Chapter 108: Tender Affection in the Boudoir

In the past, opposition in the court to His Majesty building a temple to pray for his biological mother, Empress Empress Xianxiao, was primarily led by three men.

Li Jizong, Grand Director of Rites; Guo Guo Youchang, Left Vice Minister of Rites; Liu Liu Yuqing, Deputy Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.

Yet today His Majesty explicitly stated that the edict just issued was drafted with the participation of Guo Guo Youchang, Left Vice Minister of Rites, and that it was Guo Guo Youchang who proclaimed it in court.

Even crude military nobles like Niu Jizong and Liu Fang could see which side Guo Guo Youchang's loyalty lay on—how much more so these sharp-witted civil officials?

The iron triangle has lost one of its pillars.

For several days, Li Jizong, Grand Director of Rites, has been claiming illness at home; it is said he is old and has plans to retire.

Given this old man's rigid, inflexible adherence to ancestral rites and rituals, once he submits a petition to retire, His Majesty will surely grant it.

The iron triangle has now lost a second pillar.

Censor Chen Min was demoted for falsely accusing Jia Cong; many in court know Chen Min was personally promoted by Deputy Censor-in-Chief Liu Liu Yuqing.

His Majesty dismissed Jia Cong's scholarly title on the grounds of Chen Min's false accusation and demoted him to serve as Judge of Dezhou Prefecture.

In the past two years, the young lady's health has improved greatly; Zi Juan rarely prepares her medicine anymore.

Zi Juan is now boiling the decoction on a small veranda outside the room.

In the courtyard, emerald bamboo sways gently; a light breeze whispers; the swallows have long since flown south, leaving empty mud nests beneath the eaves.

Whoever is foolish enough may test whether this blade is sharp enough.

In Lin Daiyu's boudoir, sweet, fragrant air mingled with a faint medicinal scent.

His Majesty seized the opportunity of Jia Cong's false accusation to strike decisively, eliminating three rivals with one peach—silencing dissenting voices in court with such subtlety.

Thus, with no leader and the crisis still unclear, civil officials who wished to offer counsel could only exchange furtive glances, none daring to step forward.

Which lackey would dare be the first to leap out and show off at such a moment?

Would Liu Liu Yuqing still dare speak out at this critical juncture?

Moreover, the edict just issued stated that Liu Wenzhuan, who accused Jia Cong, was instigated by someone else—and the Court of Judicial Review has confirmed this—but it did not name who the instigator was.

Now, the ministers from various departments opposing His Majesty's temple for his biological mother are truly leaderless, a rabble of disorganized men.

Perhaps Emperor Emperor Jia Zhao had already foreseen this outcome when drafting this edict!

Recall that Chen Min was originally recommended by Liu Liu Yuqing for promotion from Judge of Dezhou Prefecture to Censor—His Majesty is openly slapping Liu Liu Yuqing across the face.

His schemes run as deep as the sea; his resolve is as unyielding as iron!

…

Guo Guo Youchang, standing among the Rites Ministry officials, observed the varied reactions of the courtiers; his face gradually turned pale.

Though censors love to play the role of outspoken ministers, they are not fools who would risk their own heads like kicking a ball.

None of the officials standing in court, all fifth-rank and above, are fools.

Or rather, whatever the Court of Judicial Review demands he confess, he will confess—Zhou Zhou Junxing, head of the Court, is a notorious tyrant known throughout the land for framing men!

His Majesty's schemes run as deep as the sea; this is the hidden blade concealed within the edict.

Time passed, and the heat grew hard to control; Zi Juan had already stood by the small medicine stove for half an hour.

For fools are either already dead or have already been purged from court.

Liu Wenzhuan, a foolish, weak scholar, under the torture of the Court of Judicial Review, would confess to anything.

When the steam rising from the medicine pot turned white, she poured the decoction through a strainer into a blue-and-white porcelain bowl, placed it on a covered tray, and carried it into the room.

Lin Daiyu lay reclined on the bed, her jet-black hair, like a cloud, loosely pinned and cascading over her chest, partially concealing her slightly rounded bosom.

Her lovely face was pale; her once rosy lips had lost their color, making her appear deeply pitiable.

Only her bright, intelligent eyes remained, brimming with autumnal waters, their glances tender and captivating.

"Young lady, it's time to take your medicine."

Lin Daiyu frowned slightly: "Didn't I already take two doses? Why must I take more?"

"This is the final dose. After you take it, you'll feel better and won't need any more."

Lin Daiyu sighed: "I've been eating medicine with my meals for years now—these past two years, I hardly took any at all. Now, just smelling the decoction makes me feel nauseous."

Zi Juan said: "I say this is a good thing. It's because your heart is heavy—you've been tossing and turning all night since hearing about Cong Sanye's trouble, weakening your constitution. How could you endure more?"

Lin Daiyu's face flushed: "I'm ill—I'm ill. What does that have to do with Third Brother?"

Zi Juan laughed: "You're hiding nothing from me, are you? I've been by your side every day for years—I've seen it all in my heart."

Though Lin Daiyu and Zi Juan were mistress and maid, they were as close as sisters, always speaking openly—yet whenever Jia Cong was mentioned, Lin Daiyu always grew shy and evasive.

Zi Juan knew: if her mistress hadn't fallen in love, she wouldn't be like this.

"I wonder what will become of Third Brother in this ordeal. Such a promising scholar—if he can't study anymore, how heartbroken he must be."

As Lin Daiyu spoke, her brows furrowed deeply; tears streamed down without stopping.

Zi Juan comforted her: "Why are you crying again? Didn't Cong Sanye say your delicate health can't bear tears? You'll ruin your body if you keep crying."

"Besides, even if Cong Sanye can't take the exams again, at least he's still alive and well—that's better than anything. With his talents, he'll surely find another path forward. You mustn't dwell on it so."

Lin Daiyu wiped her tears with a handkerchief, then frowned and drank the medicine.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door: "Zi Juan, has Lin Lin Meimei's health improved today?"

Zi Juan exclaimed happily: "It's Cong Sanye! Come in, sit down."

When Lin Daiyu saw Jia Cong enter, she studied him with her bright eyes; her face flushed slightly, and she pulled the quilt closer to her body.

"Third Brother, please wait outside. I'll freshen up and come out to speak with you. Zi Juan, serve Cong Sanye tea."

Jia Cong smiled: "If your health hasn't improved, just lie there. Why get up and tire yourself?"

Lin Daiyu smiled: "I've lain here all day—I'm tired. I want to get up and move around. Third Brother, go drink your tea. I'll be right out."

Jia Cong stepped out of the inner chamber; Zi Juan had already brewed hot tea and brought it to him. "Just now, the young lady was worrying about your situation—and she even cried."

"From now on, you should visit more often, talk with her more—that's better than anything. It will ease her heart."

Jia Cong said to Zi Juan: "I'll tell Lin Lin Meimei not to worry too much. Though things outside are noisy, if the court truly intended to strip my scholarly title, an imperial decree would've arrived long ago."

"But days have passed with no word—so things aren't as bad as they seem."

A voice, filled with delight, said: "So Third Brother means the court won't strip your title!"

Jia Cong saw that Lin Daiyu had already dressed and combed her hair—her jet-black locks, no longer pinned into a bun, were braided into two long plaits hanging over her chest, looking both novel and charming.

Jia Cong paused in surprise, then smiled: "Lin Lin Meimei, don't worry. No news is the best news. If an imperial decree were truly coming, that would be the truly unpredictable thing."

Hearing Jia Cong's words, Lin Daiyu felt some of her anxiety lift. She reasoned: Third Brother was a man of strategy—if he was so calm, he must already have some confidence.

As the two spoke, they did not know that a change was about to occur at Rongxi Hall.

(End of chapter)