"Every time I see your alluring beauty, I remember the Plum Blossoms in Mount Tai."
Xu Zhengming shows his killer smile to the young maid. He also made sure to position his head slightly facing the left side. He believes that it is his best angle; that he looks handsome the most in this angle.
The truth is, he already used this line countless times.
The young miss blushed and giggles. "You flatter me, Eunuch Xu."
"How about me, Eunuch Xu? Do you remember something whenever you see me?" Another maid asks as her big round eyes glimmer.
"You're enveloped with a lively atmosphere. Whenever you're around, your surroundings brighten. Just like the morning sun that shines above the skies. Warm and full of life." This line as well... he literally lost count of how many times did he use this.
"Ooooh. Is that true, Eunuch Xu?" The maid beams a smile.
Xu Zhengming smiles at her, "Of course."
Court Lady Han can't stand it anymore. She scolded the servants present but her voice is low enough not to be heard inside the Lotus Hall. "You all are so loud. Are you not afraid of disturbing the royal twins and their masters?"
The servants, including Xu Zhengming stopped talking and fall in line properly.
The court lady then asked the little eunuch. "Do you remember something when you see me as well?"
"...!?" Xu Zhengming didn't expect this question from Court Lady Han herself. Even the maids had a hard time not laughing. Fortunately, Xu Zhengming recovered his composure immediately.
"You, Court Lady Han..." He thinks for a while then smiles like a naughty child. "Did you see the willow tree by the lake in the imperial garden?"
Court Lady Han nods as a response.
Like a poet, he speaks with emotions. "Whenever I see you, I  remember that tree."
Court Lady Han can't help but think, "If I am not mistaken, willow trees give a sense of stability, hope, and healing."
Xu Zhengming nods. "That's correct but that's not my point, Court Lady Han."
The court lady's left eyebrow raised. "Then what do you mean, Eunuch Xu? Why would you be reminded of the willow tree by the lake?"
With a straight face, he said, "Because you and the willow tree are both old."
"Pfft..." The emperor's maids, as well as the princess's subordinate, Officer Liu Chen, can't help themselves but puff a laugh.
"You...!" Court Lady Han's eyes became red because of anger.
"Then how about me?" All eyes threw at the lady behind them.
"Greetings Empress Xue Chi." All of them bowed before the empress.
Court Lady Han was about to announce the arrival of the empress but her highness raised her hand to stop her.
"I am not here to see the emperor. I know he is too busy to see me." A weak smile flashed on her pale face. "I am here for Eunuch Xu."
"Me?" Xu Zhengming pointed to himself. "What can I do for her highness?"
The empress chuckles, "I want to have a word with you." Then she winks at him.
He thought, maybe the empress is here to ask for information regarding the emperor's taste in women? "I understand, your highness."
Xu Zhengming gives Court Lady Han a meaningful look but the old woman seems she's still feeling sour about the willow tree. "Hmmp!" She avoids his gaze.
"..." Xu Zhengming can't refuse the empress but he can't just go away without saying... or rather relaying a word to the emperor through others, right?
"It would not take too long. And we're not going anywhere far. We can just distance ourselves a few meters away from them if you want privacy." She said before tapping his shoulders.
The two of them distanced themselves from the crowd. Xu Zhengming noticed that her highness, the empress, is a bit different today. Her complexion is pale. Her eyes are a little drowsy. Her presence isn't as lively as the day they first met.
Xu Zhengming lowers his head. "Your highness, this lowly one thinks you are not in your best self for some unknown reasons. Eunuch Xu humbly suggests that it is better for you to rest."
The empress looked surprised for a split second but recovers her composure right away.
She smiles, "Don't worry about me. It's just I don't have the appetite this morning." She holds Xu Zhengming's head with both hands to rise and meet her gaze. With a bashful smile, she asks, "Did you managed to ask him his preferences?"
The little eunuch averted his eyes and forced a smile. "Your highness, please don't be offended. You see, his majesty's preferences are a little... absurd."
She releases Xu Zhengming's hand with a puzzled look on her face. "What do you mean to say?"
Eunuch Xu sighs before he speaks. "When I asked his majesty about his preferences, he said he prefers a woman who knows she's beautiful but doesn't compliment herself too much. Witty but can be dumb sometimes. A little short-tempered but gentle towards him. A strong woman but seeks help from him. Possessive but doesn't threaten his freedom."
After hearing this, the empress' facial expression became unreadable. "I am not beautiful and I dare not compliment myself. I am slow-witted. I do have long patience. I am not strong. And I dare not act possessive towards the emperor." With a pair of puppy eyes, she looks at him. "Eunuch Xu, I do not have any of the mentioned attitudes. What should I do?"
Xu Zhengming gives the empress a smile. "Empress Xue Chi, please do not give it much thought. This fact only tells us that his majesty's preferred woman does not exist." He paused for a while before speaking once more. "Worry not, your highness. The time I asked this question to the emperor, he's not in a good mood. Maybe he's not serious that time and didn't give this question much of a thought. I will ask him once again when he's rational."
"Please do, Eunuch Xu. I will do anything to become of his liking." The empress said.
Hearing this, Xu Zhengming was about to say something but in the end, he chose to keep his thoughts to himself.
Why is she head over heels to this temperamental emperor? She seems desperate to the point she's willing to become somebody else. If it's the wealth and fame she's after, she already became the empress and need not force herself to the emperor to have those.
Is it really out of love?
Xu Zhengming got dragged out of his thoughts when the empress speaks. "Eunuch Xu, I heard you were sick. How are you feeling now?" Her face filled with sincere concern.
"I am fine now, your highness. Thank you for your concern." He smiles. However, the facial expression that the empress wears is still full of worry.
She takes a small brocade pouch out of her hems and handed it to Xu Zhengming. "You are my friend now and I worry about your well-being. Please keep this pouch with you, Eunuch Xu. Promise me not to keep this away from you at any moment from now onwards."
"What is this, your highness?" He was about to open the pouch but she stopped her halfway.
"You need not know what is inside. This pouch will keep you safe." She looks like she has a lot of disorganized thoughts in her mind and doesn't even know what to say... or should she say something. Empress Xue Chi gave up in the end and sighs. "Promise me that you'll keep that with you wherever you go. And please don't let the emperor know this."
Though Xu Zhengming isn't sure why the empress acts strange, he still nods. "I promise, your highness. And I won't tell his majesty as well."
"You won't tell me what?"
The hair on his nape stand and his hands turn cold. Xu Zhengming knows only one person who has this voice.
"Your majesty." Empress Xue Chi bows her head and smiles gently. "I'm afraid I have to take my leave now. I still have matters to attend to. Please excuse me, your majesty."
Yin Renshu only stares at her silently with his cold eyes. He didn't say a word to his wife until she completely turns her back to leave with her maids.
Xu Zhengming knows very well that the emperor is not in a 'good mood'. And he also knows that this is the very reason why the empress sprinted away, leaving him to clear the mess.
"You're talking to her again." The emperor speaks. "What is it about this time?"
"Your majesty, it's nothing much. Her highness is just being too kind to me as she sees me as a friend. She heard that I got sick." He said without looking directly into the emperor's eyes.
"That's it?" Yin Renshu looks at him full of doubts.
Xu Zhengming responded casually, "Nothing more, nothing less."
The eunuch stares back at his majesty and a wide mischievous smile draws on his lips.
"Is it that... His Majesty is jealous? Ah, you need not to worry, your majesty. I dare not hit on her highness the empress."
"Tch." The emperor averted his eyes. "I don't care even if you flirt with her in front of me."
"If His Majesty said so." Xu Zhengming says sarcastically as he shrugs his shoulder.
"Seriously, don't casually hang out with her." The emperor paused, his face filled with seriousness. "I don't trust her that much."
"..."
Xu Zhengming is out of words. Is it really possible for a married couple not to trust each other? Why doesn't he trust her? Is it the reason why he won't fall for her despite her beauty?
Yin Renshu clears his throat and changes the topic. "What's my next duty for today?"
"Ah, right!" Mingming quickly grabs the booklet underneath his sleeve. He took a short glimpse at it before responding to the emperor. "Your majesty, you're scheduled to greet the Grand Empress Dowager today."
"Is it that time of the month again already?" Yin Renshu let out a deep sigh. For some reason, both Yin Renshu and Yin Wenyan dislike visiting the sickly old woman in her hall. Yin Xiulan, on the other hand, doesn't dislike it however she doesn't like it either, just neutral.
"Xiulan!" He calls. "We're going to the grand empress dowager's place."
"You reminded me." Yin Xiulan is still at the doorway of the hall with her subordinate. "Alright, I have an effective alibi. We won't be staying there for too long. Thank me later."
The emperor laughs. "Did I say you're reliable yet?"
Yin Xiulan opens her fan and slowly fans herself. With her chin up, she said, "No, not yet. Tell me I'm the best."
"You're the best after me." Yin Renshu smirked that made his sister roll her eyes. He then tells everyone, "Let's go."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xu Zhengming and the rest of his servants responded with their heads lie low.
×××
"It's been a couple of years since the empress ascended into the throne. Why is it that you haven't produced a successor yet? The legacy of our clan shall not end!" The Grand Empress Dowager nags at Yin Renshu and Yin Wenyan. With her weak body, she can't get out of her bed. She could only sit as she faces the royal triplets.
"Grand Empress Dowager, please calm down. Your health is our top priority." Yin Wenyan said in a soothing voice.
Though it's still broad daylight and his twin brother is outside, Yin Wenyan managed to go to the Grand Empress Dowager's Hall without anyone noticing.
"You... Prince Yin Wenyan, you're not doing any better to his majesty!"
"Eh?" Yin Wenyan forced a smile despite having a confused look on his face.
"In everyone's eyes, you are also the emperor. You share burdens and victories with your brother. If your brother is not capable of producing a successor, you should do so on behalf of him."
"Uhm..." Yin Wenyan is out of words. He feels too uncomfortable to defend himself.
Yin Renshu blinked twice. "Is it just me or the Grand Empress Dowager made it sound like I am impotent?"
Yin Xiulan just shrugged at him and slowly fans herself.
The empress dowager that was sitting silently at the side speaks in a serene voice. "Your majesty, Prince Yin Wenyan, the grand empress dowager is only worried for the future of our clan. She does not mean to pressure you very much, she's your grandmother after all. Please do not take it to the heart. Just do what she advises you, she knows what's best for all."
The grand empress dowager raised her hand and the empress dowager halted.
"Sweet talks don't work on these youngsters. We tried that one already."
The old woman then looks at the triplets and said, "For today's conference with the high-ranking eunuchs, I am quite sure that the incident yesterday will be discussed. Order them not to do anything. That applies to you as well, do not involve yourselves in this matter anymore."
Upon hearing this, the three have a puzzled look on their faces. Why would an incident this grave be left as it is?
Yin Renshu was the first to react. "Grand Empress Dowager, why would we not take action? Please reconsider."
"What is there to reconsider?" The Grand Empress Dowager answered indifferently.
This time, it's Yin Wenyan's turn to talk. "With all due respect, Grand Empress Dowager, the victims are our people. It is already given that we should extend their hands on them. Not doing so will surely rise issues."
The Princess General also voices out her opinion. "Grand Empress Dowager, we already have some information regarding the incident. A little more investigation is all we need to solve the matter."
Disappointment filled the Grand Empress Dowager's face as she let out a deep sigh. "Why are you three so eager to dirty your hands over this trivial matter? This is obviously out of our hands, why would you be so concerned over an insignificant issue? We have problems that we should deal with first."
The Empress Dowager speaks again, "I suggest that we will ask the nearest sect in the area to investigate the incident yesterday."
"Mn. That will do." The old woman nods.
"There is no need, Empress Dowager. The Wan Moli Hua Palace is willing to extend their hands to us." Yin Wenyan sternly declined the idea.
The triplets aren't so sure if they are just imagining it or the Grand Empress Dowager gives off a dark aura. Her voice isn't as calm as it was a moment ago.
"The one you went to? We caused enough trouble to Sect Leader Zhao and the sect elders for raising you three." The Empress Dowager said. "Your majesty, we could not trouble him any further."
The Grand Empress Dowager agrees, "The Empress Dowager is right. We will ask the Liaodong Xue Sect since that sect is managed by one of our most influential clans."
"..."
The three of them were speechless. They know that even if they argue further with these two women, their order won't bend an inch.
This is the very reason why they don't like seeing her royal highness. Even though Yin Renshu already ascended to the throne, the Grand Empress Dowager still doesn't want to give up her political powers. She still wants to control the royal court by making the emperor her puppet.
Unfortunately, even the emperor himself can't disobey the Grand Empress Dowager's will. Her political influence over the high-ranking palace officials is still much greater than their combined authority.