Chapter 11

Chapter 11: The Gambling Den

Holding the orchid, Lan Ze watched her disappearing figure among the flowers. His heart ached silently. Grasping the flower tightly, he seemed to be making a difficult decision. Finally, he left in another direction, his posture straight and resolute.

After Lan Ze's departure, Leng Jiu was unexpectedly startled by urgent news from the Snow Country. The Emperor of Snow Country had fallen gravely ill, unresponsive to treatment, urgently summoning Lan Ze for a final farewell. Given the gravity of the situation and the status of the dying man as an emperor, Long Yi had no choice but to let Lan Ze return. Lan Ze left that very night, with even Leng Jiu learning of it only the next day.

Leng Jiu saw this as an opportunity, albeit one fraught with danger and possibly no return. This was Lan Ze's chance to rightfully reclaim his homeland and everything that belonged to him. She had seen his restraint and stubbornness, thus repeatedly urging him to fight. She had no interest in someone unable to grasp their own fate. She hoped he wouldn't disappoint her.

"It seems the Empress Dowager has truly taken a liking to her, to be so lost in thought upon hearing his news!" Long Yueli's cryptic words echoed, and Leng Jiu returned to her senses with a faint smile, "What does it mean to take to heart? Isn't it just that someone's music was pleasing to the ear and now they're gone, leaving a bit of emptiness? Is that also considered taking to heart?"

Long Yueli missed none of her expressions, but failed to see anything amiss. He couldn't decide whether to call her heartless or too good at hiding her feelings – there was not a trace of the demeanor a woman should have when her lover departs.

His gaze landed on the dripping green leaves behind her, and he suggested, "This prince knows a bit about musical instruments. How about I play a tune for the Empress Dowager to alleviate your sorrow?"

With a wave of his hand, a leaf fell between his fingers. He folded the leaf and placed it between his thin, scarlet lips, and soon an unknown, melodious tune flowed out. Leng Jiu watched him play quietly, their eyes meeting in a moment that revealed an unusual seriousness and focus in his. Her heart skipped uncontrollably, throwing her thoughts into disarray.

She lowered her gaze, refusing to look at his mesmerizing face, focusing only on the music he played. Finally, she smiled slowly, "Your Highness plays so well. If the ladies outside were to hear this, I wonder how many hearts would be lost!"

Long Yueli put down the leaf, crushing it into powder that drifted away with the wind, "This tune was played solely for the Empress Dowager!"

Leng Jiu looked up, slightly turning towards him. They were already sitting close, but as she leaned in, his breath immediately filled her senses. Lifting her wrist, her slender fingers hooked his handsome chin, caressing it lightly in the way he once teased her. Her eyes narrowed slightly, her fingers tracing his lips in a suggestive manner. He leaned in, following her movement, their faces close enough to feel each other's warmth. To others, they seemed intimately close, yet both knew that nothing more was happening.

Leng Jiu's lips neared his ear, her voice cold yet seductive, "If you were facing the former Leng Jinghua, perhaps these tricks would work, but I am not her. I've told you, don't play games with me. Regardless of your reasons for approaching me, I advise you to stop, or don't blame me for being heartless!"

Long Yueli played with the jade pendant on her waist, "What if this prince did all this just for you?"

"Do you think I would believe that?" Leng Jiu pushed him away and retrieved her jade pendant. She was confident in her beauty but not blindly arrogant. She knew well enough which men to avoid.

"Am I really that untrustworthy?"

"What do you think?" Leng Jiu looked at him disdainfully before walking away.

Long Yueli watched her departing figure, his lips curling into an alluring smile, his fox-like eyes showing rare sincerity, "It's a pity, the first time this prince seriously tries to woo a woman, and I'm met with such a cold rejection."

Long Yueli didn't leave through the main hall, but Leng Jiu knew he had gone. She had no expectations for a man who treated this place like his backyard, coming and going as he pleased, to one day understand manners.

Just as Leng Jiu returned to the central hall, thinking of finding something to pass the time, she heard the eunuch's loud announcement, "The Emperor has arrived!"

Leng Jiu, too lazy to get up, remained leisurely reclined, thinking to herself with a cold laugh, "Since when has my Weiyang Palace become so popular?"

"Greetings to the Emperor!"

"Dispense with the formalities!"

Emperor Long Yi raised his hand to waive the customary greetings, then gestured for everyone to leave. Once the doors closed slowly, he approached the couch and stopped two steps in front of Leng Jiu. His gaze, sharp as a torch, landed on her, then turned deep, "The Empress Dowager seems to be on good terms with Prince Xuan?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Recently, Prince Xuan has been frequently visiting the palace, especially the Weiyang Palace. Doesn't the Empress Dowager think an explanation is necessary?" Long Yi's eyes flickered with suppressed anger as he stared at Leng Jiu.

Leng Jiu internally scoffed, wondering what he had to be angry about. "What does Your Majesty expect me to explain?"

Long Yi clenched his fist, "Empress Dowager! He's a royal uncle, a man, an outsider. Shouldn't you be more mindful of the royal family's dignity?"

Leng Jiu laughed brightly in response, "Does Your Majesty think I've been inappropriate with him in any way that diminishes the royal family's dignity?"

"If you don't want others to know, don't do it yourself. Empress Dowager, be mindful of your conduct!"

Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow, a flash of cold light in her eyes, "So, it seems the Emperor has many spies in this palace!"

Long Yi glared, "It doesn't matter how I know. I'm warning you only once, Long Yueli is not someone you can afford to provoke!"

Leng Jiu lazily rose, took two steps towards Long Yi, grabbed the collar over his heart, and leaned in, her breath like orchids, "Then tell me, Your Majesty, what kind of man should I entangle with?"

Long Yi looked down at her face, so close to his. The pent-up emotions in his heart surged unexpectedly. He reached out to hold Leng Jiu's hand but was abruptly shaken off. He stumbled backwards, while Leng Jiu had already moved three steps away, her expression cold and indifferent, the charm from moments ago gone.

"Your Majesty should be careful. I am the Empress Dowager, and you wouldn't want to do anything that tarnishes the royal family's dignity!" Her words dripped with irony. Long Yi clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead in uncontainable anger, glaring at Leng Jiu before storming off, unable to guarantee what he might do if he stayed.

Sushangzhai, the most famous vegetarian teahouse in the capital, known for its exquisite vegetarian cuisine. A single type of food prepared in a hundred delicious ways, it was especially favored by nobles and devout Buddhist ladies who often gathered here to drink tea and socialize.