Chapter 26 now feels like a harsh slap in the face...
The next day, Li Pan and Lou Xueying got up early to wash up.
Li Pan acted quickly and finished tidying everything up in no time. However, he did not go out for morning exercise today. Instead, he sat in the house and watched Cai Ling comb Lou Xueying's hair and put on makeup.
Because she was going to the palace to express her gratitude, Cailing wanted to dress Lou Xueying up in a more luxurious way, but Lou Xueying refused, telling her only to follow the rules and not to dress too simply or too extravagantly.
After finishing her makeup, Lou Xueying observed herself in the mirror for a moment, then added a few more strokes.
Cailing said, "Miss looks better with thinner eyebrows, why change them?"
Lou Xueying: "No ordinary person has such thin eyebrows. It looks too deliberate. Adding some will make it look more natural."
Li Pan, who was watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but interject, "Is there a difference?"
Cailing smiled and said, "Does the Marquis think that the Madam looks beautiful no matter what?"
“Yes,” Li Pan answered frankly, “and who would look at it so close to their face? From that distance, aren’t they all about the same thickness?”
Lou Xueying ignored the two of them, wiped her lipstick off a little lighter, and then stood up and said, "Let's go."
The two had breakfast at Li's mother's courtyard and then boarded the carriage to the palace.
Lou Xueying sat in the carriage, her hands clasped on her knees, her head slightly lowered, without saying a word.
Li Pan studied her for a moment before speaking, "Shushu."
"Hmm?" Lou Xueying looked up.
Did you sleep well last night?
"...So-so," Lou Xueying said. When she woke up in the morning, her chest felt tight and she was in low spirits. A few fragments of her dreams vaguely flashed through her mind, but when she was fully awake, she couldn't remember what she had dreamed about during the night.
“Once we enter the palace, don’t be nervous. Just follow me,” Li Pan said. “His Majesty is still holding the morning court session. We don’t know when it will end. There should be eunuchs to lead us to another place to wait.”
Lou Xueying: "Understood."
Li Pan then fell silent.
He lifted the carriage curtain, and the noisy voices outside flooded into the carriage. He pretended to admire the scenery on the street, but in reality, he was secretly glancing at Lou Xueying out of the corner of his eye.
She seemed uninterested in the commotion outside, sitting quietly with her gaze fixed blankly on something, as if lost in thought.
Li Pan withdrew his gaze.
The carriage rumbled along and finally arrived safely at the gates of the imperial city.
Li Pan jumped out of the car first, then helped Lou Xueying out of the car.
He strolled leisurely to the side door with his hands behind his back, where a young eunuch was already waiting. He smiled and bowed to Li Pan, saying, "Greetings, Marquis Wu'an, and greetings, Lady Marquis."
Li Pan said, "My wife and I were fortunate enough to be married by His Majesty's grace. Today, we are returning to our bride's home to express our gratitude to His Majesty."
The young eunuch said, "Eunuch Zheng has already given instructions. Please, Lord Marquis and Madam, come with me."
He led the way with quick steps. Li Pan glanced at Lou Xueying, who had her head down, took her hand, and followed.
Lou Xueying was slightly startled. While following Li Pan's footsteps, she whispered, "This is the palace. How can you behave like this? Let me go."
Li Pan smiled and said in a low voice, "Didn't you tell me to act as if I'm satisfied with the marriage? How can I only act in front of His Majesty? I have to do the whole thing."
Having said that, he raised his voice and asked the young eunuch in front of him, "May I ask, sir, is it proper for me to lead my lady around the palace like this?"
The young eunuch turned around and saw their clasped hands. He was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Not overstepping the bounds, not overstepping the bounds."
Li Pan then turned to Lou Xueying and raised an eyebrow: "Did you hear that? Don't overstep the bounds."
Lou Xueying glared at him and then fell silent.
The young eunuch led the two to a side hall next to the imperial study, brought them two chairs, and said, "His Majesty is still holding the morning court session. Please wait here for a moment, Your Excellency and Your Majesty. I will be outside. If you need anything, please just call me."
Li Pan nodded and said, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."
The young eunuch retreated outside the door.
Li Pan looked around and casually remarked, "This place is quite secluded; I've never been here before."
Lou Xueying only whispered, "This is the imperial palace, let's say less."
In fact, she knew that although Li Pan was a bit outspoken in front of the emperor, he was, after all, a marquis, and he wasn't really unaware of what he should and shouldn't say. It wasn't her place to lecture him.
But she really wasn't in the mood to chat with him right now.
Li Pan had never been here, but she had.
In his past life, sometimes when the emperor was busy with state affairs, it would take too long to return to his palace from the imperial study. So he would take a short rest in this side hall at noon and then continue to handle state affairs in the afternoon.
She rarely left the palace where the Imperial Concubine resided, but sometimes Eunuch Zheng would send someone to tell her that His Majesty was tired and asked her to go to the front hall to attend to him.
She would bring her zither and come here to have lunch with the emperor. After lunch, the emperor would close his eyes to rest on the couch, and she would play a few tunes on the zither to comfort him. After the emperor finished his rest and went to attend to his business, she would quietly return to the palace with her zither.
Everything in the side hall was exactly as it had been in her previous life, unchanged in the slightest. As soon as she stepped inside, she felt the dust of time rushing towards her. If Li Pan hadn't been right beside her, she would have almost doubted whether she had returned to the past.
The two sat there for a long time, neither of them speaking again.
It is the duty of subjects to wait for the emperor, especially since the end time of the morning court is unpredictable, and it is only right to wait as long as necessary.
Lou Xueying thought that it would be nice to wait like this indefinitely. It would be best if Eunuch Zheng sent someone to tell them that there were important matters to be discussed at the morning court and that they could go back first and not wait any longer.
But there's nothing major happening right now, and the morning court session even ended half an hour earlier than usual.
A booming voice rang out from outside the hall: "His Majesty has arrived!"
Almost instantly, Lou Xueying stood up uncontrollably. She lifted her skirt and knelt down even faster than Li Pan.
Li Pan couldn't help but glance at her.
"Your subject Li Pan greets Your Majesty. I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's bestowal of marriage upon me. I am humbled and overjoyed to receive Your Majesty's grace, and I dare not fail you. Today, I bring my bride, Lady Lou, to the palace to express my gratitude for Your Majesty's great favor."
A bright yellow figure slowly stepped in, blocking out the blazing sun outside.
Lou Xueying lay on the ground, her forehead touching the earth. The blue brick surface was right in front of her, and the winding, fine patterns on it were clearly visible.
She held her breath, not daring to even stir the dust on the ground.
She felt a gaze lingering on her, making her back gradually break out in a cold sweat.
But she secretly comforted herself, thinking that perhaps it was all her imagination, or perhaps she was just too guilty, which was why she felt like someone was watching her. Besides, it was only natural that the emperor wanted to take a second look at Lady Wu'an.
She didn't know how much time had passed when she heard a familiar voice from the head of the table: "Rise."
She slowly rose and stood beside Li Pan, her posture upright and flawless. She lowered her eyes, not looking directly at the emperor.
I wonder what was discussed at the morning court session today, because Emperor Jinghui's voice sounded somewhat hoarse.
"Minister Li, how do you feel after a few days of marriage?" He spoke slowly and in an unusually calm tone. "Are you satisfied with the wife I have bestowed upon you?"
Li Pan cupped his hands and smiled, "Your Majesty, I think this marriage is wonderful. I was ungrateful before and almost disappointed Your Majesty and angered Lord Lou. But now I am extremely grateful. Fortunately, Your Majesty insisted on bestowing the marriage, and fortunately, Lord Lou did not hold a grudge, allowing me to marry my wife smoothly. If I had known I could marry such a beauty, I would not have suffered for so many years."
Lou Xueying: "..."
Emperor Jinghui chuckled softly: "It seems that Minister Li is quite satisfied with the lady."
"Of course I'm satisfied!" Li Pan said. "Just as Your Majesty said, my wife is exceptionally beautiful and gentle. If it weren't for my accidental rescue, I probably wouldn't have had such a good opportunity! Not only me, but my mother also praised her highly, saying that I got the better deal!"
"The Lou family." Emperor Jinghui uttered slowly, the two short words seeming to linger on his tongue and in his heart, "Raise your head and let me see you."
Lou Xueying suppressed her trembling desire and slowly raised her head.
Emperor Jinghui asked, "Why don't you dare look at me?"
Lou Xueying whispered, "Your Majesty's majesty is too great for this humble woman to look directly at."
“The wife of the Marquis of Wu’an, the daughter of the Lou family, need not be so cautious,” Emperor Jinghui said. “Raise your head.”
The order was calm yet left no room for argument. Lou Xueying had no choice but to raise her eyes and look at Emperor Jinghui.
This is just a side hall for resting, without any magnificent furnishings. There is only a long table, a low couch, a screen, and a few long, slightly fluttering gauze curtains.
He sat calmly on the familiar low couch, dressed in a dragon robe with slightly graying temples.
The moment their eyes met, an indescribable bittersweet feeling welled up in Lou Xueying's heart.
She hadn't seen him for a very, very long time. During the last days of his illness, she didn't even see him once.
They didn't even say a word of goodbye.
On an ordinary morning, he got up from her bed to go to the morning court. He even mentioned to her that he would come back that evening to compose music with her. No one could have imagined that this would be their last farewell.
After his death, Lou Xueying couldn't help but wonder on countless nights if he had anything he wanted to say to her before he died. If he had known he would leave so soon, if he had known he would never see her again, if he had known what she had gone through after his death, would he have been so stubborn in wanting to take her as his concubine?
Emperor Jinghui gazed intently at the woman dressed as a noblewoman below.
The sourness vanished without a trace, and Lou Xueying was momentarily shocked, feeling that he had recognized her.
She had been with him for so many days and nights; she knew all his expressions of joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, and she knew the subtle feelings he had about everything.
A slight smile played on his lips, as if Li Pan's happiness was his happiness. But Lou Xueying felt that the smile was not genuine, and the way he looked at her did not seem like he was looking at a bride who pleased Li Pan.
He didn't spare a single glance for Li Pan, nor did he observe whether the newlyweds were a perfect match; he was only looking at her, Lou Xueying.
Emperor Jinghui slowly raised a finger and tapped it on the table: "Lou Xueying, is that right?"
Lou Xueying swallowed hard: "It is indeed your humble wife."
Are you satisfied with the marriage I have bestowed upon you?
"Your Majesty's bestowal of marriage is a joyous occasion for this humble woman..." Lou Xueying tucked her hands into her sleeves, pinching herself tightly as she tried to keep her voice steady. She forced a smile and said, "This humble woman has long admired the Marquis's reputation and has long held him in high esteem. To receive Your Majesty's bestowal of marriage is truly an unexpected delight. From now on, this humble woman will certainly uphold the virtues of a wife, diligently manage the household, and ensure that the Marquis has no worries about the future, so that he can wholeheartedly serve the country and not fail Your Majesty's grace."
“Very good,” Emperor Jinghui said.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Lou Xueying lowered her eyes again, her back already soaked with cold sweat, her heart pounding wildly.
"Your Majesty," Eunuch Zheng suddenly spoke up, smiling, "the ginseng soup is ready. The imperial kitchen staff are waiting outside. Shall we bring it here, or take it to the imperial study?"
Emperor Jinghui took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, saying, "Take it to the Imperial Study."
“Your Majesty still has official duties to attend to, and I dare not delay Your Majesty any longer with family matters,” Li Pan said, bowing. “If Your Majesty has no further instructions, I will take my leave with my new bride.”
Emperor Jinghui said calmly, "It's nothing, you may all go back now."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Li Pan bowed his head, clasped his hands, took a few steps back, then turned around and walked out of the side hall.
The instant he stepped out of the side hall, he turned his head slightly and grasped Lou Xueying's hand.
Lou Xueying looked at him in a panic, instinctively wanting to turn around and look at Emperor Jinghui, but she forced herself not to. She quickly followed him down the steps and walked down the long, empty palace road.
Emperor Jinghui sat upright on a low couch, a slightly hot breeze blowing the low-hanging gauze curtains, which shimmered in the sunlight.
He stared at the departing figures for a long time. Their hands were clasped so tightly, their steps were so fast, and their distance was so close that it stung his eyes.
Eunuch Zheng knelt down beside Emperor Jinghui with a thud.
"It's all this old servant's fault!" Eunuch Zheng slapped himself across the face, choking back tears. "It's all this old servant's fault for encouraging His Majesty, which is why His Majesty went to investigate..."
"It's none of your business." Emperor Jinghui interrupted him, slowly closing his eyes. "Whether you investigate or not, it won't change the facts."
The day before yesterday, he ordered people to investigate the identity of "Su Jun", and he received the news yesterday.
The reason the investigation was so quick was that "Su Jun" had never deliberately concealed her whereabouts. Although she wore a veil when entering and leaving the music shop, it was only to avoid being disturbed. Her carriage was parked at the entrance of the music shop, and with a little inquiry, one could find out the style of the carriage and then trace its owner from the style of the carriage.
The Lou family has only two daughters, one eighteen years old and the other eight years old, so the answer is obvious.
However, out of caution, the person in charge still managed to find Lou Xueying's calligraphy and handed it to Emperor Jinghui. Emperor Jinghui compared it with Su Jun's letter for a long time, and finally broke the wolf-hair brush in his hand.
"It's all fate and destiny." Emperor Jinghui closed his eyes, a bitter, mocking smile playing on his lips. "Li Pan didn't want to marry, but I forced him to. In the end, it was I who personally handed her over to someone else!"
Eunuch Zheng knelt on the ground, trembling and speechless.
"I should have realized that a woman with such skill in playing the zither would not be an ordinary person." His hands clenched tightly, the veins on the back of his hands bulging. "If I had known this earlier, I..."
If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have followed any gentlemanly agreement! And thus, he missed out on her!
Emperor Jinghui thought of her tightly clasped hands with Li Pan, and of her smiling reply, "Your Majesty, I have long admired your illustrious reputation."
Is that so? Is that really the case? If he had actually revealed his identity to her back then, would she have really been willing to be with him?
Seeing her today, I was struck by how young she is, while he is growing old...
He didn't really know the Lou family's daughter at all; he'd only heard a little about her but never paid her any attention. He thought the rumors about her were just exaggerated praise. Even when he praised her in front of Li Pan, it was only to persuade Li Pan to accept the marriage.
He recalled what he had said to the Crown Prince the day before, "I heard that Lady Lou is extremely beautiful and has a gentle personality. Perhaps in a few days, Marquis Wu'an will know what a wonderful marriage I have bestowed upon him." Now, it felt like a slap in the face.
Li Pan clearly already knew what a wonderful marriage this was.
Sadly, he found out too.
"Zheng Rui," Emperor Jinghui said quietly, "do you think Li Pan truly loves her, or is he merely infatuated with her beauty?"
Eunuch Zheng frowned and answered in a low voice, "At most, Marquis Wu'an and Miss Lou have only spent a few days together... But in any case, she is already Marquis Wu'an's wife, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Jinghui took another deep breath: "Li Pan is a rough man. Do you think he can understand Su Jun's zither music?"
"...This old servant does not know."
Silence fell over the hall once more.
After a long silence, Emperor Jinghui asked, "Is she returning to her parents' home today?"
"yes."
“A return visit to the bride’s parents’ home…that’s fine,” he said. “I will not approve today’s memorials.”
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