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墨書 Inktalez
Mei Shuang felt a sudden jolt in her heart; the expression on the Empress Dowager's face was clearly much more distant than the last time she had seen her. It was evident that she was no longer the favored flower of the Empress Dowager, not the charming Mei Shuang who would bring joy to her. She must have done something to displease the Empress Dowager.
With this thought, everything in the Empress Dowager's presence seemed to become particularly oppressive under her gaze, filling Mei Shuang with a sense of unease. However, recalling Nangong Nuo's instructions that today was merely to express gratitude, she quickly knelt down, holding the brocade box above her head with both hands, lowering her gaze respectfully. "Your Majesty, Deposed Empress Mei Shuang is honored to pray for you and presents this Sutra as a blessing for your longevity."
Her words were smooth and appropriate, clearly stating her identity. The Empress Dowager Mingxi glanced at Aunt Yu beside her with satisfaction.
Aunt Yu hurried forward to take the brocade box from Mei Shuang's hands.
As the box opened, Empress Dowager Mingxi looked at the neatly arranged Sutra inside, her expression momentarily stunned. Then she raised her eyes to Mei Shuang, her gaze filled with complex emotions—surprise, confusion, curiosity—all intertwined. Finally, she sighed and exchanged a glance with Nangong Nuo behind Mei Shuang before instructing that the Sutra be taken away.
Nangong Nuo's expression was clear; everything was just as it seemed.
Indeed, even the person from last night in Dazhao Temple had suddenly become unrecognizable. What could one say if she had truly changed?
Empress Dowager Mingxi instructed Mei Shuang to rise and then ordered tea to be served before saying lightly, "I heard you prayed for me at Dazhao Temple with sincerity and devotion. I am quite pleased..."
"Praying for Your Majesty is praying for the Great Qin Empire. Mei Shuang has done her utmost, wishing only for Your Majesty's health and well-being. Your Majesty's health is a blessing for the nation and a fortune for the state..."
Her respectful words made Empress Dowager Mingxi feel quite comfortable. She thought that this child still possessed her sweet and obedient nature but now carried more solemnity. Thus, she preferred to believe that this was still the previous Mei Shuang rather than someone entirely different.
However, these few words had indeed soothed her heart considerably, softening her expression as she glanced at Nangong Nuo beside her and felt reassured that this troublesome person had not deceived her.
"Get up," Empress Dowager Mingxi said while looking at Mei Shuang.
Mei Shuang stood up respectfully at one side, still keeping her gaze lowered. If it were before, she would have already picked up the tea cup from the table and served it to herself; now she merely sat upright beside them. This distance was certainly not intentional; thinking of this made Empress Dowager Mingxi feel a twinge of loss in her heart.
Aunt Yu quickly sensed Empress Dowager Mingxi's disappointment and said promptly, " Miss Mei Shuang, would you like to check the temperature of the tea?"
Mei Shuang was momentarily startled by Aunt Yu's reminder but quickly understood and stepped forward to pick up the tea cup. After testing it with her hand, she presented it to the Empress Dowager. "Your Majesty, the tea has cooled down to about seventy percent; it is ready to drink. The tea should not be left too long after brewing; if it cools further, its flavor will diminish."
Empress Dowager Mingxi took a sip and nodded. "Do you understand the way of drinking tea?"
"Uh, I can't say I understand," Mei Shuang humbly replied, "I just know a little about the tea ceremony."
"Tea ceremony?" Empress Dowager Mingxi, who loved tea, immediately became interested. "Tell me more."
Mei Shuang suddenly remembered that tea was originally produced in China and that it wasn't until the Southern Song period that a Japanese monk brought tea back to Japan, where it began to be cultivated widely, leading to the development of the Japanese tea ceremony. According to historical records, China's tea ceremony also originated in the mid-Tang period, which was over five hundred years later than the era of the Great Qin Empire. This meant that the concept of a formal tea ceremony might not have even been established in this time, and judging by the Empress Dowager's reaction, she seemed unaware of what a tea ceremony entailed. Moreover, when the Empress Dowager mentioned "the way of drinking tea" and "tea ceremony," they were not quite the same; the former focused on knowledge and etiquette regarding tea drinking, such as "the seasons differ, and morning and evening are distinct," while the latter referred to an art form. It would be better for her not to show off.
Previously, she had successfully predicted a palace coup in the Eastern Kingdom, which led her into trouble and exposed her "superpower," resulting in a series of misfortunes. She could not afford to make the same mistake again. It was best if everyone she encountered thought she was foolish.
Thus, she continued to be humble. "How could Mei Shuang know more than the Empress Dowager? I only heard a few things while drinking tea outside, mostly about some taboos regarding tea..."
Inside, however, she felt anxious. She had come to express her gratitude; why wasn't the Empress Dowager mentioning her departure from the palace? Was she really going to discuss tea ceremonies with her?
While speaking, her eyes inadvertently glanced at Nangong Nuo, who had already seated himself without regard for anyone else. Nangong Nuo completely ignored her gaze and was instead admiring the grand decorations of the palace. This made Mei Shuang feel frustrated as she thought to herself, why were you acting timid when it was time to help me out?
"The taboos of drinking tea?" The Empress Dowager's lips curled slightly. "I love drinking tea and have been looking for someone to talk to. Why don't you tell me? How many taboos are there in drinking tea?"
Mei Shuang widened her eyes in disbelief.
But since the Empress Dowager asked her a question, she couldn't dare not answer and had to respond indirectly. "It's somewhat embarrassing for me to say this..."
Unexpectedly, today Empress Dowager Mingxi seemed to be in an unusually good mood and asked Mei Shuang several questions about tea. After answering a few questions with great difficulty, Mei Shuang felt like she was sweating profusely; this was not a casual chat but rather an examination of her knowledge. Could it be that the Empress Dowager had previously exchanged tea art with Qianjin Meishuang from Mei Manor and now compared herself unfavorably?
She maintained a calm facade but cast a pleading glance toward Nangong Nuo, thinking that he should intervene; if this continued, when would she ever leave the palace?
It was evident from the candlelight in front of the Empress Dowager that it was getting late; the candle had burned down an inch since they arrived. If they stayed much longer, where would they go at midnight?
Finally, seeing that it was about time, Nangong Nuo interjected, "Empress Dowager, it's getting late. In my humble opinion, why don't we continue this conversation tomorrow?"
Humble opinion?
Mei Shuang's eyes widened in surprise as she thought that Nangong Nuo was actually at the same level as the Empress Dowager? No wonder he had mentioned that Xiao Luo referred to him as 'uncle'; it turned out he was indeed related by blood. If she had truly become the Empress of the Great Qin Empire as she wished, wouldn't that mean she would be lower in status than this extraordinary man? Moreover, if they indeed had some inappropriate relationship, wouldn't that mean an uncle had taken his nephew's wife?
Mei Shuang was lost in thought when she suddenly heard the Empress Dowager's displeased voice, "Why should you concern yourself with my matters? I'm in a good mood today and asked a few extra questions, yet you seem anxious..."
"Of course, of course," Nangong Nuo replied with a smile.
"Alright, go back and rest. Mei Shuang will stay in the same place as last time. As for you," Empress Dowager Mingxi glanced at Nangong Nuo, "you should return to check on your beauties in the palace. Don't leave them all unattended..."
Nangong Nuo awkwardly smiled and then took her leave with Mei Shuang.
As soon as they got into the carriage, Nangong Nuo raised her sleeve to cover her mouth and pretended to cough lightly. She then said seriously, "The Empress Dowager certainly knows how to speak. Having never been to my palace, she seems to know its situation quite well..."
Mei Shuang could easily tell that Nangong Nuo was trying to hide her true feelings and nodded in agreement, "Not having been there yet knowing so much is indeed the Empress Dowager's remarkable skill..."
Nangong Nuo widened her eyes; when did this girl start to play along so seriously?
After leaving the Empress Dowager, Mei Shuang felt relaxed. Having the chance to spar verbally with Nangong Nuo was a form of relief for her. She always sensed that Nangong Nuo had ulterior motives, but she couldn't quite see through them yet.
This time, Nangong Nuo kept her word. After escorting Mei Shuang back to her previous residence, she truly left without lingering.
Once Mei Shuang closed the door, she pouted, "It's one thing for the Empress Dowager to call me out, but it's another for you to deny it... Alas, what a pity for all those beautiful ladies in that room!"
"What are you saying?"
Mei Shuang nearly screamed at the voice that came from behind her. The returning voice mimicked Mei Shuang's earlier tone, "Ah, now I know someone is speaking ill behind my back!"
Mei Shuang turned around abruptly. Angered, she raised her fist without hesitation and exclaimed, "Do you know how easy it is to scare someone like this?"
Nangong Nuo caught the delicate hand reaching out towards her and deliberately squeezed it in her palm a few times before saying seriously, "In response to your good wishes, I will be staying here tonight. That room full of beauties will just have to miss out tonight..."
With eavesdropping mixed with teasing and shamelessness, Mei Shuang broke free from Nangong Nuo's grip. "What? You're staying here tonight?"
Nangong Nuo was too lazy for further conversation; she simply lay back on the bed, stretched out her arms, and teased, "Come on then, tonight I'll hold you while you sleep..."
Mei Shuang decisively refused, "Zhao Prince, the Empress Dowager has issued a decree tonight. I hope you return to your own quarters to rest..."
Seeing her formidable and unapproachable demeanor in the face of danger, Nangong Nuo found it somewhat amusing. He beckoned to Mei Shuang with a finger, "Come here, I have something to say to you."
Mei Shuang was not about to fall for it. On a night like this, the likelihood of ambiguous situations arising was high; the closer she got to him, the more dangerous it became.
Noticing Mei Shuang's avoidance, Nangong Nuo simply stood up and quickly cornered her against the wall. As he pressed close to the struggling Mei Shuang, he leaned in and whispered with a seductive tone, "Do you think it's more advantageous to sleep with me or to be taken advantage of in your dreams tonight?"
As he spoke, Nangong Nuo made a gesture as if to cut his throat.
Realizing what he meant, Mei Shuang's body stiffened, and she immediately froze in place.
"Are you joking?" Her face was rigid as she forced out an unattractive expression.
"Don't believe me? Then I'll just leave tonight. After all, there are many beautiful women in the palace..." Nangong Nuo pretended to walk away.
As he reached the door, the hesitant Mei Shuang finally spoke up, "Wait... Fine, I have a characteristic: I'd rather believe it exists than not."
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