Chapter 47 A Beautiful Woman by My Side
Perhaps because his gaze was too bright, Prime Minister Lin looked over in this direction.
Qingqing immediately turned her head. After a while, the conversation between the emperor and his ministers finally ended. The scholar brought by Prime Minister Lin was the first to wait outside, and he said a few more words inside, the gist of which was that he hoped Yan Dibai would be more considerate of the people's plight.
A few moments later, Prime Minister Lin came out, and Qingqing hurriedly bowed. Unexpectedly, Prime Minister Lin stopped beside her.
Qingqing's heart tightened, and she heard him say coldly:
"You did a great job."
Her mind went blank for a moment, and before she could figure out what "very good" meant, Prime Minister Lin left.
Qingqing gazed intently at his retreating figure. A moment later, Woxue came to announce that Princess Xifang invited Yan Dibai to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the spring scenery.
How strange. Since fainting, Princess Xifang has remained secluded at home and has not come to Xianning Palace on her own initiative. Her once widely circulated good reputation, which was greatly praised by Prime Minister Lin, has gradually declined.
Seeing Qingqing's thoughtful expression, Woxue lowered her voice and said, "You go too. Don't stay here to sweep and clean today."
Qingqing exclaimed "Ah!", "Me? But I serve in Xianning Palace... Besides, I feel that Princess Xifang... doesn't seem to want to see me."
To talk about this, we have to go back to the matter of Yuanyu.
Yan Dibai won over the people's hearts, but she offended the princess and the Li family of Longxi.
Although the princess treated her kindly and warmly on the day she first returned to the capital, she treated the other palace servants the same way. It's not right to think that breaking the rules is acceptable just because of this.
Wo Xue rolled her eyes at her, "You really aren't going? Don't regret it."
Qingqing suddenly felt that there was a deeper meaning in his words.
But, "Does His Majesty permit me to go?"
Wo Xue's expression changed slightly. She said, "His Majesty has been somewhat quiet lately, but has he treated you badly? How many times has he actually rejected the things you wanted to do? Last time you sneaked off to see the lanterns with others, did His Majesty settle scores with you afterward? At most, he made you copy some books."
"Remember to call out to His Majesty and tell him that you also want to go enjoy the spring scenery."
Qingqing: "..."
Wo Xue gritted her teeth: "Are you going to do it or not? If not, we're breaking up!"
Qingqing: "..."
To be honest, they never really seemed like friends...
Inside the hall, Yan Dibai rubbed his temples, suppressing the fleeting dizziness that crossed his mind.
He swayed immediately, feeling an inexplicable heat throughout his body. It was as if his blood was boiling.
Because he had always appeared with only a thin layer of white powder, his original skin tone wasn't concealed much. When a faint blush appeared on his skin, he looked healthier than his previous deathly pallor.
However, as the seemingly much healthier young man closed his eyes heavily, Lin Xiangru's earnest words, which had not yet faded away, vanished without a trace.
His mind went blank. He pinched his temples hard, probably because he hadn't heard the attendant. Wo Xue could only repeat, "Princess Xifang has requested an audience with His Majesty in the Imperial Garden to admire the spring flowers..."
Yan Dibai's breath hitched. Upon hearing her elder sister's name, she instinctively frowned, but relaxed her brow after a moment.
"Since it's my elder sister's invitation, I'll naturally go."
He wore a long robe, his hair loose, and entered the outer hall and exited through the main gate as usual. Sure enough, he saw a well-behaved little girl in a blue dress standing at the corner.
Yan Dibai's peripheral vision dimmed as he saw her standing there motionless with her hands clasped together and her head bowed. He then abruptly withdrew his gaze.
Just as he was about to lift his foot, he cried out, "Your Majesty—"
The girl suddenly spoke, and Yan Dibai's steps seemed to have been waiting for that sound, and he stopped again.
He glanced sideways, his dark eyes showing no emotion.
Qingqing looked at him.
Two pairs of eyes met across the desk, seemingly out of nowhere.
She blinked subconsciously and looked away slightly: "May I travel with His Majesty?"
After a moment's hesitation, she looked over clearly.
Yan Di's white eyelids twitched abruptly.
Yang Liuqing rarely makes demands that go beyond her social status.
Or perhaps, in front of others, she was always the most well-behaved palace maid. Serving tea and water without uttering a sound. Truly dutiful.
Yan Dibai turned to look at her.
"You want to go?"
Qingqing nodded: "I overheard that I could see the spring flowers, and I can't wait any longer."
He paused, "...Want to see spring flowers?"
She continued to nod.
Yan Dibai did not respond.
Qingqing then stole a glance at Woxue. He stood there motionless, seemingly unconcerned. She had no choice but to think for a moment and say:
"If I am fortunate enough to admire the spring flowers with Your Majesty, I will surely receive blessings from the God of Spring."
The burning sensation in my heart seemed to stop spreading for a moment.
Yan Dibai's expression was subtle, secretly probing. But Qingqing's flattery skills were also improving; she remained unmoved, only her clenched hands revealing a hint of anticipation.
He frowned, his tone cold and distant:
"Then come with us."
Wo Xue, standing behind, gave her a deep, intense look.
Qingqing: "...?" She was very confused. However, after following Yan Dibai to the back garden where Yan Xifang had agreed, she vaguely understood why Woxue had done this.
Instead of seeing Yan Xifang, they encountered a beautiful young woman.
With one hand playing the zither and the other chanting, her voice was exceptionally melodious and unique. Her fingernails were painted balsam red, and she wore a spring dress. Sitting amidst a myriad of fragrant blossoms, she looked like a goddess at first glance.
Seeing Yan Dibai arrive, she was surprised and misplayed a note, then quickly stood up. A maidservant nearby immediately stepped forward and said, "Who are you? What are you doing disturbing my young lady's peace? This is the imperial palace!"
He then shielded the girl behind him, looking wary.
"We are newly arrived palace maids! If you don't leave, I'll call for help! His Majesty is mighty and will surely execute you!"
The imperial concubines? When were they selected?
Qingqing held her breath, then exclaimed in surprise—wasn't this classic trope of meeting in the Imperial Garden, misunderstanding the male lead, and mistaking him for a lecherous man, actually a trope that wasn't nonexistent, but simply hadn't been introduced yet?!
But there are no other princes in this palace, only a young emperor like Yan Dibai. Is it really necessary?
She glanced at Wo Xue, who seemed unsurprised, and suddenly understood—Wo Xue had sent her here because she had foreseen this and was deliberately keeping an eye on this girl.
But why did he do that?
It's not surprising that Yan Dibai got a wife.
She had barely begun to ponder when Yan Dibai raised an eyebrow, brazenly scrutinizing the astonished beauty behind the maid. Taking advantage of Yan Dibai's position, Wo Xue stealthily tugged at Qingqing's sleeve. Her eyes flickered, and she scolded:
"What kind of sense do you have! Who gave you permission to wander around the palace like this? You don't even kowtow to His Majesty, treating the palace like your own backyard!"
Both of them looked bewildered. "Your Majesty?"
The beauty trembled, her cheeks flushed red, and she hurriedly knelt down. The maid prostrated herself on the ground, repeatedly begging for forgiveness; the two, mistress and servant, were both exceptionally delicate.
"Princess Xifang was supposed to be here with His Majesty enjoying the spring flowers today, what are you all doing here?!"
Wo Xue frowned. "Your Majesty, these should be the newly selected ladies-in-waiting from a few days ago. You..."
Yan Dibai stared at the two women, his expression unreadable: "The imperial concubines? When were they selected?"
Qingqing pricked up her ears, and Woxue said rather irritably:
"I don't know how they infiltrated the palace maids. This young man surnamed Wang is so muddle-headed; I don't know how he did it. By the time I found out about this, everyone had already entered Jianzhang Palace!"
"I have already questioned him about his responsibility, and the entire group had their annual salary deducted. Unfortunately, when I was dismissing them, I ran into Madam Yue Rong. She was kind-hearted and brought up the princess to defend them. She said it would be pitiful for women who had entered the palace to be sent out again, so it would be better for them to become imperial concubines. Before I knew it, I was busy and didn't have time to make any decisions."
The whole thing was actually far too far-fetched.
Supervisor Wang is always reliable in his work, and his subordinates share his character. Such a careless act shouldn't have happened.
Wo Xue added, "Wang Bi has replaced many people under his command, and each one is more incompetent than the last. I have long disliked them. I don't know where this lazy bum came from, but he didn't even listen when I went out of my busy schedule to urge him! And he made such a mistake!"
Qingqing lowered her eyes.
Jianzhang Palace was not nearby, and Lady Yue Rong's Jade Flower Palace was even further away. She usually lived a secluded life, so how did she happen to end up at Jianzhang Palace?
They even brought up Princess Xifang.
It is common knowledge that Lady Yue Rong used to visit Princess Xi Fang frequently.
So who was behind this? Qingqing's heart stirred, and she looked at Yan Dibai.
Sure enough, he did not show any rage at being outmaneuvered. Instead, he frowned slightly, his face cold and indifferent.
Seeing that her attempt to persuade him had failed, Wo Xue pouted and glanced at Qing Qing with a disgruntled expression. Qing Qing pursed her lips and decided to remain silent.
The two people on the ground, upon hearing Wo Xue's words, realized that it was a lie to say they weren't afraid. However, seeing that this emperor didn't seem to be about to erupt as rumored, they couldn't help but start making their own plans.
The maid pleaded again, "Your Majesty, we did not mean it. Please forgive my young lady!"
He crawled up on his knees, revealing a beautiful woman with tears streaming down her face. Yan Di's eyes showed no emotion, remaining unusually calm. As if he didn't care what the two were saying, Qingqing looked at his face and saw his eyebrows twitch rapidly, his eyes wandering. That strange feeling welled up in her heart again.
She was worried when he had a fit of madness, and she was troubled when he stopped having a fit of madness.
Wo Xue hesitated, seemingly sensing that His Majesty had been acting strangely lately. The two remained silent for a long time. Qing Qing subconsciously exchanged glances with Wo Xue, about to say something, when Yan Xifang's long-absent gentle laughter drifted in from not far away, catching them completely off guard.
"Brother, what's wrong? Is Auntie here too? Oh dear, why is she kneeling on the ground? Quickly, someone help Auntie up." The voice arrived before the person did.
Qingqing and Woxue quickly bowed. Yan Di's white eyelashes fluttered, and his seemingly unfocused eyes flickered, gradually calming down as Yan Xifang came into view.
His voice was deep and hoarse: "Sister."
Yan Xifang was wrapped in a thick fur cloak and looked even thinner than when she was seen on the city wall.
To be honest, since that day she had been recuperating in the palace every day, and apart from Li Mingshao occasionally sending some medicine, she rarely heard any news about it.
The maid beside her smiled and glanced at Qingqing, a hint of inquiry flashing across her face. Qingqing subconsciously lowered her eyes, listening to Yan Xifang and Yan Dibai exchange pleasantries after not seeing each other for so long. This strange feeling grew stronger and stronger.
Until Yan Xifang sighed softly, "Jinniang was born in Taiyuan, the same hometown as Puti. Her father was a merchant who traveled between the capital and Taiyuan. It is said that he unfortunately encountered refugees and died. She and her servant had no choice but to sneak into the palace. They were supposed to be driven away, but Puti happened to be praying for me and was walking around the palace when they bumped into each other. She told me, and I also felt that there was no need to be so harsh. A few more mouths to feed is not a big deal. She happens to play the zither very well and has a beautiful voice, so it would be good for her to keep me company."
Yan Dibai glanced at her. Yan Xifang took the hand of the young woman, her skin fair and delicate, clearly showing signs of being well-cared for. Yan Xifang smiled, then suddenly looked at Qingqing:
"The palace is lonely, but with a beautiful woman by your side, the loneliness is lessened by three parts. Isn't that right, Imperial Attendant Yang?"
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The author's note: Living in this world is painful...
Suddenly I feel sorry; Bai Ma is about to experience pain too.
Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 2023-10-25 23:01:55 and 2023-11-04 22:39:52!
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