The Lantern Festival started in the evening. Lin Qingyu wanted to bring up Cui Lianâs matter with the Empress Dowager and thus, went to the palace early.
Nowadays, there was no shortage of filial piety from the emperor and Ciâan Palace was given the best of the best. Knowing that the Empress Dowager liked chrysanthemums, the emperor had especially ordered dozens of lanterns in the style of chrysanthemums to be placed in Ciâan Palaceâs courtyard. The sky was only beginning to darken and the lanterns created a magnificent sight, it looked like a spring blooming amidst the snow.
Lai Fu looked at the sea of flowers and said with a smile, âEmpress Dowager, the emperor regards you with such thoughtfulness.â
The Empress Dowager was completely disinterested. âAlthough I am the emperorâs imperial mother, there has been no motherly affection between us for the past two decades. He is merely making a show of all this. Besides, given the emperorâs temperament, how could he possibly come up with tricks like these? Most likely, it was that eunuch who once again gave him the idea.â
When Lin Qingyu arrived at Ciâan Palace, the palace kitchens had just cooked a pot of sticky rice dumplings. The Empress Dowager was just having a taste of it with Little King Huai when Lai Fu came it to report Lin Qingyuâs arrival. Treating Lin Qingyu as one of her own, she immediately told Lai Fu to usher him in.
Lin Qingyu entered the inner hall and saw the Empress Dowager and Xiao Li sitting at the table. It was apparent that Xiao Li had been meticulously dressed. He was wearing a royal robe embroidered with a five-clawed dragon, a jade ornament hung around his slender waist. The young manâs features were of exquisite elegance; it could be said that he possessed unparalleled good looks, that his attractiveness came second to none. However, this young man who was supposed to be of that cool breeze and bright moon, remained dull and sluggish, no trace of vitality could be found on his body.
Lin Qingyu saluted the two of them, âGreeting to Her Highness the Empress Dowager and His Highness the prince.â
The Empress Dowager said amiably. âQingyu, youâre here. Come sit down. Give Imperial Physician Lin a plate of dumplings.â
Lin Qingyu was not used to being called him by his name by people apart from his family and husband. This year, he and the Empress Dowager had found themselves on the same boat and they have worked together to handle several matters that must be kept secret from outsiders. It could be said that the glory of one was the glory of both and that the loss of one was the loss of both. Whether the Empress Dowager truly regarded him well or whether this was all hypocrisy, it mattered not. She treated him better than even when he was Lu Wanchengâs wife.
Lin Qingyu declined, âThis official has already eaten before leaving the house. I would not wish to disturb the Empress Dowager and the prince.â
The Empress Dowager said, âThen you can just eat again. How can a man such as yourself not be able to even finish a bowl dumplings? Ciâan Palace has only me and Liâer and itâs always a little lonely. In any case, you were once my sisterâs daughter-in-law, youâre Liâerâs cousin. You could say that weâre family. There are no outsiders in Ciâan Palace, thereâs no need for you to be polite.â
Being that the Empress Dowager had gone so far as to say all this, Lin Qingyu then decided to sit down as she had bidden him to do. The dumplings in front of him were steaming hot and Lin Qingyu tasted a piece. The outside layer was sweet, soft and sticky; the sesame filling though was a little too cloyingly sweet for him.
The Empress Dowager was attending to Xiao Li and she herself couldnât spare a thought about eating. If Xiao Li was to left to eat by himself, he would grab it with his hands and stuff it into his mouth. In Ciâan Palace, there was a momo who was tasked specially with feeding Xiao Li; the Empress Dowager too often fed him herself.
Weâre sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so weâre going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
As soon as the dumpling was brought to his lips, Xiao Li opened his mouth and took it in. He then chewed it slowly. Though mentally deficient, he did not at all appear clumsy or awkward when eating.
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The Empress Dowager loved her son like life and sure enough, she was coaxed by the momoâs words. She asked softly, âDoes Liâer like to eat sticky rice dumplings?â
Xiao Li opened his lips slightly, staring at the spoon in the Empress Dowagerâs hand.
âCall me mother and Iâll feed you, okay? Liâer, say âmo-therâ, âmo-therâ.â The Empress Dowager said patiently, âLiâer, here, listen. âMoâ-therâ.â
Xiao Li seemed to be in another world, unable to hear the Empress Dowagerâs voice or respond to her words.
Lin Qingyu said, âAlthough dumplings are good for you, one mustnât eat too much of it.â
The Empress Dowager dropped her hand in frustration, âThen, forget it. Take all these away.â
Though unable to eat any more dumplings, Xiao Li didnât cry or make a fuss. He slowly lowered his head and once again immersed himself in his own world.
The Empress Dowager sighed softly and couldnât hide her disappointment. âLiâer will be turning sixteen this year. But hs mind is still like that of a three of four year old. He doesnât know how to speak like other childrenâŚI donât even know whether I will ever hear Liâer call me âmotherâ in this lifetime.â
Lin Qingyu asked, âIs His Highness able to speak?â It seemed he had never heard Xiao Liâs voice before.
âThe National Teacher said that Liâer has all five senses. He shows no reaction because his soul is not in his body.â The Empress Dowager smiled bitterly, âHe also said that most people with condition have a bewitching appearance. It is fortunate that Liâer is of the Imperial family. I hate to think what injustices he would have suffered were he a no name commoner with such a face.â
Lin Qingyu said, âThe little prince is indeed very handsome.â
The Empress Dowager glanced at him and said, âNot quite up to par with you though.â
âThe little prince is young and has yet to mature.â
âNo matter how good his appearance is, whatâs the use? I would have rather he look plain.â
The palace maid took away the dumplings and served fruit to cleanse the palate and aid in digestion. Lin Qingyu brought up Cui Lian and asked, âHas the Empress Dowager seen Cui Xiangâs recommendation regarding command of the Northwest?â
The Empress Dowager thought back carefully and said, âI havenât. As far as I can recall, whenever Prime Minister Cui attended court, his attitude towards this matter was ambiguous, his words vague. It was difficult for anyone to get a good grasp on his stand.â
Lin Qingyu said, âI have read every letter regarding the Northwest but I have not seen one from Prime Minister Cui. It seems that someone deliberately hid it in order to use Prime Minister Cui to fuel the flames among the military officials. â
Lin Qingyu and the Empress Dowager were well aware of who this person was.
âIn the end, he is still unreconciled with being controlled.â The Empress Dowager took off her finger guards and started peeling the citrus with her own hands. âThere is one thing that I have never quite understood.â
âI ask Her Highness to speak freely.â
âIt seems you knew early on that heâs the restless type. Whyâd you give him a chance?â
Lin Qingyu said, âAmong the three sons of the late emperor, apart from the deposed crown prince, only the current emperor remained â I am sorry, if we were to support the little prince at that time, not to mention it is unlikely the civil and military officials would have believe the late emperorâs edict, if the Xixia learned that the future emperor is mentally deficient, what sort of impression would it have made? And thus, our only choice was His Majesty. However, His Majesty had no ambition towards the throne. I needed Xi Rong to make his political achievements for him so that he could be pushed onto the throne without disturbing the situation in the imperial court.â
âI understand.â The Empress Dowager gently wiped the corner of Xiao Liâs mouth with a handkerchief. âYou have done a good job. The Emperor has successfully ascended the throne. In the future, His Majesty will have you and I to help him look after the country. Thereâs no need for Xi Rong to continue living now is there?â
Lin Qingyu smiled, âWhat the Empress Dowager said is very true. But Xi Rong is not someone to be trifled with. He has already drawn Prime Minister Cui to his side and he is highly valued by the Emperor. By rashly moving against him, we might be beating the grass and startling the snake.â
The Empress Dowager snorted coldly, âA thing without roots. If I startle him, then what of it?â
In the Empress Dowagerâs eyes, Xi Rong was nothing more than someone whoâs a little clever. Disposing of him wouldnât make any waves. She didnât know that Xi Rong and Xiao Jie had been mutually dependent on each other for many years. Killing Xi Rong wasnât difficult. But if they were to lose Xiao Jie over this, who they would sit on the throne would become a problem.
Lin Qingyu raised his eyes to look at Xiao Li. His eyes darkened a little.
It was true that Xiao Li would easier to control than anyone else but in the end, he was a dullard, after all. Right now the Northwest was in turmoil. If he and the Empress Dowager supported another fool to ascend to the throne, he was afraid it would be difficult to reassure the army and the populace.
At least, he had to wait for Gu Fuzhou to come back.
âEmpress Dowager,â Lai Fu stepped forward and said, âAll the princesses of His former Highness have come to the Ciâan Palace to pay their respects.â
âI shall go and see them.â The Empress Dowager said, âXiu Jiao, you can feed the prince some more fruit.â
The momo named Xiu Jiao peeled another tangerine and fed it to Xiao Li. Xiao Li pursed his lips. It seemed he had no interest in citrus. Xiu Jiao momo coaxed softly, âYour Highness, please have another one.â
Apart from his family and Gu Fuzhou, Lin Qingyu has always been cold and unapproachable, keeping others at a distance. But for some reason, though he had only met Xiao Li a few times, he felt that this dullard prince was amiable, giving off an indescribable sense of familiarity.
Lin Qingyu said, âAllow me to try.â
After a momentâs hesitation, Xiu Jiao stepped back and gave Lin Qingyu her spot beside Xiao Li.
Lin Qingyu picked up a tangerine segment and said, âLittle Prince, open your mouth.â
Xiao Li stared at him for a while and then opened his mouth obediently. He let him put the tangerine into his mouth, a small bulge forming on his cheek.
âIs it sweet?â
Lin Qingyu had just asked casually. Unexpectedly, Xiao Li revealed a reaction.
â He smiled.
Xiao Liâs countenance was excellent and when he shows a smile, the dullness in his eyes faded and they shone like stars. They could fascinate someone who had yet to see the world to lose their souls in them. Something usually not seen rose up below the boyâs eyes. Gu Fuzhou had told him about this thing, the so-called âplump lower eyelidsâ. Jiang Gongzi had said that in his original body, he too had this when he smiled. Unfortunately, neither Lu Wancheng nor Gu Fuzhou had this.
Having this layer under the eyes when he smiled⌠it really does look good.
Xiao Li only smiled for a very short moment and his lifeless expression soon returned. It was as though that smile was an illusion seen by onlookers through dazzled eyes.
Xiu Jiao was stunned and it took a long while for her to react. She hurriedly ran to tell the Empress Dowager. âEmpress Dowager, His Highness smiled!â
When the Empress Dowager heard this, she lost all thought of receiving the princesses. She immediately stood up, âIs this true?â
âItâs true! This servant saw it very clearly and Imperial Physician Lin saw it too.â
The Empress Dowager immediately grew excited. âQuickly, go and call the National Teacher!â
The author has something to say: Sit down and sit down. Itâs not time for the third transmigration yet! Some remaining fragment of his soul was probably influenced by its master and felt like smiling when it saw the great beauty.