Anmei quickly grabbed him and whispered in his ear, "What else can we do? Are we going to make things even worse? We can only leave it like this for now and then see how things go!"
After listening, Jiang Yumin slumped down and remained silent.
Yao Biluo gave a cold laugh: "Please forgive me, this humble woman can no longer entertain you two gentlemen!"
After saying that, he stood up and was about to leave.
Jiang Yumin tugged at her sleeve pitifully, but Yao Biluo ruthlessly shook her off, ignoring his injured expression, and walked out of the room without looking back.
"Don't worry, I'll make arrangements and she won't be in any danger!" Anmei felt a little sorry for him, patted his shoulder, and gently comforted him before chasing after him.
Yao Biluo ran out of the courtyard, but she didn't know the way. She stood on the street, confused and not knowing where to go.
Anmei sighed softly, walked over to her and said, "I'll take you home." She then started walking forward.
Yao Bilu frowned and thought for a moment, then followed.
The two walked one after the other in silence.
It was late at night, with countless stars and a bright moon shining in the sky, the night air clear and cool as water. The road was pitch black, with only a few dim lanterns faintly illuminating the way, and in the silent air, only the distant and lingering chirping of cicadas could be heard.
Yao Biluo looked up at the lonely figure of the man in front of her. He was not old, but his hair had already turned white. Was he also looking for that person? Did he also like her? Did she really look a lot like her?
Soon they arrived at the palace gate. Yao Biluo looked at the tightly closed gate, her brows furrowed, and she helplessly tugged at her sleeves.
"I'll take you inside, don't be afraid," Dark Enchantress said softly.
That expectant look made Yao Biluo lower her guard, and she couldn't help but nod.
Seeing Yao Biluo nod slightly, Anmei put one arm around her waist, a silver thread flew out from his hand, tied to a corner of the high city wall, and with a strong pull, the two easily entered.
After entering the palace gate, it wasn't long before they arrived at Yuxiu Palace. With the help of Anmei, Yao Biluo quietly slipped back to her room, thankfully without waking anyone.
Before parting, Yao Biluo awkwardly thanked her.
Anmei smiled gently at her: "Don't worry, I'll take care of that person for you. If you need help, come to Fugui Pawnshop to find me."
That person? Who? Yao Biluo asked, puzzled.
As if sensing her confusion, Anmei explained, "Gu Qinglu, I will deal with anyone who is detrimental to you. You can stay here in peace, and I will come to see you again."
When news of Gu Qinglu's sudden death in the Cold Palace arrived the next day, Yao Biluo finally understood An Mei's meaning. Was this how it was supposed to be resolved? Truly worthy of an assassin; the method was far too—bloody!
"Oh dear, have you heard? That young lady surnamed Gu offended Miss Yao, and that's why she met such a tragic end!"
"Wasn't it said he died of illness? How come it's said to be—"
"You're so naive. She was as strong as an ox when she lived here. How could she just die of illness like that?"
"How dare Jiang Sikong be so audacious? Gu Qinglu is, after all, the Emperor's woman!"
"So you've all forgotten what I told you before? Minister Jiang and the Emperor—he can do whatever he wants!"
"ah--"
"From now on, you'll have to learn to read the situation carefully. You need to be as clear as a mirror about who you can and cannot offend here!"
"Yeah yeah!"
Recently, the palace maids and eunuchs had been excessively respectful to her, which puzzled Yao Biluo. She didn't understand why until she overheard the maids whispering among themselves.
Her mood suddenly turned terrible. Yao Biluo had originally wanted to go to the lotus pond to admire the lotus flowers, but now she had no mood for it at all and hurried back to her bedroom.
She walked in a hurry and didn't notice Yao Bile's jealous gaze behind her.
Back in her bedchamber, Yao Biluo sat by the window, lost in thought, one hand gently supporting her chin, her face full of distress. The events of that day had been a huge blow to her, and her reaction had been overly intense, yet it was the truest expression of her inner feelings.
Yao Biluo never had high expectations for marriage or her future husband. She only hoped to live a peaceful and tranquil life, to be a virtuous wife and loving mother, and to support her husband and raise her children.
It wasn't until I met him that my heart seemed to suddenly stir. The feeling was fresh and exciting, a little scary, but mostly filled with anticipation! After all, such a dashing and charming man had been the dream man of countless women!
His tender expression towards himself!
He defended himself at all costs!
All the kindness he showed her, scene after scene, broke Yao Biluo's heart. All this beauty, it turned out, did not belong to her!
What should we do next?
Should the engagement be called off? Or should one endure it?
It seems there's no way out. The emperor has decreed this marriage; can I back out? Unless I'm suicidal! And enduring it will only bring a lifetime of suffering—definitely not a good choice…
While Yao Biluo was painfully contemplating her future path, in the imperial study, Jun Yilin hadn't been this angry in a long time.
"Clang!" A cup was thrown out, and the little eunuch next to it hurriedly and quietly picked it up.
"Get out!" The cold voice made the eunuchs and palace maids tremble. They dared not say another word and withdrew one after another.
"Very good, very good! Jiang Yumin, how dare you!" Jun Yilin tried hard to suppress his anger. He had long felt that something was wrong. Jiang Yumin's recent behavior was very abnormal. Not only did he suddenly want to marry a strange woman, but he also disregarded the palace rules and sneaked into the harem every few days. Did he really think he was dead?
If I hadn't sent people to investigate and the spies hadn't reported on Yao Biluo, Jiang Yumin, and Anmei's movements over the past few days, I wouldn't have discovered this huge secret!
The scout said that Jiang Yumin and Anmei were both outstanding experts in the world. Fearing being discovered, they dared not approach. Some of their words were unclear, but they could vaguely hear phrases such as "You have mistaken me for someone else," "I really love you," and "Lord of the Tower..."
These few sentences are enough, Jun Yilin thought. If he still couldn't guess the truth after this, then he would truly be a fool! Yes, he should have guessed it sooner. Who else could it be that could make Jiang Yumin so anxious and An Mei so interested?
"Zijin." His lips uttered the name etched in his heart, his eyes brimming with barely suppressed emotion. This time, I will not allow you to escape again!
☆、XI、Imperial Marriage
An imperial decree caused a sensation throughout the court: the emperor had bestowed all the carefully selected young ladies upon eligible ministers in marriage, including the supposedly chosen empress—the talented Liang Shiyun.
A huge uproar broke out in Yuxiu Palace. The cries of the young ladies-in-waiting and the gossip of the palace maids filled the entire palace with a chaotic atmosphere.
"Sister, what's going on? I've never heard of a selected concubine being sent out of the palace! What are we going to do now?" Sobbing was Yao Bile. Her dream of glory collapsed the moment the decree was issued. Now, the only one who could support her was Yao Biluo.
Seeing her older sister looking at her sadly, clutching her handkerchief and with tears streaming down her face, Yao Biluo didn't know what to say.
Indeed, from ancient times to the present, there has never been a case of sending selected young women out of the palace to get married. This was far beyond Yao Biluo's imagination. She was not the emperor, and she had no way to change the situation.
She had even imagined that Prefect Yao's anger, Madam Yao's disdain, and that her mother's memorial tablet might be moved out of the ancestral hall...
What to do? What to do?
The three words that Yao Bile kept uttering as she looked at him echoed in his mind.
"I—I don't know either!" Yao Biluo finally spoke, her throat dry, making her voice hoarse.
"Hmph, you've married a good husband, have you forgotten your surname? You're a daughter of the Yao family. If I can't get into the palace, you won't have an easy time either!" Yao Bile impatiently tore off her disguise and threatened Yao Biluo, "You still have half a month. If you still can't come up with a solution, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Watching Yao Bile walk away, Yao Biluo sat there blankly.
Liang Shiyun was betrothed to General Ye Zhanqing, Yao Bile to Prime Minister Wang Chenglin, and Wu Fengfei to the Censor-in-Chief. Gu Qinglu's death was like a gust of wind, gone as quickly as it came, with no one pursuing the matter. The Gu family was not a prestigious clan, and knowing they couldn't afford to offend anyone, they didn't dare utter a sound.
The placement of the girls was no small feat, as the ministers were all highly accomplished young men who held high positions and were unmarried, making them ideal matches. However, compared to the supreme favor and privilege afforded to concubines, or even the empress, this outcome was somewhat regrettable.
Desperate for a solution, Yao Biluo tossed and turned, unable to sleep for several nights in a row.
As usual, Yao Biluo began her nighttime stroll.
Outside the palace, by the lotus pond, pink lotuses and emerald green leaves swayed in the gentle night breeze. Yao Biluo unexpectedly saw someone who should never have been there.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Yao Biluo hurriedly knelt down to pay her respects.
Jun Yilin hurriedly stepped forward to help her up, his eyes fixed on her. It was said that she had lost her memory. Well, let's start over! With a change of heart, a smile bloomed on his face, and his clear, spring-like voice made people feel good: "Get up. You don't need to bow when you see me in the future."
"This humble woman dares not!" Yao Biluo said nervously.
"Well, just think of me as your friend, don't treat me like the emperor," Jun Yilin said after thinking for a moment.
Yao Biluo thought to herself, "The loneliness in the palace is indeed unbearable. Even the emperor is human and gets lonely!" So she nodded.
Jun Yilin smiled, but didn't say anything. He just turned around and quietly looked at the moonlit lotus pond.
Yao Biluo secretly glanced at Jun Yilin's profile, wondering what he was thinking and why he had come here. She knew that such an opportunity was rare, and for her mother's sake, she had to take a gamble!
After a long internal struggle, Yao Biluo mustered her courage and asked, "Your Majesty, why are you sending the young ladies away?"
Jun Yilin smiled, his tone tender: "Because I have found the person I deeply love!"
Yao Biluo was slightly surprised: "Does Your Majesty intend to abandon the six palaces for the sake of the one you deeply love? This—seems to be contrary to ancestral rules."
Jun Yilin turned to look at her, intrigued: "You think I shouldn't have done that?"
Yao Biluo felt somewhat flustered under his gaze: "This—this humble woman dares not, but—but—"
"Of all the waters in the world, I only need a sip!" Jun Yilin interrupted her.
Yao Biluo looked into his deep eyes, pondered his words, and could no longer find the words to dissuade him.
After exchanging only a few casual words, Jun Yilin left, his visit so brief it was as if he had never been there at all. Yao Biluo was left standing alone by the lotus pond, the faint scent of ambergris still lingering around her. Those words still resonated in her heart: "The Emperor, it turns out, is also a devoted lover!"
In the following days, Jun Yilin would appear from time to time, and the two would always bump into each other and chat casually about poetry, songs, policies and so on. Jun Yilin's openness and sincerity gradually opened Yao Biluo's heart, and she began to speak freely.
Yao Biluo was pleasantly surprised to find that this emperor was nothing like an emperor at all. He was so easygoing and kind, with a soft heart and a broad mind. Many of his thoughts even coincided with her own, which made Yao Biluo feel as if she had met a kindred spirit who she had known for a long time. However, she still reminded herself that he was the emperor, high above all others!
With her wedding day approaching, Yao Biluo was filled with anxiety. She didn't want to go against her own heart, didn't want to marry Jiang Yumin and become someone else's substitute. This belief grew stronger and stronger. So strong that when Jun Yilin appeared before her again, looking at this increasingly familiar face, she suddenly forgot his identity as the emperor and treated him as a friend for the first time, revealing her true feelings.
After listening, Jun Yilin smiled, raised an eyebrow, and said, "You really don't want to marry him?"
Yao Biluo nodded.
"Alright, then I won't marry her!" Jun Yilin said casually, but in his heart, fireworks of joy were already blooming one after another, illuminating his heart and making him feel warm and happy.
With just a few words, Yao Biluo's worries that had troubled her for days were resolved. At that moment, she suddenly understood why so many women rushed to the palace. Indeed, when the king spoke, nothing was unsolvable. This was the charm of power!
Another imperial edict was issued, and everyone gradually adapted to the Emperor's recent style. The decree announcing the cancellation of Jiang Yumin and Yao Biluo's engagement was accepted silently, without causing much of a stir. However, Yao Bile's gaze towards her sister grew increasingly puzzled!
This happened again and again, and Prefect Yao finally couldn't hold back any longer. He secretly went to the capital to find out the truth.
Upon seeing the letter from Prefect Yao, filled with accusations and threats, Yao Biluo felt that her worst fears were about to come true. Frustrated, she crumpled the letter into a ball and tossed it into the bed. The ball rolled away a few times and disappeared into the foot of the bed.
Tears streamed down Yao Biluo's face. "Mother, I'm useless. I failed in the end!" Yao Biluo fell asleep with tears in her eyes.
The next day, when Yao Biluo went to look for the crumpled paper again, she couldn't find it anymore, which puzzled her greatly.
In the evening breeze, the man carefully unfolded the crumpled paper, frowned after reading it, and then forcefully opened it, shattering the paper into pieces that flew away in the wind.
Since they were to marry a subject, not the emperor, the young women should move out of Yuxiu Palace and be settled in a separate courtyard outside the palace. After their relatives came to the capital, they could then hold a wedding ceremony.