Chapter 18: Shou Ta Yi Bing "A Tale of Love and Loyalty"
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
Shou Ta Yi Bing "A Tale of Love and Loyalty"
Chapter 18:
Apology
At dinner time, the aroma of the meal in the Yangju Palace masked the medicinal smell from earlier in the day.
"Your Majesty, this is the yam porridge specially prepared by the Empress. I heard that you've been experiencing a bitter taste in your mouth recently. The Empress also instructed the imperial chef to add some honey to make it sweeter and more appetizing."
The steward arranged the meticulously prepared dishes, clearly indicating the effort put into both the quantity and the ingredients.
"Her Majesty hasn't joined you for dinner these past few days. Would you like to summon her?" The steward asked, noticing that Emperor Xiao Jing was dining alone.
Xiao Jing tasted the yam porridge. Indeed, it was mildly sweet and refreshing, alleviating the bitterness left from the recent medication.
Seeing that Emperor Xiao Jing smiled but did not speak, the steward couldn’t help but comment, "Your Majesty, that Prince... his behavior is truly unacceptable. Not only did he brazenly stay in the Empress's palace, but he also almost harmed the little prince."
Today's events had already been reported to Xiao Jing. He continued drinking the porridge until the white porcelain bowl was empty.
"Is the young prince still studying in Xuanyang Palace?"
Seeing him finally speak, the steward hurriedly bowed, "No, Your Majesty. The Empress just sent someone to Xuanyang Palace to call the young prince for dinner in Han Ning Palace. He should be arriving soon. Allow me to speak further; I fear that the young prince might once again be wronged in the presence of the hot-tempered Prince."
Given the current situation, it was clear to anyone that tolerance towards Prince Nan Chuan was necessary. As long as the Southern River Army was present, the people in the palace could survive another day. The steward was aware that his remarks were somewhat out of line today, but since the Emperor had not taken offense, he quietly stood by.
Emperor Xiao Jing finished his bowl of yam porridge and put down the spoon. The steward handed him a silk handkerchief to wipe his mouth.
"Send someone to the outer palace to invite Old Man Xiang here. Use the cover of night to avoid being noticed."
"Yes, I will take care of it immediately."
In Han Ning Palace, a spread of fine dishes was laid out on the table, accompanied by a jug of strong liquor brought by the Southern River army soldiers on orders. Unlike the dishes in the Imperial Dining Hall, these were personally prepared by the Empress.
Xiao Yuan, having washed his hands, approached and saw the woman with her delicate figure, her back turned as she arranged the bowls and chopsticks.
This was a scene he had dreamt of countless times.
Pei Qing turned around and saw him staring intently. She softly asked, “Are you hungry?”
Yet her question seemed to stir confusion and desire. In this setting, how could one not be hungry? Noticing Xiao Yuan’s displeased expression, Pei Qing hesitated before speaking, “I’ve called for the young prince to join us for dinner. Please, don’t be angry.”
Xiao Yuan ignored her and took a seat.
Pei Qing approached him, “The young prince eats with me every day. I don’t want him to dine alone in Xuanyang Palace.”
Hearing this, Xiao Yuan sneered, “You’re willing to play the stepmother, but now you want me to join him for dinner? Forgive me, but while I can do many things, being a stepfather is not one of them!”
Pei Qing was taken aback, her ears turning red as she stammered, “I... I didn’t mean it that way.”
She had simply thought that, as a junior, the young prince should be with family, and Xiao Yuan, as an elder, was part of that family. She couldn’t understand why Xiao Yuan spoke as if they were arguing like ordinary families over a stepchild.
The man in the elegant seat, however, was not thinking about such matters. He poured himself a cup of wine and drank it in one gulp. At this moment, a voice from outside the hall called, “Your Majesty.”
Pei Qing was sure that it was Zhi Lan bringing the child, but with Xiao Yuan in the hall, Zhi Lan only dared to wait outside with Xiao Ji’an.
Once Pei Qing went out, Xiao Yuan was left alone in the hall, and the silence was so pronounced that even the sound of pouring wine seemed jarring, reminiscent of those lonely nights from before.
After she left, he was again alone, drinking and eating. No one would complain about his picky eating or serve him vegetables. The face that once smiled so charmingly and the gentle, lively reminders had haunted him every night, and only getting drunk on strong liquor could offer some respite.
He hated such silence, even to the point of extreme aversion. Just as he was about to lose his temper, that familiar figure appeared in his line of sight.
Whatever she had said to the child outside, Xiao Ji’an no longer looked at Xiao Yuan with the same hostility as during the day.
Pei Qing, holding Xiao Ji’an’s hand, looked at Xiao Yuan with a hint of nervousness, her eyes seemingly pleading, Don’t be angry.
Xiao Yuan furrowed his brow. Was he really that frightening? Was he some kind of monster that could devour her son in one bite?
Seeing him frown, Pei Qing hesitated to bring the child closer. She could endure his anger directed at her, but she couldn’t bear seeing Xiao Ji’an suffer.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Ji’an let go of her hand and approached the intimidating man.
“Ji’an...” Pei Qing called softly.
Xiao Ji’an stood straight, small yet resolute, and clasped his hands in a salute. “Today I misunderstood Uncle and was rude to him. Ji’an apologizes to Uncle. If Uncle wishes to punish me, I am willing to accept it.”
The contrast between the seated man and the standing child was stark.
Xiao Yuan looked at Xiao Ji’an’s clear, fearless eyes, and a wicked smile suddenly appeared on his face.
“Since that’s the case, let’s hear you call me ‘father.’”
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