Chapter 157: The Princess’s Obstruction
“Not letting others get nervous? I think it’s just not wanting you to go to the Libationer alone.”
Night enveloped the temporary palace, lights bright inside the palace, like a fairyland on earth, with faint singing and dancing echoing in the night.
That was where His Majesty was hosting the night banquet.
However, not many people could attend.
His Majesty had only specially invited a few key ministers and famous scholars. Because of the princesses, their essays would be presented at the night banquet, which was already a rare opportunity.
The companion reader ladies could not afford to rest and were furiously writing in their rooms.
Mo Zheng and Liu Chan shared a palace room. The two sat at a desk each. Liu Chan wrote her essay while couldn’t help complaining.
Earlier, “Yang Luo” had been summoned by Ling Yu but returned, which made her very frustrated and angry.
“Although I’m not attending the gathering, I’ve heard quite a few rumors. You took first place and became the Libationer’s disciple. The princesses are unconvinced. Otherwise, why would Chai Wan’er make things difficult for you at Dengyun Tower.”
Mo Zheng propped her cheek with one hand and wrote with the other, saying, “The princesses aren’t really doing it for that. It should just be…”
She paused here and glanced at Yang Luo, who was standing at the desk grinding ink.
“…not wanting me to go.”
Yang Luo understood her meaning.
The two already knew this martial arts banquet was held to keep “Yang Luo” from appearing before the Emperor and Empress, but Wei Jiao had incited the Libationer to get involved, and she still came.
So, Princess Pingcheng wasn’t jealous of her enough to keep her from the Emperor’s sight. Rather, she had received orders to keep her confined to a limited area.
Liu Chan set down her brush and examined her essay, shaking her head. “A Luo, you’re just too good-tempered. Scholars need some spirit. Other things are fine, but for reading and scholarship, you have to be arrogant… Mine is too bad.”
With that, she crumpled the paper into a ball.
Mo Zheng smiled. “Don’t rush. There’s still time.”
Liu Chan nodded, pulled over a new sheet of paper, and started writing again. She solemnly instructed Mo Zheng, “You must write well and win first place again, shutting up those who say you just got lucky once.”
Mo Zheng raised her hand in a fist salute. “This young lady will not fail Miss’s expectations!”
Liu Chan burst out laughing. Yang Luo and Liu Chan’s maidservant Bi Yun also laughed.
“Sister Bi Yun.” Yang Luo said with a smile, “Please look after my young lady for a moment. I’ll go check on the hot water for washing.”
Living in the Princess’s Garden, though attended by palace maids and eunuchs, they were not imperial relatives after all, so many things still required personal attention.
Bi Yun smilingly agreed.
Mo Zheng instructed again, “Don’t wander around or talk too much.”
Though the main gazes were on “Miss Yang,” as a maidservant, she could still be unfairly targeted or framed.
This time entering the temporary palace, though Zhang Sheng You had followed disguised as Liu Chan’s coachman, the coachmen were all kept outside the temporary palace in specific spots.
Where His Majesty was, the imperial guards were strict. Zhang Sheng You could not approach freely.
“I know.” Yang Luo smiled and nodded at Mo Zheng. “I won’t wander.”
……
……
Though she wouldn’t wander, she couldn’t stop others from wandering.
Yang Luo stood outside the palace courtyard responsible for hot water for the women’s washing, rubbing her hands to ward off the cold while waiting for the eunuchs to carry out the water. Suddenly, a man’s voice came from behind.
“Miss Asheng.”
Yang Luo stiffened and turned around. In the flickering night, Zhu Yunxiao looked at her with a slight smile.
What a ghost. How did she encounter him? Yang Luo squeezed out a smile. “Young Lord Zhu, what a coincidence.”
Zhu Yunxiao said, “I’m here waiting for Fu Qin.” He explained, “She’s Jiang Rui’s maidservant.”
Yang Luo smiled brightly. “Miss Jiang is so fortunate to have the heir always thinking of her.”
“Her mother is worried her cough will act up.” Zhu Yunxiao said. “She asked me to deliver medicine.”
Yang Luo’s heart noted it. So this was to show it wasn’t him who wanted to come?
She had no interest in saying more. “Heir, wait slowly. I’ll go first…”
“Miss Asheng, please pass on to your young lady.” Zhu Yunxiao said lowly, “Be careful with everything tomorrow.”
Yang Luo frowned. “What does the heir mean by that?”
Zhu Yunxiao stepped closer, looking at her. “Miss Yang coming to this martial arts banquet was deliberately arranged by someone with intent. And earlier she had conflict with the Chai Clan. The Chai Clan’s daughter knows martial arts. Tomorrow during horseback archery, Miss Yang should be careful.”
Yang Luo noted it. “Thank you for the reminder, heir.”
Her expression showed little surprise, and her thanks were perfunctory, Zhu Yunxiao thought.
“I’ll be participating in the martial competition tomorrow.” He continued. “If Miss Yang needs anything, you can call me.”
“I wish the heir first place.” Yang Luo smiled, not picking up his words, and stepped forward again. “I’ll go take care of things first. My young lady is still waiting.”
She turned, and Zhu Yunxiao stepped forward to stand in front of her.
“This.” He said. “Take it and use it.”
With that, he shoved an object into her hand and walked away without waiting for Yang Luo to speak.
Yang Luo felt warmth in her hand and looked down to see a hand stove.
She quickly turned, but Zhu Yunxiao had already disappeared into the brilliant lights.
She looked down at the hand stove again.
Was this caring for her?
She sneered inwardly.
She wondered if her maidservant from her previous life had received Zhu Yunxiao’s care.
……
……
Zhu Yunxiao knew his reminder was unnecessary.
That Miss Yang, since she came, surely knew the dangers she would face and had reliance, not afraid.
This reliance was Libationer Wang Zaitian, right.
Just now he had seen Wang Zaitian’s disciple Ling Yu come this way.
It was impossible to become the Libationer’s disciple for no reason. The Libationer must know her identity was unusual.
However, he should remind anyway. The purpose of the reminder wasn’t necessarily to help the other party, but to make the other party remember him.
Zhu Yunxiao’s lips curved in a smile. As long as the deed was done, it was necessary.
However, his smile paused slightly as he walked out of the lively palace courtyard. The mountain night wind was piercing.
He looked at his empty hand. The hand stove he had been using himself was given away.
Giving the hand stove wasn’t in the plan. Somewhat unnecessary.
And she was just a maidservant…
Perhaps because he saw her standing in the palace courtyard, hunching her shoulders, stamping her feet and rubbing hands to keep warm. Quite pitiful.
She was originally the princess’s maidservant. Whatever she wanted, she just had to ask, and others would immediately deliver it personally.
But now she stood outside the door, ignored by the eunuchs and palace maids.
No matter. He, this two-faced person, would care for her. Once ignored, twice disdainful, three times… he would eventually be moved.
If even a maidservant couldn’t move him, how could he catch the young lady’s eye?
Zhu Yunxiao’s lips curved in a smile again. He tightened his sleeve ties and strode away.
……
……
“Let me see the hand stove.”
After hearing Yang Luo’s account of returning, Mo Zheng said, holding back a laugh.
Yang Luo’s hands were empty. She snorted coldly. “Gave it to the eunuch in charge of hot water. He was very happy and gave an extra bucket. It was put to good use.”
Mo Zheng hahaha laughed.
“A Luo, don’t wash up yet!” Liu Chan came out after washing and instructed. “His Majesty might summon later.”
When Yang Luo returned, the companion reader ladies had finished their essays and given them to Princess Pingcheng. The princess had taken the essays and left.
Mo Zheng smiled at Liu Chan. “Got it. Go rest quickly.”
Liu Chan said no more, took her maidservant into the adjoining inner room. Mo Zheng yawned and waved at Yang Luo to “go wash up and sleep.”
Yang Luo hesitated. “What if His Majesty really summons…”
She already had great confidence in Mo Zheng’s talent.
Moreover, there was the Libationer.
Though Ling Yu’s invitation was refused by the princess, if the Libationer spoke, the Emperor couldn’t refuse, right?
“I’m confident in the essay I wrote. I’m also confident in Teacher Libationer.” Mo Zheng said, smiling again. “But the princess is a meticulous person. She won’t let this happen.”
……
……
The temporary palace was brilliantly lit at night. Seeing the gorgeous palace lanterns and Princess Pingcheng surrounded by over a dozen eunuchs and palace maids, people on the road bowed in respect.
Princess Pingcheng proceeded slowly with dignified poise.
As she walked, the view ahead opened up. A palace like the Hall of Diligent Governance appeared. That was where His Majesty was hosting the night banquet. Music and recitations could be heard from inside. The banquet was at its liveliest.
At the same time, a palace maid walking ahead suddenly heard the princess’s voice from behind.
“Go to the Empress’s Palace.”
The palace maids ahead were stunned. Weren’t they going to see His Majesty?
But as palace maids, they had no right to question the princess’s decision. They agreed and headed in the direction opposite the main hall.
……
……
Mo Zheng opened her eyes from the bed and saw the indoor night light was out. Yang Luo on the small bed was motionless.
A figure stood by the bed.
“You’re actually still sleeping?” Wei Jiao lowered his voice, exasperated. “Your essay was burned by the Empress!”
