After being sent to the cold palace, the emperor’s heart was burned into ashes CHAPTER 55.1

Chapter 55: Encounter part 1

Under the bright sunlight, a handsome, thin young man dressed in a green robe walked in against the light.

Zhao Yiyi had just finished breakfast and was holding a scroll in her hand, organizing the things she had brought from Luoyang.

Seeing the shadow at her feet, she turned her head slightly and saw the young man standing not far away.

Her vision blurred for a moment.

Counting the days, the last time she saw him was actually before she married. Seeing that face again now, she felt somewhat unfamiliar. However, he was the first old acquaintance she had met after arriving in Chang’an.

There was a natural sense of closeness.

“This subject respectfully wishes Niangniang peace.” Lu Xianshan stood inside the door and bowed. His eyebrows and eyes were as gentle as unpolished jade. Although his back was slightly bent in respect, it did not diminish his upright posture, straight as a pine or cypress.

Zhao Yiyi told him to dispense with the formalities and ordered someone to offer him a seat. “Why stand on ceremony, Cousin? Sit down first. Have you had breakfast?”

Lu Xianshan nodded and said warmly, “I have already eaten.” He sat down kneeling opposite Zhao Yiyi and added, “Last night, I saw the Magistrate talking with a young gentleman. I only thought that gentleman looked familiar, resembling the Prince of Yan, but I didn’t expect it was indeed him.”

The woman before him covered her lips and smiled, speaking a few warm words.

Amidst the noisy chirping of cicadas, Lu Xianshan didn’t hear clearly, but suddenly recalled the graceful figure wearing a veil hat he had seen at the Moon Gate in the inner residence of the Yamen last night.

That figure had only appeared for a short moment.

In that instant, he had thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.

“Cousin Lu.”

With this soft call, Lu Xianshan abruptly came back to his senses. He looked up slightly, meeting her gaze, and asked warmly, “I wonder why Niangniang has come to Chang’an so suddenly?”

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Zhao Yiyi smiled, her eyes soft and warm, the pear dimples at the corners of her lips sinking into a shallow arc. “I missed Chang’an a little, so I wanted to come back and have a look.”

A flash of surprise passed through Lu Xianshan’s eyes, but he immediately nodded. “Chang’an remains as usual. If Niangniang is concerned, you can walk around the city to find some comfort.”

Watching the peach blossoms gently falling outside the window, Zhao Yiyi’s eyes curved into crescents, her carefully drawn moon-shaped eyebrows bending like two captivating hooks. “I thought so too. I plan to offer incense to my grandparents and mother today. In a few days, when I have free time, I want to go back to the ancestral residence to have a look.”

Speaking of this, she suddenly paused for a moment, a dazed look flashing in her eyes. “It is just that having been away from Chang’an for many years, although we are in Wannian County, for a moment I actually cannot recall which direction the way home is.”

The two talked for a while. The sky gradually brightened, and the warm morning light shone into the small room, illuminating the jade-like face of the beauty at the head seat.

As they chatted, they couldn’t help but recall events from their childhood.

Because Zhao Yiyi’s aunt was a daughter of the Lu family, Lu Xianshan often visited the Zhao family when he was young and was very familiar with the Zhao siblings. Because of this, even after being separated, and with his aunt and uncle posted to Yuzhang, he still sent festival gifts to the Huai’an Marquis Manor.

Suddenly, the door was knocked from the outside.

The two weren’t saying anything private, so the door hadn’t been closed. Zhao Yiyi looked out and saw a long shadow dragging on the ground.

But no person was visible.

“Royal Sister-in-law, the carriage is ready, and the sacrificial items are also prepared. Does Royal Sister-in-law think we should head to Changling now?”

The Prince of Yan’s voice sounded from outside, unhurried and carrying three parts warmth.

Zhao Yiyi didn’t know much about the Prince of Yan.

However, among the Late Emperor’s many sons, countless clansmen had served as companions to Gu Zhen back then. Since he could be Gu Zhen’s right-hand man, he was certainly no ordinary, gentle prince.

Looking at that shadow, Zhao Yiyi thought to herself that after following Gu Zhen for so long, he had learned that superficial modesty perfectly.

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Tsk.

Glancing at the sky and estimating the journey to Changling, Zhao Yiyi responded, “Let us go now.”

Changling was the joint burial place of the Marquis of Huai’an, Wenxuan, and his wife.

Zhao Yiyi put down the object in her hand, apologized to Lu Xianshan, and planned to go into the inner room to dress.

Lu Xianshan stood up at the appropriate time to take his leave. “Since Niangniang is going to visit Grandfather Zhao, this subject will take his leave first.” Saying so, he cupped his hands, stood up, and walked out.

Reaching the threshold, he couldn’t help looking back, just in time to see the Empress being supported by palace servants as she stood up, turning with immense grace to enter the inner room.

It was only for an instant before he withdrew his gaze and strode over the threshold.

“Registrar Lu.” The Prince of Yan called out to him with a smile. “I still remember the last time I came to Chang’an was several years ago. At that time, I even met Registrar Lu.”

Lu Xianshan nodded slightly, his voice still clear and gentle. “Your Highness has outstanding bearing and is proficient in both civil and martial arts. Back then in Chang’an City, who didn’t know Your Highness’s name? How could this official forget?”

The Prince of Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, then suddenly smiled broadly. “Registrar Lu praises me too much. I, on the other hand, remember Registrar Lu’s performance at the banquet back then—getting ‘full pot’ several times in pitch-pot and repeatedly taking first place in poetry. That was truly unforgettable.”

Lu Xianshan smiled without speaking, his expression remaining gentle, even carrying a hint of humility.

Making it impossible to pick faults.

“The year before last, Registrar Lu wrote an imitation of Zhang Heng’s Western Metropolis Rhapsody, causing a sensation throughout the world for a time. In just over a month, the article spread to Chang’an, and everyone competed to copy it. Someone like Registrar Lu is truly a young talent!” The Prince of Yan added.

Lu Xianshan knew then that the Prince of Yan had investigated him thoroughly.

He tightened his hands, his expression unchanging.

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The Prince of Yan said, “I have also read Registrar Lu’s article. It just so happens that I have come to Chang’an this time and coincidentally met you. Another day, I will definitely come to ask for advice from Registrar Lu.”

Lu Xianshan cupped his hands, a helpless look passing over his face. “It was just an imitation of the ancients. Getting such praise was merely this official’s momentary good luck.”

The Prince of Yan’s gaze lingered on him for a moment. Just as he was about to speak, Zhao Yiyi walked out from the inner side, having changed into plain cotton and linen clothes and wearing a few plain silver hairpins.

Seeing both of them standing at the door, she couldn’t help but be slightly stunned, then smiled. “I didn’t expect you two to start chatting here.”

The Prince of Yan glanced sideways at Lu Xianshan and nodded. “This subject-brother felt like old friends at first sight with Registrar Lu, and we had a very happy conversation.”

Zhao Yiyi walked in front, with Lu Xianshan and the Prince of Yan following at a moderate distance. When they reached a fork in the road and Lu Xianshan left, watching Zhao Yiyi’s figure get further and further away, the Prince of Yan finally asked, “Where has Royal Brother arrived?”

The attendant replied, “News came a few days ago that Bixia just finished inspecting the Ever-Normal Granary. Presumably, he is near Huayin now.”

Huayin?

The Prince of Yan estimated the Emperor’s possible itinerary and thought to himself that he would probably arrive soon.

Walking slowly forward, he beckoned the attendant closer and ordered indifferently, “Tell Royal Brother that I just went to inspect this morning. The garrison troops of Chang’an are all as usual. If there are no changes on Royal Brother’s side, I will immediately mobilize troops to the northwest.”

Mobilizing garrison troops was urgent military intelligence that allowed for no mistakes or delays. The attendant dared not delay and hurriedly left.

Along the way, Gu Zhen deliberately slowed down.

He said it was to inspect various places, but in his heart, he always had some indescribable thoughts: he wanted to see her, but dared not let her see him.

Afraid of annoying her.

With several conflicting emotions intertwined, he actually developed a feeling akin to timidity near one’s hometown.

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The closer he got to Chang’an, the more he wanted to slow down.

He was afraid that if he saw her, he wouldn’t be able to control the longing in his heart and would desperately embrace her.

“Since preparations are complete, mobilize the troops immediately.” Gu Zhen stared at the capital report in his hand, his eyes slightly dark, his voice carrying a dull tone.

Listening from the side, Wu Mao couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.

“Bixia should pay attention to your health.” He brought in a cup of tea and persuaded warmly, “Traveling all this way, you haven’t rested for a moment. You have to worry about matters in Luoyang and also matters in Chang’an. At least take care of your body first.”

Seeing Gu Zhen still looking at the official documents with an indifferent expression, not even raising an eyebrow, he gritted his teeth and said, “If you ruin your health, Niangniang might even feel heartache for you.”

A trace of bitterness passed through Gu Zhen’s heart.

Heartache?

If it were that simple to make her feel heartache, it would be worth it.

But how would she feel heartache?

The Yiyi of today no longer had him in her heart; she probably hated him thoroughly.

No, she might be too lazy even to hate him.

How could she… feel heartache?

That pain accumulated in his chest, weighing him down, making him almost unable to breathe.

Yet there was no way to relieve it.

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Gu Zhen still stopped his brush, stood up, and stood by the window. Watching the rushing Wei River outside, he couldn’t help thinking of the other end of the Wei River.

Now that she had left him and returned to Chang’an, she should be very happy, right?

Thinking of the smile on Zhao Yiyi’s lips, his heart rippled slightly. After a moment of daze, he also started to smile.

“How is the He family?” Gu Zhen asked in a deep voice.

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