Imperial Palace Inner Court, Fubai Pavilion.
The pavilion is situated on Shaohua Pool, with a pointed roof at four corners, glazed turquoise tiles and vermilion beams, a ceiling carved with twin dragons playing with pearls and an octagonal coffered ceiling.
The pool water is as clear as a mirror, reflecting the sky and clouds with the willow trees hanging by the pond. A few red carps shuttle among the green lotus leaves, their tails stirring up delicate splashes and scattering the duckweed, creating ripples on the water’s surface.
The Empress, clad in a dark red long skirt, sits on the stone bench, her black hair tied with a silk ribbon, with a few strands gracefully resting by her fair neck, her waist adorned with a golden sash, outlining her willow-like elegant figure.
Lady Jinyun, dressed in a blue and white ’hezi’ skirt, sits opposite her, holding a purple clay teapot and slowly pouring amber-colored tea into the cups.
One is noble and vibrant, the other intellectual and graceful, like two jade flowers amidst the mountains and waters, exceptionally captivating.
"Sister, please have tea."
Lady Jinyun slides the teacup in front of the Empress.
The Empress lifts the cup, gently parting her crimson lips, takes a small sip, and nods, "Not bad, the leaves from Yun Chuan Gao Ling indeed have a unique flavor. It seems you’re more knowledgeable about tea."
"As long as sister likes it." Lady Jinyun smiles and says, "I have no other hobbies, so in my free ti, I enjoy fiddling with these mundane pleasures. Unlike sister, who is busy with affairs all day long and rarely has monts of leisure."
"Free ti?"
The Empress’s slender finger circles the rim of the cup, speaking softly, "But how co I’ve heard that you’ve been quite busy lately?"
Lady Jinyun freezes for a mont, puzzled, "What does sister an by this?"
The Empress glances at her, implying, "First sending greetings to the Shen Family, then visiting Chen Mansion with Zhu’er, bringing gifts in two large chests as if you intended to propose marriage."
Lady Jinyun’s brows twitch slightly, pretending to be casual, "Oh, sister is talking about that. After all, Chen Mo saved Zhu’er’s life, my visit was just to express gratitude."
The Empress asks, "Is that all?"
Jinyun nods, "That’s all."
The Empress narrows her almond eyes slightly, "But I’ve heard that Zhu’er and Chen Mo have slept together?"
"..."
Lady Jinyun’s expression stiffens, a trace of panic flashes in her eyes, "I don’t understand what sister is saying..."
"Don’t understand?" The Empress’s tone turns colder, "Should I call Zhu’er over for a confrontation?"
This was what Lin Jingzhu personally said once when she was caught in bed...
Although Chen Mo later explained it was to dispel the Chill Toxin, she knows well that their relationship has surpassed the boundary of friendship.
It’s not that she doesn’t trust Chen Mo...
That little thief indeed lacks resolve, Lin Jingzhu may be young, but she has ice-like skin and bones, a heavenly beauty... Facing such a lovely person, coupled with Lady Jinyun’s instigation, it might really lead to significant trouble!
"Despite my obstruction, these two grow closer."
"If they truly cross the line and commit a mistake, where would that leave ?!"
Thinking of Chen Mo wearing a wedding robe, respectfully serving tea, calling her "Auntie"... the Empress gets goosebumps all over.
Originally, she and Chen Mo were mutually affectionate, but suddenly it turns into a ridiculous situation, and she might even be labeled as "the aunt who steals her niece’s husband."
It’s utterly absurd!
Lady Jinyun assus Lin Jingzhu accidentally let it slip and internally blas the girl for being loose-lipped. Steadying herself, she explains, "Sister misunderstood, actually it was Chen Mo helping Zhu’er dispel the Chill Toxin at the ti..."
"Enough." The Empress waves her hand impatiently, "I’ve grown tired of these explanations... From today on, every ti Zhu’er dispels toxins she must co to the palace, I need to watch over it personally!"
?
Lady Jinyun furrows her willow-shaped brows.
The Empress has always been opposed to Chen Mo and Lin Jingzhu being together, but this reaction is particularly intense, implying sothing recent must have happened...
Knowing the Empress’s temperant, she always yields to gentle persuasion but not to force; contradicting her will only worsen the situation at this critical juncture.
Thinking of this, Lady Jinyun bows her head and says, "Jinyun understands, sister please don’t be angry, don’t let it harm your health."
Only then does the Empress’s expression soften sowhat.
Lady Jinyun adds more tea to her cup and changes the subject, "I’ve heard that so ti ago, a conflict broke out between Chen Mo and the Princely Heir, causing quite a disturbance in the court?"
The Empress nods, "Indeed this occurred."
Jinyun asks, "What does sister intend to do about it?"
The Empress crosses her legs and smirks coldly, "Chen Mo is young and vigorous, naturally impulsive, but so people truly lack clarity... A bunch focused solely on their self-interest, entirely ignoring the bigger picture!"
"It seems the Zhou Family incident hasn’t taught them a lesson!"
"If Chu Heng indeed has ties with the Demon Clan, then it’s a matter of principle, an indulgence of imperial family kin cannot be tolerated!"
Lady Jinyun breathes a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
After all, with the issue having blown up so vastly, she feared the Empress might succumb to pressure and push Chen Mo to bear the brunt for silencing public criticism...
Where would she find such an ideal son-in-law then?
"However, it is surprising that the Crown Prince personally attended the court, leaving sowhat astonished." The Empress squints her eyes, pondering, "Qianji Palace has been quiet these past two years, yet now steps into court affairs making uneasy with a foreboding."
"The Crown Prince?"
Lady Jinyun recalls sothing and her expression turns somber, "Could it be because of that past event..."
The Empress shakes her head, "It’s re speculation, without any concrete evidence... Nevertheless, I can sense the Emperor grows restless, otherwise he wouldn’t deploy Lv Huaiyu to probe Chen Mo."
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