TJAIP Chapter 33

“Empress Dowager,” Hongxiao, the elderly woman closest to the Empress Dowager and most trusted, immediately supported her after the palace eunuch sent by the Emperor delivered his message.

“Good, truly my good son,” the Empress Dowager scoffed twice, “In this palace, how many women have clean hands? His actions are just to prevent me from intervening in the harem matters.”

“Empress Dowager, the Emperor is your son, he will always think of you,” Hongxiao hesitated before comforting, “The Emperor is usually quite stubborn. He must have been upset with you interfering in the harem affairs.”

The Empress Dowager, exhausted, sat in a chair, rubbing her forehead. “Hongxiao, as a woman of the Ye family, how could I not consider the Ye family’s interests?”

“But to the Emperor, he is the Emperor, and the country belongs to the Feng family,” Hongxiao knelt before the Empress Dowager and bowed her head. “Empress Dowager, I am overstepping, but I have served you for over thirty years, and some things must be said.”

“Empress Dowager, you are the Emperor’s mother, and the Emperor is your child. The Ye family may be important, but what weighs more, the Ye family or the Emperor?” Hongxiao bowed again. “From what I can see, whether it’s the Ye family or the Zhao family, if the Emperor loves, he loves; if the Emperor doesn’t care, why must you force it? The Emperor has always disliked others meddling in his affairs. When the Second Prince disrespected the Emperor when he was still the Crown Prince, do you remember how the Crown Prince responded?”

“Yes, that child is ruthless,” the Empress Dowager said, lowering her hand from her forehead and standing to open the window. The rain outside seemed to be falling even heavier.

“On the day Concubine Xia died, it was raining too, wasn’t it?” The Empress Dowager gazed towards the Taoyu Pavilion, though she couldn’t see anything through the palace walls and the night. “The late Emperor was quite heartbroken for a while. Then came Lady Wei, and Concubine Xia became a thing of the past. Who remembers her now?”

“The last to laugh is me,” the Empress Dowager sneered, “A woman in the harem who can’t even protect her own child—who can she blame?” She turned and looked at Hongxiao, still kneeling. “Get up. I have never blamed you. You’ve been with me for so many years. How could I not know your intentions?”

“Thank you, Empress Dowager,” Hongxiao rose, helping the Empress Dowager to her seat. When she saw the Empress Dowager’s expression soften, she sighed with relief.

In the Qi Zheng Palace, Feng Jin received a gift from the chief eunuch of the Kang’an Palace.

“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager heard that you were up late and had me bring you a midnight snack made by the Empress Dowager herself. Please enjoy it and rest early.”

Feng Jin softened as the eunuch opened the food box, revealing a steaming bowl of pearl-filled rice dumplings. “Tell the Empress Dowager that I am grateful. I will convey my thanks to her personally,” he said.

Once the eunuch had left, Feng Jin had a spoonful of the dumplings before setting the bowl aside. He was satisfied with the Empress Dowager’s compromise. For her, her maternal family didn’t matter as much as her status; after all, what woman in the world could be more noble than the mother of the Emperor?

Zhuang Luoyan wasn’t sure what kind of compromise had been reached between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, but when she went to greet the Empress Dowager the next day, the Empress Dowager was much gentler towards her. Her words were no longer deliberately harsh, and she even appeared gracious, which made Zhuang Luoyan reflect on the grand displays of power in the palace once again.

The Empress Dowager was not only gentler with the Empress, but she also seemed to treat the Ye family sisters with less favor than before. After the morning greetings, the Empress Dowager instructed everyone to kneel in the same manner.

As Zhuang Luoyan left Kang’an Palace, she was sure of one thing: the Emperor’s visit to the Taoyu Pavilion the previous night had yielded positive results, at least causing the Empress Dowager to restrain herself. Whether the Empress Dowager had truly come to terms with her actions or was simply suppressing her temper, Zhuang Luoyan couldn’t know.

Xi He Palace, larger than Taoyu Pavilion, had a pleasant environment, with a lotus pond nearby and willows swaying, giving it a hint of Jiangnan’s charm. Close by were the residences of Shuigui Fei and Xu Zhaorong.

The Changtian Tower near Xu Zhaorong’s residence was surrounded by bamboo, adding an air of tranquility, while Anqing Palace, home to Shuigui Fei, was lavish and elegant, with expensive rocks and trees. Zhuang Luoyan’s residence, nestled between the two, was delicate but not extravagant, graceful but not too quiet. She was quite satisfied with it.

After moving into her new residence, Zhuang Luoyan had her people inspect the palace furnishings. Fortunately, Gao Dezhu had been involved, so nothing inappropriate had been included. Zhuang Luoyan was grateful that Emperor Chengxuan had not exploited her completely. He had at least considered her feelings before utilizing her, making her feel that her efforts, despite all the drama, had been worthwhile.

“The Emperor has issued an edict. Tonight, Xi He Palace will be in charge of the lanterns.”

In the grand scheme, the Emperor hadn’t visited Zhuang Luoyan for several days, but after her move into the new residence, the Emperor issued an edict, which she took as a gesture of respect. She was pleased by it.

Not long after, someone from the Empress’s Jingyang Palace came with gifts and medicinal supplies, concerned about Zhuang Luoyan’s health after the fright and relocation.

Zhuang Luoyan thanked them as usual, choosing two items to display in the main hall and putting the rest into storage. She had Fu Bao register the items and paid no further attention to them.

Not many in the harem had guessed the specifics of the situation between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, but the Empress most certainly had. She had already suspected the Emperor’s intention behind moving Zhaochongyi to a different palace position. It now seemed likely that it was a form of compensation, considering the trauma she had suffered, which had led to a murder incident. Fortunately, fate had been kind, or things could have turned out much worse.

If truth be told, Zhaochongyi had indeed gained a great advantage. Could it be that the heavens were truly protecting her?

“Gao Dezhu, prepare to go to Xi He Palace.” Though it was still early evening, Feng Jin’s attitude made it clear that he valued the person residing there.

Gao Dezhu glanced at the sky. “Your Majesty, you haven’t had dinner yet.”

“Go to Xi He Palace for dinner,” Feng Jin waved his hand, adding suddenly, “Since Zhaochongyi is now in charge of her palace, let her have her little kitchen. Tell the palace staff and the Empress.”

Gao Dezhu nodded. “Understood.” It seemed the Emperor’s affection for Zhaochongyi was not absent, as even a consort needed the Emperor’s favor to have her small kitchen.