“Chapter 83: The Emperor and Empress’s Thoughts”

"Chapter 83: The Emperor and Empress's Thoughts"

"Fengluan Palace."

"Since Xiao Jingheng left last night, the Empress had hardly closed her eyes."

"She watched the snow falling heavier outside the window, accumulating bit by bit on the parapet,"

"Feeling as if it were piling up in her heart, chilling her to the bone."

"In the morning, when Shuangruo came in to attend to the Empress’s washing and dressing, she found the Empress already dressed and standing at the desk, transcribing Buddhist scriptures."

"Not daring to mention last night's event, for fear of upsetting the Empress, she only said:"

"'Your Majesty, the snow has stopped outside. Shall we cancel the morning greetings for the six palaces today?'"

"The Empress remained silent for a moment, finishing the line she was writing before replying:"

"'In this icy and snowy weather, let's not have them traveling back and forth. Send someone to inform the six palaces that they need not come for morning greetings from today until New Year’s Eve.'"

"Shuangruo promptly carried out her orders,"

"When she returned, she brought someone with her."

"'Your Majesty, Eunuch Jiang has arrived.'"

"The Empress raised her eyebrows upon seeing Jiang Deshun and asked in a pleasant tone, 'What brings Eunuch Jiang here at this time?'"

"Jiang Deshun bowed deeply, saying, 'Your Majesty, the Emperor mentioned that this year is a particularly cold winter and plans to go to the Hot Spring Villa to spend it. He sent me to inform you. The Emperor said that you should arrange the accompanying entourage for the trip.'"

"He paused, his tone slightly awkward as he added, 'Just one thing, the Emperor wishes to include Song Changzai as well.'"

"The Empress’s pen stopped abruptly,"

"The page, previously filled with elegant calligraphy, was suddenly marred by a stark blot of ink."

"Her expression remained unchanged, she subtly nodded to Jiang Deshun and spoke warmly,"

"'I understand. With the weather getting colder, while you're attending to the Emperor, remember to add a cup of ginseng tea in the morning and at noon to nourish his qi and blood and to keep him warm.'"

"Jiang Deshun smiled and responded, 'Your Majesty is compassionate and caring towards the Emperor. I will heed your instructions and take good care of him.'"

"After completing his message, he didn't linger and excused himself, mentioning that he had duties at the imperial front."

"After Jiang Deshun left, Shuangruo set aside the ruined scroll of Buddhist scriptures from the Empress’s hand and slowly rolled it up, remarking,"

"'I never expected the Emperor to value Song Changzai so much. Normally, only consorts of 'pin' rank and above are entitled to such honor of accompanying to the Hot Spring Villa. Song Changzai, being of lower status, accompanying them is against protocol.'"

"As she spoke, Shuangruo lowered her voice, reminding the Empress, 'The Empress Dowager will definitely accompany us to the Hot Spring Villa. She values propriety and decorum the most. Inevitably, she will have something to say about this. Should Your Majesty remind the Emperor?'"

"The Empress spread out a new sheet of paper, smoothly transcribing Buddhist scriptures while responding nonchalantly:"

"'Didn’t you hear Jiang Deshun say that the Emperor wants me to draft the list of attendants? Think about it, if the Empress Dowager becomes upset about Song Changzai joining the trip, and she asks me, could I possibly say that it was the Emperor's insistence to bring Song Changzai?'"

"She chuckled and shook her head, 'The Emperor is the Son of Heaven, how could he be wrong? If the Empress Dowager asks, I can only say that I arranged everything. Thus, in her eyes, the one not following the rules would only be me.'"

"Hearing this, Shuangruo’s eyes dimmed, and she said helplessly, 'This will again put Your Majesty in a difficult position.'"

"'What difficulty do I face?' the Empress asked as she took the freshly written scripture, satisfied with it, and handed it to Shuangruo, 'As the head of the imperial harem, it's natural to fulfill the Emperor's wishes. Bring me the layout of the Hot Spring Villa; I want to take a look.'"

"After placing the scripture properly, Shuangruo quickly brought the layout of the Hot Spring Villa to the Empress."

"The Empress glanced over it briefly, then pointed to two pavilions on the layout, asking:"

"'I remember after the Emperor's birthday, there was a report about renovating Yingchun Pavilion and Tingyu Pavilion in the villa. It's only been a month; they should still be under construction, right?'"

"Shuangruo nodded in agreement, and the Empress looked at the layout, pondering."

"Beijing has always had warm winters, and a cold winter like this year is rare, occurring once in several decades."

"Thus, the Hot Spring Villa is seldom used compared to the Summer Resort."

"This is the first time since Emperor Xiao Jingheng’s ascension to the throne that they planned to go there."

"Due to its infrequent use, the villa was built with a principle of simplicity,"

"With only eight pavilions suitable to accommodate the royal family."

"Now with Yingchun Pavilion and Tingyu Pavilion under renovation, there are only six pavilions left that can accommodate the royals."

"Moreover, these pavilions don't have annexes, so several royals can’t stay together in them."

"Shuangruo counted on her fingers, 'The Emperor and the Empress will definitely go, and the Empress Dowager will accompany them. The Emperor has specifically requested Song Changzai to join. This leaves only two pavilions for the other consorts.'"

"The Empress shook her head, 'Not two, just one. Consort Xiao is pregnant; how can we leave her in the palace?'"

"Shuangruo pondered for a moment and suggested, 'Since the Emperor has allowed Your Majesty to choose, you can pick one from Consort Ying, Consort Yun, or Consort Shu to accompany. Last night being the fifteenth, the Emperor was supposed to stay with you, but Consort Chen, not knowing her place, tricked the Emperor into visiting her! If she likes to seek favor, leave her in the palace to seek enough of it! Let's see who still pays attention to her!'"

"Shuangruo’s tone became agitated, prompting the Empress to reprimand her, 'Consort Chen is still a consort; is it appropriate for you to speak of a master like that behind her back?'"

"Shuangruo quickly apologized, 'You are right, Your Majesty. I spoke out of turn...'"

"The Empress didn’t dwell on it, continuing, 'You suggest I prevent Consort Chen from going, but I will do the opposite. I don't want the Emperor to think I am as narrow-minded as Consort Chen.'"

"'But if she accompanies, and she often oversteps her bounds with the Emperor turning a blind eye, won’t Your Majesty have to endure her arrogance every day?'"

"'What can she do to me?' the Empress scoffed dismissively, 'I have no intention of going. Consort Shu lost her child and is always melancholic. I plan to give up my place for her to accompany Consort Chen, as a change of scenery for her.'"

"Hearing the Empress speak like this, Shuangruo felt increasingly upset:"

"Xiao Jingheng was going to the Hot Spring Villa for the winter,"

"Now being late October, he wouldn’t return until New Year's Eve,"

"If the Empress didn’t accompany him, it would be nearly a month and a half before she saw Xiao Jingheng again."

"But being a servant, even though she felt sorry for her mistress, there were many things she couldn’t say,"

"So she could only express her sympathy, 'Your Majesty, you are too kind-hearted, always considering the bigger picture. Compared to you, Consort Chen should feel utterly ashamed.'"

"The Empress dismissed this with a laugh,"

"'I am the Empress, the Emperor's legal wife. Why should I quarrel with a concubine like her?'"

"Saying this, she handed the layout of the Hot Spring Villa to Shuangruo, 'Go and inform the six palaces about this news.'"