Chapter 546: Phoenix Crown and Rosy Cloud Cape |
His Majesty has rested.
The Empress stood inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility's moonlight. Raising her head looking at the distant deep night, lightly faintly smiling and teasing: "He tonight rests actually exceptionally early huh... Still identical to back then those years. As soon as arriving at the time to do matters of a guilty conscience simply hiding rising up. His own hands forever, forever dry and clean. Blood universally letting other people act as a proxy for him to be stained with."
Wu Xiu's complexion vastly changed. A single fierce and sharp eye expression flung over. The Trouble-Resolving Guards and palace people resembling tide water retreated away. Only remaining four of the most trusted confidant Trouble-Resolving Guards remaining beside his side.
"He this person ah." The Empress's voice floated rising up inside the empty hall. So light it resembled speaking a story unconnected to herself: "Suspicious and doubting, willful, adept at jealousy, cowardly and timid... When flipping faces with the Empress Dowager, he hid upon a single side waiting for Prince Jing to stick out his head for him. That year they four secretly slipped heading to the Lantern Festival appreciating lanterns. Clearly it was he who wished to know my name. Yet letting Prince Jing come to strike up conversation with me... Time passes genuinely fast. A single blink of an eye, this many years passed away."
Noble Consort Xue listened until impatient. Using an embroidered handkerchief to cover her face. Reminding in a cold voice: "Empress. Currently is not the time to chase memories of the past. This world lacks walls un-penetrated by wind. Inside the Empress's sleeping palace seizing out an unpurified outer male this class of ugly matter. Tomorrow before the Wu hour (11 AM - 1 PM), simply will possess speaking Officials (censors) making death admonishments. Before the Shen hour (3 - 5 PM), outside Meridian Gate the Hundred Officials silently sitting... Humiliating the Heavenly Family's majestic dignity, violating the Ancestor's Propriety strictures. I'm afraid Elder Hu also cannot shelter and protect you. The most important is Prince Fu. He from now and heading later but what is to be done?"
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The Empress didn't heed her. Merely continuing to speak saying: "At that session of time he still would painstakingly practice and drill bows and horses. Drinking until drunk he would rouse his arms shouting loudly 'When the children of fat and grain (rich kids) fight cocks at Zhangtai (brothels), we and our peers naturally ought to Run in Opposite Directions with them, waving our armies heading north'. At that session of time drinking until drunk he would hug his elder brother crying. Saying the people of the world failed him. At that session of time, he still would secretly look at me."
Noble Consort Xue with an insipid expression said: "These things the Empress speaks of universally are old almanacs (ancient history). This world's all matters universally will change."
The Empress looking at the moonlight emotionally sighed: "Right ah. Universally changed. I remember myself when just entering the palace upon my face not possessing a single bit of wrinkle or fold. Now also attained fish-tail lines (crow's feet). I remember you when just entering the palace innocent and romantically brilliant. In the Western Gardens holding a butterfly jar. Smiling rising up your eyes curving and curving. But now your eye expressions are quenched with poison. Becoming vicious, venomous, and harsh."
Not waiting for her to rebut. The Empress smilingly said: "Younger Sister Xue. There are people who say an Emperor's sword, throughout a single lifetime must be stained with blood three times. Enemies', friends', lovers'... Now ah, he finally is a genuine Emperor."
Noble Consort Xue remained frozen.
"Younger Sister Xue always fought and struggled with me." The Empress turned her head looking toward Noble Consort Xue: "You believed exhausting methods simply could cause him to take his heart entirely universally suspending it upon your body. What a pity. This world's great men's hearts inside only possess the Under Heaven. Lacking bystanders. Reaching even lacking themselves. His mind and thoughts are not upon my body. Also will not be upon your body."
Noble Consort Xue precisely was about to say what.
The Empress slowly straightened up her waist and back. Restoring the distant, cold, and majestic dignity of a mother modeling the Under Heaven. With a haughty and proud expression saying: "Retreat down right. This matter doesn't rotate arriving at you people to come multiplying your mouths (speaking out of turn). This Palace naturally will give the people of the world a single account. Also no need to labor and bother His Majesty. He uniquely being unwilling to see me, precisely is knowing what this Palace will do. As for you people... that person ah. During youth being pressed by the two characters 'filial piety and fraternal duty' for that many years. Therefore only then establishing a single tablet of filial piety and fraternal duty before Renshou Palace. Constantly alerting and awakening himself that outer relatives (maternal relatives) cannot be Trusted. Your Xue Family's full gates (entire family) however ten thousand times must be careful."
Noble Consort Xue's complexion changed and changed anew. Ultimately still performing a Ten Thousand Blessings Greeting: "The Empress treasure and value yourself. This subject concubine announces leave."
The Empress again looked toward Bai Li. Her expression warming and softening down. She taking Bai Li embracing her within her embrace said in a low voice: "Now this Palace is Unable to Save Oneself. Must lean upon the Baron of Wuxiang County rescuing you exiting out huh. His abilities are vastly great. Also compared to this Palace even more capable of enduring and hiding. Thinking it coming he definitely will rescue you exiting out..."
Bai Li in a hasty voice said: "I can toss the divination blocks asking divinations. Begging the Daoist Ancestor to manifest his spirit, certifying the Empress's innocence!"
The Empress smilingly said: "No need. That person's heart intentions are already resolved."
Finishing speaking. She with a single handful took Bai Li pushing her out of Palace of Earthly Tranquility's door sill. The Trouble-Resolving Guards beside Wu Xiu's side followed like shadows following forms.
But when they precisely were about to lock and take Bai Li. Yet seeing Bai Li grabbing her fist with a single hand... actually separating space drawing out four Trouble-Resolving Guards' waist-worn sabers.
The Trouble-Resolving Guards' complexions vastly changed. Hastily and hurriedly taking advantage of the opportunity when the blades hadn't yet exited their sheaths to press and hold the blade handles. Taking the long blades exerting effort to press them returning to within the blade sheaths.
A single person among them an arrow-step stepped forward. A single hand-knife striking upon Bai Li's neck. Bai Li fainted falling upon the ground. Tears flowing down from the corners of eyes. Again transforming turning into strands by strands of white smoke drifting and scattering within the night colors.
Wu Xiu cast a single glance at the Bai Li upon the ground: "Inviting a Palace of Earthly Tranquility female maid to walk a single trip. Taking this woman sending her back to Jingyang Palace."
Aunt Yuanjin called coming a female maid carrying Bai Li upon her back. Wu Xiu to the Empress cupped his hands saying: "The Empress treasure and value yourself. This inner official announces leave."
The Empress exhaustedly waved and waved her robe sleeves: "Go right."
Palace of Earthly Tranquility's doors, slowly closed together. Everything returning resolving into heavy silence.
...
...
The closed together palace doors. Obscured the clear and cold moonlight of Jianing Year Thirty-Two, August Sixteenth.
Inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility only remained candle fires lightly and finely jumping and pulsing. Aunt Yuanjin said in a low voice: "Empress. Tomorrow morning as soon as the palace gates open. I simply will dispatch people heading to give Old Master a reported letter. Begging him to enter the palace facing the Emperor (Imperial Audience). There absolutely still are methods."
The Empress bent her waist scooping rising up the Wu Yun upon the ground. Lightly and softly stroking its back fur: "Aunt Yuanjin. No need. The more the Hu Family wildly tosses and turns (stirs up trouble), that person simply the more he will dread and fear."
Aunt Yuanjin said in a condensed voice: "Empress. You uniquely mind your innocent clear reputation. Why eye-watching them falsely trap and frame you. Our Hu Family has endured and hidden for too long..."
The Empress faintly smiled: "Aunt Yuanjin is wrong. What this Palace minds the most is by no means pure reputation. It is Little Stone ah. If this matter is made a fuss of until the Four Seas (everyone) universally knows it. He but what is to be done?"
Aunt Yuanjin stood blankly upon her original spot. Little Stone was Prince Fu's childhood milk name. Ever since being enfeoffed and titled Prince Fu, simply very rarely possessed people calling Prince Fu like this anymore. Uniquely only Prince Fu's most intimately close aged old attendants and the Empress only then would mutually call him via this.
The Empress looking at the already cold meal and vegetables upon the table: "Little Stone from his childhood with me gathered scantily and parted numerously. He for the sake of me this mother, even the Emperor's seat also didn't want anymore. Last time he came to Palace of Earthly Tranquility crying for half a shichen (one hour). Saying he dreamt seeing me wearing a full set of white clothing. Standing at a very, very high place. The wind blowing until the clothing sleeves seemed like they were about to fly rising up... This big of a person still wiping tears."
She hugging Wu Yun headed to the western warm pavilion. Walking arriving before the makeup desk. Opening the deepest bottom-most drawer. Inside was not pearls and treasures. But instead was several faded tiny little clothing garments. A single wooden sword ground bald. A single stack of characters written crookedly and twistedly tracing red ink.
The Empress stood blankly for a long, long time. To Aunt Yuanjin softly saying: "Aunt Yuanjin help this Palace grind ink right. This Palace wishes to write a sealed letter giving it to Little Stone."
Aunt Yuanjin hummed acknowledging down.
The Empress stood before the desk thinking and searching for a long time. Lifting the brush writing down the letter. When merely just finishing writing down "My son seeing words as if meeting face-to-face" (opening of a letter)... upon the ink traces suddenly fell a single drop of water. Taking the characters dizzying and spreading them open.
She took the paper kneading it into a single ball. Again exchanging it for a single sheet of new.
She wrote of him at his hundredth-day grasping livingly onto her Jade Pendant not loosening his hands. Wrote of him at five years old in the Imperial Garden pouncing on butterflies falling a full body of mud. Wrote of him at twelve years old the first time for the sake of her boiling a single bowl of burnt lotus seed soup.
Writing arriving at the end point. Her hands slightly trembled: "Little Stone. You and I ought to be mother and son of ordinary lanes and alleys. Mother sewing small little clothing garments for you. Making small wooden swords. In summer nights together counting the stars."
The Empress taking the letter folding it properly passing it to Aunt Yuanjin: "Don't walk the Relay Stations. Use our family's olden days' merchant routes sending it heading to Jinling."
Finishing speaking. She again hugging Wu Yun walked heading to the eastern warm pavilion.
Inside the eastern warm pavilion. Reflecting entering the eye's curtains was a single block of a shadow wall possessing a gilded-gold double-happiness character. Before the shadow wall setting a desk. Upon the desk was two cups of red candle stands and a single statue of an incense burner.
The northwest corner was the dragon and phoenix happiness bed. Upon the bed hanging five-colored gauze hundred-sons canopies. Upon it embroidered the Hundred Sons Diagram. Upon the happiness bed spread a red satin dragon and phoenix heated brick bed mattress.
The eastern warm pavilion was the place where the Emperor and Empress wedded in marriage. Afterwards simply leaving the furnishings and displays here unchanging. Used for the Emperor and Empress to sleep together.
Time separated by twenty-six years. Seeming as if everything universally had changed. Only here still as before preserved the appearance and mold of back then those years' wedding into marriage. Red until joyous and festive yet heavy.
The Empress arrived beside the shadow wall. Upon the wooden rack hung the Phoenix Crown and Rosy Cloud Cape she wore on the very day of her wedding into marriage. Somewhat stagnant and old.
She hugging Wu Yun. Tiptoeing rising her feet going to stroke the eastern pearls upon the Phoenix Crown: "Even the eastern pearls are universally dim and dark. I still remember clearly. Back then when making this Phoenix Crown. The Ministry of Rites said it ought to be made nine dragons and four phoenixes. He stubbornly insisted on twelve dragons and nine phoenixes. Still possessing this broad-temple piece (headdress part). The Ministry of Rites said it only could use six fan-pieces. He stubbornly insisted on adding arriving at eight fan-pieces. Again speaking of this Rosy Cloud Cape. The Ministry of Rites said it only could embroider dragon patterns. He stubbornly insisted on embroidering dragon and phoenix patterns... In past days also had never once seen him this meticulous. Even crossing into questioning this kind of small matter."
Aunt Yuanjin's expression was complex: "Young Miss. You early on ought to have spoken clearly understandingly with His Majesty. Your treatment of Prince Jing merely was admiration and longing toward an elder brother. Inside your heart containing still was His Majesty ah."
The Empress evaded yet not answering. Merely spreading her face smiling saying: "Aunt Yuanjin for a very long time hasn't called me like this. I remember when I was small you always universally called me like this. Young Miss, don't climb trees anymore. Young Miss, time to eat the meal. Young Miss, how come you again took the teaching mister angering him turning into this kind... How good it was at that session of time ah. The resultant outcome after entering the palace. You also became carved and board-like (rigid)."
Aunt Yuanjin mutely lacked words.
The Empress lightly stroked the brocade and embroidery. Her back facing her softly and emotionally sighing saying: "How many females' dreamfully longed for, seeking yet unable to obtain Phoenix Crown and Rosy Cloud Cape ah... Aunt Yuanjin help me extract fetching brush and ink coming right. I wish to write a single sealed Empress's Edict."
Aunt Yuanjin was unwilling to depart leaving the Empress by half a step. Turning her head toward outside the eastern warm pavilion shouting loudly: "Extract fetching brush, ink, paper, inkstone coming."
A moment later. A female maid carried a single sheet of desk over here. The Empress took Wu Yun setting it down. Stroking and stroking its head: "Good and obedient Wu Yun. Go out to play. Chun Tao, hug it going to eat Traditional Snacks. It at night only ate a single piece of fish meat. Definitely wasn't full."
Waiting until Chun Tao departed. The Empress stood before the desk considering and deliberating for a long time. Ultimately lifting the brush writing down the Empress's Edict. Every single brush stroke was universally written genuinely and seriously. The handwriting dignified, upright, and grand.
Waiting until falling down the final single brush stroke. She again to Aunt Yuanjin spoke saying: "Aunt Yuanjin. Extract my seal coming."
Aunt Yuanjin hesitated, unwilling to depart away.
The Empress smilingly said: "Simply this several steps of road's effort. You still worry I'll possess matters occurring not succeeding. You simply cannot every single day universally deadly fixate staring onto me right."
Aunt Yuanjin bit and bit her teeth turning her body departing away. The Empress's seal was by her preserved and guarded. Bystanders didn't know at what location.
She flew at rapid speed heading to the rear hall. From the hidden compartments beneath the bed couch extracting fetching the Empress's seal. And again flew at rapid speed folding back returning. But when returning to the main hall, from far away simply seeing the Empress precisely tilting her head upwards drinking down what.
"Young Miss!" Inside Aunt Yuanjin's heart wildly and suddenly startled.
In the next moment. Only seeing the Empress elegantly and gracefully fall to the ground. Lying upon the light capable of mirroring people (shiny) bluestone, gold-like bricks. Her hair identical to a fan draped and scattered opening. Beside her side still scattering dropping a single white porcelain bottle. Upon the bluestone bricks emitting clear and crisp bumping together sounds.
Aunt Yuanjin shouted loudly: "Summon the Imperial Physicians! Hastily summon the Imperial Physicians!"
She flashed her body arriving beside the Empress's side. Picking up the porcelain bottle taking a single smell. In a hasty voice saying: "Young Miss. This was given to you by who? Inside your hands how could there possess poisonous medicine?"
"Don't trouble with it anymore. Cannot be doctored." The Empress's complexion was submerged and quiet. Quietly and silently looking at the eastern warm pavilion's rooftop: "Aunt Yuanjin. Waiting until you exit the palace. Remember what I spoke. Thinking of methods to take Princess Yongchun and her Zhou Zhuoyuan combined burying them together."
Aunt Yuanjin agonizingly cried out: "What time is it now still pondering and missing bystanders?"
The Empress smilingly said: "Still possessing. Tell my dad. I do not wish to enter Changping's Imperial Tombs. I desire to be buried at a place possessing mountains, possessing the sea, possessing sunrise, possessing sunset... Let him think and think of methods. Arriving at that time laboring and bothering you to take me to genuinely go look and look."
Aunt Yuanjin wept until unable to form sounds. Calling out shouting: "Imperial Physicians whereabouts?! Imperial Physicians how come still haven't come!"
The Empress desired to lift her hands stroking and stroking the wrinkles upon Aunt Yuanjin's face. But already could lift it rising up no more. She looked at that gilded-gold double-happiness character upon the eastern warm pavilion's shadow wall. Slowly shutting upon her eyes: "The utmost intimate close, husband and wife. The utmost distant, Emperor and Empress... Coming lifetimes will not anew mutually meet anymore."
Aunt Yuanjin tore her heart and split her lungs: "Young Miss!!"
At this time, Wu Yun following the sounds rushed coming. Staying frozen outside the eastern warm pavilion's door sill. It step by single step walked arriving close in front. Lowering its head upon the Empress's nose tip bumping and bumping. A full eyes of sorrow and grief.
From outside Palace of Earthly Tranquility transmitted over footsteps sounds. Four night-duty Imperial Physicians hoisting their medicine boxes rushed coming over. Even the Trouble-Resolving Guards also dashed coming in. Controlling and suppressing all the female maids inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility.
Everyone's chaotic and messy footsteps forced Wu Yun dodging left and flashing right. It looked at the Empress surrounded by the crowd of people. Silently departing the eastern warm pavilion. One step, three times turning its head back.
Ultimately. It again from the cracks in the crowd of people finally looked for a single glance at the Empress's facial features. And afterwards turning its body exiting the main hall. Leaping upon the enclosing walls. Stepping upon the glazed-tile golden tiles vanishing within the night colors.
The massive and gigantic Forbidden City panicked and chaotic arriving deep in the night.
Continuing until the small eunuch beating the watch drum in a low voice reported the Chou hour (1 - 3 AM) watches. The lantern fires inside Palace of Earthly Tranquility only then snuffed out and extinguished.
Wu Xiu holding a single sheet of Xuan Paper hurriedly and hastily arrived outside Renshou Palace. Here lacked lighting bright lantern fires. Only capable of borrowing the moonlight vaguely seeing Emperor Ning precisely sitting behind the gauze canopy shutting his eyes striking his seat (meditating).
Wu Xiu with large strides stepped over the door sill. Kneeling prostrating before the Imperial Seat. Both hands lifting up holding that sheet of Xuan Paper saying in a low voice: "His Majesty. The Empress has been made a guest of Heaven (passed away). Except for Aunt Yuanjin, this inner official has completely dealt out beatings with staves to death to all who know the situation exhaustively. Noble Consort Xue is softly restricted (house arrest) at Palace of Assisting the Earth. Will not cause the outside realm to know what matters occurred."
Behind the gauze canopy. The Emperor upon the Imperial Seat by no means responded.
Wu Xiu continued saying: "This inner official tomorrow simply will let people quietly hand over to the Hu Family the Xue Family's criminal evidence. In order to vent anger and rage... That Ministry of War Bureau Director Wang Xun the Hu Family heavily views... the Imperial Edict shifting and rising him to Ministry of War Left Vice Minister is also drafted properly."
Emperor Ning still had not responded. Only the gauze canopy lightly shaking and swaying.
Wu Xiu waited for a long time. Again speaking saying: "The Empress also left behind a single line of an Empress's Edict."
Emperor Ning finally slowly opened his mouth: "Read."
Wu Xiu lowered his head. Borrowing the moonlight reading aloud: "Whichever of my Ning Dynasty males' very day of Fetching the Bride. No matter if Juren, Xiucai, artisan households, farmer husbands. All can borrow the primary rank-nine court robes, wear black gauze hats, match with leather belts. Simply being groom officials. Whichever of my Ning Dynasty females' very day of exiting the pavilion (getting married). No matter if Dukes and Marquises' thousand-gold daughters (noblewomen), marketplace maidens of secluded boudoirs. All can wear Phoenix Crowns and Rosy Cloud Capes..."
When he spoke arriving at this point. Quietly raising his head looking over. That Emperor Ning behind the gauze canopy resembled a Heavenly divinity and spirit. Unable to purely see happiness or anger.
This single sealed Empress's Edict. Never once stretched out to clear a wrong (proclaiming innocence). Also never once complained or bore resentment. Single characters entirely not mentioning the future. Also single characters entirely not mentioning the past. Single characters entirely not mentioning herself. Also single characters entirely not mentioning Emperor Ning.
Not knowing how long passed. Emperor Ning in a hoarse voice said: "Permitted."
(End of this chapter)