Chapter 9: The longest 24 hours V
"Niang niang, nucai knows that this is not the best time, however, please pardon nucai for the intrusion. On Lao Foye's orders, I am here with an imperial edict." He explained as he showed the imperial scroll. Although the empress dowager Cixui still hold the reins, it wouldn't hurt to be in the new one's good graces.
"I understand head Eunuch Lui." Empress Ruyi replied. Then, without arrogance, she kneeled on the ground together with all the servants present in her palace to receive the edict.
"Know under all heavens, in light of emperor Li Shan's ascension to the throne, empress Ruyi who has always been an exemplary figure of a virtuous woman, shall be promoted to Empress dowager. With this, it is with hope that she continues being a role model to all women of China by being the epitome of filial piety. Please receive the edict." Eunuch Lui read aloud.
The now Empress dowager Ruyi understood clearly what the edict meant. To be the epitome of filial piety to all women here meant that she has to observe what widows in every family must. It's nothing surprising given how greedy for power the empress dowager was. In any case, that was the least of her concern at the moment.
What was more important was that this edict came at an opportune moment. She now has a valid reason to visit empress dowager Cixui.
She raised both her arms to receive the edict before standing up. Since she knew that head eunuch Lui is the closest confidant of Cixui, she had to put on a show. Willing tears to fall from her eyes, she began talking.
"Head Eunuch Lui, Lao foye still truly cares about me the most. To give me this opportunity to be the primary mourner for the deceased emperor without consequence from the public eye… I am very thankful. Head eunuch Lui, I will accompany you on your way back so I can visit Lao foye and give my sincerest gratitude."
--
"Lao Foye, empress dowager Ruyi is outside requesting for your audience." Head Eunuch Lui told Empress dowager Cixui.
"What was her reaction when you read the edict?"
"Lao foye, as expected, niang niang truly loved the deceased emperor. As soon as she heard the contents, she could not thank Lao foye enough and even cried tears of joy." Head eunuch Lui narrated.
Cixui hummed, then inquired further, "Was she within your sight the whole time?"
"Yes, Lao Foye. After nucai handed her the edict, she passed it directly to her lady-in-waiting to join nucai on the way back here."
Cixui nodded her head, "Alright. Zajia shall wait for her in this room."
--
When empress dowager Ruyi entered the room, she ceremoniously gave a kowtow to empress dowager Cixui.
"Lao Foye, nubi has come to offer her sincerest gratitude." She said with her head on the floor.
Seeing this, Cixui chuckled then stood up from her chair. "Fengwan ah, you don't need to do that. Zajia just knows how much you cared for the deceased Huang di. Come, don't just prostate on the ground. Also, stop addressing yourself as nubi, you are Zajia blood related niece."
Ruyi stood from the kowtowing position and smiled.
"Lao Foye, this niece is embarrassed. I was not able to bring anything in my haste to come here. Will I be forgiven by offering to brew Lao foye tea instead?" Ruyi was betting on this. She has spent a lot of time with her aunt and was familiar with her daily routine. Usually at this time, her aunt would either be smoking hookah, or enjoying a cup of tea.
Cixui, knowing that Ruyi directly went there with head eunuch Lui and that she would be using the tea leaves in her own palace, nodded her head with a smile. She would soon come to regret this decision. For never could she have expected that after all her careful planning and movements, the one she underestimated the most would be the cause of her demise.
Ruyi has frequently brewed tea in this room for Cixui in the past and thus knew where the tea leaves and other materials were located. Carefully, she started brewing. In the process, without her hand even shaking, she secretly took the bottle from behind her sleeves and poured all its content inside the teapot.
When the tea was ready, she took the teapot and two cups to the table where Cixui was. Then, she poured tea to the two cups.
She raised one with her two hands, and with shiny eyes, she said "Lao Foye, this niece wants to extend her gratitude not only for the edict earlier but also for everything else. If not because of aunt, I won't be where I am today. Please, Lao foye, receive my sincerity…" then she offered the cup of tea.
Cixui received the cup, took a whiff, before drinking its contents.
Ruyi took the other cup raised it as if she was to drink from it.
Cixui frowned before covering her mouth to cough.
Ruyi smiled. Then she poured the contents of the cup to the ground.
Cixui looked at her hand that was already covered in blood. As her vision blurred, she tried to call for help but her mouth produced no sounds. In the end, she could only mouth the word "Why?"
Ruyi laughed sardonically before answering, "because you taught me well."
--
Before sunset, just as Emperor Gongxu's corpse was ready for the death rites after the process of washing and clothing, another announcement has been made. Grand empress dowager Cixui has died because of chest congestion.
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TBC
Glossary:
Huang di- how the empress dowager calls the emperor