Volume 1 Chapter 47 - Leng Yue
On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival with a full moon, the weather was splendid today. The sun was bright, and a gentle autumn breeze blew, promising a large and round moon in the evening!
Leng Jiu didn’t have any special feelings about festivals. Having lived through so many Mid-Autumn Festivals, she either attended banquets or fought amidst gunfire. Thinking back, she realized she had never truly celebrated, neither during Mid-Autumn nor on New Year’s Eve.
Nevertheless, regardless of her preferences, she had to make an appearance at such festivals. Civil and military officials arrived early with their families. When everyone was assembled, Long Yi escorted Empress Huayu out to accept everyone’s obeisance. Long Yi wore a bright yellow dragon robe while Huayu’s attire was a slightly lighter golden palace dress. Together, they exuded the aura of an emperor and empress.
Normally, with the Emperor present, the banquet should have begun. However, the Grand Empress Dowager had yet to appear, and the seat of the Crown Prince Xuan was also empty. This delay caused even the Emperor to wait.
“Oh! I’m late, forgive me, forgive me!” Despite his lazy demeanor, Crown Prince Long Yueli apologized insincerely as he arrived, glancing up at the high platform. Seeing Leng Jiu’s empty seat, he sighed, “So the Grand Empress Dowager hasn’t arrived yet. Looks like I’m early!”
Several ministers suppressed their smiles. If not for Long Yueli’s status, they would have wanted to scold him. His behavior was simply intolerable!
Long Yueli performed a perfunctory bow to Long Yi, not waiting for the Emperor’s acknowledgment, and made his way to his own seat. He picked up a wine cup, drank it in one gulp, and expressed satisfaction, “A ten-year aged plum blossom wine, what a good wine!”
Long Yi glanced at him coldly, his expression unreadable. Finally, after making even the Emperor wait for fifteen minutes, the Grand Empress Dowager slowly arrived, “The Grand Empress Dowager has arrived!”
Leng Jiu wore a luxurious black robe embroidered with golden phoenixes, exuding grace and nobility. Her hair was elegantly coiled up with a few golden threads and two hairpins, her face lightly made up with a three-leaf bamboo leaf on her brow. Exquisitely beautiful, noble, and splendid, Leng Jiu never concealed her beauty but instead pushed it to its extreme, captivating men and making women feel inferior. As she appeared, the nearby ministers couldn’t help but stare in admiration, while the other women, including the concubines beside Long Yi, paled in comparison.
Long Yueli tightened his grip on the wine cup, his beautiful fox-like eyes flashing through countless emotions. He had always known she was exceptionally beautiful, and she didn’t disappoint. At this moment, however, he wanted to pluck out everyone’s eyeballs and hide her away, keeping her exclusively for himself!
Gong Yu, with a faint glance at Leng Jiu, lowered his head. In his hands, he held a small jade gourd that brought him great joy. Nothing else seemed to affect his mood.
Hua Jin sat in the second row, a martial artist who naturally noticed Leng Jiu’s appearance clearly. Instantly, he felt dissatisfied: She’s clearly a Grand Empress, why dress so beautifully? Although it’s attractive, didn’t she notice those old lechers almost drooling?
Leng Jiu casually stunned the entire hall with her charm, seemingly oblivious to the attention. She smiled faintly, “This humble one was weary and took a short rest, unexpectedly oversleeping, causing the Emperor and everyone to wait!”
People below quickly regained their composure, “The Grand Empress Dowager is too humble!”
Long Yi’s gaze swept darkly over Leng Jiu, suppressing desire and anger, “Let the banquet begin!”
Beautiful palace maids entered carrying numerous delicacies, uncovering them to release a fragrance of dishes. Music played, and dancing girls gracefully appeared, their veils fluttering in a beautiful dance.
“Your Majesty!” A newly appointed noblewoman stood up and bowed slightly to Long Yi, “This humble one has practiced a new piece recently and wishes to play it for Your Majesty and everyone, to add joy to the occasion!”
Generally, the Emperor would not refuse when a concubine requested to perform. Long Yi waved his hand, “Granted!”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
The dancing girls retreated, and a qin case was brought forward. A graceful woman walked over, composed and seated herself. Lifting her hand to pluck the strings, it was evident she possessed some skill, and her performance was commendable. Leng Jiu watched her calmly, yet at this moment, she unexpectedly recalled that exceedingly humble yet elegant man, who had been absent for so long. It had been quite a while since she last heard the captivating sound of his qin, and strangely enough, she felt a twinge of nostalgia.
As the piece concluded, applause filled the hall, and Leng Jiu snapped out of her reverie. Beside her, Long Yi praised loudly, “Well done! Reward her!”
A pair of beautiful golden hairpins were presented, immediately drawing envy from the crowd. Concubines and palace ladies emerged one after another, showcasing their talents, each vying for a smile from the Emperor.
In the midst of this competition for favor, the courtiers underground seethed with hidden currents. These women were not just the Emperor’s consorts but also their daughters; their pride naturally led to comparisons and competitions among factions.
Leng Jiu sat on the high platform, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. In the past, even with her status, she would have had to entertain many people at such banquets. But now, as the Grand Empress Dowager, she could simply watch others compete while she remained aloof, untouched by the flames of rivalry.
Halfway through the banquet, a guard suddenly entered, “Report! General of the Left Guard requests an audience!”
Prince De and those around him exchanged glances in confusion, “Isn’t General Leng supposed to be on the border?”
Long Yi too was puzzled but didn’t dwell on it, waving his hand, “Grant him audience!”
“General of the Left Guard requests an audience!”
The concubines and dancers who were just about to perform had to step aside, clearing the center. All eyes turned to the entrance as many had never seen this young, iron-blooded general before!
Before long, steady footsteps mingled with the clank of armor, turning at the palace entrance. Everyone instantly saw the grand general—a sight that could shock even unmarried maidens. He was a young man in his prime, remarkably handsome with a strong jawline, sharp eyebrows, and thin lips. Standing well over eight feet tall, he wore silver eagle-winged armor that accentuated his towering figure without any hint of burden. Unlike Hua Jin’s aristocratic air, he exuded a sharp and cold demeanor, like an unsheathed sword—icy and razor-sharp. His eyes were cold and profound, wise and rigorous, akin to a vast starry night sky. With just one glance, he captivated anyone.
If Long Yueli’s charm intimidated women and Hua Jin’s nobility made hearts flutter, then Leng Yue’s beauty was enough to fill every maiden’s dreams. The extraordinary general possessed broad shoulders, a tall stature, and an aura of untouchable security that made one feel it was worth dying in his embrace!
Even Leng Jiu was stunned when she saw Leng Yue. She had little emotional attachment to the term “brother,” even though Leng Yue was technically her elder brother now. Despite her curiosity about those letters, it wasn’t enough to worry her. However, she hadn’t expected him to be such a man. Leng Jiu had encountered a man like him before—the King of Mercenaries, ranked first in the dark world. Born amidst darkness and bloodshed, he was cold, domineering, and utterly self-assured. She had thought there would never be another man like him, yet here she was, seeing shades of him in Leng Yue!
Glancing at the young ladies clutching their chests in fascination, Leng Jiu smiled silently. She hadn’t expected her brother to attract so much attention. Well, considering his exceptional beauty and pleasing appearance, she might consider acknowledging him as her brother. After all, there wouldn’t be any loss, right?
Leng Yue walked straight to the center, kneeling on one knee without casting a sidelong glance. “Leng Yue pays respects to Your Majesty!” His voice was as cold as his demeanor, each word resounding clearly, devoid of any hint of deference, yet flawless in its execution.
“Rise, General Leng!” Long Yi narrowed his dragon-like eyes slightly. “If memory serves, General Leng should be quelling the rebels in the southwest. How come you have the leisure to return?”
Military officials were not allowed to return to the capital without summons, especially with an ongoing mission. If Leng Yue couldn’t provide a satisfactory explanation, Long Yi might not easily forgive him!
Leng Yue retrieved a memorial from his robes, presenting it calmly. “I have successfully exterminated the western barbarians, driving them back a hundred miles. We have killed five thousand enemies, captured over eight thousand, and stationed twenty thousand Eagle Corps soldiers at the border, ensuring not a single barbarian crosses over!”
Qu Gonggong took the memorial and handed it to Long Yi, who read it with delight. “Excellent! General Leng’s merits are undeniable! Bring a seat for him!”
Upon hearing that the border was pacified, the anxious ministers all sighed in relief and quickly rose to congratulate. Long Yi’s countenance brightened considerably, dispelling much of the previous gloom.
Leng Yue’s seat was placed at the head of the military commanders. Despite his younger age compared to the other generals present, his position carried weight without any dissent. Some generals wished to approach and exchange pleasantries, but Leng Yue’s icy demeanor kept them at bay, making them hesitate to speak.
Amidst the continuous praises below, Long Yi responded with smiles, presenting a scene of harmony between ruler and ministers. Only Leng Jiu, holding her cup with a hint of sarcasm, observed.
Leng Yue’s accomplishments in stabilizing the border were noted, yet Long Yi made no mention of why he was present here nor any rewards. Simply granting him a seat seemed like brushing the matter aside. It was evident he wished to downplay it. The Leng family’s outstanding military service, short of being ennobled or promoted to higher office, would not receive significant rewards. Long Yi was cautious not to let the Leng family grow too powerful. Princes like Prince De and Prince Xiao also did not want someone with outstanding merits to stand on equal footing with them. Therefore, verbal commendations and modest rewards were likely all that would be given. Conversely, any mistakes by the Leng family might be exaggerated limitlessly, illustrating the capricious nature of imperial favor!
Long Yi was the emperor, a fact Leng Jiu was acutely aware of. Therefore, she never underestimated his abilities nor his shamelessness and methods!
Sensing a strong gaze on her, Leng Jiu turned to look, then froze—it was Leng Yue. His gaze meeting hers wasn’t surprising, but was she mistaken? In those cold, profound eyes, she seemed to glimpse tenderness and suppressed longing, feelings named gentleness and fondness.
Leng Yue swiftly averted his gaze and resumed his icy demeanor, leaving Leng Jiu questioning—had she just seen an illusion?
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**Author’s Note:**
╮（╯▽╰）╭Girls, handsome guys are here in abundance, why aren’t you joining in? Also, tonight I’m personally cooking water-boiled fish, any girls interested?