Concubine Wei took the article, concentrated for a moment, and her brows gradually relaxed.
"How is it?"
Yun Jiao asked with a hint of expectation.
Concubine Wei put down the article, placed a hand on her shoulder, her tone surprisingly comforting: "It’s already good that you can read, don’t push yourself for more."
Yun Jiao: "..."
Beside them, Princess Ruyi rested her chin in her hands and asked, "Why doesn’t Lady Xi have to push herself? Mother clearly said Ruyi must be proficient in everything."
"One debt collector is enough, I can’t handle two."
Concubine Wei wanted another prince, as at least thirty people were helping her raise the children, so she felt the most delightful time was before the child learned to read. Once reading started, they seemed more and more foolish.
Her beautiful eyes turned as she remembered the true reason she called Concubine Xi here: "Did you see the boxes in the courtyard?"
"I saw them."
"Those are all things the Emperor awarded to Servant Consort Zhen, there wasn’t enough space in her room, so they were put in my courtyard. I just wanted to know if you noticed them."
She thought Concubine Xi should feel as troubled as she did.
Yun Jiao pondered, "I saw them, then can I take two?"
Concubine Wei was shocked and refused her.
Yun Jiao was disappointed: "If that’s the case, I’ll pretend I never saw them."
...
It was heard that Zichen Palace sent many rewards to Servant Consort Zhen, including excellent scar ointments and pearl powder, and even ordered the Chief Doctor to treat her hand injuries. The Empress, who was still grieving over the loss of Dong Hua, immediately became angry.
"The Emperor has changed, he used to never disrespect me."
The Empress said sorrowfully as she leaned against the table.
Fear turned to anger inside her; the more she feared, the angrier she grew. She wanted to gain more by punishing others, but ended up losing what she already had. Without Dong Hua to advise her, she felt even more apprehensive: "Sending the Imperial Physician to that wench, wouldn’t that spread my affairs outside the palace? The Emperor and I are one, where does this put our royal family’s dignity? The Empress Dowager does nothing to stop him!"
The Empress got up, intending to reason with the Emperor—though her words were polite, she sent Dong Qin to ask for an audience with the Emperor, and had a fine table set at Jianzhang Palace, wanting to invite the Emperor to a meal.
But she was refused.
In the evening, the Emperor summoned Servant Consort Zhen, and the next day she was promoted by one rank.
Not only that, but also, considering her "excessive fatigue," she was excused from morning greetings that day.
Attendant Lady Zhen’s favor with the Emperor left the entire harem reeling, and the attention that had originally been on Concubine Xi was significantly diverted.
The letter sent from Zichen Palace to Xianfu Palace that day, bearing the imperial seal, swore that Attendant Lady Zhen was untouched; she was even still a virgin.
Yun Jiao replied: "Is the Emperor unwell?"
The Emperor, upon receiving this reply, was first pleased—she cares for me—then immediately angry—she doubts my ability!
He waved his brush and wrote, "I am well!"
...
The North wind, mixed with snow, bleached the Imperial Palace once more. Eunuch Qin delivered joyful news to the Empress—tonight the Emperor would visit Jianzhang Palace.
Dealing with the Empress gave him quite a headache.
He took this harsh measure, firstly to protect Yun Jiao, secondly to wake the Empress up.
The late Emperor and the late Empress Dowager handed him a well-governed state, with a full treasury and peaceful borders. He was a guardian Emperor, without the inherent desires for violent conquests like the late Emperor, who fought battles until only he and one prince remained. Even if he saw the third prince as a thorn in his side, he wouldn’t actually harm him. Being an Emperor, indulgence is easy, but self-restraint and reflection is the hard part.
Dethroning an Empress is no easy matter, he had given the Wei Family many chances.
Inside the Imperial Chariot, he hoped the Wei Family would come to their senses.
He recalled the time when he first moved into the Eastern Palace, the Wei Family wanted to impress in front of the concubines by changing all the palace furnishings and intended to chop down the trees for replanting. But as soon as the storeroom was opened, Consort Ji stopped her, requiring the Crown Prince’s permission to proceed.
The Wei Family felt her authority challenged and slapped Consort Ji, calling her ambitions petty.
Consort Ji didn’t argue, she insisted on seeking the Crown Prince.
At that time, faced with the grievances of the Crown Princess Consort, he too was weary.
This was also why he always trusted Lady above others—back then the late Emperor and Empress were both alive. Having been Crown Prince for only a month, he dared not make drastic changes to the Eastern Palace’s setup. The third brother eyed him suspiciously, waiting to catch him in error to embellish things before the father Emperor.
The Wei Family found solace, and the aftermath was left for the Emperor to clean up; he felt thoroughly exhausted.
Before, he had no personal desires, cleaning up messes for others without concern.
But now, he had them.