Double Queens GL - Chapter 8

Chapter 8

“Has Huazhao had breakfast yet?” Liu Hening asked the two people before her. She had been so preoccupied talking to the beauty that she only now realized she was hungry. Seeing that Ye Guichen had arrived so early, she wondered if she had already eaten.

“Guichen has already breakfasted.” In truth, Ye Guichen had been in no mood to eat this morning; she had rushed over immediately after dressing. However, even if she hadn’t eaten, she could only say she had.

“I rose early for the morning court and am feeling quite hungry now. I shall accompany you,” Yang Zhao said in a doting tone, as if specifically staying just to dine with Liu Hening.

Ye Guichen remembered that shortly after her own marriage to Yang Zhao, he would often return from court to dine with her as well. Back then, she had been deeply moved; to share a meal with him, she would endure her hunger and wait for his return. As time passed, he likely found the constant routine restrictive and troublesome, and his visits became infrequent. Now, seeing Yang Zhao acting the part of the doting husband once again, Ye Guichen found it almost laughable. She felt she had been far too easy to coax back then, actually believing she was special. Looking back, this “indiscriminate favor” seemed utterly cheap.

Ye Guichen instinctively watched Liu Hening’s reaction.

“Alright, that would be wonderful. Food always tastes better with company, doesn’t it?” Liu Hening said naturally, as if it were the most logical thing in the world. Although she looked pleased, she didn’t seem to take Yang Zhao’s gesture too deeply to heart. She didn’t appear particularly devoted to him; it seemed she was much cleverer than Ye Guichen had been—without expectations, there would be no disappointment.

Liu Hening sensed Ye Guichen was stealing glances at her again. She wondered what the beauty was thinking about as she watched her. Thus, Liu Hening gave Ye Guichen a bright, open smile.

Seeing that smile again, Ye Guichen immediately averted her gaze.

Liu Hening felt a small pang of disappointment when Ye Guichen looked away without responding. She felt that, were it not for her official status, Ye Guichen probably wouldn’t want anything to do with her. Since childhood, Liu Hening had been generally well-liked by everyone she met; now, encountering a beauty she truly wished to be close to, the other party seemed intent on keeping her distance.

“I shall not disturb Your Majesty and the Empress’s meal. I take my leave,” Ye Guichen said. She had no desire to stay and witness the display of marital harmony between Yang Zhao and Liu Hening.

“Is Huazhao leaving already? I was hoping you’d stay with me while I eat!” Liu Hening said, clearly reluctant to let her go.

“Huazhao is the Empress who manages the Six Palaces; she isn’t as idle as you,” Yang Zhao said with a smile. He was pleased to see Hening’s fondness for Ye Guichen. If his two wives could get along harmoniously, it would be for the best.

“If the Empress feels too idle, you are welcome to come and help me with the palace affairs at any time, so that I might enjoy some leisure as well,” Ye Guichen said with a faint smile.

“No, no, no. I really don’t understand those things,” Liu Hening rejected the idea immediately. She wasn’t about to go looking for trouble.

“By the way, Huazhao is a year older than me. From now on, don’t call me ‘Empress’ anymore—it makes me sound so old. What should you call me? Let me think… I’ve got it! From now on, Huazhao should call me ‘Huaxi.’ Huazhao (Flower Morning) and Huaxi (Flower Evening)—together from dawn till dusk, it’s perfect.” Liu Hening said happily, delighted with the new name she had invented for herself.

“Who just makes up a new name like that?” Yang Zhao chuckled. However, he was glad that Liu Hening hadn’t lost her spontaneous, impulsive nature despite entering the palace.

“The Empress is joking,” Ye Guichen said politely. She had no intention of being with her “from dawn till dusk.” She didn’t take it seriously, assuming Liu Hening was just being playful.

“I’m serious. You might not like calling me that, but it’s okay—as long as you don’t call me ‘Empress,’ you can call me whatever you like,” Liu Hening insisted.

“Since Hening cares so much, just follow her wish, lest she actually gives herself a new name,” Yang Zhao added. He felt that since the two were of equal rank, there was no need to be overly formal.

“Then, I shall call her ‘Hening’ from now on,” Ye Guichen conceded. Since Yang Zhao had spoken, she had to comply.

Liu Hening was glad she finally didn’t have to hear the distant title of “Empress.” She believed that titles defined the distance and relationship between people. She wanted the beauty to be less formal, as she truly liked her. However, her own words never seemed to carry weight; it was always Jun Shen’s (Yang Zhao’s) words that mattered. She didn’t like using his authority to pressure her—it felt like a fox borrowing the tiger’s might. She hoped to win her over with sincerity instead, as forcing someone was never good.

“Good,” Liu Hening said with a smile.

To Yang Zhao and any observer, the three of them appeared to be in perfect, joyous harmony. At that moment, the servants brought in the breakfast.

“If there is nothing else, Guichen shall return now,” Ye Guichen requested once more.

“Very well. You go ahead. In a few days, I will come to see you,” Yang Zhao said to Ye Guichen.

“Understood.” Ye Guichen bowed and withdrew. As for when Yang Zhao might visit, she no longer felt any anticipation or joy.

Liu Hening watched Ye Guichen walk away. Perhaps because she had been raised in the palace, Ye Guichen’s posture—whether sitting, standing, or walking—was the height of grace. Liu Hening felt that such elegance was something an ordinary person couldn’t replicate even if they tried.

“Hening seems to like Huazhao very much,” Yang Zhao said after Ye Guichen had left.

“Of course. She is so beautiful and has such a good temperament. Who wouldn’t like her? Doesn’t Jun Shen like her too?” Liu Hening asked back with a natural smile.

Yang Zhao smiled and did not deny it.

“Jun Shen, are there other beauties in this palace?” Liu Hening asked expectantly.

Yang Zhao looked at her enthusiastic face and thought that she truly didn’t understand the complexities of love and jealousy; she wasn’t jealous at all.

“They will all come to pay their respects to you shortly,” Yang Zhao said. Although Liu Hening was his favorite, it didn’t stop him from appreciating other beauties.

“Are any of them more beautiful than Huazhao?” Liu Hening asked, excited at the prospect of seeing many beauties. She doubted anyone could surpass Huazhao.

“They are slightly less so, but each has her own unique charm,” Yang Zhao answered honestly.

“I’m very much looking forward to it,” Liu Hening said, laughing.

Yang Zhao gave her a doting, helpless smile. She truly was naive.

…

Returning to Changle Hall, Ye Guichen let out a long sigh of relief. Despite the outward appearance of harmony, she felt as though she had just come back from a battle. Only now, back in her own hall, did she feel relaxed—and hungry.

“A-Meng, bring some porridge,” Ye Guichen instructed her maid, Ye Meng.

“Yes, Ma’am.” Ye Meng immediately sent word to the kitchen. Soon, she returned with a bowl of mushroom porridge and several delicate side dishes.

“Even if she is the Empress in name, as long as the Phoenix Seal is with you, Miss, you are still the rightful Empress,” Ye Meng said, also feeling relieved.

“Regardless of favor, as long as I have the seal, my situation won’t be too difficult,” Ye Guichen nodded. It seemed she was destined for a life of toil. Fulfilling the duties of the Empress was exhausting, but it provided her with a sense of security.

“Indeed. At least no one will dare to make a mockery of you. Before she entered the palace, the concubines were all fawning over you. But when they heard you might be deposed, they stopped coming. They are all just fair-weather friends,” Ye Meng said coldly. If they acted like this while her mistress was still in power, it was terrifying to think what would happen if she actually fell.

“Seeking the powerful and avoiding the fallen is human nature. I am not their kin; why should I expect them to stay by my side through thick and thin?” Ye Guichen said calmly. She wasn’t as indignant as Ye Meng. Having lived in the palace for over a decade, she would have lived in vain if she hadn’t learned to see through such things.

“Now that the situation is clear, those ‘fair-weather friends’ will likely come crawling back to Changle Hall soon,” Ye Meng remarked. This ordeal had at least allowed her to see people’s true colors.

“Don’t worry too much about them. I just didn’t expect that she would be the one to enjoy the glory of being Empress without having to perform any of the duties,” Ye Guichen mused. If she had the choice, she would rather be in Liu Hening’s position.

“That new Empress doesn’t seem like a bad person,” Ye Meng noted. She felt it was fortunate that Liu Hening didn’t seem interested in power struggles; she was too carefree for the role, which was likely why the Emperor left the seal with Ye Guichen. Strange as it was, after only a couple of meetings, she felt Liu Hening wasn’t malicious.

“One can see a person’s face but not their heart. Who knows?” Ye Guichen thought of Liu Hening’s smiles and overly affectionate attitude. When things are too good to be true, there is often a hidden catch. It was better to remain cautious, perform her duties well, and keep a respectful distance from Liu Hening.