Following the Empress’s arrangements, she would hand over A’Wu to the guards of Nanqiongzi, who would take her to the Nanqiongzi Affairs Bureau, where she would be interrogated and detained.
The Nanqiongzi Affairs Bureau was responsible for internal inspections and arrests within Nanqiongzi, a part of the Emperor’s personal guard.
They had direct access to the Emperor’s ear, and at this moment, the Crown Prince was also rushing over.
A’Wu would face the Crown Prince’s disappointment and anger head-on.
However, she didn’t expect that before her departure, Lu Yunjian would come to see her.
He was gloomy and silent, his gaze towards her obscure and hard to decipher.
He said nothing, only lifting her chin with a finger, scrutinizing her eyes.
It was as if he was seeing her for the first time.
A’Wu lowered her eyelids, remaining silent.
She had said all she needed to say.
She knew he would abandon her, just as he had betrayed her before.
But at this moment, Lu Yunjian knelt down on one knee.
His handsome, cold face appeared in her line of sight.
She wanted to look away, but he wouldn’t allow it, holding her chin firmly, forcing her to look at him.
Lu Yunjian’s expression was desolate as he said: “It was my fault to send you away, but you hated me so much, and it hurt me too. I also hate you.”
From the very beginning, A’Wu had understood the nature of their relationship, so she had never truly cared for Lu Yunjian.
It was just a matter of necessity.
She could have found her brother, her fellow villagers, and boarded a ship, had the chance to set sail, and gone in search of her father and brother.
It was all his fault for keeping her here.
Yet he blamed her, hated her, forced her to submit to the so-called family interests, and offered her to the Crown Prince.
He seemed to have many reasons, but in her eyes, it was all nonsense, self-deception!
If there was any love in this, it was even more terrifying.
A beloved woman was far less important than the balance of interests.
Such a person was worse than an animal.
Lu Yunjian sighed: “You’ve been with the Crown Prince for eighty-four days. Inside and out, he has already taken you.”
A’Wu ignored him.
She belonged to herself, not him!
Lu Yunjian: “The Crown Prince is one thing, but why did you get involved with Nie San? What kind of person is he? Just a dog at the door. Why would you stoop so low as to let a dog near you? Is he worthy? Is he worthy?”
His voice was anxious: “The Crown Prince isn’t worthy either! How could he compare to me? He’s inferior to me in every way!”
A’Wu lazily closed her eyes.
Lu Yunjian spoke with difficulty: “If only you weren’t so shameless, so heartless. If you could love me even a little, I wouldn’t have been so cruel to you.”
A’Wu gazed into the distance, her eyes distant and unfocused.
Looking at her, Lu Yunjian’s eyes filled with weary hatred.
She was like this, with a beauty that could outshine frost and snow, a body that could bewitch, but the coldest heart in the world.
Stubborn and naive, she gazed at the horizon of the sea, harboring unrealistic delusions.
She had always lived in the past, in the year she was sixteen, waiting for her father and brother to return with wealth, refusing to open her eyes to the world.
He lowered his eyelashes and whispered: “A’Wu, would you beg me? If you just ask, I will keep you.”
But A’Wu’s eyes didn’t see him at all.
Her gaze was distant and unfocused.
A Wu was actually a coward at heart.
She feared death, coveted wealth, and would tremble at the sight of a mere mouse.
Yet, in front of Lu Yunjian, she was stubborn to the point of being unrecognizable.
She could kneel before strangers and beg for mercy, but she would never lower her head to him.
Lu Yunjian looked at her, his hatred burning fiercely.
He spoke cruelly, “Excellent, then go ahead.”
His long, slender fingers brushed aside the hair on A Wu’s forehead and said,
“Let me see what you’re capable of. Your lover, the Crown Prince, is searching for you. Even if you’ve committed a grave sin, as long as you can charm him, he will surely spare your life. This is your way out.”
A Wu suddenly smiled, a smile filled with disdain and scorn.
Her smile was naturally breathtaking.
Her jet-black hair cascaded lightly over her slender shoulders, and her porcelain-like skin seemed fragile, as if it could shatter at any moment.
She was like a wisp of smoke, pitiful yet captivating.
Lu Yunjian held his breath, staring at this version of A Wu.
She was the enchantress he had personally trained, yet now she was blooming slowly, radiant and alluring.
So much so that he began to feel regret.
She should have belonged solely to him, nurtured by his care, unable to resist in his arms.
But now, she had been tainted by another man!
The thought of how she might have blossomed seductively, how she might have succumbed beneath another man, filled him with intense hatred.
For a moment, Lu Yunjian wanted to strangle her, to end her life, to prevent her from being enjoyed by another man!
But in the end, he clenched his fists tightly.
He slowly stood up, his fine robes fluttering in the wind, the edges of his sleeves brushing against A Wu’s hair.
Lu Yunjian gazed at the blood-red sunset in the distance, pursed his lips, and smiled bitterly. “A Wu, Seventh Brother also hopes you can live.”
***
Just past noon, the small side hall of the Fengtian Palace was eerily silent.
The palace maids and eunuchs all held their breaths, the only sound being the rhythmic ticking of the green-glazed dragon-patterned water clock on the long table against the right wall.
Outside the window, the royal white pigeons circled above the towering palace buildings, occasionally letting out a clear, melodious whistle.
Emperor Jingxi was a man of routine.
For instance, after his midday meal, he would typically take a walk outside the side hall to aid digestion, followed by a short nap.
The duration of his nap, what he would eat afterward, when he would resume handling state affairs, and when he would summon his cabinet officials—all these were as precise as the water clock, following a daily routine without the slightest deviation.
This gave his subordinates ample time to prepare and avoid being caught off guard.
However, today was different.
After his midday meal, Emperor Jingxi did not take his usual nap.
Instead, he summoned Wang Zhiqiong, the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince.
Wang Zhiqiong was a veteran minister from the previous dynasty, having served as the Director of the Ministry of Works, the Director of Waterways, a Counselor, and a Provincial Governor.
During his tenure as the Minister of War in the previous dynasty, he had quelled numerous bandit uprisings and rebellions by feudal lords, earning the trust of the late emperor.
By the time of Emperor Jingxi’s reign, he had also served as the Minister of Personnel and the Minister of War.
Emperor Jingxi had only one heir, the Crown Prince, whom he naturally nurtured with great care.
After much consideration, he selected Wang Zhiqiong as the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince.
At the age of four, the Crown Prince began his education in the Wenhua Palace.
By the age of eight, after the morning court session, he would ascend the throne in the study hall, accompanied by his tutors and attendants, learning astronomy, geography, the works of various philosophers, military strategies, and practicing calligraphy and recitation.
By the time the Crown Prince turned twelve, Emperor Jingxi had the Grand Tutor present the military and political affairs of the court to the Prince, asking him to write his own insights, which the Grand Tutor would then review and explain.
This way, the Prince naturally made progress in his daily political training.
Twice a month, Emperor Jingxi would summon Wang Zhiqiong to inquire about the Prince’s academic progress and listen to Wang’s opinions on the Prince’s studies.
This was Emperor Jingxi’s earnest effort for his son.
However, now, as Emperor Jingxi looked at the Prince’s essay presented by Wang Zhiqiong, he remained silent for a long time.
Wang Zhiqiong naturally understood but couldn’t openly say it.
Seeing the Emperor’s reaction, he could only say, “Your Majesty, this is due to my incompetence in urging the Prince.”
Emperor Jingxi neither agreed nor disagreed, casually tossing the essay aside.
The superficial and careless writing clearly showed the Prince’s inattentiveness while composing it.
Later, Emperor Jingxi said, “I selected erudite scholars to serve as the Prince’s lecturers and readers, holding daily lectures on classics and history, hoping he would expound on scriptures and history, cultivate virtue, and be well-versed in both ancient and modern knowledge. But after thirteen years of meticulous teaching, what have we achieved?”
His words were heavy, and the old minister Wang Zhiqiong quickly left his seat and knelt on the ground, “It is my dullness that has disgraced Your Majesty’s command. I beg for Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”
Emperor Jingxi said, “Rise, Minister Wang. As a father, I know the Prince’s temperament all too well.”
Wang Zhiqiong hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, the Prince is inherently kind and intelligent, a promising talent. His current restlessness is due to youthful impatience.”
“With careful guidance and listening to Your Majesty’s teachings, he will surely become proficient in governance and not disappoint Your Majesty’s painstaking efforts.”
Hearing this, Emperor Jingxi merely smiled faintly, “Minister, you may leave now. I wish to be alone.”
Wang Zhiqiong could say no more, kowtowed, and retreated.
However, upon reaching the door, he stopped, turned back, and returned.
Emperor Jingxi: “Oh?”
Wang Zhiqiong sighed, “Your Majesty, as the Grand Tutor, I feel deeply ashamed and have nothing to say. But as a fellow father, I have one thing to say, though I am unsure if I should.”
Emperor Jingxi remained expressionless, “Speak freely, Minister.”
Wang Zhiqiong then said, “The Prince has been under Your Majesty’s protection since childhood, cared for in every way. As the sole heir, the position of Crown Prince is unquestionable. Thus, the Prince has grown up in comfort, without worries.”
The Minister also added: “Now, in his youthful vigor, he is easily distracted by feminine charms, even to the point of neglecting sleep and food, which is a common human tendency.”
He paused, looking at the inscrutable Emperor Jingxi, and continued, “Now that Your Majesty is in the prime of life, with careful teaching, it is still possible to correct him and prevent future disasters.”
After hearing this, Emperor Jingxi remained silent, merely raising his hand to signal Wang Zhiqiong to leave.
After Wang Zhiqiong left, the Hall of Heavenly Favor fell silent.
Emperor Jingxi stood up and walked to the window.
In front of the window lattice, a pot of Clivia, housed in a palace porcelain box, emitted a faint, delicate fragrance.
The weather was exceptionally fine today.
Through the window, one could see the distant wisps of clouds and the vines climbing in front of the Hall of Heavenly Favor.
Under the distant palace wall, two eunuchs were stealthily pushing a water cart along the corridor, the wheels making a slight sound as they rolled over the white marble steps.
In truth, Emperor Jingxi understood all the principles Wang Zhiqiong spoke of.
But as a father, understanding the principles is one thing; the uncontrollable disappointment in his heart is another.
At this moment, a wave of sorrow inevitably rose in his heart.
As the emperor, he had only one heir at such an advanced age, and yet, at sixteen, his son’s actions left much to be desired.
Having lost his father at a young age, with the empress dowager offering no guidance in the harem, he had received little instruction from his father.
Matters of state and human relationships were all things he had to navigate on his own.
He had poured all his efforts into his son, teaching him everything he himself had never received, hoping that his son would surpass him and become a virtuous and capable ruler who could bear the weight of the empire.
But now, for the sake of a woman of little consequence, his son had acted so disgracefully.
As the future emperor, he could have any of the three thousand beauties in the harem, any beauty in the world-what couldn’t he have?
At this moment, Emperor Jingxi paused, and once again, a pair of frightened and innocent eyes appeared before him.
Awu.
The Awu he had let go of.
He had liked Awu.
He had ascended the throne at a young age, ruling the world, with so many beauties in the harem, yet he had always adhered to the rules.
Everyone was attended to in turn based on their time of entry into the palace, no more, no less, ensuring fairness.
In truth, he had never enjoyed it, like eating a mouthful of rice just to fill his stomach.
And they, too, likely felt no real affection for him, merely fulfilling their duty to serve the emperor.
It wasn’t until he met Awu that he realized what he truly liked.
She was cunning, quick-witted, would stuff her cheeks full at the sight of delicious food, and her eyes would light up at the sight of gold and jewels.
From the perspective of an emperor, she was somewhat vulgar, lacking in grace and nobility, but from the perspective of a man, seeing her was like seeing the vibrant, living world.
Emperor Jingxi’s heart suddenly ached.
If he liked her, why couldn’t he have her?