Meng Fuyao grinned and answered with pride. “A reluctant yes.”
She gave Zong Yue a reassuring pat on her shoulder and ‘instructed’ him, “Be a good emperor. I’ll conduct spot checks.” After she said her piece, she turned to leave without hesitation. But somehow, the intense gaze from the man behind her seemed to add weight to her steps, making her feel uneasy. She could only turn back. Without nothing else better to say, she tried to make conversation.
“Hey, why did you refuse to take down your mask despite knowing that I was searching for Zong Yue?”
The man donned in ivory white remained silent. Then, he quietly replied, “Ask me again the next time you come to Xuanyuan.”
The corners of Meng Fuyao’s mouth twitched. Rolling her eyes at him, she turned away.
Behind her, Zong Yue’s eyes were focused on her. Only when her figure completely vanished from his sight did he slowly sit down on that precious throne of his, overlooking the lavish place. The cup of tea in his hands reflected his face. He stared back at his reflection in deep thought as he gently touched the side of his face.
‘Fuyao.
‘I did not remove my mask for I hoped that…
‘You would perhaps fall in love with that me.’
“Where are we going?”
“Up to you. But there is an invite that you’ll definitely be interested in.”
“Mn?”
“Xuanji has recently chosen a new empress. They have invited the leader of the three states, Nine Heavens, Meng Fuyao to join the ceremony.”
“Ah?!”
“I demand a red packet 1 !” Her slim white arm stretched over, on the table with a custom made red packet in her hands. That red packet was extremely huge—with a circumference of three feet.
Beside that arm squatted a ball of white, following suit immediately.
One human and one guinea pig salivated over their potential fortune as they stared at their goldmine with expectations.
The person of attention leaned back in his chair leisurely as his fingers tapped lightly on the table. With a side glance, he commented, “Yuan Bao, I have finally understood the meaning ‘touch pitch, and you will be defiled’ thanks to you.”
The decadent Lord Yuan Bao squatted in a corner in shame and sulked.
Meanwhile, the intrepid Lord Meng never had the phrases ‘retreat without a fight’ or ‘feeling ashamed of her inferiority’ in her dictionary. Her red packet was still in her hand as she continued to pester him. “I don’t have high expectations. All I want is two thousand dollars worth of notes to fill this packet up. I believe that the ever honorable Crown Prince will not reject this small request of mine.”
The Crown Prince smirked teasingly as he looked up. “Relax, no one will dare to treat Lord Meng shabbily.”
“Oh?” Meng Fuyao raised her brow as she rested her chin on her palm.
“Lest your rabbit runs amok.”
“That sentence coming out from Ji Yu, that ice block’s mouth… It’s too effective…” Meng Fuyao grinned. “… Eh, why was he the one that led my army? Zhan Beiye doesn’t want him anymore?”
“Perhaps,” said the crown prince in an impish manner. “You have to know that with such a circumstance, Ji Yu cannot become an official.”
Meng Fuyao glanced at him. “Shameless, shameless.”
“Thank you for your compliments,” replied Zhangsun Wuji humbly.
Meng Fuyao was exasperated. This Crown Prince had such thick skin and vicious heart that the likelihood of him discovering his conscience was even slimmer than Zhan Beiye dancing nude in public. She could only change the topic. “Hey, so are we going to celebrate the coronation of the next empress? But you haven’t even told me who she is.”
“I don’t know,” replied Zhangsun Wuji honestly. “They actually didn’t write the name of the new empress. Who knows what tricks Feng Xuan has up his sleeves this time.”
“He ain’t dead?” Meng Fuyao was confounded. “If he is not dead, then why did they cornate the new ruler?”
“He’ll just abdicate then. There are many examples, such as this. Before this, Taiyuan faced the same issues due to the overwhelming numbers of heirs, and the conflict left the old emperor with no choice but to relinquish his throne. In Xuanji’s case, not only are there many sons, but there are also many daughters, worsening the conflict. ” Zhangsun Wuji laughed. “But in my opinion, this is not as simple as it seems.”
“How many kids are there? I’ve only seen three.”
“Eight males, nine females. There were more initially, but they died.”
“Wow… their reproductive abilities…” Meng Fuyao gasped in amazement. “Like pigs…”
Zhangsun Wuji glanced at her knowingly. After a while, he came to a decision. “Since you have the habit of getting into trouble no matter where you go, let me briefly share with you the information on the piglets.”
“No need, no need.” Meng Fuyao knocked her knuckles on the table as her smile reached her eyes. “Or is there anyone else who has been bullied, oppressed, and needs this old lady here to give a helping hand? Ah… Yun Hen, Brother Yun! But he seems to be a little far from the throne, no?”
“Nothing is certain in this world.” Zhangsun Wuji smiled. “Perhaps Xuanji might notice the heroic, handsome you and decide to beg you to become the next emperor.”
“Ho, that sounds about right.” Meng Fuyao came to a ‘realization,’ and she waved her hand carelessly. “Tell me more.”
“The Empress has two sons and two daughters, giving her the competitive edge over others. Then, it is followed by Noble Consort Rong with two daughters and one son, with both the eldest princess and son under her name. Next, Concubine Ning comes from a powerful background, and her son, the third prince, has some authority too. Apparently, he is known to be well-versed in literature and martial arts, and hence, very much favored by Feng Xuan. As for the others, while there are still talents, their futures are restricted by the status of the mothers. Just take note of them.”
“No, wait…” Meng Fuyao bent down and attentively looked through the details of the Xuanji’s royal heirs. “Why is it that the Empress’ children are the youngest? And after the Empress, why are there no other concubines or consorts that gave birth? This doesn’t make any sense. According to his age, Feng Xuan should still be able to reproduce? Could it be that they got tired of giving birth?”
“Feng Xuan’s current Empress is a step-empress. She’s a lot younger than Feng Xuan and other concubines.” Zhangsun Wuji smiled meaningfully. “She is renowned for her jealousy and cruelty among the Five Continent Region.”
Meng Fuyao chortled. “Noble Consort Wan?”
Zhangsun Wuji watched her suspiciously.
“Nothing much. Just remembered some history about the possessive and jealous Wan Noble Consort who did not allow other women to give birth to princes and princesses. The two probably came out from the same mold.” Meng Fuyao laughed and brushed him off quickly.
A thought flashed through her mind but vanished in a second. She looked up and noticed Zhangsun Wuji observing her.
“Fuyao, which country and dynasty did this history come from?” he questioned.
‘Urgh, I accidentally leaked out information again,’ Meng Fuyao reprimanded herself.
Zhangsun Wuji added. “Fuyao, this odd history of yours, don’t bring it up in front of anyone else.”
Meng Fuyao nodded, agreeing with him that she shouldn’t reveal so much. She stood up and stretched. “I’m hungry. Get the waiter to bring up the food. Ah, what a lonely New Year’s Eve dinner.”
She poked her head out of the window, watching as the heartwarming families celebrated their reunion dinner, listening to the cheers and laughter as they drank the night away. A soft sigh escaped from her lips. “I’ve never had a lively reunion dinner where everyone would gather around a large table and eat…”
“Why did you leave so quickly?” Zhangsun Wuji patted her head. “If you didn’t insist on leaving Kunjing yesterday, Zong Yue would have definitely arranged all the officials to drink the night away with you.”
“Forget about it.” Meng Fuyao sighed. “I don’t want to stay in Kunjing and see the fresh blood still stuck to the corners of the wall, the Sky-Welcoming Tower that was half destroyed… I would be reminded of the father and daughter hanging on the fourth floor… Xuanyuan Cheng deserved it, but Xuanyuan Yun was innocent… I… It was all my fault.”
Her hand gripped the window frame as she watched the tiny city beside Xuanyuan being slowly lit up. A sad smile crept onto her face. “Fallen buildings can be rebuilt, but broken hearts are hard to mend… I hope that Zong Yue can rest with his people and hope that he’ll be a good emperor…”
“Fuyao.” The man behind her called out gently. As her heart warmed, she had already been pulled into his embrace. Her back leaned against his chest, and she could feel his heartbeat despite the clothes. She stood there, quietly listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat, calming her heavy heart with his soothing warmth. Soon, their hearts danced together to the same rhythm, dancing away the last of loneliness in this cold New Year Eve.
“Regardless, I’m here.”
Meng Fuyao smiled slightly. Watching Zhangsun Wuji’s shadow being cast onto the wall in front of her, she slowly stretched out her fingers and drew a heart on the shadow.
‘Mhm… I know you are here.’
Neither of them said a word as they quietly enjoyed the stillness of the night, listening to the time slowly tick away as a new year welcomed them.
Meng Fuyao’s lips curled. ‘A cozy and peaceful night is good too,’ she thought warmly.
All of a sudden, with a ‘Bam,’ red fireworks bloomed in the sky, dyeing the sky in vibrant neon lights, illuminating Meng Fuyao’s eyes.
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
The beautiful red sparkled in various parts of the city, scattering across the sky like stars. Those fireworks were not expensive ones used by only the imperial family but normal firecrackers used by the citizens. Every family set off their firecrackers and fireworks as the atmosphere of the city was immediately transformed into a noisy, lively one. Countless of fireworks bloomed extravagantly in the sky like cherry blossoms.
Under the light, doors suddenly creaked open. Kids and their parents carried their lanterns as they walked out excitedly with firecrackers in their hands. The streets resembled the Milky Way, driving away the darkness and gloominess that had previously consumed the city.
In an instant, the city was being lit up.
Meng Fuyao stared at this scene—this coincidental liveness. ‘No, it wasn’t a coincidence,’ she thought. The citizens in this city were extremely poor. Even in the best inn, the bed was but a cheap piece of wood that would creak with every movement, barely lined with anything. Not every family could afford fireworks. Then, she remembered that when she passed by the magistrates’ court, she had seen people queuing for something. She initially thought that it was just the officials giving out money to help the poor to tide over the new year. But now, it seemed like they were probably giving out firecrackers to celebrate this night, to show a bustling and flourishing scene for this new beginning.
Meng Fuyao grinned and answered with pride. “A reluctant yes.”
She gave Zong Yue a reassuring pat on her shoulder and ‘instructed’ him, “Be a good emperor. I’ll conduct spot checks.” After she said her piece, she turned to leave without hesitation. But somehow, the intense gaze from the man behind her seemed to add weight to her steps, making her feel uneasy. She could only turn back. Without nothing else better to say, she tried to make conversation.
“Hey, why did you refuse to take down your mask despite knowing that I was searching for Zong Yue?”
The man donned in ivory white remained silent. Then, he quietly replied, “Ask me again the next time you come to Xuanyuan.”
The corners of Meng Fuyao’s mouth twitched. Rolling her eyes at him, she turned away.
Behind her, Zong Yue’s eyes were focused on her. Only when her figure completely vanished from his sight did he slowly sit down on that precious throne of his, overlooking the lavish place. The cup of tea in his hands reflected his face. He stared back at his reflection in deep thought as he gently touched the side of his face.
‘Fuyao.
‘I did not remove my mask for I hoped that…
‘You would perhaps fall in love with that me.’
“Where are we going?”
“Up to you. But there is an invite that you’ll definitely be interested in.”
“Mn?”
“Xuanji has recently chosen a new empress. They have invited the leader of the three states, Nine Heavens, Meng Fuyao to join the ceremony.”
“Ah?!”
“I demand a red packet 1 !” Her slim white arm stretched over, on the table with a custom made red packet in her hands. That red packet was extremely huge—with a circumference of three feet.
Beside that arm squatted a ball of white, following suit immediately.
One human and one guinea pig salivated over their potential fortune as they stared at their goldmine with expectations.
The person of attention leaned back in his chair leisurely as his fingers tapped lightly on the table. With a side glance, he commented, “Yuan Bao, I have finally understood the meaning ‘touch pitch, and you will be defiled’ thanks to you.”
The decadent Lord Yuan Bao squatted in a corner in shame and sulked.
Meanwhile, the intrepid Lord Meng never had the phrases ‘retreat without a fight’ or ‘feeling ashamed of her inferiority’ in her dictionary. Her red packet was still in her hand as she continued to pester him. “I don’t have high expectations. All I want is two thousand dollars worth of notes to fill this packet up. I believe that the ever honorable Crown Prince will not reject this small request of mine.”
The Crown Prince smirked teasingly as he looked up. “Relax, no one will dare to treat Lord Meng shabbily.”
“Oh?” Meng Fuyao raised her brow as she rested her chin on her palm.
“Lest your rabbit runs amok.”
“That sentence coming out from Ji Yu, that ice block’s mouth… It’s too effective…” Meng Fuyao grinned. “… Eh, why was he the one that led my army? Zhan Beiye doesn’t want him anymore?”
“Perhaps,” said the crown prince in an impish manner. “You have to know that with such a circumstance, Ji Yu cannot become an official.”
Meng Fuyao glanced at him. “Shameless, shameless.”
“Thank you for your compliments,” replied Zhangsun Wuji humbly.
Meng Fuyao was exasperated. This Crown Prince had such thick skin and vicious heart that the likelihood of him discovering his conscience was even slimmer than Zhan Beiye dancing nude in public. She could only change the topic. “Hey, so are we going to celebrate the coronation of the next empress? But you haven’t even told me who she is.”
“I don’t know,” replied Zhangsun Wuji honestly. “They actually didn’t write the name of the new empress. Who knows what tricks Feng Xuan has up his sleeves this time.”
“He ain’t dead?” Meng Fuyao was confounded. “If he is not dead, then why did they cornate the new ruler?”
“He’ll just abdicate then. There are many examples, such as this. Before this, Taiyuan faced the same issues due to the overwhelming numbers of heirs, and the conflict left the old emperor with no choice but to relinquish his throne. In Xuanji’s case, not only are there many sons, but there are also many daughters, worsening the conflict. ” Zhangsun Wuji laughed. “But in my opinion, this is not as simple as it seems.”
“How many kids are there? I’ve only seen three.”
“Eight males, nine females. There were more initially, but they died.”
“Wow… their reproductive abilities…” Meng Fuyao gasped in amazement. “Like pigs…”
Zhangsun Wuji glanced at her knowingly. After a while, he came to a decision. “Since you have the habit of getting into trouble no matter where you go, let me briefly share with you the information on the piglets.”
“No need, no need.” Meng Fuyao knocked her knuckles on the table as her smile reached her eyes. “Or is there anyone else who has been bullied, oppressed, and needs this old lady here to give a helping hand? Ah… Yun Hen, Brother Yun! But he seems to be a little far from the throne, no?”
“Nothing is certain in this world.” Zhangsun Wuji smiled. “Perhaps Xuanji might notice the heroic, handsome you and decide to beg you to become the next emperor.”
“Ho, that sounds about right.” Meng Fuyao came to a ‘realization,’ and she waved her hand carelessly. “Tell me more.”
“The Empress has two sons and two daughters, giving her the competitive edge over others. Then, it is followed by Noble Consort Rong with two daughters and one son, with both the eldest princess and son under her name. Next, Concubine Ning comes from a powerful background, and her son, the third prince, has some authority too. Apparently, he is known to be well-versed in literature and martial arts, and hence, very much favored by Feng Xuan. As for the others, while there are still talents, their futures are restricted by the status of the mothers. Just take note of them.”
“No, wait…” Meng Fuyao bent down and attentively looked through the details of the Xuanji’s royal heirs. “Why is it that the Empress’ children are the youngest? And after the Empress, why are there no other concubines or consorts that gave birth? This doesn’t make any sense. According to his age, Feng Xuan should still be able to reproduce? Could it be that they got tired of giving birth?”
“Feng Xuan’s current Empress is a step-empress. She’s a lot younger than Feng Xuan and other concubines.” Zhangsun Wuji smiled meaningfully. “She is renowned for her jealousy and cruelty among the Five Continent Region.”
Meng Fuyao chortled. “Noble Consort Wan?”
Zhangsun Wuji watched her suspiciously.
“Nothing much. Just remembered some history about the possessive and jealous Wan Noble Consort who did not allow other women to give birth to princes and princesses. The two probably came out from the same mold.” Meng Fuyao laughed and brushed him off quickly.
A thought flashed through her mind but vanished in a second. She looked up and noticed Zhangsun Wuji observing her.
“Fuyao, which country and dynasty did this history come from?” he questioned.
‘Urgh, I accidentally leaked out information again,’ Meng Fuyao reprimanded herself.
Zhangsun Wuji added. “Fuyao, this odd history of yours, don’t bring it up in front of anyone else.”
Meng Fuyao nodded, agreeing with him that she shouldn’t reveal so much. She stood up and stretched. “I’m hungry. Get the waiter to bring up the food. Ah, what a lonely New Year’s Eve dinner.”
She poked her head out of the window, watching as the heartwarming families celebrated their reunion dinner, listening to the cheers and laughter as they drank the night away. A soft sigh escaped from her lips. “I’ve never had a lively reunion dinner where everyone would gather around a large table and eat…”
“Why did you leave so quickly?” Zhangsun Wuji patted her head. “If you didn’t insist on leaving Kunjing yesterday, Zong Yue would have definitely arranged all the officials to drink the night away with you.”
“Forget about it.” Meng Fuyao sighed. “I don’t want to stay in Kunjing and see the fresh blood still stuck to the corners of the wall, the Sky-Welcoming Tower that was half destroyed… I would be reminded of the father and daughter hanging on the fourth floor… Xuanyuan Cheng deserved it, but Xuanyuan Yun was innocent… I… It was all my fault.”
Her hand gripped the window frame as she watched the tiny city beside Xuanyuan being slowly lit up. A sad smile crept onto her face. “Fallen buildings can be rebuilt, but broken hearts are hard to mend… I hope that Zong Yue can rest with his people and hope that he’ll be a good emperor…”
“Fuyao.” The man behind her called out gently. As her heart warmed, she had already been pulled into his embrace. Her back leaned against his chest, and she could feel his heartbeat despite the clothes. She stood there, quietly listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat, calming her heavy heart with his soothing warmth. Soon, their hearts danced together to the same rhythm, dancing away the last of loneliness in this cold New Year Eve.
“Regardless, I’m here.”
Meng Fuyao smiled slightly. Watching Zhangsun Wuji’s shadow being cast onto the wall in front of her, she slowly stretched out her fingers and drew a heart on the shadow.
‘Mhm… I know you are here.’
Neither of them said a word as they quietly enjoyed the stillness of the night, listening to the time slowly tick away as a new year welcomed them.
Meng Fuyao’s lips curled. ‘A cozy and peaceful night is good too,’ she thought warmly.
All of a sudden, with a ‘Bam,’ red fireworks bloomed in the sky, dyeing the sky in vibrant neon lights, illuminating Meng Fuyao’s eyes.
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
The beautiful red sparkled in various parts of the city, scattering across the sky like stars. Those fireworks were not expensive ones used by only the imperial family but normal firecrackers used by the citizens. Every family set off their firecrackers and fireworks as the atmosphere of the city was immediately transformed into a noisy, lively one. Countless of fireworks bloomed extravagantly in the sky like cherry blossoms.
Under the light, doors suddenly creaked open. Kids and their parents carried their lanterns as they walked out excitedly with firecrackers in their hands. The streets resembled the Milky Way, driving away the darkness and gloominess that had previously consumed the city.
In an instant, the city was being lit up.
Meng Fuyao stared at this scene—this coincidental liveness. ‘No, it wasn’t a coincidence,’ she thought. The citizens in this city were extremely poor. Even in the best inn, the bed was but a cheap piece of wood that would creak with every movement, barely lined with anything. Not every family could afford fireworks. Then, she remembered that when she passed by the magistrates’ court, she had seen people queuing for something. She initially thought that it was just the officials giving out money to help the poor to tide over the new year. But now, it seemed like they were probably giving out firecrackers to celebrate this night, to show a bustling and flourishing scene for this new beginning.
