Imperial Favor Chapter 16
Scripture
Zhang Desheng was carrying several volumes of ancient scriptures in his hands. The plain-looking texts exuded the smell from the Buddhist temple incense, elegant and calming.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo picked up a copy from Zhang Desheng’s hands and carefully flipped through a few pages. Her expression crumbled, “Your Highness, this…. This is entirely in Sanskrit. This consort can’t understand it.”
It was not unusual for her to not understand such obscure and difficult scriptures.
Huo Qiu paused slightly in footsteps. The sound of his black boots, embroidered with golden thread, as they tapped lightly on the ground disrupted the silence of the room.
“When you go to present the gifts along with the other consorts, offer a few auspicious greetings, alright?”
Worried that she was still ill at ease, Huo Qiu added, “Imperial Grandmother will surely be pleased by that.”
Of course she trusted the words of the future Chongjian Emperor, but Tang Zhuo Zhuo narrowed her eyes as placed the scriptures gently on the table. “Imperial Grandmother dislikes this consort…”
Not only does she dislike her, but even her impression of Huo Qiu was unfavorable as well.
She knew little about the Imperial Grandmother in her previous life and was never able to fathom her thoughts. She only knew of her as someone with great power and influence.
Of course, she never bothered to understand.
But it seemed like the Empress Dowager had this kind of impression towards everyone- she had nothing much to say, that is.
His eyes darkened considerably as Huo Qiu hummed through his nose. But when he turned and saw that Tang Zhuo Zhuo had a look of ignorant confusion about her, his lips thinned as the corners of his mouth twitched upwards. The harsh brightness in his eyes also markedly softened.
“Imperial Grandmother has seen too many kinds of people and situations. At her age, her sole wish is to focus on Buddha and not be concerned about other affairs.”
Yet she held a position of high authority within the palace and those who desire to curry favour are numerous. If one appears to a little amicable, there may be those who will exploit it as a flaw to attack*.
T/L/N: 打蛇随棍上- ‘try to hit the snake and the snake climbs up the stick’ Meaning that even when one is going for the offensive, a more devious opponent might exploit one’s weakness and make a counter attack.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo nodded thoughtfully as she eyed the several volumes of scriptures and rubbed the tip of her nose. “Where did your Highness find these volumes of scripture? It doesn’t appear to be something commonly seen.”
Knowing well what was on Huo Qiu’s mind, Zhang Desheng took half a step forward and answered, “Replying to Your Highness, these scriptures were personally transcribed by the Great Master Pu Zang himself and were kept within Zhenguo Temple for over a decade. They had been stolen during the previous dynasty and all traces of them were lost; His Highness spared no effort and time in order to find them.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo listened with much vigour at first but her whole body stiffened towards the end. She still asked in her usual tone, “Are these perhaps the Diamond Sutra?”
T/L/N: They’re also called the Vajracchedikā Prajñāpāramitā Sūtra in Sanskrit, and were one of the most influential of Mahayana Sutras within East Asia.
“Her Highness is highly perceptive, they are indeed those texts.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s emotive eyes brightened and she reached out a flawless, jade white hand to gently brush across the scriptures surface. “Your Highness indeed spared no effort.”
Huo Qiu sat upon the luxurious pear wood chair, his tall frame appeared like a stone statue that had been soaked in the wind and rain. He raised a sword-like brow silently with a look of nonchalance upon hearing her words.
Tang Zhuo Zhuo frowned as if a thought suddenly came to her. She curled her lips and approached Huo Qiu to ask, “Your Highness, these sutra texts, were they retrieved from Liu Hanjiang?”
Huo Qiu’s expression sank in an instant and his eyes went to search her small face that was as pale as jade several times. Tang Zhuo Zhuo did her best to keep her expression unchanged, even as a thin layer of sweat formed in the palms of her hands.
His gaze was too sharp. But fortunately, he stood again after a moment and asked as he turned the jade thumb ring on his hand, “How did you know of Liu Hanjiang?”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo released a sigh of relief within her heart though she still braced herself and retained a relaxed look outwardly. “Who else but due to this consort’s older brothers? Whenever they returned from school back then, they would always discuss such things. Hear it often enough and even this consort would be able to remember a few people here and there.”
Half of Huo Qiu’s body was cast in shadows as a cold smile appeared on the corners of his lips. “And what was being said?”
“They were mostly unfounded and insignificant chatter; but Liu Hanjiang is one this consort truly remembers.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo spoke cautiously as the man seemed taciturn and intense, till by the end, there was even a thin layer of sweat on her forehead.
To fabricate a story and weave the words while standing before Huo Qiu truly tested a person’s determination.
“This consort’s third older brother held especially high praise for him. On one of the days when he finished martial arts training, he mentioned that Liu Hanjiang was adept in both literature and martials arts, unparalleled among many, and had fine features. Unfortunately, his place of residences and his whereabouts were unknown; he claimed that to have the honour to meet such a man even once would life’s greatest fortune.”
Her grip on the teacup lid tightened enough to turn her fingers white as Tang Zhuo Zhuo continued with difficulty. “Only then did this consort take notice of him. There were rumours later on that these sutra came to be in his possession, though whether it was true or false was unclear.
“And now Your Highness has found them.”
The chambers fell into a long period of silence after this, making Tang Zhuo Zhuo feel restless.
However, if the opportunity was missed today, then finding another chance to mention this person again would be next to impossible.
Huo Qiu’s clear, smooth laughter held an inexplicable quality to it as he turned around and said, “One can say that Liu Hanjiang and I are friends.”
Was this a tacit acknowledgement that Liu Hanjiang was a part of his faction?
But then, how should she give Huo Qiu a hint, that Liu Hanjiang would soon betray him and transfer his allegiance?
Even if she did manage it, will Huo Qiu believe her?
Tang Zhuo Zhuo felt troubled at that moment. It was fortunate that this topic was already breached and only needed a few words of reminder from time to time tol keep Huo Qiu wary of it.
Huo Qiu noticed that she was quite lost in thought, and glanced at her head of raven black hair, opened his mouth to speak, “Want to have any of the pastries?”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo subconsciously replied, “Yes, I’d like the Lotus Jade Dew cake and the Green Date pastry.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo immediately realized what was amiss as soon as the words tumbled out. Sure enough, she lifted her eyes to see the man’s black eyes filled with laughter. She immediately felt embarrassed and annoyed. “What is Your Highness doing, always laughing at me like this?”
The laughter in Huo Qiu’s eyes deepened till even his voice held the trace of a clear and pleasant smile. “I never noticed before that my Crown Princess is quite fond of food.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s delicate and pretty face glowed as it turned several shades of red. She raised an eyebrow as she thoroughly smoother out her temper. “Zhang Desheng, tell the side kitchen that they need not send them over. I will not be eating.”
Said person’s body shook as Zhang Desheng gave Huo Qiu a tentative glance. Yet, seeing the normally stoic and stern face of his master with a light smile hanging on the corners of his eyes and brow, why would he even bother to look his way?
So, should the sweet pastries still be brought in?
The petite lady’s palm-sized face was white and flawlessly smooth, yet her eyes carried the charm of one who has been doted on, lending a spirited air to her whole person.
“When did I not allow you to eat? Hm?” Huo Qiu found this both humorous and infuriating in turns. He took a step towards her and brushed back a stray lock of hair from her temple to reveal gently curved earlobes that were akin to drops of pearl.
The light in his eyes shined brightly even while his voice remained calm and steady.
“Only knowing how to have a temper- let’s see who will continue spoiling you in the future.”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo seemed a little constrained but still merely blinked her eyes and replied, “Well, it will clearly have to be Your Highness. If ever Your Highness has a new sweetheart, will this consort no longer be doted on?”
She said all these words in a fluid manner. Zhang Desheng, who had been standing to the side, rubbed at his eyes disbelievingly. He had been feeling that the Crown Princess had become an entirely different person during the last few days.
Look! His normally fatigued master was now smiling contentedly with just a few coaxing words when no matter how much they use to exhaust themselves, their master wouldn’t utter even one gentle word to them.
Truly, they really couldn’t be compared.
Huo Qiu stared at this shameless and thick-skinned petite cheeky one and pinched her soft cheek. “Of course it will remain so.”
T/L/N: As in he would still dote on her.
Where could there be a second Tang Zhuo Zhuo in this world whom he would use any means possible just to ensure she remained at his side, even if he were to be lost in the realm of dreams?
Zhang Desheng sighed in his heart, then sent someone to the side kitchens to serve the pastries.
It was now night and Huo Qiu stood before the window, looking out at the shifting black shadows cast behind that swaying lantern. The light in his eyes was like a swirling snowstorm*.
T/L/N: Describes his inner turmoil.
Zhang Desheng stood behind him with a puzzled look. “Your Highness, why not have Her Highness remain…..”
It was clear to him just how much Huo Qiu cares for Tang Zhuo Zhuo. In the past, when the Crown Princess only treated him coldly while pining for General Wang, his master would usually be infuriated enough throughout the night to render him unable to sleep, even when he had to attend court assembly again the following morning. They had watched all this with worry.
No person could possibly withstand such suffering!
It was fortunate that the Crown Princess was no longer creating a fuss, seeing as she appeared to have come round. Yet His Highness only called for the Crown Princess to merely share a meal and hold a simple conversation. As for the matter of inheriting his grace and favour*, it wasn’t even mentioned.
T/L/N: This is actually ambiguous, outside of this TLed context. The words used here, ‘承宠’ is a reference from The Book of Later Han, “惟德不忘，延世承宠”, meaning ‘when virtue alone is unforgotten, generations will inherit extended grace and favour.’ As to how that fits into this context when the FL already has the ML’s favour, it is unclear unless it’s about the ‘how’.
Huo Qiu tapped the window frame lightly with a slender finger and the gaze in his eyes were comparable to a falcon scanning the dessert. At noticing that person’s black shadow shifting, he spat out words with indifference.
“You’re being noisy!”
“…….”
It was only after seeing the lantern turn a corner and disappear that Huo Qiu tore his gaze away.
Her attitude towards him only just begun to change. He didn’t want to be forceful with her.
Any exceptional hunter would never foolishly release a prey that had been delivered to his mouth. But Tang Zhuo Zhuo was different from the others; one mustn’t be impatient. The feeling of her cold and disdainful treatment towards him was too cruel and he never wanted to suffer under it again.
Whether it was playing dumb or putting on a show of temper- anything was fine; he was willing to be with her through those to slowly wear her down. No matter what, he will have her reciprocate his heart!
Huo Qiu closed his eyes when recalling the hand that he’d touched unthinkingly, cold and trembling slightly, as well the thin layer of sweat on her forehead.
“Where is Liu Hanjiang right now?”
Zhang Desheng followed up with a smile on his face and replied, “Your Highness, Scholar Liu just returned to the residence you put in place for him in the outskirts. Perhaps it is to see his wife and the little miss.”
The story of Liu Hanjiang doting on his wife and daughter was very popular and well known. It was, in fact, the truth.
Huo Qiu kneaded his brow, “Send additional people to protect them. Do not be negligent.”
If something were to happen to Liu Hanjiang’s family, with his temperament, he worried he would no longer serve him.
Simultaneously, Yiqiu Palace had become a bit lively.
An Xia was at Tang Zhuo Zhuo’s side helping her release her hairdo, which fell like a waterfall of black silk; the faint fragrance it carried could render people weak and their bodies limp. Tang Zhuo Zhuo placed a hand to cheek as she looked at the person with rosy lips and white teeth in the mirror, smiling quite happily, “So pretty.”
Zi Huan and An Xia looked at each other and shook their heads helplessly.
During the past few days, the Crown Princess showed such disposition, all but infatuated with her beauty. They initially went along with it by giving a few compliments here and there. Now, they could only laugh along.
This person was considerably well known as a beauty within the capital prior to entering the East Palace. So her appearance needn’t be explained.
“My lady, why didn’t you stay in the Main Palace?”
Tang Zhuo Zhuo pursed her lips as she removed the jade bracelet from her wrist. Then, with a lazy yawn she said, “Tomorrow is the Empress Dowager’s birthday celebration so we need to rise early. I am tired so you both may leave.”
An Xia still had something to say, but Zi Huan tugged at her sleeve so she could only take her leave.
The night sky was like cool dark waters. Tang Zhuo Zhuo let out a light chuckle from within her throat and her expression was delicate and charming.
Huo Qiu understood her thoughts.
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