Her oval face, and eyebrows arched like silkworms gave Yuan Fei, who did not move, a sullen appearance.
A pair of dull eyes, reflecting in the mirror before her, watched a handmaiden who entered and shrank back with a restrained deanor, and suddenly she said,
"Does this palace really frighten you that much?"
The handmaiden, startled, nearly fell to her knees, but simply bowed her head,
"Your Highness, forgive ..."
Seeing the other's response, Yuan Fei's face showed self-mockery, while her eyes filled with even more sadness.
In the harem, everyone knew Yuan Fei had a nasty temper, often yelling and hitting her servants.
There had been more than one maidservant in her palace beaten to death.
As a result, very few servants were willing to work in Yuan Fei's palace, and those who remained had developed a fearful and timid temperant.
As the saying goes, one's appearance is a reflection of the heart, and Yuan Fei's perennial brooding was likewise a culmination of years of pent-up troubles.
Outsiders just thought that Lady Yuan was extrely harsh on her servants and was a difficult mistress to serve.
But she had not always been this way.
The young Yuan Ru of days gone by had also been a gentle and virtuous lady from a respectable family, treated like a beloved "Princess" by her family.
Until an imperial decree conferring the title of Imperial Concubine shattered Yuan Ru's illusions.
She then realized that her father, who had been kind to her in the past, had, for the sake of the family's glory, secretly bribed the great eunuch Wang Zhen to deliver his own daughter to the bed of the aging Emperor.
He hadn't even hinted at it in advance, so that by the ti she found out, it was already a done deal.
On that day, the vibrant young Yuan Ru felt her heart turn to ash.
Faced with her parents' pleas before her, she just couldn't bring herself to admit that she was already in love, and one step shy of pledging herself to soone in secret.
She knew that once the news of her having a lover leaked out, not only would her entire family face a catastrophic crisis for the cri of deceiving the Emperor,
But also that her beloved's prospects would be utterly destroyed.
Thus, on an early winter's day, Yuan Ru was carried into the Forbidden City in a palanquin plated in gold, and from then on, Great Yu gained a Lady Yuan.
The only solace was that the Old Emperor was frail with age, and his marriage to her seed more like proof of sothing to the outside world, so he rarely visited her chamber.
Yuan Ru also resisted vying for affection, day and night, longing for the Old Emperor's early demise.
For years she hoped so, and the Old Emperor indeed died, but she still wasn't free. Even with the Empress's ascension, the halo of an Imperial Concubine dimd.
Her family no longer enjoyed the benefits her position once brought.
This visit ho made her feelings crystal clear; even though her family were superficially respectful, in reality... it was all just an empty show of dignity.
A "Imperial Concubine" who couldn't get close to the Emperor and bring benefits to her family was nothing more than water poured out.
"Get up," Yuan Fei chuckled coldly, "What's with all the secrecy?"
The maidservant rose and walked cautiously forward, whispering a few words. Yuan Fei's expression changed slightly.
It seed she had been given a letter, from an old acquaintance of the Imperial Concubine, of great importance.
The maidservant only morized the word "Qingping," saying that as long as she ntioned this word, the Imperial Concubine would understand.
Qingping... old acquaintance... Yuan Fei's face turned doubtful, "Where is the letter?"
The little handmaiden took it out from within her clothing, saying,
"This servant dared not look at it privately."
Yuan Fei glanced at the seal on the envelope, confirming that it was unopened, nodded slightly, and said,
"You may leave, act as though you know nothing of this."
"Yes."
Once the maidservant had shut the door behind her,
Yuan Fei, cloaked in an air of nobility, hesitated for a mont before tearing open the envelope and tipping it to spill out its contents – first ca an aged, jade pendant.
On sight of the pendant, Yuan Fei's body stiffened suddenly, her complexion turning extrely unnatural.
As she unfolded the piece of letter-paper from within the envelope and saw the handwriting from mory, now sowhat faded, she felt as if struck by thunder.
mories long dead at this mont surged in her heart.
Yuan Fei read the words on the paper, the stories of the past.
This Imperial Concubine, alone in her empty chamber, extrely lonely without family or love, temperantal from her solitude, now found her eyes slowly reddening, her shoulders shaking. Unaware, she had begun to weep.
"Mr. Li..."
This letter, though unsigned, ntioned old events known only to the two of them, and the jade pendant among its contents was enough for Yuan Fei to confirm the sender's identity.
The letter was exceptionally brief, aside from a few vague sentences catching up, followed by an invitation to a clandestine eting the next day.
If she agreed, she was to signal her acceptance in a certain way.
No other details were discussed.
But these few words were enough to trigger countless reveries for Yuan Fei.
Why... had he sent this letter? A secret rendezvous? With their current statuses, why the need to et?
Did this an he could still help her escape this sea of misery, leave the confines of the palace?
That's right, he was no longer the man he used to be, an important figure in the "Li Party," and that treacherous old Emperor was dead.
The new Empress didn't care much for the harem, and if he was willing to put in the effort, perhaps a "trade" was possible...
Yuan Fei was not the brightest of won, and she knew little of court intrigue, jumping to conclusions haphazardly.
In that mont, she felt both joy and anxiety.
Her anxiety stemd from the danger of her secret eting with a man becoming public, possibly leading to great trouble.
Her joy was that Li Yinglong still rembered her.
Yuan Fei was torn, unable to decide, panicking until she had sat motionless for more than one hour before she finally steeled her heart.
She believed that given Mr. Li's current status, eting with her was a risk.
If Li Yinglong dared to seek her out, he must have made thorough preparations.
Moreover,
What did she have left to lose at this point? A dismal death in the cold palace, or taking a gamble – it was an easy choice.
As for implicating her family... she no longer cared.
"Soone co," Yuan Fei called, having regained her composure.
The door creaked open and the handmaiden outside walked back in:
"Your Highness, what are your orders?"
...
...
The minor incident that occurred at Yuan Mansion failed to catch anyone's attention.
Equally unnoticed was the fact that, on the sa night, Xu Hanlin, who had recently been chastised by Scholar Chen Zhengru and had refocused on his studies, t soone on his way ho.
The next day.
The sun was not bright, and overcast clouds lood over the Capital, seemingly heralding unrest.
Early in the morning, Xu Mingyuan got up and dressed as usual, had a al with his family, and then arrived at Hanlin Academy, as he always did.
Along the way, he faced the various gazes of the other scholars in the Academy — so taking pleasure in disaster, others contemptuous, sighing, or sympathetic — all of which he chose to ignore.
In the afternoon.
Having finished his work at Hanlin Academy, Xu Mingyuan found an excuse to leave and headed straight for the Ministry of Industry.
Li Yinglong, the Vice Minister of Public Works, was busy working in the governnt office when he learned Xu Mingyuan had co to visit, causing him to frown.
Given his status, he was unwilling to waste ti on this minor scholar.
A clerk said, "Sir, Xu Hanlin claims he has been ordered to co."
Ordered?
The young-looking Grandmaster frowned,
"Bring him in."
Shortly afterward.
In a solitary room, Xu Mingyuan, for the first ti since his release from prison, faced the Young Master who had made his life difficult, yet his expression was filled with respect and admiration.
"You say you were ordered to seek out?" Li Yinglong got straight to the point.
Xu Mingyuan calmly bowed and said,
"My ntor, Grand Scholar Chen, invites you to discuss matters concerning new policies."
Chen Zhengru looking for ?
Li Yinglong was montarily surprised, frowning. He didn't doubt it, after all, Xu Hanlin was indeed Chen Zhengru's student, and their relationship was close.
Nor was it the first ti for Xu Hanlin to pass ssages for his ntor.
His confusion lay with what Chen Zhengru wanted with him, regarding new policies... Could it be that there was so change at Hanlin Academy?
After all, Dong Xuan was the Dean of Hanlin...
Li Yinglong, cautious not to overlook anything, knew that Chen Zhengru would not bother seeking him out for trivial matters. Given the invitation, there must be important matters to discuss.
"Where is Scholar Chen now?" His tone softened sowhat.
Xu Mingyuan, with his head bowed, respectfully said,
"The teacher has found a quiet place, I can lead you there."
He wasn't worried that this lie would be exposed.
Because he was certain that Chen Zhengru had no plans to et with the Young Master today.
Moreover, not long ago, Chen Zhengru had indeed been discussing new policies with the rest of Li Party.
"Alright," Li Yinglong nodded.
These days, busy with work during the day, and at night spending considerable energy at Sixth Madam's, he was already overwheld and didn't notice anything amiss:
"Prepare the carriage, and lead the way for ."
Xu Mingyuan replied respectfully, "As you command."
His bowed face hid eyes that flickered with malice before quickly disappearing.
...
...
Mingyue Inn was a quiet and elegant dwelling,
known for its privacy in its tables and integrating both a tea house and an inn.
Directly across the street from Mingyue Inn was an extrely lively area, bustling with people coming and going.
Here, there was also a restaurant.
That afternoon, Zhao Douan arrived incognito and casually entered the seat arranged by a junior clerk.
He was there to greet a guest he had invited for the day.
"Lord Zhao has arrived so early? It is I who have been impolite." said the diocre-looking but well-born and inconspicuous in the Capital Mr. Dong, as he ascended the stairs, bowing in apologies.
Zhao Douan smiled, waved his hand dismissively, and stood up to greet him, inviting him to sit, "Mr. Dong, no need for such formality. Between us, let's stick to brotherly terms as usual."
Mr. Dong showed his respect, captivated by Zhao Douan's charm, sighed and said,
"There are too many diocrities in the Capital who believe every rumor. They continuously slander Brother Zhao's reputation, accusing him of being vindictive. They're unaware of how broad-minded you truly are."
After an unpleasant incident at the vegetarian hall last ti, the Dong Residence had sent a generous gift as an apology.
The errant Dong San had been confined for the second ti, and this ti Grandmaster Dong himself had given the order to kick him out of the Capital to join the border army in the southwest.
Having the notorious playboy start as a low-ranking soldier was indeed a harsh punishnt, for he was to be ground down by hard service. The golden opportunities were usually in the safer military mansions, whereas the southwestern border army was a place where n could actually die.
Especially since the Great General Zhao Shixiong was known for not sparing any noble's son.
Despite all this, Mr. Dong still felt indebted.
However, Zhao Douan had invited him over today to share a drink and reminisce.
"Isn't that the truth…" Zhao Douan shalessly accepted the praise.
The two exchanged pleasantries.
Curious, Mr. Dong glanced at the place beside him where tableware was set but no person was present:
"Has Brother Zhao invited another guest who has yet to arrive?"
At the place, other than Zhao Douan and Mr. Dong, there was only Qian Kerou standing aside.
But the extra place setting clearly did not belong to any of them.
"Oh... she…" Zhao Douan was considering how to respond.
When he saw a girl in a rather ordinary dress walking straight toward them from the staircase, looking less distinctive than usual.
Without a word, she sat down in the empty seat, her distracted eyes slowly focusing as she spoke ambiguously,
"The person has arrived."
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