Double Queens GL - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Although Liu Hening intended to flatter the beauty, in Ye Guichen’s eyes, she was simply making sport of her—appearing to be a harmless “pig” while actually being a “tiger,” a truly ruthless character.

“Your Majesty is now the supreme head of the Central Palace. I have specifically come to present the Empress’s Seal to you,” Ye Guichen said, repeating herself with patient good humor. She signaled to the servants of her palace to bring the seal before Liu Hening.

“I grew up in the countryside and I’m quite wild. I don’t understand the rules of the palace at all. It is most appropriate for the seal to remain in Huachao’s care,” Liu Hening declined with a sincere tone.

“I heard it was Your Majesty’s suggestion to establish Dual Empresses; it was Your Majesty who graciously preserved a sense of dignity for me. I am already endlessly grateful. To continue managing the seal now would be improper and lacks legitimacy. It is not suitable,” Ye Guichen replied, her voice equally sincere.

“You were the Empress Jun Shen married first, rightfully and properly. Jun Shen is in the wrong regarding this matter.” Liu Hening saw how decorous Ye Guichen was being—decorous to the point of being humble. The beauty was clearly full of grievances yet showed not a trace of them; her self-restraint was extraordinary. However, seeing her so cautious and wary truly stirred pity. Although Jun Shen (Yang Zhao) did this out of love for her, Liu Hening still felt he was wrong. She also felt a sense of guilt toward Ye Guichen, a feeling of “I did not kill Bo Ren, yet Bo Ren died because of me.”

Ye Guichen was momentarily stunned by these words. This woman truly dared to say anything—was she not afraid Yang Zhao would hear her? After all, everything Yang Zhao had done was for her sake. Had Ye Guichen not been so biased, she might have thought Liu Hening was a decent person for speaking such fair words. But unable to let go of her resentment, Ye Guichen only felt that Liu Hening was “getting a bargain and acting like the victim.”

“One cannot blame His Majesty. After all, he had a prior engagement with you. Besides, when he married me, it was not his original intent,” Ye Guichen said, maintaining her image of a gentle, virtuous wife who understood her husband perfectly.

“How could marrying you not be his intent? You are so beautiful that even I, as a woman, am charmed by you. What man wouldn’t be moved?” Liu Hening felt that Yang Zhao hadn’t been forced or wronged at all in marrying Ye Guichen; she didn’t believe he could remain unmoved by such beauty.

Ye Guichen thought to herself: No wonder Yang Zhao loves her. This woman had a silver tongue; even she felt a flicker of comfort hearing those words. However, Ye Guichen was not so easily swayed.

“I still cannot compare to Your Majesty. In His Majesty’s heart, the weight of importance is clear at a glance,” Ye Guichen said modestly. So what if I am beautiful? I still lost, she thought bitterly to herself.

“People are often like this: they don’t cherish what they already have and are certain of; they are always looking at the one they don’t yet possess.” Liu Hening had a transparent understanding of the human heart. She felt that Yang Zhao assumed Ye Guichen was exactly as she appeared on the surface—virtuous, dignified, and centered around her husband, willing to share his burdens without complaint even after being treated this way. If Ye Guichen truly didn’t care for him, it would be one thing—merely a loss of face. Someone truly indifferent to fame and fortune might not mind. But Yang Zhao did not understand her. Ye Guichen did care. Clearly, she once had expectations for her husband. The more she suppressed herself, the greater her resentment toward Yang Zhao would likely grow.

Hearing these words, Ye Guichen didn’t know if Yang Zhao truly thought that way, but she did feel a bit better. She hadn’t “lost” because she was lacking; it was because she was already “possessed,” and Yang Zhao didn’t know how to cherish her. For a moment, looking at Liu Hening, she had the illusion that the woman was genuinely comforting her. But she quickly dismissed the thought, thinking: This person is terrifying. She is skilled at manipulating hearts. I must be even more on guard next time.

“That is not important. What matters is that Your Majesty must accept the seal. If I keep it, I will only feel trepidation and unease,” Ye Guichen said, steering the conversation back from where Liu Hening had led it astray.

Looking at the still-rigid Ye Guichen, Liu Hening thought: The beauty’s defenses are so heavy. She didn’t trust easily; no matter how sincere Liu Hening acted, her efforts were parried away like Tai Chi. But Liu Hening didn’t mind. She believed that with time and sincere treatment, “Huachao” would eventually feel her heart.

“I won’t take it. Even if Jun Shen were here himself, it wouldn’t work.” Liu Hening refused to accept the seal. she knew better than anyone what she was suited for; if that seal were in her hands, the palace would be in chaos before long.

While they were at a stalemate, Yang Zhao finished the morning court session. Just like the day before, he came directly to Changqing Palace without even changing his court robes, showing his deep affection for Liu Hening. He was surprised to see Ye Guichen there.

“Why are you here?” Yang Zhao asked.

“I came specifically to pay my respects to Her Majesty,” Ye Guichen replied. She stared straight ahead, avoiding eye contact with Yang Zhao, yet her attitude remained submissive.

Seeing her like this, Yang Zhao felt an indescribable sensation. For the first time, he sensed something else lurking beneath her submissive demeanor.

“She is an Empress, and you are an Empress. There is no need for you to come specifically to pay respects,” Yang Zhao said.

“I am titled of the East Palace; it is only right to pay respects to the Lady of the Central Palace,” Ye Guichen replied, the very picture of someone who understands the “big picture.”

“Huachao insisted on giving me the seal, but I definitely won’t take it,” Liu Hening chimed in.

Yang Zhao frowned slightly. Ye Guichen was being too sensible, and beneath that decorum seemed to hide dissatisfaction. He had originally thought she wouldn’t mind, which is why he felt comfortable slighting her. Seeing now that she did care, he felt he could understand it. He decided to soothe her, as she was, after all, one of the women he cared for.

“The reason I titled Ning’er as the Central Empress was so that you could manage the six palaces. I feared that some blind servants might neglect Ning’er, so I made this decision. Ning’er has a casual nature and is not suited to govern; it is better for you to manage the harem for me. You shall keep the seal. I never intended for you to give it up.” Yang Zhao truly believed Liu Hening was unfit for administration. Fearing that Ye Guichen holding the actual power would leave Liu Hening slighted, he raised Liu Hening’s status slightly above hers to create a balance between the two Empresses.

“Your Majesty has put much thought into this; I understand,” Ye Guichen replied. In truth, her arrival this morning to offer the seal was a tactic of “retreating to advance.” If Yang Zhao intended for Liu Hening to rule the harem, she couldn’t keep the seal even if she wanted to; it was better to offer it proactively to gain favor. If he didn’t intend for her to rule, then by making him speak his mind, her authority would be clearly established, preventing others from questioning her later. As for Yang Zhao’s “reluctant” posture in elevating Liu Hening, Ye Guichen only wanted to sneer in her heart. With the Emperor’s favor, one wouldn’t be neglected even without a title. Yang Zhao simply couldn’t bear for Liu Hening to be slighted and was planning everything for her sake.

Liu Hening, unable to get a word in, clearly sensed the undercurrents between Yang Zhao and Ye Guichen. She thought to herself: Living in this palace is exhausting, like a game of chess. However, she felt Ye Guichen should have shown her dissatisfaction long ago. If she hadn’t been so compliant, perhaps Yang Zhao wouldn’t have been so bold in his actions. He had clearly misjudged Ye Guichen by taking her for a simple, honest person.