Chapter 115: Familiar Places And Familiar Faces
Yue Tang also saw the Mu Family’s procession behind her when she got off the horse carriage. She even made eye contact with Mu Chang, but the arriving Prince Jingyang’s Mansion imperial guard interrupted their gaze.
At the same time, the eunuch in charge of receiving guests came forward carrying the imperial palanquin. Yue Tang did not pause and boarded the palanquin to enter the palace.
The imperial palanquin went straight into Zichen Hall.
As the unusually majestic eaves and brackets came into view, Yue Tang began to adjust her breathing. She patted the armrest on the covered walkway, and when the imperial palanquin stopped, she got down and walked.
Three years ago, Prince Duan had entered Zichen Hall along this path to accompany the Emperor, and then he never came out again.
Every step on this long corridor seemed to closely follow Prince Duan’s footprints.
“Elder Cousin.”
Just after turning the corner, the Emperor walked out from the other end. His youthful figure was upright, his steps slightly quick, spirited like green bamboo bathed in morning dew.
“Your Majesty!”
Yue Tang knelt to pay respects.
The Emperor lifted her up with both hands: “Today is a family banquet, and those who came are all close kin. Moreover, you and I have a sibling bond that others cannot match, so there is no need for such formalities. In the future, except in necessary occasions, do not do so.”
Yue Tang stood up and looked at him with a slight smile.
He was no longer really a youth; in another half year, he would come of age and already had the build of an adult man, but his face was full of sincerity, as if he had not yet experienced the world.
With the old monk’s prophecy from back then, Yue Tang had not spent much time with him as a child, but because people had kept mentioning him over the years, those early impressions had not been erased from her mind.
“How were Your Majesty’s early years in Jiangling? Have you gotten used to the years after returning to the capital?”
The people behind had not yet entered the hall, so after entering, Yue Tang chatted casually with the Emperor.
“My maternal family took great care of me, especially my uncle, who took on the responsibility of educating me from childhood because my grandfather had a chronic illness. The southern climate is humid, and the customs and people are excellent. Except for missing Father Emperor and Mother Empress greatly, everything was satisfactory.”
When the Emperor replied, his gaze was upright, the kind of modest gentleman who would stand out even among the common folk.
This was the second time he mentioned Mu Chang’s nurturing grace toward him.
A toothless tiger is still a tiger.
Moreover, he would grow teeth sooner or later.
As long as he could smoothly take the Imperial Seal from Empress Dowager Shen’s hands, the Emperor would have consolidated imperial power, and by law, he would become the ruler of the realm.
The Mu Family raised the Emperor and had natural decorum in the Imperial Court. If Yue Tang wanted to tear off the Mu Family’s facade, it was not impossible.
But after tearing it off?
With the Emperor as the supreme towering tree, the Mu Family was fearless. He could ally with the Chu Family across a thousand miles to strike at Prince Duan’s Mansion. Or, when the Chu Family tried to drag him down, he could mobilize the Imperial Guards to clear obstacles for himself.
The Emperor needed the Mu Family and could not abandon them.
Even if Yue Tang laid out all the evidence she currently held before him, combined with her own deductions, fully disclosing the events of that year, could the Emperor cut off his own arm?
Anyone in his position would not, for the sake of an elder cousin he had not seen in many years, chop off their own political fighting force.
So that night, Mu Chang had deliberately invited the Emperor to the scene, and that was why, when Yue Tang saw the Emperor arrive, she chose not to press the matter.
Dealing with the Mu Family was absolutely not as easy as with the Chu Family or Du Family.
The previous He Family, Zhang Family, and Du Family had all spent those three years of illness honing their kung fu. The Chu Family’s smooth takeover also relied on some convenience from being relatives.
But she had never understood the Mu Family.
Even less had she understood the Emperor before her.
Returning to Prince Duan’s Mansion and facing the world as Princess Yongjia was the beginning of a new war.
“Your Majesty, Prince Jingyang and the Grand Tutor have arrived.”
“Quickly invite them in!”
Hearing the eunuch’s report from outside the door, the Emperor stood up accordingly.
Yue Tang recalled how the Former Emperor, in his position, had always remained unmoving. A true emperor who ruled the realm was different from one who was constrained.
“Your Majesty, someone from Yongfu Palace has come, bearing the Empress Dowager’s decree to invite Princess Yongjia to the palace to meet.”
The eunuch who had announced ahead had just left when someone else came in from behind.
This Main Hall still faintly smelled of Prince Duan’s blood; Yue Tang did not want to encounter Mu Chang here and stood up accordingly: “This subject wife bids farewell first.”
The Emperor escorted her to outside the door, hesitated as if wanting to say something, then spoke with a hint of complaint: “I haven’t even had a chance to speak a few words with Elder Cousin.”
Yue Tang smiled: “Thank you for Your Majesty’s favor. But there will be plenty of time in the future, plenty of opportunities to talk.”
The Emperor paused, nodded, and said: “Elder Cousin is right. In the palace, I no longer have brothers or sisters to talk to, and now Elder Cousin is also—anyway, Sister, come to my hall more often when you have time.”
“As per your decree.”
Lan Qin, waiting outside the door, heard their entire conversation.
After leaving the Zichen Hall grounds, she looked back: “His Majesty’s closeness to the Princess doesn’t seem like it’s just for show.”
Yue Tang said: “Don’t forget he is the Emperor. And one who has not fully taken control yet.”
Lan Qin nodded and said no more.
Once caught in this vortex, everyone has their own stance.
Yue Tang died and came back to life. This journey has been as fast as lightning, invincible wherever she goes, and she even pulled in Prince Jingyang—who the entire court had never shaken even slightly—as an ally. Who can compare to this spectacle? Who could ignore it?
Empress Dowager Shen has the intention of winning over Yue Tang. If the Emperor remained unmoved, that would truly be strange.
Yue Tang had never been to Yongfu Palace before.
In the entire Palace, she had only ever gone to Empress Mu’s palace and Consort An’s palace.
Yongfu Palace is at the southeast corner of Palace City, with small gardens on both the southeast sides. In the center are small bridges over flowing streams, making it very suitable for the Former Emperor’s widow to reside.
On the way there, Yue Tang also recalled a bit about Empress Dowager Shen.
Empress Dowager Shen was among the last batch of beautiful women selected to enter the Palace.
The Shen Family’s ancestral home is in Jiangnan, but they had settled in the capital for four generations, rising to prominence starting from the reign of Yue Tang’s imperial grandfather.
Empress Dowager Shen’s grandfather—that is, the patriarch who became enemies with the Chu Family—rose to the position of Grand Tutor.
The Former Emperor was many years older than Empress Dowager Shen. At that time, there was the virtuous and accomplished Empress Mu in the Palace, as well as Consort An, who had given birth to the eldest imperial son.
At that time, with the Shen Family’s prominent family background, Empress Dowager Shen actually had many better choices than entering the Palace as a consort.
Because Prince Duan’s Mansion had been classified under Empress Mu’s faction, not only did Consort An scold Prince Duan as a muddlehead, but Empress Dowager Shen—who had been conferred the title of Beautiful Lady upon entering the Palace—was also not close to Prince Duan’s Mansion.
This became even more obvious after she gave birth to the Fourth Prince.
But at that time, no one would directly conflict with Prince Duan’s Mansion.
Even though every time Yue Tang entered the Palace and met Empress Dowager Shen, she could see a bit of guard in her eyes, Empress Dowager Shen still never had any extra interactions with her.
“……Prince Xuan has been somewhat negligent in his homework these past two days. Remember to urge him a bit. Also advise Aunt not to push too hard—haste makes waste.”
Upon reaching outside Yongfu Palace, footsteps sounded from within the threshold. At the same time, a male voice gradually approached.
The eunuch leading the way stopped and turned back to say, “It’s Young Master Shen.”
The voice speaking inside sounded quite young. Even without the eunuch saying it, Yue Tang could guess it was someone from the Shen Family. Moreover, the voice was slightly familiar. Who could it be? Yue Tang already had a good idea in her heart.
But no matter who it was, how could Yue Tang have any reason to wait first?
She continued forward and stepped over the threshold. Coming face to face was a man dressed in fourth-rank official robes, hands clasped behind his back, walking slowly while speaking.
The two sides met, and the other party stopped first. His gaze lingered on Yue Tang’s face, his expression stiff, remaining silent for a long time.
The leading eunuch stepped forward and said softly, “Eldest Young Master, this is Princess Yongjia.”
Only then did his stiffened expression relax. He quickly stepped back, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply: “This official Shen Li pays respects to the Princess.”
A few months ago, Yue Tang had been pushing Du Minghuan into the game. Du Yu wanted to exploit the Shen Family’s troubles and arranged assassins to ambush in Guang’an Temple’s meditation room, waiting to catch a Shen Family member in a compromising position. In the end, Yue Tang, who had secretly tracked them, reaped the benefits instead.
It was Shen Li’s first time meeting Yue Tang, yet he did not know that Yue Tang had already seen him before.
She nodded: “Young Master Shen.”
That day at Guang’an Temple, after Yue Tang exposed the Du Family’s ambush of assassins, Shen Li interrogated the culprits on the spot, then escorted them in a grand manner to settle accounts with the Du Family, showing he was no coward.
He was even concerned about Prince Xuan’s homework—Prince Xuan being the Fourth Prince—which proved that Shen Li interacted with Empress Dowager Shen quite frequently on ordinary days.
Thinking of this, she added: “Young Master Shen is here to see the Empress Dowager?”
Shen Li cleared his throat slightly: “Thanks to the Emperor’s favor, this official is also on today’s Palace Banquet guest list, so I entered the Palace to ask if Aunt has any matters needing attention. I am now preparing to return to the mansion to bathe and change clothes.”
With that, he stepped aside: “The Empress Dowager has been waiting in the hall for quite some time. This official will lead the way for the Princess.”
Yue Tang’s gaze, like autumn waters, swept over his face: “Since Young Master Shen is rushing back to the mansion, how could I delay you? Take care, Young Master.”
With that, she passed by him and went straight inside.
Shen Li, left behind, gazed at her back for a long time before withdrawing his eyes.
The eunuch by his side was Empress Dowager Shen’s confidante and was seeing Yue Tang up close for the first time.
He glanced at Shen Li’s expression and said, “During the Former Emperor’s time, Princess Yongjia was immensely favored, her glory unmatched by anyone.
“But that is all in the past.
“Now with Her Majesty the Empress Dowager in charge, the Princess has no support or backing. She should know the times. Just now in front of the Eldest Young Master, she was a bit too arrogant.”
Shen Li glanced at him and turned to walk outward: “You deserve a slap across the mouth for those words.
“Under the whole sky, all is the King’s land. The Princess, as imperial kin, would she have to lower her status in front of me?
“If those words get out and the Mu Family seizes the handle, wouldn’t that put Aunt in a difficult position?”
The eunuch immediately fell silent.
Halfway along, Shen Li turned back for another glance before resuming his steps thoughtfully.
After they passed the threshold, Yue Tang had already gone through the long corridor and arrived in the courtyard.
Even with the cold wind whistling, the courtyard of Yongfu Palace was filled with lush green flowers and plants. Interspersed among the gardens were a few maple trees with fiery red leaves, truly a fine place for cultivation and self-nurturing.
“Yongjia?”
As Yue Tang walked forward, a group of people emerged from the direction of the main hall.
The beautiful woman at the lead wore an embroidered robe of purple base with drifting gold patterns. Several phoenixes extended from her waist downward all the way to the hem of her skirt, trailing long behind her.
Seeing Yue Tang, she stopped in her tracks.
The phoenix hairpin inserted at the center of her high bun swayed slightly with her movements. And the sunlight slanting down also emitted dazzling brilliance with the swaying motion.
Even though she was over thirty and in widowhood, Madam Shen still retained her vibrancy and sharp edge, just like the way she had fiercely fought with Consort An back then.
Compared to back then, she now even had a bit more of the wantonness of wielding great power.
Yue Tang stepped forward and knelt: “Greetings to Empress Dowager Shen.”
“Rise!”
A palace maid helped Yue Tang up.
After Yue Tang stood steady, Empress Dowager Shen looked her over again and said, “You really haven’t changed much.”
Yue Tang smiled back: “And you, Empress Dowager? All well?”
“Same as always.”
Empress Dowager Shen also tugged at the corner of her mouth.
In the past, Empress Mu had stood between the two sides, and it was true that they were not close; now, there was no need to be overly hypocritical.
The layout of the hall was seventy to eighty percent similar to the palace where Empress Mu had lived, but the furnishings and decorations were even more luxurious.
A tea ceremony was set up on the east side, with the stove lit, and the heat wafting made the two pots of orchids nearby release a fragrant aroma.
Empress Dowager Shen personally held the pot and brewed tea for each of them.
“This is the finest batch of melon slice tea this year. Try the flavor?”
Yue Tang first smelled the tea fragrance, then took a light sip: “Fresh and crisp with a mellow sweetness, lingering sweetness after swallowing; it should be from tea bushes around twenty years old.”
Empress Dowager Shen smiled brightly: “As expected of the noble Princess Yongjia! No fewer than ten people have drunk this tea of mine, but you’re the only one who could identify its origin.”
Yue Tang continued holding the cup and sipping tea, but smiled without speaking.
Empress Dowager Shen leaned obliquely against the bolster pillow and looked at her again: “When the Chu Family’s matter broke, I only then learned that the incident three years ago had another explanation. Knowing they were the ones playing tricks, why didn’t you come to me sooner? It could have spared you some hardship.”
“It’s fine,” Yue Tang said. “Fortunately, the Former Emperor and Empress, as well as my father and brother, have been protecting me from the shadows. As for the private grudge of my Prince’s Mansion, it wouldn’t be right to trouble Empress Dowager.”
Given Prince Duan’s Mansion’s former stance, the Emperor himself was born of Empress Mu, so Yue Tang could naturally be considered part of the Emperor’s faction. Even if the Shen Family thought that, relying on Yue Tang’s relationship with Yan Bei, they had some leverage to exploit, Yue Tang wanted to know: on what basis did the Shen Family think they could pull her to their side?
“Yes, fortunately they are protecting you.”
From behind the steaming tea mist, Empress Dowager Shen spoke slowly. But after this sigh-like sentence, she fell silent again.
Only after a moment did she look over again: “It’s not easy for you to support the Prince’s Mansion alone.
“The Shen Family now controls half of the Imperial Secretariat. I hear your father king’s former subordinates have taken over the Imperial City Department. In the future, the two mansions will surely have much interaction on political matters. When you have time, you can often come to my Yongfu Palace to sit.”
Yue Tang nodded: “Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager.”
Outside the curtain, a palace maid lifted the beaded curtain: “Reporting to Empress Dowager, Madam of the Emperor’s Uncle-in-Law has brought Miss Yi Zhu to pay respects. Additionally, Madam Grand Tutor and Miss of the Mu Family have also arrived.”
Empress Dowager Shen had just brought the cup to her red lips; upon hearing this, she said to the person across: “Everyone’s here.”
She then turned her head and instructed: “Invite the madams and misses to take seats in Qionghua Palace.”
Then she set down the cup and stood up: “Let’s go.”
