Chapter 10, which flowers can serve you in drunkenness

Then the Emperor looked at Consort Fang

The expenses of war naturally flow like water; if it drags on, it is feared that even the combined strength of the entire nation over ten years may not suffice to sustain it. Therefore, even the mere sum of 500,000 taels for repairs is something the Ministry of Revenue is unwilling to provide

As the Winter Solstice Grand Ceremony for offering sacrifices to Heaven approached, Emperor Dixi was overwhelmed with busyness, and the various palace consorts also had their own responsibilities, hastily arriving at the twelfth month of the lunar calendar

The Empress Dowager released Ting You's hand and leaned back, saying, "Why should I be angry with him? He is not my biological son. How could he possibly be willing to renovate the Cisheng Palace for me, this mother? I fear he genuinely believes I am unworthy..."

"He is just good at superficial efforts." Empress Dowager Jing snorted, "Have you also favored him since you got married?"

The Empress Dowager remained silent

Emperor Dingxi remained silent with his eyes closed

Wang Jiufu then realized that this was unwelcome

However, Tingyou questioned herself that although she had made efforts to win over Wang Jiufu, this slippery fish was simply elusive. He treated everyone with a pleasant demeanor and was equally kind to all. Today, such a fortunate event unexpectedly fell upon her, leaving Tingyou feeling somewhat dazed.

Wang Jiufu first thought of Consort Zeng Huifei; without his support, Consort Zeng would not have risen so quickly. Emperor Dingxi, known for his passionate nature after drinking, how could Wang Jiufu, having served him for so many years, not be aware of this? He arranged to invite the palace consorts to attend to him, and when Emperor Dingxi did not respond, Wang Jiufu understood that he had consented.

This is truly a great thing. It's like waiting in line to buy delicious meat buns; you were originally several streets back in line, and suddenly the vendor invites you to cut in. Would you not consider this a good thing

The pavilion was unexpectedly deep in the horns of the Empress Dowager's dilemma, "Your Majesty may have misunderstood the Emperor. Observing the Emperor's words and actions over the years, he has never gone against Your Majesty."

The esteemed Empress Dowager is certainly not concerned with such empty titles, "I understand your meaning; the old lady has not taught you in vain. Although we women may contend within the palace, we must not bring suffering to the common people. The Emperor is resolute in his intention to reclaim the six provinces of Hengyun, and naturally, I shall assist him in this endeavor.

Ting You continued, "After October, the Winter Solstice will arrive, and the Emperor will surely return to the palace to offer sacrifices to Heaven. At that time, the Empress will also have to return to the palace. Although no one has backed down, it seems as if the Empress has yielded this time. If she does not return to the palace, how will the people view it? They will think that the Empress and the Emperor are at odds, which would only provide an opportunity for others to take advantage of the situation. Moreover, the Emperor has been governing the realm for a long time, and all positions in the court are filled with his people. Even if he wanted to rely on public opinion, who would dare to confront the Emperor? In this case, wouldn't the Empress only distance herself further..."

What a pity that there is good intention but no strength; in recent years, the weather has been favorable, and reports of abundant harvests are coming from everywhere. Is there no silver in the Ministry of Revenue

Yú Guìrén, Tíng Cái Rén, Lán Guìrén, none of the emperors spoke a word

"Why has Lord Yu come?" Ting You smiled as she stepped forward. This step was quite significant; although she did not say much, her movement clearly expressed a warm welcome, all while maintaining her dignity. If she had taken two or three more steps forward, it would have seemed like flattery, diminishing her own status.

On this day, the palace concubines each adorned themselves according to their ranks, went to the Qianyuan Hall to express their gratitude, and then proceeded to the Cining Palace to offer their thanks. During the palace's evening banquet, news suddenly arrived from the northern military front. Emperor Dingxi did not attend; he only accompanied the Empress Dowager and a group of concubines in their revelry, and they all soon dispersed, feeling rather bored.

In the eleventh year of the Dingxi era, the first day of the lunar new year brought good news for the women in the palace. This year, Emperor Dingxi showed great mercy and bestowed blessings upon them, intending to promote the palace concubines, with most receiving a promotion of one rank. For those who could not be promoted further, such as Noble Consort Xian, Consort Zeng Hui, and Lady Lan Zhao, additional rewards were to be granted.

Yu Jiuer is the most beloved apprentice of Wang Jiufu, who is the chief eunuch by the side of Emperor Dingxi. Therefore, no one can afford to offend Yu Jiuer, and everyone must curry favor with her

After the twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month, all government offices are closed, but the emperor remains on duty throughout the year without a break. Whenever there are important matters, even on New Year's Eve or the first day of the lunar new year, he cannot rest.

How could the Empress Dowager be unaware of these matters, which is why her temper has become increasingly irritable lately

The Empress Dowager herself has emerged from the struggles of the palace's weapons and strife; how could she be unaware of the difficulties faced by the women in the harem? Otherwise, she would not have waded into the murky waters of Song Chunhua.

At the end of October, Empress Dowager Jing and Emperor Dingxi's imperial carriage set off to return to the palace, and Song Chunhua vanished completely as if she had never existed in the palace at all, just as Tingyou had predicted.

Ting You, taking advantage of this favorable east wind, was promoted from a fifth-rank talent to a third-rank Jieyu due to her meritorious service in attending to the esteemed Empress Dowager.

Thus, Ting You analyzed the news he had read from the official report and said to Empress Dowager Jing, "Are you saying that the Emperor intends to deploy troops to Lingbei?"

In the past month, Emperor Dingxi has summoned his favorites only a few nights, either Consort Hui or Consort Fang. The only noteworthy event was one night when the long-disfavored Lady Lan attended to him, leading many to speculate whether she was about to regain favor. However, it seemed as if a stone had fallen into a deep well; it stirred only a slight ripple before sinking back down.

Today, the Empress Hui came to the Eastern Study to deliver soup to the Emperor in the afternoon, but the Emperor was busy at that time and did not see her. Should we... The Qianyuan Hall, where Emperor Dingxi resides, is divided into two sections: the front section is where he handles official duties and meets with ministers, while the eastern wing is his study, commonly referred to as the Eastern Study by the people in the palace. The back section is his sleeping quarters.

The Emperor drank two more cups and summoned someone to serve him, and the first person that Chief Eunuch Wang thought of was Lady Jieyu

Emperor Dingxi raised his eyes slightly, yet still did not speak

Wang Jiufu suddenly realized, regretting how he had been so foolish, "A few days ago, I encountered the newly appointed consort, and she mentioned that she would come to express her gratitude to Your Majesty, look..."

Respectfully, the Empress Dowager played the card of the old matriarch, and no matter what, Ting You could not block it. With reddened eyes, she wrinkled her nose and barely held back her tears, tightly grasping the hand of the Empress Dowager.

The Ministry of Revenue has funds, but these funds are likely to have all flowed to the northern regions.

Wang Jiufu knew that this time it was certain, so he quickly gave Yu Jiuer a glance, which led to a performance with the Hexi Palace

Indeed, Tingyou can be considered a palace concubine of considerable rank within the harem of Emperor Dingxi, and it would not be appropriate for her to continue residing in Cining Palace. She was instead granted He Xi Palace. According to regulations, only concubines of third rank (inclusive) and above are entitled to occupy a main palace. Although Tingyou was assigned to a side hall of He Xi Palace, due to the absence of a main palace in He Xi, she is regarded as a prominent figure in her own right.

Ting You hurriedly expressed her loyalty, "The ancestors often taught Ting You that the most unreliable in this world are men. In this palace, the only one who can look after Ting You is the Empress. How could Ting You lean towards that side?"

Throughout the journey, Yu Jiu'er’s attempts to be charming and clever left Ting You feeling even more puzzled

Indeed. The year 15 of the Taikang era saw the Turkic tribes occupy the six states of Hengyun, which has always been a disgrace for our Great Xia Dynasty. The Emperor is the one who will restore our fortunes; just by observing his arrangements, it is clear that he is determined to reclaim the six states of Hengyun.

In this servant's view, it is not that Your Majesty is unwilling to renovate the Cisheng Palace for Her Highness, but rather that there is a desire without the means to do so

Prepare your emotions; if you do not persuade Empress Dowager Jing while she is feeling sentimental, then when will you? Tingyou looked up at Empress Dowager Jing and asked, "Is Your Majesty still sulking with the Emperor?"

Yu Jiuer is only fifteen years old this year, having entered the palace for just three or four years, and she has not yet lost the innocence of a young girl. Upon seeing Ting You, who has just bathed, with her fair skin glowing with a hint of pink and a dewy sheen, Yu Jiuer momentarily lost her composure, but quickly regained her calm. "The Emperor is in high spirits tonight and has had a few more drinks. Eunuch Wang, please ask the Consort to attend to the Emperor in the Qianyuan Hall."

The Emperor is the sovereign of the revival, and the Empress has always been wise and discerning. If there were to be a rift between the Empress and the Emperor, it would be difficult to achieve victory in this battle. If victory can be attained, then in the annals of history, the Empress would surely be regarded as equal to Empress Taizu.

On the day of the third of the first month, Ting You was practicing a set of soft body exercises taught by the old lady in the He Xi Palace. Just as she finished her practice and was preparing to bathe and retire for the night, she received news that Eunuch Yu Jiu'er had arrived.

The Empress Dowager, after all, has been struggling in the realm of power for several decades, and upon hearing the mention of Lingbei, she became sensitive, asking, "What do you mean?"

This is certainly not the truth, but Ting You cannot point it out