Chapter 61 The oral instruction was kept in mind, and no one dared to overstep the bounds.
The head steward of the Imperial Household Department soon appeared before Ji Qingwu and conveyed the Emperor's decree.
She simply didn't understand why she had to go with the emperor when he summoned Yuan Heng.
She was just passing through.
Looking at the ornately decorated palace in the distance, Ji Qingwu said with difficulty, "Eunuch Li, I still have to wait for Qiuqiu to finish school."
Li Yuzong waved his whisk and ordered a young eunuch to step forward.
“Miss Ji, let Xiao Dongzi wait here for you. He will call you if there is any news. His Majesty is waiting, and he will be displeased if he waits too long.”
Yuan Heng puffed out his small chest and said bravely, "Come with me, I will protect you."
Ji Qingwu sighed. There was no way to avoid it. She followed Yuan Heng into the Hall of Diligent Governance and bowed to the emperor to pay her respects.
"Rise." The voice from the throne was as indifferent as ever.
After she stood up, she stood in the center of the hall and saw Lu Juan sitting on her right. She curtsied.
"Greetings, Lord Lu."
Lu Juan smiled gently at her. It had been some time since he had seen his fifth sister, and he never expected to see her in the palace today.
Seeing how well she got along with the young prince, he was slightly surprised. The young prince, Yuan Heng, was like the emperor in temperament, disliking contact with outsiders.
What surprised him even more was what happened next.
The king on the throne spoke coldly, "Ziyou, isn't there something wrong at home?"
If the emperor says there's something wrong at home, then there really is something wrong.
Lu Juan immediately understood, got up and started walking outside.
As he walked, he said, "My wife is currently pregnant and needs me to return home as soon as possible to take care of her. I will take my leave now."
Ji Qingwu's gaze followed Lu Juan closely, wanting to ask if her elder sister's health was alright, and how severe her morning sickness was.
But her brother-in-law walked away so fast that he didn't give her a chance to speak, or even glance at her.
Emperor Wusu said calmly, "Yuan Heng, come here."
The little guy stepped forward, and Emperor Wusu stared at his wrist, his brows furrowing. Yuan Heng pulled up his sleeve and quietly covered the five-colored thread.
Emperor Wusu asked in a deep voice, "Have you finished all the homework assigned to you by the Grand Tutor?"
The students had just finished their studies and had no time to do their homework.
"Your subject has not finished yet."
Emperor Wusu coldly dismissed him: "You should have the ambition to establish a moral compass for the world and a destiny for the people. Do not be playful. Now go quickly."
Yuan Heng replied crisply, "Your subject obeys."
The conversation between the father and son made Ji Qingwu sigh.
What a miserable life her son has lived all these years! He comes when he's summoned and goes when he's dismissed, and he doesn't even give him a kind look.
Yuan Heng glanced back at Ji Qingwu, his dark eyes filled with apology, silently apologizing for his earlier boastful words.
Ji Qingwu gently shook her head, meaning she didn't blame him.
She understands.
Because she too couldn't withstand Emperor Wusu's cold treatment.
The interaction between the two was observed by those on the high seat. When had she ever shown such a lively and reluctant expression towards him?
Emperor Wusu's expression turned cold.
Seeing that Lu Juan and the young prince had been driven out one after another, Li Yuzong, with great shrewdness, retreated swiftly before the emperor could speak, leaving the vermilion gate slightly ajar.
The time it takes to drink half a cup of tea.
Only she and the emperor remained in the Hall of Diligent Governance.
When there were many people around, she didn't feel anything was wrong, but when the two of them were alone, Ji Qingwu's heart began to pound with anxiety.
It felt like there was a little stick pounding and clanging inside my heart, making it impossible to find peace.
But after spending time with her several times, she could sense that the head on her shoulders was secure and that her life was no longer in danger.
However, the fear that comes from the bottom of one's heart is not so easy to get rid of.
Emperor Wusu saw her eyes moving around and her eyelashes fluttering, and he was a little flustered and at a loss, but he was not trembling with fear.
This change is a good sign.
When she last visited the Hall of Diligent Governance, she saw him and was like a frightened bird.
The last time, in a side hall of the Cining Palace, he remembered that the woman's clothes were wet and her slender waist was trembling violently.
Emperor Wusu stepped down from the high platform and slowly walked to her side.
Ji Qingwu kept her head down, not daring to look him in the eye. She forced herself not to back away, letting his gaze fall on her.
Only a long sigh could be heard.
"Are you so afraid of me? Tell me your reasons for fearing me."
Ji Qingwu's gaze wandered, but she dared not look directly at his face. Her gaze went down to the bright yellow belt with gold-carved plum blossoms and inlaid pearls, which cinched her slender waist.
What is the reason for being afraid of him? How should I respond?
She stared at the plum blossoms above until her eyes ached before respectfully replying, "Your Majesty, I have a deep reverence for you, and therefore I am filled with trepidation."
The answer she carefully selected in her mind should be correct.
The Mandate of Heaven is clear, the imperial power is mighty, and the common people are pitiful. Who can see the emperor without showing fear?
"Very good," Ji Qingwu mentally applauded himself.
Seeing the hint of smugness in her expression, the emperor lowered his eyes, a dangerous glint in them.
"I feel that your behavior doesn't seem like reverence, but rather more like..."
He paused for a few seconds, then raised his hand and lifted her chin.
When Ji Qingwu met his cold eyes, she immediately looked away guiltily.
Emperor Wusu casually said, "He did something wrong."
Suddenly realizing what "wrong things" he had done, Ji Qingwu's legs began to give way. His clear eyes began to ripple again, and there was even a hint of tears welling up.
Emperor Wusu then pinched her cheek with two fingers, bringing her a little closer, his eyes slightly darkening.
"I can't even mention it. She softens as soon as I do, and she starts crying in front of me."
Ji Qingwu didn't want to be so useless, and she really couldn't hold back her tears.
He stared at her face, not missing a single change in her expression. "It seems you really have done something wrong and want to win my pity?"
Ji Qingwu held back her bitter tears, looked up at him with moist eyes, and said pitifully, "This humble woman dares not."
Emperor Wusu said cryptically, "You dare not? Is there anything Miss Ji wouldn't dare to do? You're timid, yet you love to do daring things."
Ji Qingwu's pupils contracted. Was this a pointed remark, or just a casual remark?
She was filled with doubt and surprise, but he released her and walked back to his throne. He sat there with an air of natural grandeur, tall and upright, looking at her with deep concentration.
After maintaining a certain distance, Ji Qingwu's breathing became much easier.
Once she had calmed down, Emperor Wusu asked, "Let's talk about something else. Was the five-colored thread on Yuan Heng's wrist a gift from you?"
Ji Qingwu nodded, noting that even such a small matter had caught the emperor's attention.
"It was written by my daughter, hoping to pray for the safety and well-being of Your Highness."
Emperor Wusu picked up his jade cup and asked, "In what capacity are you doing this? When does it become the daughter of a minister to take care of the prince?"
She thought for a moment, and realized that the reason Yuan Heng gave her might be good for coaxing a child, but it would be absolutely unacceptable to use it to reply to the emperor.
Emperor Wusu then asked, "What is your intention in going to such lengths to get close to the prince?"
Ji Qingwu's knees trembled, and she wanted to kneel down again. She explained in a low voice, "This humble woman has no other intentions. I just feel a connection with Your Highness."
"What are you saying? I can't hear you clearly. Come closer and answer me."
She slowly climbed the steps and walked to his side.
Do you know what your actions mean in the eyes of others?
Ji Qingwu thought about it more deeply.
There was only one prince in the harem. He had been raised in Consort Wei's palace, which gave Wei Liru even greater power in the harem.
By getting close to the prince, outsiders would only assume that Lady Ji wanted her to enter the palace as a concubine, adopt the prince, and rise to power in one fell swoop.
This was indeed a rash move. Ji Qingwu, having been exposed by him, quickly shook her head and said, "This subject absolutely did not mean that."
"I have always kept in mind the verbal instruction Your Majesty gave me, and I dare not have any thoughts of overstepping the bounds."
Emperor Wusu's face darkened, and his fingers tightened around the jade cup.
That imperial edict...
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