Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Thank you Master Lu for your help
The road in the palace was winding and full of twists and turns, but Pei Zhiji seemed to be familiar with it as he walked through the corridors. Wherever he went, snow was flying everywhere, and Lu Suizhu had to jog to keep up with him.
The Crown Princess is the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Pei family. The Queen Mother granted the Pei family a special token to visit the pregnant Crown Princess at any time.
With a quick glance back, Pei Zhiji slowed down his pace as if his conscience had struck him. "The Empress Dowager has been having trouble sleeping lately, and she often summons the imperial physician in the middle of the night. Before midnight, I'll take you there to try your luck."
The Liangxi flood has been delayed until now, with countless casualties and collapsed houses that have not yet been repaired. Pei Zhiji is undoubtedly anxious. If it were any other day, he would definitely not be so rash as to bring such a woman of unknown origin into the palace.
"That's all right, Master Pei, just go faster. I can keep up."
The snow gradually stopped, and a thin layer spread on the ground, shining with the bright silver silk, presenting a bright white.
"Minister Pei——"
It was the prince's voice. Sure enough, he came. Pei Zhiji bowed to the prince. Lu Suizhu stood behind him politely. He never looked up during the conversation between the two. When no one could see him, he rolled his throat and swallowed.
"Where is Minister Pei taking Master Lu?" Xiao Mao chatted as usual, without any unusual expression. He just glanced casually behind Pei Zhiji.
"I heard that the Empress Dowager has been having nightmares lately. Coincidentally, Master Lu plays hypnotic music, so I'm thinking of taking her there to try it out. It's getting late, Your Highness, please rest early. I'll take my leave now."
"Master Lu, why don't you hurry up and leave?"
Only after hearing Pei Zhiji's call did Lu Suizhu break free from the panic atmosphere.
After they walked away, Xiao Mao was still standing there, his jaw muscles a little tense, his eyes narrowed as he stared in the direction they left.
"Your Highness, do you want to stop them?"
"I can't stop him. The news of Li Taifu's death can't be concealed for long. Besides, my brother-in-law is very thoughtful. If I stop Master Lu from leaving tonight, he will definitely notice something. I'll have to look for an opportunity in two days."
From afar, the lights in Shoukang Palace were still on, the snow in the courtyard had been swept clear, and the eunuchs on duty were guarding the palace gate. Pei Zhiji and Lu Suizhu both breathed a sigh of relief. Pei Zhiji stepped forward and said, "Please inform the Empress Dowager that the Minister of Rites, Pei Zhiji, has something to report."
Eunuch Xue looked at Pei Zhiji late at night, as if he was hesitant to speak. "The Empress Dowager has already said that if it's about the flood control plan, you don't need to talk about it. Sir Pei, please go back."
Pei Zhiji's expression was somewhat grim. The back of his hand had already turned white in the biting cold wind. He placed it against his lips and coughed lightly, pursing his lips slightly: "Not this time. I do have a personal matter."
While waiting for the call at the door, Pei Zhiji looked at Lu Suizhu from head to toe, which made Lu Suizhu feel uneasy. She lowered her head and looked around. There was nothing wrong with her normal attire. She touched her hair which she could not see and said, "Master Pei is staring at me so closely, but I am not well-groomed?"
"Do you have any sharp weapons on you?"
“No.”
Seeing that he remained silent, Lu Suizhu simply ignored the coldness of the night and reached out to take off her cloak, holding it in her hand: "If Master Pei doesn't believe me, you can come and search it yourself."
The atmosphere was frozen for a moment, and the condensation was hard to break.
They were not delayed for too long as the two were invited in by the young eunuch. Inside Shoukang Palace, a soft couch embroidered with landscapes was placed next to the carved window lattice, with brocade bedding neatly placed beside it. The elegant and mellow fragrance was layered on top of each other, and one could tell from the smell that it was for sleeping.
The Queen Mother was sitting on the couch, rubbing her head gently. When she heard the two of them come in, she sat up slightly, but her phoenix eyes did not open.
Lu Suizhu knelt down and said softly, "I, Lu Suizhu, greet the Empress Dowager. I heard that you have been searching for the incomplete score of the Kunhuang Jade Maiden's Song. I dare to present the complete piece to you."
Upon hearing the title of the song, the empress dowager suddenly opened her eyes, and glanced at the eunuch serving beside her with her slightly old and cloudy eyes.
Eunuch Xue understood and immediately asked someone to set up the piano.
The guqin was in excellent condition and had a superb tone, making it a top-quality product. Lu Suizhu sat on a low stool and followed suit, her mind replaying the gestures her master had taught her, one frame at a time, overlapping with her current movements.
Different from the elegant and melodious songs that were used to entertain others, this song has a more overwhelming and unrestrained style, and is filled with the heroic spirit of being able to swallow up mountains and rivers, and being unrestrained like the wild and hard to look back, and fulfilling one's wishes.
After the song ended, everyone stood up. The empress dowager sat there in silence for a long time. Lu Suizhu was nervous. If the empress dowager didn't like the song, wouldn't she have been self-defeating? She subconsciously looked at Pei Zhiji, and only felt relieved when she saw him nod slightly.
"Well, the Kunshan jade shatters and the phoenix cries, the hibiscus weeps in the dew and the fragrant orchid smiles. I haven't heard this song "Kunhuang Jade Girl Song" for many years. What's your name?" There were tears in the empress dowager's eyes. The sharp gaze just now was restrained, and there was a hint of kindness in her tone.
"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, my surname is Lu and my name is Suizhu. I am a zither player in Shangjing City."
The Queen Mother nodded, her eyes fixed on her, her expression more cheerful than before: "From now on, you will come to the palace twice a month and play the zither for me. Are you willing?"
Before Lu Suizhu could think carefully about her answer, she saw Eunuch Xue beside her handing the empress dowager a bowl of thick black medicine and said, "Since the empress dowager likes Miss Lu so much, why not keep her in the palace as a zither player?"
“No—”
This was said by Pei Zhiji. Ben Li had been silent by the side, but suddenly he spoke, causing the Queen Mother's hand holding the medicine spoon to tremble slightly.
"Your Highness, Master Lu Qin comes from a commoner background and doesn't even know the rules of the palace. It's not appropriate for her to stay in Shoukang Palace for long."
After finishing the medicine in her hand, the Queen Mother looked at the two people standing in long gowns, and a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth: "Since Pei Qing is reluctant, then forget it. Just go to the palace twice a month as we agreed before."
Pei Zhiji felt extremely uncomfortable listening to this, but he could not refute it, so he just stood aside and said nothing.
Although she didn't know why Pei Zhiji tried his best to stop her from entering the palace to be a zither player, tonight's matter was settled. She could show her face in front of the Empress Dowager and enter the palace twice a month. Even if she was half a court musician, she might be recorded in the palace. In this way, the prince would not be able to kill her as easily as before.
"I thank the Queen Mother very much. I will do my best in the future and will not be disappointed in your kindness."
After she finished speaking, the Queen Mother's gaze fell on Pei Zhiji, who was standing quietly to the side. "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Pei."
"It is my duty to make the Empress Dowager happy..." Pei Zhiji hesitated to speak, and it was clear from his expression that he had something unfinished.
"Alright—tell me your plan for flood control."
The sky was already turning pale, but the snow that fell last night was still gray and hazy, as if it were in the fog.
Lu Suizhu and Pei Zhiji left the palace together. At the palace gate, the Pei family's carriage was waiting there.
"Where does Master Lu live? Can I take you back?"
Surprised by Pei Zhiji's change of attitude, Lu Suizhu smiled slightly and moved aside to distance herself from him. "My home is quite remote in Yuhuang City, so I won't bother you with seeing me off, Master Pei, so as not to delay your important business."
In front of the carriage, Pei Zhiji had already stretched out an arm, which was suspended in the air: "Master Lu, please."
Seeing his firm attitude, Lu Suizhu could no longer refuse. Although she was angry, she put her hand gently on his forearm, but in fact she did not touch his sleeve at all.
Pei Zhiji looked at this natural feint, and when he retracted his arm, he sneered and shook his head, then caught up with the carriage.
The carriage was not spacious but it was enough for two people. Lu Suizhu folded her hands on her knees and watched the carriage getting farther and farther away from the palace. The worry that had been weighing on her all night finally settled down. She had finally overcome this difficult hurdle.
"Master Lu Qin has helped Pei this time, but I haven't yet formally thanked her. Thank you so much for your help, Master Lu Qin."
If it weren't for exploitation, Lu Suizhu wouldn't have wanted to associate with him. She also felt he was quite scheming, making her feel uncomfortable. So, she replied coldly. "Master Pei, you're too kind."
"Does Master Lu make a living playing the qin in Louyue Pavilion? How could your father and mother be willing to let you out alone?"
Lu Suizhu was unsure of his intentions, so she patiently replied, "I was separated from my parents when I was young. It was my master who raised me and taught me the art of playing the zither, allowing me to make a living."
The carriage stopped at Qingfeng Cottage. Pei Zhiji simply stopped pestering her, and Lu Suizhu got off the carriage without looking back.
Qingfeng Cottage is the name given to this house by the master. She said that playing the piano is an elegant thing, and she always has to use some gimmicks that celebrities and scholars usually use to fool people.
There was a tree planted in the yard, with its branches swaying in the snow. The layers of white snow overlapped like glowing hail. Fang Dian saw Lu Suizhu and came towards him with a worried look on her face.
"Girl, what took you so long?"
"Nothing, just a minor hiccup, it's been resolved."
Lu Suizhu hung up her cloak. After a night of tossing and turning, her face reflected in the bronze mirror was pale and haggard. The wind blew just now, and her cheeks were flushed and felt warm to the touch.
She didn't want Fangdian to worry. As for what happened last night, the fewer people knew about it, the better. If she wasn't careful, she could end up in danger of death.
"Miss, you must be hungry. I'll go to Cuiji's Pastry Shop and buy you some sweets and cakes."
Lu Suizhu nodded in response, and Fangdian lifted the curtain and went out.
There was only one person left in the room. One of the windows was not closed tightly, and a cold wind was blowing in. Lu Suizhu stood up and walked towards the bed. As soon as her hand touched the window frame, she felt a sharp pain in her shoulder.
In an instant, everything went dark and I lost consciousness.
When she woke up, she was lying on the ground on her side, feeling dizzy and weak. A man in luxurious clothes came into her sight vaguely.
Who else could it be if not the prince?
Xiao Mao was playing chess with her, holding the black piece in his left hand and the white piece in his right hand. He stared at the chessboard, frowning from time to time. He hesitated and didn't put down the white piece in his hand. He was not surprised to see her wake up. Finally, he was willing to put down the white piece and took away a few black pieces with great satisfaction.
"woke up?"
Hearing this voice, Lu Suizhu's heart tightened. The nightmare that had been difficult to dispel for these days finally came back. Despite her weak body, she struggled to stand up from the ground, but found that her hands were tied behind her back and her mouth was stuffed with cotton cloth, so she could only make a whimpering sound.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
