The Darling of Heaven Owns a Rip-off Shop

Every day the Emperor attended morning court, then evening court, visited the Empress Dowager for a greeting, had lunch in her palace, returned to his own quarters to review memorials in the afternoon, and only in the evening did he have any free time.

Whenever the Emperor came to greet the Empress Dowager, he would encounter the Empresses bringing a horde of concubines to greet the Empress Dowager. The Emperor would speak a few words with these concubines, but when mealtime approached, he would unapologetically issue a ”guest eviction order.” He only wanted to dine with his mother, solely wishing to share the good food with her.

During lunch, the Emperor didn’t follow the rule of not speaking while eating or sleeping; instead, he chatted happily with Tianmiao as they ate. He said whatever came to mind, without any pressure or concerns. Now, the Emperor started to complain again, complaints that he could only express in front of Tianmiao.

”Mother, I never understood before what the benefit of being Emperor was. Every day I wake up earlier than the chickens and sleep later than the dogs, working harder than an ox during the day. There are barely a few days off in a year, and I’m forced to marry a bunch of women I don’t like. I still don’t understand what’s so good about being Emperor now. The officials at court never leave me in peace, always bickering in my ear whenever there’s a problem. And that Adviser, always pressing me about one thing or another, sometimes even criticizing me. I really want to throw the Dragon Robe in his face and say, ’If you can, go ahead and be Emperor.’” The Emperor’s tone started with grievance but turned into anger toward the end.

”Being Emperor is indeed tiring. If you feel exhausted, it means you are a good Emperor,” Tianmiao said with a smile, then signaled to the Palace Maid beside her to serve the Emperor a dish from her side. It was rich but not greasy, something the Emperor would surely like.

”Why do you say that?” The Emperor, eating a mouthful of the dish, looked puzzled, silently praising how delicious his mother’s chef’s creations were.

”Because only a good Emperor thinks of the people, cares for the world, and takes many things into consideration, naturally resulting in many constraints. A tyrant would have no such concerns, living only for personal pleasure. But you are different, my son. You care about many things, think of many people’s feelings. Even if ascending to this throne wasn’t your desire, you’ve taken the responsibility seriously since becoming Emperor.” Tianmiao gently praised him, ”We need not mention the former court. In the back palace, even if you don’t like those women, you still visit them, ensuring the Palace Attendants don’t neglect them. My son is gentle and kind.”

”Mother...” The Emperor, with a mouthful of meat, his eyes filled with mist, thought to himself that his mother was the only one in the world who truly understood him and was the best mother.

”You will certainly be a wise Emperor remembered through the ages, and I will always be with you,” Tianmiao said lovingly, looking at the Emperor before her, gently speaking. The person before her never wanted to be Emperor, and never did. But after becoming Emperor, he gave his all to be a good one. Even though he was unwilling, even though he sometimes felt wronged, he still did his best.

”Promise me then, that you’ll stay with me forever,” the Emperor said, swallowing the meat and holding back the wetness in his eyes, looking eagerly at Tianmiao.

”Yes, I promise.” Tianmiao nodded with a smile.

...

In the afternoon, the Emperor returned to review memorials, while Tianmiao took a walk in the Imperial Garden after her nap.

Walking along the path, turning a corner, a commotion could be heard from ahead.

Tianmiao gestured to the Chief Palace Maid that it was unnecessary to go and investigate; she would see for herself what was happening. As she got closer, she found Consort Rong angrily pointing at Noble Lady Qing, who was kneeling on the ground, scolding her.