Blossom

Far away in the Phoenix Hall of the West Garden to the west of the capital, the Empress sat upright on the daybed in the heated room, gently stroding the phoenix embroidery on her horse-face skirt with a solemn expression.

She never expected Song Tongchun to cover for Song Mo.

If not for Song Tongchun, how could Wang Yuan and Song Mo have passed through so easily?

In the end, it was all her own carelessness—she hadn't taken someone like Song Tongchun seriously.

It just goes to show that at critical moments, even such minor figures can influence the larger situation.

She picked up her teacup and took a slow sip.

Back then, when the Old Duke of England realized his own son was incompetent, he pinned his hopes on his grandson. After much deliberation, he arranged for Song Yichun to marry Jiang Huisun. Because of this, she had never regarded Song Yichun as significant. But after all, Song Yichun was Song Mo's father. If even a petty figure like Song Tongchun could ruin her plans, surely Song Yichun couldn't be entirely useless!

She softly instructed the palace maid beside her, "Summon Xiao Shunzi inside."

The matter of the Song family needed to be thoroughly investigated by Shi Chuan.

Since she couldn't openly move against Song Mo now, she would have to act in secret.

Thinking of this, the corners of her lips curled slightly into a pleased expression as she asked the maid beside her, "Has Prince Liao's birthday gift arrived yet?"

The maid lowered her eyes and replied meekly, "It has already arrived."

"What is the Emperor doing now?"

"He is drinking with Prince Huainan in the Breeze Pavilion."

After a moment's thought, she said, "If the Emperor comes here tonight, make sure to bring Prince Liao's birthday gift before his arrival."

The maid respectfully acknowledged the order and withdrew.

By lamplight, news came from the Breeze Pavilion that the Emperor was heading to Phoenix Hall.

The Empress dismissed her attendants and silently wept as she held a lilac-colored five-color dragon arching longevity robe—Prince Liao's birthday gift to the Emperor—in her arms.

The Emperor, seeing this, said with some headache, "What are you doing?"

"N-nothing!" The Empress hastily wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, set the robe aside, and took the tea offered by a maid to present to the Emperor.

"Still saying it's nothing?" The Emperor placed the teacup on the nearby kang table and said, "You've been by my side for nearly thirty years, and now you preside over the imperial harem. What words could you not say to me?"

"Really, it's nothing." The Empress smiled sheepishly. "I heard Prince Liao's birthday gift had arrived. Worried the child might have been careless and breached etiquette, I had them bring it to me first to inspect... When he left, he was only seventeen, just married. Now his eldest son is already five. I couldn't help myself..."

The Emperor couldn't help but sigh deeply. He pulled the Empress to sit beside him and said with some remorse, "Among all our children, Liao Wang not only resembles me most in appearance but also in temperament—resolute, decisive, and magnanimous... But the Crown Prince is the foundation of the state and cannot be disturbed... That's why I granted him the fiefdom of Liao... The Crown Prince is kind-hearted. When he ascends the throne, he will surely treat Liao Wang well. Living peacefully in his own domain, what carefree happiness he will have..."Before he could finish speaking, the Empress shot him a glance and said with feigned annoyance, "Your Majesty, your words make me feel wronged! As you said, I've been by your side for nearly thirty years. Don't you know what kind of person I am? I manage the imperial harem, discipline the consorts, and educate the princes for Your Majesty. But sometimes my heart leans a little toward the son I carried for ten months and bore with such difficulty. Surely you can't begrudge me this small indulgence? That would make me not human but a clay statue in a temple! And unfortunately, I haven't cultivated myself to that level yet!"

The Emperor chuckled heartily.

This was his Empress—never confused on major matters, yet occasionally allowing herself some selfishness.

Being with her, without all the formal praises, made him feel completely at ease.

"It's my fault!" he soothed the Empress. "When it's Liao Wang's birthday, I'll make sure to reward him properly."

"No need for rewards," the Empress smiled. "If you could just let him bring my two grandsons back to the palace for me to see, I could die with peace."

As soon as the words left her mouth, the Emperor froze, and she too seemed startled by her own slip.

"Look at me, speaking nonsense again. Just pretend you didn't hear that," she quickly said. "Where have you come from? I thought you'd be resting at Consort Liu's place today? Have you had dinner? I've made duck congee today—perfect for cooling the body. Shall I serve you a bowl..."

The summer retreat in the West Garden wasn't as strictly regulated as the Forbidden City. The Empress had brought several chefs along, preparing different delicacies every day.

The Emperor took the Empress's hand and said softly, "Let me think carefully..." interrupting her.

Tears immediately welled up in the Empress's eyes.

Choking back sobs, she said, "With you here, he can still return to the Capital occasionally. But if the Crown Prince ascends the throne..."

As an imperial brother with his own fiefdom, the Imperial Bodyguards would be watching his every move!

"I know," the Emperor replied, his mood visibly downcast. "I know."

※※※※※

For the Longevity Festival, not only the imperial princes and nobles but also various provinces sent gifts. Among them, the seventh prince's offering—a twelve-panel Longevity glass screen standing ten feet tall and over twenty feet when fully unfolded—won the highest praise.

The Emperor was delighted and rewarded him with three jars of Pear Blossom White wine.

Dressed in colorful robes to amuse his father, the prince clamored that the reward was too meager, demanding the Emperor give him the copy of the Lotus Sutra from the study in the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

Since scriptures encourage virtuous deeds, the Emperor gladly agreed.

The other princes seized the moment to join in the merriment, both to please the Emperor and to liven the atmosphere.

For a while, the great hall buzzed with noise and laughter.

The Empress, accompanied by her ladies-in-waiting and palace maids, entered from the western hall.

Everyone promptly bowed to Her Majesty the Empress.

"Don't let me interrupt—please continue," the Empress said with a smile, eliciting hearty laughter from the crowd.

Naturally, some took this opportunity to ingratiate themselves with the Emperor.

The Empress nodded toward Song Yichun with a smile.

Song Yichun hurried forward to pay his respects.

"I see Yantang," the Empress said. "But where's Tianen?"

Song Yichun immediately signaled to Song Han, who was standing idly by the wall looking bored.

Song Han scurried over and knelt to kowtow to the Empress.

She accepted his grand gesture of respect.When he stood up, she looked him up and down with a smile. To Song Yichun, she said, "What a fine young man." Then she sighed, "Since Madam Jiang passed away, no one has brought them to the palace anymore. Girls change as they grow, but so do boys. If not for your introduction, I wouldn’t have recognized him." She added, "Where is he serving now?"

Song Yichun, suddenly inspired, replied with a worried expression, "He’s still idle at home!" Then he continued, "Thanks to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager’s kindness, she arranged a good marriage for him last year. This year, I had him move out to his own residence. But since there hasn’t been a suitable position, he’s been stuck at home. It’s truly troubling."

The Empress smiled and asked, "What kind of position would you like for him?"

Song Yichun replied with a smile, "The Golden Guard or the Imperial Bodyguard would be best. Unfortunately, my eldest is already in the Golden Guard and oversees the Five Cities Garrison. So we’ll have to settle for the Standard Bearer Guard, or wait for an opening in the Divine Machine Battalion or the Five Armies Battalion. He has a gentle temperament, and I fear if he’s too far from home, he might be bullied."

Song Han, hearing this, put on a shy expression to match.

The Empress nodded with a smile and said, "Madam Jiang was like a sister to me. Her children are like my own nephews. I’ll keep an eye out for this matter."

Song Yichun and Song Han were overjoyed and thanked her repeatedly.

Within a few days, the Empress secured Song Han a position as a Banner Officer in the Imperial Bodyguard.

Song Yichun and Song Han were ecstatic. They ordered official robes, prepared gifts for superiors, and visited old acquaintances, with Song Yichun personally escorting Song Han around.

When Chen Jia learned Song Han had joined the Imperial Bodyguard, he went to see Song Mo and asked, "Should I invite Song Han over for a meal?"

Song Han might not know Chen Jia was aware of the truth.

Song Mo thought it was a good idea and smiled, "If he’s willing to visit you, that would be perfect."

Understanding the hint, Chen Jia visited Song Han the very next day after he started his new post. Not only did he bring expensive gifts, but he also invited Song Han to his home, displaying great enthusiasm.

Knowing Chen Jia was Song Mo’s man, Song Han couldn’t help but sneer, "I dare not accept such honors! You’re the Duke of England’s cousin-in-law and an Assistant Prefect in the Imperial Bodyguard!"

Chen Jia fawned with a flattering smile, "Distant relatives can’t compare to you, the rightful Second Master of the Duke of England’s Mansion, personally recommended by Her Majesty the Empress. You flatter me too much."

So this was the husband Song Mo had chosen for Jiang Yan.

A man who’d lick the boots of anyone in power.

Was Song Mo’s judgment really this poor?

Song Han was in high spirits.

The Empress’s favor was truly a powerful card!

What kind of expression would Song Mo wear if he saw Chen Jia groveling like this?

Just the thought excited him.

"Fine!" Song Han said magnanimously. "Pick a date, and I’ll be there."

"Why wait? How about tomorrow?" Chen Jia seemed eager.

Song Han agreed.

The next day, Chen Jia not only hired opera singers and courtesans to entertain but also invited a few sycophantic colleagues from the Imperial Bodyguard.

Fine wine, beautiful women, and endless flattery—Song Han felt this was truly the life worth living.

Unconsciously, he drank a bit too much and said, "Where’s my cousin Ayan? Shouldn’t she come out to toast her elder cousin?"

Chen Jia’s colleagues exchanged glances and set down their chopsticks.

Having a proper wife mingle with performers and courtesans—what kind of behavior was that?Chen Jia appeared unconcerned and said with a smile, "You may not know this, but my wife mostly stays at the farmstead that came with her dowry from the Young Lord, attended by the maids and old women she brought from the Duke of England's Mansion. If you'd like, I can send someone to fetch her back?"

Song Han sobered up slightly upon hearing this and forced a smile. "No need to trouble yourself. Another time will do."

Chen Jia smiled in response and poured Song Han another cup of wine.

The colleagues invited to accompany Song Han also snapped out of their daze and raised their glasses to toast him.

Under Chen Jia's feet, a square tile shattered into several pieces.

Unaware, Song Han drank himself into a stupor and returned to Four Lane Alley with the thousand-tael silver note Chen Jia had given him.

Miao Ansu fetched water to help him freshen up, but he pulled her close, demanding she and Liu Hong attend to him together. Trembling with anger, Miao Ansu ran off in tears to the east wing and didn’t return to the main bedroom all night.

Meanwhile, Song Han, fueled by alcohol, dragged Liu Hong and Ji Hong into the bedroom and made a scene all night.

Dear brothers and sisters, this chapter was also written late at night, scheduled for posting.

Now I feel like I'm being split in two, sustained only by your unwavering kindness and support.