Wei Song quickly placed a blanket around her. “Your Majesty, you must take care of your body.”
“Concubine Yan is so healthy. Even if I have to endure, I have to last a few more years. I can only relax after I personally see the Crown Prince ascend the throne.” Empress Zhangsun gripped onto the edges of the blanket.
“Imperial Mother.” Princess Xinnan’s voice floated in.
Empress Zhangsun sighed, “I also have this daughter that makes me worry.”
However, after Princess Xinnan told her that Fu Rou snuck out of the palace with Prince Zhou, Empress Zhangsun no longer blamed her daughter. She immediately called for a sedan to carry her to Concubine Yan’s palace. Fu Rou had to be punished for going against the palace rules but Prince Zhou would not be spared either. A mother cannot be spared from her child’s actions. She worried all day and had insomnia. How could she just let Concubine Yan enjoy carefree days?
Concubine Yan greeted her with trepidation. Prince Zhou was coincidentally present as well.
“Concubine Yan, I initially did not want to trouble you as you have just recovered. However, I can no longer bear this. I came over to ask Prince Zhou if in your eyes, you still have me as an Empress?” Empress Zhangsun saw that Concubine Yan was indeed looking well and charming. It was no wonder that the Emperor favoured her.
Concubine Yan feared having her son in trouble the most and panicked. “Your Majesty, why do you say that? What has Prince Zhou done wrong?”
“He took the liberty to bring Head Seamstress Fu out of the palace. Prince Zhou, you are disregarding the palace rules. Is it because you are certain that I won’t be able to punish you?” Although Empress Zhangsun was talking about Prince Zhou, she was staring at Concubine Yan.
Concubine Yan saw that her son was silently admitting to his faults, and immediately knelt. “Prince Zhou made a mistake. Please be benevolent, Your Majesty. It is my fault for not teaching him well and allowing him to do whatever he wants. If Your Majesty wishes to punish someone, please punish me.”
Prince Zhou kneeled as well. “Your Majesty, if you wish to punish, please punish me. Please do not hold it against my mother.”
“Prince Zhou, your mother has just recovered, quick help her up. Don’t let her kneel.” Since she has already kneeled, she will remember just who the master of the six palaces is.
Prince Zhou quickly helped Concubine Yan up.
“You all don’t know how difficult it is to manage the harem. As the Empress, I am only one person and rely on palace rules to manage so many people. If everyone does not abide by the palace rules, the six palaces will be in chaos. Prince Zhou, your actions have really put me in a difficult position.” Empress Zhangsun’s tone changed, “Concubine Yan, the Emperor favours you and the Emperor also adores Prince Zhou. I can help you cover up the matter this time.”
Concubine Yan bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“However, the palace has its rules and Prince Zhou cannot go against them anymore.” Empress Zhangsun stared at Prince Zhou. Prince Zhou initially refused to reply. However, as Concubine Yan secretly tugged on his sleeve, he finally answered with a “Yes.”
“The Emperor has many heirs to begin with and tens of thousands of palace maids have joined us this year. The harem has also expanded and became more difficult to manage. I was intending to reorganise the palace records. Concubine Yan, would you be able to help me?” Empress Zhangsun suddenly asked.
Prince Zhou immediately replied, “Mother’s health…”
Concubine Yan cut him off, “Of course, I will be willing to help. I have nothing to do everyday and would love to help Your Majesty.”
Empress Zhangsun pretended to be delighted. “Great. Then the first thing I need you to do is to manage the movement in and out of the palace. The number of people that can enter the harem is currently extremely complicated. The Emperor’s harem currently allows anyone to enter. How can this be? From tomorrow onwards, any monks or priests have to get the Emperor or my permission before they are allowed to enter the harem.”
Prince Zhou opened his mouth to speak but Concubine Yan tugged on his sleeve once more.
“Your Majesty is right. Entry to the harem should be more restricted. If the movement into the palace is stricter, Prince Zhou would also not be able to make a mistake anymore.” Concubine Yan knew from the start that the Empress came to make her life difficult.
Empress Zhangsun nodded. “It is exactly as you said.” This world belonged to her son and no one was going to steal it away.
Chapter 24.1: Words of Love
Fu Rou held onto the wall to support herself. Her knees felt like they were getting pricked by numerous needles and she could not straighten them.
She had just come from Lizheng Palace where she was punished to kneel for half a day after Empress Zhangsun found out she had left the palace with Prince Zhou previously. There was no wall that was impenetrable by wind. This time, she was only punished to kneel. The Empress even asked Wei Song to give her medicine promoting blood circulation, showing how much the Empress cared for her. After staying in the palace, eventually everyone’s wish would eventually resign to just staying alive. She was no exception.
All of a sudden, she tripped over a crack on the ground and stumbled forward. Before she could fall, a hand reached out to hold her.
“Prince Zhou -- Ah!” She exclaimed in surprise. She did not have time to react as Prince Zhou carried her in his arms. She shouted in protest, “What are you doing!”
Prince Zhou spoke in a low voice, “Shout all you want. It is not my problem if people come because of your shouting!” Fu Rou had no choice but to allow him to bring her back to Lingxiao Palace.
Prince Zhou placed Fu Rou on the couch and grabbed her ankle. He then rolled up the side of her skirt. Fu Rou was shocked as she struggled to get away and curled up in a corner.
Prince Zhou held a bottle of medicine as he said, “I just want to help you apply medicine.”
“Her Majesty has already given me medicine.” Fu Rou said as she took out a bottle of medicine. “Moreover, I have only injured my knees. If Your Highness were to help me apply medicine, I won’t be able to face anyone else.”
Prince Zhou seemed to ignore the last part of what she said and his eyes hardened. He snatched the bottle of medicine and smashed it on the ground. “I don’t need her fake kindness!”
Fu Rou assessed his words and facial expression. “Did Her Majesty also punish Your Highness as well?”
“She did not punish me. However, she did something worse than punishing me.”
Empress Zhangsun always used him to control his mother. “She never shows her evil intentions outrightly but always secretly kills two birds with one stone.”
Fu Rou felt guilty. “It is all my fault.”
“No, it has nothing to do with you.” Prince Zhou let out a bitter laugh. “She merely used you to do what she wanted and took the chance to put me and my mother down. Ever since I was young, I could never get close to anybody. As soon as someone treats me well or I start getting attached to someone, something will always happen to them. My nanny who doted on me got chased out of the palace for breaking palace rules. There was a palace maid that was like my elder sister. She knew I was afraid of the dark and always stayed by my bed every night to tell me stories. Eventually, she became slightly ill and passed away. I don’t wish to hurt anybody and always kept my distance. Even if I am still scared of the dark, I would no longer ask someone to accompany me and instead read books to get me through.”
Fu Rou looked at him sympathetically. She didn't expect such a tragic reason behind his love for reading.