Chapter Sixteen: First Encounter Under the Pavilion
At dusk that day, candlelight flickered in the imperial study. The emperor put down his vermilion brush and softly called out, "June." The attendant standing beside him bowed and replied, "Your subject is here."
"I am going to the Guanghe Palace; there is no need to announce my arrival beforehand."
"yes."
The Emperor had not set foot in the Seventh Prince's palace for a long time. Aside from the regular morning and evening greetings, he deliberately maintained a distance—a consideration of choosing the lesser of two evils. Yunji was weak and powerless in the palace; any slight favoritism would invite unnecessary criticism. True love is often unspoken, the Emperor thought; Yunji was at an age where he should be studying and understanding reason, and should not be drawn into this unfathomable vortex of power too early.
Inside the Guanghe Palace, Huairou strolled lightly through the corridors. Since arranging the Seventh Prince's journey north for trade, she had devoted herself to developing trade strategies for unforeseen circumstances. She had also prepared a special gift for his travels: a stack of soft, light silk brocade. Having spent her childhood in the north as Moli, she knew all too well the biting winds and scorching sun. Knowing that Yunji's journey would undoubtedly involve considerable hardship, she wanted to make amends for him.
She walked briskly towards the lake, and in the distance, she saw two figures, one tall and one short, standing in the Canglang Pavilion. Thinking it was Yunji and his attendant Mingye, she quickened her pace. As she drew closer, she realized that the man in the dark blue robe had a straight back, a white crane fluttering on his collar, and an elegant headdress. He was leisurely sipping tea with his back to her. The other person stood quietly beside him, his demeanor gentle and kind.
Guanghe Hall rarely receives visitors, so who could it be?
"Yunji?" Knowing it was impossible, Huairou still tentatively called out softly. The man turned his head at the sound of her voice—Huairou felt as if half of her soul had been captured.
He was about thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, with a refined and handsome face, eyes like deep pools, and an aura as calm and lofty as the morning mist in the mountains. Even Mo Li, who had lived through two lifetimes, could hear her own heart pounding like a drum at this moment.
"You are Huairou, aren't you?" the man asked, his voice as gentle as an orchid in a secluded valley, deep and filled with an indescribable tenderness. "Come and talk to me."
Huairou arrived gracefully, as if in a dream. This person must be an elder in the palace, and she subconsciously lowered her head and lowered her eyes—she was reserved by nature, and if Yunji and Binghui were not as close as family to her, they would never have become so close in such a short time.
The Emperor quietly observed the young woman before him. Her skin was like jade, her features delicate and beautiful. Her expression held both a purity that seemed untainted by the mud, and a hint of fear that she desperately tried to conceal. Before he could speak, Huairou softly said, "My daughter, Huairou, is the Seventh Prince's study companion and is temporarily residing in Guanghe Palace. I came here just now intending to ask Your Highness about the matter of traveling north for trade, but I mistook you for someone else. Please forgive me."
The emperor did not respond immediately, but after a moment of contemplation, asked, "In your opinion, how should Yunji promote trade during this trip?"
Seeing that the other party did not show any displeasure, Huairou carefully replied, "The Seventh Prince once said that the north is barbaric, and its wealth lies only in cattle and sheep. Although the Xiongnu cavalry is strong, they only know how to plunder and do not engage in production. In the end, what the border people want is nothing more than a peaceful and prosperous life. Commerce has many drawbacks in the interior, but on the border, it can be used to control the warriors and assimilate the people. Our dynasty is rich in resources. Rather than being passively robbed, it is better to actively trade. The court also needs leather for military use and meat for supplies. The Seventh Prince's trip only needs to establish a trade order and prevent troublemakers from stirring up trouble. In time, the border troubles will surely be quelled. If our currency can be used for border trade, the Xiongnu can enjoy the benefits while gradually being controlled by our country."
The emperor remained silent, his calm gaze fixed on Huairou. He had only asked casually, but the delicate young woman had unexpectedly poured out her thoughts like beans spilling from a bamboo tube. These insights were far from Yunji's usual style.
Seeing him hesitate, Huairou mistakenly thought she had failed to showcase the Seventh Prince's talents and added, "If border trade only involves the circulation of basic goods, the market will ultimately be limited. If we can organize the people of both sides to engage in production, such as sewing armor, making leather goods, specializing in gourmet food, mining and smelting iron... both herdsmen and farmers can be mobilized. These products, when transported to the Central Plains, will not only enrich our dynasty but also disperse the Xiongnu's fighting force. With the people busy with production and living in peace and contentment, the war will naturally subside."
The Emperor thought to himself: Yunji actually has such a discerning woman by his side. Just then, a gentle breeze blew across the lake, and a wisp of willow catkin landed quietly on Huairou's clothes, tickling her slightly. She forced herself to remain calm, not daring to move—fearing to tarnish the Seventh Prince's reputation, yet inexplicably wanting to leave a good impression on this person.
A slender hand reached out and gently brushed away the willow catkins from her lapel. The Emperor understood, but what puzzled him was why this woman was so devoted to Yunji. He gazed at her lowered eyelashes and softly instructed the attendant beside him, "Hmm, not bad. It's June, and it's getting late. Let's go back."
As he rose, the jade pendant at his waist slipped from his robe—it was a crystal-clear dragon-patterned pendant. Ji Moli had been nearsighted since childhood, and even Huairou couldn't see clearly; but the emperor could see her face clearly and hear her voice distinctly. This night visit to Guanghe Palace was ostensibly for Yun'er, but in reality, he wanted to see the young page beside Yun'er, the one personally recommended by the Vice Minister of the Chancellery and whose trade policy was endorsed by Minister Guo.
At the corner, he glanced at her one last time. Huairou remained standing with her head bowed. Dusk was deepening outside the pavilion, and willow catkins drifted like snowflakes. Her profile appeared even more slender yet resolute in the hazy light and shadow. The emperor silently withdrew his gaze, as if a long-forgotten corner of his heart had been gently stirred by the spring breeze.
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