MFURCC -Chapter 11 The Empress Dowager Summons an Audience

The Empress Dowager set down the Buddhist scripture in her hands and said with a smile, “Had you not told me, I would truly have believed what the Empress said.”

Nanny Chang looked puzzled. “Her Majesty the Empress has never even met General Zhaoyong. I wonder how she came to that conclusion?”

The smile in the Empress Dowager’s eyes deepened.

“She is likely speaking up for her niece.”

“You mean General Shen’s legitimate daughter, Shen Tinglan?”

“Precisely. Before the new year, she followed in her father’s footsteps and went to the battlefield as well. Yet she returned in disgrace after a defeat, losing ten thousand troops. The Emperor, for the Empress’s sake, did not punish her—he merely confined Shen Tinglan to her residence for reflection. Now the one outside has returned with military merit, while Shen Tinglan still cannot leave her manor. The Empress has lost face, so naturally she won’t speak well of her.”

Though she spoke thus, there was no reproach in her tone.

Empress Cihui had been personally chosen by the Empress Dowager for the Emperor. Even if she made minor mistakes, the Empress Dowager would not take them to heart.

Besides, this hardly counted as a mistake.

The Empress Dowager examined the small gold ingot in her hand before tossing it to Nanny Chang.

“Since it was given to you, keep it.”

Then she instructed, “Have her come in. I wish to see for myself whether she is as remarkable as you say.”

“Yes.”

…

Outside the main hall, Liuzheng stood quietly with her head lowered.

Beside her hung a birdcage containing a mimicking parrot.

“Prince Su! Prince Su!”

Liuzheng started in surprise and instinctively turned her head, but saw no one besides palace maids and eunuchs.

Where was Prince Su?

A young eunuch laughed and said to her, “This is Her Majesty’s parrot. They say it’s clever, but after half a year it has only learned one phrase—‘Prince Su.’ General Ruan, don’t be fooled.”

So that was it.

Liuzheng nodded in thanks and lowered her head again, though her mind continued to turn.

Someone must frequently have spoken the words “Prince Su” before this bird for it to learn them.

And that person could only be the Empress Dowager—no one else would dare chatter freely in front of a mimicking parrot within the palace.

Liuzheng knew that the late Emperor had two Empresses. The first Empress had been the Empress Dowager’s cousin; they had entered the palace together.

After the first Empress died of lung illness, the Empress Dowager became the second Empress.

The first Empress’s children—the current Emperor Jingyuan and Princess Huishu—were raised under the Empress Dowager’s name.

Later, the Empress Dowager bore a son and a daughter of her own: Prince Su and Princess Zhaohua, who was the same age as Liuzheng.

After the late Emperor passed away, everyone assumed the Empress Dowager would support her own son to ascend the throne. Yet unexpectedly, she instead supported the present Emperor Jingyuan.

Mother and son had since grown estranged.

Yet judging by this parrot, Prince Su must still hold considerable weight in the Empress Dowager’s heart.

Still, Liuzheng found it strange—if that were the case, why had the Empress Dowager not placed her own son on the throne?

But that was not for her to ponder.

The calm returned quickly to Liuzheng’s eyes, though her hand shifted slightly.

Before long, Nanny Chang came out.

“Miss Ruan, the Empress Dowager invites you in.”

Liuzheng nodded and followed her inside.

Her eyes first fell upon four gilded bronze incense burners and bronze statues of the divine tortoise and immortal crane. On the east and west sides stood a sundial and a lunar dial respectively. Further ahead was the Empress Dowager’s throne of lacquered wood carved in gold—ornate and exceedingly luxurious.

Yet Liuzheng was neither dazzled nor intimidated by the splendor.

She showed not the slightest fear. With her head lowered, she walked forward, wearing a composed smile, and performed a full ceremonial salute before the Empress Dowager on the throne.

She bowed, knelt, and kowtowed—every movement precise.

When she raised her head, the Empress Dowager’s gaze fell upon her face. Having seen countless beauties, even she was momentarily struck.

What a fine appearance.

Beautiful, yet not bewitching.

And her bearing—more dignified and poised even than Empress Cihui when she had first entered the palace.

The Empress Dowager disliked overly seductive looks; Liuzheng’s appearance was exactly to her taste. Moreover, though no one had instructed her, her etiquette was flawless. Thus, her first impression of Liuzheng was excellent.

In front of Liuzheng, she said to Nanny Chang, “You were right. Miss Ruan indeed possesses extraordinary grace.”

Only then did she allow Liuzheng to rise.

“Bring her a seat.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Liuzheng bowed before sitting.

“I hear the Emperor granted you a General’s Manor. Are you accustomed to living there?”

“I am, Your Majesty. My entire family is deeply grateful for His Majesty’s grace.”

The Empress Dowager asked about various trivial matters and inquired about Wei Ranfeng as well.

Liuzheng answered each question flawlessly, modest and courteous.

Her dignified features and slightly lowered lashes while speaking gave the impression that she listened and responded earnestly, never perfunctorily.

The Empress Dowager’s favor toward her increased further.

She removed the jade “Wushi” pendant hanging from her lapel and descended from the throne, personally placing it around Liuzheng’s neck.

“Yesterday you presented me with a relic, and at the frontier you once saved Ranfeng’s life. This Wushi pendant was obtained in my youth and has been worn by me ever since. Today I give it to you. In the future, if you enter the palace wearing it, none shall bar your way.”

“This is too precious a gift. Liuzheng does not dare accept it…”

“It is nothing precious—merely a token of my heart. Keep it.”

Liuzheng no longer refused.

Returning to her throne, the Empress Dowager noticed the tea table beside Liuzheng was still empty and frowned slightly. “Why has tea not been served?”

A palace maid immediately presented Liuzheng with a cup of tea.

This signified full recognition.

Just then, a jet-black cat ran into the hall and began rubbing against Liuzheng’s skirt.

The maid carrying the tea was startled, and the cup tipped over.

Liuzheng neither dodged nor avoided it, allowing the tea to soak into her skirt.

“This servant deserves death!” The maid fell to her knees, kowtowing repeatedly.

The Empress Dowager scolded her a few times and gathered the cat into her arms.

It was her cat.

Unable to punish the cat, she berated the maid for incompetence and ordered Nanny Chang to summon the imperial physician.

Liuzheng bowed. “Your Majesty need not worry. I am not burned. Only, later I must attend a banquet at Princess Huishu’s residence. Might I trouble Your Majesty to grant me a change of garments?”

“As long as you are not burned, that is well.” The Empress Dowager sighed in relief and instructed Nanny Chang to take Liuzheng to change.

After Liuzheng left, the Empress Dowager lightly patted the black cat’s hindquarters.

“You never grow close to anyone. What madness possessed you today?”

She had taken quite a liking to Liuzheng. Had the cat truly injured her, she would have felt guilty.

Fortunately, nothing had happened.

A faint smile flickered in Liuzheng’s eyes.

When she had wandered as a ghost, she had seen this very black cat kept by the Empress Dowager.

It adored fish and the scent of catnip.

All along the way, Liuzheng had hidden a small piece of fish in her palm, scattering tiny bits on the ground to lure the cat.

She had also rubbed catnip along the hem of her skirt.

Thus the cat followed the scent and, upon seeing her, rubbed against her as if possessed.

Everything had gone according to her plan.

Very smoothly.

Soon, Liuzheng returned in fresh attire.

She now wore a simple violet satin sleeveless jacket. It was not as opulent as the outfit prepared by the First Madam, yet it suited her far better.

“Does it fit? I wore this in my youth. It seems quite suitable for you.”

It had once belonged to the Empress Dowager herself.

No matter how fine the fabric, it could not compare to that significance.

“It fits perfectly. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“You child, no need to be so formal with me.” Then she asked, “You are going to Princess Huishu’s residence?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then deliver her birthday gift on my behalf and save me the trouble of sending someone.”

The Empress Dowager had Nanny Chang bring Princess Huishu’s birthday gift.

It was a jade ruyi scepter, placed in an exquisite brocade box.

Liuzheng carefully held it and took her leave.

Nanny Chang personally escorted her out to the palace gates.

Such ceremony—personally receiving and escorting her—naturally reached Empress Cihui’s ears.

A trace of displeasure immediately surfaced in her eyes.

“The Empress Dowager knows full well that because of Tinglan, I do not favor this General Zhaoyong.”

She instructed her chief palace maid, “Go and investigate what kind of bewitching potion this General has fed the Empress Dowager.”

Though everyone in the Empress’s palace was her own confidant, it was rare for her to speak so bluntly and harshly—she was clearly quite angered.

“Yes!” the maid responded at once.

Meanwhile, Liuzheng left the palace smoothly.

This visit had yielded considerable gains.

Her carriage headed directly to Princess Huishu’s residence.

The Princess’s manor was not in Wuyi Lane but on Sanyuan Street.

Though less bustling than Wuyi Lane, the scenery was beautiful, and many noble families had estates there.

Madam Song had arrived three quarters of an hour earlier.

Together with the Zhuangyuan’s wife, she had presented gifts to Princess Huishu.

The Princess sat in a lakeside pavilion, dressed in dark green, a golden buyao hair ornament glittering in the sunlight.

Along the way, the two women had felt as though people were pointing and whispering about them.

Yet whenever they looked over, nothing seemed amiss.

Madam Song found it strange, but upon seeing the Princess, she set aside her thoughts.

The Princess was on close terms with the Zhuangyuan’s wife’s natal family, so the two shared a close friendship.

Seeing her arrive, the Princess personally came to greet her.

“You needn’t have brought a gift.”

“It is but a modest token. I hope Your Highness will not disdain it.” The Zhuangyuan’s wife then introduced Madam Song. “This is my teacher’s wife.”

Only then did the Princess’s gaze fall upon Madam Song’s face.

She looked pleasantly surprised.

“So this is the birth mother of the valiant female General Zhaoyong?”

Madam Song hurriedly bowed. “This humble woman, Song, greets Your Highness. May Your Highness enjoy eternal blessings and peace.”

The Princess helped her up.

“No need for such formality. Please sit.”

Madam Song wore a faint smile, her heart brimming with joy.

It was her first time meeting the Princess—before this, she had never been qualified.

Yet she did not think this was a benefit brought by Liuzheng; the thought never even crossed her mind.

The Princess said, “I have long wished to meet General Zhaoyong, but I’ve been busy arranging this banquet and have not found the time to invite her for tea. Has she come today?”

The Zhuangyuan’s wife had informed the Princess in advance that Liuzheng would attend, so the Princess had deliberately refrained from sending a housewarming gift, intending to present it in person.

It was already prepared—a pair of couplets written by the Princess herself to celebrate the move.

Though modest, being written by her hand made it a significant gift.

Madam Song rose and replied, “My daughter was delayed by some matters and may arrive shortly. I hope Your Highness will not take offense…”

She did not mention that Liuzheng had been summoned to the palace by the Empress Dowager.

The Princess waved her hand.

“General Zhaoyong is busy with official duties. I understand.”

Yet her smile faded slightly.

As more guests arrived to offer congratulations, the Princess left Madam Song to greet them.

Madam Song did not feel embarrassed in the least. Instead, a faint smile lingered at her lips.