Chapter 3, A decade of life and death in a small ghostly window

The Empress Dowager opened her eyes and said, "You are a good child"

Ting You gently rubbed her face against the hands of the old matriarch, which were already covered with brown spots, and said, "Therefore, the ancestor must take good care of herself and look after Ting You."

After a moment, Ting You personally led the palace maids who brought up a square plate made of purple sandalwood with golden corners, containing four small dishes of delicacies

Seeing Empress Dowager Jing in this way, Tingyou truly felt that she should say a few words; otherwise, she would be failing the expectations of her ancestors. If anything were to happen to Empress Dowager Jing, it is feared that the ancestors would not find peace in the afterlife. "The ancestors said that, in fact, the Emperor is also very filial to the Empress." Of course, Tingyou's own words lacked persuasive power, but the words of the ancestors still held weight.

Huang and Zheng approached cautiously, presenting tea and a cloth, while their eyes, filled with emotion, never left Emperor Dingxi. However, the emperor seemed to show no particular reaction, leading Tingyou to ponder that the imperial harem is truly a difficult place to navigate.

The Empress Dowager cast a glance, and the red, yellow, white, and green colored porcelain dishes were neatly arranged on the kang table. Just the sight of these colors brought a refreshing feeling to the heart. Beside the dishes stood a slender white porcelain vase, about the height of a palm, containing a fresh flower that was white with green accents, which added to the overall freshness.

Before dinner, Huang Cairen from Yongning Palace and Zheng Xiaoyi from Jingxiu Palace came together to pay their respects. These two individuals were known to Tingyou; both were daughters of the Jing family, relatives by marriage. Three years ago, when Tingyou passed away, the Empress Dowager summoned talents and personally selected these two to enter the palace, also as helpers for Tingyou. The reason Tingyou was considered a rare find was that daughters from the Jing family had always been scarce; in this generation, there was only Tingyou, with no illegitimate daughters. Therefore, the Jing family devoted great effort to cultivate Tingyou.

Ting You pondered for a moment. The Empress Dowager had so openly placed spies around Emperor Dingxi, yet he still treated her with respect. It cannot be said that he feared her; after all, there was neither a debt of life nor a debt of nurturing. How could the Empress Dowager still possess such power today? Ting You had no choice but to agree with the old lady's words

However, the old lady's gaze began to lose focus, and she could no longer hear what Ting You was saying. Just two days later, she passed away.

During lunch, the kitchen matron of Cining Palace came to request the imperial decree, inquiring what should be sent to the Emperor for his meal today. The imperial kitchen in this palace is essentially a facade; others believe that the dishes produced must be exquisite delicacies, yet in reality, it is merely chicken, duck, fish, and meat served daily, without any special cooking methods. Most of the time, the food is simply boiled with salt in an iron pot. The iron pot is sandwiched between two scorching iron plates, so when the Emperor calls for the meal, the iron plate is removed, and hot dishes are sent at any time. However, such a method cannot yield delicious food. Therefore, the dishes sent from the imperial kitchen are merely for show; the Emperor truly dines on meals sent from the small kitchens of the Empress Dowager or the Imperial Concubines.

Ting You respectfully greeted Her Majesty the Empress, wishing her boundless blessings and peace. Ting You knelt down on one knee.

The Empress Dowager let out a "humph," neither affirming nor denying.

Ting You carefully observed the two young women; one was gentle and dignified, while the other was charming and innocent, embodying the grace of all the daughters in the world. It can be said that the Empress Dowager had put in great effort, yet after three years in the palace, the highest rank they had achieved was merely that of a fifth-grade talent, truly a case of beautiful jade being buried.

In the twelfth lunar month, someone arrived at the old home in Yong'an, bringing the news of the matriarch's passing. Everyone was taken aback, hastily replacing the festive red decorations for the New Year with plain white. The elder was informed of the mourning period and decided to return to his hometown to tend to the grave. The father of Tingyou and his uncles were also required to observe a year of mourning.

When the Empress Dowager woke up from her nap, she did not see Ting You. She casually asked, and Song Gu Gu replied with a smile, "The young lady noticed that the princess's appetite was not good, so she personally went to the kitchen to prepare a few hometown snacks for the princess."

The old lady's expression turned cold, "What nonsense! Are you trying to learn from the foolishness of Xian Niang? The current emperor has been on the throne for ten years. Just look at the state of the world today; there is already a trend of good governance. Having such an emperor is a blessing for the common people. In my opinion, the emperor indeed possesses the qualities of a benevolent ruler; otherwise, with Xian Niang's temperament, anyone else would have..." The old lady could not bear to speak of the empress dowager's fate.

The two had barely finished a cup of tea when a young eunuch came to deliver the news that Emperor Dingxi was on his way to Cining Palace. Huang Cairen quickly adjusted her hair with one hand, while Zheng Xiaoyi hurriedly smoothed the slightly wrinkled corners of her garment. Tingyou noticed the anticipation in their eyes, as if they were experiencing a long-awaited spring rain, having been parched for quite some time.

After waiting in the pavilion and crying enough, the girl handed her a towel to cover her eyes, allowing the two grandparents and grandchildren to calm down and have a conversation.

"Your Highness, how..." Ting You gazed at the frail appearance of Empress Dowager Jing and could not help but take a couple of steps forward

The Empress Dowager sighed as she held Ting You's hand, saying, "In the palace, a woman can only truly rely on her own children."

What the ancestors said is that it is the pavilion that is confused and muddled

Ting You recalled the man's abhorrence, "If it weren't for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager back then, whether the current Emperor could sit on the Dragon Throne is still debatable. Now, treating the Empress Dowager like this..."

The pavilion quietly listened, not daring to speak, knowing in her heart that such words could not be uttered to the Empress Dowager by anyone. Encountering her own maternal relatives, who were inevitably tied to her by the same fate, she naturally felt the urge to confide. Such pent-up frustrations always need an outlet.

As expected, the old lady had to resort to this strategy to summon Tingyou back from the capital. Although she could discern the contradictions between the Empress Dowager and Emperor Dingxi from subtle clues, neither Lord Jing nor Master Jing possessed such insight. They merely hoped to place Tingyou in the palace while the Empress Dowager was still alive, in the hope of securing the Jing family's wealth and status for the future. Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager was intent on finding a helper. With both sides working together, the old lady found herself powerless and had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure.

Upon re-entering the Pavilion of Tranquility in Cining Palace, Tingyou was completely unprepared for the sight of Empress Dowager Jing, who three years ago had been radiant and resplendent, now seemingly aged by a decade. Her skin was no longer smooth, and even some brown spots had appeared, suggesting that her life had been far from satisfactory. However, Empress Dowager Jing was not yet forty years old, and to see her in such a frail state truly shocked Tingyou.

The people from my hometown specifically mentioned that the old matriarch, before her passing, expressed her longing for Tingyou and left a message requesting that she return home to observe a three-year mourning period. According to tradition, the old matriarch is Tingyou's great-grandmother, and the mourning period is typically only three months. However, considering that she was raised by the old matriarch, a three-year mourning period for the elderly is not an excessive request. Lord Jing looked at Tingyou with some difficulty.

Ah You, I know your heart is in pain, but this is the fate of the women of the Jing family. The Jing family has been prosperous for over a hundred years, all thanks to the daughters of the Jing family. As for the men in our family, you are well aware that none of them have amounted to anything. They are all my blood, how can I bear to see you suffer, Ah You, it can only be you who endures this hardship, do not blame me. The old lady, whose hands have withered to nothing but skin, used all her strength to grasp Ting You's hand, her eyes filled with pleading.

She is indeed thoughtful said Empress Dowager Jing with a smile

Ting You may not be aware of whether she is a good child, but she is certainly a child who knows how to adapt to circumstances. A dead camel is still bigger than a horse; after all, Empress Dowager Jing is the foremost figure in the harem, and moreover, she is the one most often on the mind of the ancestors. While the ancestors were alive, Ting You often complained that the old lady was too cruel in insisting on sending her into the wolf's den, but after her passing, all that remained in her heart was the love and care the ancestors had for her.

The old lady smiled, albeit with a hint of bitterness, saying, "Xian Niang is a good child in every way, but she is just too strong-willed. How many years has it been? She has unnecessarily damaged the bond between mother and child."

In such circumstances, Tingyou naturally could not continue speaking. Those who are accustomed to high positions have long ceased to heed the advice of others. Tingyou felt that it was indeed very wise of the ancestors to prevent her from entering the palace back in the day

The granddaughter is willing to observe mourning for the old lady, who raised her with great care. Before she could even think of the blessings for her, ... ... Tingyou's eyes have already swollen to resemble peaches. Since hearing the news of the old lady's passing last night, she has been the one who cried the hardest.

The life of Tingyou was given by her parents and nurtured by her ancestors. The ancestors need not worry; Tingyou will protect the Jing family. Tingyou grasped the hand of the old matriarch, whose once strong hand that could wield a ruler to chase her has now grown weak and feeble.

The Empress Dowager gazed at the increasingly vibrant and lively young woman before her, "Rise."

Disregarding the New Year, both Lord Jing and Lord Da personally took Ting You on the journey back to Yong'an. They traveled through wind and snow, arriving only after the Lantern Festival. Everyone secretly felt relieved, as it was winter and the body was not easily decomposed. The old matriarch remained at home, awaiting the return of her filial sons and virtuous grandsons before she could be buried.

Upon entering the mourning hall, one is greeted by an expansive white curtain that stretches from the ground to the sky. In the center is a large character for "sacrifice" (奠), beneath which is a portrait of the matriarch that she had painted during her lifetime. The thought of never seeing the matriarch's visage again brings forth another wave of tears from Tingyou. It is only natural for Lord Jing to wish to see the late lady's remains. The steward of the family leads Lord Jing and Lord Jing into the curtain, while Tingyou, already dressed in white mourning attire, kneels before the hall to burn paper offerings for the matriarch.

Ting You resides in the Jing residence, and everything is well. Everyone knows that she is a noble lady who will enter the palace in the future, and they all show her a degree of respect. However, she still feels constrained, especially thinking of the old matriarch back in her hometown of Yong'an, and she wonders how her health is faring.

If it weren't for your father's lack of ambition, I would not have the heart to send you to the palace. Three years ago, you refused to listen to me, stubbornly betting your own body, and in the future, you will likely have to endure even more. You, my child... The old lady's spirit was clearly waning, and her words began to become somewhat disjointed.

The Empress Dowager looked at Ting You with eyes full of concern and questions, and with a bitter smile said, "The women in this palace age quickly"

The old lady struggled to raise her hand and gently caressed Tingyou's face, "On the surface, you appear elegant and composed, but deep down, you are quite eccentric. Grandmother truly cannot rest easy about you"

"Alright, grandfather knows you are a filial one." The elder instructed the maid beside him to help Tingyou up, and the family remained silent, with only occasional sighs breaking the stillness.

The Empress Dowager introduced Tingyou to the two young ladies, and they became close to each other, discussing their ages. Tingyou, being younger, referred to them as elder sisters. The Huang and Zheng sisters were astonished by Tingyou's grace and, knowing that she was the Empress Dowager's own grandniece, they realized that they would likely rely on her in the future. Therefore, they treated Tingyou with exceptional warmth and flattery.

Ting You, now bearing the virtue of filial piety, naturally cannot participate in the selection of maidens. The custom of our dynasty is to hold the selection every five years. Having missed this opportunity, Ting You will be twenty years old, and will no longer be eligible to participate. This puts both Lord Jing and Ting You's father, Lord Jing Da, in a difficult position

After having cried enough last time, this time, when truly facing the death of the old lady, Ting You had calmed down considerably. She meticulously arranged the old lady's funeral affairs and insisted on observing a three-month mourning period for her before finally setting off to return to the capital with the people who had come to urge her.

Have you read the latest report? After the old lady took a sip of ginseng soup, her spirits improved slightly

This is to say that everything she does is to repay the grace of life and the grace of nurturing. Although the old lady felt a pang in her heart upon hearing this, she could not say anything further.

Upon hearing such words, Ting You thought that this Empress Dowager was likely not only trying to intervene in the court but also wanted to contend with Emperor Dingxi within the inner palace. It seemed that she was eager to see whether the Emperor's favor or the Dowager's affection was more effective, and surely, she would feel uneasy if there was a day without conflict.

The Empress does not speak, but Tingyou also wishes to stay by the Empress's side to hear more teachings. Tingyou is fully attentive in her engagement with the Empress Dowager

Look at the Jingkang Grand Princess; she merely gave birth to a son, yet the Emperor specially granted the Duke of Zhuo permission to take her out for a life of honor and comfort. Now, she is enjoying a life even more blessed than mine. The Empress Dowager recalled seeing the Jingkang Grand Princess during the recent Longevity Festival, where she no longer bore the pale and dim appearance from her years in the palace. Instead, she was radiant and glowing, her smile seemingly uncontainable.

In the quiet of the pavilion, one contemplates that power indeed nurtures individuals. Over the past two years, the Empress Dowager and Emperor Dingxi have engaged in increasingly fierce struggles, ultimately leading the Emperor to eliminate all her supporters, allowing her to live a comfortable and peaceful old age in the Cining Palace

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Empress Dowager Jing in a seemingly harmonious manner, Emperor Diding's gaze finally swept towards the place where Tingyou stood. It seemed as if he had been pondering for a long time without arriving at a conclusion, and he squinted his eyes before speaking: "Mother, there seems to be a newcomer in the palace, who looks somewhat familiar."

The old lady has raised Tingyou since childhood, how could she not know her innermost thoughts? Although she is now willing to promise to protect the Jing family, her heart remains unsettled. Such an outstanding great-granddaughter, with Empress Jing in the palace, would be a legitimate and favored wife no matter which family she marries into, destined to be the future head of the household. However, once she enters the palace, she can only struggle in the storms, unable to even guarantee a peaceful night's sleep.

Ting You nodded slightly, noting that the Di Bao serves as a barometer of the court's political climate. The faction close to the Empress Dowager has gradually faded from the Di Bao in recent years, especially during this year's Jingcha. A discerning observer can easily see that the Empress Dowager's influence has waned significantly.

Time flies, and after the twenty-seventh month of the removal of the medicine, the old master set off back to the capital. Ting You observed that the old lady's health was deteriorating day by day, and naturally, she was unwilling to leave, wanting to personally attend to the preparation of the medicinal soup.

Respectfully, the Empress Dowager ordered the delivery of four dishes and one soup. The several imperial concubines residing in the Cining Palace also each sent two dishes. Observing that the Empress Dowager appeared listless and had only consumed a small bowl of rice porridge for lunch, Tingyou went to the kitchen of the Cining Palace while she took her afternoon nap and personally prepared several hometown snacks from Yong'an.

"Ancestral Grandmother." Ting You could not help but rush into the embrace of Old Lady Jing, crying out: "I thought..."

Since you are here, please keep me company for a while. In this palace, I cannot find anyone to talk to, and those sycophants are of no help to me, as they are all busy currying favor with the Emperor

The Empress Dowager picked up a piece of white radish cake from the green plate, which had tiny red specks on it, the small chili peppers favored by Yong'an cuisine. She took a small bite, closed her eyes as if savoring the taste, and after a long while, she sighed: "I never expected that after so many years, I could still taste the flavor of the dishes made by the old lady."

The ancestor's greatest concern at home is the Empress, often pointing to various pastries and saying that they were the Empress's favorites when she was at home, and Tingyou has also learned some of this from the ancestor

The old lady gently stroked Tingyou's hair and said, "Silly child, I have no choice in this matter. This is something that will inevitably come; what difference does it make whether it is a few years earlier or later"

Tears could not help but flow down Ting You's face, "A You understands, ancestor, my life was given to me by my parents"

After a while, Tingyou looked up and saw that the expressions of Lord Jing and Master Jing, which had earlier been filled with sorrow, suddenly changed to one of calmness. She felt a lingering doubt in her heart. By evening, when the steward personally came to invite her, Tingyou finally realized the truth upon seeing the living presence of the old lady in her upper chamber.

After Emperor Dingxi entered, Tingyou stood up with the crowd, subtly raising his chin to glance at Emperor Dingxi. After three years, his brows and eyes seemed to have softened somewhat, exuding a quality akin to the resilience of fragrant wood and the luster of jade, with the grace of a crane and the strength of a dragon. Although he appeared somewhat gentler on the surface, every gesture and movement further emphasized the undeniable majesty of an emperor. Perhaps it was due to the diminishing constraints over the years and his increasingly independent decision-making that he cultivated the current demeanor of external gentleness combined with internal strength.