???
I then realized that there really wasn't a book in front of him, so he had been drinking tea in front of me for so long?!
Neglected, neglected.
"How about—" I was thinking of getting him a book, but then I realized how I couldn't bring myself to give it to the current emperor when I realized my cabinet was full of only entertainment books.
Just as he was hesitating, he slowly said, "How about we chat for a while?"
I looked at him in surprise, but his expression remained calm. I quickly agreed, "Yes."
I remember the last time he suggested chatting, he was hinting at me about the "Hibiscus Bird". This time, could it be that -
"The bear at the hunting ground last time," he paused and looked at me.
Sure enough! My guilty behavior at that time really didn't escape his notice!
Feeling sweat about to break out on his forehead, he lowered his eyes to look at the tea leaves floating in the celadon cup. "If it was me who pounced on you, would you pounce on me too?"
I froze, having not expected this question at all, and looked at him to make sure I had heard correctly.
He also looked up at me. Outside the night window was the thick osmanthus scent, with a lingering fragrance.
"Of course," I said, returning to my state. "Your Majesty is supreme, and as a concubine, I will protect Your Majesty even at the cost of my own life."
I observed him as I spoke, fearing I might make a mistake. At first, a light flickered in his eyes, then he was swept up in a thick cloud of ink.
"I told you," he looked at me, "you don't have to call me 'concubine' when we're just two."
This is a way of using all the expressions without following the routine!
"So," he continued, "what if you put aside your status as a concubine?"
My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't figure out what the question meant. But my intuition told me that this was a fatal question.
"Even though I am just an ordinary citizen," I feigned composure, "I will protect Your Majesty from danger."
I said "Your Majesty," not "Son of Heaven." This is because I believe the lives of the Son of Heaven and the people of the common people should be equal. When a commoner protects the Son of Heaven from danger, it shouldn't be because of the disparity in status, but because the common people truly recognize the Son of Heaven, so much so that they're willing to take risks for him.
Over the past six months, I've heard all about Song Heng's diligent work and dedication to state affairs through casual conversation. If I were an ordinary citizen, I wouldn't be unwilling to protect such a wise monarch from danger.
"'Your Majesty?'" He actually picked out those three words, jokingly saying, "Did you emphasize 'I' on purpose?"
"Yes," I said without evading the question, "Your Majesty is diligent in his work and loves the people. He governs the country wisely. As an ordinary citizen, I am willing to take risks for you."
If he is incompetent, extravagant, and even oppresses the people, causing them to live in misery, it would be great if I didn't create danger for him, hehe.
The corners of his mouth curled up: "It seems that my political achievements have caught your eye, making you willing to risk your life."
To sum up, this seems to be the truth, but the words "catching my eye" sounded a bit arrogant, so I stopped talking for a moment.
He picked up the tea with his slender knuckles and took a sip. He slowly and methodically closed the lid tightly and seamlessly, saying in a very soft voice, "Well, there's still a long way to go."
Song Heng started to come to my place every night to read books before going to bed, and occasionally he would even ask me to read him a story to relieve his tiredness.
At first, I had to carefully observe him every time he spoke. After all, this kind of entertaining folk story - how could it be something that would be presented in the same frame as the emperor in the palace...
But he was from an imperial family, after all, and his manners were truly excellent. Not only did he not interrupt me, he even nodded or said "hmm" at the right moments. If I hadn't known for myself, I would have actually thought I had a talent for storytelling.
But his stay at my dorm has had another impact: fewer posts asking me to go out for tea. Well, I'll just stay in the yard and practice my dancing.
The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet arrived as scheduled. On that day, Xiaotao brought me a dance costume made by the silk embroidery room. It was a golden silk gown that was designed to suit the autumn scenery and the dance music. It was light and ethereal, and it dragged gracefully on the ground.
Drawing thin eyebrows, applying red lipstick, and applying nail polish, Xiao Tao and Xiao Cui happily surrounded me: "It's been more than half a year, my lady, you are finally willing to let us do a good job of dressing up!"
This way everyone can have some free time!
As the banquet approached, I looked at myself in the mirror. My black jade earrings seemed a bit heavy, so I rummaged through my dressing box, but only found one that I liked. "Xiao Cui, have you seen the other broken silver pendant?"
"Yes, that's the pair my mother put on me when I came back from visiting my parents last time."
Xiao Cui and Xiao Tao shook their heads and started to help me look for it. I even looked under the table but couldn't find the other one: "Forget it, it's okay, I'll wear another pair." Thinking that the thing might be too small and rolled into some corner of the room, I didn't care anymore and went to the banquet with Xiao Tao and Xiao Cui.
Colorful ribbons and gorgeous gowns, music and dancing, civil and military officials lined the halls, and the royal family and relatives toasted each other. The palace was filled with harmony and warmth, with no trace of the cool autumn weather outside.
I had greeted and rehearsed with the musicians of Qulefang earlier, and now I am no longer as conflicted as I was before.
Because I discussed with the musicians and changed a few interludes in the tune, that is to say, although I will pause when dancing, the position of each pause is different.
In this way, there is no need to look at the emperor eight times, and it also feels like "rain and dew are equally distributed" to every place in the hall, hahahaha.
When I thought of this idea, my appetite improved a lot. I still remember the pig-like look in Xiaotao's eyes when she helped me fill the third bowl of rice that day.
The piano begins, the sheng and the flute merge, the clinking of glasses fades, and the sound of conversation and laughter fades. I close my eyes and listen to the familiar tune, tiptoeing, twirling, rising, and prostrating myself. A cloud-like gauze brushes against my face, and I feel as if a pool of autumn water ripples before my eyes, clear, tranquil, ethereal, and melodious.
The first time I looked at the Empress Dowager's seat in the center of the hall, she nodded at me kindly. I bent down slightly and turned quickly to start the second dance. I repeated this several times and stopped several times. Then I realized that there were so many people in the hall and it was so quiet.
As the song neared its end, my heart had already settled, and I was just waiting for the final pause to look at the Queen Mother to finish. But who knew that the piano music would suddenly lose its rhythm in the next second, and I stumbled and hurried to finish. At the last second, I looked up and saw Duan Xiao's eyes meet.
He had recovered and, due to his distinguished status as the Second Prince of Qixia, was seated in the front hall. He smiled at me, holding a three-legged bronze wine jar in his hand, and then he drank it all in one gulp, not looking at me anymore.
Without leaving a trace, I turned to the front of the hall and bowed respectfully: "I wish the Empress Dowager long life and great blessings."
"Get up, Concubine Mu is thoughtful." The Queen Mother's voice came from the high palace: "Reward."
"Thank you, Queen Mother." I stood up and bowed, breathing a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the good outweighed the bad, and I should be able to get through today.
…
The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet ended early, and when she was about to return to Chenshuang Pavilion, someone called her softly on the road. It turned out to be Concubine Liu De.
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