Double Queens GL - Chapter 36

Chapter 36

“What happened to the hand warmer I gave you? Why didn’t you bring it?” Ye Guichen asked casually, as if to say: I already gave you a heater; why are you using my hand instead?

“By the time I finished dressing, it was late, and we left in a hurry. It wasn’t as cold as it is now, and even if I had brought it, it would be cold by now,” Liu Hening replied.

“Oh,” Ye Guichen responded flatly.

“Besides,” Liu Hening said with a grin, “a hand warmer isn’t nearly as nice to hold as your hand, Huachao.” She noted that Ye Guichen’s hands were soft and perfectly tempered, unlike the mechanical warmers that were either scalding or quickly freezing.

“But your hand is freezing me,” Ye Guichen countered. She realized she couldn’t indulge Liu Hening as Yang Zhao did, or this woman would surely take an ell if given an inch.

“I thought you would endure it in silence, Huachao. I’m glad you’re starting to tell me the truth. If you truly find me too cold, I won’t force it.” Liu Hening spoke with a trace of reluctance as she slowly let go.

“Your Majesty, if you are cold, my hands are warm. You may hold mine,” Yu Zheng offered. As a female official of the Central Palace, it was her duty to serve.

Liu Hening looked back at Yu Zheng. If she walked side-by-side with Yu Zheng to hold her hand, the protocol would become a mess, and Ye Guichen might not want to walk with them. Besides, if Huachao found her cold, Yu Zheng surely would too. She didn’t want to seem too fragile. More importantly, she felt that if she immediately reached for Yu Zheng after being rejected by Ye Guichen, it might annoy the Eastern Empress. She didn’t want to risk the hard-won thaw in their relationship.

“No need. Huachao just held my hand; I’m still quite warm,” Liu Hening smiled and continued walking beside Ye Guichen.

Behind them, Liu Yan—who was also freezing—turned to Yu Zheng. “Yu Zheng, my hands are cold too. Since the Empress won’t hold yours, can I?”

“You may,” Yu Zheng agreed, taking Liu Yan’s frozen hand in her warm one.

Liu Yan sighed with relief. Now she understood why her mistress loved holding the Eastern Empress’s hand—it really was the best kind of heater.

Ye Meng and Ye Guichen were both speechless. Like master, like servant, they thought.

…

Upon entering Changle Hall in the Eastern Palace, the warmth was immediate. After their cloaks were removed, Ye Guichen offered some refreshment.

“Should we have tea, or some hot wine?”

“Hot wine,” Liu Hening chose. It was a cold night, and she wanted something to warm her bones.

As they waited, the atmosphere grew serious. “Huachao, you’ve already decided how to handle Lady Sun, which is why you called everyone here.”

“It’s not too late to change your mind,” Ye Guichen said, watching her. “Do you want to plead for her in front of the others?”

“I told you, I won’t interfere. I won’t plead for her.”

“Doing this gains you nothing,” Ye Guichen said. She tried to find the logic. In the palace, everyone had a motive. If she couldn’t find the motive, she couldn’t predict the person.

“Not everything needs a benefit,” Liu Hening said softly. “I became Empress not by choice, but my presence affects you. I don’t want to be just a source of resentment for you. I want to be of help.”

Ye Guichen looked into Liu Hening’s eyes. There was no flicker of deceit, only a pure desire to make amends for the “injury” her sudden arrival had caused.

Just then, a palace servant announced that the concubines had arrived. “Let them in,” Ye Guichen commanded.

The moment they entered, Lady Sun collapsed at Liu Hening’s feet, clutching her robes. “Your Majesty! I didn’t mean to break the rules! It was your gift, and I loved it too much! Please, plead with the Eastern Empress for me! I’ll never do it again!”

Liu Hening looked away, her heart aching with pity, but she remained silent.

“The jewelry was a gift,” Ye Meng stated coldly, “but the Eastern Empress issued an order forbidding it. You chose to ignore a direct command. Do you realize that is a capital offense?”

“I was possessed! Save me, Your Majesty!” Lady Sun wailed to Liu Hening.

Ye Guichen turned to her counterpart. “The Emperor asked us to handle this together. Hening, how do you wish to proceed?”

“I do not know the rules of the palace well,” Liu Hening said clearly. “I leave the full authority of the punishment to Huachao. I will have no objection.”

Lady Sun turned pale. The “mountain” she thought would protect her had turned into a shadow. The other concubines exchanged looks of shock. Many who had enjoyed the Central Palace’s hospitality recently began to regret getting too close. A strong dragon cannot suppress a local snake, they thought. The Eastern Empress is still the one with the teeth.

Zhang Qingyu felt a pang of worry for Liu Hening. She has no ambition! How will she survive in this palace if she just gives in like this?

Lady Sun, seeing no hope from the Central Palace, turned to crawl toward Ye Guichen, banging her head on the floor. “Mercy! Please, spare my life!”

“Hening, are you sure?” Ye Guichen asked one last time, seeing the pity on the other woman’s face.

“Let Huachao decide.”

“Very well,” Ye Guichen announced. “Lady Sun, since this is a first offense, I shall spare your life. However, you are hereby demoted from Lady to Attendant (Caishi) and confined to your quarters for three months to reflect. Hening, does this satisfy you?”

“It is a fair punishment,” Liu Hening agreed. It was a demotion and confinement, but no physical harm.

The room was silent. A demotion of three ranks was a heavy blow. Lady Sun—now Attendant Sun—would have to bow to everyone she used to look down upon.

“Let this be a warning to all,” Ye Guichen said gently.

“We shall remember your teachings, Your Majesty!” the concubines echoed in unison.

Suddenly, Liu Hening spoke up. “Lady Sun was wrong and has been punished. I, too, am at fault for my lack of foresight. Therefore, I shall also confine myself to the Central Palace for three months as an act of self-reflection.”

Ye Guichen was stunned. “Hening, that isn’t necessary. You aren’t to blame.”

“My mind is made up,” Liu Hening said firmly.

The concubines were relieved. If the New Queen was confined, they wouldn’t have to choose between visiting her and obeying the Eastern Queen. It was a very “considerate” move.

“We shall discuss this later,” Ye Guichen dismissed the others. “You may all return to your quarters.”

The hall cleared, leaving only the two Empresses and the flickering candles.