The Empress Dowager, leaning on Ping Gugu's hand, looked thoughtful as they made their way to the Small Leaf Pavilion.
The Small Leaf Pavilion was located within Changxin Palace. It was surrounded by plum blossoms, which, after a night of snow, were in full, stunning bloom, perfectly suited for admiring the flowers and enjoying tea.
Of course, the primary intention was to "incidentally" ascertain the true purpose of this person who had concealed himself so deeply.
Upon receiving the decree, Ximen Yue did not dare to be presumptuous nor did he make things difficult for Eunuch Lin. He followed Eunuch Lin coldly towards Changxin Palace.
Within the Small Leaf Pavilion, screens enclosed three sides, leaving only one open. A blooming plum branch extended into the pavilion, standing out as a solitary beauty. Its vibrant red blossoms, against the pure white snow, were breathtakingly stunning, their fragrance wafting directly into the nostrils.
At this moment, admiring the plum blossoms, one instinctively felt that the elegance of the plum was no less than that of the peony, perhaps even more outstanding and unique.
"Your Highness, Mr. Ximen has arrived."
Lin An spoke respectfully from outside the pavilion. The Empress Dowager's languid voice sounded, "Let Mr. Ximen come in. It's very cold outside."
"Yes, Your Highness," Lin An acknowledged the command, turned, and invited Ximen Yue into the Small Leaf Pavilion.
Ximen Yue's demeanor was refined and elegant, neither obsequious nor arrogant. He lifted the hem of his robe and gracefully entered the Small Leaf Pavilion, bowing to the Empress Dowager who sat regally appreciating the plum blossoms.
"Ximen Yue pays his respects to Her Highness the Empress Dowager."
"Rise, Mr. Ximen. Would you care to sit and accompany this humble Empress in appreciating the plum blossoms and enjoying tea?"
The Empress Dowager's gentle voice resonated. Ximen Yue remained composed, his handsome and refined face showing no trace of panic. He was neither flustered nor rushed, like an elegant bamboo amidst the ice and snow, complementing the subtle fragrance and noble elegance of the plum blossoms.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Ximen Yue sat down. There were no extra eunuchs or palace maids in the pavilion. As soon as Ximen Yue sat, Ping Gugu approached to pour tea, respectfully offering it to Ximen Yue, and softly said, "Please partake, sir."
"You honor me."
Ximen Yue nodded, saying no more. He gently cupped the tea bowl, a delicate qingbai ware with a goose-head pattern, smooth and fine. It was a supreme item among teaware, produced by the imperial kiln. It was said that nine hundred and ninety-nine sets had been ruined before this one was obtained, making it extremely precious.
He then looked at the tea, a vibrant green, with steam rising. The aroma of the tea immediately diffused, and the slender, pointed tea leaves tumbled in the water, unfurling freely, exuding a lush fragrance.
Ximen Yue first observed, then tasted, and finally let out a soft sigh of admiration.
"Indeed, it is Yun Que, the finest of teas, brewed with snow water from years past. It is mellow and fragrant, retaining the richness of the tea while possessing the sweetness of snow water. Truly a treasure."
The Empress Dowager slightly narrowed her eyes, appraising the man opposite her with subtle observation. Then, she smiled as if bathed in a gentle spring breeze.
"Mr. Ximen has excellent taste. You are indeed a strategist appreciated by His Majesty. This Empress still has some of this tea." The Empress Dowager paused, then looked up and instructed Ping Gugu beside her, "Send some to Mr. Ximen later to savor carefully."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Ximen Yue's polite and somewhat formal reply was delivered. Although his bearing was neither obsequious nor arrogant, and his conversation elegant, the Empress Dowager always sensed a restless element within him, something that instilled fear and unease in her.
"I heard, Mr. Ximen, that you helped His Majesty and will be leaving Yanjing soon. I summoned you today because I have something to entrust to you. I wish for you to remain and assist the new Emperor. What are your thoughts on this?"
She smiled charmingly and languidly, leaning slightly against the stone table, her elbow resting on an apricot-colored embroidered cushion, exuding an air of lazy allure.
Even though she was advanced in years, she remained exceptionally graceful. In her youth, she must have been a femme fatale, and men, perhaps, could not escape her gentle charm and allure.
Even those with wisdom in their minds and the world on their shoulders would likely be no exception. Ximen Yue's pupils darkened slightly. He cupped his hands and replied respectfully.
"Your Highness is too kind. Ximen has no intention of assisting anyone. I only wish to live in seclusion in the wilderness. My visit to the palace this time was merely to avoid owing anyone a favor."
"Vast fertile fields, beautiful women like these, titles of nobility; are these splendors and riches not enough to keep you, sir? Things that countless people dream of. As long as you speak, you will be adorned in magnificent robes, stand above others, and become a person of status." xxs壹贰
A gentle breeze swept through the Small Leaf Pavilion. Incense smoke curled and twirled from the brazier within.
The Empress Dowager's words were like golden ingots dropping from the sky, crashing before Ximen Yue.
However, this bamboo-like, refined young man remained expressionless. He rose directly. "Your Highness has overestimated me. Ximen cannot bear such a heavy responsibility and will disappoint your high expectations. Ximen feels somewhat tired. I have finished my tea and will take my leave."
The Empress Dowager glanced at him sideways, her narrow, cold gaze passing through her slightly lifted eyelashes, falling upon his tall, upright back. After a long moment, she spoke.
"Since you are tired, Mr. Ximen, you may go." She turned and ordered Ping Gugu, "Have Little Linzi send some Yun Que tea to Mr. Ximen later. Don't forget to include a small jar of aged snow water."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ximen Yue's tall figure strode away rapidly. The light gauze brushed against his broad shoulders, adding a touch of cold determination and proud defiance. He was like a wounded wolf in the wilderness, his eyes meeting the sun, a flicker of crystal moisture appearing, and then he swiftly vanished.
Ping Gugu walked out of the pavilion and instructed the eunuchs to deliver the tea and snow water. She then returned to the pavilion.
She saw the Empress Dowager tasting the tea with a grave expression. She then called out towards the pavilion's entrance, "Ka Ye."
A woman dressed in palace attire, her face filled with a cool detachment, slowly cupped her hands. "Your Highness, what are your orders?"
"Keep a close eye on Ximen Yue. If he makes any move, report it to this Empress immediately."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ka Ye was a hidden master by the Empress Dowager's side, always lurking to carry out her tasks with ruthless efficiency.
She was a killer trained by Ye Qing Tian and sent into the palace to protect the Empress Dowager. For many years, she had served diligently and had earned the Empress Dowager's deep trust.
"You may go."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and Ka Ye retreated. Only Ping Gugu remained in the pavilion. She raised an eyebrow slightly and asked indifferently, "Your Highness, is there something wrong with Mr. Ximen?"
"I hope he is not problematic, otherwise this Empress will not forgive him lightly. However, I have a feeling that he is not as safe as he appears. With the recent string of incidents in the palace, I suspect he is connected to them. Otherwise, his arrival would be too coincidental."
"Your Highness's worries are valid. The wind is picking up, let us go back."
"Yes," Ping Gugu extended her hand to support the Empress Dowager as they walked out. A line of kneeling eunuchs and palace maids bowed outside the pavilion. "We respectfully bid farewell to Her Highness the Empress Dowager."
"Rise," a cold voice rang out as they moved away.
Ximen Yue had just returned from the Small Leaf Pavilion when he saw a group of guards stopped before the entrance of Qingfeng Pavilion. The person in the lead was none other than Shangguan Lin.
Beside him stood a man in a red official robe, clearly the palace guard captain. They stood rigidly at the foot of the stone steps, awaiting him.
"Mr. Ximen has returned."
Shangguan Lin cupped his fist and spoke respectfully. Song Yuan beside him, however, seemed somewhat disdainful. He slightly raised his hand, unable to grow fond of these martial world strategists. He always felt they were of the same ilk as tricksters.