Anyway, the next day, Duke You of the Dugu Clan was beaming with joy. Eunuch Tang was also secretly delighted, knowing that there was a good chance for Dugu Qing to be granted a fief. "Bring me my imperial robe. I'll change here," Duke You ordered. Changing into his formal attire here meant he could stay here openly after court. Concubine Qin had no idea about his little scheme.
"Qin'er, call our son and daughter - in - law to your courtyard today. Let's have dinner together," Duke You said as he was putting on his imperial robe. It was the first time he had said such a thing, and he felt a bit embarrassed. Eunuch Tang glanced at him and was overjoyed. He quickly winked at Concubine Qin.
If the emperor was willing to bend, and Concubine Qin didn't play along, she would miss the chance. Receiving Eunuch Tang's signal, Concubine Qin blushed, saying, "It sounds really strange for Your Majesty to say such a thing."
Concubine Qin knew that after being in a high position for so long, this was the lowest - level concession he could make. At this moment, he was not the emperor, and tonight's gathering was not a grand palace banquet or imperial feast. It was just a small family get - together of four people, a family dinner to see their son off.
"Tell the imperial kitchen to prepare their favorite dishes. I remember Miss Mei from the Mei family really likes the palace pastries," someone who often used the excuse of visiting the Sixth Prince for him to smuggle things out of the palace.
Eunuch Tang quickly lowered his head.
He knew that all his actions were under the emperor's watch, but since he had a clear conscience, he was not afraid.
Then he heard Eunuch Tang reply, "Your Majesty, the Sixth Princess Consort likes the pineapple candied fruits in the palace, and the Sixth Prince likes longan honey water. The honey from the pearl longan tree in the palace is his favorite."
"I've known that for a long time. This time, I've specifically ordered people to transplant several pearl longan trees to Concubine Qin's courtyard. From now on, Concubine Qin won't have to walk so far alone."
Concubine Qin was stunned. Over the years, she had personally raised bees under the longan tree every year, only for them to collect the longan honey. Longan was good for clearing the lungs, reducing internal heat, and it was the best for Qing'er. She didn't know that all her actions had been seen by him over the years.
Her eyes welled up with tears. She quickly turned around and said, "Your Majesty, you'd better go to court quickly. I'll invite them into the palace for dinner tonight." The emperor had already agreed to Dugu Qing's fief. After this small gathering tonight, it would be announced in the court tomorrow morning.
Thinking that Duke You even knew what pastry his daughter - in - law liked, Concubine Qin's eyes became even redder. Now that Qing'er was in good health, there was hope for a grandson. But it was really far for him to go to the south of the Yangtze River. In the future, it would be difficult for her to see him if she missed him.
She wondered how her natal family was. Due to Qing'er's matter and the cold war between her and the emperor, she had written fewer letters in the past few years for fear of worrying her father. Since Qing'er's fief was there, she decided to write a letter now.
By the time Concubine Qin finished writing a long letter, Duke You had returned from court.
Seeing that she was willing to pick up the pen to write a letter, he knew it was to be sent to the south of the Yangtze River. "You should have written earlier. I don't know how the old Duke is. During the cold days, it was said that his leg pain was so bad that he couldn't get out of bed."
Concubine Qin's nose twitched, and tears welled up uncontrollably. Her father had been injured on the battlefield when he was young and hadn't recovered well. Every year during the coldest months, his old injury would act up. She thought of her nearly sixty - year - old father and how he could bear such pain.
Seeing Concubine Qin's tears streaming down, Duke You felt heart - broken and quickly wiped them away. "Why don't you change your temper? I haven't finished my words yet."
"Hmm?"
Wasn't it he who deliberately paused? How could he blame her?
"As soon as I heard that his leg problem flared up, I sent imperial doctors. The Duke wrote back saying that he was much better." Although she didn't write letters, he knew that she secretly cared about things in the south of the Yangtze River.
The old Duke was also the emperor's father - in - law. As the emperor, it was only natural for him to send someone to check on him. But why did Concubine Qin still look like she was about to cry?
"What do you plan to cook in your small kitchen for our son and daughter - in - law's dinner tonight?" Duke You deliberately emphasized the word "our". Hearing him say this, Concubine Qin's joy was evident on her face. "Let the main kitchen do the main dishes. I'll cook some time - consuming ones here." Besides, there was the tonic soup for her daughter - in - law. She felt more at ease cooking it herself. "You've already decided to announce it in the court tomorrow morning? You didn't say anything today, right?"
"No. Without your permission, Concubine Qin, I wouldn't dare."
"You're being naughty again. Actually, I know that you established the crown prince early on for my sake, wanting to take me to the south of the Yangtze River. I understand it clearly in my heart. But at that time, Qing'er's matter occupied my whole heart. I..."
"I understand your heart, Qin'er. Over the years, you're the only one in the palace who never asked me to do anything for your family. Even if you didn't say anything, I've always kept it in mind. I'm really tired of being an emperor. Later, I didn't even know who was trustworthy and who wasn't." After saying that, Duke You looked at Concubine Qin longingly. "Duke You didn't even have breakfast."
He had been rushed to court by Concubine Qin in a hurry this morning without having breakfast. Now he could even hear his stomach growling.
"There's only red bean porridge and golden - threaded steamed buns. You'll have to make do with them."
"They all taste good. Even if it's just plain water, I'll like it if you prepare it."
"Xiaoyue, serve His Majesty two bowls of plain water." Concubine Qin tilted her mouth slightly, looking extremely charming. Duke You was so captivated that he stared blankly. "After all these years, you haven't aged at all. I've grown old."
"Stop being naughty. Have you sent someone to call Qing'er and the others?"
"Don't worry, Qin'er. When Eunuch Tang Yide hears it's something about the Sixth Prince's Mansion, he runs faster than a rabbit." Duke You couldn't help but smile when he thought of the old fellow beside him. He pretended not to know that Eunuch Tang secretly brought palace pastries to Mei Qingxue? Or what Concubine Qin had secretly sent?
"What's going on?"
"I don't know what's wrong with Tang Yide. Recently, he always likes to go to the Sixth Prince's Mansion and stays there for a long time. It's so hard for me to find him. When he comes back, he secretly smiles to himself."
"So that's it." Concubine Qin covered her mouth and smiled.
"You know about this, Qin'er?" Now it was Duke You's turn to look puzzled.
"Miss Mei from the Mei family is really lovable. Not only do I like her, but I think no one who meets her doesn't like her. If she could get pregnant soon, it would be even better."
"What does an old eunuch like about her?"
"Look at you. Tang Yide has been with you for half a lifetime, and you don't even know his thoughts. I've noticed that if he likes to go, let him go," Concubine Qin gave Duke You a sideways glance.
Duke You still couldn't figure it out. He looked at Concubine Qin in confusion. Since she said it was okay for him to go and didn't seem to stop him, but the emperor's curiosity was hard to suppress.
He must figure it out.
Although he was quite sure that Tang Yide had no connection with any other forces, he was just really curious about that old fellow. Every time he came back, he was very happy. Why didn't he share his happiness with him?
Concubine Qin looked at Duke You and said, "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. You're curious again?"
"Yes. You understand me best," Duke You looked at Concubine Qin's face, hoping to find some clues. "It's useless to look at me. He'll tell you when he dares to."
"Dares? What does he not dare to do? Over the years, I've never been harsh on him. He's the only one who has accompanied me since childhood," Duke You's voice sounded a bit desolate. He never knew what he could give to Tang Yide. Tang Yide didn't want money. The rewards from all sides over the decades were enough for him to live several lifetimes. He could even buy an official position or some land. But Tang Yide wanted nothing. He used to be such a gloomy person, but recently he had changed his temperament. Duke You just wanted to know what secret there was in the Sixth Prince's Mansion that could make Tang Yide so happy. Coincidentally, he was also in a gloomy mood. Maybe a good recipe could cheer up both of them?
"When he dies, it will all be over," Concubine Qin said softly, with a hidden meaning, but she just wouldn't say it directly, which made Duke You even more curious.
"Okay. Next time, I'll disguise myself as a young eunuch and follow Tang Yide into the Sixth Prince's Mansion."
"You'll definitely scare them. Have you ever seen a bearded eunuch?" Concubine Qin covered her mouth and laughed. Xiaoyue had already brought in the red bean porridge and placed a plate of something like steamed buns on the table.
"Concubine Qin, sit down and have some too."
Duke You picked up a golden - threaded steamed bun and ate it slowly. The red bean porridge was very light, with the fragrance of beans. The steamed bun was very ordinary, but Duke You just liked the atmosphere here in Concubine Qin's place. It had been the same for decades.
"Concubine Qin, tell me. I want to know what Tang Yide wants too."
"Will you give him what he wants?" Concubine Qin raised her eyes. It was the first time they had talked so much because of an eunuch.
"Yes!" Duke You thought to himself that there was nothing an emperor couldn't give. The world? The throne? He knew these weren't what Tang Yide wanted. So what did he want?
"When Qing'er goes to his fief in the south of the Yangtze River, there will surely be a large prince's mansion. Let Tang Yide be the steward."
"He doesn't even want to be the steward of my imperial palace. Why would he want to be the steward of Qing'er's mansion?"
"When no one is around, ask him. If he's not willing, just forget what I said," Concubine Qin had long noticed that Eunuch Tang liked to go to the Sixth Prince's Mansion. Qing'er had also mentioned it a couple of times when he came to the palace. Maybe because he was old, he just liked the young couple very much. Concubine Qin knew that Eunuch Tang was lonely in his old age. As a eunuch, what he wanted most was a child.
But he couldn't have one. She didn't know why Miss Mei Qingxue just happened to catch his fancy. She remembered that it was the first time Qing'er met Eunuch Tang at a palace banquet. Somehow, she had caught his eye. Although he was a eunuch, the emperor's affection for him was special. He was the last childhood playmate, loyal for decades, with no desires and no attachments, and no one to rely on.
"I'll ask him later. If he really wants to go, I'll definitely approve it. As long as it's his wish." Tang Yide had never asked him for anything. He was as quiet as if he had no desires.