【Chapter Nine: Leaving the Palace】
Xiao Yanzhou had never cared about others. If it were anyone else, not to mention crying on his shoulder, even shedding tears in his presence would have him immediately driving them away.
But facing Xie Hengwu, he found it not so unbearable after all.
A faint dampness seeped through his shoulder, as if reaching into his heart.
Something seemed to lodge in Xiao Yanzhou’s chest, stirring an inexplicable discomfort.
He remembered that in those books, it was said that when a woman wept, he ought to comfort her.
But Xiao Yanzhou had never comforted anyone.
“Why are you crying for no reason?”
His tone was somewhat stiff, less like concern and more like an interrogation.
Xie Hengwu did not answer, only lifting her face to look at him with eyes misted over by tears.
Tearstains marred her meticulously adorned face, her lashes trembling lightly, fragile as the moon reflected in water.
Meeting her gaze, Xiao Yanzhou suddenly froze.
He had ascended the throne young, at just twelve years old.
With a child ruler, the state was unstable. Empress Dowager Cui acted as regent, and the Cui Clan held overwhelming power at court.
Outwardly, Xiao Yanzhou played the part of a temperamental, useless child, while secretly building his own faction.
At eighteen, he gradually reclaimed the reins of governance, tightening them in his own grasp.
Yet the Cui Clan’s influence was deeply entrenched, difficult to eradicate completely in one stroke.
To intimidate them, he secretly summoned Left Prime Minister Cui. The moment the minister stepped into Zichen Palace, Yulin Guards surged from all sides, surrounding him.
Left Prime Minister Cui was advanced in years; however obsessed with power, he valued his life and family more, and thus conceded.
That night, Empress Dowager Cui came before Xiao Yanzhou, eyes brimming with tears, and rebuked him sharply,
“He is your own uncle! Xiao Yanzhou, do you still have any regard for me as your mother?”
At that time, Xiao Yanzhou sat on the opulent throne with his ink-black hair loose, half his face hidden in shadow. Though his features still held a trace of youth, he already bore the dignity of an emperor.
Indifferent, he nodded to Huo Heng to take Empress Dowager Cui away.
The next day, Empress Dowager Cui requested to retire, leaving the palace for seclusion at the State Temple.
Slowly emerging from his memories, Xiao Yanzhou stared at Xie Hengwu’s tearful eyes, which seemed hauntingly familiar, and spoke with icy detachment, “If you keep crying, I’ll throw you into the Forbidden Lake.”
Though Xie Hengwu had not been here long, she had heard of the Forbidden Lake’s reputation.
Knowing full well that Xiao Yanzhou was likely to carry out his threat, she silently stopped her tears, though droplets still shimmered and trembled in her eyes.
That poised-on-the-brink look was even more pitiable.
She rose and composed herself, noticing the small damp patch on Xiao Yanzhou’s shoulder. Filled with trepidation, she took a silk handkerchief and began to dab at it.
“Your Majesty, please forgive me… This concubine did not mean to…”
Xie Hengwu spoke softly, her voice still tinged with a sob. Xiao Yanzhou felt an inexplicable ache in his heart, as if it had been squeezed.
He knew many people feared him, and he was accustomed to their gazes.
Even Zhao Quan and Huo Heng, who served him closely, would keep their distance when his head ailment occasionally flared and he turned violent.
Xiao Yanzhou was aware of his own temper; he did not mind the fear and distance from those under him.
But Xie Hengwu was different.
Perhaps because she still had her uses, he had already been quite patient with her.
Yet it seemed she did not think so.
Was it truly so unbearable to be touched by him?
Clearly, Xiao Yanzhou had misunderstood Xie Hengwu’s emotions, his dark eyes growing increasingly profound and cold.
“Did not mean to?”
Xie Hengwu had not yet noticed the change in Xiao Yanzhou's mood. Thinking that since she had already cried, she should find a way to smooth things over—lest this tyrant, displeased, throw her into the Forbidden Lake—she lowered her gaze and spoke softly, "Your Majesty, actually… today is this concubine's birthday."
"Taking advantage of the joyous occasion of the Empress Dowager's return to the palace, I also celebrated my birthday, and boldly considered this hairpin as a birthday gift."
"But because I indulged my own happiness and displeased Your Majesty, I truly feel deeply remorseful, which is why…"
Xie Hengwu tried her best to flatter Xiao Yanzhou, hoping to win some sympathy.
Her birthday was certainly not today.
However, she herself did not know when her actual birthday was, so any day could be considered as such.
The more Xiao Yanzhou listened, the more dazed his expression became, as if he had not expected such an excuse.
He grabbed Xie Hengwu's hand again, his grip even stronger than before.
"So, it wasn't because I touched you?"
Xie Yanzhou stared at Xie Hengwu's face, his gaze sweeping over her features, unwilling to miss even the slightest change in expression.
Seeing the crimson in his eyes, tinged with an abnormal obsession, her heart suddenly skipped a beat.
"Your Majesty, since the day of the Marriage Alliance, this concubine has been Your Majesty's person." Her gentle voice was like a clear spring, soothing the restlessness in Xiao Yanzhou's heart.
He gradually calmed down and released his grip on Xie Hengwu's hand.
Xiao Yanzhou closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, his usual cold expression had returned.
"You say today is your birthday?"
Xie Hengwu hurriedly nodded.
He clicked his tongue. "Why didn't the eunuchs inform me?"
Xie Hengwu thought to herself that it was naturally because her birthday wasn't today, but she couldn't say that out loud. She simply smiled and said, "With the Empress Dowager's return to the palace, there are many complicated matters to attend to. It's understandable that they overlooked this concubine."
She only wanted to quickly extricate herself, lest Xiao Yanzhou grow suspicious, but to his ears, it sounded as though she was making excuses for Empress Dowager Cui.
Xiao Yanzhou already had many grievances with Empress Dowager Cui, and coupled with his earlier misunderstanding of her, he now felt a rare sense of guilt. He sneered, "It seems I haven't disciplined them in too long, and they've forgotten who their master is."
Hearing this, Xie Hengwu thought it sounded as though Xiao Yanzhou intended to investigate thoroughly. She quickly said, "Why should Your Majesty trouble yourself with the servants? They are only following orders. If they offend Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, who could protect them?"
Xiao Yanzhou lowered his gaze coldly. "If they dare not offend the Empress Dowager, does that mean they can offend you?"
Xie Hengwu wrapped her arms around him from behind, leaning down until her lips almost brushed against his ear. "Your Majesty, to err is human. It's not a big matter anyway. Having Your Majesty's company is the best birthday gift this concubine could ask for."
The warm breath against his ear sent a tingling sensation through Xiao Yanzhou, and his ears gradually grew warm.
He coughed unnaturally and scolded, "Sweet talk."
Hearing that Xiao Yanzhou seemed to have no intention of pursuing the matter further, Xie Hengwu smiled. "These are all this concubine's sincere words."
Her hand rested on his chest. Xiao Yanzhou lowered his gaze, took her hand in his palm, and played with it absentmindedly. "A Heng, have you ever been to Beijiang before?"
Xie Hengwu didn't understand his meaning and replied, "Your Majesty must be confused. This concubine is from Nanliang. How could I have been to Beijiang?"
Xiao Yanzhou rubbed her fingertips. Xie Hengwu's hands were exceptionally well-maintained, her fingertips as plump as jade.
He said, "Meiren's Beijiang dialect is spoken very well."
Xie Hengwu's hand was itching from his grip, yet she had to endure it, her voice carrying a subtle tremor: "Your Majesty, before coming for the Marriage Alliance, I specifically learned the language here."
The languages of the two countries were not vastly different, making it relatively easy to learn. Ordinary people from Nanliang could grasp about seventy to eighty percent, while Xie Hengwu was simply more fluent and proficient.
When Xiao Yanzhou brought this up, Xie Hengwu couldn't help but recall that when she was learning the Beijiang language, her tutor had praised her for picking it up quickly.
At the time, Xie Hengwu hadn't paid it much mind, as she had always been a fast learner since childhood.
But now that Xiao Yanzhou suddenly asked, a flicker of doubt arose in her heart.
She had no memories from before she was adopted by the Marquis's Mansion.
From the moment she could remember, she was already the third young lady of the Marquis's Mansion, and she only learned of her adopted status three years after being taken in.
She…
Xie Hengwu's thoughts were interrupted by a sharp pain in her hand.
Looking down, she saw Xiao Yanzhou turn back, his phoenix eyes faintly displeased: "What are you thinking about?"
"Your Majesty, forgive me, I was lost in thought." Xie Hengwu smiled softly, almost coquettishly, "What did Your Majesty say just now?"
Xiao Yanzhou disliked repeating himself, but at this moment, he replied patiently, "I said, how about I take you out of the palace?"
Xie Hengwu was stunned for a few moments, her beautiful eyes suddenly widening.
"Your Majesty, is… is that true?"
Her astonished expression undoubtedly pleased Xiao Yanzhou. The corners of his lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile as he feigned nonchalance: "Why would I lie to you?"
Xie Hengwu's eyes brightened. After all, she was still a seventeen-year-old girl, naturally drawn to outings and adventures.
"Then, Your Majesty, when shall we leave the palace?"
Xiao Yanzhou looked into her sparkling eyes and said, "Now."
Huh?
Xie Hengwu was taken aback, watching as Xiao Yanzhou stood up and walked toward the palace hall's exit.
She quickly gathered her skirts and followed.
Outside, the night was dark and heavy, almost enveloping the heavens and earth. Wrapped in a heavy cloak, Xie Hengwu stood beside Xiao Yanzhou outside the hall, straining to look up as she whispered to him.
"Your Majesty, but the palace gates are already locked for the night."
Xiao Yanzhou's dark-colored robes fluttered in the biting wind. He glanced down with a light scoff: "I am the emperor."
Xie Hengwu let out an "oh," belatedly realizing she had said something foolish.
Suddenly, her waist tightened. Before she could even gasp, Xiao Yanzhou had already lifted her into the air.
The wind at such heights was even more biting, cutting like knives against her face. The moment Xie Hengwu opened her mouth, a gust of cold air rushed in, so she quickly shut it.
Looking down, the dizzying height made her head spin. She could only squeeze her eyes shut, wrapping her arms tightly around Xiao Yanzhou's waist, terrified of falling.
While Xie Hengwu trembled with fear, Xiao Yanzhou moved as if walking on flat ground. With a few light taps of his toes, he landed steadily with her on the city's Bell Tower.
This was the highest point in the capital, aside from the palace's Altar of Heaven.
From this vantage point, the entire city was visible.
Before Xie Hengwu could regain her composure, she leaned unsteadily against the tower's railing.
Xiao Yanzhou stood beside her and asked softly, "What do you think?"
Only then did Xie Hengwu glance downward. Given the cold weather, the streets were sparsely populated, with only the soft glow of street lamps, inevitably creating a desolate atmosphere.
But after all, she was out of the palace, and Xie Hengwu didn't mind much.
Besides, fewer people meant they were less likely to attract attention.
Xiao Yanzhou clearly realized this as well, clearing his throat and saying, "If we came during the day, it would be livelier."
Xie Hengwu smiled and glanced sideways at him: "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs during the day, how could you have time to come out? I am already very content with this moment."
As she spoke, a "bang" sounded from afar.
Xie Hengwu looked toward the direction of the sound and saw the distant sky illuminated by fireworks, like stars falling, followed by new fireworks blooming.
She momentarily became captivated, her face under the flickering fireworks, her eyes seemingly also blossoming with dazzling sparks.
While Xie Hengwu was watching the fireworks, Xiao Yanzhou turned his face to look at her.
His obsidian-like eyes almost blended into the night, concealing the few traces of tenderness within them.