Chapter 7

Chapter Seven: Miss Xie San

Thinking of the people waiting upstairs, Liang Heng swiftly led his attendant upward. Just as he was about to knock, the wooden door of the private room was opened by the emperor’s guard. Liang Heng politely nodded in greeting and stepped inside, bowing respectfully to the emperor who stood with hands behind his back. “Your Majesty, Liang Heng pays his respects.”

Liang Heng was a renowned talent in the capital. Back when the emperor was still crown prince, the Prime Minister’s residence had steadfastly supported him; to be precise, they were part of the crown prince’s faction. Last month, after the late emperor passed away, His Majesty ascended the throne smoothly, and the Prime Minister’s influence rose accordingly.

Originally, Liang Heng planned to take the imperial examination next spring to earn his official title before entering government service. But his father advised him that since the emperor had just taken the throne, the court needed capable men immediately. Given Liang Heng’s talents, he should enter service early to assist the emperor and the people. Liang Heng, eager for a chance to make his mark, naturally seized the opportunity. Recently, he had been exceptionally promoted to Sixth Rank Director of the Court of Justice and was greatly favored by the emperor.

Anyone with keen eyes could see the emperor’s deliberate favor toward Liang Heng, who in turn dutifully fulfilled his role as a loyal minister, sharing the emperor’s burdens.

“Rise, no need for formalities,” Qin Yu said, turning to face Liang Heng. His long, narrow phoenix-like eyes held a sharpness that was difficult to describe, compelling immediate submission.

Liang Heng felt the silent pressure from above but maintained his refined and composed posture, standing with neither deference nor arrogance. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

The emperor had yet to sit, so Liang Heng did not presume to sit either, standing by patiently.

Only when the emperor slowly took his seat on the main throne, with the eunuch pouring a cup of tea, did he sip and say gently, “You may sit.”

Liang Heng cupped his fists respectfully and sat below the emperor, accepting the tea the eunuch poured for him. Before he could drink, the emperor asked softly, “Was that Miss Xie San just now?”

In truth, someone had already reported to the emperor when Princess Shenghua and Miss Xie San entered the Listening Pavilion, but the emperor had not appeared.

It surprised the eunuch beside him that the emperor remembered Miss Xie San after only half a day.

Liang Heng was momentarily stunned but quickly recovered and smiled. “Indeed, I just encountered Princess Shenghua and Miss Xie San. It seems the princess did not want me to recognize her identity, so she avoided formal greetings.”

Presumably, His Majesty had also seen Princess Shenghua earlier. Royal protocol was strict, and the princess attending the Listening Pavilion’s performances might have violated those rules, so Liang Heng hurriedly explained to the emperor.

Qin Yu’s eyes swept over Liang Heng coldly. Recalling how that young woman had smiled warmly at Liang Heng, as if only he existed in her world, he mused. Many young ladies in the capital sought to marry the Prime Minister’s son; could she be one of them?

After all, she was from the noble House of the Marquis of Loyalty and Righteousness, the sister of an influential minister. Suitors must have worn out the threshold of her family home. Why the urgency, as if she despised marriage? Qin Yu’s slender fingers toyed with the tea cup.

But why care so much about a maiden’s affairs? The young emperor felt an unfamiliar stir in his heart and changed the subject.

“Have you found the people I asked you to investigate?”

The emperor’s first act upon ascending the throne was to deal with the remnants of the former Prince of Leisure’s faction. Prince Qin Feng, the seventh son of the late emperor, and his followers had long plotted behind the scenes, though never causing a major stir. Now, with the new emperor on the throne, they had become desperate, even uniting to claim His Majesty was an unfit ruler. This was an outright joke. Seizing the chance to assert authority over the court, the emperor was determined to root out the Prince of Leisure’s faction.

“I have found them,” Liang Heng said solemnly, presenting a scroll listing officials both overt and covert in the faction. “These are all members of the Prince of Leisure’s clan. If Your Majesty doubts this, you may dispatch others to verify.”

Qin Yu’s long, fair, translucent fingers unfolded the scroll. A mere glance was enough to form a plan. “You have done well. I trust your work.”

Liang Heng exhaled in relief. This was the first task entrusted to him by the emperor; he dared not be careless. Until the Prince of Leisure’s faction was eliminated, disaster awaited the realm.

Before leaving, the emperor assigned Liang Heng another unresolved case from the Court of Justice. Newly appointed, Liang Heng was eager to prove himself before the emperor. His eyes brightened upon hearing the case, while the eunuch cast a silent glance at him.

He recalled the emperor had intended to assign this case to Young Master Xie, yet now it was given to Young Master Liang. The eunuch suspected the emperor was deliberately testing Liang Heng.

As he still needed to visit the Court of Justice to meet the Deputy Minister, Liang Heng politely excused himself. Seeing the eunuch hesitating to speak, the emperor cast him a glance. “Speak if you have something to say.”

The eunuch lowered his head nervously. The emperor saw through him immediately. Scratching his head, the eunuch finally said, “Your Majesty, Miss Xie San truly deserves to be the capital’s most esteemed noble lady—she is truly exquisite and fair as a celestial being.”

Qin Yu’s expression remained indifferent, but a faint smile curved his lips. “The sister of Huai Yu is always exceptional.”

“Does Your Majesty favor Miss Xie San?” The question nearly slipped from the eunuch’s mouth but was held back. The emperor’s thoughts were inscrutable; such a question might cost the eunuch his position in the study.

Besides, His Majesty had only just met Miss Xie San and might not have fallen for her at first sight, though she was indeed remarkably beautiful.

The eunuch nodded and followed the emperor back to the palace.

Meanwhile, Princess Shenghua and Xie Shu had gone to the Taste Pavilion. For some reason, while descending from the Listening Pavilion, Xie Shu felt as if a leopard were chasing her. This sensation lingered until they left the Pavilion. Reflecting on it, she softly asked, “Princess, did you feel anything strange upstairs just now?”

Princess Shenghua glanced curiously and carefully sensed her body but felt nothing amiss. “I didn’t feel anything strange upstairs, Sister Shu. Don’t scare me.”

The princess pouted. She was afraid of ghosts; if Sister Shu told her there was one upstairs, she would be terribly frightened.

Just then, a waiter entered with dishes. The private room was elegantly decorated. Xie Shu frowned slightly, thinking perhaps it was her imagination. She smiled. “Princess, I meant the second floor of the Listening Pavilion. Maybe I was overthinking.”

“Oh, you meant the Listening Pavilion? It’s the largest teahouse in the capital. We just came down from the second floor, so there shouldn’t be any problem. Maybe you did imagine it,” the princess said awkwardly, realizing she had misunderstood Sister Shu’s meaning. “Sister Shu, you’ve just met Young Master Liang. What do you think of him?”

Perhaps due to her experiences in a past life, Xie Shu was not the shy type. She smiled warmly and spoke frankly, “Young Master Liang is handsome and dignified, gentle in temperament—a rare nobleman.”

“Then it seems Sister Shu is quite pleased with Young Master Liang,” the princess laughed as if she had uncovered a great secret. Having known Sister Shu for so long, this was the first time she heard such praise for a man. Perhaps Sister Shu and Young Master Liang would become a match.

Moreover, Young Master Liang had stared at Sister Shu so intently earlier, perhaps he was interested in her as well. Princess Shenghua’s eyes shone, convinced this marriage would come to fruition.

With this thought, the princess poured herself a cup of wine and then poured a cup of plum wine for Sister Shu. “Sister Shu, I toast you.”

Xie Shu replied softly, “Princess, drink less, don’t get drunk later.”

***

The moon was cool as water, shadows of trees swayed. Inside the heated bedchamber, warmed by golden-threaded charcoal, the air was cozy against the biting cold outside.

The handsome emperor, his face bearing a trace of solemnity, held a woman with skin like creamy jade and completely bare. His large hand lingered on her slender back, her skin flushed pink. “Why are you so obedient tonight?”

“When have I ever been disobedient?” The woman’s soft, languid voice carried a hint of coyness as if naturally coaxing him.

One could say she indulged in the favor she received.

“Sharp-tongued,” the emperor smiled, his brows softening with a touch of unintentional indulgence. Unfortunately, the woman in his arms did not see this.

“Your Majesty, if you do not like me, I will leave first,” she teased.

This habit of hers to stir trouble lightly made the emperor frown gently. His voice deepened unexpectedly. “Consort, aren’t you afraid the other concubines will mock you in the palace at a time like this?”

Recalling the palace’s intrigues, the woman’s delicate, fair body stiffened. Her fragile hand rested on the emperor’s shoulder. “Does that mean Your Majesty intends to bully me?”

Her temper flared quickly. The emperor’s eyes darkened. He gently laid her back on the dragon bed, tracing her lips with his fingertip. “When have I ever bullied you?”

“Don’t cry.”

Still, he had yet to see clearly the face of the woman in his dreams.

Above the carved incense stand, fragrant dragon’s saliva incense wafted gently. Qin Yu suddenly opened his eyes, the phoenix eyes filled with coldness and heaviness. This was the second time.

“Summon someone.”