At one midnight of March, the Court of Justice suddenly caught fire. Despite the utmost work of servants and guards, the warehouse which was used to store the palace records was burned down.
In the Eastern Depot, Leng Qingtang was writing official documents when Chiliarch Cheng Wanli walked in.
"Back so soon?"
Leng Qingtang stopped writing and looked up, smiling very beautifully.
Cheng Wanli gave a salute, his dark square face looking serious,
"I went into the Palace to see Bingbi Liu and heard some important news. Also, I've fetched this from the Master's Mansion as you required."
He raised his hand and presented a block of something wrapped in red silk.
Leng Qingtang took the thing and placed it on the desk. He asked,
"What did you hear at the Imperial Ceremony Office?"
"My Master, Bingbi Liu reported that Ming Lan had not shown up in the Palace since his vis
In the Eastern Depot, Gu Yunxi was chatting with Wu Yong in the wing-room when she heard Master's summon.Wu Yong had traveled across Da Yi and many other foreign countries over the years while serving the Wans. Thus, he was quite knowledgeable and experienced.After staying in the Eastern Depot, he would shamelessly beg Gu Yunxi to cook the dishes he wanted every day. Having dined and wined to satiety, he would force Yunxi and the guards to listen to the folk customs and anecdotes of different countries. During the whole time, he would dance and act, more professional than the storytellers in teahouses.Seeing faces of the audience who were surprised, nervous, and sometimes even envious, he would become more impassioned as a strong sense of accomplishment flooded through him.Gu Yunxi was disgusted and contemptuous of Wu Yong at first. But gradually she became attracted by his stories. During the last days, she even admired
Four people walked briskly on the palace road."Brother, hurry up. It's high time!""Why blame me? You're late, too.""You took too long to change your clothes.""The nannies have dressed me since my birth and you wouldn't help.""Well, fine. Hurry up now. Huo Cheng is waiting at the gate of divine prowess."The four people walking side by side were Prince Chen Huanan Xin, the Fourth Princess Huanan Jiyan, and two maids, Yaoer and Jin'er.Confined in the Palace for so long, Huanan Jiyan could no longer bear it.The Empress had left for Yonglu Temple on a one-day fast. Hence, the Princess was free in Kunning Palace until tomorrow. Huanan Jiyan had ordered the imperial bodyguard Huo Cheng to take her brother and her on a trip out of the Palace.Dumb as he might look like, Prince Chen had waited early at the agreed meeting spot for the fun trip. However, his siste
When Gu Yunxi entered the Palace with Huanan Jiyan, the night watchman had just beaten the midnight drum.They did not run into too much trouble. Gu Yunxi was wearing the Eastern Depot fourth-ranked official uniform and she had the waist badge as well as the two maids, which allowed their entrance.However, Huanan Jiyan, the Fourth Princess born to the Empress, was completely drunk. She hugged Gu Yunxi and cried for Lu Zhu, which made the guards at the gate of divine prowess.To avoid unnecessary troubles, Jin'er spent a considerable amount of silver to shut their mouths.They first sent Prince Chen to Wutong Garden and then Gu Yunxi followed Jin'er and Yaoer and helped the princess back to Kunning Palace.On the way, the two maids couldn't stop chattering and complaining. It was fortunate that Empress Qian was not present today. Otherwise, she would give them both a good beating.The palace gate wa
In March, the prime of spring, the grass was lush and the mountains were green. The ice on the river began to melt and was glowing with waves.Days passed by quietly in the Palace. Emperor had yet broken his fast and so the officials didn’t need to attend the morning ritual. The concubines were at peace with each other, only to wait for the Spring Banquet when Emperor would grace them with his presence in Baohe Palace.At sunset in Yongning Palace, Gu Yunyao was feeling sick. Without an appetite for dinner, she sent someone for a bowl of cubilose porridge from the kitchen.The premium cubilose was a gift from Concubine Xu, who had received it from her family. She knew that Yunyao loved it and so she had it sent to her two days ago.Gu Yunyao was sitting by the square table, slightly bowing her head to gaze at her round belly. Rubbing it gently with one hand, she looked elegant and satisfied.By her side, Zhao An
It was in Yongning Palace.In the center of the main hall sat the Imperial Noble Concubine Wan Yuyao, the master of Yongning Palace. On both sides, there were more than a dozen maids and servants, all of who were indifferent.Today, Wan Yuyao wore a long dress with begonia color and flowing cloud collar, and an amber-sleeved over-dress with flowers. The jewelry on her head was magnificent. A three-headed phoenix dotted emerald fringe was swayed into the bun and the stream was shining and eye-catching.Just now, that shocking cry just came from the mouth of this luxurious and gorgeous woman.Slowly turning her head, Gu Yunyao looked at the woman with bright makeup directly.Instantly flashing like flint, two pairs of bright and cold eyes started extremely fierce confrontation in silence.The atmosphere became strange and weirdly cold again, as terrifying as an underworld, running through the limbs an
In the capital…At the long street, men shouting and horses neighing. A group of people galloped past the official road, pedestrians on the sides of the road dodging in shock.Many people could see it clearly at the moment when the horse patrol team had just passed by. Crimson and purple clothes were embroidered with a curl of python. It was clear that the leader of the Eastern Depot had just gone into action. These people stopped to watch for a while, or to eagerly discuss. It was the direction of the Palace. No one knew what happened again and Eunuch Superintendent who held the great power must go there by himself.People of the Eastern Depot dismounted outside the gate of divine prowess and Leng Qingtang only took Gu Yunxi and two guards into the Palace quickly. Just after receiving the letter from Zhao An, Leng Qingtang learned that the Imperial Noble Concubine took advantage of the time to make trouble when Emperor was in seclusion
"Your Grace, what did you do to Concubine Yu just now?"In the Main Hall, Leng Qingtang quietly stared at Wan Yuyao who was giggling and flirting. His deep eyes were luster and cold and his plain white face was dark,"Don't forget her current status. It won't benefit you and the Wans at all by hurting her!"Wan Yuyao's exquisite face showed no fear. Her upper body leaned completely against the man's broad chest. She squinted as her nose moved greedily and smelled of the cold fragrance. Her eyes were also gleaming and fascinating,"Master's words are really terrifying me. Naturally, I clearly know that she used to be an orphan without the support of her family. It was you, the Eastern Depot, that helped her enter the Palace. She and the Min family recognized each other and right now, she is pregnant with His Majesty's son. She is indeed different now."Leng Qingtang stepped back and stayed away from Wan Yuyao a l
Zhao An hurried back to Jingyang Palace. When he saw the palace maids standing under the corridor, he was shocked. He ran forward without wiping his head full of sweat, asking Song Qin in surprise."Why are you all here? Where's the master? It's getting dark! Why aren't you preparing for dinner? Did you meet the Commander-in-chief of the Eastern Depot when coming back?""You are back at last..."Song Qin looked so aggrieved with red eyes under the lantern. She tilted her head to the closed door and said,"Don't mention the Eastern Depot anymore. I just spoke for Madam Mu in front of the master and then she got so angry that she drove everyone out. She only asked for a bowl of cubilose porridge when coming back. Nobody was allowed to enter the room.""You ought to have known better!"Zhao An was furious. He kept pointing at Song Qin with his index finger and asked viciously."You followe