Chapter 28 Meeting the Emperor: Yuan Chaolu truly has no conscience whatsoever...
This was the first time Yuan Chaolu had stepped into the emperor's sleeping quarters.
Entering the interior is like stepping into another world. The palaces and furnishings are solemn and elegant, and even the fragrance in the air exudes a clear and serene majesty. Layer upon layer of curtains divide the interior and exterior into two separate halls.
Zhong Changjun stepped inside, his steps so light that they still echoed on the terrazzo floor tiles.
He led her to a table and said, “His Majesty is still discussing matters with several ministers. Please wait here for a moment, Miss.”
Seeing that Zhong Changjun was about to leave, Yuan Chaolu hurriedly asked, "May I ask, Lord Zhong, what important matter has His Majesty summoned me here for?"
Zhong Changjun smiled but remained silent, "The Second Miss will know when His Majesty arrives."
Yuan Chaolu gazed at the tea foam floating in the teacup before her, the bitter aroma of tea lingering in her nostrils. All she could hear was the sound of her own shallow breathing. The icy air in the hall was pervasive, causing a layer of cold sweat to seep onto her back.
Since her departure from Chanxu Temple, she had not seen the Emperor for several days, and she certainly did not expect His Majesty to treat her as usual.
The waiting felt like an eternity. Finally, she heard light footsteps beside her. Yuan Chaolu was about to bow when she saw that it was Zhong Changjun who said, "There is someone outside the hall who wants to see the Second Miss."
Yuan Chaolu was slightly taken aback, then got up and walked into the courtyard. There she saw a young man standing under the crabapple tree, his purple robe illuminated by the evening sun, revealing a gentle profile on his handsome face.
She paused, then slowly walked down the steps.
The Prince of Yan immediately raised his eyes, and just then a ray of dazzling sunlight jumped into his eyes, making him squint.
Before he arrived, several guesses had already churned in his mind. But when he went to the palace to ask Zhong Changjun, he received an answer that overturned his expectations.
Zhong Changjun said that the woman inside the hall was the second young lady of the Yuan family, the fiancée that his elder brother had previously arranged for him.
Xiao Luozhi's eyes widened slightly, trying to see that face clearly. As she approached step by step, his heart pounded louder and louder, almost bursting out of his chest.
He wanted to ask her how she could be Miss Yuan Er, but before he could finish speaking, she suddenly interrupted him, asking first, "Young Master Lu, what brings you here?"
The woman's eyes widened in shock, seemingly particularly surprised that he would be there.
Xiao Luozhi's throat moved slightly, and she immediately realized that she was still unaware of her own identity.
He smiled and said, "I came to the palace today to do business for His Highness the Prince of Yan. I saw Miss Zhou from afar and wanted to come up and exchange a few words with her. It was only from the words of others that I learned that Miss Zhou is actually the second young lady of the Yuan family?"
He bowed deeply, then slowly raised his gaze and saw the girl standing before the twilight steps.
The instant their eyes met, she quickly lowered her gaze, her eyelashes glistening with light and shadow.
“Young Master Lu, what are you saying? You have not offended me. I should ask you to forgive me for concealing my identity from you before.”
"It's alright." Xiao Luozhi blurted out, only to realize he had been too hasty. Unbeknownst to him, his palms were already sweating, and the tips of his ears were still burning from shock.
He turned his head to look at Zhong Changjun standing behind him in the distance under the corridor. The other party was smiling and looking at him from afar. Xiao Luozhi felt uneasy. He turned back and met the girl's clear eyes.
She fluttered her eyelashes and stared at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of doubt and curiosity.
He suddenly recalled their first encounter at Tianzhen Pavilion, where the young woman had the same bright eyes, holding a painting and looking at him from across a low table.
Xiao Luozhi, who had been panicked and confused by his engagement to her, calmed down a bit and asked, "Why did His Majesty summon the Second Miss here?"
"Is it because of my studies? His Majesty was dissatisfied with my studies before, and I'm afraid I'll be scolded today." The young woman sighed softly, her eyes full of grievance.
"In that case..." Xiao Luozhi coughed a few times, finding himself speechless and somewhat embarrassed. "After the Second Miss enters the palace, do you know how many days she will be allowed to rest, and whether she will be able to leave the palace? I have recently acquired a few paintings of ladies from Wu, and I am worried that there is no one to appreciate them with. Would you be so kind as to invite the Second Miss to come along?"
"You invited me?" she asked, her voice rising at the end, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
Since childhood, Xiao Luozhi has been surrounded by women who wanted to please him. Some were meek and obedient, while others feigned shyness. They all carried a sense of caution and humility, placing themselves in a subordinate position.
The woman before him, unaware of his identity, spoke to him openly and honestly, displaying the bright and lively spirit of an ordinary young woman.
She rested her fingertips on her chin and tapped it lightly. As she pondered, her eyes were full of spirit. She seemed to have made up her mind. She turned to look at him, but then froze as if she had seen a ghost, her expression changing drastically.
Xiao Luo asked, "What's wrong?"
Footsteps came from behind him. The footsteps were so familiar that as soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Xiao Luozhi realized who it was and his back tensed slightly.
He turned around and immediately bowed, "Your Majesty."
As the figure in golden robes drew near, Xiao Luozhi felt a chill run down his spine. He still raised his head and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say to Your Majesty. Please come to the side."
Yuan Chao kept her head bowed low, and the chirping of crickets in the grass made it impossible for her to hear what the two people in the distance were saying, but she could feel their gazes on her.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the figure of a third person, a minister who had accompanied the emperor on his return.
She thought she was well prepared and that if she met the emperor again, she would at most be punished. However, just seeing a corner of his robe made her blood boil.
When she came to her senses, Zhong Changjun had already gestured for her to come inside, "Please come in, Second Miss. Young Master Lu has already left."
The room was quiet, with only the soft sound of her skirt brushing against the floor with each step.
Following Zhong Changjun's advice, Yuan Chaolu sat down behind the table. Before long, the emperor walked in from outside, chatting and laughing with others. He was in a very good mood today, dressed in hunting attire. As he approached, one could smell the fresh scent of grass on his clothes, indicating that he had just returned from the hunting grounds.
The voice was clear and cheerful, with a hint of a smile: "Have you seen that brown bear?"
"I arrived too late and missed the chance to witness the magnificent bear today. I only caught a fleeting glimpse of it before it was put into its cage. Next time Your Majesty goes hunting, please have me accompany you. Such a scene of bear hunting is truly a rare sight!"
The emperor smiled and waved his hand, then went inside. He took a cup of tea from Zhong Changjun and began to talk with Jia Li.
From beginning to end, he didn't linger on Yuan Chaolu's body even once.
Even at first, when that gaze came casually, it was just a casual glance, as if the incident at Chanxu Temple had not left the slightest ripple in his heart.
In contrast, Yuan Chaolu could not remain calm. Not a single hair fell from his head, as if an invisible knife was hanging above his head.
This time, Yuan Chaolu finally saw the face of the man standing beside the emperor.
On the other side of the dilapidated temple during the torrential rain in Longxi, it was this solemn military officer who first saw Yuan Chaolu covered in blood.
As for the man beside him, who is he...? No need to say more.
Every chuckle of the emperor felt like a heavy hammer blow to the heart.
Yuan Chaolu felt as if she were drowning. Her background was complicated and had been concealed by her elder sister. If the emperor found out that she had become a slave girl for the Helan family, not only would her marriage to the Prince of Yan be canceled, but she would also be guilty of deceiving the emperor.
Let's take it one step at a time.
She didn't know how much time had passed when she looked up again. The setting sun had already sunk behind the western mountains, and the footsteps of the founding duke, Jia Li, were fading into the distance.
Only Zhong Changjun, himself, and the Emperor remained in the hall.
Yuan Chaolu knelt before the rosewood tea table, poured herself another cup of tea, and drank several cups, but still did not receive the emperor's question. This slow, agonizing torture continued until almost nightfall, when Zhong Changjun finally walked up to Yuan Chaolu and said, "Second Miss, let's go back."
Yuan Chaolu asked in surprise, "Zhongshu?"
Zhong Changjun hesitated, her facial muscles twitching slightly, before forcing a rather strained smile. "If this servant dares to speak, perhaps the Second Miss should go and speak to His Majesty first..."
Yuan Chaolu heard him hesitate, then asked, "What?"
Zhong Changjun sighed, shook his head, cleared away her teacups, and said with a smile, "It's alright, Miss, you can leave now."
Yuan Chaolu was finally freed. She placed her hand on her abdomen, bid farewell to the emperor, and left quickly without pausing for a moment.
As I left the Emperor's bedchamber, the gentle evening breeze filled my nostrils, and my stiff limbs gradually came back to life.
As she walked through the lush vegetation, the faint sigh of Zhong Changjun echoed in her mind.
Does that mean she's being asked to apologize to the emperor...?
Having done such a thing, the emperor is probably disgusted with me. It's best to keep it out of sight and out of mind. What if I say something that offends him?
But the emperor summoned him again.
Yuan Chaolu gazed at the magnificent palace. The emperor's heart was unfathomable, his will unpredictable, and his moods ever-changing—how could she possibly perceive them?
**
After Miss Yuan Er left, a strong, calming incense was lit in the palace. The Emperor was a very light sleeper and often needed strong incense to help him fall asleep at night, but the fragrance was so strong that it was difficult for ordinary people to get used to it at first. However, today, due to Miss Yuan Er's arrival, this practice was put on hold for a long time.
The Boshan bronze incense burner emitted a delicate fragrance, the rich and lingering scent of agarwood permeating the hall, drifting towards the slender figure behind the desk, yet failing to penetrate the emperor's calm and composed eyes, dissipating into the depths of the palace.
Zhong Changjun entered quietly, and then heard the emperor ask, "Are you gone?"
Zhong Changjun said in a low voice, "When the Second Miss left, she was restless and uneasy. But after she learned that she could leave, she seemed relieved."
After sitting down at the table, the emperor smiled lightly and said lazily, "I have been teaching her for several days and summoning her to the palace to give her a chance. But today she is so afraid of me. It seems that in the Chanxu Temple, she was really preoccupied with matters of love and has completely forgotten my teachings."
It was clearly a smiling voice, yet Zhong Changjun's expression changed, a chill ran down his spine, and he sensed the emperor's displeasure.
After a long while, a low, cold laugh came from behind the desk.
"They truly have no conscience whatsoever."
**
Since the Emperor's summons that day, Yuan Chaolu couldn't help but feel uneasy. For the next few days, no news came from Zhangde Hall, and life at the academy was peaceful.
The knot in my heart left behind at Chanxu Temple, though never resolved, seemed to slowly dissipate within the palace over time.
The sun was blindingly bright, and the horse farm was scorching hot.
Today was riding and archery class. The sun was shining on us, making our riding gear feel like it was glued to our skin. By the time class ended, Yuan Chaolu's chin was covered in sweat. He called to his companion, Yuan Yan, behind him, wanting to go back together.
The other women were also panting, but having attended the lesson with their husbands, even though they were so tired they could barely stand up, they still maintained their graceful postures and chatted elegantly as they left the riding arena.
As Yuan Chaolu was tidying up the saddle and reins, she heard faint voices behind her: "Sister Gao, is the Empress Dowager summoning you this evening? It's almost time, don't be late."
As soon as Helan Zhen finished speaking, she drew envious murmurs from the surrounding women.
The girls' studies were assessed every five days, and the results were either sent to the Emperor or presented to the Empress Dowager. Those who ranked at the top of their class would receive praise in imperial seal or be rewarded with jewels.
Gao Yurong came from a noble family; her father and brothers were both renowned scholars of the time, and she was exceptionally talented. In the half month since she entered the palace, she had received a reward from the Empress Dowager and even a vermilion comment from the Emperor. Although it was only a few words, it was an honor that others could not even dream of. The others had also been summoned by the Empress Dowager to varying degrees.
Yuan Chaolu, however, consistently lagged behind in her studies and never received a single word of praise from the Empress Dowager. Clearly, she was being ignored by those above. In addition, Miss Helan Zhen openly or subtly mocked her, and over time, the noble ladies tacitly excluded her from the circle.
The emperor's sudden summons to her that day seemed like an accident, and he showed her no further favor afterward.
Yuan Chaolu was tidying up her quiver when she caught a glimpse of Yuan Yan quietly moving a few steps into the shade under the tree. Clearly, she had overheard Helan Zhen's gossip and wanted to distance herself from her.
Yuan Chaolu smiled gently, packed her things, and didn't intend to stay in the scorching sun any longer.
Just as I was about to leave, I heard a cry of alarm behind me: "My red sandalwood prayer beads are gone!"
Yuan Chaolu turned around and saw that Gao Yurong's face was pale. During this period, the blood-red Buddhist bead had almost never left her body, hanging on her belt every day. Who did not know how much she cared for it?
Gao Yurong hurriedly searched through the quiver, saddlebags, and dust under the stirrups, but found nothing. Her expression grew increasingly anxious as she glanced at the crowd. "Has anyone seen anything?"
Helan Zhen asked, "Is it the imperial Buddhist prayer beads that you wear every day, sister?"
Gao Yurong's voice trembled slightly: "It is a sacred object presented by the Buddhist Kingdom of the Western Regions. I was afraid of losing it, so I put it in the saddlebag and tied it to the side of the saddle. Who knew it would be gone now?"
Upon hearing this, the noble ladies' expressions all changed. If it were just an ordinary valuable item, it wouldn't be a big deal, but it was a gift bestowed by the Emperor himself that had gone missing. The noble ladies who were accompanying him today were afraid of being questioned and implicated, so they hurriedly helped to search for it.
"Could it have fallen into the horse farm? Quickly, summon the princes to help us search for it."
“It wasn’t there. When I left the horse farm, the prayer beads were still in the bag, tied to the saddle. Later, Miss Helan and I went to the lake to fetch water with water bags, and when we came back, the prayer beads were gone.”
"Just now..." Xie Fanli, the young lady of the Xie family, who was about to speak, suddenly fell silent, as if she remembered something important. Her gaze pierced Yuan Chaolu like needles, and then she whispered a few words to Gao Yurong.
But Gao Yurong's brow twitched suddenly, and when she looked up again, her eyes were filled with a layer of frost.
Gao Yurong asked, "Was it only Miss Yuan Er who was here just now?"
As soon as he said this, several sharp gazes immediately fell on Yuan Chaolu.
Yuan Chao frowned and said, "I went to rest after tying up the horse just now. I didn't go near Miss Gao's horse, nor did I see any Buddhist beads. Miss Gao might as well look carefully. Perhaps it slipped into the haystack by accident."
Xie Fanli asked, "Was there anyone who stayed with the Second Miss the whole time? Can they testify for her?"
Although not explicitly stated, the words clearly pointed the finger of suspicion at Yuan Chaolu. The atmosphere in the room suddenly froze.
It was precisely because of this that everyone's suspicions intensified. The women were all in pairs, except for Yuan Chaolu, who happened to be alone. No one offered to accompany her, and anyone who saw this would be suspicious.
"Why don't we all take out our pouches and check them?" Xie Fanli looked around at everyone, her gaze finally settling on Yuan Chaolu. "That way, we can clear ourselves of any suspicion."
The commotion was quite large, and it quickly attracted many young men who had just finished school.
Yuan Chaolu remained calm, facing the scrutiny of the crowd, and gestured for Yuan Yan to take out her pouch. However, when she reached into the pouch, her expression suddenly froze.
The noble ladies had already checked each other's belongings and found no trace of the Buddhist prayer beads. Gao Yurong's brows were furrowed so tightly that the cinnabar mole on her face almost bled, and the person beside her kept comforting her.
Finally, all eyes were fixed on Yuan Chaolu.
Seeing that she hesitated to open the peach-pink brocade pouch in her hand, Xie Fanli looked at Gao Yurong. Gao Yurong remained silent and hesitant. Finally, Helan Zhen stepped forward, snatched the embroidered pouch from her hand, and turned it upside down on the ground.
The daughter's belongings were all thrown into the grass, and a bright red Buddhist bead rolled over at everyone's feet with a "clunk".
A clamor arose, surging in from all directions.
Yuan Chaolu instantly realized that the people coming today were targeting her.
She had never carried her red Buddhist prayer beads with her or shown them to anyone. Even after Zhong Changjun offered them up, she put them away and put them away. At this moment, they were lying peacefully in a dark compartment in her bedroom.
The Buddhist prayer beads in front of her were clearly placed in her bag by someone with malicious intent.
She looked up and said, "It wasn't me."
A soft, cold laugh rang out, and the voice came from Miss Xie: "Of course I don't want to believe it either, but Second Miss, the evidence is right here, what else do you have to say?"
The surroundings became noisy, with voices rising and falling:
"It really is there with her..."
"You dare to touch something bestowed upon you by His Majesty? You're incredibly audacious!"
One of the princes said, "Miss Yuan doesn't seem like the type to do such a thing. Could there be some misunderstanding?"
Yuan Yan, standing beside her, immediately protested, "How could it be my second sister? Someone must have framed her. So many people pass by this horse farm, why is it specifically my sister?"
Yuan Chaolu stood still, quietly gazing at the red Buddhist prayer beads at her feet.
Gao Yurong picked it up and said, "Second Miss Yuan, you have only just entered the academy and should not know how precious these prayer beads are. Previously, I had some doubts about what Miss Helan said about you, but now that things have come to this, I have no choice but to believe her. Is there anything else you would like to say, Second Miss?"
Yuan Chaolu never offered a word in her own defense, her gaze fixed solely on the faces of the crowd.
Everyone was waiting for her to speak, some puzzled, some surprised, and some anxious for her to speak...
However, this expression left some people speechless.
"She's already admitted it, so I think the matter is settled..."
"Who said she admitted it?"
These words were interrupted by a clear male voice. Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young man with a cold and stern expression. He was dressed in a martial arts robe and strode forward. His body seemed to be shrouded in a layer of cold air. Anyone who saw his face would take a step back.
It was none other than Prince Xiao Luozhi of Yan.
The Prince of Yan did not usually live with the many princes in the palace, but he was clearly disturbed by the noise here and came here on purpose.
"Your Highness, Prince Yan." After everyone finished their greetings, Prince Yan said coldly, "Who said she admitted it? Which of you saw her take this item with your own eyes!"
His gaze was sharp as it swept over the group that had been making the most noise. When his eyes fell on the noblewoman, they all held their breath.
The Prince of Yan is of high status and is determined to protect Yuan Chaolu, so they cannot object. But when did the Prince of Yan become so close to Yuan Chaolu?
Yuan Chaolu looked up and saw the boy pull her hand, his figure already blocking her way.
"Second Miss, tell me, I believe you."
The young man's eyes burned with intensity. "I know you're shocked by my identity. We can discuss our affairs later."
Yuan Chaolu's eyes flickered slightly as she felt the heat of the skin on his wrist as he gripped hers. She raised her head to face the gazes of the crowd.
Those people, however, seemed to have already condemned her.
Even before she was searched, and before the Buddhist beads fell out of her bag, no one was willing to stand by her side.
Before entering the palace, she stayed up all night and personally made flower-patterned stationery for each of the noble ladies as a gift. They accepted it with smiles, but still clung to Helan Zhen and were willing to believe the slanderous words she spoke about Yuan Chaolu.
The scene gradually became somewhat agitated.
Behind her, Gao Yurong said, "Today's matter is not about whether His Highness Prince Yan will protect her or not. If it were anything else, Miss, I would be happy to give it to you. But since it is a gift from the Emperor, I cannot make that decision. Perhaps—"
Gao Yurong presented the Buddhist prayer beads to the Prince of Yan with both hands, took a deep breath, and said, “I do not mean to make things difficult for her. Since Your Highness insists on obstructing this, let us go to the Empress Dowager and let her preside over the justice.”
Helan Zhen said, "Yes, Your Highness, Miss Gao was chosen by the Empress Dowager to enter the palace. She is so highly regarded by the Empress Dowager, how could she be bullied like this..."
As soon as she finished speaking, Helan Zhen met the deep gaze that the Prince of Yan had cast at her.
Helan Zhen knew he had displeased the Prince of Yan, but still said, "After all, it is a gift from the Emperor, a tribute from the Buddhist Kingdom. What do you all think?"
"Can."
A soft voice sounded from behind the Prince of Yan. Yuan Chaolu gently placed his hand on the Prince of Yan's arm, gesturing for him to step aside and slowly walk out.
She, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
The young woman smiled faintly: "Then I will go and ask the Empress Dowager to make the decision."
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