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墨書 Inktalez
We have no reason to ask Gao Huan for He Yu's letter.
But we have a plan.
This time, we must clarify this matter no matter what.
Either Gao Huan retrieves the letter.
Or I will search his palace.
After discussing strategies with A Xian, we acted separately.
All preparations were in place.
The time was set for the Treading on the Green Festival.
Gao Huan has a habit; every year on Treading on the Green Festival, he does not offer sacrifices to heaven and earth or to his parents, but he will step onto the high city wall and stand there for half a day.
No one knows what he thinks during that time.
But this year, I will accompany him.
Before the Treading on the Green Festival, I prepared food and light wine and went to Changxin Hall to find Gao Huan.
This is where court officials discuss matters and where Gao Huan reviews memorials.
When I arrived, both the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel were present in the hall.
It seemed they were discussing this year's Spring Examination matters.
A court official led me into a side chamber: "Your Majesty, please rest for a moment; the Sovereign is aware of your arrival."
I rewarded him with a silver coin.
After a cup of tea, Gao Huan entered, his face filled with anger.
"Not even enough money for the imperial examination; how much can those poor scholars contribute?"
Last summer there was a drought, and winter brought snow disasters.
Countless common people starved or froze to death.
The relief funds were sent out, but how much actually reached the hands of the people is unknown.
In any case, the national treasury is empty.
I opened the food box and poured him some wine.
Then I moved behind him and pressed on the acupoints on his head.
As soon as my hand pressed down, he caught my wrist.
"What does Yu Qing think?"
"The Inner Palace must not discuss state affairs; I remember the Sovereign's admonition."
With a slight force, he pulled me from behind to the front, causing me to fall onto his lap.
His fingers brushed against my neck.
It felt as if with just a little more pressure, he could snap my neck.
"The Empress isn't afraid of death; why fear saying a few words?"
Since that's the case, I will say what I have prepared.
"The Ministry of Revenue says there is no money, but the Court Officials' salaries have not decreased at all; they are delivered on time every year."
"Even the Consort's monthly allowance remains unchanged."
"The Ministry of Personnel claims that this year's Spring Examination expenses are high due to the cold spring, requiring coal and blankets."
"However, the Spring Examination takes place after the spring has arrived. Although it has been a bit cold recently, the weather won't stay cold forever."
I observed Gao Huan's expression and continued, "Scholars can surely endure a little chill."
"In previous years, the Sovereign would always go to the city gate on the day of the spring festival, where it is windy and cold."
"This year, let me accompany you and share in the cold wind."
"If anyone still complains about the weather, just tell them that even I, a woman, can endure it."
Gao Huan laughed heartily.
"Very well, Yu Qing speaks wisely. I will inform them right away."
But before he stood up, he said, "There’s no need for Yu Qing to accompany me to the City Tower; let Xian'er go instead."
The matter of the Spring Examination was quickly resolved.
But who would accompany Gao Huan to City Tower? It was full of twists and turns.
He could come up with ten ideas in a single day.
In between, there were attempts to sow discord between me and A Xian.
In front of Gao Huan, we naturally made a big fuss, which pleased him.
However, it had long been decided how those going to City Tower would be arranged and what would happen to those staying in the palace.
The night before Treading on the Green Festival.
Gao Huan first went to A Xian's palace.
An hour later, he arrived at my palace.
His expression was poor, and his lips had turned slightly blue.
I knew that A Xian had increased his dosage.
So he looked even more frenzied.
As soon as he entered, he embraced me, not even making it to the bed before pushing me down onto a table.
I watched him panting heavily, looking as if he were on the brink of death.
In my heart, there was only one thing: He Yu's letter.
"Do you remember what day it is today, Sovereign?"
Gao Huan's damp hair hung at his temples as he looked up in confusion.
I smiled at him, "Eleven years ago, the Sovereign went to the Yu Family today."
His enthusiasm instantly faded.
It was only when I finished dressing and had some tea that I continued my story.
"At that time, the Yu Family seemed to be negotiating a marriage with the the He Family."
"Yes, they were discussing the marriage between my second Sister and He family second son."
"What?" Gao Huan was skeptical.
But he wanted to hear more.
For so many years, he had been troubled by He Yu's visit to me.
I had explained before.
He never believed me.
Today's explanation was something new.
I threw dirt on my own sister.
"Back then, my second Sister and He family second son secretly pledged their lives to each other and even formed a hidden bond. My family found it extremely embarrassing and locked second Sister away."
" He family second son could only seek my help to make the marriage happen."
"He thought that since I entered the palace as a consort, I would definitely be able to assist him."
"But he didn't expect that I also despised his shamelessness."
"Now my second Sister has gone to the Northern Frontier, where the weather is cold. Recently, she sent a letter back, seemingly afflicted by a serious illness, fearing she may not have long to live."
"Her life has been filled with sorrow, and only He family second son has been her moonlight. She earnestly requested me to arrange a meeting with him."
I wonder if Gao Huan has received the message.
His expression was gloomy, and his gaze fixed on me like two poisoned arrows: "You want to see He Yu?"
"I know this is against Sovereign's rules, but since I entered the palace, my family ties have grown weaker. Now even my two children have left me..."
When Gao Huan restored my position as his consort, he sent someone to bring the two children back.
But the result was that all the hidden guards he sent to watch over the children were killed.
The two children also died.
The suspicions he had about their lineage and the hatred he felt towards the bond between me and the children.
In that moment, it no longer existed.
Now I bring it up again, just to provoke him.
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