196 Some flowers are born to repay their benefactor Part II
“Summon Gui Fei here.”
Despite only letting everyone return to their palaces moments ago, Bai Yu did not hesitate to order Zhao Ninghua to come to her again. Others could easily guess that the reason must be what had occurred during the morning greeting, and Bai Yu fully intended for them to think that way. If everything went according to plan, today, Zhao Ninghua might become an important pawn in ruling the inner court.
Bai Yu had noticed since yesterday that Zhao Gui Fei carried an air different from other consorts. Today, Zhao Ninghua was informed of Mu De Fei’s condition and sent a royal doctor to her palace without Bai Yu’s knowledge. Her action seemed to be an instinctive one, born from her many years of experience in managing the women of Rui Wang Palace.
Originally, Bai Yu had prepared herself to fight with Ouyang Feilong’s women. However, it turned out that her only prominent opponent was Mu Qilin alone. Other consorts were quite reserved and clever. Zhao Ninghua might be the person who made them that way.
Gui Fei who had better control over other consorts than the empress was not a desirable situation. It was not that Bai Yu wanted loyalty from any consorts. Instead, she wanted convenience for herself.
It was already apparent that Mu De Fei was her enemy. But Zhao Ninghua… Whether she wanted to fight Bai Yu or not remained to be seen.
“Blessings from Zhao Ninghua to the Empress.”
“You can relax.”
Bai Yu moved from the hall in her palace to a large gazebo in the middle of the royal garden. She wanted the calming atmosphere of the morning to soothe her guest since she might apply too much pressure if she spoke to Zhao Ninghua while sitting on the phoenix throne.
.....
“Bengong had the royal maids gather some chrysanthemum flowers to make tea for his majesty. Why don’t you have a taste?”
Zhao Ninghua smiled and gracefully raised the cup of chrysanthemum tea, politely going along with Bai Yu’s suggestion.
Bai Yu studied the woman in front of her with great interest. Though she was already past her full bloom, she could perfectly retain her beauty. She might not be able to rival Bai Yu, but the atmosphere around her was strangely calming.
“It is quite difficult to find chrysanthemum flowers at this time near the end of the year.” After savoring the taste of the tea, Zhao Ninghua was the one to start the conversation. It greatly pleased Bai Yu, since she had wanted the other person to speak first.
“Normally, chrysanthemums would bloom during the ninth month. But as flowers of the royal palace, they must endure the harsh environment and continue to bloom until someone can see their beauty. Do you think not?” She was probing, trying to gauge Zhao Ninghua’s ambitiousness through the implication beneath the conversation about the chrysanthemum flower.
“But Your Majesty, some flowers bloom for another purpose.”
Bai Yu raised an eyebrow. “Is there another purpose for flowers other than to be admired?”
“Your Majesty.” Zhao Ninghua did not meet her gaze. Her face was slightly lowered as she gave her answer, loud and clear, with a smile dotted on her lips. “Some flowers are born to be useful to their benefactors.”
“To be useful?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then how can you know which flowers are born to be useful?” Zhao Ninghua still held her head low, remaining calm despite being questioned.
“It is all up to its keeper.”
If Zhao Ninghua was the flower born not to be admired but to be useful, then it was clear that she was born to help Ouyang Feilong. It seemed this duty of hers was also a wish from Ouyang Hongxian, who had sent her here.
“And what if bengong, who isn’t its keeper, wants to use it?” The meaning behind her question made Zhao Ninghua finally raise her eyes to meet Bai Yu’s.
“What do you say?” Bai Yu smiled, revealing her dimples.
“Your Majesty is the mistress of all flowers. I do not dare say no.”
“You’re speaking too highly of bengong.” Bai Yu nodded, satisfied.
A slight frown appeared on Zhao Ninghua’s face. Bai Yu silently watched as she considered something in her mind. And when she eventually chose to remain silent, Bai Yu let the topic go. At least she had her answer that Zhao Ninghua did not intend to be an enemy.
“Bengong gathered these chrysanthemums to brew tea for His Majesty in the hopes that they would help nourish eyesight. Are they considered useful flowers, as you said?”
“It is so, Your Majesty.”
“Then you bring some back with you too.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
——————
Tonight, Ouyang Feilong sent a servant to inform her that he would not be staying the night here. This was the first night they spent apart since their marriage. Bai Yu smiled to herself at the knowledge that her sleep would not be taken away by that selfish person anymore.
Bai Yu had been in a good mood ever since Zhao Ninghua had left. She had ordered the maids to make the chrysanthemums she had left into nighttime snacks for Ouyang Feilong. But now that he did not come, she would eat them all on her own. What tea for the emperor? That was all a lie. Bai Yu only wanted to test Zhao Ninghua to see which side she was on. And she was greatly satisfied with the answer.
However, she could not sleep. The question of what objective Ouyang Hongxian had in sending Zhao Ninghua still bothered her in bed. It would be too strange to summon Zhao Gui Fei here in the middle of the night, so Bai Yu chose to go directly to Ouyang Feilong to ask about his brother’s intention.
“Prepare tea and snacks. I’ll go see His Majesty.”
Xiao Chang answered before leaving to make preparations, while Xiao Xi came to help her change from a nightgown to something more elegant and warmer.
While gathering Bai Yu’s hair up, Xiao Xi suppressed a smile as their eyes met in the bronze mirror. Bai Yu ignored her maid’s teasing gaze. She was only curious about Zhao Ninghua, not missing Ouyang Feilong or anything!
“His Majesty has allowed Empress to enter.” Ouyang Feilong’s personal eunuch was waiting for her in front of the royal study. She had just arrived and was immediately allowed entrance before she could announce her presence.
Bai Yu nodded and stepped into the quiet room. Her feet stopped when a thought occurred to her. She turned around to take the tray carrying the tea and snacks. Then, her followers retreated outside to join Ouyang Feilong’s servants, who had been standing in front of the building from the start.
She silently walked inside, trying not to disturb the man in front of her. His tall figure in a white robe embroidered with a five-talon dragon was behind a table. His golden eyes were focused on the petition in front of him. He did not raise his head, even though he must have sensed Bai Yu’s presence in the room.
Ouyang Feilong was not someone who easily showed emotions on his face, and yet a deep frown could be seen. It seemed the content of the petition he was reading was not something good.
“Xiao Yu.” His low voice pierced through the silence.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Bai Yu responded as she gazed at the enchanting face she loved.
“Is something bothering your brother lately?” Ouyang Feilong looked up from the petition. His brows were still knit tight.
Bai Yu shook her head. “Did something happen?”
The man did not reply, only using the petition to point at the tray in her hand. “Is that for zhen?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Bai Yu nodded as she put it down on the table. Ouyang Feilong used one hand to pour tea for himself, while the other hand held the petition, extending forward to give it to Bai Yu as if he had forgotten that the nation’s matter should not involve women.
In the end, Bai Yu took it. The content of the paper she held was written in familiar handwriting. It was Bai He’s, and it detailed his suggestion to strengthen the alliance with Da Chu, which had sent its first princess for a diplomatic marriage, while Da Yang sent horses, weapons, and other things in response.
On top of that, Ouyang Feilong had organized a group of diplomats that would head to Da Chu for cultural exchange. The names of those in the group were included, as well as its leader, who was the author of this petition.
Bai He would lead the envoy to exchange their cultures in Da Chu. The time it would take was not one month or two, but three years! Despite being recently promoted to an important position, he asked for the emperor to send him so far away…
What was Brother thinking?!
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