Chapter 164: Endless Thirty‑Plus Years

Empress Mu Rongjin, dressed in a phoenix robe, stood quietly outside the gate waiting.

Seeing the Empress Dowager emerge, she hurried forward a step and performed a proper grand salute: "Respectfully welcome, Mother Empress."

The Empress Dowager's steps faltered slightly as she looked down at the distant niece she had once single‑handedly elevated to the throne.

Now in charge of the harem, her complexion appeared far rosier than before.

The Empress Dowager said evenly, "Rise. Your health has greatly improved? It's a trouble for you to make this trip."

Mu Rongjin rose: "Having caused Mother Empress concern, my health is now fine. Mother Empress's moving of the palace is a great matter; I should serve you."

The soft sedan chair had long been prepared.

The Empress Dowager, assisted by Qin Mamama, entered the sedan and traveled to Changchun Garden.

Both the interior and exterior had already been tidied up.

Mu Rongjin personally escorted the Empress Dowager inside, handling everything meticulously, without a single slip.

From outside the hall came a eunuch's report: "His Majesty has arrived—"

Xiao Jieyun strode in, approached the Empress Dowager and bowed: "Please accept my respects, Mother Empress."

"The palace relocation is a hassle; Mother Empress, you have labored. Is there anything you still find uncomfortable? I have already ordered, and should you need anything, it will be handled at once."

The Empress Dowager looked at the imperial couple before her, one acting as a filial son, the other as a virtuous daughter‑in‑law, and she could not help but hum coldly to herself.

Yet on her face she forced a gentle smile: "The Emperor is considerate; everything is fine. With the Empress herself managing, it is most proper."

"Then that's good," Xiao Jieyun said with a smile, nodding.

The Empress Dowager's fingers gripping the tea cup tightened involuntarily.

From then on, the emperor and empress held daily morning and evening audiences without interruption.

A few days later, delegations from various nations had arrived at Yiguan.

Xiao Jieyun issued an edict to summon all envoys to the palace.

In response to the invitation of the fiery nation, besides the two largest neighboring states Da Xia and Xilu, several minor kingdoms also sent envoys.

Da Xia Crown Prince Gongsun Hong, Xilu envoy Jifeng, and several minor‑state envoys in turn presented their letters of credence to Xiao Jieyun and offered generous gifts.

Xiao Jieyun slightly bowed his head: "Honored envoys, you have traveled far and endured hardship. I have received your gracious intentions."

"Cheng Jinyan, return the gift according to protocol."

"Yes!"

Just as the audience ceremony was about to conclude, Gongsun Hong stepped forward again.

"Your Majesty, before you depart, the Father Emperor specially instructed me. We have heard that the birthday of your Empress Dowager approaches; Da Xia has obtained a rare treasure called the Thousand‑Year Blood‑Jade Pillow."

"It possesses wondrous effects of calming the spirit, nourishing Qi, and extending life. I have been ordered to present it personally to the Empress Dowager, as a token of our nation's respect."

Xiao Jieyun pondered briefly: "Your intention is noted. However, the Empress Dowager has recently moved the palace for recuperation and is low on spirit; today she likely has no time to meet."

Gongsun Hong's face showed a suitably timed hint of regret.

"Nevertheless, since the sincerity is evident, how about this: tomorrow at the Si hour, I will permit you to send a lady‑in‑waiting to Changchun Garden to present this treasure to the Empress Dowager."

Gongsun Hong immediately bowed in gratitude: "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace!"

The next day, at the Si hour, Changchun Garden.

A hush prevailed; only Qin Mamama and a few daily attendant maids were inside, standing far away waiting.

A gray‑haired old mamama lowered her hands and brows as she walked in.

She proceeded to the hall and, with proper decorum, offered a grand salute to the Empress Dowager: "Old servant, by order of the Emperor of Xia, has come to pay respects to the Empress Dowager."

"To celebrate the Empress's millennial longevity, I present the Thousand‑Year Blood‑Jade Pillow, wishing the Empress's phoenix body health and safety."

The Empress Dowager's gaze fell upon her, silently lost in thought.

After a while, she slowly said, "Rise."

"I, the humble lady, have not seen a Da Xia person in over thirty years."

The old mamama rose, lifted her head, revealing a face lined with fine wrinkles yet still bearing the faint outline of her former features.

She looked at the Empress Dowager, expression complex, voice trembling slightly: "Empress! I, the old servant, have also been thirty years without serving before you."

The Empress Dowager's pupils suddenly contracted, staring tightly at the old mamama's face, and whispered, "Is it you?"

The old mamama presented a brocade box: "This is the Thousand‑Year Blood‑Jade Pillow; I hope the Empress will graciously accept it."

"This item's usage is rather particular; one must follow its method to obtain its calming and longevity effects."

"Perhaps, allow the old servant to accompany the Empress into the inner hall and demonstrate it for you?"

The Empress Dowager was silent for a moment, then said, "Everyone step back."

"Qin Mamama, guard the hall doors; no one may approach."

"Yes." Qin Mamama bowed, led the palace maids out silently, and carefully closed the hall doors.

Only the Empress Dowager and the old mamama remained in the great hall.

The Empress Dowager stood and extended her hand: "Chang Mamama."

Chang Mamama immediately stepped forward, took her hand, and the two, without a word, walked in step with uncanny coordination into the inner hall.

Chang Mamama carefully closed the inner hall's door.

The Empress Dowager's calm vanished in an instant; she spun around, staring tightly at Chang Mamama: "Did he send you? Is he well?"

Chang Mamama fell to her knees, tears streaming, "Empress! It was the Emperor who sent me! His health has never been robust, yet not a single day passes without his thoughts on you!"

She shakily drew a letter from her bosom: "The Emperor's handwritten letter is here; he commands me to deliver it personally into your hands!"

The Empress Dowager inhaled deeply, her fingertips trembling as she took the letter, unfolded it, and the familiar script leapt into view.

"Since our parting years ago, endless thirty‑plus years have passed."

"Peach blossoms bloom each year, yet never regain their former hue. In the long, endless nights only old dreams sustain me. Whenever I recall the pain of our forced separation, I cannot sleep."

"Though I am now Emperor, I still cannot act as I wish."

The great regret of this life is that I could not protect you completely, leaving you to suffer alone in the deep Palace. Now both you and I have graying temples, and I only hope that in the years we still have, we can reunite, find a mortal paradise, and spend the rest of our lives together.

The talisman I gave you last time has surely become weak.

Now I have specially ordered an old friend to go and give you an even more effective item, to help you control the Palace affairs and enjoy your honor.

I sincerely hope you cherish yourself and no longer wrong yourself.

Between the lines there are reminiscences, helplessness, and endless longing and protection; the Empress Dowager watches, and tears slip down.

Aunt Chang, seeing this, hurriedly helped her to the bedside and sat her down: "Madam! Do not be sad any longer."

The events of those years were truly a twist of fate, destiny playing tricks. You and His Majesty had no way.

The Empress Dowager sobbed softly: "It has been more than thirty years; back then I had not yet entered the Palace, and he was still a hostage prince."

We met outside the Palace, gradually developed feelings, but did not expect that I was ordered to enter the Palace as a consort, and he was decreed to return to Da Xia, thus missing a lifetime together.

Now he is the Emperor of Xia, I am the Empress Dowager of the Fiery Nation, truly things have changed.

Aunt Chang took out a silk handkerchief and wiped her tears: "His Majesty often says that the person he misses most in this life is far beyond the heavens, unable to protect, so he gave you that talisman, to lend you a helping hand."

The Empress Dowager nodded, silencing her sobs: "That talisman has been in Zichen Hall all along; a few days ago the Emperor for some unknown reason burned the Dragon Desk, yet did not touch that screen."

Aunt Chang said: "His Majesty heard that the Madam was suffering here, his heart burning with anxiety. He therefore ordered the old servant to bring you a more potent good thing."

After speaking, she opened a brocade box and took out a red jade pillow from inside.

She lifted the hidden compartment below and saw a twin knot lying quietly inside.

She picked up the twin knot, cupped it in both hands, and presented it to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager took it, tears brimming: "Twin knot?"

She gently took it, brushed it with her fingertips; it looked utterly ordinary, just a common twin knot, yet when touched it felt neither quite gold nor hair, the material was extremely unique.

The Empress Dowager asked: "The last talisman was said to be made by the Da Xia Shen Tong. That Shen Tong now… is not?"

Aunt Chang said: "Madam need not worry; the Shen Tong is merely a disciple of the National Preceptor."

"The light of fireflies cannot compete with the brilliance of the bright moon; the National Preceptor's power is the true reach to heaven and earth."

"This 'twin knot' is precisely the wondrous treasure that the National Preceptor spent years of heart‑blood to forge."

She lowered her voice: "Madam only needs to obtain a few strands of His Majesty's hair and tightly wrap them around the center of this knot."

"Then, each night at the hour of the Rat, pierce your finger, let a drop of your fresh blood soak the hair‑wrapped spot, and after seven consecutive nights…"

Aunt Chang lifted her gaze, eyes blazing: "His Majesty will truly share a mother‑son heart link with you, and from then on, obey your every word."

"At that time, you will be the supreme ruler of this Fiery Nation, whose word is final."

The Empress Dowager heard this, her breathing suddenly quickened a few beats: "Is it truly so effective?"

Aunt Chang replied: "Before I, the old servant, arrived, His Majesty asked the National Preceptor several times, confirming its extraordinary efficacy and that it would not harm the Empress Dowager's jade‑like body, then he ordered the old servant to bring it to you."

The Empress Dowager was deeply moved: "All these years, he has always treated me this way."

"Only he understands me so."

"Others think that as Empress Dowager I have everything smooth, without worries."

"But they do not know that I have spent my whole life worrying; the emperor's heart is like a deep abyss, and one never knows when it will turn ruthless; if I have trouble, the Murong family will surely also tumble like a great hall."

"If I can make the Emperor share my heart, that would be a tremendous help to me."

"What is that? Tuan Tuan?" Xiao Yuanhang whispered in his daughter's ear.

Tuan Tuan, perched on the small opening straining to look outward, said: "I don't know! Can't see clearly!"

Xiao Jieyun stood nearby, his complexion ashen.