Chapter 5

    Grand Empress Dowager[1], Dezhen, was the biological grandmother of the current Emperor. Although she is sixty years old, she remained in robust health.

    The Grand Empress Dowager often came to pray and seek blessings at the replica temple located on the western side of the palace. Today, as on many days, she came to the temple in her palanquin, but the inside of the temple was not as usual. At this time, there was a young woman with a small frame, sitting and chanting prayers with her eyes closed, rhythmically moving the prayer beads in her hand.

    Grand Empress Dowager sat down next to the young woman. When she realized someone was beside her, she opened her eyes and upon seeing the Grand Empress Dowager, the young woman respectfully bowed down in a deep prostration.

    "Greetings, Grand Empress Dowager."

    "I have not seen you before; you must be a new concubine," Grand Empress Dowager remarked while observing the plain face of Sisi, which had nothing particularly striking.

    It was strange that her nephew would take this woman as a concubine.

    "Yes, I am Dong Sisi, the daughter of the head of trading department, Dong Jinmu."

    "Do you come to chant prayers here often?"

    The question seemed indirect because Grand Empress Dowager regularly prayed here and surely knew that she was not a frequent visitor, but Sisi probably wanted to know more about what exactly she was doing here.

    "Not often, Your Majesty. This is only my third time. Recently, I have been seeking ways to calm my mind, thus I have turned to the Dharma, chanting and meditating."

    "That's good. I rarely see the youth of today taking an interest in the Dharma. Continue with your prayers, I will join as well," Grand Empress Dowager nodded twice before taking out her prayer beads to chant alongside.

    Two hours passed, and Grand Empress Dowager, Dezhen, sensed movement beside her. She glanced over and saw the young woman preparing to stand.

    "Are you leaving already?"

    "Yes, Your Majesty. I have been chanting for two hours and think it's a suitable time to return to my palace," Sisi said with a bow.

    Grand Empress Dowager lowered her gaze to the beads in her hand before speaking in a calm voice,

    "Is there ever a suitable time for prayers? Isn't it true that the longer you chant, the more you can calm your mind?"

    Sisi paused before replying, "I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but I see it differently."

    Grand Empress Dowager looked up at her, lifted an eyebrow in surprise and challenge,

    "How so?"

    “Your Majesty Grand Empress Dowager, the Buddha taught that one should follow the Middle Way, not too slack and not too stringent. I believe the same applies to meditation. Too little and it doesn't help settle the mind, but too much could be more harmful than beneficial,” Sisi responded with a clear voice that was neither too assertive nor too modest, all the while maintaining a respectful bow.

    Grand Empress Dowager smiled slightly and then spoke,

    “Let's hear what you have to say.”

    “If one prays too long, it can lead to numbness in the legs, shifting focus from the prayer to the discomfort. Persisting in prayer then turns into a struggle to 'endure' rather than a peaceful practice. We have not yet fully grasped the Dharma to block out physical pain as some revered monks can. If one pushes to pray to the point of being unable to walk because of numb legs, how is that more beneficial than praying in moderation? Moreover, I believe taking short breaks can still allow us to continue praying effectively, but if one forces it until the body can't withstand it, then it's no longer possible to continue.”

    Grand Empress Dowager paused for a moment before slowly saying,

    “There is reason in your words... I have never considered this perspective before. It appears you understand the Buddha's teachings more deeply than I.”

    “Not at all, Your Majesty. I have only just begun my studies; hardly enough to claim deep understanding.”

    Grand Empress Dowager looked at the young woman before her, beginning to understand why her nephew had chosen her as a concubine. Intelligent, with good wit, though her temperament would need further observation.

    Smiling slightly at the corners of her mouth, the Grand Empress Dowager stood up with the help of her attendants.

    “My legs are starting to feel numb as well... It's probably best if I return to my palace. You should head back as well.”

    “Thank you, Your Majesty. I respectfully see you off.”

    “Bring Concubine Dong to join me in praying,”

    Grand Empress Dowager remarked as she walked back into the temple, recalling the young woman she had conversed with on that day.

    As Sisi had pointed out, after the Grand Empress Dowager stopped forcing herself to 'endure' long praying sessions, she experienced mental clarity and relief from physical discomfort for the first time after praying without enduring numb legs, realizing that she had been neglecting the Buddha’s teaching of not overly straining herself.

    Nearly two incense sticks [2]time passed since the young woman she asked to be fetched has yet to appeared. She was about to lose patience, the petite figure of Dong Sisi finally emerged at the door.

    The young woman was breathing heavily, her face and hairline damp with sweat, her attire disheveled. She steadied herself with slightly trembling legs, and her two attendants behind her were in a similar state.

    “Did you.. run here?”

    “Yes, Your Majesty” Sisi replied briefly, taking a deep breath before continuing, “I was afraid... of keeping... Grand Empress Dowager... waiting.”

    It seemed to take all her energy just to speak those few words.

    “Sit down first and catch your breath,” commanded Grand Empress Dowager, guiding Sisi to sit on a meditation cushion, waiting until her breathing eased before asking,

    “Where have you come from that you had to run?”

    “From my own palace, Your Highness. It is quite a distance away, hence it took longer than usual.”

    “Which palace is yours?”

    “The Lianhua Palace, Your Majesty.”

    The unfamiliar name made Grand Empress Dowager glance questioningly at her elderly eunuch, who shook his head, indicating he also did not know where it was.

    “Where is this palace located?”

    “It is situated at the very edge of the eastern palace walls, Your Majesty.”

    “That far! How did you come to be there?”

    “My actual palace is currently under repair. The Empress Dowager ordered that I temporarily stay at Lianhua Palace.”

    Grand Empress Dowager exchanged a knowing look with the old eunuch.

    She had never been fond of this daughter-in-law who clung to trivial matters and favored her own family blindly. This must be another instance of her making life difficult for Dong Sisi because she disapproved of her affiliation with the Xu family.

    “Your Majesty”

    Grand Empress Dowager eyed the young woman who speak quietly in front of her.

    “What is it?”

    “I would like to request something.”

    “Yes?"

    ”Concerning my palace..."

    Hearing just that, Grand Empress Dowager smirked slightly, finally understanding Dong Sisi’s intention. She had suspected that someone as clever as Sisi would not passively endure being harassed. It seemed Sisi knew of the Grand Empress Dowager's strained relationship with the Empress Dowager and was seeking her support to change her lodging... Sisi’s strategy was quite astute.

    “My palace is very far. Next time if Your Majesty wishes to see me, could you possibly send a messenger pigeon instead?”

    Grand Empress Dowager paused, shocked by the suggestion.

    Messenger pigeons...

    Is she joking!?

    But as Grand Empress Dowager looked into Dong Sisi's earnest eyes, she realized the young woman was not jesting.

    She was serious!

    "If we use messenger pigeons, it would save almost one ke[3] compared to sending a human messenger. That way, I could arrive fifteen minutes earlier as well.".

    Grand Empress Dowager blinked at the young woman before her, then smiled wryly. This girl was clever... yet still so naively straightforward, to come up with such an unconventional solution.

    Sisi pondered before continuing,

    "I was thinking of asking the Empress Dowager to also use messenger pigeons. A few days ago, an eunuch informed me that I did not need to attend the morning greetings. There must have been a mishap with the messenger due to the long distance to my palace. Days later, I was punished by the Empress Dowager when it turned out I had misunderstood. If we used messenger pigeons, the message would remain as written and prevent such misunderstandings."

    Hearing this, Grand Empress Dowager instantly recognized it as sabotage. Dong Sisi might not know, but the Grand Empress Dowager, having lived in the royal palace for over forty years, could see clearly.

    "Alright, next time I will use pigeons to send messages to you," the Grand Empress Dowager stated with an affectionate smile. "From now on, you don't need to attend the morning greetings. I will tell the Empress Dowager myself. If your palace are not fixed, it’s her responsibility. So, there's no need for you to go until everything is settled."

    "Is that alright?" Sisi asked, looking concerned.

    "Of course! Your palace is so far, and the morning air is bitterly cold. If you walk through that every day, you're sure to catch a cold!"

    "Why didn't you directly ask Grand Empress Dowager?"

    Minmin inquired once they were back at the Lianhua Palace.

    "To deceive the clever, sometimes you must play the fool. If I spoke the truth, instead of sympathizing, she might suspect me. This roundabout way may take longer, but the outcome is more satisfying,"

    Sisi explained as she removed her shoes and socks and lay down on her daybed. Being not fond of wearing thick socks and shoes since entering the palace, her feet felt hot and sweaty.

    "Oh! That makes sense. You're so clever, my lady. I'm a year older than you, but I can never keep up with your thoughts."

    Sisi looked out the window before replying softly,

    "If I were truly clever, I wouldn't have ended up here in the first place."

    Sometimes, the clever are undone by their own cleverness—a statement that could not be more accurate.

[1] Grand Empress Dowager is the grandmother (paternal grandmother) of the Emperor.

[2] One incense stick equal to 15 minutes.

[3] One ke equal to 15 minutes.