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| Rebirth: Back to Zero Author: 祎庭沫瞳 (Yi Ting Mo Tong) |
Chapter 04 Till Death Do Us Part (Part 3)
When
they arrived in the palace, the Emperor had not ended the morning assembly.
Hence, the couple waited for the Emperor in Qian'an Hall's Guest Pavilion.
After waiting for fifteen minutes, the Emperor returned and entered the main
hall with the Empress, taking their seat at the front.
Jun Lixuan and Ling Qiyang offered their greetings and were offered seats by
the Emperor. Then, Ling Qiyang walked up to the front, took the tea from the
Granny, knelt and presented it with both hands, "Emperor Father, please
accept this tea."
Emperor
Yanxi took the teacup and drank the tea. The attendant behind him handed over
the box in his hand and Ling Qiyang received it.
In the
Ye Empire, the male servants were not castrated due to the worryingly low
fertility rates. Instead, they had to take medicine that left them sterile
for 20 years. When the potency of the drug ended, they were released from the
palace and were free to marry and have children. Collectively, these servants
were known as attendants. Those who had smaller statures or weaker bodies may
choose, of their own free will, to take medicine and become an Omega when
entering the palace. This rarer group were known as servants. In each of the
consort's court, women were rarely used as maids. Most female maids were part
of the consort's marriage dowries that were brought in on the day they entered
the palace. When the maid got older, they were known instead as grannies.
"The
Seventh Prince has a cold and indifferent attitude. As his consort, I hope that
you can be considerate and caring towards him. Remember to supervise the household
affairs, and share his worries. Now that the marriage is completed, it is one less
worry for me. I have always wanted you to be his First Consort. Don't let me
down." Emperor Yanxi said earnestly.
"Yes,
I will remember your guidance, Emperor Father ." The two said in unison.
After
that, Ling Qiyang offered tea to the Empress, following marriage customs. She
smiled and said, "Oh my, Qiyang's tea seems extraordinarily fragrant and
pleasing. You can call Empress Mother, just like Xuan'er does. You are such a
gentle child. Having you watch over Xuan'er's Manor really sets my mind at
ease. I hope you two can live harmoniously. Learn to trust and respect each
other at all times."
"Yes,
Empress Mother ."
The
Empress then handed a box to Ling Qiyang. He politely thanked her, stood up
with the gentle support of the Granny, and stepped back a few steps to stand
with Jun Lixuan.
"It
was a busy day yesterday. I think you both didn't have a good rest. Go to the side
hall in your Empress Mother's palace to rest for a while. I will meet you both
for lunch at noon." The Emperor said.
"Yes."
Jun Lixuan replied, "Has Emperor Father's sleep improved recently?"
"Hmm.
While there are lots of national affairs these days, I still sleep peacefully
with the Moonfall Incense." The Emperor's satisfaction with the incense
was clearly seen in his expression, "Imperial Noble Consort really gave
much thought."
"While
national affairs are important. However, Emperor Father must also take care of
your health. Emperor Father's good health is the fundamental cornerstone for
the empire's prosperity."
Emperor
Yanxi guffawed at the remark, "Marriage really makes people grow and
mature a lot!"
"Marriage
is a blessing from the parents to their child. When Emperor Father does not
require the Moonfall Incense for peaceful sleep, please remember to give this
incense to me to aid my sleep."
"Stupid
child, isn't this just some incense?" He turned and instructed his
personal attendant, Fu Shun, "Go and pack some Moonfall Incense for the
Seventh Prince."
"Yes."
Fu Shun smiled and immediately prepared it.
"Thank
you, Emperor Father ."
After
coming out of the Qian'an Palace, the two went to the Imperial Temple pay their
respects to the ancestors and gods. Then, they returned to the Serene Palace
with the Empress.
As soon
as he entered the Empress's chambers, Ling Qiyang halted in his steps. He
looked around, and his forehead wrinkled subtly.
Realising
his sudden stop, Jun Lixuan turned his head and asked, "What's the
matter?"
Ling
Qiyang shook his head and muttered, "The incense is rather peculiar."
Jun
Lixuan chuckled and stretched out his hand to hold Ling Qiyang's, indifferent
to the many attendants watching them. Together, they walked into the palace,
"This is Empress Mother's Cloud Bamboo Incense. The fragrance is light and
elegant. If you like it, I will ask Empress Mother for some later. "
Ling
Qiyang smiled noncommittally and entered the Empress's chambers.
"Rascal,
you just got some incense from your Emperor Father, and you are thinking of
getting mine too?" The Empress jokingly lectured her greedy son.
“Empress
Mother, you know that I rarely use incense. Within my manor, there aren't any
good incense that Qiyang truly likes. I've got no choice but to ask you for
some." Jun Lixuan said.
"You
didn't even ask Qiyang if he likes these things." The Empress sighed and
instructed her attendant to pack some for her son.
"Whether
not he likes it, does not undermine my intentions. If he likes it, that's
great! Otherwise, I will find other things for him." To Jun Lixuan, it was
the thoughts that mattered. Even if Ling Qiyang did not like the items he
prepared, it was better than not having prepared any.
As the
Empress chatted with her son, Ling Qiyang sat by the side and listened with his
head slightly lowered. Throughout this half a day, he found his worries depleting. But
at the same time, embarrassment heated up his rosy cheeks. Even if he was an
Omega, he was still a man. Since he liked Jun Lixuan, he naturally hoped to
receive more care from him. However, he did not expect this man to dote on him.
"Seems
like getting married made you more outspoken!" In her memory, the Empress
never recalled her son speaking such thoughtful words.
"I’ve
had these thoughts in the past. However, I chose not to say them since I had no
one to speak for. Now that I am married, I also wish to have a harmonious life
with Qiyang. Now that I have someone I care for, I don’t need to be stingy with
my words." Jun Lixuan said with an expressionless face that served to land
more gravity to his words.
"Good,
good. If you think that way, I can rest assured that you will treat him
well." The Empress's lips curled into a warm smile.
When
they arrived in the palace, the Emperor had not ended the morning assembly.
Hence, the couple waited for the Emperor in Qian'an Hall's Guest Pavilion.
After waiting for fifteen minutes, the Emperor returned and entered the main
hall with the Empress, taking their seat at the front.
Jun Lixuan and Ling Qiyang offered their greetings and were offered seats by
the Emperor. Then, Ling Qiyang walked up to the front, took the tea from the
Granny, knelt and presented it with both hands, "Emperor Father, please
accept this tea."
Emperor
Yanxi took the teacup and drank the tea. The attendant behind him handed over
the box in his hand and Ling Qiyang received it.
In the
Ye Empire, the male servants were not castrated due to the worryingly low
fertility rates. Instead, they had to take medicine that left them sterile
for 20 years. When the potency of the drug ended, they were released from the
palace and were free to marry and have children. Collectively, these servants
were known as attendants. Those who had smaller statures or weaker bodies may
choose, of their own free will, to take medicine and become an Omega when
entering the palace. This rarer group were known as servants. In each of the
consort's court, women were rarely used as maids. Most female maids were part
of the consort's marriage dowries that were brought in on the day they entered
the palace. When the maid got older, they were known instead as grannies.
"The
Seventh Prince has a cold and indifferent attitude. As his consort, I hope that
you can be considerate and caring towards him. Remember to supervise the household
affairs, and share his worries. Now that the marriage is completed, it is one less
worry for me. I have always wanted you to be his First Consort. Don't let me
down." Emperor Yanxi said earnestly.
"Yes,
I will remember your guidance, Emperor Father ." The two said in unison.
After
that, Ling Qiyang offered tea to the Empress, following marriage customs. She
smiled and said, "Oh my, Qiyang's tea seems extraordinarily fragrant and
pleasing. You can call Empress Mother, just like Xuan'er does. You are such a
gentle child. Having you watch over Xuan'er's Manor really sets my mind at
ease. I hope you two can live harmoniously. Learn to trust and respect each
other at all times."
"Yes,
Empress Mother ."
The
Empress then handed a box to Ling Qiyang. He politely thanked her, stood up
with the gentle support of the Granny, and stepped back a few steps to stand
with Jun Lixuan.
"It
was a busy day yesterday. I think you both didn't have a good rest. Go to the side
hall in your Empress Mother's palace to rest for a while. I will meet you both
for lunch at noon." The Emperor said.
"Yes."
Jun Lixuan replied, "Has Emperor Father's sleep improved recently?"
"Hmm.
While there are lots of national affairs these days, I still sleep peacefully
with the Moonfall Incense." The Emperor's satisfaction with the incense
was clearly seen in his expression, "Imperial Noble Consort really gave
much thought."
"While
national affairs are important. However, Emperor Father must also take care of
your health. Emperor Father's good health is the fundamental cornerstone for
the empire's prosperity."
Emperor
Yanxi guffawed at the remark, "Marriage really makes people grow and
mature a lot!"
"Marriage
is a blessing from the parents to their child. When Emperor Father does not
require the Moonfall Incense for peaceful sleep, please remember to give this
incense to me to aid my sleep."
"Stupid
child, isn't this just some incense?" He turned and instructed his
personal attendant, Fu Shun, "Go and pack some Moonfall Incense for the
Seventh Prince."
"Yes."
Fu Shun smiled and immediately prepared it.
"Thank
you, Emperor Father ."
After
coming out of the Qian'an Palace, the two went to the Imperial Temple pay their
respects to the ancestors and gods. Then, they returned to the Serene Palace
with the Empress.
As soon
as he entered the Empress's chambers, Ling Qiyang halted in his steps. He
looked around, and his forehead wrinkled subtly.
Realising
his sudden stop, Jun Lixuan turned his head and asked, "What's the
matter?"
Ling
Qiyang shook his head and muttered, "The incense is rather peculiar."
Jun
Lixuan chuckled and stretched out his hand to hold Ling Qiyang's, indifferent
to the many attendants watching them. Together, they walked into the palace,
"This is Empress Mother's Cloud Bamboo Incense. The fragrance is light and
elegant. If you like it, I will ask Empress Mother for some later. "
Ling
Qiyang smiled noncommittally and entered the Empress's chambers.
"Rascal,
you just got some incense from your Emperor Father, and you are thinking of
getting mine too?" The Empress jokingly lectured her greedy son.
“Empress
Mother, you know that I rarely use incense. Within my manor, there aren't any
good incense that Qiyang truly likes. I've got no choice but to ask you for
some." Jun Lixuan said.
"You
didn't even ask Qiyang if he likes these things." The Empress sighed and
instructed her attendant to pack some for her son.
"Whether
not he likes it, does not undermine my intentions. If he likes it, that's
great! Otherwise, I will find other things for him." To Jun Lixuan, it was
the thoughts that mattered. Even if Ling Qiyang did not like the items he
prepared, it was better than not having prepared any.
As the
Empress chatted with her son, Ling Qiyang sat by the side and listened with his
head slightly lowered. Throughout this half a day, he found his worries depleting. But
at the same time, embarrassment heated up his rosy cheeks. Even if he was an
Omega, he was still a man. Since he liked Jun Lixuan, he naturally hoped to
receive more care from him. However, he did not expect this man to dote on him.
"Seems
like getting married made you more outspoken!" In her memory, the Empress
never recalled her son speaking such thoughtful words.
"I’ve
had these thoughts in the past. However, I chose not to say them since I had no
one to speak for. Now that I am married, I also wish to have a harmonious life
with Qiyang. Now that I have someone I care for, I don’t need to be stingy with
my words." Jun Lixuan said with an expressionless face that served to land
more gravity to his words.
"Good,
good. If you think that way, I can rest assured that you will treat him
well." The Empress's lips curled into a warm smile.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I feel my teeth aching.... 😶
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