Chapter 22

Chapter 22: The Empress

Because Xie Shu had agreed to meet Liang Heng, Madam Liang of the Prime Minister’s estate arranged a meeting with Madam Yun at Lingyun Pavilion. Before leaving, Madam Liang specifically went to the ancestral hall to offer incense. Seeing her acting so superstitious, Prime Minister Liang was left speechless. "There isn't even a shadow of a promise between Heng’er and the Third Miss of the Xie family yet. Why go to such lengths? If this marriage doesn't work out, I fear we shall become the laughingstock of others."

Even though Prime Minister Liang paid little attention to the affairs of the capital, he knew that many people wanted to marry the Third Miss of the Xie family. While his son was certainly a standout among the young gentlemen of the capital, to put it bluntly, the Third Miss was worthy of becoming a consort in the palace; there was no guarantee she would fancy his son.

"What if the marriage between Heng’er and the Third Miss does work out? It has taken Heng’er so many years to finally like a girl; I must put in some effort for him. If it doesn't work out, then it simply means the two children have no fate together. Unlike you, my lord, who are so idle every day." Madam Liang retorted, "I have also arranged to discuss the two children with Madam Xie, so I shall be off."

Unable to do anything about his wife, the Prime Minister could only step aside and let her go.

Although delayed at home, Madam Liang arrived at Lingyun Pavilion slightly early. After all, it was Heng’er who sought to marry a girl from that family; the Prime Minister’s estate had to maintain a proper demeanor.

No sooner had Madam Liang sat down than Madam Yun arrived. The young maid guarding the door came in to report, "Madam, Madam Xie has arrived."

Madam Liang quickly straightened her clothes and stood up to welcome her. A moment later, Madam Yun lifted the curtain and walked in. Both women were mistresses of their respective households, and their temperaments were so similar they could have been sisters.

"I wonder what tea Madam Xie prefers?" Madam Liang asked with a smile as she prepared to pour tea.

Madam Yun said she was not picky, so Madam Liang ordered the waiter to prepare a pot of high-quality Longjing tea. She then said, "I told my rascal of a son yesterday that the Third Miss was willing to meet him. He was overjoyed. Knowing I was coming to meet you at Lingyun Pavilion today, he specifically asked me to tell you that he is not a fickle man. If he were to take the Third Miss as his wife, he would never take a concubine."

The fact that the Third Young Master Liang was offering such sincerity was rare; few scions of high-ranking families refrained from taking concubines. Upon hearing this, Madam Yun couldn't help but feel a bit more favorably toward Liang Heng. Her smile deepened as she replied, "The Third Young Master is truly a gentleman of pure character. Madam Liang, since both our families are interested, why don't we arrange for the two children to meet? If they have a connection, then you and I can discuss the rest. How does that sound?"

Madam Yun was, of course, satisfied with Liang Heng, but her daughter had only agreed to meet him, not that she would marry no one else. If they agreed too early and things fell through, it might lead to resentment between the two families.

Madam Liang reached the same conclusion. She knew one could not be too hasty with children's marriages. She nodded with a smile, "That is my thought exactly. I asked Heng’er, and in five days it will be a holiday. I imagine the weather will be fine then, so why not arrange for them to meet at Ganquan Temple? Ten miles from the temple is a Temple of the Matchmaker. Perhaps the Matchmaker will show his favor and facilitate this good union."

In any case, she was extremely satisfied with the Third Miss of the Marquis of Loyalty’s estate.

The incense at Ganquan Temple had always been efficacious. Madam Yun had actually been planning to take her daughter there to pray for blessings, so this worked out perfectly. Madam Liang smiled, "It seems this is quite a coincidence. Perhaps it is fate."

Madam Yun agreed, and the two elders finalized the time and place for Xie Shu and Liang Heng to meet at Lingyun Pavilion.

While the atmosphere here was harmonious, the mood in the palace was not quite as pleasant.

***

In the Imperial Study, after Xie Huaiyu finished speaking, the Emperor’s expression turned cold inch by inch. Eunuch Li, who was closest to the Emperor, saw this and broke into a cold sweat. He lowered his head, wondering why the Third Miss of the Xie family had suddenly begun discussing marriage.

Although the Emperor’s expression was cold, he still managed to pull the corners of his lips into a smile. His tone was unhurried, neither fast nor slow. "Oh? I wonder which young gentleman it is."

"Returning to Your Majesty, it is the Third Young Master of the Prime Minister’s estate. He is talented and well-mannered. My parents are both very satisfied with him." Xie Huaiyu explained with a smile. To be precise, it was the people of the Marquis of Loyalty’s estate who were satisfied, otherwise, Xie Huaiyu wouldn't be so happy.

The Emperor had a sharp nose and deep, phoenix-like eyes that seemed bottomless. He continued to flip through the list of official evaluations on his desk and nodded slightly. "So, it is Young Master Liang."

The last time they were at the Changting Pavilion, that woman’s gaze had almost been glued to Liang Heng. With so many excellent young men in the capital for her to choose from, she was in such a hurry. Furthermore, while Liang Heng was talented, he was very much like a bookworm; she didn't seem to mind that he might be boring.

For some reason, the young Emperor’s mind was suddenly in turmoil, accompanied by an inexplicable sense of frustration.

He had never intended to bring that woman into the palace, but hearing that she was discussing marriage with someone else did not leave him feeling calm.

Qin Yu told Xie Huaiyu that he would carefully review the assessment list. Seeing that the Emperor was not in high spirits, Xie Huaiyu bowed. "I shall take my leave now."

"Eunuch Li, see Minister Xie out."

"Is Your Majesty feeling unwell?" Eunuch Li returned to the hall and asked respectfully, seeing that the Emperor’s complexion was clearly not good.

In truth, he had a hunch: the Emperor might be jealous, but he couldn't just point it out directly. The Emperor treated Miss Xie very differently, yet had never said he liked her. If he were to warn him rashly, he feared the Emperor would…

Why did Miss Xie have to discuss marriage with the Third Young Master Liang? Eunuch Li sighed inwardly.

However, Eunuch Li forgot one thing: the current Emperor was a man of strong-willed, ruthless methods. Never mind just discussing marriage; if the woman was someone he had set his heart on, even if she were already married, he could still take her if he wished.

"I am fine." Qin Yu twitched his mouth. It was only a woman, yet she was capable of disturbing his mind time and time again. One might think he had been bewitched by the Third Miss of the Marquis of Loyalty. The Emperor waved his hand. "You all may go."

He did not believe a sheltered young lady could occupy such a significant weight in his heart.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Li, with a humble posture, hurriedly led the others out.

As the group retreated to the entrance of the Imperial Study, a diligent attendant who was quite familiar with Eunuch Li asked, "Eunuch Li, why is His Majesty not in high spirits today?"

It was only after Minister Xie arrived that the Emperor’s mood had soured, but they did not know why, as the Emperor’s thoughts were the hardest to guess.

Eunuch Li glanced at the tightly closed doors of the Imperial Study and said slowly, "Perhaps it is because of court affairs."

He could hardly say that the Emperor was upset because he learned the Third Miss was discussing marriage with another man.

The attendant, who had always trusted Eunuch Li, naturally believed this and nodded.

The Emperor was diligent and unrivaled in both civil and military affairs; only matters of state could make him so troubled.

Eunuch Li and the others stood quietly outside the palace hall. Who knew that by the time the purple sunset clouds enveloped the entire palace, the Emperor had still issued no commands.

This was because Qin Yu was closing his eyes in a light slumber, only to fall into a familiar dream.

It was still the Emperor’s bedchamber. As dawn approached, Eunuch Li was helping the Emperor dress. The Emperor looked somber and asked coldly, "Is she still kneeling?"

Even with such a cold tone, the concern within it was not hard to hear.

"Returning to Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is indeed still kneeling outside." Eunuch Li was also helpless; their Imperial Concubine was a person who refused to admit defeat. Eunuch Li lowered his voice.

The Emperor’s brows furrowed. The words "if she wants to kneel, let her kneel" did not pass his lips. Instead, he said, "Tell someone to help her in."

"But does Your Majesty not have to attend the morning court?" Eunuch Li looked at the time, remembering that the ministers were waiting at the Qianqing Palace, and tried to persuade him.

The Emperor shot a glance at Eunuch Li. Eunuch Li hurried outside and told the Imperial Concubine’s maid to help her in. "Imperial Concubine, His Majesty invites you in."

The Emperor was waiting inside. The woman, dressed in magnificent palace attire, entered still kneeling. The Emperor’s tone finally softened. "Are you still throwing a tantrum?"

Perhaps because she had been kneeling for too long, the woman’s voice sounded a bit hoarse and full of grievance. "I am not, Your Majesty."

The Emperor’s temple throbbed. "I told you I would compensate you for this matter, so I will definitely do so. Why must you be so stubborn?"

The woman burst into tears, her voice growing more aggrieved. "It is true that Your Majesty will compensate me, but you know what kind of person the Empress Dowager is. The more Your Majesty stands on my side, the more the Empress Dowager will make things difficult for me. Is Your Majesty truly willing to watch me be bullied like this?"

When others cried, it only made the Emperor feel annoyed, but the woman before him wept like pear blossoms in the rain, evoking pity.

"Of course I will not watch you be bullied. I will give you an answer. Concubine, just wait a little longer." The Emperor stepped forward, wanting to help her up, his tone gentler. "Or, what is it that you want? I will grant it."

"Will Your Majesty grant me anything?"

"Naturally."

"Then I want to be the Empress." The woman slightly lifted her eyes, tears hanging on her cheeks as she looked at the Emperor. Her face was beautiful, her brows like ink, and her eyes seemed to speak, glistening and moving.

That person was unexpectedly…

The Emperor suddenly opened those long, narrow phoenix eyes, their depth dark and murky like ink, unfathomable.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he pressed his forehead slightly.

This time, he had seen the face of the woman in his dream clearly.