Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Wounds (1)

Cold Jiu, not particularly hungry, idly played with Cano, "I'm not very hungry anyway. It's fine not to eat."

Soon, Hua Yuxuan entered, elegantly dressed in a simple peony-patterned Luo skirt, her hair neatly coiffed and adorned with two jade hairpins.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager!"

"No need for formalities," Cold Jiu slightly raised her hand, "Miss Hua, what brings you to see me at this late hour?"

Hua Yuxuan glanced around at the attendants: "May I speak with the Empress Dowager privately? I have something important to discuss."

Cold Jiu's eyebrows raised slightly: "I see no reason why we must speak in private."

Hua Yuxuan appeared troubled, then said firmly, "What if it concerns my brother?"

Hua Jinyin? Cold Jiu glanced at the small creature beside her and then said, "Lu Chang, leave us."

Lu Chang bowed and retreated, motioning for the palace maids to follow.

Once the doors closed and silence filled the room, Cold Jiu looked up, "You may speak now."

Hua Yuxuan suddenly knelt down, "I beg the Empress Dowager to spare Jinyin!"

A flicker of amusement crossed Cold Jiu's eyes as she smirked, "Why should I spare him when he has done no wrong?"

Hua Yuxuan struggled to speak but finally whispered, "I witnessed what happened in the bamboo forest that day."

Unfazed, Cold Jiu responded coolly, "And your point is?"

Hua Yuxuan, visibly distressed, finally blurted out, "As the Empress Dowager, it's improper to be involved with a subject in such a manner. If you truly care for Jinyin, please don't drag him into dishonor and disloyalty. He has a bright future, which shouldn't be ruined like this!"

Cold Jiu chuckled lightly, "Such a caring sister, truly touching!"

Hua Yuxuan looked up, "Please grant my request, Empress Dowager."

"Why should I grant your request?"

Hua Yuxuan's face fell, "Empress Dowager! You..."

Cold Jiu cut her off with a mocking smile, "Miss Hua, you're just a minister's daughter, a potential empress but still only a candidate. What right do you have to speak to me in such a manner? Even as an empress, you'd still be a junior, required to pay respects to me daily. Do you really think it's your place to lecture me?"

Hua Yuxuan's face turned pale, but she stubbornly said, "I do not dare to lecture the Empress Dowager. I'm only begging you to spare Jinyin."

"When have I ever refused to spare him? Shouldn't you be discussing this with him instead of me? Why come to me to show off your virtue and sisterly love? Do you think I'm easy to talk to, or do you think you have something on me?"

"I wouldn't dare!"

Cold Jiu scoffed, "Oh, so you don't dare? I thought you'd dare anything for your brother. Maybe I should summon the Emperor and have you discuss this matter with him. Perhaps then, I might really spare your brother."

"Empress Dowager!" Hua Yuxuan looked at Cold Jiu in disbelief. "Do you really not care about Jinyin at all?"

"Why should I care? He's your family, not mine," Cold Jiu said almost cruelly.

At that moment, Hua Yuxuan realized her folly. She had thought Cold Jiu would care about her own reputation and even about the Emperor and Jinyin. But seeing Cold Jiu's ruthless demeanor, she knew she'd gambled and lost everything.

"Empress Dowager, let's pretend I never came. I'll take my leave," said a pale-faced Hua Yuxuan. But Cold Jiu replied warmly, "It's rare to have visitors. How can you leave so soon? I haven't eaten yet. Why don't you join me?"

Without waiting for a response, she ordered, "Lu Chang, clear this table and bring a new one. I'll dine with Miss Hua."

"Yes!"

Lu Chang quickly had the servants clear and reset the table for the new meal.

With her heart in turmoil, Hua Yuxuan could hardly think of eating. "I've already eaten and shouldn't disturb the Empress Dowager further."

Just then, Eunuch Qu's voice announced, "The Emperor has arrived!"

Hua Yuxuan tensed, but Cold Jiu's smile became even warmer. "The Emperor is here! Miss Hua, even if you don't wish to dine with me, you can at least keep the Emperor company."

Hua Yuxuan looked uncomfortable, unsure of what to say.

The Emperor strode in, glanced at Cold Jiu, then turned to Hua Yuxuan, asking, "Why is Miss Hua here?"

Remaining kneeling, Hua Yuxuan stood up and curtseyed, "I greet Your Majesty!"

Breaking her usual demeanor towards the Emperor, Cold Jiu smiled gently, "Your Majesty's timing is perfect. Miss Hua came to visit, and I was about to have her stay for a meal. But she insists on leaving. Now that you're here, perhaps you could help me persuade her to stay. It's rare for me to have company, and I don't want her to leave so soon."

Long Yi, observing Leng Jiu's smile, felt a strange sensation in his heart. Without consulting Hua Yuxuan's opinion, he said directly, "Since the Empress Dowager is keeping you, you should stay. In the future, you'll also need to visit the Empress Dowager regularly!"

What else could Hua Yuxuan say? Even if there were nails here, she had to sit down today!

Hua Yuxuan took a seat slightly below Long Yi, opposite him. However, Long Yi didn’t even glance at her, his attention solely on Leng Jiu, "How are you feeling now?"

He used 'you' instead of 'Empress Dowager', causing a pang of pain in Hua Yuxuan's heart. She slightly raised her head only to see Long Yi's face softened, an expression she had never seen before!

Leng Jiu didn’t look at Long Yi, fearing disgust. She lowered her head to stroke Kano, who had jumped into her arms, "Hmm, I'm alright."

Long Yi's gaze was drawn to her lap, where he noticed a fluffy bundle in her arms, "What is that in the Empress Dowager's embrace?"

Leng Jiu moved her hand away, allowing Long Yi a glimpse of the creature in her arms, then continued stroking it. Kano seemed to enjoy the caress, closing its eyes in contentment. "I was out in the garden this afternoon when I saw Hua Jinzhi carrying a cage with a squirrel in it. I found it so adorable that I asked for it. I've just fed it!"

Upon hearing that the squirrel was a gift from Hua Jinzhi, Hua Yuxuan immediately tensed, carefully observing Long Yi's expression. Unbeknownst to her, Long Yi, convinced of Leng Jiu's affection for him, harbored no suspicions and simply smiled, "If you like it, keep it. It seems like a well-behaved little fellow!"

Leng Jiu responded with a nonchalant 'hmm', which didn't seem to bother Long Yi, who continued to make casual conversation with her.