Chapter 44: The Imperial Palace, the Bai Family, the Sheng Family [Yesterday's ranking was wonderful!]

"Oh?"

Ever since the Empress had a son, a smile had rested on her face every day.

The female official below continued speaking:

"It is said that their family's Zhang Zhang Sanlang, Brother Jing, obtained a rare flower from the natal home of Eldest Young Lady Bai of the Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu; anciently called 'Bai Die,' its blossoms are pure white as snow. Brother Jing liked it immensely, so he planted many more."

Hearing Xu Xu Zaijing's name, the Empress's smile grew even more pronounced.

"Oh, does Brother Jing wish for me to see the flowers he planted?"

"Replying to Your Ladyship, the Xu family says that upon hearing from Eldest Young Master Yu of the Lady Ningyuan Hou that this flower is cultivated north of the Bai Gao kingdom, Brother Jing queried several Hu merchants and learned this flower can be spun into cloth; thus, he and the household servants studied the matter and obtained the cotton wadding in this bundle. They say it wards off cold and preserves warmth, while being lightweight and fitting closely to the body."

The female official beside the Empress asked:

"Has it been inspected?"

"Replying to Old Nurse, it has been carefully examined. The Xu family also said that several newborn nephews and nieces in Eldest Lady Sun's natal family used it last year."

The Empress on the couch spoke, her eyes full of contemplation:

"This Xu family truly fears nothing."

None of the female officials or maids surrounding her dared to reply.

After pondering for a while, the Empress left the couch where her son lay, approached the maid, and said:

"Set it aside."

Then she waved her hand; her personal female official stepped forward and untied the bundle.

Inside was a mass of downy fluff, pure white as snow.

The Empress deliberated for a moment, then waved her hand again.

The female official carried away the bundle of Bai Die fluff.

"Someone come."

The female official stood to one side.

"Have the Xu family bring Brother Jing to me."

"Yes."

Sun Shi felt that ever since she had her youngest son, the number of times she had entered the palace in these few years exceeded all her previous life combined.

Bringing only Xu Xu Zaijing, mother and son arrived at the palace.

The Empress received the mother and son in the outer chamber of her bedchamber.

The half-person-high brazier in the center blazed fiercely, making the hall very warm.

They say bearing a child is like being reborn; after having a son, the Empress radiated a maternal glow, making one feel that even a heavenly fairy could not surpass her.

After exchanging pleasantries with Sun Shi, the Empress once again called Xu Xu Zaijing before her and gently took his hand.

"Brother Jing, good child, I hear you have planted many Bai Die flowers?"

Xu Xu Zaijing looked at the woman before him, whose eyes were like still water, and nodded.

"Is the clothing you are wearing made from Bai Die flowers?"

"Replying to Your Ladyship, yes; it is very warm."

"Eldest Young Lady, did your natal family's nephews and nieces start using it last year?"

"Yes, Your Ladyship; the older brothers and sisters liked it very much."

The Empress's eyes filled with mirth, and then she said:

"Someone come, bring my purple lamb-skin great cloak. Brother Jing, in a moment, shall I exchange this great cloak for the cotton robe of Bai Die flowers you are wearing?"

Xu Xu Zaijing paused for an instant, his mind racing rapidly as he understood what was happening; looking at the Empress, he smiled and said, "Very well, Your Ladyship."

When Xu Xu Zaijing moved to change his clothes to the side, the Empress smiled and said, "You are such a big child now; I have seen those few rascals of the Cao family, so just change here."

"Yes."

At this moment, a female official approached, carrying undergarments designed for close-body warmth.

Although warm after Xu Xu Zaijing put them on, they were indeed much heavier than his own cotton robe.

"Brother Jing, in the future, whenever you have something good, have the palace gate report directly to me; you may send it straight here."

"Yes, Your Ladyship."

"Looking at your hands, your skills with bow and horse have not slackened in the least. Yet they are not as rough as before."

"It is thanks to the skin-softening ointment bestowed by Your Ladyship."

Sun Shi observed all this, and after some deliberation, she understood the Empress's worries.

Though the new item was indeed novel, many hands had handled it from the Xu family to her presence, leaving room for tampering.

Yet no one would expect the Empress to have her own son wear clothes previously worn by Xu Xu Zaijing.

Of course, the Empress was not curious about the new Bai Die flower clothing itself, but rather concerned with those mysterious and profound matters.

Since a few years ago, when she drew closer to the Xu family's Zhang Zhang Sanlang due to a few words from Princess Princess Pingning, good news had followed without cease.

She conceived, smoothly gave birth to a son, and now nearly two years old, he remained healthy and robust, rarely needing soups or medicines.

Of course, the Empress did not know what effect her actions might have; it was simply that there were too many clever people in this world, so she took one extra precaution.

She wondered whether someone might have sprinkled harmful substances into this fluffy cotton wadding.

Perhaps she had developed persecution paranoia, but having lost three children, she could not help but be vigilant.

The schemes and actions of the cunning people within this imperial palace were always more sinister and poisonous than one could imagine.

The Emperor of Great Zhou, having concluded court, did not go directly to handle state affairs but changed into casual attire and came to the Empress's bedchamber.

While the palace attendants were announcing his arrival, the Emperor had already entered the inner room.

Seeing his own son on the couch, the Emperor's eyes widened slightly, and he spoke with considerable displeasure: "Empress, how is it that the child is wearing such old clothes?"

The Empress beside him smiled gently and said, "They belong to the Xu family's Zhang Zhang Sanlang. Some time ago, their family presented some rare and precious items."

I asked their household's Wu Da Da Niangzi to bring Brother Jing to the palace, yet Brother Jing was wearing nothing but a single garment made of white cotton fleece.

He said he had only just put it on two or three days ago; I requested it immediately and exchanged it for my purple lamb-skin robe.

"You are surprisingly willing to part with it; previously, you guarded that great cloak like the apple of your eye, not allowing others even to touch it, so how is it you are so generous now?"

The Emperor said with a laugh.

The Empress's expression darkened slightly as she murmured slowly,

"Such treasures are easy to obtain, but a child's health is rare indeed."

The Emperor paused in surprise, and a look of unwillingness to recall the past flashed through his eyes.

He walked over and took his Empress's soft hand in his own, saying, "These years have been hard on you."

"My lord, now that we have our child, what do those hardships matter?"

The Emperor sighed deeply and gently squeezed the Empress's fingers.

That night, the Emperor stayed in the Empress's sleeping quarters.

When Xu Xu Zaijing entered the palace to meet the Empress,

In Bianjing, where he had resided for a long time, the elderly Master Bai Bai Wanshu was examining several items.

There was fully matured golden-yellow corn, corn stalks, a bundle of cotton fiber, and a thin cotton-padded jacket roughly his own size.

Beside him stood Daoist Yuan, who held the corn and asked with confusion,

"Is this the great auspicious omen, or is it this other thing?"

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the pure white cotton fiber.

Elder Master Bai said nothing; regarding these few items before him, they were extremely rare curiosities throughout all of Bianjing, indeed throughout the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.

They had all been sent by the Xu family to Lady Ningyuan Hou Fu; a portion was also prepared for the Bai family, entrusted to Bai Shi for delivery to the Bai household as a token of the Xu family's gratitude.

Over the past year and more, the Xu family had gained considerable income; half came from Wu Wu Daniang's assistance, and the other half from Bai Shi's help, with the Bai family contributing the larger share.

"The Xu family's Da Da Niangzi also sent word, saying that this corn can be prepared just like sorghum," Elder Master Bai said, lifting the corn to his nose to smell it.

"Corn? Rice as jade-like as its name suggests; indeed fitting. I wonder if we could have physicians and herb-gatherers identify it."

"Naturally; if such a rare item possesses medicinal properties, it could also generate some profit."

"In that case, it seems this white cotton flower is the true treasure."

"Though it remains a precious commodity today, if planted extensively, many fewer people will perish this winter."

"It would count as a great merit; perhaps we should plant more of it extensively in our family's estates."

Elder Master Bai remarked, "The Xu family must have thoroughly mastered the habits of this white cotton flower; if we wish to cultivate more, we must seek their guidance."

Yang Zhou

A cold wind from the north brought pure white snowflakes, blanketing the rooftops of Yang Zhou City in white.

Though far fewer people filled the streets, shops facing the road still shouted to attract customers.

On a street beside the Assistant Prefect's residence,

horses snorted loudly, exhaling clouds of white breath,

as a dust-covered six-horse carriage laden with goods came to a halt before the main gate of the Sheng residence.

Sheng Wei stepped out from the carriage, holding a bundle wrapped in beast hide,

which did not appear heavy but seemed exceedingly precious.

(End of Chapter)