Chapter 2: A Grievance part 1
A few rays of dawn fell on the imperial desk. King Yan, his heart pounding, tried to avert his gaze, but met Gu Zhen’s directly.
He said awkwardly, “Imperial Brother, if Marquis Huai’an is demoted, then Imperial Sister-in-Law’s side might…”
Gu Zhen’s brow furrowed slightly. He summoned a palace attendant and said, “Send this edict to the Menxia Province for safekeeping, awaiting My decree.” Then he glanced at King Yan again, “Don’t let the Empress know about this matter, for now.”
King Yan felt a chill at his gaze, and quickly clasped his hands, “This subject understands.”
It seems Imperial Brother truly intends to take action against the Zhao family.
The sound of bells and chimes rang out, signaling the auspicious time. The ladies-in-waiting, dressed in ceremonial robes, entered one by one to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
Zhao Yiyi, fearing any mistakes, personally checked everything, only nodding when she was sure it was correct.
Perhaps due to some thorny government affairs, although it was a regular court session, Gu Zhen only rushed to Wanchun Palace at about the second quarter of Si (approximately 9-10 am).
The man entered against the light, a tall and elegant figure, instantly attracting all eyes in the hall, finally stopping before the Empress Dowager’s desk, bowing in greeting.
Her beloved was close at hand. Zhao Yiyi barely suppressed her elation, maintaining the demeanor befitting an empress, rising and clasping her hands in greeting: “Your Majesty.”
Gu Zhen looked at her and said, “Rise.”
His gentle, low voice seemed to be spoken only to her, and yet also to everyone in the hall.
Seeing Gu Zhen walk closer and extend his hand towards her, Zhao Yiyi took his slight assistance to rise from the armchair. They both received small celadon cups from the palace attendants and presented them to the Empress Dowager for her birthday.
After the ceremony, they sat down. Zhao Yiyi sat beside Gu Zhen; their desks were only inches apart.
Today was the Empress Dowager’s birthday, and countless fine wines were served. Zhao Yiyi sipped her Yu Lu Chun wine from an amber cup, stealing glances at the emperor beside her.
She hesitated to speak to him, fearing that her actions might be too frivolous and displease him.
Looking at the empress beside him, Gu Zhen suddenly remembered the edict he had just drafted. He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, his gaze somewhat dark.
“Empress.”
A familiar voice suddenly called out, causing her to instantly snap back to attention. Thinking she had been caught peeking, she blushed slightly, then turned to Gu Zhen with a touch of surprise.
However, she found a complex emotion in his eyes, a complexity she couldn’t understand.
Gu Zhen simply looked at her, his eyes as clear as ever, despite having drunk several cups of wine, and softly asked, “Empress, have you changed your incense?”
Zhao Yiyi was slightly stunned. She had indeed burned a different incense than usual in the palace this morning—not the Su He incense. She hadn’t expected him to be able to smell it.
A smile appeared on her bright face. Zhao Yiyi lowered her voice and said, “I changed to Zhan Tang incense today. It’s a new blend I created a couple of days ago, with added jasmine. I have plenty left over. If Your Majesty likes it, I’ll send a box to Purple Palace.”
Blending incense was one of her hobbies. The thought of him using her blend filled her with joy.
“Thank you, Empress.” After she finished, Gu Zhen nodded slightly, then said warmly, “This incense is too sweet. I don’t like it.”
His simple words choked her.
Zhao Yiyi suddenly understood the meaning of his question, her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.
Her initial joy was replaced with a cold shower.
The coldness reached her heart. Her chest ached. Suppressing the palpitations and tremors, Zhao Yiyi pinched her fingertips, barely lowering her eyebrows, and softly replied, “It was my oversight. I didn’t pay enough attention when blending the incense. Now that I think about it, it is a little too sweet. Next time, I will be more careful.”
It turned out he had asked not out of interest in the incense, but simply to tell her he didn’t like it.
It was she who was being presumptuous.
The pain in her fingertips brought her to her senses. Zhao Yiyi looked up at Gu Zhen, but saw a cold expression on his handsome face.
Her heart pounded. She tentatively asked, “If Your Majesty dislikes this incense, may I change my clothes?”
Gu Zhen didn’t delve deeper, simply saying softly, “Empress, don’t worry about it, there’s no need for such trouble.”
He didn’t give her a harsh look or reprimand her, yet it was precisely this that made Zhao Yiyi feel extremely uncomfortable.
At this point, she didn’t know what to say, her eyes showing a little helplessness. After a long while, she replied, “This subject understands.”
The most distinguished couple in the world was naturally watched by those with ulterior motives. The scene at the head of the hall was seen by everyone.
Everyone started making polite remarks, either complimenting the Empress Dowager or flattering the emperor and Zhao Yiyi. The atmosphere was extremely lively, making the Empress Dowager laugh heartily.
Zhao Yiyi gradually forgot her earlier bitterness and joined in the polite conversation and laughter.
“This servant woman remembers the winter solstice banquet in the palace years ago, when Your Majesty was still the crown prince. Your Majesty and the Empress stood together playing throwing pots, neither willing to yield. At that time, this servant woman thought that you were truly a pair of golden boy and girl. If this servant woman had the Empress Dowager’s blessings and such a pair of children to bring joy to her knees, she wouldn’t know how happy she would be.”
Knowing that she was speaking politely, everyone, regardless of their inner thoughts, followed her words and laughed, then echoed her words with a couple of responses.
Even Zhao Yiyi had to admire this lady’s excellent memory.
She still remembered these old stories vividly.
The topic was about to pass, when someone suddenly laughed, “Don’t rush to say these things. When Your Majesty has a little prince or princess, having them at the Empress Dowager’s knees will be even more enviable then!”
Zhao Yiyi’s heart skipped a beat. When she looked up again, she saw the smile on the Empress Dowager’s face gradually fade, her lips completely straightened, and the smile lines instantly disappeared.
Zhao Yiyi knew clearly that one of the reasons for the Empress Dowager’s dissatisfaction with her was that she and her husband had not had children in the two years since their marriage.
Bringing up this matter on such a joyous day, the Empress Dowager’s complexion wouldn’t be good.
Her heart felt heavy. She looked sideways at Gu Zhen, but saw him talking to an inner servant, seemingly not noticing her.
He didn’t comment on the remark.
After the officials paid their respects to the Empress Dowager on the golden steps in front of the hall, they returned to the front court for dinner. Recently, there had been a lot of government affairs. Gu Zhen only accompanied the Empress Dowager for lunch, exchanged a few words, and then got up to leave.
After the emperor left, the Empress Dowager’s expression changed instantly, and the remaining bit of smile was difficult to maintain.
After several hours, in the late evening, the banquet finally ended, and the ladies-in-waiting gradually dispersed.
Zhao Yiyi finished her work and wanted to go directly back to Jiao Fang Palace, but a court lady stepped forward and said gently and respectfully, “Empress, the Empress Dowager asks you to come and speak with her.”
Zhao Yiyi took a deep breath, knowing she couldn’t avoid it, and followed the court lady back to Wanchun Palace.
The Empress Dowager was getting older and was somewhat afraid of the cold. The Wanchun Palace had underfloor heating, and as soon as Zhao Yiyi entered, she was enveloped in warmth.
After paying her respects to the Empress Dowager, Zhao Yiyi sat down with some apprehension, saying softly, “Mother.”
On the desk between them sat a bowl of steaming stew, filled with various tonics, emitting a strong aroma.
Thinking it was for the Empress Dowager to eat, Zhao Yiyi was stunned and hesitated whether to express concern first or directly serve the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was in a bad mood. Hearing her gentle call, she merely raised her eyelids slightly, then pointed to the bowl of soup and said, “A prescription from the imperial physician some time ago, best suited for women’s health. I haven’t had time to send it to you, but it’s luckily been prepared today. Empress, drink it while it’s hot.”