Volume 1 Chapter 48
The banquet changed somewhat due to Leng Yue’s arrival. It went from being false to even more false. Long Yi occasionally raised his glass and spoke to Leng Yue, appearing to admire him, but was soon interrupted by several ministers, and the topic would immediately change. Although it seemed harmonious, with the monarch and his subjects enjoying themselves, it was laughable in Leng Jiu’s eyes!
Uninterested in watching them play their mind games, Leng Jiu left early. She suddenly paused halfway and started laughing!
Ziyu looked at Leng Jiu in confusion. “Is the Empress Dowager happy because the General has returned?”
Leng Jiu restrained her smile and glanced over. “Do I look happy?”
The two maids nodded! Leng Jiu shook her head. “Who says you can only laugh when you’re happy?”
After saying this, she left quickly, leaving the two maids baffled! Leng Jiu’s laughter was not because of joy. Nothing tonight had made her happy; she laughed at herself. Every banquet and social event in the past had been full of falsehoods. Back then, she handled it with ease and even enjoyed the deceit. But now, having been reborn, she found it laughable. Watching others play mind games in front of her amused her! So she laughed at herself. How could she, being the same, mock others?
Returning to the palace, she bathed Kano. It was nearly midnight, and she felt tired after the bath. It was time to sleep. Although the full moon on the fifteenth day of the eighth month was round, she wasn’t interested. The moon was always the same; what could be different? She might be interested in a weapon fight, but this kind of elegance wasn’t for her. She didn’t want to ruin the word elegance!
Just as she was about to undress and sleep, Lu Chang entered. “Empress Dowager! The General requests an audience!”
Leng Jiu put her clothes back on. “Leng Yue?”
Lu Chang nodded. “Yes!”
Leng Jiu thought for a moment. “Let him in then.” She immediately regretted it, feeling it was odd because of their brief eye contact at the banquet. She wanted to dismiss him, but Lu Chang had already gone to bring him in, so she had to put on her clothes. Ziyu brought a fox fur to drape over her shoulders as it was still a bit cold at night.
Soon, Lu Chang brought Leng Yue in. He had removed his armor and wore a dark blue robe embroidered with a hawk. The silver-white color had turned into a deep black, making him look even more attractive. Seeing him in black, Leng Jiu squinted. He really resembled that person; aside from the face, she almost felt they were the same person.
“Leng Yue pays respects to the Empress Dowager!” He knelt decisively without any extra gestures or expressions.
Leng Jiu raised her eyebrows and waved her hand. “You all may leave.”
Lu Chang glanced at Leng Yue kneeling on the ground and bowed out.
Leng Jiu looked at Leng Yue, who was still kneeling, and after a moment of silence said, “Rise.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager!”
He thanked her and stood up coldly. Leng Jiu felt speechless. “Did you come here in the middle of the night just to stand like a statue?”
Leng Yue raised his head in disbelief, then suppressed his joy and asked in a deep voice, “How has the Empress Dowager been these years?”
“Not bad, but not particularly good either.” Leng Jiu looked at him. “If the General came just to ask that, there’s no need. It’s late; please leave.”
“Jinghua!” Leng Yue called out, but realizing his overstep, he lowered his eyes. “Sorry for the disturbance. I shall take my leave!”
He turned and left immediately. His straight back exuded a strong sense of loneliness.
Leng Jiu frowned. “Lu Chang!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Leng Jiu looked at the empty palace doors. “What was my attitude towards General Leng before?”
Lu Chang thought for a moment. “You never mentioned the General. When Qing Ling was here, she would bring him up, but every time she did, you got angry and drove us away. We didn’t know what Qing Ling said to you, but you really disliked anyone mentioning him. Today I was surprised you met the General, but later I thought maybe it’s because you forgot many things and even your temperament changed, so you didn’t dislike him as much.”
Leng Jiu waved her hand. “Enough! You may go.”
The palace doors closed, and Leng Jiu lay down. Her drowsiness vanished due to Leng Yue’s arrival. She wasn’t someone who dwelled on things, but she felt a bit conflicted at the moment. She scratched her head helplessly and decided not to think about it. Leng Jinghua was Leng Jinghua, and she was herself. She had no intention of dealing with Leng Jinghua’s past romantic entanglements. Her future was her own to live, unrelated to Leng Jinghua’s past. Even if Leng Yue was very appealing, he wasn’t her type. Why get so tangled up in it?
She pulled the quilt over her head. Just as she was about to close her eyes, someone pulled the quilt away, and a body slid in beside her. Without any politeness, he wrapped her in his arms, his large hands roving over her body.
Leng Jiu grabbed his hand, feeling very exasperated. “Can you behave?”
Long Yueli immediately reversed their hands and gently kneaded hers. “Why should I behave when I’m in your bed?”
“Alright! I’m not in the mood for flirting tonight. If you want to sleep, just sleep!”
Long Yueli propped himself up, his devilishly handsome face even more seductive in the dim light. He curled his thin lips. “Is it because of Leng Yue?”
Leng Jiu also sat up, looking at him face-to-face. “What do you know?”
Long Yueli played with her hair and squinted. “Leng Yue was once famous for doting on you as his sister, but he still couldn’t protect you. It’s said that on the day you entered the palace, you stabbed him with a sword. Although he covered it up, I know a bit about it. Later, he was stationed at the frontier and couldn’t return to court, while you were infatuated with my imperial nephew. You’ve had no contact for the past three years. I think it’s quite clear, but also somewhat unclear. Jiu’er, why don’t you explain it to me and clear up my confusion?”
Leng Jiu also played with his hair and smiled enigmatically. “I’ve been in the palace for so long and have never had any interaction with you, Prince Xuan. You don’t seem like someone who’s easily swayed by beauty. So, can you tell me why you came to my Weiyang Palace upon your return and no other place? Why do you cling to me and not others? What are you trying to get from me? Why don’t you tell me?”
Long Yueli’s fox-like eyes narrowed, and he slightly straightened up. “Why doesn’t Jiu’er believe that I sincerely like you?”
Leng Jiu slid her hand under his robe, caressing his smooth chest and stopping at his left chest. “Some men hide behind a façade of frivolity and promiscuity, making everyone think it’s their nature. But in reality, they are the ones who guard their hearts the most, hiding the deepest. Though it beats, it has no feelings. And you, I’ve known you for so long, but I’ve never seen through you. Long Yueli, why should I believe you?”
Long Yueli grabbed her hand and placed it by his lips, his eyes deep. “Even if I am such a person, why can’t I fall for you? Shouldn’t you be more aware of your own charm than anyone else?”
Leng Jiu lifted his delicate chin and leaned in. “The thing I trust the least is the human heart. I’ll say it again: I don’t mind your body, but don’t talk to me about feelings, don’t meddle in my affairs, and certainly don’t try to get anything from me!”
Long Yueli stared at her intently. After a long time, he lowered his head and bit her lip hard, speaking with anger. “Jiu’er, I really want to cut open your heart and see if it’s empty inside!”
“Rest assured! There’s definitely flesh and blood, but not the feelings you want!” Leng Jiu coldly returned his gaze, unfazed by the pain in her lip.
In the end, Long Yueli released her, lifted the quilt, and left as quietly as he had come.
Leng Jiu withdrew her gaze indifferently, pulled up the quilt, and went to sleep. Just a man! Meanwhile, Long Yueli hugged five jars of osmanthus wine, drinking alone on the roof of Prince Xuan’s residence until dawn.
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Author’s Note:
Long Yueli is destined to be a tragically charming character. I don’t know what to say. If you want to criticize me, do it quickly. I came prepared! Also, the editor just confirmed the date for entering VIP. Those of you who have been waiting, isn’t it time to come out and celebrate?