During the state banquet, the noblewomen of the imperial court were all situated in the harem, so when Chu Yihan carried Su Yingxue out, they all knelt down and paid homage.
Where women gather, naturally, there would be a flurry of discussions.
âWasnât the empress in the ancestor hall?â
âAnd now the emperor is holding her again, dismissing even the palace regulations.â
âHer Majesty is truly so coquettish!â
Some of the older madams couldnât stand Su Yingxue, while the younger ladies highly envied her.
Leng Muling was one of them, as she clung to Leng Shuqingâs arm and giggled, âSister, look how loving the emperor and the empress are, how wonderful it would be if our marriages could be as harmonious as theirs!â
Leng Muling couldnât help but visualize Mo Qiâs face; involuntarily, she transformed the man before her into Mo Qi, with herself as the woman in his arms.
She thought Leng Shuqing would share her enthusiasm for such imaginings, but Leng Shuqing frowned delicately, âSuch disregard for palace regulations; Her Majesty should persuade the emperor.â
If she were Su Yingxue, she would make sure to be a generous and proper empress, never giving the ladies any opportunity to gossip about her.
Leng Muling thought otherwise, âSister, youâre perhaps too concerned with rules. Didnât our younger uncle say that rules are dead, but people are alive? We only live once in this world and shouldnât let rules bind us to death!â
After meeting Su Yingxue, Leng Muling became even more convinced of Zhuo Junliâs âperverse reasoningâ and his rebellious stance.
Seizing the moment Leng Shuqingâs attention was on Chu Yihan, she quietly slipped away, wanting to find Mo Qi and give him the tassel she had prepared.
In the bedroom, Su Yingxue was placed on the bed.
To ensure her comfort, Chu Yihan had the Office of Works make special soft bedding, and as soon as Su Yingxue sat on it, she felt completely relaxed.
Chu Yihan still had courtiers to attend to, but he had originally planned to send Chu Jinling and Zhuo Junli in his stead so he could stay here with Su Yingxue. However, Su Yingxue refused emphatically, âNo! You have already broken many rules for me, you cannot do so again. Go to the great hall, with Zhilan here, Iâll be fine!â
Su Yingxue hurriedly let go of his hand, urging him to return quickly.
Chu Yihanâs eyes dimmed slightly, âHaving become my empress, do you now understand propriety so well?â
Su Yingxue nodded, âOf course!â
Otherwise, how would the people of the world view her?
How would they criticize Chu Yihan, this wise ruler?
The empressâs position does not afford impulsiveness; she must be sensible.
Su Yingxue couldnât fathom the depths of Chu Yihanâs eyes but could sense that at this moment, he was not pleased.
There was something he kept hidden deep down, something he didnât say, nor did he ask her about, leaving her afraid to speak up for fear of guessing wrong.
Watching his stern back, Su Yingxueâs heart started to throb painfully again.
As Chu Yihan stepped out of the bedroom, Mo Qi approached him to report, âEmperor, Zi Wei requests an audience, saying he brings a congratulatory gift on someoneâs behalf.â
âZi Wei?â
Chu Yihanâs eyes narrowed slightly, remembering the assassin guard by Su Yingxueâs side, whom he had always wanted to kill.
However, considering his unwavering loyalty in protecting Su Yingxue, he had spared his life.
In the battle to kill Wu Dao in Yungui City, Zi Wei had saved them as well.
Under normal circumstances, Chu Yihan would have allowed him to see Su Yingxue.
But he knew, now, Su Yingxue likely wanted to see him as well.
Just before yesterdayâs ceremony, he had overheard Su Yingxue mentioning Zi Wei.
Chu Yihanâs displeasure grew as he recalled this, âLet him hand the gift to Sun Wu, tell him Her Majesty is not in a position to meet visitors.â