The sly flower and the bored butterfly

A laughter shared

' The third prince's mother Imperial dowager consort de was from the southern region. As such, the third prince has allies in the southern region. Before your majesty, took the throne, he was found to be involved in the salt smuggling. However he was only kept under house arrest.Hence, your majesty must want to completely suppress him. As per changing the officers in the capital walls, Chenqi believes it is because your majesty wants to have direct control over the things entering and exiting the capital.' 

　　　My statement was followed by silence.The anger I felt before has subsided. Instead, that rage has been replaced with a feeling that makes me want to hang myself. ' The members of harem are not supposed to speak of the matters in court. The members of harem are not supposed to speak of the matters in court.' This line kept on repeating in my head. Though I don't understand why must I be detained for speaking what I see, I was prepared to kneel and admit my mistakes. But what I heard next baffled me.

　　' Thank you for your help empress. Zhen appreciates your efforts.' I was pleasantly surprised. And my surprise reflected on my face very clearly. ' You seem quite surprised.' His majesty remarked. I said, ' Ah well, women who speak about court matters are frowned upon.' To my words he replied by shutting his lips tight and placing his index finger on his lips. He said, ' Sshh, if Zhens officials hear you they won't be able to attend morning court. Zhen fears that after General liu, another woman talking will be too much to handle for them.'
　　　　
　　　' Zhen dearly cares for them.'

　　Both of us burst out laughing. He had a wicked grin on his face and I did too. I firmly believe that the imperial chambers had never witnessed such a mess before. How unruly, to laugh out loud like that. For a while, we forgot about other things. But soon the solemn atmosphere set in again. We regained our composure. ' Zhen will take care of the woman who tried to harm bi yu.' I nodded along since I didn't care and even if I did care, I didn't have a choice. He asked me again.

　　' Zhen is thinking about how to punish Bi yu. What are your thoughts ?'  I was startled. I looked at him. ' What does your majesty mean?' He said, ' She scarred the face of a prostitute who posed no threat to her. She has lost the bearings of an imperial princess.'  I remembered the cause of this incident. Yes, the seventh princess had behaved in a undignified manner. The prostitute was innocent. I was initially disappointed but soon remembered that such behavior is expected and is normal.

　　　　However, it is inhumane. After pondering for a while, I offered a solution. ' The damage has been done and it cannot be reversed. Seventh princess has a scar on her face which is already a punishment for her. Chen qi suggests sending her to a monastery close to the palace. She can recover there peacefully and reflect on her actions. It would be the best if it is close to palace so that it will be easy for her to return.' He nodded showing a sign of approval. I chatted with him for a while and then returned.

　　Later on, as decided the princess was sent to a temple. I heard from head court lady An that she was instructed to copy Buddhist scriptures. The punishment she received isn't harsh but now she will know that her actions have consequences. The prostitute she harmed will also receive some peace. I don't know what happened to the prostitutes friend and the man with her but I trust that they were properly dealt with. Though, I still have my suspicions regarding his majesty, he is not a bad ruler.

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　　After the princess was sent to temple, I became very busy. Imperial mother used this incident and showed that I was capable of handling all harem affairs. Though I used to participate in harem affairs, I didn't have complete control over them. Senior consorts like Mei fen and Li hua were supposed to guide me. As the most favored consort, noble consort Mei fen handled the household activities such as assigning residences to the concubines, looking after the inventory and other duties.

　　Since, noble consort Mei was used to managing the harem, I was ready to put up a fight to take the control. However, she gave me all the authority without any qualms. She simply stated that she was tired of managing the harem. Her haughty temper didn't surprise me. Since I achieved what I wanted I didn't say anything. Being the empress of my empire was not something that had crossed my mind or my families mind. As a result, I didn't know anything about the financial duties I have to perform.

　　Fortunately, Imperial mother was sympathetic with me and sent me several teachers to educate me. In the beginning, it was difficult however now I know about many things and I find my duties rather interesting. I still take the aid of my teachers. As I was going through my books, I heard the news of the ancestor worship. The astrology and divination division had calculated the date to conduct it. It is an important tradition that was practiced since the founding of our dynasty.

　　The dynasties existing before ours, also practiced this tradition.
' Have they informed imperial mother and his majesty?' I asked to head court  lady An.
' Yes they have.' I nodded my head in response. ' Inform the harem, ask the consorts to prepare.' Eunuch Su went over to do my bidding. A'xi was fanning me. She said,
' Niangniang, how about visiting her highness, the empress dowager?' I motioned her to stop fanning me. ' Let's go there then.'

　　At imperial mother's palace, things looked as lively as they always did. I offered my greetings to her. She said, ' Empress, you are here. You visit this old woman only when you need something. Tell this old woman why are you here.'  I..... I immediately kneeled. ' Er Chen, is sorry for being unfilial.Er che- .' My attempt to plead was interrupted by her laughter. Ah yes, I got teased again. She was still laughing as she asked me to stand up. She asked me to come close to her.

　　' Empress, you should let loose in a while.' She said. I nodded my head. Though she says that how can I ignore the decorum before her. She again said, in a rather secretive manner this time, ' Aijia knows that you have come here to talk about the earth worship but Aijia has important matters to tell you.' Important matters? What could they be?
' This time, you and huang di must consummate.'.................................
' Ai jia, knows that huang di and you haven't had the opportunity to spend time together. However this matter can not be delayed anymore.'

' From the noblest empresses to the lowest ranking concubines, all of them share a common duty. That is to produce an heir for the imperial house.'

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Helloooo, How are you doing Homo sapiens? ( Or any other species if they are here). I have updated!!!!!! ( Ik, such an accomplishment) Enjoy the chapter.

And I'd like to add that ' Aijia' is used by empress dowagers to refer to themselves instead of ' I'. I heard that there are no written records about this term during the Qing dynasty( Idk about the other dynasties ) but since it is frequently used in dramas I decided to incorporate it.

Thank you for reading ~