In the Palace of Eternal Joy, the princess wept heartbroken.
Lan Yi was consumed with anxiety, yet had no solution.
Outside the Palace of Eternal Joy, the Emperor had stationed many eunuchs to guard, forbidding anyone from approaching or allowing her and the princess to leave. What could be done?
Now that Guard Hua had been taken away, who knew how the Emperor would punish him? If he were to…
Lan Yi dared not think further. Her brow furrowed, and she immediately thought of the Empress.
Her Highness had always doted on the princess and would surely find a way to help her now. Although she and the princess could not leave, others within the Palace of Eternal Joy could freely enter and exit.
“Ajiao, come here.”
Lan Yi immediately beckoned to her closest sister, Ajiao, to come over.
“Go to the Palace of the Phoenix immediately and deliver a message to Her Highness the Empress.”
“Yes, Sister Lan Yi, rest assured.”
Ajiao nodded. She was also aware of the matter concerning the princess and Guard Hua, so without waiting for Lan Yi to finish, she understood and immediately nodded, taking her leave.
Within the Palace of the Phoenix, a facade of harmony prevailed.
In a corner of the main hall, Qingyao was playing chess with Xiao Yuer. Xiao Yuer would often cheat, and after making a move, would reconsider and regret it, starting over. The mother and daughter would murmur to each other.
At this moment, Yiyun entered from outside and respectfully reported, “Your Highness, a palace maid from the Palace of Eternal Joy, Ajiao, requests an audience, saying something has happened in the Palace of Eternal Joy?”
Qingyao, holding a chess piece about to be placed, showed a fleeting look of surprise. The Palace of Eternal Joy? Wasn’t that where Xingzhu resided?
What could have happened to her? She immediately put down the chess piece, instructed Mochou to clear the chessboard, and waved her hand calmly, “Let her in.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
Yiyun withdrew, and Ajiao was quickly led in. She fell to her knees with a thud and began to cry, “Your Highness, it’s terrible! The Emperor has arrested Guard Hua, and the princess is crying heartbrokenly!”
“Hua Lige?” Qingyao raised an eyebrow, her pupils deep. Why had Hua Lige been arrested for no reason? That man was truly too much.
“The Emperor has issued an imperial decree, ordering the Directorate of Astronomy to select an auspicious day for the princess to marry into the Marquis of Yongning’s estate. The princess is unwilling and has decided to leave the palace with Guard Hua.
Who knew they would be caught red-handed by the Emperor, hence Guard Hua was arrested, and the princess is confined to the Palace of Eternal Joy, forbidden to leave even half a step.”
So that was it. Why had this man suddenly thought of arranging a marriage for the princess? Perhaps he had become a little suspicious. In his position, he was naturally prone to suspicion.
And now she still hadn’t found the Emperor’s whereabouts. It seemed she still needed to be more active, to reduce the man’s suspicions.
As Qingyao thought of this, she suddenly stood up and said in a deep voice, “Accompany me to the Palace of Eternal Joy.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Mochou responded softly, and Xiao Yuer also nodded vigorously. The two followed her out of the main hall of the Palace of the Phoenix. Yiyun instructed several eunuchs and palace maids to accompany Her Highness to the Palace of Eternal Joy.
Outside the gate of the Palace of Eternal Joy, beneath the white jade railings, stood four or five eunuchs. Upon seeing the large procession approaching, the woman at the head, with her imposing beauty and sharp gaze, dared not be negligent and quickly spoke respectfully, “Greetings, Your Highness the Empress.”
“I wish to see the princess.”
“This… the Emperor said?”
The leading eunuch looked embarrassed. The Emperor had issued an order forbidding anyone from seeing the princess until the day of her wedding.
But the one before them was the Empress. She had heard that the Empress was very skilled in martial arts. If she made a move, would their lives be spared?
So they could only watch helplessly as the Empress led a few people inside. It was only after the Empress’s figure disappeared that someone dared to speak.
“Quickly go and report to the Emperor that Her Highness the Empress has arrived.”
“Yes,” one of the eunuchs ran out to report.
In the main hall of the Palace of Eternal Joy, upon hearing the eunuch’s report that her Imperial Sister-in-law had arrived, Xingzhu immediately stopped crying and went to meet her.
As soon as she saw Qingyao entering from outside the main hall, she couldn’t help but throw herself into her arms and cry.
Qingyao reached out and hugged her, then walked to the side of the hall, helped her to sit down, lifted her face, and gently wiped away her tears, sighing with heartache.
In fact, Xingzhu did not know that the person in the palace was not her real Imperial Brother. If it were the true Emperor, he would never have prevented his sister from pursuing happiness; perhaps he would have celebrated and married her off with great fanfare.
But the person here now was not him, so her sorrow was in vain. The most pressing matter was to find a way to rescue Hua Lige.
“Stop being sad.”
“Imperial Brother, how could he treat me like this? He used to dote on me so much, why is he different now? He even called me shameless. If he hadn’t forced me to marry Ruan Zimo, would I have left with Lige? Imperial Sister-in-law, you must save Lige. I don’t want anything to happen to him.”
“Alright, stop being sad. Don’t you still have me? And your Third Imperial Brother,”
Qingyao said gently. For Liu Zun’s sake, she had to help Xingzhu. She knew Liu Zun’s wish; he most desired this sister’s happiness, and therefore, he would surely wish for her to be accompanied by a man who truly loved and doted on her throughout her life.
“Imperial Sister-in-law.”
Xingzhu finally felt a little better. At this moment, the sharp voice of a eunuch sounded from outside the hall door, “His Majesty arrives.”
Upon hearing the little eunuch’s voice, Xingzhu became anxious, her hand gripping Qingyao’s, feeling cold. Her eyes darkened, and she cried out, “Imperial Sister-in-law? Look?”
“It’s alright, I’m here.”
Qingyao patted Xingzhu’s fair and slender hand, then looked up towards the main hall door. Seeing the figure in imperial yellow stride in, she unhurriedly dabbed away Xingzhu’s tears and slowly performed a curtsy.
“Your humble subject pays her respects to His Majesty.”
“Rise.”
The Emperor waved his large hand, and his elegant, bamboo-like figure walked towards the raised seat and slowly sat down. His eyes shot directly at Qingyao, finally settling on Xingzhu’s face. He remained silent for a long time. Qingyao raised an eyebrow calmly, “Why has His Majesty come?”
Her tone was leisurely, as if she knew nothing. This statement caused the Emperor to falter, unsure how to begin. His eyes, deep as an abyss, finally spoke after a long while.
“Empress, please advise the princess well. The Directorate of Astronomy has selected an auspicious day. The fifth of next month is a good day. Prepare to marry peacefully, and don’t always think of eloping with others.”
Towards the end, his words carried a hint of suppressed anger. Qingyao spoke softly, “The fifth of next month? Isn’t that only seven days away? It’s so rushed, will the preparations be ready in time?”
“Yao’er need not worry. I have already instructed the Ministry of Rites to make full arrangements. Everything she should have will not be missing.”
Qingyao snorted coldly, her expression unchanged. Of course, nothing would be missing, because he was currently preparing to heavily favor the Marquis of Yongning, so how could there be a lack of generous gifts? It was likely there would be even more.
“His Majesty is thoughtful.”
Qingyao said calmly. The princess, who had been sitting beside her, seeing that she had said too much, impatiently cried out, “I will not marry.”
“You have no choice.”
The Emperor suddenly became angry, his face darkening. He glared at Murong Xingzhu fiercely.
Qingyao quickly patted Xingzhu’s hand, signaling her to remain calm. The current Emperor was not her real Imperial Brother. If she angered him, she would be the one to suffer.
This ambitious man had no trace of compassion, so everything had to be handled with tact. Qingyao looked up and smiled at the man above.
“There is no problem with the princess marrying, but what about Guard Hua? How does Your Majesty plan to deal with him?”
Upon hearing Imperial Sister-in-law mention Lige, Xingzhu finally quieted down. Yes, why was she making such a fuss? Who knew what was happening to Lige? Imperial Sister-in-law’s thoughts were truly thorough.
“If the princess marries obediently, I will not take his life.”
“Good, on the princess’s wedding day, I hope His Majesty will release him.”