Volume 2 Chapter 14 - Lan Ze"s First Kiss
Ever since Leng Jiu practiced swordsmanship that day, Lan Xiang had practically been visiting her every day, staring intently at Leng Jiu dressed in her palace attire. It seemed that if Leng Jiu allowed her, she would rush up and strip off her clothes. Not only that, but Lan Xiang even made a white cloud-patterned robe for Leng Jiu, and it was a man’s style. Leng Jiu was speechless towards this little fangirl. What national beauty, what princess, it was all nonsense!
Thanks to Leng Jiu, in recent days, Long Yi had been thinking about her and hadn’t brought up the matter of taking Lan Xiang as a concubine again. Lan Xiang no longer had to worry about trying to seduce the absent Prince Xuan, Long Yue Li.
After a satisfying sword practice, Leng Jiu seemed to have finally found her soul again, regaining her energy. It was as if the previous days of lifelessness were an illusion. If it weren’t for the bandages still wrapped around her hands, people might really think it was just a figment of their imagination.
Lan Xiang appeared again, carrying a sword, and approached Leng Jiu, ingratiating herself. “Good sister, could you teach me how to practice swordsmanship?”
Leng Jiu didn’t even lift her eyelids. “Not interested.”
Lan Xiang persisted eagerly. “If you teach me, I’ll do whatever you ask!”
“I haven’t even asked you to finish the task I already gave you!” Leng Jiu said coldly.
Lan Xiang pouted in grievance. “I haven’t even seen the person. How can I seduce him? You’re asking for the impossible!”
*You won’t find him, no matter how hard you try!* Leng Jiu thought to herself but didn’t push her further. However, she had no intention of teaching swordsmanship. Back when she was pestered by Mo Yi Na, she almost lost her mind, and Lan Xiang was like a second Mo Yi Na. No way would she invite that kind of trouble. *Hmm, I should send her to Mo Yi Na; they’d make a great pair.*
After sending the reluctant Lan Xiang away, Leng Jiu suddenly remembered something. “Zi Yu!”
Zi Yu quickly came in. “At your service, my lady!”
Leng Jiu thought for a moment before recalling the name. “Go to the front courtyard and bring the palace maid named Xiang Ming here.”
“Yes!”
Soon, Xiang Ming arrived. She looked somewhat innocent like Qiu Xin, but much more sensible. If it weren’t for the fact that she was one of Long Yue Li’s people, Leng Jiu would have promoted her for sure.
“Your servant greets the Empress Dowager.”
Leng Jiu, lazily propping her head up with her left hand, asked, “Where is your master? Is he dead yet?”
Xiang Ming lowered her head. “Replying to the Empress Dowager, I do not know.”
“You don’t know?” Leng Jiu narrowed her eyes and then opened them again. “Whether you know or not, just tell your master this: if he’s not dead, he better make a sound.”
“What if he is dead?” Xiang Ming tilted her head and asked.
Leng Jiu chuckled at her question. “If he’s dead, he’d better make a sound too and let me know where his grave is.”
“But Empress Dowager, if he’s dead, how could he make a sound? And why would you want to find his grave?” Xiang Ming asked honestly, her audacity showing through. Most maids wouldn’t dare to speak to Leng Jiu like that, but Leng Jiu didn’t find it annoying—instead, she found her quite amusing.
“He’s not an ordinary person. Even dead, he’ll make a sound. I want to know where his grave is so I can dig him up and see if, once he’s dead, he’s no longer as hateful as when he was alive. I also want to see if that devilish face of his rots along with him.”
Xiang Ming thought for a moment and said, “I’ll deliver the message. You can rest a.s.sured, Empress Dowager.”
“Good. Just make sure to let me know where the grave is so we can rid ourselves of a nuisance.”
Xiang Ming responded earnestly, “I’m afraid your wish might not come true. There’s a saying that troublemakers live for a thousand years.”
Leng Jiu chuckled. “Won’t your master skin you alive for saying such things?”
Xiang Ming smiled. “My master would probably think I’m too tough to bother with.”
Leng Jiu lost interest in the conversation. “You may leave.”
After Xiang Ming left, Leng Jiu’s eyes slightly lowered. Based on the maid’s att.i.tude, it was clear that Long Yue Li was not dead. This realization brought her some relief but also a sense of frustration. If Long Yue Li was alive, she wouldn’t have to be haunted by the memory of that moment, and she wouldn’t constantly think it was her who killed him. But if he wasn’t dead, they would still be entangled, which made her feel it would be better if he had died after all.
“Indeed, he’s a troublemaker!” Leng Jiu sighed helplessly.
That night, Leng Jiu changed into a green palace maid’s outfit and sneaked out stealthily. Before long, she arrived at a secluded courtyard, which had long been abandoned and overgrown with weeds.
She expertly climbed the wall, arranged the gra.s.s on top, and lay down. The night was dark, with no moonlight. The vast sky had only a few stars twinkling, not particularly beautiful or ugly. Leng Jiu didn’t romanticize stars like other girls, thinking about constellations or making wishes. To her, the sky was just the sky. However, she did have a special affection for stars. Many nights spent in the wilderness, she could look up and see the starry sky, and in those moments, she would find it peaceful and beautiful.
Sometimes, a shooting star would streak across the sky, and she would be momentarily amazed. She’d close her eyes and commit that brief wonder to memory but never make a wish, for she only believed in herself.
“Ding!” The sound of a drop echoed, followed by the soft flow of music, like a stream. Leng Jiu was slightly startled and turned her head, just in time to see a figure in light blue sitting in the middle of the courtyard. It was exactly as she had seen before—seated there, elegantly playing the qin with gentle, skillful hands.
Leng Jiu smirked slightly, then closed her eyes and quietly listened. She loved this kind of tranquility, enjoying the moment of peace.
When the song ended, Lan Ze climbed up the wall using the stones and sat next to Leng Jiu, smiling softly. “Ah Jiu.”
Leng Jiu didn’t move from her lying position and looked up at him with her hands behind her head. “What made you think of coming to play tonight?”
Lan Ze pulled a piece of gra.s.s and twirled it in his hand. “I thought, after so long, it’s time Ah Jiu came to see me. So, I came.”
Leng Jiu gazed at the sky. “What’s the difference between being a regent and being Prince Lan Ze?”
Lan Ze looked up too, following her gaze to the sky. “Not much of a difference, just a change of place. Like a hidden orchid from the valley being moved to a grand courtyard. It may have picked up some worldly hues, but it’s still an orchid. That never changes.”
Leng Jiu withdrew her gaze and looked up at him from below. From this angle, she could see his delicate chin, the gentle lines of his profile, and his clear, untainted eyes. Lan Ze was very handsome, but his beauty didn’t lie in his appearance. It was in his temperament—calm and graceful, as pure as an orchid. When people noticed him, their first impression wasn’t of his looks but of the aura he carried. Even just a silhouette could leave a deep impression—someone so unique she couldn’t bear to touch him.
The two remained quietly together, Leng Jiu not leaving, and Lan Ze not wanting to disturb the silence. They stayed in the moment as if time had frozen.
After a long while, when Lan Ze glanced down, he noticed Leng Jiu had closed her eyes, her breathing steady as if she had fallen asleep. Her long, curled lashes cast faint shadows on her face, her features delicate, and her lips temptingly red. At that moment, something in his heart broke free—warm, itchy, and impossible to ignore.
Since arriving in Fengyu, he hadn’t felt as despondent as before. Instead, there was a calmness, and even a hint of antic.i.p.ation, because she was here. Although he had only been back for half a month, it felt like a lifetime. Just knowing she was nearby made his life feel fuller than it had ever been. He didn’t quite understand whether this feeling was love, but he knew she was special to him.
On many quiet nights, she would lie there peacefully, listening to him play the qin without a word exchanged between them. He played his music, and she quietly listened, as though there was an unspoken understanding between them, despite no glances being shared. Later, when she was accidentally injured, her domineering and stubborn nature, as well as how she protected him in the brothel, had surprised him, but it also warmed his heart.
When he was falsely accused and had no way to defend himself, she descended like a G.o.d, rescuing him. But that also filled him with deep despair — she was the Empress Dowager! She motivated him, even using “Ah Jiu’s” death to pressure him. He knew she was doing it for his own good, so when the chance came to return to his country, he left without hesitation, not even saying goodbye — because she didn’t need him to.
Returning to the place that caused him both heartache and helplessness, for the sake of the dying old man and his mother, he finally showed his ruthlessness and skill. Although he did not take the throne, he fulfilled his promise to her. So, he came back, but not as the Regent King — he was still just himself.
He had never imagined that his life could feel so long yet pa.s.s so quickly because of one person’s presence. With her in his life, everything in the past seemed pale and devoid of light. Lan Xiang said he liked her, but could this truly be called liking?
His gaze fell unconsciously on her lips, and for a moment, he was spellbound. A voice in his heart urged him to lower his head and kiss her, but he dared not. He couldn’t bring himself to be so improper. He could only watch her, while his heart wrestled with itself.
Suddenly, her eyes opened, clear and bright like the cold stars in the night. Lan Ze snapped out of it, feeling deeply ashamed. How could he have had such indecent thoughts? If she knew, would she despise him?
Of course, Leng Jiu was unaware of his inner turmoil. She sat up and said, “It’s late. I should go back.”
“Alright,” he replied. He had no words to make her stay, nor did he have the right to.
Leng Jiu was the first to climb down the wall, and only then did Lan Ze cautiously follow. Seeing his careful steps, Leng Jiu couldn’t help but remind him, “Be careful, don’t slip!”
In the dark, Lan Ze’s face instantly turned red. He naturally remembered the last time he fell from here. At that time, she had also fallen while trying to pull him up, ending up in his arms… Thinking about this made Lan Ze’s breathing a little uneven, but he forced himself to shake off those distracting thoughts and carefully continued climbing down. By the time he faced Leng Jiu again, he had regained his composure and said, “Let’s go.”
Lan Ze was about to leave the palace, while Leng Jiu headed toward the rear courtyard. Once they walked past this point, they would part ways. As they reached the crossroads, Lan Ze felt reluctant, but he knew he had to leave. Just as he absentmindedly began to walk away, Leng Jiu suddenly pulled him aside and pressed him down into the bushes.
Her sudden closeness threw his heart into disarray. He could even smell her faint fragrance, which made his breathing difficult. As he watched her crouch and move forward stealthily, he was confused, but he forced himself to turn his attention away from her. However, what he saw next made him even more fl.u.s.tered.
A maid in palace attire was in the embrace of a guard. The two were kissing pa.s.sionately behind the bushes, no more than five meters away. The sound of their wet kisses could be heard clearly. The man’s hand moved to strip off the woman’s clothes, and she didn’t resist, instead helping him untie his belt. As their clothes were removed, revealing their undergarments, the man began to touch and caress the woman’s body. She clung to his neck, letting out soft moans, which only made the man’s breathing heavier. They fell to the ground, with the man pressing her beneath him. After some rolling around, their clothes were undone, and the scene became even more heated.
Lan Ze was stunned, hastily turning his face away, but the woman’s moans and the man’s heavy breathing were even clearer in his ears. He wasn’t one to be easily moved, but how could he stay calm after witnessing such a scene? Although he had never experienced this himself, he had seen enough of such things in this sordid palace to know what was happening. But it was precisely because he knew that he felt even more uncomfortable. The delicate fragrance wafting from Leng Jiu beside him was like a lethal poison, burning his insides.
Leng Jiu, on the other hand, remained calm. Such a heated scene was nothing to her; she had seen far more explicit ones in the past. This was barely scratching the surface. She wasn’t interested in the act itself, but rather in the ident.i.ties of the two involved. It was rare that they were both people she remembered. Thinking about who they were, she found it amusing. If Long Yi knew that his concubine and his subordinate were engaging in such an affair in the middle of the night, she wondered what his reaction would be.
Once Leng Jiu identified the pair, she lost interest in watching their repet.i.tive motions. It was then she noticed something off about the person beside her. She suddenly remembered that Lan Ze was still a pure, innocent young man. For him, this kind of scene might be a bit too much stimulation!
Turning her head, she met Lan Ze’s eyes, which were filled with a struggle and undeniable desire, clearly affected by what he had just witnessed.
When Leng Jiu suddenly turned toward him, Lan Ze was startled and awkwardly looked away, his face slightly flushed with embarra.s.sment. He was filled with shame and self-loathing — how could he have harbored such improper thoughts about Ah Jiu? He felt it was unforgivable!
The pa.s.sionate sounds continued nearby, seemingly unaware of what was happening on their end. Leng Jiu had no choice but to grab Lan Ze’s sleeve and pull him back. If they were discovered now, it would ruin the fun! As they walked a few steps, the absentminded Lan Ze tripped over a rock, tumbling forward. Leng Jiu was startled and quickly caught him, cushioning his fall. Fortunately, the ground was covered in gra.s.s, preventing any serious injury to her back, but Lan Ze ended up on top of her. His lips brushed the side of her face, then slid down to the corner of her mouth, causing both of them to freeze.
The sounds in the distance continued unabated, clearly unaffected by the mishap. Lan Ze lay stiffly on top of Leng Jiu, unsure of how to react. His heart pounded so fast it felt like it would burst.
Leng Jiu, noticing his reaction, squinted slightly and gave a mischievous smile, whispering teasingly, “Does this count as you seducing me?”
Lan Ze’s eyes widened in embarra.s.sment and panic. He lifted his head slightly to meet Leng Jiu’s gaze. He knew he should move away, should distance himself, and that he shouldn’t be having such indecent thoughts. But he couldn’t control his heart, nor the surge of desire within him. His eyes were drawn to her lips again. Just moments ago, that fleeting touch had made him realize how soft they were. He longed to feel it once more.
Overwhelmed by his desires and with his mind going blank, his eyes fixated on her lips. Slowly, he lowered his head, inch by inch, until finally, their lips met. They were so soft, so tender, that his heart melted.
Leng Jiu narrowed her eyes, watching as Lan Ze, despite his internal struggle, finally gave in and kissed her. His lips, hot with pa.s.sion, enveloped her in his unique scent. Her once-cold eyes softened, a slight mist of emotion clouding them. She sighed softly, “You’re the one seducing me this time.”
She raised her arms to embrace him, opening her lips to take his in, one hand holding the back of his head to deepen the kiss.
Lan Ze trembled at Leng Jiu’s response, his entire body shaking with excitement. He returned her embrace and kissed her pa.s.sionately. He had never dared hope for this moment. Even when those desires surfaced earlier, he felt like a thief, filled with guilt and unease. But now, he had actually kissed her, and she hadn’t rejected him or gotten angry. Instead, she gave him an even more fiery response. Her hot lips, her fragrant tongue, her sweet nectar — everything made him lose himself. In this moment, he felt that he could die happy.
The pair in the distance finally quieted down after some m.u.f.fled groans. The sound of them dressing followed, accompanied by a few whispered words before they walked away in separate directions.
Startled back to reality, Lan Ze quickly pulled away from Leng Jiu’s lips. When he came to his senses, he found himself staring into her eyes. His normally calm and composed gaze was now filled with a tender glow, making him look even more captivating and alluring. He reached out to caress Leng Jiu’s face, still in disbelief. “Ah Jiu…”
Leng Jiu, captivated by his beauty, traced her fingers along his brows before pulling her hand back. “It’s getting late. We should head back.”
Lan Ze was pulled back to reality. He suddenly realized he was still lying on top of her and awkwardly rolled off, sitting on the gra.s.s beside her. The events that had just unfolded made him feel both anxious and unsure. “Ah Jiu, just now…”
“What about just now?” Leng Jiu’s cool gaze held no trace of emotion as she asked.
Lan Ze’s heart had been racing, but when he saw Leng Jiu’s indifferent expression, he instantly calmed down. The haze in his eyes dissipated, leaving only a hint of sadness. Of course, she didn’t want to dwell on what had happened between them. If she didn’t want to mention it, it was as if it had never happened. He lowered his head, suppressing the bitterness that rose within him, and tried to keep his voice steady. “Nothing. You should go back now. I’ll stay here for a little longer.”
Just for a little while longer — in this place where he had kissed her. It didn’t matter if she forgot. As long as he remembered, it was enough.
After a while without hearing anything from beside him, Lan Ze turned his head in confusion, only to find Leng Jiu smiling at him. For a moment, countless emotions surged within him, though he couldn’t quite understand them. He simply stared at her, dumbfounded. “Ah Jiu?”
Leng Jiu leaned in slightly and gave him a quick peck on the lips. With a helpless smile, she said, “I was just teasing you. Were you really that sensitive?”
Lan Ze continued to stare at her, still not fully understanding.
Leng Jiu lifted a hand to caress his face, her gaze softening. “A kiss is just a kiss. We both wanted it. I was just teasing you earlier. What are you overthinking?”
Upon hearing this, Lan Ze’s eyes brightened, and the gloom in his heart dissipated. Happiness came so suddenly that he almost lost his composure, though he didn’t completely lose his sense of reason. “Ah Jiu, I don’t blame you. I know, with our ident.i.ties, this shouldn’t have happened. I was the one who crossed the line.”
Leng Jiu pinched his face with a smile and said, “When emotions flow naturally, there’s nothing inappropriate about it. Besides, I’m Ah Jiu, not the Empress Dowager. Understand?”
Lan Ze finally managed a faint smile. “Mhm.”
Leng Jiu stood up, brushed off her clothes, and extended her uninjured hand to him. “If we don’t leave now, it will be daylight soon!”
Lan Ze took her hand but didn’t grip it tightly. He stood up, gave her hand another light squeeze, and said nothing more. “You should go back. Be careful.”
The two parted ways, each heading to their respective destinations.
The next morning, Leng Jiu changed the bandages on her hand one last time. Removing the layers of gauze revealed her healed palm, though it was marred by two unsightly scars. Even after the scabs fell off, the marks would likely remain for quite some time. Leng Jiu’s anger flared at the thought of Long Yue Li, who had caused her such trouble, cursing him for not dying properly and making her suffer.
At lunch, Lan Xiang once again came to dine at the Weiyang Palace. Recently, she had been frequenting the palace the most, always arriving right on time to catch lunch and afternoon tea.
After a rare and orderly dinner, Lan Xiang set her bowl down and leaned in toward Leng Jiu, speaking in a mysterious tone, “I noticed something odd about my elder brother today!”
Leng Jiu slowly sipped her tea and rinsed her mouth. “What’s odd?”
“This morning, he was sitting there dazed and grinning to himself. You wouldn’t believe how silly he looked. He even stumbled and nearly fell at the door when he left. I almost thought he had been replaced by someone else!” Lan Xiang said with an incredulous expression.
Leng Jiu’s eyelids twitched. Was it really just because of a kiss?
Seeing that Leng Jiu didn’t respond, Lan Xiang continued on her own, “I’ve never seen him like this before. Could he be possessed?”
Leng Jiu moved her lips but said nothing.
Lan Xiang, feeling disheartened by the lack of response, shifted topics. Leng Jiu then engaged in a few more words with her.
After Lan Xiang left, Leng Jiu changed her clothes and left the palace. It was said that Concubine Yang had been recovering well recently and could walk now. Leng Jiu decided it was time to visit her.
As she bypa.s.sed the Imperial Garden and headed toward the side palace, she found someone had arrived before her. Leng Jiu saw the hint of coral red and narrowed her eyes as she walked inside.
“The Empress Dowager is here!”
“Greetings, Empress Dowager!” Everyone knelt on the ground. Zhao Yan, dressed in coral red palace attire, stepped forward and performed a graceful curtsy. “This humble servant greets the Empress Dowager!”
Leng Jiu’s eyes swept over Zhao Yan with a hint of amus.e.m.e.nt. “What brings Consort Hui here?”
Zhao Yan, feeling uneasy under Leng Jiu’s gaze, steadied herself and replied, “I came to see Concubine Yang. She’s weakened after her miscarriage, so I brought some tonics for her.”
“You are very considerate.”
“It is my duty.”
Leng Jiu walked past her, her gaze briefly falling on Concubine Yang, who was quietly kneeling on the ground. Though she was still a bit frail, she looked much better than the last time. “Everyone, please rise.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager!”
Concubine Yang and others stood up, and Concubine Yang bowed deeply before Leng Jiu. “This humble servant thanks the Empress Dowager for saving my life!”
The small palace maid who had been kneeling also bowed and smiled awkwardly when Leng Jiu looked her way.
Leng Jiu raised her hand. “You’re weak. There’s no need to kneel. Stand up.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager!”
The small palace maid helped Concubine Yang to her feet. Yang Lian’s face carried the calmness of one who had survived a life-threatening ordeal. She looked at Leng Jiu with grat.i.tude. “For someone of my humble status to trouble the Empress Dowager to come all this way is truly unworthy. Please forgive me!”
“It’s my own will to visit you. There’s no need to apologize. Please, go inside.”
Yang Lian stepped aside. “Please, Empress Dowager.”
The room was still as cold and simple as before, but the deathly atmosphere from last time had dissipated. Leng Jiu took a seat at the head of the room, with Zhao Yan and Yang Lian each taking a side. With Zhao Yan present, Leng Jiu said little, simply inquiring about her health. After sitting for a quarter of an hour, she left, with Zhao Yan following her out. Leng Jiu did not ask Zhao Yan to accompany her further and returned to the palace alone.
Back in the palace, Leng Jiu was somewhat silent. Zi Yu cautiously asked, “Is the Empress Dowager unhappy because of Consort Hui?”
Leng Jiu slid the lid of her cup and looked down. “Perhaps. The palace is currently avoiding Concubine Yang, so it seems strange for someone to be so proactive in visiting her, especially since Zhao Yan was taught by me.”
At dinner, as Leng Jiu was about to pick up her chopsticks, Du Heng rushed in urgently. “Empress Dowager! Something terrible has happened!”
Leng Jiu paused, her chopsticks suspended. “What happened?”
“Concubine Yang is dead!”
Leng Jiu put down her chopsticks and raised an eyebrow. “Explain in detail.”
Du Heng took a deep breath. “Half an hour ago, Concubine Yang drank a bowl of ginseng soup and immediately died of poisoning. Her palace maid, terrified, went to find a physician and even contacted Consort Hua. Consort Hua went, and it eventually involved the Emperor. The Emperor, seeing Concubine Yang’s face turning purple, was enraged and ordered a thorough investigation. The captain of the Imperial Guards, Lin Daren, conducted a search and found some precious medicinal materials in Concubine Yang’s palace, as well as a half-used potion. The physician identified that the ginseng had been poisoned with Cinnabar, which is fatal. When the Emperor inquired about who sent the gift, it was discovered that the box was from you, Empress Dowager. They are likely on their way to summon you now!”
Zi Yu’s face turned pale. “Impossible! I personally selected the tonics. The Empress Dowager never touched them, and I would never poison anyone!”
“It’s fine!” Leng Jiu gave her a rea.s.suring look and picked up her chopsticks to eat. “No wonder it felt strange; it turns out they were waiting for me.”
Zi Yu’s eyes widened. “Does the Empress Dowager mean…”
She didn’t finish her sentence, and Leng Jiu didn’t reply, simply continuing her meal. She gestured for Qing Ling to bring over the soup and ate slowly.
Within two bites, Eunuch Qu arrived and bowed to Leng Jiu. “This servant greets the Empress Dowager! His Majesty has sent me to request the Empress Dowager to come to Concubine Yang’s palace.”
Leng Jiu did not immediately respond, leisurely finishing her soup, then eating some vegetables. After rinsing her mouth and wiping her lips with a handkerchief, she said, “Let’s go.”
Eunuch Qu stood patiently, not urging her. He only followed her closely when Leng Jiu finished eating and stood up.
Concubine Yang’s once desolate palace was now filled with people. When Leng Jiu arrived, a large number of people knelt. Ignoring them, she walked in to find Concubine Yang’s body laid out on a board. Her face, which had just begun to show a little vitality, was now lifeless and turned a frightening shade of purple.
The small palace maid beside Concubine Yang was quietly crying. Seeing Leng Jiu, she wiped her tears and glanced over, as if she had much to say but swallowed her words.
Leng Jiu withdrew her gaze and walked over to Long Yi, naturally taking a seat beside him. “I’m here. If His Majesty has any questions, please ask.”
Long Yi glanced at Lin Feng, who stepped forward and saluted. “Your servant greets the Empress Dowager. May I ask if it was the Empress Dowager who sent ginseng to Concubine Yang?”
Leng Jiu smiled ambiguously. “Is Chief Steward Lin questioning me?”
“Please forgive me, Empress Dowager. It is my duty.”
“Duty?” Leng Jiu sneered. “When a maid and a chief steward in my palace died, I didn’t see you being so diligent. I thought you only ever promised to investigate without actually doing anything!”
Lin Feng’s face was stern. “I have done my best. If the Empress Dowager wishes to hold me accountable, I have nothing to say. But please answer my question.”
Leng Jiu raised her eyebrows, glancing at Zhao Yan and Hua Yuxuan, and without hesitation said, “Yes, it was I who sent it.”
Lin Feng immediately brought out the gift box. “Is this the box, Empress Dowager?”
Zi Yu tried to interject but was stopped by Leng Jiu. Leng Jiu smiled. “Yes, it is.”
Lin Feng bowed to Long Yi. “Your Majesty, I have completed my questioning.”
“Is that all the questioning?” Leng Jiu kicked her nails, smiling nonchalantly. “I haven’t finished yet. All these items were actually a recent gift from the Emperor to me. I didn’t even unwrap them before sending them to Concubine Yang. Shouldn’t Chief Steward Lin also be questioning the Emperor?”
Lin Feng’s face stiffened. “The Emperor wouldn’t poison Concubine Yang!”
“So you’re implying that I would poison Concubine Yang?” Leng Jiu covered her mouth and laughed delicately before turning to Long Yi. “Your Majesty, Chief Steward Lin has already accused me. How do you plan to deal with me?”
Long Yi looked at her, unsure. She had dared to kill palace maids and strike him before, so there was likely nothing she wouldn’t do. However, he doubted she would use poison to kill Concubine Yang. If she wanted her dead, she would probably do it more directly.
He turned to Lin Feng. “Without solid evidence, don’t make hasty judgments. You are to investigate this matter thoroughly!”
Lin Feng bowed. “I will obey.”
Long Yi rose. “Posthumously promote Yang Lian to Concubine Lian and give her a grand burial!”
“Long live the Emperor!”
As Long Yi left, Hua Yuxuan and Zhao Yan followed. A large group of Imperial Guards flowed out, and the scene quickly returned to its previous desolation.
Long Yi returned to the Imperial Study. Zhao Yan and Hua Yuxuan walked together, and Zhao Yan looked at Hua Yuxuan with displeasure. “Why didn’t you say anything just now? It was such a good opportunity!”
Hua Yuxuan sneered. “I don’t bother with your little tricks. If she could be easily overthrown by you, she wouldn’t be the Empress Dowager.”
Zhao Yan grew anxious. “I’ve done my part. You can’t go back on your promise!”
“Don’t worry! No one else will know besides me!” Hua Yuxuan said, turning away with a look of disdain.
Zhao Yan clenched her fists, angry but resigned to follow her.
Concubine Yang’s promotion to Consort Lian was only a posthumous honor, and her funeral was as spa.r.s.e as it could be. Her low status and the nature of her death led to a hurried, minimalistic burial in the Imperial Tomb, devoid of any grandeur.
Lin Feng was investigating the poisoning, but as usual, he couldn’t find any conclusive evidence and didn’t dare question Leng Jiu further. The investigation would likely end unresolved.
Lan Xiang, who heard about the palace events, hurried over but found everything already handled. She sighed, “It seems that every palace is the same—none are clean!”
Leng Jiu smiled lightly. “If it were clean, it wouldn’t be called a palace.”
Lan Xiang looked at her. “How do you plan to punish those who framed you?”
Leng Jiu shook her head. “Such minor matters aren’t worth my attention or action.”
“Are you letting her go just like that?” Lan Xiang was dissatisfied. “People like that are troublemakers. If they don’t succeed once, they’ll try again. You can’t be lenient with schemers!”
Leng Jiu smiled indifferently. “Bothering with a bunch of petty schemers is a waste of time. If she causes trouble again, I’d be happy to see it. It only makes the palace more chaotic, which doesn’t affect me.”
Lan Xiang pursed her lips. It was clear that Leng Jiu was more skilled at handling such matters. Seeing that this issue hadn’t harmed Leng Jiu, Lan Xiang wasn’t too worried. After all, Leng Jiu was the Empress Dowager, the highest in the palace. Even if she poisoned a consort, it was unlikely that anyone would dare hold her accountable. Moreover, Leng Jiu was such a formidable figure that worrying about others seemed unnecessary.
With this topic settled, Lan Xiang changed the subject to something less pleasant. “My brother says we’ll have to leave in three days!”
Leng Jiu was slightly surprised. “So soon?”
Lan Xiang lowered her head. “It’s not that soon. We’ve been here for over half a month. I wanted to stay longer, but with only the young Emperor left in the palace, and a few old ministers helping out, many things still need my brother’s attention.”
Leng Jiu understood. Lan Ze, as the regent, had to handle many matters, especially with the young Emperor still growing. “Didn’t you say you wanted to wait until the plum blossoms in North Mountain were in bloom? Aren’t you going to see them now?”
Lan Xiang sighed. “I want to see them, but since my brother is leaving, I can’t stay alone here. It would be inappropriate, and there’s also that lecherous Emperor. My brother is worried.”
“Going back is fine! The plum blossoms in Snow Country are much prettier than those in Feng Yu!”
“That’s true. Most of the plum blossoms in Feng Yu are actually from Snow Country!” Lan Xiang thought for a moment. “When I return, I’ll send some rare plum blossoms to you by express. They should bloom in a month, and you’ll be able to see them then!”
Leng Jiu smiled. “I’ll look forward to it!”
Lan Xiang took Leng Jiu’s hand, her face showing reluctance. “But I’ll miss you. My brother will miss you too. We don’t want to leave.”
Leng Jiu, who was uncomfortable with farewells, replied, “You can always come back. As long as you’re not the Snow Country princess, Long Yi won’t set his sights on you!”
Lan Xiang’s eyes lit up. “Right! As long as I’m not the Snow Country princess, I can come secretly. If he doesn’t know, I’ll be safe!”
Leng Jiu had no qualms about encouraging her. After all, as long as no one blamed her, it was just a matter of making palace life more complicated!
－－－－－－ Off-topic－－－－－－
╮（╯▽╰）╭ After so long, here’s a kiss for Lan Ze as compensation. Haha!