Chapter 16

Chapter Sixteen: Bewitched

This "bedchamber" was not the same as the other, yet the dragon’s incense in the censer still burned thickly. The solemn and dignified emperor was attending to documents when a palace attendant entered to report, "The Noble Consort has arrived." The emperor showed a hint of surprise and bade her enter.

His tone was gentle, a faint smile lingering in his eyes as he said, "Noble Consort, what brings you here at this hour?"

"Does Your Majesty not welcome me?" The woman wore a flowing floor-length gown of peony pink, her hair swept high in a cloud-like bun, revealing skin as pale and smooth as jade. Though her features remained indistinct, she coquettishly spoke.

Leaning lazily against the throne’s backrest, the emperor’s calm voice held a playful smile: "How could I not? I am merely surprised."

"Allow me to grind the ink for Your Majesty," she offered, stepping forward with graceful, lotus-like steps. Her slender wrists gleamed with translucent delicacy, inviting one’s touch.

"Why do you look at me so?" she asked softly, her breath fragrant as orchid. Grinding the ink, she leaned gently against his embrace. The emperor’s expression remained serious, even authoritative, yet he did not rebuke her. Instead, he lightly tugged her slender wrist, drawing her fully into his arms.

His arm slid around her waist, his voice low and amused: "Noble Consort, you have a request, do you not?"

Her thoughts were swiftly uncovered, but she was undisturbed. "Nothing escapes Your Majesty. Today, Lady Xu came to see me."

"And what did she want?" The emperor’s brow furrowed slightly as his fingers paused in stroking her dark hair.

"Lady Xu told me that last night, Your Majesty turned over her token, but only painted a picture in her palace before returning here."

"So, Noble Consort seeks to persuade me to share my favors evenly?" The newly enthroned emperor radiated a commanding presence without anger, his gaze both sharp and layered with a hint of danger as he fixed it on the woman in his arms.

"Your Majesty is free to favor whichever consort you wish; I have no right to interfere."

Her demeanor was gentle and gracious, yet something in her words roused the emperor’s ire. Without warning, he lifted her horizontally and strode toward the innermost bridal chamber. She panicked, struggling to free herself: "Your Majesty, it is still daylight."

He held her firmly, patting her back gently: "Did you not say it is my freedom to favor any consort? Then if I choose to favor you, would you refuse?"

She ceased struggling, burying her head shyly in his embrace.

What followed was an intoxicating union, a tempest of passion and harmony.

When the emperor awoke, beads of sweat dotted his brow. His handsome face was sharp, his phoenix-like eyes deep and piercing. Previously, he had dismissed such dreams lightly, but now he could not help but ponder why, after every encounter with Huai Yu’s sister, he would be trapped in these strange and tangled dreams.

Qin Yu was named crown prince at three and ascended the throne at the age of majority. He vowed to be a diligent and wise ruler, unlike his father who, though revered in youth, succumbed to pleasures and nearly lost the realm once peace was secured. Thus, he avoided indulgence in sensuality but did not confine his affections to one woman.

Yet in his dreams, observing the way "he" treated the noble consort whose face was veiled, he felt truly bewitched. The emperor tugged at the corner of his mouth.

***

The next day, amidst mist-shrouded peaks, a young novice monk gently knocked on a small redwood door: "Master, Your Majesty has arrived."

The door opened, and Master Jinghui, his white beard and compassionate eyes radiating kindness, stepped out to personally welcome Qin Yu: "I bow to Your Majesty. Though you have many affairs early in your reign, you still find time to visit Qingxin Temple."

They sat opposite each other at a chessboard. Qin Yu spoke deliberately, "I have a matter I wish to consult you about."

"Please, speak freely."

Every time the emperor came, Master Jinghui would play a game of Go with him; today was no exception. Qin Yu took the black stones, the master the white.

After hearing the emperor’s words, Master Jinghui showed no surprise, instead smiling gently: "I recall that Empress Jing once cast a love spell on the late emperor, which made him obsess over her, clouding his mind and harming his health. Your Majesty’s four dreams may be disturbances, but they have not affected your other affairs. I believe they are merely omens."

Qin Yu pondered deeply. "What sort of omen?"

"Perhaps the lady in your dreams is predestined for you, or maybe you share unfinished fate from a past life that haunts your reincarnation."

Qin Yu chuckled dryly. He did not believe in past lives, but the idea of a destined woman seemed somewhat plausible.

Yet these dreams disturbed his mind greatly. Placing a black stone on the board, he asked, "Is there a way to see clearly the face of the woman in my dreams?"

"Appearance reflects the heart. Perhaps Your Majesty has already settled on a woman in your heart," Master Jinghui replied, placing a white stone deliberately.

Qin Yu hesitated; he had suspicions but no certainty.

The emperor remained noncommittal.

Seeing this, Master Jinghui fell silent and calmly accompanied the emperor through three games, none of which Qin Yu won. The current emperor was not only capable but also exceptional in many respects, earning reverence since his days as crown prince.

Before the emperor returned to the palace, Master Jinghui cast a divination: "Regarding the mysterious woman in Your Majesty’s dreams, you shall have your answer soon."

Qin Yu’s phoenix eyes narrowed. "Thank you, Master Jinghui."

***

Summer arrived swiftly; the lotus flowers in the pond stood tall, blooming in competition.

A major event erupted in the court: the Censorate had gathered evidence of treason by the followers of King Xiaoyao. The emperor struck with thunderous force, ordering the Xiaoyao estate to be raided and all ministers closely linked to him confined. An investigation ensued, and within half a month, King Xiaoyao was imprisoned. Even the powerful Ling Duke’s household, closely associated with Xiaoyao, was not spared—titles were stripped, punishments meted out, and exiles sent.

Chu Youning’s personal maid supported her as she ascended to the pavilion in the imperial garden, whispering, "Your Majesty’s measures are truly ruthless, wiping out King Xiaoyao’s faction without giving them a moment’s respite."

Chu Youning smiled, a hint of mockery in her eyes. "History favors the victorious. Had Your Majesty granted them a chance, they would have become a calamity."

The emperor was newly enthroned, and there were certainly dissenters in court. If not now, then when to assert authority? Witnessing His Majesty’s strength, Chu Youning was resolute in entering the palace—not only to secure her family’s status but also because she understood the emperor well. Once inside, she could assist him in becoming a wise and prosperous ruler.

Her maid agreed, "Miss’s reasoning is sound. After dealing with King Xiaoyao, Your Majesty’s throne is firmly established."

Chu Youning cast a glance at her and said, "Just keep that thought to yourself."

The last time her aunt had summoned Miss Xie, the Third Miss of the Xie family, and Princess Shenghua had arrived so promptly outside the palace, Chu Youning had felt uneasy. She worried that her aunt might have an informant arranged by the emperor’s cousin.

Though only the two of them were in the imperial garden now, Chu Youning remained cautious.

"I understand," the maid replied.

Gazing over the blossoming garden, Chu Youning’s thoughts turned to another person—the Third Miss Xie of the Loyal and Righteous Marquis’s household. Beautiful, talented, and gentle, from the moment she first saw Miss Xie, she knew the young lady would be a formidable obstacle in her path to the palace.

With this in mind, Chu Youning instructed her maid, "At the upcoming Lotus Banquet hosted by the Chu Duke’s household, make sure my father sends an invitation to the Loyal and Righteous Marquis’s family."

She could not believe they would fail to attend.

The Chu Duke’s household was related to the Empress Dowager’s maternal family. No one dared disrespect their invitations. Now, with King Xiaoyao and the Ling Duke’s house toppled, the Chu Duke’s household stood as the foremost noble family. Even if the Loyal and Righteous Marquis’s family had great ambitions, they would not dare to snub them.

"Yes, Miss."

That very evening, the invitation arrived at the Loyal and Righteous Marquis’s household, delivered by a trusted agent of Madam Zhang of the Chu family. Yet Madam Yun could not find joy in it, her thoughts occupied even during meals.

Xie Huai’an was absent. At the dinner table sat the Loyal and Righteous Marquis and his wife, Xie Huaiyu, as well as cousins Xie Shu and Xie Qingyan. The Marquis, not wanting to burden his wife, served her a piece of braised pork, saying, "If you worry, bring Shu’er and Qingyan along. The two sisters can look after each other."

Madam Yun’s eyes brightened. "Why didn’t I think of that? Qingyan, would you like to accompany your aunt and Third Miss to the Chu Duke’s household for the lotus viewing?"

Since Qingyan and Shu’er were sisters, having both present meant that even if one was hindered, the other could provide support, guarding against any potential harm from the Chu Duke’s household.

Now that the Chu Duke’s house was at its zenith, backed by the Empress Dowager, if they truly wished harm, they could carry it out. Madam Yun dared not be careless.

Qie Qingyan, who had been focused on eating drunken shrimp, looked up at Madam Yun’s voice: "Will there be lotus seeds at the lotus viewing?"

The group chuckled at her innocent question. Madam Yun gently tapped her nose. "Not just lotus seeds, but also lotus root soup."

"Then Qingyan will go with aunt and Third Miss," she eagerly agreed.

Madam Yun felt much reassured. She then turned her gaze to Xie Huaiyu, urging him to go as well. He thought it unlikely he could protect his sister; once inside the Chu Duke’s household, he could not constantly watch over her.

"Why should Huaiyu go?"

Madam Yun replied, "The Chu Duke’s family said they wanted the young masters and young ladies of the household to attend together. Perhaps they want to see who suits their own daughters or sons. Huaiyu, you have reached the age to marry. Go and see; maybe you’ll find your ideal match at this Lotus Banquet."

Xie Huaiyu sighed inwardly. His sister’s marriage was unsettled, and now his mother was concerned about his own future. To placate her, he said, "Mother, you need not worry about me. I already have someone in my heart."