Chapter 019 Offering a Strategy

Sang Yan went to Yongshou Palace.

Yongshou Palace was where Empress Dowager Pei Yiqing resided.

From afar, the floating scent of Buddha Beads could be detected.

"I am Sang Yan, wife of the Marquis Zhongyi Mansion's Princely Heir, I have a very important matter and seek an audience with the Empress Dowager."

Sang Yan stated her identity and purpose to the eunuch guarding outside the palace.

The gatekeeping eunuch promptly went to announce her within. Shortly after, she was allowed to enter.

Sang Yan expressed her thanks.

Once inside, she kept her gaze straight, displaying a solemn demeanor.

"I, your servant Jiang Sang, pay my respects to the Empress Dowager—"

She knelt and performed the ritualistic salute.

In a short time, the scrutinizing gaze of the person above descended upon her.

Heavy like a thousand-pound weight.

Inside the hall, the scent of the Buddha Beads was much stronger.

Presumably, because of the burning incense, the temperature felt much higher than outside.

Stifling and oppressive.

It made one feel extremely uncomfortable.

"Rise. Take a seat. You seek an audience with me, what is the matter?"

Empress Dowager Pei's voice was quite gentle.

Just as Sang Yan remembered from the original owner's memory.

She sneakily lifted her eyes and saw Empress Dowager Pei sitting in the place of honor, her silver hair and kind, compassionate features radiating a sense of broad-mindedness and good health, her neck and hands adorned with Buddha Beads, giving her the appearance of a devout and elderly person absorbed in Buddhist practice.

But that was just appearances.

A buddha's mouth and a snake's heart, her smile concealing a blade, was often the true nature of such people.

Sang Yan resumed composure of her mind and did not take her seat. Instead, she knelt and solemnly replied, "To the Empress Dowager, I have two matters. One is to ask for forgiveness and the second is to offer a strategy."

Empress Dowager Pei expressed surprise, "Oh? For what do you ask forgiveness? And what strategy do you offer?"

Sang Yan said, "Since coming to the palace, I have brought about harmful gossip, tarnishing the Emperor's sacred name and causing a number of concubines to be confined to the Cold Palace. My crimes warrant death, and I specifically came to ask for punishment."

Empress Dowager Pei was aware of the matter Sang Yan was referring to, and without casting judgment, spoke in a calm tone, "Continue."

Sang Yan then continued, "I am aware that the previous dynasty's harem has long suffered from the lack of an heir. I have come to offer a strategy to redeem my wrongdoings."

Upon hearing this, a change finally came over Empress Dowager Pei's composed expression.

She rose from her seat and personally came to help her up, smiling amicably, "Good child, rise and speak."

Sang Yan, "..."

Indeed, the matter of the heir still held sway.

She was pulled to sit on the couch, alongside Empress Dowager Pei, as close as grandparents and grandchildren.

The other palace maids had already withdrawn at the Empress Dowagers gesture.

Only a young palace maid dressed in Begonia colors, presumably a confidante, remained at her side.

Sang Yan began to speak softly, "Empress Dowager, the method I'm about to suggest may seem presumptuous, please forgive my boldness."

Empress Dowager Pei patted her hand with a soothing smile that was both reassuring and encouraging, "Do not fear. I know you are concerned about the heir; you are a good child. Speak your mind."

With the assurance given, Sang Yan proceeded, "Since the Emperor abstains from the company of women, it made me think, could we allow the Emperor to self-pollinate and obtain the dragon essence? Then using a soft tube or similar tool, place it into the bodies of the concubines—"

She briefly described the method, her face blushing with a touch of shame.

Empress Dowager Pei's reaction was different, as her expression became serious, she slowly responded, "It could be worth a try."

Seeing her respond in such a manner, Sang Yan felt her objective had been achieved. She stood up and knelt again, feigning a mournful demeanor as she pleaded, "I hope the Empress Dowager will forgive my transgressions in light of my suggestion, and release those concubines who have been sent to the Cold Palace. My fate is ominous and my status lowly; I never dared to harbor other ambitions. I also request the Empress Dowager to allow me to leave the palace. I am willing to remain a widow for my deceased husband for life, never to marry again."

When Empress Dowager Pei heard the last sentence, she couldn't help but look at her more intently.

Such a young and beautiful woman, yet ill-fated - a pity indeed.

"Go. I grant your request."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Sang Yan exited Yongshou Palace with a grateful expression.

Silence returned to the hall.

The palace maid dressed in begonia-colored garments had listened intently to the entire process, her expression even more solemn than Empress Dowager Pei's. "In this palace, everyone knows the Emperor favors her. By acting this way, Your Highness, you might fall out of the Emperor's favor. Ever since the Regent King incident, the Emperor imprisoned the Empress and distanced himself from you. In your servant's opinion, it really shouldn't..."

Empress Dowager Pei lifted her hand to gently interrupt, heaving a light sigh, "Puzhu..."

Puzhu stepped forward, "Your servant is here."

"Don't be anxious."

Empress Dowager Pei affectionately looked at her while toying with her Buddha Beads, "Some things need to be done gradually. Whether she stays or not, we will have to see."

Puzhu bowed her head in response: "Yes."

Silence once again enveloped the hall.

The scent of incense grew stronger.

In the midst of swirling incense smoke, Empress Dowager Pei, half-closing her eyes, said, "Send for the person from the Observatory."

Observatory

Wan Zhang sprawled drunkenly atop a couch, surrounded by a pile of wine jars.

Puzhu, who had come to summon him, frowned in disdain and called out to him a few times, "Director? Director Wan Zhang? The Empress Dowager wants to see you."

But Wan Zhang was too intoxicated to be roused.

Fearing that he would bring trouble to the Observatory, the other officials hurriedly tried to awaken him but failed.

Puzhu watched in frustration, sternly stating, "I had heard that Director Wan Zhang of the Observatory indulges in alcohol daily and neglects his duties. Now it seems that the rumors are true!"

"Lord Palace Commander, please forgive us."

The officials bowed their heads in apology.

Some officials spoke up for him, "Last night, Director Wan Zhang was observing the stars, claiming that a lucky star was shining brightly, which is why he drank to excess."

Puzhu didn't believe these tall tales and had a little eunuch fetch a basin of water, dousing Wan Zhang's head with it.

Wan Zhang woke from the drenching, raising his head to reveal a weathered face of a young man with otherwise handsome features, sadly marred by a defeated and despondent demeanor.

Seeing Puzhu, he wiped the water from his face and said with a smile, "Lord Palace Commander, just go back and relay the message that the Ziwei Star is high in the sky and red glimmers appear within it, the heir is not far off."

Had he guessed her purpose or, perhaps, the Empress Dowager's intent?

Puzhu disliked the feeling of being seen through and said unhappily, "Director Wan, I will relay your words and behavior today to the Empress Dowager. Be mindful of your own actions."

Wan Zhang paid her no heed and struggled back onto his couch, falling into a deep sleep.

Puzhu left in a huff, sleeves flapping.

The other officials sighed and lamented:

"Indeed, Director Wan Zhang is a genius among us, but such reckless behavior is bound to bring disaster to the Observatory one day."

"In the blink of an eye, it's been sixteen years since the new Emperor ascended the throne. Instead of devoting himself to the Emperor, Director Wan Zhang spends his days divining auspicious signs and omens for the Empress Dowager, causing the Observatory to lose favor with His Majesty, bringing it to this fallen state; he is truly a sinner of the Observatory!"

"No, you misunderstand. If it weren't for Director Wan Zhang predicting the stars and saying that the new Emperor is the reincarnation of the Ziwei Star, a sage ruler for an era, the world would have already belonged to the Pei family."

"How is that possible? Director Wan Zhang possesses such ability? All I know is that it was the new Emperor, along with former Minister of War Xuan Hongguang and head of the Imperial Guards Rong Ye, who surrounded and killed Regent King Pei Zhen, securing his place on the throne."

"Hush, be cautious with your words. Do you want to lose your heads discussing these matters?"

...

At the same time

Sang Yan returned to the side hall of Yuesang Palace.

She immediately ordered her belongings to be packed, preparing to leave the Imperial Palace for a second time.

This commotion quickly reached Sang Ruoshui's ears.

While sending a message to the Emperor, she also went to intervene, "Sister, what are you doing? You've only arrived a few days ago, why are you leaving now?"

Sang Yan replied, "I am following the Empress Dowager's orders to leave the palace."

She had asked to resign, but purposely made it sound as if she had been expelled.

In this way, for a period of time, the Sang Family, considering the Empress Dowager's stance, likely wouldn't dare to send her back into the palace again.

Upon hearing it was the Empress Dowager's command, Sang Ruoshui's expression changed, "Why does the Empress Dowager want you to leave? Did you misspeak in her presence? Don't be afraid, I've already notified the Emperor. Just wait, he will surely protect you—"

"You've told the Emperor? Why did you tell him all this?"

Sang Yan feared her plans might collapse, her frustration surging, speaking both urgently and harshly, "Sang Ruoshui, I am your sister. I can help you compete for favor, but I'm not a tool for your intrigues! Are you sick in the head? I've said it, my heart lies with my deceased husband, my heart lies with my deceased husband, yet you push me towards the Emperor, do you want to drive me to death?"

For the first time, Sang Ruoshui saw her sister in anger, momentarily stunned.

The two looked at each other in silence.

The atmosphere was awkward and heavy.

Until the voice of a little eunuch broke the silence, "Miss Sang, the Emperor requests your presence."