“Maoyi, are you sure?” Lin Sheng couldn’t help but worry. People in the capital always worshipped the high and stepped on the low. When things were prosperous, doors were open to anyone claiming friendship.
But after being demoted, each person wanted to trample on you to curry favor with those above.
The sarcasm and mockery, the deadly rivalry among generals—these even they could barely endure, let alone a delicate junior like her.
Her master only had one daughter; he didn’t want her to get into trouble.
“We need to let the devils and monsters of the capital know the Jing family has returned.”
“Hiding in the shadows won’t truly clear father’s name.”
“Very well.”
“Senior Brother,” Lin Sheng hadn’t expected Yan to agree so readily.
“Perhaps the emperor does not value the Guo family as much as we imagined.”
“What do you mean, Senior Brother?”
“The Minister of the Honglu Temple committed an offense. His Majesty promoted Jing Xuan, the county magistrate of Jixi County. Soon he will return to the capital to assume the post of Minister of the Honglu Temple.”
Jing Maoyi frowned slightly. She suddenly recalled the emperor’s words from last night.
The emperor’s actions were not on a whim.
She couldn’t help but feel a growing fear of this seemingly carefree and easygoing emperor.
“Your Majesty, why think of the Jing family now?” Lin Sheng clenched his hands. Back then, all that Minister Guo did was fully left to the emperor; not a single objection was voiced.
He and Senior Brother had relatively fortunate outcomes. Junior Brother Zhou, once the most promising candidate in the imperial exams, would have surely become chancellor within five years, the youngest in Daqian’s history—far beyond Cui Hao’s reach.
Yet Junior Brother Zhou was exiled to the bitter northern frontier by Guo’s faction to dig ginseng for the court.
Yan shook his head.
“Senior Brother, is this news reliable? Who told you?”
“It is—” Yan was about to speak but hesitated upon seeing Jing Maoyi.
After all, the Jing-Cui family affair had been rather embarrassing back then.
“It was overheard by my lady when she entered the palace. Though it is unclear who mentioned the Jing family to His Majesty, it’s certain the emperor is dissatisfied with the current state of the court. His move is meant to bring someone in to shake the seemingly calm court. Without a doubt, the Jing family is a suitable choice. Now it depends if Master Jing still has the ambition.”
“Qingzhi, what are you doing? Running away from wine?” Zhao Jia clumsily sat up from the bed and staggered out.
Wen Xin followed, fearing she might fall.
“What are you three up to? Escaping wine, huh?” She glanced at the full moon. “Look at this round moon, the fifteenth night. Let me tell you something funny—our emperor is in trouble tonight. Who told him to change that dog’s sentence from death…?”
“Wu—wu—” Yan quickly covered his wife’s mouth in fright. No one dared speak of the emperor like that; she might be the first.
“Why are you covering my mouth?” Zhao Jia kicked out and put her hands on her hips. “I’m just standing up for you! Do you know what the people of Qizhou say about you? They say you protect officials. But look at you—making your father-in-law happy and leaving you to carry the blame.”
Zhao Jia grew angrier; she had planned to enter the palace today.
Minister Guo was a Minister of War; he even reached into the Ministry of Justice, and Cui Hao was no different. Guo was chancellor, but he was not.
Her husband was easily bullied and wouldn’t let her go.
Yan awkwardly coaxed, “Madam, it’s late; let’s return.”
He carried her in one arm, shaking his head helplessly at the others.
Jing Maoyi couldn’t help laughing. Senior Brother was cautious, and Princess Zhao was straightforward—the two complemented each other well.
“It’s late. Wen Xin has drunk a lot; Senior Brother Lin, you should take her back.”
Wen Xin reluctantly held her hand. “Maoyi, if you’re ever unhappy, remember to come to me.”
“I know.”
Changsheng Hall.
“Your Majesty, it’s late.”
Candlelight flickered. The emperor sat straight in the dragon throne, brows slightly furrowed, solemn and composed, vastly different from his casual daytime demeanor.
Li Dequan watched, his heart aching.
“Madam, His Majesty will see no one.” Little Anzi trembled before Consort Guo.
“Does His Majesty mean ordinary people? Am I an ordinary person?”
Consort Guo’s delicate hands adjusted stray hair by her temples. A tender peony adorned her exaggerated high hairdo.
Her purple strapless gown was embroidered with splendid peonies, enhancing her extraordinary beauty.
None of the palace concubines could match Consort Guo’s charm.
Her pride came from her beauty and the emperor’s favor.
Little Anzi naturally dared not stop her, nor could he prevent her from entering.
Everyone knew the emperor hated being disturbed while reviewing memorials.
“Madam, I’m but a humble servant.” Little Anzi mumbled.
He moved aside discreetly. The consort entered on her own, with no connection to him.
“Your Majesty~” Consort Guo glared at him, swaying her waist as she walked in.
“Madam, this is not proper,” Little Anzi protested.
Li Dequan glanced at the consort brought in and discreetly scolded the subordinate.
“Your Majesty~ You haven’t visited Xi’er for days,” Consort Guo said boldly, taking the emperor’s pen and sitting straight in his lap, her arms around his neck.
A flicker of displeasure crossed Lin Hui Emperor’s eyes. He waved at the subordinates.
Li Dequan, just exiting, grabbed Little Anzi’s ear. “Who let you let her in?”
“Your Majesty, I couldn’t stop Consort Guo. Besides, she is favored; surely His Majesty won’t blame her.”
“Sharp-tongued,” Li Dequan tapped his head.
“Your Majesty, are you annoyed with me?” Consort Guo purred.
“What makes you say so?” The emperor leaned back, hands resting beside him—not too close, not too far.
“You haven’t seen me for days.” Her eyes fluttered, voice soft and alluring.
Her hands clutched his collar, body pressing forward. The strapless gown was chosen to show her figure.
He was a man; no man could resist her charms.
The fragrance further agitated the emperor.
“Consort Guo, truly a fragrant little doll.”
“Do you like my new perfume? It blends spring peach, summer lotus, autumn white hibiscus, winter green plum, and rainwater from the next year.”
“This perfume took great time and effort, my love.”
“Anything for Your Majesty’s pleasure is nothing.”
His eyes, half-smiling, half-threatening, made her shiver.
“Your Majesty, between these memorials and me, which is more important?” she cooed.
“What do you think? If I don’t review the memorials, won’t the ministers mock me?”
“Don’t trick me,” she said, sitting on the desk, playing with the papers.
“Seven chancellors serve you, do they merely eat? Compared to me, these dead things are nothing,” she said, hooking her white foot around his waist.
The emperor remained unperturbed, amused by her antics.
“Your Majesty~”
He grabbed her foot, pulled her close, whispering, “Pick them up.”
“Your Majesty~” She still coquettishly protested.
“Pick them up.”
Now Consort Guo realized the seriousness of the situation. Facing the emperor’s sharp gaze, her defiance vanished.
She hurriedly stood and collected the fallen memorials.
“Your Majesty, I— I was wrong.”
Sweat dotted her forehead; her voice was frail.
The emperor laughed, standing, “Consort, I was only joking. Not funny? If you were scared, that’s my fault.”
He gently held her hand, as if the devilish voice from before wasn’t him.
Consort Guo swallowed, meeting his tender gaze, and felt reassured.
“Your Majesty, will you come to my palace tonight?” she asked, eyes full of hope.
The emperor raised an eyebrow, not easily swayed by tears.
He let go of her hand. “Tonight is the fifteenth; by custom, I must stay in the empress’s quarters.”
A flicker of displeasure crossed her eyes. She had intended to seize the emperor’s favor today, leaving the empress no chance.
“Your Majesty~”
Tears glistened in her eyes. “Do you not miss me? Listen, my heart is uneasy. I truly long for you.”
“You miss me?” The emperor smiled lightly. “Shall we play a game?”
“You say, Your Majesty.”
He smiled, loosening his belt, gently covering her eyes.
“If you can catch me, I will spend the night with you.”
“Really, Your Majesty?”
“Never joke with a sovereign.”
The emperor’s smile abruptly vanished. He hated tricks from his bedchamber companion.
He had to keep one eye open while sleeping with them. He did not want trouble.
“Your Majesty, where are you? I’m coming!”
“Find Consort Guo properly.”
He left the hall casually, spotted Little Anzi dozing, and kicked him.
“Who!”
Little Anzi knelt in fear.
“Your Majesty!”
“You useless thing, you caused this, now fix it.” The emperor grabbed his ear, threatening, “Play with my consort. If she’s unhappy, I’ll behead you.”
“Ah?” Little Anzi broke out in cold sweat, and before he could react, he was kicked inside.
“Your Majesty, where are you? Let me find you!”
Little Anzi almost fell to his knees in terror.
Heaven, if you must kill, do it swiftly—stop tormenting your humble servant.