The Emperor Jingxi wore a somewhat indifferent expression.
He had known the Empress since childhood, and they were well acquainted with each other’s temperaments.
When he was fourteen, the late Emperor passed away and bequeathed the throne to him, simultaneously arranging his marriage to the Empress.
He ascended to power at fifteen, married, and conferred the title of Empress upon her; they had been husband and wife for eighteen years.
Over the years, he had taken several concubines from the annual selection of talented women, but he did not indulge in the harem.
He treated everyone equally, adhering to the old customs, and showed the Empress the respect she deserved, resulting in a harmonious atmosphere in the harem, where the Emperor and Empress regarded each other with mutual respect.
This time, while visiting the mountains to pray for blessings, the Empress led the inner and outer court ladies to rest at the Yan Yang Temple.
Naturally, she would not easily send someone to convey messages unless it was of utmost importance.
The only thing that could compel the Empress to send someone at this time was something that required urgent reporting.
The Emperor Jingxi could only think of one possibility.
The Crown Prince.
And the girl he favored, Ning.
Ning had been sent to Yan Yang Temple to become a nun, and the Crown Prince had not yet given up on her; this incident was likely to stir up his feelings once more.
His eyes turned cold, and he said expressionlessly,
“Summon her.”
Furu received the order and hurried out.
Before long, a palace maid named Xiangyin entered, head bowed, and knelt to pay her respects.
The Emperor Jingxi sat in a meditation chair, leisurely savoring tea.
Xiangyin felt the Emperor’s imposing presence bearing down on her as she knelt there, afraid to speak.
The Emperor Jingxi said, “Speak.”
Xiangyin licked her lips and, trembling, began,
“The Empress instructed me to convey that since the Crown Prince ascended the mountain, he has been eager to see the nun Ning. Last night, he even rashly attempted to break into Yan Yang Temple but was stopped by the guards.”
The Emperor Jingxi remained noncommittal.
Xiangyin, gathering her courage, continued,
“I heard that early this morning, he was waiting outside the temple again. The Empress truly had no choice but to instruct me to report this to Your Majesty, asking for your decision.”
The Emperor Jingxi’s expression remained calm.
“Since Ning entered Yan Yang Temple, has she been well-behaved?”
Xiangyin replied,
“After entering the temple, Ning was given the Dharma name Miaozhen. A few days ago, the Empress summoned her for a question, and she appeared to be following the rules.”
“However, due to the large number of people in the temple these past few days, fearing that the Crown Prince might see her, they have kept her confined to her room, forbidding her from going out to avoid complications.”
As she spoke, her tone carried an undercurrent of anxiety.
The Emperor Jingxi noticed this and cast a blank glance at Xiangyin but did not comment.
He naturally understood that Xiangyin’s visit had a purpose, but he usually turned a blind eye to the actions of the concubines in the harem.
He was ordained by heaven, ruling over the world, enjoying tributes from all directions, and receiving visitors from various nations.
The harem could not stir up any significant turmoil; he had no need to waste his thoughts on such trivial matters.
At this moment, he was unaware that if he had bothered to pay a little more attention or casually sent a guard to investigate, he would immediately know who the enchanting woman was that had been in his embrace last night, leaving him entranced.
He would also realize that he was already treading on the edge of moral ruin.
But the intricacies and cruelties of life lie in the fact that when you finally recognize the tide coming in, you are already mired in it.
Even as an emperor, he could not escape.
And Xiangyin’s visit indeed had ulterior motives.
Miaozhen had gone missing; this was a significant matter.
If the Crown Prince found out, who knew what chaos would ensue?
Coincidentally, Miaozhen had disappeared just as the Empress arrived at Yan Yang Temple, inevitably creating some suspicion.
Thus, the Empress pretended to be unaware, instructing that the matter be kept under wraps for the time being and that someone be sent to search for Miaozhen and bring her back.
However, the Empress was also quite thorough in her considerations.
She feared that if Miaozhen could not be found and the matter came to light, it would be difficult to explain to the Emperor or the Crown Prince.
Therefore, she simply sent Xiangyin to mention the Crown Prince’s mischief at Yan Yang Temple, so that if things turned sour in the future, the Empress could distance herself from the situation.
At this moment, having reported everything, the lofty emperor remained noncommittal, causing her heart to race with anxiety.
With Miaozhen missing, Yan Yang Temple dared not make a fuss, secretly searching under other pretexts, while the Empress pretended not to know, uncertain if they could keep it hidden.
It should be possible, after all; the Emperor was busy with state affairs and would not concern himself with such matters.
In the past, the Emperor had left all matters of the harem to the Empress to manage.
As she pondered, the Emperor Jingxi raised his hand, signaling for Xiangyin to leave.
Xiangyin felt a bit flustered but dared not say anything, only retreating.
Once Xiangyin had left, the atmosphere in the room fell silent, everyone holding their breath, afraid to speak.
The Emperor Jingxi set down his teacup and asked,
“Futai, how is the Fifth Miss?”
Futai hurriedly replied,
“Your Majesty, the Fifth Miss is still asleep and has not yet awakened. However, last night, the imperial physician brought a female doctor to examine her. The imperial physician is already waiting, just waiting for Your Majesty’s summons.”
Given the Emperor’s particular concern for this girl, Futai was naturally attentive and did not dare to be negligent.
The Emperor Jingxi asked,
“She is still asleep?”
Futai, understanding the Emperor’s thoughts, quickly replied,
“Your Majesty, the imperial physician said the Fifth Miss is not seriously ill, just overly fatigued. They have prepared meals, waiting for her to wake up.”
At this point, Fang Yue, who had been listening, stepped forward to report,
“I have already sent someone to investigate overnight, but due to the heavy rain last night and the darkness, there is still no news. All we know is—”
The Emperor Jingxi raised his hand, signaling Fang Yue to stop.
“There is no need to investigate further.”
After all, she was just a minor lady; she could not escape his grasp.
To investigate thoroughly would only diminish the intrigue.
Moreover, he harbored some selfish thoughts.
The young lady was a lowly servant from another household, possessing such beauty and grace, having already served her former master.
He knew last night that she was not a novice.
This was only to be expected; who could resist the allure of such a delicate beauty?
The Emperor Jingxi himself did not care much for a woman’s chastity, but upon reflection, he found himself somewhat displeased.
Now, with uncertainty clouding the details, he could indulge in poetic musings.
Once he learned the specifics, such as which minister or noble’s servant she was, it would be a different matter entirely.
He, sitting high on the throne, looking down at the ministers kneeling below, would have to consider how they had once shared intimate moments with that young lady.
What a bitter taste that would leave.
With his status, how could he bend down to pick up the leftovers of others?
Thus, if he were to investigate closely and uncover the truth, it would only spoil the current thrill of mystery.
Fang Yue, hearing this, was naturally surprised but could only say,
“As you command.”
After the Emperor Jingxi finished his breakfast and tidied himself, he prepared to visit Awu.
Furu, unaware of the details from last night, was taken aback at the sight.
The Emperor was actually going to personally visit a girl still lost in her dreams?
This…
Furu looked at Futai, his eyes filled with astonishment.
Futai understood Furu’s confusion; he himself had not expected this either.
However, recalling the girl’s stunning beauty, it seemed not so strange after all.
As the saying goes,
“One glance can topple a city, a second glance can topple a nation,” perhaps it was just that.
Futai accompanied the Emperor Jingxi, while Furu hurried back.
Upon reaching the corner of the corridor, he saw Xiangyin standing beside a patch of green bamboo.
Previously, Xiangyin had been kneeling with her head down, not drawing attention.
Now, upon closer inspection, she had her hair styled in a silver threaded bun, wearing a white silk robe with a matching blue skirt, elegant and dignified yet with a touch of charm.
Furu quickly looked around, ensuring no one was watching, and said,
“What’s going on? Why are you here today?”
Xiangyin had entered the palace with the Empress and was now just over thirty, with a striking appearance.
A few years ago, she had become involved with Furu, and they had maintained a private relationship.
Regarding these matters, the Emperor Jingxi had always turned a blind eye, but Furu was cautious and preferred not to flaunt it in public to avoid causing trouble.
Now, seeing Furu, Xiangyin stepped forward and whispered,
“What’s wrong with His Majesty today? He seems in a bad mood. I came to convey a message, but who knew the Emperor’s mind was so inscrutable? I really can’t figure it out; without any resolution, how can I report back to the Empress?”
Furu sighed,
“You shouldn’t have brought this up.”
Xiangyin asked,
“What do you mean by that?”
Furu replied,
“The Crown Prince has kept that Ning girl in his residence, but she has no official status. Now that she has entered the temple, whether the Crown Prince sees her or not is of little consequence. Everything should follow the temple’s rules.”
“If Yan Yang Temple is unable to prevent him, they can report it as per the usual protocol to seek assistance. But now, coming here to report to the Emperor, what is that? If the Emperor were to take notice, it would be like the sun rising from the west!”
Xiangyin fell silent, feeling quite helpless.
“That may be true, but you know the Crown Prince’s temperament. He has been stubborn about this Ning girl, and the Empress cannot easily restrain him; it’s quite difficult.”
The Emperor Jingxi could manage the Crown Prince, but it was more challenging for the Empress.
After all, he was not her own flesh and blood, and he was the heir to the throne.
Even the Empress, sitting high in her position, had her reservations.
Furu said,
“There’s nothing to be done. Because of the Crown Prince, the Emperor was furious and personally issued an edict for that girl to enter the temple. That is unprecedented. As for the future, how much more trouble can the Crown Prince cause?”
“Just endure for now; once this fervor passes, things will settle down.”
Xiangyin thought to herself, you have no idea of my troubles.
She sighed,
“Alright, I’ll go report back to the Empress.”
Furu thought of the Emperor’s favored Fifth Miss and was about to mention her to Xiangyin.
Seeing Furu seem to have something to say, Xiangyin asked,
“What is it?”
Furu hesitated, the words on the tip of his tongue, but ultimately said with a smile,
“It’s nothing, just that I haven’t seen you in a while and was thinking of you. You suddenly appeared today.”
Xiangyin felt her face flush as Furu gazed at her intently.
However, she felt guilty for hiding the matter of Ning’s disappearance from Furu, so she said,
“I… I’m busy here, I’ll head back first.”
Furu was also hesitating, contemplating whether to bring up the Fifth Miss.
Hearing her words, he dropped the thought.
“Alright, you should return early to avoid wasting time.”
When Emperor Jingxi entered the garden, he found it silent and still, with several eunuchs and palace maids cautiously waiting outside.
He raised an eyebrow slightly.
Futai stepped forward and lowered his voice,
“The Fifth Miss is still asleep; Doctor Wang is waiting in the side room.”
The Emperor Jingxi glanced helplessly at the five-screen painting of mountains and waters, thinking how this young lady could sleep so soundly.
Not wanting to disturb her just yet, he ordered someone to summon the imperial physician.
Soon, Doctor Wang hurried over to pay his respects to the Emperor and respectfully presented the medical report.
The Emperor Jingxi casually took it and began to read.
The room was silent, and Doctor Wang cautiously ventured,
“The noble lady is not seriously ill, just overly delicate and fatigued, which is why she remains in deep sleep. However, given her delicate condition, she should be awakened to have her breakfast.”
As the Emperor Jingxi examined the medical report, he scrutinized it more closely than usual, noting various details about Awu’s condition, including the scratches on her fingers from flower thorns and the abrasions on her feet from the mountain path.
It also mentioned that she had been a wife before and had engaged in intimate relations prior to this.
The Emperor Jingxi was not surprised; he had already sensed that the girl had some past, and she had mentioned it before.
However, the medical report surprisingly indicated that there were signs on her body consistent with that of a woman who had given birth.
Perhaps because this was too unexpected for the female doctors, they did not dare to make rash conclusions and instead detailed their findings, ultimately arriving at a vague and ambiguous conclusion.
The Emperor Jingxi had read countless memorials penned by officials, and he was adept at discerning the hidden meanings behind the grandiloquent words.
He focused on a particular line, frowning slightly, contemplating how this young lady, with her delicate and flawless beauty, seemed almost ethereal.
Such a woman had once borne children for another man?
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