Chengying dismissed him, "Very well, you may leave."
Once gone, Xiaoqiu asked, "Majesty, weren't you just menstruating? Are you testing him?"
Chengying smiled approvingly, "Call him again in a few days."
Days later, Zhong Wei returned, repeating the same diagnosis despite Chengying's continued complaints. Another half-month later, Chengying summoned him again, mentioning her missed period.
"I'm tired, can't sleep, and have no appetite. You say I'm fine?" Chengying asked angrily.
Zhong Wei bowed, "Your pulse is steady, showing no signs of deficiency or anxiety. Perhaps another doctor should examine you."
Chengying laughed, "You recognize I'm pretending to be pregnant. Why did you diagnose pregnancy in Yanshou Palace?"
Zhong Wei broke into a cold sweat, nearly prostrating himself, "Forgive me, Your Majesty! I had no choice. Your mother instructed me to always report pregnancy, regardless of the actual condition."
Chengying's expression hardened—her mother was behind this. First, she arranged an affair for her sister, now fabricating her pregnancy. "But the Empress Dowager summoned you, not my sister. Weren't you afraid she'd kill us both?"
Zhong Wei explained, "I didn't know whom I was examining. Overhearing plans to use ropes and confirm pregnancy, I deduced the Empress Dowager intended harm. Diagnosing no pregnancy, I realized she needed confirmation. To protect you, I reported pregnancy."
Chengying understood the gamble. "So you saved me."
Zhong Wei admitted, "I gambled with your life, fearing exposure. When the eunuch requested red flower abortifacient, I switched it with your sister's nightly tonic."
Chengying's eyes widened, "You switched the medicine?"
Zhong Wei confessed, "I knew you weren't pregnant. To protect your sister and myself, I replaced the medicine. My actions weren't for you but for Lingfang."
Chengying raised an eyebrow, "For Lingfang?"
Zhong Wei admitted, "Yes. Knowing my actions would eventually endanger us, I hoped aiding you might spare her life under the new emperor."
Chengying smiled, impressed by his foresight and dedication.
Days later, the Changsun residence announced a tragic news: the abandoned Empress Changsun from the war had committed suicide by hanging herself in her residence, ending her life at the young age of nineteen.
Upon hearing this news, the civil and military officials in the capital couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude—after all, the Changsun family had married two daughters into the imperial family and both became the empresses, which had long drawn envy and resentment. Now that Changsun Lingfang was dead, the Changsun family would never rise again.
Emperor Cui Yi did not make any statement, so the ministers pretended to be unaware, pretending to be calm while feeling excited inside. Even the former followers and friends of Changsun Tai did not come to pay their respects. Lady Fan, with white hair mourning for her black-haired daughter, cried bitterly. The few servants in the residence helped prepare the coffin, which was kept for seven days before being quietly taken out of the city for burial.
Even Empress Dowager Chiying didn't go to send her off, which puzzled Zhong Lüping greatly.
"You don't need to think too much about it. Tonight, accompany me on an outing, and everything will become clear," Empress Dowager Chiying said mysteriously with a smile as she was teaching little Cui Hao to recognize characters. Little Prince Cui Hao was quiet and learned slowly, unlike his older sister Cui Xian, who could accurately call Father King and Mother when she was one and a half years old.
Seeing that she was unwilling to speak, Zhong Lüping also decided not to ask.
Zhong Yuanshan had returned to Jiangzhou before the New Year, leaving his eldest son in the capital. After the first lunar month, Zhong Lüping returned to the palace again, living with her brother and sister-in-law in the mansion bestowed by the emperor. However, her visits to the palace were less frequent than before the New Year.
Empress Dowager Chiying felt that Zhong Lüping's mother, Lady Zhang, was not someone easy to deal with. When Zhong Lüping came to the palace after the New Year, her expression was clearly less natural than before, as if she always had something on her mind, unlike before when she would tell her everything.
"Are your second uncle and others all well?" After little Cui Hao studied for a while and got tired, Empress Dowager Chiying let the wet nurse take him to nap and dismissed the maidservants, leaving only her and Zhong Lüping in the room.
Zhong Lüping nodded perfunctorily: "All well."
Empress Dowager Chiying smiled slyly: "Is it you who is not well? Why are you always distracted every time you come? What are you thinking about? Tell me." But Zhong Lüping just pursed her lips and shook her head, looking unusually solemn, which made Empress Dowager Chiying more concerned.
Since ancient times, relatives of the emperor and eunuchs have been potential threats to the stability of the government. Although Zhong Yuanshan was ennobled as the Marquis of Jiangzhou, he had no direct kinship with Emperor Cui Yi. Whether he prospered or declined depended entirely on the emperor's word. If Emperor Cui Yi wanted to suppress him, no one could plead for him. Such relatives, if not appeased, could easily rebel.
After nightfall, Empress Dowager Chiying dressed up as a maid and left the palace in Zhong Lüping's carriage, but instead of going to the Zhong residence, they headed to the Changsun residence.
The principle that "walls fall when everyone pushes" applies at any time. Once the prestigious Changsun family now only had an empty residence, with only two lanterns lit at the door, three people standing there, and a carriage waiting quietly.
Zhong Lüping looked closely and saw that among the three people was Lady Fan, an unfamiliar man, and another woman who bore a striking resemblance to Empress Dowager Chiying. She was shocked: "Aren't you...?" It was Changsun Lingfang! Wasn't she supposed to be dead?
Changsun Lingfang was dressed like a peasant woman, wearing coarse clothes and carrying a flower-patterned cloth bag, leaning against the young man. Zhong Lüping recalled the rumors about the former empress having an affair and seemed to understand.
Empress Dowager Chiying walked forward: "Zhong Shuji, I entrust my sister to you from now on. Though poor couples often face hardships, my husband and I also supported each other through difficult times. I believe you won't be like Zhai Zicheng, who abandoned her after taking advantage of her."
Zhong Weiji, with his arm around Changsun Lingfang, knelt down together with her. Empress Dowager Chiying bent down to help them up, holding her sister's hand and speaking gently: "Lingfang, from now on, you will no longer be our parents' daughter or my sister. After leaving the capital, there will always be a place where you can live and thrive. Live well with Shuji, and consider what happened in the past as a nightmare that has passed."
Changsun Lingfang lowered her head and softly replied, "Mmm," holding her hand tightly, reluctant to part.
Empress Dowager Chiying gave a signal, and Xiaqiu handed over a cloth bag: "This is Her Majesty's goodwill. You'll need money wherever you go." Zhong Weiji took it and bowed deeply.
"Lingfang," Empress Dowager Chiying watched her sister being helped into the carriage, "take care."
Changsun Lingfang's eyes welled up with tears as she nodded and climbed into the carriage.
The carriage clattered away into the darkness. Lady Fan stood there wiping her tears, and Empress Dowager Chiying turned to her: "Mother, what are your plans next?"
Lady Fan sniffled, heartbroken: "At my age, what plans do I have? I just hope your father will repent and stop defending the late emperor. Then we can reunite as a family..."
Empress Dowager Chiying politely interrupted her: "Mother, my sister has already left. This city, filled with scars and pain, is not where she wants to return. Please don't say things like 'reuniting as a family,' which makes me uncomfortable."
Lady Fan felt even more sad, thinking that she had given birth to two daughters, but neither of them stayed close to her. Both had followed their men, leaving her alone. Tears fell again: "You asked about my plans. I don't have any. I just want us to sit together, talking and laughing. You and Lingfang are sisters, but fate has its own path. She won't come back, and now you're the only one left with me, Ying'er!"
Empress Dowager Chiying subtly avoided her reaching hand, saying calmly: "Don't worry, Mother. As long as Father repents and stops defending the late emperor, I will ask the emperor to let him return home. I can't promise anything else, but I can ensure you both live comfortably for the rest of your lives."
Lady Fan realized there was nothing more to ask for and nodded.
On the way back to the palace, Zhong Lüping still seemed preoccupied. Empress Dowager Chiying leaned against the carriage wall and asked: "Do you think letting them go was right or wrong?"
Zhong Lüping replied with a question: "Does His Majesty know?"
Empress Dowager Chiying nodded. Zhong Lüping sighed: "His Majesty and Your Majesty are both kind-hearted. My father used to teach us that while governing requires strictness, rulers must be benevolent. Only a ruler with compassion can ultimately lead to a prosperous era."
"But..."
"But what?"
Zhong Lüping shook her head again: "Nothing. I just thought of some benevolent rulers in history who weren't always understood. It's somewhat sigh-worthy."
Empress Dowager Chiying observed her thoughtful expression and sent her home the next day, secretly instructing guards to monitor the Zhong siblings' movements.
For several consecutive days, Zhong Lüping didn't step out of the Zhong residence, but Cui Xiang visited several times, almost daily, though he never stayed long, usually leaving within the time it took to drink a cup of tea. It didn't seem like they were conspiring anything.
When Emperor Cui Yi learned of this, he just smiled and said: "Huaiyu is indeed stubborn. We should arrange a marriage for Lüping soon, or people might start gossiping, tarnishing her reputation."
"Arrange a marriage? To whom?" Empress Dowager Chiying wiped sesame seeds from her daughter's mouth and laughed: "Lüping is meant to marry a general. She's been in the capital for half a year without showing interest in anyone. If you hastily arrange a marriage, she might get bullied, and Uncle Zhong will blame you."
Emperor Cui Yi agreed and held his chin, supporting their wriggling son to prevent him from falling off his lap.
Empress Dowager Chiying continued: "Moreover, the person chosen should be able to control Huaiyu. If you choose someone of lower rank, knowing Huaiyu's temperament, he might dare to snatch the bride or disrupt the wedding ceremony. He's really immature."
Emperor Cui Yi stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Someone who can control Huaiyu... I can't think of anyone. I originally planned to marry Lüping to Dai Ping's younger brother, Dai Zhun, who is gentle and scholarly. But according to you, Dai Zhun definitely can't control Huaiyu. If the bride is snatched away on the wedding day, it wouldn't just be embarrassing for him, but for me as well."
Empress Dowager Chiying teased him: "It seems the only one who can control Huaiyu is you."
Emperor Cui Yi immediately put on a serious face: "I think you've forgotten your wounds and started finding women for me again. Tomorrow, summon Princess Yuanhui to treat you. If this isn't cured, we can't continue living together."
Empress Dowager Chiying laughed heartily, and Emperor Cui Yi cleared his throat: "It's getting late. Let's call the nurses to put the children to bed, and I'll stay here tonight."
Empress Dowager Chiying agreed, calling for the nurses to take the children to sleep and preparing hot water for washing.
"Speaking of Sister Cheng," Empress Dowager Chiying said as she undressed him, "I think it's time to officially bless their marriage."
"Who, her and General Yang?" Emperor Cui Yi asked, rolling up his sleeves.
Empress Dowager Chiying nodded: "Master Shan's plan was very effective. After Sister Cheng resolved her emotional issues, she became more proactive than General Yang, bringing little Shujin to his house every day, doing laundry and cooking. She even raises chickens better than I do."
Emperor Cui Yi chuckled: "You raising chickens? If I hadn't fed them every night, the chicks in the courtyard would have starved to death long ago."
Empress Dowager Chiying blushed upon hearing this, annoyed: "Who was I raising those chickens for?"
Emperor Cui Yi mimicked her tone: "Who was I rebelling for?"
Empress Dowager Chiying was speechless for a moment, then burst into laughter along with him. Emperor Cui Yi wrapped his arm around her: "Let's go to sleep!"
The red candle went out, the brocade curtain fell, and the parrot hanging under the beam tucked its head in. Only faint sounds of breathing and moaning mixed with the warm breeze, dissipating into the night.