Chapter 35: Who Are You, Little White Flower?
Aunt Hu remained expressionless, casting a glance at the Emperor.
The Emperor nervously took several deep breaths, barely suppressing his trembling as he said, “Princess Duanrong has been suffering from severe heart pain recently. Physician Xiao has just finished administering acupuncture, and I was about to have her escorted back to her residence to rest.”
Gan Qiongying and Eunuch Li dared not take another step forward. She saw the Emperor’s slender back, yet he stood firmly in front of her, shielding her.
“How could such a thing happen!” Aunt Hu exclaimed in shock, immediately stepping into the hall and heading straight for Gan Qiongying. As she walked, she asked, “Is the Princess feeling better now?”
Seeing this, the Emperor stepped backward, his gaze fixed on Aunt Hu. He raised his arm to block her path, shielding Gan Qiongying behind him as if playing a game of eagle and chicks, his voice growing even deeper. “There is no need for Aunt to trouble herself!”
The Emperor stared intently at Aunt Hu and said, “The physician said she needs quiet rest. The Princess’s sedan chair is already waiting.”
Blocked by the Emperor, Aunt Hu halted her steps, looked up, and smiled faintly. Only then did Gan Qiongying notice that when this aunt smiled, the whites of her eyes nearly disappeared—a sight that could only be described as terrifying.
Her thin lips parted slightly as she uttered, “The Empress Dowager is also waiting.”
Aunt Hu then turned her head slightly and instructed, “Summon the physician to Yinian Hall. If he is even a moment late, not only he but everyone else will be punished together. The Princess’s health is of utmost importance. Physician Xiao is still inexperienced. Let Physician Fu, who has been attending to the Empress Dowager, examine the Princess carefully.”
These words seemed like a threat to the physician, and her phrasing appeared considerate, but in reality, they were a warning to the Emperor and Gan Qiongying. This was not an invitation but coercion. It seemed this feast at Hongmen was unavoidable.
“Your Majesty, Princess,” Aunt Hu said with a slight curl of her lips, “please proceed.”
The two rode together in a single sedan chair. The Emperor’s fists remained tightly clenched, his face tense, beads of sweat trickling down his temples, and his neck stiffly held upright.
Gan Qiongying reached for the Emperor’s hand, wanting to offer some comfort, but he grasped hers instead.
She saw the Emperor’s gaze fixed on some distant point, even appearing somewhat dazed. She squeezed his hand firmly several times before he finally looked up at her.
“Elder Sister!” the Emperor suddenly snapped back to reality, turning to look at her. His hands trembled uncontrollably as he held hers, shaking his head and whispering, “Later, you must not drink any soup. Do not drink any soup at all!”
Gan Qiongying didn’t understand why, but seeing the Emperor’s exaggerated reaction, she nodded seriously.
She knew the Empress Dowager was a ruthless character, always merciless and cruel. But what had she done to the Emperor to make him turn pale at the mere mention of her?
The Emperor and Gan Qiongying were led into Yinian Hall. The fresh scent of flowers filled their nostrils, but as they walked further inside, a strong medicinal odor overwhelmed the freshness.
A parrot fluttered wildly in its cage but could not escape. The Empress Dowager stood with her back to them, holding a thin silver rod to tease the parrot. Scattered on the ground were a few colorful feathers.
Just as the Emperor and Gan Qiongying were about to bow in greeting, the Empress Dowager, without turning around, said, “No need.” Her voice was clear and even somewhat pleasant.
The two straightened up. Gan Qiongying looked up nonchalantly, then pinched her thigh to suppress her shock. She had imagined what the Empress Dowager might look like, but the person before her bore no resemblance to the power-hungry, usurping Empress Dowager she had envisioned.
Who are you, little white flower?
Could the Empress Dowager actually be the cute type?
A pair of round, bright, innocent eyes, with thick, long black lashes and a delicate, small nose. She appeared quite young and had an extremely likable face—anyone who saw her would think she was a pure and kind person.
However, what didn’t match this innocent appearance was the Empress Dowager’s grand attire. The tassels on both sides hung densely, and almost no black hair was visible on her head, all of it occupied by gold and the colors of gemstones. If there were one more hairpin, there would be no place to put it.
Her dress was bright red, with a wide skirt that spread across the floor, much larger than the usual size. The extra fabric could have made another summer outfit.
The Empress Dowager’s voice was gentle as she greeted the two of them. Holding one person’s hand in each of hers, she led them toward the table. “Today is a family banquet, so there’s no need to be reserved.”
As she spoke, she sat in the middle, a smile never leaving her face.
Gan Qiongying couldn’t reconcile the old witch from the plot with the Empress Dowager before her, because the Empress Dowager’s tone was so gentle, making one unconsciously want to relax.
“Since your marriage, Duan Rong, you’ve rarely come to the palace. I didn’t approve of your marriage either,” the Empress Dowager said, holding Gan Qiongying’s hand and patting it lightly, her eyes filled with concern. “But now that things have come to this, life must go on.”
Gan Qiongying resisted the urge to pull her hand back, but she didn’t even know how to position it. She tried her best to remain calm and said, “I was too narrow-minded before, but now I think my Consort is quite good. We are now in perfect harmony.”
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was slightly taken aback. After a moment, she smiled and said, “Very good. Very good indeed…”
Then the Empress Dowager said some clichéd things, mostly about women needing to follow the three obediences and four virtues. Gan Qiongying responded accordingly, but she suddenly noticed something odd about the Empress Dowager’s face. Her makeup was exquisite but heavy, especially around the corners of her eyes, where it seemed about to flake off. To achieve such an effect, who knew how many layers had been applied.
Before she could examine it closely, maidservants entered one after another, and the table was soon covered with exquisite and delicious dishes, finally overpowering the faint medicinal smell.
Gan Qiongying didn’t dare to pick up her chopsticks. This was no different from the poisoned apple in Snow White’s stepmother’s hand—its appeal was as strong as its toxicity.
Throughout the banquet, laughter and cheerful conversation continued, but it all came from the Empress Dowager alone. She acted like a kindly elder, seemingly doting on and caring for her juniors.
“Although Duan Rong is married, we are still family,” the Empress Dowager said, placing food in Gan Qiongying’s bowl, her gaze as gentle as water. “Come to the palace often in the future, and don’t let us grow distant.”
“Although the estate is large, it’s quite remote,” the Empress Dowager leaned closer to Gan Qiongying. “Don’t stay cooped up in the residence during your free time. Go out and move around more.”
As if suddenly remembering something, the Empress Dowager smiled at her. “Next month happens to be perfect. Princess Hui’an is hosting a summer hunt in the outskirts of the city. Why don’t you go and have some fun, Duan Rong?”
Gan Qiongying forced a stiff smile. The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor, who had been keeping his head down in silence, and said, “His Majesty will also be attending.”
Without waiting for Gan Qiongying’s reply, the Empress Dowager had already started planning. “I heard that Princess Hui’an’s hunting grounds also have many rare flowers, perfect for making pastries. Some were sent to the palace last year, and they were quite delicious.”
It seemed as though Gan Qiongying’s attendance at the banquet was already a foregone conclusion. The Empress Dowager continued, “By the way, Duan Rong knows how to ride a horse. I’ll have a few riding outfits made for you later. You can go and pick out the fabrics.”
Although Gan Qiongying was shocked by her appearance, she hadn’t forgotten that in the plot, she was an old witch who stirred up storms.
I truly admire her acting skills, and this gentle knife, each strike aimed to take a life.
Princess Duanrong had just fallen from a horse—possibly to her death—otherwise, how could she have transmigrated?
Was this smiling tiger here to gift her riding attire or to send her to meet the King of Hell?
Gan Qiongying looked at the delicate face before her and felt an urge to step back. She noticed that a thick layer of powder had gathered at the corners of the Empress Dowager’s mouth, formed by the constant pressure of her smiles. Moreover, her smile seemed insincere, her entire demeanor out of sync.
Every move she made resembled a puppet controlled within lavish robes, cloaked in a shell that did not belong to her.
Gan Qiongying glanced at the Emperor, who had remained silent. He sat there with a pale face, his lips devoid of color, looking even worse than he had in the carriage earlier. His eyes were fixed and vacant.
Gan Qiongying was kept engaged in conversation, while the Emperor, though present, was treated as if transparent, completely ignored. She noticed his gaze was locked on a soup tureen on the table. When she saw it clearly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
“Don’t drink the soup!”
Remembering the Emperor’s warning, Gan Qiongying stared at the soup, her eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
As if her fears had materialized, the Empress Dowager ended the pleasantries. As she stood up, she picked up a ladle and slowly poured the brown broth into a jade bowl. The sound of the ladle clinking against the porcelain scraped against Gan Qiongying’s heart.
Then, the Empress Dowager handed the bowl to the Emperor.
!
Gan Qiongying swallowed nervously, her spine rigid, not daring to relax even slightly. The atmosphere was oppressive; she feared that even the slightest misstep in her breathing would disrupt the tension.
“This Yibu Decoction was specially brewed for the Emperor,” the Empress Dowager said with a smile in her eyes. “His Majesty has been overworked lately and must replenish his strength.”
The Emperor trembled as he raised his hand to take the bowl, his lips pressed tightly together. His gaze remained fixed on the jade bowl.
Gan Qiongying saw his fingers turning blue, clearly straining just to hold it steady. But what caught her off guard was that the Emperor showed no hesitation as he brought the bowl to his lips.
The Empress Dowager watched the Emperor intently, only turning her attention back to Gan Qiongying after he had taken a few sips.
She curved her round eyes again, revealing a gentle smile. “Yibu Decoction benefits both men and women. Duanrong should try some too.”
Before Gan Qiongying could react, a sudden “clang” rang out, and a few drops of liquid splashed onto her face. She smelled a strong medicinal odor.
So this was the source of the medicinal scent she had noticed upon entering the hall!
The jade bowl had overturned, splashing broth everywhere and soaking the dragon embroidery on his chest. The Emperor’s trembling hands tried to right the bowl as spilled soup dripped down the table’s edge onto his dragon robe. Ignoring the mess, he suddenly looked up at Gan Qiongying with despair, his bloodshot eyes seeming on the verge of bleeding.
“How old are you now?” the Empress Dowager chuckled lightly, her tone tinged with reproach.
She stood up again, took the jade bowl, and ladled more soup while saying, “Don’t spill it again.” She placed the bowl before the Emperor with both hands, her tone as gentle as ever. “Isn’t this Your Majesty’s favorite?”
The Emperor’s robes were soaked, and soup had spilled all over the floor, yet none of the palace maids stepped forward. They remained silent, like upright corpses.
The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and asked gently, “Your Majesty looks so unwell. Have some more.” Feigning concern, she moved the bowl a little closer.
Gan Qiongying felt a chill run down her spine. It was too eerie—everything in this palace was too eerie.
She could see it now: there was clearly something wrong with this soup!
Now they don’t even bother hiding the drugging?
Gan Qiongying’s mind felt like a hundred jade bowls clashing against each other. The Empress Dowager was still forcing the Emperor to take the bowl, and the Emperor actually accepted it again, bringing it to his lips as if resigned to his fate.
Gan Qiongying felt utterly helpless. Even a fool could tell there was something fishy in that soup. Just as she was worrying about the Emperor’s predicament, the Empress Dowager rose again to ladle another bowl, placing it right in front of her.
Staring at the jade bowl so close at hand and that deceptively harmless smiling face, Gan Qiongying heard the Empress Dowager speak, her words sounding like an unyielding verdict.
“Duan Rong, you drink a bowl too.”
Gan Qiongying instantly stiffened all over, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Why was there a portion for her too!
Was that old witch never going to stop?