Chapter 34

The gifts from the military men were practical things, Shen Jin chose some interesting ones and left the rest for Chu Xiuming. She didn’t lack anything at the mansion so she had Zhao-momo gave Chu Xiuming the things she didn’t use. Even the extra money she kept in the box was given to him too. She had monthly allowance from the mansion and it was enough for her use.

These gestures warmed up Chu Xiuming’s heart, but he wasn’t sure whether to laugh or to cry. He accepted everything, and at the same time also felt little wife had looked down on him.

Chu Xiuming still didn’t explain anything, he just spent the nights giving little wife some lovings until she cried then he would persuade her to sleep.

Unlike the sweet loving scenes at the border town, the Capital wasn’t that peaceful. Emperor Cheng furiously threw the secret report in his hand to the floor, then swiped everything on the table.

“What are they doing! Are they rebelling? Do they still have Zhen this emperor in their eyes!”

T/N – Zhen 朕 = the way emperors address themselves.

Eunuch Li didn’t even dare to breathe.

“Not good.” Emperor Cheng stood up, pacing around in the room, “Can’t let Chu family hold military power anymore. Those bastards only look up at him, Zhen is not in their eyes at all. Need to find a way to get Count Yongning back in the Capital.”

Count Yongning in the Capital was the same as a tiger without teeth.

But Eunuch Li knew it wasn’t easy to get Chu Xiuming to set foot in the Capital. Last time they finally found an excuse that he couldn’t reject but he could still turned back halfway. With the Barbarian’s attack, if Emperor Cheng still insisted on getting him to the Capital, the ministers would had opposed.

“Chu family had been faithful for generations, how come with Zhen they turned this way.” Emperor Cheng gritted his teeth in anger, “A born-rebel is simply treacherous…. “

T/N – 天生反骨 = someone who is born rebellious in nature.

Eunuch Li kept his head lowered and didn’t speak, Emperor Cheng suddenly stopped pacing, his face changed and changed.

“Li Fu, do you think Chu Xiuming still remembers….”

Eunuch Li didn’t dare to answer, Emperor Cheng didn’t finish the sentence, his face turned uglier. “That time hadn’t we make sure none left….”

“Yes.” Eunuch Li spoke, “Totally 73 people, including…..”

Emperor Cheng nodded, “Check again, clean up all the relatives and friends one more time.”

Eunuch Li could only comply. Since the Emperor’s ascend to the throne there had been so many cleaning ups, not just relatives and friends even neighbours and village mates were all cleaned up. But Eunuch Li also knew the Emperor was an overthinker and a distrustful person so he definitely couldn’t say anything against it.

“Must get Chu Xiuming to come back.” Emperor Cheng still hadn’t let go, gritted his teeth, “Must come back. Li Fu, have you come up with an idea?”

Li Fu bowed his head, “This Slave is foolish.”

“Not blaming you.” Emperor Cheng said with a sigh, “That Chu Xiuming is too brazen. Call Prime Minister Chen here.”

Li Fu knew that coming up with an idea would get him a praise now, but in the end regardless of whether the idea worked or not, it would still leave a bad impression in the Emperor’s mind. If the idea worked meant he had a black heart, if the idea didn’t work then he was incompetent.

Li Fu could stay with Emperor Cheng for so long wasn’t relying on past relationship only, but more on knowing when he should be smart and when he should not be smart.

Prime Minister Chen quickly arrived. He was the Empress’ father, and also the minister who had supported the Emperor the most in getting the throne, he was quite influential in the Palace.

Emperor Cheng waited until Prime Minister Chen finished bowing, he let him rose then directly asked, “Does Prime Minister have a way to get Chu Xiuming return to the Capital?”

Prime Minister Chen frowned and pondered a while, “This Official remembers Rui-wang’s birthday is coming soon.”

He understood Emperor Cheng’s resentment towards Chu family, or more precisely, towards Chu family’s prestige amongst military officials.

Since he became the Emperor, he had been suppressing military officials in the attempts to weaken Chu family. Military officials’ power in the Court had now been reduced compared to the civilian officials’, and the conflict between both sides continued to deepen.

“Will it work?” At Emperor Cheng’s major birthday that time, he also issued a decree for Chu Xiuming to come but it didn’t work. And Rui-wang was just a Wangye without actual power.

Prime Minister Chen spoke, “Countess Yongning is Rui-wang’s daughter, naturally she would return to pay respect at her father’s birthday.”

“The one Zhen wants is Count Yongning.” Emperor Cheng didn’t think Chu Xiuming would come to the Capital just for the sake of a woman’s.

Prime Minister Chen lowered his eyes, respectfully said, “Your Majesty, Countess Yongning had stood on behalf of Count Yongning to defend the border town in critical situation, their relationship should be exceptional. We can still try, even if it doesn’t work, we can spread news that Count Yongning is not filial and not respectful to his father-in-law and his main wife. Countess Yongning is highly principled and has a great sense of duty, Your Majesty should reward her di mother and birth mother.”

Emperor Cheng instantly understood Prime Minister Chen’s meaning, his eyes lit up, “Then do it that way, issue a decree to Rui-wangfei to be…. “

Eunuch Li on the side said in low voice, “Countess Yongning was born by Rui-wang’s side concubine Chen-shi.”

“Issue a decree that Rui-wangfei and Chen-cefei are to enter the Palace, Zhen’s Empress will take care of them. They can stay in the Palace until Countess Yongning is in the Capital.” Emperor Cheng solemnly said.

Prime Minister Chen and Eunuch Li felt this wasn’t appropriate. Moreover the Empress was Prime Minister Chen’s own daughter, he didn’t want to give her trouble.

Prime Minister Chen said, “Your Majesty, This Official considers if would be better if Rui-wangfei and Chen-cefei are attend to the Empress Dowager.”

These two women were Empress Dowager’s daughter-in-laws, having them with Empress Dowager would be right and proper.

Emperor Cheng’s eyes flashed before he smiled, “It’s still Prime Minister Chen who is thoughtful. Let them enter the Palace tomorrow to be with Empress Dowager. Li Fu, go to Rui-wang’s mansion to issue the decree.”

“Yes.” Li Fu’s attitude was more respectful.

In short this was taking Rui-wangfei and Chen-cefei as hostages. If Count Yongning didn’t let the Countess come to the Capital, and something happened to the two women, Countess Yongning would have resentments. Troubles at home would have impact on Count Yongning, after all he often had to be away on battles.

Further, Count Yongning wouldn’t let the Countess die, the merit of defending the border town was partly her contribution.

Emperor Cheng looked at Prime Minister Chen, laughingly said, “This niece of Zhen’s, she is usually modest, turned out she is quite a character.”

Prime Minister Chen understood what the Emperor wanted, which was to secretly spread rumours in praise of Shen Jin, but at the same time also giving the credit to the Emperor.

“Countess Yongning is worthy of being the Emperor’s royal bloodline, and she was personally appointed by Your Majesty as a Junzhu.”

As expected Emperor Cheng nodded in satisfaction, he let Prime Minister Chen wrote the decree right now. He also ordered someone inform the Empress Dowager to issue a decree inviting Rui-wangfei and Chen-cefei to the Palace to attend to Empress Dowager’s health.

Li Fu didn’t dare to delay, he immediately brought the two decrees to Rui-wang’s mansion.

After hearing the Emperor’s decree, Rui-wang was full of doubts but he still very respectfully accepted it. Since when Emperor Cheng cared about his birthday, and this time even having the Palace to host it. This was not even a big birthday, his big birthday was 2 years ago and that time the Emperor only rewarded some stuff.

Next announced was Empress Dowager’s decree. After hearing this one Rui-wang stopped thinking about birthdays, he hurriedly asked, “Is Empress Mother all right?”

“Replying to Wangye, the Empress Dowager is not seriously ill, just a little bored so she has especially asked the two ladies to the Palace.” Li Fu said with a smile on his face.

Rui-wang responded, secretly slipped a purse to Eunuch Li.

Rui-wangfei gently said with some concerns on her face, “We better start packing to go to the Palace right now, Empress Mother….. “

Li Fu looked at Rui-wangfei, squeezed the purse in his hand, then said, “Wangfei, there is no need to rush. Tomorrow the Palace will send a carriage to pick up.”

Rui-wang nodded, “Wangfei, you and Chen-shi quickly go back to pack things. Tomorrow morning I will also go to the Palace to pay my respect to Empress Mother.”

“Yes.” Rui-wangfei saw him had spoken, she didn’t say anything else.

Xu-cefei was full of resentment that the Empress Dowager specifically asked for Rui-wangfei and Chen-shi. Who was Chen-shi, Chen-shi was no one. Her fingers wringing a handkerchief, she gritted her teeth but didn’t speak.

After seeing Li Fu off, Rui-wang went with Rui-wangfei to the main courtyard, Xu-cefei and Chen-cefei followed behind.

Chen-cefei’s heart was anxious and alarmed. Every year when paying New Year’s greeting to Empress Dowager, they never talked more than two words, but this time she was singled out.

When they arrived at the main courtyard, Xu-cefei couldn’t stand it anymore, “Wangye, how about letting Fourth Girl and Fifth Girl follow Wangfei to attend to the Empress Dowager? They are not good at anything but they know to be amusing. Chen-meimei usually doesn’t talk much so with Fourth Girl and Fifth Girl there it would be better.”

Chen-cefei’s head was lowered without a word. Rui-wangfei looked at Xu-cefei with an expression like a smile yet not a smile. What a fool, she thought this was something good so she shamelessly wanted to also take benefit, while Chen-cefei herself more likely was not willing to go. Rui-wangfei just ignored Xu-cefei.

Rui-wang was not a fool, he understood something was going to happen. Listening to Xu-cefei’s talk, the anger that had been accumulating for some time came up, “Go back to Haitang Courtyard.”

Xu-cefei froze for a while, but she didn’t dare to speak anymore, bowed and hurriedly left. Once out of the main courtyard, her eyes turned red, her heart full of jealousy and hatred.

Rui-wang looked at Chen-cefei, then at Rui-wangfei, “You two….. wait two days, I will find a way to bring you back.”

Rui-wangfei pursed her lips and smiled. Rui-wang had a bunch of shortcomings, but it was still remarkable that he could say these words.

“Wangye, don’t worry. Chen-cefei and I will serve Empress Mother well.”

Rui-wang’s lips moved, he guessed it was Emperor Cheng’s arrangement, otherwise his vegetarian and religious mother wouldn’t have issued this decree.

“Tomorrow I am going with you to the Palace, I will talk to Empress Mother to take good care of you two. And it won’t be too hard, there are people serving Empress Mother, and she is always in the small temple.”

Rui-wangfei softly responded, Rui-wang said some more words and left.

Rui-wangfei turned to Chen-cefei, “No need to overthink it, just go back and pack some everyday items. In the Palace just follow me, and bring more plainer clothes.”

Chen-cefei responded, she left after seeing Rui-wangfei had no further order.

Rui-wangfei’s eyes slightly downcast, she ordered Cuixi to pack up, then she reclined sideways on the chaise lounge.

She coldly laughed inside, what they were doing now was like women’s petty tactics.

When the decree reached border town, Shen Jin was anxious and angry. Returning to the room, she couldn’t help complaining, “What is going on, how come Mother was taken to the Palace, how if Palace people bully her?”

Chu Xiuming’s face was calm, he spoke, “When you are in the Capital, your mother and Consort Mother can return to Rui-wang’s mansion.”

Shen Jin’s eyes went round, her lips moving.

Chu Xiuming heard it clearly, Shen Jin was saying, how come this was similar to Xu-cefei’s petty tactics.

Chu Xiuming couldn’t help laughing.

In Shen Jin’s eyes ‘making troubles for no reason’ and ‘lame tricks’ was Xu-cefei’s speciality, and Emperor Cheng’s conduct this time was similar to Xu-cefei’s. If Emperor Cheng could hear this, not sure what he would feel.

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T/N – Rui-wang’s big birthday was 整寿 . I read on some sites it means a birthday that ends with 0, starting with either 50 or 60 (unclear). This means Rui-wang could be 52 yo or 62 yo, but ancient people married early, so with a bunch of teenage daughters it is possible he was just 42 yo? Anyway at this point we are not introduced to his other children yet so we don’t know the age of the sons.

T/N – Somehow I feel this Emperor isn’t very smart…. ?. But I don’t read ahead (much) so I don’t know. Those who know, who have MTL-ed to the end, feel free to snigger but just don’t spoil it in comments …..