Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The Emperor returned to the study, agitated as he swept the memorials off the table. The scattered documents fell like snowflakes, their ink scent wafting through the air, yet failing to mask the oppressive atmosphere that lingered.
Debao, witnessing this, quickly knelt down to gather them, his movements gentle and careful, as if handling fragile treasures. "Your Majesty, please calm your anger," Debao advised cautiously, not daring to lift his head. "Your health is of utmost importance."
The Emperor's fury had not yet subsided; his tightly clenched fists trembled slightly, veins bulging on the back of his hands. "Go, send the finest pearls from the Imperial Household Department to the Phoenix Palace!" he gritted through his teeth, a hint of sarcasm lacing his tone. "Doesn't the Empress enjoy these trinkets? I'll show her just how many pearls I possess!"
"Your servant obeys." After receiving the command, Debao hurried to the Imperial Household Department. He understood the Emperor's intentions well; on the surface, it was a gift for the Empress, but in reality, it was a jab at her greed for jewels, a means to vent his inner rage. The head of the Imperial Household Department, seeing Debao in person, did not dare to be negligent and promptly ordered the finest pearls from the storeroom to be presented. After careful selection, Debao finally chose a box of smooth, evenly sized East Pearls and had them elegantly packaged in a brocade box for delivery to the Phoenix Palace.
Inside the Phoenix Palace, the Empress reclined on a soft couch, engrossed in an ancient text. A-Ying stood nearby, occasionally pouring tea for her with delicate care.
"Your Highness," a young palace maid rushed in and knelt down to report, "the Imperial Household Department has sent a box of pearls."
Upon hearing this, the Empress raised an eyebrow slightly, setting aside her book with indifference. "Bring it forth."
The young maid carefully placed the brocade box on the table before the Empress. As she opened it, she found pearls glistening like dewdrops, radiating a soft glow. However, instead of expressing delight, the Empress let out a cold laugh and swept all the pearls onto the floor. They rolled away with a crisp sound, shattering like her mood.
"A-Ying," the Empress said icily, her gaze laced with mockery, "smash all these pearls and return them to the study."
A-Ying was taken aback and quickly knelt down. "Your Highness, this..."
"What? Do you dare defy This Palace's orders?" The Empress's eyes narrowed sharply at A-Ying, her tone carrying an unmistakable warning.
A-Ying dared not speak further and quickly rose to pick up each pearl scattered on the ground. She then fetched a small hammer and smashed them all into pieces. The shards lay strewn across the floor like the shattered heart of the Empress. A-Ying wrapped up the fragments in a piece of brocade cloth and carefully cradled them as she made her way toward the study.
In the imperial study, the Emperor was reviewing memorials, his brow furrowed and his expression serious. Debao stood beside him, not daring to breathe.
"Your Majesty," A-Ying said timidly, "the Empress has sent this for you."
The Emperor glanced at the silk handkerchief in A-Ying's hand, a sense of unease creeping into his heart. He took the handkerchief and slowly opened it, revealing a pile of shattered pearls that glimmered coldly.
The Emperor's face turned ashen in an instant, fury igniting in his eyes. "Good! Good! Good!" he laughed bitterly, repeating the word three times. "The Empress truly has great audacity!"
He abruptly stood up and strode out of the study, heading straight for Phoenix Palace. Debao hurriedly followed behind, matching his pace, anxiety gnawing at him.
Inside Phoenix Palace, the Empress sat before her vanity while A-Ying styled her hair. Hearing the Emperor's footsteps, a cold smile crept across the Empress's lips, her gaze laced with provocation.
The Emperor stormed into Phoenix Palace, and seeing the Empress so relaxed only fueled his rage further. "Empress!" he bellowed, his voice echoing loudly, "Why did you shatter the pearls I sent you?"
The Empress slowly turned to face him, her eyes icy as she replied calmly, "Your Majesty sends me pearls; is it to mock my desire for jewels?"
The Emperor was momentarily speechless; he indeed had that intention but hadn't expected the Empress to state it so directly.
"I do not appreciate being mocked," the Empress continued, a hint of warning in her tone. "It would be best if Your Majesty refrained from such actions in the future."
With that, she dismissed him and returned her attention to A-Ying, who continued to style her hair. The Emperor seethed at her indifference but felt powerless to act. He took a deep breath and turned to leave.
"Return to the study!" the Emperor ground out through clenched teeth, his words forced between them as he swept away with a flourish of his sleeve that stirred up a gust of wind. Debao followed closely behind him, not daring to make a sound as the echoes of the Emperor's footsteps resonated through the silent palace corridor.
====================
Comment 0 Comment Count