Jiang Ling hurried to the main hall, where Huang Liang raised his hand in greeting and said, “By His Majesty’s decree, Lady Jiang is requested to accompany this humble servant at once.”
At this shichen, Yuan Mingdi should be taking his midday rest. Jiang Ling grew increasingly nervous and asked, “Why does His Majesty wish to see me?”
Huang Liang chuckled, “This humble servant merely follows orders. I beg Lady Jiang’s understanding.”
As Yuan Mingdi’s trusted inner attendant, Huang Liang was naturally the most cunning among the cunning. To be a confidant, aside from loyalty, one’s mouth must be as tight as a clam shell.
Jiang Ling dared not hope to extract any information from Huang Liang and instead asked, “Has the matter of Fang Sideng been fully investigated?”
Huang Liang replied, “Lady Jiang, please remain calm. The Gong Zheng Si is currently investigating.”
Since Fang Sideng’s death remained unresolved, Yuan Mingdi summoning her to Chui Gong Hall meant he wasn’t planning to punish her.
Jiang Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief, nodding to Huang Liang in thanks. “Let’s go.”
Arriving at the bedchamber in the rear hall of Chui Gong Hall, Huang Liang invited Jiang Ling to wait in the side room before raising his hand in farewell. “His Majesty is resting. Lady Jiang, please wait a moment.”
After Huang Liang withdrew from the room, Jiang Ling sat alone, anxiously waiting.
Wen Juan, who had accompanied her, glanced around and whispered reassuringly, “Mei Ren, please set your mind at ease. His Majesty typically rests for at most half a shichen at midday. He should be rising soon.”
Jiang Ling hummed in acknowledgment, her expression gradually growing uneasy.
If there were truly urgent matters, Yuan Mingdi wouldn’t have made her wait. Summoning her early only to have her sit on the cold bench—the attendants hadn’t even served tea—must be by higher order. Yuan Mingdi was punishing her.
Jiang Ling felt as if sitting on pins and needles, constantly glancing toward the door. Just as her eyes were wearing out from straining, an attendant finally appeared: “His Majesty summons Lady Jiang for an audience.”
Having waited so anxiously, Jiang Ling now found herself strangely calm.
If misfortune strikes, there’s no escaping it. Better to die early and be reborn sooner. With the tragic determination of preparing for death, Jiang Ling followed the attendant to the main hall.
The hall was empty. The attendant stood before the eastern room’s entrance, lifting the door curtain.
Before her was precisely the antechamber of Yuan Mingdi’s sleeping quarters. Jiang Ling paused slightly before stepping inside.
Yuan Mingdi stood with arms outstretched as the Siqin maid attended to his dressing. A palace maid stood by holding a silver basin and cloth.
Jiang Ling quickly surveyed the scene before curtsying in greeting: “Your humble consort pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Yuan Mingdi glanced sideways at her, mumbling an indistinct acknowledgment. “Sit.”
After expressing gratitude for the imperial favor, Jiang Ling sat on the brocade stool. Once the dragon robes were properly arranged, Yuan Mingdi sat on the couch while a maid knelt halfway, holding the silver basin for him to wash his hands. Another maid wrung out a hot cloth and presented it; he took it and wiped his face.
Observing the scene before her, Jiang Ling couldn’t help but marvel inwardly: “Heavens! The emperor actually has hands of his own! And he can eat by himself, even defecate on his own!”
Yuan Mingdi’s breath hitched, nearly dropping the cloth in his hand. As a maid was scooping scented cream with a silver spoon, he angrily threw down his cloth, snatched the spoon, and haphazardly smeared the cream on his face before saying sternly, “All of you, withdraw.”
The attending servants withdrew in unison. Only the two of them remained in the room, instantly falling so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
Jiang Ling couldn’t resist stealing a glance. Yuan Mingdi sat with hands on knees, glaring at her with a stern face. Startled, she stammered, “Your Majesty, why did you summon your humble consort… what matter requires my presence?”
Yuan Mingdi said displeasedly, “When I assign you tasks, you constantly make excuses and evade them, focusing only on avoiding work!”
Jiang Ling looked bewildered, murmuring in confusion, “Your servant is dull-witted and fails to comprehend what Your Majesty refers to.”
Yuan Mingdi fumed, “Do you think I would wrong you without cause? Under the pretext of avoiding suspicion, you casually cast aside your duties at the Bureau of Candles. Acting so recklessly without any self-reflection!”
So it was about the Bureau of Candles. Jiang Ling breathed a sigh of relief and weakly defended herself, “With Fang Sideng’s suicide, I truly should avoid suspicion. Moreover, disasters have struck one after another since I took charge of the Bureau of Candles. I am incompetent and beg Your Majesty to revoke your appointment.”
Yuan Mingdi laughed in exasperation, “At least you have some self-awareness, knowing you’re useless and utterly foolish! I gave you an opportunity to manage affairs, but you abandoned them after just a few days!”
When Huang Liang reported this to him, he felt immense frustration at her inadequacy.
Regarding the incidents at Lan Yue Hall and Fang Sideng’s death, he had never suspected her. Knowing her temperament, he guessed she was probably sleeping in Fanying Pavilion and sent Huang Liang to summon her to the imperial bedchamber, deliberately disturbing her rest.
Yuan Mingdi frowned deeply, utterly perplexed.
Throughout the court and harem, everyone sought power and control. Yet when he put her in charge of the Bureau of Candles, she kept making excuses!
“Your Majesty’s reprimand is justified. I am deeply ashamed,” Jiang Ling bowed her head and accepted the scolding properly, while thinking to herself: “No extra silver, yet bearing numerous risks. All disadvantages without any benefits—only a fool would take this on!”
Yuan Mingdi was rendered speechless. So she would only work if there were benefits? Following her logic, he had given her many advantages without receiving any return—he was truly at a loss!
Having suffered losses, how could he let her profit from it?
He lifted his eyelids to examine her. Seeing her sitting there stiffly, her fair complexion tinged with blue and lips pale, he paused unexpectedly and asked, “Are you cold?”
The Opening Furnace Festival hadn’t arrived yet, and no heating braziers were lit in the bedchamber. Though wearing padded jackets, Jiang Ling still had icy hands and feet. She candidly admitted, “My constitution is weak and I cannot—”
She initially intended to use this as another excuse to decline the troublesome Bureau of Candles assignment, but before speaking, she instinctively glanced covertly at Yuan Mingdi. Seeing his mocking half-smile, she hastily swallowed her words.
Yuan Mingdi snorted coldly. Since she knew her place, he wouldn’t pursue the matter further. “If your health is frail, why expose yourself to the ill omen of death? Remember to keep your distance in the future.”
Jiang Ling acknowledged the instruction while thinking: “The living are far more terrifying than the dead. Stop the nonsense and give me charcoal—lots of charcoal!”
Yuan Mingdi’s face darkened. With important state affairs awaiting, he couldn’t be bothered with this wretched woman. Waving dismissively, he said, “Return and properly manage the Bureau of Candles. No slacking off! If further errors occur, I’ll hold you accountable!”
Not only had she failed to discard this hot potato, but she’d also been summoned for a scolding. Jiang Ling felt like crying but had no tears. Struggling for a way out, she said, “Your Majesty, with Sideng Si currently vacant, I cannot manage everything alone.”
Yuan Mingdi remained silent for a long moment before patiently stating, “If you believe anyone is competent, temporarily assign them to manage it.”
Palace maids were appointed by Shangshu Neisheng and supervised by Gong Zheng Si. Sideng positions belonged to sixth-rank female officials, whose promotions were strictly regulated—Shangshu Neisheng must submit recommendations for Yuan Mingdi’s final approval.
Since Yuan Mingdi held ultimate authority, Jiang Ling understood his implicit meaning: she could choose herself, meaning she could promote her own people.
Leaving Chui Gong Hall for the storerooms, Jiang Ling pondered deeply along the way.
Yuan Mingdi had openly permitted her to build her own faction—wasn’t he worried she might monopolize power in the harem?
Or perhaps he was testing her, selecting her to disrupt the current balance in the rear palace.
Jiang Ling felt utterly dejected, blaming herself for having skimmed through books carelessly in the past without grasping the hidden factions and power dynamics of the rear palace.
If she chose someone’s secretly planted pawn, she would be digging her own grave.
Worrying was useless. Jiang Ling shook her head and quickly put these thoughts aside. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to select a reliable and capable person.
In the future, she could hand over the duties to this person and become a hands-off manager!
Exiting the narrow path led to the storeroom. At that moment, Gao Cairen and her entourage turned out from the path’s entrance. Seeing Jiang Ling, she stopped, curtsied slightly, and said with a cold smirk, “I was just on my way to find Lady Jiang. Since we’ve met here, it saves me the trouble.”
Jiang Ling’s heart sank. Judging by Gao Cairen’s demeanor, she had come to demand an explanation!