Chapter 820: Chapter 820: Whispering
Twelve big characters, each stained with blood, revealing cruelty.
The guilty officials who initially thought only one person would die were already panicking. They all cried and pleaded to see the Son of Heaven, begging not to implicate their entire clans.
The successive disturbances in the court were overwhelming. Some old officials were left anxious and short of breath by these events. When they heard that some guilty officials were not deserving of death, yet their entire clans would be implicated, they were deeply shocked and felt it was inappropriate.
They increasingly felt uneasy, this series of events being quite unusual. Before one matter was resolved, another one arose, causing unrest and signs of turmoil within the court. Every accusation brought with it a bloody hue, too swift and fierce. They were worried...
They all wanted to seek an audience with the Son of Heaven, but still were not seen. At this, they felt even more uneasy.
Meanwhile, the news of Lian Hua’s unconsciousness in the harem was kept completely airtight.
Several days passed, and seeing that Lian Hua still hadn’t woken up, the Emperor resided within Canglan Court. Underneath his calm exterior, he grew more agitated, and sometimes even Nanny Qi felt very unsettled.
"Nannan, if you wake up, I will take you to meet your father and brother, how about it?"
Unlike the people at the court meeting, the Emperor’s demeanor was as gentle as water at this moment, his words tender and movement meticulous, changing Lian Hua into a set of sleepwear. He kissed the still eyes-closed person, whispering gently by her ear.
Holding her in his arms, the Emperor carefully wiped her face and hands, speaking in a warm voice: "Your Mother-in-law has arrived, living within Canglan Court. Didn’t you tell me before you missed her very much? Wake up now and you can see her. Your Mother-in-law said, whatever you want to read, she will agree with you."
These days, the Emperor stayed within Canglan Court only, he went out just once for the court meeting that day, and quickly returned. All the edicts and policies were issued from within Canglan Court.
Cao De returned, reporting to him about the great victory in Northern Liaoning with all the private soldiers caught, and the likes of Xue Ping could be completely eradicated.
The great peril was removed, yet he found no joy; it was merely an anticipated affair, what was there to celebrate?
Cao De saw his reaction was too indifferent, pointed at his own scruffy face like a wild man and complained repeatedly, seeing him still respond without much reaction, he finally sensed something was off.
After learning what happened, Cao De fell silent, opened his mouth to comfort but finally said nothing, only mentioned that the Internal Guard Bureau would watch over the matters in the Capital, as long as His Majesty knew what he was doing.
Cao De understood him, knew he needed no pity or comfort, yet the one who understood him best was in slumber, that little clever ghost.
Recalling something, the Emperor gently curled his lips and pinched Lian Hua’s nose: "Nannan is really bright and clever. Your method for dealing with the medicine pests is very effective, Xiao Dezi also praised it, eliminating the rat infestation without losing a single soldier, greatly aiding me. Naughty child, tell me, how shall I reward you?"
The person in his arms had no reaction, as she’s always been these days, yet the Emperor was never accustomed to it.
He liked hearing his little concubine chattering away, able to speak on her own even if he didn’t reply, he longed to see her every smile and frown, missed her mischief and antics, often making him want to discipline her, yet always finding delight within.
After tidying her up, he took her to the flower room to sunbathe. The glass tiles on the flower room scattered mottled light under the sun, making the person in his arms look very beautiful.
Every morning, the Emperor personally cleans and brings Lian Hua out. Then Su Ran and Nanny Qi would feed her breakfast, while the Emperor handles some official affairs, returning by noon.
After feeding her until she was full post-lunch, the Emperor draped a thick cloak over her, carried her to the flower room where blooms were rampant and the sun shone warmly, accompanying her in sunbathing and taking a short noon rest. In the afternoon, Su Ran and Nanny Qi took over to accompany her, following the Divine Doctor’s method to massage and activate her muscles.
On warm afternoons, Nanny Qi often squinted her presbyopic eyes while making small clothes, despite Su Ran’s persuasion against labor, which was ineffective. Nanny Qi would frequently say she’s not assured leaving the making of close-fitting clothes to others, that it’s more comfortable when done by herself. Clothes were made from age one and upwards for when the little girl’s child was born.
Su Ran would watch over Lian Hua nearby, occasionally conversing, reminiscing about the past with her.
During the reign of Emperor Taizhong, imperial feasts often included Imperial Court Ladies, naturally including Lady of Marquis Zhenyuan and the young lady. Therefore Nanny Qi knew Su Ran, and at that time, the Empress, who was the Former Empress Dowager, had considered Su Ran when selecting Prince’s Consort for the Late Emperor. Later, when the Marquis of Zhenyuan’s Mansion met misfortune, Nanny Qi secretly sympathized.
Almost all the time, the Emperor, Nanny Qi, and Su Ran were one by one accompanying Lian Hua. Except when the Emperor was present making it inconvenient, Su Ran couldn’t bear to leave her little girl, staying by Lian Hua’s side like a precious treasure reclaimed, wishing to make up for the lost time of these years.
Sometimes while conversing with Lian Hua, Su Ran would turn away to quietly wipe her tears. It was so hard to meet, yet in this sorrowful situation, how could it not make her sad?
Most times, Su Ran would ramble on about their recent situations, comforting her little girl that they were already fine and need not worry, then express her guilt, explaining that she hadn’t wanted to leave Lian Hua behind back then, but faced with uncertain life and death ahead, she couldn’t take her. If they could do it all over again, they wouldn’t leave her no matter what the family said, never again separated.
Occasionally they’d talk about Lian Hua’s mischievous antics from childhood, bringing hearty laughter from Nanny Qi, eagerly asking about Lian Hua’s childhood, chatting warmly and intensely.
Xiao Jizi and the others served like before on both sides, laughing along every time at these moments, telling Su Ran about Lian Hua’s stories she didn’t know, always listening intently and seriously, knowing her little girl had been living happily all along, even dispelling some of the shadows in her heart.
Her little girl had forgotten the hardships they endured, and it was quite good; she hadn’t lived these years in revenge and pain, and thus relieved, only... alas...
During the day, Su Ran and Nanny Qi mostly accompanied her, while the Emperor spent more time during the night, sometimes reminiscing about the past with Lian Hua, mentioning things he had promised her:
"You wanted those books, I had people find them for you and now they fill the study room waiting for you to read. The peculiar rock ornament you made for me, I also saw it, feeling joyous in my heart. My Nannan is truly talented and deft, her ornaments are as good as those made by craftsmen."
"Nannan, do you still remember the day I asked what you wanted for your birthday? Although you never told me, I wished to find everything you love for you. Exactly, your Mother-in-law told me many things from your childhood, I found them all for you, is it okay?"
He would also use silver to tempt her: "The silver you won that day when you played touhu, I had people collect debts for you without even missing one wen. If you don’t wake up, I’ll confiscate it all."
Still useless...