Chapter 301 A Naked Warning
On his throne, Li Yuanzhao leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the armrests, the rhythm inexplicably matching the sound of his flute.
Her gaze deepened, her expression unreadable, as she watched with great interest the white figure that seemed to blend seamlessly with the flute music, the moonlight, and this meticulously crafted "spectacle."
The flute music grew increasingly intense, like the final charge of two armies facing off, so sharp it almost pierced the night sky.
The osmanthus rain surrounding Wang Yanzhi grew thicker, with petals clinging to his hair and shoulders, creating a poignant beauty in contrast to his simple robes.
Everyone inside the pavilion was captivated by the breathtaking flute music and the extraordinary sight, and had long forgotten to discuss anything else.
As the music ended, the flute music stopped abruptly, but the lingering sound echoed in the Imperial Garden for a long time.
The osmanthus blossoms, having lost the support of that invisible force, suddenly lost their direction, falling sparsely and sporadically, covering Wang Yanzhi's head and shoulders, and scattering fragments of gold on the ground.
Wang Yanzhi slowly put down the flute, knelt down, and solemnly kowtowed.
"Your humble servant has made a fool of himself."
Jue La Yun Dan gave an almost inaudible hum.
Everyone snapped out of their daze and looked at the Empress on the throne, waiting for her to speak.
Li Yuanzhao finally made a move.
She slowly rose from her throne, not looking at anyone, but walking step by step towards the center of the chaotic "flower rain," where the figure was still kneeling.
Finally, Li Yuanzhao stood before Wang Yanzhi.
Her shadow was stretched long by the moonlight, enveloping most of Wang Yanzhi's body.
The delicate, sweet fragrance of osmanthus blossoms mingled with his cool, aloof aura, wafting towards us.
Li Yuanzhao extended his hand to him.
Wang Yanzhi's eyelashes trembled violently, as if he had mustered immense courage, before he slowly raised his hand and placed it in her icy palm.
He was helped up by Li Yuanzhao himself.
This intimate gesture stunned everyone present.
But Wang Yanzhi kept his eyes down, not daring to look at her.
The osmanthus blossoms that fell on his hair and shoulders did not add any femininity; on the contrary, they made him look even more ethereal.
Li Yuanzhao gently brushed his fingertips across a osmanthus petal on his shoulder and slowly spoke, "This piece, 'Breaking the Formation,' was played exceptionally well."
"What do you want? I will grant you whatever you desire." Her tone was gentler than ever before, even carrying a hint of indulgence.
Upon hearing this, many people in the pavilion gasped in shock.
With His Majesty's personal promise, the Wang family's predicament should be resolved, and Wang Shiqing's elaborate scheme at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet will not have been in vain.
Everyone assumed that Wang Yanzhi would plead with His Majesty to show leniency and pardon the Wang family's crimes.
But to everyone's surprise, Wang Yanzhi raised his eyes and calmly met Li Yuanzhao's scrutinizing and slightly amused gaze.
"Your Majesty's inquiry is too much for your humble servant to bear. Your humble servant... has no wish."
He bowed slightly, his voice not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
"May Your Majesty's virtue shine like the moon, illuminating all corners of the world, and may all nations come to pay homage. May the Great Qi be like the cassia tree in the moon, with its branches flourishing and its fragrance lasting forever."
These words were beautifully spoken, echoing the scene of golden osmanthus blossoms earlier, and extending blessings to the nation and the world.
Every word and phrase was devoid of any personal requests; every sentence was in accordance with the emperor's wishes.
Even Pei Huaijin was taken aback.
It seems that Wang Yanzhi has finally come to his senses.
In the inner palace, the honor and disgrace of a family ultimately depend on the emperor's favor. Only by winning the emperor's heart can one truly gain a foothold.
Sure enough, after listening, Li Yuanzhao was silent for a moment, and then he burst into laughter!
"Well said!"
Her laughter subsided, and she looked intently at Wang Yanzhi. "Issue my decree: I will reward Minister Wang with a thousand taels of gold, a hundred bolts of Shu brocade, a pair of white jade ruyi scepters, and also bestow upon him the plaque 'Qingyin' to be hung in the main hall of Qiushui Residence!"
The rewards were already extremely generous, and he was even bestowed with a plaque personally inscribed by the Emperor himself—a rare honor indeed!
However, this is not the end.
Li Yuanzhao stepped forward, almost breathing in Wang Yanzhi's ear, and said softly, "Tonight, we will depart for Qiushui Residence."
These words shocked everyone in the pavilion.
No one expected that a young man who had fallen out of favor for two years would regain the emperor's favor because of a flute melody.
The expressions on everyone's faces were varied: shock, astonishment, disbelief, envy, resentment, bitterness... a complex mix that was hard to describe.
As the emperor departed, the crowd bowed and saw him off, but their hearts were already in turmoil.
"Look at them, they're silent until they make a stunning move! Tsk tsk... what a clever scheme and cunning!"
"Did you see that? Chen Meiren's face is as black as hell."
"You still have the mood to gloat? I think the situation in the harem is about to change."
Inside Qiushui Residence, only a few ordinary palace lanterns were lit, casting a dim, yellowish light.
Li Yuanzhao sat on the slightly worn rosewood chair at the head of the table, his gaze slowly sweeping over the surroundings as he surveyed the furnishings of Qiushui Residence.
Compared to when she came two years ago, it looked much more desolate and forlorn.
Although Li Yuanzhao didn't pay much attention to the affairs of the harem, he was well aware that there were many instances of favoritism and favoritism within the harem.
It seems that he hasn't had an easy time these past two years.
Wang Yanzhi held a freshly brewed cup of tea, walked up to her, knelt down, and raised the teacup high above his head with both hands.
"Your Majesty, please have some tea."
This posture was extremely submissive, a far cry from the proud demeanor that remained even when bowing his head two years ago.
Li Yuanzhao looked at the exposed section of his fair nape, then suddenly reached out and grabbed the wrist of the hand holding the teacup, pulling hard!
Caught off guard, Wang Yanzhi dropped his teacup, spilling some warm tea that dampened his sleeves and the carpet in front of him.
He was pulled forward by the force and fell right to his knees in front of Li Yuanzhao's legs.
But he did not show any panic or dissatisfaction. Instead, he relaxed his body, gently rested his chin on Li Yuanzhao's knee, and looked up at her.
The candlelight fell on his face, his long eyelashes fluttering and casting a faint shadow.
His eyes remained calm, but the aloofness that used to keep people at arm's length was gone. Instead, they seemed to be veiled in a soft light, making him incredibly docile.
Li Yuanzhao grabbed his chin and lifted it slightly, "Why are you so obedient?"
"Does Your Majesty dislike your servants being obedient?" Wang Yanzhi asked softly.
His voice was a little hoarse from playing the flute today, but it was quite captivating.
Li Yuanzhao stared at him with an unfathomable gaze, making Wang Yanzhi feel somewhat uneasy.
Was she looking at him, or was she looking through him at someone who had already passed away?
Just as his mind was slightly disturbed, Li Yuanzhao suddenly increased the pressure on his chin with his fingers!
Wang Yanzhi groaned, feeling a clear pain.
Several distinct red marks were instantly left on his snow-white chin.
Li Yuanzhao leaned closer, whispering in his ear, "Whether you obey or not, I don't care. But if you harbor any improper thoughts, then you should give up on that idea as soon as possible."
This statement is almost an explicit indication.
She didn't care whether he was sincere or not tonight, whether it was a desperate surrender or a carefully planned flattery.
She had seen these palace intrigues and even enjoyed them, considering them a welcome diversion from the tedious affairs of state.
But she would never tolerate him, or anyone in the harem, reaching out to the court to try to influence or interfere with court decisions and matters of state through whispers in the ear or personal feelings.
These words are a blatant warning, drawing a red line that must never be crossed.
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