Chapter Twenty-Two: The Family Banquet (Part One)

The Emperor suddenly turned around upon hearing the words, gazing at the Empress Dowager. If she were to fall ill from anger right after returning to the palace, to the extent that an imperial physician must be summoned, he feared the censors would be relentless during tomorrow’s morning court.

“Mother, you need not worry. Your health comes first; no one here dares to act presumptuously.” The Emperor’s tone softened considerably, and the Empress Dowager gave him a deep glance before turning away, taking Wei Baofu’s hand.

“Baofu, help me lie down. I’ll be fine in a moment. The Emperor is busy with state affairs; I won’t delay you further.” The Empress Dowager did not wish to explain herself. She did not care what the Emperor might think at this moment.

The Emperor squeezed his now freed hand and pretended to be unconcerned, folding it behind him. Only now did he seem to notice Wei Baofu, studying her carefully. Wei Baofu’s appearance was outstanding—beautiful, but not in an aggressive or overpowering manner.

She seemed somewhat familiar to him, and the faint displeasure he felt toward her lessened. “Kangping will be coming of age this year, won’t she?” he asked with apparent casualness. The Empress Dowager’s grip on Wei Baofu’s hand tightened.

Wei Baofu kept her head lowered, first helping the Empress Dowager onto the bed, then kneeling respectfully. “In answer to Your Majesty, I will come of age at the end of the year. I was overly worried for my grandmother just now and behaved improperly. I beg Your Majesty’s pardon.”

Now that the Empress Dowager was out of danger, the Emperor, too, regained his earlier composure, sitting leisurely in his chair, chin propped on his hand as he regarded Wei Baofu, smiling lightly. “Rise. You need not be so reserved before me. Your eyes resemble your mother’s greatly. My fourth prince also resembles his mother.”

Wei Baofu had never met the fourth prince, but hearing this, she sensed an underlying meaning she dared not openly express. She replied vaguely, “Consort Shu and my mother are twin sisters by birth; it’s only natural that we resemble each other.”

“Sit down,” the Emperor said. “I still remember your father once told me he would host a grand coming-of-age ceremony for you. Though he is gone now, you still have me, your imperial uncle. I will see to it that your ceremony is held splendidly.”

Wei Baofu felt puzzled—the Emperor’s attitude toward her seemed different from what she had anticipated. Could it be her appearance made him more kindly disposed? She dared not dwell on it.

She replied cautiously, “Thank you, Your Majesty. I am well and ask for nothing more. As long as my grandmother remains healthy and our family prospers, that is all I wish for.” The Emperor laughed heartily at her words.

“Indeed, daughters are always more attentive. If your father were still here, he would surely treasure you dearly. With you by Mother’s side, I am at ease. From now on, address me directly as Imperial Uncle. We are family; there is no need for formality.”

The Empress Dowager silently watched from the side. She longed to interrupt their conversation, but could not. Should rumors spread that the Emperor disliked the Princess, it would do them no good. She could only restrain herself and listen quietly.

Zhang Dewang had already brought the imperial physician. He entered, surprised to hear the Emperor’s laughter, and spoke in a controlled tone, “Your Majesty, the imperial physician has arrived. May he examine the Empress Dowager at once?”

The Empress Dowager instinctively wanted to refuse, but the Emperor spoke first. “Bring him in. The Empress Dowager is weary from travel; let the physician check her pulse for peace of mind.” With this, the matter was settled as a routine examination—no one could accuse the Emperor of being unfilial and angering his mother.

The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor in disbelief, her gaze unfamiliar and scrutinizing. Only then did she fully grasp that this man was now ruler of the realm, no longer the child she could treat coldly.

The imperial physician approached respectfully and checked her pulse. After a moment, he spoke with careful deliberation. “The Empress Dowager’s age is advanced, and the journey has naturally caused some fatigue. I will prescribe medicine for her to recuperate; there is no serious concern.”

This physician was astute, knowing precisely what to say and what to omit. Though the Empress Dowager’s condition stemmed from anger, he attributed it to fatigue. Fortunately, she had calmed and did not mind the physician’s gentle deception.

“Will tonight’s family banquet be affected?” The banquet had been specially arranged by the Emperor, a declaration of the Empress Dowager’s return. Neither she nor the Emperor wished to miss it needlessly. The physician replied respectfully, “As long as no alcohol is consumed and she retires early, there will be no issue.”

Both were reassured. Once the physician took his leave, the Emperor acted as though nothing had happened, smiling as he said, “I’ll accompany Mother to the front hall later. Kangping, take extra care. I trust Mother will be fine—my princes and princesses are all eager to see their grandmother.”

Though the Empress Dowager disliked pretending harmony with the Emperor, circumstances favored her, so she had to compromise. “It has been so long since I last saw the children. They are grown now, and the Crown Prince is of age to choose a consort, is he not?”

The Emperor seemed unenthusiastic about the Crown Prince; his smile faded. “The Crown Prince’s marriage is the Empress’s concern. If I meddle too much, she may become uneasy.” From this, the Empress Dowager gleaned the nature of their marital relationship.

“He is the heir to the throne; Your Majesty should pay more attention. As for Baofu, I must also consider her future. Do you have any thoughts, Your Majesty?” The Empress Dowager wanted to see if the Emperor would intervene.

The Emperor glanced at Wei Baofu. She was beautiful, but had the ability to keep herself unobtrusive. “Mother, don’t discuss such matters in front of the child. It might embarrass her. If you have a suitable candidate, let me see first. Marrying off princesses is not the same as princes choosing consorts—it must be handled with greater caution.”

His attitude indicated he intended to be involved. The Empress Dowager was not greatly disappointed and nodded lightly. Wei Baofu had anticipated this; she was not anxious by nature, preferring to wait and see before making plans.

With the Emperor’s arrival at the Palace of Benevolent Tranquility, the ladies of the harem were all notified. This signaled to everyone that the Empress Dowager was not to be easily offended—at least the Emperor still regarded her with some affection.

When the scheduled family banquet hour arrived, the ladies of each palace brought their children. Though the Emperor was not known for his fondness of beauty, the gathering was sizeable, with five princes and three princesses arriving early.

The Crown Prince was attended by a concubine, which, though not outrageous, was a breach of decorum. The Empress was displeased.

The Fourth Prince, Wei Qi, wore a cheerful expression, appearing just like any ordinary young man, teasing the Fifth Prince beside him. The brothers were harmonious. Since Consort Yao had not yet appeared, the Third Prince, left alone, was somewhat dejected and clearly discontent with the scene in the hall.

The eldest princess, Wei Baohua, attended to the Empress. Her mother was a low-ranking noblewoman, formerly the Empress’s maid, with no familial support. Thus, the mother and her children could only rely on the Empress.

Wei Baohua noticed Wei Baozhen and Wei Baoyue whispering to one another, feeling uneasy. She murmured to the Empress, “Mother, now that Second and Third Sisters are grown, how can they be so indiscreet, whispering and gossiping at such an occasion? If outsiders saw, wouldn’t it damage the royal dignity?”

The Empress had no patience for such trivialities and replied irritably, “Their mothers are from noble families and can guide them as they see fit. You needn’t fixate on petty matters. Put your energy into something useful.”

Wei Baohua, stung by the rebuke, felt even more aggrieved. The Empress surveyed the hall and asked in a low voice, “Why haven’t I seen your second brother? Where has he gone off to now?”

The Second Prince and the eldest princess had both been raised by the Empress, but never properly educated. She treated them as she would pets, calling them to her side when she had time. Their mother was timid and dared not offend the Empress, so despite their royal status, neither had any dignity.

The Second Prince, undisciplined and idle, had been sent away to establish his own residence early on. Though only seventeen, he was a wastrel, indulging in food and pleasure, seldom entering the palace.

“Mother, I don’t know where Second Brother has gone. He’s always carefree, and Father doesn’t bother with him. Let him be. But why has Crown Prince brought Concubine Tang? I’ve heard recently that this seductress is quite favored by him. If word gets out, it may not be a good thing.”

The Empress shot her a cold glance. “What’s so bad about it? The heir to the throne having a concubine is perfectly normal. Don’t spread alarm.”

The eldest princess was most afraid of incurring the Empress’s anger.

“But Crown Prince is choosing a consort soon. If this gets out, those noble ladies may refuse him. I’m only thinking of his best interests.” Though foolish, her words were not entirely without merit.

The Empress, annoyed, rubbed her forehead and said in a low voice, “Go to the Crown Prince. Tell him to send that seductress away. Don’t let the Emperor see her.” She was well aware of the Emperor’s growing dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince.

The eldest princess softly agreed and walked toward the Crown Prince. At that moment, he was distracted by the beauty at his side and was impatient when Wei Baohua approached. She wasted no words, delivering the Empress’s instructions directly.

Concubine Tang had worked hard to secure the Crown Prince’s permission to attend the banquet and was not about to leave. She clung to his sleeve, tears glistening, and said coquettishly, “Your Highness, you promised me. When we return later, I will serve you well.”

The implication was clear, and Wei Baohua felt her ears were sullied. But with the Crown Prince present, she dared not speak further. The Crown Prince, recalling their arrangement, gave a wicked smile, pinched Concubine Tang’s cheek, and said with oily affection, “Rest assured, I will keep my word.”

Turning to Wei Baohua, he spoke curtly, “Tell Mother that I know what I’m doing. Advise her not to stir trouble.”

Wei Baohua shrank back, not daring to say more. The Crown Prince was irascible and violent, though outwardly amiable, he was prone to hitting people. Wei Baohua knew this well and would not risk provoking him.