Chapter 71
When the elderly eunuch saw Lu Hanzhi and Prince An arriving, he immediately gave them a subtle glance.
The two men understood the signal and moved to a corner of the hall.
The elderly eunuch immediately bowed and said, “Your Highness and Wang Fei, you’ve come to pay respects to His Majesty? Unfortunately, His Majesty is in a great rage right now. General Rong Zhengwei from the western border has sent urgent news—villages in the western frontier have fallen under the control of witchcraft. Wherever witchcraft has spread, people turn into living corpses and wreak havoc in the rear. I think it’s better if you both avoid seeing His Majesty at the moment.”
Lu Hanzhi asked in confusion, “Witchcraft? Have you found out who is behind this?”
The elderly eunuch whispered, “The person least likely to be behind this is someone you, Prince An, should know very well.”
Yuwen Min nodded slightly, understanding the situation.
Lu Hanzhi also nodded and said, “Thank you, Eunuch. We won’t bother His Majesty then… He won’t hold this against us, right?”
The elderly eunuch thought for a moment and replied, “I’ve heard that the Empress Dowager is quite fond of fragrant ointments. If Your Highness goes to visit her, you might get a chance to meet her. His Majesty has always wanted to repair his relationship with the Empress Dowager, and perhaps Your Highness could help facilitate that.”
Lu Hanzhi understood. After thanking the head eunuch, he left the main hall with Yuwen Min.
As they turned into the inner palace, Lu Hanzhi asked, “Little Imperial Uncle is quick to act, isn’t he? But how did the Emperor find out about this?”
Yuwen Min replied, “Someone wanted the Emperor to know.”
Lu Hanzhi asked, “Was it you?”
Yuwen Min shook his head. “I felt the timing wasn’t right, so I didn’t push for it. However… I think this person is probably connected to the one working with Little Imperial Uncle.”
Lu Hanzhi was still holding Ah Chan in his arms. After carrying him all the way, his arms were beginning to ache.
Yuwen Min reached out to take Ah Chan from him, continuing, “This person is very secretive, and I can’t get to the bottom of it. But apart from us princes and Little Imperial Uncle, no one else has the authority for this.”
Ah Chan began tugging at the hair on Yuwen Min’s shoulder. This time, Yuwen Min didn’t stop him. As long as he didn’t put it in his mouth, Yuwen Min usually let him do as he pleased.
Lu Hanzhi thought carefully about the plot in the book. He hadn’t heard of a fifth faction.
The book he had read, The Struggle for the Throne, mainly focused on how the female lead gained luck step by step, how she earned the favor of powerful people, and how she navigated between four prominent figures to eventually reach the peak of her life.
Though a bit far-fetched, the book did provide a clear understanding of the court’s politics, and there had been no mention of a fifth faction.
Lu Hanzhi shook his head and said, “Then let’s just wait and see.”
Soon, the two of them arrived at the Cining Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided.
Since it was a sudden visit, Prince An instructed someone to inform her.
This reminded Lu Hanzhi of the time when the Empress Dowager had bought many fragrant soap from his shop, and he had sent her a lot of shampoo to build goodwill.
Yuwen Min, holding Ah Chan in his arms, said, “The Empress Dowager may not see us.”
“Oh?” Lu Hanzhi asked, “Why?”
Yuwen Min answered, “Because…. of some old matters. The Empress Dowager’s family name is Xiao. Have you ever heard of Duke Xiao?”
This was something Lu Hanzhi hadn’t read about in the original text. After all, The Struggle for the Throne didn’t delve into the grudges of the previous generation.
So, he shook his head and asked, “Is it related to this Duke Xiao?”
Yuwen Min replied, “The Xiao family is an external clan, who have been influential for three generations. After Emperor Gaozong passed away and my father became young, they essentially acted as regents.”
Xiao Langjun nodded in understanding. “I’ve heard the Emperor is not the Empress Dowager’s biological son?”
Yuwen Min answered, “Yes. The Xiao family’s dominance showed signs of wanting to take the throne for themselves. The Crown Prince was too young to have power, so he had to take another route. He married the daughters of the two major figures of the time: Prime Minister Yin and General Rong.”
This was gossip Lu Hanzhi had heard a lot recently. Although the royal gossip wasn’t supposed to be openly discussed, people still liked to gossip behind closed doors.
Yuwen Min continued, “Apart from these two major figures, the one who contributed the most was the then Empress Xiao, who is now the Empress Dowager. She was dissatisfied with her father and brother seizing power, but had a deep affection for Emperor Gaozong. Most importantly, she had no children, and her family caused her harm. The Xiao family wanted the throne so badly, but she wouldn’t let them have it. So, she adopted a son and a daughter, carefully raised them, and helped her son ascend the throne. Once he became the Crown Prince, she helped him gradually take back the real power from the Xiao family.”
Royal family stories were as numerous as the stars, with each person having their own legendary tale.
From this story, it was clear that the Xiao family had started plotting for the throne after the third generation entered the palace.
First, they made sure that this daughter couldn’t have children, leaving no legitimate heir to inherit the throne.
Tsk, tsk. Indeed, a man who does not use poison is not considered a true man.
However, those who seize power without the people’s support deserve to fail.
Lu Hanzhi sighed in awe. “What’s so great about this throne? Why do so many people go to such lengths to obtain it?”
Yuwen Min replied, “The benefits… are beyond what ordinary people can imagine.” For example, being able to kill anyone at will and do whatever one pleases.
Having experienced it once, Yuwen Min didn’t know how to answer for a moment.
Soon, the little eunuch who had gone to deliver the message returned, and as Yuwen Min had expected, he reported, “The two princes should go back. The Empress Dowager’s headache has acted up, and she is unable to meet guests.”
Yuwen Min nodded, but Lu Hanzhi stopped walking, pulled out a small box, and handed it to the eunuch, saying, “The winter is dry, and the elderly are prone to dry lips. This is lip balm I personally made, presented to the Empress Dowager to relieve her discomfort.”
The eunuch didn’t say anything but turned and went inside with the lip balm.
Yuwen Min hadn’t finished his story. He continued, “After the Emperor ascended the throne, the first thing he did was to use a banquet to disarm the military. The Xiao family rebelled and conspired, those who were beheaded were beheaded, and those who were exiled were exiled. After seizing power, the Emperor forced the Empress Dowager to hand over all real power, and from then on, he had complete control.”
Xiao Langjun finally understood and said, “No wonder the Empress Dowager rarely stays in the capital, and the Emperor is so strict about the influence of the imperial family. The Rong family hasn’t done anything yet, but they’ve been suppressed step by step. If they wanted to rebel, the Rong family would have an easier time than the Xiao family.”
Yuwen Min nodded, but Ah Chan, who was on his shoulder, suddenly bit him on the neck.
Yuwen Min hissed in pain, and immediately two small bite marks appeared on his neck, turning red.
Lu Hanzhi: …
Lu Hanzhi pretended to be angry and said, “Ah Chan, you can’t do that!”
Yuwen Min rarely smiled and said, “It’s fine.”
Lu Hanzhi, looking speechless, said, “You say it’s fine, but it’s not fine for me! What kind of spot is this to be bitten? They’ll not suspect this little rascal, but me!”
It was really strange—he hadn’t done anything, yet so much evidence had been left behind!
At that moment, the little eunuch, who had gone and come back, came out with a happy expression and announced, “The Empress Dowager invites the two princes in!”
Yuwen Min glanced at Lu Hanzhi with admiration, still thinking about why someone would suspect him if Ah Chan bit Yuwen Min’s neck.
Following behind the young eunuch, they entered the Cining Palace, but Lu Hanzhi still couldn’t quite understand what was happening.
As soon as they stepped into the palace, Lu Hanzhi smelled the fragrance of sandalwood.
It was clear that this elderly lady was fond of Buddhist practices.
They passed around a screen and saw a woman, around fifty years old, sitting at a desk, studying a box of lipstick that Lu Hanzhi had given her.
Lu Hanzhi, following Yuwen Min, bowed to the Empress Dowager, but she waved her hand, signaling him to sit down.
Lu Hanzhi was a bit confused, so he glanced at Yuwen Min.
Yuwen Min gestured for him to go ahead and took Ah Chan, sitting to the side.
The Empress Dowager was over sixty but looked very well-maintained.
She was dignified and graceful, truly not the image of the former palace ruler who had overthrown her father and brothers.
Lu Hanzhi noticed that she was still examining the box of lipstick, unsure of how to use it.
So, he stepped forward and pressed a switch on the packaging, and a few small silk cotton swabs popped out.
He said, “Empress Dowager, may I help you?”
The Empress Dowager looked troubled at the cotton swabs and handed them over to Lu Hanzhi.
He noticed that the swabs were made quite densely, perfect for applying the lipstick.
He scooped some lipstick with a small silver spoon, poured it onto the cotton swab, and gently applied it to the Empress Dowager’s lips.
He then said, “Empress Dowager, please press your lips together.”
The Empress Dowager complied and pressed her lips together. After a moment, she said with satisfaction, “Ah, this really solves my long-standing issue. Every autumn and winter, my lips crack. These past few days, I’ve been using sesame oil to improve, but it’s always uncomfortable with these oily substances. This one is much better. I like it.”
Lu Hanzhi replied, “I’m glad you like it. There’s also one with color, but I thought you might not like too bright a color, so I brought the plain white one for you.”
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager immediately said, “Who said I don’t like bright colors? Quickly, show me!”
Lu Hanzhi was surprised by her reaction. He immediately took out another box of lipstick that he had on him.
Actually, he had planned to give these two boxes of lipstick to Imperial Concubine Rong, but now they had become a way to win favor with the Empress Dowager.
But that was fine. Imperial Concubine Rong wouldn’t mind.
The Empress Dowager opened the box and marveled at the rare color she had never seen before.
The color had been created using natural pigments that Lu Hanzhi had exchanged in the store. He had only made these two boxes because the exchange points were precious, and he didn’t want to use them.
He planned to refine plant pigments next, which would allow him to add a new product to his Han Ji Fragrance House.
He applied the color to the Empress Dowager’s lips. It was a popular shade from his time.
The Empress Dowager had fair skin, and after applying the lipstick, her complexion looked even more radiant.
She stared into the mirror for a while and then smiled with great satisfaction. “How clever of you! I really like this lip balm!”
Lu Hanzhi smiled, “I’m glad you like it, Empress Dowager.”
Ah Chan sat obediently in Yuwen Min’s arms. The Empress Dowager glanced at them and said, “You come sit as well!”
It was clear that the Empress Dowager wasn’t fond of the little weirdos from the Yuwen family.
Yuwen Min, holding Ah Chan, obediently sat beside the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager reached into her clothes, as if searching for something, but stopped when she saw Yuwen Min. She spoke, “Young people should also learn some moderation. Don’t think your health is everything.”
Yuwen Min, not understanding, looked up at the Empress Dowager with a confused expression. He saw that the Empress Dowager was staring at the bite marks on his neck, which Ah Chan had left.
But the Empress Dowager smiled and said, “Youth is truly wonderful. Seeing how close you two are, it seems the rumors outside are true.”
Lu Hanzhi thought, What rumors about me???
Author’s note:
Lu Hanzhi: Those little troublemakers outside are always tarnishing my reputation!
Your favorite BL chaos wouldn’t be possible without coffee… lots of coffee….
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