Qin Shu lay leisurely on the rocking chair, gazing at the bright moon in the distant sky.
The moonlight was clear and bright, yet this autumn night carried a slight chill in the evening breeze.
However, this faint coldness meant nothing to Qin Shu. After all, her physical foundation had long been honed to perfection.
The so-called frail and sickly, delicate and pitiful appearance was merely an act combined with special methods to deceive outsiders.
Here in Yuehua Palace, at this moment, with no outsiders present, there was no need for pretense.
Imperceptibly, the faint sound of music and strings completely faded away.
Xin Lian, standing nearby, reminded her: “Your Highness, the music has stopped. The palace banquet must have concluded. By the hour, it should be around Hai hour (9-11 PM). Would you like to return to your bedchamber to rest?”
Qin Shu couldn’t help but yawn at their suggestion. Just as she was about to rise, suddenly there seemed to be unusual movement…
Something was wrong. Who would dare break into her Yuehua Palace at night? Within the imperial palace grounds, how could someone be so audacious?
Xin Lian and Xin Yi were always vigilant – they would immediately detect any unusual activity. Yet this time, they only noticed because of their mistress’s reaction, indicating the intruder’s capabilities were extraordinary.
Qin Shu signaled Xin Lian and Xin Yi not to act rashly. In the deep palace, with layers of Imperial Guards maintaining control, even the slightest disturbance would inevitably alert them.
From what she had learned from her father and brothers, the security of the imperial city was formidable, especially around the Emperor. Even top martial artists couldn’t break into the inner palace and escape unscathed – such behavior was equivalent to seeking death.
Unless… this person was the master of the imperial palace, with the Imperial Guards at his command. In that case, there was only one corresponding person. If it were him, of course he could move freely through the palace without anyone daring to question it.
The next moment, a figure appeared under the moonlit night.
Sure enough, as Qin Shu looked at the man before her, everything unfolded exactly as she had predicted. But her doubts deepened – why had Xuan Yuan Che come?
When Xin Lian and Xin Yi clearly saw the person before them, they were stunned. They looked at each other, both astonished and unable to believe that the Emperor would come at this hour, and in such manner.
Noticing her attendants’ state, Qin Shu coughed lightly.
Hearing the cough, Xin Lian and Xin Yi immediately collected themselves. They quickly helped their mistress rise from the rocking chair, then followed her in performing the proper greetings.
“Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty.” As Qin Shu spoke these words, before she could complete the ceremonial bow, her arms were already grasped by a pair of strong hands that lifted her up.
Xuan Yuan Che gazed intently at Qin Shu and said, “There’s no need for such formality.”
Qin Shu wanted to withdraw her hands, but Xuan Yuan Che held them firmly with no intention of letting go. She responded gracefully, “Thank you, Your Majesty,” then continued, “Why has Your Majesty suddenly come to your servant’s palace?”
Xuan Yuan Che said gently, “After the palace banquet concluded and I arranged the subsequent matters, I came directly. You’re now separated from your family, alone in the palace. I… I wanted to accompany you for the Mid-Autumn Festival, to view the moon together. I’m sorry I came rather late.”
Qin Shu was completely bewildered. Accompany her for Mid-Autumn Festival? Moon viewing? And why had he changed how he referred to himself when speaking to her? What puzzled her even more was why he was apologizing to her for this? With all this confusion, she was utterly perplexed.
“Your Majesty, you flatter me.” She pondered for a moment, then tentatively remarked, “After the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the palace, shouldn’t Your Majesty be accompanying the Empress tonight, as per protocol?”
Xuan Yuan Che replied, “The Empress is naturally at the Sacred Sun Palace. By tomorrow, everyone in the palace will believe so. There are many intricacies involved, and you will gradually understand the specifics in due time.”
Qin Shu’s lips twitched slightly. Could there be something amiss in the Sacred Sun Palace? Was there some hidden secret behind Xuan Yuan Che summoning his consorts? Good heavens, it felt like she had stumbled upon some palace secret—and it was the Emperor himself who had told her? Why was he sharing so much with her?
Wait, why was he looking at her with such affectionate eyes while speaking?
She quickly averted her gaze from Xuan Yuan Che and changed the subject, saying, “Your Majesty arrived suddenly and in secret. What if I had already retired for the night? Wouldn’t Your Majesty have made the trip in vain?”
Xuan Yuan Che responded, “It’s no matter. It’s good just to see you.”
Qin Shu found Xuan Yuan Che increasingly perplexing. “Your Majesty came in secrecy to avoid drawing attention. Aren’t you worried that if someone in my quarters slips up, tonight’s events might be revealed?”
Xuan Yuan Che fixed his gaze intently on Qin Shu. “At present, only you and your two maids know. Would you reveal it? Or would your maids gossip?”
Qin Shu shook her head and affirmed, “No.”
Xuan Yuan Che smiled gently. “Then why should I worry about that?”
Qin Shu fell silent, unsure of what to say next. After a moment of contemplation, she said, “Your Majesty mentioned accompanying me to admire the moon. Please, have a seat.”
“Very well, let’s sit.” As he spoke, Xuan Yuan Che took Qin Shu’s hand, and the two of them sat side by side on the rocking chair.
Qin Shu keenly felt the gaze of the person beside her—intense and fervent. Internally, she grumbled, If you’re here to admire the moon, then do it properly. What’s with staring at me?
She turned her head and met Xuan Yuan Che’s eyes directly. This damned emperor’s face was exquisitely flawless, and under the moonlight, it took on an almost ethereal quality, as if an immortal had descended to the mortal realm on a moonlit night.
Who said only beauties could be temptations? The man beside her proved that male allure could be just as potent.
Stay calm—she would never be easily swayed by masculine charm. Her eyes happened to fall upon the plate of osmanthus mooncakes on the small table, and she reached out to pick it up. “It’s Mid-Autumn Festival tonight. How can we admire the moon without these osmanthus mooncakes? Would Your Majesty care to try one?”
It then occurred to Qin Shu that Xuan Yuan Che was The Supreme of the Nine-Five, and anything he consumed had to be tasted by someone else first. She picked up one of the mooncakes and was about to take a bite when she realized the piece in her hand had already been eaten by Xuan Yuan Che.
She asked casually, “Your Majesty isn’t concerned that the pastry might be tampered with?”
“I trust you.”
Trust her? Qin Shu replied with a hint of self-mockery, “Indeed, I wouldn’t be foolish enough to do such a thing and implicate myself, along with the entire Duke Stabilizing Country Residence.”
Xuan Yuan Che said, “It has nothing to do with that. I trust you because it’s you.”
His words stirred ripples in Qin Shu’s heart, prompting her to ponder deeply: What kind of connection existed between them that made him trust her so unreservedly?
Xuan Yuan Che noticed Qin Shu was distracted and said with a smile, “The mooncakes are very sweet and exceptionally delicious. It’s been a long time since I’ve tasted such delightful pastries.”
Qin Shu thought to herself: If you like them, then eat more! Why are you staring at me like that? The mooncakes aren’t growing on my face!