Chapter 99 – Citrus Fruit Bough

Chapter 99 - Citrus Fruit Bough

The emperor's imperial edict to depose the empress quickly stirred up a storm in the court.

Although there were some ministers who opposed and advised against it, they all knew how resolute Emperor Yuan Zixu was. Moreover, the edict clearly stated that the empress intended to harm the crown prince, implicating a grave crime directly related to the line of succession. This made people ponder whether they should involve themselves in the matter.

The court officials still held high hopes for the crown prince. Although the emperor had confined him, he had not officially deposed him and even allowed him to review state documents. Now, with the sudden decision to depose the empress, they wondered if the emperor had truly obtained solid evidence. Matters of the palace were not to be disclosed to the public, so the dethronement of Empress Luo might suggest that the crown prince, who had been "recovering from illness" in seclusion, would return to the court.

Therefore, in the end, only a few officials from the Ministry of Rites and the censors submitted memorials urging the importance of "royal harmony as the foundation of governance" and "the empress as the model of virtue for the world, not to be lightly deposed." Despite the widespread discussion, no prominent officials jointly presented a memorial as they had done before.

===

In the Treasure Box Palace,

"I truly didn't expect him to depose her outright... I thought he'd at least cover his tracks, like he did with me, claiming illness to avoid appearing."

Even Yuan Jun, who had learned of Yuan Zixu's decision to depose the empress, was somewhat surprised. Holding a pair of scissors, he was trimming a citron branch with its green leaves. His slender and strong fingers skillfully snipped away the unsuitable leaves.

"Now it seems that the position of the crown prince is a source of annoyance if lost; it's better for me to occupy it. The empress, however, is different. She's there to share power. If she's obedient and on the same side, it's not an issue. But as the princes grow older, the empress inevitably develops her own intentions. At this point, it's better without an empress," Yuan Jun explained slowly. Despite the words carrying resentment, his tone remained refined and calm, as if discussing an unrelated matter with Rong Bi. His attention was more drawn to the citron fruit bough in his hand.

He examined the osmanthus branch in his hand, satisfied with it, then passed it to Rong Bi, who sat opposite him.

Rong Bi lifted her gaze to look at him, took the branch with a smile on her lips, "In any case, I'm quite pleased to hear that." She had been living comfortably in the palace and was about to be released from it, but the Queen's casual push landed her beside the Crown Prince. Now that Empress Luo was in trouble, Rong Bi couldn't help but feel a hint of schadenfreude.

These days, she had noticed that using 'you' and 'I' in front of the Crown Prince did not seem to offend him; instead, he would respond with similar intimacy.

The Crown Prince smiled at her as expected, "Yes, I despise her yet pity her as well. It's not her fault, for it's every person for themselves. The root of the problem lies above."

"Someone gave her false hope, only to crush it themselves, manipulating people's hearts and power. Eventually, they will face the consequences of their actions."

Rong Bi held the osmanthus branch up against several vases, finally selecting a large, apricot-yellow vase with a wide mouth to insert it into. She then examined it carefully to ensure it was a suitable match.

The osmanthus had been delivered by Tang Xi as part of the day's groceries. Initially, Rong Bi had planned to slice it and make a honeyed preserve to soothe coughs and nourish the lungs. However, seeing the fresh, vibrant green and pleasant fragrance of the basket, she decided on a whim to arrange them as a decorative piece for her table.

Yuan Jun naturally supported her decision and promptly instructed his servants to bring all the vases. The two of them sat facing each other in the hall, treating this task as a significant undertaking. They meticulously selected the most plump, verdant, and fragrant osmanthus branches, trimming them one by one before inserting them into the vases.

Rong Bi held up a particularly ripe and golden osmanthus, "This one is rare, fully ripened. Later, have them carefully slice it, removing the seeds, then pound it into a fine paste with crushed rock sugar. After the paste is made, add honey and simmer it over low heat to create a honey-infused osmanthus juice. Drinking it in the morning and evening can help clear the lungs and reduce heat. It's a shame there are no pears available yet; the prince would surely enjoy it as a sweet soup."

Yuan Jun's gaze fell on the delicate yellow osmanthus in Rong Bi's palm, her fingers translucent like jade, complementing the osmanthus's beauty. His lips curved into a smile as he quoted a verse from a poem, "Your hands are as soft as silk, your skin like solidified cream."

Rong Bi twirled the incense branch in her hand. "My mother is the best cook in our ten-mile vicinity. Although we don't have many fine dishes at home, she always strives to make the best of what we have. There's a saying of hers that I've always kept in mind: In our poor households, we can't compete with others in terms of clothing or food, and we can't choose our birth. But when it comes to cooking, we must always do our utmost to ensure that every family member is well-fed and content."

A gentle stirrings took place in Yuan Jun's heart as his gaze shifted from those delicate and translucent fingers to Rong Bi's clear, jade-like eyes. Unprepared for the prince's sudden glance, she instinctively averted her gaze from the noble's eyes. Her long, dense lashes drooped as she focused on the osmanthus fruit in her hands, attempting to hide her disarray. Perhaps it was due to their growing familiarity over these days, she spoke her true thoughts aloud, "For common folk like us, there are many things we have no choice in. At least when it comes to the food we eat, we can decide whether to add salt or vinegar. No matter what tomorrow may bring, we must make the best of today."

Yuan Jun nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "No wonder Qingqing chose to grow vegetables in the Precious Scroll Palace. Regardless of who sits on the imperial throne, at least the meal tonight is prepared with care by her own hands and tailored to her taste."

Fixing his gaze upon Rong Bi for an extended moment, he suddenly realized that this young lady from humble origins possessed the simplest yet profoundest perspective on life. She approached each day with a focus on the basics - from every grain of rice and leaf of vegetables to every thread and stitch. Her existence was rooted in the present, in the mundane details of everyday living.

He reached out gently to take the osmanthus branch from Rong Bi's hand and inserted it into the stem. The fragrance was subtle yet profound, resonating deeply within him. "Your heart, my dear, is like a bright mirror, clear and unattached, adapting effortlessly to all that comes its way. This is the embodiment of great wisdom."

From outside the window, the maidens tending to the vegetable garden watched with admiration as the Crown Prince and Lady Liangdi sat elegantly in the hall, engaged in the delicate task of arranging branches. It was a scene as serene as a poem, as beautiful as a painting. "Their Highness the Crown Prince and Lady Liangdi truly are a match made in heaven," one of them whispered.

"Why does His Highness never allow anyone to attend to him? These simple tasks could easily be entrusted to us."

"We are all sent by Her Majesty the Empress, so naturally, the Crown Prince would be cautious around us."

"Lower your voice."

"I'm only speaking the truth. How many people has the Empress tried to place with the Crown Prince, yet he hasn't kept a single one?"

"I've heard that Rong Liangdi was also chosen by Her Majesty the Empress, and she was from the Eastern Palace as well."

"Hush, is that the same thing? Although Rong Liangdi was picked by the Empress, it's only because of her beauty. It's said that the Crown Prince didn't keep her at first and sent her to serve Princess Yi Yang. She even went on a mission to Jingbei. This time, when Princess Yi Yang sent her back to the capital for an assignment, it just so happened that the Emperor wanted to choose a concubine for the Crown Prince. Since she still had her position as a comptroller in the palace, her promotion was a logical step."

"In the end, it all comes down to her beauty..."

"Enough gossip. Did you hear? The Empress has been deposed."

"Yes, I know. Let's not discuss it. It's not our place to comment. Even if deposed, she remains more noble than us. What are we here? Just prisoners."

"Ha, perhaps not. They say she's retired to another palace, but it's actually worse than this one. I've heard that several Shanggong officials from the punishment division have been mobilized. They've invited some elders from the Western Palace to oversee the interrogations. The Clan Office and the Department of Eunuchs have also sent representatives. This investigation seems quite serious."

Green Bean couldn't wait to share her tidbits: "I've heard that the Emperor personally ordered that nothing be taken away from the Empress. On the day the imperial edict was issued, some aunts from the Shanggong Bureau helped the Empress remove her formal attire, leaving her only in a plain robe when she went to the punishment division. She must have lost all her dignity."

Bijia looked at Green Bean doubtfully: "Where did you hear these rumors? The Empress is the head of a palace, the mother of two princes and a princess. How could she be treated with such humiliation? Any questioning would have been done secretly."

Green Bean sneered: "That's what they say about fallen phoenixes being no better than chickens. I'm not spreading nonsense; an East Palace guard told me. They've been suppressed by the Qinghou Guards for over a year, and they've been unhappy. I've heard that Commander Shen, due to Marquis Cheng'en being impeached by Lord Lu, is now pretending to be ill and doesn't dare to enter the palace. Now that the Empress is in trouble, who wouldn't feel secretly pleased?"

Lǜ Cōng chuckled: "I see, it must be that young guard Fang from the guard team. Every time he sees Bean, his eyes light up with a silly grin."

Qingdou's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I'm doing this for all of us, so we don't waste our days here in vain."

Cuijiu, more experienced, softly reminded her, "We are, after all, the concubines of the Crown Prince. Little Dou, be cautious and avoid getting too close to the guards. For now, no one bothers us in Baohan Palace, but if someone were to report our actions, not only would our lives be at risk, but our families would suffer as well."

Qingdou seemed doused with cold water, her face turning slightly pale. "I understand. Thank you, Sister Cuijiu, for your advice."

Bihua, however, chuckled. "Heh heh, in the past year or so, has the Prince even glanced at us? If His Highness continues like this, it's fine. But with Rong Liangdi's arrival... we've learned that even an iceberg can smile. We're invisible to the Crown Prince, but I think Little Dou has good taste. Commander Shen is His Highness's cousin, and he fiercely protects his own. If we seek help from Little Fang, I don't believe the Prince wouldn't release us. It's better to make plans early than to waste our time here. These guards have decent backgrounds; why stay trapped here when they could become legitimate wives elsewhere?"

Lvcong suggested, "Now that Empress Luo has been deposed... might the Crown Prince also consider leaving?"

Bijia said coldly, "Our prosperity or decline is none of your concern."

She cast a glance at the hall where the crown prince was engaged in pleasant conversation, personally holding a fragrant citrus to Rong Liangdi for her to inhale its aroma. With a tinge of sourness in her voice, she remarked, "Even if Rong Liangdi appears to be the sole favorite now, how long can this exclusive favor last? Her status is merely that of a concubine. The crown prince's main wife will undoubtedly come from a distinguished and prominent family. I've faintly heard that the eldest daughter of the Shen family...has yet to be betrothed, and it's likely that she's awaiting the crown prince."

"At present, we're merely confined here. Rong Liangdi is not only attractive but also well-educated by Princess Yi Yang. The Crown Prince's favor is solely upon her. Should she truly leave this place, the Crown Prince would have one principal wife and two concubines on each side, not to mention the numerous mistresses who wouldn't even bear our names."

For a moment, all the concubines felt a slight twinge of envy, except for Qingdou, whose face was filled with coquettish innocence. "Sister, if Little Fang were to beg Commander Shen, do you really think there's a chance she could be released?"

Bijia glanced at her with a hint of irritation, "He's just a simple-minded fool, yet he treasures him like a precious gem. The Crown Prince is kind and magnanimous; if he truly sets us free, there will undoubtedly be good people among us."

Qingdou beamed with delight, "That's good to hear." Then she recalled another matter and added, "Moreover, I've heard that the Second Prince, Fourth Prince, and Second Princess all went to Tianyi Pavilion to kneel and beg the Emperor for mercy."

Bihua snorted coldly, "What use is that? Didn't the Crown Prince also kneel in front of the Emperor when Princess Yi Yang was sent away in marriage?"

Everyone was reminded of the previous rumors, which said that the Crown Prince had defied his father over the matter of Princess Yi Yang's marriage, and since then, he had been confined to Baohuan Palace, never stepping out again. Upon entering, they indeed saw the Crown Prince deeply troubled, lying in a critical state from a severe illness.

But had they ever seen the once-untouchable Emperor show even the slightest hint of compassion?

===

In front of Tianyi Pavilion.

Under the veil of a deep night, the marble floors of the palace appeared cold and unfeeling under the hazy moonlight. In this solemn and oppressive atmosphere, Prince Yuan Zhen, Prince Yuan Mo, and Princess Yuan Yixue were all kneeling on the icy steps, their pride and dignity cast aside. Their luxurious robes, creased from long hours of prostration, spoke of their distressing state, and the young Prince Yuan Mo wept silently, calling out for his father the emperor and his mother the empress in a trembling voice.

Though Prince Yuan Zhen maintained his upright posture, his furrowed brows betrayed his impatience. He reprimanded the Fourth Prince, "Have you not eaten? Cry louder! Just faint altogether! Mother Empress dotes on you the most, and yet you can't even beg with sincerity!"

Yuan Mo, with his delicate features marred by tears, choked back sobs as he cried out again, "Plead the Emperor to forgive Mother!" He recited the plea, his voice trembling with helplessness and despair.

Yuan Yixue spoke with a cold tone, "Second Brother, Younger Brother is still young. Why push yourself so? Father's resolve has always been unyielding. It would be better for Fourth Brother to return first while we remain kneeling. But I fear it may not make a difference. In the past, the former Crown Prince also knelt at the palace gates for Eldest Sister. And what came of that?"

Yuan Zhen gave a cold snort. "Hasn't Father always doted on Fourth Brother the most? How else can we ensure Mother's safety without letting him endure some hardship?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he spotted Yu Huan, the deputy commander of the Qinghou Guards, emerging from Tiandiyuan. He fell silent, and Yuan Yixue also lifted her gaze to look at Yu Huan, reflecting on how Empress Luo had once intended for her to marry him. Now it seemed that her mother truly had long-term plans... What military power, what imperial uncle—when the empress was deposed, all these were helpless.

Yu Huan stepped forward and bowed slightly. "His Majesty's decree: The two princes and princess must return to the palace immediately. Otherwise, they will face the same consequences as the former crown prince, and be sent to Baohan Palace to keep the company of the current crown prince."

Yuan Zhen's face froze. After another bow, Yu Huan coldly said, "Your Highnesses, it's time to go back. It's getting dark and chilly. Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to carry out His Majesty's order."

Furious, Yuan Zhen declared, "Yu Huan! I won't forget this! We'll see about this!" He stood up. "Let's go!"