Chapter 121: The Complexity of Human Hearts

Chapter 121: The Complexity of Human Hearts

Finding an excuse, Fan Xueyao went to the kitchen and gave Hua Ping a brief instruction. Hua Ping nodded hurriedly and then carried some tea and fruits to the reception room.

Zhang Qingan and several attendants were sitting there idly, waiting for the emperor's decision on whether to stay overnight or return. If he were to stay, they would leave first and return the next morning to prepare the imperial carriage for the emperor.

When they saw Hua Ping, the senior maidservant of Zhaoyi, bringing tea and fruits, they rose to express their gratitude.

Hua Ping, with a cheerful smile, invited them to have tea and fruits. Zhang Qingan, being astute and quick-witted, noticed Hua Ping glancing over occasionally. He excused himself to go out, slipping away. Hua Ping whispered a few words to him, then pointed to the restroom behind, raising her voice, "Eunuch Zhang, that way."

Zhang Qingan thanked her, "Thank you, Miss Hua, for guiding the way."

As it grew darker, Chu Nan ordered his maidservants to dismiss Zhang Qingan and the attendants. He stayed overnight at the Spreading Fragrance Hall.

The next morning, returning to the Hongning Palace, Chu Nan sat down and accepted the fragrant tea offered by the tea-serving Xiao Huangmen but did not drink it. He gestured for Zhang Qingan to come over and whispered instructions for him to do something.

After Zhang Qingan left, Chu Nan sat in silence, lost in thought.

Chu Xu, having been nurtured carefully for some days, finally stopped coughing and regained his former liveliness and cleverness, becoming the mischievous boy who ran around the palace again.

Fan Xueyao, having not gone to the central palace for some time due to Chu Xu's illness, decided to go there early in the morning after her morning routine.

Both part of the imperial harem, the Eastern and Western Palaces had their distinctions. The Empress Dowager and the Grand Imperial Consort lived in the Western Palace, while the Empress and her consorts lived in the Eastern Palace. Thus, when Fan Xueyao went to visit the Empress Dowager, she traveled by a small carriage, but when visiting the central palace, she did not, as it seemed too grand and ceremonious. Therefore, when consorts visited the Empress, they walked.

In cooler weather, walking was not a problem and served as a good exercise. However, in extreme heat or cold, it became a hassle. Moreover, unlike the courtyards of ordinary officials and nobles, there were no strict rules in the palace. Apart from the initial formal visit, there were no standardized rituals required. Visiting the Empress was more about attitude and was largely up to the consorts themselves.

Those who diligently visited the central palace were mostly consorts of lower status, and mostly newcomers. Even if they were of low status and limited knowledge, once they entered the palace, they learned what they needed to. For example, Empress Xu's position was quite awkward. Her status was only considered high among commoners but not among the royalty and officials, where she was not as respected as she appeared.

Empress, empress—sounds like the second most noble person in the world, but her status depended first on the emperor's favor and second on her family's power. She had neither, not even a child to rely on. Apart from the newly arrived consorts, not many truly revered her.

So, Empress Xu's central palace was only lively when the new consorts first arrived. As these young girls gradually realized Empress Xu's true status, fewer came.

Among those who persistently came to pay their respects, one could count them on one hand. Surprisingly, one of them was the current top-ranking Fan Zhaoyi.

Fan Xueyao arrived just as there was someone else in the central palace besides Empress Xu and her palace servants—the pregnant beauty Zhang Yiyun.

Fan Xueyao was a little surprised to see her there.

Ever since Zhang Yiyun became pregnant, she had been acting a bit fussy, picking on this and that, causing much resentment among the palace servants. Later, she probably realized it was inappropriate and stayed indoors, fearing accidents.

On such a hot day, why did she come to the central palace?

Soon, Fan Xueyao understood why. It wasn't that Zhang Yiyun came on her own; Empress Xu had sent for her.

Seeing Fan Xueyao arrive, Zhang Yiyun showed a look of delight and wanted to leave after Fan Xueyao had greeted her.

Empress Xu noticed Zhang Yiyun's eagerness to leave and felt a bit disdainful and displeased, thinking it was disrespectful to show such an attitude in front of her.

What was there to be surprised about with Zhang Yiyun? Was she, the Empress, going to be jealous of a lowly beauty who only got lucky to conceive a child? The ones to be wary of were people like Fan Zhaoyi. What was Zhang Yiyun, really? It wasn't certain if she would give birth to a boy or a girl, or even if the child would survive.

Fan Xueyao, noticing Empress Xu's gaze like a cold, sharp knife piercing both her and Zhang Yiyun, smiled gently and spoke in a soft, melodious voice, "It's been some time since I last saw the beauty. Today, seeing how much your belly has grown, I realized you must be five months pregnant, right?"

"That's correct, just five months," Zhang Yiyun replied.

As Zhang Yiyun placed her hand on her bulging belly, this unconscious gesture was particularly glaring to Empress Xu.

Empress Xu thought, "How unfair the heavens are. These consorts who rely on their beauty can bear children, but I, the Empress, cannot." Was she supposed to just watch as her path led to a dead end?

No, she couldn't.

She couldn't stand to watch another woman's son become the Crown Prince while she, the true Empress, would be left behind!

Fan Xueyao noticed Empress Xu's gaze and continued with a bright smile, "As the months progress, the mother's body will gradually become more inconvenienced. Have you been feeling any discomfort?"

"Recently, there have been some inconveniences. When sleeping at night, if I lie flat, my waist aches; if I lie on my side, I'm afraid of pressing on the baby. I wake up several times a night, anxious," Zhang Yiyun said with interest, lightly touching her belly with a complacent smile. She didn't notice the malice gradually appearing in Empress Xu's eyes.

"Lying on your side is correct. Lying flat can compress the fetus. If you're worried about pressing on your belly while asleep, you can have the night-duty maidservant watch over you. A well-rested mother helps the fetus grow better. You look healthy, so you must have been taking good care of yourself during pregnancy. In a few months, you'll surely give birth to a healthy, chubby child."

"Really?" Zhang Yiyun touched her cheek, a bit smug. She had been diligent in her beauty care, afraid that her skin would yellow or develop spots during pregnancy.

"Thank you for the auspicious words," Zhang Yiyun said, pleased despite her dislike for Fan Xueyao. Auspicious words were always welcome.

"Yes, Beauty Zhang must give birth to a healthy prince for the emperor," Empress Xu said with an elegant demeanor, her eyes briefly flickering with something unspoken.

Fan Xueyao smiled, lowered her eyes, and sipped sesame and pine nut tea, exuding an indescribable grace.

Two days later, Zhang Qingan reported back to Chu Nan.

"...During the visits, the empress often made Zhaoyi wait and frequently used the matter of the first prince to make things difficult for her. She often brought up Beauty Zhang, seemingly implying that Zhaoyi's favor might wane because of Beauty Zhang."

"Zhaoyi has not mentioned any of these incidents to others. There is a saying in the palace that Beauty Zhang is carrying a future prince."

"A few days ago, a palace maidservant from the central palace reported that the empress suspected her family had sent talisman water into the palace..."

Chu Nan's face darkened. "Did the empress really have her family bring talisman water into the forbidden palace?"

Zhang Qingan didn't dare lift his head and answered cautiously, "This servant wouldn't dare lie."

"Is there more? Say it all," Chu Nan's voice was especially cold and low, revealing his foul mood.

Zhang Qingan, feeling anxious, chose his words carefully. "The talisman water incident wasn't the first time. Before this, the emperor's elder brother's wife secretly brought in a folk healer, who stayed in the western villa's rear pavilion for half an hour."

Without pausing, he continued, "This servant also discovered that the emperor's elder brother's wife, Lady Lu, met with Lady Zhang, who delivers imperial decrees, a few days ago. After their meeting, Lady Zhang found the old nun, Fa Xian, from the capital's Temple of Heavenly Women. This servant learned that from that day on, the old nun began to offer prayers, and today marks the third day."

Prayer? Chu Nan frowned.

"For what?"

"Asking for a son to be born."

Chu Nan thought it was Empress Xu praying for a child, but to his surprise, Zhang Qingan paused and bowed his head even lower. In a low voice, he said, "This servant bribed the nuns at the Temple of the Heavenly Maiden to examine the birth date and time of the woman who was praying, and it was discovered that this woman is seventeen years old."

"Seventeen?"

Chu Nan's thick brows furrowed deeply. It had been ten years since Empress Xu was seventeen years old. How could her sister-in-law and adoptive mother have mistaken her birth date and time? It could only mean that they were praying for another woman to have a son. But how could these people's actions have nothing to do with the Empress?

Suddenly, he thought of something and immediately asked, "What was the pregnancy period mentioned above?"

Zhang Qingan stated the time, and Chu Nan immediately smiled.

"So that's the plan."

Chu Nan had only just realized this, but Zhang Qingan had investigated the matter and had already guessed the truth during the process. Of course, he knew what Chu Nan was referring to.

The birth date and time did not belong to anyone else but the current pregnant Zhang Meiren. Empress Xu and her faction were praying for Zhang Meiren to have a son, all for what purpose? It was simply because Empress Xu had no son and her position might be unstable. They wanted Zhang Meiren to give birth to a son, and then for Empress Xu to raise him.

This was not uncommon, but whether it would succeed depended on the emperor's will.

Would Chu Nan agree to let Empress Xu raise Zhang Meiren's son?

This was a question many were considering, and at this moment, Chu Nan was asking himself, would he agree?

In fact, even if Zhang Meiren's son was given to Empress Xu to raise, it wouldn't be an impossible thing. If Empress Xu could no longer bear children, then giving her an adopted son would be inevitable for the stability of the court.

He understood the importance of a legitimate son, and he had always wanted one. Thinking this way, there seemed to be no reason to refuse.

However, when Zhang Qingan reported this matter, a sense of resistance surged within Chu Nan.

If he agreed now to let the Empress raise Zhang Meiren's son, the message conveyed would be that this child was almost certainly the future crown prince, and it was only a matter of time before it was confirmed.

But what if this adopted son, when he grew up, lacked ability or had moral issues? It would be difficult to change the candidate at that point. As long as the crown prince had not been decided, the court officials would continue to wait and see. No matter who was chosen, there wouldn't be much resistance.

He thought about it, considering that his only son, Chu Xu, was still very young, and he didn't want to eliminate Chu Xu's possibility of becoming the crown prince from the start, either as a father or as a man who deeply cared for his beloved woman. Otherwise, it would be too cruel for Yao Niang and her son.

She was still so young, with a gentle and modest nature, surpassing others in virtue and wisdom. Compared to the Empress, she was no less, if not more.

Without the title of "Empress," the Empress's talent, virtue, and appearance were ordinary and insufficient to command respect.

With both him and the Empress Dowager watching, she still dared to practice detestable sorcery. If he really allowed her to adopt a son, in the future, wouldn't the crown prince, bound by his identity and filial piety, have to obey her?

When the Empress Dowager passed away and he was gone, she would become the Empress Dowager. With her gratitude and upbringing of the new emperor, how could a country be at peace if an unreasonable, clumsy, and muddle-headed woman held the court?

For both public and private reasons, he did not wish to elevate such a woman.

After careful consideration, he gradually rejected the idea of complying with Empress Xu's request.

Let's wait and see, he thought.

After all, his only son was not yet two years old, and he was in his prime years, with plenty of time ahead. There was no rush to establish the crown prince. Let's wait and see.

Recently, Empress Xu had frequently invited Zhang Meiren for conversations, and there were rumors in the palace that they were getting along very well, leading to talk that one was virtuous and the other respectful.

Hua Ping knelt on the bed, bowing her body as she held her fists together to pound Fan Xueyao's back. "My lady, what is His Majesty planning to do?"

Empress Xu was not someone who would treat consorts like sisters. When she looked at the women in the harem, she might as well have "I am noble, you are humble" written on her face to emphasize her status as the Empress.

Fan Xueyao lay on the bed, eyes closed, enjoying Hua Ping's skilled technique, and slowly said, "Have you forgotten what Zhang Meiren is now?"

"What... person?" Hua Ping repeated confusedly. What could she be? Just a beauty. A fourth-rank consort.

"Silly girl, have you forgotten about her pregnancy?" Since only a few trusted attendants were present, Fan Xueyao spoke bluntly without worrying that her words would spread.

Qiaoqiao, Zhuzhu, and Yue Chan looked at each other, understanding some but still confused. But Hua Ping, well-taught by Fan Xueyao, quickly grasped the essence and exclaimed, "Could it be that His Majesty wants to adopt the child in Zhang Meiren's womb?"

Fan Xueyao, eyes still closed, lazily said, "You're finally getting it."

The young girls looked at each other, filled with excitement and surprise, until Hua Ping voiced the confusion. She asked with some puzzlement, "Can this succeed? Zhang Meiren has no familial relation to the Empress."

There had been past instances of Empresses adopting the children of consorts, but usually, these "crown prince candidates" were chosen from consorts who had blood or marital ties to the Empress’s family, ensuring some security. Alternatively, the birth mother was of low birth. Otherwise, what difference did it make whether the Empress adopted the child or not?

Fan Xueyao chuckled softly, "The lack of blood relation doesn't make much difference to the Empress. If not adopted by the Empress, Zhang Meiren's son would just be another prince born of a common consort, neither the legitimate nor the eldest. Even if the Empress has no son, it wouldn't be his turn to be the crown prince. But if he is adopted by the Empress, he gains the qualification to compete for the position. As long as there are no major flaws, he will be established as the crown prince. Following the rules of our dynasty, which is governed by filial piety, even if the new emperor ascends, he must still honor the Empress as Empress Dowager and respect her family as his maternal clan. Except for a shared bloodline, for the Empress, the difference is minimal."

She paused and added, "It might even be better than a biological son or a prince born to a woman from the Xu family."

Hua Ping asked, "Why?"

"Because if it's a biological son or a prince born to a woman from the Xu family, there needs to be some avoidance of favoritism. Excessive favor towards the maternal clan would provoke dissatisfaction from the royal family and ministers. But if it's an adopted son with no ties to the Xu family, it's different. The adopted son's favor towards the Xu family would be seen as repaying kindness and filial piety. As long as it's not excessive, it would be unreasonable for others to interfere or obstruct, or they would be putting the new emperor in a position of ingratitude, filial impiety, and injustice."

After hearing this, everyone had an epiphany. So that's how it is!

Hua Ping still had a lingering doubt and, as she increased the pressure of her massage, asked, "But how can we be sure that the prince born to Zhang Meiren will view the Empress as his mother? What if he pretends to follow the path but secretly goes another way? Once he has been adopted by the Empress and gains the status of a legitimate son, as long as he appears to be respectful, it wouldn't matter if he wasn't truly obedient. The Empress would still have to rely on him and wouldn't dare to turn against him. Who can be sure that he will repay her kindness?"

Hearing Hua Ping's question, Fan Xueyao couldn't help but chuckle, propping herself up to tap Hua Ping's forehead with a charming smile. "Silly girl, don't you understand? It's because they have a common enemy."

Hua Ping had a sudden realization and blurted out, "It's you, my lady!"

Fan Xueyao nodded, her smile full of springtime charm and seductive grace.

"With me, the favored consort, and Xu'er in the picture, the Empress and her adopted son must unite to protect their positions. They will use the pretext of legitimacy to strengthen their faction and will inevitably try to win each other over, becoming the most motherly and filial pair in the world. Once they establish this stance, even when the new emperor ascends, he must continue to play the role of a filial son. Otherwise, it would be seen as betrayal, and the people would condemn him. If his virtue is lacking and his position is not legitimate, how can his throne be stable? For the sake of his throne, he must be a 'filial son.'"

As Fan Xueyao spoke, she became more and more charming and alluring. Leaving aside other considerations, Empress Xu's decision to adopt a son at this time was indeed clever. At her age, she could make such a resolute decision.

Otherwise, in a few more years, Xu'er would grow up, and it would be natural for him to have supporters. By then, if the Empress were to adopt a son, the "legitimate son's" prestige would be weaker, and the desired effect would not be ideal.

But now, she had only been in the palace for three years. Although she was favored, her reputation outside the palace was not yet high, and Xu'er was still very young, not unusual for him to pass away at any time. Naturally, no one would place their hopes on this infant who was not yet two years old.

Once she took the initiative to adopt a son, the Empress and the title of "legitimate son" would be sufficient to attract a significant number of supporters from the orthodox faction. By the time their position is solidified, even if she gains more favor later and Chu Xu becomes talented, it would still be very difficult to compete with the "legitimate son" faction.

As for Emperor Chu Nan, if he wanted to depose the Empress or make Chu Xu the crown prince, he would be hindered by the "legitimate son" faction. Under such difficulties and dangers, it would seem only natural to follow the ministers' intentions and make the legitimate son the crown prince.

However, she forgot one thing, Fan Xueyao's lips curved slightly upward.

In ancient times, it was true that many Empresses adopted sons, but this was always with the emperor's consent.

For the Empress to adopt a son and have him installed as Crown Prince, it generally fell into two scenarios. The first is when the Empress's family background is too low, and the emperor wants to give her clear support, hoping that after his death, the new emperor would treat her with filial piety and kindness. This is a voluntary consideration for the Empress's situation.

The second scenario is when the Empress's faction is powerful, and to consolidate the long-term continuation of her faction's influence, an adopted son is taken in. The emperor would half-heartedly agree. Only he would know if he did so willingly.

However, these two scenarios are not so simple. Each has its own prerequisites. What worked in the past may not necessarily be effective now.

In the first scenario, if Emperor Chu Nan truly respected and loved the Empress that much, Empress Xu wouldn't have ended up in this situation. Besides, she is not at her wit's end.

According to etiquette and law, the Empress is the legitimate mother of all the emperor's children. In the future, no matter which Prince is fortunate enough to inherit the throne, even if he is adopted, he would still have to honor the Empress as Empress Dowager. Unless he is a tyrant who dares to defy the world, he will need to treat the Empress Dowager with respect.

Many childless Empresses in history never adopted sons but still lived in luxury and were eventually mourned and posthumously honored by the new emperor.

As for the second scenario, it is basically impossible.

Emperor Chu Nan is not a weak emperor who would be coerced by the imperial clans and noble families. There were times when noble families were so powerful that even the royal family had to yield, but those prosperous times have long passed. Now is the era of imperial power supremacy.

Moreover, the Xu family isn't even a declining noble family. Their ancestors once produced a high-ranking official, but for generations, they have lived off their ancestral foundation. Now, there isn't even one capable family member who can barely uphold the family's status. The entire family's honor is tied to Empress Xu's crown.

Neither of these scenarios applies to Empress Xu.

She cannot make the emperor love and respect her, nor can she use a powerful natal family to pressure him. So what can she do? She thought that if she requested it, Emperor Chu Nan would grant his permission.

But in this situation, where Empress Xu has been childless for a long time, and there is a favored imperial consort with a son, the Crown Prince, if the Empress suddenly wanted to adopt a son, anyone would think that if Emperor Chu Nan agreed, this adopted son would be the future crown prince.

Emperor Chu Nan is unlikely to agree to this.

What is Empress Xu thinking?

She doesn't understand it herself.

At first, she just wanted to have a child of her own. She didn't ask for much, just one son. She would raise him well, fully support him to become Crown Prince, and one day watch him ascend to the throne.

But she couldn't conceive!

No matter how many times the Imperial Physicians examined her, they said her body was fine, and the lack of pregnancy was just a matter of timing. But how many years have passed?

When medicine failed, she turned to the gods and Buddha, even willing to sculpt a hundred golden statues if they would give her a son!

But it was still useless. The pungent talismans and medicines she consumed, the countless prayers she offered to the heavens, and still no child!

She waited and waited, until Fan Xueyao gradually gained favor and bore a son who ran around.

She despaired, and her natal family also grew impatient, urging her to find a solution. What solution could she have? She couldn't have a son, nor could she change the emperor's heart.

Probably seeing her as a useless Empress, her brother's wife later suggested adopting a royal prince when they visited the palace. They proposed bringing her married elder sister's daughter into the palace. But she was unwilling to have her niece enter the palace to bear her children. Even as an unnamed and unranked palace maid, she refused.

She would rather adopt a child born of another woman!