El paisaje es como una pintura

Capítulo 10

Feeling the Empress Dowager's sharp gaze fall upon him, he gave a self-deprecating laugh, put away his nonchalant expression, stepped forward, and bowed in greeting: "This humble subject, Chu Xuyao, greets the Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager live a thousand years!"

"Lord Chu, there's no need for such formalities! I wish to ask, Lord Chu, why have you disregarded the laws and regulations of the Eastern Dynasty and abducted the Princess without authorization? Can you give me a satisfactory explanation?"

"This humble subject is terrified! It was all a misunderstanding! It was only because Your Highness the Princess resembled an old friend I hadn't seen for many years that I mistook her for a familiar face upon first seeing her. In my excitement and joy, I forgot all propriety and rashly abducted her. Only just now did I realize it was a misunderstanding. I have offended Your Highness the Princess, and I deserve to die!" Chu Xuyao pretended to throw down his robes and kneel down to confess his sins. Although his face showed fear, there was no fear in his eyes. Instead, there was a hint of ambiguous mockery.

The Empress Dowager saw this but remained unmoved, allowing Chu Xuyao to kneel on both knees and kowtow.

Upon seeing this, Dongfang Lie's expression changed. What kind of person was Chu Xuyao? He only knelt to heaven, earth, his parents, and his master; had he ever knelt before anyone else? He was extremely proud and unwilling to bow to anyone. If Dongfang Lie hadn't exempted him from the kneeling ceremony, even if they had invited him in a royal carriage, he probably wouldn't have given them any face. Others might not know, but surely his mother understood? Chu Xuyao's feigned kneeling was merely giving his mother a way out, and yet she actually allowed him to kneel. How could he, with his unyielding spirit, bear this?

He glanced apologetically at Chu Xuyao, who was prostrate on the ground, but was surprised to find that he showed no displeasure whatsoever. After a long while, seeing that the Empress Dowager still showed no intention of letting Chu Xuyao get up, Dongfang Lie finally couldn't hold back any longer. He was about to speak when he was suddenly captivated by the sinister look and fleeting killing intent in his mother's sharp eyes. Following his mother's gaze, Dongfang Lie looked at the two people embracing not far away, and was extremely shocked: Could it be that his mother was planning to...?

Before he could think it through, the Empress Dowager gently helped Chu Xuyao up from his knees with one hand and said calmly, "Master Chu, you are being too serious! Since you have said that it was a misunderstanding, and now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, what crime have you committed? I only hope that you understand that if a misunderstanding causes trouble for someone, then it is a mistake! I believe you will not make such a mistake a second time. What do you think, Master Chu?"

"Your Majesty's reprimand is correct. I am truly ashamed to have caused you trouble! I will certainly remember Your Majesty's teachings and will never make the same mistake again!"

The Empress Dowager nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Dongfang Yao, who was not far away. Her gaze immediately changed from stern and imposing to loving and gentle, just like a loving mother calling her son: "Yao'er, come to me."

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's voice, Dongfang Yao trembled, his arm tightening around Rong Yue's, causing Rong Yue, whose emotions had calmed, to feel a sudden, inexplicable pang in her heart. She looked up at Dongfang Yao, puzzled, only to be startled to find a hint of fear in his usually clear and bright eyes. What was wrong with him? Wasn't the Empress Dowager his birth mother? His mother was calling him; what was he afraid of?

This time, Rongyue gently patted Dongfang Yao's back, soothing his trembling. What Rongyue didn't know was that the Empress Dowager doted on her youngest son, while the young prince feared her like a tiger—this strange phenomenon was no secret in the Dongfang Dynasty. According to gossip circulating in the palace, the young prince wasn't originally a fool; on the contrary, he was intelligent and quick-witted, showing promise in poetry and prose at a young age, often astonishing even the palace tutors. But what happened fifteen years ago that drove the five-year-old prince mad overnight, causing him to become mentally unstable and incapacitated. He saw his mother as if she were a demon, and whenever they met, he would flee in terror, screaming. Countless imperial physicians consulted him, countless prescriptions were written, and he took countless medicines, but his mental illness only worsened, especially when he saw his mother. Seeing this, the late emperor, in desperation, had no choice but to bestow upon him the title of prince at the young age of five and move him out of the palace. No one knows what happened to Dongfang Yao fifteen years ago, and no one knows what made him suddenly become an idiot overnight. It's as if the heavens are jealous of the virtuous. Faced with an inexplicable secret, all that can be said is to blame fate...

Volume One: Pear Blossom Courtyard Under the Melting Moon, Chapter Fifteen: A Line Between Life and Death

In the end, Rongyue and her husband followed the Empress Dowager to Cining Palace. After all, even if he was unwilling, could he not go if his wife wanted to? And if the Empress Dowager ordered Rongyue to go, could Rongyue dare to disobey?

The footsteps on the black jade floor of Cining Palace produced a dull thud, swirling above the deathly silent palace, jarring and oppressive. The bright yellow gauze curtains, reflecting the dark hue of the black jade, appeared from afar as if they were black curtains billowing and rustling in the wind. The curtains were not tied up, and when blown by the wind, they danced around like black demons, their fangs bared and claws outstretched, utterly eerie and chilling! The howling wind sounded like vengeful spirits demanding death, and combined with this scene, it was even more terrifying to hear. The palace servants on both sides were like zombies who had been in coffins for thousands of years, their faces pale, devoid of anger, joy, or sorrow, standing motionless with their heads bowed as if frozen in place... Everything eerie in Cining Palace filled Rongyue with inexplicable panic, and she couldn't help but think of a certain place—the mourning hall.

She unconsciously tightened her grip on Dongfang Yao's hand. Dongfang Yao was taken aback, then squeezed her hand back, instantly calming her uneasy heart.

"Chu Xuyao, you'd better give me an explanation!" In Ran Yue Palace, Dongfang Lie slammed down the jade porcelain cup in Chu Xuyao's hand and coldly questioned Chu Xuyao, who was sitting reclining in the grand chair.

"Explanation? What's there to explain! It's just a misunderstanding!" With a self-deprecating smile, Chu Xuyao picked up his wine glass and downed the full glass of fine wine in one gulp. The wine should have been sweet and refreshing, but why did it taste so bitter in his mouth…

"A misunderstanding?!" Dongfang Lie pressed down on Chu Xuyao's hand as he poured the wine, his voice turning cold: "A misunderstanding would make your pride beg for help, just to find a beauty? A misunderstanding would make you, who has been through countless romances, persistently search for her across thousands of miles? A misunderstanding would make you, who is usually so calm and composed, kidnap someone in public, regardless of the consequences? A misunderstanding would make you drown your sorrows in alcohol now..."

"Enough! I said it's a misunderstanding, and that's it! Don't interfere in my affairs anymore!" Like a cat whose sore spot had been stepped on, Chu Xuyao suddenly jumped up from his chair, his wine glass shattering in his hand. Realizing his outburst, he took a few deep breaths, composed himself, and apologized to Dongfang Lie, whose expression was equally grim, "I'm sorry, I..."

"Fine, since you don't want to admit it, I won't force you. You think it's a misunderstanding, so I'll treat it as a misunderstanding! I just hope that in the future—at the latest tomorrow—you won't regret it or be sad..."

Chu Xuyao paused, then asked, "What do you mean?"

Dongfang Lie glanced at him sideways, then put on his usual nonchalant demeanor again. He didn't rush to answer, but instead pulled up a pear wood chair and leaned back, putting his legs up on the table. He held a jade plate in his hand and casually cracked melon seeds on the plate.

"Dongfang Lie!" Seeing that Dongfang Lie was hiding his true intentions and refusing to speak clearly, Chu Xuyao became furious and slashed at the jade plate in Dongfang Lie's hand with one hand.

Dongfang Lie, quick-witted and agile, swiftly shifted to the side with the jade plate, dodging Chu Xuyao's attack.

"Stop, stop, stop! I'll tell you, I'll tell you, okay! Look at you, you clearly care about this to death, why do you have to pretend to be indifferent... Alright, alright, I'll tell you, I'll tell you!" Dongfang Lie put away his disrespectful demeanor, and his face showed an unusual seriousness: "Xuyao, listen to my advice, just treat her as a passing cloud!"

Explain yourself!

"She's dead..."

"What nonsense are you spouting! She was perfectly fine just a moment ago, how could she be dead!" Chu Xuyao jumped up in shock, grabbing Dongfang Lie's shirt and twisting his handsome face to reveal the fear in his heart.

His friend's loss of composure caused Dongfang Lie to sigh heavily. It seemed Chu Xuyao had truly fallen this time, though he didn't know the depth of his fall—perhaps even Chu Xuyao himself was unaware! In the past, he would have watched Chu Xuyao's panic as if it were a show, perhaps even mocking him—provided, of course, that things were within Dongfang Lie's control. But now, the life and death of the woman who had stirred Chu Xuyao's heart was beyond his control; how could he possibly have the heart to add fuel to the fire?

What good is that woman besides being shrewish and ruthless? I really don't know what kind of sorcery she used to get the attention of the arrogant Xu Yao!

Seeing Chu Xuyao's anxious and flustered expression, Dongfang Lie felt a pang of pity, but still hardened his heart and said, "Xuyao, Mother has always favored my son, always giving the best to Yaodi. Originally, Mother intended to leave the two daughters of the Liu family to Yaodi, but I interfered, and Yaodi had no choice but to marry Liu Rongyue. Liu Rongyue's reputation has always been bad, a far cry from the obedient and sensible Liu Ruxu. Mother was already dissatisfied with her, but out of consideration for their kinship, she didn't make things difficult for her. But now you two... Alas, Mother has never tolerated scum in her eyes. I estimate that Mother cannot let her live! Liu Rongyue is doomed, and I'm afraid she has already been given death by Mother..."

"You mean... the Empress Dowager suspects us..."

"You two have been inside for half an hour, a man and a woman alone together. What do you expect your mother to think?"

Slumpingly loosening his grip on Dongfang Lie's clothes, Chu Xuyao slumped into a chair, his mind blank.

She's dead, she's dead… He killed her, killed her… Ha, he should be happy, shouldn't he? That woman who insulted him, cursed him, who was so arrogant and ignorant, is finally dead. Shouldn't he be raising a glass in celebration? But, but why, upon hearing the news of her death, does his heart feel as if something has been lost, empty…

Rongyue stared blankly at the fallen Dongfang Yao, watching as a maid carefully carried him to the Empress Dowager's arms, where the Empress Dowager lovingly embraced him, gently stroking his forehead, eyes, nose, and lips...

Suddenly she came to her senses and tried to rush forward to snatch Dongfang Yao back, but she was too weak. Before she could even take a step, the maid who had knocked Dongfang Yao unconscious earlier struck her pressure points and she was unable to move.

"Mother, you..."

"Shut up! You vile woman, what right do you have to call me Empress Dowager?!" The Empress Dowager did not raise her head, her loving gaze still fixed on Dongfang Yao, but her tone was as cold and piercing as the snow in the dead of winter.

"Mother... Empress Dowager, what makes you say such a thing? May I ask what mistake Yue'er has made?" The word "vile woman" infuriated Rong Yue. Unable to move, she could only express her anger with her resentful gaze.

"This is outrageous! Outrageous! How dare they question me! Xuemei, slap her! Give her a good beating!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" The maid, Xue Mei, rolled up her sleeves and walked over with a ferocious expression. Under Rong Yue's bloodshot gaze, she began to slap Rong Yue repeatedly, the crisp sound of her hands echoing loudly and jarringly in the empty hall. In no time, Rong Yue's cheeks were swollen and red, like autumn persimmons.

That perverted, damned old woman! Of all places to hit her, why did she have to slap her face?! Don't you know the saying "Don't hit someone in the face"? Calling her a slut is one thing, but to actually hit her! For no reason at all, what else can she be but a pervert?! This damned old woman is her mother-in-law, her own aunt, and she treats her like this! It's truly... truly... Uh, why is she constantly touching her husband's face? So tenderly, could she be a son-obsessed woman? A son-obsessed woman?! Yes, that must be it! That's why she's jealous of her, picking fights and hitting her for no reason, all because she stole her son! Good heavens, this perverted old woman, this son-obsessed old woman, will she, out of jealousy and hatred, kill her?

Unable to bear Rongyue's burning, probing gaze any longer, the Empress Dowager withdrew her hand from Dongfang Yao's face, waved to the maids who were flanking her, and the maids nodded in acknowledgment, stopped, and withdrew.

"Empress Dowager, I... this servant doesn't know what mistake I've made, may I... ouch... ask the Empress Dowager for clarification?" Ouch, that hurts! I bet I've got a gash! Shit! That was a really hard beating!

"You don't know? You questioned me and spoke rudely. Shouldn't you be punished?"

"But why did the Empress Dowager scold me as a lowly servant...?"

"You're a slut! Marrying you to Yao'er was already a disservice to him, but I never expected you to be so unfaithful and promiscuous. What else could you be but a slut! How could such a shameless woman be worthy of being my daughter-in-law! Someone, bring wine!" As soon as the Empress Dowager finished speaking, a maid came towards Rongyue carrying a full pot of wine.

Rongyue certainly didn't think that the Empress Dowager, that old witch, had simply come to give her wine. This wine, though a royal treasure and a fine brew, was also poisonous.

"Empress Dowager, I didn't! Don't frame me! I have no connection whatsoever with Chu Xuyao!" Seeing the maid gracefully pouring the emerald-green nectar into the white jade cup, Rongyue panicked and shouted at the Empress Dowager on the phoenix throne.