Chapter 42: Helping Her part 1
The late spring wind still carried a hint of chill, yet the sun was gradually beating down.
A young girl dressed in an autumn-green pleated skirt knelt outside the Left Silver Terrace Gate. Her figure was thin and frail, looking as if her clothes were too heavy for her. The space outside Zichen Palace was open and vast; the blazing sun shone down on her without obstruction, causing beads of sweat to seep from her forehead.
Perhaps because she had been kneeling for a while, her body swayed and trembled slightly.
Passing palace attendants glanced sideways at her, then tugged at each other, lowering their heads and hurrying away.
Although their footsteps were behind her and no words were spoken, He Xunling’s face turned faintly pale, and the hand hidden in her sleeve unconsciously clenched the fabric of her lining.
When she first heard the imperial attendant relay His Majesty’s verbal edict, she hadn’t understood the meaning, thinking His Majesty was summoning her inside. It was only after being blocked outside by the attendants and thinking it over that the realization struck her like a bolt of lightning.
In that instant, she felt as if she had been struck by five thunderbolts.
Kneeling on the ground outside Zichen Palace, with her knees pressing against the cold green bricks, she finally understood clearly: His Majesty was punishing her on behalf of the Empress.
That was why he had said that however she apologized to the Empress, she must apologize to him in the same manner.
The sun gradually shifted. Having knelt outside the hall for so long, her knees and calves were numb and stiff, as if her legs no longer belonged to her.
He Xunling rested her hands by her sides and moved her knees slightly. As soon as she looked up, she saw a pair of eagle-like eyes staring gloomily at her.
It was the inner attendant from Zichen Palace.
He Xunling took a deep breath, daring not to move again, and knelt straight once more.
Footsteps approached from afar. When a pair of black boots passed by her, He Xunling quietly looked up, wanting to call out “Uncle,” but didn’t quite dare.
He Mingshou was also looking at her. His steps paused slightly, and after a flash of astonishment crossed his face, he was led by the palace attendant through the Left Silver Terrace Gate into Zichen Palace.
Zichen Palace was lit with sinking elm incense as usual. Curling smoke rose from the golden lion censer, its faint, water-like scent drifting through the surroundings. The light filtering through the windows struck the smoke, refracting into beams.
As soon as he stepped into the hall, he felt the atmosphere was somewhat off.
Seeing the Emperor’s slightly displeased expression confirmed his guess.
He Mingshou had been leading people to rectify the Buddhist and Daoist temples recently, and progress was smooth. After scanning the documents he presented, Gu Zhen’s expression softened slightly, and he nodded gently: “Not bad.”
After briefly reporting today’s matters, observing the irritability between the Emperor’s brows and the faint dark circles under his eyes, He Mingshou asked respectfully, “It is currently the turn of spring to summer; the weather is changeable, making it easy for wind-cold to enter the body. While handling government affairs, Your Majesty should pay more attention to your health.”
Gu Zhen closed his eyes to hide the annoyance within them, raised a hand to rub his jingming acupoints, and then said warmly, “Mother’s health has not been good recently. The imperial physician ordered that she needs quiet recuperation, yet she is always worrying and getting angry over trivial matters. Zhen is very concerned about this.”
He Mingshou froze for a moment, not quite reacting, unsure of what the Emperor wanted to say.
Gu Zhen then changed the subject, his eyes darkening a few degrees, and said solemnly, “Mother is of such an age; she really shouldn’t be worrying about these things anymore. Yet there are always villains provoking her from the side, not letting Mother have peace. Zhen hopes Uncle can help persuade her.”
These words were obvious enough. He Mingshou realized that the Empress Dowager must have done something to displease the Emperor, and the Emperor wanted him to say a few words to stop her from meddling.
For some reason, he immediately thought of He Xunling kneeling outside.
He Mingshou was startled and felt a headache coming on, but since the Emperor had spoken to this extent, he couldn’t refuse. He had to stand up and say, “Since Your Majesty has entrusted this to me, this subject will naturally do my best. Only, I do not know what has caused the Empress Dowager to worry recently?”
In that instant, he saw a flash of hostility in the Emperor’s eyes, which was quickly concealed.
He was startled, knowing it was no small matter.
Gu Zhen raised his hand and pointed outside, saying indifferently, “Yesterday, the second Miss He offended the Empress. Instead, Mother wanted to punish the Empress on her behalf. Although the Empress is fine, the palace has been disturbed and left without peace.”
He Mingshou responded with repeated “Yes”s.
“If Uncle has nothing else, go and see Mother first,” Gu Zhen waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw.
The two dogs in the rear hall seemed to be fighting again, their barks reaching the main hall.
Gu Zhen put down the papers presented by the attendant and walked slowly to the window. Upon looking up, he saw Zhao Xiaobai circling A-Mo again, pouncing and biting incessantly, refusing to stop.
“Pass Zhen’s edict: Consort Dowager He has lost her virtue. She is to be temporarily confined in Shicui Palace and may not go out without an edict.” He stared in the northwest direction for a long time, as if he saw that swallow kite again, but when he looked closer, the kite was gone. Gu Zhen’s hand hidden in his sleeve trembled slightly; veins popped on the back of his hand, and his large knuckles turned pale.
He never knew she had suffered so many grievances. So many that, like the snow-white pear blossoms on the treetop, he couldn’t count them all.
In this vast Ziwei Palace, it seemed no one held her in their eyes; anyone could bully and humiliate her at will.
Gu Zhen suddenly remembered when they were still in the Eastern Palace. Yiyi was the Crown Princess then. Every time she returned from a palace banquet, her face always showed fatigue and sleepiness, and she would lie down wrapped in a quilt as soon as she returned to the sleeping quarters.
He had only thought she was tired from the banquet and didn’t take it seriously or keep it in mind.
Every time the Crown Princess didn’t want to attend a palace banquet, he thought she was throwing a small tantrum and always replied, “Be good, don’t make a fuss.”
Although she looked a bit aggrieved, she would obediently agree, wash and dress, and attend the banquet in full attire.
Feeling a blockage in his chest, Gu Zhen suddenly didn’t dare look in that direction anymore. He ordered the window closed and instructed indifferently, “Go fetch some jewelry and send it to Jiaofang Palace. Also, ask if those tonics from last time have been used. If so, take some more over.”
Wu Mao bowed his head in assent and went to prepare.
“Her illness wasn’t cured yesterday, and after tossing about like this, I’m afraid it will get worse again.”
The Emperor muttered to himself, but this time, no one answered.
He Mingshou went all the way to Wanchun Palace, his expression filled with worry.
Along the way, he asked Wu Nan, who was escorting him, many questions, but Wu Nan revealed little and refused to say more. He became increasingly worried, unable to figure out what the Empress Dowager had done to make the Emperor personally ask him to make this trip.
This time, it probably wasn’t a small matter.
Seeing him arrive, the palace attendants guarding outside hurriedly went in to report and diligently welcomed him in: “Duke, please come in quickly. If Her Highness knows the Duke has come to visit, she will surely be very happy.”
He Mingshou thanked them and was led in.
Upon entering, He Mingshou first saw his daughter reading under the flower trellis. Taking advantage of the attendant going in to announce him, he walked straight over and lowered his voice to ask, “Why are you staying outside? The sun is a bit strong.”
“Aunt has some matters and sent me out to read,” He Xunfang replied softly.
Glancing around, He Mingshou pulled her to the corner of the wall and whispered, “Has something happened in the palace these past two days? How did your second sister provoke His Majesty?”
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