In the Fengyi Palace of the Western Garden, far west of the capital, the Empress sat solemnly on a lounge chair in the warm chamber, gently stroking the phoenix embroidered on her horse-face skirt.
She hadn’t expected Song Tongchun to cover for Song Mo.
Without Song Tongchun, how could Wang Yuan and Song Mo have passed so easily?
In the end, it was her carelessness, not taking a minor figure like Song Tongchun seriously.
Evidently, at crucial moments, even these minor characters could influence the bigger picture.
She lifted her teacup and took a slow sip.
Thinking back, when the old Duke Ying realized his son was incompetent, he had placed his hopes on his grandson, carefully selecting Jiang Huisun as Song Yichun’s wife. Because of this, she had never taken Song Yichun seriously. But Song Yichun was still Song Mo’s father. If a minor figure like Song Tongchun could foil her plans, surely Song Yichun couldn’t be entirely useless!
She gently instructed the lady-in-waiting beside her: “Call Xiao Shunzi in.”
The Song family matter needed to be thoroughly investigated by Shi Chuan.
Since she couldn’t openly move against Song Mo now, she could only act in secret.
Thinking of this, the corners of her mouth turned up in a pleased expression. She asked the maid beside her, “Has the Prince of Liao’s birthday gift arrived?”
The maid replied with downcast eyes, “It has arrived, Your Majesty.”
“What is the Emperor doing?”
“He’s drinking with the Prince of Huainan in the Clear Breeze Pavilion!”
She thought for a moment and said, “If the Emperor comes tonight, bring the Prince of Liao’s birthday gift over just before he arrives.”
The maid respectfully answered “Yes” and withdrew.
When the lamps were lit, word came from the Clear Breeze Pavilion that the Emperor was heading to the Fengyi Palace.
The Empress dismissed those around her and, holding the clove-colored five-colored dragon robe the Prince of Liao had sent as a birthday gift for the Emperor, began to cry silently.
The Emperor saw this and said with some exasperation, “What are you doing?”
“Nothing, nothing!” The Empress hurriedly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, put the robe aside, and took the tea offered by the maid to serve to the Emperor.
“You say it’s nothing?” The Emperor set the teacup on the nearby kang table and said, “You’ve been by my side for nearly thirty years, and now you’re the mother of the nation. What can’t you tell me?”
“It is nothing.” The Empress smiled sheepishly. “I heard that the Prince of Liao’s birthday gift had arrived. Fearing the child might be rash and careless, failing in etiquette, I had them bring it to me first to take a look… When he left, he was only seventeen, just married. Now his eldest son is already five years old. I couldn’t help myself for a moment…”
The Emperor sighed deeply, pulling the Empress to sit beside him. He said with some remorse, “Among all the children, the Prince of Liao not only looks most like me but also has the most similar personality – not just brave and resolute, but also generous and magnanimous… But the heir apparent is the foundation of the country, which cannot be disturbed… That’s why I enfeoffed Liao to him… The Crown Prince is kind-hearted, and when he ascends the throne, he will surely treat him well. Living in a remote corner, he can certainly live freely and easily…”
Before he could finish, the Empress glanced at him reproachfully and said, “Your Majesty speaks this way, but I feel wrong! As you said, I’ve been by your side for nearly thirty years. Don’t you know what kind of person I am? I manage the harem for you, keep the consorts in check, and raise the princes. I dare not claim credit, but I’ve been diligent and careful, seeking only to avoid mistakes. But sometimes my heart may lean a little, missing the son I carried for ten months and birthed with great difficulty. Surely you can’t expect me not to have even this bit of longing? That wouldn’t be human, that would be a clay statue in a temple! Alas, I haven’t reached that level of cultivation yet!”
The Emperor chuckled.
This was his Empress – never confused about important matters, but occasionally allowing herself to be a little selfish.
When he was with her, without all the praise, he felt very at ease.
“It’s my fault!” he comforted the Empress. “When it’s the Prince of Liao’s birthday, I’ll reward him well.”
“There’s no need to reward him,” the Empress smiled. “If Your Majesty could let him bring his two grandsons back to the palace for me to see, I could die with my eyes closed.”
As soon as she said this, the Emperor was stunned, and she also seemed to realize she had misspoken.
“Look at me, talking more and more nonsense. Just pretend you didn’t hear it,” she hurriedly said. “Where did you come from? I thought you would be resting with Consort Liu today. Have you had dinner? I made duck meat porridge today, it’s very cooling. Would you like me to serve you a bowl…”
The summer palace in the Western Garden didn’t have as many rules as the Forbidden City. The Empress had brought several cooks, changing the menu every day.
The Emperor took the Empress’s hand and said softly, “Let me think about it carefully…”
He interrupted the Empress’s words.
Tears immediately fell from the Empress’s eyes.
She choked, “While you’re here, he can still return to the capital. But if the Crown Prince ascends the throne…”
As a prince who had been enfeoffed to a distant land, the Brocade Guard was constantly watching him!
“I know,” the Emperor’s mood seemed somewhat dejected, “I know…”
On the Emperor’s birthday, not only did the princes and nobles send gifts, but various provinces also sent congratulatory presents. Among them, the Seventh Prince’s gift of a twelve-panel birthday glass screen, one zhang high and over two zhang when unfolded, took first place.
The Emperor was very pleased and rewarded him with three jars of pear blossom white wine.
He entertained his father with colorful clothes, crying out that the reward was too little and asking the Emperor to give him the “Lotus Sutra” from the study in Qianqing Palace.
As Buddhist scriptures are meant to encourage people to do good, the Emperor naturally agreed readily.
The other princes took the opportunity to join in, teasing the Emperor to make him happy and adding to the lively atmosphere.
For a time, the great hall was bustling with noise.
The Empress, surrounded by eunuchs, ladies-in-waiting, and maids, walked over from the western hall.
Everyone bowed to the Empress.
The Empress quickly smiled and said, “I’m just passing through, please continue.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Some took the opportunity to curry favor with the Emperor.
The Empress smiled and nodded at Song Yichun.
Song Yichun hurriedly came forward to bow.
The Empress smiled and said, “I see Yantang, but where’s Tian’en?”
Song Yichun immediately gestured to Song Han, who was standing listlessly in a corner.
Song Han ran over, knelt, and kowtowed to the Empress.
The Empress accepted his formal greeting.
After he stood up, she looked him up and down with a smile and said to Song Yichun, “He’s a fine, upright young man.” Then she sighed, “Since Madam Jiang passed away, no one has brought them into the palace. Girls change greatly by eighteen, but the same is true for boys. If you hadn’t introduced him, I wouldn’t have recognized him.” She then asked, “Where is he serving now?”
Song Yichun, struck by inspiration, said with a bitter smile, “He’s still at home, unoccupied!” He continued, “Thanks to the Empress Dowager’s favor, she helped arrange a good marriage for this boy last year. This year, I let him set up his household, but because he hasn’t found suitable employment, he’s just been idle at home. It’s truly worrying.”
The Empress smiled and asked, “What kind of position are you looking for?”
Song Yichun replied with a smile, “The Imperial Guard or Brocade Guard would be best, but unfortunately, my eldest is in the Imperial Guard and also oversees the Five Cities Military Command. So we can only settle for second best and wait for an opening in the Banner Guard, Divine Machine Camp, or Five Army Camp. He has a good nature, and I fear he might be bullied if he’s too far from home.”
Hearing this, Song Han cooperatively put on a shy expression.
The Empress nodded with a smile and said, “Madam Jiang and I were as close as sisters. Her children are naturally like my own nephews and nieces. I will keep an eye out for this matter.”
Song Yichun and Song Han were overjoyed and expressed their thanks repeatedly.
Within a few days, the Empress had secured a position for Song Han as a Banner Captain in the Brocade Guard.
Song Yichun and Song Han were beside themselves with joy. Ordering official robes, paying respects to superiors, visiting old acquaintances… Song Yichun personally took Song Han on a round of visits.
When Chen Jia heard that Song Han had joined the Brocade Guard, he came to see Song Mo: “Should I invite Song Han to my home for a meal?”
Song Han might not know that Chen Jia was an insider.
Song Mo thought this was a good idea and smiled, “If he’s willing to be your guest, that would be best.”
Chen Jia understood. On Song Han’s second day of duty in the Brocade Guard, he visited Song Han, not only presenting valuable gifts but also inviting him to his home, showing great enthusiasm.
Song Han knew he was Song Mo’s man and couldn’t help but show a sarcastic expression: “I wouldn’t dare! You’re the son-in-law of Duke Ying’s family and an Associate Commander of the Brocade Guard!”
Chen Jia smiled obsequiously, “A distant relative is not as close as you, the legitimate second young master of Duke Ying’s family. And you were personally recommended by the Empress. You speak like this, you’re flattering me too much!”
So this was the husband Song Mo had chosen for Jiang Yan!
Someone who follows whoever feeds them!
Song Mo’s judgment was nothing special after all!
Song Han was in high spirits.
The Empress’s influence was indeed powerful!
What expression would Song Mo show if he saw Chen Jia fawning over him like this?
Just thinking about it made him excited.
“Alright!” Song Han said generously, “You set a date, and I’ll come.”
“Why wait? How about tomorrow?” Chen Jia seemed somewhat impatient.
Song Han nodded in agreement.
The next day, Chen Jia not only invited actors to perform and courtesans to accompany the drinking but also invited several Brocade Guard colleagues who were good at flattery.
Fine wine, beautiful women, and endless flattery – Song Han felt this was how life should be lived.
He unknowingly drank a bit too much and said, “Where’s my cousin Ayan? Her cousin has come, why doesn’t she come to drink with us?”
Chen Jia’s colleagues looked at each other in surprise, all stopping their chopsticks.
How could a proper wife drink with actors and courtesans? What would that look like?
Chen Jia, however, seemed unconcerned and smiled, “You don’t know, my wife mostly lives on the estate that the heir gave her as part of her dowry, served by the maids and old women she brought from Duke Ying’s family. If you’d like, I can send someone to bring her back?”
Hearing this, Song Han sobered up halfway and forced a smile, “No need for such trouble, next time then.”
Chen Jia smiled at this and poured another cup of wine for Song Han.
The colleagues invited to accompany Song Han also came to their senses and raised their cups to toast Song Han one after another.
A square brick under Chen Jia’s foot shattered into several pieces.
Song Han, still unaware, drank himself into a stupor and returned to Four Hutong Lane with a thousand-tael silver note given to him by Chen Jia.
Miao Ansu brought water to help him wash up, but he pulled at Miao Ansu, wanting her to serve him along with Liu Hong. Miao Ansu trembled with anger and ran crying to the east wing room, not returning to the inner chamber of the main room all night.
Song Han, taking advantage of his drunken state, pulled Liu Hong and Ji Hong into the inner chamber and made mischief all night.