In the Chao Yang Palace.
Xiao Jingheng was reviewing memorials at his desk.
Recently, the country had been peaceful and prosperous. The memorials from all over were mostly good news, which greatly delighted him.
Just as he was putting a vermilion mark on the last memorial, Jiang Deshun crept in and said in a low voice:
“Your Majesty, it has been found.”
Then he took out a token and respectfully presented it to Xiao Jingheng:
"It was found behind the horizontal inscribed board in the Xian Shou Palace.”
Xiao Jingheng took the token and glanced at the engraved characters ‘Tianji’ on it. The corner of his lips curved up into an ominous smile.
The Tianji Office had been established since the beginning of the dynasty. Its various departments were independent of each other. They cooperated with each other but did not interfere with each other. It was not under the jurisdiction of the imperial court. Only those who held the Tianji token could mobilize the Tianji Office.
Throughout history, the Tianji token had always been kept by the empress dowager. Although the power of the Tianji Office could not contend with imperial power, it could still restrain the emperor to some extent— to prevent an incompetent emperor from causing havoc, the empress dowager could use the power of the Tianji Office to restore order and make him mend his ways.
Therefore, even for Xiao Jingheng whose power had reached its peak, he was still wary of the Tianji Office.
At this moment, as he gripped the Tianji token tightly, his eyes gradually darkened.
Jiang Deshun was very perceptive. He knew Xiao Jingheng had always been wary of the Tianji Office, so he asked:
“Now that Your Majesty has obtained the Tianji token, are you going to...”
“It is still very useful to me,” Xiao Jingheng said coldly with a sneer. “It was wasted when it was in the hands of the empress dowager.”
Jiang Deshun immediately understood that Xiao Jingheng intended to keep the Tianji token for himself and turn what used to be a threat to him into a bargaining chip to consolidate his imperial power.
Although this went against ancestral precepts, as the Son of Heaven he made the rules. Moreover, Jiang Deshun always tried to curry favor with Xiao Jingheng. Naturally he would not admonish his lord, only saying:
“It seems to be time for the noon meal. Shall I summon the imperial trays?”
Xiao Jingheng put the Tianji token into a hidden compartment under his desk, then said with a smile:
“Did the imperial kitchen say they would send some squabs to the Chang Le Palace yesterday? I suddenly crave for them now.”
Jiang Deshun understood. He quickly announced: “His Majesty is going to the Chang Le Palace.”
When Xiao Jingheng arrived, he saw colorful butterflies fluttering in the courtyard. Ruo Xin and Chunhua were chasing butterflies happily.
Ruo Xin was having so much fun that her forehead was covered in sweat, but she did not seem tired at all.
“Sister Chunhua, lead the butterflies over here!”
The child dashed about heedlessly and bumped right into Xiao Jingheng.
She looked up at him and said sweetly with a smile:
“Father!”
Xiao Jingheng wiped the sweat from her forehead affectionately and picked her up high.
“Come, let Father see if you have grown fatter.”
He held her up high. Ruo Xin thought it was fun and giggled gleefully.
Their merrymaking was seen by Song Zhao, who had just come out of the small kitchen.
She smiled from afar and said: “Ruo Xin loves to make trouble, you always indulge her, she is less and less like a princess now.”
Xiao Jingheng also laughed. “Never mind, I like Ruo Xin’s lively and cheerful character. If she was always dull like Jinghe, it would be too pitiful for a child.”
Song Zhao walked up to them gracefully, took out a handkerchief from her waist, and carefully wiped away Ruo Xin’s sweat. Then she called out:
“Yun Shan, take the princess to freshen up. It’s time to dine.”
After Yun Shan took Ruo Xin from Xiao Jingheng’s arms, Song Zhao affectionately took his arm and leaned on him like a bird:
“You didn’t let me know beforehand that you were coming. I haven’t prepared much for our meal, don’t be picky!”
Xiao Jingheng stroked her slender shoulder and said with a mellow laugh: “As long as you are here, even if all we have is bran and vegetables, to me they would still taste like nectar.”
During the family's meal, Xiao Jingheng watched Ruo Xin, who was half-grown. She could already use chopsticks by herself and knew to share. Her favorite sautéed shrimp, she still picked up one piece each for him and Song Zhao with her chopsticks first, sweetly saying:
“Father and mother concubine should also eat.”
Xiao Jingheng was very gratified. He patted the little one’s head and asked:
“Do you like it here with your mother concubine?”
Ruo Xin nodded obediently. “Mother concubine treats me very well. Imperial Noble Consort also dotes on me a lot. Mother concubine often takes me to visit her. I play with Elder Brother Chenghuan and Sister Jin Yue.”
Song Zhao smiled amusedly. “You little naughty thing, bothering your siblings everyday.”
Then she looked at Xiao Jingheng and shook her head in mock helplessness. “With state affairs occupying you, you might not know that the palace of the imperial noble consort has become a children’s playground now. Princess Jinghe also goes there everyday. The children gather and have great fun.”
Xiao Jingheng nodded again and again. “It is good for siblings to get along harmoniously and be filial to their parents. My family happiness is complete.” He asked Ruo Xin:
“Do your elder siblings treat you well?”
Ruo Xin said: “Elder Brother and Sister dote on me very much.”
Xiao Jingheng said: “Then when you will be an elder sister in the future, you must also know how to dote on your younger brother.”
“Younger brother?” Ruo Xin smacked her lips in puzzlement and looked at Song Zhao. “Mother concubine, do I also have a younger brother? How come I’ve never seen him...”
An innocent remark from a child, yet it made both Xiao Jingheng and Song Zhao freeze.
Song Zhao quickly smoothed things over: “Of course you have a younger brother. Consort Hui’s son is your third brother Chengjing.”
Xiao Jingheng watched as Ruo Xin still looked puzzled when she heard the name Chengjing. His face sank.
“How is it that Consort Hui also does not bring Chengjing to play with the children?”
Song Zhao smiled lightly. “The weather has been hot lately. Consort Hui also dotes on Chengjing, so they don’t go out much.”
Xiao Jingheng put down his chopsticks, obviously displeased. “Children are at an impressionable age now. Ruo Xin is almost three and still doesn’t know she has a brother. This is unacceptable. Consort Hui is really thoughtless.”
Then he hid his anger and said gently to Ruo Xin with a smile: “I’ll have your brother come play with you tomorrow, alright?”
Ruo Xin blinked her round eyes, full of anticipation as she nodded.
“Okay! Then I can be an elder sister too. Hehe.”
