Chapter Twenty-One: Morning Greetings
Consort Yu slapped Wei Baozhen’s hand without hesitation. Having learned some martial arts, her strength was considerable compared to other women; Wei Baozhen’s hand immediately reddened.
“Mother, what are you doing? Don’t you know how strong you are? Look at what you’ve done!” Wei Baozhen rubbed the back of her hand, feeling aggrieved. Consort Yu smiled awkwardly. “I just got a bit worked up. Who told you to speak so carelessly? Really, is it such a great story for noblewomen of the imperial clan to excel in commerce?”
Wei Baozhen sighed helplessly. “Where are your thoughts wandering? I’m not foolish; I was just speaking with you. Besides, for a woman, having such abilities is truly a way to secure her place in the world. I don’t see anything wrong with it.”
“All right, my little ancestor, whatever the case, just don’t speak recklessly. Who knows, maybe Princess Kangping doesn’t like others mentioning it. Just be prudent in your actions; don’t make enemies without realizing it.”
Though she nagged her daughter, Consort Yu gently rubbed Wei Baozhen’s hand with concern, regretting her heavy hand.
“Fine, I understand, Mother. Go on with your matters and rest well. Tonight’s family banquet will likely be lively—who knows when it will end. My hand is fine now.”
Seeing there was no lasting mark on her daughter’s hand, Consort Yu finally relaxed.
With the Empress Dowager and Wei Baofu returned, people in the palace watched quietly, not all malicious, but eager to gather information for their own protection—better to be prepared than to be caught unaware.
The Empress Dowager truly felt unwell and rested in the Palace of Benevolent Peace, leaving Madam Feng to arrange the belongings with the palace maids and eunuchs. Wei Baofu returned to her own side hall—side hall in name only, for it was spacious enough for her.
“Madam, which outfit shall we wear for tonight’s family banquet? Do you have any other plans?” Now that Wei Baofu was in the palace, her attendants were alert—having served here before, they knew well how treacherous these waters could be.
Wei Baofu replied calmly, “No other plans. Wear the palace attire prepared by the Empress. It’s not flamboyant, but it’s appropriate for a princess, so there should be no mistake. Since it’s a family banquet, there’s no need for heavy makeup; something fresh will do.”
Having just entered the palace, she wanted to keep a low profile. If not for the Empress’s initial provocation, she wouldn’t have shown her sharpness. But too much aggression is no virtue; always appearing difficult to handle isn’t wise.
“Madam, what do you think the Emperor intends by having the Empress and consorts greet us, yet not appearing himself or with the crown prince and princesses, only to arrange a family banquet tonight?” Wei Baofu instinctively sought to analyze his motives.
Madam Qian smiled, “The Emperor is ruler of the realm; how could we servants know his thoughts? You need not worry about his intentions. Allowing the Empress Dowager to return is already his concession. From now on, we must respond as circumstances demand.”
Wei Baofu nodded; that was all she could do now. In the Emperor’s eyes, her status was probably unwelcome, and more difficulties might await. There was little use in overthinking.
Meanwhile, the Emperor listened as a young eunuch described in detail what had happened at the palace gates. Zhang Dewang attended nearby, observing the monarch’s expressionless face and guessing at his mood.
The Emperor tossed aside the memorials and said with a faint smile, “She’s a bold girl, worthy indeed of being Old Third’s daughter. Zhang Dewang, you’ve interacted with her—how does my Princess Duanhui compare to her?”
Zhang Dewang was somewhat at a loss. Princess Duanhui was not lacking, but she had been raised in the deep palace, clever yet without hardship, while Princess Kangping could manage affairs and uphold the family, a true pillar. The two couldn’t really be compared.
The Emperor disliked empty flattery, and Zhang Dewang knew this, so he answered tactfully, “I haven’t spent much time with the princess, so I can’t claim to know her well. She is indeed responsible. Princess Duanhui is certainly not inferior, but their circumstances are different and not suited to comparison.”
The Emperor smiled unconcernedly, “It’s not as if I can’t accommodate talent. If she’s worthy, I’m happy to see her thrive. Prepare more gifts; as her uncle, I mustn’t seem stingy at our first meeting.”
Zhang Dewang sensed a deeper meaning but couldn’t grasp it, so let the matter drop. The Emperor continued, “Send someone to keep watch. Once the Empress Dowager has rested, I’ll pay my respects. The proper rites must not be neglected; after all, we haven’t seen each other for many years.”
The last words were spoken softly—had Zhang Dewang not been nearby, he might not have heard them. The Emperor needed no reply, only silent attendance.
Perhaps because she hadn’t returned in so long, the Empress Dowager found the bed in the Palace of Benevolent Peace unfamiliar and couldn’t sleep soundly. She gave up resting, and Madam Feng helped her up. The older she grew, the less she liked unfamiliar maids around, and Madam Feng bore the extra burden.
“Do you think the Emperor will come to pay his respects?” Madam Feng paused while combing her hair, uncertain. “He should. Since he’s invited you back, why be aloof? If he doesn’t come, it would be unfilial.”
The Empress Dowager replied coldly, “He sits securely on the throne now and cares little for others’ opinions. Now we must see if he still values any meager mother-son affection.”
Madam Feng had no answer and didn’t know how to comfort her.
“Go and invite the princess. If the Emperor comes, it’s best. If not, we must carefully discuss when to depart.”
“Yes, I’ll send for the princess.” Madam Feng sometimes felt helpless. She had served the Empress Dowager all her life, witnessing her glory and now her loneliness, but such is the rise and fall of life; though she felt pain, words of comfort failed her.
Just as Madam Feng instructed the maids, a eunuch arrived to announce the Emperor’s visit. The Empress Dowager heard the commotion and instinctively stood, her fingers trembling. She didn’t understand her feelings, but her body was honest, moving toward the outer room.
The Emperor strolled into the Palace of Benevolent Peace, looking around at the familiar yet strange surroundings with a composed expression. Since the Empress Dowager had moved to the summer palace, he hadn’t been here; now, returning stirred mixed emotions.
Seeing the Empress Dowager, the Emperor did not neglect ceremony. He quickly bowed, “Your son greets Mother.”
The Empress Dowager looked at the aging Emperor and seemed to see the child who once strove to impress her; so many years had passed in a blink.
“Rise, Emperor. I can’t endure such formalities from you,” she said, refusing to yield, suppressing her swirling thoughts and maintaining a cold demeanor.
The Emperor ignored her words and sat at the table. Madam Feng, ever attentive, poured tea. The Emperor took the cup and smiled, “Madam, you’re still so perceptive. The Empress Dowager is fortunate to have you.”
Madam Feng was startled, glanced cautiously at the Empress Dowager, and replied respectfully, “You praise me too highly, Your Majesty. I only do my duty.”
The Emperor nodded, amused. “Pity—so many others aren’t as clear-minded as you.”
He glanced meaningfully at the Empress Dowager and waved his hand. Before she could speak, he continued, “All of you, leave. I wish to speak privately with my mother.”
Madam Feng was uneasy, fearing no one would restrain the Empress Dowager’s temper. Yet she could not disobey, so she cast a worried look at her mistress, bowed, and withdrew, leaving mother and son alone.
“What is it you don’t dare let others hear? Or are you guilty, ashamed to face me?” The Empress Dowager pressed, and the Emperor dropped his public dignity, sneering, “Mother, why treat me so? We are both your sons, but you insisted on making distinctions. From birth, I was placed at your feet; even if raising a cat or dog, you’d develop feelings.”
Though the Empress Dowager regretted her past injustice, her resentment toward the Emperor had not lessened. “I never mistreated you, nor let you lack for food or clothes, and I helped you ascend the throne. What do you resent?”
The Emperor’s eyes reddened; he spoke with a hint of hysteria, “Resent? If my third brother hadn’t rejected the throne, would you have given me the chance? Favoritism is favoritism—why pretend otherwise?”
The Empress Dowager felt a pain in her chest, choking back tears. “You think I was partial, so everything your brother had, you had to take? Even to the point of destroying him? Do you have any humanity left?”
Seeing her distress, the Emperor calmed, straightened his clothes, and replied indifferently, “Mother, please be cautious. If I want something, a single edict will suffice; why must I snatch? As for accusations that I harmed my brother, do you have evidence? If not, please refrain from slandering me.”
The Empress Dowager felt suffocated, unable to breathe. Just as the Emperor was about to speak again, Zhang Dewang’s voice came from outside, “Your Majesty, Princess Kangping is concerned for the Empress Dowager’s health and requests an audience.”
The Emperor instinctively looked at his mother; seeing her pale, struggling to breathe, he hurried to help her sit and shouted, “Zhang Dewang, summon the imperial physician at once!”
He saw her face dark as ink and eyes full of worry; his heart inexplicably relaxed.
Wei Baofu had been urged over by Madam Feng, worried that the two alone might lead to trouble. But despite hurrying, the Empress Dowager had been upset. Wei Baofu ignored etiquette, pushed open the door, and rushed to her grandmother’s side.
She stroked the Empress Dowager’s chest, helping her breathe, and said, “Grandmother, don’t worry. Take deep breaths with me, slowly, don’t get angry. Think of me, think of Father. You must live well and see me married.”
Perhaps Wei Baofu’s method worked, for the Empress Dowager slowly recovered, and softly told the Emperor, “No need for the physician. If Your Majesty doesn’t care for reputation, I still don’t wish to be gossiped about.”