Your Majesty is Poisonous – Chapter 118
by Little PandaThe Empress Dowager Refuses
Tao Xiaolin had initially felt a sliver of goodwill toward this eunuch, who had been quite polite since entering. But seeing him suddenly strip off his clothes, any favorable impression vanished, replaced by utter disgust. No matter how difficult her life became, she earned her living through her own honest skills. She would never stoop to such low-down1 tricks.
“There’s no need to trouble yourself, Eunuch!” Tao Xiaolin retreated a few steps. Outmatched as she was, she had no wish to cause a scene unless absolutely forced to. But if this eunuch dared to overstep again, she was prepared to risk everything and take her grievance directly to the imperial presence.
Yao Xi saw Miss Tao staring at her in sheer terror as she undressed—and realized her actions must have looked terribly untoward.
Fearing a misunderstanding, Yao Xi hurriedly pulled out the silver note2, smoothed it out, and offered it forward. “You misunderstand, Miss. I once lost some silver notes, and having learned my lesson the hard way, I keep them hidden rather deep.” And she had lost eighty thousand taels! Every single time she recalled that disaster, she felt like spitting blood from pure fury.
After handing over the note, Yao Xi stuffed the remaining two thousand taels back into her small inner pocket and quickly tied her clothes shut.
Tao Xiaolin took the silver note and glanced at the figure written upon it.
One thousand taels!!!
“This humble girl doesn’t dare accept this.” Terrified, Tao Xiaolin quickly shoved the silver note back to Yao Xi. Where could a mere junior eunuch like him have obtained so much silver? And why on earth would he give her a whole thousand taels for nothing, expecting absolutely nothing in return? Just because he had heard her perform a few times before entering the palace? Tao Xiaolin would rather do without than accept money that would trouble her conscience.
“Please, Miss, you must accept it. I am an admirer of yours, and I can’t bear to see you suffer,” Yao Xi said in earnest.
While Tao Xiaolin was still hesitating, Yao Xi pressed the silver note back into her hands. “Then, if fate permits, we’ll meet again.” With that, she quickly slipped out of the small partitioned space. She had delayed far too long; if she returned any later, she would have to face the Empress Dowager’s towering rage.
Wan Bi had already emptied two jars of wine, yet there was still no sign of that wretched girl Yao Xi. It seemed the little thing was too happy to think of returning3. What, did she have an endless supply of things to whisper to that actress?
She sullenly poured herself another cup and drank it down. All the grievances she had suffered in the first half of her life combined didn’t amount to the exasperation she felt today.
“Your Imperial Majesty,” Yao Xi panted, running all the way back.
Wan Bi didn’t even look up. Her face was grim as she said, cold as ice, “You certainly took your time.”
Yao Xi stood by the Empress Dowager’s side with her hands folded, at a loss for how to explain herself. In the heavy silence, her stomach suddenly let out a loud, rumbling growl. Every eye in the vicinity instantly shifted to her. Yao Xi wanted nothing more than to die of embarrassment.
“Sit down and eat something,” Wan Bi said, finally casting a glance at her. Angry as she was, she still couldn’t help but feel a protective ache for her.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager’s anger seemed to have softened, Yao Xi grinned cheekily once more. As expected, her worries had been entirely unnecessary. Her Highness was merely throwing a small, jealous fit; she wasn’t truly furious with her.
It would have been better if Wan Bi hadn’t looked. But with that single glance, her expression darkened even further. Why was the knot on Yao Xi’s waistband tied differently from when she left? Wan Bi was naturally exceptionally observant, and with her focus entirely fixed on Yao Xi, she was absolutely certain she wasn’t mistaken.
This knot was newly tied!
Yao Xi undressed? Why would she undress while alone with that actress? A flurry of R-rated images flashed through Wan Bi’s mind. She suddenly felt she knew exactly why Yao Xi had been gone for so long… and her heart wrenched in sudden pain.
Wan Bi let out a long, slow breath, forcing down the mounting fury in her chest. No matter what had transpired on the other side of the lake, it was a private matter between her and Yao Xi. She would never make a scene here and let others enjoy the spectacle. No matter how monumental the issue, it would wait until they returned to the palace!
Yao Xi couldn’t seat herself at the main table with the imperial masters without breaking decorum, so she dragged a small wooden stool over to sit with the other eunuchs and palace maids. She fell to stuffing her face, completely oblivious to the icy glares the Empress Dowager cast her way from time to time, and entirely unable to fathom what awaited her once they returned to the palace.
While Wan Bi sat suffering in silent, suffocating heartache, Yao Xi’s world was clear skies and gentle breezes as she ate with gusto.
“This bereaved one shall return first,” Wan Bi said to Emperor Ming Cheng, rising after sitting a moment longer. She simply couldn’t endure staying here any longer. If she didn’t get to the bottom of whatever Yao Xi had done, she’d find no peace.
Yao Xi had just finished eating and was coming over to attend to her. Hearing that the Empress Dowager was preparing to return to the palace, she quickly stepped forward and attentively offered her arm. “This slave shall attend to Your Imperial Majesty.”
Wan Bi brushed Yao Xi’s hand aside and instead placed her hand upon that of Gugu Liufang.
Is she still angry? Yao Xi wondered, her heart skipping a beat. This was the first time the Empress Dowager had ever given her the cold shoulder. She silently trailed behind her mistress as they walked back, secretly feeling a little giddy inside. Even though it was a bit inappropriate to think so, she was genuinely thrilled that Her Highness was jealous on her account. Heh-heh.
Once the Empress Dowager departed, the seat between Princess Longyi and Emperor Ming Cheng was left vacant. She shifted over, taking the seat beside him, and murmured, “Imperial Brother, would it be convenient for us to speak in private?” The music from the banquet was rather loud, and the matters Longyi wished to discuss were not fit for public ears.
Emperor Ming Cheng was somewhat surprised; since childhood, Longyi had rarely taken the initiative to speak with him. Seeing her solemn expression, which suggested a matter of gravity, he rose and said, “It’s just as well. We also wish to take a stroll to aid Our digestion.” As he spoke, his gaze drifted involuntarily toward Sun Yan, who stood not far away.
Sun Yan met the Emperor’s leering gaze with a completely blank expression, neither flinching nor turning away.
Seeing that Sun Yan was looking back at him, Emperor Ming Cheng sheepishly averted his eyes, a distinct smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
Once they left the pavilion and found themselves alone, Longyi spoke in a low voice. “Imperial Brother, your imperial sister is aware of the situation between you and Dali.”
“Dali?” Emperor Ming Cheng looked thoroughly bewildered.
“My cousin, Sun Yan,” Longyi explained. She was unaccustomed to using Sun Yan’s formal name.
Emperor Ming Cheng laughed. Dali? Truly, she lived up to her name; she was adorable to the extreme. “She told you? How did she speak of Us?”
Longyi didn’t beat around the bush. “That child Dali doesn’t want to remain in the palace.”
Emperor Ming Cheng fell silent, the smile on his face fading considerably. After a long moment, he said, “We won’t force her against her will. Whether she is willing or not, let her come and tell Us herself! This is a matter between her and Us alone.”
“Didn’t she already tell you as much at the palace gates, Imperial Brother?” Longyi’s voice was gentle. “After my aunt and uncle passed away, I took Dali in. I know that child’s temperament better than anyone. Your affection for her is indeed her good fortune, but it is a fortune she may not necessarily want. If she is driven to some tragic end, how am I to face her deceased aunt and uncle?” As she reached the sorrowful part of her plea, Longyi managed to squeeze out a couple of tears.
She knew her imperial brother’s character well. Compared to reason, tears were far more effective.
Sure enough, Emperor Ming Cheng was moved. “Why are you weeping so suddenly? We won’t mistreat her. If she is unwilling, then so be it. We ask only one thing: persuade her to stay in the palace for a few more days, will you?” His words sounded less like an imperial command and more like a plea.
“Why?” Longyi asked, still uneasy.
“At least give Us an opportunity to prove Ourself to her,” Emperor Ming Cheng said with a trace of bitterness. He wanted to make an effort, if only once. Even if the final outcome wasn’t what he hoped for, he still wished to spend a few more days with Sun Yan. In his entire life, he had never truly pursued a woman. Even toward Jieyu Lan, he had merely shown basic consideration, which was far from a genuine effort.
Longyi sighed. “Imperial Brother, why go to such lengths? It’s simply impossible for Dali to harbor feelings for you.”
“Why is that?” This time, it was Emperor Ming Cheng’s turn to ask.
Longyi didn’t speak. Instead, she pointed toward the far-off pavilion, where the various imperial consorts were laughing and chatting. “I can have Dali stay in the palace for a while longer, but I must ask you to promise me, Imperial Brother, that you will act with propriety. If Dali accidentally offends you, you won’t hold it against her.”
“We promise you,” Emperor Ming Cheng replied, his gaze still lingering in the direction Longyi had pointed. With his vast imperial harem, no woman could possibly fail to mind. He had once found it difficult to understand the Late Emperor’s transformation after meeting Wan Bi, but now, he seemed to understand.
If one were fortunate enough, there would come a day when a person appeared for whom one would gladly renounce the entire world, even if in the end, one gained absolutely nothing. The Late Emperor’s encounter with Wan Bi had been his great fortune, just as his own reunion with Sun Yan was his.
Sun Yan waited with bated breath, hoping her cousin would bring back good news. Instead, on the way back to their quarters, Longyi informed her that she would have to remain in the palace for a while longer.
“My imperial brother wishes to prove himself to you,” Longyi comforted her with a smile. “Don’t worry, he won’t overstep. He merely wants to win your favor. All you have to do is make him lose hope.”
A sudden spark of inspiration hit Sun Yan, and she grinned. Her cousin’s words had given her a brilliant idea. Making the Emperor lose hope was indeed a marvelous plan.
Looking at Sun Yan’s grin, Longyi felt a sudden chill. Why did this child’s smile bear a faint, unsettling resemblance to Wan Bi’s?
“Don’t do anything reckless! No matter how good Imperial Brother’s temper may be, he still has his limits. Be careful not to play yourself to death,” Longyi warned uneasily, turning to Yao Shuanglan for support. “Shuanglan, quickly help me talk some sense into her. This girl has definitely thought up some wicked scheme.”
“I know, I know!” Sun Yan giggled. Naturally, she wouldn’t actively provoke the Emperor without cause; she was merely letting her imagination run wild for her own amusement.
Meanwhile, sitting in her hall, Wan Bi suddenly sneezed.
Why does it feel like someone is talking about me behind my back?
But that was hardly the most pressing matter at hand. The real issue was Yao Xi.
“Well, Eunuch, pray tell. What could you possibly have been discussing with that Tao Xiaolin that required you to undo your clothes?” Wan Bi’s expression was dark indeed—grim, cold, and forbidding. Yao Xi had better give her a perfect explanation, or else… Wan Bi suddenly realized with a trace of sorrow that, no matter what, she could never bring herself to harm Yao Xi.
Yao Xi looked down at her robes, a surprised grin spreading across her face. “Your Imperial Majesty is truly clairvoyant. How did you know I had undone my clothes?”
“Flattery will get you nowhere!” But seeing Yao Xi grinning without a hint of anxiety, Wan Bi relaxed considerably.
Yao Xi honestly confessed, “This slave undid her robes because she wanted to give Miss Tao a silver note. Your Imperial Majesty knows that this slave once lost eighty thousand taels, so she keeps her notes hidden very deep. Without undoing her clothes, they simply can’t be pulled out.”
That indeed sounded like the truth.
Wan Bi’s expression softened slightly, but then she caught Yao Xi’s choice of words: she had said “silver note,” not “silver.” Wan Bi knew exactly how many notes Yao Xi had on her person—three, each worth one thousand taels.
That little miser Yao Xi had actually given Tao Xiaolin a whole thousand taels???
“How much did you give her?” Wan Bi demanded, unable to believe it and wanting to hear it from Yao Xi’s own mouth.
Feeling somewhat guilty, Yao Xi sheepishly held up a single index finger. “One thousand taels,” she whispered.
“My, aren’t you generous, Eunuch!” The anger Wan Bi felt from suspecting a secret liaison had barely dissipated before her heart was stabbed once more. “This bereaved one had no idea you were capable of such grand generosity!”
Wan Bi felt an unspeakable sorrow well up inside her. Before her, Yao Xi had always been a little miser who clung to money as if it were her life. Yet, toward that Tao Xiaolin, she was willing to nearly empty her pockets. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, until she could barely breathe.
“This slave saw that Miss Tao seemed to be in a difficult situation and only thought to offer what help she could,” Yao Xi explained, feeling she had better clear the air before the Empress Dowager dissolved into another fit of jealousy.
A palace maid called out from beyond the hall doors. “Your Imperial Majesty, the Emperor noted that you departed in a hurry, so he took the liberty of selecting a handsome male musician to send over. Shall we send him back, or…?” The maid was well aware of how deeply the Empress Dowager doted on Eunuch Yao, and she didn’t expect her mistress to keep the man.
Wan Bi was at the height of her fury. She stared intently at Yao Xi and, purely out of spite, declared, “To send him back would be to disregard the Emperor’s kind intentions. Send him in!”
“Your Imperial Majesty?” Yao Xi was stunned.
“Didn’t you burn your hand, Eunuch? This will be the perfect chance for you to rest and recover!” Wan Bi rose and walked toward her bedchamber, refusing to spare Yao Xi another glance.
Yao Xi stood frozen for a long moment. The palace maid had already ushered the musician inside—a handsome young man with delicate, refined features. The moment she watched him step into the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber, Yao Xi’s composure shattered completely, and tears flowed unbidden down her cheeks.
Footnotes
- The term xiasanlan (下三滥) refers to vulgar, cheap, or underhanded behavior, historically associated with the lowest rungs of society.
- A yinpiao (银票) was a paper banknote or bill of exchange representing silver, used in imperial China for large transactions to avoid carrying bulky metal.
- The idiom le bu si Shu (乐不思蜀), literally too happy to think of Shu, means to be so indulged in pleasure elsewhere that one forgets to return home. It originates from the Three Kingdoms period.
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