Chapter 74

To speak of it, this matter had indeed been discussed previously.

During their nighttime talks as husband and wife, the two had discussed various scenarios. The worst case was Her Majesty coming to their door demanding a declaration of stance. But at the time, they had unanimously agreed that things shouldn’t reach that point. They hadn’t expected this day had truly arrived.

Their conclusion back then was—naturally, they had to support Her Majesty.

But how to support her? They needed to probe Her Majesty’s tone further.

Luo Xiang shot a glance at Chang Min. Chang Min secretly pinched the soft flesh of her own arm within her sleeve. Then, her eyes reddening, she said: “Speaking of Ying Mountain… Your Majesty, you have truly suffered.”

Fu Ping’an tilted her head to look at her, also appearing very moved: “Does Your Grace think so too?”

“This humble woman has no great insight. I merely feel Your Majesty is about the same age as my own daughter. Leaving the palace only once in a while—what great matter is that?”

Fu Ping’an adopted the appearance of letting out a long-held breath, yet didn’t follow this line of conversation. Instead, she said: “Actually, Zhen didn’t leave the palace without gaining anything. For example, in the past, Zhen never knew that ordinary folk still wrote with hard pens. Did you know that?”

Both Luo Xiang and Chang Min were momentarily stunned, looking at each other: “Is that so?”

Fu Ping’an said: “It’s just a reed stem, dipped in ink, and you can write with it.”

Luo Xiang suddenly realized: “Now that you mention it, it does seem I saw such things during military campaigns in the past.”

Fu Ping’an sighed again: “Zhen also saw many common folk who cannot afford to raise their own children. If they gave birth to a Tianqian, they could perhaps send the child to be fostered by a well-off family, but if it were a Changyong, abandoning it was routine.”

Luo Xiang gradually became affected, his expression darkening: “When your servant was young, such sights were still common… but now the situation has improved greatly. At least there is no more chaos of war.”

“This inevitably brings us to you, Duke of Ying. That suppression of the rebellion last year was fought brilliantly, sparing the common people much suffering from war. By the way, have you heard of Zhen’s plan to establish the Kylin Pavilion? In Zhen’s heart, you should be the foremost general of this dynasty.”

Luo Xiang had originally intended to continue parrying with Her Majesty, but upon hearing these words, his heart lurched, and he raised his head to look at Her Majesty.

Her Majesty before his eyes wore heavy robes with wide sleeves and a large sash. The outer robe was a deep red so dark it was almost black. Her hair was bound up flawlessly, fastened with an exquisite gold crown, flanked by strings of red agate beads hanging beside her ears. It all made her figure appear even more slender, her face like jade.

It was truly hard to imagine that, facing such a tempest in the imperial court, such a frail-looking person could remain so composed.

Recalling further, back when facing the Empress Dowager…

Luo Xiang’s mind had wandered fiercely. Only when Chang Min coughed beside him did he hurriedly speak: “Your Majesty, this servant truly dares not accept such praise. To speak of it, the Duke of Martial Peace suppressed Nanyue and previously garrisoned the frontiers; she should be the foremost.”

The Duke of Martial Peace referred to the Prince Regent, Fu Lingxian.

Fu Ping’an then smiled: “You are quite right. Zhen merely felt that my Royal Aunt is still young and perhaps will have even greater achievements in the future, so I didn’t think of it for a moment. But in Zhen’s view, the two of you are hard to rank, like twin jewels.”

Luo Xiang momentarily didn’t know how to respond.

To be honest, to resolutely refuse—he was a bit reluctant as well.

Chang Min, at the side, also saw this. She coughed again. Fu Ping’an turned her head to look at her: “Is Your Grace feeling unwell?”

Chang Min: “…It’s also… perhaps the change of seasons. My throat is a bit uncomfortable.”

Fu Ping’an quickly said: “Zhen has such an ailment too. Just so happens, I brought some medicine prepared by the Imperial Medical Bureau. Your Grace can also try using it.”

Chang Min froze, momentarily unsure whether she should express gratitude or refuse. But before Chang Min could answer, Fu Ping’an added another sentence: “What Your Grace said truly moved Zhen. It’s a pity that there are so few in court like Your Grace. In truth, Zhen… has already come to know my error. Yet they press so aggressively—wouldn’t that leave Zhen without even a single step to descend?”

Chang Min nodded subconsciously.

But at this moment, she couldn’t even remember what she herself had said. It was only a good while later that she came back to herself: it was that very first thing she’d said—”Leaving the palace only once in a while, what great matter is that?”

…But that was from a conversation a full quarter-hour ago!

Yet precisely riding on this nod, Fu Ping’an grasped Luo Xiang’s hands, deeply moved: “Zhen knew it. The Duke must surely feel for Zhen…”

Luo Xiang hadn’t managed to evade in time. Two pairs of hands clasped. Fu Ping’an’s hands were cold and soft; his were warm and dry. No matter how one looked at it, he seemed healthier than Her Majesty.

He froze for a moment, only then suddenly remembering that Her Majesty was a child of frail and sickly constitution. His heart instantly softened.

And Fu Ping’an then added: “Since the Duke is willing to support Zhen, then what others say matters little.”

Luo Xiang: “…” When had he said he supported her?

But the conversation seemed to have progressed to this point.

Chang Min sighed helplessly in her heart, thinking: Even though we’d discussed this several rounds earlier, how is it that when it came to the actual moment, we were led by the nose by Her Majesty?

She exchanged a look with Luo Xiang, and after a long pause, secretly nodded.

Luo Xiang understood, and then said: “Your Majesty, rest assured. This servant will definitely submit a memorial supporting Your Majesty.”

Chang Min suddenly stood up: “That’s not what I meant!”

Fu Ping’an and Luo Xiang both stared at her together. Luo Xiang’s eyes were wide with shock, but Fu Ping’an was entirely composed.

Chang Min: “…Forgive me, this humble woman lost composure. This humble woman was… my mind wandered.”

Fu Ping’an, however, said: “Your Grace, Duke, if you have words, please speak directly. Zhen is not someone who cannot bear to hear frank words. Zhen came today with utter sincerity. Speaking in circles earlier was only because Zhen truly did not know where to begin…”

This time, it was Chang Min’s turn to stare wide-eyed.

【Taro Boba Milk Tea: Nice, the pleasantries are finally done. We can get to the real topic.】

Fu Ping’an said: “Uncle Luo… Zhen doesn’t know if it’s appropriate to call you Uncle. You were already a capable general during Emperor Gaozu’s reign. You are both a pillar minister of the court and a true elder. Zhen hasn’t slept soundly for over a month now. Zhen is still young, and completely lost on how to be a wise ruler. Zhen knows the many remonstrances at court are ultimately for Zhen’s own good. But Zhen also cannot understand: if Zhen cannot even witness with her own eyes what this real world is like, how can Zhen know what kind of decrees are appropriate?”

“Zhen left the palace and saw commoners who couldn’t afford to study, who couldn’t afford to raise their children. Zhen felt deep shame, believing this was due to Zhen’s own lack of virtue. So when Chancellor Fang submitted a memorial calling Zhen no wise ruler, Zhen had no face to refute it. Deep into every night, she would toss and turn, unable to sleep. A few days ago, a minister from the Agricultural Office submitted a memorial saying the current age had abandoned rites and propriety, discarded benevolence and kindness, that both above and below lacked propriety. However, Zhen believes: when granaries are full, then people know propriety. Naturally, we must first make the common people prosperous, happy and content, before we can change these things—these are matters Zhen could hardly know while confined in the palace. Saying these words is not to make excuses for Zhen’s incognito travel. It is merely to let the Duke know: Zhen leaving the palace was not for pleasure, but truly because she possesses the heart to pursue the Dao of the Sage and the virtue of a wise ruler.”

Both Chang Min and Luo Xiang were deeply shaken.

Luo Xiang thought of how just two hours before, his daughter Luo Qionghua was beside him applauding him. His thought then was: “My daughter is so adorable.” His thought now was: The gap between people is truly vast.

Luo Xiang grasped Fu Ping’an’s hands in return, his eyes growing hot—he had been moved to emotion. Many thoughts stirred in his heart, but he truly was not well-versed in literary elegance. So after hemming and hawing for a long while, he finally said: “Your Majesty, you have spoken so well. Your servant is a rough man, but Your Majesty’s sincere intent has been fully felt. Rest assured, as long as Your Majesty does not doubt your servant, your servant will certainly support Your Majesty.”

Fu Ping’an said with a solemn expression: “Zhen has never doubted the Duke. Zhen only wondered why the Duke was being so cautious.”

Luo Xiang and Chang Min both blushed.

With these words spoken, how could they not understand? Her Majesty fully knew he had been faking illness.

Luo Xiang said vaguely: “This servant truly does have some old injuries…”

Wasn’t it all because of Zhang Qixing? Previously, she had spoken at length about how the Prince Regent was currently in a dilemma, and warned him of the dangers of having achievements so great they overshadow the sovereign. Naturally, he was afraid as well.

And in truth, it wasn’t entirely without such a risk.

Just as he was thinking this, he heard Her Majesty say: “If you became the Imperial Father-in-Law, would the Duke worry less?”

Chang Min had been drinking tea. Hearing this, this time she was genuinely choked, coughing violently.

But even while coughing, she didn’t forget to speak: “That’s not necessary… cough cough… no need, that’s not necessary.”

Luo Qionghua as Empress?

She couldn’t even imagine it!

…

Luo Qionghua had thrown a bit of a tantrum in her room. Seeing the Nanny was completely unmoved, she knew this set of tricks wasn’t working today.

So she deliberately raised her voice and said: “So annoying, I’m going to sleep.”

She lay in bed for a while. Hearing no more movement outside, she secretly crawled out from the covers, then lightly and quietly opened the window—

Outside the window, the steward smiled at her.

Luo Qionghua: “…”

Steward: “Young Miss wasn’t thinking of coming out through the window, were you?”

Luo Qionghua gave a hollow laugh: “How could that be? I was just looking at the scenery.”

The steward sighed in exasperation: “Young Miss, we all know you wish to see Her Majesty. But before Her Majesty, if you make even the slightest misstep, you’ll be beaten!”

He wore a face full of intimidation, trying to frighten Luo Qionghua. But Luo Qionghua thought: Hah, as if I’ve never met Her Majesty? Her Majesty is not that kind of person.

But now, she came back to herself and thought: If she met Her Majesty in the manor today, Her Majesty would know who she is.

Then, perhaps from then on, when Her Majesty spoke to her, she would think of her parents. She herself would probably find it very difficult to speak to her that way again.

In interactions between people, there is a very subtle limit. Luo Qionghua instinctively knew how to grasp that limit.

If she were just Ah Hua, then she could be Her Majesty’s playmate and friend. But if she were Luo Qionghua, she would have another identity on top of that: the daughter of Her Majesty’s subject.

She didn’t want that.

She paced back to the bed and sat down, resting her chin on her hands and spacing out for a while. After some time, the steward opened the door and came in, saying to Luo Qionghua: “Young Miss, the Master and Madam are calling for you.”

Hearing this, Luo Qionghua hurriedly stood up, urging the steward as she jogged all the way there. The group went straight to Luo Xiang’s bedroom. Entering the bedroom, Luo Qionghua looked around and saw her father lying on the couch, her mother sitting in a chair, both wearing expressions of deep contemplation.

On the table rested a brocade box. Luo Qionghua remembered it was for holding the Tiger Tally; her father had always forbidden her from going near it.

Her Majesty was already gone from the room.

But she sniffed, as if catching a faint, lingering fragrance of aloeswood—the scent from Ping’an’s body.

Although she had thought earlier that perhaps it was better not to see Ping’an, sure enough, in her heart she desperately wanted to. She hadn’t seen her for a whole month.

Dejected, she was cheered when Chang Min looked up, saw her, and beckoned her over.

Luo Qionghua threw herself into her mother’s arms. Chang Min stroked her hair, thinking of the scene earlier.

To prevent acquiring the reputation of overbearing ministers in the future, they had directly brought out the Tiger Tally to offer to Her Majesty. Yet Her Majesty had smiled wryly and said: “Holding the Tiger Tally, Zhen still wouldn’t know how to wage war. She would still have to rely on the Duke.”

Saying this, she still declined the Tiger Tally.

But she didn’t bring up the matter of Imperial Father-in-Law again either. After exchanging more expressions of mutual sincerity, she left.

Everything that could be said had been said. This final decision couldn’t be forced out right then.

Thinking back now, Chang Min felt Her Majesty had probably just wanted to give them a sweet incentive, not intending to settle this matter immediately. Her reaction being so strong seemed somewhat like overthinking, presuming too much. After all, those who wished to be Empress were likely countless.

Yet thinking of her daughter’s usual unrestrained personality, she couldn’t help sighing: “If Hua’er entered the palace, how could she possibly endure that life?”

No sooner had she spoken than Luo Qionghua lifted her head, her face full of pleasant surprise: “Enter the palace? Why couldn’t I endure it? I can, you know.”

Chang Min: “…”

Luo Xiang was angered into laughter: “Now you can again? Once you enter the palace, you can’t casually leave anymore. Usually, you want to dash outside for no reason at all. Could you tolerate that? Don’t you know, even Her Majesty leaving the palace was met with mass remonstrance from all the ministers.”

Luo Qionghua began to struggle with herself.

On one side was Ping’an; on the other side, freedom.

She thought for a moment, then asked: “How many times a year could one leave the palace?”

Luo Xiang said: “Three times at most. Once for an imperial hunt, once to escape the summer heat, once for suburban sacrifices.”

Luo Qionghua’s eyes lit up: “Three times! That’s enough! I choose Her Majesty!”

Chang Min: “…Get out of my sight.”

…

Leaving aside how the Duke and Duchess of Ying were thoroughly angered by Luo Qionghua, the Prince Regent Fu Lingxian, upon hearing the news that Her Majesty had gone to the Duke of Ying Manor, had been sitting in the front hall for half the day.

As the sun slanted west, she hadn’t spoken a word. Not until a servant came to report: Her Majesty had returned to the palace.

Yan Yu sat at the lower end of the hall and spoke towards Fu Lingxian: “It’s time to make a decision.”

Yan Yu’s current appearance was somewhat terrifying. A massive wound stretched across his face, like a blade scar scabbed over into a hideous, jagged scar.

This was from Fu Lingxian’s hand after the Bo clan rebellion was suppressed.

That sword stroke had slashed down vertically; blood flowed like a torrent, deep enough to see bone. But Fu Lingxian had ultimately stopped her hand and said: “Let fate decide life or death.”

Her meaning in these words was: if Yan Yu could pull through, she would spare his life.

In the end, Yan Yu really did pull through.

For six months after that, Fu Lingxian didn’t see Yan Yu. Until Yan Yu once again offered counsel—he believed Fu Lingxian should voluntarily request to go to her fief, or even to the frontier would do.

This time, Yan Yu had changed his tune. He too felt Her Majesty’s situation was increasingly favorable, and they couldn’t just charge directly anymore. They needed to take a roundabout path.

Fu Lingxian met with him and listened to all his proposals, but didn’t say much.

Yan Yu felt some change had occurred in Fu Lingxian, but he couldn’t tell if it was for better or worse.

He only knew that, sitting in silence with Fu Lingxian for so long today, he still wasn’t very clear on what exactly Fu Lingxian was thinking.

“…Duke of Martial Peace, timing is fleeting and will not come again. Now, the court is surging like wind-blown clouds. If you voluntarily request to return to your fief, Her Majesty might even breathe a sigh of relief.”

Fu Lingxian finally looked towards him, her gaze deep and heavy, seemingly devoid of warmth.

She nodded: “Indeed, it is an opportunity.”

Yan Yu was just about to break into a smile when he heard Fu Lingxian say: “Attendant, bring the Tiger Tally. I shall enter the palace to have an audience with Her Majesty.”

Yan Yu’s face paled in great shock.