The Palace of Earthly Tranquility took its name from the Tao Te Ching: "Those of old who attained the One: heaven attained the One and became clear; earth attained the One and became tranquil; spirits attained the One and became numinous; valleys attained the One and became full; all things attained the One and came to life; lords and kings attained the One and became the standard for all under heaven."
The empress's position complemented the emperor's: the emperor was heaven, and the empress was earth; the emperor was Qian, and the empress was Kun.
Earth attained the One and became tranquil-hence the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.
The Palace of Earthly Tranquility faced south from the north, spanning nine bays across and three bays deep.
Of those nine bays, the easternmost and westernmost served as passageways, leaving seven interior chambers.
The four central chambers were used for worship, the western chamber housed a Buddhist shrine pavilion, and the two eastern chambers formed the Palace of Earthly Tranquility's Eastern Warm Pavilion, where the empress lived.
When Zhu Youjian reached the entrance to the Eastern Warm Pavilion, he saw Qiu Mei standing outside. The courtyard was silent, too, and he could not help asking, "Where is your empress? Why aren't you inside attending her?"
Qiu Mei curtsied. "This servant was inside, but Her Majesty..." She pressed her lips together. "This servant will announce your arrival."
"No need. I'll go in myself." Zhu Youjian turned, took the box from Wang Cheng'en, lifted the curtain, and stepped inside.
The room was quiet as well. The first thing Zhu Youjian saw was the food laid out on the table. He touched a plate; it had gone completely cold. Guilt stirred in his heart, along with a comforting warmth.
Back when he had been struggling to make a life in Beijing, he had either ordered takeout to muddle through a meal or boiled a bowl of noodles to make do.
More often, he had worked overtime at the office, with no one to care whether he had eaten, what he had eaten, or whether he had eaten well.
Looking at the tableful of dishes, Zhu Youjian felt his nose sting. He glanced around, but there was no sign of the empress.
Zhu Youjian set the box on the table, opened it, pinched out a pellet of Acacia Incense, and headed into the inner chamber.
Beside the dressing table, Empress Zhou lay slumped over the tabletop, a gold hairpin in her hand. Her breathing was even; she was asleep.
Zhu Youjian tiptoed over. Empress Zhou's cloudlike tresses had come loose, spilling down like a waterfall. Her lowered brows and lashes resembled two slender crescent moons; her rosy face and jade-white neck were like a peony beaded with dew. Her collar lay half-open, revealing a glimpse of creamy bosom, like a lotus rising from clear water, tempting him to pluck it.
Tenderness suddenly welled up in Zhu Youjian. He took a cloak from nearby and gently draped it over her. The nights were chilly; he must not let her catch cold. And Qiu Mei-how could she have let the empress fall asleep like this?
Since she was asleep, he would let her sleep on. A good rest mattered most.
But perhaps his touch had disturbed her. Empress Zhou woke with a start and suddenly saw the emperor beside her. She hastily sat up, embarrassment and shyness crossing her face as she straightened her clothes. "Your Majesty is here? You must find me laughable, looking like this."
"It was my fault. I lost track of the time and kept you waiting so long for nothing. You must be hungry!" Zhu Youjian asked gently.
Empress Zhou shook her head, then suddenly asked, "What is that scent? It smells lovely!"
Only then did Zhu Youjian remember the incense pellet in his hand. He opened his palm to show her. "You gave me such a generous gift, and I had nothing fine to offer in return. There was plenty of incense in the storeroom, so I chose a box for you. I hope you won't disdain it."
"How could I disdain it? Whatever Your Majesty gives me, I love." Empress Zhou took the Acacia Incense and held it beneath her nose. Its fragrance was a little cloying, but pleasant nonetheless.
Empress Zhou was about to put the incense into the burner when Zhu Youjian added, "It's called Acacia Incense, or something like that. I thought the name was lovely: on the tree of longing, branches join in joy; the purple phoenix and azure luan share their graceful plumage."
Empress Zhou had already been overjoyed. Hearing such tender words from Zhu Youjian made her heart beat faster still. A rosy blush spread across her face, lending her even greater radiance.
"I think it is wonderful..." Empress Zhou took a few steps forward and, without another word, leaned against Zhu Youjian's chest.
For some reason, the instant Empress Zhou leaned into him, Zhu Youjian's first impulse was to step back and avoid her. Yet when their bodies touched, his arms rose of their own accord to embrace her, and romantic thoughts stirred in his heart.
There was a tiny, pear-shaped dimple in her blushing cheek. Zhu Youjian felt that if he looked at it a moment longer, he would surely lose himself in it.
This won't do!
It's not as though I've never seen a beautiful woman. I've seen plenty more gorgeous than Empress Zhou, and I'm no green boy who's never experienced anything. What's come over me today?
Zhu Youjian silently scolded himself. Just then, however, the mirror on the dressing table caught his eye-or rather, his own reflection did.
It was an unfamiliar face, fair-skinned and smooth as polished jade. He truly was a handsome man, far better-looking than his old self!
Zhu Youjian stared blankly at the figure in the mirror, at the bright yellow dragon robe he wore, and at the gold winged crown upon his head.
That's right. I'm Chongzhen now. I've handled so much state business today, putting my heart and soul into turning back the raging tide. Effort deserves its reward. I ought to take good care of these women in the harem, too.
"Your Majesty..." The woman in his arms gave a soft murmur, her voice sending a tingling sweetness straight into Zhu Youjian's heart. He lowered his gaze and saw Empress Zhou's flushed face, her shifting eyes brimming with alluring charm.
Zhu Youjian held her a little tighter and murmured, "I'm rather tired. Tonight, I'll rest here with you..."
Since ascending the throne, Chongzhen had been occupied with military and state affairs. He often reviewed memorials until midnight before retiring, only to prepare for court after a few hours of sleep. There had been little opportunity for intimacy with the women of the harem.
Empress Zhou, too, yearned for tenderness with her husband. Seeing him like this, she set aside her coyness and reached out to loosen his belt and remove his clothes.
Only when the wind had stilled and the rain had ceased did the two of them feel hungry. Zhu Youjian ordered the evening meal reheated, then smiled at the empress, whose cheeks were still rosy. "It was my fault for delaying your dinner!"
Watching Zhu Youjian wolf down his food, Empress Zhou could not help smiling. "Your Majesty has only just recovered, and these past few days must have been exhausting. Why wear out your spirit and drain your vitality? Eating like this alone cannot replenish them. Your Majesty must take proper care of your imperial health!"
Hearing her words, Zhu Youjian wondered whether he had failed to satisfy her. He quickly raised his head and asked, "Were you uncomfortable just now?"
The question made Empress Zhou blush scarlet. She shot him a coy, reproachful look. "What is Your Majesty saying? You grow more improper by the moment."
Her shyness stirred Zhu Youjian's urge to tease her again. Imitating a lecher, he reached out and lifted her chin. "Oh? Then how was it?"
Empress Zhou clasped his hand in hers, then nestled against his shoulder and said softly, "I long for Your Majesty at every moment. I ask neither to share your quilt nor to drink the nuptial cup together. If I could only see you once each day, I would be content!"
"Very well. Whenever I have time, I will certainly come to see you every day!"
While the emperor and empress shared their deep affection in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Lu Xiangsheng's army camp outside Changping was steeped in bitter winds and sorrowful rain.
"Governor Lu..." Remembering that Lu Xiangsheng was no longer governor-general, Luo Yangxing hastily corrected himself. "Lu Xiangsheng, come with this envoy!"
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