Chapter 477 Why do you say that the Duke of Chu and Prince Rui have already fallen in love?
Yan Fengxi knelt in the crowd, her head slightly raised, her gaze fixed on the entrance to the Empress Dowager's bedchamber, hoping that the figure she longed for would emerge from within. But to her disappointment, all she saw first was a glimpse of a woman's skirt. Just as a chill ran through her, Princess Wenxin's voice rang out: "Ladies and young ladies, please rise."
Princess Wenxin took two steps forward and said, "The Empress Dowager has just taken her medicine and rested. She is really not in good spirits. The imperial physician repeatedly told her not to trouble herself to see guests. Before she went to sleep, she specifically mentioned that she knew you had come here specifically to pay your respects. She remembered your kindness and specially asked me to come out and thank you, so as not to keep you waiting."
As she spoke, she raised her hand and waved, and a row of palace maids stepped forward with trays in response. Princess Wenxin continued, "These are gifts specially prepared by the Empress Dowager. Each lady and young lady will receive one, as a token of her gratitude for your filial piety. Please accept them."
The ladies and young women bowed and thanked her profusely. Princess Wenxin exchanged a few more pleasantries with them before preparing for their departure. Yan Fengxi, however, was sweating profusely. In this situation, she had no chance to reveal the affair between Prince Rui and Jiang Yu.
Just then, a high-pitched announcement rang out: "The Emperor has arrived!"
Everyone immediately composed themselves and stood at attention. Prince Rui and the Crown Prince also quickly came out of the bedchamber to greet them. As soon as Prince Rui appeared, many young ladies turned their gazes toward him. Yan Fengxi clenched her hands so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
As the emperor approached with the crown prince, the ladies and young women immediately knelt down to pay their respects. The emperor glanced at them and said in a calm voice, "Rise, all of you. You have done your part by copying scriptures to pray for the Empress Dowager. You are quite thoughtful."
As he spoke, he began to walk into the imperial bedchamber. Just as he reached the door, Consort Shu smiled and curtsied to him, saying softly, "Your Majesty, my niece has been deeply concerned ever since she heard that the Empress Dowager is unwell. She specially embroidered a lucky bag and offered it devoutly to the Buddha at Xiangguo Temple for seven days and seven nights, praying only for the Empress Dowager's health. Today, she has come to the palace with us, and she hopes to personally present the lucky bag to the Empress Dowager, to share in the Buddha's blessings. Your Majesty, what do you think?"
The emperor glanced at her and nodded: "She's thoughtful. Bring it over."
Consort Shu's face lit up with joy, and she quickly waved to her niece. Consort Xian, standing to the side, slightly curled her lip, secretly thinking, "She really knows how to seize an opportunity." Consort De's face wore undisguised sarcasm, while the Empress remained calm, as if she didn't care about the matter at all.
All the ladies and young women's eyes fell on Consort Shu's niece, the Second Miss Xiang. Their gazes held envy, mockery, and understanding. Yan Fengxi gripped her skirt tightly, a thought flashing through her mind: her chance was finally coming.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire hall, the Second Miss Xiang walked lightly to the Emperor, bowed respectfully, and presented him with an exquisitely embroidered lucky bag. The eunuch Zhao Fuquan stepped forward, took it, and handed it to the Emperor. The Emperor glanced at it and instructed, "Not bad, Empress, please accept it."
Zhao Fuquan quickly presented the lucky bag to the Empress with both hands. The Empress smiled and took it, glanced at it, and said gently to the Second Miss, "You are very thoughtful. However, the Empress Dowager has just taken her medicine and fallen asleep. I will personally hand the lucky bag over to her when she wakes up."
The second young lady hurriedly bowed to the Empress in thanks, then, blushing, timidly glanced at Prince Rui standing behind the Emperor, before taking a small purse from her sleeve. Her ears were so red they seemed to bleed, and her voice was barely audible, yet clear enough for everyone present to hear:
"His Highness Prince Rui has been attending to his ailing father day and night at Cining Palace. His filial piety is so profound that even the incense offered before the Buddha can be felt. I also offered this purse at Xiangguo Temple for seven days, hoping it could bring His Highness some peace and good fortune. If His Highness does not find it offensive, please accept it..."
The words fell silent for a moment. The Empress's fingertips traced the handkerchief she had used to receive the lucky bag, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes. Consort Shu probably hadn't expected her niece to pull such a stunt. For an unmarried woman to hand a personal purse to a prince, even under the guise of "praying for blessings," was ultimately against protocol.
Consort Shu's face turned deathly pale instantly. If she were to rebuke them now, the Xiang family would lose all face. Consort Xian, standing beside her, let out a soft scoff, making her wish she could disappear into the ground.
Prince Rui remained expressionless, as if the Second Miss's words had nothing to do with him. The Emperor frowned and glanced at Consort Shu, then turned to the Empress, signaling with his eyes for her to step in and resolve the matter.
The Empress was smiling dignifiedly, preparing to smooth things over, when a voice, not loud but clear enough for everyone present to hear, suddenly came from below: "His Highness Prince Rui and the Duke of Chu are already engaged. How could Miss Xiang give His Highness a purse?"
...
A deathly silence fell over the hall, everyone staring in shock. A moment later, Madam Yan abruptly pulled Yan Fengxi to her knees with a thud, sternly rebuking her: "What nonsense are you spouting, you brat! Royal marriages and ministers' private affairs are none of your business! Quickly apologize to the Emperor and Prince Rui!"
Yan Fengxi shrank back, trembling all over, her head bowed as if too frightened to utter a sound. Madam Yan, both afraid and angry, quickly kowtowed to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, my daughter acted rashly and spoke nonsense. Please forgive her!"
She kowtowed with tremendous force, and within a few kowtows, blood began to seep from her forehead. The Emperor's face, however, was terribly grim, his gaze fixed intently on Yan Fengxi, and he asked, "Are you Grand Tutor Yan's granddaughter?"
Yan Fengxi was truly terrified at this moment, and her body trembled even more violently. Hearing the emperor's question, she stammered, "Your Majesty, my grandfather is none other than Grand Tutor Yan."
"Hmm." The emperor responded lightly, then his voice was deep and stern, leaving no room for argument: "Why do you say that the Duke of Chu and Prince Rui are already engaged?"
Yan Fengxi's teeth chattered. She shakily raised her head and glanced at the majestic emperor, then hurriedly lowered her head, gritted her teeth, and said in a trembling voice, "A few days ago, I... I went to a teahouse for tea. When I passed by the private room on the second floor, the door was not closed properly, and I glimpsed... I glimpsed the Duke of Chu and Prince Rui embracing each other."
After speaking, she collapsed to the ground. Madam Yan also succumbed, her face ashen. All eyes in the hall instantly turned to Prince Rui, yet he remained calm, as if he were not at the center of this turmoil. But his silence spoke volumes.
The emperor's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, then he turned to the empress and said, "I'll leave things here to you."
The Empress's face paled slightly, but she remained calm and quickly curtsied, replying, "Yes."
The emperor turned to Prince Rui and said in a deep voice, "Come with me."
Having said that, he turned and strode away, his body radiating barely suppressed anger. Prince Rui glanced indifferently at Prince Rui beside him before following the emperor, unable to leave.
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