Double Queens GL - Chapter 12

Chapter 12

The news that the new Empress was generously acting as a “wealth-distributor” spread throughout the palace and naturally reached Yang Zhao’s ears. This was exactly the kind of thing Liu Hening was capable of doing, so Yang Zhao wasn’t surprised at all. Back when they first became betrothed, she had done the same thing; he would send her rare and precious items, and she would immediately give them to her sisters or those around her. At first, he found it frustrating, but she always had a unique brand of “twisted logic” to win him over.

“Jun Shen, do you feel a sense of joy when you give me things? And do you hope that I am joyful as well?” Liu Hening had asked him once, noticing his displeasure at her regifting his presents.

“Naturally,” Yang Zhao had nodded.

“I don’t place much value on external possessions, but others love them. When I give these things to others and see their happiness, I become very happy myself. Since I am happy, haven’t you achieved your goal in giving them to me?” she had asked with total sincerity.

“But…” While her words made sense, he still hoped she would treasure the physical items as a symbol of his affection.

“I understand your heart, Jun Shen, and I am very happy. It’s just that I’ve never liked cluttering my person with extra things. Besides, I believe all things have a spirit; if they are left neglected here, it is better to find them a owner who truly loves them. Don’t you think that’s better?” Liu Hening had looked at him with those exceptionally clear eyes.

Looking into those pure eyes, Yang Zhao realized that it was precisely this unworldly spirit he loved about her. If he insisted otherwise, he would be the one appearing vulgar. Though helpless, he learned to accept it; over time, it became a habit.

…

“Your Majesty, the Empress has regifted all the imperial treasures to others. This seems a bit against protocol,” Zheng Xuan, Yang Zhao’s personal eunuch, said with some hesitation.

“Since I have already bestowed them upon her, they are hers. Let her do as she pleases with her own things,” Yang Zhao said dismissively.

“The Emperor truly dotes on the Empress of the Middle Palace,” Zheng Xuan said with a smile. If these words spread, everyone would know the extent of the Emperor’s favor.

“Prepare a set of gifts for the East Palace as well, matching the specifications of what was sent to the Middle Palace,” Yang Zhao ordered, not denying the eunuch’s comment but suddenly remembering Ye Guichen.

“Your servant shall see to it immediately.” Zheng Xuan withdrew to prepare the gifts.

…

Soon after, Changle Hall in the East Palace received the Emperor’s bounty.

“The Emperor still has you in his heart, Miss. Zheng Xuan said these treasures were prepared according to the same specifications as those sent to the Middle Palace,” Ye Meng said happily after checking the inventory. Although Ye Guichen had grown up receiving countless treasures, this massive haul was quite a gesture, proving she still held significant weight in the Emperor’s heart.

Ye Guichen’s lips curled into a very faint smile. She looked pleased, but there was no joy in her eyes. She actually felt that Yang Zhao was less thoughtful than Liu Hening. Although Liu Hening’s self-portrait as Guanyin had no material value and was even a bit annoying, it left Ye Guichen unable to find a specific fault.

Liu Hening seemed to realize that Ye Guichen had no interest in worldly baibles. Having been raised as the foster daughter of the late Empress Wenxian, she was essentially a princess in all but name; she had seen every rarity imaginable. Yang Zhao, however, treated her like an ordinary woman, using material goods to pacify her. He was an able Emperor who had consolidated power in a few short years, but now he was simply transplanting his courtly “balancing act” into the inner palace.

Having lost her romantic expectations for Yang Zhao, Ye Guichen found she could see the cold reality of their relationship with perfect clarity. No wonder her aunt, despite being the Emperor’s favorite, had warned her never to let love cloud her judgment. It was likely that same rationality that allowed her aunt to remain favored for thirty years. Ye Guichen suddenly thought: If Aunt stayed that rational, then perhaps she didn’t love Uncle as much as people thought. The thought made her aunt seem like a formidable, even terrifying woman.

“If you love someone seven parts, show twelve parts of love, and keep three parts of reason for yourself,” Empress Wenxian had once whispered to her. She had only shared this because she truly treated Ye Guichen as her own daughter.

Ye Guichen no longer shared all her thoughts with Ye Meng. Compared to her, Ye Meng was too transparent. Ye Meng had harbored much resentment toward Yang Zhao lately; it was better to let her believe the Emperor was still kind, so she wouldn’t inadvertently reveal her anger or suffer on Ye Guichen’s behalf.

…

In a side hall, a beauty named Zhang Qingyu had just recovered from a fever. She was famous in the palace for being an “airhead” beauty—pretty but brainless. Yang Zhao was quite fond of this “silly-sweet” Lady Zhang, but he was careful not to show too much favor or give her a high rank, fearing she wouldn’t be able to protect herself from the jealousy of others.

Zhang Qingyu, unaware of the Emperor’s protective intent, was an ambitious concubine. Her goal wasn’t too outrageous; she just wanted to be a Noble Consort. She knew she couldn’t compete with Ye Guichen, but the arrival of the new Empress made her curious—and a bit grumpy.

Though her fever had just broken, her voice was as loud as ever. She had heard that every concubine who paid respects to the new Empress yesterday received rare treasures, yet she had missed out because she was genuinely sick. Those women who pretended to be sick got jewels, while the one who was actually sick got nothing? I can’t let them look down on me when they start bragging! Like a dying person suddenly invigorated, she scrambled out of bed.

Despite being weak, she insisted on being dressed. She had to get to Changqing Hall before all the “goodies” were distributed.

…

Ye Guichen had set a rule for the concubines to pay respects at Changle Hall only on the 1st and 15th of each month. Since she still held the seal, the rules remained. Yesterday was an exception because it was the day after the wedding. Today, being an ordinary day, no one was expected to come.

Liu Hening, unaware of the schedule, was puzzled. She thought she had gotten along well with the beauties yesterday; why hadn’t they returned?

“Do they not like me? Why hasn’t anyone come?” Liu Hening asked listlessly.

“Respects are usually paid on the 1st and 15th. They don’t usually come otherwise,” Yu Zheng explained.

“They don’t have to ‘pay respects’; they can just come to play!” Liu Hening grumbled.

“Miss, they’ve only known you for a day. They aren’t close enough to just drop by. Why don’t you pick one and go visit her instead?” Liu Yan suggested.

Liu Hening’s eyes lit up. She immediately thought of the “King of Flowers,” Ye Guichen. She wondered if Huazhao liked the painting.

“Good idea! I’ll go find Huazhao.”

“The Empress of the East Palace is busy with affairs; she isn’t as idle as the others,” Yu Zheng warned, knowing Ye Guichen likely wouldn’t welcome the intrusion—especially after Liu Hening had gossiped about her yesterday.

“That’s perfect then. Even the busiest person needs a break,” Liu Hening said, ignoring the warning.

Just then, a servant announced that Lady Zhang had arrived to pay her respects. Liu Hening searched her memory—no one named Zhang had been there yesterday.

“Is this a beauty I haven’t met?”

“Yes, Lady Zhang was ill yesterday,” Yu Zheng replied.

“Then quickly, show her in!”

Outside the hall, Zhang Qingyu was already regretting her decision. She had overestimated her strength; she was pale and could barely walk, but pride kept her moving.

“My Lady, perhaps we should come back when you’re stronger?” her maid, Xiao Xuan, whispered, worried she might collapse.

“No! I can… I can hold on!” Lady Zhang said stubbornly.