She nudged him, "Murong Shi, calm down!"
"I promise you I'll leave the palace. Will you come with me, Xiao Mo? Come with me before Rong Yue hurts you." Murong's hands were icy cold, but the temperature in his eyes was savage.
She had never seen Murong Shi so humble before, but Chen Mo only paused slightly before forcefully pushing him away, "He won't hurt me, he won't!"
"Ha," Murong Shi collapsed to the ground, leaning against the large rock that Shen Mo had just leaned against, clutching his chest and coughing up blood. His eyes were devoid of any light. "I really wish I could just die like this."
"Last time...last time my blood seemed to have some effect, do you want to..." Seeing his appearance, Shen Mo's heart suddenly tightened, but in the end she still couldn't bear it.
"No need." Murong Shi's confidence gradually faded.
"Don't be stubborn. You're still young and have a bright future ahead of you. You haven't even competed with the young master yet. How can you act like this..." Shen Mo grabbed him tightly, only to find that Murong Shi's weakness concealed a cunning. She immediately let go of him, trying to hide her slightly overreacting expression.
"Let go!" His hand was already being held tightly.
“I won’t let go,” Murong Shi said stubbornly, like a child. “Tell me that wasn’t pity.”
"Murong Shi..."
"Shh!" Murong Shi suddenly closed his eyes. "Don't make a sound. Listen to the sound of the Gu worms gnawing at my heart." Before he fainted, his smile was gentle and warm. "It's much better than that awful music you were playing earlier..."
That night, Shen Mo did not break free from him, but stayed with him through the excruciating pain. It was Rong Yue's birthday, but in her final moments of distraction, she did not think of Rong Yue.
"Who are you?!"
A sharp female voice came from beside her ear, with a hint of crying. Startled, Shen Mo opened her eyes and sat up straight. She immediately shivered from the cold and realized that she had fallen asleep next to Murong Shi sometime last night!
Murong Shi seemed unable to withstand the two sharp gazes, and after a moment he slowly woke up, smiling brightly at Princess Taoyao, whose pretty face was flushed with anger, "Yaoyao, what are you doing here?"
"Who are you?" Tao Yao seemed not to hear him, staring intently at Shen Mo and asking the same question. It had the air of catching someone in the act.
Seeing that Murong Shi had no intention of speaking up for him, and that the hand he had been holding had been brushed away, Shen Mo looked very awkward and could only explain, "Princess, you have misunderstood. I am just a servant."
"Can't you understand me? I'm asking you who you are? Which palace are you from?" Tao Yao's arrogance was on full display at this moment.
"I am from Yonghe Palace." Shen Mo had no choice but to confess.
"Yonghe Hall? Is that the servant of that warrior Rong Yue?" Tao Yao's eyes darted around as she pondered.
Shen Mo nodded, but at this moment Murong Shi stood up, affectionately patted Tao Yao's head, and said gently, "She's just a servant, Yao Yao, why are you so angry?"
With just one sentence, Tao Yao's expression immediately softened. This meant that in Ninth Brother's eyes, this woman was nothing more than a servant, and no matter what happened, she was still just a servant. But as she left with Murong Shi, she still glared fiercely at Chen Mo's face.
Shen Mo sighed. She was sure she'd memorized that face; this was a grudge now. She couldn't help but grit her teeth at Murong Shi. Now, Rong Yue had one more enemy in the palace—not just Princess Tao Yao, but the entire Empress's faction. She rubbed her wrist, which was slightly bruised from his grip all night. Murong Shi had done that on purpose!
Realizing he couldn't stay in the Nine Phoenix Palace any longer, and thankfully finding no one else in Murong Shi's palace with no obstacles, Shen Mo smoothly returned to Yonghe Palace. He remained vigilant for two days, not seeing the Fifth Prince again. On the third day, someone reported that Rong Yue had returned in triumph, and only then did he breathe a long sigh of relief.
"Miss, General Rong instructed that you dress up properly so that you can accompany the Emperor to the banquet tonight." A young but mature-sounding palace maid led a bunch of clothes and jewelry to her with a smile, her eyes filled with undisguised congratulations.
Shen Mo silently accepted the gifts, his eyes flickering uncertainly. What would Rong Yue make him witness this time...?
Chapter Thirty-Six: Victory Celebration Banquet
Two hours before dinner, Rong Yue hadn't come to Yonghe Palace. Shen Mo, having nothing to do and unable to move around freely, could only put on the clothes bestowed upon her while pondering what awaited her. At that moment, a flurry of footsteps approached, accompanied by the scent of women's perfume…
Bang bang bang! "Master Shen, open the door! We've been ordered to help you with your makeup." A cheerful female voice came from inside, sounding much like a matchmaker in an ordinary household.
“You are…” Shen Mo hesitated. This group of palace maids were not the ones who had just delivered the reward clothes. Judging from their titles, one was “Miss” and the other was… “Master”!
Before she could even get a reply, she was pushed into the house. "Hey, if you tell your master our names today, he might forget us later. Wouldn't that be heartbreaking? Just call me Granny Yu." The first nanny entered the room and started gesturing wildly at her, her mouth agape. "Anyway, the servants in the palace are all one family. We're here on the Emperor's orders to dress you up, young lady. Just sit there, and we guarantee you'll dazzle them with your beauty, hahaha." The nanny spoke loudly and confidently, seemingly very pleased with Shen Mo's appearance, and didn't hold back in her words.
Shen Mo had no choice but to hold back, and interjected before she could finish speaking: "Granny, I am not the master."
Sensing Yu Mama's hand pause, Shen Mo turned to look at her, but then resumed his usual demeanor, saying, "To us, we are either servants or masters."
"I am a servant of the Rong family."
“But you are not a servant in the palace.”
But she would rather be a servant! When she was dressed up and made to look radiant, and sent to the banquet waiting room, Shen Mo only had this one sentence to say.
Separate booths for men and women, and caution is advised while waiting. This has become a common saying in the palace. Because there are rules in the palace that for any large banquet, just like the daily court sessions, guests must wait in the waiting room for their summons before they can enter.
At this time, the battlefield is fierce without the smoke of gunpowder. For example, if someone is about to be promoted, someone else will go up to congratulate them and get acquainted with them; this is an excellent place to build relationships.
Meanwhile, on the women's side, the newly favored Consort Tian was exceptionally arrogant. The Empress didn't need to wait in line, and Consort Gong was sickly, so she held absolute power in the entire waiting room.
"Sister Tian, this dress is so beautiful. Could it be made of tribute brocade from Western Shu?" A concubine with a bright smile had her eyes shining.
"You're good at recognizing people." Consort Tian's nose was practically pointing to the sky; she had no idea who this woman who came to flatter and fawn over was.
"Wow! Is this the rare Shu brocade that General Rong Yue specially brought from the front lines?" "Yes, it looks different." "Hmm, it seems there are only two pieces. His Majesty really dotes on Consort Tian."
Immediately, praise poured in, and the compliments made Consort Tian feel like she was floating on air. But a moment later, she suddenly realized that the atmosphere around her was not right; there were some uncomfortable giggles hidden in the whispers.
If the Western Shu tribute brocade looked striking and elegant on Consort Tian, then on this mistress it was truly a perfect match of brocade and beauty. Unlike Consort Tian's preference for red, her moon-white attire was like the bright moon itself. Her delicate face and star-like eyes, with a casual glance and a slight nod, were like the entire sky. Strangers were kept at a distance, yet everyone was captivated by her beauty.
"Isn't this General Rong Yue's maid?" someone in the crowd whispered.
A maidservant? The maidservant was actually wearing Western Shu tribute brocade and was placed on the same level as Consort Tian to challenge her. For a moment, no one dared to praise the preciousness of Shu brocade anymore.
"Ahem..." Consort Tian frowned, coughed lightly, and tapped the teacup beside her. Her eyes stared straight at Shen Mo without any regard for his feelings. Everyone could understand what she meant. This spoiled Consort Tian was probably unwilling to accept her fate.
"Yes." Serving tea and water was a routine task, so it was perfectly natural for her at this moment. However, it seemed rather subtle to outsiders. One was the current master, and the other was likely the future master. Some people were simply unable to tell who was more important.
"I think I see water stains on your clothes, Miss Chen. Why don't you go to the next room to change? Otherwise, if you get wet, it will be harder to recover from a cold or illness later." The one who spoke was the woman who had been currying favor with Consort Tian earlier. After speaking, she looked at Consort Tian smugly, hoping for a reward.
Upon hearing this, Shen Mo paused in her tea-pouring motion. Taking advantage of the moment, Consort Tian pushed the teacup away, attempting to block the tea with her hand! Shen Mo abruptly withdrew her hand, managing to save Consort Tian's hand, but most of the scalding hot tea flew towards her!
Clang! A foot wearing flowerpot soles came flying out of nowhere, and before anyone could even see what was happening, it was all over. An old nanny in palace attire knelt down, bowing to Consort Tian, then to all the ladies and mistresses, and finally... to Shen Mo.
"Aunt Shanqing, please don't be so polite." Consort Tian quickly helped the old nanny up. Even though she had just saved Chen Mo and offended her, she was still so respectful to this person for only one reason: this was an old woman who had served the Emperor closely for decades. Her status was lower than theirs, but her words carried far more weight than any of them. She was absolutely not to be offended.
It was said that the Emperor had summoned her to the banquet. As Aunt Shanqing took Shen Mo away, Consort Tian focused all her pent-up frustrations on Shen Mo.
Shen Mo felt a chill run down her spine. Today she had offended Consort Tian, making another enemy in the harem after Princess Taoyao, and also making an enemy of Rong Yue. So, wouldn't Murong Shi be much more at ease now? She glanced at Aunt Shan Qing beside her, who still looked like she couldn't see through her expression. Was she really just an old servant by the Emperor's side?
"Can't you watch where you're going? This is the seating area for the imperial heirs!" A loud voice rang out, startling Shen Mo. It was Princess Tao Yao. The Empress and the Fifth Prince were already seated, and he realized he had wandered in by mistake. Looking around blankly, Aunt Shan Qing was nowhere to be seen! What did she mean by leading him into the imperial heirs' area?
"A beauty? A beauty!" The Fifth Prince remembered the beauty he had tried to harm last time but failed. As if discovering a new continent, even his dull-witted mind began to stir. Driven by lust, he actually tried to rush towards Shen Mo!
"What's wrong with Fifth Prince Murong Song?" A strong arm blocked the Fifth Prince's path, also blocking Tao Yao's view. Then, a tall figure stood between them, completely blocking Murong Song's gaze from Shen Mo. His eyes were fixed sharply on the eunuchs behind Murong Song. "Have you been giving His Highness the medicine on time?"
The eunuch's legs immediately went weak, and given Murong Song's recent poor health, he almost burst into tears. "Ninth Prince, our master is... is..." He wiped away his tears, "He was fine when the Emperor released him from confinement last time, but ever since he met that young lady at Yonghe Palace..."
Shen Mo glared fiercely at the back of Murong Shi's head, which was blocking her way. As she slipped away, she only heard this sentence, and her forehead immediately turned black and blue. Now, even the Fifth Prince's illness was pointing directly at her!
The Emperor has arrived! The Empress has arrived! General Rong has arrived!
Three harsh, unpleasant voices rang out, and the people in the garden, who had been exchanging pleasantries in a harmonious atmosphere, immediately fell silent, lowering their heads so that only the sound of the approaching figures could be heard.
"Granny Yu!" Shen Mo looked at the cheerful woman who had just dressed him up and looked like a matchmaker, as if she had met a savior.
"Please come with me, Master Shen." Granny Yu seemed to have come specifically to help her out of this predicament. She quickly led her to an inconspicuous corner, said "Don't worry, Master," and quietly left.
The people around her seemed to be wives of officials from outside the palace, so it was normal that they didn't know each other. Shen Mo nodded and sat down with peace of mind, watching the man sitting below the emperor, who was being fawned over by everyone and showered with imperial favor. He was basking in the starlight with ease and freedom, receiving all the attention, and was even more majestic than any of the imperial heirs. However, the emperor remained silent for a long time.
"Your Majesty, General Rong's pacification of the entire Northwest barbarians and expansion of Qitian's territory is truly a blessing for the people and the nation!" As expected of Li Xiangshi, who had been in the court for many years and rose to power with the help of the deceased former prime minister Lu Feng, he seemed to have seen through something and broke the awkward silence.
"Oh?" This was exactly what the Emperor had been waiting for. "Then, in Minister Li's opinion, how should General Rong be rewarded appropriately?"
Boom! Although those below dared not utter a sound of discussion, they were all filled with grumbling. Rumors had long circulated that Rong Yue was the Emperor's illegitimate son from among the common people, and that his mother had a strange encounter with the Emperor in the borderlands. Putting aside those rumors, just looking at his appearance and demeanor, and the surname "Rong"—when would the "Mu" (慕) before "Rong" be added? Perhaps now? After all, this was a matter of the royal family, involving many. The Emperor's thoughts immediately caused even the Prime Minister some anxiety; fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead despite the late autumn weather.
"Doesn't Prime Minister Li think General Rong looks remarkably like the Emperor?"
Everyone was immediately drawn to this casual question. He tilted his chin slightly back, took a sip from his jade cup, and when he put the cup down, his lips were glistening with color. He looked incredibly alluring, instantly captivating the eyes of countless young women and married women.
What Shen Mo cared about was the woman standing behind Murong Shi, serving him tea. She was the cheerful Granny Yu, the Granny Yu who had dressed him up and then gotten into trouble, the Granny Yu who called him "Master," and the Granny Yu who had helped him out of a predicament. She stood behind Murong Shi, as respectful as a servant.
"This...this..." Prime Minister Li was already trembling slightly. If the Emperor had just given him a wall, then the Ninth Prince was now giving him a tall building. Should he jump or not?
"Hahaha, Ninth Prince, what makes you say that?" The Emperor laughed heartily, but it was still impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry.
"Just look at the kingly aura that Brother Rong possesses."
Boom! How audacious of these words! The aura of a king can actually be used to describe another person in front of a monarch. Is the Ninth Prince... asking for trouble? At this moment, even Prime Minister Li was somewhat bewildered by this Ninth Prince who had become a monk halfway through his life.
"I never expected that Shi'er would share the same thoughts as me." The Emperor unexpectedly nodded approvingly at Murong Shi, while beckoning to the chief eunuch, "Bring me the imperial edict!" His smile never faded.
Author's Note: Greetings, ladies. I hope you won't mind reading this. I, Zhu Xinjiu, wish you all a belated Happy New Year. May you grow more and more beautiful, and may those without romance find it, and may those with romance stay with you forever.
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Imperial Decree for Marriage
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: General Rong Yue led his army to conquer the barbarians in the northwest. Despite the freezing weather, his efforts were arduous and his achievements were great. He expanded the northwest frontier and reclaimed vast territories. He is truly a pillar of the nation and a blessing to the people. Therefore, he is hereby granted the title of Grand Marshal and given command of the Second Division of the Imperial Army. Furthermore, Rong Yue's original surname 'Murong' is restored, and he is ranked fourth among the imperial heirs. This is the imperial decree!"
After the chief eunuch Liao Zhong finished reading the imperial edict, the room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. For a moment, no one reacted to accept the decree and offer praise. Actually, the entire preceding passage was just a prelude, a setup for that final sentence, wasn't it?
"Alright, Yue'er, you are a meritorious official today, and I am pleased. Just name whatever reward you want, and I will make sure you get it." The emperor spoke naturally, completely ignoring the stiffness of the others.
If anyone besides the Emperor could be as calm as Rong Yue, it would be Murong Shi. "Congratulations, Fourth Brother, on your return to the royal family. You truly deserve it." Or perhaps... no, his heart was already in turmoil.
"You flatter me, Ninth Brother." Rong Yue returned the greeting with a hearty bow, his face beaming.
Upon hearing this, the guests below ceased their stunned silence and, with the Emperor's tacit approval, surged forward, cheerfully addressing him as "Fourth Prince." However, the gravity in their eyes was evident to all. In such a short time, the Emperor had brought back two princes from the common people; the selection of an heir was imminent. How should they proceed? They wished they could immediately return home and discuss the matter for three days and three nights.
"Your Highness is young and promising. With such merits, His Majesty will surely be kind to you in the future. Congratulations! This is my daughter, Wanqing. Wanqing greets Your Highness."
Someone, I don't know who, came running over to introduce their daughter. The young woman walked behind her father, her face flushed, but she was poised and graceful, bowing and greeting him. Especially when Rong Yue stared at her without moving, even the colleagues who had just mocked the old man for being too eager couldn't help but grab their daughters and rush forward.
"Fourth Prince, you..." Wanqing was at a loss for words under his gaze, her face already blushing like a rose. Just as she was about to speak again, she realized that Rong Yue's eyes were no longer on her, but were instead scanning the rear of the garden. Wanqing's eyes immediately reddened. This... this was clearly because he was dissatisfied with her appearance. She almost burst into tears, hiding in her father's arms.
"Hmph!" Rong Yue's unwavering gaze at Wan Qing fell right into Shen Mo's eyes. She snorted and tugged at her skirt, preparing to leave, feeling inexplicably upset yet unable to control her emotions.
"Your Majesty," Rong Yue addressed the emperor seated above him in a deep voice.
"Fourth Prince, can you still call me Emperor?" The Empress poured the Emperor a cup of tea, smiling gently, which made the Emperor laugh with satisfaction.
"Father," Rong Yue called out naturally, composing himself before a fleeting look of ecstatic joy in his eyes, "Your subject... Your subject humbly begs Your Majesty to grant..."
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you grant me this marriage!" A clear and crisp voice interrupted Rong Yue's words, or rather, completely drowned them out. Murong Shi stood upright slightly behind Rong Yue. Perhaps it was his gaze that was more resolute, perhaps his words that were more decisive, or perhaps his state of mind that was clearer. In any case, in the end, everyone was captivated by the question of where the seemingly celestial Ninth Prince's heart lay.
As for Rong Yue… only Shen Mo, who stopped in the corner, knew what had just happened and what was about to happen. Her gaze met Rong Yue's, and she nodded, a slight blush on her face.
Rong Yue breathed a slight sigh of relief; it was good that she understood. However, she was still annoyed by Murong Shi, who had interrupted her.
"Oh? Shi'er, you want me to bestow a marriage upon you? That's strange. I want to see which girl is so fortunate." Even the Emperor temporarily put Rong Yue aside.
Murong Taoyao felt her heart was about to leap out of her chest, especially after Murong Shi glanced in her direction. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was just one step away from hearing his name, "Taoyao." However, his hand slowly rose, but the point of impact was not in her direction.
"It is her, Shen Mo. I beg Father Emperor's permission, and I also beg Fourth Brother's permission. Murong Shi will do everything in my power to pamper her for the rest of my life."