Ximen Xinyue emerged from the Everlasting Palace, leading her personal maidservants, and headed directly towards the Glazed Palace. Her previous anger had vanished, replaced by an expression of tender affection.
She was on her way to see the Emperor, after all. How could she allow any unpleasantness to affect her demeanor? A sharp glint flickered in her eyes.
“Miss, where are we going?”
Her personal maid, Lianyan, was unsure of her mistress’s destination. Observing their route, it seemed they were headed towards the Glazed Palace. Could her mistress be going to see the Emperor? Lianyan’s face had already turned pale.
“To the Glazed Palace, to see the Emperor.”
“Miss, why are you seeing the Emperor? I heard that the Emperor is in a bad mood today, which is why the Empress Dowager has been confined.”
Ximen Xinyue stopped in her tracks and turned to look at her personal maid. The maid’s delicate face was already pale. This girl was truly timid. Ximen Xinyue reached out and tapped her head, issuing a cold warning:
“Lianyan, if you are like this, how can you serve your mistress in the future? Be a little braver. I am going to see the Emperor, and I can guarantee that the Emperor’s mood will improve shortly after.”
A triumphant smile curved Ximen Xinyue’s lips. She had obtained valuable information and believed the Emperor would be very pleased. Therefore, why would he blame her?
“Miss?”
Lianyan was speechless. Her mistress had always been highly skilled, daring, and very intelligent. Since she had said so, there would likely be no accidents. Besides, even if she tried to stop her, her mistress wouldn’t listen.
The two of them walked directly towards the Glazed Palace.
Outside the Glazed Palace, it was quiet and silent. The Emperor was attending to matters inside, and no one dared to utter a word. A line of eunuchs stood alertly by the entrance.
Upon seeing Ximen Xinyue and her maid approach, the young eunuchs smiled. This Miss Xinyue was truly delightful, gentle in her demeanor, and spoke in a soft, melodious voice.
“Greetings, Miss Xinyue.”
“Yes, I wish to see the Emperor,” Ximen Xinyue said, a smile playing on her lips. Her watery eyes appeared even more delicate, her dark hair lightly coiffed, and the jade-colored tassels gently swaying, adding a touch of exquisite charm to her refined features.
“The Emperor is currently handling matters. He is not seeing anyone,” the leading senior eunuch quickly replied.
The Emperor had given strict instructions that he was not to see anyone today. Although they wished to assist Miss Xinyue, they were powerless.
Ximen Xinyue smiled gracefully, not wishing to trouble the eunuchs further. “Could you perhaps call Eunuch A Jiu out for me?”
“This…” The senior eunuch frowned. Upon seeing Ximen Xinyue’s fresh and charming smile, the words of refusal wouldn’t come out. With a decisive nod, he said, “Very well, Miss Xinyue, please wait a moment. I will go in and inform Eunuch A Jiu.”
“I am indebted to you, Eunuch,” Ximen Xinyue curtsied. The senior eunuch, beaming, hurried inside.
This Miss Xinyue was so beautiful, carried herself with such grace, and seemed quite intelligent. The Emperor always favored intelligent women. If she were to gain favor one day, she wouldn’t forget them.
Upon receiving the report, A Jiu walked out with the senior eunuch.
“Miss Xinyue, what is it you wish to see me about?”
As the Emperor’s personal eunuch, A Jiu held a certain position within the palace. Therefore, he did not show excessive courtesy to Ximen Xinyue, but he still inquired very politely.
“I have an important matter to report to the Emperor, concerning the serious offender currently in prison, the monk Liaokong.”
As soon as Ximen Xinyue uttered these words, A Jiu’s eyes became sharp.
This was a significant matter. He flicked the back of the senior eunuch’s head. Miss Xinyue had important business to see the Emperor, and you dared to be negligent! After admonishing the senior eunuch, A Jiu turned around and said respectfully, “Miss Xinyue, please wait a moment.”
“Alright,” Ximen Xinyue pursed her lips and smiled. Her objective had been achieved. She believed the Emperor would surely see her.
She, Ximen Xinyue, would gradually approach the Emperor’s side and then enter the imperial harem. Ximen Xinyue’s lips curled into a triumphant smile.
A Jiu went in to report and soon came out. How could the Emperor not see her for such a matter?
“Miss Xinyue, please come in with me. The Emperor is waiting for you inside.”
“Thank you, Eunuch A Jiu,” Ximen Xinyue, beaming, led Lianyan and followed A Jiu into the Glazed Palace.
The senior eunuch, whose head A Jiu had flicked, opened his mouth wide in surprise. This Miss Xinyue possessed such formidable schemes! She ostensibly didn’t see the Emperor but asked to see Eunuch A Jiu.
In reality, being able to see Eunuch A Jiu was equivalent to seeing the Emperor. These women in the palace, it seemed, were each more formidable than the last.
The magnificent and opulent main hall was silent.
Dragon’s breath incense wafted through the air, and golden gauze curtains hung down.
A Jiu led Ximen Xinyue through the curtains to the rear.
A bright yellow desk was placed there, piled with memorial documents. A golden dragon throne gleamed brilliantly. The Emperor was seated upon it, meticulously reviewing his reports. Hearing footsteps, he paused his work and looked up.
He was adorned in a dazzling dragon robe, radiating an aura of dominance. His exquisite features were framed by black pupils that held a shimmering, captivating light, like surging, tempestuous waves that threatened to engulf Ximen Xinyue in an instant.
She felt her heart pounding fiercely. Every time she saw the Emperor, she was unable to control her emotions, which only deepened her desire to enter the imperial harem.
“Xinyue pays her respects to the Emperor.”
Murong Liuzun swept a stoic gaze over her. Recalling her previous act of delivering elixirs to the Empress, his expression softened slightly. He waved his hand, saying, “Rise. A Jiu, grant her a seat.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A Jiu brought over a stool, laid with a thick cushion, and invited Ximen Xinyue to sit.
“I hear you know the monk Liaokong?” The Emperor’s dark eyes shot out a piercing gaze, fixed intently on Ximen Xinyue.
While Ximen Xinyue felt the Emperor’s cold ruthlessness, she felt somewhat flustered by his gaze. However, she managed to compose herself and spoke slowly.
“It is not that Xinyue knows him, but rather that a servant of the Ximen family recognized Master Liaokong when the Emperor ordered the investigation of Yuejue Temple during a visit for incense offerings. He reported it to my father. My father found it difficult to interfere in this matter, as it was of great importance. The Emperor had already ordered Prince Nan’an and Prince Beijin, along with the Ministry of Justice, to jointly investigate. However, my father thought that a small detail might assist Your Majesty, and thus sent a servant with a letter to the palace. Xinyue has come to see the Emperor.”
Ximen Xinyue narrated the course of events. The Emperor, seated high above, raised his eyebrows, his patience wearing thin. He spoke coldly, “What is Liaokong’s background?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, the monk Liaokong was originally named Su Zhan. In his youth, he was the Empress Dowager’s lover.”
“Su Zhan?”
Emperor Xian’s face darkened abruptly. His narrow brows rose, and his deep pupils flashed with a cold, icy light. Liaokong was called Su Zhan, and he was the Empress Dowager’s lover in her youth. Then, there was no doubt that Prince Beijin was the mastermind behind this.