The next day dawned bright and beautiful, with a gentle spring breeze.
Li Youfu arrived at the Duke Fuguo's residence early in the morning, bearing the imperial edict of investiture and the noble consort's bestowals.
The members of the Ming family, dressed in formal attire, knelt in the front courtyard, which had been swept clean and prepared in advance with an incense table and altar, adorned with offerings and incense burners, to receive the edict.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
"Ming Hua, daughter of Ming Yuan, Duke Fuguo, comes from a distinguished family and has long been known for her gentle grace and virtuous character."
"Answering the mandate of Heaven, she is selected to enter the inner court and is hereby invested as Noble Consort, to enter the palace on the tenth day of the fourth month."
"Respect this decree!"
After Li Youfu finished reading, he closed the edict and then respectfully presented it to Ming Hua, who was kneeling on the ground in a dignified manner, dressed in an embroidered orchid flowing gauze skirt, awaiting the decree.
He said with a smiling, respectful tone: "Please accept the edict, Noble Consort."
"Your subject's daughter humbly thanks Heaven for its grace."
Ming Hua's expression remained calm and composed, neither humble nor overbearing. Her movements were dignified and elegant, and she performed the kowtow of gratitude with complete propriety and etiquette. She then accepted the weighty edict of investiture from Li Youfu's hands with both hands and rose gracefully.
Though she was usually somewhat pampered and willful, acting as she pleased, as the legitimate daughter of a great aristocratic family, she knew how to observe proper decorum and etiquette before outsiders.
She would not throw a tantrum or show her reluctance at this moment because she did not wish to enter the palace, thereby losing face for the Ming clan and the Duke Fuguo's residence.
Moreover, yesterday her father, mother, and second brother had comforted her for a long while, carefully explaining the political entanglements behind this matter and the current situation at court. She had now gradually come to accept this reality.
Two years ago, when the late emperor passed away, the scenes of the Rebellion of the Nine Princes were still vivid in her memory.
In any case, she had spent the past year or two searching all of the capital and had failed to find a suitable husband to her liking. If her entering the palace as a consort could bring stability to the court and spare the common people of the realm the suffering of war and displacement, then it would be worth it.
As for that old man Xie Chongyuan—if he truly was as the rumors described—wild, crude, boorish, and unpredictable in temperament—then she would simply keep her distance.
After all, she had the backing of the Jingzhao Ming clan and the Duke Fuguo's residence. Even if she never sought the emperor's favor in the future, she could still live a life of luxury and comfort in the palace for the rest of her days…
After Li Youfu handed the edict to Ming Hua, he glanced at the thirty-odd large chests that the young eunuchs behind him had carried in, and explained with an obsequious smile.
"These are all the bestowals His Majesty has given the Noble Consort. Besides the standard bestowals due to a newly invested noble consort, His Majesty added twice as much from his personal treasury—this shows how highly His Majesty regards the Noble Consort!"
"Among them, there is a piece of Hibiscus Jade that the kingdom of Nanyue tributed some days ago. It is large in size and exceptionally translucent—an extremely rare heirloom treasure."
"His Majesty specifically ordered this to be added to the Noble Consort's dowry. Prince Jin came several times over the past few days to beg His Majesty for it, but His Majesty couldn't bear to part with it!"
He looked at the young lady standing before him—her voice as sweet as an oriole's song, her complexion rivaling the brilliance of pure snow, her beauty surpassing the delicate charm of hibiscus flowers, her flowing blue robes making her appear ethereal and immortal, like the goddess Chang'e descending to earth—and his fawning smile deepened.
He congratulated her eagerly: "Noble Consort, congratulations!"
With beauty like that of the young lady of the Ming family, there was hardly a man in the world who could see her and not feel affection. No wonder the entire Ming family was said to treasure their youngest daughter like a precious jewel.
Though the emperor was currently devoted entirely to state affairs, with no interest in romantic matters and no appetite for beauty, if such a stunning beauty were to remain constantly by his side, it would be hard for him not to be moved as time went on.
A peerless beauty like this—one who could topple cities and nations, unmatched in loveliness, impossible to look away from—would surely come to dominate the harem sooner or later.
Moreover, judging by the emperor's words at yesterday's court assembly, the conversation between the emperor and the Empress Dowager last night, and the emperor's current attitude, this Noble Consort was all but guaranteed to be the Empress. In the future, she would be the only one in the harem.
But with such beauty and such family background, whether or not anyone else came along, and whether or not she won the emperor's favor, the throne of Empress would sooner or later be within this Noble Consort's grasp.
The emperor was unpredictable in temperament. Though he, Li Youfu, had managed to serve at the emperor's side by being adept at reading the room, if he wished to remain securely in his position as chief eunuch of the inner palace in the future, it would certainly not be wrong to flatter and curry favor with this Noble Consort.
Ming Hua knew that this Eunuch Li was a personal attendant serving at the emperor's side, and that he also assisted the Empress Dowager in managing all palace affairs, holding considerable prestige within the palace.
She quickly inclined her body slightly in a graceful bow and said softly with a faint smile: "Thank you for your kind words, Eunuch Li."
At this moment, Zhao Xuelan also stepped forward from behind Ming Hua.
She smiled courteously and pressed a heavy pouch of reward money, prepared in advance and wrapped in a vermilion money bag, into Li Youfu's hands.
"Today, I truly must thank Eunuch Li for his trouble. Please, do sit down and have a cup of tea, and perhaps some pastries and fruit to rest your feet."
"Your Ladyship, the Duchess, is too kind—you flatter me. These are all within my duties, and besides, being able to come today to deliver the imperial edict to the Noble Consort is itself my good fortune."
Li Youfu wore a respectfully proper smile on his face, but in secret, he weighed the heavy pouch of reward money in his hand and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.
This Duke Fuguo Manor truly lived up to its reputation as the most flourishing aristocratic house in all of Great Qi—their generosity was simply staggering. It seemed that currying favor with this Noble Consort in the future would certainly not be a mistake!
Though he currently enjoyed some favor in the emperor's presence, before the Ming family—whom even the emperor treated with three parts of respect—he dared not put on airs or act presumptuously.
He only sat down humbly, accepted the cup of Floating Emerald tea offered by the maidservant, took a symbolic sip, and then made his excuses about needing to return to the palace for his duties, taking his leave early.
Since yesterday's court assembly, the news that the Duke Fuguo's daughter had been enfeoffed as Noble Consort by the emperor had already spread throughout the capital.
Now, both in court and among the common folk, in every street and alley, everyone was discussing it endlessly.
The noble ladies who had previously jostled and fought to enter the palace as empress or consort, vainly dreaming of rising to the top and monopolizing the emperor's favor, felt both envy and jealousy toward Ming Hua upon hearing this news.
But those who understood the emperor's intentions felt some pity for Ming Hua, mixed with a hint of schadenfreude.
Everyone knew the emperor was devoted to governance, focused entirely on state affairs, and indifferent to beauty.
Any discerning eye could see this was merely the emperor's ploy to balance the political landscape. Many were waiting to see the joke of this pampered legitimate daughter of the Duke's manor becoming no different from an abandoned woman in the cold palace the moment she entered it.
But more people used this matter to discern the future direction of court politics, planning to choose the best tree to perch upon.
The moment Li Youfu left, households that were on good terms with Duke Fuguo Manor, or those hoping to curry favor with it, all sent congratulatory gifts.
The front courtyard suddenly became bustling with visitors, and the Duke and Duchess were overwhelmed with receptions.
In the rear courtyard, however, the atmosphere in Ming Hua's residence—the flower-bedecked Listening to Snow Pavilion—was far from the lively joy of the front courtyard.
After returning to her own courtyard, Ming Hua immediately undid her elaborate coiffure, changed into an ordinary pale pink ru-skirt, and lay languidly on the carved ebony beauty couch beneath the west window, listlessly flipping through a storybook.
Her personal maidservants Qingyun and Nuanxue, along with several junior maids who usually served in the room, were sorting through the thirty-odd chests of rewards sent over from the palace.
The group was chattering animatedly about how many rewards there were and how fine they were.
Nuanxue picked up a pair of exquisitely crafted gold bracelets carved with plum blossom patterns and inlaid with rubies, sighing with admiration: "Truly, things from the palace are just different!"
"Every single one of today's rewards, taken alone, must be worth a thousand gold!"
Ming Hua, lying on the beauty couch in a state of restless irritation, unable to focus on the storybook at all, furrowed her delicate brows upon hearing this and let out a disdainful light snort, not even lifting her eyes from the book.
The young lady, with a look of contempt, whined in her soft voice: "What's all the fuss about? My vanity table is full of hairpins and jewelry worth a thousand gold each."
"Every time Father and Eldest Brother and Second Brother go on long journeys, they bring me back all sorts of rare treasures and curiosities. These are just a few boxes of common, ordinary gold and silver jewelry given as rewards—what's so special about them that you'd all be so taken with them?"
"You've served by my side for so many years now—how is it your horizons are still so narrow?"
The group sorting through the rewards knew that although their young mistress had resigned herself to entering the palace, she was still feeling out of sorts, deeply reluctant and unhappy about it.
After the palace emissaries had left, the young mistress had worn a long face and returned to her courtyard with little enthusiasm.
The young mistress, who usually adored jewels and precious stones and rare curiosities, hadn't even glanced at these thirty-odd chests of priceless rewards from the palace.
Qingyun thought for a moment, then curved her lips into a flattering smile and said: "Those other things can be set aside, but that piece of Hibiscus Jade His Majesty specially bestowed upon you as part of your dowry—that's truly a rare treasure!"
"The entire piece is crystal clear, without a single impurity, and it's as large as a whole big sweet melon!"
"If it were made into a headdress set or carved into an ornamental piece, it would be absolutely gorgeous. Do come take a look, young mistress!"
Nuanxue caught on and added from the side: "And that set of Di-fu Ceremonial Robe for the Noble Consort, along with the Nine-Phoenix Floral Coronet, for you to wear on the day you enter the palace!"
"On that elaborate, floor-sweeping deep green ceremonial robe, dragons, phoenixes, qilins, and other auspicious beasts are embroidered in lifelike detail with gold and silver threads. The lapels and cuffs are edged with lustrous pearls—so exquisitely beautiful!"
"And on that Nine-Phoenix Floral Coronet, there are no fewer than nine thumb-sized pale pink eastern pearls. In all my life, I've never seen such large eastern pearls with that rosy sheen!"
Ming Hua, like many noble ladies in the capital, was a young woman who loved to adorn herself. Her daily delight lay in studying hairpins, jewelry, and fine silks and satins, making her a treasured guest at every jewelry shop and silk merchant's establishment in the city.
Hearing this, her hand, which had been flipping through a storybook, suddenly paused. She pursed her pink lips, unable to suppress her curiosity.
Was there really a piece of Hibiscus Jade that large?
As big as a sweet melon? That—that would be incredibly rare!
In past grand celebrations when she entered the palace for banquets, she had seen the ceremonial robes and phoenix crowns worn by the late emperor's favored consorts and the empress.
Especially the Nine-Phoenix Floral Coronet that Imperial Consort Yang, the late emperor's most beloved, had worn at the Winter Solstice palace banquet five years ago. It was adorned with precious eastern pearls and gemstones, exuding such elegance and splendor that it had left a lasting impression on her.
Ming Hua's dark, glossy eyes darted around thoughtfully. In the end, unable to contain her curiosity, she set down her storybook and shuffled over hesitantly.
The moment she laid eyes on that piece of Hibiscus Jade, that set of Di-fu Ceremonial Robe, and that magnificent Nine-Phoenix Floral Coronet, the corners of her mouth curled up beyond all restraint, her little face brimming with undisguisable joy.
Hibiscus Jade from Nanyue was a treasure among jades, and pieces of excellent quality were nearly impossible to find even for a thousand in gold, let alone such a large single piece.
Just last month, the pair of Hibiscus Jade peach-blossom hairpins she had bought at Wanbao Pavilion had cost her a thousand strings of coins, and their quality didn't even come close to one-tenth of what lay before her eyes!
This piece the emperor had sent was so large that it would be enough to make several complete sets of head ornaments and bracelets—she could even carve a decorative ornament from it. Once she wore them out in the future, she would surely make every noble lady and titled wife in the capital green with envy!
And that set of dignified, exquisitely ornate deep-green Di-fu Ceremonial Robe, made from Hundred-Flower Brocade woven with peacock feathers—fabric reserved only for the empress and the four consorts—once she put it on, she would surely look like the Chang'e fairy in ancient paintings: graceful, elegant, and ethereally transcendent!
At that moment, Ming Hua no longer minded in the slightest that these things came from that emperor with the infamous reputation who had, with a single inexplicable imperial edict, forcibly taken her as his consort.
She held the Hibiscus Jade in her hands, unable to put it down, her mind already calculating what style of head ornaments or decorative pieces she should have made from it.
After deliberating for a while, she then eagerly set the Nine-Phoenix Floral Coronet adorned with pale pink eastern pearls upon her head to admire herself.
Next, she picked up that set of dignified, resplendent deep-green Di-fu Ceremonial Robe and stood before the half-height bronze mirror beside the dressing table in the inner chamber, holding it up against herself, itching to try it on.
Nuanxue, who was attending at the side, watched her young mistress in such a state and couldn't help but smile, curving her lips in a teasing tone: "Once the young mistress enters the palace, she will be the esteemed Noble Consort!"
"The position of Noble Consort is second only to the Empress. With such a rank, in the future, fine things like these will likely be too numerous to count!"
"Besides, His Majesty has also said that in the future harem, there will only be the young mistress alone. So in the days to come, whatever fine things the palace holds, wouldn't His Majesty give them all to the young mistress?"
"In the future, the young mistress will have boundless wealth and honor!"
Hearing this, the smile on Ming Hua's face suddenly faded somewhat.
She stroked the soft, intricately crafted ceremonial robe in her hands, furrowed her delicate, lovely face, and let out a long, rather melancholy sigh. Then, with a dejected expression, she said, "I'm afraid those are the only advantages…"
Qingyun and Nuanxue watched their young mistress become gloomy and dispirited at the mere mention of the emperor. The two exchanged a glance and sighed inwardly.
They could only pray that this new emperor would truly be, as the Duke and his wife had said, a suitable match—aside from being somewhat older in years.
Otherwise, once one enters the palace gates, it is as deep as the sea. If their young mistress, who valued a man's appearance above all else, had to spend her days in the palace, how would she ever get by!
There was still a little over a month until the tenth day of the fourth lunar month. In the afternoon, the Empress Dowager sent over another batch of generous gifts.
The Empress Dowager had thoughtfully sent tribute satins and head ornaments that were popular among young ladies of the time, along with two female instructresses specially assigned to teach Ming Hua palace etiquette and the procedures for the enfeoffment ceremony.
Noble ladies from prominent families in the capital, besides learning the qin, chess, calligraphy, painting, and household management from a young age, would also typically hire female officials who had once served in the palace to learn rules and etiquette, both to display the bearing of a distinguished family and to avoid appearing ignorant or committing faux pas at various palace banquets in the future.
When Ming Hua was young, Zhao Xuelan had spent a considerable sum to engage a female official surnamed Song, who had once served by the late Empress Dowager Xiaoci, to teach Ming Hua palace etiquette, as well as flower arranging and tea preparation.
Thus, Ming Hua was no stranger to palace rules and etiquette. She learned very quickly, mastering them thoroughly in just over ten days, earning effusive praise from the two instructresses, who completed their duties early and returned to the palace to report.
Zhao Xuelan, doting on her daughter, did not confine Ming Hua to her boudoir to await her marriage for the remaining days. She let Ming Hua do whatever she wished and go wherever she pleased to play, while she still had the chance before entering the palace.
Time flowed like water, and the days flew by. In the blink of an eye, there were fewer than ten days left before entering the palace, and it was already the deep-spring season when green abounds and red blossoms fade.
The peach blossoms at Yongfu Temple on Ji Mountain at the city's edge were in full, glorious bloom.
Today, Ming Hua had arranged to meet her closest friend, Jiang Ruowei, daughter of the Marquis of Jingyuan, to offer incense and admire the flowers at Yongfu Temple—wanting to gather one last time with her dearest companion before entering the palace.
The Jingyuan Marquis Estate and the Duke of Fuguo Estate stood as neighbors, separated only by a single long street. The two families were old friends who had always enjoyed close relations.
Ming Hua and Jiang Ruowei were of similar age and temperament, having played together since childhood as inseparable confidantes who held nothing back from each other.
Yongfu Temple sat halfway up the mountain, its halls filled with drifting incense smoke and unending Buddhist chants. The two young women walked up the moss-covered stone steps toward the Grand Buddha Hall.
Just as they knelt on the prayer cushions in the main hall to pay their respects, Jiang Ruowei suddenly turned her head, a smile playing at her lips as she teased in a low voice.
"I've heard that Yongfu Temple is most efficacious for prayers regarding marriage. Could it be that Huahua has come today under the pretext of admiring flowers, but truly to pray for harmony between you and His Majesty?"
Ming Hua, who had been about to make her wish, suddenly flushed crimson. She turned to glare at the grinning Jiang Ruowei, sputtering in flustered embarrassment: "Before the Buddha's very eyes, mind your tongue! Hurry up and pay your respects!"
Jiang Ruowei watched as Ming Hua's little face burned so red it seemed ready to emit wisps of steam. She understood well, but chose not to expose her friend's thoughts.
She simply composed her expression, then knelt in devout worship, silently making her own wish—that the Emperor would be a worthy man to entrust with one's life, and that he would grow old in loving harmony with her dear sister Ming Hua.
She and Ming Hua had grown up together, as close as blood sisters, and she genuinely wished for Ming Hua's future happiness.
Seeing Jiang Ruowei earnestly making her bows, Ming Hua quickly closed her eyes, pressed her palms together, and began murmuring her own silent prayers.
"I pray the Buddha blesses this faithful woman with a harmonious marriage, and that His Majesty is not as dreadful as the rumors claim…"
"If—if it could be as I wish in my heart, that he is handsome in appearance and treats me with tenderness and care, and that we can grow old together in love, that would be even better…"
As she continued, Ming Hua's originally fair cheeks unconsciously flushed pink like evening clouds.
Though she was still deeply reluctant to enter the palace, it had already become an established fact. Whether she willed it or not, the Emperor would henceforth be the one to spend the rest of her life with her.
In her heart, she still harbored the hope that the Emperor might be her destined match—that they might be like her father and mother, loving spouses living in happiness, devoted to only each other for all their days.
After Jiang Ruowei finished her bows, she watched her companion beside her, murmuring ceaselessly like an old abbot chanting sutras, and had to stifle her laughter until her own face turned red.
After offering their incense, the two made generous donations of oil money, then made their way to the eastern side of the temple—to Peach Blossom Peak, where the trees were heavy with blooms, to enjoy the scenery.
A rain had fallen that morning, and Peach Blossom Peak was lush with vegetation, the air thick with floral fragrance and the fresh scent of earth—crisp and invigorating.
They found a small, secluded round pavilion nestled against a stone cliff, where they sat down to share private words before their parting.
Once seated, their maidservants laid out the tea and refreshments each household had prepared for the flower-viewing outing.
Jiang Ruowei opened an ornate carved black sandalwood snack box and pushed it toward Ming Hua, explaining with a smile: "I know you love the osmanthus sugar cakes my family's cook makes best."
"Today I had her specially make two plates to bring along. You can take one plate back to your estate later, so you'll still have some if you crave them in the evening."
"I knew Weiwei was the best to me!" Ming Hua laughed, picking up a piece of osmanthus sugar cake and taking a bite—but suddenly a wave of bitterness rose in her heart, and the food lost all its flavor.
"There are only a few days left before I enter the palace. They say once you pass through the palace gates, it's as deep as the sea—who knows when we'll next gather like this to admire flowers and drink tea…"
Even a young woman married into an ordinary household could not freely return to her mother's home at will, let alone one about to marry into the strictly regulated depths of the inner court—married to an Emperor with a fearsome reputation, no less.
Jiang Ruowei smiled reassuringly: "We're both in the capital. In the future, it's only a single palace wall separating us. His Majesty is a man of great talent and bold vision—now that the realm is gradually settling into peace, there will always be banquets at the palace during major festivals. You and I will have plenty of opportunities to meet."
Then, Jiang Ruowei's cheeks suddenly flushed, and she grew shy and hesitant.
She lowered her eyes and said in a small, embarrassed voice: "Besides, once I'm married, I'll be a titled lady of the imperial clan. In the future, I can submit a visiting card and enter the palace to pay my respects to you, the Noble Consort…"
Earlier this year, Jiang Ruowei had become betrothed to her childhood sweetheart, Xie Jingyu, the Hereditary Prince of Huaiyang Manor, with the wedding set for six months hence.
Ming Hua propped her chin on both hands, savoring the rare sight of the usually boisterous Jiang Ruowei displaying such maidenly sentiment.
A teasing smile crossed her face, followed by a flicker of envy and regret in her eyes.
"If I'd known this would happen, I would have agreed to be betrothed to my cousin back then."
"Even if my cousin and I only share sibling affection, at least he's someone I've known since childhood—a close relative whose character I know through and through."
"Cousin has always treated me the best since childhood, granting whatever I ask. Uncle and Aunt have also doted on me like their own daughter all along. Now that I think about it carefully, marrying into that family doesn't seem so bad after all—certainly better than my current situation…"
As she trailed off, Ming Hua pouted her little mouth and muttered indignantly under her breath: "If I had agreed to be betrothed to Cousin earlier, I wouldn't have been forced into the palace by an imperial decree now…"
Zhao Jing, the eldest son of the Marquis of Yong'an, was Ming Hua's cousin. The two had grown up together as childhood sweethearts and had been a pair of bickering sweethearts since they were young.
That Zhao Jing was fond of Ming Hua was something known to all in the capital.
The elders of both families had also entertained the idea of strengthening their bond through marriage, but unfortunately, Ming Hua had always regarded Zhao Jing only as an elder brother.
Jiang Ruowei took Ming Hua's small hand and continued to comfort her with a smile: "There's no such thing as 'if only I had known from the start.' Everything is already destined in the grand scheme of things."
"Once you enter the palace in the future, don't say such things carelessly, lest someone with ulterior motives overhears and stirs up trouble that brings disaster upon you. The palace is not like the outside world—you must be cautious and careful at all times."
As she spoke, Jiang Ruowei's voice suddenly lowered. She leaned close to Ming Hua and whispered: "These past days, I've made inquiries about His Majesty on your behalf."
"Those rumors circulating outside about His Majesty aren't entirely true."
"They say His Majesty has a cold and stern disposition, and though his temper is somewhat difficult, he is exceptionally dignified in bearing, with the majestic presence of a true dragon—a born emperor's countenance."
Jiang Ruowei suddenly narrowed her almond-shaped eyes and smiled with a hint of teasing: "Auntie has spent the past year or two scouting countless young men of outstanding talent, looks, and family background for you, and you haven't found a single one to your liking."
"I think perhaps—just perhaps—the one inside the palace might be our Huahua's perfect match!"
When Ming Hua heard the last part, her little face flushed crimson. She let out an indignant snort, pulled her hand free from Jiang Ruowei's grasp, and wore an expression of utter embarrassment and annoyance.
"I'm feeling upset right now, and instead you take the opportunity to tease me! You're truly heartless. I think from now on, we simply shouldn't see each other anymore!"
At that moment, the young lady's aggrieved, soft voice drifted lightly into the ears of a man sitting not far away in a viewing pavilion hidden behind rocks, trees, and vegetation. He held a long sword in his hand, wore a black brocade robe, and had an upright posture and extraordinary bearing.
Xie Chongyuan had come to Yongfu Temple today in plain clothes to lure out the remnants of the rebel faction who had been lurking in Jishan for a long time, but he hadn't expected to be forced into overhearing the private parting words between two young ladies.
Feng Ling, his personal guard who was also dressed entirely in black, returned at that moment and interrupted Xie Chongyuan's forced eavesdropping.
He reported: "Your subjects have apprehended all the rebel remnants. We await Your Majesty's orders!"
Hearing the commotion, Xie Chongyuan snapped back to attention from the young lady's soft, sweet voice.
His sharp phoenix eyes gradually turned as icy cold as a deep winter pool. He ordered in a deep voice: "Take them directly to the death cell. I will interrogate them personally!"
These rebel remnants had been lurking in Jishan, waiting for an opportunity, ever since he ascended the throne—and he was only discovering this now.
It seemed the mole within the court was certainly no simple figure. He would have to interrogate them personally and not let a single clue slip that could lead to exposing the mastermind behind it all.
The night was dark and windy, with a sparse moon and scattered stars.
By the time Xie Chongyuan emerged from the dark, cramped death cell and returned to Zichen Palace, it was already the dead of night when all was silent.
Li Youfu, recalling the Empress Dowager's recent repeated admonitions that he should urge the emperor to rest and not stay up late handling state affairs until the small hours, brought up a bowl of calming longan and lotus seed soup and steeled himself to step forward and advise.
"Your Majesty, the night is already deep. Memorials can never be finished. Your Majesty should drink some calming soup and retire to rest soon…"
Xie Chongyuan, who had been studying the documents in his hand with deep thought, suddenly had his train of thought interrupted. He immediately furrowed his brow and said coldly: "Withdraw. Meddle any further, and you need not serve before me again!"
"Your servant deserves death!"
Li Youfu's legs went weak, and he knelt trembling. His hands, holding the rosewood tray, shook uncontrollably, and his heart was filled with misery.
The emperor worked tirelessly, dedicating himself wholly to state affairs. No one's persuasion had any effect. He was merely a servant—how could he possibly persuade him?
Moreover, the emperor was always stern and severe, unpredictable in mood, and disliked those below him being talkative. Wasn't the Empress Dowager putting him in an impossible position?
Seeing that the emperor did not rebuke him further, Li Youfu raised his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead and was about to withdraw when, unexpectedly, the emperor called him back.
Xie Chongyuan suddenly remembered something and asked in a deep voice: "How many days until the Noble Consort enters the palace?"
Li Youfu was still in a state of shock and hadn't recovered his senses. Upon hearing this, he was stunned for a moment before bowing to reply.
"To report to Your Majesty, the Noble Consort will enter the palace on the tenth day of the fourth month, seven days from now."
Xie Chongyuan gave a slight nod. "You may withdraw."