Chapter 228 – I Am The Empress Dowager, Who Am I Afraid Of? (final part)

Emperor Long’an saw her terrible complexion. Although she was a little weak, it didn’t look like she was seriously ill. He thought it was Empress Jiang who was panicking again. He lifted his feet and wanted to leave.

“Your Majesty! The empress is really sick. When she learned that you were coming, she spent two hours dressing herself up so that you could remember her most beautiful appearance. Your Majesty, the empress did not lie to you!” The wet nurse bravely knelt in front of Emperor Long’an and wept.

Emperor Long’an stopped and looked back carefully. He really saw the shadow of makeup powder on Empress Jiang’s face.

A trace of sadness flashed across Empress Jiang’s face. “Does Your Majesty no longer trust your concubine at all?”

Qin Li moved a chair and put it a short distance from the bed. Emperor Long’an sat down and waved his hand. Qin Li nodded and led everyone out, including the very worried wet nurse.

When there was no one else in the room, Emperor Long’an said, “Tell Us what exactly do you want to see Us about?”

Empress Jiang raised her head and looked at Emperor Long’an. “Your Majesty, your concubine doesn’t know what is wrong with your concubine? Why is Your Majesty so ruthless to your concubine? Was it just because, when the empress dowager was ill, your concubine didn’t visit immediately?” This was something Empress Jiang never understood.

Emperor Long’an frowned. “If you only want to say this, then there is no need to go on.” Emperor Long’an got up and was about to leave.

Empress Jiang anxiously wanted to grab Emperor Long’an’s sleeve, but she found that Emperor Long’an, who seemed to be in front of her eyes, was actually far, far away from her, just like the way the two of them had been for so many years.

Empress Jiang was saddened, but she knew that her time was short. If she didn’t seize this opportunity, she did not know when she would meet him again.

“Your concubine knows that the empress is incompetent, but Your Majesty, this marriage was a gift from the late emperor. Your concubine is still the mother of the crown prince. Your concubine, who is about to die now, has a few words, and your concubine asks Your Majesty to agree to listen to your concubine for the sake of the many years your concubine has kept you company.”

“Speak.”

“After the death of your concubine, please be kind to the Jiang family. Although they are a little stupid, they have no bad intentions. What they did was for your concubine and Yuanqi.” Empress Jiang was out of breath after saying so much.

“Fine!” Emperor Long’an said.

“After the death of your concubine, please, Your Majesty, for the sake of Yuanqi, do not have another empress!” Empress Jiang had the confidence to say this sentence. After finishing speaking, she stared nervously at Emperor Long’an.

“Fine!” Emperor Long’an said without hesitation. He had no plans to get another empress.

When Empress Jiang heard this, she could finally rest assured. In fact, she said so much for the last sentence. In this way, before and after her death, she would be the only empress of Emperor Long’an! Even if His Majesty didn’t like her, the one who lived and died with His Majesty could only be her!

Empress Jiang lay down again, with a smile on her face. “Since that is the case, your concubine has nothing to ask for.”

Emperor Long’an saw that she still cared about these things, and he didn’t know what it was like. “What about Yuanqi? Do you have anything you want to say to him?”

Empress Jiang shook her head. “No, Yuanqi has Your Majesty and the empress dowager. Your concubine is very relieved.” Empress Jiang also recently realised that Yuanqi’s closeness to the empress dowager is really not a bad thing. Even if she was gone, even if the Jiang family fell, as long as the empress dowager was alive, no one could shake Yuanqi’s title of crown prince.

Emperor Long’an was speechless. After a long while he said, “You take care of yourself. Tomorrow, I will let Yuanqi come to take care of you.”

Empress Jiang received this assurance from Emperor Long’an and was satisfied. She didn’t speak. She just smiled and closed her eyes.

Emperor Long’an stared at her for a long time before he turned around and left.

Nobody expected that Empress Jiang would go that night.

Although Zhao Yuanqi had a lot of dissatisfaction with his biological mother, but now that she was dead, those feelings had left. Now, only sadness remained.

Because Emperor Long’an did not decree that Empress Jiang would be stripped of her title, Empress Jiang’s funeral was held according to the funeral ceremony of an empress, and she was given the posthumous title of Empress Gongsu.

After Empress Gongsu was buried in the imperial mausoleum, Emperor Long’an saw that Zhao Yuanqi was still very sad. After thinking about it, he summoned Zhao Yuanqi and told Zhao Yuanqi the two requirements Empress Jiang made before her death.

“In your empress mother’s heart, the title and honor of being the empress trumped everything.” Emperor Long’an only said this.

Zhao Yuanqi was stunned for a while, then lowered his head. “I understand what emperor father means, but I am sad.”

Emperor Longan figured that Zhao Yuanqi would say so. He sighed and patted Zhao Yuanqi on the shoulder. “It’s okay. It’s okay to be sad. Don’t mourn too much. Your imperial grandmother is very worried about you.”

Zhao Yuanqi thought that he hadn’t paid his respects to imperial grandmother for many days, and suddenly felt a little apologetic in his heart. “Your son understands. Your son will go to pay his respects to imperial grandmother.”

Emperor Long’an nodded. “Go!” He didn’t know how to comfort his son, so he would leave that to his empress mother!

Zhao Yuanqi went to Peaceful Age Palace and saw that Peaceful Age Palace had replaced the magnificent decorations with white gauze. He was a little moved. The palace had always paid attention to being humble and respectful. Although empress mother was the empress and imperial grandmother was the empress dowager, the death of the empress should not affect the empress dowager. Imperial grandmother did this all because of him.

“Imperial grandmother!” Zhao Yuanqi called out softly.

Li Su was dozing off on the couch when she heard Zhao Yuanqi’s voice. She opened her eyes and beckoned him over. Zhao Yuanqi came over obediently, took off his shoes, went to the couch, and fell on Li Su’s lap like he used to when he was a child.

Li Su stroked his back over and over again.

When Wet Nurse Xu saw this, she left with everyone. Only the two remained.

Maybe it was too quiet in the room, or maybe it was because he had been too sad and tired for the past few days, but under the gentle touch of imperial grandmother, Zhao Yuanqi fell asleep.

In his sleep, Zhao Yuanqi felt breathless and woke up. As soon as he opened his eyes, he found a fat baby lying on his chest. At this moment, the baby was looking at him blankly, and the two of them stared at each other.

Zhao Yuanqi woke up and realised it was his cousin! Why else did he dream that he couldn’t breathe? It would be strange if he could breathe with such a fat baby on him. He reached out and hugged the fat baby, then sat up. “Imperial uncle, shouldn’t the baby lose weight? She’s too fat! No wonder imperial auntie can’t hold her!”

Zhao Defang was talking to Li Su, and before he could reply, the fat baby in Zhao Yuanqi’s arms suddenly started crying and struggling in Zhao Defang’s direction.

Zhao Yuanqi panicked. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Are you being hugged too tightly?”

Seeing that his baby girl was crying, Zhao Defang hurried over to pick her up. “Don’t cry, don’t cry. Baby shouldn’t cry. You are not fat, not fat at all! You’re beautiful! Don’t listen to your older brother’s nonsense. If you don’t believe me, you can ask your imperial grandmother.”

Li Su couldn’t help but stretch out her hands. The fat baby stopped crying, looked at Li Su with tears in her eyes, and then stretched out her hands to Li Su.

Li Su only felt her arms sink. The baby was fat. However, Li Su said with a smile on her lips, “The baby is not fat. She will lose weight. After weaning, she will lose weight. Our baby is the most beautiful and best looking baby.”

The fat baby broke into a smile and buried her head in Li Su’s arms.

Zhao Yuanqi was a little surprised. “How old is she? How does she know of beauty and ugliness?” He remembered that his cousin was only fifteen months old, right?

“That’s right! She can choose her own clothes now!” Zhao Defang looked proud.

However, Zhao Yuanqi didn’t think that this was anything to be proud of. “Where’s imperial auntie? Why didn’t she come with you?”

“Your imperial auntie is inconvenienced now. The baby is too noisy, so I brought her into the palace to play to let your imperial auntie rest well,” Zhao Defang said with a bright face. He was really a very considerate husband!

“Uh, congratulations, imperial uncle,” Zhao Yuanqi said.

Zhao Defang subconsciously wanted to reply with the same joy, but it was only just before opening his mouth did he remember that Yuanqi’s mother was gone. There was really nothing to be happy about. He wanted to say something else, but he didn’t know what to say. After thinking about it for a long time, he didn’t say a word. He just patted Zhao Yuanqi on the shoulder.

Zhao Yuanqi smiled slightly. He sat next to Li Su and pinched his cousin’s face. His cousin’s name was Jingshu, but it seemed that it didn’t quite match her1.

“Okay, now that Wan’er needs to rest, and this baby is not very quiet, then let’s take care of the baby here. Wan’er can have some peace and quiet. As for the baby, if Wan’er agrees, she can be sent to the palace. We can help you watch her. If Wan’er is reluctant, just pretend that We didn’t say this. You too. Stay calm these days and don’t make her angry over nothing,” Li Su said.

Zhao Defang came to the palace this time for this matter. Due to the empress’ funeral a few days ago, Qin Wan’er felt a little upset.

“Don’t worry, empress mother, your son knows. I’m not a child. As for the baby, Wan’er needs some peace and quiet these days, but if Wan’er can’t see the baby, I’m afraid she will be anxious. So, empress mother, it’s better to let you have the baby during the day, and then I’ll pick her up in the evening. Is this okay?” Zhao Defang discussed.

“Okay, you can do it if you don’t mind the trouble,” Li Su said.

Zhao Yuanqi watched from the side, and a firmer thought cemented itself in his heart. In the future, he also wanted to find a wife who had the same mindset as his uncle, where the husband and wife were loving and harmonious. He would never be like emperor father and empress mother.

Zhao Defang joked for a while, then took the baby away.

Li Su saw that Zhao Yuanqi was still a little unhappy, and asked with a smile, “What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?”

“Imperial grandmother!” Zhao Yuanqi relied on her as he did when he was a child, and told her everything on his mind.

This was the second time Li Su had heard Zhao Yuanqi say this. She didn’t say anything else, but only touched Zhao Yuanqi’s head. “When you grow up, if you still think this way, come and tell imperial grandmother. Imperial grandmother will definitely help you fulfil this.”

She was afraid that, at that time, he wouldn’t be so persistent.

As a member of the imperial family, it was impossible to be so naive all the time. And as the emperor, it was impossible to do whatever you wanted. It was impossible to spoil only one woman in your life, unless you had absolute power and a strong heart like the previous emperor, both of which were indispensable.

Excitement flashed in Zhao Yuanqi’s eyes. “Thank you, imperial grandmother. Grandson will remember this.”

Li Su didn’t speak. She just touched Zhao Yuanqi’s head and smiled.

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, another five years passed. Zhao Yuanqi was already a handsome young man at this time. In the past few years, he had grown up very fast. Emperor Long’an often took him with him when he summoned his ministers and discussed state affairs. Even last year, when Emperor Long’an went with the empress dowager on a southern tour, Zhao Yuanqi stayed in the capital and supervised the state affairs. After a few months while he had been in charge of the country, he had done several good deeds that benefitted the country and the people, earning him praise from the court.

Zhao Yuanqi’s marriage was officially put on the agenda.

But in this matter was one which Zhao Yuanqi showed unprecedented persistence. “Emperor father, your son doesn’t want to get married yet.”

“We don’t plan to marry you now, but We just want to negotiate the candidate for the crown princess.” Emperor Long’an looked at his son, who was about the same height as him, and felt a little helpless.

“Your son doesn’t have a favourite candidate right now, so I don’t want to choose,” Zhao Yuanqi said, afraid that Emperor Long’an would not agree. “Imperial grandmother promised me.”

Emperor Long’an glared at him. “It’s empress mother who spoiled you. I’ll ask your imperial grandmother when We return. If she says no, then you will see how We deal with you.”

Zhao Yuanqi didn’t care, because he knew that imperial grandmother would definitely be on his side.

Emperor Long’an sighed. “You are the crown prince, and the crown prince’s choice of a wife is a matter of national importance. I can’t indulge you too much. You don’t like any of these candidates, so what do you like?”

Zhao Yuanqi couldn’t say exactly what, but there was one point: his crown princess must be in his heart. Otherwise, it was better not to marry.

Seeing him like this, Emperor Long’an knew that he couldn’t ask anything. This child, the older he got, the more he couldn’t see his thoughts. He had to ask empress mother.

Li Su was a little surprised when she heard what Emperor Long’an said. “Does he still remember?”

“What did empress mother say?” Emperor Long’an asked.

Li Su told Emperor Long’an what Zhao Yuanqi said. “He said it twice before. I only regarded it as a passing child’s fancy, and that when he got older, things would change. So, I still remember it.”

Emperor Long’an frowned slightly. “This child is too…”

Li Su patted his hand lightly. “The child is still young. Let’s teach him slowly! As for the position of crown princess, he doesn’t care about it now, so just leave it for now. We’ll talk about it in a few years.”

Emperor Long’an sighed. As a man, he also envied the relationship between his emperor father and empress mother, as well as the relationship between Defang and his princess. But such a feeling was elusive. As an emperor, he had to worry too much.

He just didn’t expect that Yuanqi also had such thoughts.

This child had always been serious. If this child went against his will, he couldn’t say what would happen. Although he still had several sons, Yuanqi was different. It was better to take a look at it slowly. If he waited a few years later, and Yuanqi had the same thoughts and his vision was good, then he would follow Yuanqi’s will. If it was really bad, then he would have a lot of bad things to say!

Emperor Long’an nodded. “Then We will listen to empress mother!”

Li Su smiled. “As long as you are healthy, Daliang will not be in chaos! It’s not a big deal to indulge the crown prince occasionally. Parents should solve their children’s problems!”

Emperor Long’an smiled. “Your son and Defang didn’t cause trouble for empress mother.”

“Yes, you are the best!” Li Su said with a smile.

Zhao Yuanqi sighed in relief when he learned that the concubine selection had been delayed. Those courtiers who intended to marry their daughters into the East Palace were a little disappointed. However, after thinking about it carefully, they were more moved by the high favour of the crown prince and the empress dowager, and they became more determined to send their daughters to the East Palace.

Fortunately, Zhao Yuanqi had always lived in the East Palace. Except for the occasional trip to Prince Bao’s mansion, he rarely left the palace. It also saved a lot of trouble for himself.

Zhao Defang was entrusted by Emperor Long’an to find out what kind of girl Zhao Yuanqi liked. He was afraid that it would be difficult to talk about it in the palace, so he asked Zhao Yuanqi to go to the Lotus Temple in the suburbs to give incense, and he would enquire along the way.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrived in the suburbs, the servants of the palace hurried over. The servants told him that the princess had sprained her foot and the princess asked the prince to go back quickly. When Zhao Defang heard that his beloved was injured, how could he still sit still? He told his nephew and hurried back.

Zhao Yuanqi had to go alone. As a result, on the way to the Lotus Temple, he met a woman who seemed to be a girl from a big family, followed by a few maids and guards.

Zhao Yuanqi guessed what was going on as soon as he saw it. He originally wanted to take a detour and leave, but he never expected that the woman would see him take a detour and chase after him.

Zhao Yuanqi put on the appearance of not wanting to talk to her, but the woman was also interesting and didn’t speak. She just followed Zhao Yuanqi. When he was fast, so was she. When he was slow, she followed suit.

Zhao Yuanqi thought it was a bit interesting. The young ladies of official families rarely had such thick skin. There happened to be a pavilion on the side of the road, so he simply stopped and went in to rest.

The woman really came in with someone.

“This girl, Girl Chen, greets His Highness, The Crown Prince.”

“You know Our identity?” Zhao Yuanqi asked.

“On the empress dowager’s birthday, the year before last, when His Highness congratulated the empress dowager, this girl was also present. Your Highness was so heroic that this official never forgot. Hearing that His Majesty intends to choose a concubine for His Highness, this girl volunteered. This official did not expect that His Highness would no longer choose a concubine. Your Highness is a man, so you can wait. This girl is a woman, so this girl can’t wait any longer. Therefore, this girl wanted to meet His Highness. This girl wanted to recommend herself. It is good to ask clearly so that this girl has no regrets,” Girl Chen said eloquently.

This was the first time Zhao Yuanqi had met such a bold woman. “You want to be Our crown princess? What are you capable of?”

“This girl has no virtues and is incompetent, but this girl has a sincere heart, and this girl will treat His Highness with all sincerity. This girl will think what His Highness thinks and worry about what His Highness is anxious about. What this girl values is not the position of crown princess, but the position of the wife of His Highness.” Girl Chen said boldly.

Zhao Yuanqi took a deep breath. “You know that if these words you have said today are spread, your reputation will be ruined!”

“This girl knows. This girl has already made preparations. If His Highness really will not consider this girl, then this girl will return to her hometown of Fancheng.”

“Why? With your family background, you won’t have to worry about finding a good husband,” Zhao Yuanqi asked. Zhao Yuanqi had already recognised her. She was the legitimate daughter of Chen Zhiyao, the Minister of Civil Personnel, and one of the candidates chosen by emperor father.

“In life, if you can’t accompany the one you love for the rest of your life, what’s the point?” Girl Chen said seriously.

Perhaps this sentence touched Zhao Yuanqi, or perhaps the other party’s desperate persistence touched Zhao Yuanqi. Zhao Yuanqi thought for a long time before saying, “Young Miss Chen, sit down. We can talk!”

A trace of joy flashed in Girl Chen’s eyes, and she sat down happily.

“How can you be sure that We are your beloved?” Zhao Yuanqi asked.

“The first time this girl saw His Highness that day, this girl developed a crush on His Highness. Later, this girl tried to understand everything about His Highness, and this girl became more determined. Nothing in the world can compare to His Highness,” Girl Chen said excitedly.

Zhao Yuanqi glanced at her. Her eyes were pure and did not seem fake.

Zhao Yuanqi slowly let his guard down and chatted with Girl Chen. The more she said, the more Zhao Yuanqi found that many of his views and ideas were in line with Girl Chen’s. He could also tell that what Girl Chen said was not said in order to cater to him, but her true opinion.

Zhao Yuanqi straightened his body and began to get serious.

The two sat in the pavilion like this, chatting until the evening. The sun gradually went down and the people around Zhao Yuanqi came up to remind them of the time. It was only then did they realise that so much time had passed.

“This girl is very happy today. Thank you, Your Highness!” Girl Chen said with a smile.

Zhao Yuanqi was silent for a moment. He then suddenly raised his head and said, “When I was a child, I told imperial grandmother that if I met someone I liked, I would take her by the hand and ask imperial grandmother to fulfill my wish. I wonder if you have the courage to come with me…”

“This girl is willing!” Girl Chen said excitedly before Zhao Yuanqi finished speaking.

Zhao Yuanqi gave her a deep look. “In that case, let’s go!”

Then, he took Girl Chen’s hand and left.

From behind the big tree not far away, Zhao Defang came out, bared his teeth and grinned. “Aiya, my waist is sore. These two people are too good at talking!”

“Thank you, my lord, for helping my little girl.” Chen Zhiyao quickly supported Zhao Defang with tears in his eyes. He had five sons and only one daughter. He regarded her as a pearl in his palm. He wanted to carefully choose a good marriage for her so that she could live a happy life. He didn’t expect that his girl would fall in love with His Imperial Highness, The Crown Prince, from just visiting the palace once.

Since then, she had been chasing after everything about His Imperial Highness like a madman.

Chen Zhiyao had tried persuading and scolding her, but she didn’t listen. After all, he was reluctant to let his daughter be sad, so he had to agree. Originally, he thought that with his family background and official position, he might be able to fight for his daughter. He didn’t expect that the crown prince had no intention of choosing a wife. The prince was a man and could wait, but his daughter could not.

He didn’t expect that, after the daughter found out, she kept silent and locked herself in the house for more than ten days, refusing to go out. She finally came out, but she said that she wanted to meet and talk to His Imperial Highness, The Crown Prince in person.

Chen Zhiyao saw that his daughter was disheartened, and seemed to have escaped. He was so anxious that he finally gave up his face and went to His Majesty, asking His Majesty to fulfill this request.

Emperor Long’an and Prince Bao jointly staged this show.

Originally, he just wanted to fulfill his daughter’s infatuation. Unexpectedly, his daughter managed to move the crown prince.

Chen Zhiyao thought of this and burst into tears.

Seeing him like this, Zhao Defang was touched. “Alas, your child owes you! Old Chen, think about it!” The same was true of his family’s Jingshu, who was how old this year?

Chen Zhiyao realized that he had lost his composure, and quickly wiped away his tears. “Yes, thank you, Your Highness, for making it happen.”

“Come on, it’s getting dark. Let’s head back quickly. You need to prepare your dowry!”

In the Peaceful Age Palace, Li Su looked at the pair of little children kneeling in front of her and was speechless. “Yuanqi, have you thought about it? That’s her?” They had only seen each other and talked for a while. Was he sure?

Zhao Yuanqi smiled. “Imperial grandmother, please help me.” Now that he had chosen, he would naturally not regret it.

Girl Chen smiled and kowtowed to Li Su. “This girl will take good care of and accompany His Highness, The Crown Prince in the future. Please rest assured.”

Li Su glanced at them, and then glanced at Zhao Defang, who was winking at the door of the palace. “Okay, since Yuanqi has chosen, imperial grandmother will help you. Go see your father emperor!”

Zhao Yuanqi smiled and kowtowed to Li Su. Then, he left with Girl Chen.

After Zhao Yuanqi left, Zhao Defang came in. “Empress mother, can I still do my job today?”

Li Su glanced at him. “We knew at first glance that it was you who did it. Tell me what’s going on.”

Zhao Defang told her the situation and finally, sighed. “Now, everyone is happy.”

Li Su thought about it carefully. It was true.

She glanced at Zhao Defang again. “Is everyone actually happy?”

Zhao Defang seemed to have heard the deep meaning of Li Su’s words, and said with a smile, “Of course everyone is happy. I haven’t told my empress mother yet, but Wan’er is pregnant again!”

Seeing Zhao Defang’s sincere smile, Li Su also smiled. “Forget it, as long as you are happy.”

However, Zhao Defang suddenly rested his head on Li Su’s shoulder. “Empress mother, your son is very happy now. Your son knows that the emperor is a good emperor, and your son is also happy to be a good younger brother. Empress mother, rest assured!”

Li Su let out a long sigh of relief. “Empress mother just hopes you are all well!”

“Yes, empress mother! I will definitely!” Zhao Defang resumed his easy appearance and smiled.

Li Su clapped her hands. “Good boy!”

Under the bright light, the mother and son sat side by side, silently.

1.(靜姝) Jingshu: Jing means quiet/calm, while Shu means pretty/lovely.