Chapter 11: Northern Floating Mountain’s Winter Plum Blossoms
As soon as the man’s calm voice fell, Zhao Yiyi’s hand holding the book froze in mid-air. She remained slightly tilted, staring blankly at him.
Gu Zhen was in a relatively good mood today, and his patience was much better than usual. Thinking she hadn’t heard clearly, he merely frowned in slight irritation and repeated, “The Jitian ceremony is almost over; we only need to offer another sacrifice to the God of Agriculture tomorrow afternoon. Since your leg is healed, you will accompany me horseback riding tomorrow.”
In the dim light, his sharp brows and eyes were softened.
Everyone said that the Emperor was gentle and courteous, like the evergreen pines and cypresses in the mountains, vastly different from the cold and ruthless temperament of the late Emperor, and his methods were not as decisive as the late Emperor’s.
In fact, his face was very similar to the late Emperor’s; even his figure was somewhat similar. His handsome features were sharp and distinct, only his occasional smiles masking his true appearance.
“Tomorrow?” Zhao Yiyi sat up straight from the reed mat, her face filled with joy. “Your Majesty isn’t tricking me, is he?”
Gu Zhen lowered his eyes to look at her, raising his eyebrows slightly, “Haven’t you been talking about it for a long time? I happen to have some free time tomorrow morning and can take you to the mountain for a horseback ride.”
Near the Xianong Altar was Northern Floating Mountain, which once had a prosperous Taoist temple. The Taoist priests planted many winter plum blossoms on the mountain. After the temple fell into disrepair and closed its doors, the winter plum forest was preserved to this day.
Last time, her husband said he would take her horseback riding in the western suburbs in a few days. She had been wondering, in a few days, wouldn’t her husband be busy with the imperial plowing at the Xianong Altar, how would he have time to take her out of the palace?
Could this be what he meant?
Her heart suddenly felt sweet. She pursed her lips and smiled, then said softly, “I understand. Thank you, Your Majesty. You still remember this matter.”
“If I forgot, I’m afraid the Empress would have something to say,” Gu Zhen snorted coldly, sneering lightly, “Since I promised you, I naturally wouldn’t forget.”
After the words fell, they both froze. They both simultaneously remembered the last time, when he told her to save her words for the evening, but then forgot.
Gu Zhen shifted his head uncomfortably and said in a low voice, “Alright, I’ll take you to choose a horse tomorrow morning.”
Perhaps because she had been looking forward to horseback riding, Zhao Yiyi woke up before dawn. She lay in bed until dawn, then got up and changed into neat attire.
Her face, like a lotus blossom, was without a trace of makeup, yet her skin was smooth and soft, the teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye seeming to be captivating.
Gu Zhen’s eyes darkened slightly, and after looking at her deeply several times, he said, “It’s not early, let’s go.”
Zhao Yiyi followed him to the stables.
As the Emperor, Gu Zhen owned many fine horses, but the one he rode most often was the Dayuan horse that had been his companion for many years.
In the morning light, the horse’s coat had a purplish sheen, and its expression was rather arrogant.
Gu Zhen instructed, “Choose a horse for the Empress.”
Those accompanying him today were Xin Cheng’an, the leader of the Imperial Guard, and Prince Yan. Upon receiving the instruction, Prince Yan immediately bowed and responded, and after selecting for a long time in the stables, he led out a bright red steed.
The horse belonged to the Emperor.
“Imperial Brother, this horse is gentle in temperament, and it would be most suitable for the Imperial Sister-in-law to ride,” Prince Yan explained softly.
Gu Zhen nodded, “Mm.”
Zhao Yiyi smiled, and said softly, “Then thank you, Fourth Brother.” She walked forward and took the reins from Prince Yan’s hand.
Gu Zhen’s fingers curled slightly, suddenly feeling a little uncomfortable.
The temperature in the mountains was lower than elsewhere, and the winter plum blossoms bloomed for a long time. Standing at the foot of the mountain and looking up, one could see the whole mountain covered with yellow petals, dotted on the branches.
It had been a long time since Zhao Yiyi had ridden a horse. Thinking back, the last time she rode a horse was when she was Crown Princess, when the late Emperor hunted in the Imperial Forest Garden in autumn; she had gone with the Crown Prince.
She still remembered that Gu Zhen had hunted a deer that day and had sent someone to send her a piece of venison.
The time was too long ago, so today, her actions of sitting on the horse and holding the reins were very awkward and even somewhat constrained.
She suddenly regretted coming to ride.
“Relax,” Gu Zhen glanced at her and said casually.
Following his advice, Zhao Yiyi tried to relax. After riding for a while, her racing heart slowed down.
“I haven’t ridden a horse in a long time, I’m a little uncomfortable,” Zhao Yiyi lowered her head slightly, saying shyly.
Unlike her, Gu Zhen’s posture was relaxed, dressed in a black robe with a tortoise-shell pattern, fastened with a waist belt. His broad shoulders and narrow waist were clearly visible.
The man usually looked refined, but only Zhao Yiyi knew what kind of strong and powerful body was hidden under those clothes.
Gu Zhen turned his head slightly and caught sight of her slightly white knuckles gripping the reins, and he couldn’t help but twitch the corners of his lips, “Don’t grip the reins so tightly, this horse is gentle, you don’t have to worry about falling.”
Zhao Yiyi stared at him blankly, gradually relaxing her grip on the reins, then discovered that she was indeed sitting steadily on the horse.
Prince Yan signaled to those behind them, ordering them to slow down and fall several feet behind.
Although his teaching wasn’t particularly patient, Zhao Yiyi listened very attentively. Since she had some foundation, in a short while, she had regained her skill and could trot.
The morning wind from the mountains blew across her cheeks, bringing a slight stinging sensation. Winter plum branches brushed past her eyes, occasionally requiring her to lower her head to avoid them.
After running for a while, the attendants behind her were getting farther and farther away. Zhao Yiyi subconsciously turned her head, her eyes filled with his sharp face, and suddenly remembered the words she overheard that night.
“Your Majesty,” thinking this, Zhao Yiyi slowed down her horse, summoning up her courage to call out to him.
Gu Zhen paused, turning his head to ask, “What is it?”
Upon meeting his deep phoenix eyes, Zhao Yiyi’s newly found courage retreated. She bit her tongue hard before softly asking, “Does Your Majesty like Yiyi?”
Her voice trembled, and her heart was also tense.
She heard the wind, the chirping of birds, and the falling of blossoms, but not his voice.
Gu Zhen didn’t answer her.
Therefore, Zhao Yiyi couldn’t muster the courage to ask a second time.
After the imperial plowing ceremony, there was a banquet in the evening, and Zhao Yiyi also changed into ceremonial attire to attend.
In fact, her legs had not fully recovered. She had ridden a horse for half a day today, and not only was her body tired, but the injury also ached.
Not only did her injury hurt, her heart ached too.
A table of dishes was placed in front of her, but she had no heart to eat.
“Is the food not to your liking?” Yunzhu asked softly, “Shall I make something else for Your Majesty later after the banquet?”
Zhao Yiyi shook her head, saying gently, “No, I just don’t have much of an appetite. You don’t need to bother.”
Gu Zhen was turning his head to talk with Prince Yan. When they were having a good time, Prince Yan suddenly raised his cup to toast the Emperor.
Gu Zhen drank a cup with him; the wine was fragrant and mild. After thinking for a moment, he turned to Zhao Yiyi and said, “This Gui Zi Xiang (Osmanthus Wine) is quite good, Empress, would you like some?”
Gui Zi Xiang was mellow and not pungent, more suitable for women, but somehow, it was served at this banquet. Zhao Yiyi responded and raised her amber cup, taking a small sip, and felt that the taste was indeed good.
The cup of wine was soon empty, so she asked Yunzhu to pour another one.
Zhao Yiyi was bored at the banquet, so she could only drink by herself. Cup after cup, unknowingly, she couldn’t tell how much she had drunk.
Until her cheeks and ears felt a burning sensation, and after Yunzhu persuaded her a few times, she realized she couldn’t drink anymore.
Fortunately, the banquet ended at that time. Zhao Yiyi didn’t stay and returned to her room.
As time passed, she gradually realized that the aftereffects of this Gui Zi Xiang were quite strong. She had drunk a lot, and now her stomach was burning, and she felt hot all over.
When Gu Zhen entered, he saw the Empress lying on the bed, drowsy. He was about to call someone to help her wash up when he was suddenly grabbed by the sleeve.
Gu Zhen brushed her hand away and said in a low voice, “Why did you drink so much wine?”
“Your Majesty told me to drink,” Zhao Yiyi, who was not yet completely intoxicated, mumbled in response.
Perhaps the wine gave her courage, this remark directly amused Gu Zhen.
He gritted his teeth, “Did I tell you to drink this much?”
Zhao Yiyi didn’t answer him, but continued to mumble under her breath. Gu Zhen wanted to break free and leave, but a sobbing sound came from behind.
The soft sobbing was particularly clear in the darkness.
Gu Zhen’s body suddenly stiffened, his clothes were forcefully pulled by her. When she raised her head, there were tears in her apricot eyes.
“Your Majesty,” Zhao Yiyi pulled his clothes hard, sobbing softly, “I don’t like having the same things as others.”
Author’s Note:
Gu Zhen: Annoyed, headache, feeling blocked in my heart, what should I do?