"The Empress Dowager has arrived! Lady Jue has arrived! The ladies have arrived!" A loud shout pierced the sky and shook people's hearts, but standing next to him, I felt it was torture, and my ears were ringing.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Looking at the magnificent golden gate before me, I hesitated for a moment, feeling a little uneasy. But then I thought of Jue inside and encouraged myself, "What's there to be afraid of? I've already taken this step, there's no reason to back down."
Upon entering, one is greeted by bright red silk. The hall features a gable roof with front and rear verandas, covered with yellow glazed tiles with green trim. The ridge is adorned with colorful glazed dragons and flaming pearls. At the two corners of the platform in front of the hall, a sundial stands to the east and a measuring vessel to the west. The Emperor sits at the head of the table, with the Empress to his left. To the right is an empty golden chair, presumably for the Empress Dowager. I searched for Jue's figure and found him immediately. He sat below the Emperor, though only a step away. Next was the Empress's seat, followed by the ministers seated according to rank.
My arrival with the Empress Dowager successfully drew everyone's attention. Everyone stood up, knelt on the ground, and said, "Long live the Empress Dowager! May your happiness be as boundless as the Eastern Sea and your longevity as enduring as the Southern Mountains." Only Jue and the Emperor bowed slightly.
"Your Excellency, rise!" I finally felt her majesty beside her. Perhaps, only here could she regain the dignity she had lost with me! After saying this, she didn't care whether the ministers had risen or not, and walked up to her seat.
The ministers stood up and returned to their seats. When they saw me next to the Empress Dowager, their eyes widened, and they began to whisper amongst themselves. Countless eyes were fixed on me—some surprised, some amazed, some disdainful, some mocking—everything was there. I was somewhat deflated from being attacked, but I couldn't afford to embarrass Jue. "Hmph, you look down on me? I'll show you!" I thought, raising my head high and walking towards Jue like a proud queen.
The woman possessed skin as white as jade, paired with exquisite features—perfect beyond compare. Her beautiful eyes sparkled like autumn waters, her pink, jade-like lips trembled slightly, and her delicate nose possessed a fatal allure. She wore a pale purple dress over a pure white veil, perfectly showcasing her graceful figure. Her waist-length hair danced in the wind, a few strands playfully flying in front. Her head was adorned with nothing but a pale blue ribbon, loosely holding back a lock of hair. Around her neck adorned a purple crystal, its subtle glow highlighting her snow-white skin, making her appear like a celestial being descended to earth. A delicate fragrance emanated from her, a natural, subtle scent of peach blossoms. She gracefully entered the Great Hall, her bearing like that of a queen descending from heaven, exuding nobility and elegance. Her eyes were clear, yet the cold light within them sent chills down one's spine. Her half-smile, a hint of purity, gave her an air of pristine innocence.
Xingyi sized her up, somewhat surprised. "What a beautiful woman! Exquisitely beautiful, with graceful steps, neither arrogant nor domineering, possessing a refined and noble air. It's a pity she's hers; he can't take her."
I stood before the hall, gave a slight curtsy, and said, "Zixue greets the Emperor and Empress."
"No need for formalities, Madam Jue," the Emperor hurriedly stepped forward to help me up. I looked up and finally saw what the so-called Emperor looked like. He wore a yellow silk robe with red fox fur trim and a blue-white undergarment, without an outer jacket. A black hemp belt was tied around his waist, and his black fox fur crown was adorned with pearls and red knots. His sea-blue eyes were unusually calm, as unfathomable as a bottomless abyss. He smiled, his beauty so otherworldly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." I am very polite. Since he said it's not necessary, I will save myself the trouble from now on, so as not to appear presumptuous.
I stood up, flicked my sleeve, and danced gracefully towards the end. The Emperor, inevitably a little embarrassed, said nothing and returned to his seat, sitting upright.
As soon as I sat down, Jue looked at me with surprise in his eyes. It seemed he had never seen this side of me before and thought I was only good for causing trouble! But I was terrified. Did they really think I wasn't afraid? They only saw my surface, not my palms, which were covered in cold sweat. How could I not be afraid? That's the Emperor, a man who could take someone's life at any moment! I looked at Jue with an awkward smile.
Jue suddenly opened my palm, put his hand inside, felt the sweat on my palm, looked at me with some surprise, and then laughed after a while. I think he must have been thinking, "How come this girl has such an elegant demeanor? So that's what she's been holding back!"
Seeing that everyone was seated, the Emperor instructed the eunuch beside him, who immediately announced, "The banquet begins!"
One after another, dancers gracefully entered, swaying their bodies and waving their long sleeves as they began to dance. Their waists were as supple as dragons, and their eyes and bodies exuded allure. Every minister stared with shining eyes, their expressions practically drooling. Ah, if the Emperor weren't above them, perhaps these men would have pounced on them like hungry tigers! Seeing those people so engrossed, I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine. It was disgusting. I looked at Jue worriedly, but thankfully, he seemed oblivious to the dancers, drinking his wine as if nothing was wrong, and even occasionally putting food in my bowl. He was so considerate; I was deeply touched.
I thought the banquet would be interesting, but it seems it's nothing special. It's just ministers offering congratulatory messages and gifts to the Empress Dowager, and ministers' daughters performing dances and reciting a few lines of poetry, hoping to win the Emperor's favor and enter the palace as concubines. Once they gain the Emperor's favor, they can live a life of wealth and power. But they have to use their brains and avoid being framed. Honestly, this is no place to live. I've used my brain quite a bit since I entered this palace. Back in modern times, my mind was always blank, and I never bothered with these things. If it weren't for the need to escape, I wouldn't bother staying here.
I saw several ministers' daughters trying to curry favor with Jue, but he ignored them. Among them was the prime minister's daughter, whom I saw on the way to the palace. Wow, Jue is so fierce, yet this girl is still so ambitious and wants Jue to have her. I really admire her spirit.
These things made me a little sleepy. I covered my mouth with my sleeve and yawned. It was too tiring. I had to keep my back straight and not bend over. It was more tiring than when I was a primary school teacher making us sit up straight. The food looked delicious, but I had to eat it bite by bite, like a demure young lady. I couldn't stand it. In the end, I stopped eating. It was not enjoyable at all!
Just as I was mentally cursing this banquet to the core, the eunuch Xiao Li, who was standing next to the Empress Dowager, spoke up: "By order of the Empress Dowager, all ladies of the household shall accompany the Hundred Flowers Garden to enjoy the flowers."
Why is this program happening again? I didn't read in the novel that there was a flower viewing session at the banquet. But should I go?
I looked at Jue, hoping he could answer my question. He reached out and touched my face, then whispered to Xiao Wu, "Take good care of Madam, and make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Yes," Xiao Wu bowed and helped me walk in the direction the Empress Dowager had left. I looked back at Jue and saw him wave, so I turned around and followed him.
What will happen? Will there be any palace dramas? Hehe, but watching these is the best thing to do when you're bored. Anyway, it's boring to just sit there, so it's good to watch a 'show'. I used to watch TV all the time, but now I'm watching a reality show. I wonder if it will be just as exciting? I wonder if it will involve me?
Chapter Twenty-Three
Surrounded by the imperial concubines, the Empress Dowager and I arrived at the Hundred Flowers Garden. Passing through a white archway made of white stone, a vast expanse of vibrant flowers came into view, a sight to behold. A winding pebble path led to a pavilion in the distance, standing quietly by the lake like a guardian. The lake, a deep blue, reflected the dark sky and the bright moon, gleaming softly in the tranquil night. A gentle breeze rippled the surface. This scene made me realize that what I had seen on my way to the Empress Dowager's palace was merely the tip of the iceberg of this garden. A delicate fragrance wafted from afar. The flowers vied for attention, clustered together, with peonies being the most numerous. Each bloom was delicate and full, petals overlapping, in countless colors: Yao Huang, Wei Zi, Zhao Fen, Sihe Lian, Luoyang Hong, Ruby, Black-speckled Gold… A gentle breeze carried their sweet fragrance, refreshing and invigorating. It must have been in the palace that most of the concubines liked it, because it symbolized elegance, nobility, and grace. Other flowers seemed much inferior, like mere embellishments to her. However, some flowers and leaves stood out, such as the tulip, which stood tall and graceful with natural beauty, and the peony, which combined strength and gentleness to create a charming contrast.
Such a beautiful scene was ruined by the barbed words and mutual flattery of the women behind them, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of war.
I remember my friend asking me, "If you were offered the chance to marry into the royal palace, would you want to?"
I laughed at her naiveté, thinking she'd gone crazy from reading too many novels to ask me such a question. I jokingly replied, "No, it's too tiring. If it were me, I'd want to never have anything to do with royalty."
I didn't expect that this joke would still make me think the same way here; the palace is really too dangerous.
After strolling around for a while, the Empress Dowager stopped, and I stopped as well, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
"I'm tired, everyone please accompany Lady Jue to admire the flowers!" She lightly covered her forehead, looking genuinely exhausted.
"Little Leonardo DiCaprio"
"Hello," Little Li leaned down beside him, the Empress Dowager placed her hand on the back of his hand, and swept away with a flick of her sleeve. It was just like the saying goes, "Waving her hand, she doesn't take away a single cloud." It's good that she can leave without a care in the world, leaving me with a whole bunch of women. She's so good to me.
The concubines, daughters of ministers, and wives behind the words "Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off" all bowed deeply.
As soon as the Empress Dowager's figure disappeared through the door, everyone stood up and stood behind me. Wherever I went, they followed. Ugh! I've never been treated like this before. Although my status is bestowed upon me, being followed by a large group of people with sharp eyes staring at my back is really uncomfortable. I can't just say "I'm tired" like the Empress Dowager. How can I shake them off? Ah, I've got it.
I walked to the lakeside and stood there quietly, admiring the lotus seeds in the water. I stood there for a long time, and the people behind me started to get restless, chattering amongst themselves. Perhaps they were getting annoyed. I said to them leisurely, "You don't need to do this. Enjoy the flowers on your own!" Although they were unhappy with my arrogant tone, they didn't dare to do anything. They simply replied "Yes" and left in twos and threes to admire the flowers on their own.
As the noise behind me subsided, my heart calmed down. "Rising from the mud yet remaining unstained, washed by clear ripples yet not seductive, hollow inside yet straight outside, not sprawling or branching, its fragrance spreading far and wide, standing tall and pure, it can be admired from afar but not touched." I admire the lotus seed's integrity most of all. Growing in the mud yet remaining unstained, not vying for attention with other flowers, it quietly stands in its own little world, displaying its beauty in the water. Who else today can be like that?
"Stop!" Xiao Wu's voice came from behind me. I turned around and saw Xiao Wu stopping a palace maid.
"What?" I hate it when people interrupt my enjoyment of beauty, and my expression turned a little grim.
Perhaps the palace maid knew how to read people's expressions; she hurriedly knelt down, head bowed, and said fearfully, "Please forgive me, Madam Jue, my young lady requests your presence."
"How dare you! The daughter of a mere minister dares to ask my young lady to go!" Xiao Wu shouted sternly.
I sighed. It seemed trouble was knocking on my door. If I didn't go, I'd be seen as disrespectful. After all, my identity was fake. I shouldn't push my luck. I won't offend others unless they offend me, but if they do, I won't be polite.
I raised my hand to silence Xiao Wu and said calmly, "Alright, alright, lead the way!"
"Miss" Xiao Wu's face was a little pale, but seeing that I was determined to go with her, she didn't say anything more and followed closely behind me.
The palace maid led me to the other side of the lake, a more secluded spot where I wouldn't be easily discovered. Dark clouds obscured the moonlight. The phrase "a dark and windy night, a night for murder" popped into my head. I shook my head, trying to clear these strange thoughts. With the shake, the pearl hairpin in my hair swayed and clanged, breaking the tranquility. The sound was particularly loud in the quiet night, but it lessened my anxiety. The moon broke through the clouds and emerged. In its faint light, I saw a woman standing by the lake. Her long, flowing black hair was styled into an elegant black-flower bun, adorned with a small, exquisite five-colored flower that shimmered beautifully in the palace light. She wore a white blouse with floral patterns and a white pleated skirt, standing gracefully like a willow in the breeze.
Perhaps hearing footsteps behind me, the figure moved slightly and turned its head. I stared intently, my eyes widening.
It's her.
Chapter Twenty-Four
"It's you," she said, suppressing her surprise and adopting an icy tone, as if she didn't care.
"What, Miss Zixue, are you surprised that I came to see you?" He smiled sweetly at me, and I felt as if we were old friends, reminiscing about the past.
"Yes! I didn't expect the first person to contact me would be the prime minister's daughter. I didn't even know your name." I knew she was interested in Jue, and I also knew she deliberately ignored that title. I'm a tolerant person, so naturally I won't hold such a grudge against her. Now, what interests me is the purpose of her summoning me.
"Bai Li Xinru," she looked into my eyes, and I saw nothing but disdain in them.
It seems she really dislikes me. That's fine, I don't like her much either. I was worried that it might be a bad thing to just hate someone, but now it seems she hates me just as much as I hate her.
She looked towards the lake again and instructed the maid behind her, "Xiao Luo, Xiao Qu." Her every move exuded the elegance of a well-bred young lady; it seemed she was quite well-mannered, but... well, she was a person...
"Yes, this servant takes her leave." The maid named Xiaoluo nodded and hurriedly walked towards me. As she passed me, she bowed and made a gesture of respect before nimbly retreating. She stood not far away, but at a distance from us, she couldn't hear our conversation.
I admire her composure. Compared to a month ago, she seems much more mature, no longer the thoughtless, straightforward person she once was. Sure enough, three days later, I was quite impressed. I had underestimated her.
"Xiao Wu, you may also step back." A playful smile curled at the corner of my lips. Interesting, interesting, very interesting. I want to see what she's going to do.
"Miss!" Xiao Wu exclaimed, looking at me with concern.
"It's okay, Xiao Wu, don't worry, I'll be fine," I said, turning back to give Xiao Wu a reassuring smile.
Xiao Wu gave me a reproachful look, then shot me a warning glance before turning away without a word. However, she walked closer than Xiao Luo, probably just in case she might hurt me and she could save me immediately.
"Miss Zixue's maid is really worried, as if I'm going to eat you up," she said, covering her mouth with a handkerchief and laughing, the gesture looking genuine.
“That’s right, after all, not everyone in this world is a good person.” I smiled slightly, walked forward, and stood beside her by the lake, looking at the scenery before us.
For the next while, we just stared at the lake and said nothing.
She's getting a little impatient; it seems her temper isn't quite right yet!
"Miss Zixue, this scenery is beautiful, but the wrong person is wasting it," she said, pointing to the lake and speaking to me with a hidden meaning.
"Oh... Miss Xinru invited me here to admire the moon and view the lake." I looked into the distance with a calm mind, unaffected by her words. When dealing with enemies, it's not about who talks the loudest, but about who panics first.
"I want you to leave Young Master Jue. You are not worthy." Because of my indifference, she went straight to the point and said it bluntly. When she spoke of Jue, her eyes were full of admiration, but when she spoke of me, her eyes were full of jealousy.
"Oh, not worthy?" I chewed on those two words, my gaze sharp as I met her eyes. She was startled by my look and took a step back.
Hmph, what a laughable person! What do you mean I'm not good enough? Does she even deserve it? Even if I never want her, I wouldn't even look at her. She's giving herself too much credit!
Seemingly realizing something, she burst into laughter. "Since that's the case, then don't blame me." She suddenly took a step back, as if issuing an ultimatum, laughing like a victor, as if I were the loser, forever trampled under her feet.
She's celebrating too soon! Looking at the lake and then at her actions, I realized what she was about to do.
I smiled brightly, turned my back to the lake, and said smugly to her astonished face, "Do you know the saying 'the first to strike wins'?"
After saying that, he took her hand and leaned back, spreading his arms like a butterfly about to take flight, but not in the sky, but in the water.
As I leaned back, I released her hand, a faint smile still lingering on my lips. Seeing the bright moon, I felt a pang of regret that I couldn't properly appreciate it tonight, and couldn't help but sigh, "What a beautiful moon!"
With a 'bang,' in the instant I closed my eyes, I saw her staring at her hand in utter terror; she seemed completely stunned. My apologies, my apologies.
I felt the water desperately squeezing into my body, soaking my clothes. The cool lake water rubbed against my skin, and the surface of the water shimmered with curved lines of light under the moonlight.
I held my breath and flailed my arms and legs. I forgot to mention, I can swim, but my legs just wouldn't reach the bottom. This panicked me. I struggled out of the water and pretended to be drowning, yelling, "Help! Help! Help... me!"
Because the opening was too big, water poured into my mouth, and I found it hard to breathe. I was really choking on the water. I tried to spit it out, but I couldn't. It felt like someone was choking me, and my mouth and nose were very uncomfortable and I felt extremely suffocated.
I struggled desperately, shouting even louder, but I had no strength left. I saw Xiaowu standing on the shore, looking around in panic, crying out, "Miss, Miss, quick, someone help! Someone help! Help!"
After seeing this, I concluded that "Xiao Wu can't swim," and then sank down with a gurgling sound, and Xiao Wu's cries gradually faded away.
I'm just too arrogant. It's not just that I didn't achieve my plan, but I also got myself involved. I know that Xinru wanted to frame me by jumping into the lake. Although this little trick is nothing special, I just didn't want her to succeed. I knew this trouble could be resolved, but I would rather not provoke it. So, this is what happened. After all, it's better for others to suffer than for me to suffer.
I felt myself sinking deeper and deeper. I couldn't think of anything, and I didn't have the strength to move my limbs. I could only let the water carry me to the bottom of the lake. Was I really going to die here?
'Splash!' I faintly heard someone enter the water. Who was it? Was it Jue?
The man swam up to me and pulled me upwards. How rude! How could he treat a girl like that? If I find out who it was, I guarantee he'll regret it. If he really wants to, well, never mind. (Author's note: He saved you, after all. Zi Xue's note: Anyway, being so rude is no good. You have to be gentle with girls. The author drifts away... This girl is not to be trifled with.)
Chapter Twenty-Five
Jue, who was drinking with the Emperor, suddenly heard a commotion outside. He frowned, and Xingyi, seeing Jue's displeasure, roared, "Go and see what's going on!"
The eunuch beside "Yu" immediately went to check the cause. After a while, he ran back in a panic, stood before Xingyi, and said tremblingly, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!"