“Xiao Lu.” She did not want this child to let her mind run wild and waste time on insignificant things.
“Court Lady Fu, they said that a Talented Lady belongs to the Emperor. From today onwards, I can no longer look for Prince Qin to study or play. I don’t like this reward. Can you tell the Emperor that I don’t want any reward? Can he take this back?” Xiao Lu’s eyes were filled with sorrow.
Fu Rou shook her head. “The Emperor’s decisions are final and we cannot go against the decision. However, Xiao Lu, the road you are on may be craggy. There may be bends but you must persevere and walk down in determination. You will eventually reach where you want to go. You have to remember that the Emperor is a brilliant ruler. He can give you a chance to enjoy a glorious lifestyle and he will also respect your wishes as long as you express them properly.”
Xiao Lu perked up slightly. “Mmhm, I will be like you and respect the Emperor. If I treat him sincerely, everything will be well.”
Fu Rou smiled back and headed to Ganlou Palace. However, when she reached the outside of the palace, she overheard the discussions inside on how to deal with the Crown Prince. They were basically all on one side. They all believed that the Crown Prince rebelled. Although he saved his father and was not completely incorrigible, his small contribution cannot cover up for his huge mistake. He deserved the death penalty. Even Minister Fang believed that they could not ignore the law. Only the Emperor was hesitant and Fu Rou could sense his willingness to forgive.
Fu Rou walked in and greeted, “Your Majesty.”
The Emperor was slightly eager. “Court Lady Fu, you came just in time. I would like to hear your views.”
Fu Rou presented a book. “Your Majesty, I have nothing to say but I would like to submit a book.”
The Emperor was curious. “A book?”
“Yes, this book is called <<Women Principles>>. It was compiled by Empress Wende. It consists of the experience and reason she obtained from reading histories of various ladies. There are a total of ten volumes.”
The Emperor was moved and he personally took the book. As he flipped through it, longing filled his eyes. “It is really the late Empress’ handwriting…”
Fu Rou said, “Her Majesty handed this book over to me and said that she was filled with health issues and knew that she would not be able to accompany Your Majesty till old age. Therefore, she personally wrote this book as a remembrance. She wanted you to look at the book as if you were looking at her and care for the flesh and blood that she has left behind for you.”
The Emperor recalled the task entrusted to him by the Empress before she died. If there were a day that her children created trouble because of their conflict and let her down, she wished that he would allow them to live.
Hot tears flowed down the Emperor’s face. “I promised the Empress that no matter what happened, I will protect Chengqian and his brother’s life. Moreover, the effort and hard work that the late Empress put into compiling <<Women Principles>> is sufficient to eliminate her children’s wrongdoing. Heed my decree. Li Chengqian shall be pardoned from the death sentence. Let him go to Qianzhou.”
Fang Xuanling and the rest did not say more. They all held a memory for the late Empress in their hearts.
“Your Majesty, in the past you were a compassionate father. Now, you are benevolent.”
A load was taken off the Emperor’s mind. “Court Lady Fu, follow me to Lizheng Palace.”
Fu Rou abided, “Understood.”
The both of them walked, one in front of the other. Only when they reached Lizheng Palace did they slow down. On this peaceful night, the moonlight shone clearly.
The Emperor sighed, “Ever since the Empress passed, the moonlight has never been this beautiful.”
Fu Rou looked down. “Since I entered the palace, I was able to receive Her Majesty’s teachings. After she passed on, so many things happened. Sometimes it feels as if I have stayed in the palace for over a hundred years.” She wanted to leave this place. She wanted to start a new life.
The Emperor smiled. He had guessed it. “Court Lady Fu, you are finally saying it?”
Fu Rou kneeled. “Please have grace, Your Majesty.”
“Sheng Chumu has been coming to Ganlou Palace daily to kneel, plead, coax and kowtow. He is making a scene like a child that did not get to eat candy. It is more interesting than a monkey show. I would like to see this for another two days.” It was rare to see such an entertaining scene.
“Your Majesty……” Fu Rou chuckled bitterly.
“Hehe, they all say that when a girl is of age, she must be married off. When a female official is of age, she cannot stay as well. The Rites Office said that until now, you still haven’t passed your Internal Entry Examination?”
The two of them were outstanding court members that helped save the crisis. If he did not give in to them, he would be unreasonable. Oh well, he should let them be grateful so that they will continue to be loyal and protect Great Tang.
Fu Rou was nervous. “Er…”
“Since you haven’t even passed the Internal Entry Examination, you have less rules binding you compared to others. I shall pardon you from your position as Court Lady of the Six Offices. You can leave tonight.” As soon as he said this, the Emperor saw Fu Rou’s delighted expression.
Fu Rou could not believe her ears. “Really?”
“Since you and Xinnan both want to become Duke Lu’s daughter-in-laws, I will allow you and Xinnan to get married on the same day. You shall have whatever dowry and ceremony that Xinnan has. Let the Duke Lu Residence be exciting and have double happiness.” Has he said this clearly enough? The Emperor smiled joyously.
Fu Rou kneeled. “Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty.”
Chapter 98.3: Return (Final)
Although this was what happened, as soon as Fu Rou walked out of Lizheng Palace, she felt like she was not standing on solid ground. All of a sudden, she saw a group of imperial guards bringing about a group of internal attendants. Yang Bo was amongst them. She hurried to catch up and asked one of the imperial guards to accommodate her. She wanted to speak to Yang Bo.
Fu Rou’s name had spread throughout the entire palace and everyone knew how highly the Emperor regarded her. They had to give her face.
Fu Rou walked up to Yang Bo. “When Concubine Yan used my family to threaten me, you gave me the pill to fake my death. No matter how I think of it, it is too coincidental.”
Yang Bo spoke truthfully, “Those were Concubine Yan’s intentions. She did not want to hurt the woman that Prince Zhou loved. She hoped that you would take the pill and get out of it.”
Fu Rou found it strange and asked, “What about the mistake with the poison?”
Yang Bo nodded. “I did that by myself. Although I wanted to take revenge for Yang Hou, I never wanted to hurt you.”
Fu Rou’s eyes flashed. “I will report whatever you did to the Emperor. I hope that it will help your circumstance.”
Yang Bo chuckled bitterly, “So helping others is helping myself.”
“That’s right. A moment of kindness is a chance at life. Take care.”
Yang Bo turned and left.
On the fifteenth day of March, happiness was booming. Two palanquins with eight carriers left the palace, heading towards the marriage ceremony. There were so many people sending them off that there was no end in sight.
Prince Zhou, who was about to set off as well, stared in a daze at one of the carriage until it disappeared at the end of the street.