Zhang Jian said: "It’s not just that, Empress Dowager. If it were just these things, I wouldn’t be so afraid. The fact is, when I went to meet the Emperor today, I discovered that Lady Li, she actually..."
"Actually what?" The Empress Dowager’s fair face was full of anger as she asked with forced restraint.
"Lady Li actually kept the Emperor amused in the inner chamber for a long time during the day..."
After Zhang Jian finished speaking, he pressed his forehead against the ground, not daring to breathe heavily.
Chen Jing’s expression changed slightly, and she quickly went over to close the palace door, fearing that these words would spread outside.
She looked worriedly at the Empress Dowager, whose eyes were slightly darkened, lips tightly pressed together, clearly furious.
"Is what Eunuch Zhang said true? Now we are in mourning, and the Empress Dowager eats vegetarian meals every day, not touching any meat or fish. The Emperor is most filial, how could he do such a... such a... Oh, Eunuch Zhang, don’t spread rumors. If the courtiers hear of this, who knows how they will discuss it."
Han Guiren, who had been standing silently for a while, suddenly spoke.
Zhang Jian trembled slightly when he heard this and instinctively looked up, only to realize that the person serving by the Empress Dowager’s side was Han Guiren.
"In response to Han Guiren, every word I said is true. If you don’t believe me, Han Guiren can also send someone to verify it."
Zhang Jian wasn’t afraid.
During lunchtime, the Imperial Kitchen indeed delivered meals twice to Luaxin Pavilion. It was true that the first was returned with no one having touched the chopsticks, and it was true that the Emperor and Lady Li were alone together in the inner chamber of Luaxin Pavilion.
He never said what the Emperor and Lady Li did in the inner chamber, but how others think about it is none of his business.
The Empress Dowager was awakened by Han Guiren’s words and gave a stern command: "Keep today’s matter to yourself. If I hear anyone gossiping in the palace, I’ll be the first to rip out your tongue!"
Zhang Jian shivered and replied: "Empress Dowager, you know how tight-lipped I am, but many people saw today’s events besides me. It’s not possible to prevent others from speaking randomly. If it was my fault, then the Empress Dowager might as well rip out my tongue now, preventing me from being blamed in the future."
"You wretched eunuch!" The Empress Dowager was so enraged that she slapped the table heavily.
"Empress Dowager, calm your anger." Han Guiren gently advised: "What Eunuch Zhang said is somewhat reasonable. It’s not the time to make this public. No matter what, we cannot let these unpleasant comments reach the Emperor’s ears. Fortunately, the matters were confined to Luaxin Pavilion and have not spread elsewhere."
The Empress Dowager pursed her lips and gradually calmed down.
Yes, no matter how bold those servants are, they’re not daring enough to gossip about the Emperor behind his back. Do they want to lose their heads?
As for what Lady Li did...
Humph!
The Empress Dowager squinted her eyes. She shouldn’t have indulged her!
After Zhang Jian left, Han Guiren knelt beside the Empress Dowager and gently massaged her leg: "Empress Dowager, don’t worry. The Emperor is most filial and wouldn’t do anything immoral or inappropriate."
The Empress Dowager was pleased to hear such words and replied warmly: "You are indeed sensible."
"It’s not that I am sensible, but I know what the Empress Dowager wants to hear, so I naturally say what the Empress Dowager wants to hear to make her feel at ease." Han Guiren looked up at the Empress Dowager, her soft voice bold.
"You child, dare to say anything." The Empress Dowager laughed and scolded.
Han Guiren smiled with eyes full of warmth and softly said: "As long as I can bring a smile to the Empress Dowager’s face, even if I have to act strangely, it’s worth it, let alone daring words."
The Empress Dowager was amused again, laughing and then patted Han Guiren’s hand.
"I remember, Han Guiren’s maiden name includes the word Qing?"