Inside the Great Empress Dowager’s bedchamber, there was a distinctive musty smell of prolonged illness, a scent that no amount of good incense could mask. It was the smell of impending death.
When Ji Hui entered the hall, the Great Empress Dowager was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze. Ji Hui knelt and bowed for a long time without being acknowledged. Fu Zifei, who disliked her, wished she would kneel longer and didn’t remind the Great Empress Dowager. However, Sang Shen, who was kinder, gently reminded the Great Empress Dowager.
Startled, the Great Empress Dowager focused on Ji Hui, “Oh, you’re here. Get up and come sit.”
“Coming,” Ji Hui said gracefully as she stood up and walked over to sit on the footstool by the Great Empress Dowager’s bed. “What would you like to hear today, Your Majesty?”
The Great Empress Dowager shook her head. “I don’t want to hear any music; I just want someone to talk to. Empress, you may leave.”
Fu Zifei, her face a picture of forced sweetness, clenched her fists tightly inside her sleeves and bit her lip as she retreated. Why? Why? She had always been the one accompanying the Great Empress Dowager. She had waded into the mire, unable to turn back, yet when the Great Empress Dowager wanted someone to talk to, it wasn’t her! When there were benefits to be had, it was never her!
Ji Hui didn’t notice Fu Zifei’s resentment. She gently asked the Great Empress Dowager, “What would you like to talk about?”
The Great Empress Dowager was silent for a long time before she softly asked, “Why is it that I have always loved Wangfei Regent the most? Whatever I could give her, I gave. I never wanted to hurt her, never even spoke harshly to her. Because of her, I never laid a hand on her children. But why did she betray me? Is Yuwen Chu really that irresistible?”
Ji Hui’s expression turned a little melancholic. “It’s not Your Majesty’s fault, nor Wangfei Regent’s. You simply walked different paths, destined never to come together.”
The Great Empress Dowager gave a bitter smile. “You also like the Regent, don’t you?”
Ji Hui remained silent for a long time before speaking quietly, “The Regent is young and vigorous, talented and powerful, strategic and kind-hearted. He is the dream of many young women. But none are as fortunate as Wangfei Regent, for he loves only her.”
The Great Empress Dowager scoffed dismissively. “Men, when they need and like someone, it’s as if no one else exists. But when they have everything they want, their greed knows no bounds. Those who are used to being solely adored cannot tolerate anything less. Once they can’t tolerate it, it’s either life or death. What nonsense about loving only one person.”
Ji Hui said nothing.
The Great Empress Dowager sighed. “I had originally planned to marry you to Shen Ruilin, but Princess Funing has taken a liking to him. Imperial Consort Min keeps a close watch on me. If I force the match, I will harm you. Staying here is wasting your youth. You should return to the North.”
Ji Hui nervously clutched her handkerchief, and after a long pause, she said, “You are right, Your Majesty. But with the current war, my family does not know I am here. They believe I have died of illness. If I return, it might bring them trouble. If Your Majesty does not want me here, please allow me to leave the palace and find a small house to live in quietly. I will not cause any trouble.”
“You misunderstand me. I adore your courtesy, talent, and gentle nature. I am fond of you. How could I want to drive you out? What I mean is, the capital is about to descend into chaos, and I won’t live much longer. Soon, the Regent will lead his troops to war. You should go with them. Though the journey will be hard, it’s better than dying inexplicably in this city. This is my advice to you, as a token of my gratitude for your companionship.”
Ji Hui bit her lip and asked softly, “I have never made enemies, nor dared to dream beyond my station. Who would want to kill me?”
The Great Empress Dowager smiled meaningfully. “Who do you think?”
Ji Hui thought of Mingzhu but quickly shook her head. She had never opposed Mingzhu and had no reason to be her enemy. Moreover, Wangfei Regent had bright, honest eyes and didn’t seem like someone who would strike in the dark. On the contrary, the elderly woman in front of her was unfathomable and unpredictable.
The Great Empress Dowager chuckled softly. “Such an adorable, naive child. You shook your head because you think Wangfei Regent is not your enemy, right? You are correct; Mingzhu is not like that. But just because she won’t kill you doesn’t mean others don’t want you dead. Do you think that by being careful and not offending anyone, you can avoid trouble? In this palace, sometimes a person’s life is taken simply because someone finds them displeasing.”
Ji Hui was bewildered. “Please, Your Majesty, enlighten me.”
“My advice is to return to where you came from,” the Great Empress Dowager gestured for her to leave. “This is the last favor I can offer you. I appreciate clean and beautiful things and people, and I have a fondness for you.”
Ji Hui’s face flushed red. She walked out in a daze, not even noticing Fu Zifei gesturing to her from a shadowy corner. Her wet nurse, Madam Xiao, saw her distressed state and quickly dismissed the palace servants, sitting her down and holding her, asking repeatedly, “What happened, my dear?”
Ji Hui hugged Madam Xiao’s warm, comforting waist and began to cry softly. Madam Xiao, frightened, also started crying and kept asking what was wrong, but Ji Hui just shook her head.
Outside, a palace servant listened for a while before quietly withdrawing. Fu Zifei, waiting under a nearby tree, heard the report and sneered. “That girl is tight-lipped. Go back and keep an eye on her. Report any unusual behavior immediately.”
The palace servant left quickly to relay the information to Sang Shen, who calmly informed the Great Empress Dowager. The Great Empress Dowager, expressionless, said, “It’s time for the fourth move. This is my final strike. You know what to do.”
Sang Shen nodded silently and walked out.
Ji Hui laid in bed, with Madam Xiao fanning her gently. “Rest, my dear. Sleep will make everything better. If you don’t like it here and feel unhappy, we will send a message to your father to fetch you. He cherishes you and won’t let you suffer.”
Ji Hui turned to face the wall, her fear replaced by calm determination. She whispered, “Momo, do you remember when I was five, and you couldn’t find me, crying desperately?”
