Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Nothing much, every year around this time, I go to Dazhao Temple to pray for the Empress Dowager," Xiao Luo said, watching Mei Shuang's suddenly tense face relax again, finding it amusing that this woman wore her emotions so openly.
"Oh... as long as everything is fine..."
Mei Shuang sighed in relief, suddenly recalling that the Emperor had just suggested she go too.
She felt a bit flustered; what was she supposed to do at such a grand ceremony?
After thinking quickly for a moment, she asked hesitantly, "Your Majesty, is it... appropriate for me to go?"
Xiao Luo raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of meaning flashing in his eyes. His tone was calm and devoid of any emotion as he replied, "Are you saying that if it's not appropriate, you won't go?"
"..."
Mei Shuang's legs went weak, nearly causing her to stumble. Why did that sound so familiar? If it had come from Nangong Nuo, she wouldn't have been surprised at all. The key was that it came from the Emperor himself, whose words were usually as solid as gold. It truly caught her off guard. Indeed, they were not from the same family but shared a similar way of speaking. No wonder Nangong Nuo said they grew up together; there were indeed similarities. She was merely asking about the appropriateness of her identity for attending, yet his response clearly hinted at her defying his wishes!
Mei Shuang hurriedly nodded, "I will definitely go; it is my duty to pray for the Empress Dowager."
Xiao Luo seemed satisfied with this answer and stood up, saying, "Then prepare yourself; follow me closely during the event..."
After giving his orders, Xiao Luo left without further ado. Mei Shuang was stunned for a moment before quickly reacting and feeling anxious. "Your Majesty, this..."
"What?" Xiao Luo's expression turned cold. When he glanced back, Mei Shuang clearly saw a hint of icy disdain in his previously calm eyes. "Are you unwilling?"
Even Li Gonggong, who had been quietly following behind with his head down, shot Mei Shuang a look of contempt for being ungrateful. This was an immense honor and an opportunity that many concubines would fight tooth and nail for; yet here she was—damn it—this woman was not only failing to express gratitude but seemed to be challenging the Emperor's authority!
His gaze was sharp as a knife. Mei Shuang suddenly realized she had returned to the moment she first met Xiao Luo—the chilling aura and haughty demeanor that kept others at bay. Yes, he was the ruler; she wasn't even considered a subject. How could she dare to bargain? It was truly reckless of her.
Thinking of this, Mei Shuang smiled obsequiously, "Ah, no, no, I was just confirming..."
Xiao Luo snorted coldly and then strode away.
Watching Xiao Luo's graceful and handsome figure disappear at the entrance, Mei Shuang sat down in the chair that Xiao Luo had just occupied, reflecting on his sudden visit and his cryptic words. What could they possibly mean?
Clearly, his questions were filled with an inexplicable strangeness.
First, he asked if she was accustomed to living there. Did a busy Sovereign really need to personally inquire about such a trivial matter?
Then he asked if Nangong Nuo had told her anything. But what could be so important that Nangong Nuo needed to tell her personally?
She could guarantee that it was definitely not about praying for the Empress Dowager.
Even more absurdly, he actually wanted her to accompany him to Dazhao Temple to pray for the Empress Dowager.
Intuitively, this arrangement seemed extremely dangerous for her.
Anyone would understand that in such a solemn and dignified setting, the position next to the Emperor was the power of the current Empress. For her, a Deposed Empress Mei Shuang, to suddenly appear in public was already strange; she would undoubtedly become the center of attention. Being next to the Emperor would put the Empress in a difficult position. Just thinking about it made her foresee that such an arrangement would have effects comparable to an earthquake. Did he not fear provoking baseless speculation and ridicule from the world as a ruler?
Moreover, wouldn't this openly pit her against her sister Mei Ru? Mei Ru had repeatedly tried to take her life; this would provide a perfect excuse—coveting the Consort's position. That alone could lead to Mei Shuang's demise while bearing a disgraceful accusation.
Thinking of this, Mei Shuang shivered slightly.
Such an arrangement could only mean that either Xiao Luo had lost his mind or there was something deeply mysterious behind it.
Of course, she absolutely did not believe that such a brilliant king would ever lose his mind. Therefore, it could only be interpreted as a way to expose her to the light.
What does this even mean?
Until dusk fell, Mei Shuang was deep in thought. Could it be that the emperor asking Nangong Nuo if she had told her something was about going to pray for the Empress Dowager? But in any case, it was not suitable for her to show her face; first, her identity was unclear, and second, it did not align with her usual low-profile style.
What to do? What to do?
However, after thinking for a long time without any clue, in frustration, she bent down and pulled up a handful of weeds from the corner, impatiently tugging at the leaves. "Why aren't you here yet? I told you to come! What am I supposed to do if you don't come?"
"What's wrong? Missing me?"
A seemingly teasing voice echoed in Mei Shuang's ears.
If it weren't for the familiarity of the voice, Mei Shuang would have almost had her heart stop from fright. Did this person arrive on a whirlwind? She hadn't even noticed anyone in the courtyard just now.
She stopped her destruction of the weeds and turned around joyfully.
Suddenly turning her head almost caused her to bump into the person standing behind her. The face that suddenly enlarged in front of her made her gasp, and as she hurriedly stepped back, her leg accidentally knocked over a chair.
Just as she was about to stumble and fall, Nangong Nuo swiftly hooked his long leg around the falling chair and reached out with his long arm to catch Mei Shuang's soft waist.
With him so close, Mei Shuang was startled repeatedly. She pressed her hand against her chest and gasped, complaining, "What are you doing? You scared me to death."
In the dim twilight, Nangong Nuo stood before her, wearing a mask reminiscent of a Peking Opera face, with three tiles forming a celestial visage in red and black tones, accented with gold and silver. Coupled with his dark robe, this attire appeared eerie and intimidating against the encroaching darkness.
Especially his eyes, which once sparkled like peach blossoms, now stared at Mei Shuang with a chilling gaze, as dark as a bottomless well. Before Mei Shuang could ponder the depths of that well, she felt the mask on Nangong Nuo come to life with his occasional blinks, sending shivers down her spine. She pushed him away and scoffed, "Why are you wearing a mask? Did you get disfigured?"
Nangong Nuo removed the mask and toyed with it in his hands, yet his gaze never left Mei Shuang's face. His scrutinizing look held a hint of amusement as he examined her from top to bottom. Only when Mei Shuang felt increasingly uncomfortable did he lower his eyes to blow nonexistent dust off the mask and slowly speak, "Have you been comfortable these days?"
"......"
Mei Shuang was speechless.
What an occasion it was today; usually, she wouldn't see a soul around here, yet now two people had come to inquire about her comfort. One asked if she had gotten used to it, and the other if she was comfortable.
Wasn't that just nonsense? Being confined here felt like being imprisoned; could she possibly be accustomed to or comfortable in such a situation?
Just get to the point! She despised those who had something to say but insisted on starting with trivialities, especially men who were long-winded and pretentious!
"Why don't you stay for the night and find out?" she replied irritably.
As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Sure enough, upon hearing this, Nangong Nuo halted his movements and glanced at Mei Shuang, a smirk playing on his lips as he said, "Oh? Is this an invitation for me to share your bed tonight?"
Could this man not think of anything else but that? Why did everything have to be linked to such matters? Heaven knew how much restraint Mei Shuang had to muster to avoid turning around and slamming the door in his face. After all, Nangong Nuo's arrival at this moment indicated he surely had something important to discuss. He took great pleasure in teasing Mei Shuang, watching her become flustered.
Earlier that afternoon, Emperor Xiao Luo had arrived unexpectedly and started with similar trivialities before delivering shocking news that made her feel exposed. Who knew what earth-shattering revelation would follow Nangong Nuo's nonsense?
She could only suppress her anger and maintain her composure before speaking lightly without any pretense, "Are you here to tell me about going to Dazhao Temple to pray for the Empress Dowager? The emperor just mentioned it..."
Nangong Nuo lifted his foot to pull the chair closer and sat down leisurely. "I am thirsty. Go brew a pot of tea, and I will give you some pointers..."
If it weren't for Nangong Nuo's last sentence stirring Mei Shuang's heart, would she really go brew tea? She might as well leave.
The place was quite simple, and the only tea cup available was contributed by Mei Shuang. After rinsing it thoroughly, she poured a cup of plain water. When she brought it out, Nangong Nuo was flipping through the scriptures she had just read.
Seeing Mei Shuang come out, he teased with a smile, "Oh, this looks quite serious. Do you have any insights from these circles and crosses?"
"Circled and crossed?" Mei Shuang's hand holding the tea cup trembled suddenly. It was no wonder she thought too much; this suggestive phrase was equivalent to "N words omitted" in many romance novels. Who knew this term had such early origins?
"What are you thinking about?" Nangong Nuo put down the scripture in his hand and glanced at the distracted Mei Shuang. He took the plain water from her hand and drank it all in one go before saying, as if finally quenched, "Sit."
Sit? Mei Shuang looked around; there was only one chair, still under his bottom. Where was she supposed to sit?
Seeing Mei Shuang looking around, Nangong Nuo simply patted his thigh impatiently and said, "Sit here, quickly..."
"......"
This was the palace, and it was broad daylight. She and Nangong Nuo were flirting; wasn't that equivalent to telling others how desperate she was? To dare to sneak around in such a place made her reluctant to say, "I'll just stand."
Comment 0 Comment Count