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墨書 Inktalez
"Get up."
Seeing Mei Shuang return safely, Empress Dowager Mingxi's sharp phoenix eyes flickered with a hint of complexity that was hard to detect, and she spoke gently.
As she observed Mei Shuang, once vibrant and playful in front of her, now so cautious that even her gaze felt unfamiliar, a sigh escaped her heart. It seemed that the trials of recent days had frightened the girl considerably.
In the time since they last met, Mei Shuang had noticeably lost weight. The bright little face that once bore a childlike innocence now showed signs of maturity. Her black gemstone-like eyes, when looking at Empress Dowager Mingxi, lacked the previous charm and brightness. No wonder Peach mentioned she called herself “Lin Yuxiang,” even forgetting Chu Xiruo. It turned out to be true.
What she initially thought was a name change for convenience and to hide her identity after leaving the palace had also been adopted in front of her. Alas, poor child.
Empress Dowager Mingxi gazed at Mei Shuang, her eyes momentarily frozen. This bright little face resembled a stunning visage from her memories... but now, everything had changed, and the past could not be reclaimed. With a sense of regret,
As Empress Dowager Mingxi assessed Mei Shuang, the latter's gaze fell upon Empress Dowager Mingxi's face.
Dressed in moon-white brocade, with her hair styled high and secured by a single jade hairpin, her flawless complexion and exquisite features made it hard to believe she was nearing fifty. Having lived in comfort for so long, one could easily mistake her for being in her thirties. Her hair remained dark and smooth, her skin taut, and her forehead free of any wrinkles. At this moment, reclining on the couch, her regal demeanor remained unaffected; the corners of her lips slightly curled as she looked at Mei Shuang. Though her gaze was gentle, it held a depth that made one hesitant to meet it directly. As Nangong Nuo had said, this Empress Dowager, having experienced several reigns, was indeed extraordinary.
Standing before the couch like a subject before a ruler, Mei Shuang kept her back straight and held her breath, avoiding any sidelong glances. This serious demeanor was quite unfamiliar to both Empress Dowager and Aunt Yu, who were used to seeing Mei Shuang's obedient and occasionally playful side over the years.
Unable to help herself, Empress Dowager Mingxi smiled lightly. “Shuang'er, there’s no need to be so formal in front of me…”
Instantly relaxing, Mei Shuang raised her eyes to meet those of the Empress Dowager, filled with profound gratitude. It became clear that the affection this Empress Dowager held for the daughter of Mei Manor was genuine.
Playing with the jade ruyi in her hand, Empress Dowager Mingxi spoke kindly, “It has been some time since you last copied scriptures for me. Have your skills declined?”
Upon hearing this, Mei Shuang wondered if the purpose of the visit was simply to ask her to copy scriptures.
After contemplating for a moment, she respectfully replied, “In response to your majesty, since I will be staying in the palace for a while, if it pleases you, I would like to request permission to copy scriptures in my quarters for you. This way, I can pray for your blessings while also finding peace in my thoughts…”
A meaningful glance passed through Empress Dowager Mingxi's eyes, and even Aunt Yu furrowed her brows, clearly finding it hard to believe. She wondered what was going on with the Miss Mei Shuang.
The Empress Dowager was a devout Buddhist, and the scriptures that Mei Shuang was tasked to copy were not ordinary texts. Moreover, she had to bathe and fast before each session of copying. The scriptures were meant for recitation in the Treasure Flower Palace, so how could Mei Shuang be completely unaware of this? It was quite careless of her.
Recalling Mei Shuang's past experiences, could it really be as Nangong Nuo said—that she had an extraordinary talent that allowed her to undergo such a transformation? However, aside from Mei Shuang's case of Amnesia, there was no apparent sign of any "extraordinary talent." It was said that she had predicted a coup in a small country across the East Sea, which was somewhat intriguing.
"You need not copy the scriptures anymore. I have been feeling dull these days; just talk to me... I haven't left the palace in ten years. There must be plenty of new things outside. What have you seen since you left the palace? Tell me about it..."
Ten years without leaving the palace? Just cooped up in such a luxurious cage?
Mei Shuang was taken aback. She was used to traveling far and wide, so it would not be difficult for her to share new stories that the Empress Dowager would like to hear. She carefully asked, "What kind of stories does Your Majesty enjoy?"
"Stories?" Empress Dowager Mingxi shook her head lightly. "I prefer hearing about real events. Just tell me about your experiences..."
Mei Shuang thought to herself that the Empress Dowager only wanted to know about her time outside the palace but was going around in circles. The people in this palace were quite amusing; they loved to speak indirectly. Clearing her throat, she replied, "Your Majesty, my experiences after leaving the palace could easily fill a book..."
---
At dusk, after spending most of the day reviewing Fire Stick documents in the Hall of Governance, Xiao Luo, the Empress of the Great Qin Empire, tossed aside her red brush and stood up. She said to Li Gonggong, "Let’s visit Consort Chen—no, let’s go check that place instead..."
"That place? Ah, where?" Li Gonggong was initially puzzled but quickly understood what the Empress meant and led the way.
After the snow had cleared and melted away, although the weather remained chilly, under the bright sun, the palaces within the nine-tiered heavenly abode rose and fell majestically. The blue stone steps and white jade railings gleamed alongside golden glazed tiles and soaring eaves—all exuding an unparalleled imperial grandeur.
However, as Xiao Luo walked along, her thoughts were heavy. Occasionally glancing up at the sky, her gaze grew increasingly profound.
Though she wore a dragon robe adorned with nine dragons, there was no armor on her body for comfort; holding a brush that commanded the world felt far less natural than wielding a sword with ease. This resplendent nine-tiered heavenly abode could not compare to the vastness and freedom of the frontier...
As thoughts gradually drifted away, his steps did not falter until he caught sight of a figure ahead. He suddenly awoke from his reverie, staring in astonishment at the slender silhouette wrapped in plain clothing. The long black hair fluttered in the cold wind, and for a moment, his gaze became somewhat dazed...
At the corner, just emerging from the Hall of Governance, Mei Shuang was lost in thought about whether her storytelling that afternoon was appropriate, completely unaware that someone was approaching from the opposite direction.
Even Li Gonggong, who was leading the way, noticed that this woman walked slowly with her head slightly bowed, occasionally stopping. Both her gait and expression indicated that her mind was elsewhere.
If he didn’t remind her soon, she would collide head-on with the Sovereign.
Of course, for this woman who dared to challenge the Emperor in the Hall of Governance today and even openly criticized him only to be easily forgiven, the shrewd Li Gonggong would not treat her like anyone else. Instead of slapping her and scolding her for being oblivious, he stepped forward to block Mei Shuang's path and said in a neutral tone, "Hmm?"
Mei Shuang came back to her senses and realized she had been so lost in thought that she almost bumped into the Sovereign.
She quickly bowed and softly said, "Long live Your Majesty."
There was no response.
Mei Shuang raised her eyes and saw Xiao Luo gazing at her with a long, deep look that held an indescribable emptiness and joy. Although his gaze was fixed on her face, it felt as if he were looking at someone else.
Seeing the usually cold Emperor with such a melancholic gaze made Mei Shuang feel intensely uncomfortable. She extended two fingers to form a V shape and waved them in front of Xiao Luo, cautiously reminding him, "Your Majesty?"
This small gesture successfully pulled Xiao Luo back from his distant thoughts. When he finally focused on the woman before him, he couldn’t help but feel a bit awkward. He lowered his eyes and coughed lightly into his hand before looking up again; the warmth in his eyes had vanished, replaced by an even colder demeanor. His voice was somewhat husky as he said, "Since you are here, walk with me..."
Mei Shuang was taken aback and blinked. The Emperor actually wanted her to accompany him? She was currently under scrutiny! Walking freely in the palace had only just been permitted by the Empress Dowager, and it had to be along a fixed route from where she resided to the Empress Dowager's quarters. How could she now be on equal footing with the Emperor for a stroll?
Li Gonggong was also shocked and discreetly glanced at Mei Shuang again as he led the way.
Indeed, things had changed dramatically!
How long has it been since this woman went from the Cold Palace to walking before the Emperor?
In fact, accompanying the unpredictable Supreme Ruler for a stroll is a rare honor for anyone, and one must go to great lengths to please that poker-faced individual. However, at this moment, with her own thoughts weighing heavily on her mind, Mei Shuang found herself reluctantly following along to distract him.
As the sun gradually sank in the west, dusk quietly descended. Mei Shuang lifted her gaze ahead; beneath the emerald crown, the figure clad in bright yellow stood tall and imposing, exuding calm strength.
For some reason, in the faint twilight, Mei Shuang felt that the majestic figure ahead carried a sense of loneliness. Remembering how he had looked at her earlier, it was clear he saw her as someone else. Now reflecting on Jinghui, the woman who had taken vows in the temple, she recalled how she rarely spoke and mostly chanted scriptures. Occasionally, she would stand outside the temple gazing towards the capital, her beautiful eyes revealing a sense of desolation and a faint sigh escaping her throat. One couldn't help but feel that her state of mind was similar to that of the Supreme Ruler Xiao Luo before her. Yet, this beautiful and kind woman was forced to waste her youth under the Azure Lamp and Ancient Buddha, which was truly lamentable.
After walking in silence for a while, when Mei Shuang realized she was about to bump into the person ahead, it was too late to stop. She collided solidly with Xiao Luo's chest and nearly stumbled sideways before falling into a strong embrace.
Rubbing her sore nose, Mei Shuang felt tears welling up from discomfort. She straightened up, expecting to be reprimanded for her clumsiness. However, when she looked up, she met a pair of deep-set eyes.
Those eyes were as profound as the sea, shrouded in an unshakeable mist that obscured their inner emotions. It felt as if a swirling force was drawing her in.
Mei Shuang's body stiffened as she felt something in her heart thud loudly; she became acutely aware of how unnatural she felt. Even the powerful arm around her waist felt like a burning vine coiling up her body, making her feel flushed all over.
Just as she suddenly wanted to break free, she heard Xiao Luo's low voice say, "You were right; unrest has indeed broken out in the Eastern Kingdom."
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