Chapter 48: Heartache

After the Empress Dowager finished speaking, she paused slightly, then sighed before continuing, “Originally, I intended for you to go out and see whether your cousins were attending their lessons properly, but I never expected such a matter to arise. Hearing this, I truly do not know how to respond.”

The Empress Dowager was well-informed. Although spies had been planted around Cining Palace, it did not mean she lacked trusted aides by her side.

Though Lady Song attended her daily, taking care of meals and living arrangements, Lady Song had other junior palace maids beneath her, who naturally gathered news from outside and relayed it. Lady Song would filter out the unimportant and relay only what wouldn’t affect the Empress Dowager’s health, keeping her informed without overwhelming her.

Moreover, considering the number of junior maids and eunuchs following Wen Qiao, it was inevitable that someone would report this incident to the Empress Dowager.

Wen Qiao was not surprised that the Empress Dowager had learned of this so quickly.

“Grand Empress Dowager, though my uncle dislikes Third Cousin, he is still his own son. Blood is thicker than water. If my uncle knew of this, I doubt he would let Fourth Cousin continue to insult Third Cousin so freely. But since my uncle has always disliked Third Cousin, I must find a way to speak to him about this. Please, Grand Empress Dowager, do not let this trouble you anymore. It is far more important to recover your health. For me, your wellbeing is paramount,” Wen Qiao said, hoping to steer the conversation away, not wanting the Empress Dowager to worry further.

Since the Empress Dowager was concerned, Wen Qiao would find a way to handle it in private. The Emperor surely would not allow one of his sons to be bullied by another without taking action.

Yet, despite Wen Qiao’s attempts to move on, the Empress Dowager persisted.

“That may be true, but Jingheng is a weakling who cannot stand up for himself. Others bully him, and he does not resist. Over these years, I have known his life has been hard, but I cannot disregard the Emperor’s feelings. The Emperor dislikes him, so I can only secretly send him trivial gifts. The Emperor has turned a blind eye to this, which means he does not oppose my actions. Still, I fear that if I give too much, the Emperor will become displeased and cause trouble. I know he has always been bothered by this, but Jingheng is his own child. All this time, the Emperor has been conflicted within himself, and I do not know what to say.”

“Younger granddaughter was born late and knows little of the past. I believe Uncle was already having a hard time then, and this incident was used to attack him. That is why he resents Third Cousin’s existence so deeply. Nevertheless, he allowed that consort to bear Third Cousin, which means he had some hope for the child. Third Cousin has always been uncompetitive and aware of Uncle’s dislike, so he seldom approaches him. After all these years, others may think Uncle has forgotten he has this son, but how could he? Since Grand Empress Dowager says the gifts I send are tolerated, it means Uncle still cares in his heart, though he has coldly handled it all these years. As Emperor, it is understandable he cannot lose face. Grand Empress Dowager, rest assured, I will find a way. Your current task is to be happy and peacefully recover. I promise, once you are well, Uncle will grow fond of Third Cousin and no longer neglect him as he does now.”

Wen Qiao’s words were not without reason. Given Xiao Jingheng’s identity, the Emperor could not have been indifferent enough to not want him born at all.

Ironically, Wen Qiao’s comforting words happened to mirror the Emperor’s own inner thoughts.

The truth was, Xiao Jingheng was an innocent child. From infancy, Xiao Zheng had shown him no affection—he had to fend for himself, even begging eunuchs in the imperial kitchen for an extra bite or a proper meal. Perhaps Xiao Zheng’s youth bred contempt and lack of sympathy for the boy.

Now, with age and reflection, he felt that the child’s life had been harsh.

Yet, as Wen Qiao said, after years of cold neglect, if the Emperor suddenly showed concern without any response from Jingheng, it would be impossible. The Emperor’s pride was higher than the heavens; he simply could not lower his dignity.

As the saying goes, the one who tied the knot must untie it. Though the knot was self-imposed, without Jingheng’s presence, it would be hard to undo.

“You have always handled matters in a way that puts my mind at ease. Since you say so, I have nothing more to add. My only wish is for these children to grow up happily. Jingheng’s situation, after all, is the Emperor’s fault. Fortunately, the child has grown and is fortunate to have survived the perilous palace. Ah, why am I telling you this? My health has improved these past days. You should also get out more and breathe fresh air. Don’t just stay cooped up in the palace like an old woman. I often think of going out for a stroll, yet you manage to stay inside mostly without going out.”

In all the realm, very few dared to openly criticize the Emperor’s mistakes. Only the Empress Dowager, as his mother, could say such things without fear of punishment.

Had anyone else done so, it would be a capital offense.

Hearing the Empress Dowager cease her complaints, Wen Qiao gladly changed the subject, not wanting her to dwell on such matters.

“Oh no, Grand Empress Dowager, I have been out these days—just not beyond the palace walls. But I have definitely stepped outside Cining Palace’s gates. How can you say I am like an old woman? That truly hurts my feelings. If I really were an old woman, I’d cling to you my whole life and insist you take care of me.”

Wen Qiao’s words made the Empress Dowager laugh heartily, then she added, “You girl are always unreasonable. When you become an old woman, I might not even know how many years have passed. But by then, you’ll be grown and able to protect yourself, and I’ll be at ease.”

Wen Qiao pouted again.

“Grand Empress Dowager, why say such things again? Didn’t you promise not to speak such gloomy words? If you say that again, I’ll really be angry and stop coming to see you every day!”

“Alright, alright, little matriarch, whatever you say. Since you say so, I promise I won’t say such things again. I don’t want you to have anything to complain about.”

Because Wen Qiao had stayed in the palace for many days without returning to the Marquis residence, Wen Congqing had begun to miss her. Yet since Wen Qiao remained at court, it benefited their household, so no one complained.

Faced with this daughter who had elevated his status, Wen Congqing still did not know how to behave toward her.

But ignoring the situation was no solution.

Moreover, he understood that the Emperor’s favor toward him these days was because of this daughter’s abilities—her presence in the palace, helping the Empress Dowager recover. Otherwise, he would never have been noticed by the court officials.

Now, many urged him to attend social functions, and he found drinking outside these days quite enjoyable.

At last, he could sit with some of the more influential figures at court.

Though sometimes he said foolish things that made others laugh, he had thick skin. As long as it elevated his position, he did not care about others’ mockery.

But he knew these were all benefits brought by Wen Qiao in the palace. If he did not show concern for her, the Emperor might grow dissatisfied over time and retract all he had granted.

He did not want to return to his former bleak life, begging nobles for attention, only to be ignored.

His current life was much better.

So, to maintain this lifestyle, he decided to visit the palace and show the Emperor he cared about his daughter.

As the thought struck him, he immediately acted, heading toward the palace.

It was already afternoon, a time when few entered the palace. But he was putting on a full show to demonstrate his devotion to his daughter. Even at this hour, he wanted to inquire about her, hoping the Emperor would no longer resent him.

Wen Congqing, feeling clever, cheerfully entered the palace, unaware this was the Emperor’s rest time.

After a full day of affairs, the Emperor was already exhausted and had no patience for Wen Congqing’s false face.

When Jiang Cong’an informed the Emperor that Wen Congqing had arrived, the Emperor was extremely annoyed.

However, since Wen Congqing was Wen Qiao’s father and the late younger sister’s husband, the Emperor decided to grant him some courtesy and summoned him.

As expected, Wen Congqing forced himself inside. Upon entering the Imperial Study, he bowed deeply to the Emperor. The Emperor, roused from sleep, was in a foul mood. He could not receive ministers in his bedchamber, so he came out from a small chamber behind the study. Hearing Wen Congqing babble useless words, his impatience showed.

“These words can be spoken at court tomorrow morning. Wen Aiqing, at this hour, you did not come just to say nonsense, did you?”

The Emperor’s meaning was clear: If Wen Congqing continued wasting time, he would leave in disgust.

His displeasure was nearly visible. Even Wen Congqing, slow-witted as he was, could sense the Emperor’s sour mood. He dared not ramble on and hurriedly stated his purpose.

“Your Majesty, my daughter Wen Qiao has been in the palace many days without sending word home. She is the daughter of me and Lady Changle. I have only recently brought her back and naturally worry about her. Since I have not heard from her, I came to check on her and inquire whether she has been attending her studies.”

The Emperor was somewhat pleased Wen Congqing cared for Wen Qiao. His speaking out was good news for her and showed he still thought of Lady Changle. This gave Xiao Zheng, as an elder brother, some comfort.

But Wen Congqing’s concern over Wen Qiao’s studies displeased him again.

The Empress Dowager was still recovering, and the Emperor was fully focused on that. Wen Qiao remained in the palace precisely to care for the Empress Dowager. He did not believe Wen Congqing was unaware of this.

Besides, he had already sent someone to inform Wen Congqing of this.

Now Wen Congqing asked again, either out of ignorance or to waste time with trivial talk, trying to assert his presence or express grievances against the royal family.

However, the latter was unlikely. Wen Congqing, timid as a mouse, was only married to Lady Changle because she was blind and desperate. Even the Princess’s residence rejected the match. If not for Lady Changle’s insistence, he would never have agreed.

Moreover, the cause of Lady Changle’s death remained unclear. No one knew who had interfered—could it really have been a difficult childbirth?

The Emperor was suspicious and knowledgeable of palace intrigues. Lady Song had helped him eliminate many concubines who might have plotted against him, so he was well aware of inner court affairs.

If he investigated, he could always find clues.

Otherwise, he would not have pursued Lady Changle’s case so relentlessly all these years.