Chapter 32: Waiting for the Rabbit
These are just some storybooks, though the content inside is a bit risqué.
In her previous life, Chu Mingheng forbade her from reading such books, but this was Lan Wu’s own hobby—she loved reading storybooks. Back in the Music Bureau, she could only ask others to bring in one or two copies from outside the palace. Now that she was an imperial concubine, bringing these books in had become much easier.
Lan Wu already had over ten books in her palace, with a few more yet to be delivered.
But as luck would have it, she was caught red-handed by Chu Mingheng.
Chu Mingheng flipped through the pages, then turned his gaze to Lan Wu. Without a word, he closed the book.
The storybook was tossed lightly onto the floor. The sound was soft, yet it made Lan Wu tremble.
She straightened her kneeling posture and defended herself in a low voice, “This concubine was just curious and took a look.”
Chu Mingheng said nothing, nor did he reprimand her. Instead, he pulled her up and sat her on the low table.
Lan Wu looked up and was kissed.
She was stunned, not reacting even after being kissed. The kiss ended quickly, and Chu Mingheng told her to go out for the meal.
“Huh? Oh…” So early for the meal today.
She didn’t let her guard down so quickly, thinking Chu Mingheng didn’t care. But even after the evening meal, Chu Mingheng remained indifferent, as if he hadn’t taken the matter to heart at all.
After the meal, Chu Mingheng said he would take her for a stroll in the Imperial Garden.
Lan Wu was suspicious for a moment but agreed. She went to the copper mirror in the Inner Palace to check her appearance, swapping out a few hairpins in her bun.
She was already beautiful enough, but she still felt it wasn’t sufficient. When going out with Chu Mingheng, she naturally wanted to be dressed in her finest.
She didn’t keep Chu Mingheng waiting long, soon fluttering out like a little butterfly with light, quick steps.
Lan Wu wore a peach-pink dress today, its golden-threaded hem shimmering in the twilight glow. Her hair was adorned with a kingfisher-feather coral hairpin, and her ears were graced with tourmaline and glass leaf earrings, making her look radiant and dazzling.
Chu Mingheng hadn’t had any dreams these past few days, but in a daze, as he watched Lan Wu running toward him, it seemed as if he saw another scene—as if Lan Wu was crying again.
“Your Majesty?” Lan Wu stopped before him, noticing his deep gaze, and called out softly.
“Mm, let’s go.”
Lan Wu was dissatisfied. She circled Chu Mingheng twice and asked, “Your Majesty, am I not beautiful? Why aren’t you looking at me?”
Chu Mingheng pinched Lan Wu’s small face, leaned in to examine her closely, then said lightly, “I’ll look my fill tonight.”
Lan Wu choked, pursed her lips lightly, and stepped back.
Chu Mingheng hadn’t touched her the past two days, giving her time to rest. She thought she’d still be resting today, but she hadn’t expected a single sentence to land her in trouble.
She quickly changed the subject, “It’s still bright outside, Your Majesty. Let’s… let’s go out quickly. This is the first time Your Majesty is accompanying this concubine to stroll in the Imperial Garden, and I want to stroll for a long time.”
Chu Mingheng glanced at her and said, “Zhen Jieyu, this is the second time.”
With that, he strode out of the palace door first.
Lan Wu stood frozen for a moment before quickly understanding his meaning. Her face flushed completely, heat rushing to her cheeks.
She fanned herself with a hand fan, trying to cool the heat on her face. If she didn’t go out soon, Chu Mingheng would leave without her.
Leaving Longyu Pavilion leads to the palace pathway, but it doesn’t take long to reach the Imperial Garden, which shows that Yilan Hall is indeed a fine location.
Lan Wu had thought that when Chu Mingheng said he wanted to stroll through the Imperial Garden, he truly meant just that. Unexpectedly, as they approached Xu Garden, he suddenly said, “Wait here.”
There was a small pavilion nearby, furnished with a table and chairs. Soon after, palace attendants arrived to serve tea.
Lan Wu sat beside Chu Mingheng, unsure of what was happening.
He said to wait, but wait for what?
Her mind wasn’t completely idle, and Lan Wu recalled an unresolved matter.
Was Chu Mingheng planning to bring someone here to face judgment?
Her suspicious gaze lingered, but after watching for a while, no one appeared.
It was dusk, with the evening sun casting its glow. Occasionally, a cool breeze swept by, bringing just the right amount of refreshment.
On the table were freshly washed loquats.
Lan Wu disliked having palace maids peel them for her, so she peeled and ate them herself. She had just finished two when she saw a figure hurrying along the path in the distance.
The palace maid walked quickly, clearly anxious about something, glancing left and right as she moved.
The surrounding foliage was dense, and someone walking hastily wouldn’t easily notice the figures in the distant pavilion. By the time she drew near and saw them, it was too late.
Upon realizing who was seated in the pavilion, the palace maid’s legs went weak, and she nearly stumbled.
Before she could quietly slip away, those in the pavilion had already noticed her furtive figure. Someone stepped forward and scolded, “How dare you! In the presence of His Majesty and Her Ladyship, you dare not pay your respects.”
Chen Kangan said coldly, “Guards, bring this suspicious palace maid forward.”
Lan Wu stopped peeling the loquats, her eyes fixed intently on the palace maid.
Lian Xi stepped forward to offer a handkerchief for her to wipe her hands.
The palace maid clearly had a guilty conscience, trembling all over as she was brought forward and kneeling shakily to pay her respects.
Chu Mingheng glanced sideways at Lan Wu.
The seat was spacious, but perhaps because they were outdoors and no other imperial concubines were present, Lan Wu didn’t actively move closer to sit beside him, instead busying herself with peeling loquats.
He reached out and pulled Lan Wu closer, settling her firmly beside him. Only when the distance was close enough did he seem somewhat satisfied, though his expression remained as unreadable as ever. He turned Lan Wu’s startled, bewildered face toward the palace maid below and whispered in her ear, “Ask her yourself.”
Since he told her to ask, Lan Wu straightened her back, assuming a commanding posture, and demanded of the person below, “Which palace do you serve? What are you sneaking around for?”
The palace maid didn’t dare raise her head, only kowtowed repeatedly as she replied, “Your Ladyship, this servant… this servant serves Tingfeng Pavilion. Our mistress ordered me to gather flowers…”
Tingfeng Pavilion?
Lan Wu found the name somewhat familiar and soon remembered.
Lady Liu, that madwoman.
Lady Liu held a higher rank than her.
Lan Wu glanced sideways at Chu Mingheng.
Seeing that he remained silent, she formed a plan in her mind.
“Gather flowers?” Lan Wu eyed her suspiciously. “What flowers are you gathering at this late hour? I think you’re up to no good.”
“What’s that bulging in your sleeve?”
Lan Wu was merely testing her, but after this question, the palace maid’s reaction immediately turned panicked, clearly trying to shield her arm.
So there really was something.
Before Lan Wu could speak, Chen Kangan had already ordered two attendants to search for what she was hiding.
It was a bundle wrapped in a handkerchief and oiled paper. When the palace servant opened it, inside lay some white powder.
Looking at these contents, Lan Wu’s expression grew complicated.
That madwoman, Lady Liu—was it simply because they had met that one day that she had grown so envious and resentful of her? She would even go so far as to use this kind of drug on her, just to ruin her.