Married Thrice to Salted Fish

Jiang Xing’s birthday was in September. This was his first Longevity Day since ascending the throne. The empress dowager, in particular, attached great importance to this and had plans of making a grand celebration. Jiang Xing had already gone through one coming-of-age. At the time, he secretly counted down the days in his heart and upon his eighteenth birthday, he shared his little secret with Lin Qingyu. Strictly speaking, this year was his 22nd birthday. Save for now being of legal age to marry in his hometown, there was nothing special about it. In addition, a hard-won war had just been fought in the Northwest and they were in the middle of taxation reform in the south, their treasury was under great constraints. Jiang Xing was of the opinion that a simple perfunctory celebration would be enough.

When the empress dowager heard this, she said, feeling gratified, “The emperor has learned so much. He now knows how to consider the national economy and the people’s livelihoods.” As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, “The emperor has really grown up.”

Lin Qingyu said, “Guan Taifu has taught His Majesty well.”

Whenever her son was mentioned, the empress dowager who handled matters with the power of a thunderbolt and the speed of lightning, shone from head to toe with the brilliance of motherhood. Jiang Xing’s every progress, no matter how big or small, moved her to tears. Like Shen Huaishi and Xiao Cheng, Xi Rong and Xiao Jie, Xiao Li—or rather Jiang Xing with his lost his soul, was the empress dowager’s greatest weakness.

It has to be said that Jiang Xing’s use of these six people’s relationship, taking these as the general rules of “Huai’s Refusal of the Monarch” was truly clever. Lin Qingyu relied the on the principle of ‘everything has its nemesis’ to exploit their feelings, enabling him and Jiang Xing to get where they were today.

But people are never satisfied. In the past, the empress dowager’s only wish was for her son to call her ‘mother’, then she also hoped that he could learn to read and write like ordinary children. Now, she wished he could take over the reins of government as soon as possible and become a true emperor.

Although the Dayu didn’t have a precedent for a dullard emperor, they have had a child emperor before, Emperor Yuwen. Emperor Yuwen ascended the throne at the age of seven and took charge at the age of seventeen. During this period, his imperial mother, the Empress Dowager Xiao En, managed the government behind the curtain. After Emperor Yuwen grew up, the Empress Dowager Xiao En refused to hand over power for a long time. It was delayed until Emperor Yuwen’s wedding, when the officials then grew furious and the Empress Dowager Xiao En had no choice but to concede.

Thinking of this, the empress dowager said, “The emperor is no longer young. It is time to pick some suitable people to fill his harem.”

Lin Qingyu sneered, “Doesn’t Her Highness think of His Majesty as a child? Mentally speaking, the Emperor is only ten years old.”

The empress dowager said, “How can this kind of thing be calculated according to one’s mental age? Based on Prime Minister Lin’s words, then people who remain dullards all their lives shouldn’t be allowed to marry and have children.”

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “This minister did not say that. But making someone empress is no small matter. Does the empress dowager have a suitable candidate?”

The empress dowager harbored a selfish desire — to cement old ties through marriage. She meant for a girl from the Wen Family to take the position of empress. But even in front of Lin Qingyu, she couldn’t reveal her intentions too openly. “The matter of choosing an empress naturally must be considered at length. Aijia simply thinks that the Emperor should first understand human affairs…Qingyu, what do you think?”

Discussing matters between man and woman with Lin Qingyu was useless and she knew it as well. It was merely a perfunctory gesture. Lin Qingyu was a smart person so it wasn’t possible that he would fail to understand her meaning.

Lin Qingyu was noncommittal. “There is no need for the Empress Dowager to ask this minister’s opinion. The minister has no opinion on the matter.”

The empress dowager smiled and said, “In this case, Aijia will have people make the preparations.”

A few days later, a group of newcomers arrived at Xingqing Palace. Most of these were youthful ladies, all beautiful in their own right, all free for His Majesty’s choosing. They were ordered by the empress dowager to serve in the inner palace. Jiang Xing acquiesced to this bit of schemeing but he allowed none of them to serve him personally. The were only allowed to serve tea and pour water.

Xiu Jiao momo had been entrusted with orders by the empress dowager. She found an opportunity to speak in front of Jiang Xing, “Your Majesty, you shouldn’t rely on Xiao Songzi alone to take care of you. Xiao Songzi will be tired too.” Like coaxing a child, “Look at that maid named Shi Wei, isn’t she pretty? Shi Wei also wants to serve the emperor.”

Jiang Xing shook his head and brought out Guan Taifu’s teachings. Children listen most to their teachers. “Teacher said that we should make a distinction between men and woman. Zhen cannot let them get close.”

Xiu Jiao momo explained, “The emperor is the son of heaven, and all the people in the world belong to you. There is no need for His Majesty to make a distinction for them.”

Jiang Xing’s expression was the very peak of naivety. “Then Prime Minister Gege is also Zhen’s man?”

Xiu Jiao momo was stunned. She forced a smile, “Prime Minister Lin is different, he is the wife of General Gu.”

Jiang Xing said in a “childlike manner”, “But isn’t General Gu already dead?”

Xiu Jiao momo was flustered and she quickly changed the subject, “Why doesn’t His Majesty want Shi Wei and the others to serve you?”

Jiang Xing frowned. “I don’t like the smell of them. Their smells make me feel unwell. It’s even worse when they touch me.”

Xiu Jiao momo’s face turned pale and she murmured, “How could this be?”

At this time, a slightly cold voice came, “What are you talking about?”

Jiao momo turned around and saw Lin Qingyu. She hurriedly bowed and saluted, “Your Excellency.”

Lin Qingyu gave a salute to Jiang Xing and then turned to Xiu Jiao momo. “His Majesty should be attending to his schoolwork right now. Xiu Jiao momo came to Qinzheng Palace but seems not to have any matter of import to do here.”

“This servant was ordered by the empress dowager to bring some snacks to the emperor.”

It was well known that Lin Qingyu had a cold and arrogant temper but he has always been polite in front of the empress dowager. As the empress dowager’s confidant, Xiu Jiao momo has always been treated to Lin Qingyu’s milder side. At this moment, she could feel Lin Qingyu’s gaze falling on her, mighty pressure exerted by one in a position of power made her almost breathless. For the first time, she clearly realized that Lin Qingyu’s position as the top official did not depend only on his face and luck.

Lin Qingyu said calmly, “Now that you’ve given it, you can go back. The emperor is busy with his studies and has no time to chat.”

“……Yes.”

As soon as Xiu Jiao momo left, Jiang Xing took off his childish mask and said with a smile, “The prime minister is here.”

Lin Qingyu glanced at the snacks on the table. “Did the momo come to teach His Majesty about human affairs?”

“Zhen has no need for others to teach me that.” Jiang Xing yawned, “Lord Prime Minister has already taught me.”

Lin Qingyu sneered, “How could this minister teach that to His Majesty? I dare say, the emperor was self-taught.”

Lin Qingyu’s bad mood was within Jiang Xing’s expectation. Luckily, he was prepared. He patted his leg and said, “Baobei, come and sit.”

Lin Qingyu said coldly, “No, I’m very busy. I have a pile of reports waiting for me to read.”

Jiang Xing smiled. “Oh those, I’ve already finished reading them for you.”

Lin Qingyu was somewhat surprised. “Really?”

“If you don’t believe me, you can go check.”

Lin Qingyu went to the desk and flipped through a few of the reports. Sure enough, there were all written with replies and criticisms in blue ink. He turned to look again at Jiang Xing, yawning non-stop, looking like he hasn’t had enough sleep. Lin Qingyu’s heart softened and he took the initiative to apologize to Jiang Xing, “Sorry, I shouldn’t lose my temper with you. But I…”

“I know, you can’t help it. It’s alright, you look gorgeous when you lose your temper.” Jiang Xing took Lin Qingyu’s hand and led him to sit on his lap, “I know you want to study Gu techniques but don’t have the time. I’ve invited back that genius doctor from the Southern border. You can take a few days off to work with him on the ‘Capital’s dissertation on Gu’. As for morning court, I’ll help you deal with it. If there’s anything I’m not sure about, I’ll make sure to ask you.”

Lin Qingyu looked at him quietly.

Jiang Xing asked, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Lin Qingyu said softly, “I think you really like me.” He knew how much Jiang Xing hated getting tired but every time Jiang Xing got tired, it was all for him.

Jiang Xing just smiled. “You’re only finding out now?” He raised his hand and touched Lin Qingyu’s cheek with his fingertips, “Alright, go play and come back a little earlier tonight.”

Free to do what he wanted, Lin Qingyu was in a good mood, “Then I’ll take the doctor to the General’s Mansion to see the little Gu’s.”

Seeing Lin Qingyu’s pleased expression, Jiang Xing’s sleepiness subsided a lot. The Gu obsessed Lin Qingyu was so cute. Though Jiang Xing wanted to sleep, he didn’t have much time.

After successfully coaxing the great beauty, Jiang Xing rested his eyes a while. When he was about to pick up his brush and resume his fight, Xiao Songzi came in offering freshly-brewed tea. “Your Majesty, please drink a cup of tea to refresh yourself.”

Jiang Xing was still thinking about Lin Qingyu and said worriedly, “I hope I managed to get Qingyu to cheer up.”

Xiao Songzi said, “This servant thinks Prime Minister Lin wouldn’t be angry over such a trivial matter.”

“You don’t know him. He’ll still get angry. He also knows that there is no need to be angry about this kind of thing, but he can’t help it. He won’t say anything about it but I must coax him nevertheless.”

Xiao Songzi couldn’t understand, but he was greatly shocked. “The emperor is wise.”

In Ci’an Palace, Xiu Jiao momo told the empress dowager of her conversation with the emperor. The Empress Dowager also thought it strange. A suspicion had begun to grow in her heart but on her lips flowed insistence that the Emperor was merely too young mentally and didn’t understand these things, which was why he’d said such words.

Lai Fu made a slip of the tongue. “Could it be that the emperor is…”

“What is it?”

“Thi-This servant dares not say.”

The Queen Mother said irritably, “If you have anything to say, just say it.”

Lai Fu said cautiously, “Please allow this servant to be so bold as to guess, but maybe the Emperor was born a cut sleeve? The… the kind of cut sleeves that can’t bed a woman.”

The queen mother frowned and said sharply, “Outrageous! Who allowed you to speak nonsense? Do you find your head too heavy to carry on your shoulders?”

Since the founding of the dynasty, male homosexuality has come in and out of fashion. In the past few years, the number of men who took male wives has been increasing. Most of these men did not abstain from having relationships with women as well. However, there were indeed some men who simply could not abide being with women.

Between men, it was called being a “cut sleeve”; between women, it was called being a “mirror grinder“. The Empress Dowager thought of Emperor Wen’s Princess Changle. Even though she married a husband, she would break out in cold sweats and vomit profusely as soon as she had intercourse with him. However, she showed none of these problems when she beds a woman.

Lai Fu hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, “This servant begs forgiveness, forgiveness please.”

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and said, “We’ll wait for another two years, until the Emperor’s mind becomes a little more mature.”

Xiu Jiao momo considered the matter and said, “The Emperor like great beauties otherwise how could he only smile whenever he saw Prime Minister Lin Xiang when he was still sick? For the past two years, Prime Minister Lin has stayed by the Emperor’s side. With Prime Minister Lin by his side, it is only reasonable that His Majesty would look down on all other beauties.”

The implication was that Master Lin had set the emperor’s standard so high that ordinary beauties simply couldn’t catch his attention all. However, if you looked around the capital, where could you find anyone who could compete with Lin Qingyu’s beauty?

The empress dowager considered it for a while and felt that what Xiu Jiao momo said was somewhat reasonable. “At first, it was because the National Teacher said that Prime Minister Lin could help the emperor recover so Aijia allowed Prime Minister Lin to stay in Xingqing Palace’s side hall. Now the emperor is well. It’s about time, I’m afraid it’s inappropriate for Prime Minister Lin to be staying in the emperor’s palace any longer. Prime Minister Lin to put it mildly, is the emperor’s cousin’s wife. It is best that we avoid any suspicion.”

Xiu Jiao momo echoed, “What the empress dowager said is absolutely true.”

The empress dowager took a deep breath. “After all, the emperor’s mind is different from others. This matter is not urgent. We can only take it one step at a time.”

In the blink of an eye, it was the emperor’s birthday. Although Jiang Xing said that he wanted only a simply celebration, it was after all, his first Longevity Day. Some extravagance had to be given to the occasion.

On this day, the palace was decorated with lanterns and colored banners, singing and dancing continued unending. The maids and eunuchs all wore new clothes, embroidered with objects of auspicious meanings. When the time came, the emperor climbed up Hua’e Tower to be congratulated by all the officials.

Lin Qingyu, the representative of the ministers, came with wine cup in hand, wishing the emperor limitless blessings and long life.

Jiang Xing looked intently at Lin Qingyu. With a smile on his lips and eyes shining bright, he raised his own cup and said, “Today marks the day of Zhen’s birth. It is like being reborn. Everything that has come to past is but preamble. Prime Minister, let us celebrate together my recovery from my old illnesses and let us wish that from this day forth everything should go smoothly.

——He has recovered from his old illness and everything should now go smoothly.

Lin Qingyu smiled lightly.

Yes, so long as his beloved man was always by his side, old illnesses, no matter how painful, will heal one day.

The author has something to say: San Zhuang is finally eighteen again!