Chapter 70: The Empress Visits Her Family

Chapter 70: The Empress Visits Her Family

This was a typical Pekingese, but what was unusual was that this dog had curly fur and very large, shiny eyes, making it particularly endearing.

When Jian He picked up the dog, he happened to recall the eunuch in the palace had just taught him how to identify a "ten-day-old puppy." Lin Baozhen had given him a ten-day-old puppy with blood lines on its paws.

His little White was intended for the Empress. How did Lin Baozhen know that White wasn't doing well? And why did she prepare this ten-day-old puppy?

Jian He raised an eyebrow and immediately put the dog back into the basket, then strode out of the dark alley.

"There's no need. What would I do with a dog that won't live long?"

After leaving the alley, Jian He swiftly mounted his horse and rode away.

Lin Baozhen looked in the direction Jian He had left, then at the puppy in the basket on the ground. She frowned and said, "Why doesn't he like it? And why did he say it won't live long?"

Lin Baozhen also remembered the premonition dream where Jian He lost a dog named White, which was supposed to be given to the Empress. That's why she thought of sending such a puppy to Jian He.

He Lanting became Concubine Chen, and as the wife of Wei Wuhou, Lin Baozhen went to the palace to pay her respects. She received a cold and indifferent response from He Lanting.

Lin Baozhen pondered this for a long time. It was only their second meeting; why was He Lanting so cold to her? After much thought, she concluded the issue lay with Yan Ji.

She had mocked Yan Ji's name the first time they met, and now that Yan Ji was dead, He Lanting still cared about the child, hence her dislike of her.

Lin Baozhen reflected on herself and decided that in the future, she should not offend people who were destined to have a long-term relationship, especially when she had premonition dreams. It would be best to show them some kindness.

With Concubine Chen in power, she was also taught some knowledge by Xie Yuan. She learned that even if Concubine Chen bore a child, the Empress would remain unshaken. This is why she wanted to curry favor with Jian He.

The first thing in her dream about Jian He was about White, so Lin Baozhen searched the entire capital city to find the cutest and smallest white puppy.

Xie Jingzhi frowned, puzzled, "Why would Mother send him a dog?"

"Didn't I say, because when we entered the city, I saw that he had a dog that looked rather listless," Lin Baozhen explained. "Never mind, if he doesn't want it, I'll keep it myself."

The dog had been kept in Xie Jingzhi's courtyard before. Xie Jingzhi said, "Mother can continue to keep the dog with me. Father doesn't like dogs. If you want to see the dog, just come to me."

Lin Baozhen's eyes curved into a smile as she said to Xie Jingzhi, "Thank you."

Xie Jingzhi chuckled softly and shook his head. At the dinner table, he couldn't speak on her behalf, so he could only do small things for her.

He took the basket with the dog from Lin Baozhen's hands.

Their fingers touched, and Xie Jingzhi, feeling perhaps a bit tipsy, didn't pull his hand away. Instead, he caressed Lin Baozhen's fingertips for a moment.

Lin Baozhen quickly withdrew her hand, causing the small curly-haired puppy to fall and let out a whimper.

"Oh!" Lin Baozhen hurriedly picked up the basket again.

"Sorry," Xie Jingzhi stepped back, bowing to Lin Baozhen, "I overstepped, Mother."

Lin Baozhen felt her heart pounding. She absentmindedly stroked the puppy's fur and said softly, "We should go back."

Xie Jingzhi nodded. By then, Lin Baozhen was already walking ahead with the puppy, and from his angle, he could see the fur of her cloak fluttering.

At that moment, she turned around, "What are you standing there for?"

In the biting cold wind, her fair cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes seemed to dance with candlelight.

Xie Jingzhi stepped forward, and they returned to the Weiwu Marquis Mansion, one after the other.

/

After washing up, Lin Baozhen found that Xie Yuan had already fallen asleep.

Since He Lanting was made Concubine Chen, the status of the Weiwu Marquis Mansion had risen, and invitations kept coming. Xie Yuan often attended banquets in the evenings.

Usually, Xie Yuan paid attention to washing up, but today, he sat directly next to Jian He, who congratulated him. Feeling quite pleased, Xie Yuan drank a lot.

He was now deeply asleep, snoring loudly, and the strong smell of alcohol permeated the air with each breath.

Lin Baozhen, having already washed up and wearing a white undergarment, saw that the entire bed was occupied by Xie Yuan. Her brows furrowed, and she hesitated to sleep on the bed.

"Miss," Chang Yan opened the window slightly, "I've opened a crack. Once the smell disperses, Miss can sleep later."

Lin Baozhen appreciated Chang Yan's thoughtfulness, especially since the touch from Xie Jingzhi earlier had left her unable to sleep.

Not only did Chang Yan open the window, but she also moved the screen to block Lin Baozhen's side while allowing ventilation for Lord Marquis.

Lin Baozhen also asked Chang Yan to move the charcoal brazier, instantly making Xie Yuan's side both cold and drafty.

Meanwhile, Lin Baozhen wrapped herself in thick blankets and chatted with Chang Yan.

Chang Yan, hearing that the dog hadn't been given away, was somewhat pleased. She liked puppies, especially gentle ones.

Chang Yan, knowing the puppy was with Lord Xie, planned to bring some dried meat to play with it the next day.

"I'll go with you," Lin Baozhen smiled sweetly, then sighed, "Do you think Lord Xie will ever..."

Chang Yan knew what her mistress was thinking and whispered, "There's nothing to be done. With Second Miss around, only time will reveal Miss's true worth."

"It's just that you think I'm good. Feiyuan doesn't feel the same."

Actually, after Feiyuan left, Chang Yan's days in the Lin household were quite difficult. But since marrying into the Weiwu Marquis Mansion, she had healed and found life peaceful and comfortable.

Chang Yan laughed, "Feiyuan is a fool. She doesn't know Miss's worth. Pretending loyalty to Second Miss will only lead to her downfall eventually."

Lin Baozhen enjoyed hearing this. The two of them talked for nearly half an hour before Lin Baozhen checked and found the alcohol smell had dissipated. She asked Chang Yan to move the charcoal brazier back and close the window before going to bed.

/

The next day, Xie Yuan had a terrible headache and couldn't get out of bed.

Lin Baozhen, having gone to bed late, didn't even open her eyes. She just moved to one side of the bed to let Xie Yuan leave.

Xie Yuan pinched his temples and, feeling dizzy, managed to stand up.

For a moment, he considered asking for leave.

But Xie Yuan remembered the Empress Concubine's instructions; during this period, His Majesty might bestow him with a new position at any time, so it was best to be diligent.

After washing his face with cold water, Xie Yuan barely mustered up some energy.

As soon as court began today, His Majesty issued an imperial edict granting the Empress the opportunity to visit her family. The Empress could stay away from the palace for three consecutive days, provided she brought enough palace maids and eunuchs, and she could freely walk around the entire capital city.

Upon hearing the edict, Jian He was stunned, even asking in shock, "Is this true?"

Such a stunned and foolish appearance would not please Emperor Chengde. Fu Bin, thinking of the information from the Imperial Guard that Jian He and Pei Jin were good friends and had dined alone with his own nephew, decided to smooth things over for General Jian.

Fu Bin smiled and said, "Your Majesty, see how happy General Jian is. General Jian, why don't you receive the edict and express your gratitude?"

After Fu Bin's intervention, Jian He composed himself, straightened his robes, and bowed solemnly: "This humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness."

What was originally a breach of etiquette became, under Fu Bin's mediation, an excessive display of joy, which restored some dignity to Emperor Chengde.

Emperor Chengde then turned to Lord Wei Wuhou, "Wei Wuhou, you are a pillar of the court. Now, regarding the Ministry of War..."

Just as Emperor Chengde was speaking, he noticed that Wei Wuhou seemed distracted and fell silent.

Because of Empress Concubine Chen's favor, Fu Bin felt he should give Xie Yuan some face and stepped forward into the hall.

The eunuch's voice was gentle, "Lord Xie, are you unwell?"

The drafty carriage made Xie Yuan's headache worse, and he even felt a slight fever. Although charcoal fires were lit in the court, they were insufficient, and the hall remained chilly. Xie Yuan's headache worsened, almost to the point of bursting, so he lowered his head and closed his eyes to rest. When he opened them again, he saw Fu Bin.

The eunuch's voice was one Xie Yuan disliked the most. Wei Wuhou's thick brows furrowed, and he pushed Fu Bin directly.

"Ouch."

In front of everyone, Xie Yuan pushed Fu Bin, and all eyes turned to them, drawing gasps from the crowd.

Was Lord Wei Wuhou so displeased with Fu Bin?

Fu Bin, who had been kicked by the emperor before and had mostly recovered after ten days of rest, still had some internal injuries. At this moment, the wound was pressed, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Not only were the others shocked by this turn of events, but Xie Yuan was also taken aback.

Xie Yuan quickly knelt down, while Fu Bin hurriedly avoided the situation and bowed to him, saying, "Lord Xie, please do not do this; I am unworthy of such a grand gesture from a lord."

Emperor Chengde, forgetting that he had kicked Fu Bin earlier, thought that Wei Wuhou had been distracted first and then struck someone.

Emperor Chengde's expression grew cold, "I was considering moving Wei Wuhou to another position, but now it seems best to leave things as they are."

Xie Yuan knew what he had missed, and his heart bled as he thanked the emperor for his grace. He wished he had asked for leave instead.

/

News from the front court also reached Yutang Palace, the closest palace to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where Empress Concubine Chen currently resided.

He Lanting's feet were being carefully massaged. Due to taking too much birth control medicine, she needed to adjust her body to conceive again. She was using moxibustion on the appropriate acupoints, believing that when the meridians were unblocked, there would be no pain. However, her face was pale, and she was in pain, wanting to curl her toes but ultimately restraining herself.

"This is truly..." He Lanting, upon hearing her cousin's performance, felt deeply disappointed in Xie Yuan. She had hinted to him to be vigilant, knowing that the imperial edict might come, yet he lost a position that was already within reach.

First, there was the loss of Yan Ji, and now her cousin's official position was also in trouble. For a moment, He Lanting felt that fate was against her.

In stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere in Yutang Palace was Luanfeng Palace, where the news of the Empress leaving the palace brought excitement and bustle.

Jian Yunyao even took the time to organize the storeroom, deciding to take out items that could be carried outside the palace. Having been in the palace for over ten years, she had never left except for the pilgrimage to Mount Tai.

Now, the deep palace gates finally opened for her, and once opened, she intended to make them open again and again.

On the day of the Laba Festival, suitable for travel and grand ceremonies, the majestic palace gates opened wide, and the Empress's procession slowly left the palace.

Ordinary families would have their husbands accompany them when visiting relatives, but Emperor Chengde treated He Lanting as a wife and did not appear when the Empress left the palace. Instead, he sent Fu Bin to see her off.

The streets were repeatedly washed clean, and the Empress's phoenix carriage moved out, with colorful banners fluttering and incense smoke swirling. The Empress's procession slowly arrived at the simple residence of the Jian family.

Although they had received the news of the visit, the Jian family did not make major renovations. As family members, they knew the Empress wanted to see the Jian residence as it was, and even when Emperor Chengde ascended the throne and enthusiastically wanted to renovate the Jian residence, Jian Yunyao insisted on maintaining its original state despite displeasing the emperor.

As the Empress's procession entered the Jian residence, the main gate slowly closed. The Imperial Guard waited outside, and the music inside the Jian residence gradually ceased.