Free Web NovelChapter 196: Chapter 196: It Is the Empress Dowager and the Ji Family’s Blessing to Have Her
"Your Majesty?"
The Empress Dowager asked in surprise when she saw Emperor Wu Su also rise to his feet.
’Emperor Wu Su appeared in Cining Palace right after the morning court session. Wasn’t it to discuss Ji Bo Lian’s case with me?’
’Why is he leaving now that Princess Consort Wei and the other Concubines have gone?’
The Empress Dowager was now completely at a loss as to why the Emperor had come.
Unable to sit still, the Empress Dowager also rose, her tone anxious as she took the initiative to ask, "Your Majesty, is there something else you came here for?"
Old Madam Ji and Mrs. Qiao also gazed earnestly at the Emperor, hoping to hear news about Mr. Ji from his own lips.
But they didn’t dare to presume to ask about matters of the court, their hearts filled with unease.
Emperor Wu Su stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry to leave, but he said nothing.
For a moment, no one in the hall spoke.
Then, Ji Qingwu’s soft voice broke the silence. "Your Majesty has worked tirelessly for days. The refreshments in the Empress Dowager’s palace are delicious. Perhaps Your Majesty could try some before you leave?"
The Empress Dowager shot Ji Qingwu a glare. ’We’re all worried sick about her father, and she’s talking about refreshments?’
Just as she was about to utter a reprimand,
she heard the Emperor beside her say in a clear voice, "Alright."
The Emperor cleared his throat and sat back down. frёewebnoѵēl.com
The Empress Dowager and the others found the Emperor’s intentions even more inscrutable.
Ji Qingwu’s bright eyes darted about. She was the only one in the entire hall who had an inkling of the Emperor’s thoughts.
Emperor Wu Su’s gaze fell upon the white porcelain plate in front of her. "That pastry Miss Ji was just eating looks quite good," he said.
Ji Qingwu’s eyes lit up. "The crab roe is rich and decadent, and the pastry is fragrant and sweet without being cloying. When you take a bite, the crust is crisp while the filling is soft. Your Majesty must have a taste."
’Whatever his reason for staying, it’s a good thing.’
The Empress Dowager said, "Fanghua, go prepare a fresh plate of the pastries Qingwu is eating and bring it here."
Fanghua replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, this is the only plate of these pastries we have."
The Empress Dowager frowned. "What kind of pastry is this? Did the side kitchen only make a single serving?"
Fanghua answered respectfully, "Empress Dowager, these are the crab roe puffs, freshly made by the Imperial Kitchen this morning."
No wonder there was only one serving. Dishes from the Imperial Kitchen were always delivered to the palaces in fixed quantities.
The Empress Dowager asked, puzzled, "Were these pastries on the table this morning? How is it that I did not see them?"
Fanghua paused for a moment before replying with a neutral expression, "The Empress Dowager has much on her mind. The plate was placed rather far away, so you may not have noticed it."
Ji Qingwu looked at the crab roe puffs before her. ’I remember,’ she thought, ’this plate was still warm when it was placed beside me. It must have just come out of the oven.’
’I only used the pastries as an excuse to persuade the Emperor to stay.’
’The moment Emperor Wu Su gave me that look, I understood he was waiting for me to say something.’
’And it just so happens that I also want to hear what he has to say about Mr. Ji’s case, to put Mrs. Qiao’s mind at ease.’
Li Yuzong quickly interjected, "Miss Ji, why don’t you bring that plate of crab roe puffs over?"
’This is a task for a Palace Attendant, really,’ she thought. ’But His Majesty the Emperor is the one who wants to eat from the only plate available, a plate I’ve already eaten quite a bit from.’
Ji Qingwu held the white porcelain plate with both hands and walked with a solemn gait toward the front of the hall.
She glanced at Emperor Wu Su, who was seated on the dragon-carved armchair, but not daring to meet his eyes for long, she quickly lowered her head again.
She placed the pastries on the small table beside him, then gracefully lifted the purple clay teapot and poured him a cup of tea.
Standing behind the Emperor, Li Yuzong couldn’t help but nod. ’She’s really getting the hang of this,’ he thought.
"Please, have some, Your Majesty."
Ji Qingwu’s voice was sweet and clear, and to the Emperor’s ears, it was far more tempting than the pastries.
Emperor Wu Su raised an eyebrow as he watched her pick up the teapot, the smile in his eyes deepening.
After she had stepped back, everyone could sense that the Emperor’s mood had improved considerably.
His tone was gentle as he said, "We are all family here. Please, be at ease."
Old Madam Ji had been to the palace many times, but she had rarely seen Emperor Wu Su so affable. Even back at the Marquis Yong’an Mansion, she had never heard His Majesty speak so kindly.
The Empress Dowager was even more stunned.
’After all my years of maneuvering in the rear palace, my relationship with the Emperor has dropped to a freezing point.’
’I never expected that now, with the Ji Family in trouble, I would hear him say "we are all family."’
Regardless of whether Your Majesty was just saying it casually, the Empress Dowager was deeply moved. "Yes," she responded. "Your Majesty is right. Everyone in this room is family."
Ji Qingwu thought the Empress Dowager’s reaction was a bit over the top.
’Even as a stepmother, she was formally married to the Marquis. We were always family.’
Li Yuzong lowered his head. ’I know exactly who those words were meant for,’ he thought.
He couldn’t help but marvel at their luck. ’The Empress Dowager and the Ji Family are truly fortunate. They had lost the Emperor’s favor, but with this Fifth Missy around, their future prosperity is still limitless.’
The Empress Dowager, now emboldened, said, "Your Majesty, since we are all family, I shall not mince words."
’Beating around the bush with a clever man like him would only be irritating.’
The Empress Dowager continued, "I wish to ask about one thing. Is my brother, Ji Bo Lian, doing alright? Old Madam Ji came because she heard he had been thrown into the imperial prison. The entire Ji Family, young and old, is worried sick about him."
But even after the Empress Dowager had said all this, Emperor Wu Su remained silent. He simply kept his eyes lowered, gazing at the golden crab roe puffs before him without eating or moving.
Ji Qingwu felt she was getting better and better at understanding the Emperor’s mind.
She spoke up once more. "Your Majesty, with my father suffering in prison, my family can neither eat nor sleep. I beg Your Majesty to tell us something, anything."
At her mention of not sleeping well, a peculiar glint flashed in Emperor Wu Su’s eyes.
Ji Qingwu saw it and pursed her lips.
She continued to plead, "Your Majesty, I have heard the dungeons are dark and damp. My father is getting on in years; his constitution cannot withstand such an ordeal. I implore Your Majesty to show him compassion."
Emperor Wu Su lifted his teacup and took a sip, seemingly lost in thought.
Seeing his lack of response, Ji Qingwu rose and gathered her skirts, preparing to kneel.
Emperor Wu Su’s throat bobbed as he quickly swallowed his tea. "Mr. Ji is an honest and upright official," he said. "He was merely an innocent party dragged into this affair."
Mrs. Qiao felt a wave of relief at the Emperor’s words. ’But if he’s innocent,’ she wondered, ’why hasn’t he been released?’
She didn’t dare ask, however, instead turning an expectant gaze toward Xiao Wu.
Once again, Ji Qingwu shouldered the hopes of her entire family.
She asked bluntly, "Your Majesty, if you know my father is innocent, why have you not issued an edict for his release?"
Old Madam Ji and Mrs. Qiao gasped in unison.
The Empress Dowager’s hand, which was in the middle of setting down a teacup, knocked against the corner of the table, and she let out a soft hiss of pain.
It was such a bold question, practically telling the Emperor how to do his job.
Old Madam Ji pleaded, "Please, Your Majesty, quell your anger! Qingwu merely misspoke. She meant no disrespect, I assure you. Please don’t let this affect Ji Bo Lian."
Mrs. Qiao took the blame upon herself. "Your Majesty, Qingwu has been away from Lin’an for a long time. It is I who failed to teach her the proper etiquette. I beg Your Majesty not to hold it against her."
Ji Qingwu stared at him fixedly. ’I refuse to believe,’ she thought, ’that a single sentence like that would send him into a rage.’
’After all, I’ve said far more insubordinate things than that.’
Emperor Wu Su took in everyone’s reactions.
