Zi'an didn't want to stay too long, so he said, "Your Majesty is busy with affairs, so I won't bother you any more. I haven't seen my mother for a long time, and I want to talk to her, so I'll take my leave first!"
The emperor said sympathetically, "Yes, you have been in Beimo for almost two months. Go ahead. She is now in Xiwei Palace. I will ask someone to take you there."
Zi'an could hear his almost inaudible relaxation, and it was obvious that the emperor didn't want to face her.
The emperor summoned Eunuch Lu and ordered him to take her there.
Zi'an bowed and slowly walked out.
A row of pine trees were planted in front of the imperial study. They grew well and stood tall like a canopy, blocking out the scorching sun.
Zi'an walked through the pine forest and followed Eunuch Lu out.
Eunuch Lu was also obviously relieved. He said quietly, "I thought the princess would ask about the Empress Dowager."
Zi'an said, "These matters are not something I can interfere with."
"This is the Emperor's decision. It is not for the ministers to question. But the Emperor is really fed up with everyone always asking about this matter, especially Prince Li, who has come to ask about this matter ten times."
Yes, although this matter has nothing to do with other people, how important is it to confer a title on a queen dowager? Some old officials will definitely ask for clarification, and according to Prince Li's personality, he will not give up unless he explains the reason.
Zi'an didn't answer, but Eunuch Lu spoke up instead, "In fact, the emperor's action is not absurd. Empress Dowager Shengde was married to the late emperor as the crown princess, so she was considered the late emperor's first wife. Although she was later deposed, she was still the late emperor's wife. Moreover, Empress Dowager Shengde has reformed over the years. In the absence of an empress dowager in the harem, making her the empress dowager is... a show of filial piety on the part of the emperor, and it makes sense."
After hearing this, Zi'an felt really sorry for Eunuch Lu. He probably couldn't even convince himself because his tone was very difficult throughout the whole speech, and his logic was not that clear. At best, it could only be regarded as a dead chicken trying to support a pot lid.
Especially when talking about the emperor's filial piety, he himself was speechless, because if it was filial piety, the emperor would never support Concubine Xi as the empress dowager. She was the abandoned concubine of the late emperor. Supporting her as the empress dowager would be going against the late emperor's wishes, which is extremely unfilial.
The emperor knew that this would bring him infamy, but he still insisted on doing it. It can be seen that he was really forced into a corner and was trying hard to get out of this predicament.
Arriving at Xiwei Palace, Zi'an could only wait in the main hall while Eunuch Lu went to find Princess Danqing and Xia Lin.
After a while, the two followed Eunuch Lu out.
Xia Lin was very excited to see Zi'an, "Sister, you are finally back. Linlin missed you so much."
Zi'an looked at his brother with a smile. He saw that although he was in good spirits, his face was a little pale. He couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with you? The food and drink in the palace are all very good, why do you look so pale?"
Xia Lin smiled innocently, "I missed my elder sister and couldn't sleep at night."
"Fool!" Zi'an pinched his face, but saw that his eyes were evasive. He knew that he was hiding something, so he didn't ask any more questions and just looked at Princess Danqing.
The county princess also looked unwell, with severe bruises under her eyes, which showed that she was frightened in the palace.
She held Zi'an's hand and seemed very excited, "I'm glad you're back."
Outside the hall, Eunuch Lu sent the servants away and stood outside waiting.
Zi'an knew what he was thinking, and he was probably hiding this from the Emperor.
"How is mother?" Zi'an asked.
Princess Danqing held Zi'an's hand all the way. Her hands were very cold, and her wide sleeves almost covered her hands. When Zi'an touched the paper, he took her hand and put the note into his sleeve pocket.
"Okay, mother is fine, but you look thinner. It must be hard to go to Beimo, right?" The county princess' eyes were full of worry and uneasiness.
"No matter how hard it is, it will all pass," said Zi'an.
"That's good. That's good."
Zi'an knew that her mother had probably written down everything she wanted to say, so she didn't ask anything else, only asking Xia Lin, "Linlin, have you been obedient in the palace? Have you ever made the emperor unhappy?"
Xia Lin pouted, "Big sister, you are looking down on me. The emperor doesn't know how much he likes me."
Zi'an pinched his cheek and said, "Eat more and grow some meat back."
"Yeah, I eat meat for every meal." Xia Lin said with a smile, looking indescribably innocent and cute.
Zi'an couldn't help but laugh, and looked at Princess Danqing. She was also looking at Xia Lin, but her eyes were full of worry.
Zi'an knew what was going on, and was anxious to read the note her mother had given her. Plus, with Eunuch Lu here, they couldn't say anything, so she stood up and said, "I have something else to do in the mansion, so I have to leave first."
The county lady stood up and looked at her earnestly, "Okay, be careful on the road."
Xia Lin was unhappy, "How long have you been here? Are you leaving again?"
The county lady said, "Don't be childish. My sister still has things to do. When she is done, she will come to the palace to see us."
Xia Lin looked at Zi'an, somewhat reluctantly, "Linlin wants to go back too."
The county lady smiled palely, "Okay, I'll pick you up after I'm done with my busy schedule."
Xia Lin shook Zi'an's arm, "I don't want to stay in the palace anymore, I want to go back."
Zi'an knew that the emperor would not let him leave the palace, and he had no way to take him away for the time being, so he said softly: "Okay, my eldest sister will come to pick you up after she is busy these few days. You must be obedient and listen to mother."
Seeing Zi'an also said this, Xia Lin said, "Then remember to pick me up."
Zi'an nodded and looked at the county lady. All he could say could only be one sentence, "Take care, mother."
"Yeah, you too!" The county lady said softly with red eyes.
Zi'an turned around, but Xia Lin suddenly grabbed her arm and said, "Sister, this place makes people uncomfortable..."
Eunuch Lu quickly interrupted him and said with a smile: "Master Xia, I will take you back."
Then, he said to Zi'an, "Princess, please."
Zi'an knew he had to leave, otherwise, he might not be able to come here to see them in the future.
When leaving Xiwei Palace, I saw Concubine Zhao Sun Fang'er in the yard.
Sun Fang'er came out from the side hall, followed by two guards.
When the masters of the palace went out, they always brought the palace maids with them, but she brought the guards with her.
Zi'an knew her situation to some extent, and just bowed slightly, "Greetings to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine Zhao."
Sun Fang'er hid her hands in her sleeves. The sunlight came down from the treetops. The long and thin pine needles cast layers of comb-like shadows on her face. There was not even a bit of sunlight in her eyes; they were dark, damp, empty and tasteless.
"If there is any news about Rouyao, please inform me immediately." Perhaps Sun Fang'er was not used to using the word "this palace", and she always said "I come and go".
"She'll be fine." Zi'an said, not to comfort Sun Fang'er, but because she firmly believed that Rouyao would be fine.
Sun Fang'er's eyes showed a hint of warmth. "Yes, I know. So, if you have any news about her, please be sure to tell me."
After saying that, she continued to roll up her sleeves and walked past Zi'an.
(End of this chapter)