Red Chamber 20
Having formed her own suspicions, A Yuan was reluctant to grow too close to the Emperor.
Fortunately, the Emperor had little time for such matters recently. Since the beginning of spring, the Jiangnan region had been unstable. During the rainy season in April, heavy rain poured continuously for a month, causing a breach in the canal along a tributary of the Yangtze River. Dozens of downstream villages were flooded, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of commoners.
Furious, the Emperor immediately dispatched officials to Jiangnan to assess the disaster, while he himself went to Ningshou Palace to discuss relief efforts with the Retired Emperor.
Jiangnan was the Retired Emperor’s financial stronghold, with the Zhen Shi clan acting as his enforcers. Over the years, the region had become impenetrable and tightly controlled. The Emperor had attempted to intervene in Jiangnan affairs multiple times but had never succeeded.
This canal breach not only affected the common people in the middle and lower reaches but also disrupted water transport and salt shipments. Jiangnan Prefecture served as a crucial hub for both salt and grain transportation. Once its operations faltered, the consequences would be far-reaching. While not as destabilizing to the nation as a Yellow River breach, it was nearly as severe.
The Retired Emperor also understood the gravity of the situation and tacitly allowed the Emperor’s men to go to Jiangnan.
He wanted to see what results his son had achieved after studying the art of governance for so many years.
Shui Cong had been busy for several days. After accompanying the Emperor in Qianqing Palace that day, it took him several more days before he visited Yongshou Palace again.
When he arrived, A Yuan happened to be having her evening meal. Upon hearing the announcement, she intended to go out and greet him, but she saw Shui Cong striding in with Chang’an: “No need to rise, stay seated. Why are you only eating now?”
A Yuan, who had half-risen, settled back into her seat. “I slept too long this afternoon and felt sluggish and listless after waking up, so I kept delaying until now. If it weren’t for Aunt Jin keeping an eye on me, I wouldn’t even have wanted to eat.”
As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on the Emperor, her eyes bright and filled with a smile.
The Emperor felt his ears grow warm under her gaze. He moved closer and sat down beside her, his hand naturally taking hold of hers.
He asked gently, “Are you feeling unwell? Or is it just lethargy from oversleeping? Otherwise, why would you have no appetite?”
Leaning against his shoulder, A Yuan looked at the table full of dishes and felt even less inclined to eat. Her tone carried a hint of complaint: “The food in the palace is all northern cuisine. As a Jiangnan native, I found it tolerable at first, but eating it day after day, no matter how delicious, has become tiresome.”
Seeing her unhappy complaint, Shui Cong couldn’t help but feel pity for this young woman from Jiangnan, alone in the depths of the palace. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and said, “Once the flood situation is resolved, I will have someone find two Gusu chefs to bring into the palace.”
A Yuan immediately straightened up, her eyes filled with delight as she looked at the Emperor. “Is His Majesty serious? Then I’d like a chef skilled in preparing river delicacies.”
“River delicacies are cooling in nature. Even if you enjoy them, you mustn’t overindulge.” Seeing her so happy, Shui Cong couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m not a child, of course I won’t overindulge.”
A Yuan quickly assured him, then shook his hand gently, her face clouded with concern. “It’s been many days since I last saw you, and I notice His Majesty has grown thinner, and your complexion doesn’t look well. Have you not been resting properly these days?”
Shui Cong indeed had not been resting well these days.
The flooding in Jiangnan was a matter of great significance. This breach of the canal embankment was not only due to natural disaster but likely also involved human negligence, as the location of the breach happened to be a dam that had been explicitly ordered for construction by the Retired Emperor a few years prior. The chief overseer of the dam construction at that time was Qian Mingfeng, the Governor of Jiangnan Waterways, and his deputy was Zhen Yingjia, the younger brother of Consort Dowager Zhen.
Qian Mingfeng was a trusted confidant of the Retired Emperor, and Zhen Yingjia was the biological younger brother of Consort Dowager Zhen.
Both were intricately connected to the faction of Ningshou Palace. If human negligence were uncovered in this matter, it would present both an opportunity and a danger for Shui Cong.
Yet Shui Cong was not afraid in the slightest; on the contrary, he was extremely excited.
He said, “The disaster in Jiangnan this year weighs heavily on my mind, and I have been unable to sleep at night out of concern for the people. Only after the Jiangnan matter is resolved can I set my heart at ease. By then, it will likely be summer. The palace is unbearably stuffy in the heat, so I will take you to the Xuanqing Imperial Resort to escape the summer.”
“Are we leaving the palace?” A Yuan’s attention was immediately diverted at the mention of the “Xuanqing Imperial Resort.” “In which month will we depart? This servant has noticed it’s already starting to get hot these days, especially around noon these past two days—it’s been so stifling that I even thought of asking Aunt Jin to fetch an ice basin.”
“It’s only the beginning of the month—how can we use an ice basin already?”
Shui Cong shot her a disapproving glance. “How can a young woman like you be so intolerant of the summer heat? Could it be that you used ice basins as early as the fourth or fifth month even when you were at home?”
“We never used ice basins in Jiangnan.”
A Yuan muttered, “In the courtyard where I used to live, there were two huge banyan trees. In the summer, I’d place a small couch under the trees, lean back, and enjoy the breeze—it was so comfortable, no need for an ice basin at all.”
Everything in the palace was fine, except the courtyards were empty. Even if trees were planted, they were the short kind that couldn’t provide any shade.
Shui Cong actually didn’t like being in the palace either, always feeling it was oppressive and stifling.
But on the surface, he feigned a light cough and said, “Alright, I know you’re one who loves comfort. After the ancestral worship during the Dragon Boat Festival in midsummer, we will depart for the Xuanqing Imperial Resort.”
Midsummer Dragon Boat Festival?
So they wouldn’t go to escape the heat until after the Dragon Boat Festival: “When will we return?”
“Before the Double Ninth Festival.” Because he also had to return for the Double Ninth Festival to worship ancestors and host a banquet for the officials.
“Then we’ll be staying at the resort for four months?”
A Yuan was delighted. She twisted around to hug the Emperor’s arm, resting her chin on his shoulder, and blinked coquettishly at him. “Then this servant must prepare more clothes, since we’ll be staying for four months.”
As A Yuan drew closer, Shui Cong felt half his body go numb.
His voice hoarse, he suppressed the flutter in his heart. “You hardly ate anything. Hurry and finish your meal, lest you go hungry in the night.”
A Yuan glanced back at the dishes on the table and, in the end, didn’t complain further. Instead, she ate a few mouthfuls of rice with some soup before having the meal cleared away. Shui Cong had already finished his meal before coming over, so seeing A Yuan done, he took her hand and led her to the Water Chamber.
After each had bathed, they returned to the bedchamber.
“The bed curtain has been changed?” As soon as he entered, Shui Cong noticed the difference. The original bed curtain had been replaced with a moon-white one embroidered with intertwining vines, looking very refreshing.
“Yes, it’s getting hot. Using the old one would be too warm now.”
A Yuan lifted the bed curtain and went inside, with Shui Cong following closely behind.
The bed curtain fell behind them, and the candlelight from outside the curtain filtered through, just spilling onto A Yuan’s back. She wore a gauzy garment, hazy and indistinct, making her waist appear even more slender. Shui Cong wrapped an arm around her, his chin resting in the crook of her shoulder, his breathing growing heated.
A Yuan glanced back at him.
Shui Cong took advantage of the position to plant a kiss on her delicate, rosy lips.
Then he scooped her up and carried her into the bed curtain.
Shui Cong had indeed been exhausted these past few days. The moment he touched the bed, that weariness surged forth. Even though his body stirred restlessly and his heart itched with desire, he felt utterly drained of energy. So, half-pressed against A Yuan, he lay still. After a long while, A Yuan shifted uncomfortably. “Your Majesty.”
Shui Cong opened his eyes, his voice laced with fatigue. “Hmm?”
“If you’re tired, let’s just sleep for now.” There really was no need to force himself.
“Hmm.” Another soft, shallow response.
Shui Cong shifted his body, allowing A Yuan to turn and face him, then patted her back. “Sleep.”
He was simply too tired.
A Yuan waited until Shui Cong’s breathing steadied before she inched further into the bed, settling comfortably on her back. Only then did she retrieve a damp cloth from her System Warehouse to wipe her neck and wrists.
If you’re tired, you should rest properly. Some things really aren’t necessary.
After wiping away the Tranquilizing Elixir from those two spots, she yawned, curled herself into the Emperor’s embrace, and fell into a deep sleep.
Shui Cong slept exceptionally well that night. The next day, when he went to court, he was full of vigor.
Chang’an followed behind, offering flattering words. “The Noble Consort truly has a way. Your Majesty looks exceptionally spirited today.”
“Yongshou Palace is indeed soothing.”
Shui Cong had slept alone in Qianqing Palace for several days, but each morning he awoke feeling physically drained, as if he hadn’t rested at all overnight. In contrast, after a night’s peaceful sleep in Yongshou Palace, it was as if he had drunk celestial dew—he felt radiant and refreshed.
Shui Cong grew increasingly pleased with Noble Consort Lin. He then called to Chang’an, “I recall a peck measure of Hepu Pearls was presented from the provinces during the New Year festivities. Go retrieve them and deliver them to Yongshou Palace for Noble Consort Lin to use for making jewelry.”
He took a few steps, then added, “I believe there was also a box of Pink Pearls. Send those over as well. Noble Consort Lin is beautiful; pearls nourish the complexion. They are fitting for her use.”
Chang’an inwardly clicked his tongue in amazement.
How many times had they made trips to Yongshou Palace just these past few days?
Might as well move the entire Private Treasury there!
Outwardly, however, he maintained a serious expression. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Having played the part of a generous benefactor, Shui Cong felt thoroughly satisfied. With his hands clasped behind his back, he strode purposefully toward Taiji Hall. Now that he was well-rested and comfortable, it was time to strive for an early resolution to the Jiangnan flood situation.
When Shui Cong rose, A Yuan was not yet awake. By the time she had slept her fill, the sun was already blazing high.
Aunt Jin had her suspicions, so she entered, keeping Bao Qin and the others outside, and asked, “Mistress, when shall we summon the Imperial Physician?”
“No hurry. My pregnancy signs are still faint. Even if the Imperial Physician came, he might not necessarily detect it. It’s still too early. We need to find the right moment to reveal it.” She never hesitated to add chips to her own pile.
For instance, the best time to reveal this pregnancy would be when there was a turning point in the Jiangnan flood situation.
Her pregnancy coupled with the news of the Jiangnan flood being resolved—such double blessings—would surely make Shui Cong even more expectant of the child in her womb.
“But if we don’t seek an Imperial Physician, what if…” Aunt Jin currently had no Skill Cards related to medical arts equipped. If A Yuan could draw the [Seek Medicine and Ask Remedies] Skill Card, Aunt Jin herself could practically serve as an Imperial Physician.
“Just hate having no Points.” Couldn’t draw cards.
A Yuan angrily slapped the edge of the kang. She hadn’t yet firmly established her footing, making even tasks difficult to accomplish, let alone accumulating Points for card drawing.
Who knew how agonizing it was to stare at the card drawing button every day without any Points to draw!
Zhen Shi!
Her Hundred-Draw Guarantee!
She must figure out what kind of filter the Retired Emperor had for Zhen Shi, to indulge her so excessively.