Chapter 77

Chapter 77

The Empress Dowager suddenly recalled Consort Shu's early days in the palace, beautiful and sensible, deeply loved by Emperor Yongxi. Rumors inexplicably spread about Consort Shu's past involvement with the Right Vice Minister of Works before she entered the palace.

Emperor Yongxi, already in poor health, became seriously ill from the shock. Instead of showing concern, Consort Shu was disrespectful towards both her son and daughters.

Naturally, the Empress Dowager was displeased.

Later, when Yuanheng was born, looking strikingly like Consort Shu, she felt an aversion, especially since around that time, her favorite daughter died in childbirth, along with her grandchild.

Grief-stricken, she moved to a quiet residence for recovery.

Unexpectedly, Consort Shu passed away, and Yuanheng was taken out of the palace by Nanny Hua and Eunuch Yang.

A little over a year later, Yuanheng returned.

As his great-grandmother, she naturally felt joy, but Yuanheng's strong resemblance to Consort Shu made it hard for her to feel close to him. She preferred the Second Prince, Yuanping.

Yet, Yuanheng never showed any resentment. Now, he sat there obediently, gently waving a fan, preparing medicine for his great-grandmother.

She suddenly doubted whether her actions all this time had been a mistake.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager," a child's voice rang out.

The Empress Dowager's gaze focused on Minghe, who had suddenly appeared.

Danzi, hearing the voice, quickly put down the fan and walked over to Minghe, performing a respectful bow. "Grandson greets Great Grandmother."

Xiao Yu, hearing the voice, also came out to bow.

"Rise, all of you," said the Empress Dowager.

Xiao Yu hurriedly said, "Empress Dowager, this is the kitchen. There might be some smoke—"

"It's fine, I find this place quite clean," the Empress Dowager walked into the courtyard, observing the vegetables and meats hung to dry on the ropes, and asked, "What are these for?"

"Your Highness, these can be used for making buns, soups, steamed and stir-fried dishes. We receive a lot of vegetables daily in the small kitchen, and most cannot be consumed in time nor returned, so like in Qingshi Town, I make dried and pickled vegetables and cured meats that can be stored for a long time and also add variety to our meals."

"Did you prepare all these?" the Empress Dowager inquired.

Xiao Yu replied, "We did it together."

"Did Yuanheng and Minghe help too?" the Empress Dowager asked.

"I helped wash the vegetables," Danzi said.

Minghe added, "Your Highness, I helped wash vegetables too."

The Empress Dowager, surprised, asked, "You know how to wash vegetables?"

Xiao Yu responded, "Your Highness, children who grow up in common households often learn to do household chores."

The Empress Dowager asked, "Aren't you already studying with the Grand Scholar?"

"Yes, we get up at the hour of Mao and study until noon. In the afternoon, we practice archery, calligraphy, or other activities, depending on the situation," Xiao Yu answered.

"How is your reading coming along?" the Empress Dowager inquired, looking at Minghe.

Minghe replied, "Your Highness, my brother and I already knew 'The Three Character Classic' and 'The Hundred Family Surnames'. Our teacher is instructing us in other texts."

The Empress Dowager then asked, "Have you attended a formal school?"

Minghe shook his head, "No, our uncle taught us."

The Empress Dowager glanced at Xiao Yu and then turned back to Minghe, "Recite some for me to hear."

Minghe fluently recited 'The Hundred Family Surnames'.

Both the Empress Dowager and the senior maid showed surprise in their eyes, seemingly not expecting Minghe to be so intelligent. Their fondness for Minghe and Xiao Yu grew. The Empress Dowager then turned to Danzi, asking, "What have you been reading with the Grand Scholar these past days?"

"We've started 'The Thousand Character Classic'," Danzi said. It was a new text for Danzi and Minghe. Although they couldn't read yet, they remembered it after hearing the Grand Scholar read it once.

The Empress Dowager asked, "How far have you read?"

Without hesitation, Danzi answered, "We've read up to 'In distant and near lands alike, all are one; all under heaven return to the king.'"

"Do you understand its meaning?"

Danzi nodded, "But it's better read in conjunction with the previous two lines."

"Then recite them together."

Danzi earnestly said, "'In the court, inquiring about the Dao; in governance, acting with ease. Nurturing the people at the realm's roots, the subjects submit to the Qiang.' And then comes 'In distant and near lands alike, all are one; all under heaven return to the king.'"

Impressed with his clear recollection at such a young age, the Empress Dowager's interest was piqued. She increased the challenge, asking, "Can you explain the meaning of these lines?"

"It means that a wise ruler, seated in the court, asking his ministers for good governance strategies, can achieve peace throughout the realm. Of course, it also involves assessing officials and caring for the people. This way, all ethnic groups will willingly submit and acknowledge his rule, leading to universal allegiance," Egg explained fluently.

The Empress Dowager, increasing the difficulty, asked, "Do you know where the term 'hanging the bow and governing the realm' originates?"

"The Book of Documents. 'Embrace faith and righteousness, honor virtue and reward merit, hang the bow and the realm is governed.'"

Not only was the Empress Dowager taken aback, but Xiao Yu was also surprised at Egg's learning ability, "Your Highness, you shouldn't have studied the Book of Documents yet, have you?"

Ming He joined in, "Uncle, our teacher did talk about the Book of Documents. He also mentioned 'Shuai Bin' from the Book of Poetry, saying 'Under the whole heaven, all lands belong to the king; along all shores, all are the king's subjects.'"

Protagonist!

The arch-villain!

Truly worthy of being you two!

So young yet so smart and strong!

No wonder readers of "The Emperor's Dream" say that if the protagonist and the arch-villain join forces, they could elevate the Great Jing Empire in a matter of minutes. Xiao Yu now genuinely looks forward to Egg and Ming He working together for the betterment of Great Jing.

After hearing Ming He’s words, the Empress Dowager and Guimama took a while to regain their composure, exchanging glances that revealed mutual admiration for the two children. The Empress Dowager turned to them, saying, "Well learned."

The children's faces beamed with joy.

The Empress Dowager felt a stir of emotions within her.

Guimama, understanding the Empress Dowager's current mood, turned to Xiao Yu to change the subject, "Xiao Ziqing, what are you busy with today?"

Guimama's underlying message was, "Why haven't you delivered the dried tangerine peel and pear tea on time today?" Xiao Yu was gambling that the Empress Dowager and Guimama's curiosity would lead them to Courtyard Nine, so he deliberately had Egg prepare the tea there, using emotions to mitigate the Empress Dowager’s biases.

Unbeknownst to Egg and Ming He, Xiao Yu already had an excuse prepared: "Guimama, since it's autumn and the weather is dry, leading to coughs, I made some dried tangerine peel and ginger candy. It's good for regulating qi and strengthening the spleen, dispelling dampness and transforming phlegm, and most importantly, it's tasty. I just finished making it, and His Highness also just prepared the dried tangerine peel and pear tea. I was about to have someone send it to the Cihe Palace for the Empress Dowager to try."

Guimama smiled at the Empress Dowager, saying, "That explains it. Since the Empress Dowager is here, there's no need to send it over. Your Majesty, why not enjoy the tea here?"

The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement.

Xiao Yu, carrying the teapot, led the Empress Dowager and the senior maid to a stone table in Courtyard Nine.

Danzi brought over a dish of tangerine peel and ginger candy.

The Empress Dowager, used to drinking tangerine peel and snow pear tea daily, found the tangerine peel and ginger candy novel. The small, light brown cubes dusted with coconut looked very appetizing.

She tried a piece, gently biting into it. The candy was sweet and mildly spicy, with a natural sweetness and a soft spiciness, offering a wonderfully soft and chewy texture.

Tasting this candy for the first time, she asked, "Is this the same tangerine peel candy Minghe offered me when we first met?" She hadn't tried the candy back then, as she was unfamiliar and cautious around Minghe, and now felt a bit regretful about it.

"Your Highness, children are prone to illness, especially with the changing weather. I often make ginger sugar water to prevent His Highness and Minghe from getting sick. Over time, the children grew averse to ginger, so the last tangerine peel candy I made didn't contain ginger. It was made to prevent seasickness and motion sickness. This batch, with ginger added, was made especially for Your Highness."

The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "You are thoughtful."

"It's my duty."

The Empress Dowager didn't say much more, quietly finishing a bowl of tangerine peel and snow pear tea and eating two pieces of the tangerine peel and ginger candy. Then, she took a look around Courtyard Nine and left the Prince's residence with the senior maid.

A gust of autumn wind blew, sending leaves rustling to the ground, creating a somewhat desolate scene.

She called out thoughtfully, "Senior maid."

"I am here," the senior maid responded.

The Empress Dowager paused before speaking, "Actually, Consort Shu just wasn't smart enough."

The senior maid was slightly taken aback, then said, "Consort Shu was a person of deep feelings."

"Yes, she seemed sensible but was actually very stubborn. She and the Emperor had a rift; a few soft words would have resolved it. Instead, she chose to confront and offended my children. How could I have liked her?"

The senior maid remained silent.

The Empress Dowager continued, "Yuanheng looks just like her."

The senior maid replied, "But His Highness's temperament resembles the late Emperor and Your Highness."

The Empress Dowager turned to look at the senior maid.

The senior maid quickly bowed her head, apologizing, "I spoke out of turn."

The Empress Dowager was unconcerned, saying, "Continue."

The senior maid continued, "When the founding Emperor passed away, the court was in chaos. Many ministers thought the late Emperor was gentle and easy to manipulate, so they supported his ascension. However, the late Emperor was only outwardly gentle; in reality, he was extremely intelligent, strategic, and decisive. Within three years, he had the ministers in awe, not daring to harbor any disloyalty. I believe His Highness also appears gentle but is very astute inside."

Speaking of the late Emperor brought a sense of pride to the Empress Dowager, who then asked, "In what way does he resemble me?"

"In his generosity towards others."

"Am I generous to others?" the Empress Dowager questioned.

The senior maid replied, "Consort Shu repeatedly spoke against Your Highness and the Crown Prince without being punished. The Empress Dowager appears strict but is not truly so."

After some thought, the Empress Dowager agreed, "Yuanheng is indeed generous."

The senior maid added, "Your Majesty shares this trait with the Empress Dowager."

Mentioning Emperor Yongxi, the Empress Dowager sighed, "Unfortunately, the Emperor's gentleness is genuine."

The senior maid reassured, "Your Majesty's kindness is a blessing for the nation."

"But if he passes away, I fear Dajing will face turmoil."

The senior maid dared not respond to this.

The Empress Dowager sighed again, knowing these issues couldn't be changed overnight and couldn't be rushed. Her thoughts returned to Danzi, "Xiao Ziqing truly cares for Yuanheng."

The senior maid quickly grasped the Empress Dowager's thoughts, "Does the Empress Dowager mean that Xiao Ziqing deliberately led us to the small kitchen in the Prince's residence?"

The Empress Dowager nodded, her years in the palace having honed her ability to discern others' intentions, including Xiao Yu's strategies.

"But His Highness's affection for the Empress Dowager can't be faked," the senior maid remarked.

"Yes, I understand Xiao Ziqing's concerns. Yuanheng has just returned to the palace without his mother's support and his maternal family's influence is limited, making his future path difficult," the Empress Dowager reflected as she walked. "Xiao Ziqing wants me to show more affection to Yuanheng for the sake of our family bond."

The senior maid listened attentively.

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager suddenly remembered something, "Right, isn't there an autumn banquet in the palace soon?"

"Yes," replied the senior maid.

"Let Xiao Ziqing, Yuanheng, and Minghe all attend. It will be good for them to meet more people."

The senior maid smiled, "Certainly."

Upon receiving the notice of the autumn banquet, Xiao Yu began preparations and specifically asked Pei Yanli and Lu Ming for details.

"It's nothing much, just everyone enjoying chrysanthemums, chatting, and dining together. It's an annual event," Lu Ming said nonchalantly.

"Who will be attending?" inquired Xiao Yu.

"Quite a lot of people," Lu Ming responded.

Xiao Yu said, "The Empress Dowager mentioned that Minghe and Danzi should both attend."

"Children are attending too?" Lu Ming asked.

Pei Yanli explained, "That means children from both inside and outside the palace, like heirs and princesses, young lords, will be there. They will come together to play."

"Is the Empress Dowager using this opportunity to introduce everyone to His Highness?" Lu Ming queried.

Pei Yanli nodded.

Xiao Yu asked, "Haven’t you received invitations?"

"Not yet," Lu Ming replied.

Seeing Xiao Yu a bit anxious, Pei Yanli reassured, "If we aren't invited, I will request to attend. You won’t be alone."

Hearing this, Lu Ming teasingly made a strange noise, "Tsk tsk tsk."

Xiao Yu and Pei Yanli simultaneously stepped hard on each of Lu Ming's feet.

Lu Ming yelped, "You guys—"

Xiao Yu and Pei Yanli hadn’t expected the other to step on Lu Ming. Both momentarily stunned, they then looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Lu Ming complained, "You two, abandoning friends for your own interests! That's too much!"

Ignoring him, the two continued discussing the autumn banquet.

Before they knew it, the day of the autumn banquet arrived.

Early in the morning, the uncle and nephews trio, all dressed in brand-new attire, headed towards Yixiang Garden at the appointed time.

From a distance, they saw men, women, and children in splendid clothes approaching the double gates of Yixiang Garden, entering the garden in an order of men on the left and women on the right.

"We should take the left side!" Minghe declared.

"Right, we are men!" Danzi added.

Upon entering the garden, they saw Pei Yanli and Lu Ming.

The two came over to greet them.

Lu Ming said, "The ladies will enjoy flower viewing with the Empress Dowager and the Empress, while the men will join Prince Xin."

Prince Xin was Emperor Yongxi's brother and Pei Yanli's cousin.

Xiao Yu then mingled with the group of men, introducing the two children.

The attendees got to know Danzi and Minghe.

Both children, having learned proper etiquette, behaved appropriately.

Prince Xin and others nodded in approval.

After admiring the flowers for a while, it was time for flower cakes, floral tea, and flower wine.

Although Dajing had an open culture, the men's and women's tables were still far apart, with the children's table in the middle, supervised by the palace staff.

Xiao Yu, Pei Yanli, Lu Ming, Prince Xin, and others shared a table.

Raising a glass of flower wine, Prince Xin said to Xiao Yu, "Xiao Ziqing, this cup is to thank you for taking care of and bringing His Highness back. You are a benefactor to our Dajing."

Xiao Yu quickly stood up, saying, "Prince Xin, you flatter me too much."

"Enough said, let's drink!" Prince Xin declared.

Seeing Prince Xin's somewhat simple demeanor, Xiao Yu didn't say much more and drank his wine in one gulp.

Then others came to toast Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu drank another cup, and although the floral wine was not strong, he wasn't fond of alcohol.

Noticing this, Pei Yanli said, "Today is the Autumn Appreciation Banquet, so while we drink the floral wine, we must also drink the floral tea. We can't favor one over the other." He then toasted Xiao Yu with floral tea.

Following suit, others also toasted Xiao Yu with tea.

Xiao Yu felt much more at ease.

Just then, there was a commotion at the children's table. A child pointed at Danzi, exclaiming, "It was you! It was you!"

Danzi defended himself, "I didn’t do it, I really didn’t!"

"It was you!" the child cried out, screaming.