The palace had winter-warming charts where palace concubines passed time drawing stroke by stroke – after completing eighty-one days, spring would arrive. Wanwan had to wait one month. She painted plum blossoms on her desk, branches extending in all directions with six plum flowers on the branches, hanging it on the wall to fill in colors daily. When this flower painting was complete, Liangshi should come too.
After resting two days in the mansion, she was actually quite exhausted and didn’t want to move around. But the Empress Dowager surely knew she’d returned to the capital – delaying palace visits for respects might create resentment. After all, she’d once been raised under her name. Regardless of quality, they’d been mother and daughter. If she never appeared, people would say she lacked propriety, and she’d be criticized later.
She set down her brush and walked out of the room. Xiao You was bringing pigeon soup, chattering about how beautiful the pigeon’s coloring was – a purple ring around its neck, hopping and twisting as it walked. Wanwan frowned directly: “Describing it so thoroughly – how can anyone eat it?” She truly had no appetite, told her to take it away, and ordered Yu Qixia to prepare a sedan chair, planning to enter the palace and pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
Though nominally her residence, entering and leaving wasn’t free – to step outside the main gate required passing the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Her front foot descended the steps as the rear foot of a Chiliarch approached, bowing upward: “We subjects are ordered to protect Your Highness’s safety. Wherever Your Highness wishes to go, we’ll immediately gather personnel to clear the way for Your Highness.”
The person under the umbrella had a cold, impassive face – thin but appearing noble and dignified. She didn’t even glance at him: “Is your lordship ordered to protect my safety or ordered to monitor my movements?”
The Chiliarch was slightly stunned, his body lowering several more degrees: “This subject dares not. The capital has been unsettled recently with frequent disturbances by unidentified persons. The Eastern Depot and Embroidered Uniform Guard are working urgently to arrest them, but residences of imperial relatives in the capital still require guarding. My duty is protecting Your Highness. If any impropriety causes Your Highness dissatisfaction, Your Highness may report to His Majesty – this subject willingly accepts punishment.”
This minor Chiliarch had quite a temper – in a few sentences he’d blocked her words. She examined him: sword-like brows and hawk eyes, with the composure to remain unchanged even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. Probably due to frequent sun exposure while on duty, his skin was dark, but beneath the Flying Fish robe lurked some coiled strength, like a leopard ready to spring out and pierce your flesh with sharp teeth.
“What’s your name?”
He didn’t raise his eyes, still respectfully staring at his shoe tips: “This subject is Jin Shi, awaiting Your Highness’s instruction.”
She averted her gaze and sighed lightly: “I’m entering the palace – prepare for me.”
She sat in the sedan chair as an inner attendant called out clearly, and the green wool sedan moved steadily and slowly out the main gate. Lifting the curtain to look outside, the capital showed signs of entering autumn. Though days remained hot, occasional bird calls already carried autumn’s desolation. She withdrew her hand, placing it on her knee, hazily recalling that trip to Tanzhe Temple riding in a carriage with Yin Luo. Now she remained while not knowing if Yin Luo still lived. In just half a year, things had changed completely. This lifetime passed so hurriedly, always carrying feelings of being unable to let go yet unable to grasp.
The sedan swayed. East Commander’s Mansion Lane wasn’t far from Donghua Gate. Stopping before Tongzi River, the palace sent small palanquins to meet them. Tonghuan helped her down as she raised her eyes to see a brilliant smiling face – Cao Chun’ang called “Your Highness” and said: “This servant respectfully welcomes Your Highness back to the palace.”
Cao Chun’ang was Xiao Duo’s adopted son, always following behind him calling “godfather” constantly. Thus he frequently entered and exited Yude Palace and was quite familiar with her. Having been away from the palace six months, suddenly seeing a familiar face was still very pleasant. Wanwan smiled: “Little Chunzi, you’ve grown taller again.”
Cao Chun’ang beamed: “This servant’s strength all went into growing – if Your Highness had returned a few months later, this servant could have grown a chopstick’s length taller!” While speaking he came to assist her, quietly asking: “Your Highness, were you well in Nanyuan? You’ve been married so long – this servant really missed you.”
Eunuchs were sweet-tongued. Wanwan said very well, asked after him, and inquired about his godfather’s recent situation and whether any news had returned.
“Those eastern sea people are beating each other’s brains out. Don’t look at Tan Jin as a landlubber – he’s skilled at fighting. The court often receives reports, but there’s no news of my godfather’s situation. Originally they agreed I’d accompany and serve him, but the old master wouldn’t allow it.” His face fell: “War has blind bullets and cannons. My godfather is so fastidious – if he gets a speck of blood on him he’ll scold for ages. What if those stinking soldiers lift him up and throw him into the sea?”
Wanwan laughed at this: “You’re gossiping about him like this – be careful he’ll beat you when he returns.”
Cao Chun’ang stuck out his tongue: “I’m not telling outsiders – what’s there to worry about before Your Highness? This servant trusts Your Highness.”
Talking as they walked, they soon reached Cining Palace. The steward at the palace gate saw her and exclaimed, quickly sending someone to report inside. Wanwan rounded the spirit wall to see the Empress Dowager standing before the south window, gazing outward through the glass. Her heart ached as she quickly entered the main hall, stood firm and performed the ritual with hands to forehead, only to be pulled up by the Empress Dowager.
“Don’t – you’re with child. What if something happens to my grandson!”
Having been before her over ten years, there were still some feelings after all. Both mother and daughter had teary eyes. Wanwan looked at the Empress Dowager – originally she’d had a head of black hair, but now her temples faintly showed frost, as if she’d aged a decade overnight.
The Empress Dowager didn’t notice, saying happily: “Was everything good in Nanyuan? Did the Dowager Consort treat you well? What about Prince Nanyuan? He has concubines and children in his mansion – is he of one heart with you?”
Wanwan said everything went smoothly: “Mother-in-law dotes on me, and my husband is also considerate in every way. I just often missed Mother. The other day when I reached Xihaizi, I originally wanted to enter the palace, but my body wasn’t well. From boat to Tongzhou then carriage to the capital, the jolting left my bones scattered. I truly couldn’t support myself, so I couldn’t come see Mother.”
The Empress Dowager said she knew: “Women’s first months of pregnancy are most difficult. Some children are well-behaved and don’t cause trouble; some children love to fuss, like your elder brother – he kept me from sleeping well night after night.” After speaking she gazed at her blankly: “My good child, you’ve suffered. Traveling thousands of li back – your Emperor brother acts on whims, and now no one can control him.”
The Empress Dowager later spoke of her conflicts with the Emperor. The Emperor had nearly turned hostile with her over making Tongyun Empress.
“What is Tongyun? A servant’s offspring, lowest of the low – how does such character merit being Empress? Since our Great Ye’s founding, through sixteen dynasties across generations, which Empress wasn’t born to noble families? Even the previous Empress was at least the Grand Tutor’s daughter. Tongyun’s father was a barrel-making carpenter. Good gracious – His Majesty still wants to serve this street-wandering mudfoot as father-in-law. He’s truly not afraid of being laughed at!” The Empress Dowager spoke with such urgency she nearly spat blood from hatred: “Moreover, Tongyun is Xiao Duo’s paired food companion. While Xiao Duo campaigns abroad, the Emperor fancies his woman. If this matter spreads, the world will be in uproar and hearts will grow cold. How can Great Ye survive? I won’t let him have his way, so he resents me. These two months he hasn’t come to pay respects or acknowledged me. I, the Empress Dowager, am a thorn in his eye and flesh. If not for fearing the world would point at his spine, he’d have eliminated me long ago.”
After speaking she wiped tears again, speaking softly of Prince Rong: “Yannian was fine – how could he suddenly die violently? Don’t think I don’t know – wasn’t it him ordering people to do it! With the previous Emperor’s line extinct, the throne naturally fell to him. He murdered his own nephew – heaven won’t spare him!”
Previously, she would never have heard the Empress Dowager speak such words. With her son dead and grandson gone, she only had an empty title left, still having to let the current Emperor support her. She dared not confront him – fighting would bring her no benefit. But now it seemed even surface mother-son relations were difficult to maintain, so she remembered the deceased previous Emperor and her wrongfully killed grandson. If they were still here, how could she have fallen to such straits!
Wanwan wiped her tears and advised calm: “Mother spoke in momentary anger – if it reaches His Majesty’s ears it won’t be good. I also know about Tongyun’s matter. Mother needn’t worry – if there’s opportunity, I’ll advise His Majesty again. Mother should calm down and take care of her health.”
After venting, the Empress Dowager felt much better, but thinking of her and the Emperor as full siblings, couldn’t help feeling somewhat afraid.
“You two… after all came from the same womb…”
Wanwan smiled: “Rest assured – we just chatted about family matters, said nothing else. Take good care of yourself. His Majesty’s affairs are entirely his own decisions – why poke that hornet’s nest!”
The Empress Dowager wanted her to stay for a meal, but she politely declined. Staying long in this palace depressed her – she no longer had the ability to live here.
Coming out of Cining Palace, just past Jingyun Gate, she saw someone standing behind the south group quarters’ back wall – hair in a bun, wearing a bean-green silk jacket, with a round, jade-like face that took her a long time to recognize.
Tonghuan whispered it was Tongyun. Wanwan slowed her steps, seeing her quickly approach to bow and curtsy. Standing up with tears in her eyes, she said softly: “Seeing Your Highness is like seeing my mistress.”
Usually the three of them often played together. On Tongyun’s wedding day, she and Yin Luo had sent her to the bridal sedan. Thinking of it now felt like another lifetime. Wanwan sighed softly: “Tongyun, it’s been so long.”
Tongyun repeatedly agreed: “This servant heard Your Highness entered the palace today, so hurried over to pay respects. When Your Highness married, this servant wasn’t in the capital and couldn’t see you off – I’ve been worried about it. Now seeing you… you’re thinner than before. Is it because you’re carrying a precious child? It’s like that at first – once you get through the first three months and stop vomiting, it’ll improve.”
Wanwan was somewhat surprised – these words sounded as if she’d borne children before.
She probably also realized the slip and quickly changed topics, inviting her to sit in the stone pavilion, saying she had words for her. Wanwan also wanted to discuss His Majesty’s affairs with her, so agreed.
Warm wind wove around them. The pavilion was open on all sides, feeling quite cool. After chatting briefly with her, Tongyun began speaking hesitantly. Wanwan knew she was concerned about others present, so sent Tonghuan away.
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Tongyun stood and bowed to her: “This servant knows His Majesty wrote to you explaining his thoughts. After reading it, you probably hated me to death, thinking I seduced His Majesty with treacherous intentions.”
“Indeed, seeing that letter first, I was so angry my head spun. But calming down to think, you surely have your reasons.” Wanwan wasn’t flustered or angry, only quietly watching her: “Speak – I want to hear your difficulties.”
Tongyun lowered her head, seemingly finding it hard to speak. The bright satin complemented her pretty features with infinite charm and beauty.
She bit her lip, hesitating long before saying: “Your Highness knows about my mistress and Chief Xiao’s affair. I married Chief Xiao not because he liked me, but from necessity. Ultimately, the cause traces back to His Majesty. When His Majesty sent the Western Depot to bring my mistress back, not long after returning she was favored. The one who attended that night wasn’t my mistress – it was actually me…”
Wanwan was stunned. No wonder Yin Luo had been so strange then, always seeming to want to tell Tongyun something but stopping herself. Connecting the causes and effects now, it made perfect sense.
Tongyun glanced at her sourly: “Later the imperial physician diagnosed my pulse as pregnancy. Old Lady Zhao made a fuss to the Empress Dowager. Seeing the matter couldn’t be covered up, Chief Xiao made the best of it by pairing with me to get me out of the palace. I was truly pregnant. Not long after leaving the palace I was sent to an estate. When the child was born, Chief Xiao’s people took it away – he feared I’d have improper thoughts and held the child to control me.” Speaking thus, she choked with sobs: “Your Highness, you’re also going to be a mother. Can you understand the pain of separating from flesh and blood? Even now I don’t know where the child is, and dare not tell His Majesty. But His Majesty is my man after all – if I don’t follow him, who else can I follow?”
Truly everyone living in this world had difficulties. These words changed Wanwan’s opinion of her. As she said, separation had made her taste enough bitterness. Returning from Jinling, she was already dying of pain. If forced to let someone take away her child, she probably truly couldn’t survive.
So what more could be said? Tell her to completely break with the Emperor? She was already pitiful enough – being too ruthless would be unbearable even for herself.
“I understand your difficulties. Previously I resented your lack of awareness, but hearing you speak thus, I feel your situation isn’t easy. You and His Majesty being together again is fulfillment for you, at least compensating for some regrets. But you must know your current status is awkward. His Majesty – forget naming you Empress – even bringing you into the harem would invite criticism.” She pondered: “My meaning is, you should advise His Majesty to wait temporarily until Chief Xiao returns before deciding. Having spent years in the palace, you understand what’s most important for an emperor. My heart is the same as yours – we both hope for his good. So please restrain yourself for now. When His Majesty acts rashly, you should counsel him. Planning for the long term is best.”
Tongyun tearfully agreed and curtsied. After comforting her briefly, Wanwan emerged from Donghua Gate. Tonghuan asked how it went. She sighed helplessly: “There’s quite a history – earning a position is appropriate.” Looking up at the sky, sunlight had faded and clouds piled up in the west, seeming like rain was coming.
Better hurry back. She sat in the sedan chair, having traveled not far when thunder began rumbling loudly. Summer rain was quite dramatic – bean-sized raindrops pounded the sedan curtains. She heard people running on the street, but her sedan remained steady. Lifting the curtain to look, those Embroidered Uniform Guards stood like tree stumps – even in heavy wind and rain they didn’t dodge, still keeping their backs straight.
Poor Tonghuan was soaked until her hair scattered. Upon reaching home, Wanwan wouldn’t let her serve anymore and told her to rest. The imperial physician Yu Qixia had summoned was already waiting in the mansion. After taking her pulse, he said the child was completely well, instructing her to rest more, not overwork herself, and that morning sickness symptoms would improve after surviving the first three months. Wanwan found her own relief method – frequently sucking on salted plums until her teeth ached, but it was remarkably effective against nausea.
Xiao You laughed at her, saying she was born in the sheep year, always seeing her chewing something. This girl was always improper, but she was used to it. One day while reading, Yu Qixia entered from outside with an unpleasant expression, bowing and calling “Your Highness”: “Victory reports have returned saying Tan Jin led troops to great victory over Ryukyu, driving those sea pirates back to their homeland. But Chief Xiao fell into water during fierce battle. Search efforts have been fruitless – fears are he’s met with misfortune.”
The book in her hands dropped to the floor with a slap. She said nothing for a long time. This matter seemed long within her expectations, but when it actually happened, she couldn’t help feeling heartbroken and sad.
“Fell into water… is the news accurate?”
Yu Qixia confirmed: “Tan Jin witnessed it personally.”
She leaned back dejectedly in her chair, murmuring it was good: “Whether living or dead, he’ll be with Yin Luo. They’re luckier than us…”