Chapter 5, In the Presence of the Emperor

This statement is indeed absurd, yet when the Sovereign of Nine Five speaks, no one dares to refute it

"Supreme Leader, what brings you here today?" The chief steward quickly welcomed the visitor in.

"To walk a single path to the end—this refers to you; and you, do not smirk over there, be cautious about your future, for cleverness may lead to one's own downfall"

He was quite confident and said: "Everyone was asleep last night, so someone must have picked it up early this morning. It couldn't have been moved, it is still on him. Come, search me."

The slight flutter between Qu Yunmei's brows was not easily noticeable, yet she restrained herself: "... ... to encounter unexpectedly in such a desolate palace?"

Haha, there is no need to worry. Tomorrow we shall find out the true identity of that woman

The moon is cool and the breeze is elegant... You are now also a middle-aged man, no longer climbing trees at midnight, getting bitten by mosquitoes until your head swells like a pig's, right?

The Lin family, the maternal family of the Empress Dowager, is a prestigious noble clan with a history of nine generations of high officials. The previous dynasty's Princess Yanlin married into the family, drawn by the elegance and charm of the Lin family's head, Lin Zhaoyun. They had four sons and one daughter, the only cherished jewel being the late emperor's empress, who is now the Empress Dowager

The mosquitoes buzzed incessantly, yet he endured it with great determination, focusing solely on growing taller

In the next moment, a surge of true energy tentatively rushed in from the wrist, domineeringly coursing through the limbs and bones, swiftly making its way towards the dantian

... ...

As for the Emperor, let us not speak further; he sat in the inner hall, calmly observing Qu Yun solve the case

Yuan Qi and Qu Yunduan observed the hall below, first dismissing the eunuchs among them. After exchanging a glance, they waved away those whose figures and postures did not match. Looking at the remaining ten or so palace maids, the Emperor took a sip of tea, turned to the side, and quietly said to Qu Yun: "In fact, everyone in the garden inevitably carries the fragrance of flowers; based solely on this, we might have to take back a dozen or twenty people."

She smiled gently, like a thousand pear trees blooming simultaneously, elegant and radiant; that ordinary face instantly dazzled those who beheld it

Qu Yun felt as if struck by a bolt from the blue, nothing more than that

The probing of inner strength is merely a pretext. Among the fifteen individuals, only you, having been grasped by my hand, showed not the slightest hint of shyness

Such seemingly ambiguous answers, however, convinced the emperor. He nodded and said: "In such a secretive and secluded place, that person actually hid there. If it weren't for the unexpected encounter, it would indeed be shocking to hear—tell me, who is from that side?"

The emperor smiled: "Qu Qing, you have chosen a good place; even in such a remote location, there are still visitors."

Who exactly are you? Who has instructed you?

He smiled with ease: "The woman has a faint fragrance about her, unique to the golden orchid."

Watching the palace maids leave in an orderly fashion, Yuan Qi handed her over to Qu Yun, allowing the latter to bind her.

The master could only sigh at these two lively treasures, and after punishing them all, he made a definitive statement

Qu Yun merely smiled without speaking

Yuan Qi said softly, "One by one, step forward and show me your hands."

Yuan Qisong released his hand

A path taken to the end... This is him, who, having wasted half a lifetime, still cannot forget.

What ! ! !

After a thorough search, there was still no result. The young emperor, feeling a surge of determination, said: "I shall also act as a fair judge, allowing each person to be examined one by one. I will know the truth with just one inquiry"

Tomorrow morning, we will go to the Imperial Garden

He looked at the astonished Qu Yun and said with a smile: "Qu Qing, have you forgotten? My nose has suffered from a peculiar illness; even from ten zhang away, I can smell the heavenly honeysuckle in the Empress Dowager's courtyard"

The girl who is three years older than him, unable to become his senior sister, cleverly deceived him by saying that the moonlight absorbed by the trees could make one grow taller. He had always been troubled by the nickname "short winter melon," so he slept in the trees at midnight.

Only then did the attendants flow into the garden like a stream, and among them, surrounded by several first-class guards, was the twenty-year-old Emperor Yongjia, Yuanqi

Upon hearing this, the steward did not dare to be negligent and quickly gathered two groups of people to search with all their might, yet not even a shadow was seen.

Imperial Garden

The emperor shook his head: "Although they have many talented individuals under their command, it does not seem so to me. If they could even eavesdrop on the places where you and I usually discuss our plans, they would not have lost the initiative. If they had that capability, I, as the emperor, would have been forced to abdicate long ago."

He trembled all over, and the chair beneath him could not withstand it, cracking several times and breaking into several pieces

He glanced at the cowering palace maids and said, "The palace maids should go to the hall and summon a female official to conduct a search."

This is in the secret room, with no one else present except for the two of them

The captain of the guards, Qu Yun, was extremely angry, and a cold smile appeared on his face: "I never expected that there would be thieves in the Imperial Garden! In that case, let us search them one by one!"

... ...

Qu Yun cast a cold glance at the opposite side and inquired

She was about to step down from the hall when she saw the emperor pinching his fingers together, stopping just at his throat.

The emperor lightly tapped his shoulder with a fan, which was somewhat of a youthful prank.

In the early morning, everyone got up, dug a few shovels of soil, and propped up a small sapling of the moon orchid. Just as they were about to help each other tie the straps, they heard a commotion of voices at the door.

Hmph... You speak so lightly, Chief Steward. His Majesty is still waiting for my report. Last night, the Emperor came here to relax and accidentally lost a ring given by the late Emperor. Early this morning, he ordered us to search for it.

Cleverness can lead to one's own downfall. This is Lin Chen, who has fallen from the highest point, shattering like glass.

He glanced at Qu Yun and said, "Did you not mention that it seems somewhat familiar? Then I will leave the review to you"

He was only dressed in his usual cloud-patterned brocade robe, adorned with a faint golden dragon that shone brilliantly. In the bright morning light, it further highlighted his eyes, which were as dark as lacquer, and his elegant demeanor.

He gazed meaningfully and said: "The others have faces like peach blossoms... but you, remain unchanged."

The emperor returned to the palace to relax, but did not retire for the night; instead, he engaged in a game of chess with the chief guard, Qu Yun.

The moon is cool and the wind carries elegance ... That was a jest from long ago, yet it feels as clear as if it were yesterday

After a brief moment of tea brewing, the female official arrived, only to hear the clear laughter of a young man coming from behind.

After a cup of tea's worth of time, seven people have already withdrawn, and finally, it is Morning Dew's turn

Do you know why I am able to see through it

Xiaoyun, it is me... I have returned!

... ...

Qu Yun felt a chill on his back, as that smile came into view, evoking a sense of mischief and slyness, a feeling both strange and familiar, leaping forth from his memories

He bears a striking resemblance to the late emperor, except for a shadow in his pupils, which comes from the Empress Dowager

The Lin family possesses heavy eyes, a symbol of ancient emperors. Some may spread slander, yet the late emperor merely smiled and said: "The later Emperor Li also had heavy eyes, yet what remains of the ancestral temple today?" Many in the world praise his broad-mindedness

She stepped forward and extended her hand, and Yuan Qi grasped her wrist

In the years that followed, whenever he recalled the past, he would always feel that his master's words had indeed come true.

Except for her, the rest may withdraw

She remained impassive, her already faint vital energy dispersing; due to its extreme subtlety, it could not be perceived

He picked up the tea and gently stirred the clear green tea leaves: "I observe that it does not seem like eavesdropping, but rather resembles a chance encounter"

The young girl leaned against the table, yet she was immobilized by acupoint pressure, unable to move in the slightest

His fingers were still trembling as he reached out his hand, hardly daring to touch the girl who was so close at hand

Tian Ming woke up, her delicate little face now resembling that of a pig's head, yet she calmly remarked: "The moon is cool and the wind carries elegance... Oh dear, Xiao Yun, you have dyed your hair..."

"Has that person been caught?" The emperor appeared to be in a lazy state, yet his demeanor was still serious. Upon seeing this, Qu Yun felt a tightening in his heart—ordinarily, the emperor maintained a dignified posture, and if he now exhibited such a languid demeanor, it indicated that he was already quite confident.

The emperor's handsome and gentle smile was imprinted in her clear, snow-like eyes

I am filled with trepidation, having nearly jeopardized a significant matter

"Qu Qing is here to cleverly solve the case of the finger snap, and I cannot contain my curiosity, so I have come to observe as well"

"Your Majesty, that person's lightness of foot is unparalleled in my lifetime; I have never been able to catch up. However..." Qu Yun observed the Emperor's expression and said thoughtfully, "From the silhouette, it appears to be a woman, and her movements seem somewhat familiar—I have had a few esteemed visitors from my school, but I do not know which senior disciple this might be."

Who exactly are you

Qu Yun pondered and said: "It cannot be from the Empress Dowager's side—her people are not that quick. I have been closely monitoring several regents, and there is no such figure among them. Upon further reflection, could it possibly be the work of the princes?"