Read Novel Full CHAPTER 30 PART1
CHAPTER 30 PART1
Outside the waterside pavilion, Cheng Mingyue abruptly halted, caught in a dilemma with no way forward or back.
Silence fell over the surroundings.
The Crown Prince’s affections were no secret, and for a moment, many eyes turned toward Xiao Luanfei.
“No,” Empress Liu’s voice turned cold in an instant.
Xiao Luanfei felt as though a needle had pierced her heart. She trembled slightly, lowered her head, and said nothing.
Turning slightly to the side, Empress Liu spoke gently, “Your Majesty, as for Ze’er’s marriage, I am still considering the matter.”
Even if it wasn’t to be Cheng Mingyue, there were still suitable candidates from the Duke of Yan’s household, the Princess Qingyang’s residence, or the family of Grand Chancellor Xu.
Absolutely not Xiao Luanfei from the Marquis of Wu’an’s household!
“Mother Empress, why?” Tang Yueze lifted his head to look at Empress Liu, his eyes full of frustration and unwillingness, his whole body tense. “I am sincere in my feelings for her, just like you and Father Emperor were back then — deeply in love.”
“For Father Emperor’s sake, you endured so many years of hardship…”
Tang Yueze truly couldn’t understand. By all reasoning, his mother should have been the one to empathize with him the most. She had waited patiently for so many years until his father ascended the throne, only then finally seeing her hopes fulfilled.
He was trying to move the Empress with heartfelt words, unaware that the emperor’s expression had already darkened beside him.
The emperor’s hand clenched tightly around the handle of his folding fan, veins bulging against his skin, a flicker of embarrassment flashing in his eyes.
With just a few simple words, the Crown Prince had stirred up some long-buried memories.
Back then, in order to secure the support of the Duke of Wei’s household, he had no choice but to marry that woman.
Even now, though he sat upon the highest throne as Emperor, ruler of the realm, the Duke of Wei still wielded his power arrogantly above him.
People still said it was the Duke of Wei who had preserved half the empire; without him, the emperor would not have been able to hold onto his throne.
The emperor’s face darkened, hard as iron, and he cut his son off sharply: “Enough!”
“Your marriage will be decided by your mother. There’s no need for further discussion.”
His voice, low and cold, carried a heavy, oppressive force that left no room for argument. The anger in his tone was unmistakable.
The suffocating atmosphere made the surrounding palace maids and attendants bow their heads in terrified silence.
Tang Yueze stiffened his neck and met the emperor’s oppressive gaze head-on, refusing to back down or retreat. “Father Emperor, I am unwilling. I wish only for a true heart — to grow old together without parting.”
The Emperor and Empress Liu had long shared a deep and loving bond, and the Crown Prince was their only son. Since childhood, the emperor had doted on him, often cradling him on his knee and playing with him. Until he was three years old, the little prince had even slept with the imperial couple every night.
When the time came for his formal education, the emperor personally taught him to read, write, ride, shoot, and wield a sword, allowing him to accompany him even while handling state affairs in the imperial study.
Because of this deep favor, Tang Yueze had always been affectionate toward the emperor, never fearful.
The emperor’s face darkened even further. His gaze, heavy and cold, locked onto his son’s eyes, while the veins at his temples throbbed visibly.
Raising a hand, the emperor pressed his fingers against his pounding temples.
The atmosphere grew even more tense under the standoff between the emperor and his son.
Xiao Luanfei clutched her handkerchief tightly, her fingertips turning white. The emperor’s rejection was like a heavy slap across her face, a clear message that she was unworthy.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger,” Gao An, wearing a three-peaked hat and a blue python-embroidered robe, stepped forward at just the right moment to offer counsel. “Have you not often said that His Highness the Crown Prince is still young and full of pure-hearted devotion?”
In truth, the emperor had often added another unspoken thought: The Crown Prince is much like me.
Reading the Emperor’s mood, Gao An continued carefully, “His Highness is naturally straightforward and harbors nothing but filial admiration for Your Majesty.”
At these words, the emperor recalled the affection and attention he had always shown his eldest son — and indeed, the more he looked at the boy, the more he saw his own reflection, both in appearance and in temperament.
When young, one admires one’s parents; upon learning of desire, one was drawn to beauty. Such feelings were only human nature.
The emperor’s anger gradually subsided, and his expression softened somewhat. With a wave of his hand, he said calmly, “A’Ze, we will discuss this matter another time.”
He offered a slight concession — a way to placate his eldest son.
“Father Emperor…” Tang Yueze didn’t want to miss this opportunity. A desperate, all-or-nothing determination flashed in his eyes.
Empress Liu’s heart tensed. She quickly interrupted her son, saying, “A’Ze, Mother is feeling a bit faint. Could you fetch my heart tonic for me?”
Fetching a simple heart tonic was hardly a task that required the Crown Prince himself — anyone could see that the Empress was giving her son a way to step back, trying to ease the tension between father and son.
Following the Empress’s silent signal, Zheng momo gently patted Tang Yueze’s arm, giving him a look that urged him not to continue challenging the emperor.
Tang Yueze pressed his thin lips into a straight line and, after a long silence, finally bowed and answered respectfully, “Yes, Mother Empress.”
Those three words barely contained the frustration simmering in his heart.
He bowed once more, then withdrew from the waterside pavilion.
The moment he left, the tension in the air naturally eased, and everyone exchanged glances.
Xiao Yanfei idly traced the delicate patterns on her teacup with her fingertips, observing everything coldly from the sidelines.
In just the span of half a cup of tea, she had seen the Crown Prince’s desperation, Xiao Luanfei’s humiliation, and, most notably, the influence Gao An wielded in front of the Emperor.
Gao An enjoyed great trust from the emperor. A few simple words from him carried more weight than countless arguments from others, enough to calm the emperor’s fury almost effortlessly.
No wonder Gao An had the audacity to demand someone from a marquis’s household — even if it was only a concubine-born daughter. What he relied on was nothing more than the emperor’s favor and trust, which had emboldened him to such a degree!
Although the tension had eased, the atmosphere remained heavy, and no one dared to speak loudly. Instead, they quietly sipped their tea and nibbled on pastries.
Xiao Yanfei took a sip of tea, watching as Gao An leaned in to chat and laugh with the Emperor, coaxing him back into a good mood.
She tugged lightly at Princess Ning Shu’s sleeve and whispered, “Who is that?”
Princess Ning Shu, completely unaffected by the lingering tension, was cheerfully tying ribbons onto two baskets — one with a yellow ribbon for Team A, the other with a red ribbon for Team B.
Hearing Xiao Yanfei’s question, she looked up and followed her gaze toward the man in question.
A eunuch, about thirty-five or thirty-six years old, with a pale, beardless face and dressed in a raven-blue ceremonial robe, was carrying a tray with a teacup toward the emperor. But Gao An casually stepped sideways, blocking his path, and deliberately bumped his elbow against the tray.
The teacup on the tray shook, and scalding tea sloshed over the rim, spilling onto the eunuch’s hand.
His face twisted in pain, but he dared not make a sound, terrified of losing composure before the emperor.
Without missing a beat, Gao An cast the eunuch a sidelong glance and subtly shielded him from view. With a smile, he drew a porcelain bottle from his sleeve, took out a crimson-red pill, and offered it to the emperor.
After swallowing the pill, the emperor’s brows relaxed, and a serene, almost blissful look appeared on his face.
“That’s Eunuch Liang,” Princess Ning Shu whispered, mimicking Xiao Yanfei’s hushed tone. “He also serves at the emperor’s side. He was promoted to the inner court just two years ago. Eunuch Gao is the chief attendant, and Eunuch Liang is the deputy — they’ve been competing for favor ever since.”
“My father says that Eunuch Liang is no ordinary man — in just seven or eight years, he rose from an ordinary palace attendant to Deputy Chief of the Inner Court,” Princess Ning Shu whispered eagerly.
She loved nothing more than hearing and sharing gossip, having picked up plenty of court secrets from her father, her mother, and even the Dowager Consort.
Xiao Yanfei let out a soft “oh,” absently stroking her chin as she watched Eunuch Liang, who, despite the pain, quietly carried the half-spilled tea back down the steps. She thought to herself: Truly impressive — his endurance is remarkable.
And those who could endure like this were rarely indifferent to fame and fortune — much less willing to remain under someone else’s heel.
Just then, Princess Ning Shu finished tying the ribbons onto the baskets, grabbed one, and stood up, handing the other to Xiao Yanfei with a bright smile. “Come on, let’s go.”
Xiao Yanfei raised an eyebrow. “Go where?”
“To collect the wagers, of course,” Princess Ning Shu said matter-of-factly, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she shook the little basket in her hand.
Xiao Yanfei: “…”
This little princess is really setting up a betting pool!?
Princess Ning Shu, in high spirits, pulled Xiao Yanfei toward the Danbi Waterside Pavilion.
“Uncle Emperor,” she said brightly, walking up to the emperor with a sweet tone, “For the polo match later, I’m thinking of setting up a betting pool. Would you like to place a wager?”
As the Emperor’s niece, Princess Ning Shu had grown up in the palace, greatly favored by both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. Naturally, she carried herself with a bit more boldness, thanks to her privileged position.
The emperor, who had been massaging his temples, paused, and his furrowed brows slowly relaxed as he smiled at the little girl’s playful demeanor.
He opened his fan with a flourish and gently waved it, nodding with warmth. “Alright, I’ll place a bet.”
At this, Empress Liu, who had her hair styled in an elaborate updo, frowned slightly, about to speak, but stopped as she watched the emperor, in a lighthearted mood, casually take off a piece of jade and toss it to Princess Ning Shu.
“Alright, I’ll bet…” The emperor teased, “I bet on your victory.”
“Thank you, Uncle Emperor,” Princess Ning Shu beamed with delight, and then she went on to invite the Empress to place a bet as well.
Empress Liu’s expression remained calm and composed as she casually picked out a jade bracelet to wager, betting on Team A’s victory.
With the Emperor and Empress leading the way, the process of Princess Ning Shu collecting bets went smoothly from there.
“Bao’an, place a bet too, join in the fun. It’ll make watching the match later more exciting.”
“Young Master Li, are you betting with a jade pendant again this time?”
“Bet on me, I’ll definitely win.”
“…”
Thanks to her smooth-talking skills, Princess Ning Shu and Xiao Yanfei quickly gathered a fair number of wagers. The two baskets soon overflowed with an array of items — jade pendants, pearls, gold and silver ingots, bracelets, rings, and more.
While Xiao Yanfei busied herself with collecting the bets, she also kept a detailed record of who had bet on which team and what their stakes were, thoroughly enjoying the process.
She had a successful haul — not only was the basket she was carrying heavy with wagers, but she also managed to take note of most of the people present, including their familial connections.
After making her way around most of the room, Princess Ning Shu, feeling quite at ease, suddenly stopped. Xiao Yanfei froze, almost bumping into her with the basket tied with a red ribbon.
“…?” Xiao Yanfei followed Ning Shu’s gaze, and there, about ten feet away, Gu Feichi stood with an effortless, relaxed posture by the window. With the mask enhancing his features, his profile was sharp and distinct, like a classical painting — serene yet dangerous.
Princess Ning Shu swallowed nervously and leaned in to whisper in Xiao Yanfei’s ear, “Maybe… it’s better not to ask him.”
She certainly didn’t dare approach Gu ‘Rakshasa’ for any money.
It was said that this man could cleave someone in half with a single strike, their belly torn open, blood spilling everywhere, yet they would still hang on to life, wailing like a vengeful spirit. The sight was enough to haunt anyone for three days and nights with nightmares.
But if she didn’t go, would he misunderstand and think they were deliberately excluding him?
If that caused Gu Feichi to hold a grudge against her, she feared she would have nightmares even while sleeping.
Princess Ning Shu hesitated, her eyes shifting as she looked at Xiao Yanfei, her expression full of inner turmoil.
Xiao Yanfei met her gaze, tilted her head, and with her bright, dazzling eyes, she grinned: “How about I go instead?”
“Okay, okay, okay!” Princess Ning Shu nodded vigorously, her voice sweet and pleading. “I’ll treat you to some candy… the zongzi candy from Dingshi Pavilion!”
“That zongzi candy only sells twenty boxes a day. It’s not just pretty, it’s delicious! It looks like a tiny zongzi, translucent and glistening. Inside the candy, there’s rose petals and crushed pine nuts. When you eat it, it’s crunchy and fragrant.”
“You’ll want more after you’ve had it!”
“It’s a deal.” Xiao Yanfei raised her hand and high-fived with her, her eyes curving into a smile.
Under Princess Ning Shu’s eager gaze, Xiao Yanfei gracefully made her way toward Gu Feichi by the window, her steps light and quick, carrying the small basket with ease.
“Lord Gu,” Xiao Yanfei stopped beside the tea table, her smile warm and inviting. “Would you like to place a bet?”
“You can bet as much or as little as you want. We accept all kinds of wagers.”
Gu Feichi casually twirled the white porcelain wine cup in his hands, and the crisp fragrance of wine drifted on the breeze, carrying hints of flowers that lightly brushed against Xiao Yanfei.
“Which side did you choose?” His voice, soft like autumn drizzle, carried a faint chill, as if every word was steeped in a serene coolness.
Xiao Yanfei’s delicate nose twitched as she savored the aroma, then raised her hand to gesture toward herself. “I’m betting on me.”
“However…”
She glanced around, leaned in slightly, and whispered to him, “I don’t know how to play polo.”
Xiao Yanfei’s eyes curved into a playful smile, her gaze clear and serene, as if her eyes could speak for her.
This little girl—her eyes were almost eloquent. Gu Feichi gently tugged at the corner of his lips and caught the faint scent of her fragrance, delicate and elegant, almost hidden in the air.
It was from the Jiāng Ji perfumery—Nine Treasures Incense, a scent made for clothes, not rare or expensive. But when it clung to her, it transformed into something softer, fresher, and more refined, creating a calming aura that soothed the mind.
Gu Feichi took a gold ingot from his sleeve and tossed it into her basket, saying only one word: “Follow.”
Follow what? Xiao Yanfei blinked, then realized that Gu Feichi was “following” her bet.
She smiled brightly, accepting the gold ingot, then, with a hint of teasing, reminded him, “You might lose your money, you know.”
Gu Feichi drank gracefully, the corner of his lips curling upward, a soft arc forming behind his wine cup.
Xiao Yanfei felt relieved and picked up the small basket, heading back.
“Yanfei,” Princess Ning Shu hurried to greet her, eyes filled with admiration, looking at her as if she were in awe, speaking in a low voice, “Did you really get silver from him!?”
She was amazing—so bold! No wonder she wasn’t afraid of the little things.
“This is what he gave me.” Xiao Yanfei pulled out the gold ingot to show Princess Ning Shu, their heads nearly touching.
As they spoke, Xiao Yanfei suddenly felt a prickling sensation on her back, raising her eyes to meet a cold, sinister gaze from outside the pavilion.
Tang Yueze’s lips were tightly pressed together, his gaze fixed on Xiao Yanfei, growing darker and more ominous by the second, a storm brewing in his heart.
Why? Why was she enjoying herself so much? While he and Luan’er have to suffer so?
Tang Yueze seethed with anger, his thoughts clouded with resentment. The words Xiao Luanfei had spoken earlier echoed in his mind, and his gaze toward Xiao Yanfei shifted again, now sharp and cold as a dart, full of chilling hostility.
“…” Xiao Yanfei, not one to be oblivious, easily sensed the malice in his eyes. She smiled faintly.
Was he angry because she wouldn’t sacrifice herself for their sake?!
If they wanted to be in love, that was none of her business.
But if they expected her to sacrifice for their romance, that was out of the question!
Especially if the one to be sacrificed was her!
Xiao Yanfei met Tang Yueze’s gaze without flinching, her composure unwavering.
“Your Majesty, the court is ready for the match,” came the report from Eunuch Liang behind her.
Tang Yueze averted his gaze, striding purposefully toward the Emperor and Empress.
The emperor smiled and said, “Let the match begin.”
Eunuch Liang responded respectfully.
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