Volume 1 Chapter 45

Volume 1 Chapter 45

On the second day, Leng Jiu still left the palace as usual to visit the Prime Minister’s residence. Gong Yuwei was still absent, but this time she didn’t linger. She handed the land deeds and silver to Mo Di and returned to the palace. Things needed to proceed slowly, no need to rush!
She only regarded the Prime Minister’s residence as a temporary refuge for Mo Di and his sister, unaware that she inadvertently drew their attention and left an impression on them! Three days later, Mo Di and his sister bid farewell to Gong Yuwei. Mo Yina’s injury had nearly healed, and Mo Di expressed his reluctance to disturb further. Since Gong Yuwei didn’t insist on keeping them, they had to leave. However, as soon as they departed, he immediately felt a sense of emptiness. If they were gone, would Xiao Jiu still come?
Xiang Shu glanced at Gong Yuwei sitting in the courtyard lost in thought, sighed silently. His master was excellent in every way but too introverted and not good at speaking. Clearly, he liked that girl in his heart, yet he dared not speak up. Now, just thinking about her made him lose his appetite. But he hadn’t asked anyone to find her, which worried Xiang Shu.
Turning around to order someone to look for her, he saw Xiao Qian, the gatekeeper, rushing over anxiously and stopped him with a raised hand, “Xiao Qian! Why are you in such a hurry?”
Xiao Qian held a cloth bundle in his hand, “Xiang Shu! This was just delivered by someone, saying it’s something from a girl named Xiao Jiu for Young Master Yuwei!”
Upon hearing this, Xiang Shu quickly took it, “I’ll deliver it to the Prime Minister. You may go now!”
“Yes!”
After Xiao Qian left, Xiang Shu hurriedly took the item and walked towards Gong Yuwei, “Young Master! This is from Miss Xiao Jiu!”
Gong Yuwei abruptly turned his head, snatched the item from Xiang Shu, hesitated for a moment, and opened it. Inside was a delicate small jade gourd with a red thread strung through it. He didn’t consider whether Leng Jiu’s family could afford such a fine jade gourd or why she suddenly sent something over. At this moment, he was simply overjoyed, a happiness beyond words, solely because that girl named Xiao Jiu hadn’t forgotten about him!
Seeing Gong Yuwei unable to contain his inner joy, Xiang Shu smiled, shook his head, and left. It seemed there was no need to worry for now!
Leng Jiu had originally planned to go out, but was detained by Hua Yuxuan. Since she hadn’t seen her for so many days, it wouldn’t be good if she continued to avoid her. She had Lu Chang deliver the items she had prepared and changed her clothes to meet Hua Yuxuan!
When Hua Yuxuan arrived, she wasn’t alone; she was followed by five concubines, all of whom had served in the bedroom in recent days. Two were promoted to imperial concubines, and three were promoted to noblewomen. Leng Jiu glanced over, and among them was the woman she had chosen first that day. She was now dressed in palace attire and still quite beautiful!
“I pay respects to the Empress Dowager!”
Leng Jiu sat at the head, holding the neglected Canuo in her arms, “Rise! Take your seats!”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager!”
Hua Yuxuan sat at the foremost position, with the other women seating themselves in sequence. She wore a magnificent imperial attire that exuded dignity and grace. However, when Leng Jiu saw her outfit, it reminded her of the clothes from her previous life stored in her closet. While luxurious, they lost their aesthetic appeal due to excessive grandeur, appearing somewhat ostentatious!
“I heard the Empress Dowager hasn’t been feeling well these days. I wonder if you’re better now?” Despite any grievances she harbored towards Leng Jiu, Hua Yuxuan’s face displayed respectful and graceful demeanor. But in Leng Jiu’s eyes, it only appeared affected.
“Thank you for your concern, Imperial Noble Consort. I am well. I simply prefer solitude and didn’t wish to see anyone.”
Hua Yuxuan didn’t expect Leng Jiu to be so direct. She felt a bit embarrassed but quickly changed the subject, “Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Emperor has entrusted me with arranging the banquet, which will be held at the Flowing Cloud Pavilion. Officials of rank four and above, along with their families, are invited. May I know the Empress Dowager’s thoughts on this?”
Leng Jiu glanced indifferently at the group before finally fixing her gaze back on Hua Yuxuan, lightly smiling, “You are a Noble Consort. Why bother asking me about such trivial matters? How will you manage the Six Palaces and the world as Empress in the future?”
The five women all had fleeting expressions upon hearing this. Before entering the palace, they might have sincerely flattered Hua Yuxuan due to her noble status and being the prospective Empress. However, now that they were all imperial consorts and Hua Yuxuan had been promoted to Noble Consort, despite being most qualified for the position of Empress, she still wasn’t the Empress. For their own interests, they couldn’t genuinely support Hua Yuxuan.
Upon hearing Leng Jiu’s words, Hua Yuxuan quickly stood up, “You’re right, Empress Dowager. I will remember this in the future.”
Leng Jiu waved her hand dismissively, signaling the end of the conversation. Then, she looked at the other five women, “Since you’ve all attended to the Emperor, I hope you’ll be diligent. Currently, only Concubine Li is pregnant, and the imperial heirs are scarce. I hope you will bear sons and daughters for the imperial family as soon as possible!”
The five women stood up and bowed, “Thank you for your guidance, Empress Dowager. We will remember.”
Leng Jiu didn’t enjoy playing games with women, but if she were to play, she could outwit anyone, like Hua Yuxuan now, who despite her efforts, couldn’t hide her displeasure. Leng Jiu conversed with the consorts in a lukewarm manner, advising them on how to serve the Emperor and maintain their health to conceive imperial heirs. Though reasonable, each word pricked at Hua Yuxuan’s heart. After all, despite being in the palace for so long, she hadn’t yet been favored in bed, how could she not feel sad?
Leng Jiu had Lu Chang bring out some jewelry and supplements, distributing them one by one. When it came to Hua Yuxuan, she stopped, “Imperial Noble Consort probably wouldn’t fancy these gifts from me. I won’t embarrass myself by presenting them. You may withdraw.”
“We take our leave.”
“We take our leave!” Hua Yuxuan almost gritted her teeth as she said this. As Leng Jiu departed, she cast a cold glance at the five women, her fists clenched in her sleeves, walking away stiffly.
“The Empress Dowager was quite imposing today. Didn’t you see? Imperial Noble Consort’s face turned green when she left!” Lu Chang grinned, ingratiatingly praising Leng Jiu.
Leng Jiu pinched Canuo’s buttocks, causing it to squeak in protest. She chuckled at her pet’s reaction and remarked, “No matter how dignified and imposing she appears, she’s ultimately just a woman. And what women care about most, besides beauty and reputation, is men. Moreover, her man is none other than the revered Nine-Five beneath the heavens. Long Yi has summoned so many women to his bedchamber, yet he hasn’t summoned her alone. How could she not feel uncomfortable in her heart? I like to poke right where it hurts the most. If she’s not jealous, that would be strange!”
“Empress Dowager speaks the truth!”
Leng Jiu glanced at him and suddenly asked, “You’ve been in the palace for so many years. Do you have any trustworthy subordinates?”
Lu Chang nodded, “Indeed, there are some loyal ones, but they are not in the Wuyang Palace. I have thought about bringing them here, but I’m afraid the Empress Dowager wouldn’t approve, so I haven’t taken any action.”
Leng Jiu pondered for a moment, “Hmm. Go and select a few for me. They should be sharp and, if possible, skilled in martial arts.”
“As you command!”
As Lu Chang went to find suitable candidates, Leng Jiu felt bored and decided to rummage through her own things. Despite being here for so long, she hadn’t really explored the palace thoroughly. Although she wasn’t accustomed to snooping around, she found it rather dull not to.
Her wardrobe at the dressing table contained nothing but clothes and jewelry, all rather monotonous. However, there was a delicate wooden box in one of the drawers underneath the dressing table, securely locked. Intrigued, Leng Jiu decided to open it. Ancient locks were simple, and after a few tries, she managed to unlock it. She wondered what treasures it might hold, only to find a box full of letters, probably dozens of them, all unopened!
She had no qualms about opening someone else’s things, especially when that someone was herself.
The envelopes were all addressed: “To Jinghua!” Leng Jiu tore one open, unfolded the paper and found only two words: “Are you well?”
Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow and took out all the letters, starting from the bottom. The handwriting on the envelopes was the same, indicating they were all written by one person. However, one envelope was noticeably thicker and contained four sheets of paper, all addressed to Jinghua.
Jinghua! I know you’re feeling wronged and desperate. Please forgive my incompetence in not being able to save you from this ordeal. Qingling is adept in disguise; she can serve in your place. Endure for a while longer, and I promise to take you away when I return triumphantly. I’ll take you to see the snow in the far north and race horses on the grasslands! Long Yi is already suspicious of you; be careful in your dealings!
Leng Jiu continued to open the second letter.
Jinghua! The old emperor has turned against us. Father is injured but it’s not serious. You don’t need to worry!
Jinghua! The old emperor won’t harm you. Rest assured, his days are numbered. Just be cautious!
Jinghua! …
Each letter was filled with worries, concern for her safety, and guilt. Although the sender’s identity wasn’t explicitly stated, it was clearly written by her elder brother, Leng Yue. However, the letters never mentioned their relationship as siblings. Instead, there was a hint of affection in them, which puzzled Leng Jiu. Weren’t these two supposed to be siblings? And didn’t Leng Jinghua love Long Yi? Why did it feel like she was pretending?
Leng Jiu locked up the letters again, pondered for a moment, then decided to burn them all in the brazier. These letters couldn’t be seen by anyone else!
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Off-topic remark:
Gong Yuwei, this innocent guy, seems to be slowly awakening to love. He’s just too shy! But that’s also quite lovely!