Excerpt from a play
"These were transplanted from the southern border region. They originally only grew there. What do you think, Mother? These flowers are small, but they are very beautiful, aren't they?"
Yu Ning smiled innocently, picked a small flower, and placed it in the Empress's palm.
"It also has a very nice name, Starry Night, Mother. You've always enjoyed tending to flowers and plants, so why don't we move Starry Night into Mother's greenhouse as well?"
"Although Fanxing only grows in the southern border, Mother is very thoughtful and skillful. She may be able to raise Fanxing very well."
Empress Ye stared blankly at the flower for a long time, lost in thought, before finally regaining her voice.
She knew her best course of action was to pretend she didn't know, then move it into the greenhouse, and then find an opportunity to tell Yu Ning that the flower was difficult to grow and that she hadn't been able to keep it alive, so it died.
Because it is too weak, no matter how beautiful it is, it cannot survive.
but,
“This flower…” she murmured, not daring to look at Yu Ning’s face, which resembled Zhang Wanrong’s, “This flower cannot be grown.”
"Why, Mother?"
Yu Ning, with her blood-red nail polish, plucked the snow-white flower.
She put it in her mouth, her pearly teeth crushing the flower's juice, and swallowed it. "The person who gave it to me said it's a medicinal herb from southern Xinjiang; the petals can be used in medicine, as can the roots, stems, and leaves, and it's harmless to humans..."
"—Mingyu can't eat this."
The Empress tried to stop her, but it was too late; Yu Ning swallowed the flower.
The Empress, realizing her fear, tried to justify herself, saying, "These flowers and plants are ones I've never seen before, how can we eat them directly? Your maids should test their medicinal properties first."
"You should know that your father, the emperor, was poisoned twice in this palace."
"What if the person who presented the flowers lied to you? What if the flowers were poisonous? Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about your father and mother."
"How could you do such a thing? What will your mother do if something happens to you?"
Yu Ning gave a beautiful smile, filled with childlike innocence and curiosity. "Mother, it's alright. Look, I ate it, and it's all right."
She gently stroked the Empress's trembling hand and softly comforted her. The Empress's appearance made Yu Ning's heart sink completely.
So, the murderer who killed her mother back then was really the Empress! Why? Why?
Yu Ning silently questioned the dignified and elegant empress sitting before her, again and again.
Why was she adopted after her mother's death?
If it weren't for those fourteen years of nurturing, she wouldn't be in so much pain.
Why did they kill her mother?
He was so tolerant and generous to the other concubines, but he was so cruel and ruthless to his mother.
Why? Why?
Yu Ning couldn't understand it, but she knew that her mother was the most innocent one, and she didn't want her mother to be so lonely in the afterlife.
Palace banquet.
Emperor Shengyuan remained seated on his throne, with Empress Ye, a woman of great grace and majesty, beside him.
They were a young couple with a very deep affection for each other.
No matter what beauties entered the palace, even when Consort Rong, who was once the most favored concubine and overshadowed all the other beauties in the harem, was alive, her position as the Empress was never shaken.
On either side of the throne were civil and military officials. This palace banquet was also a victory celebration banquet, so Duke Gu Hanying of Yingguo sat in the first seat to the left of Emperor Shengyuan.
Dasheng has always valued civil officials over military ones. In the past, if Gu Hanying dared to take this position, officials would immediately come forward to impeach him.
However, no one dared to speak or question it today, as the seating arrangement was specifically instructed by Emperor Shengyuan to be arranged by the Ministry of Rites.
The celebration banquet was also a family dinner. All the princes and princesses of Emperor Shengyuan who had not yet left the palace came, and Gu Hanying's two children were also sitting behind him.
Emperor Shengyuan usually leaves after sitting for a while, but today his most beloved Princess Yuning told him that she had arranged a short opera for her father and hoped that he would stay and watch it.
Emperor Shengyuan's cold heart softened when he saw that face that resembled Wanrong's, and he nodded with a smile.
Waiting for that excerpt from the opera to begin—
A young man from a prominent family and a young woman from a similarly wealthy family, childhood sweethearts, got married at a young age.
After giving birth to her first child, the young lady arranged for the young master to take a beautiful concubine, so that the concubine could serve her husband in her place.
Originally, the mistress was tolerant, and after becoming the master's son, she treated his wife and concubines equally. The concubines did not compete or fight, and respected the mistress. The family was harmonious and peaceful.
However, the mistress changed later. She discovered that her husband was actually more fond of that lowly concubine, so she became jealous and poisoned the concubine when she was about to give birth.
The concubine gave birth to a daughter, and the master was very happy, as was the mistress.
The poison that the concubine contracted came from the southern border, and none of the doctors could figure out why she was sick.
The master could only watch as his concubine grew paler day by day, eventually leaving behind her daughter before passing away.
He was heartbroken but helpless. He took his daughter to be raised by his mistress and lost all interest in romance. Later, he even began to cultivate Taoism.
The mistress's son grew up day by day, and the daughter she raised also grew up. Although she looked like her mother, thankfully not that much, she could hold her hand with a clear conscience and think about finding her a good family.
The mistress thought the matter was over and done with. To prevent her poisoning from being exposed, she had the witch doctor who gave her the poisonous herbs killed to silence him.
No one will ever know the truth.
Unexpectedly, the witch doctor had a granddaughter who knew that her grandfather had gone to treat a nobleman but had never returned. After learning about the concubine's death, she knew that the mistress had coerced her grandfather into doing so and ultimately killed him.
Wanting to avenge her grandfather, she settled near the mistress's house and found an opportunity to get close to the concubine's daughter...
Empress Ye's face was deathly pale. Her mind was blank with fear. Her lips trembled as she tried to shout something to stop the performance, but she found herself unable to utter a single word.
Before the palace banquet began, Yu Ning excitedly arrived at her palace, took her hand, and told her that he had arranged a play for her, which had been rehearsed for several days, and that she would definitely like it.
No, no, it shouldn't be like this.
Why did Yu Ning suddenly learn the truth about what happened back then? Was the fourteen years she treated her like a precious jewel really not as good as her early-deceased birth mother?
That shouldn't be the case.
She sadly wanted to see the emperor; he had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. He was remarkably intelligent, possessing a photographic memory, and was well-versed in poetry, classical texts, and commentaries on the classics…
He'll learn anything after watching it once, and he'll definitely be able to see the deeper meaning of this excerpt from the opera.
After he learns the truth, how will he view her? They have been married for twenty-four years, how will he treat her?
The opera performance on stage has not yet ended.
Empress Ye sat beside the throne. She wanted to glance at Emperor Shengyuan's expression, but she was the Empress; she couldn't do that. It would be improper, and she felt guilty.
The fingers gripping the wine cup tightened, causing the cup to tremble and spill wine onto the table, leaving a mess on the floor.
The palace maids around her hurriedly tried to clean it for her, but they couldn't get it clean. She sighed and put down her wine cup.
In the play, the mistress and her daughter are estranged, and she is blamed and neglected by her husband. Her only hope, her son, is far away on the battlefield.
She was isolated and helpless, spending her days in tears, sobbing and regretting, and then one day, she went mad.
No one could understand her.
She was clearly her husband's lawfully wedded wife; how dare that concubine compare herself to her?
She had raised her beautiful daughter as her own, yet the daughter betrayed her the moment she learned the truth.
Even though her husband and she were childhood sweethearts, he began to blame her, blaming her for causing the death of the woman he loved.
If his feelings for that woman were love, then what was she? What was she?
After the three plays ended, the banquet was eerily quiet.
She heard Emperor Shengyuan's voice, devoid of emotion, call out to Yu Ning, "Mingyu, this play was well-received..."
She couldn't see his expression, nor could she grasp his true feelings; it seemed she never understood him at all.
But she knew that he had once again become that lonely emperor, sitting high on the dragon throne.
What reward do you desire?
He looked at his most beloved daughter, a gentle, almost feigned smile on his face.
Yu Ning was very happy to receive the praise from Emperor Sheng Yuan. "Father, I have found someone I love and I beg you to grant me marriage."
Yu Ning has always been spoiled and arrogant. Whatever she wants, her father and mother will give it to her.
"Oh? Which young master?"
"His surname is Dongfang, and his given name is Dongfang Hongyao. He is the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination this year."
"Dongfang Hongyao, come forward."
Emperor Shengyuan repeated the name. He naturally remembered the third-ranked scholar he had personally selected. The scholar was good in both talent and appearance, and his family background was also clean. He was indeed quite good.
Dongfang Hongyao, dressed in the official robes of a seventh-rank civil official embroidered with mandarin ducks, walked step by step from the very end of the civil and military officials, bowing and keeping his head down, to the emperor's presence. His steps were steady, without a trace of panic.
Gu Yu sat down nearby, propping her head up with her hand, and looked clearly at the scene before her.
Emperor Shengyuan is currently keeping quiet about Consort Rong's matter out of consideration for the imperial family, but he will surely make a decision after the palace banquet.
Because Emperor Shengyuan, even when sitting on the dragon throne, is still a human being, and humans are prone to greed, anger, and delusion. Compared to Consort Rong, Gu Yu felt that he cared about Consort Rong, considering his attitude towards the other concubines.
Or is there something called love?
Dongfang Hongyao, I have kept my promise to you. Take care of yourself.
"I ask you, are you willing to marry a princess?"
Emperor Shengyuan carefully examined the young man. He had good manners and good looks, and was a good match for his Mingyu.
"Your Majesty, I am willing. I have long admired the princess and wish to be her footwear, so that Your Highness may be spared from the dust of the world." Dongfang Hongyao's attitude was extremely respectful.
This humble and ingratiating attitude pleased Emperor Shengyuan. Mingyu was his precious daughter, and even after marriage, she should still be cherished.
If both parties are willing, his arranged marriage will naturally follow.
"Very well. Since you two are so in love, I hereby bestow this marriage upon you. I order the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to select an auspicious day, and the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Rites to immediately begin construction of the mansion and preparations for the ceremony, without any delay."
"As you command—"
Dongfang Hongyao received the decree and retreated step by step to his original position, still at the very end of the civil and military officials, but his status had changed.
With his noble lineage and imperial relatives, and the fact that his child would become a prince, the Emperor granted the Dongfang family everything they desired with a mere nod.
He is Dongfang Hongyao, and he will be Princess Yuning's husband in the future.
The anger at being stopped by a petty official upon arriving in Shengjing, the pride of gaining fame at a poetry gathering and being praised by everyone...
The imperial examinations, leaked questions, the emperor's residence being forgotten, the special examinations being reopened, a procession through the streets on horseback, a Hanlin scholar's disappointment, poems being passed around on red leaves.
And then—
Princess Shang.
All those previous events flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.
Fear, trepidation, excitement, resentment, and resignation—all sorts of emotions I'd never experienced before piled up in my heart.
He remembered the determined look in Princess Yu Ning's eyes when she lifted his chin. She told him to cut away the person in his heart completely. Even though he was standing next to her and taller than her, he humbly said, "Okay."
He kept repeating to himself, "I will, I will do it, I will do as she says."
Who wanted this? Who wanted this? He didn't even know her given name until the Emperor mentioned Mingyu's name.
But she was born into a noble family; she had everything that people in the world coveted from birth. How unfair, how unfair!
There is no such thing as fairness in this world, is there?
So this must be what he wanted, right? It must be what he wanted, he heard the voice in his heart say.
The music ended and the audience dispersed.
After the palace banquet ended, Gu Yu lagged a few steps behind, waiting for Dongfang Hongyao and Wei Cong. They were both wearing blue official robes today, a look that Gu Yu had never seen before.
She smiled and curtsied, "Congratulations, Lord Dongfang, on achieving your wish and winning the heart of your beauty."
Dongfang Hongyao stopped abruptly when he was still some distance away from her, his face expressionless, a stark contrast to his usual smiling demeanor. "Miss Gu, what a brilliant plan! Thank you for your help."
Wei Cong stood beside them, silent, his gaze lingering on the two of them. He merely nodded and greeted Gu Yu, but his eyes held a sigh.
"Ayu—"
Gu Yu heard her brother calling her, and hurriedly said goodbye to the two of them. Lifting her skirt, she hurriedly caught up with her tall father and brother, who stood out from the crowd.
"Ayu, where did you run off to without a word? I was so worried, afraid some lecherous man would kidnap you..."
Gu Yu was speechless upon hearing this. "Father, your daughter isn't some Tang Monk's flesh, so you don't need to worry about that. Besides, you and my brother are walking too fast, and I'm not a big stride, so I'll easily fall behind."
"Father's gotten used to it, he's forgotten about you..."
He scratched his head, somewhat puzzled, then took small, hesitant steps, matching Gu Yu's pace.
This time, Gu Yu was not left behind.
Her father and brothers stood beside her, tall and imposing, as if they could shield her from all storms.
The emotions in my heart were too complicated, bitter and confused. My heart, full of resentment, was tasting something different for the first time.
It throbbed slowly, then faster and faster.
"Father will be more careful next time and won't let Ayu be left behind."
Gu Hanying patted Gu Yu's head, and seeing that Gu Jin did not respond, he urged, "Jin, don't you think so?"
Gu Jin also turned his head and lowered his eyes, "Yes, so Ayu, don't be afraid."
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