Chapter 282: Spring Returns Again
At the end of the month, Prince Zhao prepared to leave the Capital City.
King of Fenye had been in the Capital City for four months and had to return to the grassland, but Princess Duanmin was pregnant and her fetal condition had not been stable.
King of Fenye was naturally worried, fearing that the journey would be bumpy and something might happen.
So he discussed with the Princess that he would return first, and the Princess would stay in the Capital City until her fetal condition stabilized.
As soon as they heard that Princess Duanmin was not returning to the grassland, Yu Chao and Zhuola Han insisted on staying to accompany her.
Especially Yu Chao, who heard that Princess Duanmin planned to move to Bowang Mountain for a while when the weather got warmer, absolutely refused to leave.
Before King of Fenye left the Capital City, a banquet was held in the Palace to see him off.
Thus, they were busy for several more days, and it was only when the people of the Fenye tribe, escorted by Prince Zhao, left the Capital City and headed north that everything was finished.
By this time, the snow had melted, the trees were turning green, showing the signs of early spring.
Early in the morning, the imperial concubines came to pay respects to the Empress as usual.
Consort Yun was among them, and she looked in good spirits.
The two beauties presented by Princess Duanmin had both been conferred the title of Noble Lady.
They were young and liked bright colors, always catching the eye whenever they appeared.
“It’s better to wear brighter colors, they look festive. You should all do the same, don’t always dress so old-fashioned, it makes the Palace look so dull,” the Empress said to the concubines, pointing at A Lan and A Man.
“It’s not that we imperial concubines don’t wear bright colors, Your Ladyship, it’s just our age. Sometimes we might make one or two pieces on impulse, but when we put them on and look in the mirror, we feel too embarrassed to wear them out,” Consort Hui said with a smile. “It’s better to wear modest colors in a proper manner.”
Her words made the Empress laugh: “You were a beauty in your youth too, alas, time truly spares no one!”
Consort Hui was a few years older than the Empress, and her two daughters had already been married off.
Because she flattered the Empress so well, both her daughters married well.
Her eldest daughter married the Empress’s nephew, Dong Gang, and her second daughter married the Heir Apparent of the Duke of Zhao.
“Not everyone can maintain themselves as well as you, Your Ladyship. Look at you, your face has no fine lines at all. Who wouldn’t say you look twenty?” Consort Jing quickly added.
She had always stayed close to the Empress in the Palace and was very sweet-tongued.
“That’s an exaggeration. A forty-year-old person can’t possibly look twenty, no matter what,” the Empress denied, but she was very pleased. “However, this is also thanks to Mingqian. The face cream she makes is truly excellent. After using it, my skin feels so delicate and moisturized, even better than what I used before.”
Everyone in the Palace knew that Wen Mingqian had a special skill, but not everyone could use what she made.
Except for the Grand Princess, Princess Duanmin, and the Empress, they would not dare to use it unless the Empress specifically permitted it.
“Spring is here, the peach blossoms and apricot blossoms are about to bloom. People should also dress up. Mingqian, please work hard and make some rouge and powder for each of the imperial concubines in the Imperial Harem, to add some color to this spring day,” the Empress said with a smile.
Wen Mingqian agreed, and the imperial concubines thanked the Empress.
There were not too many imperial concubines in the Imperial Harem, but not too few either, yet it always gave a feeling of desolation.
They did not compete with each other for favor, because none of them had any princes, and the Empress’s family was dominant.
Furthermore, the Emperor was diligent in state affairs and rarely stayed overnight in any imperial concubine’s palace.
Even the current A Lan and A Man, who were in their prime and beautiful, the Emperor did not visit their palaces often.
A day later, Wen Mingqian was serving the Empress when a little eunuch came in to report: “Your Ladyship, Lord Dong from the Orchid Terrace requests an audience.”
“Oh, he’s here. Let him in,” the Empress said, very pleased.
His nephew, Dong Gang, had been away in Jiangnan as a Censor for over half a year and had only recently returned to the Capital City.
Wen Mingqian saw Dong Gang for the first time and felt that he was just like the Grand Tutor Dong in his youth, because he resembled his grandfather so much, even more than his father, Dong Sicheng.
The same sharp eyebrows and hawk-like eyes, the same thin lips.
No wonder Grand Tutor Dong doted on his grandson so much; elders always preferred children who resembled them.
Just like Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, who disliked Emperor Hui but favored Prince Zhao Ruyi.
At that time, he told people, “Ruyi is like me,” and even wanted to make this youngest son the Crown Prince.
But it was also because of his favoritism that Empress Lü harbored deep resentment, leading to a tragic end for Ruyi and his mother.
“Why didn’t you rest at home for a few more days? You came to the Palace in such a hurry?” the Empress asked him with a smile.
“Your nephew is not tired, I just missed my aunt and wanted to see you as soon as possible,” Dong Gang said with a smile. “Is Your Ladyship well?”
“Alas, what’s good or not, you naturally know about these things that have happened,” the Empress sighed. This was something her maternal relatives did not need to avoid. “It’s just that when things were at their worst, neither your grandfather nor your father were in the Capital City, and neither were you.”
“Your nephew is truly ashamed that he could not share your burdens,” Dong Gang lowered his head.
“How can I blame you? Everything was peaceful, who would have expected this,” the Empress said. “During the days you were away, Ying Pei often came to the Palace to pay her respects. Now that you’ve returned from Jiangnan, stay in the Capital City for a few years! You’ve been married for three years but still have no children, which naturally makes the elders anxious.”
Ying Pei was the Eldest Princess, born to Consort Hui, and Wen Mingqian recognized her.
“Your nephew will strictly follow Your Ladyship’s instructions,” Dong Gang replied.
“Mingqian, the fragrant herbs tea you brewed the other day was very good. Go and brew another cup just like it for him to try.” The Empress always gave anything good to her maternal relatives. She doted on this nephew and hadn’t seen him for a long time, so she wanted to keep him in the Palace for a while longer.
“In spring, one can easily develop excessive internal heat. This fragrant herbs tea was specially prepared for me by her, and it’s very comforting to drink.” As the Empress, the mother of the nation, what could she possibly lack? But Wen Mingqian was always able to come up with unique ideas and serve her perfectly.
“Your nephew has also heard people mention that there is now a fragrance maker by Your Ladyship’s side who is extremely ingenious. Today, I am indeed fortunate to have a taste,” Dong Gang said, glancing at Wen Mingqian as he spoke.
His gaze was like a blade, cold and sharp.
Wen Mingqian met his gaze briefly, then demurely lowered her head, not out of fear, but out of humility: “You flatter me, sir. This servant is fortunate to be able to serve Your Ladyship, and only wishes to do my best.”
After serving the tea, Wen Mingqian withdrew. This was out of her own initiative.
However, anyone with a discerning eye knew that the Empress and Dong Gang had not seen each other for a long time and would want to say some private things.
“Oh, Madam Wen, why are you coming out? Doesn’t the Empress need your service anymore?” Wen Mingqian happened to meet Yu Lu as she was walking out.
Wen Mingqian quickly stopped and replied with a smile: “Lord Dong Gang has come to see Your Ladyship.”
Wen Mingqian didn’t need to say the rest; Yu Lu naturally understood.
