Chapter 18 How dare you deceive the emperor
The sudden sound frightened Liu Yuetang and the silver hairpin in her hand slipped out.
She turned around hurriedly, but was surprised to find that the man was already standing in front of her, very close.
In order to avoid offending His Majesty, she had to step back, but she never expected to touch the candlestick.
Xiao Heng looked at the trembling candlestick and quickly pulled Liu Yuetang over.
Liu Yuetang lost her balance and fell forward, falling directly into his broad arms.
She raised her palm-sized face in panic, her eyes shy and timid.
Xiao Heng's eyes fixed, deep and indifferent.
He was the most handsome man Liu Yuetang had ever seen in the world, with black hair and a golden crown, a bright and handsome appearance, clear eyes and thin brows, and a cold outline shining in the candlelight. He seemed to have the majesty and dignity of a god, which was awe-inspiring.
She lifted her skirt and knelt down quickly, leaning over the ground: "I invite the concubines of the Moon Palace and the Princess Liu of the Jinxiu Pavilion to meet the emperor."
"I didn't know when the emperor came in just now. I offended the emperor. Please forgive me."
A pure and familiar fragrance lingered around Xiao Heng's nose, and his eyes were fixed on the woman's cherry lips and hands.
Just one glance and you'll understand.
Now that he had finally found the stunning woman he loved, Xiao Heng felt a little lost and regretful.
He always thought that the encounter in the plum garden was fate, but looking at the lotus lantern that he had carefully designed tonight, he couldn't help but have some doubts in his heart.
It is very likely that these were carefully planned by her.
Xiao Heng landed on the dragon throne.
Liu Yuetang also changed direction and knelt in front of him.
Her apricot-colored skirt and sleeves spread on the ground, like a hibiscus flower blooming, pink, soft and clean.
"Did you make that lotus lantern?" Xiao Heng looked at the person under him.
"Your Majesty, this was written by this concubine." Liu Yuetang replied calmly.
"I wonder if there's something wrong with my lotus lantern? That's why the Emperor summoned me here to question him."
Xiao Heng paused slightly while holding the teacup, and squinted at her: "It's not that there's anything wrong with your lotus lantern. On the contrary, you did a great job. You're the best lantern tonight."
Hearing the word "Deng Kui", Liu Yuetang raised her eyes in surprise and asked in shock: "Deng Kui?"
She was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly lowered her head and explained, "Your Majesty, this lantern was not made by me alone. I made it with the palace maids as a joke. Therefore... I cannot be the Lantern Master."
There was no trace of shock and fear on her face. Xiao Heng lowered his suspicious eyes and picked up the tea lid to move the curling tea leaves.
"On the ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, did you go to the plum garden and lose a scent bag?"
If Xiao Heng's words just now shocked her, then there was no surprise on her face at this moment, but instead there was uneasiness and fear.
After a moment, Liu Yuetang trembled her eyelashes and kowtowed, saying, "I am guilty."
Xiao Heng's eyes darkened and he looked at Zhou Defu not far away.
Zhou Defu could sense a sharp light overhead without even looking up. His legs softened and he knelt heavily, "Your Majesty, this... I did go to Yaoyue Palace, but Lady Liu was ill that day. Jiang Baolin and the palace maids around Lady Liu said she was seriously ill and hadn't left the house for several days. I was afraid it would affect Lady Liu's recovery, so I..."
As he spoke, he regretted deeply: "It is my fault for not doing my job well. I will go down and accept the punishment."
Seeing that Xiao Heng didn't say anything, Zhou Defu took a deep breath and hurried down to receive the punishment of being caned.
There was a moment of silence in the hall.
After a long while, the man's steady but oppressive voice was heard: "Liu Yunu, right? You are so bold, how dare you deceive the king!"
Liu Yuetang's body trembled weakly, and she felt a little uneasy in her heart: "Your Majesty, I know that the crime of deceiving the emperor is unforgivable, but the palace maids in Jinxiu Pavilion are innocent. Please forgive them."
Xiao Heng half-closed his eyes and stared at the delicate and delicate woman in front of him with surprise.
This was the only time since he became emperor that he saw a master plead for his servant.
She didn't even care about her own life, nor did she explain why she deceived the king.
Thinking about this, Xiao Heng was also very confused.
At that time, everyone in the six palaces knew that the imperial sister had taken great pains to find the owner of the sachet in order to give it to her. Would she be willing to miss such a good opportunity to gain favor?
So, he leaned forward, lifted Liu Yuetang's chin with his slender fingers, and examined the beautiful face in front of him. He said in a deep voice: "You want to kill the palace maid? Then tell me why you don't want to admit that the sachet is yours."
His brows were filled with a sharp and deep gaze that was so oppressive that it made people's heart palpitate. Liu Yuetang's long eyelashes trembled uneasily: "My concubine... My concubine..."
Xiao Heng applied a little force with his fingertips, lifting her chin higher: "I will only give you one chance to explain."
His impatience was evident in his words.
Liu Yuetang looked even more petite and fragile under her wide sleeves. She was stunned for a moment, a little sparkling in the corners of her eyes. She seemed to muster up all her courage before she slowly said:
"The Emperor's favor is certainly an honor, but it can also become a weapon for others to harm. I witnessed the tragic death of Jiang Cainu with my own eyes. I dare not have any more delusions. I just want to stay away from the disputes in the palace and live a peaceful life."
There was no trace of guilt or evasion in her eyes. Her eyes were clear and clean without a trace of impurities, like a pool of water in a peach blossom pond, which made me feel pity for her.
Xiao Heng's hand that was pinching her chin loosened a little unconsciously.
"I know I am a coward, afraid of death. But I do not regret my decision, nor do I wish to continue deceiving the emperor. However, the crime of deceiving the emperor has become a fact, and I will accept the punishment from the emperor."
As she spoke, she tilted her head back and closed her eyes.
Xiao Heng stroked her small chin with his palm.
Her face was like a finely crafted jade sculpture, flawless and flawless. Even the most beautiful jade in the world could not compare to this beautiful face.
I took a quick glance at Meiyuan that day and thought those hands were extraordinary.
But I never thought that the most wonderful thing was these eyes.
Especially the mole under the corner of the eye, when she blinks her watery eyes, it looks like a pear blossom in the spring rain, delicate yet charming.
Even the flaws are unique.
Even if both encounters were carefully planned by her, he would keep it by his side for the sake of this face.
With a face like this, how could she be willing to spend the rest of her life in the deep palace?
So he asked, "Wealth and honor are sought through risk. Without a fight, how can you know whether my favor is armor or a sharp blade?"
Liu Yuetang slowly opened her eyes. The majesty on the emperor's face had faded a little, and her chin was loosened by his hand.
She suppressed the soreness in her throat and said softly, "I dare not gamble, nor am I qualified to do so. I have no family power to rely on, so I live cautiously at home, treading on thin ice. I don't want to be like this in the palace."
"For me, fame, wealth and honor are not the only things worth pursuing in this world. Holding a high position is only for appearances."
Xiao Heng's face was as calm as a deep pool, but his heart couldn't help but tremble.
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