CHAPTER 92: CHAPTER 92: EMPRESS DOWAGER

Mr. Zhao’s journey took nearly two months. Today, he returned to the court, entering Jingyang Palace, feeling both joyful and eager.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered Jingyang Palace, he was doused with a cold bucket of water.

"Please wait a moment, Mr. Zhao," a beautiful palace attendant in her twenties smilingly stopped him. "The Empress Dowager has summoned Eunuch Lan for company."

This beautiful palace attendant was named Sufang, the Chief Palace Maid of Jingyang Palace, and a confidant of Empress Dowager Zheng. Mr. Zhao, who flaunted his power outside, immediately became cautious and humble upon entering Jingyang Palace. Smiling, he said, "I will wait here, until the Lady is free to summon me."

Then, lowering his voice, he added, "This time, I brought back many local specialties from Nanyang County. One of them is a gift for Aunt Sufang. When it gets dark, I’ll have someone deliver it to Aunt Sufang’s residence."

Sufang graciously accepted, smiling, "Then, thank you very much, Mr. Zhao. Besides, I’m a few years younger than you, Mr. Zhao. I really can’t bear the title of ’Aunt.’

Mr. Zhao blinked and laughed: "If not for Aunt Sufang’s reminder, I wouldn’t remember that I’m thirty already. Past my prime, unlike Eunuch Lan, who is young and handsome."

The last sentence was steeped in jealousy.

Eunuch Lan is only twenty-two years old, eight years younger than Mr. Zhao. Moreover, he’s quite heroic in appearance; if dressed in a Forbidden Guard Uniform, he’d look like any regular young man.

Since Empress Dowager Zheng obtained Eunuch Lan, she had been immensely fond of him. Over the past two years, most of Mr. Zhao’s favor had been diverted to Eunuch Lan, growing sparser. As a result, the mission to Nanyang County fell upon Mr. Zhao.

Such secrets of Jingyang Palace are indeed known to few. To outsiders, Mr. Zhao appears to be the most favored in Jingyang Palace. Only Mr. Zhao understood in his heart; if he doesn’t find a way to win back Empress Dowager Zheng’s favor, he will be surpassed and overshadowed by that "Blue Fox Spirit."

Sufang smiled without speaking.

The eunuchs fighting for favor was not something they should get involved in.

Mr. Zhao waited for an entire hour before being summoned by Empress Dowager Zheng.

He perked up, smiling as he went to meet Empress Dowager Zheng. Just then, Eunuch Lan stepped out of the chamber, and they crossed paths.

Eunuch Lan was half a head taller than Mr. Zhao, with fair skin and a handsome face. His gestures lacked the effeminate and sleazy nature typical of eunuchs.

"Mr. Zhao, thank you for your hard work." Eunuch Lan smiled and cupped his hands in salute.

Mr. Zhao smiled insincerely, pulling at the corners of his mouth: "I serve the Lady, so there’s no such thing as hard work. Over these two months, I’ve been unable to serve Lady, and it taxed you, Eunuch Lan. Now that I’m back, you can have a good rest."

Eunuch Lan smiled leisurely, "Lady is used to my service and might not be willing to summon Mr. Zhao. Even if I wanted to rest, there’s no chance."

Mr. Zhao smiled and clicked his tongue, reaching out to pinch Eunuch Lan’s face: "Don’t you spout nonsense."

The force was not light, and Eunuch Lan’s handsome face immediately reddened.

Rank-wise, Eunuch Lan was two levels below Mr. Zhao, so despite his dissatisfaction, he had to endure it. Once Mr. Zhao entered the chamber of Empress Dowager Zheng, Eunuch Lan’s smile vanished without a trace, covering the pinched red side of his face with his hand as he hurriedly left.

As soon as Mr. Zhao entered the chamber, he rushed to Empress Dowager Zheng like a pet to its master, kneeling in front of her and kowtowing three times: "Your servant greets the Empress Dowager."

"Having not seen the Empress Dowager for two months, your servant missed you dearly every day. Finally, I’m back today. In the future, I will never go on such external missions again. I only wish to stay by the Lady’s side, serving day and night."

As he spoke, he shuffled forward a few steps on his knees, pressing his face against the hem of Empress Dowager Zheng’s robe.

Empress Dowager Zheng was fifty-six years old this year, an age considered elderly.

As the supreme empress of the harem, she lived in luxury and cared well for herself, with only a few fine lines on her face. A slightly thicker layer of makeup concealed any occasional gray hair, meticulously dyed black. She looked like she was in her forties, regal and dignified.

Feeling content and at ease after being served by Eunuch Lan, Empress Dowager Zheng, in a good mood, stroked Mr. Zhao’s cheek with a smile, asked, "Has the matter been handled? Has Shao Hua entered the palace? Why didn’t you bring her to see me?"

Mr. Zhao kneeled and retreated two steps, kowtowing again to plead for forgiveness, "Please forgive me, Lady. Your servant failed to bring back the Nanyang County Princess."

Empress Dowager Zheng’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, her smile fading. "What happened?"

Mr. Zhao recited his prepared explanation, "Replying to Lady, though the Commandery Princess is young, she is deeply attached. She cannot bear to leave the people, nor can she bear to leave the Nanyang Prince Mansion. She even mentioned having a dream where Prince Nanyang told her never to leave Nanyang County. Despite my numerous attempts to persuade her, the Commandery Princess remained unwavering. There was nothing I could do..."

Empress Dowager Zheng huffed coldly, interrupting Mr. Zhao, "So you’re telling me, the task I assigned you wasn’t accomplished at all?"

Feeling a tightness in his heart, Mr. Zhao quickly responded, "This time, on the trip to Nanyang County, your servant did make another discovery. May I ask for your patience as I report in detail?"

He swiftly recounted the matter of the new type of plow.

Agriculture is the foundation of the nation. The new agricultural tool indeed shifted Empress Dowager Zheng’s anger: "Is this new plow really as good as you say?"

"Yes," Mr. Zhao responded confidently, standing tall, "I personally tested it in the fields. It is light and labor-saving, increasing speed by more than thirty percent. I’ve brought both the new plow and its blueprints back to the palace."

Speaking, he took out the warmed blueprint from his pocket, respectfully presenting it forward.

Empress Dowager Zheng took the blueprint, examining it carefully. Her furrowed brow relaxed, and she stood up, "I must see this with my own eyes."

...

After personally testing the new plow, Empress Dowager Zheng was greatly pleased. That evening, she summoned Mr. Zhao to serve her.

Mr. Zhao, with his silver tongue, served meticulously, leaving no detail unaddressed.

The next day, Empress Dowager Zheng sent someone to invite Emperor Taikang.

Emperor Taikang was thirty-eight this year, in the prime of his life. Unfortunately, he was born prematurely, with some congenital deficiencies, making him frail and often ill since childhood.

The late Emperor had three sons, the other two born to concubines. Initially, it was thought that the robust Second Prince or the exceptionally wise Third Prince would be made Crown Prince. However, unexpectedly, the Second Prince met with an accident hunting, his neck bitten by a black bear. The Third Prince also suffered greatly, catching a severe chill at fifteen, with a high fever lasting five days and nights. Though his life was barely saved, his brain was damaged, leaving him incapacitated.

The late Emperor had no choice but to make the frail eldest son the Crown Prince. Four years ago, the late Emperor passed away, the Crown Prince ascended the throne, becoming the current Emperor Taikang.

Emperor Taikang spends nearly half a year each year recuperating. Empress Dowager Zheng, deeply concerned for her son, often accompanies him in reviewing memorials and is heavily involved in state affairs.

Among the courtiers, there were quiet grumbles.

The empress dowager’s interference in politics, the hen crowing at dawn!

These rumors gradually spread both in the court and among the populace. Empress Dowager Zheng was extremely irritated. Yet, like the wind, rumors cannot be completely stifled, no matter how powerful she is.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Zheng was especially delighted with the new plow. This time, she aimed to use it to assert the authority of the Empress Dowager of Da Liang.