Chapter 70 He Enters My Dream with a Thousand Lamps (Part 6) First published on Jinjiang Literature City...
Inside the brightly lit Xuanzheng Hall.
Chu Xi leaned back on the large dragon throne. After listening to his trusted confidant whisper the latest news from Lintong, his usually smiling peach blossom eyes suddenly darkened.
He was toying with a fine purple-haired brush in his hand; the handle was warm and smooth, but now it made a "clucking" sound as it struggled to bear the weight.
“Ming Ge…” Chu Xi uttered the name softly, the usual lazy smile on his lips vanishing without a trace, replaced by a chilling coldness. “Good, very good. I underestimated his ‘loyalty’.”
Before the words were even finished, a crisp "crack" was heard!
The sharp stub pierced the delicate skin of his fingertip, drawing a bead of crimson blood, but he seemed oblivious. He casually tossed the broken pen onto the imperial desk, his eyes blazing with malice: "Issue the order! Immediately muster all available troops in the capital region. I will personally lead the army to Lintong! Before those traitors can establish a firm foothold, we will catch them off guard and crush them all beneath the walls of Lintong!"
Upon hearing this, Minister of War Guan Zhong's expression changed slightly: "Your Highness, please calm down and reconsider! Lintong is strategically important, with high walls and deep moats, serving as the gateway to Chang'an. It is renowned for being easy to defend and difficult to attack. Although the defending army is only 30,000, they are all elite and extremely fierce cavalry. If we forcibly attack the city, not to mention that the outcome is uncertain, the losses alone will be too great for the troops that Chang'an can currently mobilize. I fear the casualties will be heavy."
Chu Xi coldly swept her gaze over Guan Zhong, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, before turning to look at Nie Huaizhang, who stood with his hands at his sides.
Nie Huaizhang felt the pressure of that gaze, his heart tightened, but his face remained impassive. He respectfully said, "Your Highness, Minister Guan's words are quite right. Lintong is strategically important, and a direct attack would be a poor strategy. In my humble opinion, it would be better to... mobilize troops to surround Lintong, cut off its supply lines, and eliminate any external support. Although there is grain stored in the city, it will eventually run out. Once its supplies are exhausted, its morale will collapse, and we may be able to subdue it without a fight."
"Besiege?" Chu Xi scoffed, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. "Lord Nie, as far as I know, the city's provisions are enough to sustain an army of 30,000 for over a year. I... don't have that much free time to waste with them for a year or two." He glanced sideways, his gaze sharp as a knife, piercing Nie Huaizhang. "The longer it drags on, the more variables there will be. Surely Lord Nie understands this?"
Nie Huaizhang remained expressionless as he met Chu Xi's scrutinizing gaze and slowly said, "Your Highness's concerns are quite valid. Therefore, in addition to the siege, we still need a decisive move to strike at the root of the problem."
"Oh?" Chu Xi raised an eyebrow.
"Transfer the Anxi Army eastward," Nie Huaizhang uttered six words.
Before he could finish speaking, Guan Zhong sneered, "Lord Nie, what a brilliant plan! But who should we send to make the move? And how? Pang Xuan, the commander of the Anxi army, is a master of opportunism! Without a sufficiently weighty promise and intimidation, how could he easily shake our foundations? Moreover, even taking the shortcut from Chang'an to Anxi is fraught with danger and long distances. It would take an envoy at least a month to travel there and back! Instead of wasting time, we should quickly gather the troops stationed in the surrounding prefectures of Guanzhong, form a pincer movement, and perhaps achieve a swift victory by taking Lintong in one fell swoop!"
Chu Xi's gaze darted back and forth between Guan Zhong and Nie Huaizhang, her knuckles unconsciously tapping the smooth rosewood tabletop, producing a dull, thumping sound.
A brief but solemn silence fell over the hall.
Cautious footsteps sounded outside the palace gates. A maid dressed in a light pink palace gown knelt at the entrance and whispered:
"Your Highness, at Changqiu Palace... Miss Ye... has agreed to try on the Empress's auspicious robes."
Chu Xi's fingers, which were tapping on the armrest, suddenly stopped.
He raised his eyes and looked at the palace maid kneeling outside the palace gate. In those peach blossom eyes that were originally cold because of military affairs, a very complex light suddenly flashed across them—there was surprise, amusement, a hint of satisfaction, and perhaps something deeper, which was fleeting and hard to catch.
She leaned back slightly, relaxed, and the corners of her lips curled back into that familiar, enigmatic smile.
"Oh?" He responded softly, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger, yet it sent a chill down the spines of Guan Zhong and Nie Huaizhang below, who wondered where this unpredictable new master was now focusing his attention.
Chu Xi's gaze seemed to pierce through the palace gates, looking towards Changqiu Palace. He remained silent for a moment, the violence and anxiety that had arisen from the military situation just moments before seemingly calmed down somewhat by this news.
"I understand," he said calmly, then waved his hand, signaling the palace maid to leave.
Then, he turned his gaze back to the two ministers below him, his smile deepening, yet inexplicably sending a chill down one's spine.
"The matter of Lintong..." he began slowly, as if he were not the one who had been so eager to send troops just moments before. "We will discuss it later. As for the strategy for troop deployment, I... still need to think it over."
Guan Zhong and Nie Huaizhang exchanged a glance and bowed, saying, "Your subjects obey and await Your Highness."
Chu Xi stood up and walked out of the main hall with a composed gait.
The summer sun blazed fiercely, illuminating the layers of golden tiles and vermilion walls of the Taiji Palace. The incessant chirping of cicadas drifted from the dense shade of the locust trees lining the path, a cacophony that was irritating. Normally, he would have ordered his eunuchs to remove all the cicadas from the trees, but today, perhaps inexplicably pleased by the news of the "willingness to try on the auspicious attire," he found even the cicadas' chirping somewhat vibrant and paid them no heed.
Stepping into the courtyard of Changqiu Palace and passing through the lush corridors, before even entering the main hall, one can already see that breathtaking figure through the open, carved hall doors.
Ye Lingrou wore a bright yellow embroidered with golden phoenix patterns, the solemn and gorgeous color making her face appear even whiter and more translucent, like the finest mutton fat jade.
The jade belt tightly cinched around her waist accentuated the girl's slender figure. The newly made nine-phoenix crown on her head had pearl tassels that swayed gently on her smooth forehead, reflecting the sunlight and sparkling brilliantly, almost blindingly so.
Seeing him enter, Ye Lingrou turned around, a bright and radiant smile blooming on her face. Lifting her slightly heavy skirt, she twirled gracefully halfway around, looked up at him, and said in a girlishly charming voice, "Your Highness, you've arrived! Do you think this outfit... looks good?"
Chu Xi stepped forward, his gaze carefully tracing her face beneath her elaborate attire, and said gently, "Rou'er, you look beautiful today. Have you... come to your senses?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Lingrou's smile faded, replaced by a solemn expression. She nodded vigorously, her long eyelashes drooping to conceal the fleeting emotion in her eyes: "In the past... it was all because Rou'er was ignorant and stubborn, always making Your Highness angry and causing you a lot of trouble. Rou'er has been reflecting on her mistakes these past few days and has already figured things out. Rou'er... doesn't ask for anything else, only that Your Highness forgive Rou'er's past willfulness, and that would be enough for me."
Chu Xi reached out and gently stroked the slightly disheveled hair at her temples, but a barely perceptible scrutiny flashed in his eyes: "Silly girl, when have I ever really blamed you? As long as you behave and stay by my side, I will send you the best things in the world."
“Then…” Ye Lingrou raised her bright eyes, revealing pure expectation, “I wonder if Your Highness is free today? Yesterday, I went to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager and had tea and chatted with her. She was pleased and rewarded me with a jar of fine grape wine from the Western Regions, saying it was extremely fragrant and mellow.”
"Rou'er...would you mind joining Your Highness for a drink and flower viewing by the waterside pavilion...would that be alright?"
Chu Xi did not answer immediately, his gaze lingering for a moment on her slightly pursed red lips, which were pursed due to nervousness.
That scrutinizing gaze made Ye Lingrou almost lose her smile; her heart pounded like a drum. Just when she felt she was about to break under this silent pressure, she heard his smiling voice:
"Since Rou'er has extended such a warm invitation, how could I possibly refuse?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the head eunuch attending him cautiously reminded him, "Your Highness, Minister Guan and Lord Nie are still waiting at the Xuanzheng Hall..."
"Tell them to come back for the meeting tomorrow," Chu Xi said casually without turning his head.
Seeing that he agreed, a relieved glint flashed in Ye Lingrou's eyes. She quickly turned around and instructed the palace servants, "Quickly, send the wine bestowed by the Empress Dowager to the Zhaoshui Pavilion by Qujiang Pool! Also, prepare some refreshing fruits and snacks!"
The Zhaoshui Pavilion is built over the water, with thin silk gauze curtains hanging on all four sides, providing both shade and ventilation. A gentle breeze sweeps across the water, carrying a damp coolness through the pavilion, dispelling much of the afternoon heat.
Chu Xi waved his hand to dismiss all the servants.
Ye Lingrou personally picked up the silver pot and filled it with fine wine.
The rich aroma of wine, mingled with the scent of fruit, filled the pavilion. Just as Chu Xi was about to reach for the cup in front of him, Ye Lingrou was one step ahead and took the cup in her own hand.
"Your Highness..." Her cheeks flushed slightly, her voice barely audible, tinged with both shyness and boldness, "Let...let Rou'er serve you..."
As she spoke, she gracefully walked forward, holding a wine glass, and then, to Chu Xi's slightly surprised gaze, gently sat down in his lap.
A soft, warm body suddenly entered his arms, carrying the unique fragrance of a young girl and the faint scent of ambergris emanating from her wedding robes. Chu Xi's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment, then relaxed, his arms naturally encircling her slender waist, a playful smile appearing on his devilishly handsome face.
Even when he wasn't smiling, he was already incredibly handsome; but when he smiled, his eyes sparkled and his lips curved slightly, as if he had overshadowed all the beauty in the pond.
Ye Lingrou seemed momentarily stunned by his smile. She steadied her breathing, raised her slightly trembling hand, and brought the wine glass to his beautifully shaped thin lips.
Chu Xi looked at her with a smile, obediently lowered his head, and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp from her hand. His Adam's apple bobbed, and a trace of red wine left a moist mark on his lips, adding to his allure.
Seeing him drink it, Ye Lingrou's tense heartstrings relaxed slightly. She picked up her own glass of wine, took a small sip, and before she could swallow, Chu Xi suddenly lowered his head, his warm lips unexpectedly covering hers, capturing her soft lips, his tongue skillfully prying open her teeth, and swallowing all the sweet and slightly bitter wine from her mouth.
"Ugh..." Ye Lingrou was caught off guard, her eyes widened instantly, and her body stiffened.
Chu Xi stepped back slightly, looking at her astonished and bewildered face, her lips becoming increasingly red from being sucked. His smile deepened, and his voice was low and seductive: "That's right... that's how you feed someone, that's how you show sincerity."
Ye Lingrou's cheeks flushed completely, and her ears burned. She was stunned for a moment, as if she had made a great decision, and actually picked up the wine pot again, tilted her head back and took a big gulp of wine, then closed her eyes and trembled as she pressed her lips to his again.
Chu Xi chuckled softly, readily accepting the kiss, and then deepened it, taking the initiative. The aroma of wine mingled and filled their mouths until the person in his arms became breathless and gently pushed against his chest. Only then did he reluctantly release her, watching her panting heavily with tears in her eyes, his mood seemingly growing even more delighted.
"Your Highness..." Ye Lingrou's breathing calmed down slightly as she avoided his burning gaze, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly, "You...you didn't even have the servants test the wine for poison before drinking it...aren't you afraid...that something that shouldn't have been added to the wine?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Xi chuckled softly, his fingertips tracing her burning cheeks, his tone languid yet resolute: "It's rare for Rou'er to be so proactive today. Even if it were truly laced with deadly poison, I would gladly accept it."
"How could it be poison..." Ye Lingrou's eyes flickered, not daring to meet his gaze. She quickly raised the wine pot again, took an even bigger gulp, and fed it to him again.
And so it went, and in the enchanting yet subtly tense atmosphere, the pot of wine was gradually emptied. Chu Xi's gaze never left her, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as if hooked, trying to capture every subtle change in her expression.
"Your Highness..." Ye Lingrou felt that the time was almost up, put down the empty wine pot, and spoke softly.
"Um?"
"This pavilion... feels a bit stuffy. I... want to go somewhere else for a walk and get some fresh air." She rubbed her temples, feigning a slightly tipsy and uncomfortable look.
"Where does Rou'er want to go? I'll accompany you." Chu Xi seemed to be a little drunk, and his voice became even gentler.
Ye Lingrou raised her misty eyes and looked towards the center of the palace, her voice filled with innocent curiosity: "This concubine... has never been to the place where His Majesty discusses important matters of state with his court officials... What does the Xuanzheng Hall look like? Your Highness, could you take me to see it? Just for a glimpse..."
Chu Xi gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "What's so difficult about that? I'll take you there."
He helped her to her feet, and Ye Lingrou's steps seemed a little unsteady, half of her body leaning against him. The two walked hand in hand out of the Zhaoshui Pavilion, along the flower-shaded path, slowly heading towards the Xuanzheng Hall.
She had only taken a dozen or so steps when Ye Lingrou suddenly felt the arm around her waist loosen its grip, followed by a heavy thud behind her!
She trembled and suddenly turned around.
Chu Xi lay face down on the cobblestone path with her eyes closed, motionless, unconscious.
Ye Lingrou held her breath, carefully approached, squatted down, and reached out to check his breathing. His breathing was even and long, as if he had fallen into a deep sleep.
Her extremely tense mind finally relaxed at this moment, her legs went weak, and she almost collapsed to the ground.
Thankfully... the drug finally took effect! The potent sedative mixed into the wine was enough to knock out a cow. She was very careful each time she poured the wine for him, only taking a tiny bit for herself and feeding him the majority.
"Qiu Sheng!" she called out urgently in a low voice.
The little palace maid, who had been hiding behind the bushes, immediately darted out.
"Quick! Help me!" Ye Lingrou's voice was low but exceptionally decisive. She quickly searched Chu Xi's waist, her fingertips touching hard, cold metal. Overjoyed, she pulled it off forcefully. It was a token made of black iron, with ferocious Bi'an patterns engraved on the front and a powerful "Xi" character on the back. It was Chu Xi's royal warrant for mobilizing troops!
At the same time, she took out a plain brocade handkerchief that she had prepared beforehand from inside her clothes and quickly stuffed it into Qiu Sheng's hand.
"Immediately change into eunuch's clothes and leave the palace through the west side gate. Make sure these two items are safely delivered to Lintong, and handed over to... to the right person!" Ye Lingrou stared into Qiu Sheng's eyes, each word spoken with utmost solemnity, "Remember, at all costs, you must deliver them! This is... the only chance!"
Qiu Sheng gripped the token and handkerchief tightly, nodded emphatically, and a resolute glint flashed in her eyes: "Don't worry, Miss! Even if I die, I will deliver it!"
Watching Qiu Sheng quickly disappear into the depths of the palace garden as dusk deepened, Ye Lingrou slowly stood up. She lowered her head and took one last look at Chu Xi, who lay unconscious on the ground, her eyes filled with complex and unreadable emotions.
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