tallest building

Chapter 282 Spring Returns Again

At the end of the first month, King Zhao prepared to leave the capital.

The King of Fenye has been in the capital for four months and must return to the grasslands, but Princess Duanmin is pregnant and the pregnancy is not very stable.

Qi Si and Zi Ran were worried, fearing that the journey would be bumpy and something bad might happen.

So he discussed it with the princess, and he would go back first, while the princess would stay in the capital until the pregnancy was more stable.

Upon hearing that Princess Duanmin was not going back to the grasslands, Yuchao and Zhuolahan insisted on staying to accompany her.

Yu Chao, in particular, was even more determined to stay when he heard that Princess Duanmin planned to move to Bowang Mountain for a while when the weather got warmer.

Before King Fenye left the capital, a farewell banquet was held in the palace.

Therefore, they were busy for several more days until the people of the Fenye tribe left the capital and headed north under the escort of King Zhao.

By this time, the snow had melted and the treetops were turning green, showing the scene of early spring.

Early in the morning, the concubines, as usual, came to pay their respects to the Empress.

Consort Yun was also among them, and she looked to be in good health.

The two beauties presented by Princess Duanmin were both granted the title of Noble Lady.

They are young and love bright colors, so they always make a striking appearance.

"It's better to dress brightly; it looks festive. You all should dress the same. Don't always dress so old-fashioned; it makes the palace seem stagnant." The Empress pointed at Alan and Aman and said to the other concubines.

"Your Majesty, it's not that we don't want to wear bright colors, it's just that we're getting on in years. Sometimes we feel like making one or two pieces, but when we put them on and look in the mirror, we feel embarrassed to wear them out," Consort Hui said with a smile. "It's better to wear more conservative colors."

Her words amused the Empress: "You were quite a beauty when you were young, alas, time waits for no one!"

Consort Hui was a few years older than the Empress, and her two princesses had long been married.

Because she flattered the Empress well, both of her daughters married well.

The eldest daughter married Dong Gang, the empress's nephew, and the second daughter married the heir of the Duke of Zhao.

"Not everyone can maintain their appearance as well as Her Majesty the Empress. Look at you, your face doesn't even have a single fine line. Who wouldn't say you look like you're twenty?" Consort Jing quickly added.

She always fawned over the Empress in the palace and had a very sweet tongue.

"That's an exaggeration. No matter how you look, a forty-year-old can't look like a twenty-year-old." Although the Empress denied it, she was very happy. "But I have to thank Mingqian for this. Her face cream is really good. After using it, my face feels smooth and moisturized, even better than the ones I used before."

Everyone in the palace knew that Wen Mingqian had exceptional skills, but not just anyone was qualified to use her skills.

Apart from the eldest princess, Princess Duanmin, and the empress, they dared not use it unless the empress gave special permission.

"Spring has arrived, and the peach and apricot blossoms are vying to bloom. People should also dress up. Mingqian, please do your best to make some rouge and face powder for each of the concubines in the harem, to add some color to this spring day," the Empress said with a smile.

Wen Mingqian agreed, and all the concubines thanked the Empress.

There weren't many concubines in the harem, but there were still quite a few, yet it always gave people a very desolate feeling.

They did not compete for favor with each other because none of them had a prince, and the Empress's family held absolute power.

Furthermore, the Emperor is diligent in state affairs and rarely stays overnight in any of his concubines' palaces. Even now, with Alan and Aman in their prime, the Emperor doesn't visit their palaces often.

A day later, Wen Mingqian was serving the Empress when a eunuch came in and reported, "Your Majesty, Lord Dong of Lantai requests an audience."

"Oh, he's here. Let him in." The Queen was delighted.

His nephew, Dong Gang, had been serving as the Salt Commissioner in Jiangnan for more than half a year and had just returned to the capital recently.

This was also the first time Wen Mingqian had met Dong Gang. He felt that he was just like the young Grand Tutor Dong because he looked so much like his grandfather, even more so than his father, Dong Sicheng.

The same sharp eyebrows and piercing eyes, the same thin lips.

No wonder Grand Tutor Dong valued his grandson so highly; elders always prefer the child who resembles them.

Just like Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, who disliked Emperor Hui but favored Prince Ruyi of Zhao.

At the time, he called his son "Ruyi is like me" and even wanted to make this youngest son the crown prince.

However, it was precisely because of his favoritism that Empress Lü harbored deep resentment towards him, leading to a pitiful end for Ruyi and her son.

"Why didn't you rest at home for a few more days? Why did you rush into the palace like this?" the Empress asked him with a smile.

"I'm not tired, I just miss my aunt and wanted to see you as soon as possible," Dong Gang said with a smile. "Is Your Majesty well?"

"Sigh, what's good or bad? You naturally know what happened." The Empress sighed. This was something her family didn't need to hide. "But when things were at their worst, neither your grandfather nor your father were in the capital, and you weren't even there."

"I am truly ashamed that I have failed to share your burdens," Dong Gang said, bowing his head.

"How can I blame you? Everything has been peaceful until now. Who would have thought it would turn out like this?" the Empress said. "While you were away, Yingpei often came to the palace to pay her respects. Now that you've returned from Jiangnan, just stay in the capital for a few years! You've been married for three years, but you still don't have any children. It's inevitable that your elders are worried."

Yingpei is the eldest princess born to Consort Hui, and Wen Mingqian recognizes her.

"Your nephew will follow Her Majesty the Empress's instructions," Dong Gang replied.

"Mingqian, the herbal tea you brewed the other day was very good. Go and brew another cup for him to try." The Empress always gave good things to her family. She doted on this nephew and, since she hadn't seen him for a long time, she wanted him to stay in the palace a little longer.

"It's easy for internal heat to rise in spring, so this herbal tea was specially prepared for me by her. It's very comforting to drink." As the mother of the nation, what could the Empress not want? But Wen Mingqian always managed to come up with ingenious ways to serve her perfectly.

“I’ve heard people mention that Aunt has a master incense maker by her side, who is extremely skilled. I’m really lucky to have such a delicious incense today,” Dong Gang said, glancing at Wen Mingqian.

His eyes were like blades, cold and sharp.

Wen Mingqian made eye contact with him briefly, then obediently lowered his head, not out of fear, but out of humility: "You flatter me, sir. This servant is fortunate enough to serve Her Majesty the Empress. I only wish to do my best."

Wen Mingqian served the tea and then left, relying entirely on his own initiative.

However, those with discernment knew that the Empress and Dong Gang hadn't seen each other for a long time, and they were bound to say things that were not pleasing to the ear.

"Oh, Lady Wen, what brings you out? Doesn't Her Majesty the Empress need your service anymore?" Wen Mingqian was walking out when he happened to run into Yu Lu.

Wen Mingqian quickly stopped and replied with a smile, "It is Lord Dong Gang who has come to see Her Majesty the Empress."

Wen Mingqian need not say anything more; Yu Lu naturally understands.