Qi Leyun was nervous and uneasy, not daring to raise her head and look around, nor daring to chat with the sisters around her. Standing in front of the palace hall, she suffered greatly.
“Why aren’t we allowed in yet?” she couldn’t help asking her mother in a low voice, her expression anxious. “Is she deliberately punishing me?”
It was just like when she made mistakes at home, and her grandmother would summon her but then ignore her, making her stand at the doorway.
Although Madam Qi had frightened her daughter earlier, seeing her daughter’s pale little face now made her feel sympathetic: “The Empress would not be so trivial. She’s not a child anymore.”
She meant that even though Chu Zhao was a child, now that she had become Empress, she could no longer behave like one.
If she did so, the noble ladies would look down on her.
Her ascension to the position of Empress was already not widely accepted, and there were many unfavorable speculations.
As mother and daughter spoke in hushed tones, a eunuch loudly announced that the Empress was ascending her throne, and the noble ladies could now pay their respects.
Everyone set aside their various thoughts and filed into the Empress’s hall. Inside, eunuchs and palace maids stood in rows. On the Empress’s throne, surrounded by precious fans and incense burners, a girl sat with a smiling expression.
Standing below her was a woman whom no one had recognized before, but now everyone knew—the Empress’s cousin.
“We pay our respects to Her Majesty the Empress, long live the Empress.” Everyone knelt together and kowtowed.
From above, they heard a clear, beautiful female voice.
“You may rise.”
…
…
Palace maids entered in a line, filling the tables with delicacies, but the noble ladies weren’t able to sit down and enjoy them. First, several marchionesses were invited before the Empress, and after exchanging a few words, they were granted seats. Then more noble ladies were invited one by one.
“I came to the capital late and was young, so I don’t know all the ladies,” Chu Zhao said with a smile. “Today I’ve specifically invited you all to meet.”
The seated marchionesses smiled and pointed to the noble ladies approaching, introducing them as the wife of so-and-so, with such-and-such surname and name.
Chu Zhao would then exchange a few words with each lady.
Seeing this scene, Qi Leyun felt both nervous and expectant. She waited for a long time—her father’s rank was low—until finally it was her turn. Madam Qi stood up, once again giving her daughter a warning glance, before approaching nervously.
From a distance, she could see the girl smiling. Up close, she had bright eyes and white teeth, her manner graceful and poised. Though she was a young girl, she didn’t appear inexperienced or immature, nor did anyone dare to underestimate her, perhaps because of the Empress’s ceremonial robes she wore.
Madam Qi bowed her head in respect and announced herself.
The marchionesses beside her were about to introduce her, but Chu Zhao spoke first: “I know this one. The Empress played mischievously with Miss Qi before.”
Hearing these words, the ladies were startled, then couldn’t help but giggle.
What “mischief” meant, the ladies naturally knew—the Chu Garden literary gathering.
Qi Leyun was even more excited, almost stepping forward in her enthusiasm, but fortunately, her mother had anticipated this and stepped on the hem of her skirt.
“Your Majesty, you… still remember,” she stammered, looking at Chu Zhao.
The girl sitting on the throne, wearing a crown of gold and jade, resembled a temple deity, solemn and magnificent. But suddenly she winked, and for an instant, it was like a star falling: “What is Miss Qi saying? Is my memory that poor? I haven’t forgotten that you lost to me more often.”
Qi Leyun’s face turned red. She wanted to laugh but also wanted to argue. Finally, she said: “I… I will work hard at my studies, and in the future, I’ll… compete with you again, Your Majesty.”
Chu Zhao smiled: “Very well.” After saying this, she looked at Madam Qi, her smile returning to dignity. “Madam Qi has raised Miss Qi very well.”
Madam Qi quickly bowed in thanks: “The Empress is too kind with her praise.”
Chu Zhao didn’t say anything more but nodded with a smile. Madam Qi then led her daughter away. After they left, Chu Zhao smiled again at the several seated marchionesses: “I grew up without a mother, and was raised in a border commandery; I had no sisters. Coming to the capital, I was very happy to have playmates. Having survived this calamity and being able to meet again truly makes me happy. Ladies, please don’t laugh at me.”
How could they? To have such a nostalgic Empress, they couldn’t be happier. The marchionesses all stood up, saying, “Your Majesty thinks too much,” and “It is precisely because of Your Majesty’s bravery that more people were spared from disaster.”
Chu Zhao then looked at Chu Tang: “Now that I’ve entered the palace, only my sister remains at home. Uncle and Aunt are not in good health. In the future, I hope the ladies will take care of my cousin.”
Chu Tang bowed to the marchionesses.
The marchionesses hurriedly returned the bow and supported her, immediately inviting Chu Tang to join them at the table. Chu Tang didn’t decline and followed them with a smile.
Because of these interludes, the atmosphere in the Empress’s hall became relaxed and joyful. Some girls were even bold enough to stand up and offer tea to the Empress, asking in trembling voices: “Will Your Majesty hold literary gatherings in the future?”
Chu Zhao smiled and said: “Of course. Should we perhaps also select a female champion and grant her titles and promotions?”
Hearing this, the girls in the hall burst into a clamor.
Qi Leyun even jumped up, exclaiming “Yes, yes!” ignoring her mother pinching her leg beside her.
The ladies looked at them with helpless smiles, not wanting to stop them. Moreover, they were also somewhat moved—if their daughters could truly be named champions in the imperial palace, it would bring honor to their clans.
As they were laughing and talking, Eunuch Qi entered with a smile.
“Your Majesty,” he said with a smile, “His Majesty’s event is about to end. He requests Your Majesty to go and meet him.”
While the Empress was hosting a banquet, the Emperor was entertaining high officials and noble families in the front hall. Hearing these words, the hall fell silent again. The ladies were about to kowtow and take their leave when they saw Chu Zhao stand up.
“Then the ladies shall accompany the Empress to see His Majesty.”
When the noble ladies followed Chu Zhao to the front hall, they had already received the news there, and the right side of the hall had been cleared to make room for the women.
Men and women stood on opposite sides, watching Chu Zhao walk slowly toward the front.
On the dragon throne sat a child wearing imperial robes. Seeing the approaching girl, he wanted to stand up to greet her, but was stopped by a light cough from Deng Yi below him. He could only wait for Chu Zhao to approach.
Chu Zhao first paid her respects to the Emperor. After being excused from formal greetings, she approached, taking the child’s hand that could no longer be held back, and they sat down together.
The front hall was more imposing than the rear hall. The Emperor and Empress were seated high above—their small figures could not be directly gazed upon. The men and women in the hall all bowed and kowtowed together.
“Long live His Majesty the Emperor, long live, long live, long live. Long live Her Majesty the Empress, long live.”
The previous enthronement and investiture ceremony had been a proclamation to heaven and earth; this banquet was a presentation before the people.
That child Emperor, that Chu family female Empress, were no longer merely figures in conversations or imperial edicts, but appeared vividly before everyone’s eyes.
The people witnessed their appearances and expressions firsthand, feeling their liveliness, and also experiencing the imperial majesty.
Because they were still in the mourning period, there was no wine at the banquet, nor were there songs, dances, or music. After dusk, the banquet ended.
The Xie family had no female relatives in the capital. Seventh Master Xie and Xie Yanfang had only attended the Emperor’s side of the banquet.
Chu Zhao bringing the ladies over had not been known in advance. According to protocol, when the Empress hosted a banquet, the Emperor didn’t need to make an appearance, though he could if he wished, like when the late Emperor had favored his Imperial Consort and supported her. Even then, the late Emperor had gone to the consort’s palace.
“It’s one thing for her to host a banquet in the rear palace, but why bring these women to the front hall?” Seventh Master Xie said with a frown of displeasure as he sat in the carriage.
There were many carriages and people on the imperial road, and even the Xie family’s carriage had to slow down. The carriage moved at a crawl.
Xie Yanfang sat aslant, reading a document. Hearing this, he smiled slightly: “Because she wants everyone to see the Empress standing beside the Emperor. This gives more authority.”
Seventh Master Xie immediately snorted: “I knew it—”
Before he could finish, Xie Yanfang put down the document and interrupted him: “We should all know that they are both young and must rely on each other. Each acting for their good is also acting for the other’s good.”
Seventh Master Xie was taken aback, then said helplessly: “Yanfang, you certainly defend Miss Chu well.”
Not allowing even a single negative word to be said.
Xie Yanfang smiled: “She saved A-Yu’s life, and also saved the Xie family. She is my benefactor and also my relative. Uncle Seven, you know how I treat benefactors and relatives, don’t you?”
Seventh Master Xie smiled: “How you treat benefactors, I truly don’t know. All along, others have owed you favors. I’ve never seen anyone to whom you owe a favor.”
How could Third Young Master Xie need anyone’s help? It was always he who helped others out of difficulties, making others indebted to him. Of course, such debts of gratitude had to be repaid.
Xie Yanfang laughed heartily.
Seventh Master Xie didn’t wait for him to speak again and continued: “But I know how you treat relatives—protecting them, tolerating them, caring for them—I understand all that.” He shook his head. “I know what you’re saying, but I can’t help but feel angry when I think about how this woman became Empress. Shouldn’t she at least have informed our Xie family?”
Xie Yanfang smiled and shook his head: “She doesn’t need to.”
Seventh Master Xie raised his eyebrows: “How could she not need to? She’s not the Emperor!”
Only the Emperor could arrange a marriage for Xiao Yu without consulting the Xie family’s opinion. Even if it were the Crown Prince, they would still need to be asked.
Xie Yanfang smiled: “She certainly can’t compare to the Emperor, but what about Deng Yi?”
What about Deng Yi? Seventh Master Xie was momentarily confused.
“If Deng Yi were to arrange a marriage for A-Yu, would he consult with us?” Xie Yanfang said with a smile.
That bastard Deng Yi! Of course he wouldn’t! Seventh Master Xie gritted his teeth: “Not only would he not…”
Xie Yanfang looked at Seventh Master Xie. “The reason you think Miss Chu should have informed us is because you feel she is inferior to us. If you saw her as on par with Deng Yi, you wouldn’t think this way.”
Seventh Master Xie was startled, then laughed: “But how can she compare to Deng Yi?”
That villain Deng Yi, scheming and opportunistic, seized power during the chaos, was entrusted by the Emperor with the jade seal, the tiger tally, and military authority, supervising the court and controlling everything.
“She is the same as Deng Yi,” Xie Yanfang said.
At such a young age, coming from a border commandery to the capital, she first vindicated her father by beating, kicking, and berating the Liang family. Then she confronted the Third Prince, single-handedly launched the Chu Garden literary gathering, and earned a reputation. She had control of an unusual military force, rose suddenly during the chaos, rescued the Emperor’s grandson, was entrusted by the Emperor, and now attended court with the new Emperor.
“Uncle Seven, you can’t underestimate her just because she’s female,” Xie Yanfang said softly. “She doesn’t depend on us. Her current position is not because of us. On the contrary, the Xie family still exists today because of her.”
Seventh Master Xie was silent for a moment, then sighed deeply: “How could I not know that? I just—” He clenched his fist. “I’m not resigned.”
Their Xie family was large and powerful, Xie Yanfang was famous throughout the land, yet in the end, they stood alongside these two unknowns—and even ranked below them. How could they be resigned to this?
“There’s nothing to be unresigned about. Think of the Yang and Zhao families, think of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, even the late Emperor—who among them was resigned?” Xie Yanfang said. “Uncle Seven, our Xie family is still alive, able to stand in the court, unbowed. This is already incredibly fortunate. How many people are unresigned about us?”
Seventh Master Xie snorted haughtily: “Let them be unresigned.”
Xie Yanfang smiled: “Exactly, let them be unresigned. What we need to do is not be unresigned about Miss Chu. What we need to do is draw her in, form a good relationship with her, lest she be drawn away by other unresigned people.”
Just now, while he was persuading Seventh Master Xie, wasn’t he also telling himself—
He thought of the first time he met that girl, when she had frankly said she came to meet him. He had accepted her acquaintance, but told Elder Cai that this was merely an acquaintance, not a friendship.
True friendship requires an exchange of sincere intentions and benefits.
At that time, the girl, and even her father behind her, were not yet worthy of discussing friendship with the Xie family.
Now they were. It had happened so quickly, in the blink of an eye.
She had grown even faster than he had at thirteen.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the carriage window, interrupting Xie Yanfang’s thoughts. Seventh Master Xie opened the window and saw Du Qi outside.
“The Empress wishes to see the Young Master,” he said softly.
Seventh Master Xie hurriedly said: “Turn the carriage around—”
Xie Yanfang stopped him: “There are too many carriages on the road. Turning around would be inconvenient. It’s not far; I’ll walk back.”
Everyone had worn casual attire for today’s palace banquet. On the imperial road, apart from guards and servants, the sudden appearance of a young man in white robes immediately attracted countless gazes, and he was quickly recognized as Third Young Master Xie.
Xie Yanfang paid no attention to the prying gazes and, accompanied by Du Qi, gracefully walked back toward the imperial palace against the flow of traffic.
“What is Third Young Master Xie going to do?”
“He can do whatever he wants! He is the imperial uncle, the only one.”
Third Young Master Xie! Qi Leyun almost lifted the window and leaned out to look, but was firmly held back by her sisters: “Behave yourself. If you continue to be so unruly, your mother will punish you. A mother disciplining her daughter is natural and proper; even the Empress can’t interfere.”
Qi Leyun pouted and sat back, then her eyes lit up with excitement: “Although A-Zhao didn’t marry Third Young Master Xie or that Xie Yanlai, she can still arrange marriages with Third Young Master Xie, and can see him whenever she wants, summoning him at will—”
The girls put their hands over her mouth: “Say less. Don’t bring up past matters anymore.”
Qi Leyun’s mouth was covered, and she made two muffled sounds.
She suddenly thought of it too—had past matters simply… passed?
Third Young Master Xie, Xie Yanlai—
What a pity.
The lovers ultimately became uncle and nephew’s wife.