Chapter 147 Eunuch Rong
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The Empress Dowager said indifferently, “No. Even if Zhongshan Wang wants to meddle in our family affairs, it depends on whether the parties involved are willing. In the beginning, it was Ying Wang who was unwilling to marry Jiang Shanshan. Now, making her a concubine again, what does that count for? I’ve never heard of spitting out saliva and swallowing it back.”
Mu Gugu sighed, “But others may not see it that way. The previous princes all settled matters of principal and secondary wives together, and the order of entry was determined. But when it comes to Ying Wang, there is no mention of a concubine. Those ignorant and vain people will naturally think that the prince is bullying others and the princess is jealous and incompetent. They will say that Second Miss Jiang has already lost her position as the principal wife and can’t even be a concubine, which is really too much.”
The Great Empress Dowager sneered, “It’s ridiculous. When the Sixth Prince was engaged to Jiang Shanshan, there was also no agreement on the selection of a concubine. Why didn’t anyone say Jiang Shanshan was not virtuous? Everyone praised her as virtuous and beautiful, which made Sixth Prince deeply enamored, so he didn’t take a concubine. It was considered a beautiful story of a talented man and a beauty. Why is it that now our Fu family’s daughter has become a bully and jealous because she doesn’t want to be a principal wife but insists on being a concubine? In all my years, I have never seen a daughter from a noble family unwilling to be the principal wife but eager to be a concubine.”
Why? Isn’t it because others have a good reputation, while the Fu family doesn’t? Moreover, Mingzhu’s reputation is well-known, and this marriage came out of nowhere. How can there be any good words? If Jiang Shanshan remarries Eighth Prince, people will say she has high integrity and will be rewarded accordingly. If Jiang Shanshan doesn’t remarry Eighth Prince and insists on becoming Ying Wang’s concubine, people will say she is deeply affectionate and willing to compromise. But even with such deep affection and compromise, she cannot get what she wants. Then it’s considered that Mingzhu is bullying others and being jealous and incompetent, and intolerant. In short, it’s just that Yuwen Chu and Mingzhu disappointed Jiang Shanshan.
Mu Gugu didn’t want to say too much, so she just said, “I’m afraid Zhongshan Wang won’t be happy.”
The Great Empress Dowager disapproved, “Respect is mutual. This world belongs to the Yuwen family, not to him, Zhongshan Wang. Even if he has guarded the border for many years, his hard work and achievements are duties that he, as a descendant and subject of the Yuwen family, must fulfill. I respect him in important matters, but he cannot meddle in everything. These are our family affairs.”
Eunuch Rong entered from outside with a smile, “Your Majesty, just now my god son was sent to fetch sweet soup from the imperial kitchen. Passing through the garden, he unexpectedly saw Princess Funing and the Second Miss of the Changxing Marquis playing and talking. It’s said that the Second Miss Jiang caught a cold these days and fell ill. The Empress Dowager of the Zhaoyang Palace took pity on her and summoned her to the palace to inquire.”
The Great Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, sneering as she turned to look at Mu Gugu, “See, just a few days have passed since she recovered, and she’s already eager to cause trouble for me. First it was Linan Wang, then Jiang Shanshan. Does she think I’m dead? It seems she’s determined to make trouble for me.” Pausing, she instructed Mu Gugu, “Go immediately and bring Mingzhu back. Princess Funing must be planning to take her to the side of Imperial Consort Min. Imperial Consort Min and her daughter have always liked Jiang Shanshan. If they meet, they’re bound to be unhappy and may fulfill someone else’s wish.”
Mu Gugu hurriedly followed, while Eunuch Rong remarked, “This Second Miss Jiang used to be very sensible, but why has she been acting so recklessly lately?”
The Great Empress Dowager glanced at him, scolding, “You old rascal! Just say what’s on your mind. How dare you beat around the bush with me?”
Eunuch Rong smiled and bowed, saying, “I was thinking, Second Miss Jiang has a great reputation. Even Zhongshan Wang stationed at the border knows about her. He’s willing to support her, and even the Empress Dowager of the Zhaoyang Palace is willing to help her. Previously, Her Majesty intended to compensate her by marrying her to Anyang Wang, but unfortunately she refused. She pleaded with Imperial Consort Min in your presence, asking to choose her own husband. At that time, I thought Second Miss Jiang was a good girl. She doesn’t covet power or wealth; she’s a person of true feelings and character. Who knew she actually wanted to be the concubine of Ying Wang?”
The Great Empress Dowager said, “She has admired Ying Wang for many years and is willing to settle for less. Originally, giving her a position as a concubine wasn’t a big deal. But her family background is too good, and she’s so clever and capable. It would be unfair for her to become the concubine of Ying Wang. Here’s what we’ll do: when Mingzhu and Ying Wang leave the palace, you’ll summon her. I’ll personally meet with her.” Jiang Shanshan is so clever, and her family background is strong. Putting her next to Mingzhu would only create a strong opponent, wouldn’t it? Moreover, Yuwen Chu has sinister intentions and ambitions. How can we give him more power? Absolutely not!”
Eunuch Rong understood, “I understand.” He suggested, “Your Majesty, should we find an opportunity to invite Lady Changxing into the palace for a conversation? I heard that the new top scholar is very good, and he and Second Miss Jiang are a perfect match. That would be a heaven-made pair.”
The Great Empress Dowager laughed, “You old rascal, you have such a good heart. Since she doesn’t even fancy Anyang Wang, how could she look favorably upon a top scholar from a humble background? Don’t joke.” With that, she closed her eyes to rest, saying no more.
Eunuch Rong smiled, kneeling down on the ground, carefully holding the Great Empress Dowager’s feet in his hands, massaging them gently. The Great Empress Dowager furrowed her brows, seeming to be in great pain yet also comforted. After a long while, she sighed deeply and whispered, “We’re both getting old.”
Eunuch Rong quietly said, “In my eyes, Your Majesty always looks as young as when you first entered the palace.”
The Great Empress Dowager looked at him, a hint of moisture in her eyes. “Rong Ming, all these years, do you regret?”
Eunuch Rong faintly smiled, his round face showing a peaceful demeanor. “Your Majesty, do you find fault with how I’ve served you?”
The Great Empress Dowager saw through his round face to the handsome and indifferent face of the young man underneath.
“I am Rong Ming, son of the criminal Rong Pinzhi.” It was the first time she had noticed him among a crowd of palace attendants.
“Please walk this way, Your Majesty. It rained the other day, and the roads are slippery.” When she was pregnant, he led her away from a long-planned assassination attempt, saving the life of the prince in her belly.
“This soup has cooled. Let me heat it for you.” He removed the poisoned soup, saving her life.
“I am just the son of a criminal, unworthy of Your Majesty’s sorrow.” For her sake, he angered the late emperor, receiving severe punishment without a word of complaint.
“There’s nothing wrong with being plump. With me looking like this, no one will judge Your Majesty by my appearance. Does Your Majesty judge people by their looks and despise me for being fat and ugly?” She laughed at how he had let himself become fat and ugly, yet he remained calm and serene.
All these years, Emperor Wenzong, who didn’t love her, died; the beloved sole son, Emperor Zhenqian, died young; her daughter-in-law didn’t get along with her; and her successor grandson was not satisfactory. She was exhausted from losing her husband and son, but he had always quietly accompanied her, regardless of the seasons. He was the eldest son of the Guogong, renowned as a talented and handsome young man, but because of his father’s crime, he entered the palace and lost all the dignity of being a man. Death is easy, but what’s difficult is to live and strive to live better. That’s what a true man does.
A warm current surged from her chest, and the Great Empress Dowager sat up, reaching out towards Eunuch Rong’s face. Eunuch Rong was stunned for a moment, then tremblingly closed his eyes and tilted his head back, waiting silently.
However, just as her fair and tender fingertips were about to touch his face, she stopped abruptly. There was only a hair’s breadth between her and him, but she could never cross it.
The Great Empress Dowager quickly turned around, withdrawing her feet from his embrace, and looked out the window at the hanging oriole, saying in a hoarse voice, “It’s getting cooler lately. Take care of yourself.”
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