Chapter 21: The ancient palace, scarred and desolate, stands lonely amidst the blooming flowers...
"Mother, don't ignore Shu'er, don't ignore Shu'er..." Shu Li, still unconscious, tossed and turned on the bed, uttering soft moans.
Bai Lian looked at Shu Li with concern, sighed, and tucked Shu Li's hand, which was sticking out of the quilt, back under the covers. She then tucked the quilt in for Shu Li and carefully wiped away the cold sweat that kept appearing on Shu Li's forehead with a towel.
This young girl, barely of marriageable age, had already lost the love of her mother and brother, evoking both pity and deep helplessness in Bai Lian.
I can only hope that she can wake up from this nightmare soon...
Bai Lian stayed by Shu Li's side for a long time. Realizing that it was getting late, she got up, gave a few instructions to the palace maid beside her, and then prepared to leave.
"Sister Lian, don't go..." Shu Li behind me had woken up at some point.
She struggled to sit up and called out urgently.
Bai Lian turned around and went back to the bedside upon hearing the sound. "Why are you up so soon? Sleep a little longer," she said, helping Shu Li lean against the headboard.
"Sister Lian, talk to me for a while... Shu'er is afraid of being alone." Shu Li held Bai Lian's hand tightly and refused to let go.
Bai Lian sighed helplessly, silently agreeing as she sat back down on the edge of the bed. She simply couldn't bear to refuse this person who was like a younger sister to her...
Shu Li didn't rush to speak, but silently gazed at Bai Lian.
Her once bright, moist eyes were now red and swollen from constant crying, as if she could no longer shed a single tear, burying even her smile.
This quiet atmosphere lasted for an unknown period of time.
Bai Lian couldn't hold back any longer and spoke first: "Shu'er, do you... have someone you like?"
She would be betrothed tomorrow; how could she bear such a mix of joy and sorrow... Thinking of this, Bai Lian sighed again.
"have……"
This answer slightly surprised Bai Lian, who waited for her to continue.
Shu Li buried her head in her arms, her lifeless eyes glued to the brocade quilt.
"But he doesn't want to marry me..."
As she spoke, her expression remained unchanged, as if she were talking about something trivial.
Bai Lian, who was standing to the side, was completely stunned upon hearing this, and almost blurted out, "Who is the person that Shu'er admires?"
Shuli raised her head and looked sadly into Bailian's eyes. The once delicate petals were now withered and lost their luster, and she felt only grievance.
Bai Lian couldn't truly empathize with her feelings, yet she felt a pang of sympathy for Shu Li's tearful expression. Just when Bai Lian was about to give up on seeking answers, she heard Shu Li slowly utter a name.
Bai Ziyuan
-
Inside Wangyun Palace, the Empress was having dinner with the Emperor.
Since the death of Crown Prince Jia Yunqi, the Emperor has changed his previous indifference towards the Empress, frequently visiting her and even staying overnight.
As Consort Liu's condition deteriorated day by day, he almost exclusively favored Empress Shangguan Yun.
Beside the rosewood table, Shangguan Yun filled Jia Fengtian's jade goblet with wine and asked softly:
"Your Majesty, please forgive my ignorance, but I don't quite understand why you are in such a hurry to arrange a marriage for Shu'er."
She gazed tenderly into her husband's eyes, a gentle smile spreading across her face, which became the tomb of a hero.
Jia Fengtian raised his cup, took a small sip, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. He put the cup down heavily, shook his head, and said:
"I don't want to marry Shu'er off so early. She is already well-behaved, and now she makes my heart ache even more. I want to find someone to take good care of her for me as soon as possible."
He spoke softer and softer, almost in a murmur, his words a reply to Shangguan Yun, yet also as if he were speaking to himself…
"The Emperor said he would arrange the marriage tomorrow. Has he decided which young master to choose as the imperial son-in-law?"
"I came here tonight to discuss this with the Empress. I don't want to neglect Shu'er."
Jia Fengtian was filled with mixed emotions. He was anxious, fearing that Shuli's lively figure of the past would never return, which was why he hastily issued the decree.
But upon further reflection, he felt a pang of regret. While there seemed to be many women who could truly match his precious daughter, in reality, there were very few…
"In my humble opinion, the Northern Barbarians and our dynasty have been getting along better in recent years. If we could form a marriage alliance, we could completely eliminate the threat these barbarians pose to our dynasty. Your Majesty, what do you think...?"
These words resonated deeply, instantly freezing the previously joyful atmosphere in Wangyun Palace.
Jia Fengtian's previously smiling face was now clouded with rage. He drained the last drop of wine from his cup, glared angrily at Shangguan Yun, and said sternly:
"Empress, as long as I live, this empire will remain mine. I advise you to firmly hold onto your position as Empress. As for the rest, you need not worry about me!"
After speaking, he stood up, flicked his sleeves, and left without a trace of regret.
The Wangyun Palace returned to its desolate state. Shangguan Yun sat alone amidst the splendor, as if the tenderness she had shown before had never existed.
She dismissed the eunuchs and maids from the room, and expressionlessly picked up the jade cup that Jia Fengtian had used before. She examined it for a long time, her fingers slowly tracing the carved cup wall, and then she spoke in a deep voice:
"You can come out now."
"Aunt... What are your orders, Your Majesty the Empress?"
"Please put in more of this medicine for me next time..."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Shangguan Yun casually hurled the jade goblet away, the sound of it shattering echoing mournfully in the silent air.
"It's been cleaned up."
The woman who emerged from the shadows obeyed and quickly stepped forward to tidy up.
Shangguan Yun lazily got up and walked towards the bedchamber.
"Oh, right."
She suddenly turned around and gave the order:
"Remember to send the Crown Prince's wedding gift as soon as possible. There's no need to delay any longer; I don't want to wait any longer."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
As night fell upon every corner of Wangyun Palace, Shangguan Yaohua removed her veil and gazed at the bright moon.
Yes, she didn't want to wait any longer. She went into hiding, concealing her identity from everyone, all to fulfill their shared wish.
These dark and gloomy days should finally come to an end...
-
When Bai Lian returned to the East Palace, it was nearly 7 PM.
As soon as she stepped inside, Cuizhu rushed out to greet her, whispering a complaint in Bailian's ear, "Miss, why are you back so late..."
Little Liu, who had been eavesdropping nearby, chimed in, "That's right, the Crown Prince has had his servants heat up your food three times already, didn't you see his sour face..."
He was about to continue rambling when Cuizhu stopped him with a shout: "What do you mean, 'you'? You don't even address your master respectfully! What kind of servant are you!"
"You little brat! Just the other day you were calling me 'Cui Liu,' and now you're turning your back on me! You've gone too far!"
After speaking, Xiao Liuzi frowned, twisted her waist, stomped her foot, turned around, and pretended to cover her face as she ran away. Cui Zhu, watching from behind, was itching to get away with it, her fists clenching and unclenching. Finally, she couldn't resist giving Bai Lian an apologetic smile and then took off after her...
Bai Lian watched the two run away, feeling helpless, but smiled forgivingly and went into the hall.
Galorin was nowhere to be seen at the dining table. Only the bowls and chopsticks were still neatly arranged on the table, and the dinner was still steaming, as if no one had used it.
Bai Lian was filled with emotion, as if those warm and affectionate eyes from her dream had come to her again.
The warm food filled her heart with warmth, and when she thought of the scene of Galorin having people prepare it for her, a smile involuntarily appeared on her lips.
But then she thought about how her late return home might displease him, and she also realized that she knew nothing about her brother's affairs, which made her feel very frustrated and uneasy.
Bai Lian took a small sip of soup, her depression preventing her from eating much. She just stared blankly at the tableware in front of her.
The porcelain spoon in her hand immediately caught Bai Lian's attention. She noticed that a small lotus flower was carved on the handle, making it look exceptionally delicate.
"This soup spoon is quite nice," Bai Lian muttered to herself.
A palace maid immediately stepped forward and replied, "Your Highness, these bowls and chopsticks were just sent by the Empress as a wedding gift before you returned. The Crown Prince gave them to the kitchen staff, and we immediately put them to use when we saw the lotus flowers complementing Your Highness."
It turned out that the bowls and chopsticks had been cleaned up again, no wonder they were so neat and tidy that they didn't look like they had been used... Bai Lian only thought about this, and she didn't know whether she felt disappointed or regretful.
-
The next day, Shuli arrived at Jinyang Palace early to await the imperial decree.
"Father," Shuli, finally seeing Jia Fengtian, hurriedly bowed, her body weak.
Jia Fengtian felt sorry for his daughter's haggard appearance and stepped forward to help her up, saying, "Shu'er, there's no need for this."
"Father, I'm afraid that..."
"Shu'er, you don't need to say anything more. I understand. I was anxious yesterday, and it seems that it won't be easy to find a consort. Shu'er, you don't need to rush to give me an answer."
Jia Fengtian observed Shu Li's complexion and added.
"Fortunately, no historian was present when I issued the decree yesterday, so no one recorded my actions and words. Therefore, Shu'er, you don't need to abide by it this time. I can give you some more time to consider it."
Shuli smiled because of her father's rare humor, which also comforted Jia Fengtian.
But she knew that no matter how much time she had to consider, she would always only have this one person in her heart...
-
Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the Eastern Palace
When Bai Lian woke up, the warmth beside her was still there, but the person was gone.
A sudden feeling of loneliness washed over her. She tossed and turned, unwilling to remain alone in the Eastern Palace, so she rose and dressed herself neatly. Taking Cuizhu with her, she planned to stroll through Phoenix Dance City to enjoy the scenery, and then visit Shuli when the time was right. She was to be betrothed today, and she didn't know what to do.
Stepping outside the palace, Bai Lian found a beautiful spot, a sea of flowers spread out before her.
Surrounded by it, she felt the sunlight like a soft veil covering her body, warm and comforting, making her feel exceptionally happy, just like the warmth she felt in his arms last night.
When Bai Lian thought of Jia Luolin holding her and sleeping all night just like the day before, a shy smile appeared on her face, blooming like a flower.
"Miss, you seem to be enjoying a happy and fulfilling married life," Cuizhu said, beaming with delight. Of course, she wasn't going to miss this opportunity to tease him.
Bai Lian only smiled and did not answer, but a small hope lingered in her heart. If only he could truly never take a concubine for the rest of his life, as he said... how wonderful that would be.
Bai Lian and Cui Zhu strolled leisurely around, and before they knew it, they had wandered quite a distance. When she came to her senses again, she found that the scenery around her had changed and become unfamiliar.
What stood out most was a dilapidated palace, its eerie atmosphere tinged with desolation. Bai Lian vaguely knew where she was, yet her curiosity compelled her to approach.
"Miss, that place is scary, don't go too close..." Cuizhu, who was accompanying Bailian, tugged at Bailian's sleeve and shrank behind her.
She followed Bai Lian aimlessly, and somehow ended up in this godforsaken place.
However, she entered Phoenix Dance City later than Bai Lian, and was more likely to get lost. On this trip, however, it was just the two of them, and Cui Zhu couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Bai Lian walked to the door, gently pushed it, and the mottled vermilion door creaked as if letting out a mournful sigh.
The bleak, desolate scene just a door away was gradually revealed to them.
The ancient palace stands desolate, its flowers blooming in lonely splendor.
Despite the bright sunshine overhead, a sense of desolation seeped into the air through the open door, sending a chill down Cuizhu's spine. She swallowed hard and said:
"Miss... it seems we've wandered into the Cold Palace..."
A note from the author:
----------------------
"The ancient palace stands desolate, its flowers blooming in lonely splendor." -- "The Palace" by Yuan Zhen (Tang Dynasty)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
