Emerging from the inner chamber, the Emperor reflected that placating people was truly a skillful task, indeed more exhausting than soothing a dozen quarrelsome old slickers during a morning court session.
In the court hall, when the court officials below were quarreling, he could sit in the highest seat, watch them quarrel, listen to what they were arguing about, and wait for them to finish before thundering at them, which guaranteed they’d cower obediently.
But it didn’t work with his Little Concubine; he couldn’t wait until she had finished being upset before coaxing her—that would be too late. He had to start with gentle and soft-spoken coaxing right from the beginning.
He couldn’t rush her, for if he became anxious, she’d become even more so;
nor could he be harsh, as that would scare her into crying;
and he couldn’t be rational either, because reasoning was useless!
After placating her, the Emperor summarized the experience, reflecting that each time after cajoling someone, he gained quite a few insights and understanding.
Coaxing her into taking her medicine would be a challenge in the future. This time, he had almost lost his patience, and he decided he must soon go to Yixiang Palace to have someone brought over; otherwise, he could not guarantee that he would always be able to harden his heart to play the villain.
Perhaps it was because they had been apart for too long, but this time his Little Concubine was exceptionally coquettish, causing him endless heartache and pity, yet also immense joy and pleasure.
In the past, she had been too independent, with an air of indifference as to whether he was there or not, which sometimes left him feeling inadequate.
Now, seeing her starting to depend on him, unable to part with him, he felt elated and fulfilled in his heart.
Upon exiting the Side Hall, the Emperor returned to his usual dignified and refined demeanor, but his aura was no longer as cold and distant as usual.
Outside, several groups of people were waiting in orderly fashion.
As soon as the Emperor had sent Xiao Qing out, the others had followed suit, all waiting outside now.
To the left stood Xiao Jizi and Xiao Qing, their eyes unable to hide their delight, especially Xiao Jizi. Once Xiao Qing came out and told him that His Majesty was personally coaxing the Young Master to take his medicine, he was over the moon, his smile reaching his ears, making his pig-like face even uglier.
Standing next to them was Imperial Doctor Assistant Huang Zude, whom the Young Eunuch had asked to return after being sent away by Zhang Qing. He had been waiting outside all this time, thinking that it would be a long while before he saw His Majesty again, yet to his surprise, he was able to see him twice in less than a day, his seasoned face flushing with excitement.
There were also Zhang Qing and the eunuchs from Star Palace standing behind him. By his side was Xiao Linzi, along with a few eunuchs, and next to them were His Majesty’s belongings, which they had carried back.
When His Majesty gave the order, Zhang Qing thought it over and took care of it himself, for he feared that the servants below would not know which were His Majesty’s customary items, and would not handle the task properly; he felt uneasy about it.
When he returned to Star Palace, he found Xiao Linzi still kneeling obediently in the hall, his posture unchanged. Whatever he looked like before they had left, that was exactly how he remained.
Seeing this foolish boy made Zhang Qing feel exasperated.
He walked over and slapped him on the back, pushed him, and told him to get up quickly, so as not to waste people’s breath.
For some reason, whenever he saw this boy looking so foolish, he couldn’t help but want to smack him on the head to make him a bit sharper.
He had never seen someone so honest. His Majesty and he had been gone for so long, yet he kept kneeling. If His Majesty didn’t care about Xiao Linzi that day, what was he thinking? If His Majesty did not return that day, was he supposed to kneel there until the morning court session the next day, until his knees were worn out?
Zhang Qing sighed. Oh, if only Sancai could have half of this boy’s honesty.
Enough of that, I won’t think of it any longer. This godson of mine seems to have no intention of acknowledging me. It chilled my heart to have protected him all the way only to be blamed in the end after making a mistake that I couldn’t understand myself.
Zhang Qing looked again at Xiao Linzi before him, covering his head and rubbing his knees, the more he looked, the more honest the boy seemed, like a dumb goose, and Zhang Qing’s hands itched with an urge to hit him.
Forget it, forget it, Xiao Linzi has always been so honest, and that isn’t really a flaw.
Being too honest isn’t a bad thing, as long as one isn’t cunning, and can keep a tight lip. Unless His Majesty decrees otherwise, no one can pry his mouth open. The key is that he also has special talents, which are also reasons why His Majesty favors him.
Once everything was properly packed up, Zhang Qing waved his hand and brought Xiao Linzi along, so now he was also at Canglan Court.
Seeing His Majesty come out, everyone simultaneously thought to give their salutations.
The Emperor gestured to prevent them, as his Little Concubine had just fallen asleep, and there mustn’t be too much noise to wake her.
He took a few steps out with Zhang Qing and turned to ask, "Are the matters taken care of?"
Zhang Qing knew His Majesty was referring to the matter of Beauty Li and bowed respectfully to reply, "Your Majesty, it has been properly dealt with."
When they sent Beauty Li away under escort, according to the servants who returned to report, she was like a mad dog, biting whoever she caught, and even tried to curse Young Master Lian. Fortunately, a servant with keen eyes stuffed her mouth with a sock, otherwise, she wouldn’t even need to go to Hetai Temple, but straight to Yama Hall.
Beauty Li really couldn’t figure it out. In the end, when they bound her completely, she calmed down at last, but her hand was already broken, and it seems now that it will not heal properly.
The Emperor nodded, looking towards the Side Hall of Canglan Court, where his Little Concubine was, and his gaze softened noticeably as he said, "Indeed, let’s not let her know about this, to spare her from being frightened."
When the incident with Jieyu Wei occurred, his Little Concubine was already greatly scared; she even had nightmares at night. She definitely must not know about this matter.
Originally, he didn’t intend to let Lady Li off so easily, but upon reflection, he dismissed the thought, as that woman was not worth worrying about. The servants around her were the greatest concern. Having her go to Hetai Temple was to let her accumulate virtue for the child within her.
The Emperor, with his hands clasped behind his back, withdrew his gaze and looked down at the servant in front of him, speaking faintly, "Zhang Qing, I have neglected the Harem too much in the past. Summon Cao De back as soon as possible. From today onwards, report any and all movements inside the palace to me."
Since he learned of his Little Concubine’s incident yesterday, he had been deeply reflecting on the matter. Now with the Harem under the Noble Consort’s management, he rarely interfered. If this continued, more troubles of this sort might occur, and how could he protect his beloved ones then?
Zhang Qing’s body shuddered, concealing the shock in his heart, "Yes, I obey."
Zhang Qing knew all too well who Cao De was: a former Chief steward of the Internal Guard Bureau, appearing harmless yet cunning, adept at espionage and uncovering truths from the smallest of clues.
One might say, if Cao De were still in the palace, he would be the foremost figure in the Inner Court, not Zhang Qing.
Cao De entered the palace at the age of six and grew up with His Majesty. Their bond was extraordinary, unmatched by anyone else in the palace.
During the roughest periods of His Majesty’s rise to power, Cao De repeatedly risked his life for His Majesty, displaying unwavering loyalty and supporting him to ascend to the throne, until he finally stepped down.
The Internal Guard Bureau that he managed was secretly established by His Majesty in his youth, specifically responsible for collecting intelligence from the Harem, officials, and folks. It played a crucial role in His Majesty’s journey.
One could say that without the Internal Guard Bureau, His Majesty’s wings might not have grown so robustly, and by the time the Late Emperor heeded slanderous advice and sought to move against His Majesty, he was no longer able to, all because of the existence of the Internal Guard Bureau.