Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 393

Later that day, the banquet concluded.

Gu Ye lingered for a while, took Qian Sansi aside, and offered his apology.

He was upfront and candid, saying, “The third brother believed that I had mistreated his mother due to what transpired yesterday. That’s why Ah Yu suggested that he could have you as a witness, and he spoke out of concern. But in the end, you were unjustly scolded because of me.”

In truth, Gu Ye didn’t need to explain himself. The most well-informed person in the palace wasn’t Emperor Zhengyuan or Wu Qingyi but the chief eunuch, Qian Sansi.

There were also palace servants in Wenhua Hall. From the moment Lu Xu first began crying, Qian Sansi had already received the information.

He could have taken action to stop Lu Xu early on and report to Emperor Zhengyuan to put an end to the commotion. However, he chose to wait, allowing Lu Xu to proceed, and then reporting to Emperor Zhengyuan shortly after.

At his age, Lu Xu didn’t have his own thoughts; he simply imitated the behavior of the adults. In recent days, Concubine Feng had been instructing him in this manner. When Qian Sansi was directed to restrict Concubine Feng’s access to the Hall of Mental Cultivation and prevent her from entering and exiting as she pleased, she didn’t dare to voice any complaints directly to Emperor Zhengyuan, so she directed her frustration at Qian Sansi instead.

Calling him mad was one thing, but Qian Sansi had been waiting for an opportunity for a long time. If there were any unforeseen incidents, it was likely because he didn’t anticipate Gu Ye would come to his defense so emphatically. He also didn’t want the extremely unsavory epithet in Lu Xu’s mouth to become part of the public record when he was defending himself to others. If Lu Xu hadn’t repeated the comment, he might have borne the embarrassment and ruined his reputation.

Of course, if no one had raised the issue at all, Qian Sansi would have had other eunuchs do so.

However, Gu Ye’s actions left him feeling uneasy.

Qian Sansi promptly bowed and replied, “Why does His Royal Highness Prince Lie say this? It was this servant who caused the issue. Your Highness, please heed this servant’s counsel; you should have voiced it. Why should you suffer for this servant?”

Gu Ye responded, “It would be the same next time.” He chuckled and added, “Father mentioned that you are a good person. If it weren’t for the unexpected, you and my uncle would be on equal footing now.”

Qian Sansi’s eyes welled up with tears, but he turned away to discreetly wipe them and said, “It’s getting late, Your Highness. Please return and rest. This servant will escort you.”

Gu Ye agreed with a nod and waved, offering a friendly smile as he followed the eunuch carrying a lantern and departed.

As Gu Ye left, Concubine Feng hurriedly approached. She felt embarrassed for having scolded Qian Sansi so harshly earlier and then having to request his assistance. Fortunately, Qian Sansi remained unembarrassed, maintaining the same level of respect as before. He addressed her, saying, “Your Majesty, please wait a moment. His Majesty has imbibed a bit too much, and he has just consumed sobering soup. He’s currently resting.”

Concubine Feng was clad in light garments, to which Qian Sansi commented, “Why is Your Majesty wearing such thin attire? It might harm your health. It’s not suitable.” 

He promptly dispatched someone to retrieve Concubine Feng’s cloak from Yonghe Palace and invited her to take shelter from the wind. A chair was brought for her as well.

Concubine Feng appreciated each gesture of courtesy, yet privately, she regarded these courtiers as mere dogs, incapable of being considered men. She astutely understood the political dynamics and weighed her influence accordingly.

People greeted Concubine Feng, and Qian Sansi entered the hall.

Emperor Zhengyuan closed his eyes and took a quarter-hour rest. When he awoke, he found Qian Sansi refilling his tea with the utmost delicacy.

Emperor Zhengyuan emitted a faint sigh, saying, “Sansi, it was my lax discipline that put you in such an uncomfortable position. I apologize.”

Qian Sansi quickly replied, “Prince Lie expressed his apology similarly, just as His Majesty did.”

Emperor Zhengyuan inquired, “The young one also extended his apologies to you?” His smile began to broaden.

“Indeed, His Royal Highness Prince Lie relayed that you had advised him to treat heroes kindly and not look down upon servants due to their physical deficiencies.”

“He remembers my words.” Emperor Zhengyuan’s grin became even more pronounced.

Qian Sansi respectfully reported, “Concubine Feng is waiting outside to see Your Majesty. She has been waiting for quite some time and appears to have something of significance to discuss.” Of course, Concubine Feng had come to offer her apologies.

Emperor Zhengyuan glanced at Qian Sansi and remarked, “Ah Xu learned all the words from her. Why aren’t you angry?”

Qian Sansi smiled affably, saying, “His Highness Prince Xu is young and ignorant. He treats this servant as a eunuch from the previous dynasty. Besides, it doesn’t affect this servant to be scolded in such a manner. Your Majesty, please don’t bear any anger on my account and disturb the harmony within your family. This servant would be deeply regretful if that were the case.”

Qian Sansi skillfully understood how to navigate delicate situations, and Emperor Zhengyuan, who aspired to be magnanimous, felt compelled to respect his request. Consequently, he decided not to admit Concubine Feng and went outside.

His intent was to have Concubine Feng make her apologies in the presence of others, lowering her head in humility. If he reprimanded her further, he believed the matter would be put to rest.

Emperor Zhengyuan left the hall and anticipated finding Concubine Feng waiting outside. However, what he encountered was a completely different scene. In the portico, beneath the awning, Concubine Feng reclined upon a small rosewood chair adorned with dragon patterns, cushioned with soft cushions. She wore an elegant cloak featuring silver-white with emerald accents and a silver fox fur cape. In her hands, she held a gilt-silver incense burner, a hand warmer, and a tray of candied dried fruits and melon seeds placed on a low table. Nearby, a group of young eunuchs scurried about, fulfilling her requests.

Emperor Zhengyuan couldn’t help but wonder: Was this her way of apologizing?