Part 2
If the second brother was ruthless, he had to be even more ruthless to suppress him. Otherwise, a hundred years from now, his daughter Xunfang would probably not even have a place to stand.
The Empress Dowager’s lips trembled, and her body swayed. clearly unable to withstand the blow. Her face was deathly pale, the fear in her heart indescribable.
“The clan has been clamoring for years about adoption. I am indifferent. Even if I raise a boy with my own hands, he is still someone else’s.” He Mingshou lowered his eyes slightly and suddenly stood up. “I only have one daughter. I don’t want the ancestral estate, but every penny I have saved myself is left for Fang’er.”
After He Mingshou and Lady Wen left, the Empress Dowager slumped onto the soft cushion, leaning lightly against the armrest. Her eyes stared wide at the rug with scrolling branch patterns. Confronting the clan infighting directly for the first time, she was flustered and couldn’t calm down for a long time.
Nanny Song smoothed her breath beside her, complaining, “The Duke is really too much. Why tell Niangniang these things? Alright, alright, you woke up early today. Why don’t you rest on the couch for a while?”
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, indicating she was fine, but He Mingshou’s words echoed in her mind.
Her heart twisted instantly.
The child she raised with her own hands was meant to benefit someone else. But her own child was raised by others and wasn’t close to her at all.
“Nanny.” The Empress Dowager leaned on Nanny Song, unable to stop her low sobbing. “How did it become like this? How did it become like this?”
The young girls had boundless energy. When Zhao Yiyi woke up from her afternoon nap, they were still playing excitedly over there.
“The Eldest Princess missed her throw just now. It hit the rim of the pot and bounced out. She was sulking for quite a while,” Yunzhu said, covering her lips with a smile as she handed Zhao Yiyi a cup of tea.
Zhao Yiyi was thirsty after waking up. The small cup of tea bottomed out in moments. She pushed the cup forward and whispered, “Pour some more. Where are they playing?”
“In the groves by the Hai Pool,” Yunzhu replied.
It was already entering winter. Clusters of withered yellow leaves fell with a rustle, the bare branches revealing a fierce sense of desolation.
Having just discussed court affairs, Gu Zhen walked along the path of withered leaves, creating crisp crunching sounds.
Fearing he wasn’t used to it, Wu Mao said, “This servant will have someone sweep it immediately. These people really know how to slack off!”
“No need,” Gu Zhen said in his usual tone. “I ordered them to leave it. The Empress likes to look at it.”
In the pine forest by the pool, countless people in brocade clothes stood clustered together, throwing arrows toward a lacquered pot a zhang away. When someone scored, bursts of praise erupted; when someone missed, there was a wave of sighing.
Gu Zhen turned his head and saw the Prince of Yan holding a bamboo arrow, gesturing and lining up in the queue, looking quite interested.
Catching a glimpse of the Emperor from the corner of his eye, the Prince of Yan was startled. He hurriedly moved to come forward, but seeing the Emperor signal for silence, he didn’t dare disturb the people around him and moved over cautiously.
“Imperial Brother?” The Prince of Yan stepped forward and bowed, asking, “Is Imperial Brother going to the Hanbing Hall? Would you like to play a round together?”
Gu Zhen looked at the forest, then looked him up and down, mocking lightly, “You are in high spirits.” Running here to join the fun right after the meeting disbanded. “You’re a grown man. You’ve played plenty of Pitch-pot usually. Comparing yourself with them—have you no shame?”
The Prince of Yan laughed. “Imperial Brother makes it sound like I’m bullying people. Today is Pitch-pot, not archery. It compares technique. How much advantage can I really take? Besides, I’m not the only man in this forest.”
For today’s investiture ceremony, not only female relatives were present, but many outstanding, handsome young men of Luoyang were also invited after careful consideration.
Nominally a banquet, it was actually to select a Prince Consort.
Everyone knew this.
Counting the people in the forest, it was about half men and half women.
Gu Zhen swept his gaze toward the forest again, noticing several close officials inside. Finally, he glanced at the Prince of Yan, snorted coldly, and strode away.
Zhao Yiyi was in a good mood today. After getting up, she didn’t go out to see people immediately. Instead, with her dark hair half-bound and draped in a spacious jacket, she leaned against the window to mix incense.
Outside the hall was the sound of people gathering in twos and threes, laughing and talking. The clear breeze brushed past the window, shaking the branches.
The mix of voices made the sound of silk and bamboo instruments unnecessary.
Having not blended incense for a long time, her skills were much rustier, and her movements were a bit slow. Occasionally, when there was a deviation, she had to check the formula list one by one.
After mixing for a long time, Zhao Yiyi lowered her head to sniff gently, then handed the blended incense to Yunzhu. “Go light it.”
Yunzhu responded affirmatively. Watching the curling smoke overflow from the gaps of the Boshan censer, she cleaned up unhurriedly before pouring the remaining blended incense into a small celadon jar.
Having been by the Empress’s side for many years, although she wasn’t an expert in mixing incense, she wasn’t bad either. She knew the basics and had learned quite a few formulas.
Suddenly, footsteps came from the hall, followed by someone asking with a smile, “What incense is burning today? It’s quite unique.”
Looking back, a man wearing a unicorn-patterned cyan round-collar robe strode in. He wore a jade crown on his head, leather boots on his feet, and a diexie belt around his waist hung with the seven essentials and a white jade pendant.
Broad shoulders and a narrow waist, exuding elegance and style.
There was a smile on that handsome face. Zhao Yiyi merely glanced at him once, then turned her head back and ignored him.
Gu Zhen didn’t seem annoyed. He walked up to her and sat down, softening his tone to ask, “What incense did you burn today? Spare some for me?”
She still didn’t speak, concentrating on mixing the incense.
Gu Zhen helplessly pinched her cheek and said, “How did I offend you today?”
Annoyed by his pestering, Zhao Yiyi lifted her eyes and replied, “An incense Your Majesty doesn’t like.”
“I just came in; when did I say I didn’t like it? You just know how to falsely accuse people.” Gu Zhen lowered his head to look at the list in her hand. The three words “Zhan Tang Incense” (Nectar Incense) at the top made him pause slightly, his expression freezing for a moment.
Zhao Yiyi shrank back, avoiding him. “Nectar Incense with a bit of jasmine. Your Majesty said it was too sweet and you didn’t like it.”
Distant memories surged up, instantly filling his mind. Gu Zhen sat there dazed for a moment, opening his mouth but unable to make a sound.
“Does Your Majesty still want it?” she asked.
His fists clenched and unclenched, unclenched and clenched again. Finally, Gu Zhen lost his strength, his expression showing helplessness. “I was wrong. I spoke carelessly in the past. Don’t be angry, okay?”
Zhao Yiyi didn’t speak, nor did she even look at him.
Gu Zhen knew she was still angry. Stretching out his long arm, he pulled her into his embrace, gently patting her back to coax her. “Why is your temper so big? I’ve admitted my mistake, yet you still won’t calm down?”
Zhao Yiyi struggled a few times, grabbing the fabric on his chest and crumpling it into a ball. “You were the one who said you didn’t like it first, and now you say you like it?”
She tilted her head slightly to look at him, her almond eyes misted over.
“Mm, I like it now.”
Gu Zhen felt his heart twist.
Leaning against his chest, the vibration of his chest cavity as he spoke every word was clearly transmitted to her.
Zhao Yiyi said, “Even if you like it, I won’t give it to you.”
Hearing the small complaint, Gu Zhen helplessly cupped her hibiscus-like face and laughed softly. “Just now, the one asking if I wanted it was you, and now the one saying she won’t give it is also you. You’re really getting bad.”
As his warm breath exhaled, Zhao Yiyi felt the tips of her ears turn red, and even her earlobes, hung with jade pendants, turned thoroughly crimson.
A burning sensation came over her, and she subconsciously reached out to touch her ear.
“Duplicity and contradicting oneself—I learned it all from you,” Zhao Yiyi retorted with a cold face.
Gu Zhen had no choice but to nod in agreement. “It is my fault.”
Just as the two were about to speak, a knock suddenly sounded from outside. Hearing the person call “Sister,” Gu Zhen said, “I said long ago that she really ought to learn the rules.”
“Was Duan Duan not obedient today?” Zhao Yiyi pushed him away, stood up to straighten her dress, and glared at him fiercely before letting it go.
The knocking outside became faster, and Zhao Yiyi became more hurried. But the more hurried she was, the less she could manage.
Gu Zhen stepped forward to straighten her clothes for her, saying gently, “Done.”
Hearing the knocking, Zhao Yiyi was a little annoyed. “It’s all your fault.”
“Mm, all my fault.”
As soon as she entered, Zhao Duanduan rushed forward, grabbing Zhao Yiyi’s hand. “Sister, they changed the gameplay again. They said for the second round, we can find someone to help. I thought about it for a long time and didn’t know who to ask. I’m going to lose.”
Understanding her implication, Zhao Yiyi asked, “You want me to help you?”
“Mm.”
“Keep dreaming.” Zhao Yiyi refused flatly, poking her forehead and saying grumpily, “I put up the prize myself. You want me to personally go down there and win it back?”
Zhao Duanduan instantly fell silent.
Gu Zhen frowned and asked, “What prize?”
Yunzhu had entered with Zhao Duanduan. At this moment, she smiled from the side, “They are playing Pitch-pot by the Hai Pool today. Her Highness untied a Cloud and Crane Jade Pendant from her waist as the prize.”
Gu Zhen’s brow darkened, and he said in a solidified voice, “Take me there.”
Looking at the Emperor’s back as he walked to the palace door, Zhao Duanduan asked uncertainly, “Is His Majesty… going to help me?”
Yunzhu also watched blankly and muttered, “This servant thinks… probably not.”
Translator’s Note:
- Juehu: Literally “cut off household.” It refers to a household with no male heirs to carry on the family line. “Eating the Juehu” refers to relatives seizing the property of a man who dies without a son, often leaving his widow and daughters destitute.
- Pitch-pot (Touhu): An ancient game where players throw arrows into a canister/pot.
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