Hibiscus as a Painting - Chapter 17
The boy trembled violently and struggled to pull off the clothes covering his face: "You...I...that ring..." His voice was weak and slightly hoarse.
"You don't need to thank me, consider this payment for healing you." At this moment, Zi Jin only had eyes for the ring that shimmered with iridescent light, completely forgetting her guilt for giving the wrong medicine.
Zi Jin picked up the thumb ring and strode away.
"No...don't go..." The boy struggled to remove the clothes that were in the way, but missed Zi Jin's retreating figure.
Fate requires both; to be destined to meet but not to be together is to leave only regret.
Zi Jin fiddled with the thumb ring in her hand, walked to the Imperial Garden, looked at the various lanterns in the garden, and found a quiet corner to sit down.
From afar, one could see the Emperor, Consort Li, and Jun Lin, surrounded by a crowd, sitting at the best vantage point by the lotus pond to enjoy this grand royal lantern festival.
Zi Jin secretly cursed herself for being an idiot. She should have realized when she first followed that palace maid that it was not the Crown Prince's Chaoyang Palace. Besides, how could Chaoyang Palace not even have a guard or a palace maid?
Zi Jin followed the palace maid who had received the decree, watching her emerge carrying the medicine. The medicine was administered while the head eunuch and the maid were whispering to each other; there was no way she would have made a mistake.
Why did it all turn out to be such a huge blunder? Zi Jin's plan was to wait for Jun Lin to erupt, watch him make a fool of himself, and then coldly mock him before locking the Crown Prince inside. She was confident that even if the Crown Prince suffered a loss at today's Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, he would be unable to express his anger. How could such a perfect plan have gone wrong?
Fortunately, Zi Jin didn't suffer too much of a loss; at least she knew her medicine was effective. It's a pity… her right hand's virginity was gone just like that… I wonder if that boy's was his virginity too? …Judging by his reaction… hehe…
"Master, we've finally found you," happy Bao said breathlessly, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
Zi Jin looked puzzled when she saw that happy Bao was alone.
"As soon as the imperial banquet ended, Consort Lin sent people to take away the Third Prince. I am just a servant, and there was nothing I could do to stop him."
Zi Jin glared at happy Bao angrily.
"The Third Prince is currently with the Emperor at the lotus pond, but he is still standing because his foot injury hasn't healed..."
Before Xi Bao could finish speaking, Zi Jin glared at him fiercely, turned around and ran towards the lotus pond. Pushing through the crowd, she saw Jun Chi standing behind the Crown Prince's throne, his right leg still trembling slightly.
"Father, there's no need to send anyone to look for him. Isn't he here now?" Jun Lin's eyes flashed with a sharp light, showing no trace of his drunken state just an hour ago.
Zi Jin stepped forward respectfully and bowed.
Emperor Xuanlong scrutinized Zi Jin for a long time, then chuckled and said, "There's no need for such formalities among family. I heard from the Crown Prince that Grand Tutor Zhou left behind a lesson on 'On Rulers and Ministers.' I just heard the Crown Prince and the other princes' answers and would like to know how you completed your lesson."
Zi Jin glanced at happy Bao and made a gesture.
happy Bao bowed first and said, "Your Majesty, the master requests pen and ink."
Emperor Xuanlong smiled and nodded slightly, and someone brought it up.
Zi Jin picked up her brush and ink and began to write in running script.
happy Bao respectfully read aloud, "If my answer is comparable to that of the princes, I beg Your Majesty to grant me a favor."
Emperor Xuanlong's eyes lit up with interest, and without hesitation, he replied, "I grant your permission!"
Zi Jin wrote at length for a quarter of an hour, and everyone waited for happy Bao's reply.
happy Bao looked troubled and said, "Your Majesty, this servant is not very literate... this..."
Emperor Xuanlong waved his hand and said, "Jun Lin, read it to everyone."
Jun Lin rose from his seat, glanced disdainfully at Zi Jin, picked up a piece of paper, and read aloud: "A ruler, when he sees something desirable, should think of enough to restrain himself; when he is about to do something, he should think of knowing when to stop to bring peace to the people; when he thinks of high position and danger, he should think of humility to cultivate himself; when he fears overflowing, he should think of rivers and seas that receive all streams; when he enjoys leisurely pursuits, he should think of moderation; when he fears laziness, he should think of being cautious from the beginning and respectful to the end; when he worries about being obstructed, he should think of being open-minded to accept advice from his subordinates; when he thinks of slander and evil, he should think of rectifying himself to eliminate evil; when he bestows favors, he should think of not being pleased by them and thus erring upon himself." When rewarding or punishing, one should be mindful not to abuse power out of anger. By considering these ten points and promoting these nine virtues, one should appoint the capable and follow the virtuous. Then the wise will exert their wisdom, the brave will exert their strength, the benevolent will spread their kindness, and the trustworthy will demonstrate their loyalty. Civil and military officials will compete, and the ruler and his ministers will have no worries. One can enjoy leisurely pleasures, live a long and healthy life, play the zither, and govern with folded hands, transforming others without a word. Why then should one labor with painstaking thought, take over the duties of subordinates, exhaust one's intelligence and senses, and jeopardize the great principle of non-action? (Quote 1)
Jun Lin's voice grew increasingly confused as he read, while a glint of light flashed in Jun An's eyes from afar.
Emperor Xuanlong's expression shifted from a smile to a solemn one, finally settling into a grimace. He remained seated for a long time before suddenly rising from his seat, rushing over, grabbing Zi Jin's hand, and shouting, "Zi Yinfeng, how dare you! You dare to... who exactly are you?!"
Zi Jin met Emperor Xuanlong's gaze without fear.
Emperor Xuanlong stared at Zi Jin for a while, then suddenly released her hand, dejected, lowered his eyes, and murmured something, but no one could hear him clearly.
In an instant, Emperor Xuanlong seemed to have aged considerably, his brows furrowed with sorrow and heartbreak. He staggered back to his seat, and the eunuch beside him made a gesture to help him up, but he waved him away.
For a moment, apart from the chirping of autumn insects, there was no other sound in the Imperial Garden.
"Zi Jin's work is indeed extraordinary, to have such insights at such a young age... It's just a pity he's mute." Emperor Xuanlong's deep voice revealed an imperceptible helplessness: "What do you want me to do for you?"
Zi Jin picked up the brush and ink and began to write. Xi Bao read aloud: "I have been lonely and fearful in the palace. Yesterday, I met the Third Prince and we hit it off immediately. I humbly request Your Majesty to allow the Third Prince to stay at Taiping Pavilion and keep me company."
Emperor Xuanlong's previously dejected gaze instantly sharpened. He stared at Zi Jin for a long time before leisurely saying, "Granted."
Xi Bao hurriedly helped Zi Jin express her gratitude, and Jun Chi stepped forward, wanting to thank Emperor Xuanlong. However, Zi Jin disregarded everyone's gaze and dragged Jun Chi away from the crowd.
Although Zi Jin's actions were rough, it was clear that she did not let Jun Chi's injured foot touch the ground.
As if recalling the past, Emperor Xuanlong watched Zi Jin dragging Jun Chi's back and mechanically waved his hand to signal everyone to leave.
The garden full of lanterns failed to illuminate Emperor Xuanlong's slightly reddened eyes...
Emperor Xuanlong returned to his palace in a daze, clutching a small, thumb-sized, glassy bead tightly in his hand, and sat absentmindedly on the dragon bed.
The eunuch in charge knelt beside Emperor Xuanlong, holding the palace plaque, and said, "Your Majesty, it has been half a year since you last visited any of the palaces. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. May I ask which consort Your Majesty would like to accompany you?"
Emperor Xuanlong turned his head blankly, staring at the emerald green palace plaque on the tray for a long time. Suddenly, he smashed the tray over as if possessed and screamed, "Get out! Get out of here! All of you, get out! Get out... get out!... Heh... Hahaha... Who do you want to accompany you... Who do you want to accompany you?... Are you mocking me?... Are you mocking me?"
The eunuch in charge looked troubled and retreated in a panic.
Emperor Xuanlong collapsed onto the cold ground, clutching the object in his hand tightly to his heart. His gaze unfocused, he murmured, "I will definitely help you take back what you've lost… You knew they were all wolves in sheep's clothing, yet why did you choose this end? Why? Why leave me alone… watching your things shatter into pieces… Zi Yingfeng!…"
When Emperor Xuanlong uttered the three characters "Zi Yinfeng," his original pain and despair were overwhelmed by boundless hatred.
Emperor Xuanlong spread the glass bead out in front of him and smiled slightly. The Mid-Autumn Festival night was cold and desolate, chilling to the bone.