VBNWDW - Chapter 119

Chapter 119

A fine rain fell, slanting against the imperial glazed tiles and dripping down with a soft patter. The square green flagstones covering the ground held a shallow pool of water, reflecting the towering, majestic palace.

Looking in through a carved wooden window, one could see faint smoke rising from a lit incense burner. Though it was daytime, candles were lit within the hall, illuminating the plaque hanging overhead, which read: Of One Mind, Of One Purpose.

The man seated in the highest position was silent, his hand tapping unconsciously on the table.

Judging by his appearance, he was in his forties, with a square face and a pair of narrow phoenix eyes that tilted up slightly at the corners. His skin was excessively pale, and even with a beard, he gave off an inexplicable air of effeminate melancholy. He seemed ill-suited to the surcoat embroidered with the sun, moon, and twin dragons, even though he was the only one permitted to wear it.

Zhong Jueren stood below the three-tiered dais, unable to resist calling out once more, "Father Emperor."

"Zhong Jueyu has never given up. Even confined to Xuanmiao Temple, she found a way to get close to the Luo family's legitimate daughter," Zhong Jueren said resentfully.

"Your son sees no sign of repentance in her. She is clearly still paving her own path!"

He had said the same thing last night, yet he showed no sign of tiring of it today.

Zhong Tuming frowned, the apprehension in his eyes undisguised.

This daughter of his was truly formidable. In the court, more than half the civil officials spoke for her, and outside, the military generals followed her with unwavering loyalty…

He recalled the rumors circulating among the common folk: that Princess Dening did not take after her father or brother, that her skill and ability far surpassed them both. If she were a man, she might have been a match for the founding emperor.

At this thought, his hand on the table tightened into a fist.

He never doubted whether Zhong Jueyu was his biological child—the phoenix eyes they shared were undeniable proof. Rather, the bizarre way he had come to the throne always left him feeling insecure.

In his youth, Zhong Tuming had not been among the candidates for the throne. He was slow-witted and effeminate in appearance, and he was not the eldest legitimate son. He had never been favored by the late emperor, who had his eyes on two other princes. The civil and military officials all made their choices between those two.

But unexpectedly, the two rivals ended up destroying each other. Zhong Tuming inexplicably reaped the benefits. No matter how dissatisfied the late emperor was, he was left with only one son.

To secure Zhong Tuming's throne, the late emperor had even swallowed his pride and proposed a marriage alliance with the Zhao family, promising them a century of wealth and peace in exchange for their most intelligent eldest daughter marrying into the royal family.

The fact that the late emperor had to go to such lengths was a testament to Zhong Tuming's incompetence. The subsequent early death of the empress was, in fact, related to her excessive worrying over state affairs.

After the empress passed away, the court was shaken several times. Where Great Liang had once held a slight advantage over Chu, under his rule, it gradually began to lose ground. Dissatisfaction among the people grew endlessly. If he hadn't recognized Zhong Jueyu's ability and brought his daughter into the court, there might have been calls for rebellion within a couple of years.

Thus, he was suspicious and jealous, relying on his daughter's talent while simultaneously fearing her capabilities. He much preferred the incompetent crown prince, who was most like himself.

Zhong Tuming let out a heavy breath and looked at the crown prince. "Since she wants to stay in there, let her stay a while longer."

A look of delight crossed Zhong Jueren's face. He then added, "And the Luo family…"

His expression suddenly darkened as he snapped, "What's your hurry! You have a marriage contract with her. No matter what Zhong Jueyu does, it will be useless."

"But hasn't the head of the Luo family always disagreed?" Zhong Jueren retorted.

At this, Zhong Tuming paused for a moment before saying, "The Luo family was unwilling before, and I was planning to choose another match for you. But while they put on an air of nobility, they also let Luo Yueqing befriend Zhong Jueyu…"

Zhong Jueren immediately cursed, "They're clearly looking down on us, father and son."

Zhong Tuming snorted coldly. "If the Luo family wants to drag this out, then let them. We'll see if their daughter can afford the delay, or if the royal family can't find a crown princess."

Zhong Jueren nodded in agreement, then changed the subject to the prince from Chu. "He left the capital with his men this morning. As Father Emperor instructed, your son placated him the entire way, promising that if the opportunity arises in the future, Liang and Chu can once again form a marriage alliance."

They had hesitated before about whether to agree to this marriage. But Zhong Jueyu's abilities were known to all. What if she married that prince and turned around to deal with Great Liang?

After much deliberation, Zhong Tuming and his son had decided against it.

Zhong Tuming's expression softened slightly. "Although these peace talks had their shortcomings, they have secured a hundred years of peace between Liang and Chu."

"It is because Father Emperor is benevolent, sacrificing small gains for the safety of Great Liang's people," Zhong Jueren immediately chimed in. "How could our imperial sister and the others, with their shortsightedness, understand Father Emperor's painstaking efforts?"

It turned out the emperor himself had authorized the treaty, instructing that they should concede as much as possible in exchange for Chu's promise not to attack for a hundred years. Zhong Jueren was merely the one who carried it out.

Pleased, Zhong Tuming couldn't help but smile. "Jueyu is still too young. All she sees is a little military merit; she has never held the common people in her heart."

Zhong Jueren quickly agreed, adding a few more rumors about Zhong Jueyu to slander her before taking his leave.

---

Shrouded in a curtain of rain, Xuanmiao Temple was hidden amidst green mountains and white mist. A bronze bell under the gray-tiled eaves swayed, letting out a crisp chime.

A Daoist priest in green robes passed by with an umbrella. He glanced unintentionally toward another courtyard, then quickly averted his eyes and hurried away.

Inside that courtyard, Her Highness the Princess and Master Qingyue had stolen another half-day of leisure. They sat side by side on the steps, gazing at the rainy mountain scenery in the distance.

"Come closer," the princess said, ever worried. She raised a hand to wrap around the other's waist, her wide sleeve covering her companion, as if trying to warm her this way.

The other person was reasonably obedient, leaning lazily against Zhong Jueyu's shoulder and muttering, "It's not cold right now."

Even with the light rain, it was still the height of summer, the sweltering heat hard to dispel. Only when a raindrop landed on one's skin could one steal a moment of coolness.

But Zhong Jueyu was like an old traditionalist, treating her like a delicate maiden who would topple over with a gust of wind. She insisted on placing a soft cushion on the steps and tucking her into her embrace.

A martial artist's senses were sharp. No matter how quietly Luo Yueqing spoke, Zhong Jueyu heard her clearly. She couldn't help but frown, as if genuinely reflecting on whether she was being too controlling.

Luo Yueqing then fell into her arms, her eyes carrying a flirtatious smile. "It's not cold right now. If Jinyan wants to hold me, just say so. Why beat around the bush?"

This person was a rogue. She had misspoken but offered no explanation, instead turning the tables on her.

Zhong Jueyu was taken aback for a moment, then made a show of pushing her away, chiding, "When did I say I wanted to hold you?"

Luo Yueqing quickly wrapped her arms around her waist, holding on tight. "It was me, it was me," she said repeatedly. "I wanted to hold Jinyan."

She looked up, offering a fawning smile. "It was me."

This rascal was just asking for it, always needing to stir up a little trouble.

But Zhong Jueyu was easy to placate. After just two sentences, her anger dissipated, and she once again raised her arms to embrace the other woman.

They were both dressed in light-colored Daoist robes, their hair tied up in buns with wooden pins. They looked identical at first glance, but the details were vastly different, giving them distinct feelings.

Luo Yueqing, for instance, had a slightly lax personality. The bun she tied was loose, with two strands of hair left to frame her face. Her Daoist robe was tied loosely with a sash, leaving the collar half open. Fortunately, she was beautiful, with a pair of clear and bright almond eyes. She didn't look sloppy at all, but rather casual and natural.

Zhong Jueyu, on the other hand, had impeccable posture. Her hair was neatly styled, her robes properly worn, and a white jade pendant even hung from her sash. Her back was as straight as a pine tree, her features deep-set, gorgeous and noble, her pair of phoenix eyes naturally exuding an air of aristocracy.

These two people, with completely different temperaments, were somehow stuck together in perfect harmony.

Zhong Jueyu was helpless against her. Cradling the woman in her arms, she said in a low voice, "Weren't you clamoring to watch the rain?"

Now, with her head buried in her embrace, she couldn't see a single drop.

"I don't want to watch it anymore," Luo Yueqing replied immediately.

"If you're not watching, then let's go back inside," Zhong Jueyu said. The wind and rain were picking up outside, and Luo Yueqing's frail constitution always made her worry.

But Luo Yueqing refused, clinging to her and acting spoiled. "Let's hug a little longer," she hummed.

Zhong Jueyu wasn't falling for it. "We can do that inside."

Luo Yueqing looked up at her and muttered, "It's not the same."

"What's not the same?" Zhong Jueyu asked, puzzled.

Before she could react, the woman hooked an arm around her neck, tilted her chin up, and pressed a kiss to her thin lips. "The feeling of kissing is different," she whispered.

Zhong Jueyu was caught off guard, but she instinctively cooperated, raising a hand to cup the back of the other's head to prevent her from getting tired.

A bronze lotus rain chain hung from the eaves nearby. Accumulated water flowed down the chain, pausing in the bronze lotuses to form blossoms of white spray before falling with a pattering sound. The water in the courtyard had risen to the height of a finger, soaking the hems of their fallen robes.

The two on the steps didn't notice. The hand hooked around her neck tightened, pulling at the robe to reveal a slender wrist. As the heat rose, her fingertips were tinged red.

Zhong Jueyu grew impatient and turned her head to dodge, but the other person pursued relentlessly, nipping her lip as punishment.

Luo Yueqing usually seemed lazy and easy to bully, but in this matter, she was domineering. After prying open her lips, she explored within, taking advantage of the other's indulgence to conquer every inch.

"Mm…" Zhong Jueyu let out a muffled groan, grabbing her robes. The loose sash was easily pulled undone, revealing shoulders clad only in a white undergarment. A red mark on her side was the product of their earlier antics.

The other woman never liked to be at a disadvantage. Since Zhong Jueyu had pulled off her clothes, she retaliated by biting her tongue. At the same time, her hand slid down, expertly slipping inside her collar.

She chuckled, her voice husky. "My hands are cold, Your Highness. Help me warm them."

"We're still outside," Zhong Jueyu chided in a low voice, grabbing her wrist to stop it from going any further.

A sudden gust of wind scattered the rain, dusting their hair and cheeks with tiny droplets. But they were soon crushed by a caressing hand, leaving only a faint, damp trace.

After an unknown amount of time, a figure in green robes approached with an umbrella. Because it was daytime, the door was not fully closed, leaving a gap the width of a palm.

The person had just reached the door, not yet having raised a hand to knock, when she saw the scene inside. Her expression froze. She quickly took a step back and hid to the side, the splash of water she made instantly soaking the hem of her clothes.

Hearing the noise, the people inside had no choice but to stop.

A moment later, Zhong Jueyu called out in a hoarse voice, "Come in."

Only then did Ruan He push the door open and enter.

The two had already stood up. Though they tried their best to conceal it, their wide robes pressed together still revealed the hands they held clasped between them.

Ruan He lowered her eyes and clasped her fist in a salute. "Your Highness."

Zhong Jueyu waved her hand, and Luo Yueqing, beside her, spoke at the right moment. "I'll head back first."

Ruan He was more composed than Li Shigui. For her to come here in the rain meant something was afoot. It was best for her to make herself scarce.

Zhong Jueyu didn't insist she stay. She just beckoned to Ruan He, took the box of pastries from her hand, and passed it to Luo Yueqing. "Eat less of these," she admonished.

The last time the little Daoist ate too many in one day, she had indigestion that night and tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

Having received her sweets, Luo Yueqing nodded with a beaming smile, not caring whether she would actually listen. She agreed first and would think about it later.

Zhong Jueyu saw right through her. "I'll come over to check later," she said with a sigh.

Luo Yueqing knew she couldn't escape now. Her expression immediately turned pitiful as she reluctantly agreed.

The paper umbrella changed hands. Zhong Jueyu watched Luo Yueqing walk out of the courtyard before turning to Ruan He. "How did it go?"

Her tone was suddenly solemn. Aside from her overly flushed lips, there was no trace of the tender affection from moments before.

Ruan He reported everything that had happened since she left the mountain, then summarized, "All those who followed Your Highness to attack Chu have sworn an oath to stand by you. As for the civil officials, Shigui and I visited those on the list Your Highness provided. Only two-thirds of them agreed. The rest…"

"Wouldn't even open their doors," Ruan He finished coldly.

Zhong Jueyu had already anticipated this outcome. She waved her hand and said with a light laugh, "You and Shigui have already done very well."

Ruan He could only suppress her emotions and ask, "Your Highness, what should we do next?"

The passion from yesterday was still fresh in her heart, and the support from a group of people that night had left her feeling excited despite her usual composure. She was eager to proceed to the next step.

Zhong Jueyu, however, was calm. She said only one word: "Wait."

"Wait?"

Instead of explaining, Zhong Jueyu asked, "What is the temperament of the ruler of Chu?"

Ruan He blurted out, "He's vengeful over the smallest slight."

Having fought against each other for many years, Ruan He naturally understood the ruler of Chu very well. Though he was an emperor, he was extremely petty.

Back then, they had pursued the Chu army relentlessly precisely because they knew the Chu Emperor would not easily swallow a defeat. It was because of this trait that they had both suffered Chu's endless retaliation and also used it to lure Chu into several major traps.

Ruan He's eyes darted. "Your Highness thinks that…"

Zhong Jueyu's lips curved. "Do you think that Chu prince can make it back alive?"

She waved her hand. "Even if Chu doesn't make a move, we should…"

Ruan He immediately said, "I'll take some men and go after them now."

Zhong Jueyu instructed, "It would be best to make it look like Chu's doing. Understand?"

"Yes," Ruan He replied at once. She was about to turn and leave when she suddenly paused, turned back to the princess, and asked, "Next time I return, is there anything else Your Highness needs me to bring?"

Zhong Jueyu was taken aback. She subconsciously replied, "Bring some more pastries. She likes them."

Ruan He didn't agree immediately. Instead, a complex, conflicted look appeared on her face. "And?"

"Hm?" Zhong Jueyu was a little confused.

Ruan He's tone was strained. "For example… some special picture books…"

She said it all in a rush. "Like erotic art of two women together. Your Highness wouldn't want to lose to Master Qingyue, would you?"

As her words fell, the small courtyard fell silent.

Zhong Jueyu blinked. She started to say something, then stopped abruptly. She raised her hand, then lowered it. After a long moment, she finally managed to squeeze out, "How can there be winning or losing in this matter?"

"But the Little Daoist is so frail. You can't expect her to serve Your Highness…" Ruan He suddenly changed her tune, though her tone was just as complicated as before.

Zhong Jueyu's mouth opened. She took a deep breath, her voice unconsciously dropping. "Well, then… buy one…"

"What if one isn't enough?" Ruan He threw caution to the wind.

Zhong Jueyu froze for a second, then mumbled, "Then get a few more."

Ruan He's face was grave, as if she had just accepted a mission of utmost importance. She immediately said in a deep voice, "Yes!"

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