SWDnovel Chapter 29 The Emperor of Qin was indeed a foolish ruler!
Chapter 29 The Emperor of Qin was indeed a foolish ruler!
Meanwhile, at Yuxiu Palace.
Jiang Qingxue sat in front of the dressing table, her pale and haggard face reflected in the bronze mirror.
The palace maid carefully combed her hair, her movements gentle, her eyes filled with envy and awe.
His Majesty stayed overnight last night, and this morning the Imperial Household Department sent over a large amount of rewards.
Twelve bolts of silk and satin, two boxes of jewelry, and various precious ornaments filled the originally empty side hall to the brim.
This is grace, this is glory.
But Jiang Qingxue only felt it was ironic.
"My lady, what do you think of this gold hairpin?" A palace maid held up a phoenix-head gold hairpin inlaid with rubies and asked softly.
Jiang Qingxue glanced at them and shook her head.
Her gaze fell on the corner of the makeup box, where the white jade phoenix hairpin lay quietly.
The ruby at the phoenix eye gleamed with a warm light in the morning sun, just as it had when Xu Longxiang gave it to her.
But now...
Jiang Qingxue reached out and gently touched the hairpin with her fingertips; the icy temperature made her heart tremble.
"Let's use this one," she said softly.
The palace maid was taken aback: "My lady, this is too plain. All the ladies from the various palaces will likely be coming to offer their congratulations today. If you wear something too simple, I'm afraid..."
"It's alright." Jiang Qingxue interrupted her, her tone calm but unquestionable, "This one will do."
The palace maid dared not say anything, and could only carefully take the white jade phoenix hairpin and tie it into her hair.
In the bronze mirror, the simple hairpin peeked faintly from her dark hair, seemingly out of place amidst the opulent gifts showering her with gifts, yet strangely resonating with her current state of mind—
Loneliness amidst prosperity, humiliation beneath glory.
After finishing her makeup, Jiang Qingxue got up and walked to the window.
The plum tree in the courtyard was covered with lush green leaves, swaying gently in the morning breeze.
She remembered that last night, Qin Mu asked her if she liked plum blossoms.
She said she liked it and admired its integrity.
But now that I think about it, how laughable that integrity is?
No matter how proud the plum blossoms are, they will eventually fall and turn to mud.
No matter how aloof she is, she will eventually have to submit to another.
"Lady, Consort Shu has arrived," a palace maid announced softly.
Jiang Qingxue turned around, a complex look flashing in her eyes.
Su Wanqing.
The woman who had spoken so sweetly just a few days ago, saying she wanted to be her sister.
Did you come today to offer your sincere congratulations, or... to test whether I am favored by the emperor?
It should be the latter, I suppose.
A cold smile tugged at the corner of Jiang Qingxue's lips.
This is the imperial harem.
It was full of filth and scheming.
She straightened her clothes and went to the palace entrance to greet them.
Today, Su Wanqing wore a scarlet palace dress with large peonies embroidered on the skirt. She wore a matching thin gauze shawl over it, and her hair was styled in a high bun with a golden phoenix hairpin and a fresh peony on each side, making her face look delicate and beautiful.
She was followed by four palace maids, each carrying a brocade box.
"My sister is overjoyed!"
Su Wanqing smiled before speaking, quickly stepped forward and took Jiang Qingxue's hand.
"I heard this morning that His Majesty stayed overnight at Yuxiu Palace last night, and I am so happy for you! That's why I quickly prepared some small gifts to congratulate you."
Her hands were warm and soft, and she held them tightly.
Jiang Qingxue lowered her eyes and curtsied, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, elder sister. I am humbled."
"What are you so afraid of?" Su Wanqing pulled her into the hall, her gaze sweeping over the room full of gifts, her smile widening.
"His Majesty's favor towards his younger sister is a great blessing. If she rises to prominence in the future, she must not forget to help her older sister."
They spoke intimately, but Jiang Qingxue sensed a probing undertone.
She withdrew her hand without showing any emotion and said softly, "Sister is too kind. I am new to the palace and do not know many of the rules. I will have to rely on you to guide me."
"Of course." Su Wanqing sat down on the soft couch and gestured for the palace maids to open the brocade boxes one by one.
Inside were top-quality rouge and face powder, Jiangnan brocade, and several exquisite jade artifacts.
"These aren't worth much money, but they're all good things my sister has saved up over the years."
Su Wanqing picked up a box of rouge and handed it to Jiang Qingxue. "This box of Furongwang rouge is a tribute from the South China Sea. Only ten boxes are produced each year. It adheres well to the face and enhances the complexion. It is most suitable for your fair skin, sister."
Jiang Qingxue accepted it and thanked her.
The two chatted for a while, mostly about trivial matters in the palace, such as which concubine had what a temper, and which nanny was easy to get close to.
Su Wanqing seemed to be speaking frankly, but every word she said was a test of Jiang Qingxue's true feelings.
Jiang Qingxue responded flawlessly, respectfully and humbly, with just the right amount of trepidation and gratitude that a newcomer should have.
Half an hour later, Su Wanqing got up to take her leave.
Before leaving, she suddenly turned back and asked, seemingly casually:
"By the way, sister, I heard that His Majesty may be leaving the palace soon. Are you aware of this?"
Jiang Qingxue's heart skipped a beat, but she shook her head blankly: "I don't know. His Majesty... never mentioned it."
"Really?" A hint of disappointment flashed in Su Wanqing's eyes, but she smiled again. "Indeed, my sister has just received the Emperor's favor. How could he bear to leave the palace so soon? You must have misheard me."
She waved her hand and left with her maids.
Jiang Qingxue escorted him to the palace gate, watching the crimson figure gradually disappear into the distance, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.
Leaving the palace?
Where is Qin Mu going?
Why is Su Wanqing so concerned?
She returned to the palace, sat down in front of the dressing table, and unconsciously stroked the white jade phoenix hairpin with her fingers.
Wherever Qin Mu goes is none of her business.
She was just a chess piece, a chess piece placed on the chessboard.
We have no right to ask why; we can only wait for the next move by the player making the move.
But why... do I feel a sense of unease?
It was as if something big was about to happen.
.......
Imperial City Inn.
The Imperial City Inn is located in the southeast corner of the Imperial City. It is a large courtyard with five entrances and exits made of blue bricks.
The red-lacquered gate bears a plaque that reads "Welcoming Guest Station," flanked by stone lions. Though not as grand as a prince's mansion, it is nonetheless solemn and dignified.
At this moment, in the west wing, Zhou Wenzheng, the Vice Minister of Rites of Liyang, was sitting on a carved rosewood chair, with a table of wine and dishes in front of him that had long since gone cold.
He was about forty years old, with a fair complexion and no beard. He wore a scarlet official robe with a cloud and wild goose embroidered on his chest and a black gauze turban.
He had a rather dignified appearance, but his narrow eyes always inadvertently revealed a calculating glint, ruining his original refined demeanor.
"My lord, this is the third day already."
Vice Envoy Wang Hongwu stood by the window, gazing at the heavily guarded Imperial Guards outside the post station, his brow furrowed.
"The Qin Dynasty is deliberately keeping us waiting."
Wang Hongwu was the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial. He was a military man by birth. Although he wore the robes of a civil official, he was tall and strong, with a fierce look in his eyes.
Zhou Wenzheng picked up the teacup, which had long since gone cold, took a small sip, and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips:
"What's the rush? If they're not in a rush, we're even less in a rush."
He put down his teacup, got up and walked to the window, standing side by side with Wang Hongwu.
Outside the window is the courtyard of the post station, paved with bluestone slabs, with a century-old locust tree in the center, its branches and leaves flourishing.
Several post station workers were sweeping and cleaning, their movements unhurried, as if time flowed exceptionally slowly here.
"Look at this imperial city."
Zhou Wenzheng's gaze swept over the palace walls and eaves that were faintly visible in the distance.
"On the surface, all is calm, but beneath the surface, undercurrents are surging. Half a year after the Qin Emperor ascended the throne, there is much discussion throughout the court and among the people. Xu Longxiang is holding considerable military power, Li Yang is eyeing the country covetously, and Xiliang is invading the border... This situation is quite interesting."
Wang Hongwu asked, puzzled, "What does Your Excellency mean...?"
"The Empress sent us here, ostensibly to deliver a letter of credence, to show goodwill and seek peace," Zhou Wenzheng said in a low voice.
"But secretly, they want us to see through the true strength of the Qin Dynasty. Since they tell us to wait, then we should wait patiently and observe carefully."
He turned and walked back to the table, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface: "What have you found out in these three days?"
A clerk accompanying the group quickly stepped forward and opened a booklet he carried with him:
"Your Excellency, I have been making purchases in the past few days under the guise of shopping, and I have indeed made some gains."
"explain."
"Firstly, the people of Qin had many complaints about the emperor."
The clerk read aloud, "In teahouses and taverns, people often discuss His Majesty's indulgence in wine and women, neglecting state affairs. In particular, the achievements of General Xu of the Northern Frontier are widely praised by storytellers, and the people's hearts are inclined towards him."
A glint of light flashed in Zhou Wenzheng's eyes: "Go on."
Secondly, the officials in the court seem to be divided into two factions.
The clerk continued, "The veteran ministers, led by Chancellor Li Si, have repeatedly advised Your Majesty to be diligent in governing, even kneeling to remonstrate. Meanwhile, the faction of maternal relatives, represented by Consort Shu's father Su Wenyuan, has risen in power due to their daughter's favor with the emperor and has considerable influence in the court."
"Thirdly," the clerk paused, his voice even lower.
"Regarding the newly arrived Consort Xue. It is said that she was presented as a beauty by Xu Longxiang, the heir apparent of the Prince of Zhenbei. She gained His Majesty's favor within just a few days of entering the palace and was richly rewarded. This matter has caused quite a stir in the palace, and all the concubines are talking about it."
Zhou Wenzheng listened attentively, his fingers tracing invisible patterns on the table.
Xue Cairen... presented by Xu Longxiang...
He recalled that before he left Liyang, the Empress had summoned him privately and given him a piece of advice:
"Once we arrive in Da Qin, keep a close eye on Xu Longxiang's movements. This man is ambitious and may be able to be used by us."
In retrospect, the Empress was indeed farsighted.
"Is there anything else?" Zhou Wenzheng asked.
The clerk closed the booklet: "That's all for now. The capital is heavily guarded, and our men dare not venture too far in, lest they arouse suspicion."
Zhou Wenzheng nodded, indicating his satisfaction.
He walked back to the window, gazing at the magnificent palace in the distance, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
A young emperor addicted to wine and women, a powerful minister with numerous military achievements, and a beautiful woman who was presented to the emperor and quickly gained his favor...
This play is getting more and more interesting.
"Sir, what should we do next?" Wang Hongwu asked. "We can't just sit here and wait, can we?"
Zhou Wenzheng turned around, a meaningful smile suddenly appearing on his face: "Just waiting? Who said we were going to just wait?"
He walked to the coat rack and took down his everyday clothes.
He wore a royal blue brocade robe, covered with a matching thin gauze jacket, and a white jade belt around his waist, dressed like a wealthy idler.
"Since the Qin Emperor is enjoying himself in the palace, why should we wait here in vain?"
Zhou Wenzheng straightened his clothes, a hint of indulgence flashing in his eyes. "I've heard there are many good places in the capital. Let's go and see for ourselves."
Wang Hongwu was taken aback: "Does Your Excellency mean...?"
"Drunken Immortal Pavilion, Hundred Flowers Pavilion, Listening to the Wind Garden..."
Zhou Wenzheng rattled off a string of names, his smile growing even brighter.
"These places are notorious for their extravagance in the capital. Since we're here, wouldn't it be a waste of our trip if we didn't take a look?"
The clerk's eyes lit up, but then he hesitated: "But sir, we are envoys. It would be improper for us to go to such a place..."
"Discretion?"
Zhou Wenzheng sneered.
"The Emperor of Qin spends all day frolicking with his concubines in the harem. Is that proper? We're just going to listen to some music and have a few drinks. What's the big deal?"
He patted the clerk on the shoulder:
"Don't worry, we'll be traveling incognito and won't reveal our identities. Even if we're recognized, it won't matter. If the Emperor of Qin can indulge in sensual pleasures, what's wrong with us, his officials, relaxing occasionally?"
Wang Hongwu, being a military man by birth, disliked these scholarly rules and immediately agreed upon hearing this:
"You're right, sir! I've long heard that the courtesans of Qin have a unique charm; I'd love to go and see for myself!"
The other attendants echoed this sentiment.
I've been cooped up in the inn for days, and I'm getting really bored.
Now that there's a chance to go out and have fun, who wouldn't be happy?
Zhou Wenzheng chuckled inwardly as he watched the eager expressions on everyone's faces.
These people thought he was just indulging in pleasure, but they didn't know he had other plans.
Brothels and taverns have always been gathering places for all sorts of people, and also the places where information is most readily available.
There, you might hear things you can't hear at the post station.
"Let's go." Zhou Wenzheng led the way outside. "Remember, we're wealthy merchants from Jiangnan now, here to inspect the goods. Make sure we act convincingly!"
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison, their faces beaming with excitement.
The group changed into casual clothes and quietly left through the side door of the inn.
The imperial guards at the gate glanced at them but did not stop them.
The Ministry of Rites had already given instructions that as long as the Liyang delegation did not cause trouble, they could go wherever they wanted.
........
Under the same bright moon, the Northern Border Town North Prince's Mansion presents a completely different scene.