Chapter 213: Only You Are Missing
Emerging from Sang Liu Courtyard, the sun had already begun to set in the west.
Xue Sui tightened the cloak around her and took Xiao Zhao to the Princess Protector of the Nation’s Mansion.
Wen Jia, dressed in a plain jacket and skirt, sat in the corridor playing with Niu Niu, her eyes slightly red and swollen. Niu Niu, clutching a small wooden horse, immediately ran towards Xue Sui upon seeing her.
“Auntie!”
She called out in her childish voice, a small scented sachet that Xue Sui had given her tied around her waist.
Xue Sui smiled and picked her up, her fingertips lightly tapping Niu Niu’s rosy cheeks.
“Has Niu Niu been listening to Mother?”
The little girl nodded and whispered into Xue Sui’s ear, “Mother cried and wet her pillow again last night.”
Xue Sui turned her gaze towards Wen Jia.
Wen Jia hastily dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, concealing her melancholy. She signaled for a maid to take Niu Niu outside before inviting Xue Sui into the room to sit down, dismissing the other servants.
“Ping An, have you heard about Princess Tuya?”
Xue Sui raised her eyes and smiled lightly.
“I’ve heard a little.”
Wen Jia lowered her voice, “That Princess Tuya is very favored by His Majesty. After the morning court, His Majesty went to Hanzhang Hall. They shared a carriage and meals, and she even ground ink for him while he reviewed memorials. I heard that Consort Xiao was so angered she fell ill…”
“What’s strange is that Princess Tuya always covers her face with a plain veil, no matter the time. Except for His Majesty, neither Empress nor the close eunuchs have seen her true face.”
Xue Sui’s gaze deepened slightly.
Wen Jia sighed softly, “Speaking of which, she is my aunt. When I was young, my mother mentioned that from the moment she was born, she was chosen as a Saintess and sent to Wulan Holy Mountain for training at the age of three… I never expected she couldn’t escape this fate either…”
She stopped speaking, her expression downcast.
A political marriage seemed to have become Princess Xizi’s inescapable destiny.
Xue Sui handed Wen Jia the scented sachet she had brought. “The High Priest’s move is quite brilliant. If the Emperor is moved, it will be Xizi’s talisman. If not, it will be the High Priest’s blade.”
Wen Jia took the sachet and placed it on the desk, her eyes welling up with tears. “My mother once said that the High Priest’s clan has always been loyal only to the legitimate lineage of Xizi. Now that Ashina has murdered his father and usurped the throne, and Amun Rah has offered Princess Tuya to the palace, I fear…”
Her unfinished words scattered into sighs in the autumn wind.
There was no need to say more; it was already clear enough.
Princess Tuya remaining in the palace became a “bridge” between the High Priest and Daliang, working together against Ashina. The situation was becoming increasingly chaotic, and Xizi’s future would not be bright.
Xue Sui suddenly pursed her lips and chuckled.
“Everyone says the Emperor is infatuated with beauties and neglects his morning court. But would a perpetually calculating and heartless Emperor truly be easily swayed by beauty?”
Looking at Wen Jia’s stunned eyes, Xue Sui stated with certainty.
“What he wants is internal strife in Xizi, not a beautiful princess.”
Wen Jia shook her head with a bitter smile, her gaze falling on Niu Niu playing in the courtyard through the window.
The child was clinging to a maid’s skirt, tugging at the silk ribbon at her waist with her small hands, her eyes curved in a smile.
“If Niu Niu grows up and is also sent for a political marriage, what should I do?”
She asked softly, her voice laced with a hint of fear.
Xue Sui paused, her fingertips gently brushing over the teacup. “That won’t happen.”
After a moment, she added, “At least, not while I’m alive. I won’t let such a thing happen.”
Wen Jia’s eyes reddened slightly, and she clasped Xue Sui’s hand. “Ping An…”
Xue Sui squeezed her hand back. “Don’t worry. This time, we’ll enter the game willingly, use their plan against them, and return their methods upon them… We will definitely win.”
Wen Jia eagerly asked, “What should I do?”
Xue Sui said in a deep voice, “Take Niu Niu to the palace to visit the Empress Dowager, and also to meet your aunt, whom you’ve never met.”
–
After leaving the Princess Protector of the Nation’s Mansion, Xue Sui had her carriage stop as she passed by the West Market. She took Xiao Zhao to browse a fabric shop, intending to pick out two pieces of material to give to Xue Yuechen as a token gesture.
As she was choosing, she suddenly overheard a conversation from behind a fabric rack.
“Second Miss Lu is truly impatient. She’s been visiting Jiaofang Palace so frequently these past few days; I heard the Empress is almost out of patience with her.”
“Who can’t see her intentions? But Third Miss Guo is no pushover. Didn’t you see how ugly the scene was at the Women’s Workshop that day…”
“Shh, keep your voice down…”
“There will be a good show at the palace banquet tomorrow. We’ll have to see how they compete…”
The speakers were two noblewomen who frequented Ping Le Women’s Workshop, and they were most aware of the intricacies and power struggles within it.
It seemed that Second Miss Lu and Third Miss Guo were fiercely competing for the position of Crown Princess.
This Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet was indeed becoming more and more interesting.
Xue Sui raised an eyebrow and subtly signaled Xiao Zhao, then turned to leave.
“Miss, what are you smiling about?” Xiao Zhao asked curiously.
“Nothing,” Xue Sui replied, turning around. “Let’s go, it’s time to return home. The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet is the day after tomorrow, and there are still many things to prepare.”
The carriage slowly traveled down the long street. Xue Sui lifted the curtain and watched the lanterns along the street gradually light up. Mid-Autumn was approaching, and every household was preparing for the festival. Children ran around with rabbit lanterns, chasing and laughing, and the air was filled with the scent of osmanthus and roasted meat.
Xue Sui suddenly remembered a Mid-Autumn Festival many years ago, when she had curled up under the ancestral hall’s offering table, stealing half a piece of stale mooncake.
In her childhood, she had no Mid-Autumn Festival.
She had thought the greatest hardship in life was hunger, only to later understand that there were even greater hardships…
–
As everyone knew, ever since Emperor Chong Zhao received the beautiful princess from Xizi’s new tribute, he had spent every day with her, indulging in nightly revelries, and had become much more lax in his court duties.
Consequently, his demeanor towards Empress Xie, who had facilitated her entry into the palace, also became more amiable.
At noon today, he unexpectedly visited Jiaofang Palace after a long absence and sat with Empress Xie for tea.
“The Crown Prince is growing older; it is time for him to marry.”
For many years, he had never concerned himself with the Crown Prince’s marriage.
This time, he had changed his mind for the sake of a beauty.
Empress Xie’s expression remained unchanged. “May I ask which young lady His Majesty favors?”
Emperor Chong Zhao shook his head, a rare warmth in his eyes. “Empress, you are virtuous. Please select a young lady from a distinguished family with excellent character. Do not let the Crown Prince be wronged.”
“Your Majesty is wise. This concubine will naturally do her best.” Empress Xie poured tea, her face still adorned with a proper smile.
After speaking, she slightly turned her body and gave a signal to the head palace maid behind her.
The palace servant took a scroll from a box and unrolled it before the Emperor.
Empress Xie stood beside the Emperor, bowed slightly, and said with a beaming smile, “These are portraits of twelve noble ladies from esteemed families submitted by the Ministry of Culture. They are all rare beauties.”
The Emperor nodded slightly.
In the paintings, the women were adorned with flowers, holding scrolls, or playing the zither and flute; they were all good-looking.
He slightly raised his eyes, scrutinizing Empress Xie.
“Which one do you favor, Empress?”
Empress Xie’s eyes held a smile, her demeanor dignified. “This concubine believes that the Grand Tutor’s daughter, Lady Lu, is learned and sensible, and the Duke of Zheng’s daughter, Lady Guo, is gentle and virtuous. Both are suitable matches. However…”
She frowned slightly. “Second Miss Lu seemed a bit indifferent towards marriage previously, but recently she has been making frequent overtures. I am unsure of her true intentions. Although Third Miss Guo has excellent character, she is too sharp. This concubine cannot decide for a moment who is suitable to be the Crown Princess…”
Emperor Chong Zhao narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression relaxed.
“It matters not,” the Emperor raised his hand to stop her. “At the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet, let the Crown Prince choose for himself.”
Empress Xie nodded respectfully.
“Zhao’er has been diligent lately, and his conduct has become increasingly steady. This is all due to Your Majesty’s teachings.”
Emperor Chong Zhao showed a pleased expression.
“He has finally matured.”
–
The setting sun cast long shadows of Li Zhao across the palace walls.
With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the security of the important palace gates and halls became paramount. The Shenwu Army was on high alert, patrolling day and night, using the defense map personally drafted by the Crown Prince, with every nook and cranny clearly marked.
The soldiers, with long sabers at their waists, stood in formation, listening to the orders.
Li Zhao stood with his hands behind his back, the cold wind whipping his cloak, his eyes filled with a chilling glint.
“Increase the number of archers at Zhu Que Gate by three teams, patrolling every two hours.”
“Yes.”
“Strictly inspect all entries and exits at Xuanwu Gate. No unauthorized personnel are allowed inside.”
“Understood!”
“The wells and latrines must be thoroughly inspected. Do not miss a single corner…”
Before he finished speaking, Li Zhao was seen placing his hand heavily on the sword at his waist.
His gaze drifted into the distance, where twelve Xuanjia Guards were carrying wine jars in single file. The seals on the jars were marked with vermilion ink, reflecting exotic patterns.
These were Xizi’s fine wines specially prepared by His Highness for his new favorite beauty.
Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and a conferment ceremony is likely to take place…
Li Zhao suddenly chuckled, his fingertip brushing over the pendant on his sword tassel. Just as he was about to leave, a female official approached and bowed, reporting that the Empress wished to see him.
Upon arriving at Jiaofang Palace, Li Zhao had just bowed to pay his respects when Empress Xie, unable to wait, spread out the twelve portraits of noble ladies on the table.
“Your father has taken an unusual interest in your marriage. Do not disappoint his imperial will.”
Li Zhao looked at the women in the portraits, each with their own distinct features, and thought of the jade ruyi that had sunk to the bottom of the koi pond, feeling a surge of irritation.
“This son does not wish to marry…”
“Nonsense!” Empress Xie’s expression turned displeased. “As the Crown Prince, continuing the imperial lineage and the state is your duty. How can you not marry? If nothing else, Lady Lu and Lady Guo come from noble families. Since rumors of their betrothal have already spread, to suddenly call it off would make it difficult for them to marry!”
Li Zhao said impatiently, “This son is not a matchmaker, nor are they his father. Must I also concern myself with their marriages?”
…
Empress Xie was so choked with words that she was speechless.
After a long pause, she waved her hand. “Fine. At the palace banquet tomorrow, at least show your face to the young ladies. Do not let them be embarrassed.”
Li Zhao saw the veins on his mother’s forehead twitching with anger and perfunctorily cupped his hands in a salute.
“This son takes his leave.”
Empress Xie sighed heavily.
–
Returning to the Eastern Palace, Li Zhao changed his clothes and then hurried into the study. He took out paper slips from a hidden compartment and began to write a letter.
Tan Qiu Courtyard after that night’s heavy rain had stirred him deeply.
The dampness of the bamboo shadows on the window lattice, the warmth of the green plum wine, the shadow cast by the woman’s eyelashes beneath her eyes, all stirred a moist itch in his heart…
The mere thought made his throat tighten.
It was difficult to speak of, like a young boy’s secret affections…
After that night, he had sent Xue Sui several letters, filled with affectionate words.
“The cold tower moon is chilling, the iron armor is frosted, only longing for your smiling face.”
“Osmanthus fragrance fills the air, the jade rabbit is full, do not delay, my dear!”
“The moon is full, longing for you but you are not here…”
Lai Fu’s gaze fell upon the Crown Prince with a complex expression. His Highness had changed into a moon-white brocade robe and looked focused, like a passionate youth lost in infatuation.
The words written on the white paper even made an old eunuch blush.
“Everything is ready, only you are missing!”
His Highness! Lai Fu sighed inwardly.
These words did not seem like something a proper person would write…
Lai Fu: My Highness is becoming more and more improper.
Li Zhao: Get out!
