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Abbot briefly recounted the situation of the Emperor meeting Mei Shuang and how she had quietly left, leaving the Princess and Master Jing in stunned silence.
"Actually, the Emperor came every day during those days, but for some reason, he never met with Miss Mei Shuang. He only waited on the back mountain to catch a glimpse of Shuang'er when she went up to gather firewood."
At the end of his tale, Abbot smiled wryly. "I originally thought the Emperor was deeply in love and that Miss Mei Shuang would surely be moved, but who would have thought..."
No wonder she suddenly left Cheng En Temple. After a moment, the Princess said thoughtfully, "Then we can only seek out the Empress Dowager..."
These past few days, Empress Dowager Mingxi had been experiencing persistent twitching in her eyelids.
"Jade, why have my eyelids been twitching so much lately? Could it be that something is amiss? Has the Emperor returned?"
Aunt Yu was preparing Sour Plum Soup for Empress Dowager Mingxi and gently replied, "The world is at peace, and all is well. What could possibly happen? I heard that the Emperor returned yesterday, but..."
Aunt Yu hesitated, prompting Empress Dowager Mingxi to ask, "What is it?"
"It's nothing much. I just heard from Li Gonggong that the Emperor returned from the palace in a rather unhappy mood. Perhaps there are matters concerning state affairs..."
As Aunt Yu handed the Sour Plum Soup to Empress Dowager Mingxi, she downplayed her words.
Taking a sip of the Sour Plum Soup, Empress Dowager Mingxi savored it slowly. A flicker of displeasure crossed her phoenix eyes. "The Imperial Kitchen always makes this soup too sweet. My palate cannot compare to those young concubines. Do not bring this again in the future."
Upon hearing this, Aunt Yu quickly replied, "Empress Dowager, please do not be angry. I will go inform the Imperial Kitchen to make it anew."
Empress Dowager Mingxi set the soup aside. "You just said the Emperor is in a bad mood? Do you know why?"
Aunt Yu, tidying up the soup bowl, lowered her gaze and replied, "It's just those tedious state affairs..."
"This child hasn't even come to see me since returning. How frustrating..." Empress Dowager Mingxi's displeasure grew at the mention.
Aunt Yu couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself, thinking that the Emperor was in such a terrible mood right now that he had no time to come here.
"Forget it. Accompany me for a walk. Staying cooped up in this palace every day is suffocating..."
Supporting Aunt Yu's arm, Empress Dowager Mingxi slowly strolled through the Imperial Garden and asked, "How did it go with the matter I entrusted you with?"
Aunt Yu's eyelids twitched. "Are you asking about Miss Mei Shuang's whereabouts? Well..."
She silently lamented; the Emperor had returned in a hurry alone, so how could there be any good news regarding him and Miss Mei Shuang?
But she was truly worried that if she told the Empress Dowager, it would only add to her distress. She could only discuss with Li Gonggong about keeping it under wraps for now.
"I heard that the Emperor has already sent someone to look for her. If there are any leads, he should come and inform you," Aunt Yu said cautiously, choosing her words carefully.
"Hmph, it seems he has returned empty-handed again." Empress Dowager Mingxi lightly snorted. "That child Shuang'er too..."
After walking for a while, Empress Dowager Mingxi suddenly asked, "You say that ever since Shuang'er underwent her transformation, everything about her has pleased me. Why is it that she has grown distant from the Emperor? Also, why doesn't she like to enter the palace?"
This...
Miss Mei Shuang had already provided an answer.
When Aunt Yu heard the words that Li Gonggong had brought back, she was utterly shocked.
Not only did Miss Mei Shuang confront the Emperor directly, but she also condemned his intentions as ulterior motives. Furthermore, she expressed great dissatisfaction with the Emperor's decree to make her a consort, accusing him of being a ruler who does not keep his word... Just think about it, how many people in the world would dare to speak to the Emperor like that? It was simply outrageous!
However, such words were something she would never dare to share with the Empress Dowager. Who could predict what mood the Empress Dowager would be in if she heard them?
The Emperor was already furious with Miss Mei Shuang and had ignored her. If the Empress Dowager were to develop a dislike for her because of Miss Mei Shuang's words, then Miss Mei Shuang's life would become very difficult.
Recalling those days in the palace when Mei Shuang would occasionally show concern for her as an elder, Aunt Yu felt a warmth in her heart. She could only sigh that this child was reckless with her words and actions, causing unnecessary anger for the Emperor. What could be done about this?
As Aunt Yu lost herself in thought, Empress Dowager Mingxi immediately noticed and calmly asked, "How is Shuang'er doing?"
"Uh?" Aunt Yu instinctively replied, "She's well, quite well."
As soon as the words left her mouth, she suddenly realized she had let something slip. In response to the Empress Dowager's darkened expression, she hurriedly knelt down and said, "Empress Dowager, forgive me. I..."
"What crime have you committed?" Empress Dowager Mingxi glanced at Aunt Yu and said lightly, thinking to herself how these servants dared to keep things from her.
"Aunt Yu..." Aunt Yu found herself in a difficult position, lowering her head and not daring to meet anyone's gaze.
"Since you don't know where Shuang'er is, how can you say she is doing well?" Empress Dowager Mingxi took a seat, her sharp eyes fixed on Aunt Yu with a glint of severity.
"I deserve to be punished!" Aunt Yu realized that remaining silent was no longer an option. She could only lower her head and respond, "Empress Dowager, it's not that I am hiding anything; it's just that the Emperor has ordered that no one mention Miss Mei Shuang since his return..."
"Why? Did the Emperor see Shuang'er when he left the palace?" Empress Dowager Mingxi asked.
"He did," Aunt Yu replied softly. "It seems Miss Mei Shuang displeased the Emperor. After returning, he flew into a rage and even ordered the burning of the original decree for her elevation. He said that if anyone in the palace mentioned Miss Lin again, they would face severe punishment!"
"Ah? Such a thing happened?" Empress Dowager Mingxi was taken aback, rising to her feet in shock. "What on earth happened to make the Emperor so furious?"
"Well..." Aunt Yu thought bitterly to herself that if the Empress Dowager wanted to know, she would likely become even angrier. After pondering for a moment, she said, "Empress Dowager, there is something else I don't know if I should mention..."
"Come on, Jade! You've been with me for half your life and still don't understand my temperament? Speak clearly!" Empress Dowager Mingxi's anger was rising.
Aunt Yu knelt down and bowed her head. "Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. Because the Emperor forbids anyone from mentioning Shuang Xiao Xiao after his return, I dared not speak. I just received news from outside the palace that Miss Mei Shuang fell seriously ill after parting ways with the Emperor. I feared... I did not want to disturb you..."
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Mingxi felt dizzy, causing everyone around her to panic as they rushed about, some patting their chests while others called for the imperial physician.
Once Empress Dowager Mingxi regained her composure, she waved her hand and asked, "Where is Shuang'er now? What exactly happened to her?"
Aunt Yu was frightened by Empress Dowager Mingxi's extreme reaction and could only report truthfully, "Miss Mei Shuang is still in Qizhou..."
"Who is attending to her?"
Empress Dowager Mingxi knew that anyone who could report to Aunt Yu in such a short time must have some ability. "Who sent the message?"
"It was..." Aunt Yu raised her eyes.
Empress Dowager Mingxi immediately dismissed everyone else, only listening to Aunt Yu say, "It is the Abbot of Qizhou Cheng'en Temple..."
"The Abbot of Cheng'en Temple?" Empress Dowager Mingxi frowned slightly, seeming unfamiliar with this Abbot.
"Your Majesty, she is the one from before..."
Suddenly, Empress Dowager Mingxi understood, rising abruptly with a changeable expression on her face. "So, Shuang'er is with her?"
"Yes... However, I heard from the Abbot that after Chu Xiruo left, she was harassed in Qizhou and was saved by Miss Mei Shuang. After that, Miss Mei Shuang went with Miss Chu to Cheng'en Temple..."
Empress Dowager Mingxi pondered for a moment before decisively saying, "You must send someone to Qizhou immediately. I don't need to remind you about the matters here; just one thing—when you return, make sure to ask the Abbot of Cheng'en Temple a few questions for me..."
Aunt Yu accepted the order and first went to the Imperial Medical Office to summon several skilled physicians. After making arrangements, she hurried back to report to the Empress Dowager and collided head-on with someone around the corner.
Li Gonggong got up from the ground, grinning through gritted teeth. "Where are you rushing off to, Aunt? Oh dear, my old bones..."
Aunt Yu was caught off guard, but fortunately, she reacted quickly and rushed over to help Li Gonggong up. While assisting him, she apologized, "Look at me being so careless. Quickly get up, did you hurt yourself?"
Li Gonggong was not very old; at the age of thirty, he certainly wouldn't be injured from a fall. He was just exaggerating for effect. "Aunt, what is this...?"
After helping Li Gonggong to his feet, Aunt Yu glanced around to ensure no one was watching and whispered, "This is serious..."
"What happened?" Li Gonggong noticed Aunt Yu's unusual expression and was startled. "What kind of serious matter has occurred?"
"Alas, Miss Mei Shuang is ill. It seems quite severe, and we don't know how it will turn out... The Empress Dowager has sent me to quickly dispatch someone to Qizhou. I must leave right away..."
With that, Aunt Yu hurried off.
It took Li Gonggong a moment to realize the gravity of the situation. He slapped his thigh; indeed, this was a significant matter!
...
In the Hall of Governance, Xiao Luo was reviewing a pile of memorials stacked on the table. Having been away from the palace for some time, so many documents had accumulated.
He patiently finished reading through each one. Just as he was left with the last thick memorial, he felt an unbearable thirst. Lifting his gaze from the document, he noticed that his teacup was empty.
Looking over at Li Gonggong beside him, who stood with his head bowed in deep thought like a monk in meditation, Xiao Luo felt a surge of irritation. "Your service seems to be getting better and better..."
Li Gonggong was lost in thought, contemplating whether or not he should bring this matter up with the Emperor. Suddenly hearing the Emperor's voice startled him. He glanced at the empty teacup next to the Emperor and realized just how severely he had neglected his duties.
He was so frightened that he knelt down, repeatedly bowing his head and pleading for forgiveness, secretly praying that the Emperor would not direct his anger towards him.
Sure enough, Xiao Luo impatiently waved his hand at him, "You can escape the death penalty, but you cannot avoid the punishment for living. Go out and receive twenty strokes of the rod..."
Li Gonggong had no choice but to accept his fate. After serving the Emperor tea, he went out to face his punishment.
Half an hour later, Li Gonggong returned, limping slightly.
Xiao Luo was contemplating the thick Fire Stick in front of him.
The afternoon sun streamed through the intricately carved window, casting a warm glow on the Emperor.
Today, the Emperor wore only a casual outfit, yet it did nothing to diminish his imposing presence. Beneath the golden crown, his features were handsome and well-defined. Regardless of his status as Sovereign, this noble demeanor made him a rare and exceptional man.
How could Mei Shuang, who had previously been so devoted to the Emperor, now seem so distant and unreasonable?
Was the Emperor truly that detestable in her eyes?
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