The Charm of a Powerful Woman Spreads Across the World - Chapter 185
Ru Feng looked around. Over three hundred covered walkways surrounded the lake, with artificial hills, willow trees, lotus flowers in the water, and interconnected canals. Ten miles of lotus blossoms swayed gently in the misty water, the lake's surface shimmering like flowing light. The long walkway, starting from the Gull Boat in the east, stretched along the lake, winding endlessly. Like a colorful screen of the mountains and a brocade curtain of water, it stretched east to west, reaching the Fish and Algae Pavilion in the west.
As Ru Feng walked onto the small bridge, looking at the pavilion that was almost isolated in the lake, he couldn't help but sigh: This is really a good place to kill someone. As long as you drug someone, you can push them into the lake.
Thinking of this, Ru Feng shivered, startled by his own thoughts.
So I turned my attention to the potted plants by the bridge, where I saw that the unknown flowers had already bloomed, growing gracefully in the soil, dancing lightly in the breeze and in the sunlight, just like the graceful women of the South.
Seeing this, Ru Feng smiled slightly, her mood instantly lightening considerably. She realized that the reason she had overthought things was simply because she seemed to have stolen his brother. Besides, he was the emperor; a single misstep, or a bad mood of his, could cost her her head.
However, it is said that this emperor is a wise ruler, so he probably wouldn't kill people without a reason.
Ru Feng felt a little uneasy, but being a young and fearless person, he remained calm and fearless as he walked towards the emperor.
Finally arriving at the pavilion, Ru Feng quickly knelt down and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!"
The emperor dismissed everyone else. Apart from the people not far from the pavilion, the only people in the pavilion were Ru Feng, himself, and a eunuch behind him who was there to pour tea for him. Their presence was almost nonexistent.
A gentle breeze carries the moisture from the lake, along with the fragrance of aquatic plants and lotus blossoms, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.
Ru Feng was very frustrated because she was still kneeling, and the emperor had already drunk three cups of tea, but she was still not allowed to get up.
Ru Feng looked at the emperor's boots embroidered with dragon patterns and cursed inwardly: "Damn it, I've never knelt before anyone in my life, but I have to kneel before you every time I see you. And now you won't tell me to get up. Aren't you just playing psychological warfare? You really think I'm a newbie? I'll not do as you wish. I'm not afraid of you."
What the emperor probably didn't expect was that this punishment would actually make Ru Feng less afraid of him, reducing his fear.
After an unknown amount of time, once Ru Feng had memorized the set of boxing techniques and mental cultivation methods that Mu Wenchen had recently taught him, the emperor finally spoke, his tone surprised: "Eh, when did you arrive, my dear minister? Please rise, there's no need for formalities."
Ru Feng's lips twitched slightly, but he still politely thanked the emperor and stood up in front of him.
"Ru Feng, look at me!" The emperor suddenly stood up, walked closer to Ru Feng, and grabbed Ru Feng's chin, forcing him to lift it.
Ru Feng was furious. This scoundrel emperor was clearly flirting with him! Damn it, he was clearly a man now.
Left with no other choice, Ru Feng had to raise her head and look at the emperor.
The emperor wore a bright yellow dragon robe with gold trim at the hem, which made him look tall and slender. He didn't look like a middle-aged man of forty, but rather like a mature young man. His eyes shone with a sharp light like a hawk, and his face had an arrogant and noble expression. He looked cold and intimidating.
At this moment, Ru Feng's chin was in the other person's hand, and she was half a head shorter than him, so Ru Feng felt that she lacked presence. However, she still forced herself to remain calm and said, "Your Majesty, this action seems inappropriate." Her voice was calm and indifferent, and even her eyes carried a hint of coldness and sternness.
Upon hearing this, the emperor suddenly burst into laughter, released Ru Feng's chin, and said with a smile, "Indeed, my son said that you, Yuchi Ru Feng, are very bold. Seeing you today, I can confirm that your reputation is well-deserved!"
Ru Feng breathed a sigh of relief and forced a smile, saying, "Your Majesty flatters me." In his heart, however, he thought to himself, "If he knew I was speaking ill of the Emperor, I would kill him. How dare he! Why didn't he say anything about how audacious he is?"
"My dear minister, you are young and promising, and your military tactics are always unexpected, which always surprises me. You are indeed a young hero, and extremely bold!" The emperor looked Ru Feng up and down and spoke, his face returning to its previous coldness, as if the loud laughter just now did not come from his mouth.
Ru Feng stood with his hands at his sides, only able to repeat, "Your Majesty flatters me; I am unworthy of such praise!"
The emperor's face immediately darkened. He gave Rufeng a stern look and said, "It is said that you are skilled in both literature and martial arts. I heard that you are injured now, so I will not dwell on that. Now, compose a poem about the Jade Fairy Lake before you. I have heard that you are quick-witted and can compose poems on the spot. When you were at Fengxian Academy, you were the foremost of the Four Great Talents. Both of my sons have praised you highly. Today, I will test you to see if you live up to your reputation." As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the vast, almost boundless lake.
Ru Feng sighed inwardly: If he couldn't do it later, his reputation would be ruined, and he might even be suspected by the emperor or convicted. Sigh, why did Yu Jue and Yu Xuan have to tell him this? Now they're just making trouble for him.
"Please give me the question, Your Majesty, and I will do my utmost!" Ru Feng said respectfully, bowing.
The emperor glanced at Ru Feng and said, "The water of Jade Fairy Lake is crystal clear and refreshing. Some people praise it, saying that what flows in Jade Fairy Lake is not water, but a sparkling gem, a dazzling jade, and a fine wine, because it can intoxicate people with just one glance. Now, compose a poem for me immediately."
Ru Feng glanced at the lake and said, "Yes, Your Majesty!" Then he took two steps forward and began to recite: "The clear river is as blue as nectar, and the vast expanse of misty waves meets the green grass. It only lacks pavilions to cover it, but it is a natural painting that surpasses West Lake."
A flicker of surprise crossed the emperor's eyes, but it quickly disappeared. Instead, the eunuch beside him glanced at Ru Feng.
Just as Ru Feng was waiting for his judgment, a woman walked gracefully towards the small bridge.
As she drew closer, Ru Feng finally saw her face clearly. She wore a dark red light gauze brocade dress, with the collar and sleeves trimmed with long, intricate lace woven from pearls and gold thread, both noble and elegant. Her black hair was styled in a high, cloud-like bun, so shiny it reflected the light, held in place only by a gold phoenix hairpin.
Ru Feng saw that she was dignified and beautiful, and her demeanor was elegant and graceful. Although he couldn't tell her age, he guessed that her status must be quite high, since she could come directly to see the Emperor.
Meanwhile, Yu Jue and Yu Xuan were having a conversation somewhere in the palace.
"What should we do if we, brothers, both fall in love with the same woman? Brother," Yu Xuan suddenly asked.
"impossible."
"Oh? Why are you so sure?" Yu Xuan asked, puzzled.
“Because I will never love anyone but Ru Feng,” Yu Jue said firmly, his eyes fixed on Yu Xuan. “Third sister, what exactly are you trying to say?”
"It's nothing, just saying." A hint of sadness flashed in his eyes, but he said firmly, "However, if such a woman really appears, I will not let go, Your Majesty."
For a moment, both of them fell silent.
Mother, you should have arrived by now, right?
Volume 3, Chapter 144: Teasing (A Tale of Ruthlessness and Compassion)
Before Ru Feng could even bow to the woman, the Emperor said displeasedly, "What are you doing here?"
The woman's expression was indifferent. She glanced at Ru Feng indifferently and spoke slowly and deliberately: "I heard that His Majesty wants to summon Yu Chi Ru Feng alone. It is said that Yu Chi Ru Feng is a man of both literary and martial talents, and is as handsome as Pan An. So I wanted to come and see for myself. Does His Majesty not even give me this opportunity?"
She spoke clearly, and her tone and demeanor were very calm, as if the person in front of her was not the emperor, nor her husband, but a complete stranger.
Ru Feng was taken aback, but then realized what was happening and immediately knelt down, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty the Empress!"
"Rise, you are good friends with my Yujue and Yuxuan, no need for formalities." The Empress quickly came over to help Rufeng up and continued, "Rufeng is three years younger than Yuxuan, no wonder she looks so young."
The Empress looked at Ru Feng with great interest, her tone completely different from the cold tone she used when speaking to the Emperor, which made Ru Feng feel flattered. The fact that the Empress held up her sleeve made Ru Feng even more surprised.
So, without realizing it, Ru Feng glanced at the emperor and saw that he actually had a smile on his face!