Chapter 37: Mockery

When the black dot fell, Emperor Jingxuan bent his legs and changed his posture, sitting steadily. His golden and black robe outlined his tall and slender figure like a pine tree. His ordinary attire could not conceal the imperial aura around him.

He slowly moved his lips, his voice as cold as the wind, "Why do you say that?"

Duke Cheng'en looked at the chessboard and said, "I'm so bold, your majesty, that you've forgotten to place your piece three times."

If he hadn't reminded me, I don't know how long this game of chess would have lasted.

The emperor rarely behaves this way, so how could a minister fail to notice it?

Has something thorny happened in the government recently? Or has His Majesty announced some new policies?

Although he had all kinds of guesses in his mind, all Lord Cheng'en dared to say was a vague expression of concern.

His expression remained calm, with sword-like brows and phoenix-like eyes, his hair tied with a gilded crown, and his brows revealed firmness and decisiveness.

"Zi Su is thoughtful." He said in a calm voice without saying anything else.

Duke Cheng'en felt regretful and realized that he was destined to not be able to obtain any more information.

The pavilion is surrounded by water on all sides and has beautiful scenery. A gentle breeze passes over the lake and penetrates the curtains, bringing with it not only the fragrance of flowers but also the ups and downs of music.

As his thoughts returned, Duke Cheng'en heard Emperor Jingxuan say, "Although I can't make out what the opera is about, the emotions are incredibly passionate and exciting, as if it's denouncing some kind of injustice in the world. This certainly suits Yongshou's taste."

Speaking of his wife, Duke Cheng'en smiled, his handsome face suddenly softening. "For this birthday banquet, Yongshou has invited the famous Peacock Troupe from Jiangnan. If Your Majesty is interested, could you please have them come into the palace and sing a few pieces for you and the ladies after the banquet?"

Emperor Jingxuan frowned and pursed his lips, saying, "No need. All that babbling gives me a headache."

Duke Cheng'en was startled. Seeing his brows furrowed and his brow bones lowered, and his pupils filled with bloodshot, he couldn't help but feel alarmed. "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell? I'll send for the imperial physician!"

He stood up and was about to move.

Emperor Jingxuan waved his hand and said, "I'm fine, just have a headache."

He's used to it.

Duke Cheng'en frowned and said, "This play...should I go and inform Yongshou to temporarily stop it?"

Emperor Jingxuan waved his hand and said, "Forget it. Today is Yongshou's birthday. I won't spoil the fun."

Duke Cheng'en: "Since that is the case, I will have someone prepare a quiet room nearby so Your Majesty can rest for a while."

Seeing that Emperor Jingxuan did not say anything, Duke Cheng'en understood, stood up and went out to call people to arrange matters concerning the wing rooms.

........

In the banquet hall in the front yard, after the scene ended, a palace maid hurried over and whispered a few words in Princess Yongshou's ear.

Princess Yongshou then addressed the crowd, "Although the opera is wonderful, you can't listen to it all the time. It's bound to get boring if you listen too much. Why don't you all make your own plans? Whether it's a garden tour or a scenic view, my princess's mansion will not let you come in vain!"

Everyone: "Since that is what you are thinking, we will respectfully obey your command."

The younger lady could no longer sit still. After informing her elders at home, she took her best sister and left.

The older ones didn't like to move, so they went back and forth to the hall to drink tea and chat.

After everyone left, Princess Yongshou ordered her servants, "Have someone keep an eye on us. Don't let anyone get close to the west wing. If anyone disturbs my brother's peace, I will not forgive them!"

Yun Wan originally wanted to sit in the hall, but was dragged to the garden of the princess's mansion by Lu Changning.

It was spring, and the princess's mansion was filled with flowers, pavilions, towers, waterside pavilions and lakeside houses, and was full of vitality everywhere.

The princess's mansion was modeled after a Jiangnan garden, with winding paths and pleasant scenery. The two admired it for a long time. Suddenly, Lu Changning waved to the person across the lake, and the other person waved back.

Lu Changning: "Aunt San, I think I saw Xiangxue!"

Xiang Xue is her close friend, and they rarely see each other on weekdays. At this moment, Lu Changning is particularly excited to see her.

Seeing how anxious she was, Yun Wan nodded and said, "Go ahead, but don't go too far. Don't forget to return home on time."

Lu Changning turned around and waved his handkerchief, his tone cheerful: "Don't worry, Third Aunt, I'll remember it!"

After saying that, he stepped onto the bridge in the middle of the lake and ran away.

Yun Wan shook his head helplessly.

Only she and Yueya were left, and since they had nothing to do and it was still early, they walked around the garden in about an hour.

Yueya saw her face flush and her pace slowed down, so she suggested, "Madam, let's find a place to rest?"

Yun Wan had no objection: "Okay, I'll go back later."

She saw that the weather had changed, the sunlight was blocked and thick clouds were gathering, and she was afraid that it would rain if she continued walking.

The two of them found a clean stone bench, but just as they sat down, they heard an unpleasant voice:

"Big sister, why are you here alone admiring the flowers? Why don't you go talk to someone?"

Yun Shiyue appeared slowly, her chin raised high, her beautiful face filled with mockery, and she was wearing a gorgeous and flamboyant pink dress.

Yun Wan remained seated and said calmly, "Second sister, don't you know that I'm an introvert and don't like to talk to people? Besides..."

She raised her chin slightly, her eyes falling on Yun Shiyue, a smile on her delicate face: "Even if I don't go to talk to someone, won't someone come to me on their own initiative?"

Yun Shiyue's face froze, but she stopped being angry when she thought of something. She raised her hand to adjust her hairpin and snorted coldly:

"Ever since my brother-in-law passed away, it's been difficult for me to see you these past few years. Father was even worried a few days ago that you were being bullied in Duke Lu's mansion."

She rolled her eyes and looked at Yun Wan with contempt: "But now it seems that father was worrying too much. Sister, how can you dress like a widow?"

Yun Wan let her look at him, then asked, "Sister, tell me, what is it like to be a widow?"

Yun Shiyue tutted her words and said, "Of course, her face is filled with sorrow, her figure is haggard, and she feels resentful and pitiful because she is alone in an empty room. From this perspective, my sister's feelings for her brother-in-law are just like this."

"That description..." Yun Wan paused, glanced at her up and down, and chuckled, "Sister, are you talking about yourself?"

"Could it be that my sister spends all day looking at herself in the mirror feeling sorry for herself, that's why she can describe it so well?"

Yueya couldn't help but burst out laughing when she understood the meaning of the words.

Yun Shiyue's face turned pale when she realized what was happening. She raised her hand and was about to throw it out, "You bitch!"

As a result, Yueya was prepared and tilted her body to the side, leaving Yun Shiyue empty-handed and almost falling.

Her personal maid quickly hugged her and said, "Miss, calm down! This is the princess's residence!"

What's the difference between hitting someone in the princess's house and running into someone else's house and making trouble? If things get really out of hand, they won't get any good!

Yun Shiyue was impulsive, but she still had some brains, so she didn't dare to move after hearing that.

Seeing this, Yun Wan stood up and glanced at her, his eyes filled with contempt: "This garden full of spring scenery, I wanted to enjoy it quietly, but it's a pity that it's been destroyed."

"In that case, I'll leave this place for my sister to enjoy."

After saying that, she disappeared around the corner with Crescent Moon.

Yun Shiyue's eyes seemed to be filled with poison. She stared at Yun Wan's back and gnashed her teeth: "Bitch! Vixen! Vixen!"

The personal maid beside her sighed.

Why did the Second Miss do that? From childhood to adulthood, the Second Miss had never won an argument with the First Miss.

The eldest lady looks gentle and kind, but in fact she is not a pushover at all.

Not easy to pinch.