Chapter 395 — The Great Hall
Purple Streets of Chang'an · Page 3 of 4
"There is such a thing?" Dou Xin said. "This is the first I have heard of it! The Heir Apparent never speaks of such matters at home. I only heard my grandfather sigh, back at my maiden home, that in those years the court was beset with difficulties, yet sovereign and ministers were of one heart, and who knows how many loyal ministers and righteous men there were. If a history were to be compiled, it could be called a 'revival of the middle reign.' My grandfather even regretted that he had retired from office so early."
Lady Xingguo Gong could not help but approve inwardly.
The Duke of Ying was a muddle-headed man, but the daughter-in-law he had chosen had a mind that kept track of things.
Clever people like dealing with clever people, and she was no exception. Hearing Dou Xin speak thus, she felt moved to lend Dou Xin a hand, and said with a smile, "Indeed. When my father-in-law was still alive, he often spoke to the younger generation of the late Emperor's civil achievements and military prowess. Otherwise, why would our boy, young as he is, insist on going to the Northwest Camp?"
The Heir to the Duke of Xingguo was in the Northwest Camp, and by now already a camp officer.
The Empress came back to herself as well.
Among the titled families in this hall, for every house whose loyal sons had died on the battlefield in defense of sovereign and country, there was a house that clung to life and shirked military command. Those who died on the battlefield had indeed received generous rewards—but those who clung to life and feared death had not all been dispossessed and exiled either. The Empress Dowager grew angry at the very thought, and took the opportunity to give those families a good grinding down before she could feel satisfied. If the talk went on, it would likely turn into a settling of scores after the autumn harvest.
She smiled at the Empress Dowager and said, "When all is said and done, it is Your Majesty's wisdom—had you not issued the decree sending Lady Ping to tend the sick, there would be no Teng'er!"
The Heir to the Duke of Xingguo had guarded the frontier for years, while his wife remained in the capital. Ten years of marriage had produced no legitimate son. Once, when Lady Xingguo Gong came to the palace to pay her respects, she mentioned that her son had caught a chill; the Empress Dowager laughingly issued a decree sending Lady Ping to the northwest to tend the sick, and only then did the senior branch of the Xingguo Gong household produce a legitimate son.
Lady Xingguo Gong immediately picked up the thread, sighing with feeling: "How else to describe Your Majesty's wisdom? In great matters and small alike, you think everything through for us. If I were not afraid of disturbing Your Majesty's quiet cultivation, I would come to the palace every day to talk with you."
How could Lady Changxing Hou let Lady Xingguo Gong steal the show!
Seizing on the mention of keeping the Empress Dowager company, she said with a smile, "A few days ago the Consort Dowager sent word to me, asking me to go to the Puji Temple and see how the thousand-year ginkgo behind it is doing, and to remember to ask the temple for a share when it bears fruit."
Every year the Changxing Hou household sent men to the Puji Temple to gather ginkgo nuts as a gift for the Empress Dowager.
Hearing Lady Changxing Hou speak of this, the Empress Dowager thought of Consort Dowager Shi.
Ordinarily it would not be proper for a consort dowager to appear on such an occasion, but if the Empress Dowager spoke the word, the improper became a mark of favor.
She instructed a palace maid: "Summon Consort Dowager Shi as well, to join the liveliness. She keeps me company every day—I cannot leave her out at a time like this."
Lady Changxing Hou heard this and quickly kowtowed in thanks.
The Empress Dowager laughed. "What are you kowtowing for? Get up!"