Chapter Twelve: The Empress Dowager's Show of Power

“Xiao Jingxuan respectfully wishes the Empress Dowager good health!” Xiao Jingxuan’s voice rang out loudly, so much so that Su Jingluo trembled. If it weren’t for the reluctant expression on Xiao Jingxuan’s face, one would think he was the very embodiment of filial piety and obedience.

“Oh my, isn’t this Jingxuan? How long have you been here? These useless servants didn’t even bother to wake me up,” soon enough, a dignified woman with gentle eyes and an air of authority strode out from the bedchamber.

“It is entirely our fault, Your Majesty. We saw that the Empress Dowager had not slept well for days and finally managed to rest, so we dared not disturb you. That’s why King Jing waited a little while. We deserve punishment, we truly do,” the eunuch behind quickly chimed in, his performance flawless—clearly an old hand at court drama.

“How could you say that? Even a moment’s delay is unacceptable. Hurry, hurry, all of you, stand up now. Come inside with me and sit for a while. Ah, such a lovely, gentle child—this must be Jingxuan’s little son, Yunbai. Come here, darling, let your imperial grandmother hold you,”

At the mention of “stand up now,” Su Jingluo scrambled to her feet, nearly stumbling from kneeling so long, but Xiao Jingxuan was at her side and caught her just in time. Before Su Jingluo could shoot him a grateful glance, she saw the Empress Dowager reaching out to embrace Yunbai, prompting both Su Jingluo and Xiao Jingxuan to hastily pull the boy back.

Su Jingluo worried that Yunbai might bear a grudge against the Empress Dowager for poisoning him; this child would never suffer a loss. Xiao Jingxuan, for his part, feared the old witch might harm Yunbai—this child must not be wronged in any way.

The Empress Dowager, seeing their nervousness over Yunbai, squinted and smiled. With subtle force, she took Yunbai’s hand from Su Jingluo, her face blooming with a warm smile. Su Jingluo sighed inwardly—Empress Dowager, you brought this upon yourself; hopefully, Yunbai will be gentle, or better yet, won’t retaliate at all.

“So this is Jingxuan’s princess consort, is it? When the Emperor bestowed your marriage, I was unwell and couldn’t attend the ceremony. Today is the first time we meet, and you are indeed charming and delicate—though your attire is rather plain.”

“Your subject Su—”

“Hmm, reward!”

Su Jingluo had thought, since she’d been singled out, it was only proper to introduce herself. But the Empress Dowager was utterly dismissive, cutting her off with a single word, “reward,” before she could finish. What’s worse, she didn’t specify what the reward was—if only it were some tangible gold or jewels, that would be more reassuring. This vague, unfinished word truly unsettled her.

While Su Jingluo fretted over what the reward might be, Xiao Jingxuan’s expression grew darker. He stared fixedly at the Empress Dowager’s hand holding Yunbai, his own fists clenched so tightly the veins bulged. Yunbai, however, was exceptionally well-behaved, obediently taking the Empress Dowager’s hand, sweetly calling her “imperial grandmother,” and then giving Su Jingluo and Xiao Jingxuan an innocent smile.

This is it—trouble is surely coming, Su Jingluo’s heart jolted. But she couldn’t cry out, and could only pray her dear son wouldn’t poison anyone. Steeling herself, she followed the Empress Dowager through the palace doors.

Inside, nothing of real importance was discussed; the Empress Dowager simply expressed how she missed Xiao Jingxuan, asked about this and that. Why hadn’t he visited the palace in years? When did he have a son? And what was this rumor about the princess consort causing a scene in the streets recently?

Xiao Jingxuan, seeing Su Jingluo’s anxiety over Yunbai’s potential mischief, began his performance with cold composure.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The princess consort is but the daughter of a humble family from the countryside, so she’s prone to unruly behavior. After I married the Lin family’s daughter, jealousy has plagued her these past five years, and she’s been in a constant sulk. Even after bearing a child, she refused to let me see him. When I pretended I might divorce her, she caused a commotion at the gates of our residence. It was never anything serious—just a quarrel between husband and wife. I never imagined it would trouble the Empress Dowager.”