Chapter 4, Pingjin

Let us discuss the matters later; look at what has become of Fifth Sister here. This is the residence of the queens of the Dream Tang dynasty, not a tavern!" Yuan Xiu said with a stern face, waving her plain long sleeves. "And what is the situation with Eldest Sister and Empress Yang? Fifth Sister has been so busy these past few days that she has lost several pounds, while you all seem more spirited than ever. Why not accompany me to Jingling to observe the full hundred days of mourning for the late Empress Dowager?"

Then it must be someone else. Currently, the harem of Emperor Fengchun is not large; besides the Empress, there are only Consort Zhao, Consort Cao, and Consort Qin. However, it is also uncertain whether Grand Empress Yang is truly innocent

However, Wang now has no time to feel sorry for herself. Always dignified, she has loosened her hair and removed her hairpin, and is currently helping the favored concubine Yang's personal maid to soothe Concubine Yang.

"Auntie has arrived." Xing Niang personally waited for her at the door and said softly, "Princess Pingjin and Empress Yang had a bit of a dispute, and His Highness has been unable to leave after trying to mediate, which is why he asked me to wait here."

This is all because she is not favored with abundant affection, and now none of the three princes are her offspring, which makes her have to be cautious and careful in every aspect. Thinking this way, it is indeed a difficult situation for her to have to deal with the matter of Princess Pingjin together with Changyang today.

Although it is said that the late Consort Lu and Grand Consort Yang were always at odds, in this matter, it is clear that Pingjin is in the wrong. Even if Consort Lu were still alive, she would only have the option of bringing her daughter to apologize. What is there to argue about?

This is precisely the issue that the Long Princess and Lady Yang are arguing about. Xing Niang said, "That courtesan is not raised in the residence of the Long Princess of Pingjin, but is from the brothel." Noticing Yuan Xiu glance at her, she continued to explain, "When Princess Changyang came of age, Lady Yang had someone keep an eye on this person in the brothel. However, after the prince was chosen, the matter was left unresolved. But for some unknown reason, this person suddenly appeared in the palace and was encountered by the Long Princess of Pingjin."

"A'Jia cried heavily today, and her voice has become somewhat hoarse. If we do not use some pear syrup to nourish her, I fear that Wulang will have to summon the physician to prepare medicine, which would be even worse," Cai Lan advised.

During the period of the Empress Dowager's mourning, the esteemed Grand Princess was drugged within the palace and lost her virtue to a person from the imperial music troupe! If this matter were to spread, how could the Wang family possibly maintain their face in the position of Empress?

Although the Tang Dynasty has declined, its grandeur still remains. The funeral of Empress Dowager Zhao Xian was exceedingly elaborate. Even though the princess did not need to escort the coffin out of the palace, Yuan Xiu felt utterly exhausted upon returning to Fengyang Pavilion. Due to days of mourning and lack of sleep, she could not contain her emotions when the coffin was carried away, and she cried once more. At this moment, she truly felt the need for a long sleep.

"It is not you." Yuan Xiu raised an eyebrow, picked up a piece of pickled crispy melon, and took a hard bite, as if venting something.

Cailan appeared somewhat displeased: "Is this urgent? A Jia is extremely tired."

Yuan Xiu was suddenly taken aback

Little Jiu! The Princess of Pingjin, young and spirited, was held back by several palace maids, fearing she might advance and do something to the Empress Yang. Yet, she still overshadowed the voice of Empress Yang, exclaiming loudly, "This vile woman does not uphold her marital duties, fearing I might expose her, yet she has the audacity to drug my drinking water, tarnishing my reputation! You must not be deceived by her tricks!"

Yuan Xiu nodded and asked, "What are they arguing about?" www.hetushucom.com

Upon hearing this, Lady Yang immediately displayed an expression of deep grievance and disbelief. With a sorrowful cry, she seemed to summon an unexpected strength, breaking free from the support of those beside her, and rushed towards the nearest pillar of the hall, exclaiming in despair: "I, of the Yang family, entered the palace in my youth, serving the late emperor for over twenty years, giving birth to Prince Qi and Changyang for the late emperor. I do not dare to claim credit, yet I have always considered myself to have fulfilled my duties. Today, the Princess Royal has forced me with such harsh and vile words. As a consort, what face do I have left to live on? Let me follow the spirit of Empress Dowager Zhao Xian... to serve the late emperor!"

Yuan Xiu stood there for a moment, and after some thought, she understood that the Wang family had summoned her not to mediate between Princess Pingjin and Empress Yang, but rather to seek her assistance.

When she lifted the curtain and entered, she saw Yuan Xiu resting one hand on her cheek and using silver chopsticks to pick at the side dishes for the porridge, her expression appearing somewhat displeased. She felt a bit anxious: "A Jia, did I make a mistake just now?"

Pingtian curled his lips and shot a fierce glance at Empress Yang.

It is not too urgent; it is just that Princess Pingjin Chang is feeling somewhat unwell. Tao Niang, knowing that the faint silhouette behind the curtain is Yuan Xiu, slightly raised her voice, "Therefore, the Empress requests that A Jia must go and take a look, and I also ask Lan Niang to convey this to A Jia."

Yuan Xiu fell silent for several moments: "What is the situation with that young concubine?"

Lady Cheng watched from the kitchen. Cai Lu said, as Yuan Xiu swallowed a crisp melon, somewhat dissatisfied: "This palace does not like to eat pears"

"Your Highness, just now, Doctor Geng was summoned to examine the pulse of the Grand Princess. Doctor Geng stated that what the Grand Princess said is indeed true," said Xing Niang softly

It is impossible that the Wang family would conspire to frame others through the use of illustrations and books. Firstly, there is no need for her to offend Princess Pingjin. Secondly, she currently has no son, and despite holding the position of Empress, she lacks favor and is preoccupied with self-preservation. Moreover, even if she were to tarnish her own reputation to harm others, she would not resort to such a significant matter that could lead to her own downfall.

Wang had already instructed Tao Niang and Mei Niang to step forward and block her as she broke free. Empress Dowager Yang, in her desperation, insisted on meeting the late Emperor to express her grievances. Meanwhile, Princess Pingjin could only sneer: "Since you wish to follow Empress Dowager Zhao to see the late Emperor, do you really have to defile the place where the Empress resides in the Hall of Governance? Is it that your own residence is not worthy of such a fate?"

"I shall inform Lady Cheng right away," the maid said with a slight smile, bowing slightly before departing.

Sister, please calm down!" Yuan Xiu shot her a glare and said to Wang, "The Empress Yang is getting on in years and cannot bear harsh words. My sister just spoke out of turn. Fifth Sister has sent someone to help the Empress to the side hall to tidy up her appearance and catch her breath.

Upon seeing Yuan Xiu enter, Wang felt a great sense of relief, and a hint of pleading appeared in her eyes as she said: "A Jia, the situation is complicated, and Wulang is not in the palace, so my sister-in-law can only seek your counsel."

Of course, let's go. Yuan Xiu stood up, and Cai Lan stepped forward to arrange her skirt. Cai Lu brought over a bronze mirror for her to examine herself. Seeing no flaws in her appearance, she then stood up and walked outside

It is a pity that I have only had a bowl of bird's nest soup to whet my appetite; the few small dishes brought by Cai Lu have not yet been placed on the table. Tao Niang, who is beside Wang, has come to invite me. Yuan Xiu slowly puts down the silver chopsticks and, through the beaded curtain, hears her speaking to Cai Lan: "The Empress requests that A Jia come over for a moment"

Upon contemplating this section, Yuan Xiu seemed to once again envision the weary face of Feng Chun and the vivid colors of the illustrations, with waves of anger surging in his heart. The local powers remained unyielding, and the factional struggles were endless. Although Feng Chun's political acumen and resolve were not on par with that of Emperor Xianzong, since his ascension to the throne, he had attended court meetings without fail every day. Was this harem, the only place that allowed him respite, also unwilling to remain in solitude?

Lady Xing displayed a serious expression, glanced around to ensure there were no idle onlookers, and then leaned in to whisper: "The Princess said she has been drugged!"

Upon hearing the guard at the tomb, Lady Yang felt a jolt of fear and no longer dared to feign death. She pretended to be weak and opened her eyes. Before she could speak, two lines of tears had already fallen: "Ah, my family..."

Princess Pingjin, with her hair disheveled, was pinned down on the hu bed by several strong palace maids, creating a scene of chaos on the ground. Yuan Xiu, with her keen eyes, immediately spotted several jade carvings that Wang cherished the most, all shattered into pieces. Even the embroidered screen of the double lotus, gifted by Emperor Xianzong during the grand wedding, was knocked down to the floor.

The life of the princess in the Dream Tang era was as luxurious and decadent as that of the various kings, and the entire nation had grown accustomed to it. It was common for someone like Concubine Yang to prepare several beautiful women for the Crown Prince to choose from during his coming-of-age ceremony. It was also a regular occurrence for her to show no favoritism towards her daughter, as she would go to the music house in advance to keep an eye out for handsome young men.

Geng Jingzhai is a person who lives up to his name; he possesses exceptional medical skills yet is straightforward in character, exhibiting a strong sense of pride. Even the late emperor had once been contradicted by him. He would absolutely never assist Pingjin or anyone else in committing fraud

But the focus now is not on how this person appeared in the palace, but rather that when Princess Pingjin encountered him, she was "just" drugged by someone.

Cai Lan let out a sigh and asked Cai Lu: "Is the pear syrup ready?"

It is unclear what Princess Pingjin said or did. Yang Taifei lay on the couch beneath the Hu bed, her eyes tightly closed, barely breathing, as if an old ailment had recurred

Just a few steps away, she simply stopped in her tracks and asked in a low voice, "Is it true?"

Wang is truly hard-working; she is a dignified empress. Could it be that she still needs to personally welcome a mere princess?

Moreover, none of the three sons of Emperor Fengchun are of the Wang family. The Empress Yuan of Emperor Gaozong from the early Tang Dynasty was also an ancestor of the Wang family. Is it not true that due to her lack of offspring, she ultimately lost her position to her husband's concubine, who had an illicit relationship with Emperor Gaozong, and ended up with a disgraceful death and a tragic fate?

Upon arriving at the Lizheng Hall, Yuan Xiu was somewhat surprised to see the carriage of the Empress Dowager Yang not far away

Yuan Xiu furrowed her brows and thoughtfully advised, "Add more sugar, and put in fewer slices of pear"

Maintaining the Wang family in both words and actions greatly relieved her. In fact, such words should have been spoken by Wang herself; however, she had neither favor nor children. Even the wives of ordinary families cannot stand tall in their husbands' homes, let alone in the royal family.

It was for this reason that Wang summoned him to clarify the matter

Yuan Xiu walked into the chaotic hall with a serious expression

This matter appears to have schemed against the Grand Princess, but in reality, the target is the Empress.

I understand, you may return first. Please inform Her Highness the Queen that I will have some porridge and vegetables before I go.

Using the congee made from bi zhou vegetables, Cai Cheng personally served a bowl of pear syrup, coaxing Yuan Xiu to drink about six or seven parts of it. Just then, Cai Zi came in to report that the phoenix carriage was ready. Taking this opportunity, she declared that she would not drink any more, receiving the angry glances from Cai Lan and the others. Cai Zi felt somewhat puzzled: "Isn't A Jia going to the Li Zheng Hall?"