The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl

90. Parents Favor Their Youngest Child

Translator: Iris Guo

“Father, brother has been helping me catch up lately. I can even recite the Memorials on Dispatching the Troops [1].” Zhong Mingrong began to recite the article while wagging his head: “The late Emperor was taken from us before he could finish his life’s work, the restoration of Han. Today, the empire is still divided in three, and our very survival is threatened. Yet still the government officials and the soldiers throughout the realm remain loyal to you, Your Majesty…”

[1] Note: The Memorials on Dispatching the Troops is the Noble Phantasm of Zhuge Liang. It’s a report to the throne, written to the young Emperor as he was organizing a subjugation army for the northern expeditions against Wei in 227.

“All right, I see.” The Emperor laughed and stopped Zhong Mingrong. Then, he turned to look at Zhong Mingzheng, Zhong Mingrong’s elder brother who had been standing respectfully at the side of the room, nodded, and spoke approvingly to him: “Good. You look more like an older brother.”

“I’m flattered, father. Brotherhood should be like this.” Zhong Mingzheng hastened to make a bow.

“His Majesty, Your Grace, lunch is ready.” Biqiao came in and bent.

Immediately, the four people went to the wing-room for lunch. Afterwards, the Emperor and the two princes went to the Yanxi Palace for rest.

After listening to the two princes laughing and playing for a long time, the Empress Dowager got tired, and Biqiao let her take a nap.

“His Majesty went to the Yanxi Palace again.” whispered Biqiao while taking off the chrysanthemum-shaped hairpin made of eight gems and jadeite from the Empress Dowager’s bun. Then, she handed a warm handkerchief.

Since the Emperor had all the Magnolia liliflora cut down, Imperial Concubine Zhao’s favorite, he rarely went to the Yanxi Palace to see her. Besides, their relationship later went sour because she shot her mouth off about the late Empress’ memorial at the Cining Palace. He hadn’t seen her for over a month. However, today for Prince IV’s sake, he even agreed to go to her palace after lunch.

“Parents favor their youngest child. No matter what Imperial Concubine Zhao did, she has Prince IV, such a smart and lovely boy. Let alone the Emperor, I love him too. That’s the way it is.” The Empress Dowager wiped her face, applied some facial cream in front of the mirror, and sighed faintly: “Don’t I love my youngest child too?”

“But if His Majesty always goes to the Yanxi Palace, he will naturally favor Imperial Concubine Zhao and her family.” whispered Biqiao. “And if His Majesty favors the Zhao Family, won’t he hate Prince I more?”

The Empress Dowager’s hand suddenly stopped. Then, she continued to do her facial carefully, and asked slowly after a long time of silence: “Is Pang Yi back?”

“Yes, Your Grace. He’s been back for a long time.” said Biqiao hurriedly. “After Great General in the south heard of Prince I’s accident, he immediately sent Pang Yi back to the capital, and now Pang Yi is waiting for your order.”

Xu Chengjin, Great General in the south, was the Empress Dowager’s nephew and the late Empress’ biological elder brother.

“Later.” The Empress Dowager stroked her gray hair at the temples and said: “After the Double Ninth Festival [2].”

[2] Note: The Double Ninth Festival, observed on the ninth day of the ninth month in the Chinese calendar, is a traditional Chinese holiday.

Biqiao frowned: “But Prince I must have a hard time in NingGuTa, and I’m afraid we can’t feel at ease until our reliable people get there soon.”

“You don’t think I know that?” The Empress Dowager sipped her tea and said in a low voice, “The Qixi Festival and the late Empress’ memorial just passed. We can’t irritate the Emperor now. Let alone others, don’t you know why he hates Mingwei?”

“Yes. I was being impatient.” Biqiao bowed to the Empress Dowager.

“I’m impatient too, but NingGuTa just became peaceful. How can I let our people upset the balance?” said the Empress Dowager slowly while sighing faintly, “What would happen if the Emperor gets mad? We’ll wait and let Pang Yi keep a low profile. Although he has been away from the capital for a dozen years, he’s well-known in the government.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Day: The 25th day of the seventh lunar month, the 32nd year of Jiasheng Reign

Location: NingGuTa

The summer in NingGuTa was really short. It was only the end of July, but the cold wind was already blowing hard.

A’Chou got up early, and she was wearing a light summer dress as usual. As soon as she got out, she felt cold and hastened to go back to the kitchen. After overturning every box, she finally found a thick coat to wear. Then, she walked towards the chamber while fastening the button and planned to bring a thicker quilt to Zhong Mingwei tonight.