. If she wasn’t mistaken, that was the Emperor’s imperial carriage.

“The Emperor seems to be following behind Zhao Chongyi,” Gao Dezong whispered.

“Oh?” Feng Jin, protected by the sunshade, didn’t seem troubled by the heat. He turned around, frowning. “Why would she be out in such heat?”

“She must be going to the Dowager Empress’s Kang’an Palace,” Gao Dezong explained. “The Dowager Empress has invited all the ladies to watch a play today.”

“Mother has quite the interest,” Feng Jin said flatly, glancing at the glaring sunlight outside the sunshade. “In that case, once I’m done with the memorials, I’ll go watch as well.”

Zhuang Luoyan noticed the Emperor’s procession veer off in another direction, realizing he wasn’t headed to Kang’an Palace. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she muttered, “Let’s hurry, it wouldn’t be good to keep the Dowager Empress waiting.”

At Kang’an Palace, the Empress and the Ye sisters had already arrived. Zhuang Luoyan sat down, and soon after, the other concubines arrived one by one.

As the eunuch brought in the play’s script, Zhuang Luoyan pushed it aside, not choosing a play. She wasn’t fond of these, and she wasn’t familiar with the content of any of them, so if she accidentally offended someone’s preferences, it would be troublesome.

The play started, and the stage was filled with a lively, festive atmosphere. Zhuang Luoyan watched the actors perform, using her handkerchief to cover her mouth as she stifled a yawn.

“Old age makes one crave such spectacles,” the Dowager Empress laughed and spoke to the other concubines. “Pick the plays you like, don’t worry about me.”

The others agreed but didn’t choose anything the Dowager Empress might not enjoy.

After a few plays, some palace acrobats came out. Their performance intrigued Zhuang Luoyan, and the other concubines gasped in surprise.

“These acrobats may seem one way, but your eyes are being deceived,” the Dowager Empress chuckled. “They’re not only quick with their hands, but they can act as well. What do you think, Empress?”

“Poor me, my knowledge is limited, but after hearing you speak, I realize it’s true,” the Empress said, clearly impressed. “These performances are truly thrilling and spectacular.”

“I’m only offering my opinion. Whether it’s accurate or not, only they know for sure,” the Dowager Empress said, pointing at the performers and ordering them rewards. She sighed, “If only I had a few more children around me, it would be even livelier.”

The Empress knew the Dowager Empress was deliberately trying to make her uncomfortable. She had no children of her own, and though the Ye sisters had children, none of them had been born yet, so it made her feel embarrassed.

“The First and Second Princes are still young. When they grow older, they’ll be running around,” the Empress fanned the Dowager Empress gently. “When the weather cools down, if you miss the little princes, you can have them come here to visit.”

Zhuang Luoyan quietly admired the Empress’s composure. Any other person would have been uncomfortable, but the Empress had turned the conversation to suggest the Dowager Empress missed the little princes. She had heard that the two princes were fostered at Xianfei and Ningfei’s palaces—not officially, but fostered nonetheless, showing that the Emperor had no intention of elevating their status.

“Let them continue to be well cared for. Half-grown children are too fragile, and it would be a shame if they got hurt,” the Dowager Empress said indifferently, clearly not wishing to continue the conversation with the Empress.

In the feudal era, the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was always a delicate one. Zhuang Luoyan sighed inwardly, peeling a grape and preparing to eat it. It was delicious but tedious to peel, so she wiped her hands with a handkerchief and lost the desire to continue. Tingzhu, noticing this, quickly poured her a fresh cup of tea and whispered, “Mistress, this tea is quite refreshing.”

“Zhao Chongyi’s maid is quite attentive,” Yan Guipin, sitting next to Zhuang Luoyan, glanced at Tingzhu, as if recalling something. “But she seems somewhat familiar.”

“She serves me daily, so it’s no surprise you’ve seen her before, Yan Guipin,” Zhuang Luoyan smiled, clearly not bothered by the implications of Yan Guipin’s words.

“I remember now, wasn’t she the little palace maid who used to serve Yao Pin? I wonder what mistake she made that got her dismissed. After Yao Pin gave birth to the little princess, she left. I didn’t expect her to end up at Zhao Chongyi’s side,” Yan Guipin raised an eyebrow, looking at Zhuang Luoyan. “Does Zhao Chongyi not know this?”

Zhuang Luoyan smiled. “I have many servants around me. I don’t ask too many questions. As long as they serve me well, that’s enough.”

“My sister is truly a simple one,” Yan Guipin thought Zhuang Luoyan was just being stubborn, smiling as she took a sip of tea and turned back to watch the performance.

Tingzhu hadn’t expected Yan Guipin to remember this. She had indeed served at Yao Pin’s side in the past, but Yao Pin had a bad temper, and when she made a mistake, she was dismissed. It wasn’t a big deal at the time, but Yan Guipin’s remarks had changed its meaning.

The ladies in the harem didn’t like using servants from former favorites or those who had fallen out of favor, as it was considered unlucky. Tingzhu looked at her mistress, who remained calm as usual and felt slightly reassured.

“His Majesty has arrived!”

The Emperor had not visited the harem in several days, so the eunuch’s announcement made the concubines eagerly look up, waiting for His Majesty’s favor.

“Today’s performance has been quite lively,” Feng Jin, having watched a bit of the acrobatics, said, “I had been troubled by Ye Shurong’s miscarriage, but today, I feel much better.”

Hearing this, the Dowager Empress’s smile almost faltered, but she had no choice but to continue the conversation. “I’ve noticed the harem has been rather gloomy, Your Majesty. Since you love children so much, let Ye Shurong try again. There’s no need for too much sorrow.”

“My son is merely sad, but he is young, and Mother needn’t worry too much,” Feng Jin took a sip of tea, speaking in a tone that was neither too harsh nor too soft. “Your health and well-being are my greatest joy, and if you continue to worry about my harem, it would be my fault as a son.”

The Dowager Empress forced a smile. She watched the performance for a bit longer before expressing fatigue. Everyone stood and courteously took their leave, but Zhuang Luoyan could tell that the Empress seemed to relax a bit.

After the palanquin had traveled some distance, a small eunuch hurried up to her. He looked like someone from Gao Dezong’s side. Zhuang Luoyan spoke, “What is it, Eunuch?”

“Princess Zhao, His Majesty has sent you some cooling tea leaves,” the eunuch said respectfully, holding a beautiful wooden box, likely containing precious tea leaves.

Zhuang Luoyan graciously accepted and, after the eunuch left, opened the box to smell the faint fragrance of tea.

Gao Dezong, seeing the little eunuch return, asked, “Has the tea been delivered?”

“Replying to the Chief Eunuch, it has been delivered. Princess Zhao thanked you for your kindness,” the eunuch replied honestly.

“There’s no need for the master to thank us servants!” Gao Dezong gave the eunuch a light tap on the head and turned to enter the palace.

The eunuch, looking up, realized the Chief Eunuch was going to report to the Emperor.