Chapter 10, Willow Branches

Tong Xi took a deep breath, as she had always believed that the Heavenly Sovereign Emperor had no offspring to this day due to the machinations of certain individuals. However, she did not expect that the Heavenly Sovereign Emperor himself also bore some responsibility.

However, what captivated Tongxi's gaze was not her smile, but rather the Tianzheng Emperor who was pushing the swing for her from behind. The summer sunlight softened the usually cold and hard edges of his demeanor, and Tongxi felt that the person before her was not the Tianzheng Emperor she knew.

Yu Baolin's appearance is not bad, and his family background is also respectable; his father holds the position of a fourth-rank minor official in the Ministry of Imperial Household. How did he end up with such a wife-like demeanor? Tongxi looks down on her appearance in her heart.

Yu Baolin is truly interesting; she is clearly someone who prefers to be alone, yet she asks questions without fully grasping her own intentions. "Hmm," Tongxi replied dismissively.

Those hands that wield the highest authority in the world were actually pushing Mu Zhaowen on a swing. For a moment, Tongxi thought about going out to stop it; how could the Emperor, the supreme ruler of the world, engage in such actions? But then she recalled Dugu Yuanfeng. Was it not because she could not bear to see such things that she had to bring herself back?

The relationship between Emperor Tianzheng and Mu Zhaowen should resemble that of a husband and a concubine, but Tongxi does not wish to be a concubine

Tongxi can deceive herself; after all, the Heavenly Sovereign still takes care of his own. However, since her return to the palace, it is truly difficult to see any signs of being a favored concubine. What Aunt Qiyun does not know is that even before she was forced to leave the court, Tongxi had already sensed the Heavenly Sovereign's neglect towards her. At that time, his treatment of her had already become increasingly harsh.

Tong Xi has always been fond of and humble in learning from others, regardless of whether the other party is a friend or an opponent

Tong Xi took a full half month to step out of the gates of the Tonghui Palace. During this time, Dugu Yuanfeng came to visit once, and Zhaofei came several times, but the Tianzheng Emperor never came. After that, not even a single eunuch from the palace was sent over.

When Qi Yun saw Tong Xi not speaking and unable to discern her expression, he could only continue, "When the Empress first entered the palace, even if the wind blew slightly, the Emperor would personally come over. In the past, the Emperor would occasionally visit the Tonghui Palace, but now, now..."

"What a beautiful piece 'Spring River, Flower Moon Night.'" The voice of Emperor Tianzheng came from ahead. Tongxi did not expect to encounter these two individuals here again, so she hid her body behind the bushes. However, Yu Baolin, lacking in awareness, showed a hint of joy on her face and was about to step forward. Tongxi shot her a fierce glare, and only then did she manage to hold back.

However, Mu Zhaowen not only did not respond to the summons, but instead withdrew her hands, saying, "Your Majesty, I am tired." Her voice was soft and delicate, revealing the charming demeanor of a young woman acting coy. Tong Xi felt a twinge of annoyance in her heart; how could a palace consort defy the imperial will, which would be a breach of wifely virtue? She secretly hoped to look at Emperor Tianzheng.

He no longer spoke to himself, no longer had warmth; what remained was nothing but endless torment in the night. "Aunt, I understand now, I want to rest."

Tongxi understood Yu Baolin's intentions; she simply chose not to go, which also prevented her from having an unexpected encounter with the Emperor of Tianzheng. At that time, the Emperor of Tianzheng and Concubine Zhao were deeply in love, and it was not appropriate for anyone else to intrude. Not only would it be uninteresting, but it would also lead to the Emperor's dissatisfaction. When her father was with his concubine, her mother never intervened, which earned her father's affection. Tongxi was also too lazy to teach Yu Baolin, who did not understand the subtleties of the situation.

However, this scene is truly beautiful, making Tongxi feel envious.

However, aunt, isn't it written in the historical records that this cannot be falsified

Tongxi enjoys learning lessons from failures, yet she does not quite understand the Emperor's fondness for such a delicate and refined woman. Does the Emperor truly prefer this kind of gentle and demure lady? She also recalls that Concubine Zhao did not come from a particularly high background, but despite her humble origins, her demeanor and conduct exuded an air of nobility. Tongxi finds herself increasingly perplexed by this.

The imperial consort sat on the swing, laughing unabashedly. To Tongxi, such laughter was utterly inappropriate; for a consort who should embody grace and dignity, her laughter was excessively uninhibited. Tongxi had never laughed so loudly; at most, she would merely press her lips together with a handkerchief. She furrowed her brows, even struggling to recall the last time she had laughed so heartily.

"Your Highness." Yu Baolin looked at Tongxi with some complaint, "Why doesn't Your Highness step forward to pay respects to His Majesty?"

Then let it be, I shall accompany you back to the palace. The Emperor Tianzheng not only took no offense, but instead looked at Mu Zhaowen with a gaze full of affection.

"Your Highness, are you taking a walk alone?" Yu Baolin followed closely behind Tongxi.

Tongxi was secretly startled at the thought that the Emperor did not necessarily bestow his favor every time he visited the consorts' chambers. Seeing Yu Baolin in a pitiable state, Tongxi took her back to the palace and also bestowed upon her some clothing and jewelry, to which she left with immense gratitude

She has never understood the Heavenly Sovereign Emperor

"Your Highness, do you not think it inappropriate that His Majesty does not come to inquire after your well-being?" Qi Yun's tone of concern became increasingly evident.

"Your Highness, would you like to take a stroll in the Imperial Garden? You have been cooped up in this room for so long," Xuan Xuan advised from the side.

Tongxi, I do not recall ever having the memory of swinging on a swing. In my impression, my father has always been stern and unsmiling, favoring a daughter who is dignified and graceful. The swing has never existed in the Linghu residence. It seems that my father and mother have never shared such tender moments; mutual respect and formality are indeed the typical demeanor of couples in the world.

"This servant pays her respects to the noble concubine." A sweet voice interrupted Tongxi's reverie, causing her to jump off the swing as if she had been burned by fire. Her face flushed with disbelief as she realized she was envious of Concubine Zhao, leading her to question her own parents. In her memory, her parents had never blushed, even though her father had several concubines, he had never treated her mother lightly. Tongxi still believed that a woman like her mother embodied the grace of a true matriarch.

Peering through the gap, the Heavenly Sovereign was enjoying the sound of the qin at the Moonlight Pavilion, "Zhaowen, play another piece."

The gaze of the Heavenly Sovereign seemed to sense something, sweeping over the place where Tong Xi was hidden. Tong Xi quickly dodged, but what she thought in her heart was that she never expected this tactic of Zhaofei's to be so effective. When she was in front of the Heavenly Sovereign, he had said that he would never dare to go against her wishes, no matter how painful or difficult it was. Should she consider changing her approach?

Yu Runzhu was so moved that her eyes were filled with tears, as if she had never considered that Tongxi would remember her. "Yes, it is indeed this servant." In this palace, those below the third rank are all considered minor masters; they cannot be the masters of a palace. Those who are not favored, feeling inferior and self-pitying, modestly refer to themselves as servants, while those who are favored and hold themselves in high regard may overstep and call themselves concubines, and no one minds.

Reflecting on oneself, there is not a single flaw in virtue, speech, demeanor, or skill, and even to the extent of being free from jealousy and envy, covering up the emperor's scandalous misdeeds and providing him with convenience. Why, why is the outcome thus?

They played for a long time, and Tongxi stood in the shade of the willows for quite a while. It was not until they left together that she inexplicably walked across the small bridge and, quite inexplicably, sat on the swing that Zhaofei had just used.

Tong Xi felt a sense of frustration and planned to return to the palace. After walking a short distance, she heard the sound of a qin (a traditional Chinese string instrument) drifting from ahead. She paused to listen for a moment; the piece being played seemed to be one she had never heard before, with a melody that was graceful and melodious, clear and bright, and naturally beautiful.

"Doesn't the Emperor visit your palace once every month?" Tongxi said lightly. The women of the harem are able to see the Emperor once a month, which is already a blessing for the imperial concubines of the Tianzheng Dynasty. In other dynasties, who knows, there are those who have not been seen for thirty-six years. They too once possessed "every feature and beauty, to the utmost perfection." "The Emperor dislikes it the most when the concubines are jealous and petty."

At first, Tongxi was only concerned with letting out a sigh of relief; now, upon reflection, there are indeed some matters that should be contemplated

After Yu Baolin's departure, Tongxi discussed with Aunt Qiyun the matters she had heard from her. Aunt Qiyun, being an elder in the palace, was not surprised. Even if the emperor does not favor certain concubines, he must maintain a facade of propriety. Aunt Qiyun also informed Tongxi of a piece of news: that the emperor had not truly favored high-ranking concubines such as Liang Chongyuan and Luo Jieyu for a long time.

In the past, Tongxi believed that Mu Zhaowen's favor would only last for a couple of days within a month. However, it now appears that perhaps the number of women favored by Emperor Tianzheng in a month is not many. In comparison, the significance of Concubine Zhao to Emperor Tianzheng is self-evident.

"Um, I intend to take a walk alone, you do not need to follow me." Tongxi felt a sense of unease in her heart; although she was afraid to meet the Emperor, when he truly treated her with such indifference, she realized that she should do something. After all, in this imperial harem, once one loses the favor of the Emperor, everything will vanish.

Get up. Tongxi finally regained her composure. When the woman raised her eyes, Tongxi immediately recognized her as Yu Baolin. Although they had only seen each other from a distance on ordinary days, Tongxi's remarkable memory allowed her to recognize her at once. It is Yu Baolin.

Qi Yun did not finish speaking, but Tong Xi understood. Nowadays, apart from the times when he is favored, he has never set foot in the Tonghui Palace. "Your Majesty, didn't he also come to the Tonghui Palace twice last month?" Tong Xi thought to comfort herself

Yu Baolin continued to follow closely, yet he also spoke up

In the evening, the Empress Dowager and the chief eunuch of the Emperor's palace arrived at Tonghui Palace with gifts of consolation, which left Qiyun with a face full of gloom.

"Your Highness, the Zhaofei is the same." Qi Yun did not allow Tong Xi to have the slightest fantasy; the imperial harem could least tolerate illusions.

By the end of May, Tongxi's beloved peonies had long lost their color, leaving only the vibrant pomegranate flowers in full bloom. However, Tongxi found the pomegranate flowers to be gaudy and unappealing. Coupled with the waves of summer heat that had begun to roll in, the bright red pomegranates made one feel as if their heart were being roasted over a fire, unbearably hot.

As Tongxi stepped out, she happened to catch a glimpse of Qionghua tending to the flowers in the courtyard. Unable to help herself, she paused to observe. Qionghua's posture while dusting the flowers lacked elegance, her profile was not particularly beautiful, and her figure was not dignified. There was not a single aspect in which she surpassed Jinhui Fei, let alone Guantao. Yet, why was it that she was the one who succeeded?

Yu Baolin pouted, looking as if she were about to cry, "Your Highness may not be aware, although the Emperor visits my Runming Hall once a month, he is either preoccupied with state affairs all night or sleeps alone in a separate chamber, and does not allow me to attend to him"

Tong Xi was hidden behind the cloud curtain, not wanting anyone to see her comical appearance. When the Heavenly Sovereign did not come, she immediately felt a sense of relief in her heart

Qi Yun paused and said, "The records in the Tong History are merely superficial efforts. In fact, every time the Emperor visits, Jiang Deqi secretly makes a note of it, and that is what truly matters."

"How is Your Highness feeling?" Qi Yun inquired softly from outside the tent

Tong Xi was slowly pacing in the garden, her tangled thoughts disrupted by a burst of laughter carried by the wind. She hid beneath the thick shade of the willow trees, observing a man and a woman across from her.

Tong Xi held her breath in silence, scrutinizing the woman before her who was dressed in a primrose-colored soft silk palace gown. With only a sapphire dragonfly hairpin slanted in her hair, this appearance was truly shabby for a mistress; even Aunt Qi Yun was dressed more elegantly than this.

Tongxi touched her cheek and said, "It doesn't hurt much anymore, Auntie." After a pause, she continued, "Auntie, do you have something on your mind?" Apart from the Heavenly Sovereign, she was very perceptive towards others; even a small sigh or a slightly subdued tone could be discerned by her.