HMAM CH 52 Presenting Silk
After a few days of rest, Jing Ye resumed attending the morning court, and everything returned to normal.
Feng Ling was promoted by his decree to the position of a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, responsible for the compilation of historical texts and lecturing in the imperial lecture hall. Both the court officials and the public felt somewhat uneasy, but when they saw the emperor returning to the morning court with a calm and serious demeanor, they could finally set their minds somewhat at ease.
Old Lord Feng struggled to rise from his sickbed after a few days and, despite his illness, attended court. The officials regarded him with a mix of sympathy and regret, though outwardly they treated him with great respect. A few old ministers, who had disagreed with him politically in the past, were much more courteous during discussions in the court.
After all, he was a state elder.
Old Lord Feng felt a surge of anger and suppressed emotions as he returned to his residence after the court session. Madam Feng urged him to let Feng Ling come back, but the old man reacted very strongly:
"Come back? Come back to where! He has grown wings now; let him establish his own household outside! We won’t have him tarnishing the Feng family’s ancestral reputation!"
Madam Feng’s advice was met with a torrent of anger, and she sighed as the pair of father and son continued their disagreement.
In the evening, Jing Ye returned to the sleeping quarters from the study and saw Jing Xiao Yun and Zhao Yue surrounded by palace maids playing on the brocade couch. Thinking of someone, he asked Gu Hong, "When will Lu Baizang be back?"
Gu Hong thought for a moment and replied, "It should be in the next couple of days."
Jing Ye nodded, and Gu Hong continued, "Speaking of which, the day for the Lin family from Jiangnan to present their silk is also approaching."
Presenting silk didn’t only refer to silk fabrics; it included various treasures and rare items sourced south of the Qinhuai River. For generations, this had been the responsibility of the Lin family, and every three years, after the beginning of spring, the head of the Lin family himself personally brought the items to the capital to meet with the emperor.
Though referred to as presenting treasures, it was also connected to the Qingyu Pavilion.
However, Lin Xiaosheng, who was currently managing the family's affairs, was in the palace, so they would need to choose someone else to present the silk.
Gu Hong said, "Old Mr. Lin passed away eight years ago, so this time it will be Madam Lin personally bringing the silk."
Jing Ye paused: "Madam Lin?"
Gu Hong clarified, "That is Xiao Sheng's legitimate mother, the Lady Feng."
Both of them knew very well what Lin Xiaosheng's background was like. This Madam Lin, being the legitimate wife from a noble background, would certainly not be a kind mother in the eyes of Lin Xiaosheng.
Gu Hong turned to pour tea from a small jade pot, but something suddenly slipped from his sleeve and fell to the ground. Jing Ye caught a glimpse, bent down to pick it up, unfolded it, and asked, "What is this?"
"A prescription." Gu Hong sat down beside him, passing him the warm teacup. "It's something this subject's third brother asked this subject to discuss with the physicians from the imperial hospital."
Jing Ye asked, "What? Is someone in your household sick?"
Gu Hong replied, "Your Majesty, do you remember the Jiang family girl who was placed next to Xu Ming and the Qi Lan who was forcefully taken by Xu Ming's son?"
Jing Ye took a sip of tea and looked up: "Zhen remember."
"Qi Lan is currently under the care of this subject's family, being looked after by this subject's third brother. However, he has lost his mind. It was only after Yang Ziran allowed this subject's brother to torture Xu Ming's son, Xu Huang, that they discovered Qi Lan's madness was caused by drugs. Therefore, we asked the physicians at the imperial hospital to investigate his condition and prepare a detoxifying formula."
Jing Ye glanced at the paper: "Is this written already?"
"It took several days of discussion for everyone to come up with a rough prescription," Gu Hong replied, pointing at the ink on the prescription, then frowning. "However, most of these ingredients are toxic and harmful to the body. While they claim it is a detoxification remedy, in reality, it would be equivalent to risking one’s life."
Jing Ye's brows twitched as he exchanged glances with Gu Hong.
Meanwhile, at the Gu residence, the old physician with a goat-beard instructed a young attendant to carry the medicine box and stood up to take his leave while addressing Gu Yun and Jiang Zhitao, also known as Bai Dongling: "This matter concerns life and death, and we are supposed to save lives. We shouldn’t be drafting this toxic prescription, but... ai, I hope both of you will think it over carefully."
"Yes," Gu Yun cupped his hands, saying, "Thank you, sir."
The physician waved his hands and took his leave.
After seeing the physician out, Gu Yun returned to the bedroom to find Jiang Zhitao sitting by the bedside, quietly gazing at Qi Lan.
Gu Yun stood outside the door observing the scene, pulled out the prescription to take a look, and said, "Jia Song."
The servant behind him hurriedly lowered his head: "Master, what is your command?"
Gu Yun handed the prescription to him: "Take this and burn it."
The servant quickly stepped forward to take it. Just as he was about to leave, Jiang Zhitao called out, "Wait."
Gu Yun turned his head to see Jiang Zhitao come out and ask, "What does the General mean by this?"
"As you see, my lady," Gu Yun replied, "This is no longer about whether to restore memories; it’s a matter of life and death. We cannot be careless."
Jiang Zhitao's expression turned cold: "Does the General wish for Ah Lan to be mad for life, unable to even remember his loved one, and spend a muddled existence?"
Gu Yun said, "Of course I want him to recover as before, but this is clearly a gamble on life! If it fails, it would cost him his life."
Jiang Zhitao smiled faintly at him, lifting her chin to look at him: "I apologize for being presumptuous, but the decision to use this medicine is not within the General’s authority."
Gu Yun’s eyes darkened.
"The one who grew up with Ah Lan, is with him since childhood, and is bound for marriage is not the General. The one who sneaked into Xu’s residence, enduring humiliation for his sake is not the General. The person he cares for deeply, who he wishes to remember even in madness… is certainly not the General."
"This is a matter between me and Ah Lan; as a latecomer, the General has no right to interfere."
Gu Yun lowered his gaze, his lips moved slightly but did not speak, silently acknowledging her warning.
Jiang Zhitao understood that he was a gentleman so she dared to say such things. Seeing that her words had their effect, she didn’t say anything more and turned back to accompany Qi Lan.
However, Gu Yun added, "Lady Jiang."
Jiang Zhitao paused, and Gu Yun continued steadfastly, "What you say makes sense. I, Gu Yun, an outsider, of course cannot meddle in internal matters."
Jiang Zhitao turned back and listened to him finish.
"I have been prepared for this in my heart. If you grow disheartened and choose to give up, I will take over and care for him for life," Gu Yun said, smiling.
"But if you wish to stay and marry him, I will personally arrange your wedding, inviting guests and hosting a grand banquet, providing for you both and ensuring a life of peace and security."
Jiang Zhitao's brows moved slightly.
"However, when it comes to deciding Qi Lan's life or death, I will not back down," Gu Yun said, looking at her firmly. "Unless Qi Lan wakes up and makes this decision himself, otherwise how can I, Gu Yun, a dignified man, cannot even protect my beloved’s life?"
His words sounded a bit unreasonable; Qi Lan was currently out of his mind and could not make any decisions.
Jiang Zhitao gritted her teeth and said coldly, "Once the General speaks, I have no choice but to comply; please do as you wish."
With that, she turned and entered the room without looking back.
Gu Yun turned to instruct the servant, "Why aren't you taking this to burn it?"
The servant quickly stepped back, saying, "Yes, I will do it right away."
Five days later, after the morning drums were beaten, the Lin family’s convoy arrived at the city gates.
That evening, the emperor held a grand banquet in the Baoheng Hall to receive their silk offerings.
The great hall was brightly lit, with ministers of the third rank and above seated on both sides with their families. The ceremonial officials moved back and forth between the steps and the hall door, presenting the silk offerings one by one, while the ceremonial eunuch announced the names and details.
There were imperial kiln porcelain, ancient calligraphy and paintings, various pieces of jade, agate, fine jadeite, as well as emeralds, lapis lazuli, and carved containers made of malachite, along with bamboo, wood, ivory, the four treasures of the study, lacquerware, embroidery, bronze vessels, and Buddhist statues. The abundance of treasures dazzled the eyes and overwhelmed the senses.
At first, Jing Ye was somewhat interested, but as time passed, his vision began to blur. He thought to himself with every three years of gathering treasures like this, it was no wonder the previous owner of this body had squandered so much; Gu Hong and Lin Xiaosheng didn’t even blink at the sight.
Being in the imperial study to review memorials was not as exhausting as being bombarded by this overabundance of trinkets.
The eunuch was still calling out the names and colors of the offerings, while Jing Ye felt his eyelids getting heavy. Gu Hong, who was closest to him, reached out from under the table and held his hand: "Your Majesty."
"En?" Jing Ye raised his head, rubbed his forehead, and continued to watch.
"The water-foam jade bamboo branch sparrow leisure hairpin set—"
Jing Ye’s gaze roamed over the dazzling ornaments and suddenly noticed something, his expression shifting.
Ye Mao, standing nearby, quickly waved his duster, and the ceremonial official presented a wooden plate he was holding. Ye Mao took it and presented it to Jing Ye, saying, "Your Majesty, please take a look."
Jing Ye picked up the jade hairpin. At the top was a jade bead adorned with a decorative knot, with two strands of purple jade beads arranged in order of size below, each one perfectly round, leading to a finely carved emerald ornament depicting intertwining flowers and birds, appearing almost colorless, completed with tassels below.
Jing Ye examined it closely and said, "Why does this feel like zhen has seen it somewhere before?"
"This..." Ye Mao thought hard for a moment, "This servant hasn't seen it before."
Jing Ye placed the item back onto the plate: "Continue."
After the banquet ended and the officials left the palace, Madam Lin also took her son and daughter to bid farewell to Jing Ye, saying, "This subject's wife has one request to make of Your Majesty. This subject's wife hopes Your Majesty can grant it."
Jing Ye replied, "You may speak, Madam."
Madam Lin smiled, "Lin Gongzi has been in the palace for several years, and as his legitimate mother, this subject's wife has not been able to visit him even once. This subject's wife sincerely misses him and requests Your Majesty’s permission to visit him on a chosen day."
Jing Ye raised an eyebrow and glanced at Gu Hong: "Your love for your son is commendable. Zhen grants your request."
Madam Lin bowed slightly: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After moving from the Baoheng Hall, Jing Ye said to Gu Hong, "Upon seeing Madam Lin earlier, I remembered where I had seen that hairpin before."
That night, Lin Xiaosheng came to the sleeping quarters to keep Jing Ye company. Jing Ye pulled him aside and said, "Zhen has something for you."
He took out an exquisite brocade box, opened it, and inside was the same hairpin that the ceremonial official had presented at the banquet.
Lin Xiaosheng's eyes flickered.
Jing Ye asked, "Isn’t it exactly the same as the one in your quarters, making a pair?"
Lin Xiaosheng answered, "Yes."
Jing Ye looked at him: "Since it’s a pair, why was it separated?"
Lin Xiaosheng traced his finger over the vividly carved bamboo branches on the top and explained, "It belonged to this subject's mother. Previously, when she was seriously ill, this subject took it to exchange for two good dishes from the kitchen in order to brighten her mood."
"Later, when my mother found out, she coughed up blood in anger. This subject went back to ask the kitchen steward to return it, but she said it had already been exchanged for wine and could not be retrieved."
Upon hearing this, Jing Ye held the item tightly in Lin Xiaosheng’s hand and smiled: "This was presented at today’s banquet; consider it a gift from zhen."
Lin Xiaosheng looked at him and leaned in, kissing his lips softly while whispering, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The palace attendants standing nearby quickly extinguished several lamps, blush creeping onto their faces as they quietly exited.