My Empress From The Future
PERSIST
The Emperor allowed the Chu residence to mourn for three months. In the palace, the mourning period was only one month. The entire corner of the palace was filled with white, so the atmosphere looked pale and cold. Empress Meihua kept moody inside Zhuanshi Palace for more than ten days.
It is different with Shen Jia. That beautiful girl was full of youth. Her bright smile was able to spread quickly to the people around her. Her graceful and cheerful carrying at the same time, she said politely showed the upbringing of a high-class family. Of course, the royal family is a family that is always superior in any case than any other family.
Today Shen Jia decided to return to visit the Empress after a previous failed visit, as the Empress was in deep sleep. Carrying a large wooden box in his hand, Jia'er smiled sweetly in front of the Zhuanshi palace gate.
"Greetings Shen Jia Junzhu," said the two great double door guards, who connected Zhuanshi Palace with the other palace.
Junzhu-title for the princess who is the son of a Prince. Not the Emperor's son or daughter.
"Wakeup! Awake quickly! Can I go inside?"shen Jia asked slowly.
"of course. Junzhu please!"
"Thank you."
Stepping cheerfully, Shen Jia entered the grand courtyard of Zhuanshi Palace. The greetings of the servants who passed by him, he responded with a smile. Despite wearing white clothes of mourning marks, Shen Jia still looked like a new Goddess descending from the sky.
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"Li May. What do you think we should do today?"
"Whatever you want to do, Li Mei will accompany you. As long as you are happy. But don't risk hurting you!"
"You're not at all engrossed!"
"Shen Jia Junzhu is coming." Kasim's cry made Meihua turn towards the door.
"Greetings Empress Bao-yu. Forgive my impolite arrival."
"No problem. Wake up! What's the need to come here?"
"Some time ago Jia'er came here. But they say that you are sleeping. Now you can visit again, I brought you a lotus seed soup and Osmanthus cake, especially for you."
Jia'er's tone of voice was beautiful to hear. Speech of gentle and polite language made Meihua smile. Li Mei immediately took over the wooden box in Shen Jia's grip.
"Thank you, Shen Jia Junzhu."
"You don't have to call like that. Just call Jia'er like everyone else."
"alright. Jia'er, sit here!" Meihua patted the place next to her. Jia'er immediately complied.
"An empress, aren't you tired of being in Zhuanshi Palace the whole time?"
"Of course I'm bored. Now it's mourning, so we can't go anywhere."
"Jia'er was bored as well. Actually I want to go out of the palace, want to see the state of affairs in the capital. But grandma always won't let me."
"The Queen mother is only afraid that if you are hurt, sometimes the words of the parents have a point. So be nice by being a submissive princess."
"good. Jia'er will remember the Empress' advice. Thank you, Queen."
"Aiyoo what are those words? Just call me brother Meihua. Didn't you also call the Emperor Gege?"meihua asked as she tasted the lotus seed soup brought by Shen Jia. "Waahh this is so delicious. It's so sweet, it's like the whole happiness of the world is in my mouth."
"Sister Meihua was too complimentary. Where can my cooking skills be equated with my brother's? I hear every time you cook for the Emperor?"
"really. Sometimes we'd eat with Mingfen..."
Saying the name Mingfen made Meihua speechless.
Ohright. I was too sad to know whether Mingfen had arrived or not.
"Sister, if remembering Consort Ming's name only makes you sad, don't go on." It seems that Jia'er misunderstood Meihua's silence. The young girl still thought that Meihua was very sad to lose Mingfen.
"It's okay. He may be happy now."
"You're right. Oh yeah, what if we go fishing? Brother what do you think?"
"Fishing? Whereabouts? Can't we get out of the palace?"
"There is no need to go far outside the palace. What if we go to the Shui Pavilion? There I saw that the fish were big. The servants also often bring small fish to add fish there. Fishing one or two isn't a problem, is it?"
"really so. Li Mei, go and get some fishing hooks for us! I'll wait in the Shui Pavilion!"
"Okay, Your Majesty."
"Let's brother, be careful!"
The two walked side by side, the servants who passed by all bowed respectfully. Along the way, Jia'er told me a lot about his childhood living outside the palace. The straightforward and honest style of storytelling made Meihua instantly like the young girl in front of her.
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Li Mei returned in a hurry, along with a few servants behind her. Two long fishing rods he has got, even with the bait to be used. Meihua and Shen Jia sat side by side on the terrace of Shui Pavilion. Although not as tall as the Cloud Pavilion, the Shui Pavilion was rather special in that it was surrounded by a large artificial lake with an abundance of colorful fish.
The fish were deliberately kept there, to make it easier for the chefs in the palace kitchen to make fish-based dishes. The water is clear with some beautiful flowering lotus flowers, making a beautiful scenery that is rarely found anywhere.
The fragrant bush of the faint lotus lotus, the breeze of the morning also made the hair of the two beautiful women move slowly.
"Sister, if we get the fish here, we cook them together and send them to the grandmother and the Emperor. How's it?"jia'er's words made Meihua turn her head and nod slowly.
"Why is big brother just nodding?"jia'er asked slowly.
"If I speak, maybe the fish will not eat our bait," Meihua replied no less quietly. Shen Jia's mouth formed the letter o with his head nodding in understanding.
Not long after, Meihua's fishing hook was drawn to the center. With enthusiasm, Meihua began to pull the fishing rod. Clear water makes it easier for him to see the fish that is involved in his hook.
"Waahh big brother is great, look at the fish is very big," Shen Jia loudly replied with applause. The servants also turned their heads towards the lake, each muttering that the Empress was very shrewd.
A Eunuch helped remove the fish from the fishing rod, after Meihua managed to lift it up. There was a satisfied smile on Meihua's face. This fishing event made him forget about Mingfen a little. When it was Shen Jia's turn to get the fish, the two clapped each other.
Towards midday when the weather was getting hot, the two decided to stop. The fish they caught were all handed over to the Palace chefs to be cooked and sent to the Emperor's palace and the Queen Mother. Meihua and Shen Jia eat together at the Zhuanshi palace.
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"Eunuch Kang, what's the empress doing all day?"the Emperor asked without looking.
"Answering His Majesty. The Empress and Shen Jia Junzhu were fishing together in the Shui Pavilion. Both got a lot of fish."
"Jia'er?"
"really. Initially Jia Junzhu visited the Empress. The two decided to go fishing together. It should be now that the waitress from the kitchen will come here to..."
A servant came in with a big box in his hand. Just one look at that servant from the palace kitchen. After bowing respectfully, the waiter then arranged the various dishes on the table. Eunuch Kang helped direct. After everything was done, the servant resigned.
"What'sthis? Are all dishes fish-themed?"asked the Emperor in wonder.
"Perhaps these were the fish of the Queen and Jia Junzhu. Your Majesty, please."
"Seeing from the abundance of fish and their large size, both of them are quite talented. Both are very satisfied now. Eunuch Kang, take some gifts in the palace treasure room, give them to the Empress and Jia'er. Tell Zhen to appreciate their hard work."
"good. I'll do the order."
Coinciding with the departure of Eunuch Kang, the Emperor began to pick up chopsticks and taste the dishes this time. Judging from the radiant look on his face, it seemed that the Emperor was very satisfied.
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Meihua and Shen Jia who were overflowing due to today's dishes, sat together on the long chair. Li Mei and another servant fanned the two.
"Son't today really exhausting?" Jia'er opened his mouth.
"You're right. But at once very fun. Next time let's do it again!"
"Honor to the Queen. Respect to Shen Jia Junzhu." Eunuch Kang's voice made the two women open their eyes.
"There's Eunuch Kang? Wake up! What's up? Is the Emperor looking for me?"
"Answering His Majesty the Empress. Servant sent by the Emperor to give gifts to both of you."
"What gift?"
"Gift for the hard work you both prepared the groceries for the dish this time. The Emperor was very satisfied and enjoyed it. Please!"
Each Eunuch gave it to Li Mei and Jia'er.
"Thank you for the Emperor's kindness" Meihua and Jia'er said simultaneously.
"Sorry, please." Eunuch Kang then saluted and turned around. Behind him Meihua exclaimed, "It's been a hassle for you, Eunuch Kang. Be careful on the road!"
"Wahh Your Majesty. It's a beautiful Phoenix conde skewer." Li Mei opened the box and showed it to Meihua.
"My mountain is beautiful too. Brother look!"
Jia'er's gift was such a beautiful sky-blue jade bracelet. If worn by a girl as beautiful as Shen Jia then her beauty will be more visible.
"Very suitable for you, Jia'er."
"really. Brother Tian Yi always knew what I liked. I guess I should thank him directly."
"Then go!"
"good. Brother see you again. Jia'er excuse me."
Seeing Shen Jia's departure, Meihua only let out a long sigh. The feeling alone or indeed the present this time was better than Shen Jia's? Even Jia'er also said that big brother Tian Yi always knew what he liked. Is there anything else he never knew between the two? Thinking about it instantly made his head dizzy.
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Yang Residence
Yang's officials included second-level officials. With a stable position in the government, and always obeying the rules, Yang officials had almost no fault. Under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Liu, Yang's officials always gave other acceptable advice and opinions.
Yang Wei had three daughters. The first daughter was Yang Jiali, the second daughter Yang Qingli and her third daughter was Yang Songmi. Among his three daughters, Yang Wei had always loved Songmi the most. To make others always envious.
Despite being born from the womb of the same mother, Jiali and Qingli always oppressed her third sister. Since childhood, Songmi has always been weak and sickly.
When Prime Minister Liu said that it was time for the Emperor to have a new concubine, all the royal residences and government officials were vying to propose his daughters. No exception to Yang's office. His two daughters, who have entered the age of marriage, put their names on the electoral list.
Meanwhile, Jiali and Qingli who were happy for the chance to become Emperor's concubines, increasingly felt the upper hand. Every day they oppress Songmi. Without protection from her father, Songmi is just a poor official's daughter. Their mother could not do anything, because the mother herself actually loved her second daughter, Qingli.
"Aiyoo our poor little sister. Lookyyourface! Have you been reflecting? Look at your clothes too! I missed that model!" Jiali started the morning by greeting Songmi.
"Sister. Even though this shirt is old-fashioned, my sister feels comfortable wearing it" Songmi replied.
"It's a shame that I didn't put your name on the concubine's list, you're such a disgrace!"
Qingli's turn to speak. The girl is cool with her new hairstyle.
"No problem. Most importantly, sister can take care of father and mother here. May both brothers be chosen as concubines."
"of course. We will soon enter the palace, living luxurious and comfortable. Wearing fine jewelry and beautiful clothes. You'll be amazed to see us!" Ketus Jiali's.
Songmi just smiled a little, while continuing her activities embroidery handkerchiefs. To him, the ridicule and insults from his two brothers were commonplace. Maybe that's how her two sisters treated her. Songmi knew that even though her two brothers seemed to hate her, they actually loved her too. Songmi only hopes that her two brothers can be chosen as concubines and make her mother's father happy. What a thought so innocent and naive. Most people will soon forget where they came from and even forget their identity when dealing with money and power.
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The queen mother coughed softly. Immediately her trusted lady-in-waiting helped massage the back of her back and gave her a cup of warm water. After drinking it the cough subsided. Jia'er who was in a hurry to enter the palace that belonged to the Queen Mother immediately knelt in dismay. His hands helped to massage the grandmother's back.
"grandmother. Jia'er get Han healers here. Grandma take it easy."
"Jia'er, no need. Grandma just feels tired."
"You can't refuse. Physician Han is almost there."
"alright. Thank you to Jia'er."
Shen Jia nodded softly, God took the empty cup from the hand of the queen mother.
"Jia'er, become the Emperor's concubine what do you think?"
The Empress Dowager's question successfully made Shen Jia fixated, forgetting to put the cup on the table.
"Jia'er?"
"grandmother. Can we not discuss this?"
"Why? Aren't you enough to get married? If you become Consort Yi'er, you won't be far from Grandma. We can all take care of you here."
"Then Jia'er didn't want to hurt Meihua's brother. Brother Meihua is nice and fun. Jia'er seemed to get the true warmth from an older sister. Grandma can Jia'er not just get married?"
"Aiyaaa this girl. What do you mean by not getting married? You must get married to continue the bloodline of Prince Jing Xu!"
"Then, can Jia'er not marry big brother Tian Yi?"
"Why? What's your reason for refusing it? Have you not been close to her since childhood? Didn't you ever spend time together under a willow while looking at the moon that year?"
"Now Jia'er won't! Jia'er doesn't want to marry Tian Yi's sister! Not want!"
After saying that, Shen Jia dashed out at high speed. Even he almost hit Meihua at the door. Looking at Meihua, at once her cries grew louder and the girl ran with all her might. Leaving Meihua who was sculpting in front of the door.
The queen mother let out a long sigh, then her gaze turned to Meihua.
"Sir, are you here?"
Meihua stammered for a moment, then quickly mastered the situation. "Greetings to the Queen Mother, always be healthy."
"Wakeup! What's the matter of you visiting me?"
"Some time ago, I heard that the Queen Mother was sick. Today here brings some nutritious plants and also peach flower soup. May it help refresh the Queen Mother's mood."
"Thank you, Empress. Bring it here, let me taste that peach soup!"
Li Mei hurried to bring him in front of the Queen Mother, extending out respectfully. After a few mouthfuls, the Queen Mother's smile blossomed.
"You're good at making it. Next time make it for me, I'll drink."
"Thank you for the compliment of the Queen Mother. I'll make it a lot next time, so everyone can taste it."
"You are good. Empress, what did you hear on the doorstep?"
"I didn't hear anything. You take it easy, there won't be any events happening here today."
"That's not what I mean! You heard it doesn't matter either. Jia'er is a poor boy. At the age of eleven, his father died in the war. Three years later, it was her mother's turn to die. Jia'er has been an orphan ever since. Living outside the palace was only with the servants. Living a hard life like a rural community in general. Only after meeting me did I decide to take her to the palace."
The Queen mother took a deep breath before continuing to tell her story.
"After coming here, the girl did not grow up to be arrogant. It is precisely his cheerfulness makes the atmosphere of this Palace come alive. The girl likes to be friends with anyone, even the servants and eunuchs. Today in court, the discourse to choose a new Concubine has been made. I plan to make Jia'er as Consort Yi'er. But he refused."
"Could Jia'er not like the Emperor?"meihua Lirih. His mind is still twisting the words of the Queen Mother about the selection of a new concubine. Because this was what kept Tian Yi from seeing him for almost two days?
"I don't know. It's just that Jia'er and Yi'er have always been on good terms since childhood. They once spent time together under a willow tree, gazing at the moon. I think that's why I wanted to make Jia'er her concubine."
Until here Meihua was stuck, word for word conveyed by the Queen Mother made her know one thing or another.
"Sir, I hope you'll be breastfed with this. Don't make things difficult for Jia'er in the future. The boy was kind-hearted, just not confident."
The queen mother thought that I would make things difficult for Jia'er? This grandson seems to be very dear to him.
"Suri's mother take it easy. Jia'er has always been like a sister to me, being a concubine or not forever he will be my sister. I still have other business, may the Queen Mother get well soon. Excuse me."
"Go! Be careful on the road."
Meihua nodded, then stepped gracefully without looking back again. The selection of this concubine was unknown to him before. If it wasn't the Queen Mother who said it, she definitely wouldn't know in the near future. Having a concubine or not, the Emperor was still not his own, he only wished that the concubines this time were not like Hongmei or Mingfen. If not, then he will have constant headaches.
Meihua only knew, no matter how sick she was here she had to endure, for Tian Yi's sake. For the man she loved so much. It doesn't matter if it's love itself that hurts her, it doesn't matter that love itself that slowly might kill her. Is love always blind?