Chapter 11: Hand in Hand

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Lu Shuyao pondered the best way to inform the emperor about the matter. This was a disaster waiting to happen; if she mentioned it prematurely and someone with ill intentions labeled it a calamity star, the consequences would be far worse. In the palace, one misstep could lead to a cascade of mistakes. She needed to alert His Majesty at the first sign of trouble. That way, she could consider it a meritorious deed.

With that resolve, Lu Shuyao steadied her heart.

“Mistress, His Majesty has come to the harem again,” Xiaoxi stepped in to relay the message.

“To the harem?”

“He’s gone to see Lady Shen Yunu.”

Lu Shuyao nodded and asked, “What’s for dinner tonight?”

Xiaoxi groaned, “Mistress, aren’t you worried?”

How did he end up with such a carefree mistress!

Peilan covered her mouth, laughing quietly beside him, finally someone understood her usual worries.

Xiaoxi gave Peilan a helpless glance, then turned back to Lu Shuyao. “Mistress, why don’t we wait a little longer? What if His Majesty also comes to Yunyao Hall? Then you could dine together—wouldn’t that be splendid?”

But Lu Shuyao didn’t want to wait. The emperor was the greatest force in the world, no matter where he rested was not her decision to make. She preferred to eat her meal steadily and savor the moment’s delicacies.

“What if he doesn’t come? Xiaoxi, you’re on punishment duty—go bring the meal!” she declared.

Xiaoxi made a sour face but had no choice, “Your servant will go at once.”

…

As the sun gradually dipped westward, a gentle breeze rustled, and golden light cast shadows on the ground.

Two tables were set up in the main hall of the Lu residence for a family feast: the elders at one table, the younger generation at the other.

Lu Yuerong’s complexion was unwell. Lu San asked, “Why the long face?”

Lu Yuerong shot him a cold glance.

“I saw your dear Xie Lang today.”

“What’s with your possessiveness? Watch your words!” Lu Yuerong snapped, slamming her chopsticks down.

She had heard troubling news from the palace today and was already unsettled; finding an outlet for her frustration, she had spoken harshly.

Lu San’s face darkened. “You’re really unreasonable!”

He had seen Xie Liwen’s carriage near Hongyan Alley today and watched him get out and enter an unmarked courtyard.

Near Hongyan Alley were many places for pleasures, where many high officials kept women of servile or low status.

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Such unmarked courtyards were mostly for concubines kept outside the official household.

Lu San lowered his voice, “I saw Xie Liwen near Hongyan Alley today and wanted to warn you kindly, but you treated me like this! I treat you like my sister; what do you treat me as?!”

“You’re nothing like our second sister, who understands people!” Lu San slammed his bowl and chopsticks, then stormed out of the hall.

Lu Yuerong’s expression turned wistful; she remained silent for a long time.

The matriarch noticed and quickly had the servants escort Lu Yuerong to the warm room next door.

There were still younger family members of the second uncle’s household seated at the other table; it would be embarrassing if they were seen quarreling.

“Why are you quarrelling with your brother?” the matriarch poured a cup of cooling tea for her daughter. “Calm yourself.”

Lu Yuerong rubbed her forehead. “I heard some news from the palace today that upset me, so I argued a little with him.”

She had no intention of telling her mother about Xie Liwen.

In her view, it was merely a misunderstanding.

In her previous life, Xie Liwen’s reputation was impeccable; even seven years later, only Lu Shuyao remained in the harem. How could he possibly keep a concubine outside?

Moreover, if he did have a concubine, why wouldn’t she have been elevated to a formal consort after Lu Shuyao’s marriage?

It was utterly absurd.

Xie Liwen was a broad-minded, filial, and loyal man—he would never be the kind of person Lu San suspected.

Upon hearing her words, the matriarch sighed, “If you entered the palace, you would surely be no less than her.”

Lu Yuerong’s anger flared inwardly, “Mother, even if I entered the palace, I couldn’t become Baolin!”

Her last life had proven that fact!

“Yuerong, don’t belittle yourself. How are you any less than her?” In the matriarch’s eyes, her daughter excelled in every way. Being a mere Baolin was not the limit; she could even become the Imperial Noble Consort.

Lu Yuerong gave a bitter smile. “Forget it.”

Only she knew the pain she had endured in her previous life.

She knew her mother was right.

In the eyes of others, she was no less than her second younger sister.

But why did the emperor favor the younger sister and not her in the previous life?

A wave of frustration rose within Lu Yuerong’s heart. What if this life, Xie Liwen, like the emperor, only had feelings for the younger sister and not her? What would she do?

No. She absolutely would not allow such a thing to happen.

“Mother, I’m tired. I’d like to go rest, if that’s alright?”

“Go ahead.”

Lu Yuerong returned to her courtyard, had the maids prepare paper and brush, and wrote a note on peach blossom stationery to send to the Xie residence.

Since Lu Shuyao had become the emperor’s woman, Xie Liwen needed to know!

She had to cut off Xie Liwen’s hopes.

…

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Inside Yunyao Hall, the warm yellow candlelight was already lit, and several palace maids were setting out the evening meal.

Tonight’s banquet was so lavish that even Imperial Matron You sighed in admiration, “The Imperial Kitchen has really put in effort!”

Lu Shuyao thought to herself, it wasn’t effort—it was simply because she was favored.

The servants understood their mistress’s movements best and always acted accordingly.

She had long understood this truth.

Lu Shuyao sat down, just about to pick up the silver chopsticks for her first bite of shredded pork belly when a loud voice sounded outside.

“His Majesty has arrived!”

Still holding the pork belly, she glanced quickly toward the door, then back to the food.

She swiftly put the chopsticks to her mouth, chewing as she went to meet outside.

Imperial Matron You saw her actions and was a bit stunned.

But there was no time to comment; she followed Lu Shuyao’s steps out.

“Please welcome His Majesty!”

Fortunately, the emperor walked slowly. By the time he stood before her, she had swallowed the bite of pork belly.

Delicious!

If only she had eaten faster.

What if the emperor wanted to rest here and the servants forbade her from eating dinner—what would she do?

“What are you thinking about?” the emperor’s low voice sounded above her head.

Lu Shuyao raised her innocent face to him. “Thinking about dinner.”

The surrounding servants were shocked; this Lu Baolin was truly audacious!

Why didn’t he say a single flattering word?

Ye Yancheng’s lips twitched slightly, but the curve was so slight no one noticed.

“Have you eaten?” he spoke sparingly.

“Not yet.” Lu Shuyao rose and stepped to him, tugging on his long sleeve. “Your Majesty, eat with me.”

She seemed afraid he would refuse and coquettishly shook the sleeve twice.

Ye Yancheng withdrew his sleeve.

Lu Shuyao glanced at him secretly. Was he no longer interested?

Last night, she had coquetted with him in bed, and he had clearly enjoyed it.

Ye Yancheng took a long stride, passing her by half a step, then reached out his bony, well-defined hand and took hers.

“Let’s go.”