Chapter 17: Alarmist Rumors

The carriage moved at a leisurely pace; after passing Donghua Avenue and following Panlou Street to the intersection of Taikang Avenue, the Imperial City came into view.

The Song Imperial City was the smallest of all dynasties; even when Emperor Huizong expanded Yanfu Palace and built Genyue, creating a unified imperial court, it still could not compare to the grandeur and majesty of the palaces of previous dynasties.

The carriage exited Taikang Street, reached the edge of the Imperial City, then turned past Dongjiao Tower; at the position of Xuande Tower stood a great gate, solemn and dignified, which was the Left Ye Gate used for daily entry and exit.

Zhao Ti alighted, instructed Bai Zhan and others to wait across the road, greeted the gate guards, and entered; passing through Daqing Gate and Xuanyou Gate, traveling north past several halls, and crossing Gongchen Gate, he entered the Inner Court.

Zhao Ti intended to see his mother, Noble Consort Xing first; after all, he was her only son. While he was free outside, Noble Consort Xing rarely left the palace, spending her days guarding the court.

Arriving at Anfu Palace where Noble Consort Xing resided, a small eunuch on guard duty saw him and wore a face full of joy, stepping forward to welcome him: "Your Highness has returned."

Zhao Ti nodded; the small eunuch led the way, and in a moment they entered the palace. Inside, Noble Consort Xing was chatting with someone; upon closer inspection, it was Concubine Guo. Concubine Guo was also a consort of Emperor Shenzong; the two had a good relationship and often visited each other.

Noble Consort Xing was dignified and beautiful, with an excellent character. She was quite favored at the time but disliked by Empress Dowager Xiang. Had it not been for Zhao Ti, her only son, she would have held only the rank of Shu Consort, and would not have been promoted to Noble Consort until more than twenty years later when Emperor Huizong bestowed honors on former palace attendants.

Zhao Ti stepped forward to pay his respects. Noble Consort Xing was delighted, pulled him to sit and talk, asked about his health and well-being for a long while, and then inquired why he had come to the palace.

Zhao Ti told the truth: first to see his mother, and second to visit the Grand Empress Dowager, with some matters to ask. Noble Consort Xing instructed him to be cautious in speech and action, not to overstep boundaries. After lingering for about half an hour, he rose to leave.

After leaving Anfu Palace, Zhao Ti went straight to Cining Hall, which was the residence of the Grand Empress Dowager Gao Taotao.

This hall was more spacious than the other palaces, and there were many eunuchs and maids serving at the door. Seeing Zhao Ti approach, they bowed and asked: "Has the Prince of Yan come to visit the Grand Empress Dowager?"

Zhao Ti nodded: "Does the Grand Empress Dowager have any state affairs to handle?"

The eunuch replied: "There is nothing today, but she is unwell. This humble servant will go and announce the Prince of Yan's arrival." Saying this, he quickly walked toward the main hall.

A moment later, he emerged, tucking the whisk into the curve of his sleeve: "The Grand Empress Dowager summons Your Highness to enter."

Zhao Ti smiled slightly; a small maid at the hall door came to lead the way, and he entered the hall directly.

This hall had a combined layout, containing both a main hall and side halls for handling state affairs, studying, and sleeping.

The small maid led Zhao Ti to the side of a side hall: "The Grand Empress Dowager is reading inside and instructed Your Highness to enter directly."

Zhao Ti nodded, then walked into the hall.

Inside, the decoration was extremely simple, not luxurious at all. It was mostly filled with book niches and writing implements; there was not a single item of pearls or jewels. At the very back stood a carved long table, behind which was a wide couch-chair. Seated on the chair was a woman wearing a large robe of linen and gauze, and a deep blue cloud-dragon patterned ceremonial cape woven with gold.

The woman's appearance was dignified and noble, elegant and grand. Although her age was actually not young, traces of her peerless beauty from years past could still be faintly seen.

Zhao Ti looked at the woman; she was none other than the Empress of Emperor Yingzong, the biological mother of Emperor Shenzong, and the current Grand Empress Dowager Gao Taotao who was holding court.

She was stroking a thick book in her hands. Her complexion seemed somewhat poor, pale with a faint greenish tint, and her breath was somewhat short and turbid.

Zhao Ti knew that Gao Taotao would pass away this year; now, some hidden illness was likely beginning to manifest.

"Great Grandmother, this grandson pays his respects to Great Grandmother." Zhao Ti bowed.

Gao Taotao nodded, placed the thick book in her hands on the table, and then looked Zhao Ti up and down.

"Why did Eighth Brother think to come visit old me today?"

Hearing this, Zhao Ti touched his nose; this imperial grandmother's tone was somewhat unfriendly.

He had been close to her since childhood. Even if it was mostly for his own consideration, she was still his biological grandmother. Although the imperial family had no true kinship, the Song court was still relatively affectionate, not as cold as other dynasties, lacking any human warmth whatsoever.

The Emperor basically referred to himself as "I" within the palace, not "Zhen" as on the court. Children privately called him "Father," not "Your Majesty" or "Guanjia."

The Empress was "Empress," the Empress Dowager was "Great Mother," and the Grand Empress Dowager was "Great Grandmother." Other concubines could be addressed by their rank or as "Sister X." Since there was only one "Empress," even a biological mother could not use that term, but could be called "Mother" instead.

"This grandson wants to enter the palace every day to pay respects to Great Grandmother, but outside is not like inside. There, one eats when the mouth opens and wears clothes when the hand reaches out, without worrying about other matters. Outside, one must maintain the livelihood of a whole mansion of people. But as soon as I could free myself, I immediately came to ask after Grandmother's health..." Zhao Ti wore a frowning expression.

"Oh?" Gao Taotao's expression brightened slightly: "Do you know the hardships of living alone?"

Zhao Ti smiled bitterly: "Hardships, hardships. For this grandson to manage the Wang Fu alone is already so difficult. For Great Grandmother to have managed the harem for many years, while also overseeing the entire world, must have required such exhausting effort and mental strain."

Gao Taotao looked at him, a slight smile appearing on her face, and said: "Not speaking of old me, you have not yet married a concubine; where would you have so many matters?"

Zhao Ti shook his head, frowning and saying: "Great Grandmother does not know. Outside is different from the palace. If it were just for pleasure, it would be fine. But truly staying long in the common folk's world, one sees the tedious labor, every detail, and must also be on guard."

"The first branch of the Jin Sect is different from the imperial clan. The imperial clan has established their own mansions outside for many years and is long accustomed to life outside. The Jin Sect are all experiencing life outside for the first time; they will surely feel some discomfort."

Zhao Ti nodded vigorously: "Great Grandmother, outside is actually very dangerous."

"Eighth Brother, do not speak nonsense. The world under the Song is peaceful. The Eastern Capital, as the Ducheng, has excellent security. Where is the danger?" Gao Taotao frowned and said.

"Great Grandmother does not know. There are many ruffians and scoundrels outside, and even gangs colluding with the military camps, forming cliques and factions. It is quite terrifying," Zhao Ti said.

"The Wang Fu has guards, you have people from the Imperial City Office following you, and did you not practice martial arts since childhood? While others studied, you brandished spears and clubs. You must have some skill, right? Do you really fear some rats?" Gao Taotao asked in confusion.

"Great Grandmother, you know this grandson practices martial arts, but my martial arts are truly not high. If I really meet desperate men, numerous and powerful, it will be hard to fight them off."

"Where in Jingcheng are there desperate men, and numerous and powerful? Do not spread alarming rumors!" Gao Taotao shook her head.

This grandson had spoken exaggeratedly since childhood. She often did not want to expose him; who could blame him for being close to her and pleasing her?

Unlike that Steward grandson, who kept his eyes lowered and followed rules strictly. Did his own family not know he was pretending? As Steward, what was he pretending, and what did he plot?

"Great Grandmother, no, no. How could this be spreading alarming rumors? Did Great Grandmother forget about the Ghost Fan Lou..." Zhao Ti, reading her expression and seeing through Gao Taotao's thoughts, hurriedly waved his hands and said.