Chapter 69: The Beauty Trap

Chapter 69: The Beauty Trap

Everything around her seemed frozen in time, leaving her feeling immobilized, even in the midst of her confusion. Amidst her daze, she found herself wondering if that man was actually smiling?

After the initial bewilderment passed, shame and anger surged within her.

That despicable man, he could still smile.

But now wasn't the time to dwell on such matters. Ashamed, she wished she could find a hole to bury herself in. Her son had spoken those words, so regardless of any hidden context, the situation must have some truth to it.

With barely a moment to ponder, she swiftly covered her son's mouth and, under the watchful eyes of all, dragged him along. The entire assembly of palace maids and eunuchs, including Chunyue, stood frozen in their tracks, dumbfounded.

The pair, mother and son, appeared to be of similar ages. The young man was hurriedly escorted by the maiden into the depths of Zhengde Hall. Gongye Chu withdrew his gaze, resuming his cold and distant demeanor. He exited through the Jinhua Gate like a chilling breeze.

Spring Moon snapped back to her senses, glancing left and right with a thumping heart. The lady was incredibly daring, to actually dare to behave that way towards His Majesty. Seeing the stunned expressions on the faces of the palace maids and eunuchs, a faint sense of pride stirred within her.

Indeed, her ladyship is unique, just as expected.

She hurriedly followed and, upon entering the Zhengde Hall, saw her young lady engaging the emperor in a hushed conversation. Standing at a distance, she somehow found her anxiety fading away.

With the lady and His Majesty enjoying such a close relationship, none in the palace would dare to make things difficult for her and her mistress. Recalling the envious glances cast upon them as they left the Marquis's residence, she couldn't help but faintly curl her lips into a smile.

Pei Yuanxi admonished her son in a hushed tone, "It's impossible for me to have fallen in love with him at first sight. If he asks you about it, tell him that you misremembered or that Liu Ze deceived you."

It must be Liu Ze amusing the child. When she first met Gongye Chu, she was indeed captivated by his appearance, but she didn't experience any romantic stirrings. Who could fall head over heels for such a man? Wouldn't that be actively seeking suffering?

Shangxing wore a baffled expression and uttered an inquisitive "Oh."

He was an obedient child. If Mother said not to mention love at first sight, then he wouldn't bring it up in the future. He joyfully led Pei Yuanxi to Ren'an Palace, eagerly showcasing its interiors like a child presenting his treasures one by one.

Regaining their composure, the attending palace maids and eunuchs all realized with stark clarity that this Second Miss Pei held a place in His Majesty's heart far surpassing even his own mother. She dared to address him so familiarly.

Moreover, the Grand Marshal had witnessed it all yet chose not to comment. Whatever the future held, everyone present was now determined to serve her diligently.

As the two continued their conversation, she learned that Ren'an Palace would be her residence henceforth. As the queen, she was the sole ruler of the imperial harem. Among the many palaces within, Ren'an Palace was closest to both the Qinhua Palace and Zhengde Hall, which was why she would reside there.

"Mother, that used to be a coral ornament. I had it replaced with an aquarium. You've always enjoyed keeping fish by the windowsill, saying you love watching living creatures."

The fishbowl, crafted from blue and white porcelain, rested on a base of rosewood. Its base glaze depicted carp playing among lotus flowers. Two colorful koi swam joyously within, moving freely back and forth.

She looked delighted. "It's truly beautiful."

Shangxing became even happier and pointed to the bookshelf on the left. "That used to be a treasure cabinet, but I knew Mother wouldn't like all those miscellaneous items, so I sought out many unusual storybooks."

"Very well-behaved." She praised him without reserve. "You've done an excellent job with this."

Receiving his mother's praise, Shangxing grinned from ear to ear. He knew she would like it; he had arranged everything according to how he imagined it would be in the future.

Father had said that these decorations were what Mother liked.

The reunion of mother and son seemed to have endless topics to discuss. Unbeknownst to them within the palace walls, rumors were spreading wildly outside, causing a huge uproar in the Eastern Capital City.

The civil servants were filled with pent-up frustration, eager to condemn the emperor's arbitrary behavior in the court. Many mansions were lit up all night long, their officials buried in their studies, scribbling away fervently.

When morning court arrived, their eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, they kept stealing glances at Marquis Xuanping beneath their dark circles. Marquis Xuanping tried to ignore the hostile or evasive gazes by focusing on his nose, then his heart. Isolated like a plague, only General Hong, with his furious expression, approached him. The rest avoided him as if he were a fierce beast.

After everyone entered the Qinghe Hall, the impeachment petitions were handed one by one to Shangxing. He sneered and gazed at the towering pile of memorials.

"I merely invited my foster mother to stay in the palace for a few days, and you all react like fighting roosters. So, according to you, filial piety means disregarding etiquette and violating moral norms? I ask you, esteemed ministers, do none of you support and care for your parents?"

"Your Majesty, Second Miss Pei has yet to be married..." one of the ministers spoke up.

Another minister spoke with great concern, "Your Majesty, the rules of the palace must not be disrupted."

If the palace rules were disrupted, it would bring chaos to the harem, and that would lead to serious consequences.

Shangxing glanced at them nonchalantly. As the Son of Heaven, he was the embodiment of the palace rules! These people kept on chattering, as if they had nothing better to do.

Did they think they could intimidate him with rules when his own father was still alive? Even if the public was unaware of their father-son relationship, they should know what kind of person his father was. Were they, as a father and son, the type to strictly adhere to rules and fear public opinion?

"Cannot I, the Emperor, fulfill my duty of filial piety just because my foster mother has not been married? Amongst all virtues, filial piety comes first. My birth mother passed away early, leaving me to endure the agony of missing her since childhood. Having at last found a foster mother, how can you all make such malicious assumptions about our relationship!"

Though he was still young and often inconspicuous in daily affairs, he was, after all, the supreme monarch. Previously, the courtiers had regarded him as nothing more than a puppet in Gongye Chu's hands, but they hadn't expected that his wrath would carry a remarkable air of authority.

A few of the ministers who stepped forward were slightly taken aback. Seeing Gongye Chu remain composed, they assumed their actions aligned with the Grand Admiral's intentions. Each one of them secretly thought that no matter how majestic the Emperor appeared, it was merely an empty show of force.

One by one, they spoke with fervor, all essentially arguing that since Pei Yuanxi was not yet married and not a part of the imperial harem, her residence in Tai Ling Palace would be illegitimate and inappropriate. Moreover, the Ren'an Palace was a place reserved solely for the Empress Dowager; it was not fitting for anyone else to take up residence there.

Shangxing listened impatiently, his gaze fixed on the officials. Those under his stare felt a peculiar sensation, wondering why they had never noticed the emperor's imposing dragon aura before.

He has charming dimples when he smiles, giving him an innocent and harmless appearance. When he doesn't smile, his face assumes a serious expression, reminiscent of a young man with an unexpectedly mature depth.

"What would you do if I were to disregard your counsel?"

The ministers exchanged glances, and one among them stepped forward to impeach Marquis Xuanping for his neglect of personal virtue, alleging that the inner quarters of the Marquis's residence were plagued with scandal and turmoil. These individuals then turned their attention to Marquis Xuanping himself, candidly questioning the integrity of the household he presided over.

Marquis Xuanping was no pushover either. In the past, he had fiercely confronted General Hong to protect his daughter. He had been holding onto this resentment for a while and now was the moment to confront these individuals head-on.

When it comes to the inner courtyard, whose mansion doesn't have a secret or two hidden away? If we're talking about personal virtue, every person standing here has skeletons in their closet that surpass those of his concubine. In households with both legitimate and illegitimate sons, scandals are far from uncommon. He is, after all, a rare talent among military officials, able to hold his own in a debate against a crowd of ministers, even showing signs of gaining the upper hand.

Shangxing listened with great interest, even pulling out a handful of melon seeds from his sleeve. By the time a small pile of seed shells had accumulated beneath the dragon chair, Marquis Xuanping had clearly gained the upper hand, leaving those exposed officials flushed with embarrassment.

"Enough bickering! Do you know where you are? This is the Qinghe Hall!" Shangxing finished his seeds and wiped his hands with a handkerchief. "You want to talk about rules with me? Very well, let me ask you, what are these rules?"

He straightened in his seat and pointed at one of the officials, the one who had been the first and most righteous to speak up. "Step forward. I ask you, whom do you swear your loyalty to?"

The official's scalp tingled. Who else could he be loyal to but the Grand Commander? Not just him, every official in this hall, whether civilian or military, followed the Grand Commander's lead.

Did the young emperor perhaps intend to rebel?

"Certainly, Your Majesty."

"Huh." Shangxing sneered. "Since you're so loyal, I'm deeply relieved. Then tell me, how did I ascend to this dragon throne?"

The minister was utterly astonished. Could the Emperor have forgotten? Was there any need to explain how he had obtained the throne? No... Wait, something was off about the Emperor today. Was it possible that he was preparing to confront the Grand Tutor, using their lives as pawns in the game?

Despite the biting cold, the official's undergarment was soaked with sweat.

The mocking expression on Shangxing's face deepened. "You dare not speak? Yet, you still claim to be loyal?"

These people truly have too much leisure on their hands, to be discussing rules and etiquette in the Qinghe Hall. Have they forgotten that fateful night when Tai Ling Palace was bathed in blood, how each of them cowered in fear, pretending to have lost their memories?

Father was right before, people tend to bully the weak and fear the strong.

"I nourish you all to alleviate my burdens. Yet, instead of pondering over the vital state affairs, you fixate on my personal matters. I ask you, how are the governance achievements in each province and county? Have the irrigation dams and levees been repaired? Are the seeds for next year's harvest prepared?"

A series of inquiries left some baffled. Aren't these all matters for the Grand Tutor? When did His Majesty start concerning himself with such details? Does he truly harbor intentions of seizing power?

If that is truly the case, then they...

Shangxing, upon observing their expressions, knew precisely what they were thinking. It was fortunate that he was his father's own son; otherwise, he would sooner or later become an actual lone ruler, reluctantly surrendering the throne with humiliation.

"What do you think Qinghe Hall is? Is the early court session the place to discuss my personal affairs? Look at yourselves, bickering like backyard women. If all that a subject needs to do is meddle in the monarch's private life, then why do I need any of you? You take the state's salaries yet engage in tasks even backyard women can handle. You might as well stay at home from now on and let your wives attend court in your stead!"

He had always been detached from state affairs, so this was the first time he reprimanded his officials so fiercely. Everyone was stunned by his scolding, with several elder ministers so embarrassed and angry that their beards trembled.

Gongye Chu remained silent throughout, causing their hearts to throb with uncertainty. What did the Grand Commander truly have in mind? Amidst the silence in the hall, Gongye Chu finally spoke.

"Respecting one's parents is beyond reproach, and Your Majesty's filial piety sets an example for the world. Since it concerns Your Majesty's family affairs, it should not be discussed in the court."

Everyone was astonished. Was the Grand Commander compromising with the Emperor? Could it be a strategic retreat, allowing the Emperor to become overconfident and reckless, only for the Grand Commander to seize power when the Emperor eventually loses all influence?

Was that the case?

Shangxing flicked a sunflower seed shell off his dragon robe and stood up nonchalantly. "Listen to Lord Gongye's words – mind your own business. If I hear anyone else speaking ill of my foster mother, you should know I am no pushover. It seems like only yesterday that Jinhua Gate was blocked by corpses, and don't forget the piles of bones outside the Eastern Capital City!"

All were aghast. The Emperor...

He was courting death!

The emperor was courting death, but they had no intention of being his stepping stone. Thus, when the court session ended, everyone kept their distance from Marquis Xuanping, fearing to be seen associating with him by Gongye Chu.

Previously, the most intimate friend of Marquis Xuanping, Lord Zhang, the Chancellor, had already distanced himself. From initially avoiding proximity, he now went out of his way to keep away.

At first, he felt hurt and perplexed, but now he had come to terms with it. Life was unpredictable, and if their marquis mansion truly faced calamity, sparing others from involvement would reduce the guilt.

Lord Zhang lingered at the back until most of the officials had exited the Glorious Gate. Then, he turned back and summoned the courage to approach Gongye Chu.

"Your Excellency, I have a matter to report," he said.

Gongye Chu stood with his hands behind his back, not looking at him. "Speak!"

"Yes." He gathered his composure. "This humble official believes that His Majesty's actions are aimed at you."

Gongye Chu turned to face him. "Explain."

"Your Excellency, consider this: if the emperor genuinely wished to honor a woman as his foster mother, why choose Second Miss Pei, who has yet to be married? She was once known for her foolishness, yet suddenly, she recovered. Moreover, rumors spread about her excellent calligraphy and talent, followed by the grand opening of her music academy and shops. His Majesty repeatedly supported her, causing her fame in the Eastern Capital City to skyrocket abruptly. What does it mean when a woman neglects grace and virtue, striving for fame and fortune by constantly seeking the limelight?"

As he spoke, he cautiously observed Gongye Chu's expression.

Gongye Chu's expression remained cold and unyielding, exuding an oppressive aura. His back was slightly damp, and his palms were already sweaty.

"Your Majesty raised her, acknowledged her as his foster mother, and allowed her to reside in Tai Ling Palace. Do you truly believe His Majesty is doing this for the joy of familial affection? Think of Duke Yan at the founding of the dynasty, and the reason behind the discord between Dongshan Mansion and Duke Yan's residence. In my humble opinion, His Majesty's intention is... a beauty trap!"

Back then, when Emperor Shang's ancestors established the kingdom and granted rewards, promotions and titles were given to those who had contributed. The first Duke Yan and the first Duke of Dongshan were the two main pillars of the court.

The founding emperor sought to secure the loyalty of his trusted ministers, offering high ranks and riches, and even sought to form marital alliances. Unfortunately, he had no eligible princesses, so he had his empress adopt a talented and beautiful palace maid as her foster daughter, intending to marry her to the Duke of Dongshan.

The first Duke of Dongshan already had a betrothed from his hometown and thus rejected the imperial marriage.

The founding emperor, undeterred, turned to the first Duke Yan. The latter's first wife was weak and infertile, and after her passing, he married the princess.

That princess, like a sparrow transformed into a phoenix, ascended to nobility and wed the esteemed duke. Logically, she should have been grateful, but a thorn remained in her heart: the first Duke of Dongshan's refusal of the marriage.

Women usually resided in the inner chambers, and their children were often raised closely. Influenced by their mother's resentment, the princess's legitimate offspring developed a deep aversion to Dongshan Mansion, gradually creating a rift between the two families.

Nonetheless, the loyalty of Duke Yan's residence was beyond doubt, or else Gongye Chu would not have been able to completely eradicate them. To win over key officials, a king's most stable method was through marriage alliances.

Considering the precedent set by the founding emperor, it's understandable why Emperor Jingwu would attempt to replicate such a strategy. However, given his young age, it wouldn't make sense for him to adopt a daughter. Thus, acknowledging her as his foster mother was a more plausible solution, one that, upon reflection, proved to be ingeniously cunning.

Bestowing one's foster mother upon a high-ranking official is a subtle display of vulnerability. If the ruler and the subject develop a father-son bond, the latter might soften his heart and devote himself to assisting, rather than plotting to seize the throne.

Seeing that Minister Zhang had expressed his loyalty so explicitly, he expected Gongye Chu to understand his intentions. Perhaps, due to Zhang's wise counsel today, his future prospects would be limitless.

Sure enough, Gongye Chu inquired, "I recall that Minister Zhang's father taught at Qinglong Academy after his retirement, didn't he?"

"Your Excellency has an excellent memory. My father was a classmate with the former director of Qinglong Academy. Out of friendship, he often lent a helping hand at the academy when called upon."

Gongye Chu continued, "I remember you're from He Feng County, aren't you?"

"Indeed, Your Excellency even remembers this." Lord Zhang suppressed his surging joy. The fact that the Supreme Commander was aware of such details and inquired so meticulously meant that he was surely planning to entrust him with greater responsibilities.

Hefeng County bordered Yuncang, where Lord Zhang's father and the former headmaster of Qinglong Academy had both studied under the Chen family of Yuncang. The Chen family's scholarly influence spread far and wide, with countless direct descendants and their disciples.

Gongye Chu stated, "In the court, positions should be held by those capable. It's time for Lord Zhang to move up."

Upon hearing this, Lord Zhang assumed Gongye Chu intended to promote and elevate him. He couldn't contain his excitement and repeatedly pledged his unwavering loyalty, vowing to serve until his last breath.

After taking his leave, he strode out of Jinhua Gate with a lifted spirit. He could almost visualize himself being enveloped by the envious gazes of his peers.

Unbeknownst to him, a flicker of murderous intent had flashed behind Gongye Chu's icy gaze as he left.

Exiting the Qinghe Hall to the right was the Zhengde Hall.

No one was spotted in the Zhengde Hall, so Gongye Chu turned back, his hands clasped behind his back, heading for the Ren'an Palace. Those officials were all well-versed in palace etiquette; who dared to mention a single word against him? He moved through the palace grounds as if no one else existed; not a single palace maid or eunuch dared show any hint of astonishment.

Such was the extent of their loyalty to the emperor.

The gates of the Ren'an Palace stood wide open, revealing a mother and son seated closely together by the window in the main hall. One held fish food, while the other rested their cheek on their hand, watching the fish. Though their conversation was indiscernible, their joyful expressions and smiles suggested they were discussing something delightful.

The one gazing at the fish was the young emperor, his legs casually crossed in an informal posture. The maiden occasionally scattered fish food into the tank, dressed in a pink-edged inner skirt with a short fur-trimmed robe over it. Her hair was like a black cloud, her skin as smooth as jade, making her a stunning beauty.

As Gongye Chu stepped closer, he gradually made out her long, fan-like eyelashes.

He recalled the smiling woman from his dream, seemingly merging with the figure before him. Given his temperament, how could he be so obedient to a woman as he was in his dreams?

If he was bewitched by her beauty... that would explain some things.

So, was the "he" in his dream deeply in love with her because of her captivating appearance?