The Empress Dowager had specially ordered their return to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival and to host a grand banquet for the noblewomen inside and outside the palace. But the Emperor’s disappearance had disrupted everything. Thankfully, he had returned safe and sound, though the festival had passed. With both the Emperor and Empress Dowager bedridden, the Empress, by decree, divided the prepared banquet offerings into two parts: one to honor the ancestral spirits in the imperial shrine, and the other distributed among court officials as a gesture of imperial grace.
While overseeing the rewards at Fengyi Palace, Princess Yang’a was also present. She had been badly frightened by recent events. Originally, the Empress Dowager had planned to take her along to the Shanglin Palace, but suddenly changed her mind and told her to remain in the capital for a while. If she hadn’t grown up under the Empress Dowager’s care, she might have thought she had fallen out of favor because of her constant quarrels with her husband. Later, when the Empress Dowager summoned her after all, this time to travel with Jing Wangfei and Madam He, she had been instructed to “keep an eye on them.” Knowing full well she didn’t get along with Madam He, and being asked to watch over Jing Wang’s household nonetheless, Princess Yang’a had been puzzled. Still, she knew the Empress Dowager never acted without reason, so her mild caution toward Jing Wang’s family deepened into serious vigilance.
Once at the Shanglin Palace, she was glad she had done so. The Empress Dowager had suddenly grown close to Jing Wangfei, assigning her and Madam He to the Orchid Court near Songhe Hall. Every day, the Empress Dowager dined and strolled with them, showing them great favor. When word came that the Emperor had escaped danger, Princess Yang’a instantly understood, the Empress Dowager’s “favor” toward Jing Wangfei had been a means of surveillance and defense. She regretted her earlier slowness. Matters concerning her own family had been kept from her by her mother and brother, so now she dared not sulk. Instead, she devoted her full attention to the Empress Dowager.
In truth, it wasn’t that the Emperor or the Empress Dowager had grown distant from Princess Yang’a. First, Zhao Donglin himself had orchestrated the secrecy, he kept even the Empress Dowager in the dark about what he deemed unimportant, let alone Princess Yang’a, whose wide social circle made her a walking loudspeaker. He wasn’t foolish. Second, the one he trusted was the Empress, especially now, when their hearts were most in tune. He didn’t want anyone intruding on that closeness. And indeed, the Empress had performed admirably.
After this ordeal, Zhao Donglin could clearly sense her softening toward him. Seizing the momentum, he urged her to stay in Huangji Hall, sharing the same bed and meals daily. When handling court affairs, he would have her by his side, believing that happiness lay just ahead.
Meng Guqing, however, found his clinginess hard to bear. Still, considering his injuries and recent victory, she humored him for two days. Then, while he was meeting ministers, she slipped back to Fengyi Palace, only to find no peace there either.
Princess Yang’a, after visiting the Empress Dowager, drifted over again. Having been excluded from recent events, she now felt she must show more concern for both her mother and brother. Next time something happens, she thought, at least I’ll be seen as someone dependable. The Empress was busy managing palace affairs, so Princess Yang’a stayed close to the Empress Dowager, learning her tastes and winning her favor so much so that even the senior attendants began nodding approvingly at her tactful comments.
For days, the autumn rain had fallen, fine as wool, hardly wetting the dust, yet never stopping. At Fengyi Palace’s side hall, Meng Guqing received guests in the warm chamber. Though it wasn’t yet time for charcoal heating, she had lit a bronze tripod brazier, scattering a handful of lily incense to dispel the dampness in the air.
Princess Yang’a, all warmth and charm, was hard to turn away. Meng Guqing invited her in for tea. Eager to prove helpful, Princess Yang’a suggested thoughtfully, “Madam Yang has been visiting the palace frequently these days, while Noble Consort Xu has stayed quiet, people say she’s been frightened by the rumors spread by Gu Taifei. In truth, Your Majesty, the rewards sent to the Yang family could be more generous. That would settle their hearts. Otherwise, the more such gossip spreads, the worse it’ll look later, especially when the Eldest Prince grows up and hears of it. And as for Gu Taifei, her son Jun’s condition has long been declared incurable by the physicians. Why can’t she accept it? Noble Consort Xu is absolutely not as she claims.”
Princess Yang’a, after all, still looked out for Noble Consort Xu.
After the matter of Gu Taifei, once the Empress Dowager and the Emperor returned to the palace, it was among the first major affairs reported. Normally, the secret use of medicinal treatments in the palace was highly taboo and this incident dragged both the Empress and Noble Consort Xu into it. Yet, out of respect for the late Emperor and Zhao Jun, neither the Empress Dowager nor the Emperor wished to disturb the deceased. They chose leniency. The deceased, like a blown-out lamp, could rest in peace; the past could be buried with them. Gu Taifei was hastily interred, and other matters were minimized as much as possible to avoid stirring trouble.
In contrast, Noble Consort Xu could not rest easily. Moreover, Gu Taifei had let slip the rumor of a “burial,” and Zhao Donglin had returned to the palace without explanation, wasn’t that proof enough that it had happened? Princess Yang’a had been close to Noble Consort Xu for many years, like a sister, and in these stormy times she could not remain indifferent. Truly, it was a gesture of heartfelt concern. But this put Meng Guqing in a difficult position. Rewarding the Yang family generously was one thing, but calming their fears was another. Madam Yang’s temperament might interpret her kindness as showing off, risking the opposite of the intended effect.
There was no way to fully comply, but there was no need to outright refuse either. The one who tied the knot must untie it. After all, only she and Wang Ning had seen that “will.” Gu Taifei had overheard it, and it could be easily covered up. After seeing off the princess, the sky dimmed; it was nearly time to light the lamps. Wang Ning had already arrived at the gates of Fengyi Palace with the imperial sedan. Lately, the Emperor and Empress always dined together at the Huangji Hall; if she did not go, he would send someone to fetch her earlier each day, as if he could not bear for her to step foot in one place before the sedan arrived. It left her no time for her own affairs.
Meng Guqing stifled her annoyance as she entered the main hall of the Imperial Palace. The attendants, hearing her, quickly came forward and guided her in. She first noticed the desk stacked with several memorials, each pinned with notes tracking the movements of the capital’s officials during the Emperor’s absence. Some were sworn defenders of the legitimate throne, others opportunists seeking a wise ruler. Normally, loyalty and treachery were hard to distinguish, but even a small incident like this quickly revealed the fence-sitters. The height of the piles was impressive.
If all of these matters were dealt with at once, the court would face serious upheaval. Zhao Donglin followed her gaze and gave a faint smile. “Royal Mother is aware of these memorials. Most were ‘good deeds’ by the Donghu nobles. She did not want me to make them public, since I still need their support for the time being.”
His expression darkened. He had proven himself, yet they refused to acknowledge it, instead clinging to his recklessness. Wasn’t it clear they feared he might act against them next? Zhao Donglin’s satisfaction at his victory was somewhat dulled. Holding the Empress, he complained, “Why are they so annoying? They demand much of others, but are lenient with themselves. As subjects, they show little true loyalty.”
“There are many such people,” she said, pulling him to sit on the couch. She took a warm cloth from a palace maid and began wiping his hands. Zhao Donglin allowed her to do so, then took another cloth and gently cleaned each of her fingers as if tending to scallions. Observing this, Feng Tianbao seized the chance to bring in the serving maids and eunuchs, quickly arranging a small round table with no gaps. The aroma of food filled the air, making both of them feel hungry.
They ate while discussing the recent border campaign. Before departure, Zhao Donglin had doubted that the city’s military commanders would obey him and had devised several contingency plans to turn them. Yet he had effortlessly secured command of the troops, allowing the siege of Prince Tatuo to proceed smoothly. This campaign not only proved his strength but also revealed previously unnoticed corners, the attitudes of those people in the shadows gave him confidence in reclaiming military authority.
Meng Guqing served him more soup, smiling. “I once heard an old saying: ‘The world has few truly bad people; most are just fence-sitters, swayed by the wind.’ Fence-sitters drift whichever way the wind blows. Your Majesty’s future army will only grow larger.”
Her words were always gentle and considerate. Zhao Donglin held her hand, his eyes brighter and warmer than ever, overflowing with the affection he could not contain. He had so much to say, but before, his own misfortunes had silenced him. Now, words seemed insufficient to express his feelings, so he remained quiet. Meng Guqing noticed his gaze and blushed. Remembering Princess Yang’a’s plea, she restrained herself and said softly, “The princess came to the palace these past days. She said the Xu family is frightened; Noble Consort Xu has been ill, and her heart is troubled.”
She placed the prepared “will” beside him and explained that only she and Wang Ning had seen it. Wang Ning, though young, was careful and tight-lipped. Meng Guqing, never one to meddle in disputes, made her intentions clear: it should be dealt with now, easily obscured later. Gu Taifei had been at odds with Noble Consort Xu; her words were not fully trustworthy. Zhao Donglin still needed the Xu family, and Noble Consort Xu had committed no serious wrong while raising the Eldest Prince, better to resolve the feud than let it fester.
Meng Guqing said no more, confident Zhao Donglin knew best. Soon enough, he put away the “will,” presumably to handle it quickly. Feeling that Princess Yang’a’s request had been addressed, her mind relaxed. Seeing him rise, she was puzzled until he buried his face in her neck, inhaling her fragrance and murmuring, “Empress, why are you so good?”
Had it been anyone else, they would have seized the advantage without hesitation. Zhao Donglin, fully briefed by Wang Ning, knew everything that had happened in the palace. The Empress had hidden the “will,” refused Gu Taifei’s initiative, and saved Noble Consort Xu at a critical moment. Perhaps it was to atone for the poor impression he first had of her that he kept her in the Huangji Hall for several days.
That day, he came early, urging her to finish dinner. As the sun set, painting the palace in golden haze, Meng Guqing mechanically bathed in the large pool, then dressed in silk that felt weightless. Zhao Donglin had finished washing earlier; the imperial physicians had forbidden him to get his wounds wet, so he had only wiped himself down, leaving the rest to the Empress. Meng Guqing glimpsed his strong, broad shoulders, the subtle musculature beneath his glistening skin, and resisted looking away, he likely knew she noticed and was showing off deliberately.
She had been unsettled ever since learning of his disappearance. During the time he gave her to adjust, he had restrained himself almost to the limit. Meng Guqing lowered her eyes; when he held her, she felt nervous. Zhao Donglin treated her like a cherished bride, gently placing her on the dragon bed in Huangji Hall, spacious enough for three or four.
The bedding was new, bright red pillows with mandarin ducks, a quilt with intertwined floral patterns, and paired red candles by the window. Bathed in red light, her fair skin and bright, clear eyes glowed. She heard him swallow and felt his warm breath, whispering, “Empress, do you forgive me?”
Does saying that mean he’ll let me go if I don’t? she thought. She stayed silent. He needed no answer; after over a year of restraint, his desire overwhelmed him. Her body felt scorching, as if fevered, and his presence pressed insistently between her legs.
Fortunately, he was patient. His kisses soothed her from brow to cheek, coaxing and teasing, preparing her for acceptance. Fingers entwined, he leaned close…
Meng Guqing pursed her lips, silent until the pain struck sharply. Tears streamed as her slippery body twisted like a fish, trying to evade him. Zhao Donglin’s voice coaxed patiently, “I know, I know it hurts, Mingzhu’er… it’ll stop soon. Trust me…”
How did he know her childhood name and why now? His warmth sent shivers through her nerves. In a daze, she felt utterly lost, her mouth covered. As he advanced, like a sovereign running across his domain, Meng Guqing became a helpless fish on the chopping block, tossed and turned in his sweaty embrace.
A twenty-year-old, long-trained man was terrifying. She felt like ripples at the edge of a stormy sea, repeatedly drawn into the depths. Only sobs and moans remained, unending.
~
Meng Guqing had long been awake, though she hadn’t slept all night. When daylight filtered through the gauze, he withdrew, spent, but still held her, finding a comfortable position and coaxing her to rest. She was too tired to sleep, sticky and sweaty. Listening to his deep breathing, she propped herself up, recovering slowly. Her legs were weak, nearly collapsing. Excessive indulgence was indeed harmful.
She smiled wryly, quietly retrieved her clothes, and took a small jade bottle, swallowing a brown pill with cold water. Her anxieties finally settled. His passion was like dry tinder set alight, dragging her along, yet she could not ignore her future or her status. Even as he fell entirely for her, she preserved a measure of clarity.
Afterward, she returned to the bedside. The sleeping man noticed her absence, felt around, and grabbed her hand, finally settling down, pressing her close. He pressed kisses to her face, murmuring in his sleep, “Empress, I love you,” his hands and legs entwined with hers, two becoming one.
Meng Guqing exhaled softly, and the exhaustion from a sleepless night finally washed over her like a tide, saturating her frayed nerves. With his gentle breathing beside her, she soon slipped into a deep sleep.
