Part 3
She just smiled, raised her eyes to gaze at the distant blue mountains, her expression tinged with a daze.
Zhao Yiyi’s words about going for a walk were originally an excuse. Now that someone was following her, she had even less interest. After walking for just a moment, she refused to return to the curtained area and went straight back into the Yandi carriage.
Just like the Emperor’s Plowing Rite, the Empress’s Sericulture Rite was also an ancient custom. The Empress was supposed to lead the internal and external titled ladies and female officials to sacrifice and tend to the silkworms. However, since there were currently no concubines in the palace, only the external titled ladies accompanied her. They had gone ahead and were waiting early at the Altar of the First Silkworm.
Aside from the group of titled ladies, there were also some court officials present. Hearing the news that the Empress’s ceremonial procession had arrived, everyone changed into their ceremonial robes and stood waiting outside the altar to welcome her.
The Empress wore the Juyi today, matching the color of early mulberry leaves, making her easy to identify. However, seeing the man in black robes and crimson lower garments beside her, everyone’s face changed in unison.
Why has His Majesty come?
Zhao Yiyi said, “With Your Majesty here, it will inevitably disturb the peace.”
When getting off the carriage, Gu Zhen did not enter first but waited on the side. He was exceptionally patient today. When she came out fully dressed and adorned, he said nothing, only “Let’s go.” Hearing her complaint now, he was simply angered into laughter: “How can you be so heartless? Zhen entering with you—what benefit is there for Zhen? You tell me, for whom is this?”
Zhao Yiyi turned her head, not wanting to pay him any attention.
Only long after the two figures disappeared in front of them did the crowd recover their senses.
“The Empress leads the Sericulture Rite; why did His Majesty also…” a titled lady covered her lips and whispered.
Rumors said the Emperor disliked the Empress. Recently, he had severely reprimanded the Empress’s natal family, so he surely harbored thoughts of deposing her. These rumors had been circulating in the noble circles of the capital for some time.
But today, the Emperor specially accompanied the Empress to the Sericulture Rite, and the two even entered hand in hand.
Everyone’s expression was somewhat subtle.
How does this look like dislike? This is clearly indulgence to the extreme! Even for the Sericulture Rite, which should have been the Empress leading the ladies, that personage actually accompanied her in person.
Glancing around, everyone’s eyes subconsciously turned to the Duchess of Yongjia, remembering she was the Emperor’s aunt, and couldn’t help asking, “Madam, did you know that His Majesty would accompany the Empress to the Sericulture Rite today?”
The Duchess of Yongjia did not wish to say much, so she waved her hand and said, “How could we know His Majesty’s affairs? It is getting late. After rushing about all morning, let us all go in and rest.”
On the side, Grand Princess Runan laughed twice, her eyes curving: “Oh my, His Majesty and Her Ladyship are young husband and wife after all, unlike us old folks. It’s not unusual that they can’t bear to be apart for a moment.”
At this, everyone’s expressions became even more subtle.
They looked around for the Marchioness of Huai’an, but after searching for a while, they didn’t see anyone.
“Ah-Xu didn’t come today,” someone familiar said. “We were ready to leave, but her family seemed to have some matters, so she took leave.”
Someone laughed: “Today is the first time Her Ladyship the Empress performs the Sericulture Rite. What is wrong with her as a mother? To think she didn’t even come.”
Runan suddenly scoffed, turned around, and walked away.
The crowd looked at her and suddenly realized—yes, this Grand Princess’s sister-in-law was the Empress’s birth mother. No wonder she found that Madam Xu an eyesore.
“Say, what exactly is going on between His Majesty and Her Ladyship?” someone couldn’t help but ask curiously.
“Watch your words!”
This was a cautious person, who immediately kept a straight face and scolded.
Inside Yanjia Hall, as soon as Zhao Yiyi entered, the attendants had already set out the meal.
Because of the sacrifice to the First Silkworm, Zhao Yiyi had been fasting for several days beforehand. The lunch today was still a vegetarian meal.
Looking at Gu Zhen sitting down beside her, Zhao Yiyi said softly, “This consort is having a vegetarian meal. It is very simple. If Your Majesty is not used to it, have someone prepare another portion.”
She said it was simple, but coming from the hands of the palace chefs, how could a vegetarian meal be simple?
Not only that, they racked their brains to make it, spending a hundred times more effort than on meat dishes.
Gu Zhen was not picky about food. He shook his head: “No matter, Zhen will eat with you.”
Counting back, the two hadn’t eaten together for several days. In fact, even before their dispute, they rarely ate together. He was busy with government affairs and mostly went to Jiao Fang Palace only when the night was deep, only occasionally having dinner there.
After the meal and a short rest, Gu Zhen proposed taking her horse riding.
Zhao Yiyi didn’t really want to go and shook her head to decline: “This consort’s riding skills are poor, so I won’t go.”
“I will teach you,” he said gently.
After refusing a few more times, Zhao Yiyi couldn’t push it away in the end and had to go to the stables with him.
It was still the same jujube-red horse Prince Yan had chosen at the Altar of Agriculture last time. Although so much time had passed, the horse still remembered her. Its already gentle nature became even softer, lowering its head to nuzzle her gently.
Zhao Yiyi couldn’t help laughing: “Still saying you have a gentle temper? You weren’t this well-behaved last time.”
She had already changed into an outfit suitable for riding. Her black hair was pulled up into a high bun, adorned only with a few gold hairpins, looking extremely neat and sharp.
Even the movement of mounting the horse looked a hundred times better than others.
The view suddenly widened. As the horse beneath her stepped in place, she began to feel afraid again. Her hand gripping the reins was tight, her knuckles turning white.
Gu Zhen said, “Don’t be afraid, loosen up a bit.”
Zhao Yiyi wouldn’t let go, always afraid of falling, so she squeezed even tighter.
By the time she wanted to let go, all her strength was used up, and she didn’t have the energy to release her grip.
Gu Zhen urged his horse closer, covered her hand with his large palm, and said warmly, “Don’t be afraid. Let go slowly. You won’t fall.” He gently pinched her soft fingers, and only when she was no longer as stiff as before did he move her fingers away from the reins bit by bit.
It had been too long since she rode. Zhao Yiyi’s riding skills weren’t good to begin with. Her body trembled for a while, and only after a long time did she slowly relax and barely stabilize her figure.
At this time, the sun had already begun to shift westward.
Gu Zhen suddenly remembered that taking her to the Altar of Agriculture for the sacrifice last time, he had a selfish motive.
On the surface, he said it was to broaden her horizons so she would be prepared. In reality, he only wanted to bring her along because he had promised to take her riding in the western suburbs.
That was the first time he had a selfish motive, and the first time he lied for it.
Staring at the pear blossom between her brows, Gu Zhen suddenly called out, “Yiyi.”
Zhao Yiyi turned her head subconsciously, puzzled: “Does Your Majesty have a matter?”
His heart suddenly seized. Gu Zhen pressed down on his rapidly beating heart, looked up to meet her gaze, and saw his own reflection in those almond eyes.
“Your Majesty?” she urged impatiently.
Gu Zhen looked at her in a daze, and suddenly wanted to say that he seemed to like her.
Author’s Note: Gu Zhen: QAQ Yiyi: Go away! Today’s update, still 30 small red envelopes, chirp chirp~
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