Chapter 84 Elegant Gathering
The gathering was to be held at the Cui family's villa, Qinyuan Garden.
The air was filled with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms and the garden was bursting with chrysanthemums, creating a picturesque scene with the exquisite palace lanterns hanging under the eaves. Guests filled the hall. The bamboo curtains on all four sides of the waterside pavilion were half-rolled up, and the autumn sunlight slanted through them, making the brocade robes of everyone present shimmer and glow.
"Seventeenth Sister Cui, who is that young emperor? He's almost a quarter of an hour late and still hasn't shown up?"
As soon as Cui Shenxiu emerged from the backyard, he was surrounded by Wang Shu and several noble ladies, who were talking to him. Hearing this question, she glanced at the slanting sun and addressed the speaker, Zhu Silang:
"The Emperor's arrival is different from that of ordinary people like us. If you, Zhu Silang, have something to do beforehand, I will have a servant bring your carriage."
This young man, Zhu Si, came from the local Zhu family. He had originally wanted to watch the show as soon as possible, but Cui Shenxiu's words were so shrewd that he turned the tables on him, and his face immediately turned ugly.
Several familiar scholars nearby quickly tried to smooth things over: "Seventeenth Sister is the hostess, Zhu Si, your words are indeed abrupt."
"I heard that he was already terminally ill in the north, and his escape south exhausted him even more. That day, when he knelt to greet me in front of the governor's mansion, I saw from afar that his imperial robes were hanging loosely on him, as if a gust of wind could blow them over." A scholar surnamed Gu chuckled, fanning himself. "In that case, it's understandable that he was a little late."
"Brother Gu, you are mistaken. I saw that the young emperor was frail and sickly, yet his charm remained undiminished. Didn't you see the maidservant beside him practically supporting and carrying him as they walked?"
"It's strange, really. Everyone says the young emperor's face is disfigured, resembling a demon, yet there are women who neither avoid nor abandon him; that's quite an anomaly..."
...
Cui Shenxiu ignored the whispers behind her and was about to go to the door when a servant rushed over to report: "Lady, His Majesty's carriage has arrived."
The servant looked puzzled. “But… both of them were dressed in plain clothes. And the young man’s appearance… is quite different from what has been said. He is extremely handsome, only thin, and certainly not sickly.”
Choi Shin-soo's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't stop walking.
"Is Uncle still waiting?"
The servant shuddered: "My lord has been in high spirits since this morning. He questioned Yuheng and Yuchuan again and is now waiting for news from the young lady."
Choi Shin-soo remained silent. Turning the corner of the corridor, the main entrance came into view, and even though she was usually composed, a very faint look of surprise flashed across her eyes.
The servant's words were true.
The young man standing before the gate was slender and thin. The marks of an old ailment left a slight pallor on his overly pale face, yet could not conceal his exquisitely handsome features. His phoenix eyes were as black as lacquer, exuding an air of authority with every glance. His ink-black hair was tied up, and his smoky blue robe further accentuated his jade-like appearance. How could there be any resemblance to the description of him as "looking like a demon"?
He tilted his head slightly, raising an eyebrow as he spoke to the girl beside him. Cui Shenxiu's gaze fell lightly on the boy's waist; the red riding sash was gone.
The woman, dressed in a simple moon-colored dress with only a plain silver hairpin in her hair, was none other than Yang Liuqing, Yan Dibai's personal attendant, who had been receiving her and Wang Shu these past few days.
Perhaps out of consideration for the occasion, she was respectful but not timid. Instead, she unabashedly overstepped the bounds of propriety and stood side by side with the young emperor.
"Your Majesty's arrival brings great honor to Qinyuan. I am late in welcoming you, please forgive me." Cui Shenxiu was only a moment late, and he curtsied as he stepped out the door. His clear voice immediately made Qingqing turn around.
"Miss Cui." Qingqing smiled and bowed, greeting her before turning to Yan Dibai:
"His Majesty has been recuperating these days and has not had time to go out and entertain guests. Perhaps he does not recognize this Miss Cui?"
He then winked at Yan Dibai.
Yan Dibai patiently glanced at her. The woman was dignified, her elegant attire complementing her refined taste. He gave a casual "Oh," and said, "From the Cui family?"
Qingqing's eyelid twitched.
Cui Shenxiu's smile remained unchanged: "I am seventeen. The banquet is ready. Please, Your Majesty and Your Highness, move to the banquet hall." She paused slightly and explained: "There are many guests today, and it would be too crowded in one place. Therefore, we have set up a waterside pavilion and a warm pavilion. We can enjoy the moon and listen to the zither together later. I will first lead Your Highness to the warm pavilion, and other servants will guide Your Majesty to the waterside pavilion."
The separation came suddenly, and Yan Dibai paused, his gaze quickly sweeping across Qingqing's face.
Qingqing understood immediately, nodded very slightly, and then smiled at Cui Shenxiu, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, young lady."
Yan Dibai then resumed his listless demeanor, casually waved his sleeve at the servant leading the way, and strolled ahead towards the waterside pavilion.
Qingqing watched his figure disappear behind the moon gate before turning around and following Cui Shenxiu into another corridor. Before they even reached the warm pavilion, they could already hear bursts of elegant laughter.
She took a deep breath and subconsciously raised her head. Unintentionally, she gripped her sleeve tightly.
-
The pavilions and stages were arranged in a pleasing, staggered pattern. Young men from noble families, dressed in brocade robes, gathered in twos and threes. As a servant announced, "Welcome, Your Majesty," the previously hushed conversations noticeably subsided, replaced by focused gazes.
"Is this... His Majesty?" Zhu Silang, who was standing at the front, asked suspiciously, the meaning of his words self-evident.
Wasn't the young emperor supposed to look like a demon? But the young man before them, though dressed simply, was elegant and refined, with extraordinary beauty. How could he possibly resemble a demon?
Yan Dibai had already taken his seat at the head table, adopting the air of a nobleman. Hearing this, he slightly raised his eyelids, "What is it you wish to speak of?"
As he spoke, he picked up a wine cup from the table and poured himself a drink.
The atmosphere inside the waterside pavilion instantly turned chilly to the bone.
A tense exchange of glances followed, and the young man in the indigo brocade robe at the front rose first, bowing with a beaming smile:
"Your Majesty's presence is a great honor for us. However, the autumn scenery is delightful, and we worry that Your Majesty's arrival may be delayed. Is it due to any inconvenience to your carriage? Or perhaps... Your Majesty still needs to rest?"
Upon hearing this, whispers of agreement rippled through the crowd.
"I saw several sparrows fighting over food and their feathers tumbling around on the road. It was quite interesting. I've been taking care of myself under Governor Wang's care these past few days, and I'm quite bored, so I naturally watched them for a while."
Yan Di's pale face showed little emotion. He casually waved his hand, then raised his glass to everyone, his tone even becoming somewhat warm:
"Having been in Yangzhou for over ten days, this is the first time I've seen so many talented young men. Are you all... acquainted with Governor Wang?"
Several scholars exchanged glances during the gathering.
The young man in the indigo robe bowed and said, "I am Wang Ke of Langya. My father and Governor Wang are of the same clan. We are ashamed that we have not been able to fulfill our duties as hosts in honor of Your Majesty's arrival."
"A relative of Governor Wang?!" Yan Dibai's eyes lit up suddenly, as if he had seen a relative, and he waved repeatedly, "Good! Good! No problem, I don't stand on ceremony! Minister Wang, I respect you, and I respect everyone!"
His behavior almost confirmed the deposed emperor's incompetence. Everyone raised their glasses, their posture no longer as respectful as before.
The conversation then turned to the fall of the capital. Everyone sighed, some genuinely, some feigning sorrow, and Yan Dibai, playing along, her eyes brimming with tears, repeatedly lamented, her wine cup emptying and refilling. Taking advantage of the situation, Zhu Si personally took the jug and stepped forward to pour wine, overstepping his bounds. Yan Dibai's face flushed, and seeing the man's large face approaching to speak, she nodded indistinctly:
"Excellent! Reward him! Reward him!"
Another low chuckle followed.
After several rounds of drinking, Yan's fair face became unusually flushed, and her eyes gradually became hazy. Wang Ke knew the time was right and gave a wink to those behind him. Immediately, a scholar skilled in poetry suggested composing a poem, and Wang Ke bowed in response:
"Your Majesty's presence is truly an honor for us. We have long heard that Your Majesty was taught by the great Confucian scholar Lin Furu, and that your talent and learning are at their peak. Today, the autumn scenery is just right, so why don't we use chrysanthemums as the theme and compose a couplet to add to the merriment?"
The crowd below echoed, one saying "Golden blossoms receiving dew," another "Frosty stamens carrying fragrance." When it was finally their turn, amidst the expectant gazes, the young man seemed drunk, picking up a piece of almond shortbread and chuckling:
"No, no. I've long forgotten what old man Lin taught me. Besides, this garden full of autumn colors is nothing more than golden petals falling with dew and osmanthus fragrance floating in the air—clichéd and overused. What is there to sing about?"
After speaking, he took a bite of the almond shortbread and sighed with satisfaction, "This shortbread... though not as good as the imperial ones, is still quite delicious. Thanks to Governor Wang, and thanks to all the powerful families of Jiangzuo. From now on, I can finally eat it often, every day..."
As she spoke, she squinted, gathered the entire plate of almond cookies into her sleeve, and tears gradually welled up in her eyelashes.
He laughed and cried with such ease, displaying such overwhelming gratitude that it was difficult to continue. Zhu Si's eyes darted around:
"It is because of me that His Majesty is so saddened during this Mid-Autumn Festival. Someone, bring me my bow to add to the festivities!"
Zhu Si's archery skills were indeed quite good; he hit the bullseye three times in a row, and Yan Di and Bai Guo were unsurprisingly the last to be hit. This time, however, he couldn't deny it anymore. The young man raised his head and clicked his tongue a few times with his red lips:
"I started practicing archery too early, and my body is weak now. I can't do it today, I can't."
His plea for mercy was not to be taken lightly by Wang Ke and Zhu Si. Helpless, Yan Dibai shakily drew his bow, the arrow whizzing past the edge of the target and falling into the grass.
He was a classic example of someone who was neither good at academics nor at martial arts.
Yan Di's face didn't look good, and Wang Ke immediately offered a feigned consolation:
"His Majesty has been out of battle for a long time; it is already remarkable that he can even draw his bow. Zhu Silang, you are far too reckless!"
Zhu Si hurriedly apologized with a laugh. After this thorough probing, everyone in the waterside pavilion knew the true capabilities of this young emperor. They circled around Yan Dibai, watching him perform a monkey show.
The banquet resumed, and Wang Ke saw that Yan Di's face was flushed from drinking, and his eyes were glazed and excited. He knew that the time was ripe.
He raised his glass, his words carrying a hint of intimacy:
"Your Majesty, I have a question. It is widely known in Jiangzuo that you and a court attendant named Yang have shared hardships and have a deep and admirable bond, which is considered a beautiful story. I wonder, after Your Majesty becomes Empress, what do you intend to do with this court attendant Yang?"
During the meal, they tacitly pressed their fists to their lips in sync.
Although the young emperor was down on his luck, he was still a genuine descendant of the Yan and Jin people. Many women wanted to marry their sisters to him as their principal wives. The fact that Lady Yang had acted intimately with him that day naturally caught everyone's attention, and they were quite dissatisfied with the young emperor.
Asking this question now is a subtle way of reminding him to recognize his situation, and also a test of his future "sister/brother-in-law".
Upon hearing this, Yan Dibai was taken aback. His hand holding the wine glass trembled slightly, but he wasn't angry; instead, he murmured as if in a daze:
"Qingniang? My Qingniang will naturally be with me. To live and die together!"
Wang Ke frowned, never expecting that the young emperor would be so unable to understand human language:
"Yang Yushi has served His Majesty well, but sharing the same bed in life and the same body in death is a matter between husband and wife. What does this have to do with Yushi?"
"How can you say we have nothing to do with each other!" The young man smashed his wine cup with a bang and said fiercely, "Qingniang and I are in love. She is my wife, whom I married before leaving the palace! She is my empress!"
"His first wife?"
These words were like cold water poured into boiling oil, shocking everyone present. The Empress?!
Wang Ke was stunned for a moment, then gloated. No wonder Wang Shu refused to marry him.
He also said apologetically:
"I see. Your Majesty, please calm down. Your Majesty and the Imperial Attendant have a deep and affectionate relationship. It was my ignorance that led me to this. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
The boy waved his sleeve in displeasure: "This is boring, this is boring!"
"It was our fault for speaking inappropriately."
Wang Ke coaxed him with a beaming smile:
"The gathering will continue for a long time. If Your Majesty finds it boring, how about a game of dice to relieve your boredom? This is a refined game, and I'm sure Your Majesty has heard of it in the palace."
He paused deliberately, "...However, Your Majesty has been working hard these past few days. I wonder if you have the strength to hold my hand?"
The scene fell silent instantly.
The game of Chupu was known throughout the country, from the imperial court to the common people. It was especially popular in the Jiangnan region. Wang Ke's choice of this game could not be said to be unfair, but it did take advantage of the popularity of Chupu in Jiangnan.
"This drink is rather strong, isn't it?" Yan Dibai, his eyes blurry with drunkenness, raised his head, seemingly struggling to focus on Wang Ke's face. He shook his head again, and only then did he vaguely hear Wang Ke's suggestion, chuckling softly, "Dice? Of course I've seen it before! It's... fun! Why not play?"
Yan Dibai slammed his hand on the table, his body swaying as he did so. "What's the prize for winning?"
Seeing that he had fallen into the trap, Wang Ke sneered inwardly and said:
"The prize is merely for celebration. If Your Majesty wins, we will drink three cups together to congratulate you! If we are fortunate enough to win..."
"Boring! What's the point of drinking?" Yan Dibai interrupted impatiently. His scarlet eyes swept over everyone, finally landing on Wang Ke's face, a twisted smile spreading across his lips.
"How about... we make a real bet? If I win five consecutive games... you, Wang Ke, will have to remove your crown and let your hair down, and crawl around this waterside pavilion, barking like a dog three times. How about that?!"
The room erupted in uproar! To make the young master of the Langya Wang clan bark and crawl like a dog? This was an utter insult to his very soul!
Wang Ke's face instantly turned ashen, his blood rushing to his head. But with everyone watching, if he backed down, what face would he have left? Besides, he absolutely refused to believe this piece of trash could win! Wang Ke forced a laugh through gritted teeth:
"Your Majesty's interest is certainly welcome! But what if Your Majesty loses?"
"The Emperor?" Yan Dibai seemed to have heard something extremely amusing, laughing so hard he could barely breathe. "If I lose... I'll kneel down and call you 'Father' three times! Hahahaha!"
What a mad dog! This bet sent a chill down everyone's spine, even Wang Ke was stunned. But he was already on the line, with no room for retreat. Besides, if he could humiliate the emperor to this extent, what did Wang Ke have to worry about regarding his reputation in Jiangzuo?!
He then gave a forced smile and said, "Your Majesty, I will give you three rounds!"
The chessboard was quickly set up. Everyone crowded around, and then they saw Yan Dibai, his eyes still blurry with drunkenness, grab a handful of wooden pieces and drop them onto the chessboard with a clattering sound.
"Your Majesty, it's time to throw the dice," Zhu Si reminded him, suppressing his disdain.
"Toss the divination blocks... I will naturally do it!"
Yan Dibai gave a vague reply, grabbed the five pieces of wood, and threw them haphazardly without even looking at them. The five pieces rolled out into a scattered "mixed set," with a pitifully small number of points.
He stared at the number, tilted his head and thought for a long time before slowly and hesitantly moving a piece forward a small square. The position was insignificant, almost a foolish move.
Wang Ke sneered inwardly and easily threw out a "pheasant" piece. The piece fell like the wind and instantly captured Yan Dibai's scattered vanguard.
"My soldiers!" Yan Dibai slapped his thigh in anguish.
A burst of suppressed laughter immediately erupted from the surrounding area.
"Your Majesty, you flatter me." Wang Ke made his move with elegance, and in just over ten moves, he utterly defeated Yan Dibai.
"His Majesty lost the first round."
Yan Dibai stared at the bare chessboard for a long while, then suddenly grabbed his wine cup, took a swig, and shouted, "That doesn't count! That blockhead won't obey me! Let's play again!"
Wang Ke pursed his lips and said, "Yes."
The second game was almost a carbon copy of the first, but even more humiliating. Yan Di hesitated when making his moves, and Wang Ke didn't even bother to think, using only the most basic offensive moves, toying with him like a cat playing with a mouse.
Zhu Si couldn't help but point loudly, "Your Majesty, this should be placed here! You've made a mistake again!"
Yan Dibai actually obeyed his command and moved the chess pieces to an even worse position, which caused a burst of laughter. In the warm pavilion, the unrestrained laughter from the waterside pavilion passed over the carefully trimmed chrysanthemum bushes and faintly reached the ears of the noble ladies.
Qingqing is experiencing another war.
At first, the atmosphere was quite polite, with the noble ladies only subtly inquiring about the sights and sights of the capital. But after Wang Shu and Cui Shenxiu made an excuse to leave, the atmosphere suddenly changed.
“The fabric of Imperial Attendant Yang’s clothes is quite exquisite,” a noblewoman surnamed Zhu said, pressing her fan to her lips, “but today’s gathering is perhaps a bit too plain.”
"My mother was just saying the other day that all the good embroiderers have gone to the governor's mansion, leaving us people unable to find good materials." Her tone was intimate, as if she were sharing her troubles in her boudoir, wrapping all the mockery in a joke.
Today, both her and Yan Dibai's clothes were specially delivered by the governor's mansion. Qingqing lowered her eyes, her fingertips brushing against the smooth fabric. How could she not know that someone was deliberately trying to embarrass her?
Qingqing's fingers tightened slightly, but her expression remained calm.
“Governor Wang is very kind, and the gifts he bestows are of the highest quality. Your Majesty is frugal and often says that a ruler should be considerate of his subjects and share the joys and sorrows of the people. Although I am foolish, I dare not forget this. Every piece of clothing and every meal I eat is a token of gratitude for Your Majesty’s kindness and Governor Wang’s good intentions. I dare not presume to distinguish between high and low.”
She had encountered many of these problems when she was a palace maid. Her approach to dealing with them wasn't entirely helpless.
“Frugality is a good thing,” said Lady Zhu, bringing up Wang Du, but Lady Zhu looked uninterested. Another noblewoman chimed in, temporarily changing the subject.
Qingqing and the others feigned compliance for a while, never revealing a weakness. Finally, Madam Zhu couldn't resist any longer and continued to press Qingqing:
"I've heard that the Imperial Attendant comes from the Inner Palace? To have served His Majesty to this day is truly an extraordinary stroke of luck. I wonder, in the future, will I continue to serve His Majesty, or... formally request a title from His Majesty?"
Qingqing's expression hardened slightly, her clear eyes fixed on the newcomer, and she slowly straightened her back.
“How can you speak ill of others, young lady? A hero’s origins are irrelevant. Though I am not talented, I know that loyalty and righteousness are far more important than social standing. Besides, my relationship with His Majesty is completely innocent,” she paused, “even if it is not innocent, it is a private matter between the two of us, a private matter of the emperor. If you are really curious, young lady, you may ask His Majesty.”
These words were so forceful that they left Lady Zhu speechless for a moment. The other woman, enraged and about to speak again, was just then interrupted by Wang Shu and Cui Shenxiu returning to the warm pavilion. The atmosphere immediately lightened considerably. Wang Shu secretly observed Qingqing, who remained composed and upright.
She glanced at her close friend, a hint of doubt flashing through her mind.
Are these people unwilling to play the villain and give this Imperial Attendant Yang a hard time?
Qingqing loosened her grip on her knees a few inches and silently pricked up her ears.
...I wonder how Yan Dibai is doing now.
Having lost two rounds in a row, Yan Dibai's pale face was naturally embarrassing to others. He was indignant:
"What is this thing! I'm not playing anymore!"
"Your Majesty, the third round has only just begun, and the stakes..." Wang Ke hurriedly tried to dissuade them.
As if stung by those words, the boy met the burning gaze and roared with his neck stiff:
"Who said you're done playing! Keep going! I will definitely beat you!"
In the third round, Yan Dibai was still clearly drunk, his wrist went limp when he threw the dice, and the five pieces rolled with insufficient force. But this time, he unexpectedly threw a "calf" (a lucky number).
He stared at the numbers as if he had just understood them, and hurriedly pushed one of his pieces forward a few steps, just in time to block one of Wang Ke's attacks.
"Your Majesty has made progress this time; you almost managed to hold onto a corner."
Wang Ke offered a feigned compliment, but Yan Dibai seemed greatly encouraged. His hazy eyes brightened, he licked his dry lips, grabbed the wine pot, and poured himself another cup.
"Watch...watch me in the next round, I'll slaughter you...leaving you without a single piece of armor!"
His earnest yet comical demeanor drew another murmur of laughter. Everyone thought this useless emperor was just putting on a brave front, only one step away from complete collapse. However, in the fourth round, Yan Dibai began to prove more difficult to deal with.
He was still the same; he would always stare at the chessboard in a daze before making his move. But the numbers he rolled always managed to save Wang Ke from a checkmate by a hair's breadth.
"Your Majesty's defense is quite unique." Wang Ke's tone carried a hint of barely perceptible irritation. He flicked his sleeve and threw the dice, using seven-tenths of his strength to barely break through the seemingly chaotic defense and win again.
The noise from the direction of the waterside pavilion had subsided at some point, and the eerie silence was even more unsettling than the previous laughter.
In the fifth game, Yan Di played white and took the first move.
He picked up the five pieces and weighed them in his palm. He tossed the dice and placed the piece. The boy's movements were still unsteady, but the position of the piece precisely pierced the weakest link in Wang Ke's strategy! There was even a kind of raw, unrefined energy in him.
The smile on Wang Ke's face froze instantly.
He tried to salvage the situation, but Yan Dibai seemed to anticipate his every move, always blocking him first. His moves appeared casual, but in reality, each step was fraught with danger. The previously chaotic pieces were now linked together by an invisible hand, transforming into an invisible noose that tightly gripped Wang Ke's neck.
"Stop."
The boy's face had become calm without him noticing.
As soon as the piece was placed, a series of exclamations, like thunderclaps, erupted inside the waterside pavilion!
Everyone was horrified, but Yan Di sat slumped in his seat, seemingly oblivious to everything.
Wang Ke's face was ashen, and his hand holding the chess piece trembled violently, almost unable to hold the small wooden piece.
But then came the sixth, seventh... and eighth innings.
Yan Dibai's moves became increasingly effortless, even turning the tables and taking the initiative to torment Wang Ke in a playful manner. His moves were unpredictable and unpredictable, defying any discernible pattern.
Wang Ke was drenched in cold sweat, his clothes were soaked, and fear filled his eyes as he looked at Yan Dibai.
However, the wooden piece spun rapidly, collided, and caused everyone's attention to fall—
All five pieces of wood are black! Lu Cai! A complete wipeout!
"Lu—! It's Lu—!"
Yan Dibai laughed loudly, grabbed the fruit-peeling dagger on the table, and brandished it.
"I have won! I have won!"
The pavilion was deathly silent, save for heavy breathing. All the previous mockery and contempt had vanished.
At the same time, in the warm pavilion.
The soft laughter and whispers were abruptly cut off by a shout of "Lu—!" coming from the direction of the waterside pavilion.
Wang Shu, who had been observing from the sidelines for a long time, slowly put down her teacup in the deathly silence, her gaze as sharp as an icy knife falling on Qingqing:
"Attendant Yang, if His Majesty were to revitalize the court one day, the position of Empress would be crucial to the foundation of the nation. I wonder if you, who serve him day and night, have considered... how to secure a future for yourself?"
This was already a blunt statement. All eyes were fixed on Qingqing, waiting to see her lose her composure.
Qingqing could feel the nails digging into her palm, causing a sharp pain. She didn't answer immediately, but instead listened intently.
The deathly silence in the direction of the waterside pavilion was being replaced by a commotion she was familiar with.
She suddenly felt a sense of relief and slowly stood up. Her gaze swept over every noblewoman present, finally settling on Wang Shu and Cui Shenxiu.
"Miss Wang, Miss Cui, did you hear that?"
Without waiting for a reply, she continued talking to herself.
"Your Majesty has won."
"How did you know?" Madam Zhu couldn't help but blurt out.
Qingqing found it inexplicably funny: "I can feel that you are all mocking him. But I know that when everyone thinks he is going to lose, that is often the beginning of his victory."
In the short span of a breath, many scenes flashed through Qingqing's mind: Yan Dibai deceiving Lu Xi, swindling Lu Xing, and tormenting Wang Du...
She didn't know exactly what had happened, nor did she know what the faint "Lu" she had just heard meant. But the atmosphere was so familiar that Qingqing had an almost instinctive intuition.
Yan Dibai must have done something that shocked everyone again.
Her gaze drifted into the distance, as if piercing through the walls to see the young man stirring up trouble in the waterside pavilion.
“Everyone in the world dislikes him, despises him, hates him, and looks down on him.”
"I used to be one of those people."
"But it was this very person you all looked down upon who led me out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and brought me to where I am today right under the noses of your powerful Jiangzuo clans."
The girl's eyes suddenly curved into a smile:
"Therefore, it was never me who planned my own path. My path was already intertwined with his. If he wins, I'll be there to help him rule the world. If he loses, I'll be there to help him rise again. As for the so-called Empress's position..."
She remained silent for a moment, her eyes still clear and firm:
"That's his business. We're still in a relationship of ruler and subject, so what right do I have to interfere?"
"When Madam Zhu saw me, she covered her lips with her fan, probably because she was afraid of smelling my poverty. Madam He excused herself to go to the toilet and sat down at the very edge. Madam Huang had barely managed to be polite since I arrived, but she hadn't uttered a single word."
Suddenly called out by name, the group's faces darkened, angered that this woman had inexplicably exposed their true colors. They all glared at her angrily.
Qingqing paused only briefly:
"I know the disdain in your hearts. Indeed. I, Yang Liuqing, possess nothing of value, of humble origin, and unremarkable in appearance. Yet today I stand here with dignity, interacting with you ladies of noble birth. No matter how high your status, you must still condescend to sit with me, repeatedly engaging in conversation and probing. If you look at it this way, the difference between me and you seems not so great. We are all people with two legs and two hands. Since you have asked, I will answer one last time—"
"This matter has always been Yan's fault, not mine. If he speaks up, I will never pester him, much less beg and embarrass everyone. But I carried him out of the fire, and he has long since voluntarily joined me in this effort."
"He and I—we'll be together through thick and thin, sharing joys and sorrows."
There were no flowery words, but her sincerity was heartfelt. A hush fell over the warm pavilion; several young noble ladies exchanged bewildered glances, stunned by her calm yet remarkably resolute demeanor.
Wang Shu frowned. Having known Yang Liuqing for the past few days, Wang Shu had always assumed she was just a loyal maid. Seeing her now, so innocently and stubbornly refusing to back down, she was inexplicably touched, yet also felt a surge of inexplicable annoyance. Instinctively, she looked at her friend beside her.
Cui Shenxiu, a noble lady of the Cui family known for her composure and elegance, surprisingly showed no emotion at this moment, simply staring blankly at Yang Liuqing.
Wang Shu's heart sank even further.
Just then, the noise coming from the waterside pavilion grew louder again, and the girls realized something was wrong. Suddenly, a terrified scream came from there.
Something was smashed.
"BOOM—!!"
The women inside the warm pavilion were all startled.
The door was flung open, and a young servant in fine clothes stumbled in, his face pale, and cried out to Qingqing:
"Imperial Attendant Yang! No... Your Majesty the Empress! His Majesty's headache has flared up, and he absolutely must see you! Please, Your Majesty, move to His Majesty's residence immediately!"
Wang Shu and Cui Shenxiu's expressions both changed, and Qingqing was also dumbfounded:
"The Empress?"
Qingqing was stunned by the title "Empress" and before she could react, the flustered young man half-invited, half-dragged her towards the waterside pavilion. A room full of noble ladies were left looking at each other helplessly.
Inside the waterside pavilion, Yan Dibai pushed the chessboard aside, his scarlet phoenix eyes fixed on Wang Ke: "Minister Wang! Why don't you remove your crown! Let your hair down! Bark like a dog?!"
Wang Ke's face turned ashen, and he was drenched in cold sweat. In that critical moment, he had a sudden inspiration, clapping his hands and shouting:
"Perform a dance! Quickly, perform a dance to entertain His Majesty!"
Before the words were finished, a melody from a foreign land began to play. A woman from Central Asia, carrying a reed pipe, gracefully entered, the golden bells on her ankles jingling.
Wang Ke forced a smile: "I have long heard that Your Majesty is fond of beautiful women and music. Knowing that Your Majesty is attending this elegant gathering, I have specially prepared the finest dancers from the Western Regions for Your Majesty. This is a common practice at elegant gatherings in Jiangzuo. Please, Your Majesty, calm your anger and forgive me this time, considering my sincere intentions."
Wang Ke's original plan was to present Yan Dibai with a Hu woman, a fashionable figure at the time, at the banquet, so that she could conveniently become his spy. However, due to the sudden turn of events, he had no choice but to abandon this plan.
The musician lightly pressed her slender fingers, and the bili (a type of reed instrument) produced its first melodious note. Yan Dibai was indeed startled, his attention drawn to her.
Upon seeing this, Wang Ke hurriedly unfastened the jade pendant from his waist and presented it, saying, "Your Majesty is so mighty! Your subject wishes to offer this precious jade to congratulate Your Majesty on your great victory!"
Yan Dibai snapped out of his daze, stared at the character "Ke" on the jade pendant for a moment, then took it with trembling hands, playing with it in turn.
"This fish... is interesting."
The other scholars, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, readily offered up their personal belongings: "Your subject presents a gold clasp!"
"Your subject presents this fan pendant!"
Yan Dibai accepted everything offered, grabbing things haphazardly and stuffing them into his sleeves. Just when everyone thought the commotion was over, he staggered towards Zhu Si, his drunken eyes suddenly flashing with a fierce light:
"You! You were the loudest laughing just now!"
Zhu Si was so frightened that he fell to the ground with a thud: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I am also willing to offer..."
Before he could finish speaking, Yan Dibai burst into wild laughter and suddenly swung his silver dagger!
"Ahhh—" Zhu Si's sleeves tore and blood splattered as he screamed and fell to the ground.
"Blood..." The boy's ecstatic joy froze instantly, turning into childlike terror. "I didn't mean to! My hand was shaking! It was my hand shaking!"
He tossed aside the dagger, retreating in a panic, a stark contrast to his previous madness. Then, he chuckled again, bending down to pick up the scattered jade pendants. "Alright, I accept this as an apology… I won't blame you anymore…"
His gaze swept over the terrified Hu woman, and disgust surged within him: "Her Hu language is so noisy, she should be killed!"
He suddenly clutched his head, his face contorted in pain, "Your Majesty, I have a headache! A headache!"
Just as Wang Ke was at a loss and trying to escape, he heard someone say from afar, "They're here! They're here!"
Qingqing ran into the waterside pavilion, panting heavily. Before she could even stand still, a disheveled boy pulled her head into his arms and rubbed against her hard.
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Author's Note: I'm finally here.
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