The palace lanterns were lined up on the cold and magnificent palace path, connecting with the star - river, creating a dreamy and illusory scene.
Lan Miao followed Jiang He, a hint of suspicion rising in her heart.
Was it really the Queen Mother's grace that allowed her to stay in the palace overnight?
But Jiang He was the Queen Mother's confidant, there was no doubt about that.
The interrogation had taken a bit longer. It was nearly the Hour of the Boar now. Although Xue'er wasn't injured, she was frightened and it was inconvenient for her to move, so she stayed in the Changxin Palace. Princess Yujia was with her, and there were also a large number of palace servants guarding. Lan Miao felt at ease.
She originally wanted to stay with Xue'er until she fell asleep.
But Jiang He informed her that the Queen Mother wanted to see her and led her deep into the palace. Lan Miao was quite puzzled. It was so late. Why couldn't they talk tomorrow? But after all, it was an order from the Queen Mother, and she couldn't disobey.
The palace path was long and cold. The night wind blew on people's faces, bringing a chill.
The palace was shrouded in darkness. It no longer looked as grand and solemn as it did during the day. Instead, it exuded a desolate and empty loneliness, which made her inexplicably recall that night of sparse wind and cold rain.
The further Lan Miao walked, the more something seemed off. The scenery around didn't seem to be the way to the Cining Palace. She was just about to step forward and ask when Jiang He turned around.
"Lady Lan, we're here. Please go in."
Lan Miao slightly raised her beautiful eyes and was startled.
On the magnificent palace in front of her were clearly written the three characters "Yangxin Hall". Although she had never stayed in the palace, she knew whose residence this was. Was she here to see the Emperor? Why? It was impossible for the Queen Mother to receive her in the Yangxin Hall.
However, there was no turning back.
She couldn't retreat.
Jiang He gave her an apologetic smile, opened the gilded palace door for her, and respectfully sent her in. Then she and the other palace servants slowly retreated.
Lan Miao took a step forward, each step extremely cautious.
In the hall, the fish - mouth incense burner was burning curling green smoke. The furnishings were cold and magnificent. Everywhere she looked was dazzling gold, yet it was still aesthetically pleasing. There was a man sitting in front of the desk above the main hall, flipping through memorials. His big, well - jointed hands gently tapped on the table. The lamp on the table cast a soft light on his hands.
Apart from them, there was no one else in the hall.
Lan Miao remained calm on the surface. She walked to the center, slowly knelt down, and bowed respectfully. "Lan of the Brave and Resolute Marquis Mansion pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in good health."
"Come here."
Lan Miao's heart skipped a beat. It wasn't "Get up", but "Come here". What did the Emperor want to do? Had he recognized her?
Even though she was confused, she got up without hesitation and walked towards the Emperor's desk. She didn't dare to stop until she was close to it.
At this moment, the Emperor looked up and sized her up.
His gaze from above lightly scanned her. His deep eyes were like a lightless night sky, cold and boundless. Although she had seen the Emperor before, looking closely at him now, his face was both handsome and young. She would believe it if he was in his twenties. The noble and elegant air around him added a mature masculinity.
And he was the emperor. A solemn sense of oppression came over her. She lowered her head, and the tips of her ears turned slightly red.
The Emperor curled his lips.
"Lady Lan, hold out your hand."
!!
What did this mean?
Did he recognize her hand?
Lan Miao let out an appropriate "Huh" sound, pretending to be confused, and then lowered her head and obediently obeyed. The Emperor didn't say which hand to hold out, so she first held out her right hand, palm up.
Her thin and pale fingers were like those washed in clear water, fair and translucent.
The Emperor took out the jade pendant he always carried with him from his bosom, stretched out his arm, and gently placed it in Lan Miao's hand. The jade still retained the Emperor's body temperature, and it felt warm and gentle.
Lan Miao remained calm on the surface. After receiving the jade pendant, she was just about to take a closer look when the Emperor suddenly held her palm. She was greatly shocked and instinctively wanted to withdraw her hand, but the Emperor held it tighter. Lan Miao came to her senses and didn't dare to struggle anymore.
She let the Emperor's rough and hot fingertips brush across her palm inch by inch until he had felt every one of her fingers.
Withdrawal, passing by, the lingering warmth still remained on her fingertips. Her heart suddenly started to pound.
There were only the two of them in the hall. The atmosphere was somewhat ambiguous, but Lan Miao didn't find it charming. She hadn't forgotten that just a quarter of an hour ago, it was the owner of these hands who had neatly disposed of a group of people.
"Lady Lan, take a good look. Do you recognize this jade pendant?"
The Emperor's voice was mellow, like aged liquor.
Lan Miao let out a soft "Um" sound, examined the jade pendant under the lamp, and quietly took a few steps back, putting some distance between herself and the Emperor.
Of course, she recognized this jade pendant.
But she must never admit it.
Moreover, there was a trap in the Emperor's words.
"I don't recognize it, Your Majesty. The shape and material of this jade pendant are quite common, but I've never seen the pattern on it anywhere."
She held the jade pendant with both hands and was about to present it to the Emperor.
"Take a closer look. You're a jade carver. You should have seen a lot of jade. Have you really never seen a similar pattern?"
The Emperor's deep voice sounded again.
Lan Miao lowered her head, pretending not to recognize it, and carefully examined it again. "I've never seen such a strange pattern. I'm afraid I've made Your Majesty laugh. Your Majesty wouldn't think that my skills are not good, would you?"
Her rhetorical question made the Emperor pause for a moment.
The Emperor let out a soft "Um" sound, took the jade pendant from her hand, and didn't respond further. Lan Miao's answer was correct, and her reaction was normal. Too normal, in fact.
He actually hoped that she would act a bit abnormally.
A trace of melancholy that he himself didn't even notice gradually faded away.
The Emperor let out a loud laugh, which was broad and carefree. He tilted his body slightly, looking more relaxed and at ease. The sense of oppression that had permeated before was rarely tinged with a bit of amiability.
His gaze swept over again.
It fixed on her, leaving her nowhere to hide.
"Lady Lan, I'm afraid I've made you laugh. Actually, this jade pendant was left by a woman. Five years ago, this woman took advantage of the chaos and plotted against me. It rained heavily that night in the palace. Lady Lan should have an impression of that, right?"
Lan Miao's heart was like a small boat in a stormy sea, drifting unsteadily.
She frowned slightly, pretending to seriously recall. "Five years ago? Does Your Majesty mean the day of the banquet for all the officials?"
The Emperor nodded slightly.
"At that time, I attended the palace banquet with my husband. There were indeed a lot of disturbances that night. Was Your Majesty injured?" Lan Miao continued to play dumb.
The Emperor's lips twitched in a cold sneer.
"Sort of."
"I killed all the thieves and enemy forces that caused the disturbances that night, but I've never found the woman who plotted against me. I saw a similar pattern on this jade pendant she left when the enemy country sent troops. I'm afraid they're another group of thieves."
The Emperor explained briefly and clearly.
Lan Miao listened silently, her face remaining calm as usual.
But there was already a layer of cold sweat on her back. How could this jade pendant be something from the enemy country? Was the Emperor scaring her? Or did he really think so? Did he think she was a thief?
So all these years, the Emperor had carried this jade pendant with him just because of his imperial dignity, reminding himself not to forget the shame of the past.
It was over.
She would keep this secret even if it cost her life.
"Your Majesty, why are you telling me all this?"