Chapter Sixty-Six: Serene as a Flower Reflected in Water
As the sun slanted toward the west…
Empress Dowager Chen grew increasingly anxious as the two remained inside the bedchamber without emerging. Her expression was clouded with worry, so she personally washed some fruit, placed them in a dish, and carried the tray over to investigate.
But just as she reached the door, before she could push it open, she caught the faintest traces of amorous sounds drifting from within…
She stood frozen at the entrance, utterly stunned.
Glancing around, she noticed the attendants outside the bedchamber had tactfully kept their distance, but their envious gazes continued to flicker toward the door. She hurriedly waved her hand.
The attendants, understanding her meaning, retreated even further.
Seeing that no one lingered nearby, Empress Dowager Chen, perhaps prompted by some thought, carefully set the tray down and tiptoed to the window, pressing her ear against the pane…
The sounds emerging from her own bedchamber made her breath catch; she needed no imagination to guess what the two inside were doing.
The Empress was known for her pride, always cold and aloof toward others. Who could have imagined that in the hands of this rogue, she would be reduced to such extravagant moans?
Empress Dowager Chen, listening to the sounds, found her thoughts running wild. Unconsciously, she rubbed her thighs; her cheeks grew warm…
She took a deep breath, quelling the turmoil within, and turned to leave. When she reached the side of her attendant, she seemed to recall something, halting to call out, “Nanny Li…”
“I am here, Your Majesty…”
“Go to the Hall of Tranquility…”
The Empress Dowager paused in contemplation, then said, “Seek the steward there. Tell them the Empress is troubled in heart and will stay the night here in the Hall of Benevolence. She will not return tonight…”
“Yes, Your Majesty…”
………………
Early the next morning.
The Dowager’s bedchamber was in utter disarray…
Perhaps due to the novelty, Xu Boqing showed no trace of fatigue; after stretching languidly, he rose in good spirits and began to dress.
On the phoenix couch, Empress Zhang clutched the blanket to cover her chest. Her beautiful face still glowed with a flush from lingering pleasure, yet her expression was profoundly complex…
Was it disgust?
Was it satisfaction?
Was it fear?
Even she could not say…
Previously, she could not fathom what gave this Xu rogue the allure to captivate both the Dowager and Noble Consort Liu, apart from his martial prowess and decent looks.
But after last night—after experiencing that depth of feeling, where even death seemed worthwhile—she finally understood…
“Your Majesty need not worry…”
Xu Boqing, as he dressed, glanced at the beautiful woman atop the phoenix couch and, seeing her conflicted look, teased, “They say a day as husband and wife begets a hundred days of affection…
The Crown Prince is your son, so he counts as half my son too. In the future, I’ll help you get him out.”
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“You… Stop speaking nonsense…”
Empress Zhang’s cheeks bore a trace of anger, yet recalling how her body had already been sullied by this rogue, what did mere words matter?
Helpless, she merely snorted coldly and turned away, refusing to look at him…
“If you won’t acknowledge it, so be it…”
Xu Boqing paid no heed, simply shaking his head with a smile. “Emperor Yonghe’s health is failing; he has but few years left. I simply pity you two, mother and son, so bereft.”
Empress Zhang trembled, propping herself up, her face tinged with wrath as she demanded, “How do you know that?”
“Why shouldn’t I know?”
Xu Boqing raised his brows as if savoring something delightful. “The things I know far exceed what you might imagine…”
She caught him staring intently, and finally realized—lowering her gaze, she hastily pulled the blanket tighter over her chest, embarrassed and furious, she flung a pillow at him.
“Hehehe…”
Xu Boqing shook his head, finished dressing, and brushed the creases from his robes before heading out.
Before leaving, he glanced back at Empress Zhang atop the phoenix couch, his words carrying a hint of meaning: “Aside from us, only the Dowager knows of this…
Hereafter, you remain the esteemed Empress of the Hall of Tranquility, and I… the steward of the Hall of Benevolence.
We part ways, each to our own happiness…”
“……”
Empress Zhang gazed blankly at his departing figure, feeling an inexplicable emptiness, as if something fleeting had slipped from her grasp—she was strangely forlorn…
Xu Boqing wandered through the side rooms of the Hall of Benevolence…
Not finding the Dowager, he inquired of an attendant and learned she had gone early to the Lim Creek Pavilion to enjoy the cool.
Sure enough, upon arrival, he found the Dowager beside the pavilion, feeding the fish in the pond.
He approached quietly, and, before she noticed, swept her up from behind, spun her around, and sat down in a chair with her on his lap…
Empress Dowager Chen, startled, cried out, but soon recovered and, half coy, half reproachful, struck his chest a few times.
Her tone plaintive, she said, “Rogue, tell me—have you found a new favorite and want to frighten me to death so you can run to her?”
“There’s no new favorite…”
Xu Boqing chuckled awkwardly, then grew serious. “I’ve only ever acted by your command, Your Majesty. You mustn’t be angry over this…”
“My command?”
Empress Dowager Chen blinked in surprise, arching her brows. “When did I instruct you to bring Empress Zhang to the phoenix couch?”
Xu Boqing was equally puzzled, his brows knitting in confusion. “Didn’t you glance at the couch when you walked past me?”
“……”
Empress Dowager Chen blinked, recalling the incident. She finally muttered, “I only meant to hint that Empress Zhang already knows about us.”
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“……”
The two exchanged a silent look, both falling into a moment of awkwardness…
Realizing his mistake, Xu Boqing wished he could dig a hole with his toe and disappear. He said, embarrassed, “I’ve already told Empress Zhang: we part ways, each to our own happiness.”
“We part ways, each to our own happiness. Easier said than done.”
Empress Dowager Chen muttered, shooting him a glare, then seemed to recall something and asked, “Is everything settled?”
“Yes…”
Xu Boqing briefly recounted the events of the previous night, omitting what could not be spoken…
“My good sister is proud and high-spirited. Now, not only has she lost face, she’s lost her body as well. You have undone her.”
Empress Dowager Chen gave him a look of exasperation, then continued, “Of the rest, I neither understand nor wish to. So long as you can manage it yourself…”
“Mm.”
Xu Boqing held the beautiful woman in his arms, and Empress Dowager Chen, sensing something, curled up lazily like a kitten, nestling against him and gazing quietly at the scenery beyond the pavilion.
“Have you decided when to leave the capital?”
“Yes…”
“When will you depart?”
“I came today to bid you farewell…”
“You’re leaving today?”
“Yes…”
Empress Dowager Chen sprang from his arms, staring at him intently for a moment before breaking into a smile. She said softly, “Wait a little longer~”
She slipped free, lifted her skirt, and dashed out of the pavilion. When she returned, she carried a neatly folded moon-white robe…
“Up, up~ Let’s see if it fits.”
“……”
Xu Boqing smiled, sat up, and spread his arms.
Empress Dowager Chen shook out the robe, held it up to him to check the fit, all the while muttering, “You’ve made so many garments for me; now I’ve made one for you.”
“This journey—there’s no telling how long you’ll be gone…”
“I know.”
At that moment, Empress Dowager Chen resembled a gentle wife, quietly helping him remove his dragon robe and dress in the new garment, her smile serene as still water…
“Return as soon as you can…”