Chapter 81 A Game of Chess Ends in the Air, Don't Keep Me Waiting Too Long
In an instant, countless peacock blue glazed tiles fell like rain, crashing to the ground with a clatter. The officials, caught off guard, scattered in all directions.
First, the pagoda tilted strangely, and then the gold bricks engraved with scriptures suddenly shattered. The entire pagoda was as if it had been snapped in half by an invisible giant hand, and it crashed to the ground, causing a tremendous tremor and stirring up dust waves several meters high.
The area within a hundred feet was instantly swallowed up by the dust wave. The yellow dust blotted out the sun, turning the azure sky into a dim yellow.
This sudden turn of events left Chu Yueyuan stunned, frozen in place. As the thick black dust enveloped her in an instant, she instinctively shielded Xiao Yun behind her.
At the same time, the man beside her turned around, raised his cloak, and tightly shielded the mother and child in his arms.
Her vision suddenly plunged into darkness, and her other senses became unusually sharp. Her cheek was pressed against a warm and firm chest, and she felt the arms tightly wrapped around her waist. The familiar sandalwood scent on her clothes reminded Chu Yueyuan of the nights in the past few days when the man had held her like this as she fell asleep.
A quarter of an hour later, the churning dust finally dissipated, and sunlight pierced through the floating dust, revealing the devastated scene in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The officials' court robes were covered in dust, and the crowd looked at each other blankly, their dark faces showing bewilderment.
King Anxian, who was closest to the pagoda, was in the worst condition. Although he managed to escape, he was injured in the leg by a falling golden nanmu beam. His crimson robe was soaked with blood, and he lay on the broken bricks, groaning in pain.
The disheveled Princess Anxian stumbled over, crying out hoarsely, "Imperial Physician! Quickly, summon the Imperial Physician!"
Chu Hongtu collapsed to the ground, staring blankly at the pagoda now reduced to ruins. His deathly pale face couldn't be concealed by the dust and grime. He trembled and repeated, "How...how...could this have happened..."
On the altar, Chu Yueyuan peeked out from the Regent's arms and quickly looked him up and down.
"Are you alright?"
"Your humble servant is unharmed."
Pei Muwei was covered in dust, but it couldn't hide the elegance in his bones. His deep eyes, like black jade, were set in his dusty face, giving him a kind of unpolished beauty.
Seeing the Empress Dowager's eyes brimming with concern, he gently curved his eyebrows, reached out to straighten the phoenix crown on her forehead, and asked in a tender voice, "Is Your Highness alright?"
Chu Yueyuan was tightly protected in his arms, so naturally she was unharmed.
"I'm fine..."
"Ahem, I'm fine too!"
Xiao Yun raised her head between the two of them. Her fair face was spotless, and her dark eyes sparkled. Far from being frightened, she found it rather exciting.
Chu Yueyuan smiled and rubbed his face, then turned to look at the Buddhist pagoda that had been reduced to ruins, a complex expression appearing between her beautiful brows.
Pei Muwei spoke calmly: "Does the Empress Dowager still remember what His Highness did in the Hall of Supreme Harmony on the night of the palace coup?"
Chu Yueyuan certainly remembered that the situation that night was quite similar to the present. After Emperor Shang died, she and Pei Muwei got up and went to the Taihe Hall to read the imperial edict. At that time, the officials had many doubts about the contents of the edict, and voices of doubt rose and fell.
At that time, she and Pei Muwei had only known each other for a short time. He intended to test her character, but instead stood by and watched as those aggressive ministers attacked her.
Left with no other choice, Chu Yueyuan had to feign fainting in the main hall to avoid the situation.
At this moment, gazing into the man's deep eyes, Chu Yueyuan's bright eyes flickered slightly, and she suddenly understood his meaning.
The next moment, several loud voices came from below the altar.
"We have something to report!"
Chu Yueyuan leaned on the railing and saw dozens of officials prostrating themselves on the ground, kowtowing and paying their respects. Their faces were as black as the bottom of a pot, making it difficult to distinguish one from another.
The person kneeling at the front loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty and the Regent, I have repeatedly warned Chu Hongtu, the Vice Minister of Works, that the pagoda's base can only accommodate a nine-story tower at most. However, Chu Hongtu, vying for bribes to purchase stone materials, ignored my advice and insisted on building a thirteen-story tower. Anyone in the Ministry of Works who disagrees with him is either demoted or, in severe cases, their entire family is forced to work on the tower..."
Another official followed suit and submitted a memorial:
"The golden Buddha statues and thousands of Buddhist scriptures enshrined in the pagoda have been destroyed, and the relics that have been passed down for hundreds of years have disappeared without a trace. This is all because Chu Hongtu is greedy for money and profit, and loves to make a name for himself. We, your humble servants, dare to submit this petition with tears in our eyes. Even the closest relatives of the emperor cannot put the safety of the nation above their own. We earnestly request Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to severely punish this man in order to uphold the law of the country."
Chu Hongtu, slumped on the ground, flew into a rage. He grabbed a handful of pebbles and threw them at the official who had accused him, snarling viciously:
"You're making baseless accusations! When I suggested revising the blueprints, weren't you all sycophants, praising me to the skies? Now that the pagoda has collapsed, you want me to take all the blame!"
He quickly looked up at Chu Yueyuan on the altar, scrambled forward on all fours, and cried out, "Sister... Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I am innocent!"
Seeing the commotion, Princess Anxian forgot all about calling the imperial physician for her bleeding husband. A gloating sneer appeared on her face, and she felt a great sense of satisfaction.
What goes around comes around; no one escapes the wrath of Heaven!
Now, let the young empress dowager experience the taste of a difficult choice.
However, Princess Anxian's smile did not last long. The young empress dowager on the altar seemed unable to withstand the attack from the ministers. She suddenly let go of Lanshan's hand, staggered back two steps, and then, like a weak reed, lightly fell into the regent's arms.
The incident happened so suddenly that everyone present was stunned. They watched as the regent picked up the unconscious empress dowager and carried her horizontally, and no one dared to point out the overstepping of etiquette between the emperor and his subject.
The man's expression was stern, his brows exuding an imposing aura that commanded respect without anger. His sharp gaze swept down indifferently, causing all the officials to hold their breath and lower their heads.
In an instant, the ancestral temple fell silent. Even the floating dust seemed to be intimidated by this invisible pressure and froze in mid-air.
Pei Muwei raised his voice and said, "The Empress Dowager has fainted due to a sudden illness. She needs to be treated by the imperial physician immediately. As for the matter of the Vice Minister of Works' dereliction of duty, we will discuss it another day."
As soon as he finished speaking, Eunuch Wang raised the whisk in his hand and announced in a high-pitched voice, "Prepare the carriage to return to the palace."
The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, but no one dared to be the first to speak up. They could only watch as the Regent carried the unconscious Empress Dowager away in a long stride. Only after the figures of the emperor and his minister disappeared outside the ancestral temple did the officials erupt in uproar.
"What does the Regent mean by this? Does he really intend to let the Chu family run rampant?"
"Sigh... Commander Lin, what should we do?"
Kneeling on the ground, Lin Sizhou raised his hand to wipe the dust from his face. A look of resentment appeared on his fair and handsome face. He gritted his teeth and said:
"Just list out the evidence. Chu Hongtu has caused a catastrophe. If the Empress Dowager insists on bending the law for personal gain, then I will kill myself by crashing into the dragon pillar in the Hall of Diligent Governance!"
———
Xiao Yun was still a child whose mind was not yet mature. When he saw Chu Yueyuan suddenly faint, he panicked and cried loudly. He refused to let go of her hand and insisted on riding back in the same imperial carriage with the Regent.
"Mother... Waaah..."
Hearing Xiao Yun call her mother in a tearful voice, and feeling the wet tears falling onto the back of her hand, Chu Yueyuan felt a surge of warmth in her heart. Just as she was about to open her eyes, she heard Xiao Yun angrily say:
"It's all my uncle's fault for always nagging my mother to sleep. Every time my mother finishes sleeping with you, she's so tired that she can't even hold the arrows properly when we play pitch-pot."
Xiao Yun glared angrily at the Regent and accused in a childish voice, "It must be because of your snoring at night that Mother couldn't sleep well and fell ill. I forbid you from sleeping with Mother anymore!"
Pei Muwei glanced coldly at the little emperor who had squeezed him into the corner, his tone neither warm nor cold:
"Your Majesty is not yet of age to rule in your own right and has no authority to dictate my words and actions. I am of one mind with the Empress Dowager and naturally wish to share the same bed with her."
Xiao Yun was still young and didn't understand what "mutual affection and sharing the same bed" meant. He only felt that the Regent was trying to steal his mother away from him, so he quickly hugged Chu Yueyuan tighter and retorted defiantly:
"My mother said that I smelled sweet and soft, and that she liked to sleep with me the most."
Pei Muwei narrowed his dark eyes slightly and said in a calm tone: "A man should stand tall and upright, able to break through the strong and destroy the hard. 'Soft and fragrant' is a term used to describe women."
Unable to win against the Regent, Xiao Yun puffed out his cheeks like glutinous rice paste in anger: "Hmph, then let's wait until Mother wakes up and see who she says she prefers to sleep with!"
Chu Yueyuan quickly closed her eyelids even tighter.
The imperial carriage traveled smoothly all the way. When it stopped in front of the Phoenix Perch Palace, Xiao Yun was fast asleep, his arms tightly around Chu Yueyuan's neck, tears still glistening on his long eyelashes.
With tender eyes, Chu Yueyuan wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes before handing the young emperor over to Xu Mama to be taken to his bedchamber to rest.
Inside the study, Pei Muwei had changed into a clean robe and wiped the dust off his face. He stood with his hands behind his back in front of the rosewood desk, looking down at the half-finished chess game on the desk. His dark eyes beneath his sword-like eyebrows were like a calm lake.
On the chessboard, White's territory appears strong, but it's actually at its limit. Black feigns weakness by retreating, but secretly places hidden stones at both ends to cut off White's retreat. Just two more moves are needed to sever White's dragon from both ends, turning it into a trapped beast for instant annihilation!
After settling Xiao Yun in, Chu Yueyuan removed her heavy phoenix crown and gorgeous robes, changed into a long, soft, azure-colored silk dress, loosely tied her black hair, and then lifted the crystal beaded curtain to enter the study.
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing the man in its glow and illuminating the gold embroidery on his broad shoulders, making him appear like a lurking golden dragon with shimmering sunlight streaming through its scales. Even as the wind howled and the rain poured down outside, not a single drop of rain would fall on him as long as he was there.
Chu Yueyuan poured two cups of Yunwu tea and handed one of them over.
Pei Muwei took the teacup, his gaze still fixed on the chessboard, and said in a calm voice, as if praising, "Your Highness played this game of chess very well."
"I play this game in my spare time."
Chu Yueyuan leaned against the carved window, slowly sipping her fragrant tea, then stared at the man's sharply defined profile and asked the question that had been lingering in her mind:
"Just now, Minister Pei stopped me from climbing the tower. Did you already know that there was something wrong with this pagoda?"
Although her half-brother Chu Hongtu was an idle and good-for-nothing playboy, with his limited abilities, even if he were given a magic staff, he could at most knock down a few roof tiles and certainly wouldn't cause any major disaster.
The reason Chu Yueyuan put him in the Ministry of Works was to distract Chu Shuheng from keeping an eye on his youngest son, who could cause trouble at any time, so that he would not have time to deal with the hidden moves she had made.
After a moment's thought, she realized something was amiss. Someone must be pulling the strings behind the scenes, helping Chu Hongtu to make the hole even bigger.
This man possessed extraordinary connections and influence. On one hand, he sent blueprints to Chu Hongtu and dispatched people to flatter him, making the ambitious Chu Hongtu so arrogant that he willingly fell into the trap. On the other hand, he transferred Chu Shuheng to Qingzhou to supervise the canal construction, leaving him unable to attend to both the Ministry of Works' affairs and his own.
It's not hard to guess who has such methods and intentions.
Pei Muwei turned his gaze away from the chessboard and looked up at the young empress dowager leaning against the window.
Few can pull off the charm of cyan, but this woman has skin as smooth as jade and stunning features. Whether it's the solemn and somber dark cyan robe for a grand ceremony or the light and flowing azure silk dress for the present, each color adds a unique flair to her.
Especially her curvaceous waist, which resembles a piece of lustrous blue and white porcelain, exudes a captivating charm.
He reached out and gently touched the red mark on the woman's forehead left by the phoenix crown, and gave a faint "hmm": "Your Majesty, I have ordered the foundation of the pagoda to be destroyed so that the pagoda will collapse on the day of its grand opening."
Seeing the man readily admit it, Chu Yueyuan's eyes flickered slightly: "Pei Qing, are you trying to crush Prince Anxian by doing this?"
After saying that, she shook her head, immediately denying the conjecture.
If the Regent wanted to take King Anhyeon's life, he would have had countless covert methods, rather than doing so in front of the entire court and giving the impression that he was harming the royal family.
Pei Muwei put his arm around the woman's waist, his dark eyes gazing at her meaningfully: "Does Your Highness know why I built the memorial tower in the palace?"
Chu Yueyuan's breath hitched slightly. She lowered her eyes, feigning calmness, and shook her head: "I don't know."
A man's clear voice rang out above her head: "When I ordered the pagoda to be rebuilt, I originally intended to invite Your Highness to enter the pagoda for quiet contemplation, and after a year or two, to announce to the world the news of the Empress Dowager's passing."
Death?
She suddenly looked up at him, a hint of surprise flashing in her clear, dark eyes.
Wasn't he building that pagoda to imprison her inside?
The bright sunlight illuminated the man's face, inexplicably softening his cool and aloof features. He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers, his voice low and deep:
"Madam Wu has a granddaughter who has been raised in Yangzhou for many years. She returned to the Wu family a year after the Empress Dowager's death. Miss Chu is nineteen years old and has a beautiful appearance. I was captivated by her at first sight and could not forget her. Therefore, I presented her with the three letters and six rites as a betrothal gift and welcomed her with a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe. I wish to be a harmonious couple and be bound to her forever, with our hearts united until death."
"Miss Chu's nickname is Niannian."
Chu Yueyuan's heart suddenly pounded wildly. She didn't know if it was because the man's gaze was too intense or because his story was too outlandish, but she was momentarily stunned.
In order to keep her by his side openly and legitimately, the Regent King went to great lengths, scheming and even resorting to unorthodox methods.
But are all the civil and military officials in his court blind? When the ministers see that Wu's granddaughter is not only similar in age to the late Empress Dowager, but also in appearance and voice, wouldn't they become suspicious?
Of course, a man could use his power to force the entire court to go blind, or even banish Chu Shuheng from the capital, ruthlessly erasing all traces of her existence and making her a noblewoman of the Wu family.
Chu Yueyuan couldn't quite describe her feelings; she felt palpitations and worry.
At this moment, his feelings for her were sincere and intense. She believed that the difference in their social status was an insurmountable gap, so he used every means to bridge it.
This intense love expressed through such actions was hard for her not to feel a pang of emotion.
However, the identity he meticulously crafted for her was like a castle in the air, a mirage, seemingly glamorous but ultimately illusory. If one day he grew tired of her, she would have no Wu family to rely on, and might even be trapped for life by this lofty title.
Chu Yueyuan looked at him, her watery eyes shimmering, and her voice was very soft: "If that's the case... then why did Pei Qing suddenly change his mind and destroy the pagoda?"
The man's long, narrow phoenix eyes were as deep as ink, his gaze intense, as if he could see into the depths of her soul.
He said in a deep voice, "Doesn't Your Highness want revenge?"
Her heart skipped a beat, realizing how difficult it would be to keep a secret in front of the man's penetrating eyes.
Chu Yueyuan avoided his gaze, her eyes falling on the crisscrossing chessboard. She said softly, "Since Minister Pei already knows, could you ask the Dali Temple to postpone the punishment of Chu Hongtu? I want to make the final move myself."
"Your Highness, I have agreed to this request. In return, Your Highness must grant me a favor?"
"What is it?"
The man's high, straight nose gently brushed against the tip of her nose, his dark eyes swirling with a deep, possessive power that seemed to chain her. His voice was low and husky:
"Niannian, don't keep me waiting too long."
A hot and ambiguous atmosphere flowed between their cheeks, and a light blush spread across Chu Yueyuan's fair cheeks.
She understood what he meant.
Although the pagoda has collapsed, Tanzhe Temple on the outskirts of the capital and the imperial mausoleum outside the palace are places where a man can change his appearance if he is determined.
"I promise you, I will consider this matter,"
He has given so much for her, she should give something in return.
When the pagoda turned into ruins, her heart, which was wrapped in layers of cocoon, seemed to quietly crack open, letting in a sliver of sunlight.
Hearing the Empress Dowager's promise, Pei Muwei's heart fluttered slightly. He cupped her fair face and pressed it against her soft lips, which he hadn't touched for many days.
It started with a light peck, but then the aroma of tea wafting from the woman's lips and teeth entwined them more deeply.
The pure aroma of tea mingled on their tongues, and the woman's soft, sweet voice sounded like an emotional melody. He simply picked her up and placed her on the table, cupped the back of her head with his large hand, and kissed her until she softened her waist, her soft, fragrant body pressed against his chest, lingering and caressing.
Pei Muwei's eyes darkened, and he almost couldn't help but tear the belt around her waist.
Chu Yueyuan's limbs went weak from the man's kisses, and her head was spinning. Just like last time, just as they were about to reach the checkpoint, he suddenly pulled away.
After their passionate kiss, both of them were covered in a thin layer of sweat. The man's long, narrow eyes were still flushed with a lustful red. He picked up the teacup on the table and drank it all in one gulp. Still feeling it wasn't enough, he poured himself another cup.
Chu Yueyuan's red lips were slightly swollen, and her wrinkled undergarment was visible beneath the open, azure-colored collar. Her eyes were slightly unfocused as she watched the Regent drink three cups of tea in a row, wondering what kind of desire-extinguishing divine skill the Dragon Lord had cultivated.
Her gaze inadvertently swept over the silhouette beneath the man's brocade robe, and her cheeks flushed. She shyly looked away.
Clearly, Lord Jiaolong's divine skills have not yet been fully mastered.
The cool tea temporarily calmed his restless mind. Pei Muwei rested his long fingers on his brow bone for a moment, the veins on his forearm throbbing.
His voice was still a little hoarse when he spoke: "I haven't reviewed today's memorials yet. I will go to the Hall of Diligent Governance to handle government affairs later, so I won't come to pay my respects to Your Highness tonight."
"Ahem... Then, Minister Pei, please stay inside for a while before going out. I'll go get you another pot of chilled tea."
Chu Yueyuan's cheeks were flushed. She straightened her clothes and walked quickly out of the study, where she bumped into Jin Tong who was coming from the opposite direction.
She raised her hand to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her tone calm: "What's wrong?"
Jin Tong, beaming with joy, was completely unaware of the unusual crimson on the woman's lips. He excitedly reported, "Your Highness, Commandant Jing says he has found evidence."
Chu Yueyuan's eyes, brimming with spring-like allure, flickered, and she smiled, saying, "Pass on my message: Commander Jing should take action tomorrow."
————
When one person attains enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.
Steward Sun served in the Chu household for over twenty years, which perfectly illustrates this point.
Since the head of the family was promoted to Minister of Works, even the guard dog in front of the Chu mansion has gained an air of nobility. Those arrogant scholars and candidates who used to be haughty now fawn over him with smiles, just hoping he can get his visiting card into the master's study.
The head of the family was a suspicious and cautious man, but he valued him exceptionally highly, not only because he had followed the master for twenty years, but also because he was meticulous in his actions and kept his mouth shut.
Several months ago, the master was ordered by the emperor to go to Qingzhou to supervise the canal construction. Now, the officials and nobles in the capital are all saying that as long as this mission is completed well, the master will be able to enter the cabinet and become prime minister in no time.
That day, Steward Sun was walking on Zhuque Street. After purchasing all the items needed for the mansion, he still had a few coins left in his purse. He told his servant to go back first and then went into Fanlou.
After a hearty meal and drinks, as dusk settled, Steward Sun hummed a tune and strolled leisurely down the alley. Just as he was about to relieve himself, he suddenly heard footsteps coming from the depths of the alley. He strained his drunken eyes to look, and only vaguely made out a tall figure when a sharp pain shot through the back of his neck, and he blacked out and passed out.
After an unknown amount of time, Steward Sun felt a tightness in his chest. He opened his eyes groggily and was shocked to find that half of his body was stuck in a deep pit, his hands and feet were tightly bound with hemp rope, and dirt was constantly falling on his head.
He broke out in a cold sweat and immediately sobered up.
Could it be that we've encountered robbers?
Just as Steward Sun was about to beg for mercy, the man standing outside the pit suddenly spoke up: "Lord Chu said that this man knows too many of his secrets. We must deal with him cleanly to avoid implicating you if the truth comes out."
Manager Sun's expression changed, and he quickly shut his mouth, wishing he could hold his breath.
Another person said, "First, Young Master Chu caused a great disaster in the Ministry of Works, and now someone has exposed that Lord Chu murdered his wife. If Chief Minister Lin gets hold of this, not even the Empress Dowager, let alone a god, can save the Chu family."
Manager Sun, curled up at the bottom of the pit, listened with a heart full of rage and his teeth chattered. He hated his master for betraying him after using him. He had done so many shady things for him over the years, but he never expected to be discarded like a used millstone.
"Oh, right, bury the evidence along with this old man!"
“Commander Lin has been pressing the Chu family relentlessly in court recently. If he gets his hands on these documents, the Chu family will be finished.”
Crash! A wooden box was thrown down from above, hitting Steward Sun squarely on the head. He grimaced in pain but dared not make a sound.
Soil kept falling from above. Just as Steward Sun was beginning to despair, the person above the pit said again, "Alright, I killed this old man with one blow. He's in the middle of nowhere, so there's no need to bury him too deep. In a few days, wild wolves will devour him."
"Yeah, digging such a deep pit really exhausted me. I even found some silver notes on him. Let's go have some fun!"
A sound of horses' hooves rang out, then faded into the night, leaving only the night wind whistling softly as it passed through the forest.
Manager Sun struggled to shake off the mud covering his face, took a few deep breaths of fresh air, and wriggled around in the hole like a fat earthworm. When the surrounding soil loosened, he was surprised to find that he had managed to free himself from the hemp rope binding his wrists.
Thank God! Luckily, the two bandits the master found were both incompetent!
He quickly dug away the soil burying his chest, and after digging for half the night, he finally crawled out of the pit, panting and carrying the wooden box.
Manager Sun, who had narrowly escaped death, couldn't help but cover his face and weep.
He served his master for over twenty years, only to be discarded like a spent bird after its harbinger is gone. Although he survived by sheer luck, the few silver notes he kept on his person were all taken by those heartless bandits. Now penniless and unable to return to the Chu residence, how is he supposed to survive?
As the sun rises, a few rays of morning light pierce through the dense branches, casting a warm glow on the cool rosewood box.
Manager Sun gradually stopped crying. He stared intently at the wooden box in his arms, and the words of one of the bandits echoed in his mind.
"Commander Lin has been pressing the Chu family relentlessly in court lately. If he gets hold of these documents, the Chu family will be finished!"
Manager Sun's expression was gloomy and uncertain. After a long while, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes.
My lord, if you are heartless, then don't blame your servant for being unjust!
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