novelraw Chapter 145
Chapter 145
Chapter 145 Extra 2 – Dragging the Oil Lamp(End)Ji Yanqiu felt that he was the most talented, elegant, and skilled in painting among all his brothers, but most people didn’t understand him or appreciate him.
The beauty of painting comes from life, yet it transcends life. The artistic conception always outweighs the form. In the torrent of time, everything undergoes changes, but the charm captured in a painting never fades.
As the youngest of the five princes, he actually didn’t like the Crown Prince. However, when he was young, his mother told him never to offend the Crown Prince. So every few days, he would go pay his respects to the Crown Prince, even though he could sense that the Crown Prince didn’t particularly care if he paid his respects or not.
The most important thing for a person is to observe etiquette. Whether the Crown Prince liked it or not was unimportant; what mattered was that he followed the rules.
Devoting his heart and soul to painting, he didn’t want to associate with his abnormal brothers. However, his mother once told him that if he didn’t interact well with his brothers, and if one of them ascended to the throne, he might not even be able to touch a paintbrush.
In fact, he truly believed from the bottom of his heart that he was the only normal person among the five brothers. While the others had some weird flaws: the eldest was simple-minded, the second was dull-witted, the third had a peculiar temper, and the fourth had a gloomy personality. Even the second sister, who was imprisoned in the imperial dungeon, had a stubborn and muddled character.
As the youngest, he had to bear the clarity and pressure that he shouldn’t have to bear.
He thought the Crown Prince would always be abnormal like his other brothers, but then Fushou Junzhu appeared.
He didn’t know how Fushou Junzhu ended up with the Crown Prince, but by the time he realized it, the atmosphere between them had become subtle and ambiguous.
In his heart, he truly hoped that Fushou Junzhu would become the Crown Princess. It was hard to find someone who appreciated his artwork and was gentle. Having a Crown Princess who fulfilled both roles would be a great thing for him.
But he also understood that the Hua family held nearly half of Great Jin’s military power. If Father Emperor had even the slightest suspicion or fear of the Crown Prince, he wouldn’t have allowed a daughter of the Hua family to marry into the Eastern Palace.
Actually, it was for the best. Hua Liuli was physically weak, and regardless of whether Father Emperor was willing to let her marry into the Eastern Palace, her physical weakness served as both an offensive and defensive shield.
Not long after, Father Emperor sent his Imperial Uncle, Kang Wang, to the Hua family personally to propose marriage between the Crown Prince and Fushou Junzhu. It was at this moment, he fully understood that, no matter how much trouble the Crown Prince caused, Father Emperor’s choice for the heir to the throne had never wavered.
Outsiders believed that he suddenly got close to the Crown Prince because he had seen through the Emperor’s thoughts. But in reality, he got close to the Crown Prince only because the Crown Prince was the only one among his brothers to praise his painting skills in front of the officials.
A scholar would die for his sworn brother, and he, as a prince, would always stand by his sworn brother. Although his father had only a few sons, the other princes were no match for the Crown Prince.
On the second day after the Crown Prince’s wedding to Fushou Junzhu, he fulfilled his promise and presented a painting he had personally created. It was the first time he deviated from his usual artistic preferences and intentions, using popular realistic painting techniques to create a celebratory painting called “A Thousand Miles of Red Bridal Bliss”.
“Your Highness, your painting skills are truly exceptional,” he saw a hint of astonishment in the eyes of the Crown Princess.
The Fifth Prince felt somewhat proud. If he could amaze the Crown Princess with just this simple popular realistic painting technique, it was no wonder that the profound and artistic paintings he had previously created also received such high praise from the Crown Princess.
“It’s good that Third Sister-in-Law likes it,” the Fifth Prince modestly smiled.
A few days later, he saw his painting hanging on the wall of the Eastern Palace. He felt a mixture of pride and regret and couldn’t help but ask the Crown Prince, “Third Brother, this painting emphasizes craftsmanship, unlike the other paintings I’ve given you. Why did you only hang this one?”
The Crown Prince paused his tea-drinking motion, raised his head, and looked at him with a loving and indulgent gaze, “This painting captures the beautiful moment of the grand wedding between Gu and the Crown Princess, so it holds significant meaning. Moreover, the other few paintings from Fifth Brother have profound artistic conceptions and exceptional skills. Gu simply can’t bear to hang them up for some common people to defile.”
The Fifth Prince was deeply moved. He knew that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess cherished his paintings immensely.
From then on, every year, he would present the Crown Prince and Crown Princess with realistic style paintings and profound conceptual paintings.
The Crown Prince never hung up the profound conceptual paintings, but he hung up quite a few from the realistic style. Gradually, his artistic skills and reputation grew, making him the most renowned artist in Great Jin.
Throughout his long life, he painted many paintings. He painted mountains, water, people, and animals, but every year, he had to paint his Third Brother and Third Sister-in-Law.
In order to record their lives, he could only use realistic style craftsmanship to depict their loving scenes.
His Third Sister-in-Law was always delicate and weak in health. There were even some unfavorable rumors that had circulated in the capital. But the delicate Third Sister-in-Law disappointed those rumors. Not only did she not wither away in her prime, but she also remained by his Third Brother’s side.
She accompanied his Third Brother in his ascension to the throne, accompanied him during meals and sleep, and accompanied him through the quiet palace, spending the rest of their lives together.
His Third Brother never took any concubines.
Not long after his Third Brother ascended the throne, court officials presented countless petitions, claiming that the harem was empty and lacked the majesty of a monarch of a great nation.
“The majesty of a great nation is not determined by the number of people in Zhen‘s harem but by the officials’ concern for the people and the people’s peaceful and prosperous lives,” the Emperor, Ji Yuansu, stood tall on the platform, his expression resolute, just as it was when he was young, “When Zhen was in danger, the Empress saved Zhen by risking her life. Now, the Empress is accompanying Zhen, living in this secluded palace. This bond is the blessing of ten generations. Do you want Zhen to squander this blessing by taking other women as concubines?”
The officials dared not advise any further. If someone were to advise, it would be seen as tempting His Majesty to relinquish his blessings. Who could bear such a responsibility?
Some officials were not willing to give up and wanted to seek an audience with the Supreme Emperor in the Imperial Villa, hoping that the old retired Emperor could persuade His Majesty. But the Supreme Emperor refused on the spot, saying, “As a father, one can’t meddle in the affairs of one’s descendants’ bed chambers.”
The Supreme Emperor was busy with his own matters—playing chess, fishing, painting, enjoying music. Sometimes he even had to mediate small conflicts among the imperial dowager consorts. He didn’t have time to bother with the matters of his son taking in, or not taking in, concubines.
Besides, the Hua family girl was such a good young lady. Yuansu was devoted to her. Why would he need other women in the palace? Would it be necessary for them to confine themselves in the Cold Palace and witness the strong bond between Yuansu and his daughter-in-law?
The palace now belonged to the new Emperor and Empress. The Supreme Emperor and the dowager consorts moved to the scenic Imperial Villa.
A certain courtyard within the palace that seemed to have been forgotten, it didn’t matter if the flowers bloomed or leaves fell, was always silent and still.
The courtyard gate was pushed open from the outside, and Dowager Consort Lin, sitting in the courtyard, looked at the newcomer with a peculiar smile on her face, “When you first entered the palace, I felt that you were different from other women. But I never expected…” she paused for a moment, “That you would firmly capture the Emperor’s heart, that he would keep the harem empty and not take in any concubines.”
Hua Liuli smiled and walked over to sit in front of Dowager Consort Lin, “Thank you for your praise, Dowager Consort.”
“Empress, you misunderstood. I didn’t praise you,” she replied coldly, lowered her head, and fell silent.
Seeing that she didn’t continue to speak, Hua Liuli remained quiet as well. She sat there silently, taking out a book from her pocket and reading it leisurely.
After a period of time passed, she heard Dowager Consort Lin ask, “Is His Majesty doing well?”
Hua Liuli understood that when Dowager Consort Lin referred to His Majesty, she meant the Supreme Emperor, “Imperial Father is doing rather well. A few days ago, he traveled to the Imperial Villa with the other dowager consorts for a leisure trip. He won’t return for about half a year.”
Dowager Consort Lin looked toward the direction of Chenyang Palace, her expression somewhat desolate, “He took everyone with him but forgot about me.”
“Dowager Consort, do you remember that you once borrowed the influence of Lin Daren to manipulate the sale and purchase of household registrations in Yongzhou?” Seeing Dowager Consort Lin’s dejected and wounded expression, as though the Supreme Emperor had let her down, Hua Liuli spoke directly, “You probably don’t know, but among those household registrations you sold, some of them were spies sent by the Daimao Kingdom.”
“Impossible!” Dowager Consort Lin exclaimed in shock, “I only took advantage of my brother’s inattentiveness and had his people help process customs documents and household registrations for some merchants!”
She only wanted her son to ascend the throne, she had never considered selling out Great Jin to other countries.
Hua Liuli looked at Dowager Consort Lin’s shocked expression and chuckled lightly, “Imperial Father probably trusted you, so this matter did not implicate you or Lin Daren.”
When the Golden Armor Guards captured the strategist in the blue robe in Yongzhou and imprisoned him, they didn’t mention the matter of household registrations. Hua Liuli had already guessed that there must be others involved.
Upon hearing this, Dowager Consort Lin first laughed, then burst into tears.
She was born into a humble family, and although she wasn’t favored in the palace, she still received Emperor Changlong’s love and attention. If her ambition hadn’t taken over her, she wouldn’t have ended up in this situation today.
She had a husband, but he no longer wanted to see her.
She had a son, but the relationship between mother and son was more indifferent than that of strangers.
“Why did you come today?” Dowager Consort Lin regained her composure and sneered at Hua Liuli, “To see me as a joke?”
“You are one of the dowager consorts, so I came here today just to see how you’re doing,” Hua Liuli didn’t care about Dowager Consort Lin’s attitude towards her, “Moreover, what joke could one possibly find in you?”
“You’re right. The Empress is surrounded by countless flatterers. Naturally, you don’t need to see me as a joke,” Dowager Consort Lin lowered her gaze and chuckled softly, then suddenly said, “Empress, please dismiss your palace maids. I have a secret to tell you.”
Hua Liuli silently stared at Empress Lin for a few moments, then raised her hand, signaling the attendants around her to leave. In the empty courtyard, only she and Dowager Consort Lin remained, creating an atmosphere that was quiet and almost eerie.
“The secret I want to tell you is…” Dowager Consort Lin suddenly took out a dagger from her pocket and aimed it toward her own heart.
She didn’t want to live anymore, and before dying, if she could case cause trouble for the new Emperor and Empress, she was more than willing to die.
However, before the tip of the dagger touched her skin, it was intercepted by someone. Her wrist was firmly held by a weak and boneless hand.
She couldn’t believe it. How could Hua Liuli, who was weak and often sick, possess such strength?
“You…” Dowager Consort Lin was greatly shocked. She realized that Hua Liuli had been pretending to be weak and sickly. She had been lying! She deceived everyone in the capital!
Hua Liuli easily took the dagger, pinched it, and broke it into two pieces—separating the blade from the hilt.
“Dowager Consort Lin, don’t scream. Even if you do, no one will come,” Hua Liuli kicked the blade aside, stood up, and wiped her palms with a handkerchief, “Supreme Emperor and the other dowager consorts are enjoying themselves in the Imperial Villa. I don’t want you to disturb their mood.”
“Even if you are the Empress, can you stop me from living? Can you stop me from dying?” Dowager Consort Lin sneered, “If I live, aren’t you afraid that your secret will be exposed?”
“Dowager Consort Lin, you’re accustomed to lying. Who would believe what you say?” Hua Liuli raised an eyebrow and smiled, “Will Imperial Father believe you, or will the officials of the court believe you?”
Dowager Consort Lin turned pale and remained silent.
Indeed, the people in the capital would no longer believe her words.
“I know that you’re not afraid of death, but as the saying goes, a person’s reputation is like their face, and a tree’s reputation is like its bark. If you end your life now, not only will you not be able to enter the imperial tomb after death, but your wicked deeds will be exposed and become infamous for eternity.”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Dowager Consort Lin, you’re joking. I’m just advising you.”
“What does my life or death have to do with you? Why are you doing this?” Dowager Consort Lin couldn’t understand.
“Because if you die, it will affect Imperial Father’s mood. If Imperial Father is in a bad mood, my Yuansu will worry and feel upset,” Hua Liuli looked up at the azure sky, “I don’t care about you, but I care about my Yuansu.”
Dowager Consort Lin found this statement absurd and ridiculous, but seeing Hua Liuli’s serious expression, she twitched her lips and couldn’t force a smile.
It turned out that her life and death were no longer so important to others.
“You address the Emperor by his name and consider everything for him, but have you ever considered that he might have a change of heart one day?” Dowager Consort Lin looked at Hua Liuli maliciously, hoping to see signs of distress in her eyes.
However, she was disappointed. There was nothing in Hua Liuli’s eyes.
“No,” Hua Liuli smiled, “I don’t dwell on things that are yet to happen.”
Having said that, she turned and walked towards the courtyard gate to leave.
Dowager Consort Lin watched Hua Liuli’s departing figure and murmured softly, “I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it.”
However, she lived lonely in the palace year after year until the day of her death. The only one who accompanied her from time to time was Hua Liuli.
In the last moments of her life, she saw her son whom she had once despised.
He stood by her bedside, his expression serious, “Mother, let’s not be mother and son in the next life.”
She reached out her hand, attempting to hold his hand for the last time. But she no longer had the strength, and her hand drooped weakly, taking her final breath.
Ji Qichen looked at his mother’s hand in silence for a long time, then slowly extended his own hand. When his fingertips were about to touch the back of her hand, he pulled it back.
In this lifetime, they were destined to not share the bond between mother and son, and that was for the best.
In the next life, they should never meet again.
He walked out of the courtyard and arrived at the Chenyang Palace, where his Third Brother and Third Sister-in-Law stood side by side, looking at the ripening persimmons.
Yao Jiamin and Hua Changkong stood behind them, speaking in low voices. The atmosphere was harmonious.
“Fourth Brother?” Third Sister-in-Law spotted him and waved, beckoning him over, “Come, come and take a look. The fruits on this persimmon tree are ripening. Which one do you like? I’ll have the palace maids watch over it for you and pick it when it’s ripe to send it to you.”
His Third Brother also turned his gaze toward him. Although he didn’t speak, his eyes were warm and gentle.
He walked up to them and saw his reflection in their eyes.
Just like many years ago, when he walked alone on the palace road, his Third Brother and Third Sister-in-Law took him to the viewing platform, sat together as they shared snacks, and then went to the Eastern Palace kitchen to cook together.
He was always wanted, always cared for.
Even many, many years later, when he had grown old and even his youngest grandchild had begun to recite poetry, his Third Brother and Third Sister-in-Law still enjoyed standing or sitting side by side. They would share many little trinkets with him.
If there were another life…
If there were another life, he hoped that the Third Prince and Third Princess would remain loving and inseparable, and he would shamelessly continue dragging the oil lamp* behind them.
[*拖油瓶 (tuō yóu píng) is a Chinese slang term that translates to “dragging the oil lamp” in English. It refers to a person who accompanies a couple on a date or hangs around them, making the atmosphere awkward or uncomfortable. This term is often used to describe a third wheel or someone who intrudes on a romantic situation.]