Rongxie followed behind the eunuch as he led the prince to the Empress' palace in the harem. The little man was dressed in dark green robes with a black hat with silver lining, showing that he served under the empress.
"Your highness." His voice was higher pitched and somewhat squeaky, as he motioned for the prince to follow him down a different path.
A few minutes later, the two arrived at Yonghe Palace and the eunuch bowed with finesse to Rongxie before asking him to wait, while he announced his presence to her majesty. The man hurried inside the main building, the empress' private residence, before shortly coming out and inviting the prince in.
"Second Prince is summoned!" He called out at the head of the stairs.
Rongxie grabbed the front of his long white robes and pulled them aside as he ascended the steps, and then entered the palace. There, a maid greeted him, bowing low, and then led him further into his mother's quarters. The palace was incredibly well and beautifully designed, its theme blues and rich yellow. The floor was marble and the pillars were made from teak, the place also hosted dozens of rare items put out on display.
Although the maid led the way, being the son of the empress, Rongxie new the path by heart. He was merely following royal protocal, so he wasn't suprised when the next room he entered was his mother's hall. She was already seated in all her royal regal, when the maid motioned him to approach her. Her head servant, Madam Hu stood beside her.
"Mother." He stopped a few feet from her throne and bowed low.
"Forgo the formalities Rongxie. Rise." Her voice was just as powerful sounding as she looked, with her arched brows and narrow face.
The second prince stood straight and took a seat on one of the chairs in her hall, closest to her. Another maid hurried in with a tea pot and cup, and quickly served him. He then waved her away before turning back to his mother.
"Nanny Momo has encouraged me to visit more."
"Hmm, yes. Most filial children do think of their mothers more than some." Her tone was humorous, and she stared down at him from her higher seat. Madam Hu smiled knowingly and glanced to the floor.
They were a loving mother and son, but not as attached as most parent and child. She was not angry with him, nor dissapointed, for they had come to an understanding with each other. Now, the two exchanged common pleasentries, though knowing them to be meaningless, so was the deep bond they shared. The empress then smiled to her son, and the atmosphere lightened dramatically.
"Forgive me." Rongxie tipped his head but returned the smile.
Empress Shi waved her hand. "I know my son is a busy man. Too busy in fact, to find himself his own wife." She hinted.
Rongxie sighed, there it was. The topic he wished to avoid every time he visited his mother, marriage. He wasn't against the idea, but like his mother said, he was in fact far too busy to marry. Besides that, all the young ladies in the capital just never caught his interest.
"Oh come son, you can't avoid it forever. You're already twenty-one years old, even your eldest brother is about to marry." Though her tone went somewhat sour at her mentioning the eldest prince, she ignored the feeling and continued.
"His mother made an excellent match for him, to marry the Tang family daughter. He now has another powerful supporter and he's more connected to the imperial guards now." Her brows rose.
The second prince heard the warning in his mother's voice. This upcoming marriage between his brother and Tang Ruo was indeed benefial to the eldest prince's career and network. Empress Shi knew that Rongxie would need to find an equally influential wife to even up the odds between the two.
"Yes mother, I understand." His heart sank. "I've already looked over the booklet you sent through Nanny Momo. You may decide on my future consort." He'd finally submitted, the words he'd avoided for so long left his mouth.
The empress looked deeply at her son. "This concerns your future A'Rong, are you certain to let me decide?"
He nodded. "They are all the same to me, it doesn't make a difference who I end up marrying. It's all for politics and benefits anyway."
"I see."
"All I request is that you don't choose Zhang Wuhai." He gave a half smile.
"I'll scratch her off the list then." His mother's voice sounded more sad now, at her son's sudden submission to the marriage. He'd gone against her for so long, but now even he knew it was in his best interests. She gave him a tight smile.
"Well then, now that that's settled." Rongxie spoke. "How are you doing mother?"
Allowing the change of subject, Empress Shi sipped her own cup of tea. "The imperial doctor says my health is exceedingly better after taking the medicine he prescribed. I feel so much better and stronger than a few months ago!" She sighed happily, while maintaining her stiff posture.
Rongxie nodded. "It's wonderful to hear you've regained your excellent health. How are the affairs in the harem?" His voice lowered.
His mother scoffed. "Concubine Ping has been more arrogant than usual, with her son being promoted to head of the Department of Justice." She referred to Wei Heping's mother. Conubine Ping was Empress Shi's main enemy in the harem, due to her son's success. She often flaunted to and prokoked the empress, knowing that her son had the same shot of being the next emperor as the first and second princes.
"That vile woman has wormed her way into the emperor's undying affection, is praised by the public for being a virtuous wife, and humble servant to the country. But mark my words, she'll have her day. When you become the emperor, I'll banish her to a temple far away along with her children." Empress Shi all but spat as she stared at the floor before her.
The second prince felt pained for his mother, having spent her life fighting for power and control in the harem, so as to remain respected and safe. Some said that the politics taking place in the emperor's courtroom were the most cut throat, but few knew that the harshest place was really in the harem. One wrong move could cost you your life, wives plotting against each other and even the young children. It was a dangerous place to spend one's life.
But Empress Shi had come out on top, her intellect keeping her from harm while rising through the ranks. When she married the emperor, she was his second wife. Consort Fan was to be promoted as Empress after giving birth to her first son, Wei Nanying, but died shortly after giving birth to her daughter, princess A'Li. The title then went to Consort Shi, along with all the resentment from the other five consorts and concubines. Her life had been far from easy, and it had begun to show in the shallow wrinkles on her face.
"A'Rong," His mother's voice was serious now. "General Shang can't be taken lightly."
"I'm aware, but why does this concern you?" Genuine confusion furrowed his brows. It wasn't like his mother to involve herself in politics, much less speak to him of court officials.
She came to her feet and descended the few stairs, and brought herself to stand beside him. She placed her hand on his shoulder and stared fiercly into his eyes.
"Shang Buluo is stirring the court, and spreading rumors. He's even managed to mislead the fourth prince into thinking you're involved with the recent case." She scoffed, but humor was far from her mind. "I fear the have something big planned for you."
Rongxie felt his chest tighten. He'd been investigating Shang Buluo for nearly two years now, and his leads had led him to connect the general and the trafficking case. But then his fourth brother got involved, and things became complicated. That had been the reason behind him visiting the prison, he needed a chance to keep the lead warm. To his dissapointment though, it had been a child, and not a criminal.
"Hmm," He smiled reassuringly to his mother. "I'll be more cautious then. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on the general and my brother as well."
Empress Shi nodded, but a feeling of unease swelled in her heart, and she couldn't help but feel something terrible might happen to her only child.
Wei Rongxie left after a lengthy conversation with his mother, before walking through the immense maze that imperial palace was. When he arrived at his carriage outside the palace, his attendant stood waiting.
"Your highness." He bowed.
Rongxie moved past him and climbed into the carriage, signalling Da Ming to join him. Moments later and the two were being jostled down the city streets, the attendant looking worried at his master's calculating look.
"Da Ming," His voice was deeper and more foreboding. "Tell me what our general's been up to."