CH 29.2

In the blink of an eye, it was spring.

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Liao Qing Qing thought the Empress Dowager would enter the chanting scri​​pture mode and ignored earthly affairs. However, in the end, Chang Momo,[1] the Momo of Her Highness, the Empress Dowager, came over when she had just finished breakfast.

“This old slave[2] greets Lady Xi of Refined Countenance,” Chang Momo paid her respects.

How could Liao Qing Qing dare make the Empress Dowager’s favourite person perform her salutations? She hurriedly went forward to hold Chang Momo and asked, “Chang Momo, please don’t be polite. I have to trouble you to come over. I wonder if the Empress Dowager has any instructions for me?”

“Replying to Lady Xi of Refined Countenance, it is not an instruction. It’s just that the Empress Dowager has been chanting scriptures recently. Inevitably, she is feeling a little low. She wanted to find someone to talk to. She said only Lady Xi of Refined Countenance does not know zither, chess, calligraphy and painting in the entire harem and does not do needlework, so she ordered this old slave to ask Lady Xi of Refined Countenance to go to Shouxi Palace.”

???

What do you mean?

Is she the only idle person in the entire harem?

Is it bad to be an idle person?

Why does it seem like it should be frowned upon?

She is proud of herself!

Hence, she replied with a smile, “Okay. I’ll go with you now.”

Chang Momo was puzzled.

The Empress Dowager’s words were filled with sarcasm.

How come Lady Xi of Refined Countenance is not annoyed at all?

Did she not understand it?

Chang Momo couldn’t help but be cautious with Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing did not think as much as Chang Momo.

She slightly straightened her clothes and followed Chang Momo to Shouxi Palace.

As soon as she entered the Shouxi Palace, she saw the Empress Dowager sitting in the courtyard enjoying the flowers.

Liao Qing Qing respectfully paid her respects, “Greetings, Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager asked coldly without looking at Liao Qing Qing, “You came here so soon. What were you doing when Chang Momo went to look for you?”

Liao Qing Qing replied with her eyes lowered, “Replying to the Empress Dowager, this imperial concubine[3] was reading a book at that time.”

“What book was it?”

“It was the Great Wei Region Journal that His Majesty ordered this imperial concubine to read.”

“Oh, His Majesty told you to read such a book?”

“Yes, His Majesty said that such a book would broaden one’s horizons.”

The Empress Dowager did not deny it and asked, “What is His Majesty doing at the moment?”

Liao Qing Qing told the truth, “This imperial concubine doesn’t know.”

The Empress Dowager used a handkerchief, wiped away the dust on a leaf and turned her head to look at Liao Qing Qing. She asked with a stern voice, “How have you been serving His Majesty?”

“This imperial concubine serves His Majesty in the Lisheng Pavilion.”

“How dare you! You dare to play a game of words with this grieving one!”[4]

???

Why is this Empress Dowager unreasonable and worse than Emperor Jing Li?

She was telling the truth!

How come it’s a game of words?

She is really picking bones from eggs![5]

This, this, this… Liao Qing Qing suddenly felt that Emperor Jing Li’s temperamental and unreasonable nature was like the Empress Dowager in front of her. At this time, the temperamental and unreasonable Emperor Jing Li was handling matters in the imperial study.

This Minister of Household Affairs said, “Replying to Your Majesty, this year’s crops are growing well. If the heavens beautify it and it rains on time, it will be a good harvest year.”

Emperor Jing Li nodded after hearing this. “I[6] understand. The ploughing ceremony on the second day of the second month of the Chinese calendar will be held as scheduled, regardless of whether it is windy or raining.”

“Yes.”

This Minister of Household Affairs discussed with him for half a shichen (an hour).

Emperor Jing Li opened a memorial and summoned the Ministry of Military Affairs.

He took the Minister of Military Affairs to the practice field and experimented with the new weapons.

By this time, it was already noon.

Recently, Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing were together every day, holding hands and hugging.

He had forgotten that he had a head ailment.

But he had developed the habit of going to Lisheng Pavilion every day.

He dismissed the Ministry of Military Affairs with a flick of his hand and took Fu Sheng to Lisheng Pavilion.

Liao Qing Qing is probably lazing somewhere. He must give her a proper punishment. He thought.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. Wishing Your Majesty to be in good health.” He Xiang and the other palace maids rushed to receive him.

Emperor Jing Li looked around and asked, “Where is your Mistress Xi?”

He Xiang said, “Replying to Your Majesty, just after the Mistress had breakfast, Chang Momo came and summoned the Mistress to Shouxi Palace to chat with the Empress Dowager.”

Emperor Jing Li was surprised. “In the morning? She went to Shouxi Palace?”

“Yes,” He Xiang responded.

“Why didn’t you go?” Emperor Jing Li was puzzled.

“Chang Momo said that the Empress Dowager is fond of quietness. She forbade the maidservants from following her.” In the morning, He Xiang habitually followed Liao Qing Qing. However, Chang Momo did not allow her in the end, and Liao Qing Qing made He Xiang wait at Lisheng Pavilion.

“Lady Xi of Refined Countenance didn’t bring a single palace maid?”

“No.”

Emperor Jing Li continued to ask, “And she never came back?”

“No.”

Upon hearing that, Emperor Jing Li’s face turned sullen.

He recalled Liao Qing Qing’s words that day ‘Will the Empress Dowager become angry and beat this imperial concubine to death?’ and shock ran through him.

He didn’t say a word, turned around and departed from Lisheng Pavilion.

He Xiang froze for a moment and suddenly got scared.

Mistress is not going to be in trouble, right?

When Emperor Jing Li was walking towards Shouxi Palace, Noble Consort Liang had already arrived at the gate of Shouxi Palace. She had heard in the morning that Liao Qing Qing had entered Shouxi Palace.

She did not return in the morning.

She knew that the Empress Dowager and Emperor Jing Li did not get along and that the Empress Dowager had once beaten a person eunuch to death that Emperor Jing Li liked. So right now, she might be able to make a move on Liao Qing Qing.

She eagerly wanted to find out what was going on.

But she couldn’t go there ostentatiously since it might cause the Empress Dowager to dislike her. So she spent a lot of silver, let the imperial kitchen make Eight-treasure Decoction[7] and waited longingly till noon to come.

Just to see a joke by Liao Qing Qing!

She can immediately see it!

With some excitement, she adjusted her attire and took the food container from the palace maid. Just when she was about to enter Shouxi Palace, she suddenly felt a gust of wind blowing past her and glanced at it.

It was Emperor Jing Li.

Without waiting for her to say anything, Emperor Jing Li had already entered Shouxi Palace with a panicked expression.

Could it be that something really happened to Liao Qing Qing?

Noble Consort Liang was happy inwardly and hurriedly followed Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li had already entered the front courtyard. Without waiting for a group of Momos and palace maids to pay their respects, he asked in a frenzy, “Where is the Empress Dowager?”

Chang Momo bowed with her hands held in front and replied, “Replying to Your Majesty, Her Highness, the Empress Dowager, is planting flowers.”

“Where is she planting flowers?”

“In the backyard. This old slave will take Your Majesty there.”

“No need. I will go by myself!”

Chang Momo was stunned.

Emperor Jing Li strode towards the backyard without giving Chang Momo to respond.

Noble Consort Liang hastily followed.

As soon as Emperor Jing Li entered the backyard, he saw a straight green road with various potted seedlings planted on the left and right. There was no sign of Empress Dowager, let alone Liao Qing Qing.

“Queen Mother!” Emperor Jing Li was a little nervous in his heart and shouted, “Queen Mother! Queen Mother!”

“Oh.” At this time, a detached voice sounded from behind a bonsai half a human’s height. It followed with the Empress Dowager slowly standing up, holding her waist and turning her head to look at Emperor Jing Li. “The Emperor is here.”

Emperor Jing Li asked impatiently, “Queen Mother, where is Lady Xi of Refined Countenance?”

“You are here to find Lady Xi of Refined Countenance?” The Empress Dowager asked leisurely.

Emperor Jing Li asked anxiously, “Where is she?”

“Where is she?” The Empress Dowager looked behind her.

“Your Majesty, this imperial concubine is here.” Liao Qing Qing’s cheerful voice sounded.

Emperor Jing Li and Noble Consort Liang looked from the direction of the sound and saw another slender figure standing up behind the Empress Dowager with a white veiled hat[8] on her head.

“Qing Qing!” Emperor Jing Li quickly stepped forward and removed the veiled hat. “Why are you wearing this thing? Are you hurt and afraid that I will see it?”

Emperor Jing Li surveyed Liao Qing Qing’s face.

Liao Qing Qing answered, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine is not hurt.”

“Then why are you wearing a veiled hat?” Emperor Jing Li asked in perplexity.

“There are bugs biting me.”

“What bugs? Who raised them?” Emperor Jing Li asked anxiously.

“It’s not raised by anyone. It’s from the wild.”

“Wild?” Emperor Jing Li felt something was amiss.

“Mm. There are many flowers and plants here. The humidity and shade is where the mosquitoes grow and they like to bite people.” Liao Qing Qing turned her head to ask, “Your Highness, Empress Dowager, don’t you think so?”

“Lady Xi of Refined Countenance is right.” The Empress Dowager’s voice was still distant, but her answer was extremely natural. She looked at Emperor Jing Li and asked, “Emperor, what are you thinking about? You think this grieving one will hurt Lady Xi of Refined Countenance?”

Emperor Jing Li, “???” Isn’t that the case?

Noble Consort Liang, “???”

The author has something to say:  —

Emperor Jing Li: I thought too much about it?

Noble Consort Liang: It feels like Bengong[9] thought too much.

Liao Qing Qing: Mm. (Obediently nodding her head)

[1] 嬷嬷(mómo)- In ancient times, Momo is a title, which refers to palace maids that are of a certain age and position. It usually refers to elderly palace maids of seniority.

[2] 老奴(lǎonú ) – this old slave

[3] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

[4] 哀家(āijiā)- This grieving one/ I (self-referring by a widowed empress etc, used in historical novels and operas)

[5] 鸡蛋里挑骨头(jīdànlitiāogǔtou)- to look for bones in an egg/to find fault/to nitpick.

[6] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).

[7] 八珍汤(bāzhēntāng)-eight treasure decoction, tonic formula used in Chinese medicine. The ingredients are chinese angelica root, atractylodes rhizome, rehmannia, codonopsis root, honey fried licorice root, sichuan lovage, poria, eucommia bark, and white peony root. The medicinal soup helps one regain strength and stamina. Formulated specifically to combat what Traditional Chinese Medicine refer to as ‘Blood and Qi deficiency’, it helps improve pale complexion, shortness of breath, and irregular or painful menstruation. Credits: Newmalaysiakitchen

[8] 帷帽(wéi mào) – Veiled hat or curtained hat is a type of wide brimmed hat with a shoulder-length veil hanging. It was a popular form of head covering during the Tang dynasty. Credit: Wikipedia

[9] 本宮 (Běngōng) – I, the one who owns this palace. Such as the queen will call herself ‘the palace’, and the princess with the official title can also call herself ‘the palace’.