Chapter 103: Finally at Ease
The news that first arrived was that the Emperor would not attend the Xinglin Banquet.
This year, twenty-four candidates had achieved the rank of Jinshi. While they toasted and rejoiced along the banks of the Luo River, a sense of disappointment inevitably lingered beneath the surface of their excitement. They felt as though something was missing, a hollow feeling that was hard to shake.
Fortunately, the banquet was excellently prepared and very lively. The Emperor had even sent wine as a gift, which served as a small consolation.
After three rounds of wine, as they were preparing to select two handsome young scholars to go and pluck the traditional flowers, a sudden commotion erupted outside the garden. The noisy chatter was followed by a sharp, solemn shift in the atmosphere.
An attendant rushed in, his voice tight with nerves: “His Majesty and the Empress have arrived! Gentlemen, tidy yourselves quickly and prepare to welcome them!”
Under the spring sunlight, two figures entered hand-in-hand. Just a glance was enough to make one’s mind wander. The gaze of the crowd was drawn to them involuntarily, their eyes fixed on the pair in a daze of awe.
Bright and spirited as gods, elegant as fine jade.
This was the first time most of the group had seen the Emperor since their graduation. Even less expected was the fact that he would bring the Empress along.
Lu Xianshan was the first to regain his composure. He cupped his hands and bowed, saying, “I pay my respects to Your Majesty and the Empress. May Your Majesties enjoy eternal peace.”
The others snapped out of their daze as if waking from a dream and hurriedly followed suit.
Listening to the chorus of greetings, Gu Zhen cast a brief glance over them before coolly telling them to rise. His right hand remained firmly clasped with Zhao Yiyi’s as he led her to the seat of honor. Only then did he smile and speak: “Today’s Xinglin Banquet is held specifically for all of you. Zhen has merely come to offer congratulations. Do not be constrained by our presence.”
Zhao Yiyi had endured his tight grip all the way here. Seizing this moment, she pulled her hand back and sat elegantly before her desk, wearing a calm smile.
However, shielded by the desk, that man reached out and grabbed her hand again.
“Zhen originally couldn’t find the time today, but it was the Empress who persuaded me. She said the Xinglin Banquet is a tradition and that I should make an appearance regardless,” Gu Zhen said with a smile, looking down at the crowd. He ordered the palace attendants to distribute wine to everyone before raising his own cup.
His tone was as warm and refined as ever, like a gentle spring breeze. The apprehension in the hearts of the new scholars gradually faded as they slowly began to relax.
One quick-witted scholar bowed and said, “We thank the Empress for her kindness.”
A look of satisfaction appeared in Gu Zhen’s eyes, and his smile deepened. His gaze unexpectedly landed on Lu Xianshan; he paused for only a fleeting moment before shifting his eyes away.
Lu Xianshan remained seated upright, the faint smile on his face as steady as ever.
In the past, the sight of this face would have made Gu Zhen flare up with anger, but today he felt at ease. Since Yiyi wanted to congratulate Lu Xianshan, then he would generously accompany her in person.
It was better to guide the water than to block it—he should have understood this logic long ago.
Though he had been reluctant, if he had stubbornly refused to come, it would only have made Yiyi think he was petty. Gu Zhen glanced to his right, staring at the amber cup in her hand. He whispered a soft warning, “Drink less. Careful you don’t get dizzy again when we go back tonight. You refused to drink the sobriety soup I had made for you…”
Zhao Yiyi’s grip on her cup tightened slightly. She frowned and whispered, “I already agreed to come with you, what more do you want?”
She hadn’t wanted to agree, but last night, Gu Zhen had been relentlessly persistent, insisting she say yes. Only when she was pressed against the dressing table and could no longer withstand him did she finally relent.
Her current manner made it look like she was just performing a chore. Gu Zhen laughed helplessly and could only say, “Your temper is truly growing by the day.”
Zhao Yiyi shot him a sidelong glance but said nothing.
However, Gu Zhen leaned in closer and lowered his voice: “Just wait until we get back tonight. See how Zhen deals with you then.”
He spoke nonchalantly, his expression solemn and cold, devoid of any playfulness. Yet the gritted-teeth undertone in his words made her realize exactly what he meant.
Her beautiful face instantly flushed a deep red.
Zhao Yiyi turned her head and glared at Gu Zhen with great frustration, her ears turning red with indignation: “You are always so improper!”
Gu Zhen chuckled for a moment and asked softly, “How is Zhen being improper? Why don’t you tell me, Yiyi, hmm?”
How was he improper?
Those… those words, how could she possibly say them out loud? He was clearly doing it on purpose!
Zhao Yiyi was too angry to pay him any mind, but Gu Zhen caught her hand again. His fingertips brushed lightly across her palm; the tingling sensation made her body stiffen.
“You’re improper in every way,” she grumbled in a tiny voice.
Gu Zhen didn’t mind at all, merely laughing softly: “What? Was Zhen not devoted enough when serving Her Majesty last night?”
As for whether he was devoted or not… he was certainly devoted. So devoted that she had almost been unable to take it.
The seating at the banquet was spaced far apart, and the distance between the new Jinshi and the Imperial Couple was even greater.
In the eyes of the onlookers below, they only saw the Emperor and Empress leaning very close to one another. The Emperor’s eyes were filled with an endless smile as he whispered to the Empress. As they spoke, the Empress’s cheeks suddenly bloomed with a soft pink hue.
Previously, most of the rumors the public heard were about the Imperial Couple’s discord. After all, the Empress’s father, the Marquis of Huainan, had his post revoked by the Emperor’s personal decree. Later, both of the Empress’s parents were imprisoned, and it was said the Marchioness of Huainan had even taken her own life in her cell.
Who would believe these things happened without the Emperor’s tacit approval?
However, the scene before them didn’t look like that at all. It clearly showed signs of imperial affection, completely contradicting everyone’s prior perceptions.
After drinking two cups of light wine, Gu Zhen finally looked toward Lu Xianshan and smiled: “Zhen was busy a while ago and was unable to go with the Empress to congratulate you. Today serves as a fitting replacement.”
Lu Xianshan rose to bow, his head lowered: “Your Majesty’s favor is vast. Xianshan is beyond grateful.”
Since this was their first meeting after the examinations, it was inevitable to ask about political affairs. Fortunately, they had all spent years in rigorous study. Some were in their forties or fifties with deep experience, while others, like Lu Xianshan in his early twenties, were in their prime. Though facing the Emperor, they answered fluently and showed no signs of panic.
Gu Zhen was reasonably satisfied with the results of this year’s exams, so he took the opportunity to joke and talk with everyone.
As the top scorer, Lu Xianshan naturally sat in the position closest to the head of the table, making it easy for the two of them to converse. Seeing them talking and laughing so intimately made the other scholars present feel a deep sense of envy toward Lu Xianshan.
After sitting for a while longer, a faint blush rose on Zhao Yiyi’s cheeks after she finished a small cup of grape wine. Her face always flushed easily after drinking; the pale pink peeking through her alabaster skin was enough to make one’s heart stir.
Gu Zhen then rose to leave, using the excuse that the Empress could not hold her liquor.
The conversation between the Emperor and Lu Xianshan had been heard by everyone. They were surprised by how familiar he was with His Majesty, but also shocked that the Empress had personally congratulated him. Though envious, they didn’t dare show it openly. Once the Emperor left, someone couldn’t help but ask curiously: “Brother Lu, what is your relationship with the Empress?”
Lu Xianshan paused in his movement as he turned, saying softly, “She is my distant younger cousin.”
Inside the carriage, Gu Zhen reached out and pulled Zhao Yiyi toward him. Playing with a strand of hair falling by her side, he said with a smile, “If there is a next time, Yiyi, remember to tell Zhen. I will go with you.”
His smiling voice rang in her ear, and the ticklish breath brushed against her earlobe, making her fingers curl involuntarily.
Sensing he was in a very good mood, Zhao Yiyi placed her palm against his chest and pushed slightly, sliding out of his embrace like a fish: “What’s the point of going? It was just a banquet hosted by A-Chen, and I only went along privately. If you go, wouldn’t the flavor of the event change? People would think his spot was fixed internally, or that your selection of him had other motives.”
Gu Zhen let out a soft huff and pulled her back into his arms. Lightly kissing her soft hair, he asked warmly, “Last time you said Zhen was a man who separated public and private; why have you changed your tune today?”
They were so close now, even closer than they had been at the banquet, with almost no space between them.
Zhao Yiyi’s heart wouldn’t stop racing. She managed to say, “Are you satisfied today then?”
Gu Zhen nodded, making no effort to hide it: “Satisfied. Today, Zhen feels truly at ease in his heart.”
His large palms constrained her waist. He simply lifted her and sat her on his lap, his brows slowly relaxing: “Yesterday, Gu Qi told me I should be more magnanimous. I didn’t think much of it then, but having been magnanimous once today, I find his words were quite brilliant.”
When he first heard it, he thought Gu Qi had lost his mind. An unmarried man actually dared to give him advice; Gu Zhen had harshly rebuked him at the time. Thinking back on it later, he realized it was indeed true.
One must be magnanimous to always maintain the upper hand.
Zhao Yiyi frowned. “A-Qi told you that?”
“Mhm,” Gu Zhen replied.
Upon returning to the Palace, it was still early, but Gu Zhen didn’t let her go back to Yande Hall. Instead, he took her all the way to Zichen Hall.
“It’s not good if the officials see us,” she said.
The Empress appearing in Zichen Hall wasn’t actually a major issue, but there were always talkative ministers who loved to make a fuss over such small things. Last time, when the palace officials were dealt with, it was clearly the Emperor’s decree, yet she was the one who got set up. She hated the trouble.
Gu Zhen said, “I have some backlogged memorials to deal with; I won’t be seeing anyone this afternoon. Besides, let them see if they see. We are husband and wife; what does it matter if we stay together in Zichen Hall? We are a legitimate couple. If they were smart, they would be singing our praises.”
Gu Zhen was usually very good to his ministers; he rarely lost his temper or punished them. However, whenever he set his mind on doing something, no one could shake his resolve. Zhao Yiyi had seen this early in their marriage when he stubbornly refused to bow his head to the late Emperor.
“If I get scolded, I’ll say you forced me,” she muttered in a small voice as she turned to walk inside.
Gu Zhen followed close behind her. Hearing this, he merely smiled, but as they reached a corner, he suddenly grabbed both of her wrists and pinned her against a decorative wooden partition (huazhao).
A faint, elegant fragrance wafted toward him. Her vermillion lips were tinted with a bit of rouge, giving off the delicate scent of flower petals.
Her eyes widened in a startle, and she looked at him nervously.
Gu Zhen’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He looked down at her for a long time, his grip suddenly loosening. Just as Zhao Yiyi thought he was letting her go, he caught her off guard and leaned down, capturing those two soft lips.
After a moment of shock, she realized it was a kiss.
Unlike his usual slow approach, this time it was almost predatory. She was pressed tightly against the edge of the partition, her body leaning against the wood as she was forced to tilt her head back to meet him.
The kiss was like a storm, ravaging her soft lips without a hint of tenderness. As he deepened the kiss, Zhao Yiyi’s heart beat faster and faster. Her breath was filled entirely with the scent of another person. The kiss almost felt like a form of punishment.
After a long time, his lips finally pulled away. Gu Zhen rested his head lightly against her shoulder, breathing slightly hard. He asked in a raspy voice, “How forced? Is this the kind of forcing you meant?”
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