Chapter 63: Encounter
Those clear, moist almond eyes held the brilliant light spilling in from outside the threshold.
A pair of bright pupils, as if stars were constantly twinkling within them.
Gu Zhen was stunned for a moment, his heart tightening again. Not knowing whether she had heard or not, he subconsciously lowered his voice to coax her, “It’s nothing, don’t listen to his nonsense. Were you looking for the jade pendant? Zhen will have Wu Mao look for it for you. Zhen vaguely remembers you left it on the table by the couch; perhaps it fell down.”
The hall was silent, save for the Emperor’s cautious, coaxing voice. That warm, mellow voice was laced with a few hints of panic.
Everyone buried their heads, terrified of seeing something they shouldn’t.
For a moment, one could hear a pin drop in the hall.
Jiang Jiayan stood there dazed. Having just been swept by the Emperor’s dagger-like glare and now witnessing the scene in the hall, he couldn’t come back to his senses for a long while. He didn’t know where the Empress had come from, but Wu Mao had seen it clearly.
Niangniang had actually come out of Bixia‘s sleeping quarters!
He couldn’t help but hold his breath, turning his head to respond respectfully, “Yes.” Last night, Bixia hadn’t called anyone in to serve, so Wu Mao wasn’t clear on the details inside. He walked up to Zhao Yiyi and asked, “Niangniang, do you have any impression of where you placed that jade pendant?”
“I don’t know.” Zhao Yiyi’s expression was somewhat blank. She thought for a moment but still couldn’t recall. She then followed Wu Mao back into the sleeping quarters, intending to look again.
Only when the two had turned into the inner hall did Gu Zhen look back at Jiang Jiayan, barely suppressing the anger surging in his chest. Eyelids half-drooped, he gritted his teeth and asked coldly, “Do you have a death wish?”
having known him for many years, it was rare for the Emperor to be this angry.
Jiang Jiayan’s scalp went numb for a moment, and he said apprehensively, “Bixia, quell your anger! Chen… Chen…”
Recounting what just happened, Bixia was furious. Could it be that he was afraid Niangniang would misunderstand?
He suddenly recalled Bixia‘s humble attitude just now. Where was the rumor that he disliked the Empress? Saying he held her in his hands for fear of breaking her wouldn’t be an exaggeration.
Before he could speak, the Emperor grew impatient and said bluntly, “You know that Rouran woman so well, you must have inquired about her in detail long ago. Since you have such thoughts, Zhen can bestow her upon you as a wife. for the safety of Great Chu’s borders, Minister Jiang, you will have to suffer a little.”
“Chen… Chen only heard Xin Cheng’an and the others mention it just now. It was a joke, a momentary joke, not a deliberate inquiry.” Jiang Jiayan bowed his body, his voice trembling from the scare.
Gu Zhen sneered, “If you didn’t inquire deliberately, how could you even know what that Rouran woman looks like? Zhen will fulfill your wish and order that Rouran woman to turn back.”
Jiang Jiayan was truly frightened this time and hurriedly said, “Bixia, Chen was speaking nonsense, Bixia must not take it to heart. It was just mentioned that the Ruru wanted to present a princess to Bixia…”
“It really fell under the table. I said I had looked everywhere, how could I not find it?” A crisp voice laced with laughter came, followed by footsteps approaching from far to near.
Wu Mao’s voice followed, “Niangniang finding it is good. This jade pendant really looks beautiful.”
Gu Zhen’s vision went black, and his body swayed a few times. Pointing toward the hall door, he said in a deep voice, “Get out!”
“What’s wrong?” Zhao Yiyi walked slowly out from behind the screen. Seeing Gu Zhen’s ashen face, she couldn’t help but ask, “What matter has made Bixia so angry?”
Her cool, clear voice instantly soothed the restless energy in one’s dantian, and his entire being relaxed.
Seeing her come out, Gu Zhen’s expression softened slightly, and he said warmly, “Nothing, just some matters of the court. He made many mistakes, and Zhen was annoyed looking at them. By the way, did you find the jade pendant?”
“Mm.” Zhao Yiyi pointed to the green jade piece at her waist, nodding with a smile, then added, “It is getting late; this concubine intends to go back.”
Gu Zhen’s face stiffened.
Accompanied by the rumble of thunder, the sound of rain rang incessantly in their ears. The sound of jade beads crashing onto the grey glazed tiles of the roof came continuously. Gu Zhen took the opportunity to say, “The rain hasn’t stopped, and it’s this hour. Zhen has already ordered people to prepare the morning meal. Why not eat before you go back?”
Zhao Yiyi looked at him, pursed her lips, her expression somewhat hesitant.
Glare at by the Emperor again, Jiang Jiayan woke up as if from a dream. With the thought of atoning for his crimes, he hurriedly chimed in, “The rain is quite heavy today; Niangniang must not take it lightly.” He dusted off his crimson official robes and laughed, “Look, walking all this way, my official robes are soaked through.”
Zhao Yiyi looked sideways.
Indeed, there were several wet marks on the hem of his robe. Even his official hat had several spots of deeper color. Looking again at the raindrops constantly smashing onto the green bricks outside the window, she finally nodded lightly. “Alright.”
A few birds were soaked by the rain and huddled under the eaves for shelter.
Gu Zhen’s handsome face darkened slightly. His cold gaze fell on Jiang Jiayan. After a long while, the corners of his lips pulled slightly. “Still have the mind to think about this? It seems you aren’t busy enough. Go with Xin Cheng’an to the drill grounds and practice for half a day to wake up.”
Jiang Jiayan left, wanting to cry but lacking tears. Gu Zhen approved a few more memorials at the imperial desk before getting up and heading to the side hall.
Screens were used as partitions, dividing the side hall into several small compartments.
The dining area faced a window. Pushing it open and looking out, one could see several towering ancient pines, their branches vigorous and dense. When a gust of wind passed, pine needles scattered on the ground.
Beside that small pine forest, two cranes were kept.
Taking the meaning of pine and crane extending years.
Although not as cool, suitable, and exquisitely thought-out as Xiangsi Hall, it had a different charm.
The table was set by the window. Zhao Yiyi sat by the window, taking small bites of plain steamed duck while teasing a few birds perched on the windowsill.
Gu Zhen’s eyes softened abruptly. He walked slowly to her and asked softly, “Is it to your appetite?”
“This concubine finds it acceptable.” Zhao Yiyi nodded lightly, a smile in her eyes, the pear dimples at the corners of her lips faintly visible.
The attendant immediately set another pair of bowls and chopsticks. Gu Zhen sat opposite her and said softly, “Since you like it, eat more.”
Zhao Yiyi agreed, then asked with some confusion, “Has Bixia eaten the morning meal today?”
Gu Zhen said, “Not yet.”
The curtain of rain filtered a layer of softness, reflecting on the beauty’s jade-like face by the window, actually glowing with a soft light.
Fragrant cheeks reflecting snow, cherry lips like vermilion.
Every part was alluring.
Zhao Yiyi suddenly looked over, and within those eyes, there was a hint of a smile that was not quite a smile.
Gu Zhen was stunned, but saw the beauty lightly open her red lips and ask him softly, “This concubine seemed to hear just now that some Rouran princess is coming?”
She had heard it after all.
Gu Zhen’s heart tightened, and he subconsciously denied it, “No, Yiyi, don’t listen to his nonsense.” A ball of fire burned in his heart, secretly hating Jiang Jiayan for harming him, wishing he could cut him into a thousand pieces to vent the hatred in his heart.
Ideally, her attitude had just softened a bit. With Yiyi’s independent nature, if she heard about some Rouran princess, she probably wouldn’t even bother to look at him again, and would definitely fall out with him.
“Hmm?” Zhao Yiyi smiled. “Is that so?”
Suppressing the apprehension in his heart, Gu Zhen explained gently, “Jiang Jiayan was speaking nonsense. It was proposed by Rouran after their defeat this time. Zhen has already ordered Rouran to take her back. Be good, don’t overthink it.”
His hands resting at his sides clenched tightly, his face carrying a hint of nervousness. Raising his eyes to look at the beauty before him, his voice involuntarily softened a few degrees, afraid of scaring her.
Zhao Yiyi just smiled and said softly, “So that’s how it is.”
Her eyes reflected a faint smile, as if she had just asked casually, not taking it to heart, nor caring.
Even the tone of her response seemed incredibly perfunctory.
She was so obedient; he only had to explain one sentence, and she asked nothing more. Gu Zhen thought he should be happy, happy that Yiyi was so well-behaved now, but he only felt a blockage in his chest.
Not asking, not speaking, was simply because… she didn’t care.
If she cared, given her personality, how could she be so calm and composed?
A bitter smile hooked the corner of his lips. Gu Zhen said softly, “Zhen… has never thought of taking concubines.”
Zhao Yiyi paused, glanced at him, gave a faint response, and then lowered her head to continue eating.
After eating a few bites of plain steamed duck, Zhao Yiyi rolled up her sleeves, intending to scoop some Yudai soup.
Before she could reach out, half a bowl of soup was already handed to her.
“It’s a bit hot, be careful,” Gu Zhen said softly.
Staring blankly for a good while, Zhao Yiyi lowered her eyes and took the Yudai soup, whispering, “Many thanks, Bixia.”
Plain steamed duck, Yudai soup, preserved apricots, five-spice cake, Huaiye Lengtao noodles.
Almost every item was what she liked.
He didn’t like things with a sweet, cloying taste.
In the past, the meals were all catered to his taste by her, trying her best to have the kitchen make things he liked. Now, it had completely reversed.
Zhao Yiyi didn’t feel happy. A few traces of bitterness secretly crossed her heart as she lowered her head to eat the Yudai soup in the bowl.
The faint sound of the spoon hitting the soup bowl was exceptionally obvious in this quiet side hall.
Seeing her put down the spoon, Gu Zhen picked up a piece of preserved apricot and placed it in her bowl. “Zhen just had people marinate these yesterday. Taste it, how is it?” He remembered Yiyi loved these preserved fruits made of peaches, plums, and apricots, and even loved the cherry preserves immensely.
Seeing her eat a piece, Gu Zhen asked impatiently, “Is it good?”
Zhao Yiyi frowned slightly and said softly, “Too much sugar was put in; this concubine finds it a bit cloying.”
Gu Zhen hurriedly said, “Then don’t eat it. Zhen will order people to make some more today.”
Throughout the meal, Gu Zhen kept serving her food, eating little himself.
Aside from this, the two had nothing more to say.
Staring at the weather outside the window, Zhao Yiyi zoned out for a moment. After the meal, she stood up and stood before the windowsill, looking at the rain that showed no sign of weakening, and couldn’t help frowning.
The window was open, and the cold wind poured in. She was only wearing a moon-white shirt on top; though beautiful, it let the wind through.
Gu Zhen took an outer robe and draped it over her shoulders, coaxing softly, “Why are you unhappy?”
“This concubine had agreed to gather with a few old friends.” She furrowed her brows, folding her arms on the windowsill and resting her chin on them. “Don’t know when this rain will stop.”
Facing the wind from the window, seeing the outer robe about to be lifted by the wind, Gu Zhen stepped forward to gather it and tied the sash for her. “No matter. With such heavy rain, they can’t go out either. Wait until the weather is slightly better; Zhen will personally take you there.”
Zhao Yiyi pouted. “Don’t want to.”
Seeing the resistance in her eyes, Gu Zhen said helplessly, “Why so heartless? Zhen personally taking you there, and you still disdain it?”
Watching the birds fly away, Zhao Yiyi turned around, walked to the low couch by the side and leaned on it, saying somewhat unhappily, “It was supposed to be fine. If Bixia goes, everyone will just be busy being afraid; how can we talk?”
What she said was not unreasonable.
Gu Zhen’s expression softened a bit, and he coaxed again, “Then Zhen won’t go in, only escorting you to the outside of the ward gate, alright?”
Zhao Yiyi was still unwilling. “No need for Bixia. This concubine can go by myself.”
No matter what was said, Zhao Yiyi still didn’t agree.
Gu Zhen had no choice but to say, “Alright, alright. Zhen sending someone else to escort you will do, right?”
Knowing that someone had to escort her for her to go out, Zhao Yiyi didn’t refuse this time. She just turned her head to look at the floor rug, lying lightly on the low couch, still looking unhappy.
A continuous rain fell from last night until today. It wasn’t until the afternoon that it cleared up slightly, turning into moderate rain.
Zhao Yiyi had to have the noon meal at Qianqiu Hall before estimating the weather and going out.
Today it was Prince Yan escorting her.
Prince Yan had frequently escorted her out these days, and the two had gradually become familiar. Hearing Prince Yan greeting her, Zhao Yiyi nodded to him, said hello, and prepared to board the carriage.
Gu Zhen stood not far away watching. He happened to be under the palace gate; the long eaves blocked some of the rain.
When Zhao Yiyi stepped on the stool to board the carriage, Prince Yan, afraid she might step on air and fall, held his hand out vaguely from the side to support her. Only when she was sent into the carriage did he withdraw his hand.
Though they didn’t touch, they were extremely close.
Gu Zhen’s position was excellent; standing behind, he saw everything completely. Gradually, his phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and his face darkened abruptly.
[Translator’s Note: The term ‘Ruru’ (蠕蠕) used by Jiang Jiayan is a derogatory historical term used by Chinese dynasties for the Rouran people, implying they are like creeping insects.]
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