Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Anyway, since he was already here, Hu Shanwei decided to give Empress Dowager Lu a try.
It just so happened that after a big quarrel with her son, Empress Dowager Lu has been in a state of "recuperation" recently, and Empress Ma sent Si Yan Haitang to the Cining Palace every day to pay her respects.
Empress Dowager Lu was tired of Haitang's face, but under pressure from Emperor Jianwen, she could not turn away the Queen's people, so she always asked her to say a few words behind the curtain and then sent her away.
But this morning, the person who came was not Haitang.
"How do you feel today, Queen?"
When Empress Dowager Lu heard this voice, she felt as if she had seen a ghost in the middle of the night and was a little scared. She had been ill these days, not only because of Emperor Jianwen's warning, but also because of Hu Shanwei's return.
Hearing this explosive news, Empress Dowager Lu immediately regretted her decision: If I had known this would happen... I shouldn't have opposed the Empress! Now that the Empress can't do anything to me and the Emperor is tired of always going back to the harem to deal with household affairs, the two of them invited Hu Shanwei, the guardian of the mountain, back!
Empress Dowager Lu could never forget how she had finally climbed to the position of Crown Princess in the Eastern Palace. She was in high spirits and invited the ladies from all the wealthy families in the capital to hold a peach blossom banquet in the Eastern Palace, enjoying the flattery of the ladies and ladies. Her years of planning finally paid off. When everything was going well, it was Hu Shanwei who kicked her off the cloud.
This kick meant that he was kept under house arrest in the Eastern Palace for three whole years.
This bloody lesson made Empress Dowager Lu feel like she had PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Whenever she heard this person's name or her voice, her blood pressure would rise and she would shiver.
Even through the beaded curtain, Empress Dowager Lu could sense Hu Shanwei's murderous aura and said quickly, "I feel much better now. No need to bother Consort Hu to come and pay her respects. Consort Hu is very busy with her official duties, but she still took the time to come and see me. I feel bad for her. Please go back to the Consort Bureau as soon as possible. The Queen still needs Consort Hu's help."
Empress Dowager Lu wished that Hu Shanwei would leave quickly, but not only did Hu Shanwei not leave, he came uninvited and went to the bedroom!
The two palace maids guarding the door wanted to stop her, but Hu Shanwei gave a look and the palace maids dared not move. Hu Shanwei's servants opened the door curtain and invited her in.
Three years have passed, and Hu Shanwei still has some influence in the harem. Moreover, she was invited back by the emperor and empress this time, and before that, she spent all her family wealth to build a silver mountain to rescue people in the Yangtze River. Such courage and means made her popular in the harem. The palace people respected and feared her, and dared not to offend her.
How ridiculous! How ridiculous! Are you still from my Cining Palace? How dare you listen to her
Hu Shanwei has been here for three years. The 35-year-old Hu Shanwei is more mature than before. Perhaps it is because of his three years of traveling abroad, the temperament of his eyebrows and eyes is more open than before. At this age, he is energetic and experienced. It is the right time to start a career. Empress Dowager Lu seemed to see the three big words "not easy to mess with" written on her forehead.
A overwhelming pressure came towards her, and Empress Dowager Lu quickly sat up straight on the couch.
Hu Shanwei simply sat on the embroidered cushion beside the couch and moved closer to take a closer look. "I see that the Queen Mother has a ruddy complexion and is in high spirits. She seems to be in good health. I just entered the palace a few days ago and was very busy when I first took over the palace affairs. Now I can relax a little, so I came to see the Queen Mother and pay my respects to her."
Don't come here! I'm not sick, but I don't want to be frightened by you.
Empress Dowager Lu pretended to be calm and said, "It's nothing serious. It's probably because the weather is too hot and I can't stand the heat. I feel drowsy and listless all day. Now it's August and the weather is cooler, so I'll be fine. Concubine Hu doesn't need to visit me every day in the future."
"How could that be possible?" Hu Shanwei pretended to be friendly. "Now there are only eight main seats in the palace, including the Queen Mother. Those familiar faces have gone with Emperor Gaozu. I feel very lonely. Whenever I have free time in the future, I will come to talk to the Queen Mother."
The more Empress Dowager Lu's eyes flickered, the more suspicious Hu Shanwei felt she was.
You are threatening me! Empress Dowager Lu's heart was about to be overwhelmed, and she picked up the teacup to drink tea to hide her panic.
At this time, the palace maids from the Cining Palace also brought new tea to Hu Shanwei and served him snacks.
Empress Dowager Lu: Who asked you to serve tea and snacks? You were supposed to leave after just sitting for a while, but now you are eating and drinking. How long should I wait? You are so tactless, I will send you away tomorrow!
Hu Shanwei drank his tea slowly and methodically, praising, "The Queen Mother's tea is still the best."
Empress Dowager Lu resisted the urge to roll her eyes and praised Empress Ma against her will, "Your Majesty is filial, and if there is anything good, send it to the Cining Palace first."
After the last lesson, Empress Dowager Lu knew very well that her son held Empress Ma at the top of his heart and would not bear to see his wife suffer any grievances. Now, no matter what she said, she dared not shout about Empress Ma's faults to outsiders, and only spoke of the Empress's good points.
Hu Shanwei said: "The Queen Mother was very kind and filial. When Concubine Fan was buried, she gave her many gifts."
When Empress Dowager Lu heard about Consort Fan, her pupils suddenly contracted. She put down her teacup and sighed, "Consort Fan has served the court for many years and suddenly suffered such a disaster. I am also heartbroken. I just hope that Minister Bao of the Ministry of Justice can find the real culprit as soon as possible, so that Consort Fan can rest in peace in her grave."
Hu Shanwei thought, no matter how powerful Minister Bao is, can he find out what’s going on in the palace
Hu Shanwei also put down his teacup and said, "Today's weather is good, and the Queen Mother is recovering, so I will accompany her for a walk. Liu Siyao said that the elderly cannot always sit still, and should go out for a walk every day, until they sweat a little."
Empress Dowager Lu waved her hands and said, "I feel a little tired today, let's do it another day."
Hu Shanwei was shocked. "Your Majesty, you are tired so early in the morning? Are you feeling uncomfortable? I will call Liu Siyao to come and see you."
Empress Dowager Lu really didn't want to be "sick" anymore, so she hurriedly said, "I'm already well, but I didn't sleep well last night. I was exhausted and only slept for two shifts. I want to catch up on some sleep now."
Hu Shanwei showed no interest in her and sat on the embroidered cushion like a stubborn person. "I am tired from walking at night, and I can't sleep during the day. Otherwise, my days and nights will be reversed. This will not be good for a long time. It is better for me to walk with the Queen Mother, talk to her, drive away the sleepiness, and take a nap at noon."
Hu Shanwei practiced boxing every day to keep fit and had great strength. He almost dragged Empress Dowager Lu out of the palace.
This is truly my nemesis sent by God to punish me!
In fact, Empress Dowager Lu was not old at all. She was only 42 years old this year, only four years older than Hu Shanwei. It would not look good if she continued to pretend, so she had to reluctantly follow Hu Shanwei to the Imperial Garden.
In autumn, they appreciate chrysanthemums, but at this time the chrysanthemums have not yet bloomed, only buds. However, the water lilies in the pond are in full bloom, so the two of them strolled by the pond.
The Empress Dowager's trip was a grand procession, with some carrying incense, some holding silk canopies, some holding handkerchiefs, some serving tea, and some carrying spare clothes. There were more than fifty people in total, plus Hu Shanwei's entourage, so the scene was quite lively. However, there were more than sixty people who swam in the pond to admire the water lilies, and apart from the sound of footsteps, not even a cough could be heard.
Hu Shanwei supported Empress Dowager Lu with a humble and respectful attitude, but Empress Dowager Lu was trembling with fear. Walking on the pond waterside veranda, stepping on the stable wooden planks, Empress Dowager Lu always felt that Hu Shanwei would push her into the water in the next step. This didn't feel like walking on the veranda, but more like walking on thin ice.
However, it did not.
Hu Shanwei held the empress dowager steadily as they walked around the pond. When they saw a water lily that they liked, they asked the boatman in the pond to pick it and present it to the empress dowager.
Finally reaching the pavilion, Empress Dowager Lu breathed a sigh of relief. Hu Shanwei said to the people accompanying her, "Look, after walking around, the Empress Dowager looks much more energetic and her steps are lighter."
Everyone agreed.
Hu Shanwei smiled, "It seems to be really working. I will send the Queen Mother back to the Cining Palace. After she wakes up from her nap, I will go for a walk with her. There are only eight people serving in the palace now. I have a lot of free time. As long as the weather is good, I will come for a walk with her every day."
Twice a day? Every day
Walking requires physical strength for others, but walking costs your life!
Empress Dowager Lu was a little overwhelmed, and the two of them rested in the pavilion. Empress Dowager Lu dismissed everyone, "I haven't seen Concubine Hu for three years. Let's talk about some personal matters. You all leave."
Hu Shanwei also signaled his men to retreat.
As soon as everyone dispersed, an autumn breeze blew, carrying the water vapor from the pond, and the temperature in the pavilion immediately dropped a lot. Hu Shanwei considerately put a cloak made of bird feathers on Empress Dowager Lu. The cloak was as soft as the clouds in the sky. It was so light, but the moment it fell on her shoulders, it felt like being embraced by her lover, warm.
Empress Dowager Lu was a beauty lover. She couldn't help but touch the soft and delicate fabric and said, "This cloak is not an ordinary one."
Hu Shanwei began to tie the belt around the neck of the cloak to prevent the autumn wind from blowing it away. "Isn't it? This was given to Consort Fan by Empress Xiaoci. Later, when I was on duty for the first time, I was given the "Instructions/Admonitions of Consorts of Zhao and Song" to the royal family. The first one I gave was to the Prince of Yan's Mansion. It was drizzling that day. It was rumored that the Princess of Yan was a daughter of a general and had a fierce personality. I was unsure and a little timid, so Consort Fan gave me this feather coat to give me courage."
"This cloak is light and soft, and can also be used as a raincoat. As long as it's not raining heavily, the raindrops falling on it are like falling on lotus leaves. Just shake it gently, and the raindrops will roll off without sticking to your body."
When Hu Shanwei finished his last word, he suddenly pulled the belt and rushed towards Empress Dowager Lu's throat. Empress Dowager Lu was so frightened that the air got stuck in her throat, unable to go up or down, just like being hanged.
Fortunately, the strap slid down and stopped at the collarbone.
Empress Dowager Lu's heart felt like it was punched. Her face turned pale and she covered her chest. "Don't be so hypocritical. I know you still hate the rumor that you and Ji Gang had an affair. Now you suspect that I have something to do with the death of Concubine Fan. You have a prejudice against me, and I have no way to defend myself. But after you returned to the palace, you also saw my current situation. I have no power and no influence. No one listens to me. I am even manipulated by a Concubine like you."
"Hu Shang Gong has been in the palace for fifteen years and has seen a lot of things. Do you think that the Empress Dowager, who is worshipped like a clay Buddha in the Cining Palace by the Emperor and Empress, is capable of following Shang Gong Fan, sinking a ship in the river, and locking the door?"
"The little influence I had in the palace was eliminated by the late Emperor three years ago during the reign of Emperor Hongwu. In the past three years, I have been recuperating in the Eastern Palace and have not left the house. All the old people in the Eastern Palace have been replaced by Concubine Fan, all of whom were spies of the late Emperor. I am now a crab without claws and cannot hurt others. If you don't believe me, go and read the resumes of the palace staff in the Palace Bureau. You are very clear about the methods used by Emperor Gaozu back then. All the old people in the Eastern Palace were driven away, and now the Eastern Palace is full of newcomers who have only been in office for three years. I can't fool you."
Of course Hu Shanwei had seen this before, but when Empress Dowager Lu was the Crown Princess, she might not have been able to bribe the palace maids to work for her, but when she became the Empress Dowager, everything was different...
Seeing that Hu Shanwei didn't believe her, Empress Dowager Lu quickly continued to clear herself, "It's really not me who killed Concubine Fan. If Concubine Hu doesn't believe me... I will tell you a fatal secret."
Empress Dowager Lu leaned close to Hu Shanwei's ear and said, "Before the late emperor died, he asked Concubine Fan to secretly give me a pot of poisoned wine and take me away with him."
Upon hearing this, Hu Shanwei was moved: "Yes! I knew that with Emperor Gaozu's character, there was no way he would let go of Empress Dowager Lu, a hidden danger!"
Empress Dowager Lu continued, "But I didn't drink the poisoned wine. Concubine Hu should understand what happened. It was the emperor who stopped it. I was confused, but I am his mother after all."
"I really want to get rid of Lady Fan, but I am powerless. As for who killed Lady Fan, Lady Hu is very smart, so I don't need to say it clearly, right?"
The author has something to say: Have a nice weekend everyone, I will give out 100 red envelopes tonight~