The sky darkened.
Inner hall of Zhao Hua Palace.
Chen Mo leaned on a small couch, gazing at the tranquil slumbering face.
Delicate features, small red lips, the dim candlelight cast a warm hue over the cheeks, vaguely revealing the fine hairs on the white, tender skin.
The brows occasionally furrowed lightly, even in sleep, a trace of lancholy lingered between the brows and eyes.
"Ah..."
Chen Mo sighed softly.
After learning of their "affair", the Empress felt sowhat apprehensive.
Although she kept saying she wanted to confront it, when it ca to crunch ti, she didn’t know how to face it.
The man favored by both her niece and younger sister-in-law had already climbed onto her Phoenix Couch... the sense of betrayal as a "married woman" tornted her greatly.
Chen Mo had comforted her with kind words for a long ti before the Empress managed to calm down sowhat.
Tomorrow there was still the ceremony, she had to rise before dawn, worried it would affect her ntal state, Chen Mo dutifully acted as a pillow and refrained from mischief.
Seeing that the Empress was fast asleep, he cautiously sat up.
Moved the long leg resting on him aside and silently climbed off the bed.
Standing by the bedside, he pulled over a thin blanket to cover her, pecked lightly on her snow-white cheek.
"Just being seen by the Princess with so clues already threw her into such a panic... If I tell her, Her Majesty the Consort has long known about her sneaking ink, would she possibly plunge straight into the Hidden Dragon River?"
"It seems so things can’t be rushed, and must co slowly."
Chen Mo thought silently.
Leaving Zhao Hua Palace, wandering among the palace complex.
At this ti, the palace lights weren’t lit, under the dim sky, the massive palace complex seed like dormant beasts.
He looked up at the sky, just in ti to see the last of the sunset fading on the gilded roof of Qianji Palace, then completely subrging into the gloom.
Rembering Chu Yanli’s words, a chill ran through his heart.
"A vile dragon..."
Passing by Cangzhen Gate, he saw a group of palace attendants shuttling back and forth, holding various luxurious robes and items, while Fan Sigui stood at the door supervising.
"Be careful, don’t damage the items, they’re all for tomorrow’s ceremony."
"If you ss up, you won’t have enough heads to account for it!"
"Hmm? Mr. Chen, why are you here?"
Seeing Chen Mo, Fan Sigui couldn’t help but pause.
Chen Mo cleared his throat, saying earnestly, "Tomorrow the Sky Scale Guard will assist in maintaining order in the Imperial City, as Yulin Army Lang General, I’m here to conduct a round of inspection... Fan Sigui, is this..."
Fan Sigui shook his head and said, "His Majesty is unwell, so the Crown Prince will attend tomorrow’s grand ceremony; since it’s a sudden order, it seems a bit rushed."
Chen Mo raised his brows.
In special periods, it’s understandable for the Crown Prince, as heir to the nation, to replace the Emperor in ancestor sacrifices.
But the Longevity Festival, as an annual grand celebration, had already been prepared by the Ministry of Rites two months ago. To be notified just hours before, for the Crown Prince to take the stage?
This seems too frivolous.
Fan Sigui clearly was puzzled by this too, but the Emperor’s thoughts were not sothing others could fathom, so he said no more.
"How is the Crown Prince’s situation?" Chen Mo asked.
"It’s the first ti His Highness faces such a major event, naturally, he’s a bit nervous." Fan Sigui said, "But fortunately, with Master Lv’s guidance, there shouldn’t be any mishaps."
"That’s good."
"Ti is tight, don’t delay important matters, I shall take my leave first."
Chen Mo cupped his hands in salute, then prepared to turn and leave.
"Mr. Chen..."
Fan Sigui called out to him.
Chen Mo stopped, looking back, "Fan Sigui, is there anything else?"
Fan Sigui hesitated for a mont, then said, "These days the Crown Prince has been ntioning you constantly; he has few friends in the palace, and only gets along with you... After the Longevity Festival, if Mr. Chen has so free ti, you can co to Linqing Palace and visit."
Chen Mo fell silent for a while.
From a rational perspective, he should keep his distance from the Crown Prince.
But thinking of that little guy speaking on his behalf in court, reluctantly holding his hand when they parted, he nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll rember."
Fan Sigui breathed a sigh of relief, showing a smile, "Mr. Chen, walk slowly."
"Stay where you are."
Chen Mo nodded slightly.
Leaving Cangzhen Gate, walking along the palace path through the Inner Court, heading towards the West Palace.
Chu Heng’s abnormal behavior in captivity left him uneasy; although he didn’t plan to ask the Empress to intervene, this matter might be significant, it needed to be reported in advance.
Waited at Qianqing Gate for a long ti before a palace attendant arrived leisurely.
"Sorry, Mr. Chen, the Empress is not in the palace right now and can’t see you." The palace attendant said, bowing.
"Not here?" Chen Mo frowned, "Where has the Empress gone?"
"I don’t know," the palace attendant replied, "The Empress left the palace at evening today without indicating where, I dare not ask more."
"Director Xu should know, right?" Chen Mo glanced around, puzzled, "Why isn’t she here either?"
The palace attendant looked a bit strange, lowered voice, "Recently, the Empress instructed that Director Xu and Mr. Chen are prohibited from private contact; if you enter the palace again, special personnel will be arranged to receive you..."
Chen Mo: "..."
Seems this is because of the overnight stay in the Imperial Court.
Though the Empress didn’t express it, probably she still hasn’t gotten rid of the jealousy...
"Never mind, I’ll co again in a few days."
"I’ll escort you..."
"No need."
Tomorrow is Heavenly Gift Day, the grand ceremony will start at 3 a.m., there are only about three hours left; Chen Mo simply didn’t return ho, after leaving the Imperial Palace, he headed towards Huai Zhen Fang.
User Comments
0 comments from readers