Chapter 29: Should she choose the Prince of Yan or the Emperor?

Gao Yurong's father was the current emperor's teacher, a renowned scholar who died in the wars that led to the transition from the old to the new dynasty. After the Daqi dynasty was established, the emperor, remembering the profound kindness of his teacher, posthumously conferred upon him the title of Grand Tutor. This honor demonstrates the extraordinary bond between the emperor and his subject, as well as the relationship between teacher and student.

Because of this relationship, the emperor also took special care of his mentor's daughter.

If the matter escalates, it will inevitably reach the Empress Dowager's palace, and eventually spread throughout the palace and even to His Majesty's ears.

For Yuan Chaolu, it was of no benefit whatsoever.

Everyone was astonished by her almost self-destructive actions, but with irrefutable evidence before her, she could not recant her testimony even in front of the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Lu, who is forty-seven years old, has been in poor health since last year. According to ancestral rules, all matters in the inner palace should be handled by the Empress. However, since the position of Empress is vacant, the Empress Dowager has to struggle to handle all matters despite her illness.

In the Penglai Palace, behind the hanging curtains, a figure was faintly visible. Empress Dowager Lu rose with the help of palace maids. Although she was ill, she could not hide her majesty. She slowly sat on the sandalwood couch in the side hall and accepted the kowtows of the crowd.

"Your Majesty, this is the whole story," Gao Yurong reported to the Empress Dowager.

The main hall was silent, except for the sound of Empress Dowager Lu tapping lightly on the armrest table. After a long while, a low cough was heard: "Was it really the work of that Miss Yuan the Second?"

The heavy curtains, like a vast sea, obscured the figure, making it appear hazy. Though not seen, one could imagine the Empress Dowager's dignified appearance from her composed demeanor and indistinct outline.

Outside the gauze curtain, Helan Zhen said, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, there were many people coming and going at the horse farm at that time, and all the princes can testify to this."

Yuan Chaolu heard a voice from inside and was about to go over when a hand blocked her way. She looked up and saw that the Prince of Yan's eyes were full of worry.

"I'll go in first, and you can come in a moment later."

As the curtains rose and fell, a strong scent of incense wafted out. Low voices rose and fell, and after a while, Yuan Chaolu was led to kowtow before the Empress Dowager.

"Come forward and let me see you."

Yuan Chao walked up to the Empress Dowager with his knees down, slightly raising his eyes to see her hand resting on the armrest of the chair. It was very well-maintained, with rounded knuckles and fair skin. She had been pampered for many years, and even wrinkles were almost invisible. A string of sandalwood prayer beads was wrapped around her wrist, making her wrist look even more slender.

Upon entering the inner palace, one immediately felt as if layers of curtains had transformed the place into a magnificent tapestry, the sandalwood incense so thick it seemed impossible to escape. The person above, like the emperor beneath her, simply sat quietly, uttering not a single word, yet exuding an invisible pressure.

"You are Zhou Heng's daughter," the Empress Dowager slowly uttered. "Raise your head and let me take a good look at you."

The hand was extended in front of her, gesturing for her to rise. Yuan Chaolu raised her gaze and saw a well-maintained face, with kind eyes and gentle features, but a hint of indifference in her gaze, like a jade bodhisattva without joy or sorrow.

"You do resemble her somewhat. I saw you when you were a child. You grew up to be truly outstanding. Your mother was a famous beauty when she stayed at the Xiao family before she got married."

Yuan Chao, hearing about her mother's past from someone else, felt a strange sensation. She held her breath, about to take advantage of the Empress Dowager's gentle tone to mention that she also had a red Buddhist prayer bead, when she suddenly felt her wrist go empty. The Empress Dowager abruptly pulled her hand back: "You did this, didn't you?"

Yuan Chaolu's body must be exposed.

The Empress Dowager pressed her fingertips against her forehead, her phoenix eyes slightly raised: "My memory is getting worse and worse, but I have a deep impression of you. The poetry and literature you presented after entering the palace are far inferior to those of the other young ladies."

The Empress Dowager's words drew everyone's attention. Clearly, this Miss Yuan had left an extremely poor impression on the Empress Dowager; in fact, she disliked her.

"Did His Majesty summon you to the palace?"

"yes."

"It is kind of His Majesty to remember the late Emperor's edict to treat the Zhou family descendants well. His Majesty has shown great leniency by allowing you to enter the palace for training. As a young lady, you should read more books to broaden your horizons and learn about propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame."

Yuan Chaolu sensed the empress dowager's aloofness and the barbs in her words.

Empress Dowager Lu said, "Why did things have to escalate to the point where I am now? It's not easy to end this now. Do you have anything else to say?"

The Prince of Yan beside her said, "Mother, I am willing to vouch for her; this matter was absolutely not done by the Second Miss."

"What are you vouching for her for, Prince Yan?" The Empress Dowager glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, interrupting him. "Are you trying to tell me that, based on what many people have witnessed, this matter still needs further investigation?"

The Empress Dowager's attitude was resolute, and Gao Yurong was someone everyone respected and valued. To put it bluntly, even if today's matter turns out to be a misunderstanding, the Empress Dowager would probably still side with Gao Yurong in the end.

Moreover, what about right now?

"Please step back and let those people outside also step back."

Empress Dowager Lu glanced at the crowd outside the curtain, a deep weariness creeping into her eyes. She raised her hand, and Gao Yurong, who was beside her, understood and immediately stepped forward to take her hand.

“This kind of thing is not my business. Yu Rong, since these are your prayer beads, you shall have full authority over them.”

Gao Yurong replied, "Yes."

With the Empress's position vacant and no one in charge of affairs in the inner palace, the Empress Dowager's move carries significant meaning...

Yuan Chaolu met Gao Yurong's gaze, and Gao Yurong said, "Second Miss, you insist on making a scene like this, which is even more disadvantageous to you. Does Second Miss perhaps want to summon the guards who are watching the horses at the horse farm to give another testimony?"

"It's just a minor matter anyway, and I can settle things with the Second Miss privately. But since you insist on this, then everything today will be handled according to palace rules—"

Gao Yurong glanced around and said, "Everything will be handled strictly. Anyone who dares to help give false testimony will be severely punished."

Yuan Chaolu said, "Of course."

Even now, Yuan Chaolu is still putting up a stubborn resistance. Gao Yurong is puzzled as to what gives her such confidence. Could it be that she also has a Buddhist rosary bestowed by the emperor?

Do you have any witnesses?

“Yes.” Yuan Chaolu finished speaking, then turned to look at the noble ladies, “Miss Pei.”

The woman whose name was called shuddered slightly before raising her head.

On the way from the horse farm to Penglai Palace, Yuan Chaolu saw Miss Pei cast her gaze several times, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back, her eyes filled with deep pity.

This Miss Pei's brother is none other than Lord Pei Xi, who helped Yuan Chaolu convey a message to the Emperor at the martial arts review that day.

She is different from those people.

Yuan Chaolu originally wanted to invite Zhong Changjun in front of the Empress Dowager and everyone to testify that she also had a red Buddhist bead. However, this would inevitably alarm the Emperor. Given the delicate nature of her relationship with him, this was the last step she was reluctant to take.

But with Pei Lan around, things were different. Her expression suggested she had seen something.

All eyes fell on the young woman in a lake-blue silk dress. The entire Penglai Palace was silent until the Empress Dowager spoke, reminding everyone, "Yu Rong."

Helan Zhen walked to Pei Lan's side, took her arm, and asked, "Miss Pei, did you see something?"

Seeing that she remained silent, Gao Yurong said, "Miss Pei seems to have nothing to say. In that case, I think..."

"Wait." A clear, cold female voice suddenly rang out, and Pei Lan finally stepped forward and bowed gracefully. "I do have something to say."

When she looked up, her gaze swept calmly over everyone, and she said, "There was someone present at the time. I went to the forest to fetch water, and on the edge of the forest, I saw Miss Xie standing by Yu Rong's horse, behaving suspiciously."

Gao Yurong's expression changed, and she looked at Xie Fanli.

Xie Fanli said, "What does Miss Pei mean? Do you think I did something wrong? I have no grudge against that Miss Yuan, why would I do such a thing?"

Pei Lan lowered her eyes, her tone revealing no bias, and said, "I don't know about that. I saw Miss Xie and Miss Yuan's companion exchange a few words, but I didn't take it to heart. Who would have thought that the theft of the beads would happen later?"

Yuan Yan, who had been standing behind Yuan Chaolu, slowly raised her head and stared intently at Pei Lan.

Just as Gao Yurong was about to ask a question, she heard an announcement from outside the hall that the Emperor had arrived at Penglai Palace. She quickly joined the others in welcoming him.

The hall was filled with kneeling figures. When the figure appeared, he paused for a moment in front of the hall door, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling figures. He said, "It seems I have arrived at the wrong time and have disturbed the Empress Dowager's affairs."

The emperor, dressed in simple everyday clothes, entered the room and sat down beside the empress dowager, exchanging a few words with a smile.

The Empress Dowager laughed and said, "His Majesty sent a message to my side this evening, but I never expected that His Majesty would witness such a thing."

Everyone knelt on the ground. First the Empress Dowager, then the Emperor was present. They felt that this turmoil was not going to end easily.

During this period, His Majesty has treated Miss Gao differently. I imagine that when His Majesty hears of this matter, he will surely stand up for his mentor's daughter.

However, the emperor's words seemed to reveal a hint of disinterest in having outsiders present.

The palace maids around the Empress Dowager quickly gave Gao Yurong a wink, and Gao Yurong said, "Let's leave it at that for now and deal with it later."

"What is it?" the emperor suddenly asked.

“Your Majesty!” Prince Yan came to his side. “There are some strange things about what happened today. Since the investigation is already more than halfway through, Your Majesty is here. Why don’t you make a quick decision?”

Yuan Chaolu stood an arm's length away from the Emperor. When Gao Yurong said, "Miss Yuan the Second may have taken my Buddhist beads," she clearly heard the Emperor, who was sitting next to the Empress Dowager, chuckle softly.

Gao Yurong's heart tightened. "Your Majesty?"

The emperor took a sip of tea: "What Buddhist prayer beads did she take?"

"That is it, the one that was brought as tribute from the Buddhist kingdom..."

The Emperor looked at Empress Dowager Lu: "You gave my Buddhist prayer beads to Miss Gao?"

Empress Dowager Lu had not expected the emperor to ask about this matter, and said, "Yes, I saw that Yu Rong was an obedient child and accompanied me to worship Buddha every day, so I gave her that Buddhist bead."

The emperor shook his head, seemingly disapproving, and said with a smile, "It is an item that has been blessed. It was specially requested by the Empress Dowager. Although I am not stingy with a single Buddhist rosary, it still contains the essence of Buddhist Zen. Before giving it to others, I should first inform Abbot Yinghui."

Empress Dowager Lu said, "It was the Emperor's intention, and I naturally cherish it. It's also because Yu Rong is so obedient."

The emperor chuckled lightly but remained silent.

Empress Dowager Lu said, "I am well aware of its value, and today's matter..."

The Emperor spoke up: "Speaking of prayer beads, there are two in total. One is with the Empress Dowager, and the other—"

Yuan Chaolu felt the emperor's gaze sweep over her, and slowly raised her head, only to meet a pair of lazy phoenix eyes. "I previously bestowed this upon Miss Yuan the Second."

The air in the hall fell silent after those words were spoken.

Although the emperor's words were spoken lightly, they were enough to stir up waves in the hearts of those in the palace.

First, the items that Miss Gao wore every day were not bestowed by the Emperor, but were privately given by the Empress Dowager. The Emperor was completely unaware of this and disapproved of the Empress Dowager's actions.

Thinking about it more deeply, it is an indication that the emperor has been sending ambiguous signals about the Empress Dowager's high regard for the Gao family's daughter.

Secondly, how much influence does this Miss Yuan have that she could receive such an extraordinary reward from the Emperor?

Zhong Changjun said, "It was indeed a gift from His Majesty himself, and I presented it to Miss Yuan in person. Miss Yuan also knows that the Buddhist beads have been blessed for her, so there is absolutely no reason for her to take other people's things."

The Empress Dowager asked, "Why didn't the Second Miss wear it by her side before?"

The emperor leaned back against the desk, looking on with interest.

Yuan Chaolu hurriedly said, "How dare I wear this imperial gift every day? I am grateful but also apprehensive. I am afraid that the prayer beads will be damaged, so I keep them in a box."

These words stand in stark contrast to Gao Yurong's previous actions.

The expressions on everyone's faces in the hall were varied. Gao Yurong's smile was forced, the Prince of Yan breathed a sigh of relief, and the smile on the Empress Dowager's face gradually faded.

The princes were summoned to testify, and the situation, which was expected to be one-sided, was unexpectedly reversed.

Then came the retrial.

The matter concerning the imperial gift of Buddhist prayer beads was personally investigated by Zhong Changjun, the emperor's eunuch.

The truth came to light, and the third young lady of the Yuan family admitted that she was the one who did it. Miss Xie presented the Buddhist beads to her and coerced her into putting them into Yuan Chaolu's bag.

Yuan Yan tearfully complained, "If I don't put it in my second sister's bag, they say they'll find a way to make it impossible for me to stay at the academy. But if I do, Miss Xie says she needs a companion and will transfer me to her side. She'll definitely stop me from being affected by my second sister and suffering those disdainful looks..."

Xie Fanli denied it repeatedly, claiming that it was Miss Helan who had instructed her to do it.

"When Miss Yuan first entered the palace, Miss Helan always spoke ill of her to me. In addition, I had previously observed that Miss Yuan's studies were always lagging behind ours, so I was prejudiced and thought that Miss Yuan was as bad as she said. Today, when I saw Miss Gao's prayer beads lying on the horse track, Miss Helan gave me a signal from afar and instructed me to give the prayer beads to Miss Yuan's study companion. In that instant, I had a thought..."

Xie Fanli was bewildered and on the verge of tears, saying, "I really just wanted to give Miss Yuan a hard time. I never expected it to escalate so much!"

Gao Yurong found it absurd. Her gentle brows furrowed, and she said, "You actually deceived me like this? Using me to deal with the Second Miss, Helan Zhen, is that you?"

Helan Zhen vehemently denied it, stepping forward to say, "Miss Xie is truly speaking recklessly. I have been by Sister Gao's side the whole time. How could I possibly have the ability to give her signals?"

Yuan Chaolu looked at the group of people, ignoring Xie Fanli's tugging at her skirt, and said, "What Miss Gao said, according to palace rules, should be severely punished. Isn't that right?"

Gao Yurong nodded: "Yes, I also need to apologize to the Second Miss."

Yuan Chao straightened his back and said, "Then punish them severely. The mastermind will be expelled from the palace. Miss Yuan Yan, the third young lady, is my sister. I will handle her personally later. As for the many people on the grassland at that time, they all claimed that I stole the pearl..."

Immediately, a young man chimed in: "Second Miss, no, we were also summoned here to testify without your consent. We did not mean to make things difficult for you."

Yuan Chaolu said, "But at that time, I was unable to explain myself. So many of you have spoken, yet you only spoke to me. Isn't that bullying me?"

Her audacity in uttering such words before the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, her insistence on seeking justice, truly shocked everyone. It was the perfect time to stop. The truth was now clear, and the Gao family and numerous members of the royal family were involved; how could they act so recklessly?

Empress Dowager Lu's gaze swept across her face. "How do you intend to handle this?"

Yuan Chaolu said in a stern voice: "Miss Helan has slandered me. I'm sure more than one person in the academy has heard it. So, I will punish her with a cane. From now on, she will not be allowed to study with any of the girls in the academy."

He Lanzhen's expression changed drastically upon hearing the words "caning".

"As for the rest of you," she said, her gaze sweeping over the servants, "you shall be punished by copying the scriptures five times, as a small punishment to serve as a warning, and then come before me to apologize in person. What do you all think?"

Empress Dowager Lu was surprised and amused by these words. How could she possibly punish the princes, given their status?

But the emperor rose and said calmly, "So be it."

His words were decisive, and a hush fell over the surroundings; no one dared to object.

Yuan Chaolu smiled and said, "Thank you for your wise judgment, Your Majesty."

...

As we left Penglai Palace, dusk was approaching, and the rosy light of the sunset pressed down heavily.

This incident has had such a wide-ranging impact that it was beyond everyone's expectations, and it's not over yet. There's also the matter of everyone present apologizing and making amends to Miss Yuan...

Yuan Chaolu walked along the corridor, but before she had gone far, she was pulled into the woods on the side by someone.

The twilight light filtered through the intertwined branches and leaves, falling on the boy in front of him.

Xiao Luozhi breathed heavily: "I left in such a hurry that I almost couldn't catch up with the Second Miss. I heard about what happened at the horse farm this evening, so I rushed over immediately. Although I have only met the Second Miss a few times, I know that the Second Miss would not do such a thing. I am truly sorry to have wronged the Second Miss."

“There’s nothing to feel wronged about,” Yuan Chaolu said with a gentle smile.

Even at this point, she still said she felt no grievance.

"I was born and raised outside the palace, and I am not as noble as you ladies. When I first entered the palace, I was ignored by you ladies, and I am already used to it. Fortunately, today I still have a young lady from the Pei family to speak up for me, and also... His Highness Prince Yan."

She paused for a moment: "When I was helpless, it was only Your Highness who stood by my side."

The Prince of Yan shook his head: "But I was unable to say a few words for you in front of the Empress Dowager."

Yuan Chaolu shook her head and smiled, wiping away her tears with her handkerchief. She raised her head, her eyelashes already brimming with tears, trembling slightly.

Xiao Luozhi's hands, hanging by his sides, tightened and then loosened. That day in the palace, he was extremely shocked when he first learned her identity, but his emotions were somewhat calmed when he saw her. However, after returning to the Prince's Mansion, a multitude of complex emotions surged up again.

He has never liked being forced to do things, and even if he likes something a lot, he will be unwilling to do it if he is "ordered" to do it...

The girl's eyes were filled with tears, the corners of her eyes were red, and her shoulders trembled slightly. Her voice drifted toward him in the gentle evening breeze.

She took a step to leave, but unexpectedly tripped over a tree branch. The Prince of Yan instinctively reached out to help her, and by the time he came to his senses, she was already leaning on his shoulder, finally unable to hold back her sobs.

The sobs were continuous, as if trying to cry out all the resentment of the past few days. Her embrace was especially hot; he had never been so close to a woman before, and a shiver ran through his body. Unable to break free, her arms wrapped around him, and at that moment, it seemed that only he could lean on her.

"Your Highness...only you are so kind to me."

Xiao Luozhi's hand, which had initially intended to push her away, gradually loosened. It was as if a spring of water was slowly rising in his heart as she cried.

Yuan Chaolu used his clothes to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes and continued to sob softly. Fortunately, as dusk fell and twilight descended, she no longer needed to feign her sorrowful and timid expression so vividly.

The Prince of Yan was also slender yet strong, and the two brothers were remarkably similar in this respect. The only difference was that he adapted to her closeness so quickly, without the tension his brother felt when she was near him.

Yuan Chaolu was about to whisper a few words in his ear when she remembered that they were only a few steps away from the Empress Dowager's Penglai Palace, and said softly, "Your Highness, let's go somewhere else to talk..."

The words had barely left his lips when a soft glow from a ram's horn-shaped palace lantern caught his eye. From a corner of the distant covered walkway, the Emperor, who had just left the Penglai Palace, approached.

Yuan Chaolu instinctively tried to break free from the Prince of Yan's embrace, but her foot tripped over a vine. The person beside her immediately pulled her closer, placing his hand on her waist-length hair. "Are you alright?"

Yuan Chaolu couldn't shake it off. She raised her head and met the gaze of the emperor in the corridor.

His gaze was extremely light, like a breeze skimming across a lake, never lingering for a moment. His robes fluttered gently in the evening breeze, and he was about to pass the corner.

A moment later, the young woman called out "Your Majesty." The emperor stopped in his tracks.

Yuan Chaolu stepped over the railing, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for rescuing me today. I am deeply grateful."

The dim palace lanterns hung on the corridor pillars, casting oblique shadows that sliced ​​his face. With this interplay of light and shadow, Yuan Chaolu could not see his expression at all.

But if I don't thank him for what happened today, I'm afraid I won't be able to get over it.

"Your Majesty?" she called out.

The Emperor said, "If you have something to say, go to the Xuande Hall to speak."

Yuan Chaolu was taken aback. His Highness the Prince of Yan was right behind her, waiting for her. She had finally gotten this opportunity, and she didn't want to go to his palace right now.

The Emperor glanced at the Prince of Yan. The Prince of Yan was taken aback, and after a moment said in a low voice, "If my brother summons you, it must be for something important. You should go with him."

It turned out to be a situation where one of these two had to be chosen.

The emperor smiled, awaiting her choice.