Chapter 76. Lian You Du comes to pick you up.

Inside the palace, the sounds of string and wind instruments drifted in, and dances and music played in unison, as the wine flowed freely.

Cui Yiluo sat at the table, but her expression was indifferent as she ate with her eyes lowered. She did not care about the light singing and dancing in the hall, but there was a smile in her lowered eyes, and upon closer inspection, the corners of her lips were slightly upturned.

She merely raised her eyelids slightly, and the man beside her swiftly turned his gaze away.

Cui Yiluo picked up a segment of orange and put it in her mouth, winked at him, and said, "I really wasn't looking at him."

Jiang Yunjin gave a soft hum, and when he saw her lower her eyes again, he turned his gaze back, only to unexpectedly meet the mocking gaze of the man in black sitting opposite him.

The two looked at each other for a moment, then looked away.

The orange segments burst with sweet and slightly astringent juice in her mouth. The man beside her calmly picked out the veins from the freshly peeled orange segments and placed them in the cup in front of her, seemingly oblivious to the surprised looks from the people around them.

His appearance showed no sign that he had been jealous all day.

Cui Yiluo had no idea when he had made his emotions so obvious in front of her.

To celebrate the New Year, the Emperor ordered his ministers to bring their families to the hot spring palace in the suburbs for a few days of leisure. At the beginning of the journey, he was supposed to ride a horse behind the imperial carriage, but instead opted for a carriage, citing the cold weather. At that time, Cui Yiluo sensed something was amiss, but couldn't figure out why, until she saw Yuan Ling when she disembarked from the carriage.

Although ordered to travel south, it happened to be the New Year holiday, and the emperor graciously granted officials permission to return to Shengjing for a few days before setting off south again after the New Year. Therefore, Yuan Ling was also among those on this trip to the palace.

Unfortunately, during the banquet, Yuan Ling's seat happened to be right across from them, looking at them from afar.

Therefore, that night, whenever Cui Yiluo slightly raised her face, the man beside her would quickly look at her.

Petty and overly concerned.

At this moment, Consort Qiong, who was sitting next to the emperor and below him, stood up. As soon as she stood up, her head full of jewels shone brightly in the candlelight, and her maids immediately swarmed around her.

Consort Qiong whispered something to the Emperor, seemingly because she was drunk and wanted to rest for a while. The Emperor immediately got up to follow her, but Consort Qiong stopped him. Then, Consort Qiong left with a group of maids and eunuchs to a side hall.

After a moment, Cui Yiluo glanced at Jiang Yunjin with her eyes and was about to leave when she was suddenly grabbed and squeezed lightly.

Be careful.

-

Inside the side hall, Consort Qiong was leaning back on her chaise longue, resting with her eyes closed. Her face was slightly flushed from drinking too much wine, giving her a somewhat tipsy and alluring appearance. Beside her, Yingxue was carefully massaging Consort Qiong's temples while cautiously observing her expression.

Suddenly, a maidservant approached quietly outside the palace gate, looking hesitantly at Yingxue inside.

Yingxue glanced at Consort Qiong, who, though her eyes were closed, gently waved her hand.

But after hearing the maid's report, Yingxue stood there stunned for a long time, until Consort Qiong called her, and she hesitantly walked back.

"Your Majesty, Young Madam Jiang requests an audience..."

Consort Qiong paused for a moment, then slowly raised her eyes and looked at Yingxue. "Let her in."

Yingxue understood and, before inviting Cui Yiluo in, ordered the guards to lie in ambush around the side hall, ready to break in through the window at their master's command.

The hall was warm and cozy, with wisps of incense smoke rising from the incense burner with phoenixes playing with a pearl. As soon as Cui Yiluo entered the hall, the maidservant guarding the door sensibly took the pale yellow embroidered pear blossom fox fur cloak that Cui Yiluo was wearing.

"Young Madam Jiang, is there something important that you wish to see me about?" Consort Qiong sat up straight, her wide sleeves sliding down an inch to reveal a section of her fair wrist. The white jade bracelet on her slender wrist further accentuated her smooth, creamy skin. Her head was adorned with jewels that swayed gently, making her incomparably noble and elegant. There was no trace of the fact that she had given birth to three sons.

Although she was smiling, her beautiful eyes were icy cold.

Cui Yiluo said slowly, "Indeed, it is urgent. May Your Highness dismiss all attendants?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Yingxue reprimanded her, "Young Madam Jiang is far too disrespectful of palace rules. How can it be proper for a Noble Consort to be alone in a room with a mere subject?"

Cui Yiluo glanced at Yingxue, and for a moment, Yingxue saw the shadow of Consort Qiong's imposing manner in Cui Yiluo's cold eyes. She was stunned, and her stern expression froze on her face.

Cui Yiluo then turned to Consort Qiong and said, "What does Your Highness say?"

Consort Qiong said calmly, "Go and receive your punishment."

Yingxue raised her eyebrows slightly, about to order someone to take Cui Yiluo away, when she suddenly saw Consort Qiong's cold gaze sweep over her. She hurriedly knelt down in a panic, "This servant knows her mistake!"

"You may all leave."

Knowing she had angered her master, Yingxue dared not say anything more and immediately made a gesture to lead the rest of the people away.

The side hall, which had been packed with people just moments before, was suddenly empty except for the two of them. Consort Qiong tapped her slender index finger lightly on the armrest of the couch, the crimson nail polish on it as red as pigeon blood.

"You can speak now?"

Cui Yiluo took a light breath, inhaling the sweet fragrance from the incense burner. She didn't like such a cloying scent, and despite her discomfort, she said, "Your Majesty, the anniversary of my mother's death is approaching. I would like to offer some lamps for my deceased mother, but I don't know which temple in Shengjing would be the best place to go?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Qiong's face darkened, and she frowned, saying, "It's too unlucky for Young Madam Jiang to bring this up on such a festive occasion."

Cui Yiluo simply said, "It is I who have offended you. However, my mother died in the river in Ningzhou when I was only half a year old. I do not remember what my mother looked like, which is why I dared to ask Your Majesty about the matter of offering lamps. Your Majesty has three children, so I am sure you can understand the feelings involved."

Consort Qiong revealed a mocking smile: "Young Madam Jiang, you have offended me. Why should I believe your words?"

"I wonder if Your Majesty has heard that my father, Cui Qi, the Registrar of Ningzhou, unfortunately suffered from hysteria a few days ago. He has now been sent back to his hometown for treatment, but the doctor said that he is afraid he will never recover and his mental state will be worse than that of a three-year-old child in the future," Cui Yiluo said expressionlessly, as if she was just stating: "In the future, I think no one in this world will remember what my mother looked like."

Consort Qiong's smile faded, her expression turning serious. Her deep gaze fell on Cui Yiluo's face, and after a moment she slowly spoke: "I understand. If Madam Jiang wishes to offer lamps for her deceased mother, she may wish to visit Abbot Yuanjue at Guanghua Temple. I believe he can bless her with a lifetime of peace and prosperity."

Upon finding the temple where lamps were offered for her deceased mother, Cui Yiluo did not show a relaxed smile. Instead, she bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. This humble woman takes her leave."

Consort Qiong paused for a moment, then softly hummed in agreement.

Cui Yiluo let out a soft breath, turned around and left. Suddenly, she heard the sound of pearls and jade swaying behind her. It seemed that Consort Qiong had stood up and taken a step forward.

"I heard that it was Mrs. Jiang's birthday a few days ago. Happy birthday."

Cui Yiluo didn't turn around. The sweet fragrance in the hall made her throat feel a little dry. She said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty. However, my birthday has passed by several days ago."

Having said that, she left without waiting for Consort Qiong's reply.

The maid who had been holding her cloak was waiting outside. Cui Yiluo's inner clothes were not thick, and the distance without the cloak was only a few steps, but her hands and feet were already ice cold when she walked down.

After putting on the cloak, he hadn't taken two steps when he saw Xiao Ying coming towards him.

Xiao Ying always felt a natural affinity for her, and subconsciously smiled and moved closer, but then remembered her mother's instructions and restrained herself from moving more than a few steps away.

"Greetings, Princess."

"No need for formalities. Mrs. Jiang, what are you doing here?"

Cui Yiluo replied with a calm expression, "I have some matters to consult Your Highness, and I would also like to take this opportunity to pay my respects to Your Highness."

Xiao Ying, who had been pampered by her parents since childhood, was innocent and naive. Upon hearing this, she did not find anything wrong and smiled, saying, "Then Madam, please go back quickly."

After the two parted ways, Cui Yiluo took a few steps and heard Xiao Ying and Consort Qiong laughing and talking in the side hall. Consort Qiong scolded Xiao Ying for not wearing more clothes and not being afraid of getting cold, but her tone was full of laughter and doting. Xiao Ying naturally did not take her mother's scolding seriously and just acted cute and unreasonable.

The side hall, which had been quiet and solemn just moments before, suddenly became harmonious and joyful with the arrival of Xiao Ying. Everyone could see that Consort Qiong clearly doted on her daughter Xiao Ying much more than the two princes, though no one knew why.

As night deepened, Cui Yiluo hurried back, quickening her pace as she left the side hall.

But as they approached the side hall's gate, they saw a tall, slender man in the darkness, wearing a snow-blue cloak. His imposing figure stood out against the thick night. He carried a lantern, like the only bright star in the chaotic night, and his handsome face was still dazzling in the dim candlelight.

Cui Yiluo recognized him at a glance, after all, the cloak he was wearing was made from the material she had personally selected and had made by someone else.

She paused for a moment, and Jiang Yunjin, who clearly recognized her, strode over.

"Why are you here...?"

"I'm here to pick you up."

Cui Yiluo didn't say anything.

Last night she said she wanted to talk to Consort Qiong today, but didn't say much. He only responded softly. She thought he would just wait for her to return to her seat in the main hall where the banquet was being held.

He stood there, waiting for who knows how long.

Jiang Yunjin felt a warmth in his palm as he skillfully took her hand, his fingers interlacing with hers to clasp it tightly.

Then, he frowned slightly: "Why are your hands so cold?"

Princess Tonghejia said a few words.

Jiang Yunjin hummed in agreement and held her hand even tighter.

Aren't you going back for the banquet?

Cui Yiluo recognized that this road was not the way back to the main hall, but the way back to their residence.

"Um."

Jiang Yunjin held the lamp in his other hand, gripping it very firmly. Only when the wind blew would the lamp sway slightly; most of the time, it steadily illuminated the bluestone path ahead.

On the long palace path, in the dim light, after a few moments of silence, Cui Yiluo's soft voice could be heard.

"You actually knew all along that she didn't have amnesia, didn't you?"

“Hmm,” his voice sounded somewhat muffled in the dim light, “I don’t want you to feel bad.”

Cui Yiluo simply asked, "Does His Majesty know?"

Jiang Yunjin's eyes darkened. Recalling his conversation with the Emperor in the Council Hall that afternoon, he paused for a moment before saying, "I know."

With just those two words, Cui Yiluo understood. In truth, whether or not she had amnesia was merely a pretense. The emperor used it to take a minister's wife, and Consort Qiong used it to escape her weak and incompetent husband. There was no need for the two to reveal their true intentions.

Jiang Yunjin looked at her: "A-Luo..."

Before he could speak, Cui Yiluo interrupted him, raising her hand with a smile: "My cousin said that the hot springs in this palace have the effect of promoting blood circulation. Has my husband been here before?"

“I accompanied the emperor here once two years ago, but at that time I was still serving as the Vice Minister of the Chancellery.”

Only officials of the third rank and above had their own private hot spring pools in their residences; other officials and their families had to go to the Hot Spring Palace. Back then, Jiang Yunjin was only a Vice Minister of the Chancellery, so his residence naturally didn't have a private hot spring pool like it does now. Cui Yiluo knew that Jiang Yunjin was very restrained and never indulged in pleasure. Since he was alone here, he certainly didn't know what the hot spring was like.

Cui Yiluo responded with a sound of agreement, but did not say anything more.

Jiang Yunjin tacitly remained silent, and the two walked hand in hand through the darkness back to their residence.

Perhaps due to the fatigue of the journey, Cui Yiluo went to bed after taking a bath that night. In the dead of night, she seemed to have a dream, a dream of her childhood, filled with trivial matters, which she completely forgot after waking up. But in the dream, she could still clearly feel herself nestled in a warm and broad embrace.

-

The following day, although a group of officials accompanied the emperor to the hot spring palace for leisure, the emperor remained diligent in governing the country. Despite his leisure activities, he did not neglect state affairs. Apart from skipping the court session, everything else proceeded as if he were still in Shengjing.

Therefore, after having breakfast, Jiang Yunjin went to the Council of State.

Cui Yiluo was not idle either. Before setting off yesterday, Jiang Zhaoyue invited them to go to the hot spring together.

The hot spring palace is divided into many separate hot spring pools. The women come in groups, without disturbing each other. However, the soundproofing is a bit poor.

Cui Yiluo and the others changed into bright clothes and soaked in the warm spring water. They listened to the noble ladies next door talking about how the son of the Minister of Rites had become the favorite concubine of the Minister of Rites, which led to him being beaten up by his wife's family. They also talked about how the eldest daughter of Grand Tutor Guo had fallen for a poor student under her father's tutelage. As they talked, they also mentioned Cui Yiluo and the others next door.

“At yesterday’s banquet, I saw Lord Jiang peeling oranges for his wife.”

A noblewoman clicked her tongue in amazement, “Just peeling oranges? No wonder he’s Lord Jiang, as always, so clueless about romance.”

"No, don't you think it's already astonishing that someone like Lord Jiang, who never gives anyone a second glance, whether they're male or female, would peel an orange for his wife?"

The voices of the group could be heard clearly. Jiang Zhaoyue glanced at Cui Yiluo with a teasing look, but Cui Yiluo seemed to be used to it and remained calm.

"By the way, I heard that His Majesty is going to set up a stage in the training ground for people to compete around 1-3 PM. Aren't you going to take a look?"

Another noblewoman was unsurprised: "Isn't it always the same?"

"Times have changed. In the past two years, the Yunyi Guard has selected quite a few tall and handsome men."

The noblewoman was clearly intrigued: "Oh? Then I'll have to go."

On the other side, Jiang Zhaoyue mouthed to the others whether they wanted to go. Yang Jingling was the first to nod, followed by Xie Xiyun.

Cui Yiluo wasn't particularly interested in this. She felt that most men looked pretty much the same, but she had never been involved in a martial arts competition before, so there was no harm in going to take a look.

But to their surprise, just as the four of them arrived outside the training ground, they heard a group of noble ladies and gentlemen rushing inside.

"Really? Commander Jiang is going to be compared to Commander Yuan? Quick, let's go, don't miss it!"

Jiang Yunjin and Yuan Ling are fighting? Cui Yiluo's brow twitched suddenly, and she felt a darkness before her eyes.

Jiang Zhaoyue was also surprised to hear this, "Big brother actually went on stage too? That's really rare."

After saying that, she pulled Cui Yiluo inside. Jiang Zhaoyue was in a hurry and squeezed Cui Yiluo through the crowd to the front.

The two swords clashed, producing a crisp clang. On the training ground, a man dressed in snow-white riding attire and a man in black robes were sparring. The two were evenly matched, their moves swift and powerful, a back-and-forth contest.

The audience below was filled with amazement, and even the emperor and empress at the head of the table were captivated.

The blade was sharp and cold in the sunlight. Yuan Ling's sword moves were extremely fast, and he was attacking Jiang Yunjin's vital points. Although Jiang Yunjin's attacks were a little gentler, he was always able to block Yuan Ling's sword attacks and find the openings to counterattack.

Several times, however, Yuan Ling's sword still grazed Jiang Yunjin's body, making Cui Yiluo's temples throb.

The young men beside him discussed, "We heard that Commander Yuan specifically requested to compete with Lord Jiang, but Lord Jiang actually agreed. Commander Yuan is a military general."

"However, judging from Jiang Linggong's martial arts skills, they are not much inferior to Commander Yuan's."

Jiang Yunjin was a civil official, and many people were unaware that he was also a skilled swordsman. Cui Yiluo had witnessed his swordsmanship before, but putting everything else aside, just the solid muscles on his body after he took off his clothes every night, and the strength he possessed, made Cui Yiluo realize that he couldn't possibly be inferior to Yuan Ling.

But Cui Yiluo still frowned, staring intently at the snow-white figure on the field.

Suddenly, Jiang Yunjin turned his gaze and met her eyes precisely. Cui Yiluo's heart skipped a beat. Before she could react, she saw him shift his gaze back, blocking Yuan Ling's attacking sword strike.

But a subtle, almost imperceptible smile played on his lips.

The battle was close, but the spectators didn't seem tired at all. They were just waiting for one side to make a mistake, and some even placed bets on which side would win.

With a piercing clang, Yuan Ling's sword passed Jiang Yunjin's sword and moved swiftly forward. Jiang Yunjin dodged to the side, but his arm was still cut by the sword. The bright red blood instantly stained his snow-white sleeves, which were particularly eye-catching.

Cui Yiluo's heart stopped.

But the next moment, Jiang Yunjin smoothly bypassed Yuan Ling's sword and pointed it straight at Yuan Ling's throat.

The outcome is decided.

A few moments of silence followed, then applause broke out.

On the field, Yuan Ling was also surprised that he would dodge the sword move so slowly. He was stunned for a moment, and in that instant, the offensive and defensive positions were reversed.

He intentionally injured himself.

The answer to why he deliberately injured himself is obvious.

He stared darkly at Jiang Yunjin, who was pointing his sword directly at him.

In the arena, swords and spears have no eyes, and injuries have occurred before. Moreover, the emperor prefers the spirit of men, so the battles in the arena became increasingly fierce, with the young men all trying their best to show off their prowess in front of the emperor.

Therefore, no one noticed the undercurrent between the two. After the emperor saw that the outcome was decided, he rewarded the two and then ordered the imperial physician to take Jiang Yunjin away for treatment.

Yuan Ling's sword cut was not shallow; the blood flowing from Jiang Yunjin's arm almost stained most of his sleeve.

Cui Yiluo's forehead twitched at the sight. She said something to Jiang Zhaoyue and then squeezed through the crowd, hurrying towards her residence.

But as they passed through the corridor, a dark figure suddenly appeared around the corner.

"Miss Cui."

Author's Note: My cousin is going to go crazy again tomorrow [doge emoji]

Thank you so much for the nutrient solution, my darlings! [heart emoji]