"Alright, take good care of Nian Yue. Don't let her suffer any hardship. The master is fine, so the child must be looked after," Yan Mei glanced at little Nian Yue, and then said no more. Yet, her heart still ached.
"Young Master?"
"I will return. Don't worry. It will only be for a short while, perhaps I'll be free in a month. As long as His Majesty doesn't make things difficult for me, I will come back."
Yun Xiao patted Yan Mei's hand and turned to leave. Her slender back dissolved into the light, proud and straight. Yan Mei sniffled, tears welling in her eyes, but they did not fall.
For she believed that Young Master would indeed return. Turning, she followed behind him to carry out the tasks he had assigned.
Yun Xiao emerged from the clinic and boarded the carriage. The carriage was now empty, save for a faint, lingering fragrance.
She knew Mu Rong was hidden in the shadows. As she made her way to the imperial palace, she had to be vigilant. Yun Xiao spoke to the coachman in front, "To the North Gate."
"Yes."
They, insignificant individuals, usually entered through the North Gate. Forget the imperial palace; even ordinary aristocratic families, if particular, would require those lacking status to enter through side gates, let alone the imperial palace.
Yun Xiao had always entered through the North Gate.
Therefore, after instructing the coachman, the carriage headed straight for the North Gate.
Outside the North Gate, there was a long alley and towering city walls. Looking up, one could only see a sliver of the sky. Occasionally, weeping willows drooped over the high walls from the outside.
Yellowish-green leaves, drifting and twirling in the air, slowly descended. The bronze bells beneath the high eaves swayed and tinkled in the wind, exuding a sense of ancient desolation and gravitas.
The rhythmic clatter of hooves, mixed with the sound of the eaves bells, made their way towards the North Gate. In the last rays of the setting sun, they reached the North Gate.
Upon the majestic and grand high gate were inscribed three large characters: 'Qing Xuan Gate'. Illuminated by the twilight, they were tinged with a blush of rouge, heavy yet imposing.
A troop of elite soldiers guarded the gate, scrutinizing all who entered and exited. As soon as they saw a carriage stop, someone immediately stepped forward and commanded sternly, "Who goes there?"
Yun Xiao lifted the curtain, revealing a stunning face. In the glow of the sunset, she was even more breathtaking. The guards at the gate were momentarily stunned before snapping back to attention. They clasped their fists and said, "It is Young Master Leng Yue."
He recognized Leng Yue and knew he was close to His Majesty, thus he dared not be careless.
"Yes, His Majesty sent someone to fetch me. As I was not at the clinic, I rushed here as soon as I returned, fearing I would delay His Majesty's affairs."
Her clear voice was exceptionally pleasant. The guard immediately responded respectfully, "Then allow this subordinate to send someone to inform His Majesty."
"Thank you, sir," Yun Xiao replied, lowering the curtain. The guard nodded, turned, and went back to instruct someone to immediately go to the palace and report to His Majesty that Young Master Leng Yue had arrived.
The Jingfu Palace was some distance away. Yun Xiao knew that no one would come for a while. She decided to close her eyes and rest in the carriage. There might be a tough battle ahead tonight, so a little sleep would be beneficial.
When she awoke again, it was already dark. The moonlight, soft and flowing, cast a gentle glow. Familiar voices sounded outside the carriage: "Young Master Leng Yue, His Majesty has sent this servant to escort you to the palace."
One could tell from the voice who it was – the head eunuch of Jingfu Palace, Eunuch Ting.
Yun Xiao yawned and stretched her arms. She felt much better after sleeping. Tidying her appearance, she lifted the curtain and looked out.
The moon-white radiance, the majestic palace gates, the tinkling of the eaves bells – everything seemed somewhat hazy. Outside the carriage, several eunuchs bowed respectfully, waiting. Behind them stood a luxurious carriage.
The leading eunuch was Eunuch Ting. Yun Xiao spoke in a clear, cold voice, "Thank you, Eunuch Ting."
"Young Master Leng Yue is too kind." Eunuch Ting not only held reverence for Leng Yue but also gratitude. Therefore, upon hearing of his arrival, he personally came to escort him.
Normally, sending a junior eunuch would suffice for such matters. Although Leng Yue was close to His Majesty, he was ultimately a commoner. Yun Xiao was well aware of this, which was why she spoke to him so courteously.
Yun Xiao boarded the imperial carriage. Eunuch Ting and a host of eunuchs followed behind, proceeding together towards the Jingfu Palace.
The evening clouds dissipated, and the pale blue sky resembled beautiful brocade, adorned with countless shining stars, making the sky exceptionally magnificent.
As the carriage passed through the outer palace gate into the inner palace gate, it was a sudden spectacle.
On the quiet bluestone path, bright palace lanterns hung on both sides, appearing like a long, winding dragon.
Eunuchs and palace maids were seen moving about occasionally on either side. Strange rocks and exquisite flowers were distributed all around, with pavilions here and there, and magnificent halls. Everywhere the eye landed, there were red railings and embroidered screens, a feast for the senses.
As the carriage proceeded towards Jingfu Palace, Yun Xiao asked, as if by chance, "I wonder what the matter is that His Majesty has sent for Young Master Leng Yue several times?"
This was a test. Eunuch Ting outside the carriage raised an eyebrow and replied faintly, "How would this servant know His Majesty's thoughts? Perhaps he is bored and wishes for Young Master Leng Yue to come to the palace to chat."
Ever since Young Master Leng Yue stopped coming to the palace, His Majesty had become noticeably less talkative, and his mood had been rather gloomy.
There was news that the Ye family had been released. The reason given was that Lord Ye Si Yuan was seriously ill in prison and was nearing his end. Therefore, His Majesty pardoned them, but they were stripped of their positions and demoted to commoners.
By rights, this matter was handled according to His Majesty's wishes. But why was His Majesty still unhappy?
Little Ting guessed, but dared not say too much. Some things, even if he could blurt them out, he would rather speak less if he didn't want to die.
Inside the carriage, Yun Xiao frowned slightly. This Eunuch Ting had always had a good relationship with her.
If there was truly something amiss, he would likely warn her. It seemed His Majesty's summons was truly nothing significant; perhaps he simply wanted to invite her to the palace.
However, the thought of that man's ignoble intentions made her feel a pang of chest tightness. But for now, she could only endure it. For Mu Rong to obtain the throne sooner, for the Yun family to regain their freedom, all this was worth it.
In front of the Jingfu Palace gate, at the foot of several flights of white jade steps, rows of eunuchs and palace maids stood waiting. Little Ting attended Yun Xiao as she alighted from the carriage, and they proceeded towards the Jingfu Palace gate.
These eunuchs and palace maids were already familiar with the refined and elegant Young Master Leng Yue. They quickly bowed their heads in salutation: "Greetings, Young Master Leng Yue."
Yun Xiao waved her hand. Little Ting had already rushed inside to inform His Majesty. He soon emerged and said respectfully, "Young Master Leng Yue, please."
As soon as the Emperor heard of Young Master Leng Yue's arrival, his expression immediately brightened. His previous gloom instantly turned gentle.
It seemed his guess was correct. The Emperor might indeed favor this Young Master Leng Yue. But since Young Master Leng Yue was a man, was His Majesty a homosexual?
However, His Majesty had been favoring concubines recently. Little Ting could not fathom this matter and finally gave up thinking about it.
Yun Xiao lightly lifted the hem of her robe and, with graceful movements, followed Little Ting into the main hall of Jingfu Palace.