IBTSOME Chapter 78 Part 1

I BECAME THE STEPMOTHER OF MY EX-HUSBAND

 

Chapter 78 Part 1: Summer Escape

 

^^

 

Soon after Gu Hui Yan finished speaking, as expected, within a few days, in the morning court the Emperor proposed to go to the outside palace to escape the heat this summer, instead of staying in the Forbidden City.

 

In the Forbidden City, the hierarchy was strict and the palace walls were heavy. Courtiers must be cautious when they go to court every day, this was a constraint on both the Emperor and the court. If they get out the palace, not only was it much easier to discuss things, but also not far away from the Royal Hunting Grounds, which offered the best of both worlds, political affairs and entertainment.

 

But it’s a pity that the Emperor’s kindness was not recognized by his courtiers, especially the official group headed by First Assistant Zhang, strongly opposed to the Emperor leaving the imperial palace and going outside the capital. Zhang Xiao Lian had been the First Assistant and the Emperor’s teacher for many years. Everyone was used to Zhang Xiao Lian making decisions for the Emperor, everyone thought that this time will be the same as before. Even if the Emperor this young man was anxious to have fun, as long as First Assistant Zhang disagree and the Emperor being stubborn, in the end could only listen to First Assistant’s opinion.

 

But the matter of going to the outside palace was particularly troublesome. The Emperor showed a cold face during morning court, and the noon meeting afterward were canceled off. For many years, in order to assist and teach the young Emperor, the cabinet also double as instructor for the Emperor. Every day after the morning court finished, they would be summoned by the Emperor to Qianqing Palace to give lecture for His Majesty. This practice was constructed by Zhang Xiao Lian, and now the Emperor has cancelled the cabinet lecture for the first time, which was undoubtedly a clear statement to everyone in the capital that he was dissatisfied with Zhang Xiao Lian's practice.

 

Very childish behavior, but the meaning behind it was huge and terrifying.

 

Later, Yan Wang came forward to deal with it and agreed for the Emperor to go to the outside palace to escape the heat, but the following army must be strict. In front of everyone’s eyes he also went to Zhang's Mansion, and personally acted as a lobbyist for the First Assistant and the Emperor. Zhang Xiao Lian really didn’t have plan to usurp the throne. He just had a clear and independent set of ideas about what the Emperor should do and how the court should function. He drew a perfect template for the Emperor, and asked the Emperor to follow this model and grow into the image of wise monarch in his mind.

 

But how was it possible. The Emperor was asked to be a virtuous and upright monarch since he was a child, and he himself was prepared, but if he said a few words to the little palace maids around him, he would be reprimanded by the First Assistant for not acting like Shang Zhou and Zhou You (tn: wise emperor of the past), and to get closer to a certain palace eunuch. He would be told that he should be close to the virtuous minister. Even when the Emperor indulged in calligraphy and after copied a few characters, he would be sternly lectured by Zhang Xiao Lian, shouldn’t let trifling destroy the will.

 

In particular, everyone felt that the Emperor was still a child, and in the end would always listen to First Assistant Zhang's words, which made the Emperor's rebellious heart became even more serious. Among the civil and military forces of the dynasty, probably only Yan Wang who did not regard the Emperor as a child. The Emperor said it several times, but Gu Hui Yan often used honorific words such as "Your Majesty" to him. Although felt a bit estranged, Gu Hui Yan always kept his duty as a minister and satisfied the Emperor's self-esteem.

 

When Gu Hui Yan personally came forward, Zhang Xiao Lian still need to give the Emperor some face. However, even if he relented, he refused to show that he agreed with this matter, rather said he was ill and declined to accompany to the outside palace.

 

And the Emperor knew that he was being uncharacteristic, he didn’t even show a caring attitude for his teacher's health and directly ordered the entourage to set out towards the outside palace. As for the unhealthy First Assistant, then stay in the capital to recuperate.

 

The officials in the capital all smelled a strong gunpowder smoke. Although there was a sign before, as long as the last layer of window paper was not broken, everyone could pretend to be ignorant. But now, the Emperor was not even willing to maintain this superficial effort.

 

A big change was coming, right under everyone’s nose.

 

The outside palace was built in the southwest of the capital, surrounded by mountains and rivers, with lush vegetation. Many wild animals were bred on the pasture just for the imperial family and nobles to hunt and play. Because the front was surrounded by water and backed by the mountain, even if the outside palace was more south than the capital, the temperature was appropriate throughout the year, especially suitable for summer escape, so it was also called the Summer Palace. The architectural style of the Summer Palace was very different from that of the capital. Flowers and trees were planted everywhere, and the courtyard was no longer strictly in accordance with the hierarchy and symmetry like in the capital, it was much more lively and graceful.

 

After three or four days of rest, Lin Wei Xi was slowly recovered, and her face didn't look as pale as when she had just arrived. Her body was weak, even after rebirth Lin Wei Xi meticulously maintained it, the sickness that came from mother's womb, no matter how you raised it, still couldn’t be as good as ordinary people.

 

Lin Wei Xi was recuperating, and the entire Yan Wang Mansion moving around her quietly. Now that Lin Wei Xi got better, everyone in the mansion had light steps. The condition of the mistress of a mansion directly affected the appearance of the entire mansion.

 

"Wangfei, this is an invitation from Marquis Chengde Mansion inviting you to enjoy the flowers."

 

Lin Wei Xi glanced at it and said, "Put it down."

 

A few days ago, she declined to meet visitors, and took leave from the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Visiting the sick and well-wishes cards were accumulating into a small piles. Now that her health was better, the endless invitations from each mansion were becoming more and more diligent.

 

Lin Wei Xi leaned on the soft pillow, Wan Xing held a thick pile of cards and read them one by one for Lin Wei Xi. Wan Yue stood by the side, changing the water and fanning Lin Wei Xi from time to time, taking care of Lin Wei Xi's body carefully.

 

Gao Ran also stood not too far away, but she looked absent-minded and seemed incompatible with Lin Wei Xi’s master and servant this three people. Even the maid need to call her three times before Gao Ran woke up and covered her cough.

 

Lin Wei Xi glanced at her and asked, "What's wrong with Shizi Consort, are you unwell?"

 

"Not at all." Gao Ran bowed her head. "It's just that the windows were not closed tightly last night, and felt a little cold."

 

Lin Wei Xi nodded lightly and said, "Shizi Consort should pay attention to your body. If you feel unwell, you should go back and rest first."

 

"How can this work? It's not a major problem." Gao Ran lowered her eyes to decline. Lin Wei Xi glanced at her, and said nothing.

 

As soon as Gao Ran went out later, Wan Xing get close to Lin Wei Xi's ear, and whispered: "Wangfei, Shizi and Shizi Consort was arguing again just now."

 

"What happened?"

 

"It seems that Shizi of Duke Yingguo Mansion came here not long ago. I don't know what he said to Shizi, but Shizi looked unhappy. Shizi Consort saw it, and after a few words of persuasion, the two separated again.

 

It turned out that the father-in-law came, no wonder the two people were so cold to the naked eye. Fathers often think differently from female elders such as grandmothers and biological mothers. Female elders understand that it was not easy to be a daughter-in-law, so they always persuade their daughters to be gentle and tolerant, but the fathers were always confident with their own convictions. No matter how he treats his wives and concubines, in short, his daughter cannot be wronged at all. The Duke Yingguo Shizi made this special trip, presumably to support his daughter to vent her anger, but with Gu Cheng Yao's character, was he a person who could reflect on compromise? It's impossible, so it's no wonder that Gu Cheng Yao and Gao Ran once again had a cold war.

 

In fact, Gao Ran felt angry too. Seeing her and Gu Cheng Yao's relationship eased a little, Duke Yingguo Shizi had to come over and inserted his foot in. This inferior father came to support her and teach her husband. Gao Ran didn't feel touched. She only felt that Duke Yingguo Shizi's extra effort and self-righteousness were disturbing the relationship between their husband and wife.

 

For Lin Wei Xi, these things were just a gossip to past the time. After finished listening she continued to lower her head to deal with her own business. After a while Gao Ran came back from outside and continued to wait on Lin Wei Xi's side. At this time, a young manservant ran in from the outside. He cleverly gave Lin Wei Xi a salute and probed the room: "Wangfei, is Shizi here with you?"

 

"No, I haven't seen him." Lin Wei Xi looked at the young boy’s expression and asked, "Why are you looking for him?"

 

"It's nothing big, but Wangye has instruction for Shizi, to let Shizi go over as soon as possible."

 

"What's the matter?"

 

"This little one also doesn't know, it seems that Wangye want to ride the horse to the hunting ground."

 

Lin Wei Xi's eyes became rounder: "Wangye is going to the hunting ground?"

 

The young manservant scratched his head. Actually, he was not sure, but Wangfei was so excited that he was unwilling to say no. Although Lin Wei Xi was in poor health, she still had a passion for dangerous sports. Especially with the boudoir strict training, she had never been to an eye-catching place like hunting grounds, as for riding horses don’t even think about it. In this sense, after marriage as long as the husband and mother-in-law allowed it, the woman's autonomy would become greater. Riding horses for a young lady was considered improper, but after marrying, as long as the mother-in-law allowed it, and the husband accompanied the woman to ride a horse, then what could other people say?

 

Since Gu Hui Yan sent someone to call Gu Cheng Yao, it must be Gu Hui Yan's personal plan, not an invitation from his colleague. In this case, Lin Wei Xi could follow along and develop it into a family gathering.

 

Lin Wei Xi immediately went back to the house to change into her riding outfit enthusiastically. Gao Ran also heard these words, of course she had to follow along. Gao Ran was sent back by Lin Wei Xi to change clothes. Both of them changed their clothes abnormally fast. After a while, Gao Ran changed neatly into her clothes and returned to Lin Wei Xi’s room. Lin Wei Xi took Gao Ran and went outside to find Yan Wang.

Prev     TOC     Next