Your Majesty is Poisonous – Chapter 147

The Empress Dowager Refuses

“Absolutely not!” Wan Bi rejected the Emperor’s absurd proposal flat. She couldn’t even bear the thought of Yao Xi as her niece, let alone an adopted daughter.

The Emperor didn’t lose his temper. He reasoned with her patiently, “We understand. It’s rare for Your Highness to have a satisfactory girl by your side, so naturally you can’t bear to part with her. Rest assured—once We confer the title of princess on Yao Xi, you’ll become the girl’s Mother Empress, and you can keep her at your side to fulfill her filial duties.”

            

“This bereaved one says it’s out of the question, and that’s final! Your Majesty needn’t reward her at all. Pretend this bereaved one never mentioned it.” Wan Bi’s expression was grave. Thank heavens the Emperor had brought it up to her face. If he’d tried to surprise her—issuing a decree out of nowhere, adopting Yao Xi as his sworn sister without a word—that would have been far worse.

“Tell Us, Your Highness, why not? We wish to elevate the Yao family, but the court’s ministers each hold their positions, and even restoring Yao Hezheng to his original post will be difficult. Once the Yao family returns to the capital, Shuanglan will also be stripped of her Jieyu¹ title and leave the palace to rejoin her family. We confer the title of princess on Yao Xi so the Yao family can establish themselves in the capital again—is that wrong?” The Emperor’s voice rose a notch.

He was thinking further ahead. Shuanglan had chosen never to marry, all because of him. After their parents passed away, how would she live? Even if he wished to help, given Shuanglan’s temperament, she might not accept it. But if Shuanglan had a princess for a younger sister, things would be different. The Yao family would become imperial kin, and no one would dare say a word even if Shuanglan remained unwed for life.

            

Wan Bi pressed a hand to her aching forehead and said in a leisurely tone, “This bereaved one understands Your Majesty’s regard for the Yao family. Since you’re conferring a princess title, why not make it double happiness²? This bereaved one saw Longyi’s little cousin last time and found her quite delightful. They say the child lost both parents early—quite pitiful. Why doesn’t Your Majesty adopt her as a sworn sister as well?”

This time it was the Emperor’s turn to change color. Wan Bi knew full well he had feelings for Sun Yan. Why would she say such a thing?

“You and Yao Xi?” The Emperor had a sudden realization.

            

Wan Bi smiled and nodded. “Your Majesty must keep this a secret for this bereaved one. If Yao Hezheng found out and disapproved, Yao Xi would be caught in the middle and put in an impossible position. This bereaved one will appoint Yao Xi as a Palace Female Official. She’ll still stay by this bereaved one’s side, and she can visit the Yao family whenever she wishes.”

“This…” The Emperor was clearly stunned. There were plenty of palace maids who took up duishi³, and he didn’t think much of it. He simply hadn’t expected that Wan Bi was attracted to women. He felt a sudden pang of sympathy for the Late Emperor—the man had gone to his grave never understanding that Wan Bi had rejected him from the very root.

He also felt somewhat relieved. “No wonder you remain unmoved day in and day out in the presence of a man as outstanding as We. We finally understand why.” The Emperor regained a bit more confidence in his own charm—he had nearly been crushed beyond recovery by Sun Yan’s rejection.

            

Wan Bi shot the Emperor a withering glare. “What are you imagining? This bereaved one has nothing but a mother’s love for you, as high as a mountain and deep as the sea. If there’s nothing else, go back. This bereaved one is tired.”

“Right. If Meng Delai refuses to confess in the Shu family case, what then?” The Emperor was somewhat worried. Tortured confessions wouldn’t work on Meng Delai. A man who had waded through seas of blood and mountains of blades wouldn’t fear those instruments.

Wan Bi thought to herself that this son truly wasn’t her biological child—foolish in an almost endearing way. “Just write up the confession document and have him sign it. If he won’t, chop off his hand and press his handprint for him. Even if there’s no evidence to overturn the Yao family’s case, don’t worry—witnesses and physical evidence can both be forged. You’re the Emperor. Who would dare find fault?”

            

The Emperor looked at Wan Bi with some distaste. Such a refined, fresh-faced young woman, yet her suggestions were so bloodthirsty, violent, and unreasonable. But he had to admit—many times, without Wan Bi giving him a push or even cleaning up his messes, his throne might not have sat so securely. “Fine. We will go back and deal with Meng Delai’s matter first.”

“Mm-hm.” Wan Bi rose and followed the Emperor out of the study.

The Emperor was somewhat flattered. In the past, he often visited Ning’an Palace, and Wan Bi rarely rose to see him out. “Why is Your Highness so courteous today? You’re actually willing to see Us out,” the Emperor said with a smile.

            

Wan Bi smiled back. “Your Majesty misunderstands. This bereaved one only came out to see why Xi-girl hasn’t come back yet.”

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By the time Yao Xi returned, it was already dark. Yao Shuanglan had personally escorted her back, carrying a lantern.

“Hurry and go inside. There are too many insects out here.” Yao Shuanglan tugged at Yao Xi’s hand, reluctant to let go.

            

Yao Xi glanced at the darkening sky and looked down the winding path that led toward the stream. “Let me escort jiejie back first.”

Yao Shuanglan ducked her head and laughed. “We’d be escorting each other back and forth all night. Be good and go inside. We live so close, it’s easy to talk anytime.”

“Then Jiejie, be careful.” Yao Xi climbed the stone steps to the main hall, looking back at every stride.

            

Yao Shuanglan stood below the steps, waving with a smile, and called out a worried reminder: “Watch your step—don’t trip!”

Wan Bi sat in the main hall, watching Yao Xi and Yao Shuanglan’s reluctant parting, and felt a twinge of sour jealousy. When Yao Xi parted from her, she’d never been this reluctant. She’d turn around and leave without a second thought—and don’t even expect that little madam to look back.

Yao Xi paused at the entrance to the main hall. She wanted to go check the duty room first to see if Meng Li’an had woken up. But the moment she turned, the Empress Dowager’s voice rang out from inside.

            

“Where are you off to now?” Wan Bi suddenly felt that even if Yao Xi stayed obediently in the palace from now on, the time she spent with her might not be any more than before.

Yao Xi clung to the doorframe of the main hall, craning her neck to peer inside. The Empress Dowager sat at the table, playing chess against herself. “Your Highness, I wanted to go see whether that eunuch who was badly hurt has woken up yet.”

“Mm—take one look and come right back.” Wan Bi pushed the chess pieces aside impatiently. Every time Yao Xi left her side, she had a perfectly reasonable excuse—reuniting with her sister, visiting a eunuch injured on her behalf. But no matter how justified Yao Xi’s reasons were, they did nothing to diminish Wan Bi’s longing. When Yao Xi wasn’t before her eyes, the waiting was agony.

            

A lamp burned in the duty room. Yao Xi cracked the door open and peered inside—Meng Li’an was still asleep. But to her relief, whereas before Meng Li’an had lain in bed like a corpse, he now had steady, strong breathing. Yao Xi noticed his blanket corner had come loose. She slipped through the door crack as quietly as she could and tiptoed to the bedside. The moment she grasped the blanket edge, a hand shot out from under the covers and clamped iron-tight around her wrist.

Meng Li’an’s eyes flew open, gleaming sharply as he scrutinized the seemingly familiar woman standing over his bed. Ping’er had been the one tending to him during the day, and he recognized her footsteps. Half-asleep, he’d heard something amiss and startled awake.

“Ow, ow, ow!” Yao Xi hissed in a low voice, afraid of drawing attention. “Li’an-di⁴, it’s me!”

            

“Eunuch Yao?” Meng Li’an released his grip at once. Why was Yao Xi dressed like this? Had the Eastern Depot done this?

Yao Xi rubbed her wrist and asked, “Are you all right? Her Highness said you were badly hurt.”

Meng Li’an shook his head. He glanced up and caught sight of the slight swell of Yao Xi’s chest. Though young, he understood certain things. He hastily averted his eyes, unable to find a safe place to rest his gaze, and turned his face away, not daring to look at Yao Xi.

            

“I won’t disturb your rest. I’ll come see you tomorrow.” Yao Xi quietly closed the duty room door and scampered around the corner into the main hall.

“Your Highness!” The moment Yao Xi entered the hall, she threw herself into the Empress Dowager’s arms and wheedled, “I missed you so much!”

An irrepressible smile spread across Wan Bi’s lips. She pulled Yao Xi onto her lap and asked, “How did it go chatting with your jiejie?”

            

“It was really awkward at first, but it got better after we talked for a while.” Yao Xi laughed, covering her mouth with her fingertips. Dressed in women’s attire, her movements and mannerisms had grown much more delicate. After all, in the full regalia of a noble young lady, behaving too coarsely would feel jarring. “Oh, Your Highness—jiejie also said she’d teach me to trace flower patterns tomorrow.”

She’s going again tomorrow? Wan Bi felt a pang of disappointment, but she only grumbled to herself and didn’t say it aloud. But the sisters had been separated for years and had only just reunited. They must have endless things to talk about. If she tried to stop Yao Xi, it wouldn’t just be unreasonable—it would be positively inhuman. “How long will you be gone?” Wan Bi asked cautiously.

Yao Xi cupped the Empress Dowager’s face and leaned in to plant a kiss. “I can’t bear to be apart from Your Highness. I’ve already asked jiejie to come here and teach me. Princess Longyi will come too—the four of us together will be so lively!” Yao Xi’s voice grew quieter as she went on, and she asked uneasily, “Your Highness won’t be angry that I made plans on my own, will you? I forgot you like being alone—how about—”

            

Wan Bi cut her off. “That was before. Now this bereaved one only likes being with you.” As long as Yao Xi was within her sight, nothing else mattered.

Yao Xi noticed the Empress Dowager had already changed her clothes, which meant she had already bathed. She stood up from the Empress Dowager’s lap and said, “Then I’ll go wash first. Your Highness can play chess while you wait for me.”

“This bereaved one will go with you.” Wan Bi didn’t want to be apart from Yao Xi for a single second. She took Yao Xi’s hand and hooked it around her own neck, then lifted Yao Xi effortlessly. She bounced her in her arms twice and grinned wickedly. “How did you get heavier again?”

            

“Because I’m still growing!” Yao Xi scrunched up her nose in displeasure. The Empress Dowager was practically fattening her up like a pig—no wonder she was getting plump.

Inside the Lanye Pool, Wan Bi set Yao Xi down gently and began untying her clothes. Midway through, Wan Bi’s hands suddenly stilled. She remembered that long-ago dream, beautiful and terrifying all at once—Yao Xi, whom she’d still thought a eunuch, had appeared in a dress, pinned beneath her in the cabin of a boat…

Wan Bi tilted Yao Xi’s chin and studied her at length. “You really do look better dressed as a girl.” She felt a stir of desire, but mindful of Imperial Physician Fu’s instructions and the bruise marks on Yao Xi’s arm, she only gave Yao Xi’s lips a light peck.

            

Yao Xi’s gaze also drifted, deliberately and not, toward the virginity mark⁵ on the Empress Dowager’s forearm. That tiny crimson dot reminded her, ceaselessly, that by strict definition, the Empress Dowager was not yet her woman.

She wanted to claim the Empress Dowager right now, but her arm ached too fiercely to muster the strength. While Yao Xi’s thoughts ran wild, Wan Bi had already undressed her and lifted her into the pool water.

Wan Bi stood in the water wearing an unlined garment, picked up a bathing cloth, and began gently wiping Yao Xi’s arm. “Tell me if it hurts.”

            

Yao Xi didn’t feel any pain at all—her mind was racing elsewhere entirely.

“Xi-girl. In a while, your parents will be able to return to the capital.” Wan Bi’s mood turned heavy. After Yao Xi had reunited with her family, both sentiment and duty would require her to go home and stay for a while. Wan Bi feared she wouldn’t be able to endure the separation.

“Mm-hm. Thank you, Your Highness.” The desire that had just kindled within Yao Xi was severed by those words.

            

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