By evening, sounds of wrenching coughs echoed from within Weiyang Palace.
Palace attendants bustled in and out, every one of them tense and anxious. All were worried – could the Empress niangniang’s body hold out any longer?
Inner Palace Supervisor Fang gonggong entered the palace. First, he asked the palace maid guarding the entrance, “How is niangniang?”
“Reporting to Fang shaojian, niangniang has been coughing the whole afternoon. The taiyi has given medicine and applied acupuncture, but there has been no improvement.”
[T/N: Shaojian: Supervisor. Because Fang shaojian is an important character that keeps springing up, and he is referred to as Fang shaojian in the raws, I’ll style his name in this manner.]
Fang shaojian frowned, hesitated for a moment, then strode resolutely into the bedchamber.
The taiyi was just withdrawing the needles.
Fang shaojian bowed and waited quietly to the side.
After the needles were removed and the medicine taken, Empress Cui at last felt a little better – the coughing was less severe.
She looked at the taiyi. “How much longer can bengong’s body endure?”
How could the taiyi dare answer that? He only said, “Niangniang must set your mind at ease and focus on quiet recuperation.”
Empress Cui narrowed her eyes. “Bengong knows its own body best. To have lasted until now is already Heaven’s mercy. What bengong wants now is only the truth.”
“This…”
The taiyi dared not speak honestly, and so cast a pleading look at Fang shaojian.
Fang shaojian stepped out from the shadows into the candlelight and bowed deeply. “Paying my respects to Niangniang.”
“You’ve come.”
Fang said, “Niangniang, today gongzi Zhao went to the Prefect’s Office to lodge a report.”
“Oh?”
Empress Cui smiled meaningfully.
With a wave of her hand, the taiyi fled as though granted amnesty, bowing his way out. The palace maids also filed out.
Empress Cui beckoned. “Come closer. Let bengong see you more clearly.”
Fang shaojian approached the bedside respectfully. “Niangniang, are you feeling any better?”
Empress Cui smiled faintly. “This body of bengong’s is merely dragging out the days. One day at a time.”
“Niangniang must take care, and set your heart at ease.”
The Empress sighed. “Given the state of things now, you’ve seen it yourself – how can this palace set its heart at ease? As for the Crown Prince… sigh… all bengong can do now is exhaust human effort and leave the rest to Heaven.”
Fang shaojian’s expression darkened.
Empress Cui looked at him. “You said gongzi Zhao lodged a report at the yamen?”
“Exactly so.”
“What happened?”
Fang shaojian cleared his throat. “Today gongzi Zhao was dining at Tongfu Restaurant. It is said he lost a jade pendant, and so went to the Prefect’s office to file a case.”
“Did the yamen accept it?”
“The yamen would not dare refuse.”
Empress Cui laughed. “Of course. Tongfu Restaurant – if this palace remembers correctly, that establishment is backed by Xue guifei’s natal family.”
“On the surface, yes, the Xue family. In truth, it belongs to Zhao wang.”
Prince Zhao was Xue guifei’s son, and the Crown Prince’s greatest rival.
Empress Cui’s eyes narrowed. “And what is the deeper meaning of gongzi Zhao’s actions? Could it be that Ning wang has grown restless?”
Ning wang was Liu Zhao’s father, second among the imperial brothers.
Fang shaojian replied, “There has been no direct conflict between Ning wang and Zhao wang – at least not yet. By reason, Ning wang doesn’t need to target Zhao wang at this time.”
Empress Cui half-closed her eyes, pondering.
“You think this father and son – Ning wang and gongzi Zhao – have some deeper scheme?”
Fang shaojian said, “On the surface, gongzi Zhao’s action points toward Zhao wang. But I fear their true intent is not Zhao wang at all, but rather the Crown Prince.”
Empress Cui nodded slightly. “Send people to watch closely. At the critical moment, intervene directly if needed. We must ensure Ning wang and Zhao wang are set against each other – only then can the Crown Prince…”
Before she could finish, she broke into violent coughing.
Fang shaojian grew alarmed. “Niangniang, are you all right? Someone, come!”
The taiyi and attendants, well-trained, rushed in at once – needles were inserted, medicines prepared, water brought.
After much effort, Empress Cui’s coughing finally subsided. She had clawed her way back from the brink of death.
Her face was ashen, her body utterly exhausted, too weak even to speak.
Fang shaojian grew ever more anxious.
He exchanged a meaningful glance with Wang taiyi, then withdrew from the chamber.
Moments later, Wang taiyi followed him out.
Fang shaojian asked quietly, “Wang taiyi, tell me the truth. How much longer does niangniang have?”
The taiyi broke into a cold sweat. “Fang shaojian…”
“Just answer me. How much time does niangniang have left? Spare me all other words.”
Wang taiyi wiped the sweat from his brow, glanced around, then whispered, “Since niangniang trusts you, benguan will not conceal it. Niangniang’s body could fail at any time… Fang shaojian, you must prepare yourself.”
Fang shaojian’s face changed. “At any time… truly?”
Wang taiyi nodded. “That she has lasted this long is already a miracle. The entire Imperial Infirmary expected niangniang would not survive past autumn. Yet it is already deep winter. If she can endure this winter, and live to see spring when the weather grows warm, there might be the faintest glimmer of hope.”
“There is truly still a glimmer of hope?”
Wang taiyi sighed. “Slim. Very slim. I fear this winter…”
He left the sentence unfinished – but it said enough.
The Empress’s body was already like a lamp with no oil.
That she had endured to this point was due only to one last breath of sheer will.
And once that breath gave out – Empress Cui would not be able to endure any longer.
Having said all that could be said, Wang taiyi returned to the chamber to watch over her, lest the worst come to pass.
Inside Ganlu Palace, Xue guifei gazed in the direction of Weiyang Palace with a smug smile.
The Empress was almost at her limit.
After so many years, that woman was finally about to be worn down by her.
The one who lives to the end is the true victor – why couldn’t the Empress niangniang understand such a simple truth?
A palace maid entered to report: “Niangniang, just now we received word that gongzi Zhao went to the yamen to file a case. He said that while dining at Tongfu Restaurant, he lost a jade pendant. The yamen has already accepted the case.”
Xue guifei’s brows knitted. “Is Liu Zhao courting death? Does he not know that Tongfu Restaurant is backed by the Xue family?”
“Perhaps gongzi Zhao has a deeper intention in doing this.”
Xue guifei gave a cold snort. “Tomorrow I’ll go see Shu fei and have her properly discipline her eldest grandson. This is truly outrageous.”
All of Xue guifei’s thoughts were focused on watching Empress Cui in Weiyang Palace. She truly had no energy to think further about Liu Zhao’s motives.
What had begun as a small case of a lost jade pendant, after some brewing and manipulation – and with many parties seizing the chance to stir muddy waters – would soon shake the entire power balance of the capital.
The turmoil outside had not affected the Gu fu’s inner quarters.
If anything had changed, it was that Gu daren was coming home later and later each day.
Gu Yue’s marriage, and the matter of disciplining her, had all been thrown to Xie shi.
On this day, Xie shi came to visit Gu Yue in the Zizhu Yuan.
Just as Doctor Zhu had said, Gu Yue’s injuries were all superficial, with no damage to her bones.
After just a few days, the wounds were almost healed, the scabs already formed, and Gu Yue could move about freely.
But the moment Gu Yue saw Xie shi, tears streamed down her face.
Xie shi frowned slightly. “Why are you crying again?”
“Mother, will my wounds leave scars?”
“No. Doctor Zhu prescribed scar-removing medicine. You won’t be left with scars.”
“But nü’er so afraid.”
Xie shi said expressionlessly: “Since you know fear, then don’t act recklessly again in the future.”
“Nü’er doesn’t dare anymore.” Gu Yue looked pitiful, speaking between sobs.
Xie shi looked at her and said: “Your father and I have discussed it. We’ll arrange a marriage for you soon. I’ve already been preparing your dowry.”
Gu Yue lifted her head – surprise, shock, fear, and hope flickered in her eyes all at once.
“Mother, Haixi bo fu…”
Xie shi’s gaze was sharp as a blade, cutting straight toward her.
Gu Yue had no choice but to stop. No matter what, she couldn’t finish her words. She was truly terrified – those five strokes of the board had nearly cost her half her life.
So painful. So unbearably painful.
Just the thought of being beaten again made her burst into tears.
Xie shi pulled out a handkerchief and wiped her tears. “Don’t cry. As Haixi bo fu, I’ll make plans for you. As long as you won’t regret it.”
Gu Yue smiled through her tears. “I won’t regret it. Nü’er will never in this lifetime.”
Xie shi’s lips curved in a mocking smile. “You’re still young. Don’t talk about ‘a lifetime.’ Only when you reach my age will you understand what that really means.”
Gu Yue nodded repeatedly, clinging to Xie shi’s arm with a spoiled tone. “Nü’er will listen to everything Mother says. Mother is so good to me.”
Xie shi gave a faint smile, but it was fleeting.
In an instant, her face turned wooden again. “As for Haixi bo fu, don’t get your hopes up too much. This marriage may not succeed.”
Gu Yue lowered her head, looking dejected. “Mother has worked so hard. Nü’er understands.”
After that beating with the board, Gu Yue had at least learned to behave – no longer stubbornly insisting she must marry Zhao erlang or she’d rather die.
But all of that was just appearances. What she truly thought in her heart, only she herself knew.
Just then, a little maid entered from outside. “Reporting to taitai, to guniang – da guniang, er guniang, si guniang, wu guniang, and liu guniang have all come to visit.”
“Quickly, invite them in,” Xie shi instructed.
The maid acknowledged and went out.
Xie shi turned to remind Gu Yue, “When you see your sisters, mind your manners and speak politely.”
“Nü’er understands.”
Led by Gu Jiu, the Gu daughters entered the bedroom one after another.
In a moment, the room was crowded with people.
“Greetings to taitai.”
“Greetings, second aunt.”
Xie shi smiled and nodded. “You are thoughtful to worry about Yue’er.”
Gu Jiu was the first to ask: “San meimei, are you feeling better?”
“Thank you, er jiejie, for your concern. I’m much better. I heard you’ve all been learning household management from da bomu.”
Gu Jiu nodded with a smile. “That’s right.”
Gu Yue said, “When I recover, I’ll also learn household management from da bomu.”
Xie shi said, “You’re not young anymore. It’s time you learned how to manage household affairs.”
Gu Yue lowered her head. “Mother is right. But why doesn’t Mother manage the household? With da bomu overseeing such a large estate all by herself, she must be so tired. Mother, you should help share her burdens with us.”
Gu Yue gazed innocently and guilelessly at Xie shi.
Xie shi laughed. “Don’t worry. Once I finish with my current matters, I’ll sit down with your da bomu and properly discuss the affairs of running the household.”
For now, she still had something to ask of Zhang shi, so she didn’t want to tear things apart with her.
Once Gu Zhen and Gu Yue’s marriages were settled, then she would have it out with Zhang shi and speak clearly about the matter of household management.
Since the first and second branches of the family hadn’t split yet, there was no reason Zhang shi alone should hold all the power.
Gu Jun felt a little awkward.
At that moment, she seemed like an unnecessary outsider.
While the second branch discussed serious matters, she was like an eyesore.
After thinking a bit, Gu Jun deliberately feigned ignorance and asked, “San jiejie, I heard second uncle gave you a beating with the board – why was that?”
Cough cough!
Everyone’s gaze shifted away – some lowered their heads, others pretended not to hear – but all secretly watched Gu Yue’s reaction.
It was no secret that Gu Yue had been punished, but as for why, rumours were murky and varied.
Gu Zhen lowered her head, the corners of her lips curling upward in triumph.
Gu Yue being beaten was utterly satisfying.
What a delight.
If only the beating had crippled her.
Gu Jiu noticed Gu Zhen’s expression. Gu Zhen quickly turned away, putting on a façade of seriousness.
Gu Jiu quietly smiled. Gu Zhen had finally vented her anger, and Gu Yue had finally been punished.
Everything was unfolding just as Gu Jiu had anticipated.
Gu Yue’s face flushed red as she glared at Gu Jun.
Of all the things to bring up, she had to mention this – clearly trying to embarrass her.
Gu Yue bit her lip, unsure how to respond.
Xie shi stepped in to smooth things over. “Jun yatou, your san jiejie has a lively nature. She said the wrong thing, which is why your uncle punished her. Yue’er has already learned her lesson. The matter is in the past – let’s not bring it up again.”
Gu Jun looked timid. “Niece will listen to er bomu. It’s my fault for bringing up something that makes san jiejie sad. San jiejie, I apologise – please don’t hold it against me.”
Xie shi patted the back of Gu Yue’s hand and smiled. “Don’t worry, Jun yatou. Yue’er won’t hold it against you.”
Gu Yue also murmured an acknowledgement.
Gu Jun smiled. “Thank you, jiejie. I knew you would be the most magnanimous.”
Gu Yue blushed. She had enough self-awareness to know she wasn’t worthy of being called magnanimous.
Looking at Gu Jun’s seemingly silly expression, Gu Yue bit her lip and said nothing.
Xie shi said, “Yue’er’s health hasn’t fully recovered yet, she mustn’t be overworked. Once she’s well again, I’ll arrange a banquet for you sisters to eat and drink together – wouldn’t that be pleasant?”
This was her way of sending the guests off.
Gu Jiu spoke up. “San meimei, take care of your health. We’ll visit another day. Taitai, we’ll take our leave now.”
“Go on, stay close to your eldest aunt and learn how to manage household affairs properly. If you master those skills, you won’t be looked down upon in your husband’s family in the future.”
Gu Jiu smiled and withdrew.
The other sisters followed her out of the Zizhu Yuan.
Though the weather was cold, no one was in a hurry to return to their rooms.
Glancing around, Gu Jun realised the second-branch sisters wanted to talk privately.
So she offered, “Jiejie, I’ll head back first. Come visit me when you have time.”
“Take care, liu meimei.”
Gu Shan turned to Gu Jiu. “Er jiejie, would you like to sit in my room for a while?”
“Of course,” Gu Jiu readily agreed.
“Da jiejie, you come too. Wu meimei, you’re still young and weak – better you go back and rest.”
Gu Lin stamped her foot in grievance. “Why must you always exclude me when you talk?”
Gu Shan said, “We’re not excluding you. It’s just, we haven’t seen Bai yiniang in some time – how is she doing?”
Gu Lin froze, then quickly understood. She forced a smile. “Thank you, si jiejie, for your concern. Yiniang is doing well. I’ll head back then.”
She left with a heavy heart.
She knew why Gu Shan wanted her gone – it was all because of Bai yiniang.
Gu Lin felt hurt, but there was nothing she could do.
Gu Jiu and Gu Zhen followed Gu Shan to her room.
As soon as they sat down, Gu Shan solemnly apologised to Gu Zhen.
“Da jiejie, I want to apologise on san jiejie’s behalf. I know my apology won’t make much difference, but I still hope you won’t hold a grudge against her. She can be foolish at times.”
Gu Zhen sneered coldly, mocking, “Gu Yue isn’t foolish. She’s far too scheming.”
Gu Shan’s face showed embarrassment, and she sighed.
Gu Jiu glanced around. She hadn’t expected quiet, reserved Gu Shan to also know the truth. She wondered where her information had come from.
Gu Shan continued, “San jiejie has already been punished. I hope da jiejie feels a little better because of that.”
Gu Zhen demanded bluntly, “Si meimei, what right do you have to say this? Do you even know what Gu Yue did?”
Gu Shan nodded firmly. “I know very well what she did.”
Gu Zhen froze.
Then, furious, she pressed, “If you knew, why didn’t you stop her back then? Why do you still defend her now?”
Gu Shan replied, “Da jiejie misunderstood. I only learned the truth later. By then, it was too late – what’s done was done. I speak for san jiejie not to excuse her, but because I don’t want you two to become lifelong enemies. After all, we are sisters – we all share the same family name.”
Gu Zhen snapped angrily, “Enough! Si meimei, you’d better meddle less in these matters. Instead of lecturing me, why don’t you go advise Gu Yue? Tell her not to be so vicious and selfish – at least leave people a way to live!”
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