Chapter 4, Scheming
I am selfish. The Empress Dowager has long made a decision regarding Wang Meiren. Although I cannot guess her intentions in asking me, I am well aware of her thoughts. Fearing that it might implicate my relationship with the Emperor, I can only choose to comply with the Empress Dowager's wishes and express what she has in mind, thus safeguarding myself. This not only provides the Empress Dowager with a pretext for action but also creates a retreat for myself. ... It only hurts Yan'er ... . ... The wound on my head throbs painfully, and as soon as I entered the palace gates, Jin Mo was so frightened that he hurriedly summoned the imperial physician to apply medicine and bandage it. This not only provides the Empress Dowager with a pretext for action but also creates a retreat for myself. ... It only hurts Yan'er ... . ... The wound on my head throbs painfully, and as soon as I entered the palace gates, Jin Mo was so frightened that he hurriedly summoned the imperial physician to apply medicine and bandage it.
"It is the Emperor, so you need not be afraid." I chose to speak directly. She trembled as she brought over the clothes to drape over me: "The Emperor? Is that recorded?" Every palace maid would have the opportunity to be favored by the Emperor, and only then would it be considered official. I shook my head: "I do not allow it to be recorded." "Why? Sister, are you foolish? What will happen in the future if there is an heir?" Jin Mo cried helplessly in fear.
I am contemplating how to inform Jin Mo about this matter and the book. She is already thirteen years old, understands the world, and it is impossible to keep it a secret.
I held her hand and wiped away her tears, "What I gamble on is that I won't get pregnant. The Emperor's current favor towards me is merely a fleeting whim; perhaps he will soon forget his affection. Our lowly status leaves us without support, and if we lose his favor, how can we survive in this vast palace? The people in the harem and the Empress Dowager will undoubtedly want to eliminate us as soon as possible. If that is the case, I would rather let him enjoy the sweetness for now, and when he forgets, I can ensure our safe survival. I was originally destined to grow old and die in the palace; chastity holds no value for me. If I can exchange it for safety, it is worth it." The people in the harem and the Empress Dowager will undoubtedly want to eliminate us as soon as possible. If that is the case, I would rather let him enjoy the sweetness for now, and when he forgets, I can ensure our safe survival. I was originally destined to grow old and die in the palace; chastity holds no value for me. If I can exchange it for safety, it is worth it.
"Sister, what happened to you?" Jin Mo looked at me with a tearful voice. I forced a faint smile and said, "It's nothing, just help me find some clothes to wear first." I was under the blanket without a stitch on.
Just as we exited the gates of Jianzhang Palace, Yan'er complained and shook off my hand, climbing into the carriage alone. I sighed and followed her back to Weiyang Palace
The matter seemed to have quietly passed without a trace, as if no one was aware of it. Jin Mo and I became increasingly cautious, fearing that any slip-up might reveal the truth. For a month filled with anxiety, I counted the days, unable to eat or sleep well, terrified that the entire plan might encounter problems at this critical moment, fearing for our very lives. Fortunately, the expected signs finally appeared, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief. Just as I thought the worst was over, a messenger from Jianzhang Palace arrived with an imperial decree summoning the Empress for an audience. In a hurry, I assisted Yan'er in dressing her properly and we took the carriage to the palace.
"Your Majesty, although I speak of promises, I am secretly contemplating how to articulate my thoughts. The Empress and the current Emperor are newlyweds, and naturally, they will have offspring. However, the Empress is still young and will require some time. The nation urgently needs an heir to stabilize it, and naturally, the heir of Lady Wang must be born. Yet, we can employ certain methods, such as using it for our own purposes..." At this point, I was unwilling to elaborate further. The current Empress Dowager has experienced the turmoil of founding the nation and has been in control of the court since the reign of the founding Emperor. She is well-versed in the subtle intrigues of the inner palace and can understand without needing explicit explanation. "Are you suggesting that Yan'er pretend to be pregnant?" The Empress Dowager nodded thoughtfully and then turned her face again: "What about the Emperor's side?"
The urgent summons left Yan'er in a state of panic; she had always harbored an inexplicable fear of the imposing and stern Empress Dowager. Once in the carriage, she clutched my hand through the window, the delicate layer of sweat in her palm revealing her trepidation. I smiled and patted the back of her hand to comfort her, while my own heart raced with anxiety, wondering if my affairs had been exposed. Upon entering the hall, a profound silence enveloped us, devoid of the palace maids and eunuchs I had seen during my previous visit. The plain-clothed Matron Qi lifted the beaded curtain to welcome us into the inner chamber. With the Empress in front, I followed to her right, performing the customary bows. Matron Qi assisted the Empress to her feet, and I stood with my head bowed beside her.
I do not know when the Emperor left, the soreness throughout my body caused me to sleep until noon, until Jin Mo came to wake me up. She opened the door and saw clothes scattered all over the floor and my disheveled hair, letting out a startled cry. I hurriedly shushed her, and she fell silent, closing the door with a casual motion.
"What do you think of Xiao Qingyi?" The Empress Dowager took a sip of bird's nest soup and turned to ask Granny Qi. "As for her appearance, it goes without saying; there are few in the harem who can match her after dressing up. Her calm demeanor in the face of danger is reminiscent of your former grace, Your Majesty." Granny Qi, a trusted elder by the Empress Dowager's side, had once been a hostage under Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu was violent and often humiliated the relatives of Emperor Gaozu out of anger. Granny Qi had once shielded the Empress Dowager from beatings, which left her with a condition that caused her to cough up blood when exposed to cold. The Empress Dowager always treated her kindly, as if they were sisters, and there was no need for her to be overly cautious in her words. "Just now, when you smashed the lid in front of her, it was sudden, yet she did not panic and responded quite coherently. Although some points still require discussion, at her age, her thoughts are quite meticulous," Granny Qi continued. The Empress Dowager smiled but did not respond. "But why did you want her to discuss the matter of Wang Meiren? I cannot fathom it," Granny Qi said as she took the bowl handed to her by the Empress Dowager.
"How could a mere Wang Meiren trouble me? I am merely testing Xiao Qingyi to see her schemes," the Empress Dowager scoffed. "So, is the Empress Dowager satisfied?" Mama Qi already understood. "It seems she can take on that heavy responsibility..." The Empress Dowager placed her hand on Mama Qi's propped arm and returned to the inner hall to rest
The traces of ink and tears still linger, yet she has ceased to weep. She understands that I am not trying to frighten her. A month ago, a palace maid who had once been favored by the Emperor died in the Taiyi Pool, and when the eunuch reported this to the Emperor, he showed no signs of sorrow. Perhaps he had long forgotten the enchanting woman he once favored. Fixating one's thoughts on the Emperor is truly not a foolproof strategy. Even if the Emperor intends to protect her, he may still fall victim to the Empress Dowager's machinations; the numerous sudden deaths of palace maids and concubines may very well be the result of the Empress Dowager's intervention. She silently helped me dress. I washed my face, gathered my disheveled hair into a bun, and lightly applied some rouge. In the bronze mirror, my sharp, thin face paired with my strikingly contrasting eyes displayed an unwavering resolve. "Forget, forget everything, let no one mention it." The first part was directed at myself, the latter to Jin Mo. After hearing this, Jin Mo silently stood up and left the room, saying before the door closed, "The Empress has summoned you." I halted my movements, staring at the already closed door. Yan Er was merely bored and wanted someone to talk to, while I was utterly exhausted yet had to force myself to engage in idle chatter with her, fearing she might detect any flaws in my facade. I mocked myself, realizing that I had the mindset of a thief; it was rare to find a moment of peace, always on edge, suspicious of every little sound. Yan Er was unaware that I had stolen her husband. Although I had the excuse of doing so to save my own life, I still felt an overwhelming shame when faced with Yan Er's trusting gaze.