Chapter Nine, Kunshan Broken Jade Leads to the Hidden Dragon
The spot on her arm where he had held her felt numb and tingling; in her entire life, no other man had ever touched her skin. Yun Huang was annoyed by his abruptness and frowned coldly, yet she was met with a pair of brilliantly shining eyes, somewhat mischievous and somewhat profound, beneath which lay a straightforward admiration, as if he did not conceal his infatuation at all. He looked at her as a man looks at a woman, and in those eyes, it seemed as if everything was present, yet at the same time, nothing was there.
Yunhuang rose with a smile, her demeanor composed as she lowered her gaze, her palms overlapping as she deeply bowed to Shaohuan. The concubines in the inner hall had no time to hesitate and followed her in kneeling, formally paying their respects to the Emperor. After the concubines completed their bowing, the officials and the noblewomen in the outer hall proceeded to pay their respects again—however, the few senior officials at the front were frozen in place, unwilling to bow yet too afraid not to, cold sweat trickling down their foreheads along the tassels of their hats
Although the Northern Qi did not place great importance on rituals and the separation between men and women was quite lenient, there were still many who had heard of the reputation of Prince Jin for his flirtatious and extravagant ways. However, the abruptness before the ruler still caused discomfort among the ministers of Southern Qin. In contrast, the Emperor seemed unfazed, engaging in cheerful conversation with Princess Yunhu. Yunhuang, who was originally not skilled in horsemanship and had no interest in fine horses, was brought here today by Shaohuan and lazily stayed by the side, indifferent to Princess Yunhu's laughter like the sound of bells. It was Prince Jin's charming wit that occasionally drew a smile from Yunhuang. At this moment, seeing the awkward expressions of the ministers brought her great satisfaction; having grown accustomed to being criticized, she thought it better to be more generous and add a bit more to the conversation. Thus, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Princess Ningguo happily rode alongside Prince Jin of Northern Qi, one on a purple steed and the other on a black cloud, racing through the verdant grounds of the upper garden, resembling a pair of dragons and phoenixes in the clouds.
Yunhuang smiled, handing the jade-handled black whip to him at an angle. The princess, with her invaluable body, must not be offended by others. If the palace attendants wish to assist her, they cannot touch her directly, let alone a man. However, Prince Jin smiled, not even glancing at the whip, and steadily extended his hand, waiting for her to place her hand in his palm. In her hesitation, Yunhuang suddenly felt a warmth at her wrist, and her body was unexpectedly lifted off the ground as he pulled her down without hesitation. His palm was warm, and his hands were long and strong. Once she stood firm, he let go and quietly watched her astonished expression.
Yun Huang was momentarily touched, smiled lightly, and changed the subject, "I had never paid attention to these apricots before, nor did I know there was a distinction between the northern and southern varieties. Today, I am grateful to the Prince of Jin for enlightening me." Seeing her return to her indifferent demeanor, the Prince of Jin also retracted his charming smile. After a brief silence, Yun Huang glanced at the direction from which she came and prepared to mount her horse to return.
Yet the Emperor appeared calm, wearing a smile that was always benevolent, saying, "The Grand Minister is of advanced age; I shall show compassion to my old ministers and grant him a leave of absence for three months." The Grand Minister of Agriculture oversees farming, metallurgy, and salt production, which have been the foundation of the nation since ancient times. The position of Minister of Agriculture is of great importance, yet the Emperor, with a mere phrase as gentle as a spring breeze, allowed the Grand Minister to resign and return home, granting him an exceptional leave of three months, which further highlighted the Emperor's vast grace. The three elderly ministers were drenched in sweat, and only then did they realize that today's scene was likely premeditated—Duke Chen was ill, the Empress was unwell, and the Eldest Princess had overstepped the ceremonial protocols, provoking the Grand Minister of Agriculture. It seemed as if it was a step-by-step chess game, with the Minister of Agriculture being a crucial piece. However, the Emperor, with a mere phrase as gentle as a spring breeze, allowed the Grand Minister to resign and return home, granting him an exceptional leave of three months, which further highlighted the Emperor's vast grace. The three elderly ministers were drenched in sweat, and only then did they realize that today's scene was likely premeditated—Duke Chen was ill, the Empress was unwell, and the Eldest Princess had overstepped the ceremonial protocols, provoking the Grand Minister of Agriculture, as if it was a chess game already laid out. The Grand Minister of Agriculture, confident in his high moral standing, was the first to step into this situation, yet he feared that he was precisely the one they were waiting for.
Such directness, such lack of mercy, to humiliate the noble ministers in this manner—this is truly unprecedented and unseen. The remaining three old ministers were stunned, and the others in the hall were momentarily at a loss for words... One could only hear the Grand Minister of Agriculture struggling to cough and gasp intermittently... Suddenly, the Imperial Censor, awakening from his shock, fell to his knees with a thud, bowing deeply and pleading, "Your Majesty, have mercy!"
Lady Pei came to her senses and noticed that Consort Shu was subtly signaling her. Only then did she realize that Princess Yunhu seemed to be speaking to her, while the Emperor, the Grand Princess, and Prince Jin were all looking in her direction. Lady Pei was secretly alarmed, as she saw the smiles on everyone's faces, yet she had no idea what they had just discussed. In particular, the gaze of Prince Jin sent a chill down her spine, as if all the thoughts and secrets she had kept hidden in her heart had been laid bare before him.
How can one bow? If one bows, the ministers behind will bow their heads, and the woman on the phoenix throne will openly receive the homage of the multitude with the dignity of a mother; how can one not bow? With the sacred carriage in front, both are of equal status, not bowing to her is equivalent to not bowing to the sovereign, and failing to bow before the sovereign is a grave disrespect and a capital offense
At this moment, before the banquet, I turned sideways to meet his gaze.
In a daze, Yun Huang unconsciously let out a sigh of relief and slowly rose to return to her seat. However, she inadvertently caught a glimpse of that person's contemplative gaze, which seemed to carry a hint of uncertainty between light and shadow. When Yun Huang focused her eyes to observe closely, that trace of unusual color faded away, and she could only see the charming smile of Prince Jin.
Under the apricot tree, the fragrance is refreshing. Yun Huang suddenly feels light all over, distanced from the countless gazes of others. In front of a foreign man who knows nothing of her background, she seems to be a new Yun Huang, learning from the cheerful women of the Northern Dynasties, gladly accepting the admiring glances of her suitor—simply because he has no chance of obtaining her, making this admiration appear all the more pure.
Since the Grand Minister of Agriculture has taken leave, Shen Jue will temporarily assume his duties. The Emperor looked down at the ministers in the hall and spoke gently. The three elderly ministers turned ashen, their beards and hair trembling, regretting their hasty actions. If the Grand Minister of Agriculture could be publicly humiliated, who would still dare to rely on their own status and defy the Emperor's countenance
His biological mother was Qi Zhu Ai Ji, of some Hu ancestry, born into a humble background, yet exceptionally beautiful. After his mother passed away early, he was adopted by the childless Consort Luo, who later gave birth to a son and a daughter, ascending to the rear seat and enjoying unparalleled favor among the six palaces. Empress Luo was known for her jealousy, with a cold and stern temperament, yet she was particularly fond of this adopted son. Qi Zhu had a total of seven sons, four of whom died young. The legitimate eldest son took charge of the Eastern Palace, while the youngest was born of Empress Luo. The fifth son was distinguished and talented, well-versed in many subjects, and at the young age of eighteen, he was granted land and titles, becoming known as Prince Jin.
The ministers before the throne held their breath, bowed respectfully, and no one dared to act differently.
The lush green trees cast a dense shade in the long summer days, and before one realizes, they have galloped into the apricot grove. In May, the green apricots hang from the branches, swaying gently as if on a swing, and one can already catch a whiff of their delicate fragrance. Yun Huang rarely rides horses, and this tall and magnificent steed of the Wuhuan tribe makes her feel somewhat awkward and hesitant, unsure of how to dismount. However, the Prince of Jin has already leaped down, extending his hand towards her with a smile. The sunlight filters through the layers of apricot leaves, casting golden spots of light on his face, with some fragmented shadows dancing in the depths of his eyes. His slightly lighter brown irises, compared to those of the Central Plains people, appear even more sparkling and beautiful.
Taking a leave for three months sounds easy, but how many more months can an old minister, whose life is waning, endure? I fear that when the three-month period is over, a decree will be issued allowing for another six months of rest. By then, Shen Jue and the other young talents will have fully developed their wings, leaving no place for the old ministers to stand.
Yet the Emperor gently inquired with a smile, "I have heard that the Princess of Jin is virtuous; I wonder if she has ever won over the Prince of Jin on horseback?" Shen Jue immediately breathed a sigh of relief; since the Emperor had subtly mentioned the Princess of Jin, cutting off further discussion, it was evident that he intended to decline. Princess Yunhu, however, turned her gaze and smiled, "That is why it is such a pity; Fifth Brother must surely regret it in his old age. Marrying too early is not a good thing." Shaohuan glanced at her lightly; the seemingly innocent and carefree girl skillfully tested the boundaries of her words, demonstrating her adeptness as the jewel of the Northern Qi ruler. In just a few moments of playful banter, when they looked back into the distance, the two had already galloped far away.
Yun Huang felt a profound sense of pleasure within, yet this pleasure was different from Shao Huan's disdain for the world; it was akin to... what was it? A faint smile curled at the corners of her lips, but her gaze was hazy, as if she were drifting back to her childhood... She enjoyed secretly submerging herself in water while bathing, holding her breath until her lungs were empty, and at the moment of near suffocation, she would suddenly surface, gasping for the moist air... The constriction, the suffocation, the feeling of being on the brink of despair, followed by a sudden rush of liberation, her breath flowing freely, releasing all the pent-up pain within her chest... She enjoyed secretly submerging herself in water while bathing, holding her breath until her lungs were empty, and at the moment of near suffocation, she would suddenly surface, gasping for the moist air... The constriction, the suffocation, the feeling of being on the brink of despair, followed by a sudden rush of liberation, her breath flowing freely, releasing all the pent-up pain within her chest... It was as if this moment was the same kind of pleasure.
At the Peony Banquet, the Empress remarked, "The Eldest Princess is indeed different"; among the six palaces, few consorts donned red garments, as the Emperor disapproved of them. The dazzling crimson, deep red, and rosy hues lingered only in the shadows of the phoenix trees in Xinyi Palace. The Lady Tongshu was commissioned by the Empress and the Zongzheng Office, yet the Emperor issued a new decree, ordering her to take direct orders from the Grand Attendant, prohibiting the Empress from privately reviewing the Tongshu... It was as if a door had opened, a hundred doors had opened; those matters once thought to be mere rumors had suddenly come back to mind for Consort Pei. The Lady Tongshu was commissioned by the Empress and the Zongzheng Office, yet the Emperor issued a new decree, ordering her to take direct orders from the Grand Attendant, prohibiting the Empress from privately reviewing the Tongshu... It was as if a door had opened, a hundred doors had opened; those matters once thought to be mere rumors had suddenly come back to mind for Consort Pei. However, she also recalled her brother saying that the Eldest Princess was her only ally in the palace, the current support of the Pei family. Compared to the watchful He family and the Empress, who had already secured an heir, she could not afford to offend the Eldest Princess under any circumstances.
The three individuals led the crowd to kneel, and immediately before the hall, a multitude fell to their knees. The wide sleeves of the crowd rustled in unison, as they bowed down, creating a dark mass of black gauze crowns, crimson tassels, and white jade hairpins. The shouts of "Long live!" resounded through the nine layers of the heavenly palace, reaching the heavens above.
He looked up at the abundant green apricots, smilingly said, "Apricots are usually grown in the north, yet this grove has been transplanted to the south and can still thrive and bear fruit, which shows that the division between north and south is not necessarily insurmountable." Yun Huang raised her eyes in slight astonishment, discerning the deeper meaning behind his words, using apricots as a metaphor for harmony between the north and south, and thus smiled gently, "Perhaps the northerners, accustomed to golden apricots, should also try the green apricots from the south, which would offer a different flavor, and vice versa." Prince Jin gazed deeply at her, reached out to pluck an apricot from a low branch, and sniffed it at his nose, "It smells very fragrant."
This worship has disrupted the order of governance, subverted moral principles, and undermined the system of rites and education
Even with her face turned aside and her eyes lowered, she could still sense the warmth of that gaze, like a feather gently brushing against her cheek. At first, Yun Huang was indifferent, but gradually she became uncomfortable under that gaze, yet she felt helpless, so she simply turned back to meet it. The person leaned leisurely against the brocade cushion, as if he had been waiting for her glance for a long time, yet also as if he were completely unconcerned, with only a hint of a smile at the corner of his lips deepening.
The young Huan on the throne observed everything with keen eyes, and it was all within his expectations. A cold smile faintly appeared at the corners of his lips, while his long fingers resting on the dragon throne subtly tightened around the armrest, the knuckles becoming increasingly pale.
"Noble Consort!" The sudden voice of the Virtuous Consort beside her abruptly broke her trance
Yunhuang glanced sideways, inadvertently meeting his seemingly smiling yet ambiguous gaze, and responded with a calm and composed smile.
The reputation of the Prince of Jin is so resounding that even the concubine Pei, deep within the southern palace of Qin, has heard of it
Yunhuang's laughter and tears are both in vain, correcting his indiscriminate use of words, "is an unnecessary action"
As he spoke, he presented the apricot to Yunhuang, inviting her to take a whiff. Yunhuang was taken aback, leaning closer to his hand; she could not discern the fragrance of the apricot, but she caught the unique scent of a man at his fingertips, something that was neither entirely fragrant nor entirely warm. Yunhuang smiled, pretending to look up at the apricot, fearing that he might notice the slight flush on her cheeks. "In the northern regions at this time of year, the apricots are golden and abundant on the trees," the Prince of Jin said with a smile. "When will the Princess come to the north to have a taste of the different flavors compared to the green apricots?"
It turns out he was deliberately teasing her, and Yun Huang realized this but was not angry. Usually, no one dared to jest or joke with her, so being playfully teased by him felt rather amusing. This man, as a prince, lacked the solemnity typical of royalty; his every gesture exuded a sense of nonchalance. The charm lay not in frivolity but in a certain elegance that perfectly complemented his striking appearance. The Southern Dynasties had many graceful young men, but few matched the noble and refined demeanor of Huan Qing. Shen Jue was elegant and cultured, yet this renowned beauty of the Northern Qi was unlike the gentle beauty Yun Huang was accustomed to.
"Yet, the phoenix only perches on the parasol tree in the southern land." Yun Huang smiled and turned away, her heart filled with a deepening sense of melancholy. The King of Jin said no more, silently holding the reins in front, accompanying her as they walked slowly.
He looked at her without any courtesy, and she then scrutinized him closely; eventually, the two exchanged smiles.
Another pair of piercing eyes was fixed on her, and it belonged to Concubine Pei. As Yunhuang turned her gaze, she noticed Concubine Ke's face was ashen, as if something was lodged in her throat; her cherry lips trembled slightly, looking at her as if she wanted to say something. Upon encountering the cold gaze of the Grand Princess, Concubine Pei shuddered, and a chilling light seemed to flash in her imposing phoenix eyes, piercing her heart like a needle. That was a warning from the Grand Princess. No matter how reckless Concubine Pei was, she sensed a hint of dread at this moment and dared not raise her eyes again. The concubines beside her held their breath and lowered their heads; women in the deep palace possessed a sensitivity unlike that of ordinary people—though the Empress seemed to have received good news, she was confined by the Emperor at the very moment she should have been able to express her joy. Previously, there had been rumors of discord between the Emperor and Empress, but it had never reached such a level. At this moment, however, the Grand Princess ascended to the main seat, openly replacing the Empress's position. Concubine Pei suddenly felt a layer of cold sweat break out on her palms and back, her ears buzzing, and her heart was in a tangle! Those rumors, circulating in the deep palace with their subtle implications, could it be, could it all be true!
"You, you..." The Grand Minister of Agriculture trembled all over, his white beard quivering, unable to catch his breath, and suddenly broke into a violent cough, this time it was genuine. The four eunuchs, however, paid no attention, simply lifting him by his arms and legs and carrying him out of the hall.
"All of you, please rise." The young Emperor Shaohuan on the throne smiled faintly, the sharpness in his eyes fading away, returning to a gentle demeanor. He lowered his gaze to Yunhuang, observing her graceful smile, her eyes filled with a seductive charm, as she submissively knelt at his feet. Shaohuan slightly squinted, his hand resting on the side of the dragon throne, his fingertips gliding over the intricately carved dragon, feeling that this esteemed position of the Nine-Five was finally worthy of the blood and corpses that paved the way.
It is evident that you possess self-awareness. He smiled as if genuinely sincere, so why go to such lengths
When did the singing and dancing begin before the throne, she was completely oblivious; amidst the gathering of hosts and guests, she appeared dazed and absent-minded, only aware of others raising their cups, and she followed suit. ... Before her, the Emperor's bright yellow figure swayed, contrasting with the deep red of the Princess, and from time to time, the enchanting laughter of the Princess of Yunhu could be heard ... ... All of this was like a needle piercing her bones for Pei Lingwan. The Emperor exchanged warm words and laughter with the Princess of Yunhu, his voice so gentle, yet his gaze often met that of the Princess, and upon closer inspection, she realized how different his gaze towards her was. Before her, the Emperor's bright yellow figure swayed, contrasting with the deep red of the Princess, and from time to time, the enchanting laughter of the Princess of Yunhu could be heard ... ... All of this was like a needle piercing her bones for Pei Lingwan. The Emperor exchanged warm words and laughter with the Princess of Yunhu, his voice so gentle, yet his gaze often met that of the Princess, and upon closer inspection, she realized how different his gaze towards her was.
The four senior officials, led by the Grand Minister of Agriculture, the Chief Justice, the General of the Chariots and Cavalry, and the Imperial Attendant, have always maintained a close relationship with Duke Chen. Today, coincidentally, Duke Chen is bedridden and unable to attend, while the Empress also happens to be unwell at this time, which inevitably raises suspicions. The four senior officials exchanged glances; although it was merely a fleeting moment of hesitation, countless thoughts raced through their minds. With the Emperor's presence, they had no choice but to kneel, especially since among the foremost ministers, three had already stepped forward to kneel on the ground. The first was the Prince of Chang, who held a nominal position as the Minister of the Imperial Clan, the last remaining elder of the royal family, whose reputation was unmatched; following him were the Minister of State Shen Jue and the newly appointed General of the Right Guard, Pei Lingxian, representing both civil and military young officials, along with another royal elder.
The sound of the phoenix is likened to the shattering of beautiful jade from Kunshan, originating from a poem by Li He
His gaze is profound, "Although the southern region has phoenix trees, the northern region also has fine trees"
"I obey the decree," the Minister of State Shen Jue bowed deeply and respectfully accepted the heavy authority from the hands of the Grand Minister of Agriculture. He raised his voice and said, "Your Majesty is benevolent and compassionate towards your subjects, which is a blessing for all the people. Long live our Emperor, for countless years!" The ministers in the hall bowed again, collectively praising the Emperor's grace. Amidst the shouts of 'Long live the Emperor,' the Chief of the Court and the General of the Chariots hesitated for a moment, but then also dejectedly knelt down with the crowd, paying their respects to the exalted monarch and the Grand Princess beside him.
At that moment, a coarse and hoarse cough erupted, as if it had come from a crack in an old bellows. The crowd was startled to see the venerable Grand Minister of Agriculture, who had surpassed seventy years, clutching his chest with one hand, his back hunched, violently coughing as if he were about to expel his very heart and lungs. On either side of him, an elderly official supported him, while among the throng of kneeling individuals in the hall, only a few of them remained half-leaning and half-standing.
The Princess of Yunhu clapped her hands and laughed, lamenting the poor horsemanship of the Grand Princess; otherwise, she could have raced with the Fifth Brother. Upon hearing this, Shaohuan merely smiled without speaking, but his gaze turned cold. Shen Jue, who was attending nearby, noticed the Emperor's expression and felt a sudden tension in his heart—having accompanied his father on a diplomatic mission to Northern Qi in his youth, he was well-acquainted with the customs of that land. In recent years, the relations with Northern Qi had fluctuated, and he had often been involved in the negotiations. Observing the Emperor's demeanor, it was clear that the mention of "racing" was not made lightly. Northern Qi still retained the ancestral tradition of archery and horseback riding, where young men and women often became romantically involved at the spring and autumn horse racing festivals. If a man invited a woman to race, it often implied a proposal.
Yunhuang raised her gaze, seemingly smiling yet not, directly staring at Shaohuan
At the initial meeting in the Upper Garden, this Prince of Jin from the Northern Qi brazenly gazed at her for a long time, openly praising the Princess's extraordinary beauty. Furthermore, in front of Shao Huan, Shen Jue, and a group of court officials, he volunteered to hold the reins for her.
Note
Yet, the King of Jin slowly spoke, "In the north, there is a beautiful person, who exists apart from the world."
"The Grand Minister of Agriculture is suffering so severely from illness; he should have taken leave to recuperate. How can one bear to see him force himself to come here?" This soft-spoken woman's voice came from behind the beaded curtain of the phoenix throne, carrying a languid softness that was both sweet to the ears and quietly melancholic. The Crown Princess spoke before the Emperor, which startled the officials once again. Following that, they heard her gently say, "Someone, carry the Grand Minister of Agriculture down, so he can rest well." This sentence was delivered with concern and tenderness, as if a younger person truly understood the needs of the elderly. However, the Grand Minister of Agriculture, feigning illness and clutching his chest, thought he had misheard or that she was jesting. He furrowed his white brows in anger at the Crown Princess's audacity, a mere woman daring to speak in front of the Emperor. Yet, four eunuchs had already approached, unceremoniously taking him from the hands of the elder officials. The Grand Minister was horrified and pale, finally realizing that the Crown Princess was serious; she truly intended to have an esteemed official, one of the Nine Ministers, carried out like a piece of refuse in front of the Emperor and the court.
Once seated in the main position, the winds and waves arise, yet the true surge is still to come
He watched her and Shaohuan with great interest, observing her as she sat calmly at the ornate jade table, and his gaze grew increasingly profound.
Early in the morning, news spread within the inner court that the Empress was unwell and unable to rise. It was initially thought that the throne would be left vacant, but unexpectedly, the Grand Princess appeared at the Emperor's side. According to protocol, since the Prince of Northern Qi had brought his sister along, it would not have been inappropriate for the Emperor to command the Grand Princess to accompany him in receiving guests. However, no one anticipated that the Grand Princess would openly ascend the throne, presenting herself with the demeanor of one who governs the world as a mother!
"You Southern Dynasties women are always troublesome," he laughed, glancing at the useless whip, "truly an unnecessary item"
Yunhuang glanced back at him