"Indeed." Luo Xin nodded, although he was already a Standard Fourth Rank officer, because he wasn’t married yet, people could only address him as Young Master or Sir.
"We are servants of Duke Lu Mansion, waiting here for so ti by Master’s orders."
"Duke Lu?" ntioning Cheng Zhijie, Luo Xin naturally got goosebumps. He looked around, then asked the two house servants, "Is Duke Lu also at the Moon-viewing Pavilion today?"
"Yes, not only is our Master here, but the Emperor is also present."
"Good grief." You slapped your forehead, exclaiming, "What in the world is going on here? With the Emperor showing up at the Moon-viewing Pavilion, this is quite a serious matter. He might have co to support his son."
"Brother, you need not worry. His Majesty is a wise ruler who would not favor others unfairly. We simply face it calmly. Besides, we also have our father."
"Alright, today, even if it’s through fire and brimstone, I’ll face it stoically!"
Bathed in the moonlight, you and Luo Xin stood on a small boat. Slowly, a roughly thirty-ter-tall, five-story building appeared before you. This building seed as if it was situated in the Immortal Realm. Surrounded by shimring lake waves, under a bright moon, the air was misty and enchanting. At that mont, the pavilion was overflowing with light, song, and dance.
You and Luo Xin had just reached the shore when a welcoming servant loudly announced, "The eldest son of Duke Ming Mansion and the Second Young Master have arrived!"
"Darn, why is visiting a pleasure house as ceremonious as an audience at the Golden Palace!"
"Hehe, junior brother, you might not know; our Emperor himself is the owner behind the Moon-viewing Pavilion," Luo Xin whispered in your ear.
"No wonder, I was thinking, who else could make this place so grand."
The two of you thus entered the Moon-viewing Pavilion, which had five floors. Upon entering, a middle-aged servant greeted you with a smile, "Young Masters, please follow ."
The two of you went directly to the fifth floor. The middle-aged servant moved swiftly and effortlessly, as if he had consud a calcium supplent.
Upon reaching the fifth floor, you found that it wasn’t compartntalized into private rooms like the other four floors, but was a round hall, ford by several low tables making a large circle. The middle of the circle was open space, presumably for the dancers; there were no walls around, just so screens serving as partitions.
At that mont, the round hall was already filled with many well-dressed aristocrats. On seeing you and Luo Xin, a middle-aged man clothed in brocade ca up smiling, "My, isn’t this Mr. Luo? Surprised to see you seeking pleasure here, sir. Aren’t you afraid of your father’s punishnt when you return?"
It was clear this man was Luo Xin’s political rival. Luo Xin smiled and nodded at him: "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Zhang. I can handle my matters. Just make sure you don’t stay out all night; otherwise, your Honorable Lady might lead a raid here again." After saying this, Luo Xin didn’t pay any more attention to Mr. Zhang and led you directly into everyone’s sight.
"Junior brother, since you’re a commoner, rember to kneel when you see the Emperor, understood?" Luo Xin whispered to you.
"Would a single knee be alright?"
"Hmm?" Luo Xin was taken aback, then gave you a look, saying, "Just do as you see fit; His Majesty won’t eat you."
Luo Xin led you to the main seat, where he first bowed to a middle-aged man seated in the place of honor: "Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty."
However, you did not react imdiately, rather you glanced around before focusing on the middle-aged man seated before you. Although he was smiling, you sensed an extrely intense presence from him. This wasn’t a tangible form of energy, but an overwhelming pressure typical of those in high positions! The man had a handso face with sharp brows and bright eyes, indeed endowed with good looks.
"How audacious! To see His Highness the Emperor and not kneel!" At this mont, soone slamd the table and stood up, directing the attention towards you.
You glanced lightly at that person, and then a strange smile appeared on your face. You placed a hand on your stomach and slightly bowed to Li Shimin seated in the eminent position, saying, "Uh,
I’d like to ask a small question to this uncle, if this handso and dashing uncle could indulge ."
You paid your respects with flattery as Li Shimin stroked his beard and nodded, "Speak, my wise nephew."
"What is a ruler, and what is a subject?"
Li Shimin was first taken aback, his smile undiminished as he said, "In the palace halls, I am the ruler; outside the palace halls, I am a subject."
"Uncle’s righteousness!"
"Ha ha ha, truly worthy of being a son of the Luo Family, possessing your father’s spirit of old, good!" Li Shimin glanced at an official beside him, who imdiately understood and consequently freed up two seats for you and Luo Xin to sit down.
"This is the first ti I’ve been so close to the Emperor, truly thanks to my brother’s good fortune," Luo Xin said, cheerfully pouring himself a cup of Sanle Sauce.
"Luo Aiqing, I heard that Brother Luo forbids his sons from entering these establishnts of revelry. Why is it that today is an exception?" Li Shimin asked with a smile, looking at Luo Xin.
Luo Xin nodded in agreent, "His Majesty is wise..."
"Oh, why not just call ’uncle’ as your brother does? My friendship with your father dates back more than twenty years, to the days when you were still a toddler calling ’uncle.’"
"Yes, your servant, oh no, your nephew obeys," Luo Xin cleared his throat, and due to Li Shimin’s questioning, everyone present paused their drinking to listen quietly, "Actually, my brother and I were ordered by our parents to co and search for soone."
"Searching for soone? This is rather interesting. Is there a relative of yours here at the Moon-viewing Pavilion?"
In public, Luo Xin had always displayed the refined deportnt of a gentleman. But now, there was no trace of the wildness he had at ho or the sternness on the battlefield; he was like a perfectly modest gentleman, elaborating, "That could be said. This person has long been associated with my brother, and they have also exchanged tokens of love. Tonight, under the clear moon and stars, we ca here to find this person."
"Such a person exists? Then, my worthy nephew, do tell, who is this person?"
"This person is none other than the current reigning Oiran, Zi Yi, at the Moon-viewing Pavilion."
"Clash!"
"Nonsense! Zi Yi has long been designated as a concubine by myself!" At this mont, a handso but sullen-faced young man stood suddenly. His features were fair, sharing a resemblance to Li Shimin, but now he appeared sowhat ferocious, completely overturning his natural composure.
"Empty words are unconvincing; why don’t we all invite Miss Zi Yi to join us?"
With words alone, Li Shimin forced the young man back into his seat. His face alternated between clouds and sunshine, but he did not dare to erupt again, and from his expression, it was not hard to discern that he had surely been reprimanded by Li Shimin during the day.
PS: Given that everyone is unfamiliar with the characters in this story, I have prepared a list of actors for reference:
Luo Cheng——Li Kangge
ng Family——Xiao Ying
Zhao’er——Wu Zhao, Li Lanyi
Wu Qiyi——Zi Yi
Xian Qianling——Qin Yuxuan, Li Xiangwei
Xi Yu——Zhen Nan, Wu Shun
Lin Panxia——Little Yue
Empress——Ma Linghan, Queen Mother of the West
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