thefictionvixens Chapter 103 The Queen of Western Qiang
Chapter 103 The Queen of Western Qiang
The Empress sat for a while and calmed down.
She almost stormed off to the Qian Yuan Palace to confront the Emperor.
Thus, she fell into Qing Zhaoyuan's trap.
Granny Qu advised, "Your Majesty, there are many things to do this year, and your own health is not good. If you don't take care of yourself, not only will it be difficult to conceive, but even if you do get pregnant, you won't be able to keep it. This is the most important thing."
If you have the chance, it wouldn't hurt to ask, but it might not be appropriate to ask just for this specific reason.
The Empress knew this principle well, and she felt very bad. It wasn't just that the Emperor favored Shen Shixi; every emperor had a favorite concubine, and this had happened in every dynasty. Her father's most beloved woman was not her mother.
As the empress, she shouldn't have taken it seriously, but she still couldn't help feeling a pang of sadness and distress.
Someone outside the palace handed in a plaque, saying that the Queen of the Western Qiang requested an audience.
The Western Qiang were such a small tribe, and they were also involved in this rebellion that even when the queen led a delegation of envoys, the emperor didn't take it seriously.
The eunuch who delivered the message reported to the Empress, "Your Majesty, the Queen of the Western Qiang wishes to enter the palace to pay her respects. She also said that she and Consort Yuan are old acquaintances and wish to meet Consort Yuan as well."
The Empress then said, "Please invite her in to listen to the zither. You yourself go to Zhaoyang Palace and invite Consort Yuan here!"
"yes!"
Shen Shixi went to the Imperial Stables and spent some time with her little donkey. She rode it around a few times, and the two of them poured out their love to each other. Just as she returned, she heard that the Empress had summoned her.
She smelled strongly of donkeys and horses. "Lan Ying, serve Ting Qin some tea. Please sit for a moment while I freshen up before I go over, otherwise the Empress will be bothered by the smell."
This was Tingqin's first time visiting Zhaoyang Palace. The side hall was naturally not very large, but the furnishings and decorations inside were not to be underestimated. Everywhere, there was an air of exquisite, leisurely, and understated luxury, blending with a sense of comfort and peace of mind.
Because she was going to see the Queen of the Western Qiang, Shen Shixi came out of the hot spring and dressed up nicely.
She wore a peach-pink brocade skirt with a floral pattern, over which she wore a dark ochre brocade robe with wide sleeves, and a moon-white shawl adorned her side. She was so beautiful that she radiated a dazzling, breathtaking beauty.
She wore an elegant peony bun and a set of gold millet silk floral headdress. In the center, a gold bead the size of an adult man's thumb shone brightly. Rubies and kingfisher feathers were inlaid in the gold silk with scroll patterns. On both sides, peacock hairpins each held a string of tassels. Five gold threads strung with round, white pearls and rubies, and at the bottom, a raindrop-shaped pearl on each side, which was truly rare.
Looking at her, Tingqin thought to herself, "Even the Empress can't compare to Consort Yuan's outfit."
Only concubines are not allowed to wear phoenix pendants; otherwise, the best ones would probably never go to the Empress.
While the emperor would treat the empress with the due respect due to the emperor, he would not bestow gifts without reason, so the gifts were rather few.
When Shen Shixi arrived, the Queen of Western Qiang had already arrived. After paying her respects to the Empress, she also greeted the Queen.
Even the Queen of Western Qiang could hardly recognize her. "Since we parted years ago, Consort Yuan has become even more beautiful, to the point that I can't recognize her at all."
The Empress smiled and said, "The feng shui of the imperial city is good for people, and the Emperor dotes on Consort Yuan, so it's no wonder she gets better and better."
Shen Shixi smiled and said, "It is also because of Your Majesty's benevolence that I am able to live in the palace."
The Queen of Western Qiang smiled and said, "Your Majesty the Empress is a model of virtue for the world, and you are naturally extraordinary. Consort Yuan is also the most talented and beautiful woman I have ever met. I have always thought of her since we parted years ago. It is quite a coincidence that we can meet again in the capital this time."
Shen Shixi smiled and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. I am just an ordinary person in the Emperor's harem and do not deserve such praise."
Knowing the Queen of Western Qiang's intentions, the Queen naturally didn't want to get involved. She smiled and said, "Since the Queen has come from afar, Consort Yuan, you should treat her well. The autumn colors in the Imperial Garden are just right at this time of year. Why don't you take the Queen for a stroll?"
Don't stay in her palace.
She certainly hoped that Shen Shixi would not be able to resist the pleas of the Western Qiang and would interfere in court affairs; it would be even better if he could displease the emperor.
It was so cold, and the northwest wind was blowing, so Shen Shixi naturally wouldn't take the Queen of Xiqiang to the Imperial Garden; she returned to her own palace.
"Bai Ping, go to the East Kitchen and get some goat milk to make a pot of milk tea for the Queen."
Perfect timing, she wanted a drink too.
"You're too kind, Consort!" said the Queen of Western Qiang. "Originally, we thought that since Yulong and Consort were already on good terms, we decided to send Yulong to the palace to keep Consort company and relieve her boredom. Who knew she wouldn't have such good fortune?"
"I dare not accept your words. Consort Shun's rank before her death was Jieyu, and mine is also Jieyu. How can you say that she amuses me? I know your purpose in coming, Your Majesty. I have never forgotten the hospitality I received in Xiqiang in the past, but I am sorry that I cannot help you with your request."
The Queen of Western Qiang shed tears. "Consort Yuan, we are old acquaintances. Back in Western Qiang, I truly loved you and even considered keeping you there. Since we are not destined to be together, it is not right to force it."
Yu Long is gone; her fate was unfortunate, and I blame no one. However, Yan Jun is currently imprisoned in your country's dungeon. If Consort Yuan could put in a good word for him before your Emperor, I would be eternally grateful!
She tried to kneel before Shen Shixi, but Bai Ping helped her up, saying, "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable!"
Shen Shixi said, "The Great Zhou has always been very lenient towards the Donghu and Xiqiang. I remember three years ago, the Xiqiang suffered a severe drought, and the people were destitute. All the tribes were restless. It was the Great Zhou that sent grain and troops to help suppress them."
How did the Western Qiang repay the Great Zhou? This time, when Tianfei Pass fell, what did the Western Qiang do? I believe the Queen knows very well who was the first to deliver this news to Beisha.
The Queen was filled with shame; she hadn't expected that the Great Zhou Dynasty would find out.
Seeing her attitude, Shen Shixi knew that she had guessed correctly. She didn't actually know; she was just guessing. The Western Qiang and Western Ling had always been in cahoots, and the Western Qiang always wanted to break away from the Great Zhou and become independent, but when they couldn't survive, they didn't let go of the Great Zhou, their father.
They're the type who eats first, then curses later.
The Western Qiang were also very resentful of the Great Zhou's strength, always feeling that after the Northern Sands and Western Ling tore a piece of flesh from the Great Zhou, they would become strong on their own.
Shen Shixi raised his sleeves slightly. "Your Majesty, let alone His Majesty the Emperor of Great Zhou, no one in Great Zhou can tolerate this betrayal. Even if His Majesty the Emperor is as magnanimous as the sea, he cannot disregard the feelings of his court officials and the people."
"Yuan Jieyu, there must be some misunderstanding here, right?" Even if Xi Qiang did something, he would never admit it.
Shen Shixi said, "This is where your tribe's dishonesty lies. I presume your tribe already knew about Li Yuanjian's impending rebellion, and you must have done a lot of research to instigate it. Even the fact that you relayed my information about the Jian family's existence to them, didn't you?"
"Absolutely not!" said the Queen of Xiqiang. "I have always heard that Consort Yuan is exceptionally intelligent, and His Majesty the Emperor trusts and favors her greatly. I have witnessed your ability to see the whole picture from a small part, but the implications are significant. I urge Consort Yuan to be clear and not misunderstand Xiqiang."
The Western Qiang are willing to follow the Great Zhou forever and will never betray it.
Shen Shixi said, "I would like to ask the Queen and His Majesty the Emperor to say these words. I am just a concubine in the harem and cannot make such a decision."
"I would never dare to make things difficult for you, Consort. However, His Majesty has always been willing to listen to you. If you would be so kind as to speak well of the Western Qiang in front of His Majesty, the Western Qiang will surely repay you handsomely and will be willing to owe you this favor. They will also never refuse any requests from you in the future."
This was the reason why the Queen of Western Qiang wanted to see her.