Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Leng Yue (1)

"What, do I need to personally invite you?"

The blanket on the bed stirred and was then thrown off, revealing a gaunt woman sitting up. Her hair was disheveled, her complexion pale from lack of proper nourishment, but her eyes were exceptionally bright and spirited. Her gaze towards Leng Jiu wasn't one of respect or hatred, but of sheer indifference.

Leng Jiu quietly observed her, waiting for her to speak first.

Qing Ling finally got off the bed and knelt stiffly: "Your servant Qing Ling greets the Empress Dowager."

Leng Jiu chuckled lightly: "I thought you had gone mute!"

Qing Ling remained silent, head bowed. Though her face was unseen, the air of indifference around her was unmistakable.

Leng Jiu raised an eyebrow: "Have you reflected during your confinement? Oh, it's been so long I’ve forgotten why you were locked up. Tell me, what was your crime?"

Qing Ling looked up, anger flickering in her otherwise indifferent eyes: "Empress Dowager! Punish or beat me as you wish, but I won't allow you to insult my master!"

Leng Jiu's smile turned cold: "If I remember correctly, you are my personal maid. Yet, you call someone else your master?"

Qing Ling, looking at the current Leng Jiu, was somewhat puzzled but couldn't articulate it: "I am willing to serve the Empress Dowager, but my only master is the general!"

A fiercely loyal servant, Leng Jiu waved her off: "Since you are so devoted to your master, I won't force you. You may leave."

Qing Ling sneered: "If you wish to kill me, just do it directly. There's no need for pretense!"

Amused and slightly angered, Leng Jiu laughed: "Why would I want to kill you?"

"If I'm sent back by you, my master will be in a difficult position. My only path is death. If you wish to kill me, just say the word, and I will die right here before you," Qing Ling said with defiance.

Observing her demeanor, Leng Jiu found it almost laughable. The deeper her smile, the colder and more intimidating her aura became: "In my life, there are few people I despise, but I particularly loathe those who are arrogant without any basis – lowly servants acting prouder than their masters. Whenever I encounter such people, I feel the urge to break their pride piece by piece and crush it underfoot."

Qing Ling looked at Leng Jiu in surprise, seemingly unable to believe these words were coming from her.

Leng Jiu was not joking. She slightly raised her voice: "Lu Chang! Summon two guards for me!"

"Yes!" came the response from Lu Chang outside the door, who promptly returned with two guards.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager!"

"Rise!"

"Thank you, Empress Dowager!"

Leng Jiu pointed at Qing Ling: "Take her to the General's mansion. Tell them it's my order. Deliver her to General Leng Yue and say that I find her pleasing and am gifting her to the General to warm his bed."

Qing Ling immediately lost her composure, her face a mix of shock and anger: "Empress Dowager! You can't do this to me!"

Leng Jiu replied indifferently, "I am the Empress Dowager, and you are but a servant. What right do you have to speak to me in this manner!"

After finishing, she clapped her hands: "Oh, and make sure she doesn't die on the way, or you will answer to me!"

The two guards promptly restrained Qing Ling: "As commanded!"

"Empress Dowager! No, please! You can't send me away!" Qing Ling's cries echoed behind them, but Leng Jiu didn't even blink, her magnificent royal attire shimmering in the sunlight, dazzlingly radiant.

Leng Jiu was actually quite reasonable. As long as you were sensible, she would listen; as long as you knew your place, she wouldn't trouble you. However, she despised those who were arrogantly proud without any substantial merit. She was initially just curious about Qing Ling and might have kept her close if she had been agreeable. Unfortunately, Qing Ling's lack of tact made her unworthy of Leng Jiu's attention.

The Mid-Autumn Festival brought a full moon and fine weather, with bright sunshine and a gentle autumn breeze, promising a large and round moon that night.

Leng Jiu had no particular sentiment towards festivals. Throughout her life, Mid-Autumn Festivals were either spent attending banquets or fighting amidst gunfire and bullets. She realized she had never truly celebrated any festival, be it Mid-Autumn or New Year’s Eve.

Regardless of her personal feelings, such a festive occasion required her presence. Civil and military officials, along with their families, arrived early. Emperor Long Yi and Noble Consort Hua, in their respective bright yellow and light golden robes, gave an imperial couple's impression as they appeared to receive everyone's bowing.

The Emperor had arrived, signaling the banquet should commence, yet the Empress Dowager and the Xuan Wang were noticeably absent, causing even the Emperor to wait.

"Ah! This prince is late, my apologies!" In his usual relaxed and casual demeanor, he showed no sign of remorse as he scanned the high platform, noting Leng Jiu's vacant seat: "So the Empress Dowager hasn't arrived yet. It seems I'm actually early!"

Several ministers forced a smile. Had it not been for Long Yue Li's status, they would have liked to reprimand him for his insolence.

Long Yue Li casually greeted Emperor Long Yi with a barely noticeable bow and without waiting for a return gesture, strolled to his seat. He poured himself a drink, emptying the cup in one go, and then expressed satisfaction: "Ah, a ten-year-old plum wine, exquisite!"

Emperor Long Yi gave him a cool glance, his expression unreadable. Finally, after waiting for a considerable time, the Empress Dowager arrived: "The Empress Dowager has graced us with her presence!"

Leng Jiu, dressed in a black robe embroidered with golden phoenixes, exuded magnificence and elegance. Her hair was styled high, adorned with golden floral pins and step-shake hairpins. Her makeup was subtle, with a bamboo-leaf mark on her forehead, enhancing her stunning beauty. Her presence instantly captivated the nearby ministers and dimmed the allure of the other women, including those beside Emperor Long Yi.

Long Yue Li gripped his wine cup tightly, his eyes reflecting a whirlwind of emotions. He always knew of her breathtaking beauty, and she lived up to expectations. However, he now wanted to gouge out the eyes of those who stared at her and hide her away, for his eyes only.

Gong Yiwei merely glanced at Leng Jiu briefly before lowering his eyes, holding the small jade gourd. Its sight brought him joy, making him indifferent to everything else.

Hua Jinzhi, seated in the second row, being a martial artist, could clearly see Leng Jiu. He felt discontent: "She's the Empress Dowager, yet dresses so beautifully. Yes, she looks good, but have you not seen those lecherous old men drooling over her?"