Chapter 1774: Chapter 1712: Sowing Discord
Empress Song watched Emperor Yan finish the tonic, then pick up another memorial to the throne, and sensibly rose to take her leave.
"Itâs now April, warm and cold by turns. I heard Royal Mother coughed twice. I must go pay my respects and inquire after her health, so I wonât disturb Your Majestyâs reading of the memorials." Empress Song said with a smile.
Emperor Yanâs hand paused, his brows knitting as he looked to Eunuch Lu at his side. "How is it that no one reported this to Us?"
Eunuch Lu hastily said, "This lowly one will go at once to find out the situation."
Emperor Yanâs face showed displeasure.
Seeing this, Empress Song said, "Your Majesty, do not blame Eunuch Lu. It was only a couple of coughs. They havenât even summoned an imperial physician in Royal Motherâs palace. It is only natural they did not know."
Eunuch Lu cast Empress Song a grateful glance.
But Emperor Yan said, "Royal Mother is getting on in years. Even a slight chill is no small matter. How can you call it just a couple of coughs?"
Empress Songâs face stiffened slightly. She forced the corners of her mouth up and said, "It is this consortâs fault."
"Enough." Emperor Yan waved a hand and said, "I will go with you to pay our respects to Royal Mother."
Empress Songâs brows pinched together as she urged, "Your Majestyâs health has only just recovered, this..."
"Itâs no matter. Walking about more is also good for the body." Emperor Yan rose to his feet and said to Eunuch Lu, "Prepare the palanquin."
"Yes." Eunuch Lu hurried out.
Empress Song followed behind Emperor Yan, her fingers lightly hooking inside her sleeves, head lowered and eyes demure as she walked with him.
The Emperor and Empress going together to Cining Palace drew much attention. When they reached the outside of Cining Palace and Eunuch Lu was just about to announce them, Empress Song gave a soft cough.
Feigning playfulness, she said, "I donât even know when I last came together with Your Majesty to pay our respects to Royal Mother. Your Majesty, why donât we give Royal Mother a surprise?"
Emperor Yanâs brows furrowed slightly, but seeing the clear brightness in her eyes tinged with expectation, he smiled faintly and nodded.
The group entered the palace. The eunuchs and palace maids of Cining Palace were somewhat taken aback, then knelt down in unison, filling the floor as they cried out three times for His Majestyâs ten thousand years of life.
"We have come to pay Our respects to Royal Mother. Is Royal Mother resting now?" Emperor Yan asked Eunuch Ning, the Senior Eunuch of Cining Palace.
Eunuch Ning slightly raised his head and respectfully replied, "In answer to Your Majesty, Prince Jin is currently accompanying the Empress Dowager on a stroll in the garden."
Emperor Yan started. "Old Ninth still hasnât left the palace?"
"His Highness arrived not long ago."
"Your Majesty, let us go over as well." Empress Song said, "Since Ninth Imperial Brother has just arrived, he must not have been out walking for long. We juniors mustnât spoil Royal Motherâs mood."
Emperor Yan gave a low hum in response.
The procession wound its way toward the garden and in just a short while reached the small garden.
It was already after the beginning of spring, and because Emperor Yan was exceedingly filial, he had people ensure that the small garden of Cining Palace was in full bloom all year round for the Empress Dowager to enjoy at any time. Now, with spring about to turn into Early Summer, the flowers were a riot of color.
Looking around, Emperor Yan saw Empress Dowager Mo and Ah Jiu standing in front of a large clump of peonies. Ah Jiu had broken off a splendid pink peony and tucked it into Empress Dowager Moâs hair at her temple, making her beam from ear to ear, her face full of delight.
Seeing this, Empress Song laughed and said, "Only in front of Ninth Imperial Brother does Royal Mother truly smile so happily and kindly from the bottom of her heart. No wonder Royal Mother likes Ninth Brother most by her side."
Emperor Yan, however, merely looked at her expressionlessly.
Empress Songâs pupils contracted slightly as she said timidly, "Your Majesty, did this consort say something wrong?"
Emperor Yan let out a cold snort and strode forward.
Watching him, a fleeting strange light flashed through Empress Songâs eyes. The corner of her mouth hooked up for an instant and vanished. She smoothed a hand over her hair at the temple, then took the arm of the Senior Palace Maid beside her and followed with stately grace.