Short Story: A Day in the Life of Lu Qing Yu (POV) Part 2

On the other hand, I was enjoying this a great deal. After putting up with his manipulation and dirty politics for years, we had finally reached a point we were able to safely get rid of him. It was enjoyable to expose him for his lies and make an example for him to scare the rival faction.

"You think that we do not know you have been using the funds to fund your own lavish lifestyle? What about benefiting the people? Do you have the morals needed to uphold your mighty statement? Your daughter is getting married soon, and you want the funds to throw her a lavish wedding, isn't it? Very well, we will ensure justice." I said loudly.

"For deceiving the Emperor, and for corruption, you deserve the death penalty, with nine familial exterminations!" I said coldly. "No, Your Highness, this official will repent! Please be merciful to this official!" he broke down. "This eunuch receives the decree!" Eunuch Song Chu chimed in in a timely manner, handing me a prepared document. I stamped the dragon seal soundly, making a crisp sound. "This decree is now valid! Drag him out!" I said.

Minister Fang was dragged out of the hall, with no one daring to look sympathetic. After the great show early in the morning, the rest of court was rather quiet, with even the problematic ministers not daring to step out of line. I delegated away as many tasks as possible, only stepping in on matters that specifically required the dragon seal. I had learnt over the years that the problems and documents would keep coming, and there wasn't a need to stress about everything.

At an opportune time, Eunuch Song Chu made an excuse, saying I had "an important matter" to tend to, and that court would end early today. I ignored the long faces in the hall as I followed Eunuch Song Chu out of the hall. When we were far away enough from other people, I prodded him. "Hey. Say it. You want to say something, right?" I asked. His thin shoulders shook, his back to me, as he let go of the laughter he had evidently been suppressing for some time.

"Hahahaha!" he guffawed inelegantly, bent over. I rolled my eyes and turned away. "That was great, Your Highness! We finally got back at them! With any luck, the next few court sessions will be peaceful as well." he said. Having played a big role in making it happen, he too was overwhelmed with... emotion.

"Alright, alright. That's enough. I'm tired. Bring me back to rest." I said. He ignored me, continuing to laugh. "Hey! You want me to smack you? Give it a rest!" I said indignantly, glowering at him. Even I wasn't laughing. "Your.. Your Highness... don't!" he wheezed with difficulty.

"Your Highness! The palanquin is ready!" a voice called from a distant place, coming closer. Hearing it, Eunuch Song Chu straightened himself immediately, looking ever the image of a composed gentleman. "Bring it over." Eunuch Song Chu called in his official tone.

Longevity Palace, Mother's official residence was located at the far end of the palace grounds. After Father was assassinated, Mother lived a quiet life, secluding herself largely in her palace and only coming out for important events. I often worried about her and found time to visit her or send her gifts when possible.

As the palanquin neared the grounds, an eunuch shouted to announce my presence. Almost immediately, a figure could be seen coming out from the entrance. "Your Highness, please be careful!" Graceful movements in matching full pink skirts could be seen, escorting a pale looking woman slowly. The woman walked unsteadily, beads of perspiration on her forehead. It was clear that she was unwell. However, despite her sickly appearance, she had all the demeanor of a princess.

Her head was held up high, and her back was straight. On her face she wore a determined expression as she called "Elder Brother! You came!".

This person was Imperial Princess Jun, the Emperor's only living blood sibling. Imperial Princess Jun was 23 years old, the same age as Ling Yue and had been very sick since she was born. Many mystics and famed doctors were invited to see her and find a cure, but all were left disappointed. Her condition stumped them, no one able to find an answer.

When Imperial Princess Jun was a child, she was said to resemble a porcelain doll, with her straight, black hair, large round eyes, pale complexion and cherub cheeks. She was dressed head to toe in lace and silk in vibrant colours, and her little feet never touched the ground.

The reason for this was hidden from the public for many years. Her constitution left her so weak she was usually bedridden, and did not have the strength to walk on her own. Every morning, she would be made up with rouge and cosmetics to mimic a healthy complexion, and she was dressed in several layers not only to keep the cold away, but to also hide her skinny, bony body.

Like the Empress Dowager, Imperial Princess Jun was rarely seen even around the palace, and usually resided behind closed doors and legions of maidservants. After the Emperor was assassinated when she was very small, she would spend months at the Empress Dowager's palace to keep her company.

Despite her predicament, she was cherished by her mother and blood siblings, and had a cheerful outlook in life, enjoying many hobbies like writing poetry, enjoying music and art, and reading. After years of nourishing her body with many rare herbs and remedies, she was able to sit up and walk around occasionally. However, in recent years, her condition had started to deteriorate again.

I hastily got up from the palanquin. "Jun, you needn't have come out to receive me." I said. "Let's go back in. The wind is a bit chilly this time of year." I added. Imperial Princess Jun pouted. "But Elder Brother, you never visit. I was just glad to see you." she said, but obediently turned around anyway. Sigh. I looked around at the trees swaying in the wind, then looked back at my sister, shivering slightly but pretending she was fine. I moved to her left to try and block some of the wind, slowing my pace to match hers.

We finally made it back into the palace, and her complexion improved a little. As soon as the heavy doors closed behind us, she faltered, leaning heavily on her maidservants for support. A slimmer palanquin, made specially to ferry Jun around indoors was already waiting.

I could only watch as she was helped onto the palanquin by her maidservants and tucked in securely before we were on our way again. Even in these modern times, men and women had to keep a certain distance for the sake of propriety. The palanquin was decked out in canary yellow, her favourite colour, and adorned with many tiny gold flowers and butterflies. With the assistance of gold wire, it almost looked like she was sitting in a miniature garden.

In the main hall, a small but imposing woman sat in the main seat, waiting. Despite her age, she had the complexion of a much younger woman, appearing to be just slightly older than the Emperor. She was dressed in heavy, luxurious red robes, and a heavy headpiece sat on her head, unmistakably announcing to all her position.

She had slanted, cat-like eyes, a tall, narrow nose, a sharp jawline and full lips. Her features were accentuated by rouge and bright red eyeliner and lip paint, a look reserved for only brides or .... Empresses. Startlingly, she had striking purple pupils, making her seem almost inhuman.

"Jun, Qing Yu, you've finally arrived." she said as we made our way into the hall. "Mother, this son has been filial and only came to visit now, causing you worry." I said, bowing. "Nonsense. If you weren't busy, I'd ask what you were doing as Emperor." she snorted, turning her head to the side. I smiled wryly as Jun was settled into an easy chair. Mother's temper hadn't changed all these years.

I waved in the general direction of the door and Eunuch Song Chu appeared outside the doorway, kowtowing before announcing "Greeting to Her Highness the Empress Dowager and Her Highness the Imperial Princess. His Highness the Emperor has instructed the newly arrived peaches from Yu Zhou be made into elaborate confectioneries to be enjoyed together.".

As he finished, maidservants came in with covered trays, bowing before setting them down on the small table in front of us. They begun to introduce each confectionery one by one. There were usual confectionery like crystal cake (水晶饼 shuǐ jīng bǐng), dragon's beard candy (龙须糖 lóng xū táng), prosperity cake (发糕 fā gāo), and sugar painting (糖画 táng huà) in the shape of peonies (牡丹 mǔ dān), which symbolise riches, prosperity and honor, as well as chrysanthemums (菊花 jú huā), the Empress Dowager's favourite flower, which symbolise longevity and good luck.

There was one new confectionery introduced - what was called a "meringue". The "meringue" was a type of candy spun into the shape of the top half of a children's wide spinning top, and reportedly very sweet and crisp, like a cracker. Along with the confectioneries were an arrangement of cut peaches.

This was also my first time seeing "meringue", which was taught to the Imperial chefs by Ling Yue's chefs. They indeed looked novel and odd. "Leave us." Empress Dowager said. "Yes, Your Highness." the maidservants chorused and bowed. Silently, without the slightest noise, they glided out of the hall and the doors shut softly.

It was just the three of us left in the hall again. "How thoughtful of you." Mother commented. "What is this "meringue"? I haven't seen it before." Jun remarked. "They're a sugar candy invented by Ling Yue. Her business is full of these novel things." I said offhandedly. "Noble Concubine Ling? The one who talked to the foreigners and invented many items?" Mother asked. I nodded. "Wow, how does Noble Concubine Ling come up with these things? She's so talented!" Jun gushed.

"I'm not sure either. She was rather unassuming before. After she drowned, it was as if she was a different person." I admitted. Nevertheless, I liked this Ling Yue a bit more than the one before. "i wish I could be like Noble Concubine Ling. She seems to be able to do anything." Jun said, fidgeting. She looked downcast.

In my heart, I always felt sorry for my sister. Jun and Ling Yue were the same age. Jun also had a zest for life, but was usually confined to her palace. I wanted to bring her out to experience more things, and let her do what she wanted to do, but she might not survive the trip out.

"Don't worry, Jun. You're fine just as you are. Ling Yue has her talents, and you have yours. I think your poetry is wonderful, and no scholars out there can match you." I reassured her. "Really? You think so? I'll send you some of my poems sometime, and you can tell me what you think." she said, beaming. She watched the meringue with some hesitation, then with a wavering hand put it into her mouth. Her eyes widened. "What is this? It's so sweet and... chewy. And it tastes like grapes?" she said in wonder.

"Yes, it's made with Celestial Nectar, something Ling Yue invented as well. You put a few drops of it in your food, and it can take on different, vivid flavours." I said, feeling more and more in disbelief as I continued. How could someone make all these things happen? It was as if she was an idea mill, churning out idea after idea. Either she was a genius, or ... something was off about her. But I couldn't pin point exactly what. At this point, I noticed Mother had been quiet for awhile.

"Mother, are you alright? Is the food alright?" I asked. "Noble Concubine Ling... never mind assisting with diplomatic relations. How could you allow your concubine to be a merchant? And to go out in the capital alone, running around wildly? Is that appropriate for a married lady?" Mother said sharply, glaring at me.

"Uh..." I was at a loss. It was true that in terms of social class, the merchant class was at the bottom, due to the notion that merchants usually sought to profit off the labour of others, and thus did not have good morals. However, Ling Yue invented things herself, didn't she? And she helped other people.

"Mother, its true that she could have more decorum, but her ideas are revolutionary. We would not have won the war without much casualty without her, we would not have... electricity, and her ideas also benefit households. She also gives women and poor people jobs and valuable skills." I said. I was started to feel uncomfortable under her steely gaze.

I had a great amount of respect for Mother, since she had to endure a lot after Father was assassinated. There were no lack of political opponents who tried to influence the court or place their figureheads as regent, and as a woman, it was difficult for her to stand up to them. Faced with her questions, I was unable to rebut with confidence.

"Is she a Noble Concubine?" Mother asked. "She is." I replied immediately, slightly thrown off by her question. "She is the concubine of the Emperor, and is one post below the Empress. You also favor that girl lately, and she has the qualifications to become an Empress. Other than what she does outside - her business. Do you want to ruin her chances?" she asked.

My heart stopped. Empress... I hadn't thought about it until now. Sure, I had fleeting moments when I was alone that I wondered.... what if.... Did this mean Mother approved? If I considered her to be my Empress... "No." I said. "Lu Qing Yu. You're nearing 30, with no Empress and no heirs. Do you know how much effort Mother needs to make to fend off those elders pestering you to have a heir? If you've found someone who can make you happy, why are you dragging your feet?" she said fiercely.

"Mother, I-" I started, but was cut off. "She is from the Ling Clan, the military clan that controls half the empire's military. You do not want to make them your political opponent. By seating their daughter in a position by your side, you appease them. But the Empress is the mother of the nation. She has to be virtuous, benevolent, filial, and righteous! Does she seem virtuous to you?"

Her words rang in my ears for a long time.

Even after I returned to my office.

"Your Highness, you look out of it." Eunuch Song Chu commented, as he picked up a teacup in one hand and the teapot in another. I watched the tea trickle into the cup and the light reflections mindlessly. "Chu, you..." I paused. "Yes, Your Highness?" he asked. Even faced with the friend who had accompanied me through childhood, I was unable to voice my concerns. "Leave me. I'm going to do my work." I said, defeated. "Sure." he said quietly.

The candle light flickered, drawing dancing shadows across the paper. A list of names and merits in messy characters sprawled across the page. It was the list of names for the new county lord of Hong Hua County. My head was hurting just thinking about it. The best candidate would be Bai Zhi, endorsed by most of the advisors on my end, but it was likely that Zhang Yu Ming would instead be appointed, due to pressure from the rival factions.

Zhang Yu Ming had a minor affiliation with the rival faction, but more importantly, he was the son in law of Chancellor Ao, a man we wanted to get on our side and who we had been "courting" for some time and who would likely become our ally.

My mind couldn't help drifting to what Mother said earlier today. It felt like I had been in a trance for hours. I couldn't even remember finishing the rest of the conversation and leaving the palace. Empress... Ling Yue? I imagined her in the gold phoenix robes of an Empress, by my side in the throne room. Heat spread across my cheeks as I cradled my head in my hands. Hmm... let's think about this another time.

I shuffled the scrolls around, looking for a certain document. Here it was. Zhang Yu Ming's appointment letter. Alright, fine. I was going to just finish this up and turn in early tonight. I dug out the dragon seal from a secret compartment then stamped the letter.