Chapter 7

Xuanzheng Palace.

The candlelight danced lively as Yue Wan held a small golden scissors, trimming the blackened wick.

The dim light cast flickering shadows on the side of the old Emperor’s face as she held a memorial, reading it for a long time before finally sighing.

“Yue Wan, is it truly so difficult for my daughter to take on this great responsibility?”

Yue Wan brought over a bowl of medicinal soup from the small table, gently advising: “How can Your Majesty say such things? Princess Han has been intelligent since childhood. It’s just that she currently has no interest in state affairs. If Her Highness would dedicate even half her attention to governance, she would surely achieve great things.”

The old Emperor shook her head, quite helpless: “Ordinarily, imperial mothers and daughters are wary of each other, everyone eyeing the throne, fighting tooth and nail for it. But Miyi is just the opposite.”

“I rather wish Miyi would covet power more.”

Yue Wan said: “You’ve seen it too, Her Highness is different from before. This servant sees some of the Male Empress’s former brilliance in her. Perhaps Princess Han truly can become a good ruler.”

The Emperor put down the medicine bowl on the table and closed her eyes: “I hear that the Gu family’s temper has grown lately. In public, he even dared to order around his wife-master.”

This incident had caused quite a stir in the capital. The news spread like wildfire, flying into the imperial city before nightfall.

Ordinary families all valued proper etiquette. When had they ever allowed husbands to behave this way, let alone the imperial family?

Gu Qi’s actions had truly trampled on the face of the imperial family.

Yue Wan responded: “Your health is most important, please do not get angry.”

The Emperor had been gravely ill these days. The imperial physicians had repeatedly warned against letting her worry too much and harm her health.

The old Emperor placed the imperial brush on the brush rest: “How can I not worry? Without the throne to rely on, I fear Miyi will be bullied. Though Zhiyuan is also my daughter, she has her birth father to look after her. This throne, I intend to pass on to Miyi.” “I may be the Daughter of Heaven, but I am still mortal. Miyi causes me worry, and her husband is the same. I fear I have no face to meet the Male Empress…”

Yue Wan hesitated for a moment: “Then how does Your Majesty plan to inform Princess Gong in the future?”

The appointment of the Crown Princess had always favored the eldest over the youngest. The current Emperor had few children, only Yu Zhiyuan and Yu Yunji. Yu Zhiyuan’s position as Crown Princess seemed assured, but the Emperor had delayed in appointing one. Princess Gong likely had suspicions already.

No matter how close imperial sisters were, once their interests conflicted, things would surely change.

Her birth father, the Imperial Noble Consort, had a cunning mind. Yu Zhiyuan appeared filial and sensible before her, but her outward appearance was too perfect, her thoughts too deep. Even as her birth mother, she couldn’t quite understand her.

“If Zhiyuan succeeds to the throne, I fear Miyi will…”

The old Emperor didn’t finish her sentence, but Yue Wan understood her meaning.

How could one sleep soundly next to the throne? Emperors were most suspicious. If Princess Han didn’t succeed to the throne, given Princess Gong’s mindset and methods, she might do something. When that time came, Princess Han’s life would be in danger.

“She’s come into conflict with the Duke Dingguo’s household. But the Yun family’s interests run too deep. We must not let them target her.”

At this moment, the atmosphere in Banyue Hall was tense.

“Gu Qi.” Yu Yunji pushed away the brocade box, her gaze avoiding the sinister dagger on the table.

Gu Qi seemed certain she wouldn’t agree to this curse, remaining coldly silent.

Just then, Ruo Shui called loudly from outside: “Your Highness, Duke Dingguo and his son request an audience.”

Duke Dingguo.

Ruo Shui’s call came at the right moment. Yu Yunji sat up straight, while Gu Qi beside her also rose abruptly.

“Bring the Duke and his beloved son to the main hall for tea,” Yu Yunji ordered, staring fixedly at Gu Qi.

She had no choice. Gu Qi’s emotions were running high at the moment, and no one could predict what he might do next. She didn’t dare leave him alone here, lest some incident occur.

Gu Qi’s complexion, already fairer than most men’s, now seemed drained of blood. His hand gripping the table corner tightened.

The faint blue veins on the back of his hand stood out before her eyes.

Yu Yunji said softly: “Come with me. We’ll do as we discussed earlier.”

Men of You Kingdom were not allowed to participate in politics, and wives’ husbands were not allowed to listen in on official discussions.

Hearing her words, Gu Qi seemed momentarily stunned, then flashed a cold smile: “What, aren’t you afraid I’ll lose my temper and make sure that mother and son never return?”

“There are many hidden guards in the meeting hall. You won’t succeed,” Yu Yunji said.

She still maintained that gentle demeanor, as if no matter what he did, she, Yu Yunji, would never get angry.

It truly gave a feeling of… hitting cotton, powerless.

But Yu Yunji spoke the truth. Gu Qi lowered his eyes and wiped the dagger on the bed curtains.

The smooth bed curtains were sliced by the sharp blade. The powder on the dagger fell away, revealing once more his stunningly beautiful face.

Meeting hall.

Yun Mengze wore a light cyan robe embroidered with elegant orchids, sitting with Duke Dingguo waiting for her.

In that moment, Yu Yunji felt she gained a more concrete understanding of the saying “a gentleman is like an orchid”.

Yun Mengze’s eyes were exceptionally beautiful. In the candlelight, they gleamed like amber-colored glass, particularly captivating. Unlike their encounter on the street that day, today’s Yun Mengze seemed to have gained something indescribable.

As Yun Mengze looked towards her, Yu Yunji withdrew her gaze and nodded to Yun Jinxin, saying: “Duke.”

Yun Jinxin hurriedly rose and bowed to her: “We’ve disturbed Princess Han. I heard my young man offended Your Highness today. This old woman scolded him harshly, but still felt uneasy. We’ve come specially today to apologize to Your Highness with the young man.”

Yun Jinxin’s words were impeccable, placing all blame on Yun Mengze’s head. For an ordinary family this would indeed be unremarkable.

But she was the most beloved youngest daughter of the current Daughter of Heaven. Yun Jinxin surely lacked confidence at the moment and had no choice but to do so.

If it were truly the original owner here, the Yun family would inevitably face a bloodbath.

“The Duke’s words are too heavy.” Yu Yunji sat down and smiled lightly at her. “Your noble son didn’t mean any harm. Let’s consider the matter settled.”

At her words, the Duke froze in place, cold sweat immediately rolling down her temples.