Chapter 200: Li Taihou's Reprimand

After hearing Wei Qing finish, Zhang Yunxiu slapped the table, just about to curse, "Women are so short-sighted," but upon catching sight of Wei Qing's face, he swallowed the words back down.

He changed his tone and asked, "What is the Emperor's view on this?"

"What other view could there be?" Wei Qing gave a self-deprecating smile and replied, "You know how much the Emperor respects the Empress Dowager. Since the Empress Dowager has spoken, I fear there is little room left for maneuver."

"Then what if someone insists on pushing forward?"

Zhang Yunxiu asked, squinting his eyes.

Wei Qing's expression stiffened, then he gave a dry laugh and, adjusting his tone, answered, "In any case, I have delivered the message; the Emperor's Imperial Edict will arrive momentarily. As for what happens afterward, that is no longer my concern."

Although not explicitly stated, Zhang Yunxiu still sensed the danger in these words. Once someone offends the Empress Dowager, given her influence over the Emperor, they need not expect a good life in the future.

Thinking of this, Zhang Yunxiu became cautious and said to Wei Qing with a smile, "Many thanks to Eunuch Wei for not sparing the effort to make this trip."

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu act this way, Wei Qing leaned forward and advised him with a look of good intentions, "You and I are friends; friends should help one another. I advise you, Director Zhang, do not get involved in this. Just let that stubborn donkey Hai Rui handle it."

"Understood, understood." Zhang Yunxiu laughed and made small talk, ordered someone to fetch two packets of Silver Dollar, and then personally saw Wei Qing to the mansion gate.

After seeing Wei Qing off, Zhang Yunxiu returned to the small hall and sat down.

He leaned back, eyes slightly closed, and began to deduce the direction of events in his mind.

He had originally thought that with the Emperor's support, even if it wasn't "achieving the goal in one battle," it would at least be a significant victory.

Unexpectedly, Li Taihou suddenly fired a cross-shot.

If it were anyone else, the Emperor might still be able to show some backbone. But when it comes to her, the Wanli Emperor is like a sheep seeing a tiger or a mouse seeing a cat; he would rather find a hole in the ground to hide himself.

If he only caught two small fry, he would be unwilling to let it go.

If he followed this path to the end, he worried about offending this master within the Imperial Palace.

For a time, Zhang Yunxiu was stuck on the fence, unable to advance or retreat.

Unknowingly, a wave of fatigue surged into his heart, and Zhang Yunxiu drifted into a half-asleep state. Suddenly, another eunuch arrived to deliver an Imperial Edict: it was said that the Empress Dowager wished to summon Xu Ruoxi to the palace to relieve her boredom.

Zhang Yunxiu woke up; he concluded that this matter must be related to the Kong Family.

"Husband, rest assured, the Empress Dowager is very easy to talk to." Upon receiving the edict, Xu Ruoxi walked from the women's quarters to the front hall and grasped her husband's hand.

Zhang Yunxiu nodded, gave her cheek a small peck, and then personally saw her to the palace gate.

Cining Palace.

Flower Hall.

Li Taihou was seen wearing a snow-white swan-velvet long dress, sitting upright on an embroidered couch against the wall, with a maid standing on either side.

Xu Ruoxi sat on the embroidered couch to the right of Li Taihou.

Before the two of them were over a dozen pretty palace maids, all uniformly dressed in moon-white lotus-frilled skirts.

Holding musical instruments, they began to chant softly.

In the high-pitched parts, it was like a mountain torrent crashing down; in the low, winding parts, it was like a lone goose flying south, like the cry of a crane in the mid-heaven, or rain hitting frosted branches in an ancient temple deep in the mountains.

It left the listeners spellbound, completely immersed.

The song ended.

Li Taihou waved her hand, and the musicians bowed and respectfully withdrew. The two maids beside them were also tactful; they prepared pastries and tea for the Empress Dowager and Xu Ruoxi, then quietly exited.

Looking at the Flower Hall where only the two of them remained, Li Taihou covered her lips and smiled, picking up a piece of peach cake with her slender fingers and bringing it to Xu Ruoxi's lips: "Taste this; I specifically had the palace imperial chefs make it, imitating the flavors from Jiangnan."

Xu Ruoxi hurriedly stood up, reached out to take the peach cake, and then took a light bite.

Letting the soft, glutinous sweetness ferment on the tip of her tongue, she finally hummed with a look of enjoyment: "Mm, the imperial chefs in this palace are truly amazing; it's even more delicious than what I've eaten in Songjiang Prefecture." Hearing this, Li Taihou's plump, fair cheeks filled with smiles. She signaled for Xu Ruoxi to sit beside her, looked at her face, and teased, "You, this little mouth of yours is even more endearing than your face."

"What I said is the truth."

"Alright, we aren't outsiders; why are you being so polite with me?" Li Taihou waved her hand, interrupting Xu Ruoxi, and then cast her gaze toward her protruding lower abdomen, asking, "How many months?"

"Almost five months," Xu Ruoxi replied respectfully.

After answering, a blush of happiness suddenly appeared on her beautiful face.

"Then you must be careful," Li Taihou said with a serious expression, reminding her, "The most important thing in a woman's life is to bear a son for her husband, so this first child of yours is especially important."

"I understand."

"It is good that you understand."

Li Taihou gave a faint smile and suddenly steered the conversation toward the Kong Family: "The capital hasn't been very peaceful lately; I don't know how many impeachment Memorials are piled up on the Emperor's desk."

Xu Ruoxi already knew about this matter, but she feigned ignorance on the surface and asked, "Empress Dowager, who are these impeaching?"

"Who else could it be? They are impeaching your husband's subordinate, Han San!" Li Taihou bit her cheek and said indignantly, "Does he think they are only impeaching Han San? Isn't that still aimed at him?"

"Ah?!" Xu Ruoxi exclaimed, mist instantly dampening her eyelashes.

Seeing Xu Ruoxi's pitiful and endearing appearance, Li Taihou hurriedly grasped Xu Ruoxi's jade hand and comforted her, "If you ask me, he is bringing trouble upon himself. You should go back and properly advise him to keep a low profile."

"Empress Dowager... you must help my husband." Xu Ruoxi pouted her little mouth and pleaded with a sobbing tone.

"Alright, alright, alright, I promise you."

"Many thanks, Empress Dowager."

"Look at you, they say women are made of water; you start crying just like that, and instead, you've left me at a loss."

"Empress Dowager!"

After some teasing, the two were no longer restrained.

Because they had met several times before, Xu Ruoxi now regarded Li Taihou as an elder, no longer feeling the awkwardness of their first meeting.

Li Taihou was all smiles, patiently explaining to Xu Ruoxi how to protect the fetus.

Xu Ruoxi listened extremely carefully, wishing she could carve every word into her mind.

Unknowingly, two hours had passed.

Li Taihou suddenly felt tired; she stretched lazily and said with a yawn, "Getting on in years, I'm just not as useful anymore; I can't compare to you young people, I get exhausted after sitting for just a little while."

"Who says the Empress Dowager is old? I think the Empress Dowager is about the same age as my sister-in-law." Xu Ruoxi gave a faint smile.

"Alright, stop saying nice things to me here; if you want to say them, go tell your husband." Li Taihou replied with a spring breeze on her face, smiling.

Having said this, he ordered someone to escort Xu Ruoxi back.

By the time she returned home, the sky was already turning dark.

At the dining table, the whole family was gathered together, enjoying their evening meal.

During the meal, Zhang Fu suddenly walked over quickly and whispered a few words into Zhang Yunxiu's ear.

Zhang Yunxiu immediately stood up and left the table.

This left Ruoxi and the others stunned.

(End of this chapter)