Building a Harmonious Song Dynasty

Chapter 77

Li Yunluo lowered her head and remained silent, her mind in turmoil. She had thought that after this melodramatic performance, Qin Zhen would definitely help her enter the palace, but she had not expected things to develop like this.

Seeing that she didn't speak, Qin Zhen stood up and said, "Sister, rest for today and think it over carefully. I'll come to see you again tomorrow."

After leaving the side hall, Qin Zhen said to Wan Qiu, "Send a message to the Flower Blowing Society."

"Investigate more carefully, what was Li Yunluo's purpose in marrying into this family?"

Just as Wanqiu left, Qingmei arrived. Qin Zhen greeted her with a smile, saying, "Why did Sister Qingmei come in person?"

Qingmei now holds a very special position in the palace. As a steward of the Prince's mansion who entered the palace as a lady-in-waiting, she is now someone that even Li Yan, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, has to give way to!

Qingmei bowed respectfully to Qin Zhen. She then rose and said, "The Emperor has a message for you to convey to the Empress."

The two walked to a quiet place, and Qingmei said, "His Majesty instructed me to tell Your Highness that you should not bring Young Master Fan into the palace these days."

Fan Nianjing, Zhao Yi!

Qin Zhen was startled and asked, "Are the Western Xia people here to see him?"

Qingmei said, "There is no conclusive evidence yet, but that's what the Emperor is worried about."

Qin Zhen nodded and said, "That concern is valid. We can't let them meet. Even the slightest clue could be dangerous. As for the Emperor, we need to make sure their family's background is completely erased."

"Your Majesty, please rest assured."

Qingmei added, "His Majesty said that Princess Yunluo is in Your Majesty's palace and it is inconvenient for him to come over. He would like Your Majesty to visit His Majesty more often in the coming days."

Qin Zhen chuckled and nodded, dismissing Qingmei. She hadn't expected Zhao Gou to avoid Yunluo to such an extent.

As evening fell, Qin Zhen had just changed her clothes and was preparing to go to bed when she suddenly heard someone walking on the roof tiles. Wan Qiu was about to rush over when Qin Zhen pulled her down. She went to the cloak beside her and personally chased after them.

In the distance, a broad figure was leaping back and forth across the rooftops, seemingly searching for something. Qin Zhen, hiding in the shadows, watched and suddenly wanted to laugh; the person on the rooftops seemed to be lost.

To dare to break into the palace and yet not be able to find the exact location—what a reckless fool! Aside from that Western Xia guard commander, Qin Zhen couldn't think of anyone else. Qin Zhen flew down from the eaves and gave Wanqiu a few instructions. Wanqiu took a portion of bird's nest from the small kitchen and headed towards Li Yunluo's side hall. She called out loudly at the door, "Princess, Her Majesty has sent me to deliver bird's nest to you."

After a commotion, Wanqiu returned to Qin Zhen's side, and the two secretly watched as the night stalker indeed sneaked into Li Yunluo's palace.

Qin Zhen said with great interest, "Let's go listen to it."

...

"No boys in the palace? How is that possible? Look carefully!" This was Li Yunluo's figure, her gentle demeanor carrying a hint of coldness.

The guard captain's gruff voice then rang out: "I have been searching since night fell, and there are no children in the palace except for women, maids, and eunuchs."

“How could that be…” After a while, Li Yunluo said again, “Go and check Qin Hui’s residence again. The child might be at Qin’s residence, and also in Liao Kingdom. She might have sent the child there. Tell the people there to intensify their investigation, understand?”

"Yes, Princess!"

After a moment of silence, Li Yunluo asked in a low voice, "You haven't been discovered, have you?"

"No, I have been very careful."

"That's good……"

After another moment of silence, the guard captain's gruff voice suddenly softened as he asked, "Is the princess's hand injury alright?"

"You think Zhao Gou can hurt me with his meager skills? How could that be?" Li Yunluo, perhaps seeing the tenderness on the tough man's face, said somewhat awkwardly, "It's getting late, you should hurry up and do your business. Be careful not to be discovered when you leave the palace."

He wanted to stay with her a little longer, but since Li Yunluo had already said that much, he had no choice but to leave.

After listening to their conversation, Qin Zhen returned to her bedchamber thoughtfully. Wan Qiu asked, "Your Majesty, shall I go to the Fan residence to make arrangements?"

Qin Zhen shook her head and said, "No need, it wouldn't be good to attract her attention."

Seeing that Qin Zhen remained silent, Wanqiu tentatively asked, "What is Your Highness thinking about?"

Qin Zhen suddenly smiled and said, "Hmm... I'm thinking, how can I help them get together?"

Wanqiu lowered her head and thought for a long time before realizing that Qin Zhen wanted to matchmake Li Yunluo and the guard captain. She looked at her mistress with some helplessness. How could she be in the mood to play matchmaker for someone else? But how could someone as proud as Li Yunluo look down on a mere guard?

Volume Two: Eagle Soars Through the Sky 145 Autumn Days - Dry and Frugal

Early the next morning, Qin Zhen excitedly ran to Zhao Gou's bedchamber. Zhao Gou had just pulled Qin Zhen aside to eat a bowl of millet porridge with her. Qin Zhen said with great enthusiasm, "I have a new idea. If we make Li Yunluo fall in love with someone else, she won't want to get married, and we won't have to worry about it anymore."

Zhao Gou ignored her for a long time while drinking his porridge. Qin Zhen pouted and shook his arm, saying, "Give me your opinion, is this okay?"

"fool."

Qin Zhen stared wide-eyed at Zhao Gou. Zhao Gou found her expression amusing, put down his bowl, and said, "Why is your brain getting dumber as you grow older? If it were as simple as you think, why would we be worried? Li Yunluo is clearly holding back the grievances she suffered as a child, and she's single-mindedly trying to interfere. She hates us, but that has nothing to do with who she loves or doesn't love."

Qin Zhen was worried. What could she do? Li Yunluo had been holding back her anger for so many years, and it wouldn't be something she could vent in a short time. Coupled with her scheming mother, it seemed she was determined to stay in the Song Dynasty. Qin Zhen had hoped that the guard commander from last night would influence Li Yunluo and allow them to fall in love and elope, but now, thinking about it, that was... utterly impossible... That guard commander was far inferior to Zhao Gou; he posed absolutely no threat to Li Yunluo!

Seeing her pitiful look of worry, Zhao Gou patted her head and said, "Don't think about it. I'll handle this. There's something else waiting for you to do right now."

"What's up?"

"Look at autumn, so dry and humid, tsk tsk..."

Zhao Gou was speaking when Qin Zhen looked at him in confusion. He waved his finger, and all the palace servants around him retreated. Qin Zhen also moved closer to him on her own.

After the two whispered to each other for a while, Qin Zhen suddenly cheered loudly. She no longer resembled an empress at all; she was like a mischievous girl bouncing around. Her cheeks flushed with joy, Qin Zhen twirled around Zhao Gou. Then, nestled beside him, she took his hand and said, "I never expected you to take this to heart! You're so kind!"

"If I don't treat you well, who will I treat well?"

The two looked at each other, Qin Zhen felt sweet inside, and gave Zhao Gou a big "bite" on the cheek before running away quickly.

Wanqiu jogged after Qin Zhen back to Yuxiu Palace. Seeing Qin Zhen taking out clothes that could be worn outside the palace from the trunk herself, she said, "Quick, help me take off all these extra hairs on my head, I want to leave the palace."

"Is Your Highness leaving the palace?"

"Yes, yes!"

Qin Zhen seemed very anxious, so Wanqiu stopped wasting time and stepped forward to help. Soon, Qin Zhen had changed her clothes. She casually tied her hair into a bun at the back of her head with a white jade hairpin. Just as she was about to step out of the palace gate, she pulled back and said, "I almost messed up something important. Wanqiu, you stay in the palace. Just say I drank too much at yesterday's banquet and am feeling unwell. Don't see anyone, especially Li Yunluo. Don't let her know I left the palace."

Wanqiu agreed, and then saw Qin Zhen turn around and climb out of the back window, disappearing in a wisp of blue smoke.

Qin Zhen used her light-footed skill to fly straight towards the Liang residence outside the palace. When she arrived at Liang Shicheng's place, Liang Shicheng was playing with a caged bird in the corridor. He was very surprised to see Qin Zhen fly in.

"Senior brother! Come inside and talk!" Qin Zhen pulled Liang Shicheng into the house like a gust of wind. She took a couple of deep breaths and said, "I've come to tell you some good news!"

Liang Shicheng smiled, puzzled, and said, "Could it be that the Emperor is going to promote me?"

Qin Zhen shook her head hurriedly and said, "That's really great news!" Then she said with a grin, "In just a few days, you and your young lady will be able to be together!"

Liang Shicheng was shocked by Qin Zhen's words. His feelings for Empress Dowager Meng had been buried deep in his heart all his life, and he only wished to protect her and ensure her safety for the rest of her life. But now his junior sister had flown in to tell him that he could... could make his dream come true...

His mouth went dry instantly: "Junior sister... what... what are you talking about?"

So Qin Zhen told Liang Shicheng everything Zhao Gou had just told her. It turned out Zhao Gou had been holding onto Qin Zhen's words about wanting to fulfill Liang Shicheng's and Empress Dowager Meng's wishes. While theoretically impossible, making some arrangements behind the scenes might be possible. The autumn weather was dry, and a fire in the palace was not uncommon, especially in a remote and dilapidated palace like Yaohua Palace. Since Zhao Gou ascended the throne, the palace's expenses had been kept to a minimum, and uninhabited palaces had long been abandoned. Making room for Empress Dowager Meng in a timely manner was extremely difficult. Under these circumstances, it would be perfectly natural for Empress Dowager Meng to request to leave the palace and enter a temple for vegetarianism and spiritual practice…

Liang Shicheng was very excited after hearing this, never expecting that Zhao Gou and Qin Zhen would think of him in this way. However, his excitement did not last long before he became serious and said, "This will not do. I lost my right to be a man decades ago. All I want to do in this life is to make Miss happy and peaceful. Disrupting her life and forcibly taking her out of the palace is not good for her!"

Qin Zhen hadn't expected Liang Shicheng to say that, and hurriedly said, "Fourth Brother, don't be confused! Bringing the Empress Dowager out of the palace is for her own good!" Seeing Liang Shicheng's opposition, she became extremely anxious. Just then, she heard a bird chirping in its cage in the corridor, and pointed at it, saying, "Empress Dowager Meng is like this bird, caged for her entire life. You've been together for decades, enduring all this suffering. It's rare that Zhao Gou now has a way to fulfill your wishes. How can you give up?"

Liang Shicheng stared at the caged bird, momentarily lost in thought. He was a eunuch, a regret that haunted his life, but he didn't regret it. He had been castrated to enter the palace for Empress Dowager Meng's sake, and he didn't regret it! However, in his current state, he felt unworthy to accompany Empress Dowager Meng through the rest of her life.

"Don't be confused," Qin Zhen said, as if she could see right through his thoughts. "She has seen everything you have done for Empress Dowager Meng. Has she ever looked down on you? You have persevered for decades. How can you give up on yourself?"

Seeing that he still looked confused, Qin Zhen could only sigh and say, "Zhao Gou has arranged for Empress Dowager Meng to stay at Xiangguo Temple. I have already delivered the message. The fire is probably already burning. The Empress Dowager will leave the palace in two days. Senior brother, you should carefully consider how to prepare."

Just as Qin Zhen had predicted, when she returned to the palace, the most secluded corner was now the busiest place. Palace servants were carrying large and small buckets and basins, scooping water from the eaves in front of the palace to extinguish the fire. Qin Zhen hurriedly went to Xiu Palace to change into palace attire before arriving at Yaohua Palace. The already small Yaohua Palace, along with its side halls, had been completely burned to the ground. Empress Dowager Meng, supported by her maid Yan Tong, was coughing heavily, clearly suffering from the smoke and fire.

Qin Zhen waved her hand and pointed to several eunuchs, instructing them, "Quickly bring the carriage over and take the Empress Dowager to my palace to rest."

The fire alarmed many people in the palace, and Zhao Gou soon came to visit Empress Dowager Meng, who was resting in Yuxiu Palace. He and Qin Zhen exchanged a glance, and both felt that the matter should be resolved no matter what, and they were quite pleased.

However, while they were busy celebrating, they overlooked something: Li Yunluo was still in a side hall of Yuxiu Palace! Sure enough, a palace maid reported: "The Princess of Xixia heard that Empress Dowager Meng was frightened and has specially requested to pay her respects."

Volume Two: Soaring Eagle 146 An Unexpected Encounter

Qin Zhen and Zhao Gou exchanged a glance. Zhao Gou's face was full of bitterness. This time, he couldn't avoid a direct confrontation with Yunluo. Qin Zhen nodded and asked a palace maid to invite Li Yunluo in.

Li Yunluo remained as gentle and frail as ever, bowing her head and eyes as she entered to greet Empress Dowager Meng, Zhao Gou, and Qin Zhen one by one, offering her words of greeting. Empress Dowager Meng glanced at the three young people in the hall, and with a quick glance, she knew what was going on. She said, "This fire has left this old woman covered in soot. I'll go and change into something clean. You all continue your conversation."

Empress Dowager Meng, supported by Yan Tong, walked downstairs. Qin Zhen then arranged for people to bring Empress Dowager Meng bathwater and find clean clothes, and followed her downstairs. Only Zhao Gou and Li Yunluo remained in the hall.

Zhao Gou felt awkward looking at Li Yunluo. He wanted to leave but couldn't, so he coughed and said, "Princess Yunluo, are you getting used to living in the palace?"

Li Yunlu looked surprised, her bright eyes staring at Zhao Gou, seemingly not expecting him to speak to her. Then, her nose tingled, and she burst into tears.

Zhao Gou was immediately at his wit's end. Why was this woman crying like that? He looked around but couldn't see Qin Zhen anywhere. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "If you have suffered any grievances in the palace, just tell me. I will have your guards take you out. You will surely be much more comfortable with them."

These words only made Li Yunlu cry even harder. Zhao Gou got up and paced back and forth, asking her, "What are you thinking? At least say something."

Li Yunluo sobbed, "When the Emperor spoke to me earlier, I thought you had lost your prejudice against Yunluo, and I was so happy... But then the Emperor wanted to send me away. It turns out I was just being delusional..."

What prejudice do I have against you?

Zhao Gou muttered to himself. Although he did dislike Li Yunluo, he didn't know why, so he could only deny it.

Having received the message, Li Yunlu pressed on, asking, "Since there is no prejudice, why won't the Emperor keep me? Do you know how humiliating it would be to banish me from the palace or send me home?"

Zhao Gou said solemnly, "The absence of prejudice does not mean that I can keep you as my woman. In this lifetime, my only woman is Qin Zhen. Why do you insist on interfering?"

Li Yunluo was taken aback by Zhao Gou's bluntness and was momentarily speechless. At this moment, Zhao Gou continued, "Five days from now, I will summon all unmarried princes, heirs, and other members of the royal family to the Imperial Garden. At that time, Princess, you can choose a husband yourself. If that doesn't work out, I will have no choice but to send you back to Western Xia."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Gou turned and left, unwilling to get entangled with such a hypocritical woman.

Two days later, the main gate of the palace opened, and Empress Dowager Meng left the palace to go to Xiangguo Temple for quiet contemplation. The Empress personally saw her off. Xiangguo Temple was not far from the palace. The entourage arrived shortly afterward. Abbot Xuanxiang of Xiangguo Temple personally greeted them. After a period of Buddhist worship, they arrived at a small courtyard called "Jingxin Miaoyuan" on the back mountain of Xiangguo Temple, which would be where Empress Dowager Meng would reside from now on.