Chapter Four: An Audience with the Empress Dowager

The space inside the carriage was somewhat cramped for four people. After Su Zhinian settled herself, she politely nodded at Prince Yu. Then she sat quietly, not daring to look much at the prince, who was notoriously known as the Ghost-Faced Cruel Prince.

The "Ghost Face" referred to his terrifying appearance, as dreadful as a nightmarish demon, frightening even infants to tears. Because of this, he wore a mask every day to conceal his true face from others. The title "Cruel Prince" referred to his pair of crippled legs.

It was said that when the late emperor was alive, Prince Yu was handsome and an exceptional young general who fought valiantly in battles. But in a battle against the northern tribes, the prince was trapped and nearly the entire army was wiped out. He was the only one to return, wounded in both his leg and face.

Since then, that proud and elegant young general was lost to the annals of history. Truly a lamentable fate.

"Are you two here to see the Empress Dowager?" Unexpectedly, Prince Yu’s voice was gentle and refined, like a finely aged wine—rich and intoxicating with every sip.

"Yes, but it seems the Empress Dowager is unwilling to see us," Gu Shijin lowered his head awkwardly.

"Miss Su is the Empress Dowager’s niece. Surely the Empress Dowager will be very pleased to know Miss Su has come to visit," Helian Yu said, ignoring Gu’s words and instead looking at the silent Su Zhinian.

"Your Highness is right," Su Zhinian smiled lightly and nodded, her demeanor courteous and restrained.

"Miss Su, your neck..." Helian Yu’s observation was surprisingly meticulous. Despite her having instructed Yushu to cover it with makeup, he still noticed.

Gu Shijin pressed his lips tightly, remaining silent.

"It’s just insect bites. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness," Su Zhinian said, puzzled by the prince’s attention. She and the prince had no previous connection; why would he care so much?

In the end, she shook her head, thinking she was perhaps overly sensitive. As a martial man, the prince’s keen observation was only natural.

"I have some medicine from Physician Zhang here, excellent for preventing insect bites. Since I don’t need it, I’ll give it to you," Helian Yu said, his pupils dark as ink and expression unreadable. He took out a small porcelain bottle from his pocket and handed it over.

His hands were slender and pale as jade, but when holding the bottle, the first thing one noticed was not the bottle itself.

Su Zhinian couldn’t help but sigh inwardly; truly a genius lost to fate. Otherwise, Prince Yu would surely have become an extraordinary man.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" With the item presented before her, she accepted it without hesitation. After all, Physician Zhang was from the Imperial Medical Institute and undoubtedly skilled. This remedy would be very useful to her.

Who knew if Gu Shijin might go mad again? That man was utterly despicable; one could never predict what he might do.

On the other side, Gu Shijin’s gaze sharpened as he stared oddly at Su Zhinian’s face. She seemed to have a close relationship with Prince Yu.

This woman, shamelessly flirting with another man right before his eyes...

Realizing his anger, Gu Shijin was startled and hastily suppressed his emotions. He kept repeating in his heart: He was only angry that Su Zhinian had no sense to remain proper before they were divorced—nothing more! His only true love was Xi Xi.

The conversation fell silent, the atmosphere momentarily tense, but soon the carriage entered the palace.

"Prince Yu has gone to the Imperial Medical Institute again. His leg wound is probably incurable for life. Such a pity," Gu Shijin sighed, watching the carriage disappear. As a fellow military man, he felt a kindred sympathy.

"If Prince Yu hadn’t been injured, you wouldn’t be where you are now," Su Zhinian rolled her eyes and stopped responding, heading straight to request an audience.

Gu Shijin’s eyes darkened with a fierce glint. If not for Prince Yu’s injury preventing him from fighting, he would never have risen to his current position. But a cripple was still a cripple—there was no turning back.

After reporting again to the Empress Dowager, she finally agreed to see Su Zhinian. Men were not allowed to enter the harem without permission, so Gu Shijin had to wait outside for news.

"Miss, we must speak earnestly to the Empress Dowager about General Gu favoring his concubine over his wife. We must have the Empress Dowager intervene for us!" Yushu, who had started calling her "Miss" instead of "Madam" after Gu Shijin had struck Su Zhinian last time, said.

In Yushu’s mind, Gu Shijin’s blindness to reason and favoritism made him undeserving of such a fine lady. It was a relief that her mistress had finally come to terms with it. She had feared her mistress might be heartbroken over the general.

"Yushu, remember, when we see the Empress Dowager, do not mention this matter under any circumstances," Su Zhinian said seriously, lowering her voice.

Hearing this, Yushu became anxious. "Miss, why not? Isn’t this why we’re coming to the palace—to have the Empress Dowager intervene? Then why else come?"

She simply could not fathom any other reason.

"You’ll understand soon enough," Su Zhinian said without elaboration. Along the way, she had carefully reviewed all that had happened in her past life.

When she was hanging by a thread, barely alive, she had somehow learned of the sudden deaths of both the Empress and the Empress Dowager in quick succession. Such abrupt events invited suspicion.

When they arrived at Cining Palace, after a long wait for the attendant’s notice, she was finally ushered inside.

"Madam Gu, the Empress Dowager requests your presence."

"Thank you, Aunt Fanghua," Su Zhinian bowed.

Inside Cining Palace, a strong incense scent greeted her. The Empress Dowager was a devout Buddhist and had a small shrine within the hall, hence the smell of incense and candles.

"I, your servant Su Zhinian, pay respects to the Empress Dowager. Long live the Empress Dowager!"

At the head seat sat a dignified woman in a deep purple robe embroidered with silver cranes, overlaid with a yellow dragon-patterned surcoat of the same color scheme. Her presence was solemn and imposing.

Su Zhinian followed proper etiquette and performed a kneeling bow.

Looking up at the beautiful woman beneath her turquoise embroidered gown, the Empress Dowager’s face softened and she spoke calmly:

"Nian Nian, no need for such formality. Rise."

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Su Zhinian rose but did not sit; instead, she knelt firmly on the ground, her eyes resolute.

"Empress Dowager, please save Nian Nian!" she pleaded.

Seeing this, Yushu, at a loss, also knelt.

The Empress Dowager’s eyes darkened slightly. Though her face showed no displeasure, there was a hint of disdain in her heart. She sighed softly.

"Nian Nian, I have heard. Gu Shijin favors his concubine and discards his wife. Using his military merits, he petitions the emperor to make that commoner the general’s wife."

"I know you are heartbroken, but this matter is not within my power."

"Gu Shijin’s military achievements are undeniable; even the emperor cannot refuse. In my view, Nian Nian, you should let go."

She had expected Su Zhinian to be useful, someone to win over Gu Shijin. But she was so helpless, unable to manage a man, and now reduced to concubine status. Now she comes here to plead.

Seeing the Empress Dowager’s attitude, Yushu understood why her mistress forbade mentioning this matter. The Empress Dowager cared nothing for them and would never support them.

Su Zhinian lowered her head even further.

The Empress Dowager slowly picked up the teacup on the table but set it down heavily before drinking, as if resigned and helpless.

Any prudent observer could see that Gu Shijin was sincere this time. If the Empress Dowager helped Su Zhinian, it would mean opposing Gu Shijin. Not only would it fail to win him over, but it would also earn his lasting resentment.

Su Zhinian was well aware of all this. Hence, she had no intention of bringing up that matter.

She simply shook her head and continued: "Aunt, Nian Nian has not come here over that issue."