Chapter 311

Chapter 311 After finishing breakfast, the Emperor patted Xie Run on the shoulder. "I'll come see you and Taotao tonight." Xie Run smiled openly and generously. "Then His Majesty can accompany me to admire the moon. It's been quite a while since we've had a proper cup of tea together." "Isn't that so?" The Emperor also felt a touch of wistfulness. Ever since ascending the throne, he too had been busy from dawn till dusk. He could barely keep up with affairs of state, and in the harem, his own mother was causing trouble for him. Hearing Xie Run mention tea and moon-gazing now, he found himself actually looking forward to it. He raised his hand. "Have the imperial kitchen prepare two jugs of fine wine. I'll come drink them tonight." Xie Run led her attendants in a bow to see the Emperor off. As the setting sun began to dip below the horizon, the Emperor arrived at Zhaohua Palace with his entourage as promised. Zhaohua Palace radiated festivity from every corner. As soon as the Emperor entered, he saw exquisite lanterns and silk ribbons hanging from the treetops, looking refined and magnificent. Several potted kumquat trees heavy with fruit stood beneath the corridor, radiating warmth and coziness, and he couldn't help but smile. The moment he crossed the threshold, he said, "You've put quite a bit of thought into today, haven't you?" Xie Run came out with her attendants to bow, but the Emperor caught her arm and stopped her. "Since we're in your palace now, there's no need for such formality." With that, he helped her up. Xie Run knew the Emperor wasn't the type to speak empty words to test people, so she heeded his words. "I thought that since Your Majesty has been weary from days of hard work and finally has a day of rest, you'd want to see something festive and beautiful, so I had Zhaohua Palace decorated." "Fine wine and good food are already prepared. Today, Your Majesty must not drink to excess—otherwise, when the Empress scolds me, I won't dare do this again." The Emperor took her hand and laughed. "So you only fear her reprimand, but not me?" "I fear both." Xie Run answered honestly. The Emperor couldn't help but laugh. "I always said Taotao takes after you—appearing gentle and obedient on the surface, but full of mischief underneath." Xie Run pretended not to understand, blinking her clear, limpid eyes. "Your Majesty praises me for having a belly full of ink?" "I'm truly ashamed—I've barely read any books, so I don't deserve Your Majesty's praise." "But I'll certainly supervise Taotao in the future, making sure he studies hard like Your Majesty and fills his belly with ink too." The Emperor laughed and pinched her cheek. "You're getting more mischievous by the day." Xie Run: "Isn't that all thanks to Your Majesty's excellent teaching?" The two dined together, then strolled hand in hand through the front courtyard of the palace, not allowing the attendants to follow too closely. When they turned back, lantern after lantern had been lit, casting a warm glow across Xie Run's profile, scattering a veil of light that made her look impossibly gentle in the haze. The Emperor couldn't resist raising his hand to caress her cheek. But remembering they were outdoors, his hand paused, and as it fell, it brushed against Xie Run's long eyelashes, his fingertips tingling with the delicate sensation. Xie Run looked at him with a bewildered expression. "Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Why was he rubbing her eyes out of nowhere? The Emperor coughed dryly. "Nothing. I just saw something on your face." Xie Run was half-doubtful, raising a hand to feel her face. The Emperor: "I already got it off for you." Xie Run: "Your Majesty should give me a heads-up next time, so at least I can be prepared." The Emperor said with a straight face, "Mm." He deliberately changed the subject. "Why aren't you wearing earrings?" "Those things weigh down my ears and are such a bother, so I didn't put them on." She said shamelessly, "I only brushed my brows today and didn't apply any makeup—going without earrings makes me look even more elegant and refined." Hearing her sing her own praises, the Emperor knew she was telling the truth, but he still couldn't help laughing. "You... who else brags about themselves like you do?" Xie Run: "Isn't Your Majesty seeing one right now?" The Emperor raised his hand and gently pinched her earlobe, then quickly let go. By the time Xie Run reacted, the Emperor had already composed himself, placing his hand behind his back, spine straight, face utterly solemn. Xie Run: "..." Such an act! They were an old married couple by now—why was he suddenly playing at pure romance? Xie Run grumbled inwardly, then led the Emperor to the eastern pavilion that had been prepared earlier for a quiet drink and moon-gazing. Though the Emperor was admiring the moon, his gaze kept unconsciously drifting to Xie Run's fair, flawless cheeks. Xie Run handed him some freshly warmed wine. "This is a new lychee and osmanthus wine brewed by the imperial kitchen. It's not yet the season for osmanthus to bloom, so this osmanthus has a unique flavor. I tasted a sip on Your Majesty's behalf—it's not bad." The Emperor raised his cup and took a sip, savoring it slowly. Xie Run, meanwhile, brewed tea beside him, preparing to sample the newly delivered leaves. The two chatted occasionally, feeling that time was serene and days were gentle, able to cast aside all the trivialities of court and harem alike. The Emperor poured a cup for Xie Run as well. "Drinking alone is no fun. Keep me company and have a taste." Xie Run glanced at it. "Very well, then I'll accompany Your Majesty in tasting it." She held the cup with graceful movements and took a small sip. The wine was smooth and mellow on entry, but a moment later, a spicy kick rose up, flushing Xie Run's cheeks red. Like fine white jade brushed with rouge, she looked inexplicably alluring yet pure under the lamplight. The Emperor's Adam's apple bobbed as he pulled Xie Run into his arms. "Your tolerance for alcohol is still this poor." Xie Run wiped her hands with a handkerchief. "Isn't this me risking my life to keep a gentleman company?" The Emperor's hand settled on her waist, his voice deepening by a few notes: "Since you've already risked your life, why not risk your body as well?" Xie Run, teased by him, couldn't help but let a smile curl at the corners of her lips. The red flush spread by the wine and her allure seemed to seep straight into her bones. "Then let's risk it a little longer?" But just as she finished speaking, she heard a sound from outside. "What's that noise?" The Emperor could pretend not to hear it, but Xie Run couldn't—after all, this was her palace. Dantao emerged from the side, quietly annoyed: "Your Ladyship, it's Lady Hua requesting an audience with the Emperor, saying she has important matters to report." Xie Run looked at the Emperor, the smile at her lips growing wider, her eyes carrying a hint of amusement at the spectacle. The Emperor's originally affectionate, smiling eyes also darkened, with a trace of irritation beneath them. "What important matters could she possibly have?" "Tell her to go back." Dantao bowed in acknowledgment: "This servant will go at once." Soon, the noise outside Zhaohua Palace faded away. The Emperor and Xie Run thought that would be the end of it. But who would have guessed—before long, Dantao appeared with a bitter expression: "Your Majesty, Your Ladyship, Lady Hua is still waiting at the gate, saying she won't leave until His Majesty agrees to see her." "This servant and the others tried to persuade her for a long time, but she wouldn't listen at all. We had no choice but to come and ask His Majesty for instructions." The Emperor's face visibly darkened. "Has she left her brain behind in Chonghua Palace? She won't even heed my words now?" The attendants nearby were all trembling with fear at the Emperor's words. It was Eunuch Shian who stepped forward: "Your Majesty, perhaps this old servant could go and persuade Lady Hua?" "Lady Hua has likely encountered some trouble and is momentarily at a loss." The Emperor said in a deep voice: "Go then." "If she causes more trouble, send her to Fengyi Palace and let the Empress handle the matter." Xie Run silently mourned for the Empress for two seconds. Wait—at this hour, the Empress should still be attending to the Empress Dowager. Today, to show her filial piety, the Empress had personally served the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace and was even staying overnight there. Eunuch Shian received the Emperor's order and went to placate Lady Hua. Hua Yu had previously seen that it was Dantao who came to relay the message, and assumed the Emperor had been swayed by the Bright and Pure Consort's instigation, which was why he was unwilling to see her. Now that Eunuch Shian had arrived, she also feared truly angering the Emperor. Hua Yu's tone softened a few degrees: "It was improper of me to disturb His Majesty and Sister Xie, but had it not been urgent, I would never have dared to be so presumptuous. Please, Eunuch, put in a good word for me, so that His Majesty won't hold it against me." Eunuch Shian smiled genially, appearing very approachable: "Of course." Fearing further trouble, Eunuch Shian even had his own apprentice hold a lantern specifically to escort Lady Hua all the way back. Lady Hua had originally considered whether to hand the item she had to Eunuch Shian. But seeing Eunuch Shian's apprentice lighting the way with a lantern, she weighed the situation and felt she still held some standing in the Emperor's heart. If she could deliver it again tomorrow when an opportunity arose, perhaps she might get to see the Emperor. Her mind turned, and she decided not to bring it up. After Lady Hua's visit, half of the Emperor's good mood was ruined. It was only when Xie Run, in a burst of enthusiasm, led the Emperor around hanging lanterns everywhere, and they tired themselves out for a while, that his anger subsided and his mood calmed. That night, there was naturally no shortage of intimate entanglement. Early the next morning, the Emperor went to the morning court in high spirits. After court, he prepared to come to Zhaohua Palace for a meal. Who would have thought he'd encounter Lady Hua blocking his path halfway. The Emperor's mood soured at the sight of her. "Why are you here?" Lady Hua said timidly: "This concubine has been waiting for Your Majesty for a long time." "What great matter do you have to wait for me?" Lady Hua didn't catch the sarcasm in the Emperor's words and immediately said: "Your Majesty, this concubine isn't lying—I truly have an important matter to report!" Having been through much by now, the Emperor's gaze toward Lady Hua was also quite indifferent. "Speak." Lady Hua immediately called her palace maid forward to present a bundle. "Your Majesty, yesterday this concubine was clearing weeds from the palace grounds like the Bright and Pure Consort, intending to plant some new flowers, when who should discover—I dug this up from the soil!" Before the Emperor could even start getting a headache, Eunuch Shian and the others had already closed their eyes in dismay. The Emperor's expression darkened several shades. Lady Hua continued, oblivious: "This concubine had someone open the thing, and inside was a tightly wrapped bottle of powdered poison." "This concubine also had the imperial physicians examine it, and only after confirming it was Cinnabar-top Red did I dare come to report to Your Majesty!" Lady Hua wore a face desperate for the Emperor's praise, barely restraining the smile at her lips. She only thought she'd discovered something sinister this time and could earn a merit. But she failed to notice the Emperor's face gradually sinking into darkness. "Is that so? Then it seems I truly should reward you handsomely?" Lady Hua said modestly: "This concubine only worries for Your Majesty and wouldn't dare request rewards. If someone in the harem were to use such sinister things to harm others, who knows how much turmoil would arise." "I beg Your Majesty to investigate this thoroughly, and by no means let a single suspect go free." The Emperor took a deep breath, suppressing the anger surging in his chest, and called out: "Shian, put the item away. Have the Imperial Medical Institute send someone to investigate later." Eunuch Shian lowered his head: "Yes." The Emperor added: "Since these poisons have been unearthed in Chonghua Palace, it is no longer fit for habitation." "You shall move to Chan Yun Pavilion tomorrow. Once I have the Chonghua Palace fully renovated, you may move back in." Lady Hua looked at the Emperor with some bewilderment. The Emperor treated the old retainers of his princely household generously—anyone who could rise to the rank of Nine Concubines was given a palace of their own to reside in. At present, all of the Six Palaces were occupied by consorts of the Nine Concubines rank or higher. The Emperor suddenly asking her to vacate Chonghua Palace and move to some unknown Chan Yun Pavilion sounded less like a reward and more like... a punishment? Meeting his dark, deep-set eyes, Hua Yu's doubts dared not be voiced aloud. She could only say, "This concubine obeys." She had her palace maid hand the items to Eunuch Shian, then took her leave with her attendants. Lady Hua might not be skilled at reading people's moods, but she did possess a basic sense of crisis. Her instincts told her that if she lingered any longer, this might not end with merely relocating palaces. The Empress was attending to the Retired Emperor's illness at Cining Palace, so none of the consorts were required to pay their morning respects. Xie Run had slept in gloriously today, and only now was she having the Emperor's breakfast prepared. In high spirits, she was positively radiant—even her son's mischief failed to irritate her. She was just thinking of having someone cut a few vibrant flowers for vases when she saw the Emperor, his face dark as thunder. Xie Run's heart skipped a beat. She thought, Could something have happened again? She stepped forward to help the Emperor wash his hands and wipe his face. "Your Majesty, what's the matter?" Xie Run suspected the Emperor had been angered by some minister during the morning court. The Emperor silently washed his hands, the pressure in the room dropping noticeably. After a long pause, he said, "Shian, you explain." He couldn't be bothered to speak of the foolish things Lady Hua had done. He found it embarrassing even to mention. Eunuch Shian had no choice but to steel himself and explain: "Reporting to Your Highness, on the way here today, we encountered Lady Hua. She said she was tidying the palace grounds in imitation of Your Highness, and to her surprise, she unearthed a box containing Gut-Rending Powder in the flower beds of Chonghua Palace." "Lady Hua, worried that there might be those with malicious intent within the palace, came specifically to report this to His Majesty." "His Majesty, taking pity on Lady Hua, has ordered her to temporarily relocate to Chan Yun Pavilion for the time being." Xie Run was perceptive—the moment Eunuch Shian spoke, she immediately pieced together the whole sequence of events. She suppressed her amusement, trying to say a few words on Lady Hua's behalf. Xie Run: "Your Majesty, Lady Hua..." The Emperor quietly regarded her, as if waiting to see what good words Xie Run could possibly conjure for Hua Yu. Unable to hold it in under his gaze, Xie Run burst out laughing, collapsing into the Emperor's arms with mirth. Yesterday, quite a few consorts had been cleaning their palace grounds, and more than a few had dug up things. But each of them had quietly destroyed whatever they found, pretending nothing had happened, causing not a ripple. The Emperor and Empress knew, but chose to feign ignorance. After all, the Emperor had only just ascended the throne—whatever was buried beneath the Six Palaces couldn't possibly belong to his people. Even if things were unearthed, they couldn't be linked to the Emperor's faction. Destroying them quietly was simply doing the Retired Emperor a favor. But Lady Hua was different. She dug things up, and then went out of her way to present them before the Emperor, as if afraid no one would know what a good deed she'd done. With that one move, she'd dragged the discovery of Gut-Rending Powder beneath Chonghua Palace into the open. The Emperor couldn't very well ignore it. But if he actually pursued the matter, was he supposed to settle his own father's dirty accounts?! Xie Run could fully imagine how frustrated and irritated the Emperor must be feeling right now. Even after finishing breakfast and leaving, the Emperor's mood hadn't improved in the slightest—he went off to the Imperial Study with a belly full of anger to handle affairs. Once the Emperor was gone, Xie Run no longer held back, hugging her son and laughing. "Tell me, Lady Hua... how can she be so clever?!" Not just Xie Run—even the attendants around her joined in the laughter.