Chapter 57

Chapter 57: The Emperor's Fluttering Heart The Emperor laughed heartily twice. "Are you blaming this prince for being impolite? I was passing by unintentionally and remembered the sound of the flute from that day. I hoped to meet the young lady again and listen once more." Zhen Huan glanced at him timidly, and as she lowered her gaze, she swept her eyes around the surroundings. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was a pair of eyes fixed on her, making her very uncomfortable. "But this humble one did not bring a flute this time," she said. The Empress had been married to the Emperor for many years and had personally experienced his tenderness—that was before Rouze entered the Prince's Mansion. Yet his tenderness toward her always carried a sense of distance. Unlike how he was with Rouze, where he would first melt himself into a gentle stream of water. Now, she felt about fifty percent of that former sensation. Thinking of Rouze, the Empress recalled her own lonely and helpless times, and even her gaze toward Zhen Huan carried a bit more resentment. Nian Shilan was different. She had seen this too many times; witnessing it now was merely observing it up close and in person. Although she felt somewhat stirred inside, she no longer harbored feelings of resentment or hostility. When love is gone, it's simply gone. [The Dog Emperor really has a whole set of tricks for seducing young girls.] The Empress's sorrowful mood was instantly pulled back by Nian Shilan's inner voice. [It's quite possible that back in the day, the Old Man deceived Empress Chunyuan in the same way.] [When Empress Chunyuan first entered the Prince's Mansion, he probably lied, claiming to be some servant, guard, or guest of the Fourth Master. Relying on his mastery of poetry, literature, music, and arts, he sweet-talked his way into winning the heart of that unmarried young girl. Then he revealed his true feelings, saying he didn't want to pressure her with his status and that his feelings were genuine.] Looking at the scene before her, the Empress also thought it wasn't impossible. The Emperor said, "Then I'll have to wait until next time," but he didn't leave. Instead, he sat down on the swing. "These are all apricot blossoms..." [Since they're all apricot blossoms, why not just confer her the title of Noble Lady Xing~] The swing creaked, and the Emperor heard some sounds at that moment, his gaze inadvertently sweeping around. The leaves were dense; two people huddled together diagonally ahead, not daring to move an inch, even holding their breath. "...Only those with gentle and harmonious dispositions would like flowers with gentle and harmonious qualities." [Looks like your flattery missed the mark. Your little Chunyuan doesn't like flowers that seem beautiful at first but end up in poverty and misery~] "This humble one... this humble one does not actually like apricot blossoms." Zhen Huan seemed somewhat reserved, taking half a step to the side, but her eyes were secretly searching. [You don't need to like them; you yourself are an apricot blossom—a big red apricot!] After taking half a step, the voice became much clearer: Is that Consort Hua? [Fourth Master likes big red apricots, especially the kind that climb over the wall.] Climbing over the wall? Is Consort Hua cursing or hinting at something? The voice seemed to be behind her. Since Zhen Huan still had to respond to the Emperor, she couldn't hear everything clearly. [Let's rename her Suiyu Pavilion when we go back. Call it Cunxing Xuan.] A flash of inspiration struck Nian Shilan: [Green Chrysanthemum and Red Apricot—truly sisters, how marvelous!] [This Consort not only has beauty now but is also becoming increasingly clever.] The Empress couldn't help but glance at her again: Why is she praising herself all of a sudden? Really quite narcissistic. "...Today, this prince was presumptuous. I have two sets of musical scores. Five days from now, at the same time, I will bring them to appreciate with you. I hope the Attendant will certainly come." At this moment, the gently swaying swing was like the Emperor's fluttering heart. What Son of Heaven, what empire—none of it mattered as much as Wanwan did now. He was once again the young twenty-year-old prince. Zhen Huan curtsied slightly. "I dare not refuse your gracious command." She wanted to leave this place as quickly as possible. The Empress frowned as she listened. The Emperor knew this was one of his own consorts—it was one thing for him to amuse himself with her. But Zhen Huan, unaware, was actually planning to secretly meet with a prince. Truly shameless. The rear palace indeed needed proper discipline. Five days later... she would arrive first, find some pretext to apprehend Zhen Huan and charge her with a crime, dealing with her before the Emperor arrived. That would be quite excellent. But what kind of pretext could keep her own hands clean? The Empress's mind raced, even as her eyes kept glancing outside. Zhen Huan had already turned away. Remembering the Emperor's glance earlier, the Empress worried that once alone, his stirred emotions might cool, and suspicion might arise, prompting him to come check. She immediately pulled Nian Shilan away. "Will Zhen Huan come in five days?" The Empress wanted to know what had happened "five days later" in her previous life. "If you were in her position, would Your Majesty come?" Nian Shilan countered. "As one of the Emperor's consorts, if she believed it wasn't the Emperor, naturally she should not meet." [No wonder she ended up ruling the rear palace in the end!] [You, you take rules too seriously, that's why people dislike you. She's different—unconventional and rebellious. Even if she went to a Buddhist temple in the future, she wouldn't be peaceful.] [They will both come in five days, but Heaven, full of whimsy, will make these two miss each other completely.] [The Dog Emperor forgot his advanced age and frail health. A little breeze made him fall ill—truly disgraceful.] "Yes, those who cling to rules are ultimately bound by them. Naturally, you and I would not come." Nian Shilan sighed in agreement with the Empress, then suddenly remembered something and glanced at her. [The Empress has many eyes and ears in the rear palace. In her previous life, could she have known the Emperor was secretly meeting someone in the Imperial Garden, and deliberately used the Empress Dowager's name to summon him to Shoukang Palace, intentionally preventing it?] The Empress had no knowledge of her past life, but since it was mentioned, in five days, when she also went to Shoukang Palace, she would need to find a way to keep the Emperor there longer. "Did Your Majesty come today because you knew the Emperor would encounter Zhen Changzai here?" Her arrival was too coincidental, making Nian Shilan somewhat suspicious. The Empress replied calmly, "This Consort was gazing into the distance from Qianqiu Pavilion earlier and saw brilliant blooms among the flowers, thinking peonies had blossomed early. Who would have thought, upon coming closer, it was you, Consort Hua, here." [Is she complimenting that This Consort outshines the flowers?] [Old—after all, she is the Mistress of the Six Palaces. She does have some discernment.] Nian Shilan's eyes and brows were full of pride. She lifted her chin slightly and touched her hair at the temple. "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty." [This Consort is indeed worthy of it.] A single sentence made her forget her own question. So easily appeased. No wonder the Emperor doted on her. Having such a foolish beauty by one's side truly required no effort at all. Her tantrums, her games, her schemes—in the end, none could escape his grasp. If This Consort were the Emperor, she too would choose her over herself. The Empress admitted she was more thoughtful than others. This time, Nian Shilan was unwilling to stay up late attending the Emperor during his illness, yet she played the devoted lover before him. So she pondered, planning to feign illness to avoid it. The Empress listened to Nian Shilan's inner thoughts, occasionally responding with a word. Side by side, they strolled leisurely outward, pretending it was an ordinary flower-viewing, once again forgetting the eavesdropping from moments before. A breeze blew by, rustling the leaves and branches nearby, but they paid it little mind.