Chapter 29 Night-Blooming Jasmine: You and I are husband and wife, it is only right that we be like this.
"Are you asleep yet?"
Cui Yilu heard a man's low voice behind her and thought to herself, "As expected, it's perfectly reasonable for him to ask for offspring for the sake of the Jiang family."
This kind of thing doesn't require any emotion; otherwise, so many men wouldn't frequent brothels and have multiple wives and concubines.
Therefore, Cui Yiluo didn't mind. However, when she used to tease him, she always found it somewhat amusing to see him forget the rules he strictly adhered to and indulge in the desires he hated most.
These past few days she's lost interest in flirting with him, but in reality, all she needs to do is be a good young mistress of the Jiang family.
It is a natural and just duty for husband and wife to consummate their marriage and have children.
She turned around, looked at him with a somewhat complicated expression, and asked, "Does my husband have something to say?"
Looking into her calm and indifferent eyes, Jiang Yunjin pursed his lips.
He finally swallowed the words that had been stuck in his throat all night and said, "Tomorrow is the Empress's birthday banquet. You must be careful in the palace. If anything seems amiss, send someone to find me."
Cui Yiluo was surprised that he didn't mention having children, but she immediately realized that he was abstinent and had not finished his official duties. Even if the old lady had spoken to him, he probably wouldn't be in a hurry to do so for the time being.
Moreover, for the sake of the Second Prince, he had to protect her.
"I see."
After speaking, Jiang Yunjin did not say anything more. The tent was closed, and Jiang Yunjin's eyes darkened slightly.
For the past few days, she had been facing away from him. This was the first time she had turned to him in the tent as before. Now that the tent was quiet, she did not turn back.
But perhaps because he had been rejected by her last time, he just looked at her, as if testing her, or as if he was too proud to speak and was waiting for her to take the initiative.
Cui Yiluo suddenly smiled, but there was no smile in her eyes.
Jiang Yunjin frowned slightly, and the next moment she spoke, "We have to go to the palace tomorrow, so husband should rest early."
His Adam's apple bobbed as he spoke, his voice choked with emotion: "Okay."
Then all the lamps were turned off, and the bedroom became dark again. Cui Yiluo turned her back to him as she had done in the past few days.
In the darkness, the man's dark eyes were filled with an inky blackness, so thick it seemed impossible to dissolve.
The next day was the Empress's birthday celebration. Everyone got up early in the morning to dress up in their finest attire, hitched up their carriages, and headed to the palace gate.
Although rumors about the Empress's son, the Second Prince, plotting to usurp the throne have intensified in recent days, the Emperor has yet to make a statement. As long as Empress Gu remains the Empress, no one dares to disrespect her. Furthermore, everyone is curious about the Emperor's true attitude towards the Second Prince, given the rampant rumors circulating for days.
With different thoughts in mind, everyone entered the palace through Shunhua Gate according to the appointed time.
The Empress arranged for the women to enjoy flowers and tea in the Peony Garden. The Empress usually advocated frugality and had no extravagant hobbies. She only loved growing flowers and plants. It was said that the Empress had taken care of many of the beauties in the Peony Garden, so the servants in the flower room were even more careful, for fear of not taking good care of one and incurring the Empress's punishment.
Along the garden path, the begonias were bright and beautiful, and Cui Yiluo and Jiang Zhaoyue walked side by side.
"I heard that after tonight's banquet, Her Majesty the Empress will bring us here again for another look."
Cui Yiluo asked in confusion, "At night?"
Jiang Zhaoyue's expression was somewhat mysterious: "Tell me, why did you take us to admire the flowers at night? Aren't flower viewings usually done during the day?"
Cui Yilu smiled helplessly: "Cousin, do you have any brilliant ideas?"
Jiang Zhaoyue smiled with a hint of pride and said, "I heard that Her Majesty the Empress personally planted the Night-Blooming Night-Blooming Flower by the Jade Beauty Pool. It only blooms at night. This flower is extremely difficult to cultivate and was presented as a gift from another country, so it is very precious. I have never seen it before. I must broaden my horizons tonight."
No wonder there are many guards patrolling the Peony Garden today.
Cui Yiluo and Jiang Zhaoyue walked around casually for a while. Suddenly, Jiang Zhaoyue frowned, her whole face wrinkled, and she pressed her palm to her stomach.
Cui Yiluo keenly sensed that she was extremely unwell and quickly asked, "Cousin, what's wrong?"
Jiang Zhaoyue frowned and shook her hand, her voice much weaker: "Perhaps the tea I drank was too cold, I have a stomachache. Cousin, wait for me here, I'll go change my clothes first."
Just as Cui Yiluo was about to suggest asking Yang Jingling to come and take a look, Jiang Zhaoyue left anxiously, so she had no choice but to wait here for the time being.
Not long after Jiang Zhaoyue left, two palace maids came toward her.
Cui Yiluo had a photographic memory and instantly recognized that this was Xiao Ying's personal maid.
"Greetings, Madam Jiang. Princess Hejia would like to have a chat with you. The princess is waiting for you at Fengchi Pavilion."
Xiao Ying?
Cui Yilu frowned. Xiao Ying had been very close to her during the lotus banquet, but during the last summer hunt, she had intentionally distanced herself from Cui Yilu. However, Xiao Ying was clearly considering something and didn't genuinely want to ignore her.
Therefore, Cui Yiluo was unsure whether it was really Xiao Ying who wanted to find her, or whether someone else was using Xiao Ying's name.
Out of caution, she was about to find an excuse to refuse when one of the maids suddenly stepped forward and said, "Young Madam Jiang, the princess said she has some secrets she wants to tell you, which concern Young Madam Jiang's birth mother."
Cui Yiluo's expression hardened.
Phoenix Pond Pavilion is not far from here. Along the way, many ladies and noblewomen gather to enjoy the flowers and have fun. If the goal was to assassinate her, they would not have chosen to take her to Phoenix Pond Pavilion. Moreover, these two maids are indeed Xiao Ying's maids.
Moreover, she wanted to clear up her doubts. After much deliberation, Cui Yiluo instructed one of her maids to stay and inform Jiang Zhaoyue, while she and another maid headed towards Fengchi Pavilion.
After walking for a while, as they passed through a long corridor, Cui Yiluo suddenly realized something was wrong. The path ahead was indeed leading to Fengchi Pavilion, but going around this corridor would lead to a different destination.
Cui Yiluo's expression turned cold, and she decisively turned and left.
The maid behind them didn't catch up either.
Cui Yiluo walked back quickly, and seeing that she was about to exit the corridor, she felt a slight sense of relief.
Just as she stepped out of the corridor, she saw a noblewoman being escorted by several ladies, with many palace maids and servants following behind carrying ceremonial regalia and sunshades. Cui Yiluo quickly stopped in her tracks to avoid bumping into the lady on the outermost side.
The lady on the far right was the wife of Cao Zhuang, a Grand Master of the Palace. Seeing Cui Yiluo's hurried expression, she frowned slightly: "Why is Madam Jiang in such a hurry?"
Consort Qiong glanced over with her phoenix eyes, meeting Cui Yiluo's gaze, her willow brows furrowing slightly.
Cui Yilu lowered her gaze and respectfully bowed: "Greetings, Noble Consort Qiong."
Today is the Empress's birthday banquet, and Consort Qiong makes no attempt to conceal her beauty. Her pink dress is embroidered with large, blooming peonies, and her head is adorned with jewels, yet it does not appear cumbersome. Instead, it accentuates her graceful demeanor and noble bearing.
Perhaps it wasn't that she didn't want to hide it, but rather that Consort Qiong always dressed like this.
Her expression was indifferent, which made her seem even more unapproachable.
"Get up. Madam Jiang, please be careful when you walk, lest you get hurt."
Her tone was calm and indifferent, devoid of any emotion. Even though her words contained concern, no one would perceive it as genuine care.
Cui Yiluo lowered her head and replied, "Yes."
One or two ladies glanced at her and Consort Qiong with slightly surprised eyes for a moment, then their eyes widened slightly.
Let's go.
Only after the group had left in a grand procession did Cui Yiluo's eyes darken completely.
Returning to the place where she had agreed to meet Jiang Zhaoyue, the maid who had instructed her to stay there and explain to Jiang Zhaoyue that she had gone to Fengchi Pavilion to see Xiao Ying was indeed not there; the place was empty.
Cui Yiluo didn't know if Jiang Zhaoyue had returned yet. The Peony Garden was so big that she had nowhere to look for her, so she waited in the same spot for a while.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhaoyue actually showed up.
Jiang Zhaoyue's expression returned to its previous gentleness, and she quickened her pace to walk over, saying, "I'm sorry, cousin, for keeping you waiting."
"It's nothing, my cousin is feeling much better."
"I'm much better now. I don't know what I ate that upset my stomach," Jiang Zhaoyue said with a puzzled look. She glanced at the sky and said, "It's almost time for the banquet to start. Let's go back first."
The two headed towards Mingde Hall, where the Thousand Autumns Banquet would be held that night, but before they could even leave the Peony Garden, they were stopped by the armored imperial guards.
"Her Majesty the Empress invites you all to the Jade Beauty Pool."
Jiang Zhaoyue and Cui Yiluo's expressions changed, and they exchanged a glance. They also saw that the noble ladies and wives around them were being stopped by the Imperial Guards and invited to the Jade Beauty Pool.
Before it was even dark, the Imperial Guards, clad in armor, mobilized a large force to seal off the Peony Garden. Even Jiang Zhaoyue, who was somewhat naive, knew that the Empress could not possibly have invited them to admire the night-blooming cereus.
The crowd was led to the Jade Beauty Pool, where they were shocked to find that the few rare and precious night-blooming cereus plants had been reduced to mere stems, their delicate blossoms, which had been shyly waiting to bloom, had vanished. A commotion immediately broke out among the crowd.
"Who would dare to steal the precious items that Her Majesty the Empress personally cultivated?"
"Her Majesty the Empress cherishes these flowers the most. This person dared to do such a thing at the Celebration Banquet. If His Majesty finds out, he will probably be beheaded!"
Cui Yiluo looked at the empty stem of the night-blooming cereus, her expression turning cold.
Everyone immediately knelt down to pay their respects.
The emperor and empress walked side by side, followed by a large group of officials and princes.
The emperor's face was dark and sullen, his thick brows furrowed with anger, and his imperial aura sent shivers down one's spine. Beside him, the empress, dressed with an air of composure and dignity, also wore a furrowed brow and a displeased expression.
The emperor's voice, filled with an oppressive and suffocating aura, said: "Get up."
Cui Yiluo stood up, but her gaze met that of Jiang Yunjin, who was standing behind the emperor and had come with him.
The Empress's birthday banquet was grand and magnificent. Officials all entered the palace in their official robes, and the deep crimson and purple robes made him look even more like snow frozen on a high mountain, untouchable.
His gaze was deep as he looked through the crowd at her, as if asking a question.
Clearly, he had the same thought as her.
“Just now, a guard reported that someone stole the Night-Blooming Jasmine during the guards’ shift change. How dare someone be so bold as to steal at the Empress’s birthday banquet! For the sake of the Empress, if you can stand up and admit it now, I can spare your life for the time being.”
The crowd looked fearful, and after a long while, there was no movement at all.
Seeing this, the emperor's anger intensified. "Yuan Ling, take men to investigate."
Yuan Ling, dressed in black robes with dark cloud patterns, bowed his head and accepted the order: "Yes."
"Wait," a calm female voice suddenly rang out, "Your Majesty, why make such a fuss? Today, all the ladies of the household were invited to the Peony Garden by me. With so many people around, perhaps someone saw the thief?"
The emperor's expression softened slightly, and he raised his hand to stop Yuan Ling, who was about to leave after receiving the order, and said to the crowd, "Just as the empress said, have any of you seen anyone acting strangely?"
The ladies and noblewomen immediately tensed up, looking at each other with confusion in their eyes.
Suddenly, a woman stepped out from the crowd and knelt before the Emperor and Empress.
Upon seeing the person's figure clearly, Cui Yiluo's expression darkened.
That was none other than the wife of the Grand Master of the Palace, whom she had almost bumped into earlier.
"Your Majesty, I dare to report that at dusk, I was passing by the long corridor with the Imperial Concubine when I saw Madam Jiang hurriedly walking out of it. She seemed like... a thief. I didn't understand at the time, but now that I think back, wasn't that the Jade Beauty Pool?"
Instantly, everyone's gaze sharply focused on Cui Yiluo.
Almost immediately, the purple-robed figure behind the emperor strode forward and bowed respectfully.
"Please forgive my rudeness, Your Majesty. My wife has always been respectful and obedient. There is absolutely no way she could have done this."
His deep, resolute voice echoed in the courtyard, causing the doubts in everyone's eyes as they looked at Cui Yiluo to waver slightly.
Looking at the tall man with his straight back, dressed in a deep crimson, Cui Yiluo was stunned. She had never imagined that he would risk such disrespect, risking offending the emperor, to stand up for her.
Isn't he the most principled and fair? Others would surely have some doubts about Madam Cao's words. Yet he said it was absolutely impossible without any investigation.
The emperor glanced indifferently at Jiang Yunjin, who was bowing respectfully, then turned to look at Consort Qiong with a strangely meaningful look in his eyes.
"My beloved concubine, is what Lady Cao said true?"
Consort Qiong paused slightly, as if hesitating for a moment, but under the Emperor's gaze, she regained her composure.
"But that is true."
The Imperial Concubine's admission was tantamount to a final verdict; the theft of the Night-Blooming Jasmine was inextricably linked to Cui Yiluo. The gazes of the crowd towards Cui Yiluo intensified once more.
The emperor pondered for a few moments, then his imposing gaze fell upon Cui Yiluo: "Young Madam Jiang, do you have anything to say?"
Cui Yiluo clenched her fists, which were hidden in her sleeves, and stepped forward to Jiang Yunjin's side. She bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I did not do that. I just got lost and was in a hurry to find my cousin, which is why I was in such a rush."
Those people weren't sent by Xiao Ying. If she mentioned Xiao Ying, it would only give the other side an opening and allow them to use her lying as an excuse to solidify her guilt.
The emperor asked, "You mean there are no witnesses?"
Cui Yiluo's eyes darkened. "No."
"Father, today is Mother's birthday. This person has done such a bold thing, he will definitely not admit it now. This matter is of great importance, and there is only Madam Jiang as the suspect. In my opinion, it is better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free. We should detain Madam Jiang for investigation to avoid letting the thief go by mistake."
Cui Yilu stared coldly at Xiao Zheng, whose face showed worry.
If she were truly detained in the palace, even if it were proven that she hadn't stolen anything, her reputation would be ruined. Like ink stains on white paper, no matter how much you try to wipe them away, they're still dirty.
How could the Jiang family possibly allow a woman with a tarnished reputation to become the matriarch? At that point, she wouldn't be able to survive in Shengjing and would have no choice but to leave. But where could she go?
She clenched her fist; she couldn't let herself be detained.
What a brilliant scheme! It not only ruined her, but also sowed discord between the Empress's son, the Second Prince, and Jiang Yunjin.
Whispers arose from the crowd behind them, and suddenly a familiar, aged voice rang out. Whether intentionally or not, it was not very noticeable in the crowd, yet everyone could hear it clearly.
"This young mistress of Jiang's family comes from Ningzhou and has never seen such a rare and precious night-blooming cereus. It is only human nature for her to be blinded by greed and steal it."
The whispers in the crowd suddenly grew louder, and without listening closely, it was clear what they were talking about—her family background and status. She didn't need to turn around to imagine Cheng Feng's despicable yet smug face.
Among the crowd, a woman in fine clothes also turned grim.
Whispers rained down on Cui Yiluo's back, and she lowered her head and bit her lip.
Suddenly, the man beside her stepped forward and bowed.
"Your Majesty, I am willing to pledge my life as collateral."
Jiang Yunjin's tone was not loud or intense, but as calm and steady as ever, yet it seemed to carry a sense of determination.
Cui Yiluo subconsciously glanced at him, only to see his handsome profile, cold and resolute, exuding an unyielding determination.
Cui Yiluo's heart stopped.
Consort Qiong and Madam Cao, who was kneeling on the ground, looked rather grim, while the others behind them exchanged bewildered glances. Everyone knew that Grand Secretary Jiang Yunjin was the most impartial and unbiased person. Even with close relatives, he would not shield them from punishment before the law. Now that he had vouched for her with his own life, even if Madam Cao truly did not commit theft, what misunderstanding could there be?
The situation instantly reached a stalemate.
At this moment, the Empress, who had been standing silently beside the Emperor, suddenly said, "Lord Jiang is an upright and honest man with a noble character. His wife could not possibly be a petty thief. Moreover, Lord Jiang has given such a guarantee, so I believe in Madam Jiang."
With the most upright and honest minister among them pledging his life as collateral, and the gentle empress also speaking up to no longer pursue the matter, the emperor's expression softened as he said, "In that case, there must be some misunderstanding. But this matter concerns the empress, and even more so the dignity of the imperial family, so you must investigate it thoroughly for me! Yuanling, this matter is entrusted to you; you must find out the truth."
Yuan Ling bowed in response.
Despite the major incident, the noble families were adept at covering up the truth. Once outside the Peony Garden, their attitude towards Cui Yiluo became friendly again. Even Madam Cao, who had just spoken out against her, warmly apologized and said she would definitely come to apologize the next day. After being politely refused by Cui Yiluo, she did not seem embarrassed and remained warm on the surface.
The Empress's birthday banquet proceeded as scheduled, as if nothing had happened.
It was already late at night when they returned to the Jiang residence.
In the bedroom, the servants had already lit lamps and were waiting for their master to return, making it as bright as day.
Cui Yiluo and Jiang Yunjin returned to their room in silence. As Jiang Yunjin turned to close the door, Cui Yiluo's gentle voice suddenly sounded behind him: "Husband, thank you for today."
The man paused, then turned around.
Looking at the genuine emotions shining in the woman's clear and beautiful eyes, Jiang Yunjin's eyes rippled slightly.
"We are husband and wife, so it is only right that I do this."
His voice was low and serious.
Cui Yiluo looked into his dark, serious eyes and her breath caught in her throat.
She lowered her eyes instantly and suddenly said, "Husband, shall I go take a bath first?"
"Um."
It seemed that before, she was always the one waiting for him to bathe outside, but now that it was the other way around, a strange feeling suddenly arose in Cui Yiluo's heart.
The bathroom door was closed.
Outside the bathroom, the man looked at the neatly arranged bedroom, and a trace of doubt flashed through his mind again.
This lingering doubt had been fleeting in the previous nights, but now he suddenly seized upon it.
"Summon Steward Liu."
Author's note: We'll make up tomorrow [poor face]
Thank you to all the little ones who watered with nutrient solution! [heart emoji]
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