A Mistaken Marriage Match: Mysteries in the Imperial Harem - chapter-54
Mysteries in the Imperial Harem: Chapter 54
Chapter 54: Thoughts In A Whirl (Part 1)
Zhen Yang Palace
Xiao Yu carried the freshly brewed red celery wormwood tea with two
palace maid following her, carrying a few exquisite refreshments. Afraid
that the tea would get cold as it was the beginning of autumn, the trio
hurried their pace towards the Imperial library.
“It is already so late, tea is still served?â€
Xiao Yu was slightly stunned and her footstep paused as she look back.
She saw Qing Feng walking slowly from the palace door with a faint smile
on her face but Xiao Yu did not feel any trace of a laugh and the
coldness surrounding her was colder than the early autumn night.
Why did she come? Qing Feng have never taken the initiative to come to
Zhen Yang Palace to look for the Emperor, much less coming over so late
at night. Xiao Yu was unable to guess Qing Feng’s intention as she
lowered her gaze and slightly bowed, “Greeting Imperial Concubine
Qing.â€
“Raise.†Qing Feng’s slight landed on the trays that were held by
them. Other hand a pot of good tea, there was quite a lot of food. Xiao
Yu softly explained, “The ceremony is approaching thus there are
numerous affairs. These days the Emperor only rest after third of the
five night watch periods (Modern timing: 11 pm – 1 am), thus the need
to prepare tea and snacks.â€
Qing Feng looked up and saw the study was lighted up and the doors were
wide open. Yan Hong Tian was sitting behind a desk with numerous reports
that covered half of the desk. He was holding a writing brush and was
writing from time to time in the report. From the beginning to the end,
his brows were furrowed. Even though he sat on top, it revealed his
fatigue. But even so, it still portrayed a breathtaking majestic.
Staring at the man not far away, Qing Feng suddenly woke up. There were a
lot of things that happened to night, Chen Zhen made her feel shock and
also unconvinced. She was still thinking of what action to taken when her
legs unconsciously brought her here. Actually it was useless coming here
as what Chen Zhen said may not necessarily be credible but what she said
was not incorrect. She did not understand Yan Hong Tian, not one bit.
Qing Feng’s expression flicked and Xiao Yu secretly watched as she did
not want to say anything but the tea in her hands would cool down if she
does not bring it in. After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Yu asked
softly, “Does this servant need to inform…â€
“Not needed. Do not bother the Emperor dealing with affairs of the
state.†Qing Feng recover her sight and slightly waved her hands.
Leaving that sentence, she turned to leave like how she suddenly came.
Before Xiao Yu could react, Qing Feng was already out of Zheng Yang
Palace.
Xiao Yu carried the hot tea in and place it gently on the shorter table
beside the desk. Her eyes swept across the desk and saw ten over reports
across the desk. It would seem that the Emperor would not be able to rest
till after midnight. After placing the tea and snacks aside, Xiao Yu took
two steps back but did not leave. Waiting until Yan Hong Tian stopped to
drink the tea during his spare time, Xiao Yu said softly, “Emperor,
Imperial Concubine Qing just came over and left when she say you dealing
with affairs of the state.â€
Yan Hong Tian’s hands was holding a cup of tea while his eyes was still
staring at the reports intently that his eyelids did not even lift up
when he replied, “Withdraw. You all do not need to serve here.â€
“Yes.â€
Coming out from the study, Xiao Yu send the rest of the palace maids back
as she slowly headed back. Walking along the stone steps between the
Royal Study and the bedchamber, Xiao Yu sat down and propped her chin
with her hands and stared at the almost covered moon in a daze.
Xiao Yu was a Female Official by the Emperor’s side that even if she
was sitting at the stone steps at such a late night, no one dared to tell
her off. The night guards who were on duty only dared to glance at her
quickly when they pass her before hurrying away.
“It is so late already, Attendant Xiao still have the mood to
appreciate the moon?â€
Xiao Yu need not need to lift her head up to guess who it was as no one
will use this ridiculous tone to speak to her in Zheng Yang Palace. The
ceremony was nearing, thus she was able to see Ming Jian daily instead of
the usual once in ten days to a month. Xaio Yu cast sidelong glance at
him before continuing to look up at the sky and not pay him any heed.
Initially she thought that he will leave but she did not think that Ming
Jian would actually sit down beside her, “What made you lost in your
thoughts?â€
“Thinking of what that looks clear but is actually very shameful.†A
cool voice with some disdain and resent. Ming Jian was surprise for a
moment before he smile, “What angered the always magnanimous Attendant
Xiao?â€
Xiao Yu could not be bothered with him. Seeing her beautiful light
eyebrows knitted like she have something on her mind, Ming Jian asked
seriously, “Really so vexed?â€
Xiao Yu shook her head, “I was thinking, who would be the next Imperial
Concubine Qing.â€
Qing Feng? He know that Qing Feng was came over tonight but left in a
short time. What did she say to Xiao Yu that was able to make Xiao Yu,
who always ignored about the matters of the Inner Palace, to be this
trouble? Ming Jian smiled tentatively, “Imperial Concubine Qing’s
charms are not small indeed that even you start to care about her.â€
First it was Imperial Concubine Shu, then it was Imperial Concubine Hui
and the next one was Imperial Concubine Qing. Xiao Yu lightly exclaimed,
“Is it true that beautiful women are born unlucky?†And what would
her fate be? Once she reaches the age, she would only have two roads, one
was that the Emperor would take a fancy on her, keep her by his side and
confer a title of Beauty or whatever and then she would spend a lifetime
in the Palace. If her luck was better, the Emperor would bestow a
marriage for her but with her age and identity, it would not be possible
to be an official wife and only be a concubine. Actually, the only
biggest difference between both road was the size of her cage. She hated
this kind of feeling.
The melancholy that was reflected in Xiao Yu eyes made a slight ripple in
Ming Jian’s heart. He lifted his hands to her shoulders but did not
dare to place it down even after a long time when suddenly a voice
sounded, “Commander, General Su is here late at night to seek an
audience with the Emperor.â€
Ming Jian quickly took his hand back. It is already the middle of the
night and for General Su to personally enter the Palace this late, it
must be something important. Ming Jian did not dare to slight and
immediately stood up to reply, “Bring the General to the side hall of
the Imperial Study to wait.â€
“Yes.†The guard accepted the order and quickly left. Ming Jian
thought that Xiao Yu was still behind him and wanted to turn back and
inform her but he llater discovered that Xiao Yu had already left. Ming
Jian sighed and headed towards the Imperial Study.
“Emperor, General Su request an audience.â€
The hand holding the writing brush paused as he looked out of the room.
The night was already deep. Yan Hong Tian softly asked, “What time is
it now?â€
“Just past Xushi (modern timing: 7 – 9 pm).â€
“Announce.†For Su Ling to request an audience this late at night,
Yan Hong Tian vaguely felt that the matter should be related to the case
of the missing gold.
In a short while, Su Ling, clad in a dark green uniform and with hands
holding a report, strode up and without waiting for him to greet, Yan
Hong Tian waved his hands to motion to dispense the ceremony, “What
matter that cause such urgency?â€
“It is indeed very thorny.†Su Ling did not say anything more as he
handed the report over.
Flipping open the not so thin report and only reading a few pages, Yan
Hong Tian’s dark eyes slightly narrowed as he softly recite,
“Colluding with rebels, robbing the treasury, intent to conspire
against the state. It is indeed thorny, every line is a capital
offence.â€
Su Ling felt the anger from Yan Hong Tian and said seriously, “When Su
Ren caught the rebels and initially interrogated them. At that time, they
said that year when the gold vault was open with the collusion of the
Minister of Revenue and also signed their confession. But who knew that
once they are back to the Mistry of Justice, they insisted that it was
the instructions of the Prime Minister Lou’s, father and son.â€
A Pa sounded and the reported was thrown onto the desk. Yan Hong Tian’s
lips raised slightly but there was no smile, “Who would have thought
that not only you have brought the gold back, you also brought such an
interesting issue back.â€
Even though Yan Hong Tian said that it was interesting, those that were
present did not felt it. That pair of dark eyes were slightly narrowed
and there was a killing intent but it was only for a moment before it
became calm, “Gao Jing, summon Dan Yu Lan to the Palace.â€
“Yes.â€
Picking up the report to read again, when Yan Hong Tian finished the last
page, he suddenly said, “Conspiring against the state is indeed a
serious matter and is not a laughing matter. When Official Dan reach,
both of you should discuss and imprison those first thing tomorrow under
the â€کintent to conspire against the state’.â€
“Tomorrow?†Tomorrow was the day of Lou Xi Yan’s marriage?! Su Ling
frowned, “Does this matter require to be discussed with Prime Minister
Lou?â€
Yan Hong Tian lean back comfortably on the cushion as he smiled,
“General Su have underestimated Prime Minister Lou. He is always
strategising. Just wait for a good show tomorrow.â€
This issue was strange and for the Emperor to do as such, first was to
create a surprise so that the mastermind behind the matter would not be
able to react quickly and secondly he did not want Prime Minister Lou to
get married that freely and happily. Su Ling was not worried for Lou Xi
Yan, it was just that for a day like tomorrow, when he brought people
over to arrest him, he don’t know how would Qing Mo that woman would
argue with him. That may not necessarily true, since she did not argue
much but prefer to act instead. Thinking of the two tough and difficult
female from the Qing family, Su Ling head started to ache.
*****
When dawn broke, Qing Feng Hall started to bustle with noise and
excitement. The valuables and treasures that the Emperor usually bestowed
were taken out and individually placed into delicate wooden boxes and
wrapped up.
“Fu Ling, are the congratulatory gifts ready?â€
“Don’t forget any congratulatory gifts!â€
“What time is it now? You all have to be quick about it and not make
any mistakes.â€
Seeing Qing Feng being busy since early in the morning, Fu Ling quickly
stepped forward to support her and helped to to a wooden chair to sit
while smiling, “It is only Chenshi (Modern timing: 7 – 9 am),
Mistress do rest assure that everything is prepared.â€
Qing Feng knows that Fu Ling through with her tasks but it was a special
day today and she was happy but a little nervous as Eldest Sister will
finally get married. Pointing to the two carved green jade Ruyi and
taking out the official token from her sleeve before handing over to Fu
Ling, Qing Feng said, “The Ruyi have auspicious meaning. Pass that and
this over to her hands.â€
“Yes.†Fu Ling kept the token and smiled, “You have not been this
happy for a long time.â€
Qing Feng gave a pleasant smile, “It is Eldest Sister big day. Although
I am unable to go, I am still happy for her.â€
Seeing that the sun has finally broke through the clouds, Qing Feng
impatiently push Fu Ling out, “Quickly go, don’t miss the timing.â€
“Yes.†At this time, the Palace Gates just opened. Fu Ling was
helpless, seeing that her Mistress was that anxious, she could only head
out.
After Fu Ling left, Qing Feng had nothing much to do. Her heart was both
happy and excited that she was of no mood to read or write. She was only
hoping that Fu Ling could hurry back and tell her about the grand
wedding. She also don’t know what message will her sister pass to her
and Mo-er should also be at Eldest Sister’s wedding. She had not seen
her for six months and should have grown up a lot.
“The Emperor has arrived!†A loud cry sounded from outside the hall
which brought Qing Feng’s wandering thought back. Yan Hong Tian had
come? Qing Feng look out the window, when she was indulging in her
imagination, the sun has long risen and shining down the window frame. It
was already Sishi (Modern timing: 9 – 11 am).
Today was Prime Minster Lou wedding and hundreds of officials will be
congratulating. Even if he did not have to congratulate personally, he
should be in the Imperial Study working on affairs of the state at this
hour. What was he doing at her place?
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