Chapter 504: Chapter 272 The Virtuous Empress Xie_2
"The lady speaks the truth, Noble Princess Consort Rong is becoming more garish, just like a woman of the streets."
Empress Xie pointed at Jiang Chuan and said with a smile on her face, "That’s right, you’re spot on. Noble Princess Consort Rong, that wretched woman, is just like a woman of the streets."
"Your Majesty, you shouldn’t compare yourself to Noble Princess Consort Rong, it’s bad luck."
"You’re right, I am younger than that wretched Noble Princess Consort Rong." Originally, Empress Xie was troubled by the one or two wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, but recalling that Noble Princess Consort Rong was older, her mood immediately improved.
Jiang Chuan asked, "Your Majesty, what are your plans for your birthday? Are you really not planning to celebrate it lavishly?"
"It’s not a major birthday, there’s no need to make a big deal out of it. Besides, the Xiongnu are coming to Great Zhou soon, celebrating my birthday lavishly at this time would surely displease His Majesty."
"Your Majesty, if you’re not hosting a grand celebration, then perhaps a small one?" Jiang Chuan suggested, "Your Majesty, you cannot forgo your birthday celebration."
"A simple celebration will do." Empress Xie instructed repeatedly, "Keep everything simple."
"Your Majesty, how simple should it be?" Jiang Chuan felt wronged on behalf of Empress Xie, "You are the Empress, your birthday cannot be too plain."
Empress Xie also didn’t want it to be too simple, but... after some consideration, she said, "Let’s not celebrate it this year."
"Ah, not celebrating?" Jiang Chuan asked in disbelief, "Your Majesty, are you really not celebrating your birthday?"
"Not celebrating, pass down the order, this year my birthday celebration will not be held."
Jiang Chuan asked in disbelief, "Your Majesty, why is that?"
Empress Xie smiled subtly and said meaningfully, "His Majesty is troubled by the Xiongnu, celebrating my birthday at this time would only add to his worries, wouldn’t it? Moreover, His Majesty is in no mood to celebrate for me, so it’s better not to have it at all, which might actually please him, don’t you think?"
"Your Majesty has thought it through thoroughly," Jiang Chuan said, "Not celebrating your birthday at this time, His Majesty will surely praise your virtue, and he may feel he owes you. Once the Xiongnu leave, His Majesty will surely make it up to you."
Empress Xie smiled and said, "That’s exactly my plan."
"Your wisdom is unparalleled, Your Majesty," Jiang Chuan flattered, "I am in awe."
Empress Xie was amused by Jiang Chuan’s flattery, "Your tongue is sweet, attend to me while I take my breakfast."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After Empress Xie had breakfast, Prince Jing came to pay his respects.
Empress Xie quickly asked Prince Jing about what had transpired during morning court. Prince Jing had nothing significant to report but did mention the impending visit of the Xiongnu.
"The Xiongnu are coming to Great Zhou with ill intentions this time, they will undoubtedly provoke us. You should make sure to perform well then."
Prince Jing said with disdain, "The Xiongnu are nothing but a bunch of barbarians who only know how to wield weapons, I have no interest in dealing with them." Although Prince Jing spoke thus, he knew in his heart he was no match for the Xiongnu.
"Indeed, they won’t be competing with us in poetry and song."
Prince Jing said, "If the Xiongnu were to compete with us in poetry and song, I might at least respect them a little."
"Given that, when the Xiongnu arrive, you’d best stay away," Empress Xie knew her son was mediocre in riding, shooting, and martial arts and wouldn’t stand a chance against the Xiongnu. Not only would he shame himself, but also Great Zhou.
"I won’t involve myself in this matter." After finishing the conversation about the morning court, Prince Jing asked about Empress Xie’s birthday celebration.
Empress Xie said she would not be celebrating it this year, and Prince Jing agreed with her decision.
After spending some time conversing with Empress Xie, Prince Jing left. He was already an adult, not suitable to linger in the harem for too long.
Empress Xie sent Jiang Chuan to check the Imperial Study. If the emperor was not busy, she intended to visit him.
Upon receiving the order, Jiang Chuan went to the Imperial Study. Sun Doudou met Jiang Chuan upon arrival and quickly inquired about her business.
"Mr. Sun, is His Majesty busy? Empress Xie wishes to see him?"
"His Majesty is not busy right now."
"Thank you, Mr. Sun, I will go back and inform Her Majesty."
Soon after, Empress Xie brought Jiang Chuan to the Imperial Study.
The emperor was somewhat surprised to see Empress Xie visiting at this time and asked Sun Kui to invite her in.
Empress Xie first saluted the emperor and then presented a bowl of soup she had brought along.
The emperor did not drink the soup immediately but asked if there was a particular reason for her visit.
Knowing the emperor was busy, Empress Xie promptly explained the purpose of her visit to the Imperial Study.
The emperor, upon hearing Empress Xie’s decision not to celebrate her birthday this year, wondered what she was scheming.
"It’s just a few Xiongnu; they’re not enough to worry me. Your birthday should be celebrated as usual."
"But, Your Majesty..."
The emperor smiled gently at Empress Xie, "As the Empress, your birthday must be celebrated; just handle it like past years."
Upon hearing the emperor’s words, Empress Xie beamed with delight, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Seeing the emperor needed to review memorials, Empress Xie tactfully took her leave.
After Empress Xie left, the emperor looked at Sun Kui standing nearby and instructed him, "Choose a gift for the Empress’s birthday."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Sun Kui hesitated for a moment before asking, "Your Majesty, for the Empress’s birthday banquet, should we reward her with dishes like in previous years?"
The emperor nodded slightly and said, "Just do it like previous years."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The emperor glanced at Sun Kui again, "The Empress’s birthday is approaching, why didn’t you remind me of it?" If it weren’t for Empress Xie mentioning her birthday just now, the emperor would have forgotten it entirely.
"I thought, Your Majesty, you’d remember." Sun Kui was surprised the emperor had forgotten about Empress Xie’s birthday.
The emperor glared at Sun Kui, irritated, and said, "I’m so busy; how could I remember such a small matter?"
Sun Kui: "... Your Majesty, the Empress’s birthday is a small matter?"
The emperor said testily, "I don’t even remember my own birthday, how could I remember someone else’s birthday?"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, it was my mistake." Your Majesty, you don’t remember the Empress’s birthday, nor your own, yet you never need a reminder for Lady Liang’s and the Tenth Prince’s birthdays.
"Alright, be sure to remind me the day before the Empress’s birthday." Even though he knew the Empress’s birthday was a few days away, the emperor was certain he would forget it soon.
Sun Kui respectfully replied, "I will be sure to remind you."
The emperor said no more on the matter, then turned back to continue reviewing memorials. After a while, he looked up with a peculiar expression and said, "What do you think her sudden refusal to hold her birthday banquet means? What is she playing at?"
Being quite familiar with Empress Xie’s temperament, the emperor knew that, based on his understanding, she would never voluntarily forgo her birthday banquet.