The Slender Waist-Chapter 58 - 46: The Grudge of the Shattered Jade_2
Eunuch Fang could not come up with an answer.
A man with an incomplete and flawed nature can only think of excuses for the sake of beauty.
"Am I not beautiful enough?" Li Sangruo was truly heartbroken; she had never lost her composure like this in front of the palace attendants before. Her eyes brimming with tears, on the verge of crying, her appearance was so pitiful that even Eunuch Fang felt a pang of sympathy.
"The Empress Dowager surpasses others in peerless beauty, who in the world can compare to you?"
Li Sangruo turned to look at him, her smile worse than crying.
"Then why does he reject me, favoring that lowly maid?!"
"..."
Eunuch Fang’s heart thudded wildly, pounding incessantly.
Although he was a trusted eunuch of the Empress Dowager, the more secrets he heard, the more he feared she would kill him to silence him.
In truth, the Empress Dowager was easy to please.
Eunuch Fang was the best at flattering her in Jiafu Hall.
But with this matter, he too was in a tough spot. Eunuch Fang’s nape was covered with sweat, and he racked his brains to come up with an excuse for the Great General to console the Empress Dowager.
"The General has never been driven by desire and, out of respect for your Highness’s status, naturally he must abide by the duties of a monarch and subject... But in this servant’s view, after so many years with no one to serve by his side, could it be for any reason other than keeping you in his heart? A man in his prime with no one in his heart ... how can he maintain his decency?"
"Then why did he suddenly take in that lowly maid, Feng Twelve?"
The Empress Dowager raged, while Eunuch Fang spoke in a stammer.
"Perhaps this wretched concubine has practiced some seductive arts; it’s possible..."
"Is that so?" Li Sangruo’s complexion seemed to improve greatly.
Upon careful consideration, it indeed seemed likely.
With Pei Jue’s character, if it weren’t for having her in his heart, why would he have gone to great lengths to elevate her Kuangkuang to the throne?
If it weren’t for having her in his heart, how could he have personally promised her to exhaust his wisdom and efforts for Kuangkuang’s realm, not resting even in death?
How could he have declared that as long as he lived, he would ensure "mother and son’s safety and the eternal stability of the kingdom"?
But in the end, he was opposing her for the sake of another woman.
In fact, Li Sangruo did not mind that Pei Jue had concubines.
In this world, which capable man doesn’t have a few women by his side?
What Li Sangruo detested was that Pei Jue kept another woman in his heart, doting on her, protecting her, cherishing her as if she were the apple of his eye, and forbidding Li Sangruo to touch her.
Li Sangruo’s heart had never felt so empty.
She thought up many reasons to console herself, but the void within her just couldn’t be filled...
At night, as the oil lamp slowly burned and gently crackled, Eunuch Fang gave a meaningful glance to the handsome young man standing outside the tent.
Understanding the signal, the young man walked up to Li Sangruo and knelt respectfully.
"Your Highness, would you like this servant to accompany you with some late-night snacks and conversation..."
"Get out!" This guard named Song Shou’an had features somewhat resembling Pei Jue’s, but he was thin and not as tall and majestic as Pei Jue. However, Eunuch Fang had scoured Dajin to find him, a person not so easily found.
Song Shou’an had not served in Jiafu Palace for long.
Normally, when he addressed the Empress Dowager with his gentle voice and soft words, he was able to please her and receive rewards.
Who would have thought that today he would be met with such misfortune?
Not daring to speak up, Song Shou’an meekly bowed his head and retreated.
"Wait." Li Sangruo suddenly turned to look at him.
Startled, Song Shou’an raised his eyes, filled with fear.
This was what Li Sangruo disliked most about him.
What was the point of looking similar to Pei Jue?
He was still a coward, a weakling, lacking any semblance of a man’s pride.
When had Pei Jue ever been so submissive to her?
When had Pei Jue ever bowed his spine to her?
Li Sangruo’s heart soured, and her eyes reddened.
She missed Pei Jue so much it was almost too much to bear.
"Eunuch Fang, find him a set of the General’s uniform."
Eunuch Fang was stunned, but not entirely surprised.
This was not the first time the Empress Dowager had done this.
Sometimes, when she was in a good mood, she would have Song Shou’an dress up in the Great General’s uniform and stand in the dim light, smiling at her or saying a few sweet words...
This routine was well practiced by Eunuch Fang, and he quickly made the arrangements.
Once Song Shou’an changed into the clothing and cautiously stepped forward, Eunuch Fang took one glance at his features and sighed inwardly.
This man had a six to seven out of ten resemblance to Pei Jue, yet their temperaments were world’s apart, something that couldn’t be taught.
Eunuch Fang then dimmed the oil lamp a bit more, to make the lighting fainter.
He thought it would be just like before, simply humoring the Empress Dowager.
Unexpectedly, Li Sangruo ordered him, "Go out, take twenty strokes of the large plank."
"Your Highness..."
With a sorrowful face and tears nearly falling, Eunuch Fang kept begging for mercy while bowing repeatedly.
"Earlier, didn’t you say you’d die without regrets? Are you afraid now?"
Disgusted by his demeanor, Li Sangruo dismissed him, "Off you go. He said it; I can’t ignore it."
