After experiencing a "heartbreaking farewell," a "makeover," and "confiscation of property," the Emperor and Empress's "skipping work" plan finally came to an end.
The next day, at the end of the Yin hour.
The sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn, and the entire palace was still shrouded in a tranquil, bluish-gray hue.
Outside the Golden Palace, civil and military officials were already lined up in neat rows according to their ranks, waiting for their turn. But inside the secret chamber of the Imperial Study, a tense and absurd "handover ceremony" was unfolding.
Wei Wu, the "fake emperor," was now dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, wearing a crown and a jade belt. Thanks to Lin Wanwan's ingenious disguise, his face was identical to that of the real emperor, Xiao Che. If it weren't for the undisguised tension and naivety in his eyes, he could almost be mistaken for the real emperor.
"Did you remember?" Lin Wanwan straightened the wrinkles in his dragon robe one last time, patiently instructing him, "Keep a straight face the whole time, don't speak, don't laugh, and don't make eye contact with anyone. No matter what anyone says, you just need to hum in response."
"I...I remember, Your Majesty." Wei Wu's voice trembled. The heavy dragon robe on his body felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
The real emperor, Xiao Che, standing to the side, had already changed into a brocade robe worn by an ordinary wealthy merchant, and his small mustache gave him a more shrewd look. Looking at Wei Wu, who was nearly fainting from nervousness, he unusually offered words of comfort: "Don't be afraid. Just think of yourself as a block of wood, and sit on that dragon throne. The three ministers of the 'temporary cabinet' know what's going on; there won't be any major decisions that require your input."
No sooner had the words been spoken than a cautious voice from outside the secret chamber urged, "Your Majesty, it's time for court...it's time to go to court."
It's here!
Wei Wu shuddered, and his legs went weak.
Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of tension in each other's eyes.
"Let's go." Xiao Che patted Wei Wu on the shoulder and said in a deep voice, "The fate of the Great Liang is temporarily in your hands."
These words, which were full of entrustment, did not make Wei Wu feel honored; instead, they almost made him cry on the spot.
Finally, led by the chief eunuch, the "fake emperor" Wei Wu took a deep breath, his face stiff and unyielding, and with heavy steps that he had practiced countless times, he walked out of the secret room. Surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, he set off for the Golden Palace.
He kept the Empress's teachings firmly in mind, keeping his eyes straight ahead and his face expressionless throughout.
He met a palace servant who came to pay his respects, and he kept a straight face.
Even as he sat in the imperial carriage, he remained stern despite the eunuchs' attempts to inquire about his well-being.
Upon arriving at the Golden Palace, the officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!" but he still maintained a stern face.
When he finally sat on that cold and enormous dragon throne with trepidation, he had only one thought in his mind: No one should speak to "I"!
However, what you fear most is what happens.
The Minister of Rites was the first to step forward and present the details of the preparations for the Winter Solstice Heaven Worship Ceremony.
Wei Wu's heart leaped into his throat! He was so nervous that his palms were sweating, his mind went blank, and he could only remember the move that the Empress had taught him.
He slowly and stiffly turned his head, staring intently at the Minister of Rites with his "debt-collecting" gaze, which he had practiced countless times.
The Minister of Rites was speaking passionately when, suddenly struck by the Emperor's gaze, the rest of his words caught in his throat. A jolt went through him; had he said something wrong? Why was the Emperor's gaze so intense today… filled with murderous intent?
Just as he was filled with unease, a short but powerful voice came from the dragon throne—
"Um."
The voice carried a hint of impatience, a hint of detachment, and a hint of unfathomable wisdom, as if to say, "I have already seen through everything."
The Minister of Rites shuddered at the "hmm," quickly shut his mouth, and retreated, daring not to say another word.
Following that, several more ministers stepped forward to present their reports, but without exception, they were all thwarted by the "fake emperor" with a combination of "death stare" and "nostril huff."
Gradually, the ministers noticed His Majesty's "low mood" today. Everyone guessed that it must be because he was worried about His Highness the Crown Prince yesterday, which had affected his health and put him in a bad mood. As a result, the atmosphere in the entire court became unusually solemn, and no one dared to say a single unnecessary word for fear of offending the emperor.
The morning court session proceeded smoothly in this strangely "efficient" and "harmonious" atmosphere.
Wei Wu successfully fooled everyone!
Meanwhile, a real "escape from the palace" was quietly unfolding on the other side of the palace.
The real emperor and empress had already changed their names to "Master Xiao" and "Lady Lin." Each carrying an inconspicuous little bundle, they quietly made their way to the most secluded northwest corner of the palace while most of the palace was preoccupied with the morning court session.
This is the Shenwu Gate, a passage exclusively for the imperial kitchen staff and others to go out of the palace to make purchases.
At this moment, several carriages bearing purchasing permits were preparing to leave the palace.
Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan exchanged a glance, lowered their hat brims, and took advantage of the guards changing shifts to nimbly and inconspicuously slip into one of the carriages filled with vegetable baskets.
The two huddled behind a basket filled with the fresh scent of radishes and cabbages, their hearts brimming with unprecedented tension and excitement.
"Squeak—"
The wheels turned slowly, and the carriage successfully drove out of the heavy and solemn palace gate.
The moment the wheels rolled onto the bluestone pavement outside the palace, Xiao Che and Lin Wanwan both felt a sense of "freedom" wash over them.
The carriage bumped along the way and soon blended into the bustling morning market of the capital.
The cries of vendors, the laughter of children, the clamor of carriages and horses... all sorts of sounds full of life surged in like a tide, forming a stark contrast with the solemnity of the palace.
The two seized an opportunity, quietly jumped off the carriage, and blended into the bustling crowd.
Only now did they finally have a moment to catch their breath.
The two of them turned around and looked back at the same time.
Not far away, the towering vermilion palace walls stood majestically in the morning light, like a silent behemoth, completely separating the two worlds.
Inside the walls lay their responsibilities and their shackles.
Outside the wall lies the freedom and fireworks they have longed for.
Xiao Che took a deep breath.
The air was no longer filled with the cool, precious scent of incense from the palace, but rather with the aroma of freshly baked buns, the sour fragrance of fermented bean juice, and the vibrant, slightly noisy "human energy" of the crowd.
This is... the flavor of the people.
It was a flavor he had never felt so vividly before, full of vitality.
The tension in his heart was gradually replaced by an indescribable excitement. His deep eyes shone brightly, like a child receiving a new toy for the first time, filled with boundless curiosity and anticipation for this brand new world.
He rubbed his hands together nervously and excitedly, like a young man embarking on his first long journey, feeling lost and unsure of what to do. He turned his head to look at Lin Wanwan beside him, who also looked on with curiosity, and lowered his voice, asking in a trembling tone:
"My wife, where... should we go first?"
Lin Wanwan couldn't help but laugh at his bewildered expression, like a country bumpkin visiting the Grand View Garden.
She saw that above the head of the "Master Xiao" with his mustache, a cartoon figure had broken free of all its chains, spread its arms, and excitedly roared towards the sun. Beside it was a line of huge, blindingly bright text—
[Freedom is here! .gif]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com