The Rebel

Marriage difficulty

Xi Yinghua calmly sips on her tea before she looks at her husband as she sweetly smiles.

"Wangye, are you saying that you want to come along when I visit my father's residence? Though I appreciate your intention there is no need for you to do so. I do not wish them to sink their claws on you. Meimei will be visiting her family soon, you should go with her."

Both Empress Dowager Long and Emperor Li Qiangda side glance at Third Prince Li Henxin with an accusing expression on each of their faces. Third Prince Li Henxin feels so aggrieved by this pressure from his imperial mother and imperial brother.

Empress Yan Chaoran smiles and says, "Third imperial sister-in-law, that cannot be done. Third imperial brother-in-law has to accompany you back. This will show to others that you are indeed appreciated by him. This may be vain but necessary."

Emperor Li Qiangda nods his head in approval as he tries to hold onto Empress Yan Chaoran's hand.

"Your Majesty, let go of my hand. I am quite busy eating these desserts."

Empress Dowager Long ignores this as she knew that the imperial pair's relationship is usually like that due to this no-nonsense attitude of Empress Yan Chaoran. But, she also knows that her imperial son values his Empress despite his philandering ways of having too many imperial concubines.

Living in the imperial palace for more than 40 years taught her a lot of things. Being a woman living in the imperial palace is much harder. All her life, she fought to be where she is right now.

She has no son of her own but she treated the princes fairly including the princesses because she wanted each of them to live a happy life. She influenced the late Emperor to chose good partners for them as well with the hope that each of them will have a happy married life. By being fair and careful in each of her steps, she has been given the title of 'Empress Dowager' and being treated with respect by all.

Xi Yinghua smiles and thought, "The Empress Dowager is indeed a virtuous woman but she is definitely not simple. She heard that soon after the late Emperor had passed away, the imperial concubines with children are living outside and far from the imperial palace in Gudu¹ Gong."

In fact, Gudu Gong is a beautiful and large palace located near to a hot spring and is managed by the Empress Dowager herself. The imperial concubines are living a rather pampered and luxurious life with the privilege of being able to receive visitations from their child/ren and/or family members. In other words, they will continue to receive a monthly allowance and seasonal gifts from the imperial palace according to their ranks.

For the childless imperial concubines, they are free to live a life without the attachment from the imperial palace by being granted a generous amount of compensation, a residence, a shop and a piece of land. They are even allowed to marry as well. One former imperial concubine has become a queen in another neighbouring Kingdom.

Xi Yinghua smiles and looks at Third Prince Li Henxin, "Imperial sister-in-law is wise. Yinghua will listen to her kind advice. Wangye, you can accompany me back to the Prime Minister's residence."

For the rest of the afternoon, they had lunch together at Ren Gong and spent at least an hour of a casual conversation after they have done with their lunch.

At the end of it, Xi Yinghua has made a significant impression to everyone who has interacted with her. She represents herself as an independent and strong individual who is not afraid to express her views. Empress Dowager Long and Empress Yan Chaoran are especially fond of her. Even Emperor Li Qiangda is taken by her as well.

Third Prince Li Henxin is a bit wary of this new development as he watches Xi Yinghua who is sitting in between his imperial mother and imperial sister-in-law while his imperial brother is laughing to something that she had just said. Jing Ruyi is sitting next to him as she too smiles when she listens to Xi Yinghua's blabbering mouth.

Xi Yinghua noticed that a certain someone is sharply staring at her but she just ignores him and continues to listen to what the Emperor is saying.

When they left Ren Gong, Xi Yinghua has been granted many gifts by the Empress Dowager while the Empress gave her a red-coloured jade bangle to Xi Yinghua.

Jing Ruyi too has been given several gifts by the Empress Dowager. But, Empress Yan Chaoran seems to slight her a bit due to the fact that she is related to Imperial Noble Consort Du Miren. Still, she gives her a blue-coloured jade bangle to Jing Ruyi. This bangle is actually a pair with what she has given to Xi Yinghua.

"Third imperial sister-in-law... Jing'shi... Both of you are sharing the same man, to live a peaceful and happy life, be kind. Being vicious to one another will only be detrimental on both parties. Seeing that both of you are being good to each other makes me happy. At least, third imperial brother-in-law's residence will be peaceful."

Emperor Li Qiangda smiles and says, "Third imperial brother, you are lucky. Your wangfei and concubine are quite harmonious. That wangfei of yours is very virtuous."

"Who? Who is being virtuous? Where?"

Third Prince Li Henxin retorts while Xi Yinghua is giving him a side glance. Empress Dowager Long stands up, walks towards him before smacking the back of his head.

"Henxin! Do not slight your wife!"

Xi Yinghua turns her head before she chuckles. Jing Ruyi who is sitting next to the Third Prince bows her head as she twists and squeezes her silk handkerchief as she tries not to laugh.

"Imperial mother... Do you have to be so violent? It hurts."

Third Prince Li Henxin said as he  massages the back of his head. Jing Ruyi sees this before she stands up and walks to his back, she then gently massages his head.

Xi Yinghua smiles and says, "Your Majesty, when it comes to being virtuous, I am not one. Meimei is the infinite definition of a virtuous woman. I am thankful that she is able to serve wangye well."

¹ 孤独 Seclusion, retirement