Chapter 47 - 46 He Refuses to See Me

Zhao Junyao was not a muddled monarch; he was crystal clear about these sordid matters! Even if, for the sake of the bigger picture, he couldn’t act immediately. But as long as he remained the emperor, he would never tolerate people causing trouble right under his nose! It wasn’t that he wouldn’t retaliate; the time just hadn’t come yet! Thus, she wasn’t worried at all! In the following days, Zhao Junyao remained busy and hadn’t visited the Harem for several consecutive days. Xia Ruqing’s days were spent eating, drinking, and sleeping. With nothing on her mind, she felt carefree, and her days were simply idyllic! Prince Yan had set his departure from the Capital City for the eighth day of the first lunar month. 「On the seventh day of the month.」 Early in the morning, Princess Consort Yan, accompanied by the Princely Heir Zhao Junqi, entered the palace to visit the Empress Dowager and to bid farewell. To reinforce the ’childhood sweethearts’ narrative, the Empress Dowager specifically had someone invite the Emperor and Noble Concubine Shih to join them. It was an opportunity to reminisce about their childhood. Noble Concubine Shih was naturally delighted, and Zhao Junqi did not mind. However, Zhao Junyao was growing impatient. He had just been preparing to leave the palace to visit several teachers who had instructed him in literature and martial arts since childhood. The Great Chu Dynasty had always revered teachers and valued education. Even as the Emperor, he held immense respect for his tutors! Yet, the Empress Dowager’s summons caused his plans to fall through. Although respecting teachers is important, filial piety is equally significant! He certainly couldn’t let the Empress Dowager lose face in front of Princess Consort Yan. So, despite his profound displeasure, Zhao Junyao put aside his riding crop, changed his clothes, and headed to Ningshou Palace with a grim face. Noble Concubine Shih was attending to the Empress Dowager, serving her tea, when a young eunuch announced, "The Emperor has arrived!" She immediately rose to greet him. "Greetings to the Emperor!" Princess Consort Yan and Zhao Junqi also stood up and paid their respects. Zhao Junyao’s expression softened slightly as he waved his hand. "Dispense with the formalities!" Everyone took their seats. The Empress Dowager was very pleased. Her son had arrived so quickly, practically at her beck and call, which she found extremely gratifying. In front of Princess Consort Yan, her vanity was greatly satisfied. Usually, among sisters-in-law, there’s a tendency to compare: who has a more successful husband, a more accomplished son, or who is wealthier. The Empress Dowager’s husband was the late emperor, and her son was the current Emperor. As for their wealth and prestige, there was no need for comparison; the Empress Dowager was the unrivaled victor! As such, the Empress Dowager was completely immersed in this sense of superiority and smug satisfaction. However, Zhao Junyao was very unhappy. He didn’t know, nor did he want to know, why the Empress Dowager was happy. All he knew was that the Empress Dowager’s persistent efforts to pair him with Shih Wanxin disgusted him to the extreme. This was not the first time! Could it be that Mother didn’t consider his feelings at all? In her heart, did the glory and wealth of the Shih Family truly outweigh her own son?! Zhao Junyao didn’t dare to think further and sullenly downed several cups of wine. Noble Concubine Shih was astute and knew the Emperor was displeased, but despite racking her brains, she couldn’t understand why. Seeing the atmosphere was a bit awkward, Zhao Junqi hurriedly tried to smooth things over. "Your Majesty, I am to leave the Capital City tomorrow and won’t return until this time next year. Mother and I came to the palace today specifically to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager!" Zhao Junyao was a bit surprised. "Why so suddenly?" Zhao Junqi smiled awkwardly. "Father says the Capital City is too cold, and even he can’t get used to it anymore. Guangnan is a bit warmer!" He then added, "We’ll be passing through Jiangnan on our way back, and the Lantern Festival there is said to be even livelier than in the Capital City!" These words made Princess Consort Yan laugh. She looked toward the Empress Dowager and said, "He’s so grown up, yet still only thinks of playing. Back when he studied in the palace, he might have made some progress, but now..." Princess Consort Yan wore a helpless expression. The Empress Dowager also laughed. "Junqi is a smart child; you don’t need to worry too much. In a couple of years, once he gets married and settles down, things will be fine!" Speaking of this, the Empress Dowager asked again, "Speaking of which, this child is already eighteen, isn’t he? Why hasn’t he taken a wife yet?" Princess Consort Yan laughed. "He’s quite peculiar, insisting on picking someone he likes himself. I think he just hasn’t had enough fun yet! He’s always out and about!" "Mother..." Zhao Junqi said, his face flushed with embarrassment at being exposed. At this, both the Empress Dowager and Princess Consort Yan laughed, and Noble Concubine Shih joined in the laughter. Zhao Junyao’s face darkened even further. Could it be that Mother called me over just to listen to this trivial family gossip? Patience has its limits! "Mother, I have matters to attend to, so I won’t accompany you any longer," he said. After speaking, he also gave a nod to Princess Consort Yan and left with a sweep of his sleeve. He sneered inwardly. As the ruler of a nation, why should I waste my time on such trivial matters?! With this time, it would be better to visit my teachers! The Empress Dowager and Noble Concubine Shih were both stunned. A fleeting glint of satisfaction flashed in Princess Consort Yan’s eyes, disappearing in an instant. Her expression quickly returned to its usual gentle warmth, though still tinged with a hint of surprise. The Empress Dowager forced an awkward smile. "The Emperor, he... has many state affairs to attend to..." 「The next day, Prince Yan left the Capital City.」 The Empress Dowager had previously sent an invitation, but ultimately, Prince Yan did not come. "Are you sure my invitation was delivered?" the Empress Dowager asked, a hint of panic in her voice. "This servant personally had someone deliver it into Prince Yan’s hands..." Sister Qing replied. After a moment of silence, the Empress Dowager urgently asked again, "Then... did he say anything? Did he ask anyone to relay a message?" Sister Qing shook her head. The Empress Dowager’s expression instantly turned desolate. She remained silent for a long time, then waved her hand with a bitter smile. "Forget it. In the end, he does not wish to see me!" "Let him be, then!" she said, closing her eyes. Sister Qing sighed and said in a soft voice, "It’s cold here. Let this servant help you to bed to rest." "Hmm..." According to palace rules, it was only after the Lantern Festival that the Emperor would officially resume his duties, picking up the imperial pen and opening the imperial seal to preside over the early morning court sessions. However, due to the multitude of court affairs, the Imperial Study Room was already piled high with memorials even before the Lantern Festival. Zhao Junyao was determined to be a diligent and people-loving monarch; thus, he worked very hard, rising early and staying up late in the Imperial Study Room. To use Xia Ruqing’s words: he was truly wearing himself out for the sake of the empire. However, just as he was buried in a stack of memorials over a foot high, striving for his life’s ideals, Li Shengan brought him some news. "Your Majesty," Li Shengan reported, "the eunuch called Xiao Zhaozi has confessed!" "Oh?" Zhao Junyao glanced sideways. He remarked, "The Punishment Department is quite fast!" "Who did it?" he asked again. Li Shengan paused for a moment, then softly uttered a name and added, "Xiao Zhaozi also said that he was unwilling to betray his master, but that person threatened to sell off his entire family if he refused. He claimed he was forced into it!" Zhao Junyao’s gaze suddenly turned frosty. "Such audacity, to extend their reach into my Harem!" "Calm your anger, Your Majesty!" "Where is Zhou Lin? Summon him!" "Yes!" As Li Shengan retreated, his robes clung to his back, soaked with cold sweat. It seemed that this time, someone was in for a terrible misfortune! But no matter how unfortunate, they deserved it! Some court officials had extended their hands into the Harem; how could the Emperor not be furious? Did they still think these were the early years when Grand Tutor Shih could dominate everything with impunity? They were gravely mistaken. The Emperor was not just furious; he was also deeply wary!