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Her dark, grape-like eyes were strikingly clear, fixated on him with a hint of pouting cherry lips that seemed to carry a trace of reproach and lingering resentment.
Nangong Nuo took a moment to grasp the meaning behind Mei Shuang's words.
This was a strong signal; the woman had left the palace out of jealousy.
Nangong Nuo recalled the days spent in the palace. Indeed, he had not had time to pay attention to Mei Shuang, as he had devoted more energy to what he deemed more important matters. Of course, these important matters did not include indulging in flirtations with the many beautiful women around him.
Mei Shuang was naturally unaware of this, but her complaints about his neglect hinted at one thing, while on another level, did she really think he was a philanderer who only dealt with women every day?
If Mei Shuang truly thought this way, he found such reasoning preferable to countless others. It was only with this reasoning that he felt his trip was worthwhile, thus most of his earlier anger had dissipated.
Since ancient times, heroes have struggled against the charms of beautiful women; who could resist the spoiled and resentful demeanor of a beloved woman when she was jealous?
Moreover, at this moment, Mei Shuang's jealous expression was something Nangong Nuo had never seen before. Her delicate little face was filled with various emotions that sparked his imagination. Instantly, the hard lines on Nangong Nuo's face began to soften, and waves of affection rippled in his eyes, making his heart feel utterly tender.
As Nangong Nuo's gaze shifted, just as he was about to express himself, he noticed Mei Shuang's face suddenly change color. Her eyes brimmed with resentment as she pushed him away forcefully, shouting, "Go away! Who told you to come? Are you here to see me make a fool of myself?"
Nangong Nuo was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood. He couldn't help but chuckle inwardly; it should be easy to guess what this little woman's thoughts were—she was upset that he had arrived late!
Seizing the moment, he grasped Mei Shuang's hand and pulled her into his embrace, sweeping away the earlier coldness from his expression. With a smile playing on his lips, he held onto the struggling Mei Shuang and whispered in her ear, "Alright, alright, I’m here now."
His voice emerged from his chest—deep, warm, and magnetic—carrying an irresistible charm that made Mei Shuang bury her head in Nangong Nuo’s embrace, feeling as if a weight had lifted from her heart.
To be honest, ever since her conversation with that statue and waking up to find traces of candle wax on her arm, she had developed deep doubts about the Zhao Prince before her.
Needless to say, compared to herself, he seemed far more interested in the secrets she harbored. Otherwise, why would he go to such lengths to pursue her? The Emperor of the Great Qin Empire must have anticipated this when granting her permission to leave the palace and instructing her not to speak of it to anyone.
As she nestled against Nangong Nuo’s fragrant body, Mei Shuang felt a chill run through her. Nangong Nuo’s nimble fingers wandered across her back; instead of igniting sensations within her body, they instead instilled a creeping fear akin to snakes slithering over her skin.
Holding the fragrant figure in his arms, Nangong Nuo’s breath quickened slightly. The emotions he had suppressed for so long erupted at this moment. He leaned down and whispered softly in Mei Shuang’s ear, "It's getting late; let’s rest now."
Without hesitation, he pressed his lips against the long-awaited cherry blossom lips, his hands wandering towards the towering snow peaks...
In the Purple Dawn City, within the Hall of Governance, the Empress of the Great Qin Empire, Xiao Luo, was lost in thought before the flickering candlelight.
Since Queen Meiru's disappearance, Empress Dowager Mingxi had complained more than once to Xiao Luo about the dullness and monotony of the palace. "At my age, I feel like there’s no tomorrow after today. The concubines in this palace are all busy with their own affairs, and I have no one to talk to. Even that little troublemaker Shuang'er couldn't wait to leave. Let them all go; naturally, it’s not as beautiful here as outside..."
Xiao Luo understood Empress Dowager Mingxi's meaning well. Every time Mei Shuang was mentioned, there was an underlying implication in Empress Dowager Mingxi's words, suggesting that Mei Shuang was fit for the role of Empress.
However, such a significant matter was not so simple.
He could only smile bitterly. "Empress Dowager, everyone has their fate. Since she does not wish to stay in the palace, letting her go out for a while fulfills her wishes..."
Empress Dowager Mingxi was unwilling to accept such perfunctory remarks. Mei Shuang's departure had been hasty and mysterious; she was neither blind nor deaf. However, there were some military matters she only listened to; she understood that the harem should not interfere in politics.
The revelation that Left Chancellor's twin brother Li Tang had impersonated him for many years shocked Empress Dowager Mingxi. The subtle relationship between the fake Left Chancellor Li Tang and Zhao Prince left her genuinely alarmed.
Because of this matter, Empress Dowager Mingxi had not slept well these past few days.
While Xiao Luo was lost in thought watching the candlelight, he heard Li Gonggong hurriedly report, "Empress Dowager has arrived."
In the middle of the night, Empress Dowager Mingxi suddenly came over, and Xiao Luo quickly rose to greet her.
This was Empress Dowager Mingxi's first visit to the Hall of Governance this year and also her first visit since Xiao Luo ascended to the throne.
She surveyed the Hall of Governance and glanced at the neatly arranged books on the rosewood carved bookshelf against the wall. For a moment, her gaze froze as she sat down and sighed lightly, "Nothing has changed. When the late emperor was here, I often came by. Now that he is gone, everything seems just as it was, as if yesterday... sigh..."
With a sigh, Empress Dowager Mingxi sat down with Aunt Yu's support. Xiao Luo also set down his red brush and went over to sit with her.
Empress Dowager Mingxi gazed at Xiao Luo, whose angular face was chiseled like a work of art, a true noble by birth. Yet, under the flickering candlelight, a hint of fatigue was visible between his brows. Looking at the thick stack of memorials on the table and hearing that her son spent nearly every day and night in the Hall of Governance, Empress Dowager Mingxi felt a pang of concern.
With a touch of tenderness, she said, "Luo Er, you mustn't overexert yourself. The affairs of state are complex and tangled; everything must be approached slowly..."
Xiao Luo nodded. "Empress Dowager, what brings you here so late?"
Empress Dowager Mingxi seemed momentarily lost in thought, unsure of how to begin. It wasn't until Xiao Luo asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell, Empress Dowager?" that she snapped back to reality and dismissed those around her.
"Luo Er," she began, "the matter regarding Left Chancellor Li Tang has kept me awake at night. I never imagined that such a prominent Left Chancellor would be an imposter... And that Mei Ru—how could I have guessed she was a killer trained by the Left Chancellor? That such a venomous woman could become the Empress of our Great Qin Empire is truly a sign of heaven's blindness!"
Recalling these events sent a chill down Empress Dowager Mingxi's spine, and she felt an overwhelming sense of dread. "Poor Shuang'er has lived in such an environment for all these years; it's truly remarkable that she has managed to stay safe."
Xiao Luo raised an eyebrow, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.
The reason for Empress Dowager Mingxi's late-night visit seemed suspicious, especially as she sighed for Mei Shuang. Considering her previous favoritism towards Mei Shuang, it was hard to believe there weren't some hidden truths behind it all.
Xiao Luo asked, "What has prompted this sudden sentiment from you, Empress Dowager?"
Empress Dowager Mingxi fixed her gaze on the flickering candle flame and sighed. "Luo Er, do you wish to know why I regard Shuang'er so differently?"
Xiao Luo remained silent, patiently waiting for her to continue.
"Very well," Empress Dowager Mingxi sighed again. "At this point, what is there that I cannot say?"
She revealed a secret that had been hidden for over twenty years.
Xiao Luo could hardly contain his shock. "What? Empress Dowager, are you saying Mei Shuang is the daughter of my aunt? But I have no aunt!"
Clearly recalling painful memories, Empress Dowager Mingxi closed her eyes and then opened them again. "Your grandfather, the Founding Emperor, had a daughter outside. However, due to your grandmother's presence, it was never mentioned. That girl was named Lan and was placed in the household of a trusted minister under the guise of being his daughter. The Founding Ancestor once mentioned to me during his illness that since Lan's mother passed away early, he hoped I would take good care of her. I met Lan once; she was an exceptionally talented woman with whom I had a special bond. Unfortunately, she fell in love with someone she shouldn't have—a foreign man—and even became pregnant with his child..."
“Does ‘Empress Dowager’ mean this child is ‘Mei Shuang’?” Xiao Luo asked in astonishment.
“Of course not. Let me explain...” Empress Dowager Mingxi took a sip of tea, steadying herself before continuing, “Lan was driven out of her home with a child. I know that was actually the Founding Emperor's decree... The Founding Ancestor favored Lan's mother the most, and out of love for her, he was particularly fond of Lan. However, Lan committed an act that brought shame to the family. After she was expelled, the Founding Ancestor instructed me to ensure no harm came to her. Even though she made a grave mistake, he did not wish to punish her too harshly, fearing it would dishonor her mother. Years later, when I found Lan again, she was already pregnant with another child. This child is Mei Shuang, and her father is the current Chancellor Mei...”
A flicker of surprise crossed Xiao Luo's eyes. “What about her previous child?”
Empress Dowager Mingxi shook her head. “I don’t know. When I found her, she seemed to have endured a tremendous blow; half of her hair had turned white. She only told me that her child was at Chancellor Mei's Residence and asked me to take good care of her... Since then, I have never seen her again. Perhaps she is no longer in this world...”
The candlelight on the table flickered, and the scent of ambergris wafted through the Hall of Governance. The room fell into silence, broken only by the soft crackling of the candle.
“So, it seems that although Mei Shuang is born of a legitimate line, Chancellor Mei’s favoritism towards her has its reasons...” Xiao Luo said lightly.
Empress Dowager Mingxi nodded, wiping away tears from the corners of her eyes. Her voice trembled slightly as she continued, “Shuang'er is just like her mother—a child destined for hardship. Lan was born into royalty but was never recognized by the royal family. Even your father did not wish to acknowledge this half-sister. My interactions with her were always behind your father's back...”
“Why does the Empress Dowager treat Lan differently?” Xiao Luo asked.
After a moment of silence, Empress Dowager Mingxi finally spoke softly, “I later learned that Lan's mother did not die from illness; she was poisoned by your grandmother... In a way, my actions could be seen as atonement for your grandmother’s sins...”
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