In the middle of the courtyard of the Imperial Ceremony Office, Ming Lan stood under the sun.
The beads of sweat from his temples and forehead wet the edges of the black net-patterned hat and dripped down his cheeks, washing off lines of the delicate makeup apricot-flower powder on them.
Both he and Leng Qingtang were the second-class minister, the dignified Master of the Depot, but now he stood under the sun while Leng Qingtang sat on the fauteuil.
The disparity had already made Ming Lan feel unhappy.
Besides, as the Western Depot's Commander-in-chief, he was sneered in front of the twelve departments' chiefs and his subordinates by the Eastern Depot's Commander-in-chief. It indeed broke his face and self-esteem!
Ming Lan could no longer bear it!
"Leng Qingtang, enough is enough—"
Ming Lan's beautiful eyes stared wide, and two cold blade-like rays of light shot from his eyes straight to the m
Ming Lan was shocked, and his eyes got dazzled by the glare reflected by the square jade seal in front of him."How dare you—"Getting fuming, he shook his head fiercely and stared at Leng Qingtang with a hateful gaze."I'm also a rank-second official of the court. How can your man insult me like this?"Beside him, Lord Bai shook his head in disbelief and yelled to the man at the top of the steps."Master Leng, you, you are deliberately embarrassing me!"Leng Qingtang faintly smiled and lowered his ice-cold gaze."I said it beforehand. Master Ming, it is clear that you cannot eat the seal of the Imperial Ceremony Office, and it seems that you do not really want to save them. Guards, take the kneeling people to the Violent Room, and I will deal with them later."The Eastern Depot's guards replied in unison and then rushed to the center of the courtyard. They hauled the eighty eunuc
After she woke up, Gu Yunxi felt her face a lot more relaxed. When she touched it, she was surprised to find all the bandages gone.She did not know how many nights she had slept in this dark stone room.The place was eerie and creepy, lacking in the change of day and night or the drop of a water clock.Pulling over the peach-colored cotton quilt to cover herself, Gu Yunxi sat up on the bed and wore the silk embroidered shoes.Losing time, she could not remember when she started to have more lucid intervals rather than slumbers.She felt no pain in her face or body. Though she wanted to leave this weird room as earlier as possible, her wish was not granted.The door of the room was made of bluestone also and carved with clouds. At the bottom of it installed was a small iron delivery passage.Every day at the same time, delicious meals would be sent through it.However, Gu Yunxi di
Another rainy June—The night in the Palace fell silently, and the red-walled city became hazy and misty under the moon with less majesty and solemnity during the day.In the imperial study room, Emperor Jingxiao was busy before a desk. He was still in the imperial robe, projecting withered shadows under the candlelight.How many lives were decided by remarks written in red by this man in the royal prerogative with his royal brush?The candle flickered in the glaze lamp and shone through the gaps in the side window, casting a vague shadow of the exquisite carvings on the misty marble steps.After reading the report, Emperor Jingxiao closed his eyes, rested his slightly arched back on the dragon chair, and rubbed at between his eyebrows with two fingers.He had not slept well recently. When the morning assembly was over, he went to the Elixir Chamber of High Priest Yu Xuanji for medication, which did not wo
In the stone house—"I have prepared everything for you. We are about to depart. Now you tell me you don't want to go?" The masked man groaned angrily and chopped at Gu Yunxi. The fierce palm wind, with an irresistible murderous momentum, blew in Gu Yunxi's face.She stood still. Without evading, she even closed her eyes calmly.The next moment, that cold and pale hand stopped suddenly, only a few millimeters away from her face."Hah..."The clear Adam's apple rolling twice, the masked man let out a series of sullen and hoarse laughs.The voice was so frightening that anyone who listened to it would instantly feel a chill on his back, like a sharp ghost's claw scratching the skin of his spine.Behind the mask, two cold eyes stared at Gu Yunxi. He said to her appreciatively."You are indeed as sly as a fox, full of tricks. You deliberately provoked me to kill you, but
As soon as the manager shouted, a thug rushed over, bent Gu Yunxi's arms back, and pinned her to the ground."My lord, the rules of the capital have yet to be familiar to me. I hazard to ask you what my offense is, so I can know the reason for the penalty!"The thug clamped her neck, rubbing Gu Yunxi's soft cheek against the rough blue bricks. She struggled for an answer."How dare you question me? Speak the truth. Where did you get this flute? Did you steal it?"With the jade flute in his hand, the manager walked around the table to Gu Yunxi, panting with rage. Keeping his head up, he was nothing but an arrogant smug.Gu Yunxi was about to explode.Although it was found in her baggage, she had not stolen anything and should never plead guilty to false charges.Using her quick wits, she set up her mind and fabricated."It's mine. My past mother left it to me. I didn't steal it."
Stepping on the quiet moonlight, Ming Lan walked slowly to Gu Yunxi's back. He opened his mouth and puffed warm breath on her neck."Be so sure of yourself, aren't you? Do you wish to grow wings and fly out of the Garden?"His enchanting voice chilled Gu Yunxi's heart. Extremely nervous, she could almost feel her heart popping out of her mouth.How long had he been standing here? Had he seen through her disguise?While guessing wildly in her mind, she immediately knelt down humbly."Master Ming.""Um-hum."He watched her turn around and snorted casually.In the moonlight, the python robe was particularly white. The gorgeous brocade seemed to be flown with luster, covering his body like snow.The well-embroidered hem swept across Gu Yunxi's cheek. In a blink of an eye, he was before her.He lifted her chin with his long and smooth index finger. Ming Lan ar
The next day, Madam Du arranged for Gu Yunxi, Sun Shengsheng, and five other damsels to take the etiquette course to prepare for entering the Palace.The etiquette course that Madam Du personally taught them aimed to guide and drill their etiquette about sitting, standing, saluting, and dealing with others.After the seven damsels stood in two lines, one with three and one with four, Madam Du began to pose. She slowly raised her hands, saying."I'll only do it once. Look carefully. Raise your hands on the side of your left chest, and gently drop down on your left crotch. Then lift your right heel and bend your knees slowly and solemnly with your head bowed.And greet the one by saying — May you be healthy and happy."Remember, there is a difference between the curtsy and the fist-and-palm salute. While doing the fist-and-palm salute, you need to put your hands flat in front of your chest and keep your upper body not mo
Youzhu Garden—After practicing and learning for one day, Madam Du sent someone to call Gu Yunxi to the purlin.Sitting on the rose chair, Madam Du was satisfied and smiled when she saw Gu Yunxi's natural and graceful salute.When Gu Yunxi got up, she said to her."Yesterday it emerged that Chuxiu Palace was in urgent need of more hands. I want to send you there as a servant. Your Grace with the surname of Xu is famous for being cold, but it would be easy to serve her because she does not have many requirements. A year ago, she gave birth to a prince and her position was strengthened.""I'm considering for you. If you miss this chance, it will be difficult for you to find it again because you are not very beautiful and do not have an eminent family background. Some time ago you offended the Master Ming. If you are sent to the Palace in the future, it is hard to predict whether the inside officer in the Palace will give